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THREE EXACT PIECES OF LEONARD PHIORAVANT Knight, and Doctor in PHYSICK, Viz. His RATIONALL SECRETS, and CHIRURGERY, Reviewed and Revived, Together with a Book of Excellent EXPERIMENTS AND SECRETS, Collected out of the Practiſes of ſeverall Expert men in both Faculties.

Whereunto is Annexed PARACELSUS his One hundred and fourteen EXPERIMENTS: With certain Excellent Works of B. G. à Portu Aquitano. Alſo Iſaac Hollandus his SECRETS concerning his Vegetall and Animall Work. With Quercetanus his Spagyrick Antidotary for GUN-SHOT.

LONDON, Printed by G. Dawſon, and are to be ſold by William Nealand, at his Shop at the Sign of the Crown in Duck-lane, 16••.

To the Reader.

Courteous Reader,

I Have carefully, though not curiouſly, diſrobed that worthy Knight, and excellent Doctor in Phyſick and Chirurgery, Leonard Phioravant out of his Italian Veſture, and put him into our Engliſh habit, that ſuch an excellent Piece may not lye cloyſtered in the Precinct of one Principality, but that our own Nation may participate of the Honie, this Laborious Bee hath brought to his Hive: If all reliſh not at the firſt guſt, the fault is not in the Work, but their judgements that underſtand him not, nor the jewels preſented unto them. Avicen King of Arabia in the Arabick, Hippocrates and Galen in Greek, and Plinie and Celſus in Latine; beſides many Engliſh and French, have teſtified their love to their native Countries, by publiſhing in their own Languages ſuch rare Treaſures as theſe. Nor fear I detraction from any for theſe my Labours, unleſſe it be from ſome runnagate Varlets, that carry all their cunning in a Chirurgians Box in their Pockets, and their learning in a Cap-caſe behind at their backs; who through Ignorance, neither regarding the quantity, nor quality of thoſe excellent Medicines, abuſe, and ſophiſticate them in making them up, but this muſt be obtruded unto the Men, not the Medicines; for prevention whereof hereafter, that honourable Society of London Phyſitians have choſe out a Chymick Artificer, whom they have placed in their own Colledge, and over whom they have ſet diſcreet, and learned overſeers to oblige the publike for their care to their Medicines hereafter. So wiſhing you the happy fruition of health is intended you by theſe labours; I reſt,

J. H.
W. J.

The Table of the Firſt Book.

WHat thing Infirmitie is, and whereof it proceedeth 1
To heal the faling ſickneſs 2
To help certain groſſe ſcabs in the head 3
To help young children of the R•pture 4
Of the ſmall Pox that cometh to children ibid
To help the Meaſles 5
Of Kernels or Scrophule ibid
Of divers ſorts of ſcabs 6
Againſt Worms in children 7
Of certain Warts or Carvoli on the Yeard. 8
Of Gonorrhea Paſſio ibid.
Of a Botch cauſed of the Pox 9
Of Pellarella Ibid
Of ſcabs that come through the Pox 10
Of certain tumours or ſwellings in divers parts of the bodie 11
Of Ach in divers parts of the bodie ibid
Of the Cough in the ſtomack 12
Of the white ſcab in the head 13
Of Eriſipela 14
Of the Squinancie 15
Of the Emeroids and Piles 16
An eaſie way to help all ſorts of Fevers ibid
Another cure of the ſaid Fevers 18
Of the continuall Fever 19
A great Secret againſt the continuall Fever 20
Of the Fever Tertian ibid
Of the Fever of Repreſſion 21
Of the Fever Hectick 22
A new Order wherewith thou mayeſt help moſt part of the Fever Hectick 23
Of the Fever Quartane 24
To help the Quartain of all ſorts 25
A great ſecret againſt the Quartain 26
A ſecret to help all Fevers in their beginning 27
A ſecret of one ſimple that helpeth all Fevers 28
Of the Gent ibid.
A Note concerning the cure of the Gout 29
Another diſcourſe of the Gout 30
What order muſt be had in the ſaid cure 31
To preſerve a man from the Gout 32
The cure of the Gout with pain in the ſide ibid
A diſcourſe of the Sciatica 33
Of pains of the Mother 34
Of pains in the head 35
Of diſeaſes in the eares 36
Of the Infirmities in the eyes ibid
Of the Tooth-ach 37
Of a ſtinking breath 38
Of ſpitting bloud 39
Of diſeaſes of the Liver 40
Of diſeaſes of the Dungs 41
Of the Spleen 42
Of the Flux of the bodie ibid
Of coſtiveneſſe in the bodie 43
Of the Flux of Urine ibid
A diſcourſe of the retention of Urine 44
Another diſcourſe of the ſame 45
Of the retention through hear ibid
Of the retention through drieneſſe 46
Of the retention through cold ibid
Of the retention through moiſtneſſe 47
Of the difficultie of Ʋrine Ibid.
Againſt burning of the Urine 49
A diſcourſe upon the carnoſity of the yeard 50
Another cure for the ſame ibid
To ſtay the flux of Urine 51
To break the ſtone 52
Of the gravell in the Reins 54
Againſt the Itch ibid

The Table of the Second Book.

WHat Chirurgery is 55
The order in curing Impoſthumes 56
What Impoſthumes are 58
Of Impoſthumes in the groin ibid
The ſecond kind of Impoſthumes in the groin 59
The third kind in the groin ibid
Of Impoſthumes under the armes 60
Of Impoſthumes in the throat ibid
Of Impoſthumes in the throat cauſed of melancholy humours 61
Of Impoſthumes in the throat cauſed of the Pox ibid
Impoſthumes in the throat of hot humours 62
Impoſthumes in the throat cauſed of cold 63
Impoſthumes in the throat of hot humours ibid
Impoſthumes in the eyes 64
Impoſthumes in the eares ibid
Impoſthumes in the mouth 65
Impoſthumes in the joynts ibid
Of inward Impoſthumes 66
Of Ulcers and what they are 67
To help Ʋlcers of all ſorts 68
Of Ulcers in the feet 69
Of Ulcers in the legs ibid
Of Ulcers in the knees 70
Of Ulcers in the groin ibid
Of Ulcers in the armes 71
Of Ulcers in the breaſt, back and belly ibid
Of Ulcers outwardly 72
Of Ulcers in the head ibid
Of Ulcers in the mouth 73
Of Wounds, and their kinds ibid
What Medicines are fitteſt for wounds 74
Of wounds in the head with offence of the brain 76
Of wounds in the head with fracture of the bone 77
Of wounds in the head where the bone is not offended 78
Of Contuſions or bruiſes in all places ibid
Of wounds in the neck 79
Of wounds in the arms 80
Of wounds in the breaſt ibid
Of wounds in the bellie 81
Of wounds in the leggs 83
Of wounds that pierce into the bodie 84
A diſcourſe upon old wounds 85
To heal wounds of Gun-ſhot ibid
To heal a wound quickly ibid
To help a wound quickly that is in danger 86
To ſtay the flux of bloud in wounds ib.
Another for the ſame 87
A defenſive for wounds ibid
Our ſecret powder for wounds ibid

The Table of the third Book.

TO make our Petra Philoſophale 88
To make our Balm 90
To make our Aromatico 92
To make our Electuario Angelica 93
Our Sirrupo Sclutivo 94
Our Sirrup Magiſtrall 95
Our Sirrup againſt the Melancholie humour 96
Our Potion of Lignum Sanctum ibid
To make the water of Lignum Sanctum 98
An Electuary againſt the Cough 100
Our Magiſtral Electuary of Sulphur ibid
Our Electuarie of Conſolida majore 101
Unguentum magnum 102
Oyle of Hypericon 103
Our Oleum Philoſophorum of Turpentine and Wax 104
Our Magno Liquore 105
Pillole Aquilone 106
Our Quinta eſſentia ſolutiva ibid
Pillole Magiſtrale 108
Aqua reale that maketh the teeth white 109
Of the ſecrets of Frankincenſe ibid
To make oyle of Honie 110
Our great Cerot 111
A Magiſtrall Ʋnguent that helpeth in manner all ſores 112
A Magiſtrall Cerot againſt the white Scall ibid
A divine Cerot againſt divers infirmities 113
A miraculous plaiſter for Flegmon or Eriſipella 114
A reſolutive plaiſter of great vertue 115
A maturative plaiſter of great vertue ibid
A compoſition againſt Ulcers and ſores 116
A ſtrange compoſition of great vertue ibid
An Unguent of great vertue againſt Ulcers ibid
A Diſcourſe upon ſundry ſorts of Ʋnguents 117
Medicines appropriate againſt all poiſons 119
A water that preſerveth the face and teeth faire 120
To take away ſpots out of the face 121
To cauſe hair to grow ibid
To make our Sirrup of Bayes 122
To make a Sirrup of Cinnamon and Ginger 123
Our Sirrup of a Capon 124
A magiſtrall Sirrup of Quinces, the which is reſtorative 125
A Magiſtrall Sirrup of Lignum Sanctum 126
A Sirrup of Juniper berries 127
A Sirrup of the Bran of wheat ibid
A Sirrup of Salſa Per•lia 128
To make a potion of China 129
A potion of Alchachengie 130
A pectorall Potion of our invention ib.
To make a Potion of Camedrios and Iva Artetica, which diſſolveth all Fevers that come of cold 131
A potion that helpeth againſt all infirmitios 132
An Infuſion of Wine that is good againſt the Gout 133
Another artificiall wine againſt the ſtitch in the ſide and gravell 134
To make a Quinteſſence of great••rtue 135
To make Diatartaro the which is ſoluble 136
A compoſition of great value to comfort the ſtomack 137
A ſtomachall plaiſter to cauſe digeſtion ibid.
A rare ſecret for the eyes 138
A liquor that comforteth the ſmelling, and preſerveth the head ibid
A decoction of the Vine 139
A compoſition of Mercurie the Hearb 140
A Medicine of Lapaciole minore, againſt the Catarre 141
Of Pollipodie and his vertues 142
Of the Olive, and his vertues 143
Of Ciperus and his vertues ibid
Of Rue or Hearb-grace, and his vertues 144
Of Wormwood, and his vertues 145
Of Gratia Dei, and his vertues ibid
Of Wallwort, and his vertues 146
Of Millefollie or Yarrow and his vertues 147
Of Gentian and his vertues 148
Of Imperatoria, and his vertues 149
Of Carduus ſanctus, and his vertues ibid.
Of ſweet Majoram, and his vertues 150
Of the hearb Lutiola, and his vertues 151
Of Hypericon, and his vertues ibid
Of Nettles, and his vertues 152
Of Hyſop of the Mountain ibid
A great ſecret of a kind of Betonie 153
Of the Effects of Wine, and what cometh thereof 154
Of Vinegar, and his qualities 156
Of the Faces of wine, and his ſecrets 157
Of Verjuyce made of Grapes ibid
Certain ſecrets of Animals, and firſt of the Oxe ibid
Of the Goat, and his vertues 158
Of the Horſe, and his vertues 159
Of the Dog, and his vertues 160
Of the Cat, and his ſecrets ibid
Of the Hare, and his ſecrets ibid
Of the Frog, and his ſecrets 161
A diſcourſe upon certain ſtones, and their qualities, both in Phyſick and Chirurgery, and firſt of the marble ibid
Of the ſtone Lapis Ematites 162
Of the Stone of Iron called L•ppa 163
Of Lapis Judaicus ibid
Of Lapis Lazuli 164
Of the Flintstone 165
Of Alumen ſcaleola or Geſſo ibid
Of Lapis Amiantis 166
Of the Saphire 167
Of Red Coral•ibid
Of the ſtone Salt 168
The ve•es•certain Minerals and mean Minerals, and firſt of Vitriol 169
Strange ſecrets of Roth Allum 170
Of Orpimert and his nature ibid
Of Cinaber Minerall 171
Of the ſecrets of Salt, and his vertue ibid
Of common Salt, and his vertues 172
Certain ſecrets of Saltpeter ibid
Certain ſecrets of Allum du Feſſe 173
Of Gold ibid
Of Silver 174
Of Lead ibid
Of the ſecrets of Copper 175
Of Tin 176
Of Iron ibid
Of the ſecrets of Mercurie 177

FINIS.

Short Amimadverſions upon the Book lately Publiſhed by one who ſtiles himſelfe NOAH BIGGS, Helmontii Pſittacum.

Friend,

YOu ſet a bigg Saile to a little Veſſell: I beleeve your Arke doth not like Noah's, containe all the vitality of Rationals, and Senſibles.

You write Pag. 205. concerning Maſtication. Seeing all Aliment ought to paſſe into a liquid Reduction, or tendance to Chilificative mutation, or Alimentall converſion, therefore Maſtification is to be highly commended.

You have like the great Fiſh, that ſwallowed Ionah, received in Van Helmont, though not digeſted him; and the ſame taxe may paſſe on you, which ſomtimes did on a Noble Courtier, devoraſti, non ediſti. It was the judgment of2 Doctor Charlton, a Learned Phyſitian, a favourer of Van Helmont, that he had a better Faculty, Evertere opiniones Veterum, quam extruere, & ſtabilire Novas.

When was ever Practice amongſt the Phyſitians ſo narrowly confined, as they kept themſelves to one Author? Do not ſome of them follow Minfect, others Hartman, others Grulingius, others will have their preſcriptions made after Quercetan, Faber, or Poterius, ſome after Begvinus, Millius, Billich, Burgravius, Becherus, or other Authors; And ſome diſguſt all, which are not Paracelſian, or accord with Baſilius, Valentinus his Maſter, and are pleaſed to practiſe after their Medicines, with the additions of their own Experiments, out of their reading, and judegment on their ſeverall Authors. I would gladly know who ties himſelfe to Sennertus, Riverius, or any one Modern Author, as if univerſall Learning were contained in the ſphere of one Microcoſme: Yet you are ſo much for Helmont, as if he were the great Luminary of the World. I confeſſe, I honour Van Helmont, but if you do no cures out of the tract of his Method, I beleeve you muſt ſtudy more knowledge in his Medicines then barely how to Tranſlate them, or otherwiſe you3 will faile in the honour you aſpire unto, and from teaching others, come your ſelfe to learn from thoſe you unworthily vilifie.

You ſay Pag. 12. The Schooles are ignorant of the Quiddities, and Dihoties of things, do you your ſelfe underſtand either your own, or the eſſence of the loweſt inferiour Animals? Pag. 15. Why did you not by the golden Trident of Chymicall Theoremes, whom as a Lady of Honour you have courted, devoutly kiſſed, and profeſſe your ſtrict obſervance to, becalm this Sea of diſtraction? And as you ſay, Pag. 16. write in that, in which there is no beaten path, which you think moſt honourable, becauſe he that leades hath this advantage above others, if others follow him, he hath the glory of the firſt undertaking, if not the excuſe of prejudice: But had not Van Helmont traced out this Path to you, I could think you would have acquieſced to the ancient opinions, and not have aſpired to be reckoned amongſt the publick Benefactors of Civill and Humane life.

Pag. 35. You have a jerke at Bartholomeus Carichterus, but I beleeve your own learning and judgment will hardly bring you to be a Phyſitian to ſo great an Emperour as Maximillian the4 Second. For your threefold Character you give of a good Purge, Pag. 80. I hardly beleeve your Patients will be ſo happy as to meet with ſuch from you. The London Diſpenſatory hath variety of medicines, ſome following one Author, and ſome another, for which purpoſe it was ſo enlarged, as thought neceſſary in reſpect of the ſeverall variety of judgment, and practiſes of our Modern Phyſitians.

You ſay, Pag. 11. reading is no way conducible to knowing: If you had never read Van Helmont, you had never written in this ſtile. You ſay, Pag. 11. The diſeaſe known is not the halfe way to the cure, but if you know not the diſeaſe, I conceive you would hardly, or blindly come to the cure of them. You write, Pag. 15. The Phyſitians like to the ſelf-conceited Laodiceans, while they preſume they keep the keyes of the Science, they neither enter themſelves into the Cloſet, and inner Parlour of Nature, nor admit, willingly, others that would. But obſerve your own incircumſpection and levitie: For had you peruſed their Pharmacopoea, publiſhed 1650. A Capite ad Calcem, you could not have committed ſo groſſe an error, (nor did their former want preſcriptions of Chymick medicines) but if you5 pleaſe to caſt your eye on it, from Pag. 187. ad finem Libri, you may ſee many good Chymick preparations, beſides the multitude of other preſcriptions, which are left to the judgement and choyce of Ingenious Practitioners, to fetch out of other Chymick Authors.

And had you but caſt your eye on their carefull expreſsion, in fine Pharmacopoeae, you would have been ſilent, or written more temperately, which I muſt expoſe to your knowledge in their own words.

Ne nos (Amice Lector) in hac operis ſuſcepti meta, ſimulque cum calamo noſtro curam depoſuiſse tui videamur, certior ut fias, cupimus, nos etiam ſaluti tuae, publicaeque utilitati, nihilo ſegnius invigilare, adeoque officinam Chymicam, ſeorſum in horto Collegii erigendam curaſſe, artificemque Idoneum accerſiviſſe, eidemque inſtruendo & corrigendo Collegarum peritiſsimos deſtinaſſe, ut medicamenta, quanto efficaciora, tanto cautius, quanto difficilliora, tanto diligentius, quanto pretioſiora, tanto ſincerius componerentur. Denique eidem ſuffragia nostra, locumque ac lucrum omne gratis dediſſe, & conceſsiſſe, ut ad tam ſingularem benevolentiam promerendam pari honeſtate impelleretur. Tu Quiſquis es, nobiſcum fruere, vove & vale. Now judge of the condition you ſtand in with knowing men.

Hath not Rome, France, Auguſta, Collen, Amſterdam, and other Nations their ſeverall Pharmacopaeas? Muſt all be drowned, if Noah, your petty Arke hold them not up. Pag. 107, and 108. Concerning Gliſters, that they never reach to the Ileon, or have any nouriſhing quality.

Bartholinus in his Phyſicall exercitations, hath a tract againſt that opinion; where, by his authorities, experiments, and reaſons, you might be ſomewhat ſtaggered, if you do not jurare in verba Magiſtri: againſt whom Doctor Heers, in his tractate de Fontibus ſpadanis, caſteth forth bitterrer language then I will throw upon you; yet I deſire you to remember what Doctor Metcalfe of Cambridge not long ſince ſaid, on the cenſures of ſome nimble-tounged Scholars on the grave Academians: You young men think us old men fooles, but we old men know you are ſo. And be not offended that I adviſe you, that would be held Magiſtrum in Artibus, to ſtudy alſo to be Magiſtrum in Moribus. But I will conclude with theſe two Grammar verſes,

Adde quod ingenuas dediciſſe fideliter Artes

Emollit mores, nec ſinit eſſe〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

And muſt tell you, for your raſh extravagant7 cenſures, you are worthy to be tranſmitted back to the Colledge Cenſors, or Deanes.

W. I.

FRIEND CULPEPR,

I Had thought the ſober animadverſions were given you lately upon the publiſhing of the tranſlation of Papius, would have reformed your inſolent Language you formerly uſed againſt your bettters; but I ſeeQuo ſemel eſt imbuta recens ſervabit odorem Teſta diu.The Veſſell cannot put off the firſt foetid ſmell it received, for in your diſponſatory Epiſtle, and in theſe of your Midwifery with a great deale of rayling, and nonſence, as if it were Cuckow-moneth with you, you chatter ſtill in one note, againſt Prieſts, and Phyſitians, and cry out, Wee are Priſoners, and kept in darkneſſe, and who are our Jaylors but Schollers: Out of which by your ſelfe-conceited omniſcience you undertake to deliver them, from the unſufferable ignorance men and women are now trained up in, and teach them a deſperate unwarrantable practice. And this is done, you ſay,to uphold a Company of Lazie Doctors, moſt of whoſe covetuouſneſſe outweighes thei•witts, as a Milſtone outweighes a feather, &c. I cannot but ſmile at your nonſence ſimilitudes; but I ſhall account you an exact Mathematician, if you can tell me how many feathers would counterpoyſe a milſtone, but that task would make your braine as light as your tongue. I allwaies conceived men were bred up in callings, to enable them in future to preſerve themſelves and their Families, and in their profeſsions to be ſerviceable to the Commonwealth, and might lawfully live by them. I pray, why do you tranſlate but to live by it not agere ſtultum, & Zoilum? I wonder whether gaine•ut you not at firſt (when other Trades failed you) to write, or rather tranſlate Phyſick in your mother tongue: and it ſeemeth you rather know how to tranſlate Latine, then transferre it into a Sentence, as you do legere, & non intelegere, neglegere eſt. But I will admit the excuſe, tis the Compoſitors overſight. You ſay, If any want wiſdome, let him aske it of God, not of the Colledge of Phyſitians; and yet you undertake to teach them; for you ſay, You intend to lay down ſome Rules, whereby a man may as well prevent a ſickneſſe before it comes, as remedy it when it comes, and that you will write of the preſervation of man, even from his conception to his grave: a great undertaking, and I beleeve too high5 Mr. Culpeper for your reading, and will ſcarce be gained out of your tranſlating ſome fragments of Galens, and ſome pieces of modern Anatomy. You ſay, Phyſitians of our times keep our underſtanding in as great bondage as Pharoah kept the Hebrew Midwifes bodies, I pray did the other Phyſitians before them walke in your tract? but why tranſcend you the text with your fooliſh additions? what bondage do you read of either the Aegyptian Midwifes, or women ſuffered under Pharaoh themſelves, though the males were overcharged with rigor. You confeſſe God hath given you ſome little ſparkes of Knowledge, and you will not wrap up your talent in a napkin and bury it in the ground: Truly I thinke you need not hide any you have; and for that of rayling you will not. You deſire others to judge charitably of you, for Charity and Honeſty you ſay alwaies walk hand in hand together, and think ill of no man: If your own rule be your judge, you are neither Charitable nor Honeſt: you ſay in your Epiſtle to the Reader, The water may be muddy in the ſtream, which is clear in the Fountain, but yours is clear in neither: You ſay, The Tranſlators have given us a Tranſlation of the Bible (ſuch a one as it is) but have given all the proper names in Scripture in pure Hebrew words in an Engliſh Character, and yet all the Scripture was written for our inſtruction: Had you been as well verſed in the12 Tranſlations, as you are in raſh Cenſures, you might have found the Hebrew words exactly interpreted, adjoyned to many tranſlations: not conceived ſo neceſſary to be joyned to all; becauſe whoſoever underſtood the language well (as God be praiſed many of our Nation do) they needed not that key to open it to them: Beſides you ſay, whole Sentences in Scripture are ſo tranſlated, that it would make a man ſick to ſee them, I beleeve you mean read them; but why quoate you not the places, as you did before, the fourth or fifth first Chapters of the Book of Chronicles. If you had ſaid ſome ſentences of Scripture are omitted, or perverted, you might juſtly have taxed the lazie ignorant Printers, both here and beyond the Seas, in theſe times, that have not had ſo much care of their Preſſes in putting forth thoſe ſacred Bookes, as your Printer hath had of yours. You ſay, The firſt vertue a Child aimes at ſo ſoon as it is born is knowledge. I would gladly learn what Virtue is native; I conceive them dative, and that ſcientia is rather acquiſita, then nata, if it be true nemo naſcitur artifex; or the Platonick opinion hold, man is Tabala raſa, capeable of impreſsions, but hath none written in it. The deſire to be as Gods was the cauſe of our Parents firſt fall, knowledge of good and evill, but the knowledge of Good comes onely from God, the Fountaine of goodneſſe, in whoſe ſtream you muſt be dipped, before you deſert your pride, and ſelfe-love, and put on humility. You ſay,13 Had not the Prieſts formerly abſconded the myſteries of Truth from us, Sermons would have been ſo cheape that they would have been cried about ſtreets for three halfpence a dozen; You might have done well to have expreſſed your ſelfe, whether you meant our Prieſts, or the Romane, for I dare juſtifie a few of the Sermons of our late reverend Divines, as Andrewes, Hierons, Holſworth, Adams, and many others which I could name, are of farr greater worth and eſteeme, then your diſpenſatory, unleſſe with ſome ignorants and women: Though you under value Sermons at a leſſe rate then ſparrowes, when your learned labours are prized at five or ſix ſhillings a piece. For Gardiner, I think every good Chriſtian abhorreth his name and life; and I know no man deſires to die his death. Gyant proportions have often Pigmy conceits, but our gentlemans fancy farre outſtrips Bayards leape, who brings Dianas I mage from Epheſus to jumpe to England at one leape, where ſilver ſhrines muſt be made for her ſtill. It is a Riddle to my underſtanding, where the Image and Shrines are; and I ſhould be glad to ſee you cleare that paſſage, of the Image fell downe from Jupiter, and that of the ſilver ſhrines from impertinent nonſence, and ſhew how you can make them correſpond with our Phyſitians. Tis true you put an effigies Image, or ſculpture before every book you write; I conceive you meane not your owne, I confeſſe I14 have that in your Book at Amen Corner, but for your Silver ſmith and ſhrines you write of, I hardly beleeve you will have one, unleſſe the Midwifes you flatter ſo, make you one. For Amen Corner, I perſwade my ſelfe, tis a formidable place to you, for feare of diſſection, for you never durſt hitherto venture your approbation there before the Doctors for your ſufficiency in your trade you were bound to, and ſome-while brought up in: And for your judgement in Phyſick, I know you dare not come thither to the teſt, though you raile againſt them. Pray let me not trouble your weake braines with a relation of a Gentleman and Scholars, cenſure upon your Book, who peruſing ſome paſſages in it in a Bookſellers ſhop, asked whether Culpeper made that obſceane book or no, and being anſwered he did, replied, truly Culpeper hath made Cul-paper, paper fit to wipe ones breech withall. Where you writ, You could have written deeper notions in Phyſick then ſhall be found in this book: I muſt tell you, you would ſeeme to be a Phyſitian, who have ſcarce aſpired to the Apothecary. But the Colledg hath wrapt up their Children in blankets of ignorance, have they not ſhut them up in a Chamber, as tis related your Patron ſometines did you: you ſay, man may meddle with generalls, but before he meddle with particulars, let him looke to himſelfe: But you have Lynceus eyes in others affaires, ſed non vides manticae quod in tergo eſt. He is a1 ſaucy inſolent Souldier ſpeakes irreverently againſt the Gerall under whoſe Colours he marcheth, you profeſſe your ſelf ſtudient in Phyſick, but want ſome Phyſick your ſelf to purge away the Malignant humor poſſeſſeth you againſt the honourable Society of the Colledge of Phyſitians: A little Hellebor would do well to purge your braines with, if you could but jump over as eaſily to Italy or Greece, where it growes, as Dianas Image did hither. Were you aſleep or awake when you ſaw it jumpe ſo farr, otherwiſe I ſhall think it like one of the ſtories in the Mirror of Knighthood. Every bird thinks his own young one faireſt ſuum cuique pulchrum, you acknowledge the direction for Midwives to be your own child but whether you are more properly a borrower or tranſlator, then Father, Judicent Medici. Tis a ſlovenly Bird bewres as his own ueſt, and though you ſeem to adhere to Hypocrates you ſhall never be counted Harpocrates for he was borne with one hand on his mouth, and the other on his members, but you will cloſe yours upon neither. But I will conclude with our Mercury with a ſtory of Mercury out of our Latine Emblems. Mercury having a good conceipt of himſelfe (as our Mercury hath) deſirous to know what opinions mortalls conceived of him, would needs deſcend, and fixed on a Statuaries ſhop, where lighting and comming in, he ſpies many Images of the Gods and Goddeſſes, and enquires the price of them, but not ſeeing his owne, enquires whether he had the Statue of Mercury16 or no, he replied he had, and fetched him forth of a bye corner he had in his ſhop, of whom Mercury demanded what price he would aske for it, the Statuary replyed, Sir, If you mean in good earneſt to buy the other Statues you Cheapned, you ſhall have him into the bargain, whereupon Mercury went away diſcontented, I leave the Morall to your own application: and your ſelfe alſo; wiſhing you more government in your tongue, and diſcreſsion in your pen, hereafter, concluding with that ſaying, His tongue is no ſlander, whoſe tongue is all ſlander,

From Amen Corner,

Your wellwiller, and a wellwiſher to the Subſtances not ſhaddowes of Phyſick. W. J.

The Epiſtle to the Reader.

COURTEOUS READER,

THere having come to my hands three ſeverall Bookes; Phioravants Secrets, and alſo his Chyrurgery, to which is added The Iewell of Practice: Publiſhed a good while ſince by JOHN HESTER, a Spagyrick Profeſſor, in his time of eminent note: And knowing the Books very ſcarce, and out of Print, much deſired by Ingenuous Practitioners in Phyſick, I have for the Publick good communicated thoſe three ſeverall Books to my Friend: aſſuring my ſelfe out of my knowledge of the Books, that there are in them contained many Chymica arcana, which will be much advantagious to Spagyrick Students, with the more confidence, becauſe whoſoever deſireth to have, and make uſe of the choyceſt Secrets delivered in them, may have them faithfully made up, and diſpenced in Amen-Corner, by W. I. Chymiſt to that honourable Society, and Colledge of London Phyſitians, who hath heretofore made up the choiſeſt of them, for ſundry Phyſitians, who have earneſtly deſired them, and with good ſucceſſe uſed them: And I doubt not, but they will receive as good ſatisfaction in their compoſitions, as that worthy Spagyrick, (that from an Italian Coate, put them into an Engliſh Veſture) formerly gave them: Deſiring you for your fuller approbation, to peruſe his Epiſtle praefixed before his tranſlation, which I preſume, will give you that content is deſired from your Friend,

W. I.
M. B.

A SHORT DISCOURSE OF THE SECRETS OF THE Moſt Famous Knight and Excellent Phyſitian and Chirurgion, Lord PHIORAVANTE.

CHAP. I. What thing infirmitie is, and whereof it proceedeth.

SIckneſſe or Infirmitie is no other thing then a diſtemperature of humours in the bodies of creatures, as well reaſonable as unreaſonable, which are ſubject to ſickneſs and to death. And theſe doe not proceed of any other thing, then of the divers and ſundry diſorders committed many waies, which diſorders every man might very well defend himſelf from, if he would. And theſe diſorders which are thus committed are very many, whereof I will name you a few, and will tell you alſo of the infirmities which follow them.

There are many which diſorder themſelves in their eating,2 and in the varietie and ſuperfluitie of meats, and ſo corrupt themſelves; and of ſuch corruption engendreth ill diſpoſition of the ſtomack, and loſſe of appetite, and thence cometh the Itch, and diſeaſes of the legs, and other like matters, which commonly proceed of much repletion. Others diſorder themſelves in the exceſs of Lecherie, of which diſorder cometh debilitie of the Reins, want of the ſight, weakneſs of the brains, and oftentimes diſeaſes about the Yard, and other kinde of infirmities hanging upon the French ſickneſſe. Some diſorder themſelves in fiſhing, ſtanding much in the water; and of this acceſſe cometh coldneſſe of the Nerves, pains of the legs and feet, and ſuch other things which ſuch acceſſe cauſeth. Other ſome diſorder themſelves in hunting, in ſuch ſort, as they take heat, cold, wearineſs, hunger and thirſt; of which diſorder there followeth Agues, Opilations, Rheums, Numneſſe, and ſuch like things; which, with ſuch diſorder and great travell, commonly are wont to bee cauſed. And in divers other manners men may diſorder themſelves, which at this time I will omit, becauſe I will not be overtedious to the Reader. It ſufficeth, ſo that I ſhew the ſubſtance of the thing, and to doe it, that every one may underſtand it. If then the cauſes are infinite, by which infirmities or ſickneſs come, and the remedies a great many more then enough to cure them: I mean therefore to ſet down in the Chapters following the infirmities, together with the remedies, with the which they may be healed, beginning with the infirmities which men have from their birth unto their death, diſcourſing of them one after an other. And firſt I will ſpeak of Infants and children, which happen into the falling ſickneſſe aſſoon as they are born.

CHAP. II. To help the falling ſickneſs in young Children.

THe Falling Sickneſs is a diſeaſe, the which in young Children is cauſed of great humiditie in the head, and the cure thereof according to our Order, is with drying things3 which diſſolveth that humiditie, and the Remedie is this: Take our Cerot Magiſtrale, and ſpread it on a cloth the breadth of two fingers ſquare, and ſtrew thereon the powder of Cantharides: the which of his own quality and nature is attractive, and bringeth forth great quantity of water: then lay this Cerot in the nuke of the neck, and there let it lye at the leaſt eight or ten daies, taking it off every day, and making it clean, then lay it on that place again. Likewiſe you ſhall annoint the head with Oleum Petroleum, the which is very drying and penetrative; becauſe it cometh forth of a Mine under the earth, the which continually doth boil, and ſo cometh forth with the water, and then is ſeparated. This Oil hath a marvellous vertue in himſelf, that it defendeth the fire, for if a man annoint his hands therewith, he may waſh his hands with molten Lead preſently, and never hurt him: and that cometh through a certain bidden vertue in that Oil. Alſo you ſhall underſtand, that this Oil will burn being ſet on fire, and yet it will not hurt or ſcald any thing which it falleth on, or toucheth it.

CHAP. III. To help young Children of certain groſſe Scabs, that come in the head and face.

THeſe groſſe ſcabs that come in the head and face, are cauſed of abundance of fatneſs, and moiſture of the milk of the Nurſe; for the child being tender and weak of complexion, is not apt to digeſt that ſuperfluous humour, and ſo Nature driveth it forth in that order, with great abundance of humiditie, And the beſt remedie is, That you ſhall give the child every morning one ſcruple to drinke, of our Elixar vitae, becauſe it is a friend to Nature, and nouriſheth the bodie, and drieth up ſuperfluous moiſture, and ſo the child ſhall be holpen. Alſo you ſhall annoint the child with our Magno liquore, the which is temperate of nature, and doth penetrate, and ſo cauſeth ſolution of that humour.

CHAP. IV. To help young Children of the Rupture.

THe Rupture is cauſed two waies, the one through weakneſſe of the place, and the other through much crying, and the remedie is thus: You ſhall make a Truſſe fit for the childe that ſhall come very cloſe, and then let them uſe our Electuarie of Conſolida majore, the which is written in my diſcourſe of Chirurgerie, with divers of my Medicines: And alſo you ſhall give the child to drink the powder of Alkimilla in wine; and every night you ſhall annoint the Rupture with our Oleum Philoſophorum, made of Turpentine and Waxe: the which is ſo peircing, that it warmeth the place that is broke, and helpeth it to ſiccatrize. And ſo uſing theſe three Medicines, thou ſhalt help him quickly, for this have I proved an infinite of times, and alwaies have had good ſucceſſe, thanks be to God.

CHAP. V. Of the ſmall Poxe that come to Children.

THe Small Pox are cauſed of ſuperfluous choller and flegm, the which is mixed with the bloud, and ſo continuing a certain time it doth encreaſe ſo much, that Nature cannot bear it, and ſo driveth it forth with a great accident of a Fever, the which commonly doth continue four or five daies together, and then cometh forth certain wheals or bladders full of corruption, which within three daies will break and run forth, and many drie. You ſhall underſtand that there are ſome ſo weak of Nature that they cannot come forth, but remain within, and ſo having no evaporation outwardly, it doth choak them, and ſo die, and that is the cauſe why ſo many creatures from four yeers old to ten doe die without help. And therefore I conſidering the true cauſe of the diſeaſe, I have alſo found out the true remedie to help them, and that is this. When the child feeleth that Accident, give him preſently one drachm5 of our Aromatico to eat: The which hath ſuch force and vertue attractive, that it joyning unto the ſtomack draweth unto it all the humours that offend, and carrieth them forth both by vomit and ſege, and ſo leaveth Nature eaſed, and the partie out of danger. Then after that anoint him four evenings with our Balſamo artificiato, and lay him down to ſweat, and ſo he ſhall be well.

CHAP. VI. Of the Ferſa or Meaſels that come to young Children.

THe Meaſels that cometh to Children, commonly cometh after the ſmall poxe one yeer or two, or three, and is cauſed of the aforeſaid cauſe; and there is no other difference between them, but that the perſon is of more age and ſtrength, and both come with an accident of a Fever, but in this cauſe they come forth thicker, and they dry without breaking or running. Nevertheleſſe, this many times cauſeth death, if it be not holpen quickly, and with the remedies appropriate. You ſhall underſtand that this doth not come with ſo great vehemencie as the other doth. You ſhall onely defend the heart and preſerve the ſtomack from corruption, and putrefaction, and ſo you ſhall help them quickly. The Remedies are theſe: You ſhall give them four or five mornings this drinke: Take Julep of Violets, ℥ ii. Roſewater, ℥ iiii. Oile of Vitriol four grains, mixe them and drink it cold: for this is a rare Medicine.

CHAP. VII. Of Waxing Kernels, which are called of ſome Scrophulae.

THeſe Kernels that commonly come in the throat of young Children, are cauſed of ſuperfluous melancholy humours corrupted, and are a kinde of Ulcer, very hard to be holpen, and evill to have, for when they are broke they cauſe exceſſive pain, becauſe thereunto runneth great abundance of humours,6 and are ſo hot and corrupt, that it is impoſſible to help them with outward Medicines onely, becauſe they proceed of an inward cauſe. Therefore if thou wilt help them, firſt remove the Cauſe, and then cure the Effect.

Firſt therefore thou ſhalt give them our Sirrup againſt Melancholick humours, written in our diſcourſe of Chirurgerie, and then give him a Doſe of our Aromatico faſting, and that will evacuate the ſtomack of choler and flegm, and drie up thoſe humours that run to the ſores. The Medicines that you ſhall uſe to the ſore, are two: The firſt is our Coſtick, which being laid on the ſore, doth mortifie it in four and twentie hours, and taketh away the corruption. Note, that you may not take away the Askar, untill ſuch time as it falleth out of himſelf, then lay thereon the black Cerot of Godfredo de Medic. the which Cerot is written alſo in Galen. And in ſhort ſpace it will be holp, as I have proved divers times.

CHAP. VIII. Of divers ſorts of Scabs, and their Remedies.

SCabs proceed of divers and ſundry cauſes; Nevertheleſſe, they all are cauſed of putrefied blood, as you may ſee by daily experience. But the ſaid putrefaction may be cauſed of divers accidents, as by eating much moiſt and fat meat. It may be cauſed of a corrupt humour of the French Pox, and of divers other cauſes, which I will leave at this time. Therefore if thou wilt help any of the aforeſaid cauſes, it would be neceſſary to uſe Purgations, and Unctions. The Purgations are two, and the Unctions alſo two. The firſt Purgation is half an ounce of our Electuario Angelico, which take in the morning faſting thereon at the leaſt four hours: then take for ten daies together our Soluble Sirrup; the doſe is from ℥. iiii. to ℥. vi. And then if the Scabs come of the Pox, you ſhall annoint them five or ſix nights with our Ʋnguento magno, and they ſhall be holpen. But if the ſcabs come of any other cauſe, you ſhall annoint them with Ʋnguento de Lithargiro ſimple, after they are well purged. The Unguent is7 made with Vineger, with the Oil of Roſes, and with Litarge.

CHAP. IX. Againſt Worms in Children.

THis is a rare ſecret againſt the Worms, the which I have uſed a long time, and alwaies have had good ſucceſſe. Take the ſeed of Levant, the which is ſweet, and is called in Italian Sementina, and the ſeeds of Carduus Benedictus, and of a certain Herb growing on the Sea, called Corolina, ana: ſtamp it very fine, and give thereof one drachm in honey, and it will kill the Worms, alſo thou ſhalt underſtand that I have a great ſecret againſt the Worms, the which I will ſhew thee; for it may be uſed more ſafer then any of theſe Hearbs above named: You ſhall annoint all the bodie over (leaving no part) with our Balm Artificiall, and give the Patient thereof to drink ʒ. i. with Wine or Broth. Thou ſhalt underſtand, though the child have no Worms, yet the Medicine will doe him great good, becauſe it helpeth againſt all manner of diſeaſes that may happen unto children, and alſo to other perſons.

CHAP. X. Of certain Warts or Carvoli, that come on the Yard of a man.

VVHen Children have paſſed the foreſaid diſeaſes, and that they come to the age of fourteen yeers, or fifteen, or more, and that they begin to fall among women, many times by ſome accidents, they get theſe Carvoli, or Warts on the Yard. And they are of divers kinds, for ſome come on the very skin, and ſome come on the fleſh or end of the Yeard. Some are as though they were burnt or ſcorched, and other like Ulcers, and other like Warts. Thoſe that come as though they were ſcorched are of ſmall importance, and may be eaſily helped, for if you touch them once or twice with our Aqua reali, they will be whole. Thoſe which are Ulcerated are evil to heal,8 yet you ſhall uſe no ſtrong Medicines thereto, but onely dreſſe them with our Magno liquore, and in ſhort time they will be whole. Thoſe that are like Warts are very evil to be help'd, for you muſt mortifie them with our Coſtick, one after another. But if they be not mortified at once, touch them again, and again, if need require; and when they are mortified, help them onely with our Magno liquore, untill they be whole: And with this Order I have cured a number.

CHAP. XI. Of the Running of the Reins.

THe running of the Reins moſt commonly cometh of the much uſe of women, or becauſe thoſe women are corrupted with a certain diſtemperature of heat, that is able to corrupt a man uſing with her. And of this running there may grow divers diſeaſes, as you may ſee by thoſe that are troubled therewith, if they be not helped as they ought to be. One of the diſeaſes that may come of this, is great pains in the back, becauſe it doth weaken the vertue of the Reins. There may come alſo a great burning in the Yeard, and botches in the Groin, and ſuch like, all which are hard to bee diſſolved. The cure of this diſeaſe is, You ſhall take three times our Pills called Pill••Aquilonae, every third day once, that being done, he ſhall uſe this Electuarie ſeven or eight daies together.

Take a certain ſhell which is ſmooth, and is called of ſome Calcinelli, and of ſome T••inole, and of ſome Telline; Take them and burn them, make it into fine powder, and take thereof ℥ i. the buds of Cankers or wild Eglantine that the Roſe cometh of, it is called in Italian Roſe canine, ℥. di. Hyſope of the Mountain ʒ. ii. white honie crude ℥. vi. Make thereof an Electuarie without fire. The doſe is, ℥. i, in the morning faſting, and at night before meat. Note, that when you uſe this Medicine, you ſhall eat no Pork, nor Fiſh, nor ſlimie things.

CHAP. XII. Of a Botch which is cauſed of a corrupt humour, which is a kind of Pox.

I Would here ſhewe the cauſe more plainer, but that there are divers which have ſhewed it plaine enough: but I will ſhew thee the true ſecret and remedy to help them. Firſt, Thou ſhalt give them ten mornings together our Soluble Sirrupe, and then take our Aromatico three times, that being done, and that the botch is open, you ſhall dreſſe it with our Magno liquore upon a tent, and lay upon the ſore our Magistrale Cerotte, and with theſe two medicines thou ſhalt help it from the beginning to the ending, as I have ſeen the experience divers times.

CHAP. XIII. Of Pellarella that cauſeth the haire to fall off.

PEllarella, or Morphewe, is a kind of Pox, and is one of the firſt Preſagia of that diſeaſe, and is a corrupt humour, and ſo drying, that in ſhort time it mortifieth the haire of the head and beard, and eye-browes, and cauſeth them to fall off. You ſhall underſtand that this diſeaſe is ſuch a thing, that it cannot be helped by any meanes, except it be taken in time, before the haire be mortified. Nevertheleſſe I will ſhew a ſecret unto the World, to know when a man hath that diſeaſe or no, and in what time he may help it that they ſhall not fall. The ſecret is this, Thou ſhalt underſtand, that the beginning of Pellarella, is one Carvoli or more that cometh upon the Yeard, the which ſeemeth to be of little importance, becauſe they are holpen with eaſe, but within ten, or fifteen daies after they are whole, there will come a certaine alteration in the throate, which will not ſuffer him to ſwallow his meat, which doth indure commonly eight or ten daies, and ſo goe away by it ſelfe without any medicine, and in that time the haire is mortified, and then within two or three moneths the haire will fall: ſo that10 this is the cauſe why they cannot be help'd when they fall away, for the time was paſſed before, and the rootes mortified. Therefore if thou wilt keep thy ſelf from running into ſuch a great danger, thou maieſt do it eaſily if thou take it in time: and the remedie is this. When you have had any of theſe Carvoli, and that after there cometh an alteration in the throate, then preſently purge, and uſe a defenſive unction that the haire may not mortifie. You ſhall purge him nine dayes every morning with our Sirupo Magiſtrale, and faſt thereon four houres. The doſe is from ℥ iii. to ℥ vi. that being done, you ſhall give him ℥. di. of Electuario Angelica, according to the recept, and in the mean time annoint all his face and head with our Magno liquore, and doing thus, it is not poſſible that the haire ſhould fall off. This is a ſecret, the which few men have known, and never written of any before this time, and is of ſo great importance, that it were neceſſarie to be known for an univerſall health, that every man might keep himſelf from this diſeaſe.

CHAP. XIIII. Of Scabbes that come through the Pox.

