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. XXIX. De Fumaria. Of Fumiterrie.

FƲmitterry is an Hearb so well knowne, that I need not describe it.

The Names.

In Latine 'tis called Fumaria, and Fumus terrae; in English, Fumittery.

The temperament.

It is hot in the first degree, and dry in the second, and not cold as the Vulgar conceive, for its bitternesse sheweth it to be hot.

The duration.

The Hearb will keep good a year, and the juice may be kept a year with Oyle of Olives powred on it.

The inward use.

Fumiterry purgeth gently Melancholly and salt humours; it is opening, cleansing, and strengthening, it purgeth the impurity of the blood, and is usefull in obstructions and stop∣pings of the Liver, Spleen, and Entrals, and doth corrobate or strengthen those parts: It purgeth Chollerick humours by Urine, and avails in the Itch, Scab, Leprosie, Cancer, Fistu∣laes, and foule Diseases of the skin, arising from adust hu∣mours; as also in the French Disease. It is profitable in Feavers (arising from choller both yellow and black) in the Jaundise, Quartaine Ague, Scorbute, or Scurvie, killeth Worms, and prevails in Chronicall Diseases arising from stoppings of the viscerous parts, and in affects of the Hypo∣chonders. The powder (saith Brasavola) of the dryed Hearb given for some time together, hath cured a Melancholly per∣son. The distilled water cures the yellow Jaundise, if three or four ounces be drunk morning and evening, for certaine dayes together, and avails against the Scab, Itch, and such like Diseases; and being constantly taken it preserveth from

the Leprosie. Being taken with London Treacle, and Bole Armo∣niack, it is good in the Pestilence, as a dram or two of Treacle, and a scruple of Bole Armoniack mixed in two ounces of the water, and so taken. Also it dissolveth congealed blood and tumours, and provoketh the Termes or Courses in Wo∣men.

The manner of administring it.

It is given in Potion, Decoction, in juice, and in Powder.

A Potion against Melancholly and Choller.

Take of Sene two drams, Fumiterry and Wormwood of each as much as you can hold between two or three fingers; of Cinamon bruised, a dram; infuse them in Succory-water, and a little Wine, for a night, strain it, and in the strained liquour infuse or steep of Rubarbe (cut in thin slices) halfe a dram, or a dram, five or six hours, then strain it again, and add to it of the Electuary called Diacatholicon, halfe an ounce; make a Potion.

A Potion against Melancholly.

Take of Fumiterry, tops of Hops of each halfe a handfull, Raisons of the sun stoned, halfe an ounce, Polypodium of the Oak, green, bruised, halfe an ounce, Dodder, Epithymum, of each three drams, Anniseed and Licoris bruised, of each halfe a dram. Make a decoction in a sufficient quantity of water, strain it, and infuse or steep therein, of Sene two or three drams, strain it, and dissolve in it Diacatholicon an ounce, and as much syrupe of Violets.

A Potion against the Dropsie.

Take of the juice of Fumiterry two or three ounces, of the powder of the root of Esula prepared, eight or ten grains; Elder-water▪ an ounce, with a little Suger make a Potion.

A delicate Potion to purge the blood.

Take of the decoction of Fumiterry, made with Whey or Posset-drink, five ounces, steep therein (on hot embers a whole night) of Sene halfe an ounce, Rubarbe a dram, strain it, and dissolve in it of syrupe of Roses, Laxative, or of Manna an ounce, make a Potion.

Against the Scorbute or Scurvy.

Take the juice of Fumiterry, and Scurvygrasse, of each two ounces; give it (in the Spring time) in Goats Whey. A decoction of Fumiterry made with Posset-drink, and four or five ounces thereof taken morning and evening, in the Spring time, doth much purifie and cleanse the blood.

Against the Jaundise.

Take Fumiterry, Wormwood, of each a handfull, boyle it in Posset-drink, or Whey, and being strained, drink of it, four ounces, morning and evening.

Or,

Take two or three ounces of the juice of Fumiterry, and give it in two ounces of Ceterach-water.

Against the Joynt-Gout.

Take of the juice of Fumiterry, three ounces, of Hermoda∣ctilles in powder, two scruples, mingle them together, and give it in a morning fasting.

Against the Scab, Itch, and Leprosie.

Take of the juice of Fumiterry, two ounces and a halfe, or three ounces, warm it over the fire, and scum it; then add a little sugar, and half a dram of Fennellseed to it, and give it in a morning.

The outward use.

The juice dropped into the eyes, doth clear the eyes, and quicken the sight; but at the first it will cause the eyes to water: the juice also mingled with Gum Arabicke, and ap∣plied to the lids, will cause that the haire (that hath once been pulled off) shall not grow again. A decoction thereof made, and the feet bathed therewith, cures the Gout; or boyled in Wine, and so applyed, doth the like: the juice mixed with the juice of Docks, and Oxymel, or Vineger, cu∣reth the Morphew, being anointed therewith. Also a Bath made of the same, with Mallowes, Violets, and Dock roots, with Barly Bran, and Nep, cureth the Scab, and Itch. The juice mingled with Oyle of Nuts, and Vineger, cures maligne Scabs, and the Leprosie, being noynted therewith. The distil∣led water helpeth sores and Ulcers of the mouth, being there∣with washed and gargled, especially if you take four ounces

of the water, adding thereto one ounce of honey of Roses, and wash the mouth therewith.

The hurtfull quality.

It is somwhat flatulent or windy, therefore 'tis good to mix with the juice or decoction, some Anniseed or Fennelseed, and infused in Whey, or given with infusion of Sene, it doth work the better.

The Dose.

The juice is given from halfe an ounce, to two or three ounces. The Powder from two drams to foure drams. The decoction from three ounces, to five or six ounces.

Of such things as are made thereof.

The Water. The Juice. The Conserve. The Syrupe, both simple and compound. Pills of Fumiterry, and the Oyle di∣stilled from the dry hearb.