Pharmacopœia Londinensis, or, The London dispensatory further adorned by the studies and collections of the Fellows, now living of the said colledg ... / by Nich. Culpeper, Gent.

Chap. 6. Of Suppuratives.

THe Greeks call these Peptica. the Lattines Ma∣turantia, we had some talk about them amongst the Simples.

Their office is by natural heat, to bring the blood and superfluous humors into matter, to help nature so to concoct a superfluous humor, that it may be fit to be cast out, to ripen it as the vulgar proverb is.

Emplasticks are af this nature, which we treated of by themselves in the Simples, and may well be re∣duced to this head. For,

First, Some close the pores of the body, and so natu∣ral heat being kept in is encreased, as the Sulphuri∣ous Vapors being kept in the Cloud turn to real fire, and that is that we call Lightning; So that cortup∣tion of the body being kept in together putrifies, and turns to matter.

Of this number (for before we told you what Em∣plasticks were in general, now we tell you, what par∣ticulars are Emplasticks, and a little Ingenuity will find out more, by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the qualities of these) of

this number I say, are Mallows, Marshmallows, yolks of Eggs, Turpentine, Honey, Amoniacum, Galbanum, Labdanum, Frankinsence, Liquid Sty∣rax.

2. As the former forced nature to do the work, so these help nature in it, the former did it per acci∣dens, these per se, viz. they are friendly to nature, and conspire together with it to bring the Superflu∣ous matter to form, yea to such a form as may be cast out, and the body afflicted may thereby be ca∣sed.

Such Simples are,

Marshmallow roots, white Lilly roots (which is the best internal medicine of Gallen's Method, which I know for such an use, for you must note, that I chiefly speak of external medicines now) Wheat, and Barly, and malt Flower, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fenu∣greek seed, Brank Ursine, or Bears breech, Figs, Rai∣sons, Currance, Dates &c.

As for Compounds, I shall not use any distinction between them, they that do one may happily do both together, there are besides Compounds made of these (let me not forget Oyl of Lillies, because I fancy it) Unguentum Basilicon) Diachylon simplex, Diachy∣lon magnum, Diachylon cum Gummi, a Plaister of Mussilages, your own genius, if it be not dull, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 you with more.