THe Scabbes that come through the Pox, are of divers ſorts; as you may ſee by experience: yet all may be helped with one order of medicine, becauſe they proceed of no other thing then of the evill diſpoſition of that diſeaſe. And theſe moſt commonly do proceed and come after Pellarella, and this is the cure. You ſhall give him our Soluble Sirrup every morning warm, with two ounces of Mel Roſarum, and lay him down to ſweat, and cover him well, and then at night annoint him with Vnguento di Lithargiro, and thus doing five, or ſix daies, he ſhall be helped. For with this order I have helped an infinite number, to my great honour, and ſatisfaction of the Patient.

CHAP. XV. Of certaine Tumours, or ſwellings in divers parts of the body.

SWellings, which uſe to come to man, are called Tumours againſt nature, and may come of divers cauſes, as by cold, and they do cauſe inflammations without paine, and moſt commonly they come in the articular parts: There are others which are cauſed of hot humours, and thoſe are called Riſepelli: There are other that come of the Pox, and theſe come in the head, and on the legges and armes, and are of evill digeſtion, becauſe they are engendered of corrupt, viſcous, and crude humours. You ſhall underſtand that theſe three kindes do differ in qualitie, and are alſo helped with ſundry medicines. Thoſe that come of cold, are windie humours, and may be helped with bathes of hearbes, and hot unctions that have virtue to diſſolve the wind. The hearbes to make the bath, are theſe: Nettles, Mallowes, Pelletory of the wall, Bran and Aſhes, and make thereof a bath; and then annoint them with our Oleum Philoſophorum, made of Turpentine and Wax. Thoſe that come of hot humours, you ſhall waſh with Aqua Vitae, becauſe it openeth the pores, and diſſolveth that heat. Thoſe that are come of the Pox, are evill to heale, and his cure muſt be with great purging: and the chiefeſt thing that you can give him, is our potion of Lignum Vitae, becauſe it doth make thin thoſe groſs humours, and diſſolve the ſwellings, if it be taken according to the order of the recept, the which is written in this Book. And ſo with this order thou ſhalt help them perfectly.

CHAP. XVI. Of Ache in divers parts of the body.

AChes, that come to divers parts of the Bodies, do ſpring of divers cauſes, as it is ſaid before of the Swellings, or Tumours: but for the moſt part now in this our time, they are12 cauſed of the Pox, and thoſe kinds of Aches are evill to be helped, becauſe they are engendered of viſcous humours, and putrefaction of the bloud, and of evill diſpoſition of the Liver. And the cure of thoſe Aches, is to purge the body, and purifie the Liver: and that thou ſhalt do with our Soluble Sirrupe, taking it ten dayes: and then take our Electuario Angelica, or Pillole Aquilone, and then uſe your wine of Lignum ſanctum, and ſweat therewith as much as thou canſt, for it is warm and drie, and apperative, and provoketh ſweate, and ſo they ſhall be helpt. But if it happen that this will not help, then annoint them three or four times with our Vnguento magno, and without all doubt by Gods grace, they ſhall be helped and ſound of that diſeaſe.

CHAP. XVII. Of the Cough in the ſtomock.

THe Cough cometh divers and ſundry waies to the ſtomack, as by cold, and that is one of the moſt common cauſes that may be, and is of ſmall importance, becauſe it will goe away of it ſelfe without medicine. There is another kind of Cough that troubleth much old folke, and that is of a Catarrhous humour. The third kind of Cough written of by us, is that which cometh to thoſe that have the Fever Hectick. Alſo there is another kind which is cauſed of the French Pox. And theſe are the foure kindes of Coughes that do commonly happen vnto men and women. The firſt kind of Cough that happeneth unto man through cold, is eaſie to be helped, for nature of it ſelf will help it without any other helpe: but if thou wilt helpe nature thou maieſt with eaſe, and that ſhall be with eating drie and apperatiue meates, and drinking good wine, and ſo the Cough will goe away quickly. But the Cough which cometh to old folk, is cauſed of a Catarrhous humour, which is nothing elſe but debilitie of nature, for lack of naturall heat, the which cauſeth the ſtomack that it cannot digeſt his meate in ſuch order as it ſhould, but ingendreth thoſe ſuperfluous humours, that cauſe the Cough. And this muſt be helped with13 keeping of diet; that is, to eat little meat, and to uſe thing that warm the ſtomack and help digeſtion, and this thou ſhalt doe in this order. Take ʒ. ii. of our Aromatico, which hath vertue to evacuate the ſtomack, and then uſe our Quinteſſence of Wine, and annoint the ſtomack with our Balm artificiall, and ſo ſhalt thou help this kind of Cough. The third kind of Cough, which is cauſed of the Fever Hectick, is of evill nature, that I dare ſay nothing nor ſhew a Medicine, becauſe the moſt part that are troubled therewith, go to Church and never return again to their houſes, as you may ſee by experience. The fourth kind of Cough is deviliſh and evill to help, becauſe it is cauſed of the Pox, and doth not onely hurt the ſtomack, but cauſeth great pains to the partie beſide. Nevertheleſſe, thou ſhalt underſtand that this is eaſie to he helped by Gods grace, for them that know the true ſecret, which is thus: You ſhall give him eight or ten daies together our Soluble Sirrup, then take two drachms of our Aromatico, and then perfume him with Cinabar five or ſix mornings, or ſo long untill that he feel pain in his gums, and then hee ſhall be whole. For this is a great ſecret, to help that kind of Cough cauſed of the Poxe, as I have proved a thouſand times with good ſucceſſe.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the white Scab that cometh in the Head.

THis Scab is of an evill corruption in the ſuperiour parts, which is cauſed of abundance of moiſture, and heat of the Stomack, which ſendeth theſe vapours up to the head, and ſo goeth out that way. This is of two kindes, the one is hot and dry, and that is with a certain white cruſt, without any other kind of putrefaction: the other kind is hot and moiſt, and that cauſeth a certain cruſt, which is full of matter under it; ſo that as they differ in qualitie, they differ alſo in cure. Thoſe that are hot and dry, muſt have Medicines that cool the heat, and extinguiſh the drineſſe, and this thou ſhalt doe with Sirrup of Citarch, and purge often with Caſsia, and uſe14 cooling things, as Succorie, Melons, Lettice, and ſuch like. The other kinde which is hot and moiſt, you muſt firſt help the heat, and then dry the humiditie, which you ſhall doe with vomiting, and purging, and keeping diet, and eating of drying meats. The firſt drying ſcab you ſhall annoint onely with our Magno liquore, which without help of any other thing, will cure it after they be purged, as is before ſaid. The ſecond kind you ſhall help, after the bodie is purged with our Cerot Magiſtrale, ſtrewing thereon Cantharides in fine powder, which have vertue attractive; by which means it mundifieth the head of that ſuperfluous humiditie, and then annoint him with our Ʋnguento magno, and in ſhort ſpace it will be whole, becauſe it is cold and drie. And ſo by this means thou mayeſt heal theſe two kinds of Scabs, as I have done divers times, having reſpect to the cauſe. Ye ſhall underſtand that this diſeaſe is many times taken from the Nurſe, the which is infected with the Pox, and ſo her milk being corrupted, it corrupteth the child, and therefore there muſt be good conſideration thereof in the cure.

CHAP. XIX. Of Riſipella.

THis Riſipella is an inflammation with ſwelling and redneſſe, the which commonly cometh in the face, arms and legs, and in no other places of the bodie, and it is cauſed of alteration of the blood, as I will ſhew you an example by a pot that you ſeeth your meat in: When it is ſet on the fire, and is full of liquor, lacking one or two inches of the top, and when it beginneth to boil through the great heat of the fire, it runneth over the pot: and ſo by the like example we may ſay, that Riſipella is a great alteration of the blood, through ſuperfluous heat; and this occaſion of heat proceedeth of great quantitie of flegm, that is in the ſtomack; for becauſe aſſoon as they have vomited the flegm, they are helped of Riſipella, for I have ſeen the experience thereof divers times. Therefore give them of the juyce of Elder-Roots15 ℥. iiii. and of Honie of Roſes ℥. ii. in the morning faſting, for this purgeth the Stomack of flegm, and cooleth the blood, then hold the parts over the fume of hot water, and bathe it with pure Aqua vitae, diſtilled without flegm; for this is one of the moſt excellent Medicines that can be found, becauſe it is aperative and attractive, and preſently diſſolveth that alteration, and taketh away the pain. Alſo it would be good to uſe five or ſix mornings to drinke ℥. i. of Julep of Violets, with ſix grains of Vitriol, for this mundifieth the ſtomack, and cauſeth digeſtion, and of himſelf is moſt wholſome, for that it mortifieth all hot diſeaſes.

CHAP. XX. Of the Squinancie.

THe Squinancie is a certain alteration in the throat, which is cauſed of a flatuous or windie humor, and this cometh with ſuch a vehemencie, that if it be not holpen quickly, it will choak him, for it ſtoppeth the conduites where the breath cometh through, and letteth a man to ſwallow his meat, and the Remedie is this: Take of our Electuario angelica, ℥. di. and then touch the throat within with our Aqua reale three or four times, and without annoint it with Oleum Philoſophorum of Turpentine and Wax, becauſe it is very drying: And thus uſing the aforefaid remedies, thou mayeſt help them without letting blood, or any other thing in ſhort ſpace: for herewith I have cured a great number. You ſhall underſtand, that oil of Linſeed is very appropriate to that matter, if you give the Patient four ounces. Alſo the tooth of a Bore made in powder, and drunk the quantitie of ʒ. ii. in Linſeed oil helpeth the Squinancie. Theſe I have proved divers times.

CHAP. XXI. Of the Emerodes that come in the Fundament.

THeſe in Naples be called Moricole, and in Venice, Maroelle, and in Spain, Almorane; and are an alteration of blood in the Emorodiall veins, which many times come forth in the lower parts with great pain, and theſe are cauſed of putrified humours of the bodie, and corruption of the blood, which corruption many times cometh of the Pox, or ſuch like diſeaſes. There are alſo divers kinds, but principally two: The one ſort is within the fundament, and cauſeth great pain when they go to ſtool: The other ſort cometh forth of the fundament, and are not ſo painfull as the other are. To cure them that are within the Fundament, you ſhall give the Patient eight or ten mornings our Syrupo Magiſtrale, and then let him take of our Aromatico, ʒ. ii. and uſe Gliſters wherein is put half an ounce of Aqua reale at a time, and ſo thou ſhalt help them. The beſt remedie for thoſe that come forth is to make inciſion, or to make a little hole in them, that the blood may come forth which is putrified, and ſo by evacuation thou ſhalt help them. Alſo thou ſhalt underſtand, that vomiting is neceſſarie in the cure of them both, becauſe it openeth the veins. Alſo oil of Eggs, and oil of Frankincenſe, and oil of Linſeed are very profitable to annoint them therewith to eaſe the pain.

CHAP. XXII. A goodly and eaſie way to help all ſorts of Fevers according to our Order.

THe Fever Quotidian or continuall Fever, or any other kind whatſoever, do proceed onely of two principall cauſes, that is, of corruption and putrefaction, as you may perceive how that when the Fever is entred, the Patient is all corrupted, beginning at the ſtomack, the which is firſt corrupted. For proof you may alwaies ſee that aſſoon as a man is ſick, preſently17 he looſeth his appetite and cannot eat; afterward it corrupteth the blood, for by experience, if you let them blood, it is alwaies found corrupted, and not as it is in a ſound bodie. It corrupteth alſo the ſenſes, ſo that the ſick is not ſtable ſenced, nor cannot ſleep, or reſt by any means whilſt he hath that accident. That it is cauſed alſo of Putrifaction you may ſee by them that have the Fever. For alwaies when the Fever cometh, preſently the ſtomack doth putrifie, and ſpitteth forth filthy ſpittle: Alſo it doth putrifie the bodie, becauſe their Excrements that they void are putrified and ſtinking more then others, and their Urine putrified and alterated from his naturall courſe. Then ſeeing the Fever is cauſed of corruption and putrifaction, there are four things neceſſarie to be done in the cure thereof. The firſt is, to evacuate the ſtomack: The ſecond, to purge by urine: The third, to evacuate the bodie: And the fourth is, to purge by ſweat: Which four operations may be done one after another with great eaſe, and will reſtore the Patient to his health. But you ſhall underſtand, that all cannot be holp, for that God almightie hath made us to die, and when that time cometh, medicines will doe no good, but if that time be not yet come, by the help of God, with theſe Medicines he ſhall be reſtored to his former health. The firſt thing, as I ſaid, is to take a vomit, which doth evacuate the ſtomack of choler and flegm, that doth much offend the bodie diſeaſed: After that, evacuate the bodie with thoſe things that the Phyſician thinketh moſt convenient for that purpoſe, for there be many purgations to diſſolve the body, and to evacuate malign humours: After that, make him purge by urine. Fourthly, and laſt of all, give him medicines that open the pores, and that provoketh ſweat. And thus with theſe four operations, the moſt part ſhall be holp of that infirmitie with great eaſe, and in ſhort time: And as I have ſaid, this is a moſt true order that never faileth, except (as I ſaid before) when the Lord will call them. And as for theſe medicines, you ſhall find them written in this book ſeverally with their uſes and quantities.

CHAP. XXIII. Another cure of the ſaid Fevers,

IF thou wilt help the ſaid Fevers according to our order: when the Patient is greatly alterated therewith, thou ſhalt uſe five waies wherewith thou ſhalt eaſily help them, the which are theſe. The firſt as I ſaid before is Vomit: the ſecond evacuation of the body: the third evacuation by urine: the fourth to provoke ſweat: and the fifth by unction. Nevertheleſſe each of theſe alone is ſufficient to help the ſaid Fever: but yet uſing them all five, there is no doubt but thou maieſt diſſolve any evill ſort of maligne Fever, except as I ſaid before, God will call them out of this World: but to the purpoſe of the cure Firſt thou ſhalt ſet on five or ſix boxing glaſſes, according to the complexion and age of the infirmed: then the next morning give him one doſe of our Electuario angellica, with Sirrup of Sorrell, and water of Sorrell. Then the next morning following give him ſome Sirrup appropriate for that diſeaſe, and put thereto ℥. ii. of Sirrupo Magiſtrale, with Rhabarbe: that being ended, give him three or foure times Julep of Violets with Oyle of Sulphur, made per Campana, the doſe of the Julep is ℥ ii. and of the Oyle of Sulphur four or five graines mixed together, and this you ſhall take in ſtead of Sirrup betimes in the morning, and it will make them ſweat and purge by urine, which are moſt neceſſary for the ſick: and in the mean ſeaſon you ſhall annoint them every night with Mag no liquore, which will make them reſt well, and take away all their paines throughout the body, and ſo by this meanes the Fever ſhall be perfectly taken away. Alſo take great heed that you take no more blood then is neceſſary, neither let them keep any ſtraight Diet, but let them keep a good regiment of Life. But when this Feaver doth come through ſome other cauſe, then it were neceſſary to remove the principall cauſe, if thou wilt cure them: For if it be cauſed of a Catarre, of neceſſitie you muſt diſſolye the Catarre firſt, and then help the Fever. Alſo if the Fever be cauſed of a wound, it were neceſſary firſt to take away the pain of the19 Wound, and then the Fever will depart. And thus in every kind of Fever, it is moſt neceſſary to know the originall from whence it is cauſed: And this is the true way to cure theſe infirmities, which I have proved infinite times.

CAAP. XXIIII. Of the continuall Fever.

THere are many kindes of Fevers, therefore I will mention of them that are moſt known unto the world, and firſt of the continuall Fever, that is of thoſe that are onely hot, and continue in one order both day and night, the which is caus'd of alteration and corruption of the humours in the body, which engender ſo much corruption in the ſtomack, and in the blood, that they cauſe that accident of Fever: And the very order to cure it is this. In the beginning of the alteration let him keep a good diet, and drink no wine: and that is done becauſe that corruption is apt to corrupt all that entereth into the body during that alteration, and therefore meates of great ſubſtance or nouriſhment, are ſooner turned into greater putrifaction in the body: But when the third day of the Fever is paſt, then take of our Aromatico ʒ. ii. which will evacuate the ſtomack of that corruption: and that day that you take this Aromatico, drink as much crude water as you will: which is done becauſe the ſtomack ſhall remaine cleare waſhed of that corruption, which being done, you ſhall give him three or four mornings our Soluble Sirrup, and give him good meates, and let him drink Wine, becauſe it cannot hurt in any wiſe, for it cannot putrife in the body: For the ſirrup doth evacuate every day the corruption: and when the blood is alterated of that putrifaction, it goeth to the veines, and ſo diſperſeth through the whole body. It would be good to ſet on boxing glaſſes to take away blood, and alſo to uſe drying unctions, as our Balſamo artificato, and Oyle of Turpentine and Wax, and thus doing (if the Patient be not called of God) tho•ſhalt helpe him within ſhort ſpace. And this is the true ſecret to uſe for20 that Fever, which I have revealed unto the world, that every one might have it at their pleaſure.

CHAP. XXV. A great Secret that helpeth the continuall Fever.

THeſe Fevers that are not accidentall, that is, not cauſed of a wound or impoſthume, or other kind of infirmitie apparent, are cauſed of a certaine humour between the skin and the fleſh, which would have exhalation: as you may ſee by experience in this kind of Fever, how that ſweats and boxing is very appropriate to their ſolution. And in this caſe I will ſhew thee a great remedie, with which after convenient purging thou mayeſt helpe in manner all thoſe kindes of Fevers. And this is the remedie: Take Oippa ofir, the which is a ſimple well known to all the world, take of that hearb a ſmall quantity, and ſtampe it a little, and lay it upon the wriſt, and bind it hard, and there let it lye untill it have made a bliſter full of water, which you ſhall break, and there will come forth great abundance of water, and by that place the Fever ſhall be diſſolved. And the reaſon is, becauſe it evacuateth that humour which engendereth the accident: then the cauſe being removed, the effect will ceaſe, and the Patient ſhall be whole.

CHAP. XXVI. Of the Fever Tertian.

THe Fever Tertian doth not continue in one manner, but cometh and goeth, and is cauſed of chollerick humours: for aſſone as the fit cometh it moveth choller, and in many it provoketh vomite. There are two ſorts of thoſe Fevers, The one cometh with an accident, firſt cold, and then hot: and the other ſort cometh alwaies hot, when the accident cometh: and ſometimes that accident cometh twice a day, and that is called a double Tertian, which is hard to helpe, becauſe letting blood, the diet, and purging of the body are all hurtful and21 contrary to that diſeaſe, therefore I will open to thee a ſecret wherewith thou ſhalt help them. Thou ſhalt give him three hours before the fit ʒ ſs. of Eleborus niger in powder, with ℥. i. of Mel Roſarum: and after it drink ℥. i. of common water, and this you ſhall take twiſe, and then uſe this potion ten dayes every morning. Take Julep of Violets ℥. i. fine Aqua vitae ℥. di. Oyle of Sulphur, that is perfect iiii. graines, and mixe them together, this mundifieth the ſtomack, and purgeth by urine, and provoketh ſweate, and warmeth the blood: which effects are neceſſary to the ſolution of that Fever, giving you great charge that you keep no ſtraight diet in any wiſe, becauſe it weakneth the ſtomack, cooleth the blood, and hindereth nature, ſo that the Patient can ſcarce be helped. But with our order thou ſhalt help the moſt part of that Fever.

CHAP. XXVII. Of the Fever of Repreſſion.

THis Fever is an alteration of the blood, which is cauſed of being over hot, and then cold and this is called a Fever propter accidens, and is not holp as the other Fevers are: for thou ſhalt help onely the Repreſſion, and the Fever will go away without any other help. Thou ſhalt give the Patient of our Aromatico, ʒ. ii. that being done, give him two Sirrups every day, the one in the morning, the other at night two houres after Supper, as hot as you may ſuffer to drink, and theſe are the Sirrups. Take Sirrup of Quinces, Stecados, Mel Roſarum, ana, ℥. i. new Muſte boyled, ℥. vi. and in the mean time while you take this Sirrup, it were neceſſary to make a moiſt bath with hearbs, as Nettles, Mallowes, Egrimonie, Carduus Benedictus, Roſemary, Origanum, and Calamint, ana lb. iii. Commin, Anniſeede, Coliander, Sileris montani, ana lb. i. then boyle all thoſe in a great Kettle with water, and then let the Patient ſit over the fume, and cover him with clothes untill he ſweat. And thus you ſhall do three times one day after another: and thou ſhalt helpe him perfectly, as I have had experience.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of the Fever Hectick.

THis Fever is a viſcous and putrified humour in the ſtomack and lunges, the which is cauſed of a debility and weakneſſe of nature that cannot digeſt the offenſive humours. There are divers ſorts of this Fever, nevertheleſſe they are all evill to be holpt, and are counted uncurable. Nevertheleſſe, I will ſhew thee ſome excellent remedie very wholſom, that may pleaſure them, although they are nigh their death. The firſt medicine that ſhall do them good, is our Electuario angellica, of which you ſhall give halfe an ounce in the morning faſting, for this preſently joyneth unto the ſtomack, and draweth to it all the offenſive humours, and carrieth them forth by vomit and ſeege, and ſo leaveth the ſtomack eaſed and clean, that the Patient thinketh himſelf whole: But yet the ſtomack beginneth againe to fill with a great ſuffocation, that will not let the Patient take reſt, ſo that this medicine may well eaſe them, but not helpe them quite. Alſo our Elixar vitae doth much good in this diſeaſe, and alſo our Balme artificial: if you annoint the ſtomack therewith at night when you go to bed. Alſo uſe our diſtillation for the Hectick: theſe may all helpe a little but not cure. The Fever Hectick may come alſo of a Catarre, of the Pox, and ſuch like cauſes, and then they require medicines according to the cauſe: as if the Fever be cauſed of a Catarre, let them uſe our Magno liquore to drink, the doſe is one ounce at a time, with halfe an ounce of Mel Roſarum, and theſe uſe for a moneth at the leaſt. And if it be cauſed of the Pox, let him take Sarſaparilla, or Lignum vitae, Pillole Aquilone, or ſuch like that will helpe the Pox: and thus doing, the cure will have good ſucceſſe: but when it is cauſed of debility of Nature (as is ſaid before) they ſpit blood untill the end.

CHAP. XXIX. A new order wherewith thou maiſt cure and help the moſt part of the Fever Hectick.

MAny have thought that the Fever Heclick is altogether deſperate and uncurable, and that by no meanes it might be reſolved: But becauſe it is cauſed of divers and ſundry accidents, I ſay that many kindes may be helped and cured: For I find it may come of infinite cauſes, as aforeſaid. There is one kind that cometh through the weakneſſe of nature it ſelf, and that beginneth to deſtroy the Lunges, and that kind I find to be incurable, becauſe it is cauſed of the evill nature of the man, and not through any accident, and in that caſe I beleeve it cannot be diſſolved by any meanes. Alſo there are many other Hecticks cauſed of the French-Pox, of which I have ſeen and cured an infinite, and they are eaſie to cure: For curing the Pox, the Fever will be diſſolved. There is another kind that dependeth of a ſalt humour, and ſome other of a Catarre, and of many other things: Therefore if thou wilt help the ſaid Fever, it were neceſſary to know the true cauſe whereof it dependeth, the which in my judgement is hard to be known, if that the Patient himſelf do not tell it: and therefore it is neceſſary for the Phyſitian to examin them well, and to enquire whether they have had any kind or ſpice of the Mal Franceſe before, whereof the ſaid Fever might have his original: and ſo doing, he with his judgement may be reſolved of the nature of that infirmity: and if it chaunce that the ſaid Feverhad his originall of the Pox, the Phiſician may reſolve it with medicines appropriate for that diſeaſe, with purging him ſtrongly, and giving him Lignum Sanctum, or Salſa pariglia, and alſo perfume him with Olibanum Sinaber and Mirrha, ana: and ſo by the help of God, and meanes of theſe medicines thou ſhalt help them all, or at leaſt the moſt part of that kind of Fever Hectick. But if the Phiſician find that kind of Fever to be cauſed of a Catarre, then uſe the medicines that help the Catarre, and ſo the Fever ſhall be whole. But when he24 findeth it to be of the weakneſſe of Nature, in that caſe there is no help that is ſure. Nevertheleſſe, I have cured ſome of them with great difficultie, and with Medicines of great efficacie: And that was with giving them every morning one drachm of good Sope in tablets according to our invention, and that they uſed for a moneth together: the which Sope hath vertue to drie that abundance of ſpittle, and to heal the Lungs ulcerated, and it alſo ſtrengthneth the Stomack marvellouſly: After that I cauſed them to uſe our diſtillation of a Hen for the Hectick, and this they did continually drink: Alſo I cauſed them to uſe our Balfamo artificiato to annoint therewith every night after Supper, the which is peircing, and comforteth and augmenteth naturall ſtrength, and comforteth much the infirmed: Alſo I cauſed them to uſe Aromatico Roſato, the which comforteth the weak Stomack. And by this meanes I have help'd ſome of them as it is well known.

CHAP. XXX. Of the Fever Quartane.

THe Fever Quartane is a motion of a certain accident cold and hot, which is cauſed of melancholie humours corrupted and putrified, the which every third day doth cauſe that accident to come, and beginneth with great cold and continueth a good while, and then cometh hot. And this Quartane both the ancient Doctors, and theſe in our time doe count in a manner uncureable. Nevertheleſſe, I that have ſought alwaies to help thoſe diſeaſes which were counted uncurable, amongſt the reſt have found the true and perfect cure for the Quartane Ague, and to diſſolve the melancholie humours, which is done with three Medicines that are rare and marvellous to diſſolve any Quartane. The firſt is, Mercurie Precipitate without corroſive, giving thereof ten grains, with half an ounce of Sugar Roſate, and that day eat little meat; that being done, take a pound of Iva Artetica, and boil it in eight pound of white wine, and common Honey one pound, untill a25 third part be conſumed, and of that drink morning and evening ſix ounces warm one hour after ſupper: And in the mean time annoint every night his Reins with our Balſamum artificiall. Thus doing thou ſhalt help any Quartane. I have alſo found other rare waies to cure this Fever Quartane, as hereafter followeth.

CHAP. XXXI. The Order to help the Fever Quartane of all ſorts, in ſhort time.

THe Fever Quartane is cauſed of a melancholie humour as aforeſaid, with a continuall diſtillation of the head, deſcending to the ſtomack, and augmenting the evill diſpoſition of the body; and by reaſon of that diſtillation, provoketh much ſweat when the accident of the Fever cometh: And likewiſe that diſtillation cauſeth ſuch cold in the Marrow of the Reins and Back, and an infinite of other diſorders which trouble the bodie greatly. But to avoid all theſe inconveniences, and to diſſolve wholly that accident of the Quartane according to our order, becauſe I have helped more then any Phyſitian of our time. I will ſhew thee how with theſe Remedies following thou ſhalt help them, though not all, yet the greater part truly moſt miraculouſly, and the Order to diſſolve it is thus. You ſhall give the Patient a doſe of our Aromatico in the morning to eat, and drink thereon two or three ounces of good wine, and faſt thereon ſix hours, and this Medicine is moſt convenient the day of the fit, becauſe the infirmitie removeth great quantitie of humours, and the medicine evacuateth them; and thus giving it three times in the day of the fit, it will work a great operation. But if the Fever be in a perſon of melancholie complexion, then it is where it would be; for you may ſee that in a melancholie perſon, the Fever hath more force, then in any other complexion, which proveth, that that Fever, and that complexion are moſt like: But in that caſe you ſhall cure them in this Order. You ſhall give him ten or fifteen daies our26 Sirrup againſt the melancholie humour, which is written in this Book, which you ſhall take two hours before day hot, and then ſleep one ſleep thereon, and thus doe every morning, and every night annoint all the parts of the body with our Balſamo artificiato, and he ſhall be holpen. But if it happen that this doth not cure him, let not to give him this remedie, which moſt ſurely (God willing) will help him, and that remedie is our Aqua Balſami, of which he ſhall take every morning two Drachms faſting, and ſo continue untill the Fever be gone quite: ſo that of force uſing all the aforeſaid remedies, the Fever muſt needs depart. And the reaſon is this, that our Aromatico evacuateth the ſtomack of all impediments by vomit, and letteth the deſcenſion of the head, which cauſeth the accident. Our Syrrup evacuateth the melancholie humour, and diſſolveth it by his proper qualitie. Our Balſamo the which is ſubtile and penetravive drieth and comforteth the place offended, in ſuch order, that it caſteth forth all the matter that may offend Nature. Our Aqua balſami alſo being drunke, doth dry the evill humours, and augment ſtrength, in ſo much that it quite extinguiſheth the ſaid Quartane. And this may be uſed in all manner of perſons, and in all times of the year without any doubt of inconvenience: and it is a new remedie that never was ſet out before of the Ancients, which I have uſed to the great profit of the Patients.

CHAP. XXXII. Another diſcourſe of a marvellous ſecret againſt the ſaid Quartane.

THe Fever Quartan is cauſed of melancholie humours, which hath his fit coming every third day, firſt cold with great thirſt, and then cometh the heat, which remaineth with ſome longer then with other ſome, and the cauſe, hereof is hard to be known. Nevertheleſſe, I ſeeking out continually naturall things, and the qualitie of the accidents, I doe find that this Fever beginneth alwaies in ſome particular27 place, as in the head with a certain pain round about it, or in the noſe and ear, or in the Reins and Legs: And therefore he that can find out the place where firſt beginneth the accident, may eaſily help them, becauſe the Fever is diſſolved with two things onely, that is, exhalation and exſication, and herein conſiſteth the ſecret. The order to make the Exhalation ſhall be thus: Make a Cerot of Frankincenſe, Pitch, Wax, Turpentine, Myrrh and Aloes, upon the which Cerot you ſhall put the powder of Cantharides, and then lay it upon the place where they feel the Fever come firſt, that is on the particular part where the accident cometh, and this you ſhall change twice, except the firſt day of the Fever. And to make the exſication, give him every day in the morning to drinke, ℥. di. of our Aquabalſami for twelve daies, and with the Balſamo artificiato annoint every night his Stomack and Reins, and ſo he ſhall be helped, giving you charge alſo that before you uſe theſe Medicines, that he take three times our Aromatico, and ſo he ſhall be quite helped.

CHAP. XXXIII. A ſecret to help all Fevers in their beginning.

VVHen the Fevers are new begun or taken, and that the putrefaction is not yet confirmed, then may it be helped with great eaſe, but after they have taken their beginning, they are hardly helped. Therefore when the Fever is new begun, you ſhall give them ʒii of our Aromatico faſting in the morning: and the next day about the ſame hour you ſhall give them ℥. i. of our Ʋegitabile Sirrup: and the third day you ſhall give them four Drachms of our Electuario angelica with broth, the which taketh away the Fever altogether. And this operation intendeth onely to the continuall Fever, Quotidian, Tertian, and putrified or peſtilentiall, but not to the accidentall, or Hectick, nor Quartane: For theſe three kinds are much differing from the reſt, becauſe the accidentall is cauſed of another infirmitie anterior or going before. The Fever Hectick28 is cauſed of weakneſſe of nature, and the Quartane is cauſed of great quantitie of melancholicke humours, and they are cured by contrary meanes unto the firſt. The accidentall are cured with helping the principall infirmitie: The Hectick is cured by helping of Nature, and preſerving the Liver and Lungs from putrefaction: The Quartane is cured with Vomits, Unctions, Cerottes, and drying drinks, and theſe are great ſecrets to be known: For in this Chapter conſiſteth a great part of Phyſick, and Chirurgery if you conſider well thereon.

CHAP. XXXIIII. A Secret of one Simple that helpeth in manner all Fevers.

THere are an infinite of medicines that diſſolve the Fever, but above all other this ſeemeth to me of great authority, becauſe it helpeth it with ſuch eaſe, that it is to be wondered at. With this remedie through the Divine goodneſs, I have cured a great number, and the Secret is this. You ſhall gather in the Moneth of August a certain hearb, which the Italians do call Oreula, which you ſhall drie and make into powder, of the which you ſhall give the ſick as much as will lie upon a ſixpence, with water or wine, and give it warm in the morning, and faſt thereon three or four houres, and thus doing, the Patient ſhall be helped with great eaſe, and in ſhort time: for this is a great ſecret which may be uſed in all times and in every occaſion, and alwaies it worketh an operation in one manner.

CHAP. XXXV. Of the Gout.

THe Gout which cometh to men, is a diſtemperature and alteration, which is cauſed of corrupt and undigeſted humours, and alſo of feeding on meats that nouriſh much, and then to uſe no exerciſe, as you may ſee by the moſt part of them that be troubled with that diſeaſe. Alſo this diſeaſe, both of the old and new Doctors hath been counted uncurable,29 as it is known to every one: But yet I, which have done nothing elſe but ſought out the nature and qualitie of things, have found divers inventions in ſundry Arts, as thou mayeſt read in my Caprici Medicinali, and ſo amongſt the reſt, I have found (through the help of God) the true and perfect Secret to help the Gout, ſo that it ſhall never come again: Of which diſeaſe I have cured a great number in divers Cities of the world, as in Palermo, in Sicilia, in Meſsina, and in divers places of Calabria, in Naples, in Rome, and in Venice, as it is well known unto the moſt part of the Inhabitants of thoſe Cities.

CHAP. XXXVI. A Note concerning the Cure of the Gout, taken out of a Letter which this Authour wrote unto a certain noble Seigniour, the Duke of Ʋrbine.

FIrſt you ſhall underſtand, that the Gout of what kind ſoever it be, either hot or cold, or of any other temperature, they all come of one onely cauſe, although they work divers Effects, which Effects come through the complexions of them that have that infirmitie: As for example, to ſhew it more plainly, you may ſee that in fat men, the Gout cometh alwaies with inflammation and redneſs and great pain: In lean perſons it cometh alwaies with pains, but with leſſe inflamation. In cholerick and melancholie perſons, it cometh with tumours, and that is Nodoſa. And the cauſe of this infirmitie is, of an evill qualitie ingendered in the ſtomack, in the Liver, and in the blood: And the cure thereof, is to eaſe the ſtomack of that evill, and to purge the Liver and the blood, and to mittigate the pain: All which thou mayeſt doe with theſe three Remedies following, viz. our Pillole Magiſtrale, our Ʋnction for the Cout, and our Quinta eſſentia ſolutivo: for the Pills doe diſcharge the ſtomack, and our Quinta eſſentia ſolutivo purgeth the Liver and the blood, and our Ʋnction taketh away the pain, for if you remedie the cauſe which is onely one, the effect will ceaſe. As concerning the Gout you ſhall cure it in this Order: Firſt, when you feel the pain begin to come, you ſhall take two doſes of thoſe Pills in the morning faſting, one day30 after another, or if you will, reſt a day or two according to your ſtrength, that being done, you ſhall take every morning ʒ. ii. of our Quinta eſſentia ſolutivo in half a Porringer full of the broth of Veal, and a little Sugar, and this take five hours before meat; and keep no ſtreight Diet, but eat reaſonably, and every night after Supper annoint the grief with our Unction for the Gout, and thus through the help of God, and the vertue of theſe Medicines, the Gout ſhall be cured.

CHAP. XXXVII. Another Diſcourſe upon the ſame infirmitie of the Gout, and the Order to cure it, tak•n out of his Book called, Theſaurro della Vita Humana.

ALthough the wiſe & learned of the world, have alwaies beleeved that the Gout is of divers kinds, yet they have all been deceived; for that infirmitie is one onely, and cometh of one onely cauſe, although in ſome it come in manner of Phlegmone, and in ſome other like Riſipilla, and in other Nodoſa, and in other with pain without alteration, and in ſome other in divers manners; all which is cauſed through the diverſitie of complexions, for that one man is flegmatick, the other ſanguine, the other cholerick, and the other aduſt, and thus by theſe means, many have thought the Gout to have been of divers kindes, whereas indeed it is onely one, and is cured with one onely order, and diſſolved altogether for ever; for that infirmitie is cauſed of no other then of rotten humours cauſed of indigeſtion, and to ſay truth, we ſee that the ſaid infirmity never commeth in manner, but unto thoſe perſons that feed well on meats of great nouriſhment, which for want of exerciſe, that Nature might digeſt it, they wanting naturall heat, cannot have their orderly digeſtion, and for that cauſe the humours doe ingroſſe out of meaſure, and ingender that infirmitie, and then Nature that alwaies ſeeketh to eaſe her ſelf of that which offendeth her, driveth forth that humour unto the extream parts, as the hands, and feet, or other particular31 parts, and this is the Gout: And theſe humours many times are cauſe of Mal franceſe, and this is all the ſecret. He therefore that is advertiſed by me, ſhall be moſt cunning in curing of it.

CHAP. XXXVIII. What order muſt be uſed in curing of the ſaid Gout.

SEeing the Gout (as I ſaid before) are groſſe humours undigeſted coming of the aforeſaid cauſe, it were moſt neceſſary, if thou wilt cure them to do three operations. The firſt of them is Phlebothomie, which muſt be done under the tongue, cutting overthwart one of thoſe two veines: For that Phlebothomie evacuateth the ſtomocall humours that are cauſe of that corruption. The ſecond operation that is to be done, is to aſſubtiliate the groſs and rotten humours, and to evacuate them quite. The third operation that is to be done, is to preſerve nature in good temperature, and to help the digeſtion, and thus doing, the ſaid infirmity ſhall be extincted. If therefore thou wilt helpe the Gout, and after they are helped, keep the Patient in good temperature and proſperity of life, it were neceſſary to do theſe three operations. After the firſt is done, as I have ſaid, it were needfull to come to the ſecond, which is to aſſubtiliate the groſs humours, which will be done with four remedies. The firſt of them is our Quinta eſſentia ſolutiva, which ſubtiliateth the humours, and evacuateth them downwards. The ſecond remedie is our Electuario angelica, which evacuateth the humours hanging in all parts, and leaveth nature ſo eaſed, that it may well prevaile. The third remedie is a Fomentation, which drieth up the humidity of the head and ſtomack, and by meanes of that operation the diſeaſe ſhall remaine extincted. The fourth and laſt remedie is our Balſamo againſt the paines, with which you ſhall annoint upon the place grieved, for it mittigateth the paines greatly. And thus with theſe four remedies thou ſhalt help the Gout perfectly, as I have often times done in Venice, and at Rome, and in divers other places of Italy, well known there unto all men.

CHAP. XXXIX. The Order to preſerve a man from the Gout, when he is once helped.

AFter that a man through the divine goodneſſe of God ſhall be helped of the Gout, he may if he will preſerve himſelf in health, with theſe three noble Remedies. The firſt of them is our Vegitable Quinteſſence, the which doth cauſe good digeſtion, warmeth the ſtomack, and defendeth it from corruption, by which Effects it will return Nature in manner as it was in youth, and it preſerveth the ſight and the hearing, and divers good operations which are all neceſſarie. The ſecond Remedie is our Oleo incompoſtibile, with which you ſhall annoint the ſtomack, and that will cauſe digeſtion, comfort the heart, provoke ſleep, and keep the ſtomack, that therein ſhall breed no evill qualitie of humours. The third Remedie is, our Pillolae aquilonae, which doth evacuate the humour hanging, alwaies when it ingendereth in the ſtomack, they cleanſe the head, and are by their nature againſt all ſorts of pains. And thus with theſe three Medicines, every one may preſerve himſelf from that infirmitie, as it is daily proved, and ſeen in Venice, and in divers other places in Italy.

CHAP. XL. The cure of a certain Gentleman that was troubled with the Gout, and a great Stitch in his ſide.

THe Cure of this man was with theſe five Remedies following, that is, with our Aromatico, Quinta eſſentia ſolutiva, Pillolle angelica, Oleo incompoſtibile, and Qintaeſſenti Vegitabile: For you ſhall underſtand, that our Aromatico taketh away the pains of the Stomack, ſo that the other Medicines may work their operations the better. Our Quinta eſſentia ſolutiva, taketh away rhe cauſe of the infirmity, and the Pills take away the evill qualitie. The Unction taketh away the pain: And the Vegitabile Quinteſſence, preſerveth them that33 it commeth not again. The Dia Aromatico muſt be taken in the morning faſting, the doſe is ʒ. ii. at once. The Quintaeſſentia ſolutiva you ſhall take with broth of a Capon and Sugar faſting, without any obſervations, the doſe is two or three drachms at a time. Our Pillole Angelica you ſhall take two hours before ſupper, the doſe is from ʒ. i. to ʒ. ii. The Unction you ſhall annoint after Supper upon the ſore places, ſo often untill the pain be gone. Our Vegitabile Quinteſſence you ſhall drinke every morning half an ounce, and thus continuing thou ſhalt be perfectly whole by Gods help.

CHAP. XLI. A Diſcourſe upon the Sciatica, and his remedie.

THe Sciatica is ſo called, becauſe it is upon the bone which is called Scio, and of that it taketh the name Sciatica, the which is cauſed of an evill qualitie in the Stomack and Liver, the which you may ſee by the cure; for if ye cure the Stomack, and help the Liver, the Sciatica will ceaſe, and by this means thou mayeſt ſee whether I ſay the truth or no. Seeing then that the Sciatica is cauſed as is ſaid before, ye ſhall underſtand that it is ſo cauſed, by reaſon that the ſtomack cannot well digeſt that which it ſhould, and ſo it cauſeth crude and undigeſted humours, of the which Nature would be diſcharged, he caſteth them forth of the ſtomack, and having no other way to come forth of the Stomack but by the ordinary waies, they doe paſſe, and of force they muſt paſſe by thoſe powers that paſſe by the Liver, and ſo the Liver which is able both to reſolve the good and the evill qualitie, remaineth ſtill infected of that indiſpoſition, and not being able to digeſt them according unto the order of Nature, they ingroſs and become maligne, and then Nature the which with all induſtrie would diſcharge himſelf of that burthen, ſending them to the higher parts, ſendeth them downwards, and when they come unto Scio, where they muſt paſſe with difficultie by certain ſmall muſcles, they ingroſſe in that place, and cauſe inflamation and pain, the34 which Inflamation or ſwelling, after the bodie is well purged, is reſolved with Veſicatores Ventoſos, and attractive Cerots and ſuch like things. Alſo attractive Gliſters are moſt wholſome becauſe they diſcharge the humour in the lower parts, and comfort the Sciatica. Nevertheleſſe, ye ſhall underſtand that there are certain and true appropriate Medicines to reſolve it with brevity, the which are theſe that follow. Firſt, when the Patient is in moſt extream pain, let him blood under the tongue, the which is ſuch a ſingular remedie, that it cauſeth the world to wonder thereat: after that purge him with our Soluble Sirrup, ſix or ſeven daies, that being done, take away the water which cauſeth the pain, then comfort the Patient with the Oil that is ſeparated from the flower of flowers, and diſtilled in a Retort, then all this being done, the Patient ſhall remain helped to thy great honour. And therefore he that will cure the Sciatica, it were neceſſary that hee conſider well of the nature and qualitie of the infirmitie, and when they are ſatisfied to be the Sciatica, in that caſe cure them according to this our Order, the which by the grace of God, and vertue of theſe Medicines, they ſhall remain helped of that indiſpoſition, for this is a great Secret.

CHAP. XLII. Of the Pains of the Mother.

THe Pains of the Mother which women are troubled withall, is an alteration in the Matrix, that may come of divers cauſes, as of cold, of moiſtneſs, of dryneſs, of melancholike humours, of flegmatick, and of cholerick, the which is to be proved divers waies. Nevertheleſſe, I will ſhew thee the Secret to cure it generally, and the order is thus. You ſhall give the Patient a doſe of Pillolae Aquilonae faſting, and ſleeping thereon one ſleep, for theſe Pills doe purge the Matrix, then take Electuario Angelica half an ounce, which purgeth the blood and choller: That being done, take Cantharides in powder ℈ i. Galingale, and the roots of Mercury, ana. di. ℈ mix them altogether, and put it into a little piece of Sarcenet,35 and binde it like a button, and put it into the Matrix as high as you can, and there let it remain four and twentie hours without moving of it, for it purgeth divinely; and herewith thou maiſt cure any great impediment in the Matrix: That being done, they ſhall uſe our Sirrup againſt the pains of the Mother, the which comforteth and purgeth all humours in the bodie that offend the Mother: And this is a great ſecret which was found out by me. You ſhall underſtand, that whoſoever would know the truth of this diſeaſe, it were neceſſarie for him to be expert in Philoſophie, becauſe it is an operation of naturall things, the which cannot be well underſtood without great knowledge in naturall Philoſophie.

CHAP. XLIII. Of the pains in the head.

