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.

6. Antiscorbutick Wines and Beers.

I Use to prepare a simple Antiscorbutick Wine of excellent use, after this manner: In the Spring or Summer-season, Take Leaves of Scurvy-Grass gathered in clear and dry Weather, what you think good; being bruised, let the Juice be prest forth, and let a Ves∣sel containing three or four Gallons be fill'd; a spoonful or two of Yest being put to it, let it ferment for two Days; then the Vessel being close stopt, let it be plac't in a Wine-Cellar for six Months; and then let the clear Liquor, which will be of an Amber colour, like Spanish Wine, be drawn out into Bottles, and be kept for use; it continues good ma∣ny years: The Dose is three or four Ounces twice a Day.

Physick Wines, whereof a Glass or two may be daily taken at Physical Hours, or also at Dinner, may be prepar'd after this manner; Take Leaves of Scurvy-Grass, four handfuls, Raspings of Horse-radish, four Ounces; Winters-bark bruised half an Ounce; the outward Coats of four Oranges, and of so many Limons; Let them be put in a Glass, with twelve Pounds of White Wine or Rhenish, or small Spanish Wine: The Vessel being stopt, let it be kept in a cold place. Let the Wine be pour'd off clear as often as you use it.

It's more usual to prescribe a Physick Ale or Beer to Scorbuti∣cal persons, to be drank constantly for their ordinary Drink. Let Beer be prepar'd to fill a Vessel of four Gallons; instead of Hops let three Handfuls of Pine or Fir-tops be boiled in it: After it has wrought in the Vessel, put into it Leaves of Scurvy Grass, three Handfuls;

Roots of sharp pointed Dock prepared, four Ounces; the Rinds of four Oranges: After it has stood a Week to clear, let it be expos'd to Drink.

These kinds of Physick Drinks, with other Ingredients, may be variously prepar'd, according to the Temperament and Affect of the Patient; by which kind of Remedy, in regard the Physi∣cal Particles, altering the Dyscrasy of the Blood, are forthwith convey'd into its Mass, together with those of the Food, often much good is done in removing the Cause of the Scurvy: But since we have shewn the cause of this, as also the Nature of the Disease, to be twofold, and since the Medicines hitherto proposed regard in a manner only the Salino-sulphureous Distemper of the Blood, we must next direct Medicines which are proper in the other, viz. the Sulphureo-saline Dyscrasy of the Blood.