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.

SYRUPS MADE WITH VINEGER AND HONEY.

Mel Anthosatum. Page 72. in the Latin Book. Or, Honey of Rosemary Flowers.

TAke of fresh Rosemary Flowers a pound, clari∣fied Honey three pound, mix them in a glass with a narrow mouth, set them in the sun, and keep them for use.

Culpeper] A. It hath the same vertues with Rose∣mary flowers, to which I refer you, only by reason of the Honey it may be somwhat clensing.

Mel Helleboratum. Page 72. in the Latin Book. Or, Honey Helleborated.

The Colledg] Take of white Hellebore Roots brui∣sed a pound, cleer water fourteen pound, after three daies infusion, boyl it till half be consumed, then strain it diligently, and with three pound of Honey boyl it to the thickness of Honey.

Culpeper] A. What a monstrum horrendum, hor∣rible terrible Receipt have we got here? A pound of white Hellebore boyled in fourteen pints of Water to seven; I would ask the Colledg (if they would not be angry, or if they be I cannot help it) whether the Hellebore will not lose its vertue in the twentieth part of this infusion and decoction (for it must be in∣fused (forsooth) three daies to a minute;) if a man may make so bold as to tell them the truth, A Tay∣lors Goose being boyled that time, would make a De∣coction near as strong as the Hellebore, but this they will not beleeve; well then be it so, imagine the Hellebore still to retain its vigor after being so long tired out with a tedious boyling (for less boyling would boyl an Ox) what should this Medicine do? purge Melancholly say they, but from whom? from men or beasts? for the Medicine would be so strong the Devil would not take it unless it were powred down his throat with a horn. I will not say they in∣tended to kill men cum privilegio, that's too gross; I charibly judg thus, They fearing their monopoly would not hold as being built upon a rotten foundati∣on, intended when it failed to turn Horse-Doctors, and so provided this Receipt against a wet day, For,

A. Either the vertue of the Hellobore will fly away in such a martyrdom, or else it will remain in the Decoction.

A. If it evaporate away, then is the Medicine like themselves good for nothing.

A. If it remain in, it is enough to spoil the stron∣gest man breathing.

A. 1. Because it is too strong.

A 2. Because it is not corrected in the least, and because they have not corrected that, therefore I take leave to correct them.

Mel Mercuriale. Page 72. in the Latin Book. Or, Honey of Mercury.

The Colledg] Boyl three pound of the Juyce of Mercury with two pound of Honey to the thickness of Honey.

Culpeper] A. It is used as an Emollient in Cly∣sters.

Mel Mororum, vel Diamoron. Page 72. in L. Book. Or, Honey of Mulberries.

The Colledg] Take of the Juyce of Mulberries and black berries, before they be ripe, gathered before the Sun be up, of each a pound and an half, Honey two pound boyl them to their due thickness.

Culpeper] A. It is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 known to be good for sore mouths, as also to cool inflamations there.

Mel Nuceum, aliàs, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 et Dianncum. P. 72. Or, Honey of Nuts.

The Colledg] Take of the Juyce of the outward bark of green 〈◊〉〈◊〉, gathered in the dog daies two pound, boyl it gently till it be thick, and with one pound of Honey boyl it to the thickness of Honey.

Culpeper] A. It is a good preservative in peftilen∣tial times, a spoonful being taken so soon as you are up.

Mel Passulatum. Page 72. in the Latin Book. Or, Honey of Raisons.

The Colledg] Take of Raisons of the Sun clensed from the stones two pound, steep them in six pound of warm water, the next day boyl it half away and press it strongly, and with two pound of Honey let the ex∣pressed liquor boyl to its thickness.

Culpeper] A. It is a pretty pleasing Medicine for such as are in Consumptions, and are bound in body.

Mel Rosatum commune, sive Foliatum. Page 73. Or, Common Honey of Roles.

The Colledg] Take of red Roses not quite open two pound, Honey six pound, set them in the Sun ac∣cording to art.

Mel Rosatum Colatum. Page 73. in the Latin Book. Or, Honey of Roles strained.

The Colledg] Take of the best clarified Honey ten pound, Juyce of frish red Roses one pound, set it handsomly over the fire, and when it begins to boyl, put in four pound of fresh red Roses, the whites being cut off; the Juyce being consumed by boyling and stir∣ring, strain it, and keep it for use.

Culpeper] A. They are both used for diseases in the mouth.

Mel Rosatum Solutivum. Page 73. in L. Book. Or, Honey of Roses Solutive.

The Colledg] Take of the often Infusion of Da∣mask Roses five pound, Honey rightly clarified four pound, boyl it to the thickness of Honey.

