Doron medicum, or, A supplement to the new London dispensatory in III books : containing a supplement I. to the materia medica, II. to the internal compound medicaments, III. to the external compound medicaments : compleated with the art of compounding medicines ... / by William Salmon ...

CHAP. IX. Of the Properties of Medicines.

1. EMollient Medicaments are such, as soften and resolve an hard∣ness to an equal Temperature. Or thus, An Emollient is that which by Heat and Moisture, warms what's frigid and con∣gealed, and moistens it's dry∣ness.

§ 1. Cold thickens the Humors, and Dryness har∣dens them, and this in a Tumor requires an Emolli∣ent. § 2. Their use is, first in melancholick Tumors; where, if the Humor be com∣plicate, so must the Medicine be; and if the Humor be very tough, the Medicine must be the hotter. Second∣ly, in softning hard places. Thirdly, in Sinews shrunk. § 3. And these are known, First, by Tast, as being sweet∣ish or incipid, fat and oyly. Secondly, by feeling, as being smooth and Slippery.

2. Relaxers, Are such as l••osen any member contracted, or through Cold, Dryness, or Repletion of Wind, Humours, or other matter; and they are a little hot, and very moist.

§ 1. This property of stretching, properly belongs to the musculous and ner∣vous parts of the body, to which, Relaxers are general∣ly applyed; and therefore, less heat and more moisture, is required. § 2. Their use is chiefly in Convulsions, Cramps, and such like Dis∣eases.

3. Rarifying Medicines are such, as being of thin and sub∣til parts, make tough and thick Humors thin and rare, and so fit them for Expulsion, being only so hot, as neither to draw matter together, nor yet to dis∣cuss it being gathered.

§ 1. Their use is, to open the pores of the Skin, make matter thin, and so ease pain. § 2. Their Anodine property appears from this, for that in Tumors, it is not

only plenty of Humours. which causes the pain, but a certain dryness, hardness, and stretching of the Skin, which these medicines reme∣dy by their emollient and re∣laxing Property. § 3. To these are opposed Medica∣ments, making thick, which have opposite qualities: these are cold, moist, and viscous, such as stop the pores of the Skin.

4. Aperitives are such as (being of thin parts, and biting) open the mouths of the Vessels, warming and comforting of them.

§ 1. Their use is, chiefly in Mouths of the Vessels in the Stomach, in the Aspera Arteria, and other Vessels dedicated to the Lungs, and also to ease the violence of Coughing. § 2. They are known by Tast, being sharp and piercing, biting the Tongue like pepper.

5. Attenuating Medicines are such as by a gentle cutting quality, loosen the Bowels, and open Obstructions there.

§ 1. The Bowels being obstructed by thick, tough, and viscous Humours require Medicines of a thin cutting Substance, being either hot or hold. § 2. Their use is, first, to open the Bowels; secondly, to cleanse the Breast of Flegm. Thirdly, to ex∣pell the Terms. § 3. Let them be used after some gen∣tle Purge: They are gene∣rally in Tast sharp, sowre, or bitter, dilating the tongue and not contracting of it; and may properly be called Inciders.

6. Astringents are such at by their Sharpness and Rough∣ness, contract, dry up, and bind the places where they come.

§ 1. They are all dry by Nature, being either hot as Cinnamon, or cold as Alum, Opium; they are known by their contracting the tongue, and are generally opposed to loosening, or lenitive Medi∣cines. § 2. Their use is, first to make the Humors thick; secondly, to hinder Defluxions: Thirdly, to stop Fluxes of the belly: Fourth∣ly, to contract the pores of the Skin: Fifthly, to stanch bleeding.

7. Attractives are such as by their heat and thinness, draw Humors, or matter to any part of the body desired.

§ 1. And these do it either by natural Heat, as Onions, Leeks, Garlick, Briony, Spurge, Nettles, Aron, Euphorbium, Dittany, Mustard, Pyrethrum, Crowfoot, Cantharides, Oyls of Turpentine, Bricks, Bays, Castoreum, &c. § 2. Or by Putrifaction, as Leven, Pige∣ons, Hens, and Goats Dung, and all other Excrements. § 3. Or by Sympathy, as all Purges and Vomits, Viseus Quereinus, Peony, Amber, Load stone, &c. § 4. Their use is, First, Inwardly, to take away corrupt Humours out of the body, and to ex∣pel Poyson. Secondly, Out∣wardly to draw out Poyson, Fire, or the offending matter. from the Internal to the Ex∣ternal parts. Thirdly, to warm parts over much cool∣ed, and to help forward the Crisis.

8. Repercussives, Repul∣sives, or Repellers, Are such as by a cold Quality (being astringent also) drive back the matter or humour to some other place.

