Page 1049
CHAP. XX. Of the composition and use of Medicines.
HItherto wee have spoken of the faculties of simple medicines, now wee thinke good to say something of the compounding of them: for so by the Architect are had & known every thing apart, and then he settles the workemen to the building, the conceived forme of which hath beene in his minde ever since hee did enterprise it. Therefore the composition of divers me∣dicaments with their qualities and effects, is a mingling appointed by the art of the Physitian. Hence therefore rheum, aloe, rosa, absintbium, although they have divers * 1.1 substances and faculties, yet are notwithstanding called simple medicines, because they have that variety from nature, not from art. But we many times call simple such things as are compounded by art, as oxym. simpl. oxysacch. simplex, as compared to greater compositions. And therefore often times wee use compound medicines, be∣cause alwaies the simple medicine alone, hath not strength enough to oppugne the * 1.2 disease. For many times the sicke labour with manifold, and not simple affects, from which there being taken a various indication, we gather contrary simple medicines, to apply to every affect, in one composition. But often times the nature of the part of the patient, or of the body affected, requireth another kind of medicament which may bee proper for the removing that disease; wherefore it is so made to oppugne the disease and not offend the body: and we mingle many other together, whose ef∣fects may temper one another. Moreover, the composition of medicines was necessa∣ry, that because those things which have not a good taste, colour, or smell, by art or composition might be made more gratefull. Compound medicines of which we in∣tend to speak, are Glysters, Suppositories, Noduli, Pessaries, Oiles, Liniments, Oint∣ments, Emplasters, Cerats, Pultisses, Cataplasmes, Fomentations, Embrocations, Epi∣themaes, Vesicatories, Cauteries, Collyria, Errhina, Sneesing powders, Masticatories, Gargarismes, Dentifrices, Bags, Fumigations, Semicupiums, Baths. But first it is ex∣pedient that I say something of weights and measures, with their notes, by which medicines commonly are measured and noted by Physitians.