Culpeper] A. It is used as a laxative in Clysters, and some Chyrurgians use it to clense wounds.

The Colledg] After the same manner is prepared Honey of the Infusion of red Roses.

Mel Scilliticum. Page 73. In the Latin Book. Or, Honey of Squils.

The Colledg] Take one Squill full of Juyce, cut it in bits, and put it in a glass vessel, the mouth close stopped, and covered with a skin, set it in the Sun fourty daies, to wit, twenty before and after the ri∣sing of the Dog Star, then open the vessel and take the Juyce which lies at the bottom, and preserve it with the best Honey.

Culpeper] A. A man never shews his folly so much as in medling with things he hath no skill in: Were it not folly in me to go teach a Smith how to make nails, or a Farmer how to mend his Land? And what then is it for our learned Colledg to write of Astronomy, which is a Science they have as much skill in as Banks his horse? I told them of it last Edi∣tion, and now they have mended it as the Fletcher mended his Bolt, made two faults for one before; what should a Common-wealth do with such crea∣tures that know nothing, and are too proud to learn. It belongs to their slaves, viz. the Company of the Apothecaries to ask them, 1. Which Dog Star they mean, 2. Which rising whether Acronical, Cosmi∣cal, or Heliacal.

The Colledg] Honey of Violets is prepared like as Honey of Roses.

Oxymel Simple. Page 73. in the Latin Book.

The Colledg] Take of the best Honey four pound, cleer water and white Wine Vineger of each two pound, boyl them in an earthen vessel, taking the scum off with a wooden Scummer, till it be come to the con∣sistence of a Syrup.

Culpeper] A. Your best way is to boyl the Water and Honey first into a Syrup, and ad the Vineger af∣terwards, and then boyl it again into a Syrup. Ob∣serve, that the later it be before you ad the Vineger to any Syrup, the sowrer will it be: so may you please your self, and not offend the Colledg, for they give you latitude enough.

A. It cuts flegm, and it is a good preparative a∣gainst a vomit.

Oxymel Compound. Page 73. in the L. Book.

The Colledg] Take of the Bark of the Root of Fennel, Smallage, Parsly, Bruscus, Sparagus, of each two ounces, the Seeds of Fennel, Smallage, Parsly, Annis, of each one ounce, steep them all (the Roots being first clensed and the Seeds bruised) in six pound of cleer water, and a pound and an half of wine Vi∣neger, the next day boyl it to the consumption of the third part, boyl the rest being strained, with three pound of Honey into a liquid Syrup according to art.

Culpeper] A. First, having bruised the Roots and Seeds, boyl them in the water till half be, consumed, then strain it and ad the Honey, and when it is al∣most boyled enough, add the Vineger; and with all my heart I will put it to Dr. Reason to judg which is the best way of making of it, the Colledges or mine.

Oxymel Helleboratum. Page 74. in the Latin Book. Or, Oximel Helleborated.

The Colledg] Take of Rue, Time, Dittany of Creet, Hysop, Penyroyal, Horebound, Cardus, the Roots of Celtick Spicknard without Leaves, the inner bark of Elders, of each a handful, mountain Cala∣minth two pugils, the Seeds of Annis, Fennel, Bazil, Romane Nettles, Dill, of each two drachms, the Roots of Angelica, Marsh-Mallows, Aron, Squils prepared, Birthwort, long, round, and climing, Turbith, English Orris, Costus, Polypodium, Lemmon Pills, of each an ounce, the strings of black Hellobore, Spurge, Agrick, added at the end of the Decoction, of each two drams; the bark of white Hellebor half an ounce, let al of them being dried & bruised, be digested in a Glass, or glazed vessel close stopped, in the heat of the Sun, or of a Furnace; Posca, made of equal parts of Water and Vineger, eight pound, Sapa two ounces; three daies being expired, boyl it a little more than half a∣way; strain it pressing it gently, and ad to the liquor a pound and an half of Honey-Roses, wherein two oun∣ces of Citron Pills have been infused, boyl it to the thickness of Honey, and perfume it with Cloves, Saf∣fron, Ginger, Galanga, Mace, of each a drachm.

Culpeper] A. It is such a mess of altogether, that a man scarce knows what to do with it; here are ma∣ny Simples very Cordial, many provoke the terms, some purge gently, some violently, and some cause vomiting; being all put together I verily think the labor and cost if put in an equal ballance would out∣weigh the benefit; but the Apothecaries must make it, the Colledg commands it.

Oxymel Julianizans. Page 75. in Lat. Book.

