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 the preparation of Medicines.

TO prepare medicines, is nothing else, then by Art to make them more commodious for use and composition, whereby they are either made

More gentle.

By Bruising; as when medicines are broken by striking and rubbing or grinding in a mor∣tar, and that either of Brass, Iron, Lead, Glass, Wood, Marble, and other like; Considering the thing which is to be beaten. The strength or force wherewith it must be performed. The time or space. The situation. The things to be added. The consistence which the thing beaten must be of.

More strong.

By searsing; whereby we separate the purer and finer from the more impure and gross, which is done by sieves and searses, made of Wood, Parchment, Hors-hair, Silk, Lawn. Wherein is to be noted, that the same consideration is to be had in searsing, as in beating; therefore such things as are to be finely powdered, must be searsed in a finer searse: such as are more gross, in a courser.

More pleasant.

By dissolving or mollifying; which is nothing else but a dissolving of a simple or a compound me∣dicine of a thick or hard consistence, either into a mean consistence, or a little more liquid or soft, which is performed either by heat only, for by heat gums and horns are mollified: or by liquor, as by vinegar, water, wine, juice of Limmons, &c.

More wholsome.

By desiccation or hardening; which is nothing else, but the consuming of the superfluous and hurtful moisture; and this is performed, either by the Sun, or by Fire. By infusion; which is nothing else but the tempering or macerating of a medicine a little beaten or cut, in some liquor appropriate and fit for our purpose; as in Milke, Vineger, Water, oyl, and the like, so long as the nature of the medicine requires. To Infusion, Nutrition may be reduced, which is nothing else but as it were a certain accretion of the medicine, by being moistened, macerated, rubbed,

or ground with some moisture, especially with heat. By burning; that is, by consuming the hu∣midity which is in them. And that, either that they may be the better powdered, being otherwise too glutinous, or that they may lay aside their gross essence, and become of a subtiler temper; or that they may put off, or partly lose some fiery quality, as acrimony, Gal. lib. 4. cap. 9. simplicium. Or that they may acquire a new colour. Now all things are burnt, either alone; as, such things as have a fatty moisture, as hairs, sweaty wool, horns: Or else with some combustile matter; as sul∣phur, alum, salt, barly, &c.

More fit for mixture.

By boyling or, elixation; which is performed by a humid heat; as burning is by a drye; and that either that we may increase the weak faculties of such medicines as are boyled, by boy∣ling them with such as are stronger; or else to weaken such as are too strong, or else wholly to dissipate such as are contrary: Or that one faculty may arise of sundry things of different fa∣culties being boyled together, or for the longer keeping them, or bringing them to a certain form or consistence: All which are done, by Fire, or Sun. By washing or cleansing; whereby the impurity of the medicine is wasted away or cleansed; and such things are either hard: as metals stones parts of living creatures, condensed juices, and other like: Or soft; as Rosins, Gums, Fats, Oils. And these ought first to be finely beaten, that the water may penetrate in all their substance. Or to be dissolved, and cast into the vessel filled with water, and so stirred, and then suffered to subside, so that the fat may swim aloft: And this must be done so long that the water retain nothing there∣of in colour, smell, or taste.