A medicinal dispensatory, containing the vvhole body of physick discovering the natures, properties, and vertues of vegetables, minerals, & animals: the manner of compounding medicaments, and the way to administer them. Methodically digested in five books of philosophical and pharmaceutical institutions; three books of physical materials galenical and chymical. Together with a most perfect and absolute pharmacopoea or apothecaries shop. Accommodated with three useful tables. Composed by the illustrious Renodæus, chief physician to the monarch of France; and now Englished and revised, by Richard Tomlinson of London, apothecary.

CHAP. 4. Hiera Diacolocynthidos magist. or, The Magisterial Hiera of Diacolocynthis.

℞ of pulp of Coloquintida ℥ j. Agarick, black Hellebore, of each ℥ ss. Aloes ʒ x. Diagridium, Polypody, Mastick, Opoponax, Bdellium, Sa∣gapenum, of each ʒ ij. of the roots of Enula-campane, Cyprus, Ange∣lica, Cloves, Cinamon, Mace, Bay-berries, Juniper-berries, Carda∣momes, Majoran, Stoechados, Saffron, Spikenard, of each ʒ j. Rose∣leaves ʒ iij. Honey despumed lb j. ss. mingle them according to Art.

The COMMENTARY.

In the Apothecaries Dispensatories, nothing is more confounded, then the descriptions of Hierae, which every one arbitrarily either changes, or denominates wrong. Hence we see the same Hiera de∣signed by three names; as that same which is sometimes called the Hiera of Pacchius, sometimes the Hiera of Archigenus, sometimes of Ruffius, and sometimes also of Diacolocynthis: and three different Hiera's designed by one name; as this of Diacolocynthis, which Mesue describes one way, Nic. Myrepsus another, and Fernelius ano∣ther. But we prefer the Hiera of Pacchius before them all, which we call Magisterial, because of the excellency of its Basis and faculties. He that hath this, may easily be without all the Hiera's which ad∣mit of Coloquintida; and it is thus made:

Opoponax, Bdellium, and Sagapenum, must be macerated a

whole night, or else a day, in Vinegar, rather then in Wine, because of the heat of those simples which ingrede its composition: then they must be well strained, and the Vinegar resolved upon ashes; the Purgatives must be brayed apart, and a little Oyl of Almonds put to the Coloquintida, lest it molest the Brayer; then the other simples, the hardest first, the Aromata next, all must be mixed with despumed honey to a legitimate spissitude.

It is of eximious power, in curing the affections of the head, ven∣tricle, and abdomen; which proceed from crude, pituitous, crass, or melancholical humours; but especially sanative of the Apoplexy, Drowziness, Lethargy, Palsey, Epilepsie, Incubus, difficulty of Breathing, Cholick, Hypochondriacal Melancholy, and all affecti∣ons of the Belly arising from vitreous and crass phlegm, and all such as stupifie the senses, or hebescate motion, or both.

Notes

• Vires.