THe pain in the Head is a diſeaſe of the brains, which is cauſed of putrified humours in the ſtomack, the which is like unto a pot that boileth, cauſing the vapours to aſcend, which if they be evill, the fume is evill to the taſte and ſmell; but if there boil any good thing therein, the fumes are pleaſant both to the ſmell and taſte. And ſo likewiſe our ſtomack being filled with good juyce, filleth the brain with good fumes; but being filled with evill corrupt humours, it hurteth the brain, and cauſeth pains of the head. The like pains of the head may come of alteration of the blood, and to helpe that accident, you muſt firſt remove the cauſe principall, which is done with purging and evacuating of the ſtomack of thoſe putrified humours; which thou ſhalt do with our Aromatico, giving it to the Patient two or thre times, every five daies once. The doſe is ʒ ii. and then the pain will ceaſe, of what cauſe ſoever it doe come; this done, take the juyce of a Beet root one ounce, Oil of bitter Almonds one drachm; mix them well together, and ſnuffe it up into the noſe every morning untill it come into the mouth, for this doth purge the head marvellouſly; this being done, it would bee36 good to take our Soluble Sirrup four or five mornings cold, and ſo the Patient ſhall be holpen.

CHAP. XLIV. Of deafneſs of the Ears.

DEafneſſe in the Ears doe proceed of divers cauſes, as of a Catarre, cold, and humiditie of the head. But of what cauſe ſoever it come, I will ſhew thee a true ſecret to cure them quickly. Firſt purge them eight or ten daies with our Sirupo Magiſtrale, and then take our Pillole Aquilone, three times, and then perfume them five mornings with this: Take Synabar ℥. i. Olibanum, and Myrrh, ana one ſcruple, mixe them and divide it in five parts, the which you ſhall occupie at five times, ſtanding over them with your mouth open, that the fume may enter in, for it drieth and reſolveth the evill humours in the head that himder the hearing; and thus doing thou ſhalt be helpt. Nevertheleſſe, it would be good to put the fat a of ſilver Eel into the ear, which hath a principall vertue to comfort the hearing. Alſo our Aqua balſami being put into the ear, comforteth the ſight and hearing marvelloufly, and all impediments in the head, and evill humours it deſtroyeth through his qualitie and nature, and augmenteth the good, in ſuch order that uſing of it thou ſhalt ſee great marvells: for theſe are the true ſecrets for that diſeaſe.

CHAP. XLV. Of the Infirmities of eies, and their cauſes and cures.

THe Infirmities of the Eies cometh of divers and ſundry cauſes, of the which I will make mention, eſpecially of thoſe that are of moſt importance, and moſt dangerous to hurt the ſight. There is one that is called in Italian Razoni, and that is cauſed of the heat of the blood, and his effects are certain ſmall wheals that run round about the eye-lids, and this Infirmitie is of ſmall importance, for onely with linament37 of Tutia they may be healed, annointing them three or four times. There is another kind of infirmitie in the eyes that cometh to many, and is cauſed of moiſture and heat in the head, and that is a redneſs with watering and great burning: And although this be troubleſome, yet it is not dangerous to heal. For with purging the head and bodie, and with Boxing glaſſes, and with certain Unctions appropriate they ſhall remain whole. There is another kinde of infirmit•e in the eie, and that is when the ball of the eie waxeth out of meaſure in greatneſſe, and this is called Dilatatio pupillae, the which is very hard to heal. For my part I never ſaw but one remedie that did preſerve it, and that is our Balſamo Artificiato, of the which you ſhall put every night one drop into the eie, and it will doe thee great pleaſure, becauſe it is temperate hot, and hath a penetrative vertue and reſolutative, by the which meanes it doth hinder the relaxation, and preſerveth the eie. There is yet another ſort of infirmitie that cauſeth the eie to be full of pain, and cometh all thick and filthy, and blindeth it, and this indiſpoſition is cauſed of Morbo Gallico; and although it ſeem foul and uncurable: Nevertheleſſe, it is eaſie to be cured if you help the principall cauſe, and fume the head with Cinabar, Myrrh, and Olibanum, they ſhall be quickly helped, There is another infirmitie that cometh in the eie, the which is a cloud that ingendereth in the point of the eie upon the ball, and hindereth the ſight, and that is eaſie to be helped, for if you drop therein one drop of our Balm twentie or thirtie daies together, it will reſolve it throughly. There are divers other infirmities which doe trouble the eyes, the which I will let paſſe till another time.

CHAP. XLVI. Of the pains in the Teeth.

THe pain of the teeth is an accidentall diſeaſe, which cometh of divers and ſundry cauſes, of the which cauſes, I will ſhew the chiefeſt. It cometh ſometimes of a Rheum in the head, or of a Catarr, or of humiditie in the38 head, and divers other wayes. Nevertheleſſe, let it come which way it will, it proceedeth of the head and ſtomack, the which ſendeth up vapours, and then fall down again, and cauſe that pain, and the remedie is this: Firſt, give them our Magiſtrale Syrupo five or ſix daies, the which purgeth the blood, and evacuateth the bodie; that being done, take our Electuario angelico, three times according to the receipt, for this evacuateth the ſtomack and purgeth the head; and then take our Aqua reale, and hold it in thy mouth a Pater-noſter while, and then ſpit it forth again, and with this order thou ſhalt help all manner of pains in the teeth, except they bee rotten ſtumps; and then the beſt way is to take them forth with an Inſtrument: but if thou wilt not take them forth and eaſe the pain, thou mayeſt touch them with Aqua fortis untill the marrow be mortified? that being done, you ſhall hold our Aqua balſami two or three times in your mouth in a day, untill the pain bee gone, and ſo with this order thou mayeſt keep them without pain. Alſo I will ſhew thee another eaſie way. Take Henbane ſeed, and mix it with white Waxe, then caſt it on the coals, and hold thy mouth over it to receive the fume, and then thy pain will ceaſe if they be rotten teeth; and this it doth by ſtupefaction. Alſo it will be good to hold in thy mouth Maſtick, Pellitorie, and Allom, after ye have purged, for this draweth down the matter.

CHAP. XLVII. Of a ſtinking breath.

THe ſtinking breath is a putrefaction the which is cauſed of the ſtomack, being corrupted and foul, as you may ſee by experience of thoſe that have that infirmitie, and the remedie is this. You ſhall give them of our Aromatico ʒ. ii. faſting, every third day for three times, and then uſe our Quinteſſence for a moneth continually; The doſe is ʒ. i. every morning, and after ſupper two houres, for this comforteth the ſtomack and the heart, and taketh away the ſtinking: That being done, take five or ſix mornings together, every morning39 of oyle of Turpentine one ſcruple with white Wine, and ſo they ſhall remain helped.

CHAP. XLVIII. Of ſpitting of blood.

THe ſpitting of blood is an alteration of blood in the veins, which alteration is ſo much, that Nature provoketh it to the ſtomack, from whence it had his Originall, and doth not come of a vein broken as many have ſaid, as thou maiſt well ſee the truth; for if the vein were broke, the blood would come forth at one time or inſtant without any tarrying, and they would die quickly, the which cometh not by ſpitting of blood, for they ſpit none untill the alteration cometh: and this is cauſed of a kind of Fever that cometh inwardly, that ingendereth that alteration, and when his fit cometh, the blood doth alter, and the veins ſwell, and the blood doth come forth at the proper mouthes of the veins, and ſo they ſpit it forth; and when they ſpit blood, it is the beginning of the Fever Hectick, the which when it is confirmed, is uncurable and mortall: But if thou wilt take it at the beginning when they ſpit blood, it may be helped with eaſe, and that thou ſhalt doe with giving them three or four times of our Petra Philoſophale twelve grains, with halfe an ounce of Sugar Roſate, every third day once; that being done, let him take every morning Oil of Vitriol iiii. grains, with Julep of Violets ℥. i. becauſe there is no better medicine in the world that diſpoſeth the alteration of the blood, then our Petra Philoſophale, and the oil of Vitrial mittigateth the heat and extinguiſheth the accident. You ſhall note, that this which I have written is not underſtood of many as I underſtand it. And likewiſe the Medicines to uſe in that caſe hath not been put in practiſe of any man, and the cauſe is this. That ſince Phyſick hath been in uſe untill this time, the Phyſicians have not underſtood of other then the Theorick, and none they cured of practiſe and experience, and that is the cauſe that ſo few have found the truth. But I that continually doe travell in practiſe,40 have found rare things, as I will ſet forth to the world hereafter.

CHAP. XLIX. Of diſeaſes of the Liver.

THe ſickneſſe of the Liver is cauſed of divers and ſundry accidents of the bodie, as you may ſee by experience, when a man is never ſo little ſick, by and by the Liver is alterated, and doth no more work well, and that is becauſe the Liver is the receptacle of the blood and of the Gall, and the maſter which ruleth and governeth our bodies, and diſtributeth the blood into the veins, and doth purifie it, ſeparating the ſharp and evill parts, and ſending it to a certain bladder, which we call the Gall; and when it is ſo full that it can receive no more, it runneth over, and ſo cauſeth the body to become yellow, and thereupon the Urine is yellow, and is ſo evill, that in ſhort time it dryeth that bodie, ſo that the Liver being diſpenſator both of the good and bad qualities of the humours, it cannot be but through the infirmities of the bodie. Alſo when the Liver is over hot and drie, it cauſeth the Patient to be lean and dry, and with great heat: and when the Liver is troubled with humiditie and cold, it cauſeth the Patient to become full of ſores and ſcabbs, and theſe are the effects that come of the Liver when it is diſtempered. But if thou wilt help it from that indiſpoſition, it were neceſſarie to evacuate the body and ſtomack of ſuperfluous humours, which thou ſhalt do with our Soluble Sirrup, giving it eight or ten daies together cold, and then purge the Stomack with our Aromatico faſting in the morning; that being done, you ſhall uſe remedies that help the Liver, which are many, as Citrake, Liverwort, Scolopendria, Cycorie, and ſuch like; and ſo obſerving this order thou ſhalt help them. For I have had an infinite of experience of it.

CHAP. L. Of diſeaſes of the Lungs.

THe infirmities of the Lungs are of two kindes, that is cold and moiſt, and hot and drie, the which infirmitie is cauſed of evill temperature of the body. You ſhall note, that when the Lungs is infected with cold and moiſt, it will eaſily turn to that kind of Hectick that cauſeth the Cough, and to ſpit matter at the mouth. But when it is grieved with heat and drineſſe, it is in danger to turne to a Tiſſick, the which diſcaſe cauſeth a man to become lean and drie, and keepeth back his breath, and ſo the one with another they are mortall diſeaſes, ſo that there can ſcarce be found any remedie; and therefore I will begin with the firſt kind, and then with the ſecond, and then the third, and then with the fourth and laſt, for the which there is no redemption or hope of life. But for the firſt and ſecond, there are a number of remedies that doe help, the which be theſe. Firſt, give the Patient of the juyce of the Roots of blew Lillies, ℥. ii. with Mel Roſarum, ℥. i. in the morning faſting, and that uſe three times, every third day once: That being done, let him uſe our Elixar vitae for thirtie or fortie daies together morning and evening; the doſe is ʒ. ii. at a time, and alſo put therein every time half an ounce of our Magno liquore, and drinke it a little warme, for this is a perfect remedie, with which I have cured an infinite number in my daies. And of all the Medicines that ever I found, I never had any like this, becauſe the juyce of the Lilly-root hath vertue attractive that mundifieth the ſtomack, and the Elixar vitae comforteth and reſolveth all Ulcers in the Lungs, and the Magno liquore diſſolveth the Catarr, and healeth the ſtomack, for I have proved it a number of times, as is ſaid before. I remember me that in the year of our Lord, 1557. I being in Rome cured a young man which was a Painter, that was in the houſe of the Cardinall de Medici, the which had his Lungs ulcerated, and did ſpit great quantitie of blood, and had a great Catarr and Cough, and did ſpit alſo matter, in the which there was no hope of life. I cauſed him to42 uſe the aforeſaid remedies, and ſo in ſhort time he was helped, and not onely he, but a great number more at ſundry times.

CHAP. LI. Of the Spleen.

THe Spleen is never ſick but through other diſeaſes, as you may ſee by experience, how that thoſe that have the Fever Quartane, for the moſt part have their Spleen alterated and hard, and this proceedeth of evill temperature of the bodie and Liver, that cannot digeſt the humours, and ſo Nature ſendeth them forth in the weakeſt parts that are moſt apt to receive them. So that the Spleen is like a ſpunge, and very apt to receive that humiditie, that Nature cannot diſſolve otherwiſe, and ſo by this reaſon it is moſt apt to be ſick or diſeaſed: therefore if thou wilt cure it, firſt cure the diſeaſe which cauſeth that alteration, for that being once helped, Nature of it ſelf will help the Spleen without any other Medicine, and therefore ſtrive not to help the Spleen with particular Medicines, for it is vain; but look what kinde of diſeaſe the Patient is troubled with, and cure that, and then the Spleen will heal well enough. And this is the true way to cure the Spleen.

CHAP. LII. Of the Flux of the bodie.

THe Flux of the bodie is a diſtemperature of the guts and ſtomack, which is cauſed alſo of an evill diſpoſition in the Stomack, as well as of all other interiours, and is very troubleſome to the Patient, and hard to be helped. Nevertheleſſe, I will ſhew thee a ſecret and that is this. Take of our Petra Philoſophale twelve grains, which doth evacuate the humour hanging, and diſſolveth the Flux. But when it is a hot Flux with a Fever in the Summer, let him ſtand two hours after ſupper in a bath of ſalt-water of the Sea that is cold: for43 it is of great effect. You ſhall underſtand, that our Petra Philoſophale muſt be taken with Sugar Roſote di. ℥. Alſo when you have done the aforeſaid things, you ſhall take our Sirrup againſt the melancholy humours five or ſix mornings. And ſo uſing this order, thou ſhalt help any kind of cruell Flux, as I have proved infinite times.

CHAP. LIII. Of Coſtiveneſſe in the body.

THis diſeaſe is cauſed of great drineſſe and aduſtion in the body, through the which cauſe there cometh many diſeaſes: and that is, that our meat lyeth long in the body: and of that cometh indiſpoſition of the ſtomack, paines in the head, Flux of Urine, alteration of bloud, augmenting of choller, and ſuch like. Therefore if thou wilt help theſe inconveniences, it were neceſſary to ſeek the principall cauſe, and to cauſe the body to be looſe: and that thou ſhalt doe with our Sirrup Magiſtrale, uſing it according to reaſon every morning. For it evacuateth the lower parts, and cooleth the Liver, and purgeth the bloud, and conſumeth choller, and helpeth digeſtion. And with this onely ſhalt thou help them perfectly.

CHAP. LIV. Of the Flux of Ʋrine.

THe Flux of Urine is an alteration of the pores, and opening of the reines, cauſed of indigeſtion in the body, as you may ſee by experience. This Flux weakeneth the ſtomack, and the reines, and taketh away the taſt, and letteth ſleep: ſo that many times of theſe effects come cruell diſeaſes, as Gonorhea, the Strangury, Ulcerations in the Yeard, and ſuch like: and therefore if thou wilt help the aforeſaid diſeaſe, uſe this Medicine. Let him take of our Aromatico two drachmes, and drink thereon a little water, and then let him uſe of this Sirrup44 every morning warm ℥. iiii. Take Sage, Carduus Benedictus, Egrimony, Betony, Citrake, Scolopendria, Cicorie, of each one handfull, red Saunders, Box, ana ℥. iiii. Alloes, Epatick, Coloquintida, Sinne, Turbit, Hermodactiles, ana ℥. i. courſe Sugar one pound and a half, common Hony one pound: then lay all the aforeſaid things to infuſe in five and twenty pound of White wine the ſpace of twelve houres: then boile them cloſe untill half be conſumed: then ſtrain it without expreſſion, and put thereto a carrect of Musk diſſolved in ℥, iiii. of Roſewater: and of this take every morning three or four ounces, and faſt thereon at the leaſt four or five hours, and in the mean time that you uſe this Sirrup, you ſhall not eat Hogs fleſh, nor Fiſh, nor ſalt things, nor Rapes, nor Raddiſh, nor Parſly, nor any other aperative thing: This being done, take Hyſop of the Mountain that is dried lb. ii. and boyle it in thirty pound of White wine, and put thereto one pound of Hony, letting them boyle till the fourth part be conſumed, and then ſtrain it, and drink it continually for fourteen or fifteen dayes. And by this means thou ſhalt have help God willing.

CHAP. LV. A diſcourſe upon the retention of Ʋrine, and his cure.

THe cauſes of the retention of Urine are many, among the which, there are three principally above the reſt, and are ſo manifeſt, that every one may underſtand them: and are theſe. Stones, as well great, as gravell, viſcoſity in the Reins and Bladder, and alteration in the pores: And thus through thoſe three accidents, moſt commonly they cannot make water: the which if thou wilt help, it will be ſomewhat hard, becauſe you muſt underſtand the cauſe thereof, the which is not eaſily done of every man: for he that knoweth not the cauſe, can leſſe help the effect, and he that knoweth not the effect, can leſſe help them. And therefore, I ſay, he that will help thoſe that cannot make water, becauſe of the ſtone in the bladder, he muſt ſeringe them to take forth the Urine: but if thou wilt help45 thoſe that cannot make water through the gravell, you ſhall give them our Pillole Aquilone: and then give them a Flintſtone made in fine powder, to drink with water of Saxifrage, and thou ſhalt ſee thereof miracles. And if thou wilt help them that cannot make water, becauſe of viſcoſity, give them our Aromatico, and annoint the reins with our Balſamo Artificiato, and alſo his Teſticles, and ſo by theſe means you ſhall help them quickly of that accident: as I have proved divers times.

CHAP. LVI. Another diſcourſe upon the retention of Ʋrine; and his remedies.

THe retention of Urine is cauſed divers wayes, as by overmuch heat, or over-much cold, or through too much drineſſe, or too much moiſtneſſe. And therefore he that will cure this infirmity, muſt firſt know the cauſe, and alſo the vertue and quality of his Medicines wherewith he will cure them: for if he doe otherwiſe, he ſhall walk in the dark, and be as a Diviner: for many have written receipts, wherewith they ſhew to help many infirmities, without giving any reaſon at all. But to the purpoſe of the retention of Urine, as as I have ſaid, that it may come through four principall cauſes. So will I ſhew it in four Chapters, and alſo their remedies wherewith they may be helped.

CHAP. LVII. Of the retention of Ʋrine that cometh through heat, and his remedies.

THe retention of Urine which cometh through heat, is that which ingendereth the ſtone and gravell, for through that ſuperfluous heat it ingendereth. And this is one of the four cauſes of the retention of Urine, the which is helped with Inſtruments and Medicines concerning the ſtone. The moſt certain Medicine is, to be cut and take it forth. Nevertheleſſe,46 there are many Medicines that may pleaſure them of our invention: As concerning the gravell, there are many things that diſſolve it, of the which I have ſpoken of in divers places: As concerning the remedy of the cauſe, that is eaſie: for by purging the ſtomack and the body, the heat will be diſſolved, and the body left in good temperature. And the purging of the body ſhall be done with our Sirrup againſt the melancholy humour, and to uſe our Aromatico, and Electuario Magiſtrale, de Althea with Sulphur. And thus much concerning that heat.

CHAP. LVIII. Of the retention of Ʋrine through cauſe of drineſſe, and his Medicine.

THe retention of Urine through drineſſe, is, becauſe the Reines and the Conduits where it paſſeth are to much dried, and that drineſſe is cauſe of aduſtion of the Liver, the which muſt be helped with taking away a little bloud: and to purge the body with Caſſia, Sirrup de Pomis, de Succuria, de Lactutia, de Malvis, de Siterache, and ſuch like, that cool and take away the aduſtion of the Liver: then annoint the Reines, the Members, and Yeard with Hogs greaſe, becauſe that fat doth mollifie and moiſten: and give him to drink Sero lactis, becauſe that inlargeth and moiſteneth, and provoketh Urine without burning.

CHAP. LIX. Of the retention of Ʋrine that cometh through cold, and his remedies.

THe alteration of Urine that cometh through cold, is that kinde which maketh a man that he cannot make water without the help of ſome warm thing laid upon the body, and upon the bottome of the belly, and the cure thereof is to vomit thoſe cold humours out of the ſtomack, and to purge the47 body with ſolutives of warm Nature, and with warm Decoctiens, with the Decoction of Lignum Sanctum, of Carduus Benedictus, and of Roſemary, and annoynt the back with our Oleum Philoſoph•rum, de Terebinthina, & Cera,, or Oyle of Frankincence, or ſuch like things that warm the coldneſſe. And ſo by theſe means the Patient ſhall be helped of that retention of Urine.

CHAP. LX. Of the retention of Ʋrine through cauſe of moiſtneſſe, and his remedy.

THe retention of Urine cauſed of humidity, is that which cauſeth the pores to ſwell through moiſtneſſe, ſo that the Urine cannot paſſe, as thoſe ſay, which are troubled with the carnoſity: which carnoſity is not alteration of the pores through cauſe of humidity. For the way to cure this kind of retention, is to purge the body with drying Medicines, as Turbite, Scamonie, Euforbium, Eleborus, and ſuch like: and to uſe drying Unctions, as Ʋnguento de Lithargirio, or Balſamo, water of Frankincence, Oleum Benedictum of our invention, and ſuch like things, and then eat dry meats, and drink good Wine; and thus the humidity ſhall be diſſolved: So that hereby every one may have the underſtanding of the cauſe, and the effect of the ſame, and the Medicines.

CHAP. LXI. Of the difficulty of Ʋrine, and of what it is cauſed, with the order to cure it.

THere are divers kindes of difficulty of Urine, and are alſo cauſed of divers cauſes, as aforeſaid, of the which one is cauſed of a corrupt humour of the French Pox, and this is one of the chiefeſt cauſes that may be in that matter. For we ſee manifeſtly, that the ſaid kind of infirmity corrupteth the blood, ingendereth evill qualities in the Liver, and diſtempereth48 all the body of thoſe that are troubled therewith. Alſo we may ſee, that thoſe which are infected with that kind of diſeaſe, moſt commonly have Warts, or Carvoli, Pellaria, Botches, Scabs, Tumours, paines of the Stomack, in the Armes and Legs, with a number of other more ſtrange accidents that come through that diſeaſe, But when that infirmity infecteth inwardly, it worketh theſe effects: It bringeth Emeroides, paines in the Entrals, Fluxes of the body, continuall ſpitting, Gonorrea, or running of the Reines, and ſuch like effects. All the which cauſe difficulty of Urine, of the which difficulty, there uſeth to ingender the Stone, Gravell, Viſcoſity, Stitch in the ſide, and divers other miſchiefs very hurtfull unto the body. The difficulty of Urine may alſo be cauſed of divers other infirmities, as of a rotten Catarre, deſcention of the head, of the evill quality of the Liver, and ſuch like, as by exceſſive cold, or heat of the Reines, but let it be as it will, I know theſe are hard matters to be helped, becauſe it behooveth certain manuall practiſe in that faculty, the which I cannot ſhew in writing: although I have great and high ſecrets for that indiſpoſition, as concerning the Phyſick part, the which thou mayeſt find in divers places of my works. Nevertheleſſe, becauſe I will not leave this Chapter unperfect, I will here name unto thee a moſt excellent rare man of that Profeſſion, the which is both Doctor and Knight, and is moſt excellent in cutting out the Stone, and the Rupture, and can remedy the great difficulty of Urine, and heale the Rupture, and heale the infirmities of the eyes, and ſuch like things moſt excellently, and his name is called Praſtecio Stelin Venetiano: the which is at this preſent dwelling in Venice. And this I have written of that Doctor, becauſe he is one of the moſt excellent that may be found in that Art.

CHAP. LXII. To help thoſe that have great burning of their Ʋrine.

THis infirmity may come of divers and ſundry cauſes.

Nevertheleſſe, I will treat of ſome of the principall, and of moſt importance; and alſo will ſhew the true order to help them with eaſe and brevitie. The firſt cauſe aſſigned by me is the Stone in the Bladder, and this is in a manner uncurable. The ſecond cauſe is, the running of the Reins, the which is taken by companying with women corrupted with the Pox. The third cauſe is, the proper French Pox, the which is that kind that is called Gonorrea. The fourth kind is a certain corruption that is called Stranguria, the which moveth continually to make water. The fifth cauſe is the Gravell: there are alſo other cauſes, as ſcorching in the Yeard, carnoſitie, and ſuch like things, the which I will leave for troubling of the Reader. The firſt cauſe which is the Stone, is helped by two remedies, the one is with cutting and taking it forth of the bladder, the other remedie is written in this book. The remedie for that which is cauſed by the running of the Reins, ſhall be to take three mornings our Aromatieo, becauſe it reſolveth that heat, and extinguiſheth the burning. The remedie for that which is cauſed of Gonorrea, is none other then to cure the principall diſeaſe, and to annoint them with our Ʋnguento magno, and perfume them, and ſo they ſhall remain whole. That which is cauſed of the Strangurie, is cured by great purging, and by taking oftentimes our Aromatico. That which is cauſed of the Gravell, is cured by taking oftentimes our Electuario Angelica, and uſing to drinke Wine diſtilled with Cherrie ſtones, and Medler ſtones. That which cometh through carnoſitie, is cured with an Unguent made of oil of Sulphur, and Vitriol, Aqua reale, Oil of Frankincenſe, and new Wax, all Medicines deviſed by us, giving you charge, that before you begin to cure them, to ſeek out the right cauſe from whence it proceedeth, and ſo thou ſhalt help it with brevitie and great eaſe.

CHAP. LXIII. A Diſcourſe upon the carnoſitie in the Yeard, and the Order to cure it.

ALthough we have ſomething touched this Infirmitie before in the Chapter of the burning of the Urine. Nevertheleſſe, in this place, I mean, ſomething to diſcourſe thereof, becauſe that Chirurgions may not be void of ſuch a noble Secret, to doe them honour in their cure of the like diſeaſe, for there are many troubled with that infirmitie: You ſhall underſtand, that this carnoſitie is an infirmitie whoſe originall dependeth of the corruption of the French-Pox, and to ſhew it plainer, it is an Ulcer in the neck of the bladder where the Urine entreth into the Yeard. And therefore, if thou wilt help that infirmitie, cure the principall diſeaſe, and the carnoſitie will heal; but if thou wilt cure them with the Candle, take that Unguent which is written for the carnoſitie in the Chapter of the burning of the Urine; but if thou wilt cure the principall diſeaſe, give him three times, Pillole aquilone, and then take our Sirrupo Solutivo, ten or twelve daies together; that being done, let him take twentie daies the Wine of Lignum Sanctum, written hereafter in this Book, and thoſe which underſtand not this Chapter well, let him look over this Book, and he ſhall finde thoſe Medicines with their Uſes.

CHAP. LXIIII. Another Cure for the ſaid Carnoſitie.

THat Carnoſitie which hindereth the Urine that it cannot come forth, is a certain kinde of matter that is ingendered in the mouth of the bladder as is ſhewed before, the which is like in all points unto the Emeroids, that come in the neck of the Inteſtivall about the Fundament, and becauſe it is a groſſe matter and ulcerated, the Urine paſſeth with great difficultie, and great burning and pain unto thoſe that are51 troubled therewith, the which inconvenience if thou wilt help, it were neceſſary that the bodie were well purged, and that they keep a diet, and drinke the decoction of Hypericon, with a little Honie, and uſe to eat drie meats, and then make certain ſmall long Candles with Wax, and Frankincenſe, like unto ſearing Candles, then make this Unguent. Take red Lead, white Honie, of each an ounce, freſh Butter two ounces, white Wine as much as will ſuffice to incorporate all the aforeſaid together in a liquid form, then boil it on a ſoft fire, and have readie ten or twelve quills freſh pulled out of the wing of a fat Pigeon; and note that when ye take them forth of the wing, that they may be full of blood in the ends, then take one of the quills and ſtir the ſaid Unguent upon the fire continually while it boileth, and when one quill is dried take another, and ſo doe untill the wine be conſumed, then take it from the fire and keep it, and when ye will occupie it, take one of thoſe Candles, and upon the end put the ſaid Unguent, and put it into the Yeard untill it touch the carnoſity, and this doe from time to time untill the Candle paſſe without pain, and then the Patient ſhall be whole; for this is a great Secret and hath been proved many times.

CHAP. LXV. A Diſcourſe as concerning thoſe that cannot hold their water, and his Remedie.

THis Impediment cometh of two principall cauſes, the one is, through heat and moiſture of the bodie, and this is commonly in young children, which commonly doe bepiſſe themſelves, becauſe they are by Nature hot and moiſt. The other cauſe is through opening of the Pores where the Urine doth paſſe; the which are ſo ſtretched or opened, that they cannot retain the Urine, becauſe the Urine is a voluntary motion, and a naturall motion together, they are hard to agree together, becauſe the naturall motion maketh his voluntarie motion; ſo that Nature firſt moveth the man, and thereof cometh the motion; for if a man would make water, and52 that Nature doth not move the motion, he cannot piſſe; for ſometime Nature doth not give his naturall motion becauſe of ſome impediment, for when a man cannot hold his water, it is a ſign that Nature hath no retention; and to redreſſe the ſame, it were neceſſarie to reduce Nature into good temperature, ſo that it may retain the Urine; the which thing thou ſhalt doe with purging the bodie, and the ſtomack wherein is the matter that cauſeth that retention of Urine. And to purge the bodie you ſhall uſe our Sirrup againſt the melancholy humour: And to purge the ſtomack, you ſhall take our Electuario angelica, and to reſtrain the pores, you ſhall uſe the decoction of wild Hyſop, with the powder of Mastick, for you ſhall underſtand, that the purging taketh away the cauſe, and the decoction of Hyſop with the Maſtick, doth reſtrain the pores, and ſo by theſe meanes thou ſhalt remedie quickly that infirmitie.

CHAP. LXVI. To break the Stone in the Bladder and alſo the Gravell, and to cauſe it to avoid by Ʋrine.

THere is found a certain bird called Solone, of Albertus Magnus in his Book of Secrets; the which birds are very plenteous in Rome, and are called Palmum bellae, and in Lumbardie, Saſſarvoli, the which in Engliſh I ſuppoſe, is called a Ring Dove, or Wood-colver, or the Stock Dove, which Birds are ſubject to the Stone, that if you keep them in a Cage, and feed them with ſuch meat as they commonly uſe, being deprived of their medicine, within the ſpace of four or ſix moneths at the moſt, there will ingender a Stone in the belly ſo great, that their meat cannot paſſe through them, and ſo choaketh them, and they die, and that is becauſe the poor Bird cannot goe and help himſelf with that Medicine which Nature hath taught her. For thoſe that are at libertie in the field, flie unto the Sea-ſide, and there they find a certain kind of ſmall ſtone very hard, the which ſtone hath vertue to diſſolve the ſtone in the bodie of the Bird, and this Bird knoweth53 it by the inſtinct of Nature, and eateth great abundance of them, and ſo diſſolveth the ſtone in their bellies, and live a long time after it without any trouble of the Stone. You ſhall underſtand, that this ſtone is unpoſſible to be found in any other place, then in the belly of the ſaid bird, becauſe they are very little, and mans reaſon cannot diſcern them from other Stones, the which being beat in powder, with the flowers of Elders, and Cinnamon, of each a like, and given to drink with broth, in ſhort time it will diſſolve the Stone, and cauſe them to avoid it with their Urine moſt miraculouſly: But if you ask me the reaſon, I know not what I ſhall anſwer, but I hold it to be his proper hidden qualitie and vertue. For truly this I have taught to many, and have ſeen the experience thereof ſundrie times, and it cured the moſt part that did uſe it. For truely the vertue of Stones are very great unto thoſe that know them. I ſaw once two Stones in Rome of ineſtimable vertue; The one was a round Corall like unto the Serpentine Purphire, but therein was much green, and was of that vertue that being laid upon the fleſh of a man or woman, it cauſeth them to piſſe great abundance, ſo that it were to be wondred at. The other Stone was of Diaſper, but bright and thorough ſhining with certain white veins, and was of ſuch vertue, that being laid on a wound, preſently the blood ſtenched, ſo that there fell not down one drop, The which Stones were in the hand of an old Spaniard, who ſaid, he brought them out of India, from Nova Hiſpania. I have ſeen alſo divers and ſundry Stones of moſt ſtrange vertues. You ſhall underſtand, that thoſe Stones of the Bird muſt be gotten in this order. You ſhall get a number of the ſaid Birds, and take the ſtones out of their bellies, and waſh them clean, and keep them to thy uſe. The quantitie is as much as you can hold upon a Sixpence, as well of the Stones as of the other matters: You ſhall drinke the ſaid quantitie ſeven or eight mornings together, and let your Diet be according, and drink good wine, and ſo in ſhort time you ſhall be helped.

CHAP. LXVII. Of the Gravell in the Reins.

THe Gravell (as is ſaid before, is a diſeaſe of the Urine undigeſted, which is cauſed of ſuperfluous heat of the reins and blood, the which ſometimes doth ſtay it ſelf in the Conduites, and cauſeth great pains; and ſometimes it doth ingroſſe ſo in the Bladder, that it letteth the Urine, and this is an evill diſeaſe to be troubled with, and the remedie is to purge often, and uſe that water againſt the Gravell that is written in my diſcourſe of Chirurgerie, for it is one of the moſt excellent remedies that can be found for that diſeaſe; and the order to uſe it is alſo written after the Receipt, and the beſt Purgation that you can uſe for that purpoſe is our Pillole Aquilone.

CHAP. LXVIII. Of a certain Scab or Itch that cometh over all the bodie.

THis Diſeaſe cometh in all places of the bodie, and in Naples it is called Prurito, and in Rome, Roſura; in Venice, Pizza; and in Spain, Lomezon: And it is a ſalt humour that cometh forth of the veins, and ſo diſperſeth through the whole bodie between the fleſh and the skin, and hath in it ſuch an heat, that they cannot abide it, and is cauſed of alteration of the blood, the which is corrupted and diſtempered; and the remedie is, to purge the ſtomack, and to purifie the blood, which thou ſhalt doe with giving them three times our Pillole aquilone every third day once; that being done, make this Bath: Take Nettles, Mallows, Pellitorie of the wall, Agrimonie, Sage, and Coleworts, ana. lb. iiii. the Bran of Wheat almoſt a peck, common Aſhes half as much: Mix them altogether in a great kettle of water, and let it boil an hour, and then take it from the fire and ſit over it, and cover thee with clothes, that thou maieſt ſweat an hour, then dry thee with warm clothes, and then waſh all thy bodie with pure Aqua vitae, and this thou ſhalt uſe three times at the leaſt, for the oftner the better, and ſo thou ſhalt be perfectly whole.

The Second Book of the Secrets of PHIORAVANTE.

CHAP. I. What Chirurgery is.

CHirurgery is a manuall Art, with the which the Chirurgian doth cure Wounds, Ulcers, and Impoſthumes: And this was found of Husbandmen, and Experimenters of naturall things. For there is no Art in the world, that hath more need of the knowledge of divers things then this Art. It is alſo neceſſary to the knowledge of naturall things belonging to Chirurgery, to have skill in Husbandry. It is alſo neceſſary to underſtand the Art of Painting, whereby you may ſet broken bones in their places, and to joyn or cloſe wounds well. It were needfull alſo to have skill in the Art of Joyning, whereby he may make Inſtruments for broken bones in the Armes, or Legs, or Hands, or other parts. It would be alſo neceſſary to have the Art of a Smith, whereby he may make his Inſtruments. It is chiefly needfull to be expert in the Art of an Apothecary, to make his Unguents. And laſt of all, it is moſt neceſſary to know the Art of Alchimie, whereby he may diſtill his Oyles and Waters appertaining unto Chirurgery. Alſo it is neceſſary to have a good judgement, and to help in all cauſes of Chirurgery, and to have a light hand in working. And when the Chirugian is expert in all the aforeſaid things, he may help without any ſuſpition of any thing. And hereafter I will ſhew thee what Wounds, Ulcers, and Impoſthumes are, and all other things appertaining to Chirurgery, and the order to cure them: a diſcourſe grounded on true reaſon56 and approved by experience, ſhewing to all men, which are the true and perfecteſt Medicines, and which are falſe and naught: writing and opening the true ſecrets of Chirurgery, with a new order found out by me, to exerciſe the ſame Chirurgery with more eaſe and brevity, ſo that every one may be ſatisfied: For they are true, and are Medicines, with the which thou mayeſt doe much good to the ſick: and great honour will redound to the Chirurgian, if he uſe it according to our order: for they are Medicines proved of us infinite times in divers places of the world, as well in the Feilds as in the Cities, or on the waters in the warres, where we healed Wounds, Gunſhot, Ulcers, Impoſthumes, and other diſeaſes appertaining unto Chirurgery: and alwayes (thanks be unto God) I have had good ſucceſſe, as it is well known in moſt parts of Chriſtendome. And ſo I make an end.

CHAP. II. The order to be uſed in curing Impoſthumes of divers ſorts, taken forth of the ſhort diſcourſe of Chirugery of this Author.

THere are divers kinds of Impoſthumes that come unto mans body, and are cauſed of divers and ſundry accidents, and therefore they muſt be cured in divers orders, and with ſundry Medicines, according to his nature: for ſome Impoſthumes are cauſed of contutions or bruiſed fleſh: Some are certain humours, of which Nature would diſcharge her ſelfe, and ſo ſendeth them forth: ſome are cauſed of cold; otherſome are melancholy humours, and others are cauſed of the Pox: And theſe are the kinds of Impoſthumes that moſt commonly doe come, and I will ſhew thee the order to cure them one by one, and then after I will ſhew them particularly more at large by themſelves. Firſt, I will ſpeak of that ſort which is cauſed of contutions, becauſe it is bruiſed fleſh: for every contution doth putrifie and turn into matter, unto which it were neceſſary to lay Maturatives, and bring it to ſuppuration, and as ſoon as thou perceiveſt there to be any57 matter, then preſently launce it: and his Medicine ſhall be the yeolk of an Egge mixed with our Magno licore, and with that dreſſe it as well within as without, without any other thing, for it will help any great Tumour: but you muſt make your Unguent freſh every day, and with new Egges. Furthermore, as concerning thoſe Impoſthumes that come through the indiſpoſition of Nature, and are certain Sborine (a word ſo called in Italian) by which Nature would prevail: and thoſe would be left unto Nature, untill ſuch time as they break alone, and then thou ſhalt dreſſe them with this Unguent. Take Oile of Roſes ℥. vi. Litarge of gold finely ground, Turpentine, ana ℥. ii. Storax liquida ℥. i. New Wax ℥. iii. boyle them on a ſoft fire untill it be black, which if it be too hard, you may put thereto oyle of Roſes, and make it in form of an Unguent, and therewith dreſſe thoſe kinds of Impoſthumes: and ſay thereon the Cerotte of dia Palma, and ſo with theſe Medicines thou ſhalt work miracles. As concerning theſe Impoſthumes that are cauſed of cold, you ſhall uſe hot Medicines and attractive, as the Cerotte called Oxicroxi, which is a perfect Medicine in theſe kinds of Impoſthumes: alſo our Balſamo artificiato, and Aqua balfamo, and ſuch like things which are by nature temperate hot, are very convenient. But thoſe Impoſthumes that have their originall of the French Pox, are evill and maligne, becauſe their originall is maligne and evill. The cure of theſe is with great pnrging, and to let the Impoſthume increaſe of it ſelfe, and when it is ready to launce, then launce it, and make this Medicine. Take Ʋuguento magno ℥. ii. Magno locore ℥. i. Precipitate di. ℥ mixe them well together, and therewith dreſſe the Impoſthume, and lay thereon our Magiſtrale Cerotte, and it will be perfect whole in ſhort time: Letting you to underſtand, that in all the aforeſaid cures, if you will cure them perfectly, it were neceſſary that the body were well purged of thoſe corrupt humours that hinder the cure, and to uſe defenſives appropriate to that kind of Impoſthume: as the oil of Frankincenſe, of Turpentine, of Wax, of Hony, Aqua vitae, and ſuch like, which every one is a ſufficient defenſive, annointing it round about the Impoſthume: And hereafter I will ſhew58 thee the cure of theſe Impoſthumes particularly by themſelves.

CHAP. III. What Impoſthumes are.

IMpoſthumes are certain Tumours or ſwellings, that come in divers parts of the body: the which are cauſed of blood and choller putrified, which cannot paſſe through the pores, and therefore ingroſſe in that place, and ſo cometh to putrifaction, and that is an Impoſthume: which thou ſhalt help in this order. Firſt purge the body to take away the humours which would goe to the Impoſthume: which thou ſhalt doe with our Magiſtrale Sirupe, taking it eight dayes together: that being done, give him our Aromatico: this being done, thou ſhalt quickly help the Impoſthume, as I will ſhew thee hereafter, with their perfect cure.

CHAP. IV. Of Impoſthumes that come in the Groine.

THe Impoſthumes that come in the Groin are of three kinds, of which one is called in Venice, Pannochi, and at Rome, Tinconie, and at Naples, Dragonello, and in Spain, Incordio. To theſe after the body is purged, as is aforeſaid, you ſhall lay a Maturative plaiſter, the which is made thus. Take Marſh Mallowes, common Mallowes, the mother of Violets, the leaves of Coleworts, Wheat flower, Auxungia, Oil of Lillies, of each alike, and boyle them together, and then ſtamp them in form of an Ointment, and lay it on the Impoſthume untill it look red and is ſoft, for then it is apt to be launced: Giving you charge, that when you launce them you goe not to deep, but onely that the matter may come forth, and then put therein a little tent, and annoint it with our Magno liquore, for becauſe it is the beſt Medicine that can be found for wounds: for it mundifieth, incarnateth, and59 ſi•catrizeth without any other help, and lay upon the Impoſthume our Magiſtrale Cerot, and never change your Medicines untill you be whole; for this is the true ſecret found out by me to help theſe Impoſthumes, which I have proved infinite times.

CHAP. V. The ſecond kinde of Impoſthume that cometh in the Groin.

THe ſecond kind of Impoſthume in the Groin is called Glandulae, both this and the aforeſaid are cauſed of humours infected with the Pox, and theſe Impoſthumes ſeldome come to maturation; but if it doe, it will be long firſt, and it is evil to heal, becauſe it requireth great cure and terrible medicines. But if thou wilt cure them perfectly, it were neceſſary to cure the principall cauſe, and that is the Pox. But when theſe Impoſthumes are broke, the beſt remedie will be this. Take Waxe, Litarge of gold, Oil of Frankincenſe, ana. and boil them together untill it become black: and therewith dreſſe theſe Impoſthumes, for this is a perfect remedie, and a great Secret.

CHAP. VI. The third kind of Impoſthume that cometh in the Groin.

THe third kind of Impoſthume that cometh in the Groin, is cauſed of much travell or heat of the blood, and theſe are called Anguinaglie, and they uſe to come with a great accident of a Fever, cold and then hot, and in ſeven or eight daies at the moſt, they come to maturation, and then launce them, and his medicine ſhall be this: Take Turpentine well waſhed, the yolk of an Egg, and oyle of Roſes, as much of the one, as of the other, and mix them well together, and with this onely thou ſhalt help them, becauſe it digeſteth the Impoſthume, and mundifieth and incarnateth with great ſpeed; giving you60 great charge that the bodie be well purged firſt with our Magiſtrale Sirupe.

CHAP. VII. Of Impoſtumes under the arms.

THeſe Impoſtumes are cauſed of groſſe and viſcous humours, the which Nature cannot digeſt by any other part, and theſe commonly are called Topinaria, becauſe they are like to a Molehill. And although this ſeem to be a great matter, yet it cauſeth little pain, and may be holpen with eaſe. Firſt purge the bodie with Soluble Medicines, and then lay on this plaiſter untill it be ripe. Take grated bread, leaven of bread, Cow Milk, Oil of Lillies, ana, and boil them together and lay it on; for this hath vertue attractive and putrifactive, by meanes whereof it will bring it quickly to maturation; and when it is ripe, open it with a launce, and dreſſe it the firſt time with the white of an Egg and Salt beaten together with a tent, and lay on a ſtopine wet with the white of an Egg, the which thou ſhalt let lie at the leaſt four and twentie hours, and then dreſſe it with digeſtive untill it be incarnated, and then lay thereon a plaiſter of Di aquilone magno di meſue, and ſo thou ſhalt help them quickly.

CHAP. VIII. Of Impoſtumes in the throat.

THeſe Impoſtumes are of divers and ſundry kindes, as you may ſee by experience; for ſome are Scrophule, others are melancholie humours, others are cauſed of the Poxe, and others are cauſed of heat, or of cold; the which are all cured ſundrie wayes, as I will ſhew thee hereafter

CHAP. IX. Of Impoſtumes in the throat cauſed of melancholie humours.

THeſe Impoſtumes in throat cauſed of melancholie humours are hard and crude, and are long before they come to maturation, and you may not in any wiſe cut them, becauſe the place is full of Muskles, Arteries, Vene capillari, Cartilagines, Sinnews, and ſuch like; the which although there come an Impoſtume there, it ſhall not hurt them; but if yee cut them with an Inſtrument you may offend them greatly, and for that cauſe you may not cut them by any means, but leave it unto Nature, the which will cauſe it to break, and then uſe this remedie. Firſt, you ſhall take our Sirrup againſt the melancholie humour for twelve daies, continually in the morning faſting; that done, you ſhall give him our Pillole Aquilone, and help the Impoſtumes with Ʋnguento negro di Godfredo di medi, written in the Antidotary of Galen, Cap. 45. for that is miraculous to help thoſe kinds of Impoſtumes, as I have proved it divers times.

