The sixth book of Practical physick Of occult or hidden diseases; in nine parts Part I. Of diseases from occult qualities in general. Part. II. Of occult, malignant, and venemous diseases arising from the internal fault of the humors. Part III. Of occult diseases from water, air, and infections, and of infectious diseases. Part IV. Of the venereal pox. Part V. Of outward poysons in general Part VI. Of poysons from minerals and metals. Part. VII. Of poysons from plants. Part VIII. Of poysons that come from living creatures. Part IX. Of diseases by witchcraft, incantation, and charmes. By Daniel Sennertus, N Culpeper, and Abdiah Cole, Doctors of Physick

THE SEVENTH PART. Of Poysons from Plants. (Book 7)

Chap. 1. Of Opium.

I SHALL speak of four things cōcerning Opium. 1. Whether Opium may truly be reckoned among poysons? 2. Whether it be hot or cold, whether it cause sleep, or do hurt by manifest or occult quali∣ties? 3. What are the signs and Symptoms of Opium taken in? 4. How they are to be cured that have taken too much Opium? And how Opium may be corrected, that it may be a profitable medicine.

The learnedest Writers say it is poyson. The new juyce of the black Poppy being crude, and not corrected, must be counted a poyson. For

experience shews it, though many,* 1.1 as Turks and Aegyptians eat Opium without hurt; for men by custom may be so familiar with poyson, that it may not hurt them. But hence it follows, not that Opium is not poyson, and works as poy∣sons by hidden qualities, though I shall shew, it may work also by manifest qualities.

For the second: there are many Arguments that Opium is hot, which Scaliger Exercit. 175▪ affirms, calling it by the Name of Amphiam or Aphioure, and also Vesalius Mercurialis, and Ca∣pivaccius, and Erastus, and they confirm it by rea∣sons. 1. Its inflaming and burning quality. 2. Its strong scent. 3. The bitter tast. 4. Its burning the mouth and lips. 5. Its causing thirst. 6. Its heating the mind. 7. It provokes Venery. 8. It causeth itching. 9 It causeth sweat.* 1.2 All these are signs of great heat, as the Learned shew in their Tractates of Opium.

Therefore in regard Opium is not cold, and doth not cause sleep or death from thence, nor from heat, because other hot things have not the same effect, we conclude that Opium doth it by an occult quality and propriety. First, they that work by manifest qualities, are not more contrary to one part of the body then another. But Opium is chiefly hurtful to the brain, nerves, and animal spirits; therefore it doth not work by a manifest, but hidden quality.

Secondly, the effects of Opium are so wonder∣ful (as shall be shewed) that they can••ot be re∣ferred to manifest qualities. It kills a man in so small a quantity, as no pure Element can do the like, much less a mixed body▪ Lastly, if Opium hurt onely by its coldness, or by its quality▪ as Pepper and Saffron. The Physitians and Chy∣mists

need not study so much to correct, but on∣ly give it in a less quantity, as they do Ginger and Pepper.

Thirdly, let the Symptoms be reckoned that follow; after Opium is taken, none can give Opium unknown to the receiver, by reason of its unpleasant scent, though it hath been taken instead of another medicine.

After it is taken, there follows great sleep, and a Megrim, and Itching over the whole body, which is so great, that it raiseth a man from sleep: there is a strong scent over all the body like O∣pium; the lips swel, there is hickets, little brea∣thing, the eyes are dim, the nose is awry, & there are Convulsions somtimes.

* 1.3If it be not prevented speedily, it ki••s sudden∣ly, as Histories mention.

* 1.4After general Evacuation, as in other poysons by Vomits and sharp Clysters, give the proper Antidotes against Opium,* 1.5 as Assa ferida, Castor or Organ, and Castor boyled in Wine: of these Dioscorides.

Chap. 2. Of Mushrooms.

SOme Mushrooms are venemous by experi∣ence, for some have died by them, and even whole families. Seneca called them a Voluptu∣ous Poyson. They kill not onely when they are eaten, but when they are smelt.

