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. V. Of Doses of Medicines.

ALthough in this darknesse of mans understanding, tis not so easy to define, by what Rule and proportion, Elements agree in mixture, yet by the most, the opinion of Alchindus is retained, and a Geometricall proportion is appointed in degrees, not an Arithmeticall, and that for this reason, because betwixt the neerest degrees, there is a far greater difference, and inequality, then there is between two numbers, immediatly following one another.

Hence from two scruples to two ounces is accounted a temperate dose: the dose of a medicine, in the first degree from a scruple to an ounce; in the second from halfe a scru∣ple to halfe an ounce; in the third from five graines to two drachms: in the fourth from two graines, and a halfe to a drachm: yet it is here to be observed that in every degree as appeares by the dose, there is a certain latitude in the highest degrees, you may not allwayes ascend to the highest dose, nor may all those things, which are in the fourth de∣gree be given to a drachm, but according as some are in the beginning, others in the middle, and others in the end of the fourth, so the dose is to be moderated.

Moreover 'tis here to be noted that regard ought to be had of occult qualities also, and therefore experience is es∣pecially to be consulted with

The Doses of Purgers.

AS for the doses of purging Medicines, * 1.1 they may be limi∣ted according to degrees, but since that in every de∣gree there are three mansions, tis not lawfull to give what medicine you please of what degree soever from the lowest to the highest dose of that mansion. But every mansion hath its highest and lowest dose.

The dose in the first mansion of the first degree is from two ounces, or three to six or seven ounces; such like are Syrup of Roses selutive, and Honey of Violets solu∣tive.

Those which are in the third mansion of the second de∣gree are given from ℥2. to ℥3. or ℥4. to these belong juice of Roses and Violets, Manna, Cassia, Syrrup of the flowers of Peaches, juice of Flowred••luce.

Medicines in the first mansion of the second degree are exhibited, from halfe an ounce, or five drachms, * 1.2 to an ounce and halfe, or two ounces; hitherto are referred Ta∣marinds, and Cassia; in the second mansion of the second degree they are given from halfe an ounce, to an ounce and halfe, as Turpentine.

In the third mansion of the second degree they are ad∣ministred from 3. Drachmes to 7. Drachmes, of this kind is Epythimum.

In the first mansion of the third degree the dose is from a Drachm to halfe an ounce, * 1.3 hereunto are referred Myroba∣lans, Rhubarbe, Agrick.

In the second mansion of the third degree, purging me∣dicines are exhibited from a scruple to two drachms, in this rank are Aloes, the seed of Fleabane, Polypodie, the leaves and powder of Sena, Mechoacan.

In the third mansion, the dose is from halfe a drachm to a drachm, hitherto belongs Asarabacca, Carthamums, or bastard-safron, Soldinella, Hermodactiles, Turbith, Lapis Armenus, Lapis Lazuli, Opopanax, Sagapenum, black Hel∣lebore, the roots of Jalap.

In the first of the fourth degree, * 1.4 Purgers are given from ten grains to halfe a drachm, hitherto belongs Mezereum, the seed of Thymelea, or Oneorum, or Granum Gnidium, i. e. Mountaine Widdow-waile, Coloquintida, Elaterium, Hysop.

The dose in the second mansion of the fourth degree is from five graines to fifteen graines, in the end of this man∣sion, is Scammony.

In the third mansion of the fourth degree, they are given from three graines to ten graines, of this kind is Euphor∣bium, Spurge, Antimony.

But of the dose of these simple purgers, is spoken parti∣cularly, above, part. 1. Sect. 1. Chap. 11.

But as for the doses of compound medicines they are first found out by the qualities of the simples which are mixt together; Secondly, from the degrees of their strength; Thirdly, from their quantity, of which in the Institu∣tions.

In the finding out of the dose therefore of compositions, * 1.5 first tis to be considered, how many doses of purgers are in any composition, afterwards the weight is to be determi∣ned, of the whole composition, and hence by the rule of proportion you must enquire how great a part of the whole compound may be given for one dose; as for example, if we examine, Pillulae Cochiae, there are in that composition of Hierapicrae ten drachms; which in its selfe containes ten high doses of Aloes, of Coloquintida three drachms, and a scruple, which containes seven doses, of Scammony two drachms and halfe, which hath ten doses, Turbith five drachms, which for the most part make foure doses, Siechados five drachms, Syrup of Stechados, for the most part ten or twelve drachms.

And so since the whole composition which containes twenty foure of the highest doses, hath for the most part thirty six drachms, a drachm and halfe answers to one dose, and the highest dose of Cochiae pills shall be a drachm and halfe.

The doses are 24.

The composition 36. drachms.

Therefore the dose is 1. drachm and halfe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Dose of purge••s.
• * 1.2

  Of the se∣cond de∣gree.
• * 1.3

  Of the third de∣gree.
• * 1.4

  Of the fourth de∣gree.
• * 1.5

  The Doses of com∣pound me∣dicines how they are to be found out.