CHAP. X. Of Impoſtumes in the throat coming of the Pox.

THe Impoſtumes that come in the Throat which are cauſed of the Pox, are commonly of evill qualitie, becauſe they are much alterated, and cauſe great pain, and theſe likewiſe are dangerous to be cut for the aforeſaid cauſes: but when they are broken, they goe creeping over the bodie, healing in one place, and breaking out in another, and theſe are evill to be helped, for them that know not the perfect ſecret, and the order to cure them is this. You ſhall give them eight or nine mornings our Soluble Sirrup; that being done, you ſhall give them our Aromatico twice, and then let them uſe Sarſa Parilia, or our wine of Lignum vitae, and let them ſweat ten or twelve daies together, and then perfume them with Sinabar, Myrrhe, and Olibanum, the which fume you ſhall62 uſe onely at the mouth, and ſo thou ſhalt help any crude kind of Impoſthume coming in the throat: for this Secret never faileth, as I have proved divers times.

CHAP. XI. Of Impoſthumes in the throat coming of hot humours.

THeſe Impoſthumes in the throat coming of ſuperfluous heat, are cauſed of the bloud being alterated with heat, and becauſe of that alteration, it ingendereth groſs vapours and viſcous in Vena Capillari, the which through their groſsneſſe and want of digeſtion cannot diſſolve, and ſo ingender that kind of Impoſthume in the throat, becauſe in that place there is much blood, and leſſe fleſh then in any other place, but yet theſe be not troubleſome to help, and his cure is thus: You ſhall purge him with aperative things, and refriſcative that purge the blood; and when the Impoſthume is open, you ſhall dreſſe it with a digeſtive untill it be mundified, and then dreſſe it with Ʋnguentum de Tutia untill it be ſiccatrized: Alſo you ſhall cauſe them to keep diet ordinary, and to drink no wine but onely this drinke: Take Citrake, Liver-wort, and Scolopendria, ana a handfull, Annifeed ℥. i. common white-Honey one pound, then put them all to infuſe in four and twentie pound of fair water, and let it boil untill a third be conſumed, and then ſtrein it without expreſſion, and keep it in a glaſſe cloſe ſhut, and this ſhall be his common drink: but let him eat no ſalt, nor ſlimie meates in any wiſe, neither Hogs fleſh, nor other hot meats that may alter the blood: And this doing you ſhall be quickly helped, for the drink cooleth the blood, and purgeth it, and helpeth the Liver of all infirmities, as I have proved divers times.

CHAP. XII. Of Impoſthumes in the threat cauſed of cold.

IMpoſthumes in the throat cauſed of cold humours are ſmall and without pain, and this goeth creeping by little and little untill ſuch time as it breaketh of it ſelf, and are an evill kind to help, becauſe all Unguents are an enemie unto them, and all cold meats. Therefore if thou wilt help them, let the Patient uſe twentie daies together our Quinta eſſentia ſolutiva, which purgeth all cold humours, and warmeth the blood, and cauſeth the Impoſthume to heal with eaſe; and when they are broken, you ſhall help them with our Balm artificiall, which doth ſubtiliate the humours, and mundifie the Impoſthume, and incarnate and heal: And this Order of curing is effectuall and of great profit for them that ſhall uſe them. And of this opinion are many excellent Phyſicians, and chiefly M. Decio an ancient man, who hath been an experimenter a long time both in Phyſick and Chirurgerie, with a number of others, which I will leave to name untill another time.

CHAP. XIII. Of Impoſthumes in the throat coming of hot humours.

THeſe Impoſthumes coming in the throat of hot humours, is a kind that cometh with redneſſe, and cauſeth great pain, with an accident of a Fever, and in ſhort time they come to maturation, and break, and then the matter will come forth, and the pain will ceaſe; and theſe kindes are not evill to heal, and the remedies are theſe. Aſſoon as they are broke thou muſt preſſe it out with thy hand, that being done, you ſhall have Oleum Benedictum of our invention, annointing the Impoſthume within, and lay thereon our Magiſtrale Cerot, and ſo thou ſhalt help thoſe kindes of Impoſthumes. For this is our Secret never written before of any man.

CHAP. XIV. Of Impoſthumes in the Eies.

IMpoſthumes in the eies are like certain white bladders that come about the noſe, and the matter that is within them is like the white of an Egg, and theſe are cauſed of humiditie and moiſtneſs of the head, and becauſe they have a conference with the head, they are evill to heal, for they turn to watering Fiſtula's, which, when they come to Fiſtula's, continue for ever. But if thou wilt cure them perfectly that they never come again, you muſt firſt purge the head with our Aromatico, and that you ſhall doe every five daies once for three or four times; that being done, thou ſhalt annoint the head with Oil of Frankincenſe the ſpace of a moneth, and into the eie where the Impoſthume is, thou ſhalt put once a day one drop of our Balm artificiall, which will help it and dry the Impoſthume, and ſo in ſhort time thou ſhalt be helped. For this is the true Secret wherewith thou mayeſt help thoſe Impoſthumes, never known before of any man, and they are much contrary to the Medicines of Meſue, by which our Phyſicians now adaies make their Medicines.

CHAP. XV. Of Impoſthumes in the Eares.

IMpoſthumes in the eares are cauſed of cold and viſcous humours, which ingroſſe in that part of the bodie, and cauſe great pain untill ſuch time as they are broken, and theſe Impoſthumes are evill to heal. Nevertheleſſe, I will ſhew thee a Secret to take away the pains, and to help it quickly, and that is thus. There is found a certain kind of ſhell in the Sea, the which is of the length of an hand, and ſomewhat more, the which, in Venice, and in Iſtria, in Dalmatia, in Puglia, and in divers other places of the Adriatick Sea, are called Aſture, which is like unto a pair of bellows, the which hath a certain beard, like the hair of a mans head, and it65 hath a certain attractive vertue, that if they put it into the eare, preſently they take away the pain, though it be never ſo great or extream: the which vertue cometh through the ſaltneſſe of it. For this I have proved divers times, and did learn it of our old Fiſhermen, which knew it by experience. But if it chance that one be troubled and cannot get that thing, they ſhall take Cantharides in powder, and put it into the eare, the which will work the ſame effect, becauſe they be attractive and mundificative: And theſe are two naturall remedies, found out by true experience, and doth more good then any other that I could find.

CHAP. XVI. Of Impoſthumes in the Mouth.

THeſe Impoſthumes are of divers kinds, and may breed of divers cauſes: but let them come of what cauſe ſoever they will, they cauſe great pain to them that have them, for that they cannot ſwallow their meat without pain. And therefore I will ſhew thee a generall cure for all Impoſthumes in the mouth, and that is thus. You ſhall take our Pillole Aquilone twice: that being done, take our Aqua balſami, and hold it in your mouth as long as you can, and this doe three times in a day: then take the juyce of Beet roots ℥. i. oil of bitter Almonds ʒ. i. then ſnuffe it up at the noſe untill it come into the throat: And thus doing, thou ſhalt help any Impoſthume in the mouth, as I have proved divers times. For the Pils clenſe the head, and evacuate the ſtomack, and hindereth the alteration, the water of Balm doth cure and mittigateth the pain, and the juyce with the Oil mundifieth thoſe ſecret places at the noſe and mouth.

CHAP. XVII. Of Impoſthumes in the Joynts.

THeſe Impoſthumes in the Joynts are evill, and of hard and crude digeſtion, becauſe they are cauſed of great abundance66 of groſſe and viſcous humours, the which through their groſſeneſſe cannot paſſe the Joynts, and there remain and come to Impoſthume, and theſe cauſe extream pain, becauſe thereunto commeth great abundance of matter, and the remedy is thus. Firſt give him a generall purgation, and let him bloud on the common vein, and then lay on this plaiſter. Take Marſh Mallowes, common Mallowes, Pellitory, and the Mother of Violets, and boyle them in water till it be conſumed, then ſtamp them, and put thereto Leaven of bread, Barly flower, Hens greace, and Hogs greace, according to thy diſcretion, and ſet them on a ſmall fire untill they be incorporated, then lay this on once a day untill it be ripe, and when it is red and ſoft open it, and dreſſe it with our Magno liquore, and lay thereon our Magiſtrale Cerotte: and ſo with theſe two thou ſhalt help them, except the Impoſthume be of the Pox, for then it will doe ſmall good.

CHAP. XVIII. Of inward Impoſthumes.

THeſe Impoſthumes inwardly are evill to know, and uncertain to cure, becauſe the Patient himſelf cannot tell in what place they be, though he feel the pain: and therefore all that we reaſon of in that matter, may be to the contrary. For where a man cannot ſee with the eye, nor touch with the hand, the matter is doubtfull whether it be, or no: and therefore it is beſt to ſay little. For theſe Impoſthumes may come of divers cauſes, and yet cannot tell of what certain cauſe, and therefore you cannot know which is the true Medicine to help them: but by experience you may doe them ſome good: For (as I ſaid before) Impoſthumes never come but through diſtemperance of Nature, and alteration of the bloud. Therefore if thou wilt help them, help firſt the principall cauſe, then give them eight or ten mornings our Magiſtrale Sirrup, and then take twice our Aromatico: that being done, uſe morning and evening our Vegitabile Sirrup, and herewith thou ſhalt help them.

CHAP. XIX. Of Ʋlcers, and what they are.

VLcers are of divers and ſundry kinds, and are ingendered of many cauſes, as hereafter I will ſhew. But firſt I will write of thoſe kinds of Ulcers that are cauſed of Wounds. You ſhall underſtand, that wounds in what part of the body ſoever they be, being impoſthumated or cancrenated, they change their names, and are no more called wounds, although their originall was a wound. For when it is cancrenated, it is called Ʋlcera corroſiva, becauſe it goeth eating and creeping on the fleſh: but when the wound is impoſthumated and full of matter, it is called Ʋlcera putrida, that is putrified, and it is becauſe it is filthy and ſtinketh. But when it is neither cancrenated, nor yet apoſthumated, but that through ſome evill diſpoſition the wound is cloſed, and that there cometh in it evill qualities without alteration, then is it called Ʋlcera ſordida, becauſe therein is evill qualitie, and it appeareth but little, but it is evill to heal. There be other ſorts of Ulcers alſo, which are cauſed of divers and ſundry kinds of Tumours: and the moſt evill and miſcheivious are thoſe that are of Tumours cauſed of the Pox: for unto thoſe there runne abundance of evill humours that augment the Ulcer, and they be the worſt ſort, for they cannot be healed by themſelves, except the body be well purged and evacuated of all the humours that are oftenſive. There is another kinde of Ulcer that cometh of an Impoſthume as well hot as cold, and thoſe are more gentle and eaſie to be helped, if you know the Medicines that are apt to help and diſſolve thoſe kinds of Ulcers. Theſe are the three kinds of Ulcers that commonly happen unto men and women through divers cauſes, as before is ſaid, ſo that theſe are the principall cauſes of thoſe maligne Ulcers.

CHAP. XX. To help Ʋlcers of all ſorts.

SEeing that Ulcers are of divers and ſundry kinds, it were neceſſary to know of what kind and quality they are, ſo that thou mayſt help them in form and order convenient. And firſt I will write of the corroſive Ulcers, as of a wound cancrenated, of Mal di formica, and of other ſorts of Ulcers that goe creeping upon the fleſh. The cure of theſe kinds of Ulcers is, to apply quickly our Cauſtick to mortifie the evill, which thou ſhalt doe thus. Wet a little Bumbaſt in our Cauſtick, and therewith waſh all the ſore, and then leave it ſo open four and twenty houres without binding it faſt, and when four and twenty houres are paſt, waſh the ſore with ſtrong Vineger, and water of a like quantity, with charge that there remain none of the Cauſtick in the ſore: then lay thereon Butter waſhed with a Colewort leafe, untill the asker or dead fleſh fall: then take our Cerot Magiſtrale, with a little Precipitate ſtrewed thereon, and then annoint it with Magno liquore, and lay it upon the ſore: for this Cerot helpeth all manner of coroſive Ulcers without any other help, and every plaiſter will ſerve three or four dayes, taking them off every four and twenty houres, and making them clean, and then lay them on again. And as for the filthy Ulcer that I have ſhewed of in this Chapter, you ſhall dreſſe it onely with our Ʋnguento magno, the which, without any other help, will heal them quickly: But you muſt every four dayes touch them with Aqua fortis drawn from Precipitate, which water draweth forth the offenſive matter, and leaveth it purified and clean. And in all other ſorts of Ulcers, our Balm artificiall, our Magno liquore, Oil of Wax, and Turpentine, the black Cerot of Godfredo di medi, our Cerot Magiſtrale with Precipitate, are able to help, be they never ſo evill. And hereafter I will write of Ulcers particularly with their cures.

CHAP. XXI. Of Ʋlcers, that come in the feet, of corns, or of chaps.

ULcers that come in the feet may come of divers cauſes, and are alſo of divers kinds, as of chaps, of corns, and ſuch like. When they are chaps they come of an hot matter and fiery, as you may ſee by experience: For the Patient feeleth great heat in his feet, and is alwayes thirſty, the which giveth manifeſt ſignes that the humour is hot: and their cure is with cooling purgations, as our Sirrup againſt melancholy humours, taking it ten dayes together: then take our Pillole Aquilone twice, and ſo thou ſhalt take away the heat in the feet: and to help the crepature or chaps, make this Unguent. Take oil of Rofes, Vineger, and liquid Pitch, ana, and boyle them untill the Vineger be conſumed, and ſo being warm, wet a cloth therein, and lay it thereupon, and in ſhort time it will be whole: but if they be cornes, you ſhall cut them unto the quick, and then lay thereon a cloth wet in O leum benedictum, which doth comfort and dry, and quickly take away the pain. But when they are ſcratching, or as it were ſcorched, you ſhall lay thereon Ʋnguento de Lithargiro crudo, and ſo thou ſhalt help them, as I have ſeen the experience.

CHAP. XXII. Of Ʋlcers in the Legs

THeſe Ulcers in the Legs are of two kinds, that is, filthy, and corroſive. The filthy Ulcers are cauſed of cold and moiſt humours: The corroſive are cauſed of humours hot and dry: and theſe are thoſe Ulcers that goe creeping in the fleſh, healing in one place, and breaking out in another. The filthy Ulcer is ſtinking and full of matter, and cauſeth little pain, and their cure is with our Balm artificiall, which hath vertue to penetrate, digeſt, mundifie, and incarnate, and heal, when that the body is firſt well purged: but thoſe that are cauſed of heat and drineſſe, you ſhall cure with the remedy70 written in the Chapter next aboveſaid, and then dreſſe them with our Magiſtrale Cerot, and put thereon a little Precipitate, and annoint it with Magno liquore, and ſo thou ſhalt help them. But if ſo be it chance the ſaid Medicine doe not heal it, you ſhall perfume them five times with Sinabar, Incenſe, and Myrrhe, and without all doubt thou ſhalt heal them.

CHAP. XXIII. Of Ʋlcers that come in the Knees.

THeſe Ulcers in the Knees are groſſe humours that cannot paſſe by the Joynts downwards, and ſo remain in thoſe places, and cauſe a faſtidious Ulcer, which putteth the Patient to great paines, by reaſon of abundance of humours that cometh there. And the cure of this Impoſthume ulcerated is thus, purge the body with our Soluble Sirrup, ſeven or eight mornings warme: and then give him di. ℥. of Electuaria Angelica, and ſo thou ſhalt help them quickly: then dreſſe the Ulcer with Ʋnguento magno, puting therein a little Precipitate and Magno liquore, and ſo in ſhort time it will heal.

CHAP. XXIV. Of Ʋlcers in the Groin.

THeſe Ulcers for the moſt part are Tumours, or Botches, the which through the evill diſpoſition of Nature, and evill Medicines are ulcerated. And of that may come many infirmities, which I will leave to treat of at this time, and I will ſhew thee a remedy. Give the Patient ſeven or eight mornings our Scluble Sirrup cold, and then give him our Aromatico, and after let him uſe Lignum Sanctum according to our order, and dreſſe the Ulcer with this Unguent. Take Ʋnguento magno ℥. ii. Magno liquore di. ℥. and common Precipitate ʒ. ii. Mix them well together, for this is the true ſecret of our invention, never made before of any man, the which I have proved infinite times.

CHAP. XXV. Of Ʋlcers in the Armes.

THeſe Ulcers are not of ſo evill nature as thoſe in the Legs, becauſe thereunto come not ſo many humours, and theſe are commonly cauſed of the Pox, the Cure is this. Purge them well with our Magiſtrale Sirrup, ſeven or eight mornings together, then take Pillole Aquilone, and then annoint them with Ʋrguento magno every night until the Ulcers remain whole and without pain. Thus have I uſed divers times.

CHAP. XXVI. Of Ʋlcers that come in the Breaſt and Shoulders, and in the Back and Belly.

ULcers that come in the foreſaid parts, are all cauſed of Impoſthumes of evill qualities, that have not been well healed of the Chirurgians, which knew not how to remove the cauſe, and by that meanes the Impoſthumes are become malign Ulcers. He therefore that will cure theſe Ulcers, it ſhall be neceſſarie for him to do that which was not done; that is, to remove the cauſe firſt, and then the cure will follow with more eaſe and ſpeed, ſo there be good regard and conſideration had thereof. And yet amongſt Ulcers there is one kind that will receive no curation, and they are called Cancri, that are crude and of evill digeſtion, and go creeping along the fleſh, and have a root as it were a Plant: And for thoſe kinds there is found no better remedie to mittigate them, then is our Quinta eſſentia Vegitabile, for if you put it therein, and lay a cloth wet in the ſame thereon, it taketh away the pain, in ſuch ſort, that it is to be wondered at, and will not ſuffer it to putrifie; it taketh away the ſtinking, and comforteth the place very much. As concerning the other kind of Ulcer, you muſt firſt find out the cauſe before you can help it, and the cauſe being found, the cure is eaſie to find and ſure. He therefore that will be diligent, ſhall not72 onely heal thoſe kindes of Ulcers, but alſo all other Ulcers.

CHAP. XXVII. Of Ʋlcers that come outwardly in all the bodie.

THeſe Ulcers are a kind of fat ſore that cauſeth abundance of matter, which cometh through ſuperfluous humiditie of the bodie and blood, and theſe are evill to heal, becauſe their Originall cometh of the inward parts, and the cure is thus: Give the Patient fourteen daies our Potion of Lignum Sanctum, the which is ſoluble and drying, and purgeth the blood, that being done, annoint the Ulcer with Ʋnguentum de Lethargiro ſimple, and ſo they ſhall be helped perfectly.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of Ʋlcers in the Head.

ULcers in the Head are of divers kinds, as of Wounds, Contuſions, Swellings, Scabs and white Skalls, and ſuch like, which come of ſundry cauſes, and are holpen divers wayes. For the Wounds Ulcerated, are mortified with our Caſtick, laying it on four and twenty hours, and then waſh it with ſtrong Vinegar, untill all the Caſtick be come forth, and after help it with our Magno liquore: The like cure is done in Contuſions ulcerated, but the Swellings doe differ much, for that they are cauſed of the Pox, and thou ſhalt cure them with Soluble Medicines: Viz. Take Sarſa-Parilia, and then perfume him five or ſix times with Sinaber. The Scabs or Cruſts are helped with taking three times our Electuari•angelica, and then annoint them every night with Magno liquore. The white Scab is holpen with our Magiſtrale Cerot laying on Cantharides, and ſo let it lie three dayes, then take it off, and lay on another like the firſt, and let it lie other three daies, and then annoint the head with Oleum Benedictum continually.

CHAP. XXIX. Of Ʋlcers in the mouth, their Kinds and Remedies.

ULcers that come in the mouth are of divers and ſundry kinds, for ſome proceed of heat in the head, others of cold, others are humours Gallico. Thoſe that come of heat in the head, are as it were ſcorched with great burning within them, and the cure thereof is in letting blood in the veins under the tongue, and the next day give him one doſe of our Electuario angelica, and let him waſh his mouth with Planten water, wherein is boiled Tutia prepared, Roch Allum, and Honie of Roſes, and this is the true order to cure thoſe kind of Ulcers with ſpeed. Thoſe Ulcers which are cauſed of cold, are a certain hardneſſe alterated, which cauſe little pain; and the cure of theſe is to drinke our Vegitabile Quinta eſſentia, with Mel Roſarum: and dreſſe the Ulcer with Oil of Sulphur and Tartur mixed: And herein conſiſteth a great Secret worthy to be known, and is of our invention. Ulcers that are cauſed of Morbo Gallico, if you will cure them, you muſt firſt remove the cauſe, as I have ſaid divers times, and touch them with our Caſtick. and let the Patient hold his mouth open a good while after, that the Water may run out: And then make a Lavatory of Aqua vitae, Honey, and Oil of Vitriol, aad therewith waſh the mouth, for theſe are great Secrets which bring both health to the Patient, and honour to the Profeſſor of this Art.

CHAP. XXX. Of Wounds and their kinds, and of their ſecret Remedies.

VVOunds are of divers and ſundry kinds. Nevertheleſſe, they conſiſt in two, that is Simple, and Compound. The Simple wounds are thoſe, where the fleſh is onely offended. The Compound are thoſe, where there is offence of fleſh, ſinews, veins, and bones, and the cure of either of them is in three manners. The firſt is a cure pertaining to74 Nature and not to Art, and that is it which Dogs and other Animals doe uſe, who being wounded, uſe no other Medicine then to keep the wound clean with their proper tongues, and keep a Diet, and the reſt is left unto Nature which worketh well without pains of Medicine, and this is the firſt. The ſecond is that which is called Canonico, in which there be four operations. The firſt is, Digeſtion. The ſecond, Mundification. The third, Incarnation. The fourth, Siccatriſation. The third order is of our invention, and is done in this order, that is; Whenſoever a man hath a wound either ſimple or compound, the firſt thing that is to be done therein is, to joyn the parts cloſe together, and ſtitch them, and dreſs them with divers ſorts of drying Medicines, as I will ſhew thee hereafter in the cure of Wounds, in ſundry parts of the bodie.

CHAP. XXXI. What Medicines are fitteſt to heal Wounds outwardly with eaſe, and in ſhort time.

HAving declared alreadie what wounds are outwardly, it is neceſſary alſo to ſhew the true order to cure them with as much eaſe, and brevitie, as is poſſible to be done: And firſt, I will begin with ſimple wounds that are onely in the fleſh, without offence of vein, ſinew or bone. Although theſe ſorts of wounds are not to be helped with artifice, but onely to joyn the parts together, and if it be neceſſary alſo to ſtitch them, and ſo leave it unto Nature, the which in ſhort time will heal it, nevertheleſſe if thou wilt help it with artifice the faſter, you ſhall annoint it once a day with oile of Frankincenſe made by Diſtillation, as is ſhewed in this Book. But thoſe wounds where there are veins cut, have need to be ſuccoured preſently with ingenious artifice, and perfect Remedies to eaſe and heal them with the moſt ſpeed that can be, becauſe the veins may joyn together, without greater offence of the wound, and this Miſterie thou ſhalt doe in this order: The firſt is to joyn the wound together quickly, and ſtitch75 it cloſe as they uſe to ſow bags, and not to leave great wide ſtitches as they moſt commonly do; that being done, dreſſe it upon the wound with our Magno liquore, wetting therein a cloth, and laying it on as hot as you may ſuffer it, then ſtrew thereupon our ſecret powder, and alſo round about it, for that ſubtiliateth the matter that runneth to the wound, and taketh it forth with great eaſe, and without pain of the wound, and therefore this is one of the moſt ſafeſt Remedies in that caſe, that Nature with Art can make, and hath been proved an infinite of times by me, and alwaies have had goodly experiences thereof. Alſo underſtand that theſe wounds, where the bones and ſinews are cut, have need of great artifice, for they are of great importance. But when there is offence onely of the ſinews, you ſhall ſtitch them preſently, and doe as I have ſaid before of veins that were cut, but dreſſe them not with Magno liquore, but in ſtead of that take Oleum Benedictum, and oil of Frankincenſe, of each alike, becauſe theſe Oiles doe comfort marvellouſly thoſe ſinews that are cut. If it chance ſo, that a ſinew had a puncture, or cut half away, in that caſe it is neceſſarie to cut it overthwart, leſt it ſhould bring a Spaſm in the wound. But in caſe afterward that the bone be offended, and that there be ſome part to come forth, it were neceſſary to leave the wound open untill the bone be come forth, and then incarnate it; and this thou ſhalt doe with our Balſamo Artificiato, and lay thereon the Cerot of Godfredo di medi, the which helpeth with great ſpeed. And this is the order wherewith thou mayeſt help all thoſe ſorts of wounds before named, and the defenſive to uſe in theſe wounds is this. Take perfect Aqua vitae made of good Wine, and put therein Hypericon, Millefolly, Viticella, Betonie, and with that Infuſion wet clothes, and lay them for a defenſive round about the wound, and thou ſhalt have good ſucceſſe. Wounds in the head are helped in the order, as thoſe in whom the Sinews are offended. There are divers other ſorts of wounds, which may be healed with the aforeſaid remedies, as hereafter ſhall be ſhewed particularly.

CHAP. XXXII. Of Wounds in the Head, with offence of the brain, and how to cure them.

VVOunds in the head, where there is offence of the brain, are mortall: and there is no Phyſician that will take them in cure, but he counteth them dead men without any hope. But I by the grace of God and gift of Nature, have found the order to cure and heal them in ſhort time. I remember that when one was wounded in the head in the famous Citie of Naples, yea, although the brain were not hurt, but that the skin were cut unto the bone, they counted him mortall, but I dreſſed them, and cloſed their wounds, and helped them in ſhort ſpace, ſo that they wondred thereat; and that order I uſed for the ſpace of ſeven yeers that I tarried there, and cauſed them to walk in the ſtreets, as it is well known unto all thoſe that dwell there. And among a number of other, I cured a Portingall that was called, Il Seignior Diego di mena, of whom I took away all the bone of the forehead, and every day he came to my lodging to be cured, which I did with great ſpeed, ſo that it cauſed every one to marvell thereat. Afterward I went to Rome in the time of Pope Paulus the iiii. Carafa, and alwaies I cured in the ſame order, and did miracles, of which I call to teſtimonie the Romanes. And among the reſt, I cured a certain Gentleman called M. Aleſſandor (I cannot remember his Sirname) who was wounded in divers places, and I cured him quickly. After that I cured, and that in ſhort time, a young man that was in manner cut in pieces, and of that M. Jacomo da Perugia, M. Aleſſandro da Civita, M. Daltilo Hebraeo, all learned Doctors can teſtifie, for they were preſent. And ſuch like cures I have alwaies done in Venice: But among the reſt I will not leave to write of a great chance, the which is true, and is thus: There is in Venice a rare Poet and Orator and Hiſtoriographer, well known unto the world called M. Dienigio Antanagi, who through his evill deſtinie was wounded in the head, ſo that it penetrated the fleſh and the bone, and entred half a finger breadth into the brain, and there that vertuous77 man fell to the ground as a dead man, and he lifted himſelf up to riſe, but he could not, but fell down again, and there came a dimneſs over his eyes, with a vomiting and and a Fever, and the blood would not ſtint, and he lay in extream pains, which were all mortall ſigns: then I being called unto that cure, becauſe he and I were of great familiaritie, and preſently I ſhut the wound, and put therein our Aqua balſami, and I annointed all his head with our Balſamo artificiato; that being done, preſently the blood ſtenched, and the pain went away, and the night after he took his reſt, and in the morning the Fever was alſo gone: After that, I dreſſed him with Magno liquore, wetting clothes therein, and upon the cloth I ſtrewed the powder of Hypericon: And this Medicine I uſed eight daies, in the which time he came forth of his bed; and ſhortly after he was perfectly whole, and before ſix moneths were paſt, it was ſo ſiccatrized, that no man could perceive any wound. And of this I have to teſtimony Venice, Rome, Ʋrbine, Caglie, and all Italy. To conclude this Chapter, I ſay, that wite the aforeſaid order, thou mayeſt cure any ſuch ſort of wound.

CHAP. XXXIII. Of Wounds in the Head, with Fracture of the Bone.

VVOunds in the Head, with Fracture of the bone, of the common Phyſicians and Chirurgians, are counted difficile to be healed, becauſe thereunto belongeth great art or cunning, for they open the fleſh and raſpe the bone, with many other things, of which here I account it ſuperfluous to treat of, becauſe that many be helped without them. For alwayes when the Phyſitian or Chirurgian, doth defend the wound from alteration and corruption, nature it ſelf will work very well, and heal it without any other aid; but with our Medicines they may be helped with much more ſpeed, becauſe they let the alteration, and defendeth them from Putrifaction, and mittigateth the pain, and the order to cure thoſe kinds of wounds is thus: The firſt thing that is to be done in thoſe wounds is, to joyn the parts cloſe together, and78 dreſſe them upon the wound with our Oleum Benedictum, and upon the oile lay clothes wet in our Magno liquore, as hot as you may ſuffer it, and ſo with theſe Remedies thou ſhalt help them quickly, becauſe our Oleum Benedictum taketh away the pains, and keepeth it from putrifaction, and repercuſſeth: Our Magno liquore digeſteth, mundifieth, and incarnateth, and healeth. And therefore this is the beſt Medicine that can be uſed in theſe kinds of wounds. For hereof I have had an infinite of experiences, the which have been counted Miracles, and therefore I have let the world to underſtand thereof, that they may help themſelves, if occaſion ſhall ſerve; therefore he that will follow this our order in curing, ſhall work Miracles on the earth.

CHAP. XXXIV. Of Wounds in the Head, where the bone is not offended.

VVOunds in the head where the bone is not hurt, are not of ſo great Importance, but are eaſie to be helped; for you ſhall need to doe nothing, but to keep it from putrifaction, and defend it from inflammation, which are eaſie to be done, and ſo Nature will work well with great ſpeed. To keep the wound from putrifaction, you ſhall annoint it round about with our Oleum Philoſophorum de Terebinthina & Cera. And to keep it from Inflammation, you ſhall waſh it with our Quinteſſence, and upon the wound dreſſe it with our Magno liquore. Thus doing thy cure ſhall proſper happily, and you ſhall not need to take away any blood, nor yet to keep any diet, nor yet to keep the houſe, but to goe where you thinke good, without any perill or danger. And this Order I have uſed a long time, as divers Cities can teſtifie.

CHAP. XXXV. Of Contuſions, or bruiſes, as well in the head, as other places.

COntuſions, or bruiſes in the head, or any other place of the body, of the antient Phyſitians hath been counted79 dangerous to heal. For, they ſay, that Contuſions muſt be brought to putrefaction, and turned into matter: which opinion I doe not allow: For by me thoſe Contuſions or bruiſes, are very eaſie to be diſſolved without maturation: And that I doe with our Oleo benedicto, and Magno liquore, as much of the one as of the other mixt together, and made very hot as you may ſuffer it, and then wet clothes therein twice a day, and in three or four dayes at the moſt, they ſhall be reſolved: and this it doth, becauſe this remedy aſſubtiliateth the humours, and openeth the pores, and draweth forth the matter that is runne unto the place offended, and ſo by thoſe means they ſhall be helped. With this remedy I have cured hundreds when I was in the warres in Africa, in Anuo 1551. when the ſaid City was taken and deſtroyed by the Camp of Charles the fifth Emperour.

CHAP. XXXVI. Of Wounds in the neck, and the order to be uſed in curing them.

VVOunds in the neck are very perilous, and hard to be cured, and long before they will heal: and this cometh becauſe in it are all the ligaments of the head, as bones, ſinewes, veins, fleſh, and skin, all inſtruments that hold the head and the body together, without the which a man cannot live: and therefore thoſe wounds are ſo perilous to be healed, ſeeing thereunto runneth ſo great quantity of humours, that they will not ſuffer the wound to be healed. The true way therefore to help theſe wounds, is to ſtitch them well in his place, and dreſſe it upon the wound with clothes wet in Oleum benedictum one part, and Magno liquore three parts mixt together, as hot as you can ſuffer it: and upon the cloth lay the powder of Mille folie: and this thou ſhalt doe once in four and twenty houres, and ſo thou ſhalt help them quickly; giving you great charge, that you change not your Medicine, for this mundifieth, incarnateth, and healeth the wound without any further help: For I have proved it an infinite of times.

CHAP. XXXVII. Of Wounds in the armes, and their importance, and Medicines.

VVOunds in the armes are dangerous, for that there alſo are a great number of Sinewes, Cartilagines, Veines, Muskles, and other dangerous things, as it is well ſeen in wounds of the armes, how that many times thereunto runneth abundance of humours, and there cometh alteration, inflammation, and impoſthumation, which hurteth the Patient much. Therefore in this caſe, I will ſhew thee a rare ſecret, wherewith thou ſhalt help any ſort of wound in the arme, without any alteration, and with little pain, and the ſecret is this: Dreſſe the wound up on the upper parts with our Magn•liquore very warm, without any tenting at all: and this doe once a day and no more, and in any wiſe change not your Medicine: For with this thou mayeſt help all wounds in the armes with great ſpeed: and it is one of the greateſt ſecrets that can be uſed for wounds in the armes, and proved by me infinite times.

CHAP. XXXVIII. Of Wounds in the breaſt, as well peircing through, as other.

ALl wounds in the breaſt are troubleſome, and very dangerous, as well they that peirce into the body, as others. And the cauſe is, for that the parts of the breaſt are compounded of Skin, Cartilages, Sinewes, Fleſh, and Bones. So that it cannot be but troubleſome and perilous. For where the ſinew parts be hurt, there ariſeth ever great pain, which for the moſt part bringeth Fevers, and other accidents, and therefore is evill to cure. The cure of them is with our Balſamo and Quinta eſſentia. For the one taketh away the pain, and the other keepeth from alteration. But when they are peircing into the body, they are moſt dangerous, becauſe the Chirurgian cannot tell certainly what part within the body81 is offended or hurt. Either the Liver, or the Lungs, or the Milt, or any other particulars. Moreover, there is another matter which maketh it dangerous, which is, when they are penetrating, the matter that proceedeth from the Wound falleth into the body, as well as out. And remaining in the body cauſeth putrifaction, then Fevers follow, and commonly death. Wherefore in this caſe, cauſe the Patient to vomit, and to keep ſlender diet, becauſe the humour ſhould not alter to the dammage of the wounded. And to preſerve him from putrifaction, you ſhall annoint all his body over with our Balſamo, and let him drink our Quinteſſence morning and evening. And this done the cure ſhall proſper, or elſe there is no hope by any other meanes.

CHAP. XXXIX. Of Wounds in the belly, and in the reines, and their affects and Medicines.

VVOunds in the belly are doubtfull, and very uncertain to cure, becauſe it is unpoſſible to know how they are, or of what importance they be: for although yee may ſee the Orifice where the Weapon went in, yet yee cannot know what offence it hath done in the interiour parts, and therefore they are hard to be helped, and worſe to judge of, and for that cauſe I will not ſtand long in reaſoning thereof: for I have determined not to ſpeak of things uncertain and doubtfull, but onely of things that may be proved by reaſon and experience. And becauſe thoſe wounds be uncertain, I will write nothing of them, for fear of hiding the truth: but I will write of thoſe in the reines or back, and firſt I will ſhew what the reines are, becauſe every one may comprehend my reaſon. It is to be underſtood, that our bodies are made all of ſenſible things: as inwardly, the Stomack, the Heart, the Liver, the Lungs, the Belly, the Milt, the Guts, with a number of other things which are not common, or known to all men, as thoſe which I have ſpoken of. The reſt of the man is made of Cartilagines, of Veines, of Muskles, of Fleſh,82 of Skin, and other particulars of ſmall importance to know, becauſe the wiſe, learned, and reverend, my Lord Canan Ferrareſe, hath writ thereof better then ever any in the world hath done, and therefore if you beleeve not me, beleeve his writing ſet forth in print. But to return to our purpoſe, I ſay, that God hath compounded the man naturally of all theſe things that I have ſpoken of: and becauſe they are ſoft and tender, he hath placed the bones in the middeſt of them to ſtrengthen them, and to keep them ſtreight, &c. And from the ſhoulder to the thigh, he hath made a great pillar, of many peices of bones joyned together: On the one part whereof groweth the ribs, which holdeth the fleſh, skin, and other particulars farre from the interiours: and upon that bone on the outward ſide, are the magiſtrall ſinewes that deſcend from the head, and bind all the back together, and reacheth down unto the feet. Therefore (this being true that I have ſaid) wounds in the head are very dangerous in all his actions, and their cure very hard, becauſe all thoſe ſences that give nouriſhment, paſſe by the reines downward to the lower parts: and moſt commonly when a man is wounded in thoſe places, he remaineth lame on the leg that is on that part, and being, as it is, hard and dangerous, the cure of it, according to the Canons of the Ancients, is alſo perilous; becauſe in thoſe places where ſo many particulars doe meet and communicate, there ought not in any wiſe to be putrifaction, or digeſtion, but to preſerve: You may not bring it to maturation, but to keep it from it; you may not incarnate, but with ſpeed heal it up: and ſo in this order the cure ſhall ſucceed well, and without danger. And this I will ſhew unto every one, becauſe he ſhall profit by our doctrine to the glory of God, and health of the wounded. When one is wounded in thoſe parts, I counſell that the Chirurgian preſently ſhall cloſe the wound with all his diligence, putting thereupon of our Quinta eſſentia, and inſtead of a defenſive our Balſamo, and upon the wound lay a cloth wet in our Magno liquore, and upon the cloth ſtrew our ſecret powder for wounds, and following this order, he ſhall be reputed for an excellent Chirurgian above all other: and this is the meer83 truth as by moſt evident proof thou ſhalt more largely find.

CHAP. XL. Of Wounds in the Legs, and thoſe parts.

VVOunds in the Legs are in manner of the ſame qualitie as thoſe in the armes, becauſe the Legs are of their proper qualitie and Nature compounded of the like ſubſtance that the Armes are, that is, skin, fleſh, muskles, veins, ſinews, and bones. And theſe when they are offended, or wounded, are very perilous, becauſe unto them runneth great quantitie of humours. And in the Legs are certain deadly places as a man may ſay: As the hinder part of the Caulf of the Leg: And the middle of the inner ſide of the thigh: The Ancle and the foot are all places troubleſome and curious to heal, when they are wounded. And therefore to heal them according to the manner of the Ancients, it were great trouble to the Chirurgian, and pittie to ſee the pain of the Patient. Wherefore in no wiſe uſe not the Medicines of the Ancients, but when thou haſt occaſion, joyn unto the skills of thy Art, the uſe of theſe Medicines, our Quinta eſſentia, Balſamo, Magno Liquore, Oleo Benedicto, Oleo di Raſa, Oleo Philoſophorum, any of theſe, or ſuch like, which are incorruptible, which by their proper qualitie aſſubtiliateth contuſions, pierceth to the bottome of Wounds, keepeth the fleſh in his naturall caliditie and humiditie, preſerveth from putrifaction, and naturally maketh the fleſh to joyn and grow together, and that in ſhort ſpace. Therefore conſider well which worketh better effect, ours or the Ancients: And uſe them at thy diſcretion.

CHAP. XLI. Of wounds that pierce into the bodie, and of their danger.

VVOunds that pierce into the bodie are very perilous and mortall, becauſe the moſt part of them cannot be cured by ordinary means, and eſpecially when the interiours are84 ulcerated: In that caſe the Phyſitian not ſeeing it, nor knowing the truth of the wound, cannot apply convenient Medicines, therefore he ſhall be much leſſe apt to heal them, and therefore you muſt ſtand to the benefit of Fortune. And of this I will diſcourſe nothing, for that it will be hard for me to ſhew that thing, that I cannot ſee with mine eies, nor touch with my hands: And becauſe this diſcourſe cannot be approved of the truth, and of experience, I will not meddle therewith in any wiſe: Nevertheleſſe, I will write of thoſe ſorts of wounds that are penetrative, and yet not offend the Intrals, for thoſe may be helped with eaſe, as I have cured a great number, and among the reſt in Anno 1551. in the moneth of June (as I remember) the 17 day, being in the Armie of Naples to, go to Africa, there happened a great chance which was thus: The Captain Generall of the Gallies of Fiorenza, named Il Seignior Giordano Orſino ſitting at the Table with divers Captains and Gentlemen, among the reſt there was one Captain falling in talk with another, ſitting at the ſame Table, took a loafe of bread, and flang it at his face, then Seignior Giordano ſeeing that little reſpect of the Captain, roſe from the Table and took him by the collar, and gave him five Stockadoes in the breaſt to have ſlain him, and left him lying: That being done, the ſaid Seignior Giordano repented him, and ſeeing that he was not yet dead, called for me being in the Galley with Don Garſia de Toledo my General, and when I came, I found the poor Captain almoſt dead; whom I dreſſed with our Balſamo artificiato, and twice a day I gave him to drinke of our Quinta eſſentia, and gave him meats of good nouriſhment, and I never put tent into the wound, and in three daies he was helped, and of this the whole company, that was in the Gallie can teſtifie, and eſpecially the ſaid Seignior Giordano who did the fact. Then afterward in Affrica I cured an infinite number that were wounded in divers manners. And of theſe Experiences I have done and do yet daily, in ſo much that if I ſhould write of them, it would be redious, and therefore I will ſtand no longer about matters concerning wounds, becauſe I have written a Diſcourſe upon Chirurgery, and Il Capricio Medicinale, in the which I have declared many things moſt profitable in the ſame.

CHAP. XLII. A Diſcourſe upon old wounds which are not yet healed, with their Remedies.

WHen that wounds are evill healed, and that therein cometh Impoſthumation, and that the part wounded be indurated and full of pain. Then uſe this Secret of our Invention, which was never yet ſeen or heard of by the Ancients, nor yet in our time but of us. When thou findeſt ſuch a caſe, waſh the wound well, and make it clean round about, and then waſh it with our Qvinta eſſentia Vegitabile, and bath it well through, for that the ſaid Quinteſſence doth open the pores, and aſſubtiliateth the matter, and cauſeth the humour to come forth. This being done, annoint all over with our Magno liquore, and this doing, within three daies the Patient ſhall feel great eaſe, and in ſhort time after he ſhall be whole. This is one of the nobleſt Medicines that can be made, for it taketh away the hardneſſe, healeth the wound, and comforteth the place offended.

CHAP. XLIII. A rare Secret to heal wounds of Gun-ſhot, Arrows or ſuch like in the wars, when they require haſte.

IF thou wilt cure thoſe wounds, preſently joyn the parts together, and waſh it with our Aqua Celeſtis and Oleum Balſami of our invention, and lay a cloth wet in the ſame thereon.

CHAP. XLIV. To heal a Wound quickly.

VVAſh the wound well with our Aqua Balſami, and cloſe it up, and thereupon lay a cloth wet in the Oile of Frankincenſe, and ſo by this means thou ſhalt help any great wound quickly, for I have proved it infinite times, to my great honour.

CHAP. XLV. To help a Wound quickly, that is in danger of any accident.

VVOunds in ſome parts of the bodie, are very dangerous of life, and ſpecially where the ſinews be cut or pierced, or veins or muskles hurt, or bones broken, and by an infinite of other particulars, which being open, or evill healed, the Patient may be in danger of life, becauſe the winde entreth in, and they cauſe pains and inflammation, and therefore to avoid all theſe aforeſaid matters, ſo that the wound ſhall have no detriment, uſe this remedy. Firſt, joyn the parts cloſe together, and put therein our Quinteſſence, and lay thereon a cloth, wet in our Balm, and bind it faſt that the air get not in, for it is very hurtfull. Yee ſhall underſtand that theſe are two of the excellenteſt Medicines that may be found, becauſe our Quinteſſence doth aſſubtiliate the bloud, and taketh it forth, and taketh away the pain, and the Balm doth warm and comfort the place offended, and will not ſuffer any matter to run thereunto by any means, for this is moſt true, as I have proved divers and ſundry times, and alwaies have had good ſucceſſe.

CHAP. XLVI. To ſtay the Flux of Blood in Wounds.

VVHen there is a Flux of Blood in any wound, by reaſon of ſome vein that is cut, and that the Chirurgian would ſtop it. It is neceſſary that he put into it our Quinteſſence, and then to ſtitch it up very cloſe and hard, and upon the wound ſtrew the blood of a man dried, made in powder, and lay upon the blood a cloth wet in our Balm artificiall very warm, and upon that bind the wound very ſtraight with ligaments. And every day twice waſh it with our Quinteſſence, and round about it annoint it with our Balm, and alſo caſt thereon our ſecret Powder for wounds; and that doe Morning and Evening every day, without opening the wound. And in ſhort time it87 will remain well. Giving you charge that the wounded perſon doe keep no ſtraight diet, becauſe Nature being weak, relaxeth the veins, and that cauſeth the flux of blood.

CHAP. XLVII. Another for the ſame.

FIrſt, ſtitch the wound cloſe, then caſt thereon mans blood, and bind it ſomewhat hard, ſo let it remain 24. hours, and when you unbinde it, take heed you remove nothing, and caſt thereon more dried blood, and annoint it round about with Oleum Philoſophorum de Terebinthina & Cera, and binde it up again other four and twentie hours, and then bind it gently, and annoint the wound with Oyle of Frankincenſe, and in ſhort time it will be perfectly whole.

