CHAP. XIII. How to strengthen the Joints.
IT is a matter of much consequence for the prevention of this evill, to strengthen the joints, whereby they may be able to resist the humors preternaturally falling down upon them. Wherefore it is good morning and evening to rub them with oleum omphacinum, that is, oil made of olives not come to their perfect maturity; or with oil of roses mixed with common salt finely powdered. It may also be mixed with common oil, adding thereto the powder of Hart's-horn, as that which hath an astringent and drying faculty. Also it is good to bathe them in this following lee: ℞. cort. granat. nucum cupress. gallarum, sumach. certic querni. an. ℥ ii. salis com. alumin. roch. an. ℥ i. salviae, rorismar. lavendul. lauri, ivae arthretic. an. m. i. rosar. rub. m. ss. bulliant omnia in sex. lb. vini crassi & astringentis, & lixivio parato. ex aquâ chalibeatâ, & cinere querno. Then foment the part with sponges or cotton-cloths; after, this fomentation shall be carefully wiped and dried with hot linnen cloths, taking heed of cold. The juice of unripe haws tempered with oxycrate is a singular thing for this purpose. But if you desire to strengthen the joints weakned by a cold cause, then, ℞. salviae, rorismar. thymi, lavendul laur. absinth. an. m. i. caryophil, zinzib. piperis, c••nquassaterum an. ℥ i. infundantur in aqua vitae & vini rubri astringentis, an. lb. iiii. bulliant leniter in balneo mariae. With this liquor foment the joints morning and evening. Some think it good to strengthen the joints, to tread grapes in vintage-time, which if they be not able to do, then let them wash their feet in the must or new pressed wine. Also bags may be thus made for the same purpose. ℞. salis com. alum. roch. cort. granat, sumach. berberis, nucum cupressi, an. ℥ iiii. fol. salviae▪ rorism. rosar. rub. an. m. ss. Let them be all put in linnen bags, and boiled in lee, and so make a decoction, for to foment the joints.