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. XXIII. Of Suppositers.

EXternal Medicines are twofold, * 1.1 some are injected and put into certain parts, others are applied onely to the Superficies of the body; of the former kinde are Suppositers, and Clysters, both those which are injected into the Paunch, as those which are injected into the Womb; and Pessaries, Injections, which are made into the Yard and Bladder, Gargarisms which are in Mouth and Chops, Apho∣phlegmatisms, Dentifrices, Errhines, Sternutatories, Odo∣raments, and Fumes; Injections into the Ears, Collyries, which we shall speak of in the first place.

In the strst place, * 1.2 Glandes, with the Greeks, Ballanoi, commonly Suppositers, are solid Medicines, which are put into the Fundament, in figure somewhat long and round, like to an Akorn or Wax-candle, four or five fingers breadth in length.

But Suppositers are not always prepared for the same-use, * 1.3 for they are often exhibited, that they may loosen the Bel∣ly, and stimulate the expulsive faculty; sometimes for other affects also, namely, when an Ulcer is in the Gut rectum, that it may cleanse, consolidate and dry; when pain is pre∣sent, it may allay it, and draw it away; when the humours flow towards the upper par, that it may draw them back, and cause revulsion; when there are little Worms called Ascarides, to kill them.

Suppositers irritating the expulsive faculty are exhibited, first, when the sick is so weak that he cannot take Clysters; moreover when the Seige clings in the Paunch, there is need of a Suppositer to be used before a Clyster, that it may make way for the Clyster. Thirdly, if Clysters injected do

not work, or operate slowly, 'tis needfull to stimulate nature to expulsion. Fourthly, when by reason of straightness of time we cannot prepare a Clyster.

There are three sorts of these Suppositers, * 1.4 Gentle ones which are sufficient for infants, and are made of Lard, a Fig the in-side being turned outward, Bullocks fat, the stalks and roots of Beets, Cabbage, Spinach, the Herb Mer∣cury, indifferent strong, are prepared of Honey, boiled till it be thick, a Mouses turd being sometimes added, the White of an Egg, Salt, and a little Saffron and Honey, with white Soap; the stronger are composed of Honey, Salt, and the Pouder of purging Species, as with a sufficient quan∣tity of Hiera, with Agrick, Hiera, Logadii, Aloes; the strongest of all are prepared with Species, convenient for Suppositers, the Pouder of white Hellebore, Euphorbium, Scammony, Turbith, Colloquintida, Indian Salt, Amoni∣ack, Salt-Peter, a Bulls Gall, which we use onely when the faculty is stupified, and we endeavour to draw back from re∣mote parts.

They are prepared in this manner, * 1.5 Honey is boiled to spissitude, that is, so long till you can take it up with your fingers; into which other things are sprinkled which are needfull, namely, half a Drachm or a Drachm of common Salt, Salt-Gemmae a Scruple, of the gentler purging Species a Drachm, of the stronger half a Scruple, of Juices half a Scruple, (or a Drachm,) of sharp Salts six Grains, or half a Scruple to an Ounce of Honey. Hence they are made out of the mass in form of a Pyramid, as big as ones little finger, and dipt in or anointed with fresh Butter or Oyl; some∣times a Thread is tied to it, that it may be drawn out at pleasure.

These Suppositers are properly applied to those who have Ulcers, Clefts, Inflammations, and other Tumours in the Fundament. But when they are troubled with pain of the Hemerhoids they are not convenient to be used, for they exasperate pain.

Notes

• * 1.1

  External Medicines.
• * 1.2

  Glandes or Suppositers
• * 1.3

  Ʋse.
• * 1.4

  The kindes of Suppo∣siters caus∣ing stool.
• * 1.5

  Manner of preparing them.