The Symptomes are when they are taken in too great a plenty, they cause strangling, or when they are not not well boyled or prepared; they also puff up the belly, cause hickets, ulcerate the guts, suppress the urin, and cause horror, cold

sweat, Syncope, and somtimes Epilepsies, pain, and madness, and death.

Those Mush••ooms that of their own Nature are poyson,* 1.6 are more dangerous then such as by plenty eaten, or by ill preparation do hurt.

Vomit presently: Take Broom flowers,* 1.7 Elder-flowers, each two pugils; bark of Dan••wort two drams, Radish, Dill, Arage seed, each a dram; A∣garick half a dram: boyl them in Hydromel, add to the straining, Oyl of Rue an ounce, make a Potion.

Make Clysters of Organ, Hysop, Rue, Calamints, Scordium, Hiera, with Agarick, Honey of Roses, Oyl of Rue. These resist malignity, Calamus, Or∣gan, Hysop, Rue, Watercresses, Wormwood, Birth∣wort, Garlick.

Treacle, Mithridate, Oxymel simple, and of Squils. But Honey is the proper Antidote against Mush∣rooms.

Chap. 3. Of Napellus▪

IT is sudden poyson; for after it is taken, the lips and mouth swell, and are inflamed,* 1.8 with the tongue also, so that it can scarce be thrust out. There are Convulsions, Faintings and Me∣grim; the eyes are twitched, the legs are weak, the pulse is faint, and death follows.

Few escape after it, and if they do,* 1.9 they fall into a Consumption.

After Vomiting and Clysters,* 1.10 give B••oar∣stone, sealed Earth, with Butter and Aqua me••s, or two drams of Smaragds, or Bo•••• Arme••nc••: this is excellent.

Take the Flies of Napellus twenty, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Bole, each a dram; make a Pouder, give it with

Rue-water; Oyl of Scorpions of Mathiolus must anoint the head.

Chap. 4. Of Aconitum.

A Conitum, Cycoctonon and Lycoctonon so cal∣led, because it kills Dogs and Wolves, is like Pardalianches, which kills the Panther. To these the other kinds may be referred: the juyce of the Root is worst; and they are like Napellus.

Symptoms and Signs.

It is sweet upon the tongue, then it grows brackish, and stricks into the head, and causeth heaviness, Megrim, Convulsion of the temporal muscles, dotage, trembling, involuntary tears, red eyes, side-pain, heaviness of breast, difficult breathing, biting at the Pilorus, swelling as in a Dropsie and death.

* 1.11Pliny saith it is the worst of poysons. Others think Napellus worse. They are worst in the Indies.

* 1.12First vomit, if it be gone lower, purge or give Clysters, then give Antidotes, as Rue, Southorn∣wood, Centaury, Organ, Horehound, Groundpine, long Birthwort, Hares and Kids Runnet, with Wine and Vinegar, Eryngus, Castor, Treacle, Mithridate, Opobalsom a dram, and use Oyl of Scorpions outwardly.

Chap. 5. Of Toxicum and Pharicum.

VVRiters do not explain these; they are Plants, with the juyce of which they

poyson their Arrows. Some have used Napel∣lus and Aconitum for the same.

Chap. 6. Of Hemlock.

THey record that Socrates was killed with Hemlock: for it acts not only by cold, but by its whole substance and occult quality; therefore it causeth dim sight and madness, som∣times difficult breath, Hickets, Astonishment and death.

It is more deadly in some countries then in o∣thers.* 1.13

After vomiting or purging give proper Anti∣dotes, As, Rue, Dictany, young Laurel leaves, Carrot, Gentian, Pepper, Amomum, Cardamons, Ne••••e seed, Wormwood, Castor, with Wine, Treacle or Mithridate two drams. Give Wine, warm the body, especially the heart, make him move and run.

Chap. 7. Of the Colchian E∣phemerum.

IT is called so from the Ephemerum that is not poyson: it is a plant in every part of it hurtfull to man, and grows much in Colchos.

The Symptoms.

