Pharmacopoeia Lemeriana contracta Lemery's Universal pharmacopoeia abridg'd, in a collection of recepe's and observations compar'd with the London and with Bates's dispensatories, and also with Charas's Royal pharmacy : to which are added some remedies recommended by the members of the French Royal Academy of Science, most collected out of the history of that society lately published by John Baptista du Hamel.

Remedies collected out of the Hi∣story of the Royal Academy of Sciences, publish'd some Months past by John Baptista du Hamel.

I Need say no more in praise of Mr. du Hamel, than that he had the honour to be particularly esteem'd by our fa∣mous Mr. Boyle, and that he has been Secretary to the French Royal Academy of Sciences since its first Institution. He is Author of the Philosophca vetus & no∣va ad usum Scholae accomodata, and of se∣veral other excellent Works. He insert∣ed these Remedies in his History in hopes they might prove of some good to the Publick, which is the design of adding them here.

Monsieur Galloy recommended the De∣coction or Broth of Crab-fish in Distem∣••ers vulgarly call'd, Defluxions on the Breast and Lungs; he was advis'd to it by the famous Malpighius.

The same also recommended Urine and Salt boil'd to the consistence of Ho∣ney to dissolve obstinate Swellings when they do not yield to the best discussing Plasters.

Dr. Joly a Native of Dijon assur'd, that in Burgundy and the Confines of Cham∣paigne, where the King's Evil is very common, they boil two handfulls of Flower in a quart of Vinegar over a gentle heat to a Gluish Consistence, and apply it with new Flax-yarn never wash'd to the swelling, which does discuss it wonderfully.

Mr. Du Verney recommends Mr. Leme∣ry's Stiptick Water as an extraordinary Remedy in Wounds, Hemorrhagies, &c. and says, It is us'd with great success at Strasbourg.

Others offer'd the Phlegm of Vitriol co∣hobated on the Vitriol and distill'd from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 several times: This may be safely take•• inwardly, being not in the least Corrosive▪ Some were for the Oyl of Vitriol dulc••¦fy'd by a long digestion with Spirit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Wine, then that Spirit drawn off an•• fresh pour'd on; this to be repeated seve¦ral times.

Mr. Du Clos said, He himself cur'd the spitting of Blood, by the repeated exhi∣bition of a grain of Opium in Syrup of Pomgranate.

The following slight Preparation is said to be of great efficacy in Wounds, Incisions and Contusions. ℞. Rose-buds two handfulls, Sugar half an ounce, Cinna∣mon one drachm; put them into a pint of good Brandy, expose the Bottle to the Sun for three Weeks. They give it a mild A∣stringency to stop the Blood, a Volatili∣ty to dissolve what is extravas'd and be∣come grumous, and say, it Coats the Wound with a sort of Varnish or gluish clear Liquor that keeps it from the Inju∣ries of the Air. Others commended the Balsam of Peru.

Upon tryal, which was most in the right, Monsieur Redi that plac'd the Poi∣son of Vipers in a yellow Juice, or Sa∣liva; or Mr. Charas that affirm'd it con∣sisted in their irritated Spirits; there was discover'd a Bagg or Magazine of the yellow Juice at the Root of their Teeth, and a natural hollow Channel in the Tooth through which the Liquor was forcibly shot out upon pressure of its Re∣servatory;

this yellow Juice was found to be a killing Poison. On this occasion a Discourse was started, how those ought to be help'd, who should have the misfor∣tune to be bit by Vipers. Some quoted Ambrose Parey, Chirurgion to Charles IX. and to Henry the Third of France, who being bit in the Finger by a Viper at Montpelier, escap'd by making a straight Ligature above the Wound. Monsieur Charas was twice bit; the first time be∣sides a Ligature, he took twenty four grains of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, which cast him into a good Sweat; the second time he trusted to the Ligature a∣lone, and did well.

The Inhabitants of Poictou, who are frequently bit by Vipers, that are very numerous in that Province, use another sort of Remedy. When stung they heat an Iron red hot with what expedition they can, and hold it as near and as long as they can bear it, to the Wound. One so dangerously bit, that his Arm swell'd up immediately, heated the Blade of his Knife red hot, held it close to the Sore for ten or twelve Minutes, and the Swel∣ling and other Symptoms soon disap∣peared.

