The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey translated out of Latin and compared with the French. by Tho: Johnson. Whereunto are added three tractates our of Adrianus Spigelius of the veines, arteries, & nerves, with large figures. Also a table of the bookes and chapters.

CHAP. VIII. Of local medicines to be applyed outwardly.

THose medicines that have proper and excellent vertues against the pestilence, are not to be neglected to be applyed outwardly, or carryed in the hand. And such are all aromati∣cal, astringent, or spirituous things, which therefore are endued with vertue to repel the venomous and pestiferous air, from coming and entring into the body, and to strengthen the heart and brain. Of this kinde are Rue Balm, Rosemary, Scordium, Sage, Worm-wood, Cloves, Nut-megs, Saffron, the roots of Angelica, and Lovage, and such like, which must be macerated one night in sharp Vineger and Aqua vitae, and then tied in a knot as big as an egg: or rather let it be carried in a sponge made wet, or soaked in the said infusion. For there is nothing that doth sooner and better hold the spirituous virtue and strength of aromatick things, then a sponge. Wherefore it is of principal use either to keep or hold sweet things to the nose, or to apply Epithems and Fo∣mentations to the heart.

Those sweet things ought to be hot or cold, as the season of the year, and kinde of the pestilence is: As for example, in the Summer you ought to infuse and macerate Cinnamon and Cloves, beaten together: with a little Saffron in equal parts, of vineger of Roses, and Rose-water, into which you must dip a sponge, which rowled in a fair linnen cloth, you may carry in your hand, and of∣ten smell to.

Take of Worm-wood half a handful; ten Cloves, of the roots of Gentian and Angelica, of each two drams; of vineger and Rose-water, of each two ounces; of Treacle and Mithridate, of each one dram; beat and mix them well all together, and let a sponge be dipped therein, and used as a∣bove said. They may also be inclosed in boxes made of sweet wood, as of Juniper, Cedar, or cypress, and so carried for the same purpose.

But there is nothing more easie to be carryed then Pomanders: the form of which is thus:

Take of yellow Sanders, Mace, Citron-pills, Rose and Mirtle-leavs, of each two drams; of Ben∣zoin, Ladanum, Storax, of each half a dram; of Cinnamon and Saffron, of each two scruples; of Camphire and Amber-Greece, of each one scruple; of Musk three grains. Make thereof a Poman∣der, with Rose-water, with the infusion of Tragacanth. Or take red-Rose-leavs, the flowers of Wa∣ter-lillies and Violets, of each one ounce; of the three Sanders, Coriander-seeds, Citron-pills, of each half an ounce; of Camphire, one dram; let them all be made into powder, and with Water of Roses and Tragacanth make a pomander.

In the Winter it is to be made thus. Take of Storax, Benzoin, of each one dram and a half; of Musk half a scruple, of Cloves, Lavander and Ciperus, of each two drams; of the root of Orris, i.e. Flower-de∣luce, and Calamus aromaticus, of each two drams and a half; of Amber-Greece, three drams; of Gum-Tragacanth dissolved in Rose-water and aqua vitae, as much as shall suffice: make thereof a Po∣mander.

And for the same purpose you may also use to carry about with you sweet powders, made of Amber-Greece, Storax, Orris, Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Mace, Cloves, Saffron, Benzoin, Musk, Camphire, Roses, Violets, Juncus odoratus, Marjarum, and such like, of which being mixed together, Powders may be compounded and made.

Take of the roots of Orris two drams; of Cyperus, Calamus aromatïcus, red Roses, of each half an ounce, of Cloves half a dram, of Storax, one dram; of Musk, eight grains: mix them, and make a powder for a bag; or take the roots of Orris two ounces; red Rose-leavs, white Sanders, Storax of each one dram; of Cyperus, one ounce; of Calamus aromaticus, one ounce; of Marjarum, half an ounce; of Cloves, three drams; of Lavander, half a dram; of Coriander-seeds, two drams; of good Musk, half a Scruple; of Ladanum and Benzoin, of each a dram; of Nutmegs and Cinnamon, of each two drams: Make thereof a fine powder, and sow it in a bag.

It will be very convenient also to apply to the region of the heart, a bag filled with yellow San∣ders, Mace, Cloves, Cinnamon, Saffron and Treacle shaken together, and incorporated, and sprinkled over with strong vinegar and Rose-water in Summer, and with strong wine and Muska∣dine in the Winter.

The sweet Aromatick things that are so full of spirits, smelling sweetly and strongly, have ad∣mirable vertues to strengthen the principal parts of the body, and to stir up the expulsive faculty to expel the poyson.

Contrarywise, those that are stinking and unsavory, procure a desire to vomit, and dissolution of the powers, by which it is manifest how foolish and absurd their perswasion is, that counsel such as are in a pestilent constitution of the Air, to receive and take in the stinking and unsavory vapours of sinks and privies, and that especially in the morning.

But it will not suffice to carry those preservatives alone, without the use of any other thing, but it will be also very profitable to wash all the whole body in Vinegar of the decoction of Juniper and Bay-berries, the Roots of Gentian, Marigolds, S. Johns-Wort, and such like, with Treacle or Mithridate also dissolved in it. For vinegar is an enemy to all poysons in general, whether they be hot or cold: for it resisteth and hindereth putrefaction. Neither is it to be feared, that it should obstruct the pores, by reason of its coldness, if the body be bathed in it: for it is of subtil parts, and the spices boiled in it, have virtue to open.

Whosoever accounteth it hurtful to wash his whole body therewith, let him wash only his arm∣holes, the region of his heart, his temples, groins, parts of generation; as having great and mar∣vellous sympathy with the principal and noble parts.

If any mislike bathing, let him annoint himself with the following Unguent. Take oyl of Ro∣ses, four ounces; oyl of Spike two ounces; of the powder of Cinnamon and Cloves, of each, one ounce and a half; of Benzoin, half an ounce; of Musk, six grains; of Treacle, half a dram; of Ve∣nice-Turpentine, one dram and a half; of Wax, as much as shall suffice: make thereof a soft Unguent.

You may also drop a few drops of oyl of Mastich, of Sage, or of Cloves, and such like, into the ears, with a little Civet or Musk.

Notes

• Of what na∣ture the medi∣cines out∣wardly used ought to be.
• Pomanders.
• Sweet pow¦ders.
• Bags.
• Unsavory things to be eschewed.
• An Unguent.