Medicinal experiments, or, A collection of choice and safe remedies for the most part simple and easily prepared, useful in families, and very serviceable to country people / by R. Boyle ; to which is annexed a catalogue of his theological and philosophical books and tracts.

DECAD V.

I. For a Recent Strain.

TAKE Worm-wood and* 1.1 pound it very well in a Mortar of Stone or Glass; then put to it as much of the Whites of Eggs, beaten to Wa∣ter, as may serve to make it up into such a Consistence, as may be applied like a Poultess to the Part affected.

II. A Strengthening Plaister af∣ter a Strain, or when there is any Weakness in the Joynt.

MELT down together* 1.2 and incorporate very well, two parts of Diapalma, and one part of Emplastrum ad Herniam; spread this Mixture, (but not very thick,) upon Leather, and lay it to the Joynt to be strengthen∣ed.

III. For Loosenesses.

BOil a convenient quantity* 1.3 of Cork in Spring-water, till the Liquor taste strong thereof: Of this Decoction let the Patient

drink a moderate Draught from time to time, till he finds himself sufficiently reliev'd by it.

IV. For Obstructions, and di∣vers Diseases proceeding thence.

LET the Patient drink, every* 1.4 Morning fasting, a mode∣rate Draught of his own Ʋrine new∣ly made, and (if it can convenient∣ly be,) whil'st 'tis yet warm; for∣bearing Food for an hour or two af∣ter it.

V. For difficulty of Hearing, from a cold Cause.

OUT of a Bulbe or Root of* 1.5 Garlick, chuse a Chive of a convenient Bigness; then having pass'd a fine piece of Thread or Silk through one end of it, that thereby it may be pull'd out at pleasure, crush it a little between your Fingers, and having anointed it all over with Oyl of Bitter (or in want of that, Sweet) Almonds, put it into the Cavity of the Patients Ear at Bed-time, and draw it out the next Morning, stopping the Ear afterwards with Black Wooll; but if need require, this Operation is to be reiterated with fresh Gar∣lick for some days successively.

VI. For Ruptures in the Belly, especially in Children.

HAving well cleans'd the* 1.6 Roots of Sigillum Salamo∣nis, scrape one Ounce of them in∣to a Quart of Broth, and let the Patient take a Mess, or a Porrin∣ger full of it for his Break-fast; or else give half a Dram or two Scru∣ples of the Pouder of it at a time, in any convenient Vehicle.

VII. To give Check to Fits of the Gout, and in some mea∣sure to prevent them.

TAke three Ounces of Sarsa∣parilla* 1.7 slic'd and cut thin▪ to these add an equal weight of

Raisins of the Sun, rubb'd very clean, but not broken: Put both these Ingredients into three Quarts of Spring water, and let the Ves∣sel stand in a moderate heat, that the Liquor may simper for many hours, yet without bursting most part of the Raisins; keep this De∣coction, well stop'd, and let the Pa∣tient use it for his only Drink, till he need it no longer.

VIII. A Water for Ʋlcers and Sores.

TAke a Solution of Vene∣tian* 1.8 Sublimate, and having made with very good Quick lime as strong a Lime-water as you can, (so that, if it be possible, it may bear an Egg,) drop this upon the dissolv'd Sublimate, till it will pre∣cipitate

no more reddish stuff at all; (which will not so soon be done as one that hath not try'd will imagin:) As soon as you per∣ceive that the Liquors act no lon∣ger visibly upon one another, pour the Mixture into a Filter of Cap-Paper, which retaining the Orange∣colour'd Precipitate, will transmit an indifferently clear Liquor: Which is to be in a Glass Viol kept stopp'd for its proper Use; namely, that the Part affected may be there∣with wash'd from time to time, and, if need be, kept covered with double Linnen Cloths wetted in the same Liquor.

IX. A Plaister to Discuss Tu∣mours, or Ripen them if it cannot Discuss them.

TAke of Yellow Wax, Fran∣kincense,* 1.9 and Rosin, of each four Ounces, or a sufficient quan∣tity, melt them together gently, and being strain'd, make up the Mass into a Roll for Use.

X. For the Black Jaundice it self.

TAke a Spoonful of Honey,* 1.10 boil it gently, and scum it, till it come to a good Consistence; then add of Wheat-flower and Saf∣fron (reduced to a Pouder,) as much of each as you may take up upon the point of a Knife; and having mix'd all well, put it over the Coals again, until it lose its Smell: Afterwards you may put it into a little Stone or Earthen Pot, and keep it for Use; which is, that the Patient take the quan∣tity of a Pea, and anoint the Na∣vil, and fill the Cavity thereof with it; repeating the Application

for some days together, when the Stomach is empty, and abstain∣ing from Meat and Drink about two hours after the Medicine is us'd.

Notes

• * 1.1

  B
• * 1.2

  B
• * 1.3

  C
• * 1.4

  B
• * 1.5

  B
• * 1.6

  A
• * 1.7

  B
• * 1.8

  B
• * 1.9

  B
• * 1.10

  A