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. 9. Of Repelling Medicines.

REpelling Medicines are of Contrary operation to these three last Mentioned, viz. Attenua∣ting, Drawing, and Discussive Medicines; 'Tis true, there is but little difference between these three, some hold none at all; and if you will be so nice, you may oppose them thus. And so Medicines ma∣king thick correspond to Attenuating Medicines, or such as make thin, repelling Medicines are opposed to such as draw, and such as retain the humors and make them tough, are oppisit to such as discuss, some hold this niceness needless.

2. The sentence of Authors about Repulsive Medi∣cines is various:

For seeing an Influxion may be caused many waies: A Repulsive hath got as many defenitions.

For such things as cool, bind, stop and make thick,

stay Influxions, and therefore Repulsives are by Au∣thors opposed. not only to Attractives, but also to Atte∣nuating, and Discussing Medicines.

But properly such things are called Repulsives, which do not only stay Inflaxions, (for so do such Medicines which step and and make thick) but such as drive the humors flowing to, or inherent in the place, to some other place.

The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is, Binding is inherent to Repulsives, so is not coldness nor making thick: Yet such as are binding, cold and thin in operation are most effectu∣al.

Your tast will find Repulsives to be, tart, or sharp, or austere, with a certain binding which contracts the Tongue.

Their Use is manifold, as in hot Tumors, Head∣aches* 1.1 or the like.

By these in Feavers are the Vapors driven from the* 1.2 Head: Vineger of Roses is notable.

They are most commodious in the beginning and* 1.3 encrease of a disease, for then Influxions are most rife.

But seeing that in the cure of Tumors there are two Scopes, 1 That that which flows to it may be re∣pelled. 2 That that which is already in it may be discussed: Repulsives are most commodiously used in the beginning, discussives in the latter end.

In the middle you may mix them with this Provi∣so, That Repulsives exceed in the beginning, Dis∣cussives in the latter end.

If the matter offending be of a venemous quality,* 1.4 either abstain from Repulsives altogether, or use Pur∣ging first, lest the matter fly to the Bowels and prove dangerous, especially if the Bowels be weak.* 1.5

Also forbear Repulsives, if the pain be great.* 1.6

Lastly, Have a care lest by Repulsives you contract the Pores so much, that the matter cannot be remo∣ved by Discussives.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Use, 1.
• * 1.2

  Use, 2.
• * 1.3

  Time of giving.
• * 1.4

  Caut. 1.
• * 1.5

  2.
• * 1.6

  3.