§ 1. And so these are op∣posed to Attractives, as whites of Eggs, Horse-tail, Roses, Purslane, Lettice, Nightshade, Housleek, Me∣lons, Cucumers, Ducks-meat, Quinces, Balaustians, Pomgra∣nate peels, Poppy, Opium, dryed Toads, the Popular Oyntment, Mercurial Oynt∣ments. § 2. Their use is, chiefly, first to stay Influxi∣ons, and repel Vapors. Se∣condly, to help Inflamations, hot Tumors, Head-aches, and the like. § 3. They may be best used in the beginning, Discussives in the latter end. § 4. But if the matter be ve∣nomous or pain be great, take heed of Repulsives, or for∣bear them till due purging. § 5. Take heed also, lest you too much contract the Pores with them.

9. Discussives are such as generally disperse the matter, and so dissolve it by insensible Transpiration.

§ 1. Their uses are chiefly External; first, in opening the Pores, and making the matter thin. Secondly, to dissolve Tumors. § 2. These Medicines the Greeks call Di∣aphoretica,

more because they make the matter perspire through the Pores, than that they are considered as Sudorificks: but being in∣wardly given, their chief In∣tention is to cause Sweat. § 3. These Medicaments have ad∣joyned with them a power also of attracting, but they generally expel, or bring out only serous thin Humors and Vapours; not Blood nor gross Humors, which are on∣ly evacuated by Phlebotomy and purging. § 4. But in Tumors, they ought to be used with caution, lest by drawing away the thin parts the thick being left behind, the Swelling should grow so hard, as to become past all the hopes of cure; in this case, mix Emollients with your Discussives.

10. Cleansing Medicines are such as by a drawing qua∣lity, have power to take away the Sanies, Filth, or Matter of Wounds or Ʋlcers, and make them clean.

§ 1. In a putrified Sore, it is necessary to cleanse it be∣fore it can be healed; and those Medicines do it by a certain kind of Roughness, Sharpness, or nitrous quality. § 2. They are hot, cold, salt, sweet, bitter, nitrous, used in external Applications, as Pur∣ges are in internal Exhibiti∣ons. § 3. As their use is to cleanse the Sanies and filth of Wounds and Ulcers; so also ought they to be used af∣ter general Prescriptions and Evacuations; the pain of the Ulcer being first eased, the Quittor ripened, the flux of humors stopped, and the In∣flamation abated; otherwise, the Cure will never go on successfully.

11. Anodynes are such as by a gentle warming, or tempe∣rate quality, and soft substance, ease and take away pain; with having some small regard to the cause, and entering into the part by their Tenuity.

§ 1. These are generally hot, and so abate the pain and heat of Inflamations, by opening the pores, and let∣ting those hot Vapors out. § 2. Yet ought they not to be too hot, lest, instead of easing the pain, they should inflame. It will be good to chuse such as are of a mode∣rate

Temperature, and of a thin Essence. § 3. And the reason is yet farther apparent, that they ought not to vary much from Temperature, be∣cause they are to be applyed both to hot and cold effects. § 4. In cold effects they ease pain, by opening the pores, pe∣netrating, and warming: In hot diseases they ease the pain by opening the Pores, by which, the hot, fuliginous Va∣pors being let out, the part is cooled.

12. Narcoticks or Hypno∣ticks, (improperly called Ano∣dyns also) are such things as by reason of their exceeding cold quality, case pain by Stupefa∣ction, or dulling the Senses.

§ 1. These some think take not away pain at all, but only stupifie the Senses, that you cannot feel it. § 2. They are mostly used, when the Symptoms appear more dangerous than the Disease: but in the beginning and height of Fevers, beware of them inwardly, unless pre∣pared with a sharp or nitrous Spirit. § 3. If the pain be in the Skin, let the Anodyn or Narcotick be liquid; but the deeper it lyes, the more solid, lest their virtue should be lost, before the work is done.

13. Carminatives are such as by a heating, rare, and ano∣dyn quality expell Wind.

§ 1. Their chief use is in the Cholick, Stone, Griping of the Guts, and the like Diseases. § 2. Wind is gene∣rally contained in some cer∣tain cavity, and that either in the Bowels, or in the Ex∣ternal parts, in Tumors. § 3. But in what part of the body soever it be, if it makes too great a distention, it causes pain; the removing of which, must be by opening the Ves∣sels or the Pores. § 4. So that Carminatives are said to contain in them a complex Operation: for they ease pain by opening the stoppag••s, let∣ting the extending matter out; this they do by their Heat, Thinness, and speci∣fick property to those Inten∣tions. § 5. And they com∣fort and heal the parts alrea∣dy hurt, by an Anodyn pro∣perty, having a Sympathy with the part hurt and pain∣ed.

