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. 117. De Lactuca, of Lettuce.

The Names and temperament.

IT is called Lactuca, à Lacteo succo, from the milky juyce which issueth forth from the wounded stalkes, and Leaves, in English Lettuce and Lettice. It is cold and moist in the second or third degree.

The Duration.

It is rarely dryed, for it will not keepe long, but is used green.

The inward Ʋse.

Lettice is good for a hot stomack, and yeeldeth good nourishment to the body. Ant. Musa did by Lettice ease Augustus of the violence of his disease. It procureth rest and sleepe: being taken raw or boyled it helpeth to loosen the belly, and the boyled more then the raw, which eaten last performeth it the better, and was generally so in ancient dayes. It helpeth digestion, quencheth thirst, increaseth milke in Nourses, and easeth all griping paines of the stomack or bowells that come of choller: it abateth bodily lust, and tempereth the Heate of Urine: the seeds and distilled water are good for the virul••nt running of the Reines, and for the heart of the Urine, as also for the aforesaid purposes. It was formerly eaten at the latter end of meales, but now tis eaten at the beginning.

The manner of Administring it.

It is given onely in decoction, as

Take a handfull of Lettice and boyle it in a pint and a half of Posset drink to a pint, straine it and drink a good draught at night thereof.

The outward use.

The juyce of Lettuce mixed or boyled with Oyle of Roses and ap∣plied to the forehead, and temples, procureth rest and sleepe, and ea∣seth the head-ach of any hot cause: applied with camphor to the Cods it abateth the heat of lust: or applied in the same manner to the region of the Heart▪ Liver or Reines, or by bathing the said place with the juyce or distill••d water, wherein some white Sanders and red Roses are put, doth abate the heate and inflammations there∣in, as also comfort and strengthen those parts.

A Fomentation good in the Frensy.

Take Lettice, Violets, Plantaine, Night-shade, Housleeke, Purslane, of each a handfull, Violet-flowers, Water-Lillies and red Roses of each a Pugill, that is as many as you can hold in three fingers, or a small handfull, of Mirtle flowers halfe a pugill; make a decoction, and bath the forepart of the head therewith.

The hurtfull quality.

It is hurtfull to phlegmatick and melancholicke bodies, dimmeth the sight, quencheth naturall heat, causeth barrennesse, maketh the body sluggish, and weakneth the stomack, being too much eaten; and is bad also for those that are short-winded, or have any imperfection in their Lungs, or do use to spit bloud, and hurts the Teeth. It is good to eate Mints therewith, or to boyle it, and to eat Vineger and Pepper with it.

Of such things as are made thereof.

The distilled water. Lettice-stalkes canded. Syrupe of Lettuce. Lapis Bezoar, see Bezoar.