If taken, it presently corrodes and ulcers the lips and stomach, and choaks as the Mushroom, if it go to the guts, it ulcerates and inflames them so that shavings of the guts are voided, like washings of flesh, and makes the whole body itch.

* 1.14After vomiting and purging, give Milk to drink. Dioscorides saies that alone wil cure.

Chap. 8. Of Fle••bane.

THere are divers sorts, and all enemies to the animal spirits, they cause madness like d••••cards, and they rail and think they are whipped, and they cry, and bray like Asses, or neigh like Horses, and have a giddiness and trembling of the whole body: they toss to and fro or fall in an Epilepsie, or faint, they breath not, and are seldom suffocated.

* 1.15It yeilds easily to medicines while the party is strong, and the medicines proper.

* 1.16Vomit with Hydromel and oyl of R••e: Or give a Clyster, and then the Antidotes, as Pistacha••s, Castor, Rue, Wormwood, Bay leaves and berries, Ne••tle seed, Garlick, Treacle, Mith••id••••e: Give with meat Radishes, Mustard seed, Garlick, Oni∣••ns, Watercresses, fresh Butter, Pepper, Pistachaes, drink Wormwood-win•• and provoke 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Chap. 9. Of mad Nightshade and Dorycnium.

* 1.17TWo Boyes were killed with b••rries of Nightshade. And though there are ma∣ny sorts of it, they are all poyson, especially that called Bella donna, but mad Nightshade is worst.

Symptoms and Signs.

* 1.18A dram of the root of mad Nightshade, caus∣••th strange imaginations not unpleasant, if you take as much more, it alienates the mind, and four times as mu••h kils.

Honey'd water drunk plentifully, or Milk,* 1.19 and then Bole, sealed E••rth, Rue, Treacle and Mithri∣date: and things good against Opium, and use Castor and Rue to the Nose.

Dorycnium is not the same, for that is like milk, sweet upon the tongue, and when it is in the stomach, it causeth constant Hickets and faint∣ing, the guts are ulcerated, and they vomit blood. You must vomit here as in other poysons, but Honey water is best here, and Milk, sweet Wine warm, with Aniseed; and all Shell-fish are good raw or boyled.

Chap. 10. Of the Mandrake.

THe Mandrake and its Apples are also dan∣gerous, and though they hurt only by cold as some think, yet their bitter tast, and strong scent, itching and burning in the skin, and driness of the mouth, perswade the contrary: for all these are from venom: besides they cause sleep, Lethargies, and when they are awaked, they roar and and sleep again presently, they ar•• sad and dull, and somtimes mad, their eyes swel, they are red with swollen faces: there is ••urn∣ing the whole body, the mouth and tongue a••e dry.

As for the Prognostick, it kils slowly, but if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be not opposed, they die by Convulsions.

•• et the Mandrakes be presently vomited or void••d by stool, then give P••nnyroyal, Worm∣wood, O••g••n, R••e, S••••rdium, Castor, ••it•• Vinega•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a D••••••ction, or in Pouder▪ o•• give Treacle, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, with Salt three daies.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ouse hi••, ••ive 〈…〉〈…〉 E••thi••s of Ca∣stor,

Rue, as in a Lethargie. Let the drink be sweet, or Wormwood wine.

Chap. 11. Of Smallage of Laughter, or the Sardonick Herb.

THese being taken, because they hurt the nerves, they make the mouth awry, for the muscles that move the lips, are contracted, so that they seem to laugh.* 1.20 There is a heat in the guts, and stomach, and throat, and the whole body; they are mad, and some laugh constant∣ly.

* 1.21After Vomiting and Purging, give Hydromel, Milk, Butter, and fat broaths plentifully. Emul∣sions of sweet Almonds, the great cold Seeds, Poppy seeds, with Barley and Lettice water, and Plantane water. The Antidote is juyce of Balm, with Vinegar, Bole and Whey. Anoint the neck with Oyl of Co∣stus, Castor, Foxes, St. Iohns-wort, Aragon Oynt∣ment, &c. Some make them drunk, that they may sleep it out.

