Anatomia sambuci, or, The anatomy of the elder cutting out of it plain, approved, and specific remedies for most and chiefest maladies : confirmed and cleared by reason, experience, and history / collected in Latine by Dr. Martin Blochwich ...

CAP. XXIII.

Of the Obstructions of the Mesentery, Liver, Milt; from whence proceed both the Jaun∣dies and Scurvy.

TO hinder and cure the obstructi∣ons, drink in the morning and the beginning of the repast, a cup full of the wine of Elder-berries, for some days and weeks; for it cutteth the thick, tartarous, serous and bilous matter, it cleanseth, evacuateth, and by opening obstructions and purify∣ing the blood, gives the body a more fresh colour; especially if once at least of the week you mix with it a half or whole drachm, according to the par∣ties strength, of the Polychrestick powder of the buds.

In these diseases this following powder is commended.

• Take of the Elder-buds dried in the shade drach. 2.
• ...

• Of Crystalline Elder-salt scrup. 8.
• Of Wormwood scrup. 4.

Make of all a subtile powder, and give a scruple, or half a drachm thereof in broth in the morning for many days, commanding him to fast four hours, and use moderate exercise. Those that are not pleased with the powder may form it into pils, with the rob or juice of the berries, & drink broth above it.

A Lixive made of Elder-ashes, pre∣pared with wine or the water of the flowers, powerfully unlocks obstru∣ctions, and attenuateth and chang∣eth bilous and tartarous humors. Whence it is a profitable Medicine in the Jaundies, some spoonfuls thereof being taken morning and e∣vening, dulcerat with sugar, hony, or Elder-hony.

Oximel Sambucinum taken in an ounce and half weight dissolved in the water or flowers of the bark is more meek and pleasant.

Or where the heat is greater, and a Fever joyned, an ounce and a half of

the acetous syrup of the Elder, dissol∣ved and given at one dose.

Some commend four or six drops of the oyl of the flowers of the second description in a spoonful of the spirit or best water of the flowers; give it twice a week, and command moderate exercise.

In this case the spirit alone, the rob and its extract are safe medicines. For whilst the sink of the belly is em∣ptied by the Polychrestick powder of the buds, they provoke sweat by their penetrating vertues, they unlock the obstructions and crammings of the Mesentery, Liver, Milt, and Gall; and cut and prepare the thickness of hu∣mors.

The yellow middle bark is com∣mended by his signature for the yel∣low Jaundies; by Crollius de Signaturis rerum. 'Tis therefore to be macerated in wine with two or three Jews ears; of which strained, drink a sound draught morning & evening. Or you must use the distilled water thereof;

or the syrup made of its juice: For be∣sides that they open the belly and e∣vacuate hurtful humors, the Medi∣cines prepared of this bark, have great vertue to open all obstructions.

Six drops of the spirit of Elder-salt taken in broth, is commended.

In the Scurvy, having premised these purging and cutting Medicines, the greatest hope of health and helps is placed in evacuating the serosities by sweating: whence Plater affirms the rob of Elder-berries or Walwort to be very convenient, adding to three ounces of these one ounce of the sy∣rup of Popie. The dose drachms 2. The extracts of these are more con∣venient and penetrating, of which give one scruple, or one drachm, in a spoonful of the spirit of Elder-flow∣ers, or of Carduus Benedictus, or of Scurvigrass; and then let him pro∣voke sweat in his bed, or in a dry Bath.

Topicks.

EXternally anoint frequently the Hypocondriacks, where those bowels are placed, with the oyl of the infused flowers; which the ordi∣nary and us'd Dispensatories affirm to cure the Jaundies, and help the stopt Liver.

In a hard and Scyrous Milt boyl the leaves of Elder in Wine and Oyl, to the consistence of a Poultice, which are to be put through a Searse or Se∣tace, then mix therewith as much of the meal made of the flowers of El∣der and Cammomile as will suffice; then apply it hot like a Cataplasm.

This Cere-cloth, or Serat, is com∣mended for mollifying and digesting scyrous tumors.

First, boil twice or thrice recent Elder-leaves in the oyl of the infusion of Elder-flowers, still pressing the leaves well, before you put in new ones. Then,

• Take of the oyl so prepared ounc. 3.
• Of the powder of tender Elder-leaves one ounce and half.
• Of Turpentine and yellow Wax, e∣nough.

Of which apply every day to the place affected some of this spread on a piece of Leather, cut like a Cowes tongue, and covered with a fine lin∣nen cloth.

The Scorbutick persons, amongst other symptoms which I have neither time nor place to mention, are trou∣bled with a pain in the soals of their feet and tops of their fingers, which the famous Sennert. affirms to be cu∣red by this:

Take of Elder-flowers two hand∣fuls, boil them in Wine, adding two drachms of sope spread on a cloth, and applied to the diseased part.