Monsieur Blondel offer'd another Re∣medy, which he had known to be us'd with good success by Huntsmen in Ame∣rica, viz. When bit or stung they imme∣diately scarify'd the part, fill'd it with Gunpowder, and set fire to the Powder.

Others fill the Wound with Cotton well soak'd in a Dissolution of Treacle in the best Spirit of Wine.

In Normandy they first press and suck out the Blood, and then fill the Wound with Salt, and this they do when hurt by mad Dogs.

A tryal was made of an Indian Stone given by Father Fontenay to Monsieur Cassini, a Pigeon being wounded by a Viper the Stone was apply'd to the Wound with some success; but a Stone that was said to have been taken out of a Serpent's Head was found to be of no effect, for the wounded Whelp it was apply'd to died in nine Hours time. The Stone was believ'd to be factitious; it is commonly call'd The Stone of Camboja. The Blood of this Whelp and of a Pigeon that died bitten by a Viper was fluid.

Monsieur Charas upon this Subject told, he had cur'd his Daughter severely bit by an Ape, by an Application of pounded Garden Parsley to the Wound. And another offer'd, That Bees stings are immediately cur'd by putting to them bruis'd Laurel Leaves, and that the Pow∣der of a Chamois-horn did the same, and was Alexipharmick.

Upon the Analysis of Wolf's bane, and some discourse of Poisons, Mr. Charas af∣firm'd, he had formerly found in a Chest that belong'd to one of the famous poi∣soning Ladies, an insipid clear Liquor, that kill'd whatever Animal drank it; that the same Ladies Brother liv'd a long time by vertue of the Juice of Citrons; he was of opinion, that drinking Water in a large quantity was a good Remedy against Corrosive Poisons.

The same Monsieur Charas being some Years before he died, reduc'd by a lin∣gring Sickness to a very low state of Health, troubled with continual Sweats and troublesome itching over all his Bo∣dy, bethought himself to take a grain of Opium every day, which recover'd his Strength much, and gave him great ease

from his itching, without dosing him in the least, or abating his Appetite to Meat or Drink; his Sweats continu'd for some time after he began to do well, and he believing from the itch that follow'd them, that they proceeded chiefly from a turgency of sharp corrosive Humours, thought best to second Nature in the excretion, took his Opium every day un∣til he was perfectly recover'd: This he observ'd, that it had the same effect whatever time of the day he took it. It is also commended in a Tenesmus, and not only put into the hollow of the Tooth, but also taken inwardly for the painful Tooth-aches.

Discoursing upon Sea water, and the several methods try'd to render it sweet, as Percolation, Distillation, and Precipi∣tation, they seem'd to conclude the latter impracticable, because to precipitate the Sea-Salt another Salt must be us'd, which will communicate an ungrateful Acrimo∣ny or Acidity to the Water. What Glau∣ber says of his Specular Stone ignited wants the confirmation of Experience. Percolation requires a close light Earth: Sand calcin'd and reduc'd into Powder would be very proper. Sweetning Wa∣ter

by Distillation has been perform'd by some, especially by D. Othon of Caen, who by a serpentine Pipe or Worm of his own invention has drawn above forty Pints in forty Hours: This Water thus distill'd, mix'd in a small quantity with common Water, preserves it from Cor∣ruption, if we believe Fioravanti who delivers it as a considerable Secret. Sea∣water drank in a small quantity is no way hurtful: Some take it against Worms, others to prevent their being Sea-sick. Zacutus tells of a Dropsical Man, who being at Sea and forc'd to drink Sea∣water, having none that was fresh, fell into a Looseness that cur'd him of his Dropsie. Another was known to have been considerably reliev'd by wearing continually round his Loins a Linen Gir∣dle stuff'd with dry Salt finely powder'd; and whereas before he us'd it, he seem'd to be at death's door through the vast bulk and extension of his Abdomen, yet he liv'd two Years. Hereupon some re∣commended Hemp agrimony in Dropsies; another told, how two Dropsical Persons found some relief in an Anasarca by going into an Oven immediately after the Bread was drawn out.

