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. 49. De Opio, of Opium.

OPium is the juice of black Poppie-heads, being cut after they are full ripe.

Meconium is the juice of the heads and leaves of white or black Poppy, pressed forth.

The names.

It is called in Latine Opium, and in English also.

The Temperament.

Most of the Ancient writers say Opium is cold in the fourth degree, others will have it partly cold and partly hot; but some of the new Writers will have it to be altogether hot, as Sennertus, Doringius, Schroderus, &c.

Now the reasons given that it is hot are these. 1. Because it is bitter, now that which is bitter is hot, but Opium is bitter, therefore hot. 2. It is sharp and biting, that being put upon the tongue it bites and blisters the same and palate. 3. Causeth drynesse. 4. It is of a very strong smell and savour. 5. It doth soone burne and flame be∣ing set on fire; for the true Opium (saith Plinie) will burne like a Candle; From whence we reason thus, Omne quod citò inflammatur, est calidum: Opium citò inflammatur: Ergo calidum. That which doth soon burne and flame is hot, but Opium doth soone burne and fleme, therefore it is hot. 6. It troubleth the minde, and brings a kinde of madnesse or dotage to such as take it. 7. It stirs up and provokes Venery. 8. It stirs up and provokes the Itch. 9. It provokes sweat. 10. It softneth hardnesse, and discusseth, or dissolveth swellings, all which are effects of heat. Now though Opium be narcoticall, or stupefactive, or make dull and senselesse; yet this doth not proceed from its frigidity, or coldnesse, but this it doth by an occult, or hid∣den quality.

They that desire to know more concerning the nature of Opium,

let them read that excellent Tract of Doringius de Opio printed 1620, and Freitagius de Opio, & Med. Opiat. printed 1632. Also Sennertus Paralipomena fol. 347, printed 1644, and Mercurialis de morb. vene∣nosis, & venenis lib. 2. cap. 7. fol 59, 60, 61. printed 1624.

The best Opium.

The best is that which is heavy, not too thick in substance, nor too thin, in colour like Aloes, very bitter in taste, and burning, of a stink∣ing smell, soporiferous like Poppie; if dissolved it be yellow like Saffron, 'tis adulterate, for it ought to be of a brownish yellowness, colour being dissolved. The best is called Opium Thebaicum, because it comes from Thebes. I much question whether we have the true O∣pium of the Ancient, for that which we use is either adulterate, or meconium. It is adulterated with Glaucium, which is the juice of an herb, with leaves like to horned Poppy.

The Duration.

It may be kept good many years, some say nine or ten years, o∣thers say twenty years.

The inward use.

Opium is given to provoke sleep, to ease the paine of the Iliack and Collick, as also to mitigate the paine of the stone in the blad∣der or kidneys, and to ease pain of the Gowt; It cooleth inflamma∣tions, agues, or frensies, and stayeth defluxions which cause a cough, or consumption: It is given in great paines of the head, and to stop fluxes of the belly, and womens courses. It is put into Mi∣thridate, Treacle, and other medicines that procure rest, and ease paine.

The manner of administring it.

It is given in Pils, Potions, Boles, Electuaries, &c.

An Electuary against fits of the mother, and paines of the wombe, either with an ulcer, or without an ulcer.

Take of the species Diamoschu amari, and Diambra, of each two drams, Castor in powder a scruple, Opium halfe a dram; with syrup of Mugwort make an Electuary. The dose is a dram.

The outward use.

It is used outwardly to ease the paine of the Gowt, or any other paine, to cause sleep, and to cool inflammations: being put into a hollow tooth, it easeth the paine thereof. Some commend it in me∣dicines for the eares and eyes; but I think it rather dulleth the sight then otherwise.

An oyntment to cause sleep.

Take of Ʋnguentum Populeum one ounce, powder of Mandrake-root or leaves a scruple, oile of Nutmeg (by expression) a dram, oile of Violets halfe an ounce, Opium a scruple, make an ointment, and at night anoint the temples therewith.

Against the Tooth-ach.

Take Pellitory of Spain a dram and a halfe, Henbane-seed a scru∣ple, Opium five and twenty graines, make all into fine powder, and with the Mussilage of gum Traga••anth (made in spirit of wine) make up little balls, and put on•• into a hollow tooth, there to re∣main an houre.

The hurtfull quality, with the corrective meanes.

Opium by all is counted a dangerous medicine, and the frequent use thereof bringeth Palsies, Lethargies, trembling of the joynts, cold sweats,* 1.1 shortnesse of breath, and great sleepi∣nesse: it doth much stupifie the senses, and under∣standing, and often brings death. It is dangerous to give it to children, women, or delicate bodies.

Opium is corrected with Castor, Euphorbium, juice of Garlick or Onions, also with spirit of wine, vine∣ger, and sharp juices, as with juice of Lemon, or Ci∣tron; others correct it with Breast-milk, Almond-milk, Butter, and oile of Almonds. Note, that in pains of the head, it is not to be used with Saffron, because it offends the head, but with Nutmeg.

The Dose.

The dose is from a grain to two or three, but it is rarely given by it self. I have known it given (to ease the pain of the stone) from five grains to fifteen, and all in a short time; for at the first five graines gave ease, and that for some reasonable time, then seven or eight, so that the dose was increased still.

Opium is much in use in Asia and Africa, so that if they abstain from it they think their life is in danger thereby, which wants not admiration as Gartias ab horto saith, especially being so narcoticall and stupefactive, for such as use it much are still sleepy and drovvsy. The dose among them there, is from a scruple to fifty grains. The Turks and Persians take it to tvvo or three drams, and they thinke thereby they are more apt to performe any businesse, and especially they are fitter for vvarre, Verery, and animosity Also Hollerius writes of a Spaniard, that in the hot vveather did eat halfe an ounce

of it at one time, and that vvithout any hurt to the party: Holler. de morb intern. lib. 1. cap. 6. fol. 54. But vvonderfull is that of Gar∣tias ab horto Aromat. lib. 1. cap. 4. fol 23. vvho relates of one that for divers dayes together did eat three slices of Opium, vvhich did vveigh ten drams and upvvard, and although he vvas sleepy and stu∣pid, yet very ready to dispute of any thing. Opium hath killed ma∣ny, therefore my advice is to let it alone, and not to meddle vvith it, or else to look that it be vvell prepared. Pet. Forestus in his obser∣vations mentionss a vvoman, that took Opium one day, and vvas found dead the next day.

I shal relate what I have heard of an empericall practitioner, who (being ill and not taking rest) sent to one (either Physician or Apo∣thecary) for some Opium, when the messenger had it, the party he had it of said, There is too much for once, but I hope your Master knows that the messenger brought it home, and this emperick (it seems) took it all, and wrote to this effect in a piece of paper, I shall sleep so many houres and then wake, but forgot to give any notice thereof: after he had took it, he fell into such a sleep, that he was given over for dead, laid forth and buried; so soon as he was buried, his wife (thinking to finde some money) looking in his chamber found this writing before mentioned, whereupon she sent and had the grave digg'd up, and the coffin opened, where they saw he had turned himself when he waked.

Of such things as are made of Opium.

Extract of Opium, Laudanum Opiatum, Nepenthes Opiatum.

Notes

• * 1.1

  This you must understand of the true Opi∣um, for that which is now in use (being well prepared) is not so dange∣rous.