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 III. Of Infusions and other purging Potions.

INfusions are next unto decoctions, * 1.1 and differ only from decoctions simply so called, in that they are wont to be prepared only by boyling without macerating them before hand: but these are when the medicines are broken, or beaten before, and put into a convenient Liquor for some certain time that they may leave their vertue in it * 1.2

They are prepared of medicines of all sorts, but most com∣monly of Purgers, which should be given in somewhat a greater weight, then in the substance, namely halfe so much in the substance, and double in the Infusion, with their correcters and directers being cast in also in a due quantity, (sometimes in a nodule or little bagg of fine linnen, shut) in a Liquor convenient for the purpose of the Physitian: the Chymists at this day, that the extract

may be made the easier, put to the menstruum or prepared matter some drops or spirit of Salt of Vitrioll, or Oyle of Vitrioll is added, which is made by draining, which they call per deliquium.

The quantity of the Liquor ought to be such as may co∣ver those things that are macerated, and may be something higer then they, being infused in this manner, fix, twelve, or twenty foure hours in a warme vessell stopt or shut, they being beaten or cut in peices should so long lye in it untill the Liquor hath extracted all their strength, which may be known by the taste and smell. But if, which often happens, there be urgent occasion, the medicines cannot be mace∣rated for want of time, that defect may be supplyed by gen∣tle boyling of them, afterwards that which is strained with or without squeazing is appointed for use, and indeed without squeazing or pressing that which is strained is more cleansing and pleasing to the taste, but weaker: but with ex∣pression tis more troubled and thicker, but more efficacious.

You may add to the infusion things that sweeten it or o∣ther purging things as tis said before of decoctions.

Sometimes Decoctions, and Infusions are given toge∣ther; namely a Decoction is prepared in the same manner as is said before. In a sufficient quantity of that decection are infused purgers with their correcters, and the rest of the things are afterwards mixt as in other infusions.

Another way also a Potion is made of insusion and de∣coction mixt, or an infusion with a decoction, namely the decoction is prepared by its selfe, and the insusion by it selfe, both of them according to the method formerly de∣scribed, and these two Liquors are afterward mingled to∣gether.

To these purging decoctions, * 1.3 and infusions, by reason of their fimilitude we add a purging Potion peculiarly so cal∣led by some, which is prepared in this manner, first a suffi∣cient quantity is taken of any sort of Liquor, decoction, distilled water, Whey, water and Honey mixt, Broath, Wine, Juleps of Violets, sufficient for a draught, namely two 3. or 4. ounces, in the Liquor a sufficient quantity of Cassia, Manna, or a sufficient quantity of any one purging electuary, or more, is to be dissolved for one dose; sometimes of some Sy∣rup half an ounce, or 6. drachms, or some of the Aromatick powders are added, and these potions are taken as the rest, which we have spoken of heretofore, hot in the morning fasting.

2. Secondly, as tis spoken of pu••ging things, so here also straining, and Clarifying may be appointed, but then the electuaries are to be taken in a greater quantity, then if they are given without straining.

3. Thirdly, purging Potions may be prepared of purging extracts, but seeing that extracts are wont to be given in a smaller dose, they require lesse quantity of Liquor, and th••r∣fore are more gratefull to the affected: sometimes two or three ounces of other Liquors are taken instead of Muska∣dine, and the extract is dissolved in them, and if there be danger of being too hot, some Sorrell, or Lemons, or some o∣ther convenient things may be added.

4. Lastly, purging Potions are prepared of powders as well simples, as of compound purging medicines, as also with purging Roles, but the dose of such powders, ought not to be much more then a drachm, otherwise the Potion will be too thick, and ungratefull: and sometimes some powder is mingled with dissolved electuaries.

In the same manner also, * 1.4 Infusions and Potions for vo∣mits, sweates, and medicines provoking of Urine may be prepared.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Infusions.
• * 1.2

  The m••n∣ner of pre∣paring.
• * 1.3

  A purging Potion. The men∣ner.
• * 1.4

  Potions and infu∣sions for vomits.