CHAP. 6. Of Attenuating Medicines.
THe use of Attenuating Medicines is to open the obstructions of the Bowels.
The Bowels are obstructed or stopped by tough and viscus humors, hence then it is cleer that Attenua∣ting, or Extenuating Medicines ought to be thin of substance, but whether they ought all to be hot or not, is some question, for indeed many cold Medi∣cines cut tough humors and open obstructions, as Vinegar, Endive, Succory, and the like. I shall not enter into the Dispute here whether all cold things bind or not, and therefore some hold Vinegar to be hot in it self, and cool only by accedent; we know Wine is hot, and Vinegar is nothing but corrupted Wine, and we know as well that putrifaction turns things usually into a contrary quality, and besides if you ask Physitians how one Simple can perform two contrary operations, they presently run into the old bush, It doth it (say they) by a hidden quality.
The use of Attenuating Medicines is to open the Bowels, to clense the Breast of Flegm, co expel the Terms, &c.
Your best course is, first to clense the body by some gentle purge before you use Attenuating Medicines, lest they seise upon the Blood and cause Feavers, or other mischeifs as bad.
They are in tast sharp, sowr, or bitter, yet such as being tasted dilate the tongue, and contract it not.