The compleat herbal of physical plants containing all such English and foreign herbs, shrubs and trees as are used in physick and surgery ... : the doses or quantities of such as are prescribed by the London-physicians and others are proportioned : also directions for making compound-waters, syrups simple and compound, electuaries ... : moreover the gums, balsams, oyls, juices, and the like, which are sold by apothecaries and druggists are added to this herbal, and their irtues and uses are fully described / by John Pechey ...

Aloes, in Latin Aloe.

There are three sorts of it, viz. Succotrine, Hepatick, and Caballine. Succotrine is so called, from the Island Succotra in India. This sort is the best of all; 'tis clear and transparent, and colour'd somewhat like the Liver. It has an Aroma∣tick Smell, like Myrrh; upon which Account it was formerly mix'd with Per∣fumes. It has a bitter, an Aromatick, and an a∣stringent Taste. 'Tis light, and yet the Substance of it is compact. Being handled in the Sun, or near the Fire, it grows soft; and when it is cold it breaks easily: Which are the Signs of the best Aloes. The Hepatick is so called, it being like the Liver in Colour and Consistence. 'Tis not so pure as the former, it is not transparent, it smells strong∣er, and tastes more bitter, and is more astringent. The Caballina is more im∣pure, sandy, and filthy; and fit only for Horses.

Aloes, besides its Purga∣tive Virtue, is hot and dry∣ing, and opens Obstructi∣ons: It purges Choler and Flegm. Aloes, contrary al∣most to all other Purging Medicines, strengthens the Stomach. But it is to be noted, That the frequent use of Aloes opens the Hae∣morrhoidal Veins; and, to be sure, it has a Faculty of opening the Orifices of the Veins: Wherefore those that are subject to Haemor∣rhages must not use it. Bartholinus mentions an Observation of one that render'd a Bloody Urine,

by taking Aloes too often. But, outwardly applied, it is very astringent. Aloes kill and expel Worms: Be∣ing mix'd with Vinegar, and the Gall of an Ox, and applied to the Navel, it does the same. It cures the Jaundice, and prevents Putrefaction. And, mix'd with Myrrh, it preserves dead Bodies a long time from Corruption. Some think the Virtue of Mum∣my proceeds wholly from the Aloes, wherewith Bodies were wont to be embalm'd. The Powder of Aloes, used outwardly, stops the Flux of the Haemorrhoidal Veins. Dissolv'd in Wine, it pre∣vents the Falling of the Hair. Mix'd with Medi∣cines for the Eyes, called Collyria, it quickens the Sight. Mix'd with Hony, it cures Ulcers of the Privy Parts, and a Fistula, and Sore Mouths and a Stink∣ing Breath. It shuts the O∣rifices of the Veins, and so stops Bleeding. Outward∣ly applied, it thickens and dries; and the Powder of it conglutinates fresh Wounds, and skins them soon. In prescribing Aloes, the following Cautions are to be observ'd. First, It is not to be given to those, whose Diseases proceed on∣ly from a simple Intempe∣ries, without Matter; for such do not want Evacua∣tion, nor a Medicine that is so drying; for, instead of Evacuation, it occasions a Consumption in such: But, on the contrary; 'tis used with very good Success in those that are of a cold and moist Constitution. Se∣condly, It ought not to be prescrib'd to Old People. Thirdly: It ought not to be used too frequently; espe∣cially, not daily, as some order it. And Fourthly, Wo∣men with Child must not take it; for it provokes the Courses powerfully. Those things which are ad∣ded for the Correction of it are, Mace, Nutmegs, Cloves, Cinnamon, Spike∣nard, Sweet-smelling Flag, Saffron, and the like. The Operation of it is quicken'd by washing it in a Deco∣ction of Rhubarb, or in an Infusion of Roses. 'Tis said, that Mastick, Traga∣canth, Bdellium, and the like, mix'd with it, pre∣vents

