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Of the ripe grains of the Elder dried in the shadow, Quercetan forms an Extract, which is a specifick Histe∣rick, and is called of the Chymists, Extractum Granorum Actes. It is thus prepared:
Gather a great quantity of the grains of the Elder well dried in the shadow; & having thrown all the rest
of the berry away, reserve the grains only; with which fill a long-necked great Cucurbit to the middle; put upon it the strong spirit of wine, made acid with the acid liquor either of Vitriol or Sulphure, that it may be three or four fingers broad above the matter; the vessel being closed, that nothing may breath out: Digest it for five or six days in B.M. till the spirit of the wine receive the tincture of a Ruby, which you shall separate by inclination, having a care that none of the dregs or troubled matter go with it.
Of which tincture not having sepa∣rated its menstruum, that is, the aqua vitae, which without any corruption or alteration will be kept long; unto which you may add a little Sugar, if you will make it have a more pleasant taste; you may give a half or whole silver spoonful to women troubled with the suffocation of the Matrix, shall be unexpectedly, and as it
were miraculously weakened, and restored to their perfect health.
Again, if you will separate from it the aqua vitae by an Alimbeck in Bal∣neo vaporoso, till the extract remain in the bottom of a most excellent red colour, whereof give a scruple for a dose in its own proper distilled water, or in other convenient waters, or in white wine, and it will become red. Thus far Quercetan.
The Uterine mixture which I used to prepare is this;
First I take the berries of the Elder dried in a flow heat of the Bake∣house; of Mugwort and of Castoreum as much as I please; I put upon each of them by themselves in a Viol some of the rectified spirits of the Elder, and draw out the essence according to art; and I purifie each one of them by themselves, and keep them in Glasses.
Afterwards,
Being mixed, I put them in a Glass of a narrow throat, and I digest them for ten days in a warm Balneo, that they may be well united; and if any dregs be in them, they may go to the bot∣tom; from which I separate that which is clear, I strain it, and keep it in a well-stopped Glass. The dose is a little spoonful alone, and dissol∣ved in some appropriate water; but if the body be full of ill humors, I first purge it with the Polychrestick pow∣der of Elder-buds.
In place of Appendix I thought fit to joyn hereto the Medicines made of the Elder long ago, commended and commanded by our great Chieftain and Master Hippocrates, in Uterine Affections.
In the Hydropsie of the Matrix, he commendeth the fruit of the Elder, given fasting in wine, lib. 1. de morb. mulier.
He saith, this purgeth things to be purged in Child-bed; boil the leaves of the Elder, and give the water thereof to drink, ibidem.
If the womb be inflamed in child∣birth, let her sup hot the tender leaves of the Elder lightly boiled with the grossest part of recent wheat-meal, ibid.
In the same place he commands us to put into the secrets a long piece of Elder-pith, the tenderer part being shaven.
In Ulcers of the womb pound Lin∣seed and Elder-berries together, mix hony with them, and make a Pla∣ster, and use it, ibid.
Or the leaves of the Elder, and of the Lentisk, being boiled in water and strained, are to be injected warm, Lib. de natur. mulier.
The same things being likewise pounded with Muss, may be outward∣ly applied, ibid.
In a filthy ulceration of the Matrix, boyl the berries of the Elder and
Lawrel, in equal potions in wine, af∣terward inject that wine, lib. 1. d. m. m.
Or take the berries of the Elder, Anice, Franckincense, Myrrh, Wines, and inject their juices, ibid. Where∣by the courses are likewise provo∣ked, ibid.
To expel the Secondine, first apply a Foment made of the decoction of Elder-leaves, and then that which is made of Cantharides, ibid.
In very great fluxes of the courses apply a Cataplasm made of Elder and Mirtle-leaves, lib. 2. m. m.
Or boil in water the leaves of El∣der and Lentisk, and with the Cola∣ture warm wash the Matrix, ibid.
In the strangulation of the Matrix, R. Three half quarts of Oyl, and a handful of Elder-leaves; boil this, and make a fomentation therewith, or with hot shels put in it, make a Stove, placing the woman in a chair, and covering her with cloths.
Or boil the leaves of Elder and Mirtle, and in the strained water boil Barley-chaff, and make a Stove; if she can endure the heat thereof, ibid.
If the pain be vehement after her purging boil in black wine the Law∣rel and Elder-berries, and wash it therewith, ibid.
Or boil the Elder in water, and ha∣ving strained the water, put to it sweet wine, and wash therewith.
Of which, and many others, you may view Hippocrates in those Books and places mentioned.