Of Triacle and Trochuks of Vipers.
Theriace or Triacle, not only because it cureth the venomous biting of Serpents, but also because the Serpents themselves are usually mingled in the making thereof, fitly is so named of both signi∣fications. * 1.1 Here also we will insert something concerning Trochuks of Vipers, which are mingled in the making of Triacle.
Triacle is very ancient, and hath always very carefully, and not without ambition, been refined by the Physitians, till Andromochus Nero his Physitian, added the flesh of Vipers, as the full accomplish∣ment of this drug. The flesh of Vipers alone is mingled in Triacle, and not the flesh of other Serpents, because all the rest have something malignant more then Vipers. Vipers are thought to have lesse poyson in them then other Serpents.
Vipers for Triacle must not be taken at any time, but chiefly in the beginning of the Spring, when having left their dens, they come forth into the Snn-shine, and as yet have not poyson much offensive.
Take female Vipers, for we must take heed how we take male Vipers for the confection of Anti∣dotes. For Trochuks all Vipers are not convenient, but those which be yellow, and of the yellow, * 1.2 the females only.
Vipers great with young you must refuse, for being pregnant, they are more exasperate then themselves at other times. * 1.3
Of Vipers be made Trochisces, which of the Grecians are called Theriaci, four fingers being cut off at either end, and the inwards taken out, and the pale matter cleaving to the back-bone: the * 1.4 rest of the body must be boiled in a dish in water, with the herb Dill, the back-bone must be taken out, and fine flowre must be added. Thus these Trochuks being made, they must be dryed in the shade, apart from the Sun-beams, and being so prepared, they be of very great use for many medicines.
The use of Triacle is profitable for many things, for not only by his own nature it availeth against the biting of venomous creatures and poysons, but also it is found by experience, to help many other great infirmities. For it easeth the Gowt and pain in the joynts, it dryeth fluxes, it very much profiteth men molested with the Dropsie, leprous and melancholick persons, those that have Quar∣tane Agues, or the Jaundise, those that have a weak voice, or that spet bloud: those that are trou∣bled with aking reins, with Dysentery, with the stone, with short breath, with passion of the liver or milt, with choler, with heart-ach, with the Falling-sicknesse. It driveth all kinde of Worms out of the bowels It is the most soveraign remedy of the Plague.
Even to them that are in health the often use of it is wholesome, for it promiseth long life, and firm health, it consumeth excrements, it strengtheneth natural actions, it quickeneth the wit, and sharpeneth all the senses; it preserveth the body from poyson and other offences, and maketh it scarse subject to danger by such casualties; it begetteth good bloud, it corrupteth the the air, and waters; neither alone doth it deliver from instant diseases, but also preserveth from those that be imminent.