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ALlthough all medicines which are externally adplied to the body may be called Epithems, * 1.1 yet by custome those onely are called so at this day which consist of distilled wa∣ters, decoctions, or juices mingled with species and powders, and are externally applied, principally to the region of the
Liver, Spleen, Heart, Stomach, fore-head, and joynts.
As for the matter whereof they are made, tis various ac∣cording to their severall intentions: of distilled waters, Juices, Decoctions, Oyles, either alone, or mixt, Epithemes are applyed for the mittigation of heate, resisting of hu∣mours, that flow, strengthning the parts, and Liquors, or Powders that are appropriated to any part whatsoever, are to be applyed.
Epithemes are prepared two wayes, * 1.2 first of liquid things only, distilled waters or juices are taken convenient for the disease and proper for the part, to which sometimes, some Vinegar, or Wine for penetration sake is added: afterwards Species or Powders, beaten very fine a drachm and a halfe or two drachms, to a Pint, and sometimes more Powder is taken: the matter of the Epitheme is prescribed according to the magnitude of the part, from three Ounces to a pint, the mixture in the first place hath a linnen or wollen cloath Cotten, or Spunge dipt in it, and stird about, when tis to be used least the Powder should settle in the bottome, and for the most part tis applyed warme, and as often as tis taken off, tis dipt into it againe, and applyed.
Sometimes certaine Powders are put in, but they are first macerated in fountaine water.
To Epithemes belong Oxyrhodes, * 1.3 as they are called, which are Epithemes peculiar to the fore-head, prepared of Oyle of Roses, and Vinegar, to coole, and repell; The Ancients, tooke of Oyle of Roses three parts, and of Vinegar one part, and stird them well together, wherein they dipt a peice of leather, or skin and applyed it to the forehead; At this day also other Oyles, as of Violets, Myrtles, Nimphaea, or wa∣ter Lillies, and sometimes distilled waters, and Powders are added Santalls, and other things.
To these are referred anacollemata, * 1.4 which are wont to be applyed for diseases of the Eyes, and Hemorhodes of the nose, principally to the fore-head, so called for this reason, whether they consist of medicines that fill up, glutinate, and have an astringent quality, because they stop the violence of humours that flow into them, or because by their clam∣minesse, they adhere, and as it were stick like glue to the part to which they are applyed.
And they are prepared of Volatile or fine Flowre, * 1.5 Bole∣armoniack, Dragons-blood, Acacia, mastick, Manna, Fran∣kincense, and such like, mixt with the white of an Egg.
2. Yet they are often prepared without the white of an Egge, to mittigate the paine of the head, or cause sleepe which are applyed, either with a Leather, or a skin dipt therein, or inclosed in a little bagg, and they are more pro∣perly called Epithemes, or Frontells.
Epithems
How pre∣pared.
Epithemes for the fore-head.
Anacolle∣mata.
How pre∣pared.