CHAP. XLVIII. A Defence to be laid upon wounds.

TAke perfect Aqua vitae, of good wine, what quantitie you will, and put therein Hypericon, Millefolie, Viticella, and and Betonie, ana, then let it ſtand certain daies cloſe ſtopped, and when ye will uſe it, wet a cloth therein, and lay it round about the wound. And thou ſhalt have thy intent, to the great ſatisfaction of the Patient.

CHAP. XLIX. Our Secret Powder for Wounds.

TAke Hypericon flowers and leaves, Millefolie, and Viticella, ana, ſtamp them well together, and ſtrew it upon the wound, and round about the wound when it is dreſſed, for it doth defend it from accidents.

The Third Book of the Secrets of LEONARDO PHIORAVANTE.

CHAP. I. In this third book is ſhewed the order to make divers Compoſitions, appertaining both to Phyſick and Chirargery, with the hidden vertues of ſundry Vegetables, Antmals, and Minerals, well approved by this Authour, and firſt of his Petra Philoſophale, the which helpeth againſt all diſeaſes that happeneth unto man and woman.

THere hath alwayes been a great queſtioning among the Philoſophers, whether that one Med cine might help againſt all diſeaſes or no. The which I affirme, and will approve with ſufficient reaſon, that the Petra Philoſophale, made of our invention, may help againſt all the infirmities that cometh unto mans body, and two onely reaſons I will ſhew thee with brevity: The firſt of them is this, that all ſorts of infirmities have their originall and beginning of the Stomack, and to know the truth, yee may ſee manifeſtly, that if the body be never ſo little infirmed, the ſtomack is alſo grieved: For yee may ſee how the Animals tereſtriall, never help themſelves of other infirmity then of the ſtomack, and when they will help themſelves, they eat hearbs, the which cauſeth them to vomit, and this doth ſignifie that they have no other infirmity, then the aforeſaid; ſo by the experience of the Animals, I approve that the infirmity is cauſed of the ſtomack, and this is the firſt reaſon. The ſecond is, that all the Medicine, wherein our Petra Philoſophale is put, as ſoon as they are come into the ſtomack, it draweth unto it all the evill humours of the ſtomack, and alſo of the89 whole body, and mixeth with them, and ſo nature ſendeth them forth by vomit, or by ſeege, or both, and ſo the ſtomack ſhall be evacuated of that matter, and the body remain free from all impediments of infirmities, ſo that by this reaſon I affirm, that our Petra Philoſophale may help againſt all ſorts of infirmities. And to know the truth, I have proved it by experience in all manner of infirmities, and alwayes have found it to doe much good unto all men, and hurt none unto my knowledge, and the order to make this Petra Philoſophale, is thus.

Take Sal Niter, roche Allome, Vitrioll Romain, of each two pound.

Firſt, dry the Vitrioll in an earthen pan, and then beat it to powder, and mix it with the other matters, and put thereunto four ounces of Sal Gemmae, then put it in a Coord with his head, and a Receiver well luted, and diſtill it in a wind furnace, ſo that yee may make fire with wood, and at the firſt make ſmall fire, and ſo increaſe it according to Art, and alwayes lay wet clothes on the Head and Receiver, and that thou ſhalt doe, becauſe the ſpirits of the water ſhall not ſhe away. Yee ſhall underſtand, that in the beginning of your diſtillation, the Receiver will wax red like bloud, and then turn white, and at the laſt, when yee give it ſtrong fire, it will turn red again, and thoſe are the pure ſpirits of the Aqua fortis, and then at the end, the Receiver will turn white again, and then it is ended: then let it wax cold, and then keep it in a glaſſe cloſe ſhut, to make our Petra Philoſophale.

Then take Mercury one pound, quick Lime ℥. vi. Sope ℥. iiii. common Aſhes ℥. iii. Mix them together in a Mortar of ſtone, and then put them into a Retort, and diſtill it with a ſtrong fire untill all the Mercury be come forth into the Receiver, then take it forth, and keep it in a glaſſe to make thy Compoſition, the which is made thus.

Take the water that thou madeſt firſt, and put it into a Goord of glaſſe being well luted, and then put in the Mercury that thou diddeſt diſtill before. After that take Steel in thin plates ℥ i. Iron alſo in thin plates ℥. ii. Fine gold in leaves, the weight of ʒ. ii. and put them altogether in the glaſſe, and90 preſently ſet on the Head, for it will begin to boil, and cauſe red fumes like bloud, the which thou ſhalt receive in a Receiver, and preſently ſet thy glaſſe in the Furnace, and give it fire untill all the water be come forth with the fume. Then let it cool, and keep that cloſe in a glaſſe, then break that other glaſſe that ſtood in the fire, and in the bottome thou ſhalt find our Petra Philoſophale, the which thou ſhalt grinde fine, and ſearce it into moſt fine powder, and then waſh it well with Vinegar diſtilled, and drie it again, and at the laſt waſh it with Roſewater, and drie it very well, ſtirring it continually over the fire, then keep it as a precious Jewell cloſe in a Glaſſe.

For the order to uſe it, I will write hereafter in ſundry places: Yee ſhall underſtand, that the water which ye diſtilled away from the ſtone, will ſerve for the ſame purpoſe again: But yee muſt take but halfe the quantity of the aforeſaid matters; and when yee have diſtilled it again from the ſtone, yee ſhall preſerve it for an infinite number of purpoſes, as I will ſhew thee hereafter.

CHAP. II. To make our Balm artificiall, with the order to uſe it, and wherefore it ſerveth.

THis Balſamum hath all the vertues of the naturall Balm, although not in quality, yet in vertue, and the order to make it is thus.

Take Venice Turpentine one pound, Oil of Bayes that is perfect without mixture ℥. iiii. Galbanum ℥. iii. Gumme Arabie ℥. iiii. Olibanum, Mirrba elect, Gumme Hedera, of each ℥. iii. Lignum Alloes, Galingall, Cloves, Conſolida minore, Cinamon, Nutmegs, Zedoaria, Ginger, Diptamum album, of each ℥. i. Musk of Levant, Ambergriece, of each ʒ. i. Beate all thoſe aforeſaid things together, and put them into a Retort of glaſſe well luted, and put thereto ſix pound of rectified Aqua vitae without flegme, and ſo let it ſtand eight dayes, and then diſtill it by Sand, and there will come forth a white water91 mixed with Oil, and ſo keep thy fire ſmall, untill there come forth a blackiſh Oil, then change thy Receiver, and ſet thereto another, and increaſe thy fire untill all the ſpirits be come forth, then ſeperate the Oyle from the black water, and keep them by themſelves, and the like ſhall yee doe by the firſt water. The firſt water that is white, is called Aqua del Balſamo, and the Oil ſeperated from that, is called Oleum del Balſamo. The ſecond water that is black, is called Mater Balſami, and the Oil ſeperated from that water, is called Balſamo artificiato, the which would be kept as a precious Jewell.

The firſt water is moſt excellent to clear and preſerve the ſight of the eyes, alſo the face being waſhed therewith, it maketh it very fair, and preſerveth it youthfully, it keepeth back age, it breaketh the gravell in the reines, and provoketh Urine, the which is ſtopped through carnoſitie, it helpeth all manner of wounds, in what place of the body ſoever they be, if yee waſh them with the ſaid water, and wet therein clouts and lay thereon, for his operation is ſo ſtrange, that it ſeemeth rather divine then humane. It helpeth much againſt the Etiſie, and againſt all ſorts of Catarres, and Cough. If yee waſh a Sciatica therewith, and lay thereon a cloth wet in the ſame, it taketh away the pain preſently.

The other water called the Mother of Balm, helpeth Scabs in ſhort time, if yee waſh them therewith: ſo doth it help the white Scall, Lepra, and all ſorts of Ulcers that are not corroſive, moſt miraculouſly to ſee, and without any trouble. It ſerveth alſo againſt a number of other infirmities, the which I will let paſſe at this time.

The Oil of Balm doth ſerve for an infinite number of things, and eſpecially for wounds in the head, where the bone and pannicle is hurt, putting it therein. It preſerveth the face if yee annoint it therewith. It is moſt excellent againſt the Pluriſie, giving thereof ʒ. i. at a time with the water of Balme.

The Balm artificiall is a miraculous liquour, for if any have the ſtitch in the ſide, and take ʒ. ii. thereof, it preſently will help him. It is alſo good againſt the Cough, and Catarre, and coldneſſe in the head and ſtomack, and for wounds in the92 head. It is a moſt Soveraign remedie, if ye annoint all the head therewith once a day, becauſe it pierceth into the brain, and alſo unto the ſtomacke beneath. It reſolveth a Quartan in ſhort time, if ye annoint all the bodie therewith, leaving no part. And to be ſhort, I know no diſeaſe, neither hot, nor yet cold, but that this Bulſamum doth good unto, as well the hot diſeaſes as the cold, becauſe it cooleth the hot and heateth the cold, and this it doth by his qualitie and hidden vertue, ſo that I have found in this precious liquor, ſuch great vertues, that I am not able to declare them all; ſo that every one, the which is furniſhed with this precious Balm, may be kept from infirmities, and ſhall not need to ſeek the naturall Balm, with ſo much expences, and danger of the life, as hath been many times ſeen.

CHAP. III. To make our Aromatico, the which helpeth againſt all manner of infirmities, of what qualitie ſoever they be.

ARomatico Leonardo, is ſo called, becauſe it was compounded and made by his invention, and is a miraculous Medicine, that ſerveth againſt all manner of diſeaſes, of what qualitie ſoever they be, for it worketh this operation, that is, aſſoon as it joyneth to the ſtomack, it draweth to it all the evill humours of the bodie, and imbraceth them, and carrieth them forth by vomit and ſeege, and ſo leaveth Nature unburdened, the which may prevail to his pleaſure, becauſe it hath no impediment, and by this reaſon I approve that our Aromatico helpeth againſt all diſeaſes; as is ſaid before, and the order to make it is thus.

Take fine Sugar ℥. iiii. pure Pearls, Muske, Saffron, Lignum Aloes, Cinnamon, ana. ℈. i. Petra Philoſophale, ʒ. iiii. mix them together, and make thereof Lozanges with Roſewater according to Art, the which ye ſhall keep in a box of wood cloſe ſhut, and the order to uſe it is thus, that when the Phyſician doth go to viſit any ſick perſon, and that he will prepare him ſome Medicine to take inward, the beſt and moſt perfect93 Medicine that he can ordain is our Aromatico, becauſe it evacuateth the ſtomack by vomit, and the bodie downward, and his operation is ſuch, that it doth in manner help any crude ſort of infirmitie, and the quantitie is from i. ʒ. to ii. and may he taken in broth, in wine, in water, or mix it with any Pils, or Potion, giving you charge, that when ye put it in any Potion, that ye leave none in the bottome of the cup where yee drinke it out, becauſe the Petra Philoſophale, is heavie, and will remain in the bottome, for if that remain it will not work at all, giving you alſo charge, that the ſaid day that ye give this Medicine, that ye let the Patients drinke as much crude water as they will, and give them little meat to eat that day, and this is the order to uſe this Medicine.

CHAP. IIII. To make our Electuario Angelico, and the order to uſe it, and in what diſeaſes.

ELectuario, Angelico Romano is ſo called, becauſe it was compounded of me in the Citie of Rome, in the time of the Pope Paulo quarto, and becauſe this compoſition worketh divinely, I called it Angelico, and is moſt excellent againſt many diſeaſes, it is good againſt all ſorts of Fevers, giving it Per-minorativo, and for the•titch in the ſide it is moſt rare, becauſe it taketh away the viſcoſitie in the Stomack, and openeth the Pores, and is good againſt the Gout; for if they take it every third day once, in ten daies they ſhall be helped. It is alſo good againſt the Cough, Catarr, and for the Milt, and for thoſe that have the Poxe, or the running Cout, and ſuch like influences, and the order to make it is thus:

Take Saffron, Lignum alves, Cinnamon, red Corall, ana ʒ. iii. Ell•borus niger, without preparation, ℥. ii. Electuario d•ſucco reſarum Meſue, that is not too much boiled ℥. vi. Sugar Roſate ℥. viii. Musk of Levant ʒ. i. Petra Philoſophale, ℥. iii. our Quinteſſence of wine ℥. ii. purified Honie as much as will ſuffice to make it in form of an Electuarie, m•xe them on a ſmall fire in an earthen pan, and when it is made, keep it in a94 of glaſſe, for any other veſſell will not be good. This Electuarie ye may mix with any ſoluble Medicine, but yee muſt take it faſting, the quantitie is from ʒ ii. to ʒ. iiii. Yee ſhall underſtand, that this in a manner reviveth the dead by his great vertue, as hath been ſeen many thouſand times in Venice, and in Rome, moſt worthy of memorie: And therefore if any Phyſician deſire to get fame in the world, let him uſe our Electuario Angelica, the which worketh miracles on the earth.

CHAP. V. Our Sirrup Solutivo, with the Order to uſe it.

Soluble Sirrups made in decoction are very wholſome and of great facultie, and ſpecially in the crudity of humours, and the reaſon is this, becauſe it diſperſeth the matter, and evacuateth it with great eaſe, and without danger or trouble of the Patient, and the order to make it is thus.

Take Sage, Rew, Roſemary, Wormwood, Cicorie, Carduus Sanctus, Nettles, Organie, of each a handfull; Figs, Raiſons, Dates, ſweet Almonds, Sal gem. ana ℥. iiii. Coloquintida, Aloes hepatica, Cinnamon, Mirabolani citrini, ana ℥. ii. common Honey two pound, ſtamp them all groſly, and put them to infuſe in eighteen pound of fair water, then boil it till half be conſumed, then ſtrain it, and diſtill it by a filter, and aromatiſe it with two carets of Musk, and a pint of Roſewater, and then it is made, the which ye ſhall keep in a bottle of glaſſe cloſe ſtopt, the quantity is from ℥. iiii. to ℥. vi. In Winter you ſhall take it very warm, and in the Spring and Autumn, ye ſhall take it but warm. In Summer ye ſhall take it cold, for this purgeth the groſs humours of the bodie, and hurteth not the ſtomack, you may uſe it in a Fever four or five daies together, and it will help it. In cruditie of humours, as the French Pox, Gouts, Catarrs, Doglie Artetich, and ſuch like matters, where there is no accident of Fever, ye may take it ten or fifteen daies together, and cannot hurt by any meanes, for it purgeth moſt excellent; it is given againſt the Cough, againſt Flux of of the Urine, and pains in the head, and carnoſitie in the95 Yeard, for the Emeroids; and in ſum, it is good againſt all diſeaſes cauſed of corrupt humours, for it hath ſuch vertue, that it draweth from all parts, and evacuateth the humours inteſtinall, for of this Sirrup I have had great experience, in ſuch perſons as were in manner baniſhed and had loſt their taſte, and preſently uſing this, they came to their good temperature, and I have uſed it an infinite number of times in perſons that were ulcerated, and full of ſores, evill handled of Fortune, and of the infirmitie, and finding no meanes to cure them as they ſhould be: I gave them this Sirrup fourteen or fifteen daies, and then they were cured, with a number of other things, the which would be too long to write, and therefore I would wiſh every one to uſe this, not onely in the aforeſad matters, but in all other diſeaſes.

CHAP. VI. Our Sirrupo magiſtrale Leonardo, the which ſerveth againſt an infinite number of Diſeaſes.

THis Sirrup is ſolutive, and very pleaſant to uſe, and cannot hurt in any wiſe, the which is ſeldome ſeen in other Medicines, and the order to make it is thus.

Take the leaves of Sine, ℥. ii. Fumitorie, Maiden-hair, Hartstongue, Liverwort, Epitimum, Ellemo, Pollipedie of the Oak, the floures of Burrage, of Bugloſſe, Liquorice, of each ℥. iii. Coloquintida, Elleborus niger, Aloes Hepatica, Mirabolani Indi, ana ℥. i. Prunes xiiii. Sebeſtien xii. Tamariſe ℥. i. Stamp them groſſely, and infuſe them in ten pound of Fumitorie water, then boil it untill the conſumption of the third part, and then ſtrain it, and in that which is ſtreined put theſe things: Sirrup of Staecados one pound, Saffron ℈. i. Mel Roſarum, ℥. vi. rectified Aqua vitae, ℥. iiii. Musk ʒ. i. The Muſlege of Marſh Mallows ℥. iiii. Benzoin, ℥. i. Roſewater, ℥. iii. and then it is made, the which ye ſhall keep in a glaſſe cloſe ſtopt, and keep it in a temperate place, and this you muſt take warm; the quantitie is from ℥. ii. to ℥. iiii. and it is a moſt ſafe Medicine to be uſed without keeping of any diet. It helpeth thoſe96 much that have Pellaria, Scabs, Emeroids, and ſuch like diſeaſes, and may be given unto a woman with child, without any danger, when ſhee ſhall have occaſion to uſe any.

CHAP. VII. Our Sirrup againſt the melancholy humour, and ſpecially where there is ventoſitie in the Stomack.

IT were neceſſary for thoſe that will make this Sirrup, to be expert in the Art, for it would be made with great diligence, and the order to make is thus:

Take water of Fumitorie, of Hops, of Wormwood, of Maiden-hair, of each five pound. Then with this water thou ſhalt make a decoction with theſe things that follow.

Take Pollipodium of the Oak, one pound, Sine leaves, Epitimum, ana ℥. iiii. Cordiall flowers two handfulls, Maiden-hair one handfull, Liquorice, Raiſons, Cinnamon, of each ℥. ii. The four Cold ſeeds, ℥. ii. Make thereof a decoction according to Art, and ſtrein it, then take four pound of that Decoction, and put thereto the juyce of Bourage, of Bugloſſe, of Hops, of each ℥. ii. common Honey, ℥. vi. then with white Sugar make a Sirrup in good form, and aromatiſe it with Musk and Amber, putting thereto i. ℥. of Plyris with out Musk, and then it is made. The doſe is from ℥, iii. to ℥. iiii. in the morning warm, and faſt thereon at leaſt three or four hours, for this purgeth marvellouſly the melancholie humours, and all other groſſe humours, and diſſolveth winde, and comforteth the heart, &c.

CHAP. VIII. Our Potion of Lignum Sanctum, the which is miraculous to diſſolve crude, and malign humours, with the order to uſe it, in the French Pox, and ſuch like diſeaſes.

BEcauſe the Poxe is a diſeaſe contagious, putrified, and corrupt, and worketh many evill Effects, as I have written in my Caprici Medicinali. Therefore it were neceſſary to prepare97 moſt excellent and rare Remedies to diſſolve the ſame, which Medicines are infinite.

But in this Chapter I will write one, that purgeth the crude and viſcous humours downwards, and doth aſſubtiliate the groſſe humours, and drieth all ſorts of ſubtill humours that offend Nature, and ſendeth them forth by ſweat: It drieth the melancholie humour, and diſſolveth choler, and is moſt wholeſome for thoſe that are troubled with that diſeaſe, becauſe it drieth much and diſſolveth the diſeaſe, with many other good effects, as by experience thou mayeſt ſee, and the order to make it is thus.

Take the Bark of Lignum Sanctum groſſely beaten one pound, and lay it in ſteep in fourteen pound of fair water, 24 hours, then boil it untill four pound be conſumed, then put thereto Pollipodie of the Oak, ℥. ii Cicory one handfull, Aloes hepatica, ʒ. iiii. and let them boil for an hour, and put thereunto the leaves of Sine, Epitimum, ana ℥. i. Coloquintida, ʒ. vi. Sugar ℥. viii. then let it boil till half be boyled away, and that there remain vii. pound, then ſtrein it, and put it in a glaſſe with xii. grains of Musk, and keep it very cloſe ſtopt, and this is the Sirrup, the which ye ſhall take twice a day, that is morning and evening; then make this drink following, the which ſhall be the common drink at all times to your meat.

Take a pound of Lignum Sanctum, Raſpead, and ſteep it in ten pound of white wine that is ripe, and let it boil an hour, then put thereto fifteen pound of fair water, and let it boil a little more, and then ſtrein it, and keep it in a glaſſe bottle, for this is to be uſed all the day time, and the order to uſe theſe is thus.

Firſt, when any feeleth himſelf grieved with the Pox, or any ſuch like diſeaſe, he muſt keep his bed at leaſt twentie daies, and uſe to take of the firſt Sirrup or Potion every morning a good draught, being as warm as he may ſuffer it, then cover him well with clothes that he may ſweat as much as he can, then take off the clothes by little and little, and drie him with warm clothes, and ſo let him repoſe for two hours, and then let him eat, and his meat muſt be dry, as Bisket, Roſtmeat, Raiſins of the Sun, Almonds, and ſometime a rere Egg, and his drink at meals, and all the day beſide, ſhall be the laſt made98 with wine and water: then at night give him of the firſt Sirrup as yee did in the morning, and cauſe him to ſweat, and then drie him: and this order thou ſhalt uſe twenty dayes together, not coming forth of thy Chamber, and by the grace of God thou ſhalt be helped of any ſuch greivous infirmity, as I have ſeen the experienee thereof an infinite of times, to my great houour, for it may be occupied in all complexions with ſafety, as by the Ingredients thou mayeſt ſee.

CHAP. IX. To make the water of Lignum Sanctum, moſt wholſome againſt the Pox, with a new order.

COmmonly they uſe to take the water of Lignum Sanctum againſt the Pox, the which ſurely is moſt wholeſome, but it muſt be taken in good order and form, and muſt be made with great diſcretion, and not as they uſe it now adayes, for they give it ſome three or four times, and never the better, although the wood be ſufficient enough to help them, and therefore I would wiſh every one that will uſe this water, to take it in ſuch order as it ought to be, the which I will ſhew thee hereafter.

Take Lignum Sanctum, Raſpead ſmall one pound, the bark being beaten ℥. iii. infuſe them in twelve pound of fair water one night, and the next morning put therein one pound of Honey, the which is put in, becauſe it is aperative and warm, and helpeth to provoke ſweat, and cauſeth it to have a good taſte: then boil it till half be conſumed, then put thereto Carduus ſanctus ℥. iiii. ſtrong Wine three pound, then boil it untill a third part be conſumed, and then it is made; then ſtrain it, and take forth the Carduus ſanctus, and put therein twenty pound of fair water, and one pound of Hony, and let it boil untill four pounds be conſumed, then ſtrein it and keep it in a glaſſe bottle, for this is the common drink to drink all the day long, and the order to take it is thus. Firſt before yee will take this water, it were neceſſary to take our Sirrupo99 Sclutivo ſeven or eight dayes, after that take of our Electuario Angelica ℥. ſs. That being done, in the name of God take this potion of Lignum ſanctum in this order. Take in the morning at the appearing of the day ℥. viii. very warm as he may ſuffer, and preſently lay clothes on him, and cauſe him to ſweat two hours, and then dry him with warm clothes, and ſo let him remain two hours, and then give him to eat, and his meat ſhall be Bisket, Raiſins, Almonds, and ſometime a little roaſt meat, and no other: then in the evening about the 22. hour, yee ſhall give him the ſaid Sirrup as yee did in the morning, neither more nor leſſe, and cauſe him to ſweat, and about the 24. hour give him onely Bisket and Raiſins, and the other common drink that was made laſt, giving you warning that yee make this drink freſh every third day, becauſe it ſhall not hurt the ſtomack, and every week once, yee ſhall take a pill of Marte millitare, and that day thou ſhalt eat Birds fleſh becauſe of weakening: Alſo ye ſhall take very great heed to one thing, and that is this. If it happen, that at the beginning of this cure there cometh a Fever, or other accident unto the Patient, that in any wiſe yee leave not the cure, but follow the order, for that is a certain ſign of health: for many times I have given this water, and unto ſome in the fourth or fifth day the Fever came, and tarried many times ten or twelve dayes, and then the Fever went away with the corrupt diſeaſe, and all for company, and ſo in ſhort time they were cured, ſo that, as I have ſaid before, when that ſigne appeareth and is delivered, it is a certain ſigne of health: Alſo I will adviſe thee of another thing, and that is this: If the Patient cannot ſweat yee ſhall annoint him all over with the Oil of Quinces, the which ſhall cauſe him to ſweat apace; for without ſweat the cure will not be perfect, and this order thou ſhalt keep, at the leaſt forty dayes together within thy Chamber, ſo that there come no air in, for it will hinder the cure.

100

CHAP. X. An Electuary that helpeth the Cough with great ſpeed and•eaſe.

THe Cough is cauſed of a Catarrous humour, and coldneſſe of the ſtomack, and therefore if yee will help it, it were neceſſary to have a remedy that doth ripen the Catarre, and mollifie the ſtomack, and the order to make it is thus.

Take Enula Campana ℥. iiii. Marſh Mallowes ℥. xii. Quinces ℥. xvi. But if yee cannot get Quinces, yee may take Marmalade ready made, and boil it in fair water with the ſaid roots untill they be dry, then ſtamp them in a morter, and ſtrein them through a ſtreiner, then take for every pound of that matter two pound of white Hony, and boil them together, but boil them not too much: then take it from the fire, and put thereunto for every pound of the aforeſaid matter ℈. i. of Saffron, and ʒ. i. of Cinamon, and ℥. ii. of Sulphur, and ℈. i. of Licorice, and then incorporate them well together, and aromatiſe it with musk and Roſewater, and this yee ſhall uſe morning and evening, for this is of ſo great vertue, that it is to be wondred at, becauſe the Mallowes doe mollifie, the Enula Compana doth warm, and cauſeth digeſtion, and comforteth the Stomack: the Quinces are cordiall and warm, the Sulphur is a great drier, the which deſtroyeth the evill humours of the body, the Saffron comforteth the heart, the Cinamon is ſtomackall, the Licorice is mollificative, and digeſteth the matter: ſo that of force this Electuary muſt help any kind of Cough, except it come of the Pox, for then it will doe ſmall pleaſure. as I have proved.

CHAP. XI. Our Magiſtrall Electuary of Sulphur, the which ſerveth againſt divers ſorts of infirmities.

AS the fire hath vertue to heat and dry materiall things: ſo hath the Sulphur vertue to warm and to dry the humidity101 and coldneſſe of our bodies, for I have occupied it divers and ſundry times, and alwayes have ſeen divers and ſundry good effects, but for the better commodity, and more eaſe to uſe it, I have compounded this Electuary, the which thou mayeſt uſe with eaſe and benefit unto a number, and the order to make it is thus.

Take very fine Sulphur that is without earth, and make it into fine powder one pound, Cinamon ℥. ſs. Saffron ℈. i. Ginger ʒ. ii. Musk diſſolved in Roſewater two Carets, white Hony crude, as much as will ſuffice to make it into an Electuary without fire, then keep it in a dry place; and this ye ſhall uſe in the morning faſting, and his quantity from four drachms to ſeven, This dryeth up Scabs, provoketh Urine, breaketh the ſtone in the Reins, it helpeth the Cough, dryeth up the watering of the eyes, cauſeth a good appetite, with divers other things, the which I will leave to the Experimentors.

CHAP. XII. Our electuary of Conſolida majore, that ſerveth for many diſeaſes inwardly.

THis Conſolida majore, is a hearb ſo called, becauſe of his effect that it doth in healing of wounds, and other places of the fleſh ſeparated, for if yee eat thereof it will help the Rupture, and all ſorts of Wounds penetrating, and Ulcers of the Lungs, it dryeth the Milt, and ſuch like effects: but becauſe thou mayeſt uſe it more commodious, I have compounded an Electuary, the which is excellent and rare, and is made thus.

Take the root of Conſclida majore one pound, and boil it in water untill the water be conſumed, then ſtamp them in a Morter, and paſſe them through a Streiner, then put thereto as much white Hony as the matter weigheth, and boil them on a ſmall fire, untill it be come to the form of an Electuary, and when it's boiled, put thereto theſe things.

Take the Rindes of Pomgranates in fine powder ℥. i. Lignum alloes ʒ. vi. Mirrh, Maſtick, Sarcocolla, Sanguis dracon is102 in grain, ana. ʒ. ii. Cinnamon, ʒ. i. Musk of Levant diſſolved in Roſewater, one Carret, then incorporate them well while it be warm: You muſt note, that the bodie muſt firſt be well purged, ere ye take this Electuarie, and ye muſt alſo keep a diet, that the Medicine may work the better, for this helpeth all the aforeſaid diſeaſe inwardly, as is ſaid before: You may uſe it emplaiſter wiſe upon the wounds, and on broken bones, and uſe it inwardly, and ſo the Patient ſhall remain helped. With this I have ſeen men of great age helped, that were burſt below, and wounded from one part to the other, and alſo broken bones and bruiſes, the which if I ſhould write them, it would not bee credited.

CHAP. XIII. Ʋnguento magno Leonardo.

THis Ʋnguento magno is ſo called, by reaſon of his great vertue and operation, for it worketh ſo ſtrange in ſome diſeaſes, that it in manner reviveth the Patient, and the order to make it is thus.

Take Otnegra oviv. ℥. vi. Oximel Squilliticum, ℥. ſs. mix them together in an earthen diſh, untill the Otnegra oviv. be become like aſhes, then it is deiſitrom, then put therein ℥. ii. of Vinegar, and waſh it well, untill it remain pure and clear, then take Olibanum ℥. ſs. Ceruſae ℥. i. Beat them fine, and mix it in a ſtone Morter, with as much Magno liquore, as will ſerve to incorporate them well, then put thereto the Otnegra oviv. and mix them very well together, that being done, put thereto Auxungia porcina, ℥. viii. And mix them very well together, and then it is made, the which keep in a veſſell well glaſed, for it will keep a long time without corruption, and is apt to help thoſe that are lame, full of pains, and ſores and ſwellings, pains of the eyes, the ſtone in the reins, and ſuch like matters, it helpeth all mannes of French Pox, if ye annoint them therewith, untill the Gums be ſore and then leave. But ye ſhall note, that the bodie muſt firſt be well purged before ye annoint them. This Unguent cooleth all corroſive Ulcers,103 and helpeth them in ſhort time, it helpeth all paines in the eyes, if ye put it therein; and taketh away all burning with ſpeed. And to be ſhort, it helpeth thoſe diſeaſes in moſt ſhort time, ſo that it is to be wondered at.

CHAP. XIV. Oyle of Hypericon, the which is moſt miraculous, for Wounds and bruiſes.

THis Oyle of Hypericon compounded by us, is of great vertue in divers and ſundry accidents, and ſpecially in wounds, for it helpeth them without any pain, although the veins, ſinews, or bones were hurt or cut, and that in very ſhort time: It preſerveth the wound from corruption, and taketh away the pain, and incarnateth and cicatrizeth, as by experience thou mayeſt plainly ſee. It diſſolveth Contuſions, and is moſt marvellous agaiſt poiſon. It helpeth againſt any crude ſort of venemous Fever, if you annoint all the bodie therwith, leaving no part; and the order to make it is thus.

Take the floures, leaves, and ſeed, of Saint Johns-wort, as many as ye will, and ſtamp them together, and put them in a Glaſſe, with as much ſtrong white wine as will cover it well, then ſet it in the Sun ten daies together, then put thereto as much pure Sallet oile, as the herbs and the wine doth weigh, then let it ſtand in the Sun other ten daies, giving you warning that you weigh your oyle before you mixe them; that being done, put thereunto for every pound of oyle ℥. ii. of Turpentine, and ʒ. i. of Saffron, of Nutmegs, Cloves, Myrrha elect. of each ℥. ſs. Frankincenſe ℥. i. Viticella ℥. ii. for every pound, ſtamp them altogether, and put them into a great glaſſe, and ſet it to boil in Balneo Mariae, with a head and Receiver cloſe ſhut, and to know when it is boyled enough, is, that there will aſcend no more vapours into the head, and that will be within 24. hours or thereabout, then take forth the Glaſſe being yet hot, and ſtrain it, and keep it in a Glaſſe cloſe ſhut as a precious Jewell Ye ſhall note that this Oyle muſt alwaies be occupied very warm, and in any wiſe tent no104 wound, but wet clothes therein, and lay it thereon, and thy cure ſhall proſper well, for this I have proved a thouſand times in divers places.

CHAP. XV. To make our Oleum Benedictum, the which healeth wounds divinely.

THis Oleum Benedictum ſerveth chiefly for wounds in all parts of the bodie, and eſpecially for wounds in the head: If there were fracture of bone, and offences of the Pannicle, and in other places where ſinews were hurt, or muskles, or veins, or in any other noble place of the bodie, with this Ol•um Benedictum, and with our Vegitable Quinteſſence, thou mayeſt help them eaſily, and in ſhort time, without any danger or detriment of the wounded perſon, as is ſaid before, and the order to make it is thus.

Take the whites of Eggs being hard ſod in water, ℥. xii. Clear Turpentine ℥. xiiii. Pure Myrth ʒ. iii. Mixe them, and put it into a Retort of glaſſe, and give it gentle fire at the firſt, and then increaſe it according to Art, untill all the ſubſtance be come forth of the Retort, the which will be both water and oyle, the which ſeparate, and keep the Oile by it ſelf in a Glaſſe as a precious Jewell, for this worketh miracles in wounds of what ſort ſoever they be. Moreover, it cauſeth hair to grow on the head or beard, the which were fallen away, and that it doth in ſhort time by the onely annointing the place therewith. Alſo if any have a ſtitch in his ſide, and retention of Urine, let him take a Gliſter, wherein he ſhall put a little of this Oyle, and he ſhall be helped; and this effect it doth, becauſe it drieth mightily that alteration made in the ſecret parts of the Reins inwardly, where no locall Medicine can be applyed.

CHAP. XVI. Oleum Philoſophorum de Terementina & Cera.

THis Oyle of Turpentine and Waxe, is a moſt precious Balm, and his vertues are infinite, becauſe it is made of105 ſimples in manner uncorruptible, and is moſt miraculous for thoſe that are corrupted, or ſtrucken with the Peſtilence, becauſe it is moſt penetrative, and of nature drying, and comforteth all weak parts in mans bodie, of what infirmitie ſo ever they be, and the order to make it is thus.

Take new yellow waxe, ℥. xii. clear Turpentine, ℥. xviii. Benjamine, ℥. ii. Fine rectified Aqua vitae, ℥. xxx. common aſhes, ℥. vi. mixe them, and put them into a Retort of glaſſe well luted, and then diſtill it in a winde Furnace, untill the ſuſtance be come forth, and in the Receiver thou ſhalt find three things: The firſt is Water, the ſecond Oil, the third flegm, the which thou ſhalt ſeparate one from another, and keep them cloſe ſtopt in a glaſſe, the which is moſt excellent in time of the Peſtilence, as well for unction, as for to help the ſores, for if you put it into a ſore or botch that is broke, preſently it taketh away the pain, and being mixed with other of our Medicines, as I have ſhewed in my Regiment of the Peſtilence, it helpeth them with great ſpeed. If any annoint all his bodie with this Oyle twiſe a moneth, it will preſerve him youthfull, and in health a long time, it preſerveth alſo dead fleſh or fiſh, that is put therein from corruption. Alſo if any be wounded in any part of the bodie, let him annoint it with this Oyle four or five times, and it ſhall be whole: Alſo if any cannot make water, give unto him ʒ. ii. of this oyle to drinke, and preſently he ſhall make water. It is alſo good againſt the Stitch in the ſide and Pluriſie, and Worms, and the Cough and Catarre, and againſt the Peſtilent Fever, and ſuch like indiſpoſitions, if ye drinke a little thereof; it hath a number of other vertues, the which I will leave unto the Experimentors.

CHAP. XVII. Our Magno liquore, the which is of great vertue.

THis is of my invention, and the order to make it, is thus Take ſweet Sallet oile twentie pound, white wine two pound, boil them together untill the wine be conſumed, then106 put it in a veſſell of ſtone, and put thereunto theſe things following:

Take the flours of Roſemary three pounds, Lignum aloes, ℥. vi. Olibanum, Bdellium, ana. ℥. x. then ſtop it very cloſe, and bury it in the ground four foot deep, and this would be buried in the beginning of Auguſt, and there remain untill the moneth of March, then take it forth of the ground, and ſet it in the Sun, and put thereto theſe matters following, Sage, Roſemary, Rue, Betonie, Millefolie, Comferie roots, Tamaro, Viticella ana, one handful: Galingal, Cloves, Nutmegs, Spikenard, Saffron, ana ℥. i. Sarcocolla, Sunguis Draconis in grain, Maſtick, ana ℥. ii. Aloes Epatica, Frankincenſe, ana ℥. viii. yellow Wax, Auxungia ana ℥. xviii. Colophonie one pound, Hypericon with the ſeed and all two pound. Musk ʒ. i. mix theſe all well together, and boil them in Balneo, untill the herbs become dry, and have no more ſubſtance, then take it forth, and ſtrain it, and put thereunto for every pound, ʒ. vi. of our Balm artificiall, and when the moneth of September cometh, put thereunto two pound of the fruit of the herb called Balſamina, the which are red, and then it is ended, the which thou ſhalt keep in a glaſſe cloſe ſhut, for the older it is, the better it is, and is of ſuch vertue, that it helpeth the Etici, and Hidropſie, if ye give them every morning ʒ. ſs. with ℥. i. of Sirrup of Roſes warm, the ſpace of fortie daies, as I have proved: And this is the true and perfect Unction, that helpeth Petecchie, a diſeaſe ſo called in the Italian: If any were wounded, and had cut veins, ſinews, and bones, let him joyn the parts cloſe together, and dreſſe it with this Oyle very hot upon the upper parts, and in ſhort time it ſhall be whole, without any alteration. It helpeth alſo the white Scall if ye annoint it therewith: It helpeth coldneſſe in the head, and Catarrs, if ye annoint it within the noſtrils at night when ye go to bed: If yee annoint the Stomack therewith it cauſeth perfect digeſtion of the meat, it provoketh Urine where it is let through carnoſitie or Gonorrea, or ſuch like matter; It cauſeth hair to grow, it preſerveth the beard black, and it is good againſt Worms, and all theſe Experiments are true, and proved of me divers and ſundry times, in the aforeſaid infirmities, and alſo in divers107 others, the which I leave untill another time: Yee ſhall note, that if yee annoint any all over that is greived with the Pox with this Oil, it will increaſe his pain, and ſo by that meanes yee may know whether he be infected or no.

CHAP. XVIII. Pillole Aquilone of our invention.

THeſe Pills are above all other in operation, as the Eagle is above all other Birds, and therefore I thought good to call them Pillole Aquilone, and the order to make them is thus.

Take conſerve of Damask Roſes made with Hony ℥ iii. Lignum Aloes ʒ. i. Oyl of Vitriol twelve graines, Cinnamon elect ii ſcruples. Petra philoſophalis of our invention. ℥ ſs. Sugar-candie ℥ ii. Mix them, and make thereof a paſte with Syrupo Acetoſo and keep them in a glaſs. The Vertue of theſe Pills I will not at this time write: but onely I ſay they help againſt all ſorts of infirmities, and hurteth none in any wiſe. The Doſe is from ʒ. i. to ʒ. ii. in the morning faſting, but ye may not gild them in any wiſe, but drink after them a cup of water or wine, to carrie them down, then ſleep thereon, and that day eat little meat, and light of digeſtion.

CHAP. XIX. Our Quinta eſſentia ſolutiva, the which is of marvellous operation in divers matters.

THis Quinta eſſentia ſolutiva evacuateth the body with great eaſe, and without any detriment, and it purgeth all parts of the body that are troubled with groſſe and viſcous humours, it reſolveth ſwellings, and taketh away the paines, it preſerveth the ſight, and killeth wormes, and cauſeth a good appetite, with many other good qualities, the which I will leave at this time, and the order to make it is thus.

Take Aloes, Cinnamon, Turbite, Aloes Epatica, ana ℥. i Coloquintida108 ℥. ii. Cloves, Saffron, of each ʒ. i. Musk of Lovant ʒ. i. Julep of Violets one pound. Mix all the aforeſaid matters together in a glaſſe, and put therein two pound of our Quinteſſence, and ſo let it ſtand twelve dayes, and then ſtrain it, and put it into a veſſell of glaſſe cloſe ſhut, this may be taken with broth, wine, or with what ſirrup or potion yee will, the quantity is from ʒ. ii. to ℥. ſs. in the morning faſting, without keeping of any diet at all, and it ſhall work well without any tronble.

CHAP. XX. Pillole Magiſtrale, the which is good againſt divers infirmities.

THeſe Pills are of great vertue, and ſpecially againſt all kind of paines coming of corrupt humours, for they purge the putrified humours, and preſerve the body from corruption: and the order to make them is thus.

Take Olibanum, Maſtick, Mirrh, Sarcocolla, Aloes Epatice, Elleborus niger, Saffron, Turbith, Colloquintida, ana q. v. Stamp them finely, and for every ounce of the aforeſaid matters, put thereunto two Carets of Musk, and then incorporate it with Hony of Roſes, and Aqua vitae, of each alike, and this paſte thou mayeſt keep for ſix moneths in a veſſell of Lead, the quantity is from ʒ. ii. to ʒ. iii. in the morning faſting, and drink thereon a little wine. Theſe pills are moſt excellent to take away the paines of the Gout, and to preſerve a man from it, they are alſo good for thoſe that have the French Pox, becauſe they evacuate the groſſe and viſcous humours, and maintain the body in good temperature, and uſing them in thoſe diſeaſes, it preſerveth the body in good ſtate. They are alſo good for women that are troubled with paines of the Mother, and retention of their Termes, for theſe are aperative, and provoke them, and purgeth the Matrix of all impediments contained therein: They ſerve againſt the Megrem, and all paines of the head, and alſo againſt all kind of putrified Fevers, as I have ſeen the experience thereof ſundry times.

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CHAP. XXI. To make Aqua reale, vel Imperiale, the which maketh the teeth white preſently, incarnateth the Gums, and cauſeth a good breath.

THe teeth being black and ruſtie, and full of filth, and the Gums putrified or corrupt, are the worſt things that may be ſeen in man or woman, and are alſo very unwholſome; and the Remedie to make the teeth white, and to help the gumms, is thus: Make this water, and uſe it in this order as I will ſhew thee.

Take Sal Gemmae, Roch Allum, Brimſtone of each two pound, Borax ℥. x. Pearl beat fine, Corall, each ℥. ii. Pure diſtilled Vinegar ℥. iiii. Put all the aforeſaid matters in a Goord, with his head and receiver, and give it fire according to Art, and at the laſt there will come forth a white water like Milk, the which after it hath ſtood a while, will waxe clear. You ſhall underſtand, that this water is above all other waters in the world, to help Ulcers in the mouth, and to incarnate the gums, and to make the teeth white, and cauſeth a good breath in thoſe which are troubled with the aforeſaid matters. For of this water I have made great quantitie, and it hath been carried into Spain, into Almain, into Poland, into Conſtantinople, and in divers other Countries, as though it had been a Divine thing, and not material.

For truly this experience doth cauſe the world to wonder at it, the uſe hereof I have written in this Book, and hereafter I will write it again in ſome of my Books, where occaſion ſhall ſerve to uſe it in cures.

CHAP. XXII. Of the hidden Secrets of Frankincenſe.

THe Pine is a tree, the which by nature is uncorruptible, and the gum that runs from it is of great vertue and ſtrength, becauſe it preſerveth thoſe things wherein it is put, and when110 his Elements are ſeparated out of that Gum, the Phyſician may work ſtrange things therewith, againſt moſt part of infirmities that happen unto mans bodie, if he apply them where they are convenient: For the water being drunke helpeth winde in the ſtomack: Alſo it helpeth the white•kall, and all ſuch like ſcabs, if ye waſh them therewith morning and evening. It drieth up Ulcers, alſo it is of marvellous vertue againſt chilblains and kibed heels, and chapps, and ſuch like, in the hands or feet that come through cold, being uſed thus. You ſhall firſt perfume the parts that are ſore over the fume of hot water, ſo that they may ſweat, then drie them and waſh them with the aforeſaid water, and annoint them with the Oil, and put on a pair of gloves or ſuch like, and in very ſhort time they ſhall be whole. The aire helpeth much in wounds in any part of the bodie, becauſe it preſerveth the fleſh from putrifaction, and keepeth it from alteration, and taketh away the paine and healeth the ſore: Alſo it preſerveth the face if it be annointed therewith. Moreover, it is marvellous in old diſeaſes inwardly, if ye give them thereof every morning ʒ i. with ℥ ſs. of our Sirupo Vegetabile. The fire cureth ſores and ſuch like, and the earth remaineth in his ſtate. Ye ſhall underſtand, that theſe are great ſecrets of importance, the which I have revealed of this Gumme, and happy ſhall he be that uſeth them in the time of need: And the order to make this Oile is thus.

Take as much Frankincenſe as thou wilt, and put it into a Retort of glaſs, with the fourth part of common Aſhes, and ſet it to diſtill, and give it firſt a ſmall fire untill the Oyle change colour, then preſently change the Receiver, and augment the fire untill all the ſubſtance be come forth. Ye ſhall underſtand that this Oyle is beſt freſh, for when it is old, it will waxe thick, and cannot pierce ſo well.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the Oyle of Honie, and the order to make it.