The Colledg] Take of the bark of Caper Roots, the Roots of Orris, Fennel, Parsly, Bruscus, Cichory, Spa∣ragus, Cyperus, of each half an ounce, the Leaves of Harts-tongue, Schaenanth, Tamaris, of each half a handful, sweet Fennel Seed half an ounce, infuse them in three pound of Posca which is somthing sowr, afterwards boyl it till half be consumed, strain it, and with Honey and Sugar clarified, of each half a pound, boyl it to the thickness of Honey.

Culpeper] A. This Medicine is very opening, ve∣ry good against Hypocondriack Melancholly, and as fit a Medicine as can be for that disease in children called the Rickets. Children are as humorsom as men (and they are humorsom enough Experience the best of all Doctors teacheth) some love sweet things, let them take Syrup of Harts-tongue; others cannot abide sweet things, to their natures this Syrup suits, being taken in the same manner.

The Colledg] Oximel of Squils simple is made of three pound of clarified Honey, Vineger of Squils two pound, boyl them according to art.

Culpeper] A. They say they borrowed this Re∣ceipt of Nicholaus, but of what Nicholaus I know

not, the self same Receipt is word for word in Mesue whose commendations of it is this, It cuts and di∣vides humors that are tough and viscus, and therefore helps the stomach and bowels afflicted by such hu∣mors, and helps sour belchings. If you take but a spoonful in the morning, an able body will think it enough.

A. View the Vineger of Squils, and then your rea∣son will tell you this is as wholsom, and somwhat more toothsom.

Oxymel Scilliticum Compositum. Page 75. in L. Book. Or, Oximel of Squils Compound.

The Colledg.] Take of Origanum, dried Hysop, Time, Lovage, Cardamoms the less, Stoechas, of each five drachms, boyl them in three pound of Water to one; strain it, and with two pound of Honey, Honey of Raisons half a pound, Juyce of Briony five ounces, Vineger of Squils a pound and an half, boyl it and scum it according to art.

Culpeper.] A. Mesue saith this is good against the Falling-sickness, Megrim, Head-ach, Vertigo, or swimming in the head, and if these be occasioned by the stomach as many times they are; it helps the Lungues obstructed by humor, and is good for wo∣men not well clensed after labor, it opens the passage of the womb. 'Tis too churlish a purge for a Coun∣try man to meddle with: If the ignorant will be med∣ling they will meet with their matches, and say I told them so.

A. Such Syrups as are in their rejected Dispensato∣ry, and left out in this, (for they love to reject the best and chuse the worst, as though they were born for nothing else but to do mischief) are these that follow.

Culpeper. A. REader, before we begin, I thought good to advertise thee of these few things, which indeed I had inserted at the beginning of the Syrups had I not forgotten it.

A. 1. A Syrup is a Medicine of a liquid body, compounded of Decoction, Infusi∣on, or Juyce, with Sugar or Honey, and brought by the heat of the fire, into the thickness of Honey.

A. 2. Because all Honey is not of a thickness, understand new Honey, which of all other is thinnest.

A. 3. The Reason why Decoctions, Infusions, and Juyces, are thus used, is, be∣cause thereby,

• 1. They will keep the longer.
• 2. They will tast the better.

A. 4. In boyling Syrups have a great care of their just consistance, for if you boyl them too much they will candy, if too little, they will sour.

A. 5. All Simple Syrups have the vertues of the Simples they are made of, and are far more convenient for weak people, and queazy stomachs.

Syrup of Purslain. Mesue.

The Col∣ledg. TAke of the seeds of Purslain grosly bruised, half a pound, of the Juyce of Endive boyled and clarified two pound, Sugar two pound, Vineger nine ounces; infuse the seeds in the juyce of Endive twenty four hours, afterwards, boyl it half away with a gentle fire, then strain it and boyl it with the Sugar to the consistence of a Syrup, adding the Vineger towards the latter end of the Decoction.

Culpeper.] A. It is a pretty cooling Syrup, fit for any hot diseases incident to the stomach, reins, blad∣der, matrix, or liver, it thickens flegm, cools the blood and provokes sleep. You may take an ounce of it at a time when you have occasion.

Compound Syrup of Coltsfoot. Renodaeus.

The Colledg.] Take six handfuls of green Colts∣foot, two handfuls of Maiden-hair, one handful of Hysop, and two ounces of Liquoris, boyl them in four pints, either of c 1.1 rain or spring water, till the fourth part be consumed, then strain it and clarifie it, to which ad three pound of white Sugar, boyl it to the perfect consistence of a Syrup.