4. Diaphoreticks, or Su∣dorificks, are such as provoke Sweat, and work by insensible Transpiration.

§ 1. Their use is to expel serous thin Humors, and fil∣thy Vapors, lying in the outward parts of the body, and near the Surface of the Skin. § 2. But if there be gross matter with all, (as in Tumors) there is danger; for by sweating, the thin matter being transpired, no∣thing but an incurable hard∣ness is left behind. § 3. They are to be used generally in the declining of the Disease, unless in Diseases proceeding from Blood, where they are used in their Increase and State. § 4. They are of a hot quality, and thin parts. § 5. But some Authors make a difference between Diapho∣reticks and Sudorificks; which to me seems needless, they are so near a kin. § 6. The former, viz. Diaphoreticks, they call Transpirers, which are such things as drive the Morbisick matter through the Pores of the Skin invisibly, or by insensible Transpirati∣on. § 7. The Latter, viz. Sudorisicks, which they also call Hydroticks, are such Me∣dicaments as drive out the morbisick matter by the ha∣bit of the body, in a sensi∣ble manner, to wit, by sweat. § 8. But to declare my own Opinion in a word, I think there is no difference between them, but in degrees; Dia∣phoreticks being the weaker sort of sweating Medica∣ments, Sudorificks the stron∣ger.

15. Alexipharmacks, or Alexiteria, are such Medicines as resist Malignity and Poyson.

§ 1. They are twofold, First, such as strengthen Na∣ture against Poyson. Second∣ly, such as over-come it by a contrary quality. § 2. If poy∣sons kill by their quality, let them be overcome by their contraries, as cold Poysons by hot Antidotes; Corrosives by Lenitives, &c. § 3. The best way is to do it speedily, by Vomit, Purge, or Sweat; let vomiting be first, purging next, and sweating last, ac∣cording to the Time, Place, Nature and Motion of the Poyson. § 4. For, if it be newly received, and in the

Stomach, use vomiting. § 5. If by longer time it has infe∣cted the Blood, and Spirits, or it be the biting of a mad Dog, or other venomou•• Beast, use sweating. § 6. If the body be cacochymical or full of evil humors, use pur∣ging. § 7. Lastly, the Cure ended, strengthen the parts of late afflicted.

16. Pyroticks are such me∣dicines, as by their exceeding heat, burn, or scald the Skin or Flesh, or both.

§ 1. These ••re threefold; first, Catheretica, or Corro∣sives, which by excessive dry∣ing, consume the Excrescen∣ces of the Flesh: Their use is in Ulcers, to eat away dead Flesh. § 2. Septica, or Putre∣factives, which by their ve∣hement heat ulcerate the Skin, with very little pain: their use is to draw Blisters. § 3. Escarcotica, or Causticks, which consume all they come near: Their use is to make Issues. § 4. The first are strong, the second stronger, the third strongest. § 5. They are also used in eating off of Hair, and then they are called Psylothrons; as also in wasting hard and callous Tumors, consuming Warts, Polypus, in Gouts, Lethar∣gies, Fistula's, malignant Ul∣cers, defluxions of Humors, violent Burning, malign and pestilential Fevers. § 6. But beware lest they inflame, or cause Convulsions, which you may prevent by purging the body well first. § 7. Take heed also, lest you in∣flame the parts adjacent, which you may prevent by anointing the place round with Defensatives.

17. Suppuratives (called in Greek Peptica) are such as by a natural heat, bring Blood, raw, superfluous, and undige∣sted humors, to Matter and Ripeness.

§ 1. These by reason of their emplastick Body, close the Pores of the Skin; and so by keeping the heat toge∣ther, bring to Putrefaction and matter. § 2. These dif∣fer from Emollients in this, They make hard things soft; These draw, or generate hu∣mors, and ripen them. § 3. Their chief use is to ripen Plegmons, or Tumors pro∣ceeding of Blood, and are

generally applyed in the height of the Disease.

18. Sarcoticks, or Incar∣natives, are such things as breed Flesh, changing the blood there into.

§ 1. These are generally hot in the first degree, and something drying; if they be applyed to a dry part of of the body, the Sarcotick must be very dry, sometimes in the fourth degree. § 2. And these prevent the Blood, that it may not turn into Corruption while it turns in∣to Flesh. § 3. If they be ap∣plyed to a soft and tender place, let the Medicine be gentle, and not exceed the first degree, unless the Ulcer be moist.

19. Glutinatives are such Medicines, as by their glewy quality, joyn the mouths of Wounds or Ʋlcers together.

§ 1. These the Greeks call Symphitica, and are generally dry in the second degree, drying up, not only what flows out, but what remains liquid in the Flesh. § 2. They are to be used when the Ulcer is cleansed, and filled with Flesh. § 3. They are of a consistence either dry and earthy, or moist and watery, but without any biting qua∣lity.