THat which moſt men call Oyle of Honey, is not an Unctous Oyle like unto other Oyles, but rather a certain111 Element, the which is neither oyle nor water, although it be clear, and this ſerveth not much in Chirurgery, becauſe it is not convenient in ſores, but much rather it is a perfect remedie in things appertaining to Phyſick, becauſe it comforteth the Stomack, and fortifieth the vertue, and extinguiſheth all ſorts of Fevers. It helpeth the Collick, it diſſolveth the Stone in the Reins, and provoketh Urine, and alſo maketh the hair yellow as gold, if ye waſh it therewith, and the order to make it is thus.

Take pure Honey two pound, and put it into a Retort of glaſſe, that holdeth at the leaſt fifteen or twentie pounds, and ſet it in a Furnace, and give it a fire of the ſecond degree, and firſt there will come forth a clear white water, and when it changeth colour, change the receiver, and give it ſtrong fire untill all the fumes be come forth, the which is the Oile, and that keep by it ſelf as a precious Balm againſt malign Infirmities that are cured with Phyſick.

CHAP. XXIV. To make our great Cerot, the which is of marvellous vertue.

TAke Galbanum, Armoniacum, Oppoponax, ana ℥. ii. Olibanum, Verdigreaſe, ana ℥. i. Bdellium, Gum Arabi, Lapis ematites minerale, ana ℥. ii. Turpentine, Frankincenſe, ana ℥. iiii. Oleum Philoſophorum of Turpentine and Waxe, ℥. iii. common Oyle four lb. new waxe ℥. vii. beat all thoſe that are to be beat, and ſearce them, then diſſolve the Gums in diſtilled Vinegar according to Art, then vapour away the Vinegar untill it come thick, then take thy Oyle and Waxe, and melt them together, then put in the reſt, and ſtir them untill it be boyled, and to know when it is boyled, is this. Firſt, in the beginning it will begin to riſe marvellouſly, and then fall down; then let it boil untill it begin to fume or ſmoak, then ſtrein it into a veſſell of Copper, and preſently put therein ℥. iiii. of Precipitate, and ſtir them well together untill it be cold, then make it in rowls, and keep it as a precious Jewell in Chirurgerie, becauſe it mundifieth, incarnateth, and healeth all112 ſorts of Ulcers, better then any other Cerot that ever I could finde.

CHAP. XXV. A Magiſtrall Ʋnguent that healeth all manner of ſores.

THis Unguent is moſt rare in the cure of Ulcers when they are already mundified, becauſe it incarnateth, drieth, and ſiccatrizeth, and the order to make it is thus.

Take common Oyle one pound, Litarge ℥ ii. new Wax, ℥. iii. Turpentine, ℥. vi. boyl them as the aforeſaid Cerot, and when it is boyled, put thereto ℥ iii. of the dead cope of Aqua fortis, the which is made of Vitriol Romain, Roche Allom, and Salt-Peter, and ſtir them well together, and keep it to thy uſe. Ye ſhall underſtand, that the maker muſt be expert in the Art, leaſt he overboil it, or boil it too little, for if it be not in order as it ſhould be, it will not work his effect.

CHAP. XXVI. A Magiſtrall Cerot of our Invention againſt the white Scall.

THis Cerot is of great vertue, and of marvellous experience, to reſolve the white Scall, becauſe it is penetrative, mundificative, and reſolutive, and cauſeth the hair to grow that is fallen away, to the great content of the Patient and honour of the Phyſician, and it is made in this order. Take Frankincenſe that is ſtrained from his filth, what quantitie you will, and diſtill it in a Retort, and give it fire at the leaſt fortie hours, then let it cool and break the glaſſe, and in the bottome thou ſhalt finde a black maſe, the which make into powder, then for every pound of the ſaid powder, put thereto one ounce of Waxe, and four ounces of the ſaid oyle that ye diſtilled, and half an ounce of the heads of Bees, the which are eaſie to be had in Summer: Mix all the aforeſaid things in a Veſſell of Copper, and with a ſmall fire make them in form of a liquid Unguent, and when thou wilt113 uſe it, ſhave the head, and waſh it, and lay thereon this Cerot upon a fair cloth warm, and every two days change it, and ſo in ſhort time thou ſhalt ſee ſtrange effects of his vertue, as I have done divers and ſundry times to my great honour. This ſerveth alſo againſt breaking of bones, diſlocations, and for Scabs ulcerated, becauſe it drieth, and comforteth, and reſolveth all the evill qualities; giving you charge in the diſtilling, becauſe the fire many times conſumeth it ſo, that in the bottome there remaineth nothing that good is, and therefore beware in the making.

CHAP. XXVII. To make a divine and bleſſed Cerot againſt divers infirmities.

ULcers are of divers ſorts, and are cauſed of ſundry cauſes, as of Choller, Bloud, Flegme, Melancholy, and for that cauſe the Medicines would be agreeable; nevertheleſſe, I will ſhew thee a Cerot of ſuch a temperature, that it will ſerve to help any ſore in any place of the body, of what quality ſoever it be, except it be Scirro, or Noli me tangere, the which are in a manner counted uncurable, of the common Practitioners: but not by me, for I have cured them, and the order to make it is thus.

Take oil of Frankincenſe one pound, oil of Sulphur ℥. i. Vitrioll rubified ℥. iii. Precipate ℥. i. freſh Butter ℥. iii. and as much Wax as will ſuffice to make it in form of a Cerot, the which will have all the aforeſaid intentions: becauſe the Precipitate doth mundifie the Ulcer; the oil of Frankincenſe taketh away the pain, and incarnateth; the oil of Sulphur cleanſeth; the Vitrioll drieth; the Butter mundifieth; and the Wax conſolidateth, in ſuch ſort, that any one may perceive his vertue.

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CHAP. XXVIII. To make a miraculous Emplaiſter for Flegmon, or Eriſro pella.

THis Flegmon or inflammation, called Saint Anthonies fire, is a tumour cauſed of the alteration of the bloud, by reaſon of ſuperfluous heat, and this moſt commonly cometh unto Cholerick and Sanguine bodies, that are full of fleſh, and have much bloud: And the Eriſipella is cauſed of a windy humidity, and of a hot humour, and to ſhew it, yee may ſee how that Flegmon is no other then bloud that runneth to the place offended: And when it cannot find way to reſolve, it putrifieth and turneth into Sanius matter, ſo that by this yee may ſee that to be true which I have ſaid. Alſo Eriſipella is a wind hot and moiſt, for when it cometh to ſuppuration, then cometh forth nothing but wind and water, and this is the true proof by demonſtration, and therefore ſeeing that theſe two infirmities are in a manner alike, or little differing: this Medicine ſhall be appropriate as well to the one as to the other, becauſe it reſolveth and cooleth, and the order to make it is thus.

Take fine Clay that hath no ſtones nor gravell in it, and ſearce it very fine, and put it in a pot, and for every pound thereof put thereto ℥. iii. of Oil of Frankincenſe, that cometh forth laſt in the diſtillation, and as much of our Quinteſſence as will ſerve to make it in form of a liquid Unguent, and this yee muſt mix without fire, and then lay it upon a cloth, and warm it over the fire a little, and lay it upon the Flegmon, or Eriſipella, but firſt ere yee uſe this remedy unto thoſe that have Flegmon, yee ſhall give them a doſe of our Electuario Angelica, and in Eriſipella give them a doſe of our Aromatico, and ſo thou ſhalt help them perfectly, as I have proved divers times, and may be uſed although yee take no bloud; but if yee take bloud, let it be in augmentu, and not in ſtatu, nor in declinatione, becauſe it would ſo weaken Nature, that afterward it cannot defend it ſelf to drive forth the humour peccant, that is cauſe of the diſeaſe.

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CHAP. XXIX. To make a reſolutive Plaiſter of great vertue.

THis Plaiſter is to reſolve tumours and hardneſſe, if it be layed thereon very hot, and when it is cold to lay on another: and this yee ſhall doe untill the hardneſſe be reſolved, and it is made in this order.

Take common Aſhes that are well burnt and white, and finely ſearced one pound, Clay beat into fine powder half a pound, Carabe ℥. iii. mix all theſe in an earthen diſh on a ſmall fire, with Oil of Roſes in form of a liquid Unguent, and that yee ſhall lay upon the place greived as hot as yee may ſuffer it, and change it morning and evening, and thou ſhalt ſee it work a marvellous effect. Moreover, when that Petecchi cometh forth of a diſeaſed, let him be folded in the ſame remedy very hot, and in 24 houres he ſhall be helped, if he be firſt well purged, for this is a great ſecret that I have revealed. This word Petecchi is, as it were, certain ſpots like thoſe which we call Gods Tokens, the which commonly come unto thoſe that have the Peſtilent Fever.

CHAP. XXX. To make a maturative Plaiſter of great vertue.

THis Maturative doth open an Impoſthume without Inſtrument and pain, and the order to make it is thus

Take the yolks of Eggs ℥. ii. white Salt finely ground ℥. i. Snails with their Shells ſtamped ℥. ſs Hens dung that is liquid, and red like Honv ℥. i. Mix all theſe well to gether without fire, and when you will bring an Impoſthume to ſuppuration and break it, lay on this plaiſter morning and evening a little warm, and in ſhort time it will draw forth the Impoſthume, and break it, and heal it, without any other help. Keep this as a ſecret.

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CHAP. XXXI. A compoſition of great vertue, againſt all Ʋlcers and Sores.

TAke Oil of Vitrioll that is perfect, as much as you will, and put it in a glaſs, with as much oyle of Tartar made by diſſolution, and ſo let it ſtand ten daies. Then take ʒ. i. of that and ℥. i. of pure Aqva vitae, and mixe them together, and therewith waſh the hollow Ulcers, and they will heal in ſhort time. It helpeth any crude kinde of ſcab or ſore that is cauſed of the evill qualitie of Nature.

CHAP. XXXII. A ſtrange compoſition of great vertue.

THis Compoſition is divine in his operation, becauſe it healeth many indiſpoſitions in our bodies, when it is applied rightly, and the order to make it is thus.

Take water of Carduus Sanctus one pound, Oyle of Honnie, one ounce, oyle of Sulphur, ʒ. ſs. Mixe them together, and let it ſettle till it be cleer: for this helpeth Ulcers in the mouth, and maketh the teeth fair and white, if yee waſh them therewith. It cauſeth a ſweet breath, and preſerveth the Gums, and maketh the hair and beard fair, if ye waſh them therewith. And this it doth becauſe the water of Carduus Sanctus preſerveth where it is applyed: Alſo the oyle of Honie hath a vertue preſervative and retentive of the hair, and the oyle of Sulphur mundifieth, and clenſeth, and incarnateth, ſo that by theſe means the ſaid water hath theſe vertues aforeſaid.

CHAP. XXXIII. To make an Ʋuguent of great Vertue againſt Ʋlcers.

THis Unguent hath a great vertue in healing all ſores that are putrified and corroſive, except they be Cankers or Noli me tangere, the which are counted among the uncurable117 cures: But when they are other ſores, this will heal them quickly, and the order to make it is thus.

Take a good quantity of Calex vivae, and put it into a great Tub, and cover it with water four fingers high, and ſtir it well together, then let it ſettle, and thereon will come a thin ſcum the which ye ſhall gather together with a Scummer, and keep it untill ye have ſufficient quantitie, then take oyle of Linſeed, oyle of Nuts, oyle of Almonds, and of the ſaid ſoum that is gathered, of each one pound, then diſtill it in a Retort, untill all the ſubſtance be come forth, then ſeparate the oyle from the water, and then make this compoſition.

Take of the ſaid oyle diſtilled one pound, Tallow ſuch as they make candles of, Hogs greaſe, new Wax, Mercurie precipitate of each two ounces, fine Aqua vitae iii. ounces, mix them all together in a Copper pan on a ſoft fire, untill the Aqua vitae be conſumed, and that it remain a liquid Unguent, then take it forth, and keep it in a cloſe veſſell, that it take no ayre: and this ye ſhall apply cold unto Ulcers, upon a fine linnen cloth, for firſt it doth mundifie, and then incarnate, and laſt ſiccatrize, it helpeth ſores, ſcabs, ſcrophule, mall de Formica Setole on the Nipples of womens breaſts, Emeroids, pains in the privie members, and ſuch like, for it is temperate.

CHAP. XXXIV. A Diſcourſe upon ſundry ſorts of Ʋnguents, and their qualities.

THere are many ſorts of Unguents that are found out, of which I beleeve that many Chirurgians are greatly abuſed of their operation, but for that which I doe finde, that ſome ſorts of Unguents are occupied for one effect, and they work another; as for example, Ʋnguento Camphorato which many doe occupie to cool hot ſores, in ſtead of cooling heateth them more then they were before, which cometh by means of the Camphire which is a hot ſubſtance, as I will prove by ſufficient reaſon that it cannot be denied. For you ſhall underſtand, that into Ʋnguento Camphorato, is put Camphire and118 oyle, both hot materials, as for experience: Take Camphire and lay it by the fire, or ſet it nigh a candle, and thou ſhalt perceive, that aſſoon as it feeleth the heat, it will flie into the fire and burn fiercely; and the like will the Oyle do; for if you wet a cloth therein and hold it over the fire, preſently it will burn, which are manifeſt ſigns that they be both hot, becuſe they are friends unto the fire; whereas if they were cold and moiſt, the fire would not burn them with ſuch force. As for example, take water, earth, ſtones, and mettals that are cold and moiſt, and lay them on the fire, and you ſhall ſee that the flame of a candle ſhall not be able to kindle the fire with ſuch eaſe as it doth with the Camphire and oyle. So that you may ſee that Camphire and Oyle are hot and friends unto the fire which is moſt hot, and earth, ſtones, and mettalls, are moiſt and cold, and are enemies unto the fire, and therefore I conclude, that Ʋnguento Camphorato is very hot, and cannot by any meanes cool hot Ulcers. Alſo Ʋnguentum Apoſtolorum is a compoſition in which there is put Verdigriece, a materiall which is moſt enemie unto the ſore, for laying it thereto cauſeth great pain, as you may underſtand of thoſe that have proved it, and in my judgement this is no Unguent to be laid on a ſore, becauſe they cannot ſuffer it, neither is it poſſible to heal the ſore with that Unguent, for that it corrodeth the fleſhand will not let it heal. Alſo Ʋnguento de minio is a mixture not very profitable for Ulcers, becauſe it is too much drying; for applying it unto a ſore that is not mundified, it drieth it in Superficie, ſo that if Nature ſend humours unto thoſe parts, and they find no exhalation or vent by reaſon of that drying, it will cauſe the gathering of abundance of humours, and be a means of greater miſchief: But if the ſore be well mundified and cleanſed, you ſhall have little need of that Unguent, becauſe Nature will doe it alone without any other help, ſo that this Unguent is of ſmall profit to be uſed of any. But to the contrary, there are many ſorts of Unguents which are moſt neceſſary to dreſſe ſores, as Ʋnguento di Raſino, which by his Nature is friendly to the ſore, becauſe it mundifieth and healeth, helping Nature that it may work with greater ſpeed. The Diachilone119 commune is alſo an Unguent very profitable to mundi fie or purge ſores, and likewiſe to ſiccatrize them. The Unguent of Litarge is refriſcative and drying, and healeth ſcabs, and cooleth the heat of the fleſh alterated. Ʋnguento Roſato doth mittigate the pains of foul Scabs. And thus diſcourſing from time to time, there are many ſorts of Unguents very hurtfull, and not to be uſed, and alſo there are many ſorts that are wholeſome and good, without which in a manner they cannot work. Nevertheleſſe, it were neceſſary to know how and where to apply them rightly.

CHAP. XXXV. Medicines appropriate againſt all kindes of Poyſons, as well Vegetables as Minerals.

THere are an infinite number of Poyſons, and they are differing in their operation, but yet they work in manner one effect, as you may ſee by experience in thoſe that are poyſoned, for after that they be dead, they are ſwollen and become black, and in their Stomack is abundance of aquoſitie: And the cauſe is this, that if a poyſon have power to kill or ſtrangle a man or woman, of neceſſitie it muſt be corroſive, and being corroſive, it will work this effect, that is, aſſoon as it arriveth at the ſtomack, it beginneth to make alteration and quickly congealeth the blood, and enflameth the parts round about it, it draweth unto it great quantitie of water; and it cauſeth the congelation of the blood on the one part, and the inflammation of the ſtomack on the other part, and the gathering of the water on the other part. And in a manner all poiſons work one effect, and there are great number of theſe Poiſons, of which I would ſhew their qualities, but that I fear I ſhould cauſe ſuch as are ignorant to know them, and therefore I leave them. But I will write the order wherewith thou ſhalt help all thoſe poyſons that are curable, with as much facilitie as is poſſible. Poyſons, as I ſaid before, do work three evill Effects, they inflame the ſtomack, congeal the blood, and draw unto them great quantity of water, which three120 things being in a man killeth him out of hand; and the neceſſarieſt cure in that matter of poyſon is this. Firſt cauſe the poyſoned perſon to vomit ſo much as he can, and as ſoon as he can, and that thou ſhalt doe with ℥. ſs. of our Electuario Angelica, which provoketh vomit, and evacuateth the ſtomack of the poyſon, and of the matter drawn by the poyſon into the ſtomack, and it is excellent againſt all kind of poyſons; that being done, annoint all his body with our Balſamo artificiato, the which will keep the bloud liquid, and will not ſuffer it to congeal by any meanes: after that let him take every morning ʒ. iii, of our Pills againſt poyſon, which are written in my diſcourſe upon Chirurgery; and when he hath taken thoſe Pills, let him drink thereon a little good wine: and after let him drink the decoction of Diptamo bianco, and dreſſe his meat with hearbs that are good againſt poyſon, as there are a great number: And this doing, by the help of God thou ſhalt help all thoſe that are curable, for it is a rationall Medicine and experimented, which worketh incredible operations.

CHAP. XXXVI. A water that preſerveth the Face and Teeth.

THis water is miraculous, for if yee waſh the face therewith, and rub the teeth, it will make the face ſhining and bright, and the teeth like fine Ivory, and the order to make it is thus.

Take Mother of Pearl in powder one pound, the juyce of Lemmons preſſed with their pills and all three pound, put them in a glaſſe, and let it ſtand fifteen dayes, then put thereto ſo much ſtrong diſtilled Vineger as there was of the juyce, and diſtill it in a Retort of glaſſe, with a ſmall fire, untill the ſpirits doe appear, then preſently change thy Receiver, and keep it, wherewith thou ſhalt waſh thy face and rub thy teeth: Note, that when yee will occupie that water, it were neceſſary that the face were waſhed ſo clean as is poſſible, and to rub the teeth with a clean cloth, for with this I have ſeen many goodly experiences in thoſe matters.

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CHAP. XXXVII. To Clarifie and take away ſpots out of the Face.

TAke Lac virginis two parts, pure Oil of Tartar one part, fine Aqua vitae ſix parts, mix them, and when thou goeſt to bed annoint thy face therewith, and in the morning waſh thy face with the decoction of Bran, and dry it well, then annoint it with the Oil of Almonds, and ſo uſing this order, in ſhort time thy face will be bright and clear without any ſpot. For this Compoſition is of marvellous vertue to preſerve the fleſh, and to defend it from all impediments of Nature, and preſerveth the head from many infirmities.

CHAP. XXXVIII. The order to make a goodly Remedy, to cauſe the hair to grow.

THe beard and hair commonly doe fall through two cauſes, the one is, when the Patient hath a Peſtilent Fever, that is, Mal di Mazzueco, for when they are cured, all their hair will fall away, and many times moſt of them doe change that ſubtile skin, called of the Doctors Epiderma, and this is one of the cauſes: The other cauſe is, when they accompany with unclean women, and that they get thoſe Carvoli on the Yeard, the which as ſoon as they are cured, there cometh an alteration in the throat, ſo that they cannot well eat their meat, then after that in ſhort time the hair will begin to fall, and theſe are the two cauſes of falling of the hair. In that which commeth after Mal di Mazzucco, ye ſhall need nothing elſe but to annoint the head when yee goe to bed, with our Oleum Philoſophorum a little warm, and that will cauſe the hair to grow, reſtore the ſight and hearing, the which thoſe commonly doe loſe when they are ſick, through their long ſickneſſe. But when the hair doth fall through the other cauſe, yee muſt uſe forcible Medicines to cauſe it to c•me again, and that thou ſhalt doe with this Cerot. Take Turpent•ne, Sh•p-pitch, Roſin of the Pine tree, and new Wax, and make thereof a122 Cerot, the which ſpread upon a cloth, and ſtrew thereon Cantharides in powder, then lay it upon the head, and there let it remain five dayes without moving it, and when yee take it away, take Magno liquore, and our Oleum Philoſophorum, of each alike, and therewith annoint the head once a day very hot. And while yee uſe this Unction, take Sinaber ℥. i. Olibanum, Mirrh, and Colles, of each two ſcruples, and grinde them together, and divide them in ſix parts, and every night when yee goe to bed, perfume the bed with one of theſe parts, the which thou ſhalt doe in this order: Take Coals in a Chafingdiſh, and caſt it therein by little and little, and then cover thy head with a cloth, and receive the fume, and then goe to bed with the ſaid cloth about thy head, and this thou ſhalt doe ſix evenings, and continually uſe the Unction untill it be helped, the which will be in ſhort time.

CHAP. XXXIX. To make our Sirrup of Bayes.

THis Sirrup being well made, is of marvellous vertue for thoſe women that are troubled with pains of the Mother, and pains cauſed of wind and cold, becauſe the Bayes of their nature are hot and drying, and reſolveth the wind, and warmeth the cold, and drieth the humidity, ſo that whoſoever doth uſe this Sirrup oftentimes, ſhall be free from the ſtitch in the ſide, and gravell in the Reins, becauſe it doth mundifie the Reins, and reſolve the humour hanging, and therefore this would be uſed in Polonia, and Almaign with great profit, becauſe thoſe Countries are cold, and they feed on moſt meats which are contrary to thoſe aforeſaid infirmities, and the order to make it is thus. Take a branch of Bayes weighing one pound, and put it in a glaſſe with eight pound of white Wine, and two pound of purified Hony, and diſtill it in Balneo three hours, then take it from the fire, and keep that by it ſelf, then take that which remained in the glaſſe, and diſtill it by a filter three or four times untill it be clear, then take two pound of Sugar, and clarifie it with the white of an Egge,123 and then mix it with that which yee diſtilled by a filter, and give it a little walme or two, but not too much, then when it is boyled, before it be cold, put therein the ſaid water that yee diſtilled in Balneo, and aromatiſe it with ſix graines of Musk, and ℈. i. of Cloves, and another of Saffron, and ʒ. ſs. of Cinamon, and ℥. iii. of Roſewater, and then keep it in a glaſſe cloſe ſtopped, and it will preſerve a long time: The doſe of this Sirrup is from ℥. i. to ℥. ii. and no more. And therefore if any will ſweat for any indiſpoſition in the body, let them take four ounces as warm as they may ſuffer, and lay them down to ſweat, and it will reſolve great infirmities.

CHAP. XL. The order to make a Sirrup of Cinnamon and Ginger.

THis Sirrup is exceeding hot, and preſerveth a weak ſtomack through cold, reſolveth the Cough, and the Catarre cauſed through want of naturall heat: but yee ſhall note, that if the indiſpoſition were of a hot and dry cauſe, in any wiſe ye ſhall not uſe this. It cauſeth digeſtion, and provoketh venereous acts, and killeth many that oppreſſe themſelves therewith, for they will doe more then Nature is able to carry, and ſo fall into a diſeaſe called Apoplexia, and die, or elſe live with great pain; and therefore I would wiſh thoſe that have no great need thereof, not to uſe it for Lechery ſake, for better it were to leave it in Vaſe ſpermatico, but as for thoſe that have need thereof, it will revive them if they were in a manner dead, and the order to make it is thus.

Take Ginger, Cinnamon, of each one pound, beat them in powder, and infuſe it in half a pound of Roſewater, and there let it remain four or five daies, and then put thereon ℥. iiii. of the water of a Herb called Mortella, in the Italian tongue, and ſix pound of the beſt white wine, and diſtill them altogether untill all the ſubſtance be come forth; then take as much white Honey as the matter purified weigheth, and while it is yet hot on the fire, put therein the ſaid Water which124 you diſtilled, and ſix grains of Musk powdred with Sugar, and incorporate them well together, and keep it in a glaſſe cloſe ſhut, and when ye will uſe this, ye ſhall take it in the morning warn, faſting thereon four or five hours, becauſe it may pierce the better, and doe his operation; the quantitie that you ſhall take ordinary is ℥. i. but if it doe not work his operation well, augment the quantitie, and take ſomewhat more or leſſe according to thy Stomack, and the time ſhall be two or three weeks, or more or leſſe, according as thou feeleſt thy ſelf, for it is of ſo much vertue that it will not be credited, except it be of thoſe that have ſeen the experience thereof, therefore keep it as a thing of value.

CHAP. XLI. Our Sirrup of a Capon, that is made with Conſumato.

THis Sirrup is a reſtorative of great vertue, never ſeen or heard of before, and is of ſuch vertue that it is able to ſuſtain a ſick perſon many dayes without taking any other meat, becauſe it is of fleſh and blood, for the fleſh ſuſtaineth the fleſh, and the blood ſuſtaineth the blood, and the order to make it is thus.

Take a great fat Capon that is well-fleſhed, and pull it while it is alive, and take forth onely the gutts and the belly, and when he is dead, ſtamp it in a Morter groſſely, and put it in a diſtilling glaſſe with twentie pound of good white wine, and ℥. ſs. of Salt, and four ounces of Sugar, and ℥. ſs. of Cinnamon, then diſtill it in Balneo untill the two thirds be conſumed, then keep that which is diſtilled, and that which remained in the glaſſe ſtrain through a cloth, and preſſe out all the juyce of the fleſh with a Preſſe, then paſſe all that through a filter, and then with Sugar make it in form of a Sirrup, but boil it not too much, then put therein that which ye diſtilled from the Capon, and aromatiſe it with Cinnamon half a dram, Saffron one ſcruple, Musk four grains, Roſewater ℥. ii. then keep it in a glaſſe cloſe ſtopped, and this hath no doſe, becauſe it is taken onely to ſuſtain a weak nature; you may p•t125 it in broth, or in any other meats, or by it ſelf, and alwaies it will work his operation, in ſtrengthening thoſe that are weak.

CHAP. XLII. A Magiſtrall Sirrup of Quinces, the which is Reſtorative.

THis Sirrup of Quinces is of great vertue, becauſe it reſtoreth ſtrength, helpeth digeſtion, comforteth the Stomack, and maketh the heart merrie, as you may ſee by the Ingredients; it comforteth alſo the ſight, and quickeneth the memorie: And the order to make it is thus.

Take of the beſt Quinces you can find, and cut them in ſmall peeces, with feed and all three pound, Cinnamon half an ounce, Cloves, Saffron, of each a ſcruple, Lignum Aloes, ℥ i. ſs. Bengewine ℥. i. ſtamp all theſe and infuſe them in ſeven pound of ſtrong white wine, then diſtill it in Balneo, untill all the liquor be come forth, and when it is in manner done, take it from the fire, and put it into an earthen veſſell well glazed, and put therein that which ye diſtilled, and mix them well together, then ſtrain it hard through a Canvas, and paſſe it by a filter, or a linnen cloth, and make it as clear as you can poſſible, then take that, and with refined Sugar, make a Sirrup according to Art, and when it is made, aromatiſe it with Musk, and Roſewater, and keep it in a glaſſe cloſe ſtopped, that it take no air, giving your charge that it be not over-boyled. And this thou ſhalt give unto thoſe that cannot digeſt their meat, becauſe it warmeth the ſtomack, with a temperate heat, the which reſolveth the cruditie of humours, that are in the ſtomack, and diſpoſeth Nature to digeſtion, for becauſe the Quinces by nature are hot, and helpeth it to digeſt, the Cloves and Saffron make the heart merrie, and the Lignum Aloes, preſerveth from Corruption, in ſuch ſort, that all theſe being together, worketh wonderfull effects in the bodie of many, the quantitie thereof is ℥. i. in the morning, and two hours after ſupper cold.

126

CHAP. XLIII. A Magiſtrall Sirrup of Lignum Sanctum.

THis Magiſtrall Sirrup is of ſuch vertue in his operation, that it will help the Mal 'Franceſe, if it be made according to the order, and taken as it ſhould be: And the order to make it is thus.

Take Lignum Sanctum raſped ℥. vi. the Bark of the ſame ℥. iiii. and lay it to infuſe in twelve pound of good white wine, with one pound of white honey, then diſtill it untill ye have received three pound, then take it from the fire, and keep the water by it ſelf; then take that which remained in the glaſſe, and diſtill it by a filter untill it be clear, then put thereto the water that ye diſtilled away, and for every pound of that water put thereunto ℥. iii. of Julep ſimple, and mix them well together, and keep it in a Bottle of glaſſe well ſtopped, for this is marvellous in the cure where Sweatings is needfull: For if ye give five or ſixe ounces of this, as hot as he may ſuffer it, and cover him in the bed, he ſhall ſweat marvellouſly, the which ſweating reſolveth cold tumours, pains, and divers other indiſpoſitions, that are to be reſolved by ſweat. And as for the cure of the Pox, this is a moſt ſoveraign remedie, when there are tumours, or pains, or inflations. But when there are Ulcers, Scabbs, or Inflammations, in that caſe you may not uſe it by any means, becauſe it is very hot, and will cauſe greater inflammation. And therefore if any will uſe this Sirrup to cure pains, ſwellings, or inflammations, it were neceſſarie firſt to take our Aromatico, written in this Book, with divers other Medicines of our Invention, that being done, let him take ſeven or eight times our Sirrupo ſolutivo,, and then begin to take this Sirrup, and ſweat thereon morning and evening: His meat ſhall be roſt Mutton, or a Bird, Raiſins, Dates, Almonds, and ſuch like, but he muſt not eat too much. His bread ſhall be Bisket, and his drink good wine at meals, and if it doe happen that he be bound in the body, yee ſhall give him every week once our Sirrupo Solutivo, and ſo continue with his ſweating untill he be helped.

127

CHAP. XLIV. A Sirrup of Juniper Berries.

THis Sirrup of Juniper Berries is of great vertue, becauſe it is one of thoſe fruits that continueth green all the year: of the which hearbs I have written a diſcourſe in my book called La Phyſica del Phioravante, and the order to make it is thus.

Take Juniper Berries when they begin to wax black four pound, and ſtamp them, and infuſe them in twelve pound of ſtrong white Wine ſix dayes, then diſtill it with two pound of white Hony, and ℥. i. of Cinnamon, untill yee have received two pound, then take it from the fire, and ſtrain out the Feſſes that remained with a preſſe, then ſtrain it by a filter again, then with Sugar make a Sirrup in good form, and when it is boiled, put therein the ſaid water diſtilled from the berries, and ſo without fire incorporate them well together, and keep it in a glaſſe cloſe ſhut that it take no air: the doſe is an ounce and a half to be taken warm. This is excellent for thoſe that are troubled with wind, or coldneſſe of the ſtomack, becauſe it warmeth, drieth, and helpeth digeſtion, and therefore this would work miraculous effects in Almaign, becauſe it is a cold Region, and that they eat many moiſt meats, the which Nature cannot well digeſt: It is alſo appropriate againſt pains of the Mother, becauſe it provoketh menſtrua, and purgeth the Matrix, and helpeth digeſtion, and cauſeth ſleep, with divers other vertues.

CHAP. XLV. To make a Sirrup of the Bran of Wheat.

THis Sirrup is of marvellous vertue againſt divers infirmities, for by nature it is hot, and provoketh ſweat, and urine, and ſerveth very much againſt the I rench diſeaſes, if you can uſe it in his time and place, and it is made in this order.

Take Bran one pound, and infuſe it in twelve pound of128 white Wine, and ſo let it remain two dayes, then boil it in a glaſſe with a Head and Receiver, untill the third part be conſumed, the which yee ſhall reſerve to mix with it afterward, then ſtrein that in the glaſſe, and paſſe it by a filter, and when it is clear, put thereunto the aforeſaid which yee reſerved: Then take Hony and Sugar, of each alike, and therewith make a Sirrup according to art, and when it is made, aromatiſe it with a little Cinnamon, Cloves, Saffron, Lignum Aloes, and Musk, according to thy diſcretion, and for every pound of the ſaid matter, yee ſhall put thereto half an ounce of our Vegitable Quinteſſence, and it ſhall be finiſhed, the which keep cloſe ſhut, for it is of ſuch vertue, that it will not corrupt, the doſe is from ℥. ii. to three, to be taken warm, and then lie down to ſweat, for this will reſolve all infirmities that may be reſolved by ſweat. It is very profitable for thoſe that are troubled with any old indiſpoſition, as the Cough, the Catarre, indiſpoſition of the Stomack, and ſuch like: Yee ſhall note, that this would not be uſed in the Summer, for becauſe it is too hot for that time.

CHAP. XLVI. To make a Sirrup of Sarſa parilla, of our invention.

THe Sarſa parilla is a Root that cometh from the Indies, the which is hot and drying, of the which Phyſitians make Sirrups and Potions for divers infirmities, wherein it is needfull of drying by ſweat: but untill this time they have all abuſed themſelves in the order, becauſe all hot and dry things are ſpirituall, and ſo in making their decoction the ſpirits goe away in fume, and the decoction remaineth ſenza anima, and vertue, in reſpect: yee ſhall underſtand, that the Sarſa parilla is a root miraculous in his operation, becauſe it warmeth the cold, and drieth the humidity, and reſolveth tumours, and healeth ſores, and helpeth paines, when it is made according to our order, and becauſe it is a Medicine in ſo common uſe, I will ſhew thee the order to make this Sirrup, that ſhall have129 both anima, and vertue, in ſo much that the world ſhall wonder at it: and the order to make it is thus.

Take one pound of the beſt Sarſa parilla that yee can find, and cut it very ſmall, and put it in a glaſſe with one pound and a half of Hony, and ℥. i. of Cinnamon, and ℥. ii. of Lignum Aloes, and put them in twelve pound of white Wine, and ſo let it ſtand four and twenty houres, and then diſtill it, untill yee have received three pound of water, giving you charge, that the Receiver be great, and lute not the mouth but ſtop it with Tow leaſt it break, then take it from the fire, and let it wax cold, and when it is cold, pour forth that which is clear, and put it unto the water that yee diſtilled firſt, and keep it cloſe, for it is a bleſſed Sirrup: this being done, put upon the Feſſes twenty pound of white Wine, and one pound of fine Sugar, and let it boil half an hour, and then ſtrein it, and when the Phyſitian will give it, he may give ℥. viii. at a time as hot as he may ſuffer it, and then lay him down to ſweat as much as he can. And with his meat let him drink the laſt decoction, and thus the Phyſitian ſhall reap honour, and the Patient health, and therefore if any will have his intent, let him not break this our order in any reſpect.

CHAP. XLVII. To make a Potion of China as it ought to be.

THis China is a root like unto the root of Canna, the which is brought unto us out of India, from an Iſle called China, from whence it took his name China, and there are of two ſorts: the one is white and heavy, the other is great, and red, and light, and of this I have made no experience at all: But of the other I have had great experience, and by the help of God have reſolved great and terrible diſeaſes, and the order to condite them after our order is this.

Take ℥. vi. of China, and ℥. iii. of Lignum Aloes of the beſt that yee can finde, and ℥. iii. of Pollipodie, and ℥. i. of Coloquintida, beat all theſe groſſely, and put them into a diſtilling glaſſe, with twenty pound of good Wine, then give130 it fire untill ye have received three pound of water, then let it cool, and ſtrain it, then put therein the water that yee diſtilled firſt, and incorporate them well together, and of this give ℥. iiii. at a time warm, then caſt away the•eſſes, for they are unprofitable. But the Sirrup is of ſuch vertue, that it reſolveth tumours, ſores, pains, and all other indiſpoſitions cauſed of the Pox. It ſerveth alſo for Doglie Artetich, for pains of the Gout, and for many other indiſpoſitions cauſed of cruditie, and coldneſſe of the humours, becauſe it is of nature hot and drying, and his vertues are to drie: I have ſeen of this Sirrup great experience in divers and ſundry cauſes.

CHAP. XLVIII. A Potion of Alchachengie, and wherefore it ſerveth.

THis Herb Alchachengie with his fruit is aperative, and moſt profitable for thoſe that cannot make water, by reaſon of alteration of the pores that are altered through cold, for this is hot and drying, by the which means, it reſolveth the alterationof the aforeſaid cauſe, and cauſeth the Urine to paſſe with eaſe; It helpeth the digeſtion, and comforteth the ſtomack, when it is grieved through winde or cold: And the order to make it is thus.

Take that Herb, with Root, Leaves, fruit and all, and lay it to infuſe in the water of Mallows, with the Herb Pelitorie, and there let them remain five or ſix dayes, then put thereunto courſe Sugar, and let it boil one hour and no more, and then ſtrain it, and put thereunto a little Cinnamon, and then it is finiſhed: and when you will occupie it againſt difficulty of Urine, give them thereof ℥. iiii. and keep them warm in bed, and they ſhall feel great eaſe.

CHAP. XLIX. A Pectorall Potion, of our new Invention.

THis Potion is appropriate againſt the indiſpoſition of the Breaſt and Stomack, and is of a marvellous operation, becauſe131 it is aperative, ſoftning the ſtomack, and mundifieth the breaſt, and maketh the heart merrie: And this is moſt ſoveraign for the Cough, Catarr, and all the other indiſpoſitions, that come unto the breaſt through cruditie, and viſcoſitie of humours, and the order to make it is thus.

Take Pomi Calimani, and Pomi Apiae, of each one pound, Quinces half a pound, common Honie, ℥. iiii. fine Sugar one pound, ſweet white wine ten pound, water of Bugloſs four pound, boil all theſe together in a Copper Veſſell, that is well tinned within, untill the Apples doe begin to fall in pieces, then take it from the fire, and ſtrain them through a ſtrainer, without preſſing of the Feſſes, then put into that two drachms of Cinnamon, and then ſtrain it by a filter four or five times, untill it be clear, then keep it in a veſſell of a glaſſe cloſe ſtopped, that it take no aire. The quantity is ℥. iiii. as warm as ye may, take it in the morning, faſting at leaſt five or ſix hours after it, and if it be poſſible ſleep thereon in your bed, for it is a thing of great vertue, in reſolving the indiſpoſition of the breaſt and ſtomack.

CHAP. L. To make a Potion of Camedrios, and Iva Artetica, which diſſolveth all Fevers that come with cold.

THe Herb Iva Artetica, as I have ſhewed in another place, is of marvellous vertue, alſo the Camedrios is of great vertue, and is hot and dry by nature. The Iva is good againſt the accident of the Fever, and the Camedrios diſſolveth the melancholie humour; and therefore when a decoction is made of theſe two Herbs, it will work a marvellous effect in the cure of the ſaid Fever, becauſe it provoketh ſweat, and aſſubtiliateth the groſſeneſſe of the humour, and ex•inguiſheth the accident of the Fever in ſuch ſort, that the Fever ſhall reſolve with good ſucceſſe, and the order to make that Potion is thus.

Take Camedrios, and Iva Artetica, of each one pound, and dry them in the ſhadow, Lignum Aloes ℥. i. the ſeed of Walwort132 ℥. iiii. common Honey ℥. vi. fine Sugar one pound, ſtrong white wine xvii. pound: Mix all theſe together in a diſtilling glaſſe, and ſo let it ſtand three daies, then diſtill forth three pound, and let it cool, and ſtrain it through a Searce, and put thereunto the water that ye diſtilled out before, then paſſe it by a filter three or four times untill it bee clear, then keep it in a Glaſſe cloſe ſhut that it take no aire, and it will laſt a long time without corruption, and when any will take it againſt the ſaid Fever coming with cold, give him every morning faſting ℥. v. warm, and let him lie down to ſweat as much as he may, and faſt thereron at the leaſt four hours, and take heed yee eat no things that are cold, and moiſt, for they will hinder the cure very much, and at night when he goeth to bed, give him ℥ .iii. warm, and if it hap that in his ſleep he ſweat, dry him well with warm clothes, and thus doing, in ſhort time he ſhall be delivered of that infirmitie, for this I have uſed divers and ſundry times to my great honour, and profit of the Patient.

CHAP. LI. To make a Potion that is good againſt all Infirmities.

THis is a Magiſtrall Potion, the which helpeth againſt all Infirmities, by reaſon that it deſtroyeth all the evill qualities in our bodies, it comforteth Nature, helpeth digeſtion, provoketh Urine, and looſeth the bodie, the which things are moſt comfortable to our bodies, and the order to make it is thus.

Take the ſeed of Quinces, ℥. x. the Pills of Citrons, ℥. vi. Balm, Nettles, of each, ℥. iiii. beat all theſe groſſely, and infuſe them in twelve pound of ſtrong white wine, and there let it remain ſix daies, then diſtill it with ℥. vi. of Honey, and ℥. xv. of Sugar, untill ye have received two pound of water, then take it from the fire and let it cool, and ſtrain it by a filter, and then put therein the firſt water, and eight grains of Musk, diſſolved with a little Roſewater about ℥. ii. and then for every pound of the ſaid matter, put thereunto ℈. i. of Oyle of133 Vitrioll, and incorporate them well together, then keep it in a glaſſe cloſe ſtopped that it take no air, and of this yee ſhall take ℥. i. in the morning cold, and faſt thereon; for whoſoever doth uſe this in his health ſhall ſeldome be ſick, but live in health. For in this compoſition there entereth the ſeed of Quinces, that reſolve the evill quality of the Stomack, and make the heart merry: The Pomcitrone pills preſerve and help digeſtion: The Balm purifieth the bloud, healeth the Liver, cauſeth good digeſtion, and comforteth the•eart: The Nettles warmeth, provoketh Urine, and mundifieth the Reins, and reſolveth the malignity of the Sinews: The Wine comforteth Nature, ſtrengtheneth the Head, and ſuſtaineth the ſtrength: The Musk is warm by Nature, and reſolveth the windineſſe, and purgeth the bloud: The Oil of Vitrioll healeth all the Scoriaciones of the Mouth, the Breaſt, and Stomack, and preſerveth the body from all corruption: So by this yee may ſee of what importance this Compoſition is, through the vertue of the Simples that are therein: ſo to conclude, I ſay, that this is one of the beſt Compoſitions that can be made, becauſe of his nature: It letteth alteration in our bodies, and helpeth againſt all diſeaſes or infirmities, and prolongeth life.

CHAP. LII. An Infuſion with Wine moſt precious againſt the Gout.

THe Gout is a putrified and rotten diſeaſe, as I have written of in divers places, and the cure thereof is hard, becauſe it were needfull to help many inconveniences before yee come to the cure. Nevertheleſſe, it is a ſtrange thing to ſee divers, that after they are cured they have no care to preſerve them: ſo that look which way they got it, that way it will come again, but if they would uſe defenſives and preſervatives, they may remain well, and therefore I have deviſed this Wine, the which they ſhall continually drink: for as long as they uſe this Wine, the Gout ſhall never trouble them, and the order to ma•e it is thus.

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Take Vino negro that is ſweet and pleaſant, about twelve gallons, and put it in a veſſell that is well ſeaſoned, and in that Wine put fine Lignum Aloes in powder ℥. iii. Pollipodie of the Oa•℥. iiii. Sena of Levant ℥. ii. Musk diſſolved in Roſewater ten grains, common Hony two pound, then let it repoſe untill it be clear, and then begin to drink thereof; for this Wine purgeth, the which if it purge too much, yee ſhall refrain it now and then, according as yee find your body: This doth not onely help the Gout, but all kinds of pains cauſed of corruption of humours, becauſe it drieth, reſolveth, and preſerveth, the which are convenient to preſerve the body.

CHAP. LIII. Another artificiall Wine, againſt the ſtitch in the ſide, and gravell.

THe ſtitch in the ſide, and the gravell in the Reins, are ſomewhat of kin together, becauſe they are cauſed of one cauſe, that is, of vapours corrupt and rotten, and of groſſeneſſe, and evill qualities of the humours, the which, one with the other, ingender that infirmity, which in ſome men is no other then an evill indiſpoſition inwardly, the which is very hard to be helped, for if thou wilt reſolve it, it were neceſſary, firſt to remove the evill quality, and then cure it, and after they are cured to preſerve them, that the ſaid indiſpoſition return not again, and in ſo doing thy cure ſhall have good ſucceſſe, and therefore I have made this Wine to preſerve thee from that indiſpoſition, and the order to make it is thus.

