CHAP. XIII. How to strengthen the Joints.
IT is a matter of much consequence for the prevention of this e∣vill, to strengten the joints, whereby they may be able to resist the humors preternaturally falling downe upon them. Wherefore it is good morning and evening to rubbe them with Oleum O••∣phacinum, that is, oile made of olives not come to their perfect ma∣turitie; or with oile of roses mixed with common salt finely pou∣dered. It may also bee mixed with common oile, adding thereto the powder of harts horne, as that which hath an astringent and drying faculty. Also it is good to bath them in this following Lye. ℞. cort. granat. nucum cupres. gallarum, sumach. cortic. querni, an. ℥ ii. salis com. alumin. roch. an. ℥ i. salviae, ••••rismar. lavendul. lauri, ivae arthretic. an. m. i. rosar. rub. m. ss. bulliant omnia in sex lb. vini crassi & astringentis & lixivio parato ex aquae chalibeatae & cinere querno. Then ••o∣ment the part with sponges or cotton clothes; after this fomentation shall be care∣fully wiped & dryed with hot linnen clothes, taking heed of cold. The juice of un∣ripe Hawes tempered with oxycrate is a singular thing for this purpose. But if you desire to strengthen the joints weakened by a cold cause, then, ℞. salviae, r••rism. thy∣mi, lavendul. laur. absinth. an. m. i. caryophyl. zinzib. piperis, conquas••atorum an. ℥ i. in∣fundantur in aquae vitae & vini rubri astringenti••, an. lb. iiii. bulliant leniter in balneo mariae. With this liquor foment the joints morning and evening. Some thinke it good to strengthen the joynts, to tread grapes in vintage time, which if they be not able to doe, then let them wash their feete in the Muste or new pressed Wine. Also bagges may be thus made for the same purpose. ℞. salis com. alum. roch. cort. granat. sumach. berberis, nucum cupressi, an. ℥iiii. fol. salviae, roris••ar. rosar. rub. an. m. ss. Let them be all put in linnen bags and boyled in Lye, and so make a decoction for to foment the joynts.