Nine books of physick and chirurgery written by that great and learned physitian, Dr Sennertus. The first five being his Institutions of the whole body of physick: the other four of fevers and agues: with their differences, signs, and cures.

CHAP. II. What things are necessary for the artificiall prepa∣ration and Composition of Medicines.

ALL those things which are requisite for the compo∣sition of Medicines may be reduced to soure heads; * 1.1 first a medicine which may supply the Indication whereby a dis∣ease or the causes of a disease, or the Symptome it selfe which offends, may be opposed: and such a medicine, in composition is called the basis because on that as on the foundation, the edifice is builded, the whole composition depends on it and al the rest are referred to this, & are mix∣ed together, for its sake, and that its strength be great in the compound tis necessary; But the basis is sometimes simple, sometimes compound, and indeed not in one manner, for that is called a simple basis, which satisfies one Indication, and brings forth one effect, although it doth not allwayes consist of one, and a simple medicine, but oftentimes is com∣pounded of more, but that is called a compound basis, * 1.2 which can performe more uses, but at other times that is cal∣led a simple basis which consists of one medicine, a com∣pound which consists of many, but a compound medicine takes its denomination, sometimes from the basis, sometimes from the medicine, set downe in the first place in the pre∣scription.

But that the basis, or medicine, * 1.3 which is opposed to the disease contrary to nature, should be accommodated in all respects, besides preparation, oftentimes correcting and helping things are required; for since that sometimes the basis is weaker, thicker, or flower, or stronger, and more powerfull then it ought, or hath any malignant, and hurt∣full, quality or is ungratefull to the smell or taste, or any other way troublesome, and have any strange and unprofi∣table quality; the dull and idle are corrected by the mix∣ture of whetting things, and such as increase strength: thick qualities, are to be amended by mixture of thin; sharp, vehe∣ment, too hot or too cold, or malignant are to be corrected by the addition of their contraties: in unpleasant savour, or taste, by things having pleasant savour; those things which

are indued with an ungratefull and unpleasant smell, by those things which have a fragrant and pleasant smell, and by all other pleasant things are to be corrected, and all hurtfull qualities or unprofitable, are to be amended and ta∣ken away, by the mixture of their contraries.

Thirdly, * 1.4 If medicines of their owne accord cannot con∣veniently come to the part affected, there is need of Di∣recters, as they call them, namely such as either are familiar to the part affected, or open a way for the me∣dicine.

Lastly, * 1.5 To the composition of a Medicine those things are required which preserve from injury and corruption, and give it a certaine forme and consistence: H••••••e ••ome are preserved with Honey, others with Sugar, others with Oyle, and receive from them the forme either of an Ele∣ctuary or of a Sirrup, or a Conserve: But some are ren∣dred fitter to endure, or keepe, by preparation only.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What things are required for the compoun∣ding of me∣dicines. The basis of medi∣cines two∣fold. Simple.
• * 1.2

  Compound.
• * 1.3

  Correctors and Hel∣pers.
• * 1.4

  Directers.
• * 1.5

  Preser∣vers.