Chap. 12. Of Coriander.

THe venom of Coriander is not to be sought in the first qualities, for it is hot, but you must consider its malignity: when green, and the ripe seed is not without fault, and must be prepared for Physick,* 1.22 for it causeth a mad do∣tage, so that they talk like drunkards obscoenly, with a shrill voice, they are sleepy, and giddy, and their body smells like green Coriander.

Vomit with warm Water, or Decoction of Dill,* 1.23 Oyl of Orris, or Lillies, Wormwood wine,: give fat broaths, with Salt and Pepper. The Antidote is Root of Smallow-wort, with Win•• or Treacle. Give rear Eggs, with P••pper and Salt.

Chap. 13. Of Ixia and Camae∣leon.

The Symptoms and Signs.

IXia smells and tasts like Basil, it inflames and exasperates,* 1.24 causeth madness and want of breath, binds the belly, causeth pain, itching, and fainting.

Give the decoction of Wormwood, Goats-organ,* 1.25 in Wine or Vinegar or Hydromel, ••ft••r a Vomit or a Clyster. Or give the Roo•• of Silphium, or Indian Spikenard, Castor, Treacle and Mithridate. Then strength••n the vital spirits, as in Chap. of swoun∣ding, l. 2. p. 4. c. 6.

Chap. 14. Of Taxus the Ew∣tree.

The Symptoms and Signs.

THey that sleep under this Tree, or eat of its fruit die (though in England it is in∣nocent) yet they that are infected in other Countries, are all over, and fear choaking,* 1.26 have a Dysentery, and often die suddenly.

After Vomiting and fitting Purging,* 1.27 give ••ormwood wine plentifully, or Ge••••ian, and Orris

roots, with Oxymel or Treacle. Against the Dy∣sentery give sealed Earth, Bole, Bezoar, Coral, Tormensil roots, Iuyce and Syrup of Pomegranates, and of Currans.

Chap. 15. Of Euphorbium.

THough Euphorbium be used physically, yet if it be given in a great quantity, or not corrected, it is poyson: and doth not only hurt by its burning, but by an occult quality. For it causeth sudden fainting that kills suddenly.

The Symptoms and Signs.

It being taken, burns the stomach, and cor∣rodes the guts, causeth hickets and vomiting, in∣flames the body, and causeth thirst, and over∣purging and Dysentery, cold sweats, fainting, and oftentimes sudden death.

* 1.28Give a Vomit of warm Water, or the Decoction of Violets or Mallows, with Oyl of Violets, or Roses, or sweet Almonds, and a Clyster of Althaea-roots, Vio∣lets, Mallows, Endive, Lettice, Plantane, flowers of Chamomil, Moulin, cold Seeds, Mucilage of Flea∣bane. And then give now Milk and fat broaths. The proper Antidote is seeds of Citro••s in Win••, & roots of Elicampane boyled, or sealed Earth, Sma∣ragds, Crystal calcin••d, Species liberantis, Treac••e.

Chap. 16. Of the Nut called Metella.

* 1.29CArdan writes that it is of a mean, between Opium and Hemlock, and kills in a day, being taken in the quantity of a d••am. It cau∣seth

deep sleep, from which the party that took it can scarce be roused; cold breath, swollen lips, pale body, blew nails, cold sweat, and death.

Vomit with Walnut shells green boyled in Wine. Give a Clyster of Centaury, Rue▪ Sc••r∣dium,* 1.30 Castor and Hydromel: and then a D••coction of Wormwood, Organ, wild Rue, Gentian, Elicam∣pane in Wine; or Castor, Pellitory Ba••berries, Cinnamon, Treacle, Diagalangal, Diagingiber. Raise him from sleep by strong Ligatures, Er∣rhins; and if he can walk, let him stir till he sweat. Let him drink new Milk, or new Wine.

Chap. 17. Of Spurge.

The Symptoms and Signs.

