Tractatus de simplicium medicamentorum facultatibus. = A treatise of the nature and qualities of such simples as are most frequently used in medicines,: both purging, and others. Methodically handled, for the benefit of those that understand not the Latine tongue. To which is added: many compound medicines for most diseases incident to mankinde: as also two alphabeticall tables, very necessary for the reader. Together with, the explanation of all hard words or termes of art, whereby the vulgar may the better understand it. / By Robert Pemel, practitioner in physick, at Cranebrooke in Kent. Licensed and enterd according to order.

To the kinde READER.

COurteous Reader, as the knowledge of Diseases is most necessary and usefull for such as take upon them the Noble art of Physick; so no lesse profitable is the know∣ledge of simple medicines and their nature: For it is most true; Medicus tantum bene curat, quantum recte cognoscat, he onely cures well that rightly knows; he that rightly knows diseases and their causes, as also the vertue of simple Medicines, he cures best. Thus much witnesseth Hippocrates Si qualia oportet purgari, purgentur, confert, & facile ferunt. Contraria vero difficulter If those things be purged as should be, it doth good, and the Patient doth easily indure it: but if o∣therwise it be done, the Patient doth in∣dure it painfully. Now how shall we know when seasonably to purge the body, if we have not exact knowledge of those Medi∣cines we give. Therefore we are to fit our Medicines accor∣ding to the nature of the sick; And most certaine is that of Hippoc. Oportet igitur biliofis dare quod bilem purgat. Pituitosis quod pituitam. Hydropicis quod aquam. Atrabiliariis quod bilem atram. Wee ought to give to Cholerick per∣sons those things which purge Choller, to Flegmatick bodies those things which purge Flegme, to Hydropicall that which purgeth water, and to Melancholly persons that which pur∣geth black Choller or Melancholly. I have here collected (for

the benefit of such as are not expert in the Latin Tongue.) This Tract of the nature of simple Medicines, both purging and others that are most in use, and easie to be got; Also in most Chapters you have variety of compound medicines for many Diseases. I have not given particular exam∣ples in every Chapter of Decoctions, that being needlesse; for if it be an herbe, you have an example thereof in the Chap∣ter of Mugwort, as also in some other Chapters, by which you may make a Decoction of any other herbe; if it be a root, you have an example thereof in the Chapter of Eringo-roots. Also Note that a seruple is twenty grains, a dram three scruples, an ounce eight drams. Now my hearty desire is that it may be usefull unto all that shall read it. What I have done herein and how methodicall, I have been, I leave to others to judge, for now it is Coram Judice, and surely not without error, for humanum est er∣rare, tis incident to the best to erre; some have lapsed herein before me, and others will after me, however let my good will be accepted, which if I finde, I shall be encouraged (God assisting me with life and strength) to publish some other Tracts usefull for the vulgar capacity, as also for young Practitioners.

Septemb. 16. 1651.

Robert Pemel. Medicus.

Notes

• Hippoc. Aph. sect. 4.3.
• Medicamentorum pur∣gantium res non ita se habet, quemedmodum vulgo putatur. Hip. de med. pur. fol. 98.
• Hip. de med. purg. 16.
• [Note]
• Errare Aliquando acci∣dit omnibur ante me ho¦minibus, & procul du∣bio omnibus post me ac∣cidet.