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.

Of Medicines Hot in the first Degree.

THose are said to be hot in the first Degree which induce a Moderate and Natural heat to the Bo∣dy, and to the Parts thereof, either cold by Nature, or cooled by accedent, by which Natural heat is cherished when weak, or restored when want∣ing.

The first Effect then of Medicines hot in the first* 1.1 Degree is, by their sweat and temperate heat, to re∣duce the Body to its natural heat, as the fire doth the external parts in cold weather, unless the affliction of cold be so great that such mild Medicines will not serve the turn

The Second Effect is, The Mitigation of pain a∣rising* 1.2 from such a distemper, and indeed this effect hath other Medicines, some that are cold, and some that are hotter than the first degree, they being rati∣onally applyed to the distemper, these Medicines the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and shall be spoken of in their proper places. In this place let it suffice that Medicines

hot in the first degree, make the offending humors thin & expel them by sweat, or insensible transpiration, and these of all other are most congruous or agreeable to the Body of Man, for there is no such equal tempera∣ture of heat and cold in a sound Man, but heat ex∣ceeds, for we live by heat and moisture, and not by cold.

Medicines then which are hot in the first degree, are such as just correspond to the Natural heat of our Bodies; such as are hotter or colder, are more sub∣ject to do mischeif, being administred by an unskil∣full hand, than these are, because of their contrari∣ety to Nature; whereas these are gratefull to the Bo∣dy by their moderate heat.

Thirdly, These take away weariness, and help Fea∣vers,* 1.3 being outwardly applied, because they open the pores of the Skin, and by their gentle heat prepare the humors, and take away those fuliginous vapors that are caused by Feavers.

Yet may discommodities arise by heedless giving* 1.4 even of these, which I would have young Students in Physick to be very careful in, lest they do more mis∣cheif than they are aware of, viz. It is possible by too much use of them, to consume not only what is inimical in the Body, but also the substance it self, and the strength of the spirits, whence comes fain∣tings, and sometimes death: Besides, by applying them to the parts of the Body they are not apropria∣ted to, or by not heeding well the complexion of the Patient, or the Natural temper of the part of the Bo∣dy afflicted, for the Heart is hot, but the Brain tem∣perate.

Lastly, Medicines hot in the first Degree, cherish∣eth* 1.5 heat in the internall parts, help Concoction, breed good Blood, and keep it in good temper, be∣ing bred.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Effect. 1.
• * 1.2

  Effect. 2.
• * 1.3

  Effect. 3.
• * 1.4

  Discomo∣dities.
• * 1.5

  Effect. 4.