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. 53. De Rhabarbaro, of Rubarbe.

RƲbarbe is a root of a yellow colour, brought chiefly from Chi∣na, in the East-Indies.

The names.

It is called in Latine Rhabarbarum, in English Rubarbe and Rew∣barbe.

The temperament.

It is hot and dry in the second degree, of a mixt substance, partly airie, thin and purging, whereby it openeth the stoppings of the Li∣ver, Gall, and viscerous parts, and also draweth away choler: partly grosse and earthy, whereby it bindes and constringeth the body, and doth wonderfully strengthen the stomach and entrals, or in∣ward parts.

The kindes.

There are three kindes of Rubarbe mentioned by Authours. First, Rhabarbarum Indicum, and that is brought from China. Secondly, Rhabarbarum Barbarum, which comes from Barbary. Thirdly, Rha∣barum Turcicum, which comes from Pontus and Bosphorus; for the Turkish Merchants bring it from thence.

The best kinde.

The best Rubarbe is brought from China, and is of a light purplish red, or yellowish colour: being chewed in the mouth, it is somewhat clammy, and in colour like Saffron, which being rubbed on paper sheweth the colour more plainly; in taste it is somewhat bitter, but of a pleasing smell.

The duration.

It will keep good two or three yeers if it be kept close from the aire. The usuall way to keep it is to wrap it up in Cotten-wooll.

The inward use.

Rubarbe purgeth choler, flegme and watery humours; and is there∣fore usefull in diseases of the Liver, as in cholerick and long conti∣nued Feavers, in the Jaundise, Green-sicknesse, Dropsie, Stoppings of the Liver, as also against the hardnesse thereof, or intemperate coldnesse. It is so effectuall for the Liver, that 'tis called the life, soul,

heart, and the Treacle of the Liver. It cleanseth the bloud gently, and is profitable against tumours of the Spleen, putrid, or rotten Feavers, and in all fluxes of the belly, whether bloudy or not, as also in spit∣ting of bloud, and in bruises or falls. The powder of Rubarbe given with Cassia and Venice Turpentine washed, cleanseth the reins, and strengtheneth them afterwards, and is very effectuall in Gonorrhaea, or running of the Reins. It killeth Wormes, helpeth the Hickcock, and may be given to weak persons, old-men, children, women with childe; and that without any danger.

The manner of administring it.

It is given in powder, in infusion, in Pils, Boles, &c.

A Powder.

Take of Rubarbe two drams, Spicknard a scruple, make them into powder, and give it.

A Potion.

Take of Rubarbe cut in thin slices two drams, Spicknard five grains, Goats-Whey, or Posset-drink four ounces; steep them all night, and strain it, then add syrup of Roses solutive one ounce and a half, make a potion.

Pils.

Take of Rubarbe in powder five scruples, of Spicknard in powder five grains, with syrup of Roses make pils, and give them.

A Bole to cleanse the reins.

Take of Cassia newly drawn an ounce, of Rubarbe in powder four scruples, mixe them together and make a Bole, or lump.

Now seeing Rubarbe is of a mixt substance, as before is shewed; if you desire to open Obstructions, then give the infusion thereof; if you desire to bind and strengthen, give it in substance. And when you would give it more to purge then to binde, make but a gentle straining thereof; but if you would binde the body more then purge, strain it hard, that so more of the earthy substance may come forth.

Rubarbe by boiling loseth its purgative faculty.

Note, that there is a kinde of contrariety, or Antipathy between Rubarbe and Diagredium, for being put together in one Medicine they work very churlishly; yet I have observed that when Diagredium is put to an infusion of Rubarbe (being lightly strained) it worketh better then when Diagredium is gi∣ven with the substance of Rubarbe. This (I conceive) may be the cause why Confectio Hamech worketh so churlishly upon the stomach, for if you leave out the Rubarbe, and put in the more of Sene, you shall finde it to work better. And so in other compositions where the

substance of Rubarbe is put to Diagredium, you shall finde them to work churlishly.

Rubarbe may be cut into thin slices or pieces, and so taken with Raisons of the Sun, as Massaria gives counsel, f. 478.

The outward use.

Rubarbe healeth those Ulcers that come in the eyes, or eye-lids, being steeped in white Wine, or any other convenient liquour. Being boiled in Wine and applied, it taketh away the black and blew spots that come by bruises or falls, or oile wherein Rubarbe hath been boiled, taketh away black and blew spots.

The hurtfull quality, with the corrective means.

Rubarbe is hurtful to those that have very hot and dry bodies, as also to such as are hectical, or troubled with the Strangury. It is cor∣rected with Spicknard, Squinanthum, or Cynamon, especially where you desire more to strengthen then to purge. If you give it to purge and open obstructions, or stoppings, give it in Whey, Posset-drink, Endive or Succory-water, or in White Wine, being first infused therein.

The Dose.

The Dose in substance is from a dram to two drams, in infusion from two drams to half an ounce.

The compounds made of Rubarbe.

Extract of Rubarbe. Trosses of Rubarbe. Pils of Rubarbe. Syrup of Succory with Rubarbe. Syrupus Augustanus, vel de Rhabarbaro. Syru∣pus Diasereos. Rhabarbarum conditum. Syrupus Magistralis ad Melan∣choliam. Oile of Rubarbe.

Whether Rubarbe (being dried or burnt) may be used in the Dysenterie, or Bloudy-Flux?

Although many learned Physicians give counsel to dry or burne Rubarbe, and so to give it in the Bloudy-Flux, and the greater the Flux is the more to dry, or rather to burn it, because hereby it bindes the more: yet surely Rubarbe being much torrified or burnt, hath a sharp and biting qualiity, whereby it doth rather increase the Flux then stop it. Massaria, f. 478. Rondel. Meth. cur. Morb. f. 457. Amatus lucit. cur. Med. Cent. 2. f. 176. Schroderus Pharm. Med. Chym. lib. 4. f. 235.

If you would use Rubarbe to binde chiefly, it is best to cast away the first decoction, or infusion, then to boil it gently, and to make a strong expression, or straining thereof, and so to give it.