its opening the Ori∣fices of the Veins: Or, if it be wash'd in Endive, or Succory-water, the same may be prevented. Ma∣ny excellent Medicines of the London-Dispensatory are compounded of Aloes. The Pills called Pilulae Aggrega∣tivae are made in the follow∣ing manner: Take of Ci∣tron, Myrobolans, and Rhu∣barb, each half an Ounce; Juice of Agrimony, and Wormwood thicken'd, each two Drams; Diagridium five Drams; Agarick, Co∣loquintida and Polypodium, of each two Drams; Tur∣bith and Aloes, of each six Drams; Mastick, Red Ro∣ses, Sal Gemmae, Epithimum, Annise, Ginger, of each a Dram; with Syrup of Da∣mask-Roses, make a Mass for Pills: They purge Flegm, Choler and Melan∣choly; they are good for a foul Stomach: The Dose is half a Dram. Pilulae A∣loephanginae are made in the following manner: Take of Cinnamon, Cloves, Car∣damoms the Lesser, Nut∣megs, Mace, Sweet-smel∣ling Flag, Carpo-balsamum, or Juniper-berries, Squi∣nanth, Wood of Aloes, Yellow Sanders, Red Ro∣ses dried, Wormwood, of each half an Ounce; draw a Tincture from these, in Spirit of Wine, they being first grosly powder'd: In three Pints of this Tincture strain'd, dissolve a Pound of Aloes; then add of Ma∣stich and Myrrh powder'd; each half an Ounce; Saf∣fron two Drams, of Bal∣sam of Peru one Dram; bring it to a Mass for Pills, by evaporating the super∣fluous Moisture over Ashes, or in a Bath. These Pills are good for the Head-ach, and Giddiness of the Head: They strengthen the Brain and Stomach. Half a Dram, or a Dram, may be taken at a time. Pilu∣lae de Aloe lota are made in the following manner: Take of Aloes, dissolv'd in the Juice of Red Roses, and boyl'd up again, one Ounce; of Agarick tro∣chiscated three Drams, of Mastick two Drams, of the Species of Sweet Dia∣mosk half a Dram; with Syrup of Pale Roses make a Mass for Pills. Pilulae Aloe Rosata is made in the

following manner: Take of Succotrine-Aloes pow∣der'd four Ounces, of the Juice of Damask-Roses cla∣rified, one Pint; mingle them, digest them in the Sun, or in a Bath, till the superfluous Moisture is ex∣hal'd; repeat the Dige∣stion and Evaporation four times; make a Mass for Pills. This purges gently, cleanses the Stomach, o∣pens Obstructions, and cures the Jaundice. Half a Dram of it may be taken at Bed-time. Pilulae Cochiae minores are made in the following manner: Take of clear Aloes, of pure Scammony, and of the Pulp of Colaquintida, each one Ounce; powder them, and make a Mass with equal parts of Syrup of Worm∣wood and Syrup of Buck∣thorn; adding to it two Scruples of Oyl of Cloves. These Pills purge much: The Dose is a Scruple, or half a Dram. Pilulae Faeti∣dae are made in the follow∣ing manner: Take of A∣loes, Troches of Alhandel, Opopanax, Ammoniacum, Sagapenum, Myrrh, Seeds of Rue, Dodder, of each five Drams; Scammony three Drams, of the Roots of Turbith half an Ounce, of the Lesser Spurge pre∣par'd, and Hermodactyls, each two Drams; of Gin∣ger one Dram and an half, Spikenard, Cinnamon, Saf∣fron and Castor, each one Dram; of Euphorbium prepar'd one Scruple, of Oyl of Amber rectified half a Dram; dissolve the Gums in Juice of Leeks, strain them, then add the Powders, and mix them well; make a Mass with a Syrup made of the Juice of Leeks and Sugar. These Pills are of excellent use in Women's Obstructi∣ons. Pilulae de Gutta Ga∣mandra are made in the following manner: Take of the best Aloes two Drams and an half, of the Resm of Gutta German∣dra a Dram and an half, of Scammony one Dram, of Gummoniacum one Dram and an half, of Tartar Vi∣triolated half a Dram; with Syrup of Roses Solu∣tive make a Mass. Pilulae de Hermodactylis are made in the following manner: Take of Sagapenum six

Drams, of Opopanax three Drams; melt them in a sufficient quantity of the Juice of Coleworts, strain them, and boyl them pre∣sently, to a moderate Con∣sistence; then take of Her∣modactyls, Aloes, Yellow Myrobalans, Turbith, Tro∣ches of Alhandel, of soft and fresh Bdellium, each six Drams; of Euphorbium Prepar'd one Dram; of the Seeds of Rue and Smal∣lage, of Castor and Scar∣cocol, each three Drams; of Saffron one Dram and an half; with the Syrup of the Juice of Coleworts, made with Hony, make a Mass. They are used in the Gout, and in cold Dis∣eases of the Joints. Two Scruples, or a Dram, may be taken at a time. Pilulae Imperiales are made in the following manner: Take of Aloes two Ounces, of Rhubarb one Ounce and an half, of Agarick, and the Leaves of Sena cleans∣ed, each one Ounce; of Cinnamon three Drams, of Ginger two Drams; of Nutmegs, Cloves, Spike∣nard, and Mastich, each one Dram; with Syrup of Violets, make a Mass. They strengthen the Stomach and Bowels; and are good for such as are of a cold Con∣stitution. Pilulae Macri are made in the following man∣ner: Take of the best A∣loes two Ounces, of Ma∣stich half an Ounce, of the Leaves of dried Marjoram two Drams, of Salt of Wormwood one Dram; powder them all, and make a Mass with a sufficient quantity of the Juice of Coleworts, sweeten'd with Sugar. It strengthens the Stomach, Brains, and the Nerves; and opens Ob∣structions of the Liver and Spleen. Half a Dram of them may be taken at a time. Pilulae Mastichichinae are made in the following manner: Take of Mastich two Ounces, of Aloes four Ounces, of Agarick tro∣chiscated, of the Species Hierae Picrae simple, each one Ounce and an half; with Syrup of Wormwood make a Mass according to Art. They purge gently, and strengthen the Head and Reins. Half a Dram may be taken at a time. Pilulae de Opopanace are