Monsieur Homberb related the History of an Hypochondriack that was cur'd by the use of this following Mixture.

℞. Quick Lime slak'd in the Air two parts, Sal Armoniack one part; mix them well together. He gave twenty grains of this Mixture at a time. He says, Lime dissolv'd per deliquium, deserves to be plac'd among the best opening Reme∣dies.

The same says, That if you mix equal parts of Salt of Tartar and Sal Armoni∣ack together, draw off the Spirits or U∣rinous Flowers, and then dissolve, filter, and coagulate what remains, you will have Sylvius's Salt so much commended by the Dutch Physicians. He deprives the Glass of Antimony of its Emetick quality by an Acid Spirit drawn from the Oak Tree: The method is thus.

℞. Glass of Antimony two ounces, pour on it a pint of the Spirit of Oak-wood, leave them to digest for eight days, then change the Spirit for new, and repeat this till the Spirit draws no more red Tincture from the Glass. In this Operation not on∣ly the Glass of Antimony loses its Eme∣tick

Quality, but also the Spirit is de∣priv'd of its natural Acidity; the Spirit first us'd becomes sweet and somewhat astringent.

Dr. Mery assur'd, That he has cur'd not only superficial but also deep flesh Wounds with a mixture of an inconside∣rable quantity of good rectify'd Spirit of Wine with common Water: He keeps the Wound clean, drops in some of this Water, or anoints the Wound with a Feather dip'd in it.

Mr. Turnefort commends. Garlick in the griping of the Guts, and a Gargle of Olive Pickle call'd Pinsolina in Provence against Quinsies.

Mr. Du Hamel has a great Opinion of the Powder of Acorns given in Wine in the Colick pains. He also recommends the Roots of Butter-bur as a powerful Sudorifick, and the Leaves of the greater Burr dock dry'd in the Sun and reduc'd into Powder, as Alexipharmick and ef∣ficacious in Malignant Fevers.

Mr. Bourdelin commends, besides Scur∣vy-grass, Cresses, Buck-Beans, an Infu∣sion

of Mustard-seed in Scorbutick cases. Others were for a change of Air: a third sort preferr'd Remedies that may allay the Heat and Effervescence of the Humours.

The Duke of Montasaire who was Go∣vernour to the Dolphin, us'd to find a great relief from the Rheumatick pains he was frequently troubled with, by rubbing the part well, and then fomenting it with a strong Infusion or Decoction of Tansey.

Mr. Du Verney has experienc'd the Effi∣cacy of Camphire, not only in Rheuma∣tisms and Malignant Fevers, but also in the Kibes and Piles, against which last he order'd an Ointment of Horse-dung fry'd with Suet and the Juice press'd out for use.

Mr. Bouleduc cures the Hemorrhoides with a mixture of the Juices of Henbane and Toads-flax incorporated with the Grease of an Eel. The same commends a Conserve of Rue in Malignant Fevers. Mr. Marchant the Tuberose Roots, Birds-foot, against the Stone and Gravel. O∣thers a Dissolution of Camphire in Cor∣dial Potions against Cephalalgia's, and

Camphir'd Wine in Rheumatick and Er∣ratick Pains.

Mr. Dodart observes, That most that die of the yellow Jaundice are carry'd off with a Flux of Blood; but with us they are more subject to fall out of incurable Jaundices into deplorable Dropsies.

The Juice of Bugloss is recommended in Pleurisies, and a Panacaea consisting of Mercury, Sea Salt and Vitriol in Malig∣nant Fevers, but the Process is not in∣serted.

Half a pound of Oyl of Tartar mix'd with two pounds of quick Lime and di∣still'd six times in a moderate heat, be∣comes a good Remedy in Palsies and in Rheumatick pains.

An Extract made of Thea turn'd Vei∣nous Blood into a darkish black colour, but did not coagulate it in the least; being mix'd with Arterial Blood, this cak'd in the middle, and appear'd of a lively vivid colour, the rest look'd like common Serum.

Cows and Goats-milk analys'd yielded nothing that was ungrateful either in Smell or Tast; four pints of both gave three ounces of Oyl and thirteen ounces of a fixt and very lixivial Salt. All that was drawn from the Asses Milk was ei∣ther ungrateful or insipid.