IT is not simply poyson,* 1.31 for being rightly pre∣pared and given in a small dose, it is a purge, otherwise it causeth loathing and vomiting, and troubleth the heart, and destroys the temper of the liver, makes the belly-ake, and flux, which produceth Convulsions and Death.

Provoke Vomit: after they begin to vomit,* 1.32 that the whole venom may be evacuated, with warm Barley water, Oyl of Dill or Violets Then give a cooling Clyster of emollient Herbs, cold Seeds, Mucilage of Fleabane, Oyl of Roses and Violets, and the yolk of an Eg. Give Antidotes as against Euphorbium, and Gum Arabick, Traganth, fresh Butter, Cream of Ptisan, sweet Almonds, and the like.

Chap. 18. Of Hellebore.

THe question is chiefly of white Hellebore. Some would have it not to be mustered a∣mong medicines. Others highly commend it, but this controversie may be ended thus. Poy∣sons are either simply so, and hurt all men al∣waies: or they are given by art and made Phy∣sick. Hellebore is of the last sort, and though many have perished by the use of Hellebore, yet it was by reason of the great quantity, or want of preparation.

Symptoms and Signs.

If it be taken in ••r••at quantity without prepa∣ration; it purgeth violently upwards and down∣wards, and causeth great pains in the stomach and guts, hickets, suffocation, difficult breath∣ing, trouble of mind, sudden weakness, heart-beating, and they die by Convulsions or Suf∣focation.

* 1.33Though Hellebore cause vomiting, it must not be suddenly stop••, but furthered with a deco∣ction of Radishes, Dill and Arage seed in Hydromel often given. Give a Clyster of the decoc••ion of small C••ntaury, Rue, Plantane, Althaea, with Oyl of Dil, and yolks of Egs. For Antidotes, give pouder of ••a∣terlilly roots or flowers, or Parsnep seed two drams, with Wine, or Treacle and Mithridate. To prevent strangling, give half a dram of Galbanum. Against the bellyach, make a bag of Bran, Salt, Cummi••, Pennyroyal,* 1.34 Mints, Rue, Bayberries boyled in Wi•••• or Milk. We have shewed elswhere how over∣purging Hi••kets and Convulsions are cured.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Dios. lib. 6. Gal. 3. de tem. c. 4. Avic. l. 4. fen. 6. tr. 1 & omnes fere in eum comm. & alij plur.
• * 1.2

  Dr. Mi∣chael Dor. & Daniel Vuincke∣erus.
• * 1.3

  The Pro∣gnostick.
• * 1.4

  The Cure.
• * 1.5

  Dios. lib. 6. c. proprio.
• * 1.6

  The Pro∣gnostick.
• * 1.7

  The Cure.
• * 1.8

  Mathi. in. Dios. lib. 4
• * 1.9

  The Pro∣gnostick.
• * 1.10

  The Cure.
• * 1.11

  The Pro∣gnostick.
• * 1.12

  The Cure.
• * 1.13

  The Pro∣gnostick.
• * 1.14

  The Cure.
• * 1.15

  The Pro∣gnostick.
• * 1.16

  The Cure.
• * 1.17

  Hiero-tra-gus hist. stir. l. 3. c. 24.
• * 1.18

  Dios. lib. 4. c. 69.
• * 1.19

  The Cure.
• * 1.20

  The Signs.
• * 1.21

  The Cure.
• * 1.22

  Signa & sympto.
• * 1.23

  The Cur••.
• * 1.24

  Aeti. & Dios. lib. 6. c. 27.
• * 1.25

  The Cure.
• * 1.26

  Petr. p••na in a••ver. p. 490.
• * 1.27

  The C••re.
• * 1.28

  The Cure.
• * 1.29

  Lib. 3. de ven. c 5. Symp••o••••a∣t••••.
• * 1.30

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.31

  Esulae sym∣ptomata & signa.
• * 1.32

  The Cure.
• * 1.33

  The Cure.
• * 1.34

  Lib. 3. pract. p. 2. & p. 1. & lib. 1. p. 2. ••. 28,