made in the following man∣ner: Take of Opopanax, Sagapenum, Bdellium, Am∣moniacum, Hermodactyls, and Coloquintida, each five Drams; Saffron, Castor, Myrrh, Ginger, Woody-Cassia, White Pepper, and Yellow Myrobalans, each one Dram; Scammony two Drams, Turbith half an Ounce, clear Aloes an Ounce and an half; dis∣solve the Gums in clarified Juice of Coleworts, and make a Mass with Syrup of Juice of Coleworts. 'Tis good for Palsies, and Dis∣eases of the Joints. The Dose is half a Dram: They work strongly. Pilulae Ru∣dii, or Extractum Rudii, are made in the following man∣ner: Take of Coloquintida six Drams; Agarick, Scam∣mony, the Roots of Black Hellebore, Turbith, of each half an Ounce; of Succo∣trine-Aloes one Ounce; of Cinnamon, Mace, and Cloves, each two Scruples; having cleans'd the Colo∣quintida from its Seeds, cut it small, grate the Agarick, powder the Hellebore, the Turbith, and the Spices grosly, and infuse them four Days in a gentle Heat, in a sufficient quantity of the best Spirit of Wine, so as it may rise five Fingers breadth above the Ingre∣dients; then strain it, pres∣sing it out hard, and dis∣solve in it the Scammony, and the Aloes; then pour the Liquor into a Glass-A∣limbeck, distil it till that which remains in the Alim∣beck is as thick as Hony; afterwards pour it out, and evaporate it till it come to a Mass fit for Pills. It purges Choler, Flegm and Melancholy. Half a Dram is a sufficient Dose for a strong Man, for it works violently. Pilulae Ruffi are made in the following man∣ner: Take of Aloes two Ounces, of choice Myrrh one Ounce, of Saffron half an Ounce; make them up into a Mass, with Syrup of Wormwood. They cleanse the Stomach, and are good after Surfeits, and Excessive Drinking, A Scruple, or half a Dram, or more, ac∣cording to the Strength of the Patient, may be given. Pilulae sine quibus are made in the following manner: Take of Aloes dissolv'd in

the Juice of Roses, and then dried again, fourteen Drams: of Prepar'd Scam∣mony six Drams; of A∣garick, Rhubarb, of the Leaves of Sena cleansed, each half an Ounce; of Wormwood, Red Roses exungulated, Violets▪ Dod∣der, and Mastick, each one Dram; of Salt of Worm∣wood half a Dram; pow∣der the Scammony, the A∣loes, the Agarick, and the Mastich a-part; add the other things, and make a Mass with a Syrup made of the Juice of Fennel and Hony. Pilulae Stomachicae cum Gummi are made in the following manner: Take of the purest Aloes one Ounce, of the Leaves of Sena cleans'd five Drams, of Gum Ammoniack, dis∣solv'd in Vinegar of Elder, half an Ounce; of Ma∣stich and Myrrh, each one Dram and an half; of Saf∣fron and Salt of Worm∣wood, each half a Dram; make a Mass with Syrup of Buck-thorn. They are good to cleanse the Stomach. Dose is half a Dram. Pi∣lulae de Succino are made in the following manner: Take of White Amber and Mastich, each two Drams; of the best Aloes five Drams, of Agarick trochiscated half a Dram, of Long Birth-wort, and Calcin'd Hart's-horn, each half a Dram; Nutmegs half a Scruple; with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of Wormwood make a Mass. They are chiefly used for Diseases of the Head. Half a Dram, or more, may be taken at a time, according to the Strength of the Person. Hyera Picra Simple is made in the following manner: Take of Cinnamon, Mace, the Roots of Asarabacca, Spikenard, Saffron, Ma∣stick, each ten Drams; of Aloes wash'd twelve Oun∣ces and an half, of Clarified Hony four Pounds three Ounces; make an Electua∣ry according to Art. The Species are also kept a-part in the Shops. Tinctura Sa∣cra is made in the follow∣ing manner: Take of the Species of Hyera Picra one Ounce, of Canary-wine one Pint; keep them close stop∣ped in a Glass, and shake it every Day, till it is deeply tinctur'd; let it stand till

it is clear. Four or five Spoonfuls, more or less, may be taken at a time, according to the Strength of the Body. It strengthens the Stomach, quickens the Appetite, opens Obstructi∣ons, and purges Choler, Flegm, and Melancholy. Pulvis Thuraloes is made in the following manner: Take of Frankincense one Dram, of Aloes half a Dram; make it of the Consistence of Hony, with the White of an Egg, when you use it; mix with it Hare-down, apply it to the Wound, and bind it on. This is frequently used to stop Bleeding.