20. Cicatrizing or Scar∣rifying medicines, called in Greek Epulotica, are such as by a drying and binding quali∣ty, cloath a raw place with Skin.

§ 1. These are to be used after the Ulcer is cleansed, in∣carnated, and the lips of it joyned together. § 2. They perform their work by con∣suming both that which flows to, and that humour which is already in the Flesh, that it may be changed into the property of Skin. § 3. They are drying, that they may suck out the humidity in the place; and binding, that they may stop a Flux of new matter, by strengthning the part.

21. Emmenonagogicks are those medicines, which by a certain specifick quality, pre∣voke the Terms.

§ 1. These medicines are generally of a hot nature, and thin essence, which have a power to attenuate and rari∣fie the Blood, and to open

the mouths of the Vessels. § 2. They are generally hot in the third degree, but not over drying, § 3. In the Exhibition of these Medica∣ments, you are to consider the Age and the time. § 4. As to the Age, they are rare∣ly to be expected before 14 years old, and they common∣ly leave the Woman about 50. § 5. As to the Time, that you give the medicine four or five days before the time of their flowing or co∣ming down; having a day or two before used universal Preparatives by proper Ca∣tharticks, of which, the Tin∣cture of Colocynthis in S. V. or it's decoction in water, or infusion in Lime water, are excellent; so also Syrup of Roses solutive given to ℥iiij. Alocs Rosata, Elixir Proprie∣tatis. § 6. The retaining of the Terms, often breeds Dropsies, Cachexies, Green-sickness, Fits of the Mother, Convulsions, Falling-sick∣ness, Blindness, and other cruel Diseases; and some∣times Madness it self. § 7. Always have in mind this verse, Luna vetus veteres; juvenes nova Luna repurgat.

22. Diureticks are Me∣dicines which are said to make a Separation of the Serum from the Blood, and so to provoke Ʋrine; or, such as provoke it by opening the Ʋrinal Passages.

§ 1. Such things as make a Separation of the Serum from the Blood, are the things intended here, the other, which open more powerfully the Urinal passages, you may see, Cap. 11. Sect. 26. and Cap. 12. Sect. 6. following. § 2. These are hot and dry, and are known by their tast, as being very biting, and of an attenuating, cutting, and abstersive property, that they may alter, and make more fluid, the thick, tenacious, and viscous Blood, whereby it may let go it's Serum. § 3. Those things of a nitrous Property, properly open the Urinal Passages; of which, hereafter. § 4. Beware of giving violent Diureticks, be∣fore the passages be opened, lest, instead of curing, you kill the Sick, which in this case often happens. For, strong Diureticks being gi∣ven

while the passages are stop'd, make the Obructions more obdurate, and some∣times incurable; and then the water not having it's na∣tural Passage, either falls in∣to the Abdomen, or regur∣gitates into the Veins, and then the sick dies of a Drop∣sie. § 5. Give also with and before them, a good quanti∣ty of Oyl of sweet Almonds,

23. Traumaticks or Vul∣neraries, Are such Medicines as having a specifick Vertue to the Intention, are accommoda∣ted to the more facile, dextrous, or speedy healing and curing of Wounds and Ʋlcers.

§ 1. These Medicines ought to be used after a due purging, and cleansing of the body, lest they being recei∣ved in, be, by the habit of the body, turned to Corrup∣tion also. § 2. They ought to be given for a long time, viz. during the whole Cure (after proper purging) that they by their Balsamick pro∣perty, may beget a habit of healing. § 3. They ought to be conveyed in such a men∣struum, as may not be too strong, lest it inflames the wound, or endangers a Fe∣ver: and likewise such as may have a good diuretick force, that if the sick should drink freely of it, it may not endanger a Dropsie. § 4 It ought to be grateful, that the Stomach may receive it with pleasure, for thereby it's healing power is more easily exerted and insinuated into the Universal Habit. § 5. The Distinction between Traumaticks and Vulneraries, may be said to be this; the former are used internally, the latter externally: No Balsam that I know of, was ever called Traumaticum, the latter is common.

24. Cosmeticks are such Medicines as beautifie and adorn the Body.

§ 1. These are applyed ei∣ther to the Skin, Hair, or Teeth. § 2. Freckles, Sun∣burning, and blackness of the Teeth, are to be taken away by cleansing Medicines; redness of the Face, accord∣ing to the Cause, as from heat of Blood by internal Coolers; from external Ac∣cidents, by cooling and ex∣tenuating. § 3. Wrinkles are

remedied by Lenitives and Emollients. § 4. Falling of the Hair, by correcting the Humor which causes it, and by gentle heating the part; too much Hair by, cleansers and corrosives. § 5. Smooth∣ness of the hair by Dryers and Binders, which cause it to curle. § 6. Scurf and Dandriff is taken away by Abstersives. § 7. Loosness of Teeth, by things drying and binding.