The London practice of physick, or, The whole practical part of Physick contained in the works of Dr. Willis faithfully made English, and printed together for the publick good.

5. Distil'd Waters.

DIstil'd Waters, because they are a neat and pleasant Remedy, are in a manner all in all amongst Antiscorbutick prescripts, some very profitable and neat Dispensations of these are contained in our Dispensatory, as are Radish-water compound, the Magistral Waters of Snails, and of Earth-worms: Moreover there are fa∣mous Prescripts of these kinds of Waters, delivered by Quercetan, Dorncrelius, Sennertus, Doringius, and other Authors. It's also easie for every Physitian to prescribe such appropriated to the condition of each Patient, as occasion requires: For Antiscor∣butick Ingredients, and likewise such as regard certain Accidents and particular Affects are taken, to which, being slic't and bruis'd, a fit Liquour, viz. White-wine, Cider or Whey pre∣par'd of either, is pour'd: Then the whole mixture is distil'd in a Cucurbit, or in a Rose-still: I shall here give you a form or two of such as we commonly use.

Take Leaves of both Scurvy-grasses, Brook-limes, Water-cresses, tops of Broom, of each four handfuls, Leaves of Germander and Ground-pine, of each two handfuls, Roots of Horse-raddish half a Pound, of Aron, Angelica, Master-wort, of each four Ounces, the outward Coats of four Oranges, and of as many Limons, Roots of Calamus Aromaticus, an Ounce; Cinnamon, Cloves, of each half an Ounce, being slic't and bruis'd, pour to them of the best Cider eight Pounds, let them digest for two days in a Glaz'd Pot close luted: Afterward distil them in a common Distillatory, let the Waters first and last drawn, be mixt.

In the Winter season, when green Herbs are scarce, we may prescribe after this manner. Take Leaves of Scurvy-grass four handfuls, tops of Broom, of the Pine-tree, and of Juniper, of each three handfuls, the Middle-bark of Elder and Ash, of each four Ounces, Roots of Horse-raddish, and of Polipody of the Oak, of each three Ounces, the Rinds of four Oranges, and of as many Limons,

Winters-bark four Ounces, being slic't and bruis'd, pour to them of White-wine, or of Cider, or of Whey made with either of them, eight Pounds, let them be distil'd.

The simple Water of the Leaves of Aron, distil'd in the Spring time, is an efficacious Remedy against the Scurvy, if three or four Ounces are given twice a day, with another Medicine.

The simple Water of Scurvy-grass, pour'd again on fresh Leaves bruis'd, and distil'd, and so iterated by frequent Cohobations, becomes an efficacious Remedy. Moreover a hot Spirit of Scurvy-grass is pre∣par'd after this manner. Take Leaves of Scurvy-grass what suffices, being bruis'd, let it be made into Balls, such as are made of Woad for Dying: Then let those Balls be kept in a Glaz'd Pot for three or four days very close stopt in a cold place, either Water of Scurvy-grass, or Wine of the same being pour'd to them, and covering them over above four fingers deep: Then an Alembick being put on, let the whole matter be distill'd: Let the distill'd Water being put into a Cucurbit, be rectified; the hot Spirit will come off first, where∣of let fifteen or twenty drops be taken in a fit Vehicle.