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. IV. Of BALSAMS Distilled.

1. BA••samum à Mesue, A Balsam invented by Mesue.

℞ Choice Myrrh, Aloes Hepatick, Spikenard, San∣guis Draconis, Frankincense, Mummie, Opoponax, B••el∣lium,

Carpobalsamum, Am∣moniacum, Sarcocolla, Saf∣fron, Mastich, Gum Ara∣bick, liquid Storax, A. ʒij. Labdanum, Castoreum, A. ʒiiss. Mosch ʒ ss. Turpen∣tine ℥iiij ss. let the dry Gums be beaten, Macerated and dissolved as much as may be in Wine, then mixed all to∣gether with the Turpentine: this whole mixture is to be put into an Alembick: distil at first with a gentle fire, and then increase it by degrees, so will you have first a thin Liquor, then a thick, reddish, yellowish Balsam: and from the Colophony by a Retort, a red Balsam.

Now here is to be noted, § 1. That the Balsam will be so much the better if you put in Burgundy Pitch instead of the Gum Arabick. § 2. That the Mosch will be much bet∣ter, to be reduced in a sub∣till pouder, and then mixed with the yellow Balsam, be∣cause that so great a heat as is required to the distill••••ion hereof will much alter it, both in virtue and scent. § 3. That both the yellowish Balsam and the Red, distilled by a re∣tort, are both of one nature, save that the first is the most pleasant both for color, smell and consistency, and has the greatest volatillity in it. § 4. It is highly Celebrated for all affects of the Nerves, mightily strengthens them. It takes away the coldness of any part, and excites and comforts the native heat, ad∣ding strength to the same; being anointed upon the Back bone, it cur••s the Palsy, and helps Cramps and Convul∣sions, being applyed to the place. It cures such as are taken Dum••, if a little of it be put into the Ears, put up the Nostrils, and held under the Tongue. Vocatur hoc Balsamum à Petro Apponen∣si Medicamentum omnium Medicamentorum in celeri cordis roboratione & virium restitutione.

2. Balsamum Hollerij, Hollerius his Balsam.

℞ of the whitest Frankin∣cense, Mastich, A. ℥ij. Lig∣num Aloes ℥j. Caryophyllo∣rum, Galangal, Cinnamon, Zedoary, Nutmegs, Cubebs, A. ʒvj. Myrrh, Aloes,

Labdanum, Sarcocol, Casto∣ren••, A. ℥ss. Bay-berries, Pine Nuts, A. ʒvj. roots of Orrice, round Birth-wort, Di∣ctamnus, Comfrey, A. ℥j. Gum Elemi, Opoponax, Benja∣min, A. ℥ij. Juyces of Cha∣mepitys, of Cowslip-leaves, A. ℥ijss: Turpentine ℥xxviij. let all be incorporated and distil∣led in an Alembick, so will you have first a Water, then an Oyl, and lastly a Balsam like Honey.

This Balsam is commend∣ed by its Author Hollerius, for all weaknesses of the Nerves Numbness, Cramp, and Convulsions: it also ex∣cites the native heat in any part, and has the Virtues of the former.

3. Balsamum Vulnera∣rium Horstij, Horstius his Vulnerary Balsam.

℞ Venice Turpentine, and Turpentine of the Fir-tree, A. ℥iij. Gum Elemi, Oliba∣num, A. ℥ij. Aloes Hepa∣tick. Myrrh, Mastich, Ben∣jamin, fixe Bole, Sanguis Draconis, A. ℥ss. Aqua Vitae ℥iiij. all being bruised and mixed together, distil by a Retort, so shall you have an excellent Balsam.

This Balsam yields to no other in filling Wounds with Flesh, and consolidating of them: it strengthens the Nerves, and comforts the in∣ternal heat of the part, heal∣ing up the Wound without any Scar.

4. Balsamum Hyperici mirabile, Wonderful Bal∣sam of Hypericon.

℞ flowers and leaves, or the tops of Hypericon, flow∣ers and leaves or grains of Tutsan or Park leaves, tops of Oak of Jerusalem, leaves of ground Ivy, A. Mij. both kinds of Sage Chamepitys, A. M ss. white Wine lbvj. Tur∣pentine lbj. Manna of Fran∣kincense, Myrrh, Mastich, A. ℥iiij. liquid Storax, and Storax Calamita, A. ℥ij. put all into a Copper Vesica, with its refrigeratory or worm: digest three days, then distil as you distil Oyls of Worm∣wood or Turpentine, separa∣ting the differing parts accor∣ding to Art.

It is an admirable Bal∣sam in curing all manner of

Wounds, easing all sorts of pain, coming of cold, as Cramps, Convulsions, cold Gouts, the Cholick, and other like disaffects coming from frigidity: it is good in the resolution of the Nerves, and wonderfully strengthens them. Inwardly ad gut. vj. it is good against Stone and Gravel.

5. Balsamum Vulnerari∣um de Evonymi, The Vul∣nerary Balsam of Evonymus.

℞ Turpentine ℥ss. Oliba∣num ℥vj. fine Aloes, Mastich, Galangal, Cinnamon, Saffron, Nutmegs, Cloves, Cubebs, A. ℥j. Gum of Ivy ℥ij. pou∣der and mix with Turpen∣tine, put them into a glass Alembick, to which add Camphir, Ambergrise, A. ʒij. distil with à gentle fire, first a white and clear water will come over, secondly a yellow Oyl, thirdly, a Saffron-colored Balsam, which is the thing desired.

It will be better in the distillation, that the Camphir and Ambergrise be so contri∣ved that they may hang in the Beak of the Alembick, for by that means the Water, Oyl and Balsam, will smell much more pleasant and strong. The Water com∣forts the internal parts, expels Wind, and is good against Fits of the Mother. The Oyl and Balsam are of the same nature, save the Oyl is the more pure and subtil substance, and may be given in any fit vehicle, in all cold and moist Diseases of the Head. The Balsam is a most perfect Cure for all wounds and Ulcers, hollow Fistula's and running Sores cleanses them, and fills them up with Flesh: It cures sim∣ple Wounds at once dressing: it restores Paralytick Mem∣bers, and weak Nerves only by anointing therewith.

6. Balsamus ad Paraly∣sin, The Balsam against the Palsy.

℞ Nutmegs, Mace, Sto∣rax, A. ℥j. Benjamin, ℥ss. Turpentine lbij. Tiles quench∣ed in Oyl of Jessima, q.s. mix and distil by an Alombick; so have you Water, Oyl and Balsam: which last is the thing we intend.

It is said to be an excel∣lent thing against the Palsy, the part being anointed therewith, and then bound up with a Hare or Coney-Skin.

7. Balsamus Odantalgi∣cum Dorncrelij. A Balsam against pain of the Teeth.

℞ Species Diambrae, Opi∣um, A. ℥j. Camphir, inspis∣sate juyce of Hen-bane, A. ʒij. Oyl of Cloves ʒiiss. Oyl of the wood of Hazle Nut-tree ʒij. Oyl of Nut-megs ℥j. mix and make a Balsam.

It is powerful against the pain of the Teeth, if the Teeth be hollow, let it be put into the hollowness, if not, let it be held in the Mouth a∣gainst the part affected.