A Tincture of Gold may be prepar'd thus; Dissolve one part of Gold in thirty parts of Spirit of Salt, and then pour on essential Oyl of Rosemary, and shake to∣gether until the Oyl becomes of a yellow colour, which when you find it is, separate the Oyl by a Funnel, and pour on it a tre∣ble quantity of Spirit of Wine acuated with the Spirit of Sorrel, and leave them in Digestion a considerable time.

I will conclude with some Remedies recommended by Doctor Turnfort the famous Botanist, Royal Professor of Plants at Paris.

In Agues accompanied with Obstructi∣ons of the Bowels he advises to give the Kinkina in an Extract of the lesser Cen∣tory, or in an Extract made of the leaves of Smallage.

He gives us a Remedy against the Ne∣phretick or Stone-Colick, which the In∣tendant of Languedock having found great Relief by, printed for the good of the Publick.

℞. Half a drachm of the outward Bark of the Root of Star-Thistle or Calcitrapa gather'd about the latter end of September, reduce it into powder and infuse it in a Glass of White Wine over Night, which filter and drink off the next Morning early, and neither drink nor eat for three hours after.

The same day prepare the following Remedy to be taken the next Morning.

℞. A small handful of Pellitory of the Wall, a drachm of Sassafras wood, and the same quantity of Anise-seed, and about half a scruple of Cinnamon; infuse them all Night in a cover'd Vessel over hot Embers in six ounces of Water, in the Mor∣ning set it over a clear Eire, and let it hoil for half a quarter of an hour, then fil∣ter, and pour it into a Silver Poringer upon two ounces of Sugar-candy; when the Sugar is dissolv'd drink it off as hot as you can bear it, and abstain from eating or drink∣ing for three hours.

He distills a Water from great Celan∣dine, River-Crabs and Honey, which is very good in Consumptions, Inflammations and Ulcers of the Eyes, and powerfully suppresses Hysterick Vapours.

He knows no Remedy that gives more present ease in painful Cancers than to anoint them with a mixture of Butter and an Oyl drawn by a Cornue from common Flax-weed or Toad-flax; this Oyl dissolves the Blood and extravas'd Humours in the Pores of the Flesh, and so supples the Fibres, whose extraordina∣ry Tension caus'd the intolerable pains. He prepares an Ointment which he also commends much. He infuses Beetles and Hog's-lice in Oyl, then puts in some Toad-flax, and after they have boil'd for some time, he strains them through a Linen Cloth, adds equal parts of hard boil'd yolks of Eggs and fresh Bees-wax, until he has brought them to the Consi∣stence of an Ointment.

The Prince of Mirandole's famous pow∣der against the Gout, kept a great secret by many, consists of equal parts of German∣der, Ground-pine, lesser Centory, roots of the greater Centory, round Birth∣wort

and Gentian reduc'd into fine Powder, which may be taken in sub∣stance or infus'd over-Night in half a Glass of good old Wine: It is to be con∣tinu'd a considerable time, and may prove of good use in intermittent Fevers, Dropsies, and all such Distempers as are occasion'd by Obstruction of the Viscera. A Fomentation made with the Decocti∣on of Heath-flowers is also recommended against Gouty and Rheumatick Pains.

The following Partisan is very good in a dry husking Cough.

℞. Roots of Bugloss and Dogs-grass of each three ounces; boil them in two quarts of common Water, pour the boiling De∣coction upon an ounce of the flowers of Corn-Poppies and three heads of white Poppies cut small and bruis'd, and tied up in a Bag, that they may be press'd and squeez'd out the better; let them stand in Infusion a little, then filter with expression, and swee∣ten it with some Pectoral Syrup.

A strong Tincture of the Flowers of Corn-poppies is us'd with success in dis∣charges of Humours on the Lungs.

