Ars chirurgica a compendium of the theory and practice of chirurgery in seven books ... shewing the names, causes, signs, differences, prognosticks, and various intentions of curing all kinds of chirurgick diseases ... : to which is added Pharmacopoeia chirurgica, or, The medical store, Latin and English ... / by William Salmon ...

CHAP. LVII. Of WATERS.

I. Elementary Water.

TAke Spring, or Fountain Water lbviij. Salt Petre ʒ iv. mix, dissolve, filter, and keep it for use.

It is good against Burning Fe∣vers, quenches Thirst, and mightily prevails against all hot Diseases. It is chiefly used for a Vehicle, in the aforenamed affects, and others of like kind. The Dose alone (being sweetned with white Sugar) is ℥iv. or vj. more or less. It is good against the Stone in the Reins and Blad∣der, powerfully provokes Urine, and Cures other grievous Dis∣eases.

2. Water against Fevers.

℞ Fountain Water lbij. Oil of Sulphur forty drops, or ʒij. which shake well together, that the Oil may be well mixed with the Water: If this quantity of the Oil makes it not acid enough, you may add more, shaking them toge∣ther, as before-directed.

This Water thus corrected, is prositable against Fevers, and is not hurtful to the Stomach and Liver, as is simple Water, because the Spirit of Sulphur strengthens and comforts those Parts. It is a true Febrifuge, chears the ani∣mal Spirits, and cools admira∣bly. It is given both to prevent and cure the Plague, as also a∣gainst Tertian and Continual

Fevers. It is a powerful Reme∣dy against the Stone in the Reins, and Colick Pains. It attenuates the Blood, eases the Pain of the Gout and Head-ach. It wonder∣fully comforts the Stomach, and cures Scabs and other breakings-out. Dose ab ℥ij. ad iv. either by it self, or with some other appropriate Medicaments.

3. Water of Vitriol.

℞ Hungarian Vitriol, or Vi∣triol of Iron, as much as you please; put it into a glass Body, so big, as it may be half full; cover it with its Head, and fit to it a Receiver, and then distil in Balneo Mariae, with the fourth degree of heat, that is, in a Water continually boiling; which continue till all the humidity is distilled forth. This Water take and put into a Glass Vessel, which stop close, and keep it for use.

It is chiefly used as a Vehiculum, but being taken as the Disease requires, it prevails against ve∣hement Pains of the Head; ʒij. being given at a time in a Morn∣ing fasting, and continued for some days. It takes away the adustion, or heat of the Blood, strengthens all the Bowels, and comforts a Brain weakned with heat and driness. It also restores the radical Moisture.

4. Water of Quicklime.

℞ Fountain Water lbviij. Quicklime one pound, mix them, and digest till the Water is clear; then filter, and keep it for use.

It evidently heats and drys: the Dose is from ℥ ij. to ℥iv. in all cold and moist Diseases. Out∣wardly, it heals old Ulcers, if a a Linen cloth be dipt therein,

and put upon them; it is of great use in curing Ulcers in the Privy Parts, and in Eating-Ulcers of other parts, or such as are tending to a mortification, or are of difficult cure; for being often washed therewith, it puts a stop to the eating, and de∣stroys the acrid humor: and last∣ly, it drys them, and heals them.

5. Stomach Water.

℞ Mint-water, made by distil∣lation in Balneo Mariae lbiv. Salt of Mint, or in place thereof, Salt of Wormwood ʒ ij. mix; dissolve, filter, and keep it for use.

It is a Stomach Water, and may be drunk from ℥ ij. to ℥ iv. either by it self, or mixt with a like quantity of any Cordial Wa∣ter. It is good against all sorts of Poison, revives the Vital Spirits, and chears the Heart.

6. A Tartarized Water.

℞ Damask-rose-water, or in place thereof, Fountain-water lbvj. Salt of Tartar ʒiij. mix: dissolve, and filter, as aforesaid.

It opens Obstructions, and is Nephritick, purging by Urine. It is good to cut and dissolve thick and tartarous Humors in those Bowels which conserve the Nu∣tritive Faculty: it cleanses the Blood, and is withal a most effica∣cious Diuretick, being indeed a Specifick against the Dropsy; for it potently expels Wind, and all watery humors; as also all sorts of tartareous and viscous matter, of which the Stone is bred, whe∣ther in the Reins or Bladder, and that by Urine. Dose by it self, is from ℥ ij. to ℥ iv. but it is used with other things as a Vehicle, and that in many Diseases.