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. Of Decoctions.

DEcoctions which the Greeks call Apozemes, are potu∣lent medicines prepared by the boyling of plants and of their parts, * 1.1 are potu∣lent medicines prepared by the boyling of plants and of their parts, seldome of Animalls; all Decoctions may conveniently be reduced into two formes; namely into De∣coctions altering, and purging; under Decoctions altering, we will comprehend all those that have any other verrue besides purging, and do alter the body, whether they are given in regard of themselves only, or for some following purge; which Decoctions are then called Preparatives, Di∣gestives, or Apperatives, that is opening things.

But the matter to be decocted is taken out of the rank of Vegetables, * 1.2 wherein are variety of parts of plants or herbs, seldome of living Creatures.

But as for the quantity of the materialls to be decocted, * 1.3 if a weight be to be assigned generally to what ever is to be boyled, it begins from an ounce or two ounces for the most part, and ascends sometimes to halfe a pound, nay some∣times to a pound, a pound and halfe, and two pound, but as for the dose of the several kinds Decoctions are prepared.

Of the Roots and Barks ℥2. ℥3. and ℥4.

Of Leaves, 3.4.5. or 6. handfulls.

Of seeds 3.4.5.6. drachms

Of Fruires, in number 1.2.3. couples or paires 5.6.

Of flowers, pugills 4. or 5.

Halfe an ounce, five drachms or six drachms answers to a little handfull, two drachms or three to a pugill, but it is not necessary to mixe all those together in every decoction, and to heape up a mixture of them all, but when a few will performe the intentions, tis in vaine to put in many, yet if the decoction be provided to be given at many severall times, such a quantity of materialls ought to be taken, as that the decoction made of them may be powerfull to per∣forme the aime of the Physitian.

But in the seething, * 1.4 the preparation of the things to be boyled, and the manner of seething, is to be observed, for first if the materialls are too thick or hard, they are first to be cut or gently bruised, or fyled or beaten in a mortar.

In the manner of seething, order is to be observed in put∣ting in the things to be decocted the fire and instruments and Liquor which is decocted; and time also is to be obser∣ved.

Order of boyling is to be observed, that all the things may not be put in together, but the Roots, Barkes, Woods, which are the more sollid things, and without smell, should be put in first, then the Leaves, and seeds, last of all flowers, and Aromatick things, and all those things which smell strongly, and those things which may disperse their strength by much boyling; but this cannot be obser∣ved except the vessell be opened, but if the decoction be made in a thing that is covered, it matters not much to put in all the things altogether, and if any of them are more difficult to be seethed, those should first of all be bruised by themselves.

The fire should be cleare and equall, but very gentle, since the vertue is easily called forth, but stronger when there is need of much boyleing.

But decoctions are made by the Apothecaries commonly when the vessell is open and the fire also, but tis more con∣venient, least the strength of the medicines should vanish in boyling, to make a decoction in a Biploma, as they call it or a double vessell, the vessell being shut, or if a decoction be made the fire being open, tis convenient to set on it a close Alembick, or if it hath a beake, o•• snout, to fit it with a receiver to take the liquor, and to mixe it with the strained decoction.

The Liquor in which the things are boyled ought to be such as may performe the intentions of the Physiti••••, * 1.5 as wa∣ter of the Fountaine, distilled water, Barly-water, Chaly-beate, Water, Whey, water mixt with Honey called Hy∣dromell, sometimes Wine is taken, seldome strong Beere is used, sometimes some Vineger is put in, that the viscid and tough humours may more powerfully be cut thereby, and the medicine may penetrate the more; sometimes Roots a∣lone, before the decoction is made, are brayed in Vineger. Distilled waters also are often used for decoctions with no great profit but with great charge, unlesse the decoction be made in a close vessell, since so long boyling takes away all their strength.

The quantity of the Liquor ought to be such as may sa∣tisfie for the decoction, * 1.6 and ought to cover the medicines three or foure fingers breadth; which for the most part is left to the discretion of the Apothecarie. But if the pro∣portion be appointed by the Physitian, the Liquor is for the most part foure-fold, six-fold, eight-fold, in proportion to the medicines, according as the Herbs are dry, or full of juice, thick, or thin, and may imbibe more or lesse of the Liquor, and they ought to seeth a little, or long.

Sometimes before boyling, the medicines are some∣what cut, or bruised, and sometimes they stand a while (af∣ter decoction) before they are strained.

But they are boyled to the consumption of halfe or of a third part, or of a fourth part only of Liquor, or till but a third part remaines, according as the medicines and the scope of the Physitian requires: for those whose vertue easily vanish and are in a thin, and seperable substance are to be boyled the lesse time: but those whose substances are thicker, the strength cannot be drawn forth without longer boyling, the decoction is strained with, or without squea∣zing, according as there is need of the thinner parts only, or thicker, and such as lye deeper.