Take as it were a Hogſhead or a Barrell of good white Wine, that containeth about eighteen gallons of Wine, in the which yee ſhall put Carduus Benedictus ℥. ii. Saxifrage ℥. vi. Walwort ℥. iiii. Pollipodie ℥ iiii. Cinnamon ℥. i. Spikenard half an ounce, Lignum Aloes ℥. ii. fine Sugar three pound, then let it repoſe three or four dayes, and then begin to drink it, for yee may uſe it with ſmall wine, or water, or in what order yee will. And in the mean time that yee take this drink, yee ſhall not eat fat Pork, nor any other fat meat, nor Butter,135 Milk, Cheeſe, or Pie-cruſts, or ſuch like things, that are of groſſe and hard digeſtion, becauſe they will let the operation of this wine. For whoſe ever doth uſe this wine, ſhall never be troubled with thoſe kinds of infirmities, becauſe it doth loſen the belly, mundifie, cleanſe, and preſerve from all evill qualities. I call to remembrance that in the City of Naples, where I dwelled ſix yeares, I cauſed divers and ſundry perſons to uſe this Wine, and they found ſuch profit thereby, that it was to be wondered at, for in that City there were many troubled with the ſaid indiſpoſition, in reſpect of Hogs fleſh, fiſh, and ſuch other moiſt things as they commonly eat in that City, and therefore whoſoever uſeth this Wine ſhall not be troubled with the ſaid infirmities.

CHAP. LIV. To make a Quinteſſence of marvellous vertue.

THe Quinteſſence is ſo called, becauſe it is an eſſence taken from the Elements without corrupting the ſaid Elements; and therefore it is called Quinta eſſentia: for it is an eſſence above the four Elements, the which hath a marvellous vertue in preſerving, and conſerving all things from putrifaction, and is of ſo much vertue, that drinking thereof every morning half an ounce when they riſe out of their bed, it preſerveth them for ever in health. It healeth wounds and all ſores, waſhing them therewith. It preſerveth all fleſh, fiſh, and fruits, that is put therein, and the order to make it is thus.

Take good ſtrong Wine fourteen pound, common Hony one pound, Anniſeed, Coriander, Lignem Aloes, Calamus Aromaticus, of each ℥. iii. Roſewater ℥. iiii. Beat all the aforeſaid things groſſely, and infuſe them in the ſaid Wine two daies, and then put them in a Goord of glaſſe, and diſtill it by Balneo, ſo long untill the water that cometh forth doe burn, and when it will not burn, diſtill no more, then keep that which is diſtilled in a glaſſe cloſe ſtopped that it take no air, and ſo keep it untill thou have occaſion to uſe it, for it is a moſt rare136 liquor, becauſe, as I have ſaid before, it reſolveth all the indiſpotions that happen unto mans body. For of this Compoſition the antient Doctours had ſmall knowledge, nor of many things more written in this book. If any man deſire to have this Quinteſſence more perfecter, let him take a tenth part of good Hony, with a little fine Cinnamon, and diſtill it again by Balneo, and the Hegm will remain all in the bottome of the veſſell, and the Quinteſſence will be ſo fine, that the air will take it away, and therefore he that can make this well, ſhall work ſtrange cures therewith, ſo that the world will wonder thereat:

CHAP. LV. To make Diatartaro, the which is marvellous in divers infirmities.

THis Diatartaro is good againſt pain of the ſtomack, of the body, and for thoſe that are ſlipticke of body, that cannot goe to ſtool, and ſuch like matters, becauſe it is of nature temperate and lenitive, and hath vertue to heat and diſſolve the evill quality, and it is made in this order.

Take Pears of what ſort yee will, and cut them in four peices, then boil them in water till they be ſoft, and that the water be almoſt conſumed, then paſſe it through a ſtrainer, and put thereunto as much white Hony purified as it weigheth, and thereof make an Electuary in good form, and when it is made, aromatiſe it with Musk, then for every pound of the ſaid Electuary, put thereunto ℥. i. of perfect oil of Tartar, made by diſſolution after it is calcined white: But yee ſhall note, that the Oil muſt be put in when the Electuary is cold, and ſo mix it together, then keep it in a glazen veſſell. The doſe is from ℥ ſs. to an ounce in the morning faſting, and eat no meat in four hours after: for this, as I have ſaid, will cure the indiſpoſition of the Stomack, pains of the Milt, pains of the Body that have continued long, pains of the Mother, and ſuch like things that are cauſed of cold and moſt humours.

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CHAP. LVI. A Compoſition of great value to comfort the Stomack.

AMong all the compoſitions that the Apothecaries have, this is one of the beſt and moſt perfecteſt, becauſe it comforteth the ſtomack that is weak, and ſpoyled through a long and faſtidious infirmitie, for it is of a temperate heat, and helpeth to digeſt, cauſeth ſleep, and comforteth the breaſt, and the compoſition is this.

Take the beſt Honey that ye can get, and clarifie it with Roſewater and the white of an Egg, as ye would doe Sugar, and ſcum it very well, then take as much fine Sugar as yee have of Honey, and incorporate them together on a ſmall fire, and when it is come to the thickneſſe of an Electuarie or thereabout, for every pound of the ſaid matter, yee ſhall put ℥. i. of our Quinteſlence Vegitable, and ℥. ii. of Oyle of Almonds newly made, and ſtir them well together being cold, then put thereto a little Musk and Cinnamon to give it a pleaſant ſmell, then keep it cloſe: The quantitie is ℥. i. more or leſſe according to the ſtrength of the ſtomack; yee may temper it with good broth if ye will, and faſt thereon four hours at the leaſt, and thou ſhalt ſee ſtrange effects of this compoſition.

CHAP. LVII. To make a ſtomachall Emplaiſter to cauſe digeſtion where it wanteth.

THere are many cauſes that hinder digeſtion, as through coldneſſe of the Stomack, through heat, through moiſtneſſe or dryneſſe, or through ſuperfluous choller, or flegm, or melancholy, of the which things the Phyſitian cannot certifie himſelf which it is, ſo by that meanes many proved divers Remedies for that indiſpoſition, and cannot find the way to help it. And therefore I will ſhew thee a plaiſter that hath all theſe four principall intentions; that is, to help digeſtion, ſtrengthen the ſtomack, make the heart merrie, which things139 are all neceſſarie to preſerve a man within good temperature and health, and the Remedie is this.

Take theſe Hearbs gathered in their times and dried, that is, Sage, Roſemary, Wormwood, Balm, Saint Johns-wort, Nettles, of each as much you will, beat them finely, and ſearce them: then take for every pound of that powder of Cinnamon, ℥. i. half an ounce of Cloves, and as much Lignum Aloes, and ten grains of Musk diſſolved in Roſewater; then take for every pound, of good Honie ℥. ii. and as much Vinegar, and make them into the form of a liquid Plaiſter, and when thou wilt occupie it, ſpread it upon a cloth warm, and lay it to the ſtomack, and in the mean while eat reſtorative meats, and drink ſmall wine.

CHAP. LVIII. A rare Secret to help the Eyes.

THis is a great Secret for thoſe that have loſt the ſight of their Eyes, and was never written of before of any man, but of me, and the order to make it is thus.

Take Swallows and ſtamp them feathers and all in a Morter, then take for every pound of that, ℥. iiii. of bread, and four pound of white wine, and ſo let it ſtand ſix daies to infuſe, then diſtill it by Balneo untill all the ſubſtance be come forth, then keep that water in a glaſſe cloſe ſtopped, and ſet it in the Sun twentie dayes, and then uſe morning and evening to drop it in the eyes, and thou ſhalt ſee ſtrange operations of the ſame Experiment, for it taketh away the dimneſſe of the eye, quickneth the ſight, and comforteth the brain, that it cannot be hurt by any means.

CHAP. LIX. To make a Liquer to comfort the Smelling, and to preſerve the Head.

THe Smelling is one of the five Senſes of our Bodie, of the which four-footed beaſts have great uſe; for they will not138 receive any thing into the bodie before they have ſmelled unto it, and then if it be againſt their nature, they will not eat it, and therefore this ſmelling is that which preſerveth the hearing, the ſeeing and the taſte; for if the noſe take an evill ſmell, all the other ſenſes have part: For if yee ſmell to Onions or Scallions, the taſte will be troubled, the eyes will weep, the eares will alſo be troubled: And to the contrary, when a man ſmelleth a good ſmell, it comforteth the eyes, the hearing, and taſte, and for that cauſe I have made this liquor, to comfort the Smelling, for by that the whole bodie is comforted, and the order to make it is thus.

Take Lignum Aloes ℥. ii. Anniſe ſeed, ℥. iiii. Calamus Aromaticus ℥. i. Calaminte dried, three ounces, common Honey two pound, ſtrong white wine twelve pound, let all theſe be infuſed for four dayes, and then diſtill it in Balneo, and when yee diſtill it, put into the Receiver ſix grains of Musk diſſolved in two ounces of Roſewater, and diſtill away but three pound, the which keep in a glaſſe cloſe ſtopped, and when yee will comfort the ſmelling, waſh the face and beard therewith, and thou ſhalt ſmell a ſavour of marvellous effect, the which comforteth Nature marvellouſly: It comforteth the Stomack, and helpeth a ſtinking breath: It helpeth the mouth being ulcerated, and thoſe that have the Rupture in ſhort time, if yee waſh it twice a day therewith. It helpeth alſo women that are troubled with diſſention of the Matrix, if ye wet a cloth therein and lay it upon the Mother, in ſhort ſpace it ſhall receive great health. Alſo it helpeth thoſe that are troubled with the Meagrum, or pains in the Head coming of cold or winde, if ye waſh the Head with the ſaid Liquor, preſently they ſhall feel eaſe, with divers other vertues, the which I will leave untill another time.

CHAP. LX. A Decoction of the Vine, and wherefore it ſerveth.

THis Decoction is a compoſition of our Inveution, and may be made in the ſame order as ye doe with Lignum vitae,140 or Sarſaparilla, and hath no leſſe vertue againſt contagious diſeaſes, and hath ſo great vertue in drying and reſolving, that it is to be wondred at, and may be uſed in all cauſes in ſtead of Sarſaparilla, or Lignum vitae, or China, and this I have found out by great travell and experience, and the order to make it is thus.

Take the Roots of the Vine, or the ſtalks, and cut them ſmall, then take thereof two pound, and infuſe them in ſtrong Vinegar untill they be covered, then put thereunto xii. pound of common water, and one pound of white Honey, and boil them untill the conſumption of the third part, ſo that there remain eight pound, then ſtrain it, and put thereunto lb ſs. of Julep ſimple, then keep it in a glaſſe cloſe ſhut to thy uſe, for it ſerveth againſt many diſeaſes or infirmities, and for thoſe that have loſt their appetite, if they take thereof four ounces morning and evening warm, and faſt thereon four or five houres, in ſhort time they ſhall recover it again. It is alſo good for thoſe that are troubled with the Collick: It alſo ingendereth Milk in womens breaſts; it ceaſeth pains of the Matrix, and alſo the Cough, Catarr, and paines of the Reins, and ſuch like, the which I will not ſpeak of at this time. Alſo of the ſeed of the Grape I have made an oyle by Expreſſion, as they make oyle of Linſeed and other ſeed, the which is of ſo much vertue, that it helpeth in manner againſt all indiſpoſitions, and eſpecially againſt Ulcers and Wounds by his proper qualitie, for unto this oyle yee can neither attribute heat, not drineſſe, moiſtneſſe nor cold, but onely a temperate thing, the which thou mayeſt know by his experience. If ye uſe to eat of this oyle, it mittigateth and healeth all the indiſpoſitions of the bodie, for it is of ſo much ſuſtenance and vertue, that it preſerveth the bodie in temperature: And theſe have I found out by experience.

CHAP. LXI. To make a compoſition of the Hearb Mercurie.

THis Hearb Mercurie is of ſo much vertue that the tongue cannot expreſle it, and many Philoſophers have aſſigned141 unto it Celeſtiall vertue, becauſe it preſerveth a man in a youthfull ſtate a long time, and from infirmities: It maketh the heart merrie, the which it doth by his ſecret and hidden vertues, and the order to make the ſaid compoſition is thus.

Take the Juyce of this Hearb in May when it is with flour, and ſtrain it through a filter untill it be clear, then take of that juyce i. pound, Julip ſimple half a pound, fine rectified Aqua vitae without flegm ℥. vi. Pure Oyle of Vitriol, ʒ. ii. fine Musk two Carrets; Mix theſe together in a glaſſe, and ſtop it very well, and ſet it in the Sun fortie daies together, and look that yee take it in every night: that time being expired, you may uſe it when ye will, and the order to uſe it is thus. Ye ſhall take in the morning ℥. i. with two or three ounces of the broth of a Capon, or other fleſh, and faſt thereon four or five hours at the leaſt, and thus uſing it two moneths together, it will be unpoſſible to have any infirmitie a long time after, by the vertue of the ſaid compoſition. Among the reſt I ſaw once a Gentleman that had the Palſie one and twentie moneths, the which by uſing of this compoſition the ſpace of ten moneths was perfectly whole. Another Compoſition alſo I have made, the which is of marvellous vertue, and is in this order.

Take the Hearb Mercurie when it is floured, and accompany it with Wine and Honey, then diſtill it, and ſeparate the Elements according to Art, and thou ſhalt have a moſt rare Medicine, wherewith thou mayeſt help many infirmities. But firſt I would counſell you, ere you uſe this, to prepare the bodie with taking once our Aromatico, the which cleanſeth both the ſtomack and body, and thus doing thou ſhalt reap fame.

CHAP. LXII. A Medicine of Lappaciole Minor, the which is marvellous in curing any ſort of Catarre.

THere are four kinds of theſe, according to the writing of Dioſcorides, but that which the Author doth write of in this142 place, is that which Dioſcorides calleth Xanthium, and in the Shops it is called Lappa Minor, and Lappa Inverſa, and in the Italian Lappaciole Minore, and in Engliſh it is called the Ditch-Bur and Louſe-Bur. Take that hearb with the root and all, what quantity yee will, and diſtill thereof a water, the which keep unto thy uſe, and when yee will uſe it againſt the Catarre, take of that water four ounces, with white crude Hony half an ounce, mix them well together, and drink it in the morning warm as ſoon as yee riſe, and faſt thereon four or five hours, and uſe a reaſonable diet in your meat and drink, and eat nothing that may offend the Catarre, and ſo uſing this remedy for a moneth together, thou ſhalt help any ſort of Catarre perfectly, by vertue of that hearb. For this I have experimented divers and ſundry times in poor and ſimple Catarres. But if they come of the Pox, or Hectick, in that caſe it may pleaſure them much, but yet not cure them. Yee ſhall note, that it would be neceſſary for the Patient to take a doſe of our Aromatico before he take the ſaid Medicine, becauſe our Aromatico diſpoſeth the Catarre to ſolution, whereby it may be the ſooner cured.

CHAP. LIII. Of Pollipodie, and his vertues.

THis hearb is well known to moſt men, and hath great vertue againſt old greifs, and opilations, and all indiſpoſitions that come through diſtemperment of humours, becauſe it evacuateth the body, cleanſeth the head, and purgeth the bloud: and the order to make it is thus.

Take Pollipodie two ounces, Sene one ounce, Lignum Aloes half an ounce, mix theſe well together in a ſtone morter, then take white Wine as much as yee will, and for every pound of Wine put thereto ℥. i. of that mixture, and ſo let it ſtand four and twenty hours, and then drink it, for it will purge without any pain, thoſe that have any indiſpoſition of the ſtomack, weakneſſe of the legs, and faintneſſe of the body, and ſuch like. For yee ſhall underſtand, the Pollipodie purgeth143 Flegm, and the Sene purgeth Choller, as by the viſcoſity is known: The Lignum Aloes preſerveth nature, ſo that by the ingredients yee may know the vertue of this compoſition. Yee ſhall underſtand, that this root would be gathered when the Sunne is afarre off; and that the cold time of the year doth begin to draw on, for then they are of moſt force.

CHAP. LXIV. Of the Olive, and his vertues.

TAke common Oil, the which is made of the Olive, two pound, Frankincenſe one pound, Turpentine one pound, diſtill them together in a Retort two dayes long, then ſeparate the oyle from the water, and keep each alone, then take forth the Feſſes out of the Retort, the which is a miracle of Nature, becauſe it ſerveth againſt all Infirmities, where it is applyed. It helpeth broaken bones wonderfully, and theſe ſecrets I have found out by experience. There is alſo drawn out of the wood a liquour by diſcention, the which is black of colour, and is of marvellous vertue againſt paines. A little of this Oil being mixed with Oil of Sulphur, helpeth all putrified and corroſive Ulcers that are cauſed of putrifaction of humours. The Lye made of the Aſhes of Olives, preſerveth the beard and hair in their naturall colour, if yee waſh the head often therewith. Of this Oil I have made a great diſcourſe in my Chirurgery.

CHAP. LXV. Of Ciperous, and his vertues.

THis hearb being put into new Wine, when it worketh in the Hogſhead, giveth it a pleaſant ſavour, and whoſoever uſeth to drink of that Wine, it will defend him from all interiour paſſions that are cauſed of ventoſity, and helpeth thoſe that are troubled with the Rupture, becauſe it reſolveth the wind,144 and hath a reſtrictive vertue. It purgeth the bloud marvellouſly, and cauſeth digeſtion, and of this I have ſeen the experience. Alſo I ſaw one, that in the moneths of April, May, and June, took the roots of Ciperous and beat them to powder, and made thereof a plaiſter, and laid it upon the Rupture, changing it every day once: and alſo he eat of the ſaid roots, and ſo in ſhort time he was helped; and that experiment I have ſeen divers times. Alſo if yee take thoſe nodes or knots that are on the roots, and ſtamp them, and boil them with common Oil, Frankincenſe, and yellow Wax, untill it become black of colour, it will cure wounds marvellouſly, it mittigateth the pains in all old ſores, it cureth all pains coming of humidity and wind: Moreover, if yee annoint the body with the ſaid Oil, and drink the Wine wherein hath lien infuſed the ſaid root, it will preſerve it marvellouſly. And among all other things that I ſaw of this Ciperous; there was a Merchant called Nicolo Carbolo, the which was of the age of thirty yeares, and was troubled with a kind of ſcab like a Leper, and had carried it long, the which I cauſed to make this Oil, and he did not onely annoint him therewith, but alſo drunk thereof every morning ℥. ſs. with wine, ſo that in ſhort time he became ſo whole and ſound, that it was to be wondered at.

CHAP. LXVI. Of Rew, and his vertues.

TAke Rew when it is ſeeded, but yet not dry, and ſtamp it in a Morter, and for every pound of Rew, put thereto ℥. vi. of Turpentine, and as much of the yolks of Eggs hard ſod, and incorporate them well together; then put it in a glaſſe cloſe ſtopped, and ſet it to putrifie in warm dung five and twenty dayes, then diſtill it by a Retort according unto art, untill all the ſubſtance be come forth, the which will be both Oil and water, the which yee ſhall ſeparate. The water ſerveth againſt all pains of the belly that are cauſed of cold and moiſtneſſe; the doſe is ʒ. ſs. in ſome warm broth,145 and may be taken at any time. Alſo giving it to any that hath a I ever coming with cold, it will help him in ſhort time: yea, ſome have been cured at once or twice taking the ſame. Moreover, the Oil is moſt ſoveraign againſt cold greifs, as well inward as outward, it preſerveth thoſe greatly, that take every morning a drachm with ſweet wine, and faſt thereon four or five hours. Alſo for outward griefs it is moſt excellent, if yee annoint them therewith cold, becauſe it reſolveth and drieth all evill qualities of our bodies: beſides theſe experiences, I have made an Oil of the ſeed of Rew by expreſſion, the which is of ſo much vertue, that if yee annoint the head therewith, it cauſeth a good memory unto thoſe that have loſt it, or are weak by reaſon of humidity, or cold.

CHAP. LXVII. Of Wormwood, and his vertues.

THis hearb Wormwood is of great vertue, if yee can uſe it well: for if any lean perſons or evill coloured uſe the ſame, it will bring them to their perfect health and colour, and the order to make it is thus.

Take Wormwood and diſtill it in Balneo, then put thereunto Oil of Vitriol, as much as will ſuffice to make it tart, and thereof uſe every morning one ſpoonfull faſting, and in ſhort time it will reſtore thee to perfecter health than ever thou waſt before, and bring thy colour again.

CHAP. LXVIII. Of Gratia Dei, and his vertues and operation in divers infirmities.

THis Gratia Dei is an hearb well known unto moſt men, and is like unto Germander, and bitter in taſte, and it ought to be gathered in July and Auguſt, and muſt be dried in the ſhadow, hanging ſo that it may touch nothing, and146 then ℈ i. of this powder will provoke vomit, and eaſe Nature. It helpeth alſo putrified Ulcers, if ye make a decoction thereof with Lye, and then wet clothes therein, and lay them upon the ſore; for as it cauſeth to vomit and evacuateth the ſtomack, ſo neither more nor leſſe it cauſeth the Ulcer to vomit, or purge, and healeth it with great ſpeed: It helpeth much thoſe that are Phrenzie, by reaſon that it mundifieth the ſtomack and bodie from ſuch putrifaction.

A moſt excellent compoſition of this Hearb. Take thereof in fine powder, ℥ .i. Cinnamon, ʒ. i. Cloves, ℈. i. Wheat flower one pound, Zucche compoſt condit. ℥. iii. Oranges condited, one ounce, beat them altogether, and make thereof a paſt with Honey, and form it like a loaf, and ſet it in an Oven to bake, but take heed it doe not burn, and when thou wilt uſe it, give thereof one ounce, and it will purge gallantly, and is very delectable to be eaten. This Purgation is divine in many infirmities, but above all other againſt Scrophule, the white Scall, and Scabs, becauſe it evacuateth onely the ſuperfluous humiditie, and drieth, and is appropriate for theſe infirmities: For ye ſhall note, that all Soluble Medicines doe not ſerve in one infirmitie, becauſe one is. Cholerick, the other Sanguine, one Flegmatick, and the other Melancholie, and for that cauſe it is neceſſary to find the proper Medicine for the infirmitie. The Rhabarb purgeth Choller: The Eleborus Melancholie; the Ebulus or Wallwort Flegm, and the Gratia dei the blood, ſo that every one hath his propertie.

CHAP. LXIX. Of Wallwort and his Vertues and Operations.

VVAllwort is an Herb well known, and groweth in a fat ground, and hath leaves, flouers, and ſeed like Elder, and is of ſuch vertue that it is to be wondred at, for if it were brought unto us from farr Countries, it would be accounted above all other hearbs, but being ſo familiar among us, we make no account thereof. This Herb called Wallwort or Dainwort, by his propertie and nature provoketh vomit147 and diſſolveth the bodie, if ye drinke the juyce thereof, or eat the Hearb green: The water diſtilled of this Root being drunke, and applied outwardly with wet clothes unto the Gout, it taketh away the pain. If ye give the juyce of this Hearb with Sirrup-of-Acetoſe to drink, it will help frantick Fevers. The pounder of his leaves hath great operation in all ſorts of putrified Ulcers, becauſe it taketh away the pain, mundifieth, and incarnateth, with divers other vertues, the which if I ſhould write them they would not be credited, and therefore I leave it to the Experimentor.

CHAP. LXX. Of Millefolie or Yarrow, and his great vertue.

THis Hearb Millefolie, is well known unto moſt men; and of many is little eſteemed, becauſe it groweth ſo commonly amongſt us. This Hearb being green, is a miraculous and divine remedie, to help any ſorts of freſh and bleeding wounds, if ye ſtamp a handfull thereof, and lay it thereupon the lips being cloſe joyned together, within the ſpace of four and twentie houres it ſhall be perfectly whole. If yee drinke three ounces of the juyce of this Hearb with new Milk, morning and evening, it will help Gonorrea in ſhort time. It is alſo an excellent remedie for thoſe that have their Liver and Lungs ulcerated, for this I have proved divers and ſundry times in Goats, the which are troubled with a certain infirmitie, the which is called Biſſole of the Goat-keepers, for they are certain Impoſthumes that doe ingender in the Liver and the Lungs, and cauſeth them to die. I then ſeeing that in the interiour parts of the Goats, made this experience, I took Millefolie made in powder, and gave it unto the Goats with Salt, and for the moſt part they were helped; and after that I cured a number of men and women of that diſeaſe, for of that infirmity there die a great number in the world. And with the ſaid order aforeſaid, thou mayeſt ſave a number, but it muſt be mixed with Sal artificiato Leonardo. Thoſe that are Ettici and Teſici die commonly through Impoſthumes149 and Ulcers that are cauſed in the Liver, for of this I have ſeen above an hundred. For after they were dead, I have cauſed them to be opened to ſee the experience. You ſhall underſtand, that this Hearb Millefolie hath a great propertie to heal thoſe Ulcers. And therefore the Chirurgian that underſtandeth not Phyſick, can ill help thoſe Ulcers inwardly, becauſe he cannot apply his Unguents and Plaiſters, as he doth outwardly. And thoſe kind of Ulcers cannot be known, but of thoſe which have ſeen them, and have ſeen the ſucceſſe of their diſeaſes, and therefore I may well diſcourſe thereof, becauſe of them have paſſed a great number through my hands, and I have ſeen them with mine eyes. So that I conclude, that all which I have ſaid is two things, the one is, to ſee the thing in fact, the other, to have approved Medicines to help them. A moſt excellent compoſition of this Hearb, the which helpeth wounds in very ſhort time.

Take this Hearb when it is floured, and readie to ſeed, and put thereunto Bdellium, Frankincenſe, and common oyle, and make thereof as it were Muſtard, then diſtill it with a gentle fire, with great diligence, as ye diſtill our Oleum Benedictum, and thou ſhalt have a rare Secret againſt all manner of wounds, ſo that it cauſeth the world to wonder at his operation.

CHAP. LXXI. Of Gentian and his Experiments, approved by mee many times.

THis Hearb is well known, and his vertue is moſt in the Root, and is a miraculous and divine remedie for thoſe that have pains within the bodie cauſed of winde, and alſo for thoſe that have the Stitch in the ſide, if yee give the powder thereof in ſweet white wine, for preſently it taketh away the pain, becauſe his nature is to diſſolve winde, the which is cauſed of oppilations of the Pores through abundance of humiditie, and the Gentian hath vertue to drie and diſſolve wind,148 and ſo Nature doth evaporate the ventoſitie: And this is the reaſon why the Gentian doth that effect.

CHAP. LXXII. Of Imperatoria and his great experience that it doth againſt pains of the Mother.

THis Hearb is of great vertue in his operation, if his Root be made in powder, and given to eat with Honey unto a woman that is troubled with the Mother, either through cold or heat. For if they be grieved through cold, the Imperatoria which is hot, doth diſſolve it, and they ſhall be delivered. If it be through heat, the heat is alwaies windie, becauſe the heat is none other thing, then a humour retained in thoſe parts, the which this hearb by his proper vertue and qualitie doth reſolve. So that whether it be cold or hot, this vertuous hearb helpeth them with great ſpeed, for this I have proved an infinite number of times. Moreover this hearb hath great vertue to comfort the ſtomack, and cauſeth digeſtion, and to preſerve all the bodie, and for that cauſe the Ancients have called it Imperatoria.

CHAP. LXXIII. Of Cardo Sancto and his vertues particular, the which I have proved.

THere are many kind of hearbs, the which are called Cardi, but unto that which they call Cardo Sancto; they have added Sancto, becauſe the people ſhould know, that it is an hearb of great value in certain diſeaſes, ſo that it is to bee wondred at for his operation. And that which have ſeen, thereof will I write in this place, that is, if yee ſtamp this hearb when it is green, and lay it upon the wound, it will heal it miraculouſly, and with great ſpeed. Alſo the juvce or powder of the ſaid hearb being given to drink unto thoſe that have worms; preſently it helpeth them. This Herb being deied150 and infuſed in Aqua vitae, and given to drink to any that is grieved with any grievous pains, in ſhort time he ſhall bee whole. This Hearb is alſo good for the ſight of the eies: If ye make a paſt thereof with Bread and Honey, and diſtill it with white wine, it is moſt excellent. It hath alſo two great Vertues to preſerve humane bodies, the which I have proved, the one is outwardly, and the other inwardly, and they are made in this order.

Take Carduus Benedictus when it beginneth to flour, and ſtamp it groſly, and infuſe it in common oyle and Aqua vitae, with a little Frankincenſe, and there let them remain, untill they be macerated, then boil them and ſtrain it, then take thereof a third part, and put thereto a little Virgin waxe, and let it boil, untill it begin to fume, and turn to a black colour, then ſtrain it, and keep it in a glaſſe cloſe ſhut, that it take no aire, then if yee take one drachm of the oyle with ſweet wine cold, it will reſolve any infirmitie, and preſerve them that uſe it in health; with the black liquor yee ſhall annoint all the body when yee go to bed, cold, the which doth not onely reſolve the evill qualitie, but preſerveth a man in good ſtate. It maintaineth the hair black, ſo that it ſhall not waxe white: It killeth worms in the bodie, with divers other things, that I will leave untill another time.

CHAP. LXXIV. Of ſweet Marjoram, and of his Secrets the which I have proved.

MArjoram hath great and rare vertues, the which I have proved, becauſe others might know them and uſe them, when occaſion ſhall ſerve. And firſt I will write of the juyce, the which is of ſuch ſtrength and vertue, that one ounce thereof being mixt with one drachm of Oyl of bitter Almonds, and one ſcruple of Maſtick in powder, being ſunffed up at the noſe, untill it come unto the mouth, it purgeth the head of all pains, diſſolveth tumours, quickneth the ſight, and canſeth ſleep, and helpeth the head of all infirmities: Alſo Marjoram151 put into Vinegar, with Cloves and Cinnamon, and make thereof an Epithema, it diſſolveth the evill diſpoſition of the ſtomack, and quickeneth the appetite, and provoketh ſleep, and being eaten in Sallets, it comforteth the Stomack marvellouſly, with divers other vertues, the which I have not ſeen.

CHAP. LXXV. Of the Hearb called Laciola, or Ophio Gloſſen, of ſome Adders tongue, or Lancea Chriſti.

THis Hearb is of marvellous vertue, for if it be laid upon a wound, either green or drie, it healeth it marvellouſly, and with ſpeed, and that it doth by his hidden and ſecret vertue. The decoction of this Hearb healeth wounds inwardly, and alſo other offences, it helpeth the Rupture in young children, being new done, if yee lay it thereon, and bind it hard with a Truſſe, theſe Vertues I have ſeen of this Hearb.

CHAP. LXXVI. Of Hypericon or Saint Johns-wort.

THere is an Oyle made of the Seed of this Hearb by expreſſion, the which being annointed upon a wound, it doth heal it with great ſpeed. It is alſo excellent for thoſe which have the Pitechie that is, a certain diſeaſe ſo called in the Italian tongue, it is alſo moſt excellent againſt all Poiſons. This Hearb is alſo good againſt ſcabbs, if ye annoint them with the juyce, and drinke his decoction, becauſe it quencheth and cooleth the ſuperfluous heat. And this it doth by his proper qualitie, and hidden vertue.

152

CHAP. LXXVII. Of Nettles, and his vertue in many operations.

THis hearb is commonly known among us, and is of marvellous vertue, and his effects are uncredible. Nevertheleſſe, I will not let to ſhew one experiment of it, the which is marvellous, and is this: Take a Capon, and pull away all his feathers from his breaſt, and beat him with Nettles, and he will call in the young Chickens, and govern them like the Hen. Nettles being dried and made into powder, and given to eat unto a man, it will provoke venereous acts, being uſed to be eaten in meats, it purgeth the Matrix, it helpeth ſcabs, if you waſh them with his decoction, and mittigateth all pains coming of cold, making a bath thereof; his decoction helpeth the tooth-ach, with many other vertues that I have not proved. But truly I beleeve, that if any would give himſelf to ſeek experience in this hearb, he ſhould ſee ſtrange things. For I have alwayes ſeen that in theſe kind of hearbs, that naturally will not be touched, God and Nature hath given great vertue.

CHAP. LXXVIII. Of Hyſop of the Mountain.

THis hearb hath great vertue, for if his decoction be given to drink unto thoſe that have the flux of Urine, in ſhort time it will help them: The like doth his decoction in wounds impoſthumated, for if yee waſh them therewith, it will mundifie, and reſtrain, and bring it preſently to be whole. Alſo if yee make powder thereof, and lay it upon a freſh wound, it will help it preſently, and that it doth by his great eſtranged vertue. It helpeth the Cough, being infufed in Wine and drunk.

153

CHAP. LXXIX. A great ſeeret of a kind of Betonie.

THere is found in the field a certain kind of Betonie, the which is the length of an arm or more, and as big in the ſtalk as a Gooſe quill, and it is four ſquare, and the leaf is much like unto the Oaken leafe, and his flour is much like the colour of a Violet, and his ſeed is black, and much lik unto the grains of Gunpowder, and this hearb in Lumbardie is called Betonica, and in the Realm of Naples it is called Centra galla, and of this hearb I have ſeen great vertues and experience, and eſpecially when it beginneth to flour untill it be ſeeded: for if yee diſtill it with ſweet Wine, and receive thereof onely the fourth part, it will reſtore the ſight unto thoſe that are almoſt blind: It comforteth a weak ſtomack very much, if yee drink thereof every morning three or four drachms. The Feſſes which remain in the glaſſe being mixed with Hony and a little Zedoaria, belpeth women that are troubled with the Mother, if they drink thereof every morning ℥. viii. warm. This hearb being bruieſd with Wine and Salt, and laid upon a freſh wound every three dayes once, helpeth the ſame with ſpeed: Alſo if yee put one of his ſeeds into the eyes, and there let it remain ſo long as yee may ſuffer it, it will clear the ſight marvellouſly, for it hath been proved many times. It helpeth thoſe kind of Scabs the which are moſt evill to be helped, being mixed in this order.

Take the juyce of this hearb, although it be ſomewhat drie and hard to get forth, and for every ounce of that juyce, put thereunto ℥. iiii. of the Oil of Frankincenſe that cometh forth laſt in the diſtillation, and boil them a little together untill it begin to fume, then take it from the fire and ſtrain it through a cloth, and when yee goe to bed annoint all the ſcabs therewith cold, and thou ſhalt ſee a moſt ſtrange cure, never written of before by any man, the which I have proved divers and ſundry times, and is a ſecret to be uſed on noble perſonages, becauſe it doth his effect without letting of bloud, and: purging, moſt wonderfull to behold: So that it is to be154 accounted rather a divine Medicine then humane; for truly I have done more cures with this hearb then with any other that ever I uſed.

CHAP. LXXX. Of the effects of Wine, and what cometh thereof.

FIrſt I will ſpeak of Wine and his qualities. You ſhall underſtand, that Wine is a liquour the which changeth into divers kinds differing from his own nature: And firſt it changeth into Vineger of it ſelf without any artifice, the which can never be turned into Wine again. Alſo they ſeparate from Wine Aqua vitae, the which being ſeparated cannot be turned into Wine again. Alſo Wine maketh, by ſetling it ſelf, a certain ſtone called Tartar, the which can never be turned into Wine again, nor yet into Vineger. And thus when the workman doth tranſmute or change it, it cannot be turned again into his firſt quality. Wine is very apt to corrupt, and to change into other kinds, but after that it changeth or tranſmuteth, it is uncorruptible: for when it is turned into Vineger, it is apt to conſerve all things Vegetable and Animall that is put therein, but not the Minerals, for by nature it is enemy unto them. There is alſo ſeparated from. Wine Aqua vitae, the which is conſervatrix of all Medicines; for when it is circulated and made into a Quinteſſence it becometh celeſtiall, as I have ſhewed in my other books, and therewith thou mayeſt help many infirmities, becauſe it mittigateth all pains, and diſſolveth in a manner all infirmities, and eſpecially when it is compounded in this manner.

Take of that Quinteſſence four parts, Oil of Sulphur and Vitrioll of each one part, Julep of Violets ſixty parts: Mix them all together, and it will be of ſuch vertue, that if yee give ʒ. i. thereof to drink to one that lay at the point of death, it would recover him, becauſe it breaketh choller, preſerveth the ſtomack, cauſeth an appetite, and helpeth any ſort of Fever, and preſerveth both men and women in luſty ſtate, if they155 uſe it oftentimes; for theſe experiences I have ſeen divers times. Alſo of the Tartar yee may may make Oyle, the which is of marvellous vertue, both in Phyſick, Chirurgerie, and Alchimie. There is alſo drawn forth of Tartar, his ſpirit and oyle in this order, as Andernacus writeth, the which is moſt profitable againſt ſundry infirmities, and the order to make it is thus.

Take white Tartar and beat it to powder four pound, and put it into a ſtone pot or glaſſe well luted, and ſet it in a furnace to diſtill with a great Receiver cloſe luted, leaſt all the fumes come forth or break the glaſſe, then give it firſt a ſmall fire, and ſo increaſe it as though thou wouldeſt draw a ſtrong water, and ſo continue it untill there come forth no more ſpirits, then let it wax cold, and take forth the liquor, and put it into an upright glaſſe with his head and receiver, and diſtill away the water in Balneo, then take that oyle which is in the bottome, and diſtill it in Sand or Aſhes, and there will come forth at the firſt a yellowiſh oyle, and ſo by little and little it will change colour, and become blacker and blacker, and thick like unto a Balme, or a Sirrup. You ſhall underſtand, that the firſt Liquor ſeparated in Balneo, is called Liquor fecularum vini, or Spiritus Tartari, the oyle which yee rectified in Sand, is called Oleum fecularum vini, ſive Mumia fecularum vini the which is moſt effectuall and profitable in curing all running Ulcers that goeth creeping upon the fleſh, and eſpecially thoſe that come Ex lue venerea, for this Mumia doth ſo cure thoſe malign Ulcers, that their malice can hurt no more, but ſhall be quite extincted: Being drunke with wine, it doth break and expell the Stone in the Reins and Bladder, it provoketh Urine and purgeth Ulcers. Furthermore, ʒ. i. of the liquor or ſpirit of Tartar, being drunke with water of Fumitorie or Hirundinariae or ſuch like, as is moſt convenient for Puſtulas gallicas ex anthemate ericipelas, the Dropſie, Water betwixt the skin and the fleſh, Fevers, Menſtrua, and all obſtructions of thoſe parts; it will work all thoſe effects more effectuall if it be taken with water of Triacle, the which is made as hereafter followeth. Alſo yee ſhall underſtand that this ſpirit of Tartar muſt be rectified four or156 five times from the calces of his Feſſes in Balneo, to take away his ſtinking ſmell, and then it will be the purer and more effectuall, and this is the making of Aqua Theriacalis.

Take Triacle of Alexander that is perfect good, ℥. v. red Myrrh, ℥. ii. Saffron, ℥. ſs. mix them together in a glaſſe, and pour thereon, ℥. x. of the ſpirit of Wine, and then ſet them cloſe ſtopped to digeſt, then diſtill it according unto art; ſometime they put into this water ʒ. ii. of Camphire eſpecially when it is uſed in hot burning Fevers and Inflāmations, and and then it is called Aqua theriacalis camforata, this Compoſition following being drunk, hath a ſingular piercing vertue. Take Spiritus calcanthi, ℥. i. Liquoris fecularum vini correcti, ℥. iii. Aqua Theriacalis ℥. v. give thereof ʒ. i. in ſtrong wine or other convenient liquor both for the aforeſaid defects, and alſo to prevent and cure infinite other diſeaſes.

CHAP. LXXXI. Of the qualitie of Vinegar, and his Secrets.

VInegar is made of wine, and of water. Whereas there is wine, they make it of wine, but in thoſe Countries where there groweth no wine, they make it of beer and ale, in ſtead of wine, the which Vinegar is very ſtrong. Nevertheleſſe, it hath not the vertue and qualitie of that which is made of wine, becauſe his nature is to preſerve thoſe things which are put therein, as is ſaid before. If yee doe diſtill Vinegar in Balneo untill it remain drie, and then burn thoſe Feſſes untill they come white, and then lay them in a moiſt place, it will turn into Oyle, the which is of ſuch vertue for mans bodie, that it is not to be credited, for if yee give thereof a ſmall quantitie to drink, it will diſſolve the Gravel, and Stone in the Bladder. And therefore this is a worthy ſecret to be known, the which was never revealed before to any man: As for his other vertues, they are known to all men. Diſtilled Vinegar being mixed with a little oyle of Tartar and Aqua vitae, preſerveth the face, and maketh it fair, but if it were not a ſin to offend God, I could ſay ſuch great and ſtrange things of diſtilled157 Vinegar, that it would cauſe the world to wonder at it, but for troubling my conſcience, I will hold my peace for this time, and leave this to be ſufficient, which I have written already.

CHAP. LXXXII. Of the Feſſes of Wine, and of his Secrets that I have foundout.

THat which is called Allum du Feſſe, is the Feſſes of Wine burnt, the which I have ſpoken of in other places, but here I will ſhew thee a great and rare Secret, never written before by any man, the which ſhall be to the honour of the Phyſitian, and this is the Secret.

Take the Feſſes of Aqua fortis, made with Roch Allom, Sal Niter, and Vitriol two pound, Allum du Feſſe two pound, mix them well together, and put them into a Furnace to calcine, untill it become to a hard ſtone: and when it is calcined, make it preſently into powder, and ſet it four or five nights in the ayre, and it will turn moiſt, then take ſix pound of pure Aqua vitae without flegm, and put therein the ſame powder, and ſo let it remain eight daies, every day ſtirring it once, then pour of that part which is clear, and keep it as a precious Jewell, then take the Feſſes and calcine them again, as yee did at the firſt, and make them in powder again: And this powder mundifieth all filthie and ſtinking ſores, and with this water thou mayeſt help them, if that the workman can apply it with reaſon. Alſo with this water may be done great cures in Phyſick, if it be given as it ought to be. Alſo of the ſaid powder there may be made Pills and Potions, that worketh miracles in the world, as I have ſeen divers times.

CHAP. LXXXIII. Of Verjuyce made of Grapes, and his Secrets.

VErjuyce is the Juice of unripe Grapes, the which is kept to dreſſe and ſeaſon meats, to give them a better taſte,158 and it is of great vertue, and appropriate for many things. But when it ſhall be diſtilled with Hony, and Allum du Feſſe in a Limbeck of glaſſe, it will be a miraculous remedie for Impoſthumes that are very hot. It maketh women fair and ſhining, if they waſh them therewith. But if this be mixed with oyle of Talk, it will reſtore the ſight unto thoſe that are almoſt blind. Alſo two drachms of diſtilled Verjuyce, with two drachms of the juyce of Betonie, and four ounces of Milk being uſed, will make a man very luxurious, and help a weak back. Alſo Verjuyce being diſtilled, will bring an appetite unto thoſe that have loſt it. And all theſe are with great reaſon, for yee ſhall underſtand that the Verjuyce without any other Artifice, doth mundifie the ſtomack, and looſe the bodie, and purifie the blood: The Honey is Cordiall, and is hot by nature, and diſſolveth winde, the Alum du Feſſe drieth, and deſtroyeth all the evill humours: The Talk is bright and ſhining, and his whiteneſſe doth penetrate very much: The Betonie comforteth the ſtomack, and is windie: The Milk is aperative and nutritive, and therefore conſider well thereon, and thou ſhalt find it reaſon and experience that I have ſaid.

CHAP. LXXXIV. Certain Secrets of Animals, and firſt of the Oxe.

THe fat of the Oxe is very appropriate to Unguents, to help all manner of ſores, becauſe it comforteth the place offended, and mittigateth the pain; but when this greaſe or fat ſhall be diſtilled with Turpentine and Wax, it will work Miracles in divers operations, of the which I will not ſpeak in this place. There is in the throat of divers old Oxen certain knots or kernels as a man may term them, the which are of the bigneſs of an Olive, ſome are bigger and ſome leſſer, according to the age of the Oxe. Take of thoſe kernells, and hang them up to drie in the ſhadow, and make thereof powder, and of that powder give every morning, ſs. ℥.159 unto thoſe that have the Dropſie, and in ſhort time they ſhall be helped. Alſo the ſinnews of an Oxe being dried, and made lint to make tents or ſtoppings, is moſt excellent, and will work great effects, and this is one of the Secrets, the which I never meant to reveal untill death. The blood of a young Bull that is not gelded, being drunken as it is warm, is moſt ſtrong poiſon, there are alſo divers other things, the which I would write of this Beaſt but for tediouſneſſe ſake.

CHAP. LXXXV. Of the Goat.

THe fat of the Male Goat before he is gelded is of much vertue, becauſe it comforteth all members that are offended, as well inwardly as outwardly: If yee annoint any that hath the Flux with the ſaid greaſe, it will doe him great pleaſure. Alſo the dung of the Goat is moſt excellent to mollifie ſinnews that are indurated in any place, and therefore this dung being put into Unguents appropriate, of force muſt work great Effects.

CHAP. LXXXVI. Of the Horſe and his Vertues.

THe Dung of the Horſe is of great vertue, for if a man were lame, and indurated through groſſe and viſcous humours, let him be buried in freſh warm Horſe dung two hours, and in ten or twelve daies he ſhall be helped. The fat of the Horſe is very hot and penetrative, and eſpecially that in the neck, where the Main groweth. Alſo the fat being diſtilled with the roſin of the Pine tree and Myrrh, is miraculons againſt ſhrunk ſinnews.

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CHAP. LXXXVII. Of the Dog and his Secrets.