Culpeper.] A. The Composition is apropriated to the Lungues, and therefore helps the infirmities, weaknesses, or failings thereof, as want of voice, difficulty of breathing, coughs, hoarsness, cathars &c. The way of taking it is with a Liquoris stick, or if you please you may ad an ounce of it to the pectoral Decoction before mentioned.

Syrup of Poppies, the lesser Composition.

The Colledg] Take the heads of white Poppies and black, when both of them are green, of each six ounces; the seeds of Lettice, the Flowers of Violets, of each one ounce, boyl them in eight pints of Water, till the vertue is out of the heads, then strain them, and with four pound of Sugar boyl the Liquor to a syrup.

Syrup of Poppies, the greater Composition. Mesue.

The Colledg] Take of the heads of both white and black Poppies, seeds and all, of each fifty drachms, Maiden-hair fifteen drachms, Liquoris five drachms,

Jujubes thirty by number, Lettice seeds fourty drams; of the seeds of Mallows and Quinces (tied up in a thin linnen cloath) of each one drachm and an half, boyl these in eight pints of water till five pints be con∣sumed; when you have strained out the three pints remaining, ad to them, Penides and white Sugar of each a pound, boyl them into a Syrup according to art.

Culpeper.] A. All these former Syrups of Poppies provoke sleep, but in that, I desire they may be used with a great deal of Caution and wariness, such as these are, are not fit to be given in the beginnings of Feavers, nor to such whole bodies are coslive; ever remember my former Motto, Fools are not fit to make Physitians. Yet to such as are troubled with hot, sharp Rhewms, you may safely give them; and note this, the last, which is borrowed from Mesue is apro∣priated to the Lungues, whose own words (transla∣tion excepted) of it are these, It prevails against dry Coughs, Phtisicks, hot and sharp gnawing Rhewms, and provokes sleep. It is an usual fashion for Nur∣ses when thcy have heat their Milk by exercise or strong liquor, (no marvel then if their children be froward) then run for Syrup of Poppies to make their yong ones sleep. I would fain have that fashi∣on left, therefore I forbear the dose; let Nurses keep their own bodies temperate, and their children will sleep well enough, never scar.

Syrup of Eupatorium (or Maudlin.) Mesue.

The Colledg. Take of the Roots of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Succory, os each two 〈◊〉〈◊〉; Liquoris, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Dodder, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Roses, os each six drachms; Maiden∣hair, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or instead thereof the Roots of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mariae,c 1.2 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereof the Roots of Avens, the flowers or roots of Bugloss, Annis seeds, sweet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seeds, Ageratum, or Maudlin, of each five drachms, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, of each three drachms, Spicknard, Indian Leaf, or instead of it put Roman Spike, of each two drachms: boyl them in eight pints of water till the third part be consumed; then strain the Decoction, and with four pound of Su∣gar, clarified juyce of Smallage and Endive, of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 half a pound, boyl it into a Syrup.

Culpeper.] A. 'Tis a strange clause, and the stran∣ger because it comes from a Colledg of Physitians: that they should set Bedeguar, or instead thereof Car∣duus Mariae: It is well known that the Bedeguar u∣sed here with us, or rather that which the Physitians of our times use for Bedeguar, is a thing that grows upon wild Roses, but the Bedeguar of the Arabians was* 1.3 Carduus Mariae, and they knew well enough Mesue (whose Receipt this was) was an Arabian: truly this is just as if they should say, they would have ten shillings for a visit, or instead of that an angel; there being in deed and in truth as much difference between Bedeguar and Carduus Mariae, as between eightpence and two groats.

A. It amends infirmities of the Liver coming of cold, opens obstructions, helps the Dropsie and evil state of the body, it extenuates gross humors, streng∣thens the Liver, provokes urine and is a present suc∣cour for Hypocondriack Melancholly. You may take an ounce at a time in the morning: it opens, but purgeth not.

Honey of Emblicks. Augustanus.

The Colledg.] Take fifty Emblick Myrobalans, bruise them and boyl them in three pints of water till two be consumed; strain it, and with the like weight of Honey, boyl it into a Syrup.

Culpeper.] A. It is a fine gentle purger both of flegm and Melancholly, it strengthens the brain and nerves, and sences both internal and external, helps tremblings of the heart, staies vomiting, provokes ap∣petite. You may take a spoonful at a time.

Notes

• c 1.1

  If I durst spend pa∣per about it, I could easily prov spring wa∣ter to be the best by far.
• c 1.2

  A kind of Thorn growing in Egypt and Ara∣bia.
• * 1.3

  It is that we call our Ladies thistle, ha∣ving white veins in the leaf, & used to be eaten in the spring∣time.