A decoction is prepared either for one dose or more; for one, three, four, or five ounces may suffice, if for more, the decoction should be made that the remainder may be a Pint, or a Pint and an half, and afterwards of things ma∣king it pleasant, for one Dose an Ounce, or an Ounce and an half may be added, yet more than a Pint, or a Pint and an half of a decoction, at one time, is seldom made, (except the decoction of Guiacum and such like) since that if more

should be prepared, it would easily be spoiled before it would be taken by the sick; Unto three four or five ounces of the decoction strained are added, of Sugar, which often is ••used or Honey, six drachms, or an ounce, or of some con∣venient Syrup in every dose an ounce, or an ounce and halfe: Sometimes the juices that are most convenient of Herbs, or Fruits, and often other Liquors, as Aqua vitae, Spirit of Vitrioyle, Copper, Salt-peter, some drops thereof are added, and indeed only one of these is added sometimes to an Apozeme, but of lenitives more, as more Syrups, or jui∣ces & Syrups, or of juice and Sugar, when juices are admini∣istred, for the most part; Sugar or Syrup is mixed with them, and sometimes pleasant things; that they may be the better mingled, a gentle ebullition is appointed at a weak fire; if it be convenient, the white of an egg may be added, that the Sugar and Honey, and decoction also may be clarifyed; or if that clarification doth not suffice, the decoction is to be put into the Balneum Mariae, till the thick dregs settle in the bot∣tome, and they by setling in the bottome, and powring off of the cleare Liquor are seperated, and that is to be re∣peated sometimes if it be needfull; sometimes the decoction is to be made pleasant either for the acquiring of a good taste, or smell, or some other vertue, namely the Aroma∣ticks a little before the end of boyling being reduced into into powder, or Aromatick species fitted for the disease, halfe a drachm, or a drachm thereof in each pint, is to be hung in a thin skin, or bladder in the decoction, and are often pressed out, or else a little after, the decoction is re∣moved from the fire, the decoction being as yet hot, they may be cut, or bruised more grossely, and so injected, and after they have stood together some time in a vessell well covered, it is strained againe. Muske also, and Amber∣greaze, if it be convenient, may be also given to the dose of a graine of each; or a drachm or two of Cinamon water may be added. If Wine or Vinegar be necessary, tis more convenient to add them after the boyling, or a little before they have done boyling.

They are given for the most part in the Morning, * 1.7 or E∣vening, or two or three hours before dinner, or supper, the stomach being empty and the decoction being first warmed, three foure or five ounces thereof is given at a time, and that is often performed two, three, foute or five dayes fol∣lowing, and either once only, or twice a day; if the de∣coction;

are prepared for many doses, they are to be kept in cold places under ground, for they will scarce continue a∣bove a weeke although it be in the Winter: but in the Spring and Summer, for the most part they are renewed every way.

Hereunto belong restorative Broathes as they call them, * 1.8 which are made of Hens, or Capons, to which Veale, or Goates flesh may be added, and there are of three sorts; the first they call a compleat, * 1.9 or a perfect bro••th, because 'tis most absolute, and fittest to nourish: it is prepared as or∣dinary broathes are, only that they boyle longer, and in∣deed so long untill the sixth, eighth, or sometimes the tenth part only remaines; * 1.10 the second is called Gelatina, which is made if these meates are boyled in a double vessell with∣out powring off the water, and the juice is pressed out from thence, from which after it is cooled, the fat swimming on the top is to be scummed off: * 1.11 the third is called Contusum which is prepared when the meates first sodden or rosted, afterwards are beaten in a morter, so long untill they may melt when broath is put to them, and afterwards are strain∣ed.

Purging Decoctions.

PUrging decoctions differ not from other decoctions, * 1.12 un∣lesse in respect of materialls; namely that simple pur∣ging medicines are mingled in purging decoctions, the manner of preparing is the same: for purging medicines convenient for the evacuation of the humours are taken, and that for one and more doses, yet because in seething their strength will decay, or waste they ought to be taken in a greater dose, then in the substance, the strongest for the most part double, but of the milder purgers, four-fold. Of which before in the doses of medicines.

Other things are added to these, which may either re∣sist and correct the malignant, and noxious qualities of the purge, or may prevent the mischeives which may befall nature by theuse of strong purgers or which may increase and stir up the dull faculty of a medicine, or extimulate them to worke more speedily, or may bridle them if they worke too strong and quick, or such as have regard to some private part, and may leade and direct the purging medi∣cine

thither; Aromatick powders or species are added to the decoction strained, for to please the palate, halse an ounce or an ounce of Syrup is appointed and prepared.

2. Oftentimes something that purges is added to the decoction as Syrup and Honey of Roses and Violets solu∣tive, also Cassia, Manna, which are dissolved in the decoc∣tion, which is againe strained.

3. Sometimes purging electuaries are mixt and dissolved in the concoction, in such quantity that they make one dose when they are mingled with many things that are boyled together.

4. But because decoction, by the mixture of electuaries become thicker; tis not inconvenient if they are strained againe, and also clarifyed, but then the Electuaries may be used in a larger quantity.

5. Sometimes, some of the purging powders are added to the Liquor or decoction.

6. Or some quantity of a purging extract is dissolved in it:

7. Lastly, decoctions are oftentimes made of purging and altering medicines together.

Hereunto belongs decoctions to cause vomits, * 1.13 sweates Urine, examples whereof are extant every where.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Decoctions what. How many fold.
• * 1.2

  The matter of them.
• * 1.3

  Quantity.
• * 1.4

  Prepara∣tion of the matter. Or of boy∣ling.
• * 1.5

  Liquor for the De coction.
• * 1.6

  The quan∣tity of Li∣quor.
• * 1.7

  The time of giving.
• * 1.8

  Restorative broaths.
• * 1.9

  Jus Con∣sum ma∣tum.
• * 1.10

  Gelatina.
• * 1.11

  Contu∣sum.
• * 1.12

  The man∣ner of pre∣puring pur∣ging of de∣coctions.
• * 1.13

  Vomiting things &c.