A strong Infusion of Mother-time well sweeten'd with clarify'd Honey drank warm is no unpromising Remedy in old inveterate Coughs, proceeding from tough viscid Humours impacted on the Bronchiae. An Infusion of the same Herb in White-wine or pale Claret, with five or six drops of the Essential Oyl of Sassa∣fras to each. Dose taken fasting in a Morning for some time together is ap∣prov'd in Obstructions; as is also Sola∣num Scandens, Dulcamara or Bitter∣sweet, especially if infus'd in the distill'd Water or Decoction of the common greater Speedwell or Fluellen. It is the middle rind of this Night-shade that is us'd in the Infusion.

In Greenland the Natives boil Sorrel and Scurvy-grass in their Broth, and take large quantities of the Decoction of those Plants, without any other additi∣tion against the Scurvy, and find that Sorrel is a great corrector of the Acri∣mony of Humours, and of great benefit to the Scorbutick that are of a dry bi∣leous Constitution.

Wine wherein the tops of Juniper have been boil'd is recommended as a

Diuretick in Dropsies or Suppression of Urine, wherein Pills made of two parts Aloes, one part of the powder of Juni∣per-berries are very beneficial; they purify the Blood by Urine and by Tran∣spiration.

A strong Decoction of the great Bur∣dock is not only commended as a puri∣fier of the Blood from ordinary Fecu∣lencies, but also to carry off the Dregs of the Venereal Disease. Hollerius often prescrib'd it with good success in Pleuri∣sies; and Forestus says, it cur'd Vastelius Pensioner of Maclin of the Gout. It made him make a great quantity of Water that was as white as Milk. Et∣muller and many others, are of Opinion, That the Roots of Burr-dock, and of that call'd Butter-burr, may be well sub∣stituted to China Roots, and to Sarsapa∣rilla, as Box-wood to Guajacum and Ju∣niper-wood to Sassafras.

Mr. Turnfort affirms upon his own Experience, the efficacy of an Infusion of the Roots of the great wild Valerian in most violent Hysterick Fits and Convulsive Asthma's and Coughs. He also says, he has seen Palsies cur'd in

the Alps by the use of the Leaves of Alder, especially when that Sickness was occasion'd by lying abroad on the Ground or in damp wet Houses. The manner of use is thus, they fill several Bags with the Leaves, keep them in the Sun, or put them in Ovens until they are throughly hot, then they spread the Leaves on a Bed, put the Patient in, and cover him well, who will not fail to sweat abundantly: And this does not only relieve in Palsies, but also in Rheu∣matisms, Sciatica's, and old Aches if not Venereal; which are also sometimes much eas'd by a Linement of equal parts of Oyl of Chamomil, St. John's-wort, and Spi∣rit of Wine Camphorated; also by the Root of Pepper-wort powder'd and mix'd with Butter apply'd to the part, and the Tincture of the same Root drawn in Spi∣rit of Wine taken inwardly.

An excellent Mouth water, proper in the Scurvy to cleanse the Mouth and strengthen loose Gums, may be made of one part of the Tincture of Columbine-flowers drawn in Spirit of Wine, and two parts of the following Dissolution.

℞. Gum Lac, two ounces, tears of Ma∣stick two drachms; dissolve them over a gentle Fire in a pint of good Brandy.

An Oily Aromatick Volatile Salt, or a Spiritus Volatilis Aromaticus Oleosus, for both may be had by this method.

℞. Cinnamon five drachms, Mace and Nutmegs of each two drachms and a half, Cardamoms one drachm, Saffron and Cloves of each two scruples, Citron peel, Bark of Sassafras, Anise-seeds and Caraway-seeds, of each three drachms; powder all and put them into a Matrass, pour on a quart of the best dephlegm'd Spirit of Wine, stop the Matrass close, and leave them to infuse for eight days, stirring them at least twice every day; when they have stood eight days, press out the Liquor, and pour it into a Glass Retort upon half a pound of Salt of Tartar well dry'd, pul∣veriz'd, and mix'd with four ounces of Sal Armoniack, and distill them in a mild sand heat, and you will have not only an Aromatick Oily Spirit, but also a great quantity of Volatile Aromatick Salt that will be very penetrating, as consist∣ing of the Ʋrinous part of the Sal Armo∣niack

loosen'd and rendered easily separa∣ble from its other Principles by mixture of the Tartar; so that it pass'd into the Recipient along with the Spirit of Wine, loaded with the Essential Oyl of the Spice.

FINIS.