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.

CHAP. X. De Bistorta. Of Bistort-root.

BIstort is a thick short knobbed root, blackish without, and somewhat reddish within, a little crooked or turned toge∣ther, of a harsh or binding tast, with divers blackish fibres, or hai∣rie threds growing thereat, and hath leaves like Dock's but smal∣ler.

The Names.

It is called in Latine, Bistorta, because the root is writhed in the likenesse of a Serpent, in English, Bistort, or Snake-weede.

The Temperament.

It doth coole and dry in the third degree, and is very astrin∣gent, or binding.

The Duration.

It will keep good a year or two.

The inward Ʋse.

Bistort-root is excellent to resist all poyson and venom: A dram of it in powder, taken in Wine or Angelica-water, expelleth the venome of the Plague or Pestilence, the Small Pox, Measles, Purples, or any other infectious Disease; the same in powder, or the de∣coction in Wine, being drunk, stayeth all manner of inward

bleeding, or spitting of blood; as also any Fluxes of the body, and moreover, such as are troubled with vomiting. The powder or the decoction being drunk, helpeth Ruptures, and is available against all bruises or falls, and dissolveth the congealed bloud, and easeth the paines that happen thereupon: the same helpeth the Jaundise, and hindereth Abortion, or miscarrying in Women, kil∣leth Worms, and is profitable for such as cannot hold their wa∣ter, especially if the juice of Plantaine be added thereto. A dram of the powder taken in the water thereof, wherein some Iron or Steel being red hot hath been quenched, is an admirable help in the Gonorrhaea, or running of the Reins, so that the body be first purged. It is very usefull in decoctions for Wounds, being taken into the body: the same stayeth the flowing of the courses in Women.

The manner of administring it.

It is given in powder, in electuary, and in decoction.

An Electuary against Womens Flux, or the overflowing of their Courses.

Take of old Conserve of red Roses, one ounce and a halfe; Bole Armenick in powder, two scruples; red Corall in powder, a scruple; Bistort root in powder, a dram, with a sufficient quantity of syrupe of Mirtles, or syrupe of Quinces, make an Electuary. Take often of it, especially a little before meat, the quantity of a Nutmeg, and after meat, as much.

An Electuary against the Pestilence.

Take of LONDON Treacle, halfe an ounce, Mithridate 3. drams, Angelica root, and Bistort root, in powder, of each halfe a scruple; Cardamoms five grains, Camphor four grains, Cinamon in powder, halfe a scruple: Let the Camphor be dissolved in a little syrupe of Lemons, and the rest being in powder, make it into an Electuary.

The Dose is a dram or more, morning and evening by it selfe; or in Carduus-water.

In Decoction.

Take of Bistort root bruised, two drams, boyle it in halfe a pint of Posset-drink, till about halfe be consumed, strain it, and give the clearest in a morning, against the Diseases forementioned.

The outward Ʋse.

Being used in Fumigations, it dryeth up Rheumes, and stayeth Womens Fluxes, or the bleeding of Wounds: the fibres or fun∣gous substance of the root, doth wonderfully stop the bleeding

of Wounds, or bleeding of the Nose. A decoction thereof helpeth sore mouths, and inflamations of the Almonds and Throat, if they be washed therewith: the decoction of the roots in water, where∣unto some Pomegranet pills, or flowers are added, serveth for an injection into the matrice, as well to stay the accesse or flowing of humours, and to cure Ʋlcers thereof, as also to bring it to the place being fallen downe, and to help stay the abundance of their courses. The water distilled from both leaves and roots, is a good remedy to wash any place bitten or stung by any veno∣mous creature; and is very good to wash any running sores or Ʋlcers, as also Cancers in the Nose, and Polypus (which is a Disease in the Nose) if the powder of the root be applied afterwards. A decoction of the root fastneth the loose teeth, and helpeth the sorenesse of the Gums, being washed therewith. The powder of the root, strewed upon any cut, or bleeding Wound, stayeth the bleeding thereof. The powder mixed with a little Oyle of Ro∣ses, and Wax, helpeth the running of the Reins, if the back be noynted therewith.

An Oyntment to hinder Abortion, or miscarrying of Women.

Take Oyle of Roses, Oyle of Quinces, of each three ounces, Ce∣russe washed in Rose-water, halfe an ounce, Bistort root, and red Corall, of each two drams, Barbery-seeds, a dram, of white Wax a sufficient quantity: powder those things that are to be powder∣ed, and make hereof an Oyntment, with which annoynt the back warm, morning and evening, laying a warm cloth thereon. Ron∣delet. meth. cur. morb. cap. 63. fol. 168.

Against the Tooth-ach.

Take Bistort root in powder, Pellitory of Spaine, burnt Allum in powder, of each two drams, make it into a paist with Honey: Put a little piece thereof into a hollow Tooth, or between the Teeth, and it will ease the paine thereof, and draw away much offensive matter, from the head and parts adjacent.

The Dose.

The Dose in powder is from a scruple to a dram; in decoction, from a dram to two drams, or three drams.

Of such things as are made of Bistort.

1. The distilled water thereof. 2. Diascordium. 3. Emplastrum Coe saris. 4. Emp. Hystericum. Nic.