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. XX. De Costo. Of Costus-root.

COstus is a root brought from India and Arabia, as Authors say, of a brownish colour, having a rind on the outside.

The Names.

It is called in Latine, Costus, and in English Costus.

The temperament.

Costus is hot and dry in the third degree.

The Kinds.

Some make three sorts, others two sorts, bitter and sweet, but we have but one sort that I have seen of late.

The best sort.

The best is that which hath a good sent, whitish, light, bitter, and aromatick, having a rind like Cinamon, but thicker, not old, nor worm-eaten.

The Duration.

It will keep good five or six years.

The inward Ʋse.

It hea••s the body potently, expelleth wind, helpeth slow con∣coction hinders corruption of the meat, easeth the Collick com∣ming

of Wind and Flegme, killeth broad Worms of the belly, provoketh the Courses, and Urine, helps to cleanse the womb from impurity, and helpeth conception. It is good against the pain of the breast, healeth Ruptures, cures Convulsions, and pains of the side, stirreth up Venery, taken with Wine and Honey, cures venome, and the stinging of venomous Beasts, therefore 'tis used in Antidotes. It is good in the Dropsie, Gout, Palsie, and taketh away the stoppings of the Liver and Spleen.

The manner of administring it.

It is given in Powder, Electuary, Trosses, Pills, &c.

Trosses against the Hickop.

Take of Costus, Saffron, Roses, Mastich, Spikenard, in powder, of each halfe an ounce, Asarum in powder, two drams, Aloes and O∣pium of each a dram; with the juice of Fleawort, make little Tros∣ses. Take a dram at a time. Stocher. prax. cap. 32. fol. 166.

The outward use.

It is used with Oyle to annoynt the body, before the cold fit of Agues, to warm it, as also against the coldnesse and weaknesse of the finews, and the Sciatica, or Hip-Gout. Used with Water and Honey, it amendeth the discolouring or blemishes of the skin; it helpeth the Mother, and cold Diseases of the Womb, as well by bathing as suming. Being made into powder, and cast into moist Wounds and Sores, it dryeth up the moisture thereof.

The hurtfull quality.

Hot and dry bodies must not be too busie with Costus, for that is proper only for cold and moist bodies.

The Dose.

The Dose in powder is from a dram to a dram and a hal••e.

Compounds made of Costus.

1. Electuary Caryo ••ostinum. 2. Pilu••••e Mato costinae. 3. Oyle if Costus.