THe Dog is an amiable Animall above all other unto man, for he underſtandeth in a manner what a man doth ſay; and from the Dog is taken many wholſome things for man, for of the skin they make Gloves, and ſuch like, the which are wholſome for them that wear them. The fat of the Dog is very hot and piercing, and diſſolveth all pains that come of cold. The dung of a Dog is profitable to dreſſe Leather withall, alſo his blood mixed with Hogs greaſe, and the Aſhes of a Vine, diſſolveth all manner of ſwellings, that come in divers parts of the bodie.

CHAP. LXXXVIII. Of the Cat and his Vertues.

THe Cat is very hot, above all other animals, that appertain unto the houſe, and his fat is of ſuch heat, that it is uncredible to be ſpoken of, and he is never in love, or goeth a catterwalling, but in the coldeſt weather. The Brain of the Cat is of ſuch a heat, that if any doe eat thereof, it will make him mad; if yee annoint certain places of the houſe with the fat, it will cauſe the Mice to run away, fearing leaſt the Cat were there, and that is by a hidden propertie. There ingendereth in the fleſh of a dead Cat certain putrified Worms, the which afterward become a kinde of Flie, that are called Taphaeni, the which is a very great enemie to the Oxe, and all other Cattell, for they will run away from them, for if they be bitten therewith, they will in a manner be mad.

CHAP. LXXXIX. Of the Hare and his Secrets.

THe blood of the Hare being dried in the Furnace, and made into powder, helpeth thoſe much, which are troubled161 with the ſtone and gravell, giving it to drink with the juyce of Pelitory. The hair of the Hare ſerveth to ſtench bloud in wounds. The Teſticles of the Hare dried in a Furnace, and made into powder, and being drunk, provoketh venercous acts. The Gaul of the Hare being diſtilled with Hony and Aqua vitae, is a miraculous remedy for the ſight of the eyes, putting therein every night one drop when yee goe to bed. There is yet a great vertue in the Hare, that if I ſhould reveale it, the world would wonder at it, and therefore I omit it unto the ingenious.

CHAP. XC. Of the Frog and his ſecrets.

THeſe Frogs are of great vertue in divers operations; for their fat helpeth the Leproſie if ye annoint them therewith, and is a moſt miraculous thing for thoſe that are burnt, or ſcalded with water; for if yee annoint them therewith, it will help them quickly, and leave no ſcar. But if this fat be diſtilled with Mirrh, and Aqua vitae, and accompanied with Aloes, and the juyce of Braſſica Marina, called Soldanella, and thereof made Pills, they will be of ſo much vertue, that one ſcruple or two of thoſe Pills being given oftentimes unto one that hath the Dropſie, they ſhall be helped quickly, and hereof I have had great experience, to my great honour and profit of the Patient.

CHAP. XCI. A diſcourſe upon certain ſtones, and their qualities in Phyſick and Chirurgery: and firſt of the Marble ſtone.

THere are a great number of ſtones that the Majeſty of God hath created in the world, of the which I will make mention of ſome, as well Minerall as Artificiall, becauſe the Phyſitian as well as the Chirurgian, may be ſerved therof in their affairs, although it be hard to have knowledge of thoſe162 things, becauſe they are much differing one from another, and grow in divers parts of the world: yea, and although they be brought unto us, yet they are ſo unknown, that we cannot know the thouſand part of their vertues and qualities. And to begin, I will write of the Marble, the which is a white ſtone, like unto Sugar when it is broken, and it is of great vertue in Chirurgery, for when it is brought into calkes, thereof may be made an Unguent of great vertue in this order. Take of that calkes, and lay it to ſteep in fair water, ſo that it may be covered four fingers, then ſtir it eight or ten times a day, and then let it wax clear and ſettle, then pour it off, and put on more, and doe as yee did before, and when the water is ſettled clear pour it off again, then take of that calkes what quantity you will, and with Oil of Roſes make it into an Unguent, the which is marvellous for ſuch as are troubled with heat, for it drieth, and cooleth, and ſetteth it in good diſpoſition, ſo that with caſe it may be healed.

CHAP. XCII. A Diſcourſe upon Lapis Ematites, and his vertues in Chirurgery.

THis Lapis Ematites is a ſtone like unto the Mine of Iron, the which if it be ground into powder will be red like unto Sinaper, and thereof thou ſhalt make an Unguent in this manner. Take Oil of Roſes four ounces, Auxungia two ounces, new Wax half an ounce, Turpentine one ounce, Lapis Ematites in moſt fine powder three ounces, mix them well together in a Copper pan with a ſmall fire, untill it begin to give certain fumes, or ſmell, and it will be black, then take it from the fire, and alwayes ſtir it untill it be cold; and then it will be hard like a Cerot, the which is miraculous in healing corroſive Ulcers. Alſo this ſtone being in fine powder, and made into a Lineament with Vineger, Oil of Roſes, and a little Litarge, helpeth Scabs, and quencheth their heat, and cooleth the blood. Alſo two drachms of this powder being eaten with Sugar roſate, helpeth thoſe which have inflammations163 in their ſtomack with ſpeed. This ſtone hath alſo divers other vertues, the which I will leave at this time.

CHAP. XCIII. Of the ſtone of Iron, which ſome call Loppa.

THeſe ſtones which the workmen take from the Forge, that are called Loppa diferro, are of great importance, if we may beleeve the Alchimiſts, becauſe they ſay, that this ſtone is the beginning of their Stone, &c. Yee ſhall underſtand, that this ſtone is moſt neceſſary both in Phyſick and Chirurgery, when it ſhall be well prepared as it ought to be: and his preparation is in this order. Take that maſſe of matter and ſtamp it, and ſearce it very fine, and then put it into a veſſell that is apt to reſiſt the fire, and ſet it in a glaſſe Furnace for twenty or thirty dayes, and then it will be a red maſſe, the which yee ſhall beat into an impalpable powder, the which if thou wilt uſe in Phyſick thou maiſt diſſolve in Vinegar, and when it is diſſolved keep it for inflammations of the Liver and Stomack, the which thou mayeſt give with any kind of Sirrup appropriate, for this is a miraculous Medicine againſt the flux of the body. Alſo if yee make an Unguent of the ſaid powder with Oil of Wax, of Frankincenſe, and Eggs, it will work ſtrange operations in Contuſions and Diſlocations of bones, laying it thereon very warm, becauſe it reſolveth all alteration, mittigateth the pain, and comforteth the place offended. Yee ſhall underſtand, that it was never made of none but of us, which ever ſeek new Medicines and goodly experiences, to pleaſure the world with that Art.

CHAP. XCIV. Of Lapis Judaicus and his form, and wherefore it ſerveth in Phyſick and Chirurgery.

THis Lapis Judaicus is a certain ſtone, the which is like unto the ſimilitude of the Cuckows Egge, and is of a grayiſh colour164 and rough, and within it is another ſtone like unto a Nut, and this ſtone is of a great vertue in his operation; for if it be beaten into powder, and diſſolved in diſtilled Vineger, and then mixed with Sirrup of Saxifrage, and given to drink to thoſe that are troubled with gravell, it will cauſe them to avoid it in their Urine: and to break the ſtone, they ſhall mix the powder with Hony, and lay it on plaiſter-wiſe upon the Reines, and it will break the gravell with ſpeed. Moreover, this Stone hath two rare vertues, the which I will not write of in this place, but I would counſell thoſe that carry them upon their bodies to have two, a Male and a Female, and look upon them every day once, for of this ſtone I have ſeen great experience.

CHAP. XCV. Of Lapis Lazuli and his operation.

CErtain wiſe men in the world that have made great conſideration of this ſtone, ſay, that this is the ſtone of gold, becauſe it is mixed with Azure, white and yellow, and alſo other colours; but I find that in many places of the world, they have the Mine of gold, and yet they find no Lapis Lazuli; and therefore it is a ſigne that it groweth in places where Nature doth produce it in that form. And for that which I have ſeen of Lapis Lazuli is, that if yee give it inwardly it provoketh vomit, and helpeth the Quartain Ague: And I have proved to calcine it in the Furnace where they bake Bricks, and when it was calcined to diſſolve it in Aqua vitae: the ſolution helpeth many infirmities, giving it inwardly, and eſpecially maligne Fevers. Alſo being put in maligne ſores, it bringeth them to ſo good a temperature, that it is miraculous, and not credited, except of thoſe that ſee the experience. And at this time I am ſeeking to bring it to a certain perfection, the which ſhall work miracles, and hitherto I have had good ſucceſſe, for thereof I have ſeen great miracles that cauſeth the world to wonder: And yet of late I have found an Oil made of the ſame Stone, that provoketh ſleep, and cauſeth165 quiet reſt, and is marvellous for the ſight of the eyes, annointing the head, the eyes, and the ſtomack therewith when yee go to bed: For of this I have ſeen an infinite of experiments, and I ſwear by that I am, that with all the travell that I have had, I never found a better thing then this Oil; for if yee annoint the Gout therewith, preſently it taketh away the pain, and inflammation, or alteration, but the reaſon thereof I know not, becauſe as yet I had no leiſure to conſider thereof: But by the grace of God, at the next impreſſion I will ſet forth ſome notes of their experience that I have ſeen in the Art.

CHAP. XCVI. Of the Flint-ſtones and their vertues.

THe flint is a ſtone, the which if it be ſtricken with Iron or Steel it will give fire, and his vertues are great both in Phyſick and Chrirurgery, and alſo in divers other Arts. Firſt in Phyſick it hath vertue to diſſolve the gravell in the Reins and Bladder, if ye give thereof two drachms with unriped Wine, and this it doth by his proper quality and hidden vertue. In Chirurgery it hath great vertue, for being ground into moſt fine powder, and made into an ointment with Oil of Roſes, and Wax, it mittigateth all inflammations, and taketh away the pain of the ſore, becauſe it cooleth and drieth. Moreover, this ſtone is uſed of thoſe that make Glaſſe, to make their compoſition with their Aſhes and Maganeſe. There are yet a great number of vertues, the which I leave unto the Experimentour.

CHAP. XCVII. Of the white ſtone which ſome call Allum, Scaleola, or Geſſo.

THis Allum, Scaleola, or Geſſo is uſed much in Italy to make Lime of, I ſuppoſe it to be that which is called Muskovie Glaſſe, or Lapis Speculuris; this is very neceſſary both in166 Phyſick and Chirurgerie, becauſe it is by vertue attractive and drying, and helpeth much againſt burning Fevers, tempering it when it is burnt like flower with Vinegar, and when it is tempered, lay it preſently upon the Reins, and lay it juſt the length and largeneſſe, and ſo let it remain three or four houres, becauſe it draweth like Boxing Glaſſes, and ſo leaveth the Reins cold and eaſed: and ſo by that effect it doth great pleaſure in thoſe kind of Fevers. It helpeth alſo in Ulcers if yee make a paſte thereof with common lye, and lay it thereon eight or ten houres, and then change it, for of this I have ſeen ſtrange effects.

CHAP. XCVIII. Of the Stone called Lapis Amiante.

THis Stone called Amiante, as all they which have written thereof ſay, is a ſtone like unto Cycile, or Allum du plum, but not ſo white, of the which ſtone there is found great quantitie in Cyprus, and there they ſpin it like as it were Flaxe, and doe make thereof Napkins and ſuch like, and when they are foul, in ſtead of waſhing them, they make a great fire, and lay them thereon, and ſo make them clean and white, for the experience thereof I have ſeen, and that which I have ſaid, is in the Lapidarie of Dioſcorides and Plinie, and Petro Andrea, Mathiolus Saneſie. And hereof I will ſhew thee a marvellous ſtrange ſecret, the which I have proved, and is this. Take of the ſaid ſtone and make it in powder, and mix it with crude Lead being in powder, as I have ſhewed in my Caprici Medicinale, with Tutia prepared, the compoſition thereof is this. Take of the ſtone ℥. iiii. Lead, ℥. xii. Tutia ℥. ii. Mix them and calcine them in the fire, and when they are calcined, beat them to powder, and lay them to ſteep in ſtrong Vinegar in a glaſſe, and ſo let it ſtand a moneth ſtirring it every day once, and then at the moneths end let it boil on the fire a quarter of an hour, and then let it ſettle untill it come clear, then take of that Vinegar as much as yee will, and mix it with as much oyle of Roſes, ſtirring it167 untill it come to a bodie, the which is a precious linament and rare, for if ye annoint the white ſcall or ſuch like ſcabs on the heads of young children, it will heal them with great ſpeed. Alſo for Scabs and Itch in the legs it is excellent, if ye annoint them therewith every night when you go to bed. This Stone ſerveth alſo when it is diſſolved by it ſelf in Aqua vitae and Sugar, for thoſe women that are troubled with the whites; for if they drinke thereof every morning a little, it helpeth them quickly. I beleeve this Stone hath many other vertues which I know not.

CHAP. XCIX. Of the Saphire, and his vertues in Phyſick.

SAphires are certain ſtones, like unto Azures, ſmall, and are tranſparent, the which if thou wilt uſe, it were neceſſary to be cunning in the knowledge of them, for otherwiſe yee may be deceived. And furthermore, above that which many Philoſophers have written thereof, I have found two goodly experiences never known before, and are theſe. Firſt to make the heart merrie, and to help the paſſions of the ſame, the which ye ſhall uſe thus.

Take thy Saphire, and ſtamp it very finely, and diſſolve it in Vinegar, or with the juice of Limons, and when they are diſſolved, take thereof ʒ i. with as much of our Elixar vitae, and of Oyle of Honey ℈ i. and a little of the Julep of Violets, and give it to drink unto thoſe that have the aforeſaid infirmities, and thou ſhalt ſee miracles of their operation. I hope ere it be long, to ſet forth a great and ſtrange ſecret of theſe Stones.

CHAP. C. Of Red Corall.

REd Corall is a ſtone, the which moſt commonly doth grow upon baked ſtones or bricks, and to approve it to be ſo, there is a certain Iſland of Barbarie, the which is called Tobacco, the which was ſometimes inhabited, but ſithence the Sea hath over-run a great part thereof, and ſo the ſtones of the houſes, and the Bricks were ſcattered in the bottome of that Sea, and168 at this time the Genoes gathered a great quantitie of Red Corall; the faireſt in all the world. I call to remembrance that in the yeer 1549. I being in Meſſina, a famous Citie in the Realm of Cicilia, I ſaw a Fiſherman caſt his Net in the gate hard by the tower called Salvatore; and he took up a branch of red Corall that was grown upon a Brick, and was of ſuch greatneſſe and beautie, as had not been ſeen in two hundred yeers before. So that by this I have proved, that the Corall doth grow upon Bricks, or baked ſtones, and theſe have great vertue in Phyſick and Chirurgerie, when they be diſſolved in the juyce of Limons, or diſtilled Vinegar. For howſoever it be taken inwardly, it comforteth the ſtomack, and maketh the heart merrie, diſſolveth the Fever, and not without great cauſe. For it is ſo good of nature, that our nature doth deſire it. Corall being calcined and diſſolved with Aqua vitae, or with our Quinteſſence of Wine, helpeth very much againſt Ulcers, becauſe it taketh away the pain preſently, and mundifieth, and incarnateth, and cicatrizeth. Of this Corall ye may make Lozenges, or ſuch like, the which are very Reſtorative.

CHAP. CI. A Diſcourſe upon the Stone Salt.

THere is found a Salt in the Realm of Naples, in the Province of Calabria, in the ſtate of the Prince of Beſignano, in certain Mountains that are of the Mine of Salt: I doe verily beleeve that this Salt is a fifth Element, becauſe Salt would be called no other then wiſedome, as a man may ſay, taſte. And to prove that which I have ſaid, yee may ſee that the world cannot live without it. Moreover this Salt ſerveth much in Phyſick and Chirurgery, for they put it into Cliſters, and lay it alſo upon wounds. But I have found a way to prepare this Salt ſweet like Sugar, but yet Salt, and is of ſuch a pleaſant taſt, that it comforteth them that uſe it, and this is called Sal conditum Leonardo, the which Salt is good againſt Worms, and comforteth the ſtomack, cauſeth an appetite, purgeth the Urine, with a number of169 other vertues. And the order to take it is thus. Yee ſhall take thereof half a ſpoonfull in the morning at one time, and alſo uſe it in ſtead of Salt to your meat, and ſeaſon your meat therewith. Alſo if any have pains in any part of their bodie, annoint it with this Salt, and bind a cloth thereon, and it will be helped.

Hereafter followeth the Vertues of certain Mineralls, and mean Mineralls. And firſt of Vitrioll.

CHAP. CII. Certain Secrets of Vitriol.

IN Vitriol are many Secrets which untill this time have been hidden, by meanes of which there may be done many ſtrange and great matters in divers operations, not onely in Phyſick and Chirurgery, but in many other things. Ye ſhall therefore take Vitriol and put it in a pot, and make him ſweat untill yee ſee him weep; the which ſweat being taken from him, is a mortall enemie unto ſharp Fevers, when it is drunk with ſodden or diſtilled waters. Alſo if thoſe that have the Etica or Tiſſick doe drinke it with Mel Roſarum, it will doe them great pleaſure, it ſerveth alſo to make the hair of the head or beard black. Then if that by force of fire yee cauſe him to vomit a black liquor, it will be a thing very apt to diſſolve any humour, the which in ſhort time will diſſolve any pain. For if ye put it into Gangrena, or other putrified Ulcer, it doth mundifie it with great ſpeed: It mortifieth Warts Chaps, Fiſtulaes, and any kind of thoſe humours. If it be drunken with Wine or other liquor, it is good againſt Fevers of any qualitie. Then his Feces being reduced into water with Vinegar, and his Salt being taken out, it is of ſuch vertue, that in a manner it will make men immortall. And above the aforeſaid matters, in Alchymie it worketh ſtrange things, for by the meanes thereof they may make the great Amalgam of Mercurie and Mars, wherewith may be done great matters, and happie ſhall he be that goeth to work that way. For with Vitriol, Mercurie and Mars is made full glad the Maſter of the Art.

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CHAP. CIII. Strange ſecrets of Roch Allum.

IN Allum are great vertues, and eſpecially in Roch Allum; for the water being ſeparated from the Feces, and accompanied with our Quinteſſence, worketh moſt ſtrange cures, and eſpecially in deſperate diſeaſes: And the Feces which cannot diſſolve, when with fire they ſhall be brought to perfection, and accompanied with Mars, they ſhall be apt to heal any ſort of Ulcer inwardly, and with ſpeed take away the pain, and not without great reaſon: for the Roch Allum is Anima Terrae, a firm Element, and that which diſſolveth and turneth all things into his nature. Mars alſo is Anima Terrae, and is that, in which is found all vertue and richneſſe: But he that is not expert, let him not ſettle himſelf to this enterpriſe, leaſt it fall not out right; for he that cannot prepare, calcine, diſſolve, and congeale, ſhall never doe any thing that is ought worth, therefore it were better to leave then meddle.

CHAP. CIV. Of Orpiment and his nature.

THis Orpiment is a ſtone, as it were, made of ſcales, and is of divers colours; there is white, and yellow, and red like bloud; nevertheleſſe, they are all of Sulphurous matter, the which burneth viſibly like Sulphur, of the which I know no uſe, neither in Phyſick nor Chirurgery, although that ſome Chirurgians doe lay it upon ſores to dry them, the which they doe for want of reaſon or knowledge: With this Orpiment, being mixed with Calx viva, and ſtrong Lie, and ſo made into an Unguent, they uſe to take away hair: It ſerveth alſo for Painters to make a yellow colour like Gold, the which if it be burned, it changeth into another colour. This ſerveth for infinite uſes in Alchimie; for his ſublimation being made with Sal niter, and Tartar, when it is white, and Amalgamed with Quick-ſilver and fine Silver, and given in projection upon Venus purged, it will make it very fair and white, and much171 like Lime. Orpiment is diſſolved, by way of calcination with ſtrong Vinegar, until ſuch time as his ſubſtance be taken away; then let it ſettle and wax clear, and vapour away that clear part, and in the bottome yee ſhall find the whiteneſſe of Sulphur, the which being fixed with ſufficient order, it doth blanch all metals, and this is called the Quinteſſence of Sulphur Minerall: This ſerveth for many other uſes in Alchimie, the which I will leave until another time: But this which I have written is moſt true.

CHAP. CV. Of Cinaber Minerall, and wherefore it ſerveth.

THis Cinaber is of two kindes, Mineral and Artificial; the Mineral is a ſtone of the colour of Iron, the which being ground into powder it will be red like bloud, the which is of a great drying nature, by the reaſon that it containeth in it Sulphur, it drieth maligne Sores, and being made in a Perfume, it helpeth the mouth being ulcerated, and being made into an Unguent, it cooleth greatly; alſo being diſſolved in Vinegar, it mittigateth the pain in maligne Ulcers, and healeth them in ſhort time; his ſublimation being made with Salt and Tartar, blancheth Copper and Lattin like to Silver.

This ſtone ſerveth alſo to burniſh Metal or Silver therewith. The artificial Cinaber is made of Sulphur and Mercury by way of ſublimation, the which ſerveth for divers uſes; as for the Painters, or to write with; alſo to make drying Unguents, and for fumes againſt the Pox, with divers other uſes, the which I leave at this time.

CHAP. CVI. Of the ſecrets of Salt, and his royall vertue.

THere is in Salt a great vertue, and his ſecrets are of great force, for if Salt be diſſolved in the mighty water of Vitriol, together with Mars, and then cauſed to vomit with great heat, until it remain in a dry powder, and then circulate it with our Quinteſſence of Wine and Honey the ſpace of a moneth,172 the which if the workman can doe, he ſhall make a miraculous Medicine, which by his vertue and hidden quality, will ſerve againſt divers great infirmities, becauſe his nature is to preſerve the body in his ſtrength, and to diſcharge all evil humours that may offend Nature. But to ſpeak of ſome particular thing, I ſay, that this glorious Medicine doth help the Fever Hectick when they are new begun, giving there of a little quantity with water of Vervane, Agrimonie, and Betonie; with the water of Fennel and Sclandine, it reſtoreth the ſight unto thoſe that are obſcure; it helpeth alſo the flux of the body, with divers other things, the which I will not utter in this place.

CHAP. CVII. Of the ſecrets of common Salt, and his vertues.

THere are three ſorts, or kinds, found of common Salt, the one is natural, the which is found in Mountaines, as in Naples in the Province of Calabria, where are great Mountaines of it, and alſo in Spain in the Iſle of Anviſa, and this is the Mineral Salt. The ſecond kind is Artificial, as is made in Germany in their Cauldrons. The third kind is alſo natural of the Sea, which is made upon dry ſands in pits, by force of the Sun; but the moſt ſweet and ſavoureſt is that which is made with fire, becauſe it is purified and clean: The Salt of the Mountain is of more vertue then all the reſt in Phyſick; for when it ſhall be calcined forty dayes together in a Furnace, and then diſſolved with our Quinteſſence of Honey, ſo that there remain no Feces, it will be of ſuch vertue, that in manner it will revive the dead, if you give them thereof a ſpoonful. With this the antienteſt Doctors did marvellous things, and they called it the Salt of Wiſdome, for he that knew well his vertues would marvel thereat. This Salt ſerveth alſo againſt the infirmities of Oxen.

CHAP. CVIII. Certain ſecrets of Salt-Peter.

SAlt-Peter is a certain kind of ſalt of Urine, the which is taken out of the earth by art, and is moſt wholſome againſt173 divers infirmities; for when it ſhall be calcined thirty dayes together in a Furnace, with as much Tartar, and then diſſolved with our Quinteſſence, accompanied with the ſpirits of Cinnamon, Ginger, and Cloves, it will be a moſt wholſome Medicine, and will cauſe the Profeſſors of the Art to be amazed at his operation, for it helpeth the Hectick, and Dropſie, and divers ſuch like infirmities, the which I will not ſpeak of in this place, fearing that they will not be credited: Nevertheleſſe, thoſe that are diſpoſed to travel on that matter ſhall find their deſire, and reap great fame in the world.

CHAP. CIX. Certain ſecrets of Allum du Fece.

THis Allum is made with the Feces of Wine, in this manner. You ſhall underſtand, that in thoſe Countries where they make Wine, they put it in veſſels, and lay them towards the Eaſt, and then in certain ſpace there ſettleth great quantity of Feces, the which being put into certain bags, and hanged up to dry, the humour runneth out, and the Feſſes remain in a hard maſſe, the which afterward is dried and burned, and the aſhes thereof is called Allum du Fece, in the which are found great ſecrets; for without this certain colours cannot be dyed: It maketh alſo womens hair yellow, and taketh away all ſpots or ſtaines, and the like vertue it hath in our Phyſick, if that the workman were able to prepare it as it ſhould be, for it will tranſmute one complexion into another.

CHAA. CX. A great ſecret of Gold.

GOld, which Alchimiſts do call Sol, is a metal of ſuch importance, that it is ſuperiour of all the reſt in vertue, weight, and priſe, and of brightneſſe and fairneſſe, and is that, with the which may be made a Medicine, that in manner giveth life unto the dead, when it is prepared with the fire, and accompanied with Mercury: Then with our two Quinteſſences it may be diſſolved by and by, and by way of circulation it may be174 ſeparated from all companie, and when it ſhall be diſſolved, you may give it to help againſt any great infirmitie, if thou knoweſt how to apply it conveniently.

CHAP. CXI. A great Secret of Silver.

SIlver, which we call Luna, is a Metal very bright in whiteneſſe and next unto gold, for of it may be made marvellous things, eſpecially in dangerous infirmities that are of importance. For being prepared and reduced into his firſt matter, it may be accompanied with our Quinteſſence, and make thereof a drink that will be very profitable againſt the Leproſie, and this compoſition ſhall be given in the broth of a Chicken unto thoſe that are Aſmatick, for it will doe them great pleaſure, and cure all thoſe that are troubled with the Leproſie. It maketh alſo womens faces ſhining and marvellous fair. But when it ſhall be further prepared, it will reſtore the ſight unto thoſe that are almoſt blinde through debilitie. Alſo if it be uſed in Alchymie, it will work ſtrange effects.

CHAP. CXII. Certain Secrets of Saturn.

SAturn is that metal which we call Lead, in the which is found great ſecrets both in Phyſick and Chirurgery. For when it ſhall be brought into pouder without fire or other mixture, but onely grinding it in a brazen morter with the ſpittle of a man, untill it become into fine pouder, it comforteth much againſt all corroſive and malign Ulcers, becauſe it cooleth and drieth miraculouſly, but when Saturn ſhall be calcined and diſſolved in Vinegar, and his Salt taken forth, and then that Salt diſſolved in our Quinteſſence, will help many infirmities, and eſpecially thoſe that are cauſed of humiditie, and caliditie, becauſe it dryeth and cooleth by his Nature. Alſo an Unguent made of the calx of Lead, ſerveth againſt divers ſorts of Sores. Alſo if the Workmaſter were diligent, with Lead, Feretto of Spain, Vitriol, and Tutia, he175 might make a metal like unto Gold of the Ducket, of the which he might receive a great benefit.

CHAP. CXIII. Of the ſecrets of Copper.

WHen Venus ſhall be well prepared, and with art of fire ſhall be well calcined, and done thereunto what is convenient, it will be valiant in his operation. For of it is made an unguent, that mundifieth ſores with great ſpeed. Alſo therewith is made a water, that helpeth all kind of crude infirmities in the eies: It helpeth Scabbes, and is of great profit againſt the white ſcall, warts on the privie parts, and ſores in the ſecret parts. For it reſolveth them very vell. Moreover if the workman be his crafts maſter, he may bring it into ſuch an extream whiteneſſe, that it ſhall appear like Luna. Alſo if he can amalgam it with Mars and Mercury, and give him his cocture, he may draw forth a great quantity of Sol.

A great Secret of Copper, as concerning Chirurgerie.

Take Sal Niter lb ii. Roch Allom half a pound, Sal Gem. four ounces, Ʋitriol Romane one pound, Soot of the Chimney three ounces, mix theſe together, and diſtill thereof a ſtrong water according to art, that being done, put the water into a Retort, and for every pound of water, put thereto four ounces of Verdegrieſe finely cearſed, then ſet thereunto a Receiver, and give it fire according to art, untill all the fumes be come forth, then let it coole, and break the glaſſe, and take forth that which remained in the bottome, and beat it to powder, then put that into another Retort, and put thereon as much diſtilled Vinegar as the powder weighed, and diſtill it againe, untill there come no more fumes, then let it coole, and break the glaſſe, and take forth the matter, and grind it to powder, and keep it in a glaſſe that it take no aire. For this is moſt marvellous in ulcerated and putrified ſores, becauſe it mundifieth, cleanſeth, and incarnateth, and with great ſpeed bringeth them to be whole with ſmall paine, or none at all: If ye make an unguent thereof with oyl of Roſes. Wax, and Frankinſence, it helpeth all manner of ſores with ſpeed.

176

CHAP. CXIV. Of the Secrets of Jupiter or Tin.

IƲpiter is a ſhining Metall, by the means of which all the other Metals become ſhining, and are preſerved, and in this is found great vertue and experience, both in Phyſick and Chirurgerie, and alſo in Alchimie. For when it is well prepared, and reduced into a potable water, it will be a glorious Medicine for the ſolution of the Hectick, Tiſſick, and Dropſie. But if it be brought into a Quinteſſence, and accompanied with our Quinteſſence, and the Quinteſſence of Honey, it will be a precious Medicine to reſtore the ſight of the eyes. Alſo if the Chirurgians could well prepare it, after it is calcined, and make thereof an Unguent with things appropriate, they might doe ſtrange cures therewith. Moreover if the Alchymiſts could reduce him to his perfection, it would be a Medicine of great price. For if they could joyn it with Venus purged and well prepared, it would be as white as Luna, and then he that had a Medicine appropriate, might bring it to a perfect bodie.

CHAP. CXV. Certain Secrets of Iron.

IRon, which the Alchymiſts doe call Mars is a Minerall, the which is appropriate againſt divers and ſundry infirmities when it is well prepared and diſſolved, the which is done in this manner.

Take Iron filed in pouder, and diſſolve it in ſtrong water, the which ſolution will be red like bloud, then vapour away that water untill it remain in a red ſtone that hath no moiſture left in it, then break the glaſſe, and grinde it to fine pouder, and waſh it with fair water, untill the water remain ſweet, then dry it on a great fire, and grinde it again, then put it into a glaſſe with a long neck, and put thereon Vinegar diſtilled likewiſe, and ſet it in warm horſe-dung thirtie or fourtie dayes, and the pouder ſhall be diſſolved into clear177 clear water, of the colour of bloud. And when that thou ſeeſt it all diſſolved into water, vapour away the Vinegar, and there will remain a ſtone blackiſh of colour, which take forth of the glaſſe, and grind it to pouder, then diſſolve it in••ctified Aqua vitae, and then ſhall be finiſhed the ſolution of Iron Phyſically, the which thou maiſt give ſafely when need ſhall require, and chiefly againſt Fluxes of the body, againſt ſpitting of bloud, the Emeroids, Scabs, and alſo for the Leproſie, and Tiſſick, and Hectick. And this is the true ſolution of Iron deviſed by me, and I promiſe thee, that this is one of the greateſt Secrets that may be found in the world: and his vertues are ſuch and ſo many, that I cannot expreſſe them. And therefore I would wiſh all Phyſitians and Chirurgians, to follow this glorious enterprize worthy of praiſe, by the which meanes men may come to great perfection in Phyſick and Chirurgerie, if they can uſe it when time and place ſhall ſerve.

CHAP. CXVI. Of the Secrets of Mercurie.

QUickſilver is a liquid Minerall and Volatile, the which the Alchymiſts call Sulphur volatilis, and will accompanie with all other Mettals, but with ſmall fire they may bee ſeparated again, and will flie away in Fume, and for that cauſe the Philoſophers call it Servus fugitivus, as a man would ſay, it can hold friendſhip with none, but ſo ſoon as he hath done his ſervice he flyeth away, as it is ſeen by Goldſmiths that gild Plate. For when they have laid him on with the Gold, they put it to the fire, and he flyes away, and the like it ſhould doe when any man doth occupie him in any ſort of infirmitie, and the order to calcine it is thus.

Take a long pot of ſtone that is very well glazed, and that hath a neck of a foot and a half long, and that hath a very narrow mouth as is poſſible, and put therein two or three pound of Quick-ſilver, then ſet the ſame pot in a Sallet of Iron, and lute them cloſe together, and ſet it upon a Furnace, and178 give them fire according to Art, until the Quick-ſilver remain calcined; giving you charge, that your head and receiver be very well luted, leaſt you looſe ſome part of the Quick-ſilver; and thus in eight dayes it ſhall be finiſhed, the which ſhall be apt unto ſolution: Alſo this calcination ſerveth to divers and ſundry Medicines: It mortifieth corroſive Ulcers without any pain; the ſolution is made in this order.

Take the ſaid Calx, and put it into a glaſſe with a long neck, and put thereon diſtilled Vinegar, and ſet it in warm ſand four and twenty houres, and then give it one walm, and when it hath boiled, pour out the Vinegar, and then if there remain any Feces in the bottome, put thereon freſh Vinegar, and doe as thou diddeſt before; and this thou ſhalt doe ſo often, till it be diſſolved into water, and when all is diſſolved, evaporate away the Vinegar, that there remain but little in the bottome; then put thereto water of Honey made by diſtillation according to our order; and ſo the ſolution of Mercury ſhall be finiſhed, the which is miraculous in many infirmities: It ſerveth againſt the Cough, Catarhe, and for thoſe that have their ſtomacks putrified with the Pox, cauſing them to uſe it with other Sirrups or Potions: It helpeth thoſe whoſe Milt is indurated; and alſo for thoſe, that have any ſort of Fiſtula in any part of the body: It is alſo good for divers other things, the which I will not write in this place, becauſe I would have other men to exerciſe themſelves in the practiſe thereof, whereby they may find out divers other ſecrets as I have done.

179

The vertue of this Balm.

IT preſerveth all things from putrefaction that is put therein, or annointed therewith, as the natural Balm doth in all reſpects.

If any be touched with the Peſtilence, ſo that the heart or brain be not yet infected, give them ʒ. ii. thereof to drink, and annoint his ſtomack with the ſame, and lay him down to ſweat, and in once or twice uſing it, by the grace of God they ſhall be helped, for it will ſuffer no venome to remain within the body: Being taken in the aforeſaid order, it helpeth thoſe that have ſurfeited by any meanes.

Being annointed on the ſtomack morning and evening, it cauſeth an appetite, and conſumeth cold humours: Alſo if yee drink thereof every morning ʒ. i. faſting, it will purge the head and ſtomack of all ſuperfluous moiſture, and ſharpeneth the ſight, if yee drop now and then one drop into the eye.

Being drunk as is aforeſaid, it helpeth thoſe that are troubled with the Rheum, Catarhe, and Cough, and Stitch of the ſide cauſed of winde.

Being put into the eate, it comforteth the ſight and hearing marvellouſly, and all impediments in the head, and conſumeth all evill humours by his proper quality and nature, ſo that if yee uſe it, yee ſhall wonder at the operation.

It helpeth all manner of Wounds, in what place of the body ſoever they be, if yee waſh them therewith, and lay thereon a cloth wet in the ſame.

If yee waſh the Sciatica therewith, and lay thereon a cloth wet in the ſame, it taketh away the pain preſently.

It expelleth gravel in the Reins, being drunk with Parſly water.

It is good againſt the Fever quartain, if yee drink thereof ten or twelve dayes together every morning ʒ. i. or ii. after that the ſtomack hath been evacuated.

180

It reſolveth aches and ſwellings coming of cold, if yee bath them therewith.

It helpeth the tooth-ach, if yee hold it in your mouth ſo long as yee may ſuffer it.

It helpeth thoſe that are troubled with the Cramp, or that have their mouthes drawn awry by that meanes, if yee drink a ſmall quantity, and hold the ſame in your mouth, and then annoint the parts therewith.

FINIS.

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TextThree exact pieces of Leonard Phioravant Knight, and Doctor in Physick, viz. his Rationall secrets, and Chirurgery, reviewed and revived. Together with a book of excellent Experiments and secrets, collected out of the practises of severall expert men in both faculties. Whereunto is annexed Paracelsus his One hundred and fourteen experiments : with certain excellent works of B.G. à Portu Aquitano. Also Isaac Hollandus his Secrets concerning his vegetall and animall work. With Quercetanus his Spagyrick antidotary for gun-shot.

AuthorFioravanti, Leonardo, 1518-1588..

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Edition1651

SeriesEarly English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A85306)

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Bibliographic informationThree exact pieces of Leonard Phioravant Knight, and Doctor in Physick, viz. his Rationall secrets, and Chirurgery, reviewed and revived. Together with a book of excellent Experiments and secrets, collected out of the practises of severall expert men in both faculties. Whereunto is annexed Paracelsus his One hundred and fourteen experiments : with certain excellent works of B.G. à Portu Aquitano. Also Isaac Hollandus his Secrets concerning his vegetall and animall work. With Quercetanus his Spagyrick antidotary for gun-shot. Fioravanti, Leonardo, 1518-1588., Fioravanti, Leonardo, 1518-1588. La cirugia. English., Fioravanti, Leonardo, 1518-1588. Del compendio dei secreti rationali. English., Paracelsus, 1493-1541. Centum quindecim curationes experimentaque., Penot, Bernard Georges, d. 1617?., Hollandus, Johan Isaäc, 15th cent.. [8], 180, [6], 106, [10], 92, [12], 75, [1] p. Printed by G. Dawson, and are to be sold by William Nealand, at his shop at the sign of the Crown in Duck-lane,London :1652. [i.e. 1651]. ("A treatise of chirurgery", "The excellence of physick and chirurgerie" and "One hundred and fourteen experiments and cures" have separate dated title pages and pagination; register is continuous.) (Annotation on Thomason copy: "Octob. 1st 1651"; the 2 in the imprint date has been crossed out.) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.) (A treatise of chirurgery -- The excellence of physick and chirurgerie -- One hundred and fourteen experiments and cures.)

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Medicine -- Early works to 1800.
Surgery -- Early works to 1800.

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To the Reader.

The Table of the Firſt Book.

The Table of the Second Book.

The Table of the third Book.

Short Amimadverſions upon the Book lately Publiſhed by one who ſtiles himſelfe NOAH BIGGS, Helmontii Pſittacum.

The Epiſtle to the Reader.

A SHORT DISCOURSE OF THE SECRETS OF THE Moſt Famous Knight and Excel­lent Phyſitian and Chirurgion, Lord PHIORAVANTE.

CHAP. I. What thing infirmitie is, and whereof it proceedeth.

CHAP. II. To help the falling ſickneſs in young Children.

CHAP. III. To help young Children of certain groſſe Scabs, that come in the head and face.

CHAP. IV. To help young Children of the Rupture.

CHAP. V. Of the ſmall Poxe that come to Children.

CHAP. VI. Of the Ferſa or Meaſels that come to young Children.

CHAP. VII. Of Waxing Kernels, which are called of ſome Scrophulae.

CHAP. VIII. Of divers ſorts of Scabs, and their Remedies.

CHAP. IX. Againſt Worms in Children.

CHAP. X. Of certain Warts or Carvoli, that come on the Yard of a man.

CHAP. XI. Of the Running of the Reins.

CHAP. XII. Of a Botch which is cauſed of a corrupt humour, which is a kind of Pox.

CHAP. XIII. Of Pellarella that cauſeth the haire to fall off.

CHAP. XIIII. Of Scabbes that come through the Pox.

CHAP. XV. Of certaine Tumours, or ſwellings in divers parts of the body.

CHAP. XVI. Of Ache in divers parts of the body.

CHAP. XVII. Of the Cough in the ſtomock.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the white Scab that cometh in the Head.

CHAP. XIX. Of Riſipella.

CHAP. XX. Of the Squinancie.

CHAP. XXI. Of the Emerodes that come in the Fundament.

CHAP. XXII. A goodly and eaſie way to help all ſorts of Fevers according to our Order.

CHAP. XXIII. Another cure of the ſaid Fevers,

CAAP. XXIIII. Of the continuall Fever.

CHAP. XXV. A great Secret that helpeth the continuall Fever.

CHAP. XXVI. Of the Fever Tertian.

CHAP. XXVII. Of the Fever of Repreſſion.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of the Fever Hectick.

CHAP. XXIX. A new order wherewith thou maiſt cure and help the moſt part of the Fever Hectick.

CHAP. XXX. Of the Fever Quartane.

CHAP. XXXI. The Order to help the Fever Quartane of all ſorts, in ſhort time.

CHAP. XXXII. Another diſcourſe of a marvellous ſecret againſt the ſaid Quar­tane.

CHAP. XXXIII. A ſecret to help all Fevers in their beginning.

CHAP. XXXIIII. A Secret of one Simple that helpeth in manner all Fevers.

CHAP. XXXV. Of the Gout.

CHAP. XXXVI. A Note concerning the Cure of the Gout, taken out of a Letter which this Authour wrote unto a certain noble Seigniour, the Duke of Ʋrbine.

CHAP. XXXVII. Another Diſcourſe upon the ſame infirmitie of the Gout, and the Order to cure it, tak•n out of his Book called, Theſaurro della Vita Humana.

CHAP. XXXVIII. What order muſt be uſed in curing of the ſaid Gout.

CHAP. XXXIX. The Order to preſerve a man from the Gout, when he is once helped.

CHAP. XL. The cure of a certain Gentleman that was troubled with the Gout, and a great Stitch in his ſide.

CHAP. XLI. A Diſcourſe upon the Sciatica, and his remedie.

CHAP. XLII. Of the Pains of the Mother.

CHAP. XLIII. Of the pains in the head.

CHAP. XLIV. Of deafneſs of the Ears.

CHAP. XLV. Of the Infirmities of eies, and their cauſes and cures.

CHAP. XLVI. Of the pains in the Teeth.

CHAP. XLVII. Of a ſtinking breath.

CHAP. XLVIII. Of ſpitting of blood.

CHAP. XLIX. Of diſeaſes of the Liver.

CHAP. L. Of diſeaſes of the Lungs.

CHAP. LI. Of the Spleen.

CHAP. LII. Of the Flux of the bodie.

CHAP. LIII. Of Coſtiveneſſe in the body.

CHAP. LIV. Of the Flux of Ʋrine.

CHAP. LV. A diſcourſe upon the retention of Ʋrine, and his cure.

CHAP. LVI. Another diſcourſe upon the retention of Ʋrine; and his remedies.

CHAP. LVII. Of the retention of Ʋrine that cometh through heat, and his remedies.

CHAP. LVIII. Of the retention of Ʋrine through cauſe of drineſſe, and his Me­dicine.

CHAP. LIX. Of the retention of Ʋrine that cometh through cold, and his remedies.

CHAP. LX. Of the retention of Ʋrine through cauſe of moiſtneſſe, and his remedy.

CHAP. LXI. Of the difficulty of Ʋrine, and of what it is cauſed, with the order to cure it.

CHAP. LXII. To help thoſe that have great burning of their Ʋrine.

CHAP. LXIII. A Diſcourſe upon the carnoſitie in the Yeard, and the Order to cure it.

CHAP. LXIIII. Another Cure for the ſaid Carnoſitie.

CHAP. LXV. A Diſcourſe as concerning thoſe that cannot hold their water, and his Remedie.

CHAP. LXVI. To break the Stone in the Bladder and alſo the Gravell, and to cauſe it to avoid by Ʋrine.

CHAP. LXVII. Of the Gravell in the Reins.

CHAP. LXVIII. Of a certain Scab or Itch that cometh over all the bodie.

The Second Book of the Secrets of PHIORAVANTE.

CHAP. I. What Chirurgery is.

CHAP. II. The order to be uſed in curing Impoſthumes of divers ſorts, taken forth of the ſhort diſcourſe of Chirugery of this Au­thor.

CHAP. III. What Impoſthumes are.

CHAP. IV. Of Impoſthumes that come in the Groine.

A SHORT DISCOURSE OF THE SECRETS OF THE Moſt Famous Knight and Excellent Phyſitian and Chirurgion, Lord PHIORAVANTE.

CHAP. XXXII. Another diſcourſe of a marvellous ſecret againſt the ſaid Quartane.

CHAP. LVIII. Of the retention of Ʋrine through cauſe of drineſſe, and his Medicine.

CHAP. II. The order to be uſed in curing Impoſthumes of divers ſorts, taken forth of the ſhort diſcourſe of Chirugery of this Author.

CHAP. XXXVII. Of Wounds in the armes, and their importance, and Medicines.

CHAP. II. To make our Balm artificiall, with the order to uſe it, and wherefore it ſerveth.

CHAP. VIII. Our Potion of Lignum Sanctum, the which is miraculous to diſſolve crude, and malign humours, with the order to uſe it, in the French Pox, and ſuch like diſeaſes.

CHAP. XII. Our electuary of Conſolida majore, that ſerveth for many diſeaſes inwardly.

CHAP. XIX. Our Quinta eſſentia ſolutiva, the which is of marvellous operation in divers matters.

CHAP. XX. Pillole Magiſtrale, the which is good againſt divers infirmities.