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. XXXI. Of Epithemes.

EPithema, or an Epitheme, is a composition used in the diseases of the parts of the lower & middle belly, like to a fomentation, & not much unlike an embrocation.* 1.1 They are made of waters, juices, and powders, by means whereof they are used to the heart, chest, liver and other parts. Wine is added to them for the more or less penetration, as the condition of the hot or cold affect shall seem to require; for if you desire to heat, more wine must be added, as in swooning by the clotting of blood, by the corruption of the seed, by drinking some cold poison: the contrary is to be done in a fainting by dissipation of the spirits by feverish heats, also vineger may be added. The matter of the medicines proper to the entrails is formerly described, yet we commonly use the species of electuaries, as the species elect. triasantali, the liver being affected,* 1.2 and Diamargariton in affects of the heart. The proportion of the juices or liquors to the powders, uses to be this,

to every pinte of them ℥i. or ℥iss. of these, of wine or else of vineger ℥i. You may gather this by the following example.

* 1.3℞. aqu. ros. bugl. borag. an. ℥iii. succi scabios. ℥ii. pul. elect. diamarg. frigid. ʒii. cort. citri sicci ʒi. coral. ros. ebor. an. ʒ ss. sem. citri & card. ben. an. ʒii ss. croci & moschi an. gra. 5. addendo vini albi ℥ii. fiat Epi∣thema pro corde.

* 1.4Epithemes are profitably applied in hectick and burning fevers to the liver, heart, and chest if so be that they be rather applied to the region of the lungs then of the heart; for the heat of the lungs being by this means tempered, the drawn in air becomes less hot in the pestilent and drying fevers. They are prepared of humecting, refrigerating, and cordial things, so to temper the heat, and recreate the vital faculty. Sometimes also we use Epithemes to strengthen the heart, and drive there-hence venenate exhalations, lifted or raised up from any part which is gangrenate or sphacelate. Some cotton, or the like, steeped or moistened with such liquors and powders war∣med, is now and then to be applied to the affected entrail: this kinde or remedy, as also all other topick & particular medicines, ought not to be used, unless you have first premised general things.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What an Epi∣theme is.
• * 1.2

  In the sixth Chapter.
• * 1.3

  A cordial Epi∣theme.
• * 1.4

  Their use.