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. 42. De Lapide Lazuli, & Armeno of Azure-stone, or Lazul-stone, and of Armene-stone.

LApis Lazuli, or Azure-stone, is a stone of a skie colour, with cer∣tain veins of gold or silver in it.

Armene-stone differs little from the other, only having some greenish spots in it. They are both found in the same place, or digged out of the same Mine, only the Lapis Lazuli is found more frequent∣ly in the Golden Mines, and Lapis Armenus in the Silver Mines, also the Lapis Lazuli hath more maturity then the other.

The names.

Azure-stone is called in Latine Lapis caeruleus, Lapis Lazuli, Lapis Cyaneus, in English Azure-stone, and Lazul-stone.

The other is called in Latine, Lapis Armenius & Armenus, because it was brought from Armenia, but now it is found in Germany; in English Armeniack, and Armene-stone.

The Temperament.

Lapis Lazuli is hot and dry in the third degree, or hot in the se∣cond degree, and dry in the third.

Lapis Armenus is hot and dry in the beginning of the first degree, or hot in the first degree, and dry in the second.

The difference between them.

Lapis Armenus is more skie-coloured, and hath green spots, as also sometimes black spots in it, and is more brittle, and sooner dis∣solveth.

Lapis Lazuli is sometimes with Golden and sometimes with Silver veins, and is not easily broken.

The duration.

They will keep good many yeers without any corruption.

The inward use.

Lapis Armenius purgeth black Choler effectually from the brain, and is usefull in melancholy diseases, as against madnesse, melancho∣ly, giddinesse of the head, pains of the head, Falling sicknesse, Night∣mare; against diseases arising from fear and grief, &c. against the Leprosie, Obstructions of the Spleen, Cancer, black Morphew, and all melancholy diseases; being twelve times washed, or oftner; it pur∣eth onely downwards, for otherwise it worketh upwards by vomit.

Lapis Lazuli is of a hot burning nature. It hath a double or two-fold formall specifick vertue, for by the one it purgeth melancholy, and by the other it strengthneth the heart wonderfully, and recreates or cheereth the spirits. It avails in melancholy diseases, stoppings of the Spleen, quartane Ague, and the Piles, being taken with a deco∣ction of Sene and Fennel-seed. It cleanseth the veins and bloud from corruption, and is profitable for diseases arising from fear, grief and sadnesse, whereby the heart is oppressed, it purgeth the breast and lungs, by which means it helps such as are short-breathed and stopt with flegme, it drives away melancholy Fevers, and preser∣veth from the Leprosie. It brings down the courses in Women. See Trallianus de Melancholia, cap. 16. f. 127. Editione 1560.

These are much of one nature, only some hold that Lapis Arme∣nus is the stronger in operation, others say that Lapis Lazuli is the stronger in working.

The manner of administring them.

They are chiefly given in Pils and Confections.

Pils against Melancholy.

Take of Hiera picra, and Epithymum, of each foure scrupls, Aga∣rick and Lapis Armenus, of each four scruples, Scammony two scruples or a dram, Cloves twenty; with the juice of Citrons make a masse for Pils. The Dose is two scruples or a dram.

Against faintnesse of the heart, and sadnesse.

Take of Lapis Lazuli prepared two scruples, of the juice of Bor∣rage, or Buglosse half an ounce, of the bone of a Stags heart ten grains in powder, mix them together, and give it.

The externall use.

Lapis Lazuli being hung about the neck as an Amulet, keeps chil∣dren from fearfulnesse, sharpens the sight, prevents faintings in wo∣men with childe, and hinders miscarrying; but neer the time of their delivery it must be taken away, lest it hinder the birth from comming forth. It is used in medicines for to cleer the eyes, and to take away the haires of the eye-lids.

The hurtfull quality

These being taken unprepared cause vomiting, and offend the sto∣mack. They are prepared by washing and by burning.

By washing thus, bruise them, and make them in fine powder, wash them in fair water, till the water become cleer after washing. Others do thus, after they are thus washed they dry them in the Sun, or hot place, and wash them again, and so a third time or oftner if need be; and last of all, they wash them with Borrage, Buglosse, or Rose-water, or infuse them in the juice of either, and being dry keep them to use, and when they use them, they add thereto Cloves, Hiera picra, Sal-niter, &c.

By burning thus, take Lapis Lazuli what quantity you will, burn it in a crucible, then make it into powder, and wash it first in common water, then wash it in Rose-water, or Borrage-water, dry it and wash it once or twice more, or oftner till the water look cleer, then dry it and keep it for your use. Note, that being burned or washed they only work downwards.

The Dose.

The Dose (being washed) is from half a dram to a dram.

These things are made of them.

Lapis Lazuli washed or prepared. Pils of Lapis Lazuli essence, or extract of Magister. Oile or liquour.