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. 55. De Sagapeno, of Gum Sagapenum.

THe Gum Sagapenum is the juice of a kinde of Ferula, growing in Media.

The names.

It is called in Latine Sagapenum, and Serapinum.

The temperament.

It is hot in the third degree, and dry in the second.

The best kinde.

The best is that which doth smell like Garlick, or between Laser and Galbanum, bright and cleer of a yellowish colour without, but white within, and will soon dissolve in water, or Vineger, also sharp in taste.

The duration.

It will keep good four or five yeers.

The inward use.

Sagapenum purgeth thick, grosse and tough humours, as also wa∣tery from the stomach, belly, wombe, reins, brain, nerves, joynts, and lungs. Therefore it is profitable in the Dropsie, old cough, shortnesse of breath, pain of the head, as in the Megrim, Falling-Sicknesse, Palsie, Cramp, or Convulsion, trembling of the joynts, in stoppings and tumours of the Spleen, in the quartane Ague, Col∣lick, in the stopping of the Urine, and in suppression of the Courses in Women. It is useful in suffocation or rising of the Mother, and against the stinging of venomous beasts, or poyson taken into the body.

The manner of administring it.

It is chiefly given in Pils.

Pils against the Dropsie.

Take of Sagapenum, (moistned or dissolved in the juice of Ele∣campane) two scruples, Trosses of Alhandal a scruple, Diagredium five grains, with syrup of Roses make a masse or lump for two Do∣ses.

The externall use.

Being dissolved in Wine and applyed, it easeth paines of the side, the cough and shortnesse of breath, and is commended against the

Pleurisy, but I question whether it be not too hot, except in a bastard Pleurisy. If it be dissolved in Vineger and the juice of Rue, and ap∣plyed, it helpeth Contusions and bruises, and used with Oile of Rue to the back, it driveth away cold paines thereof. Being dissolved with Vineger of Squills, and applyed, it dissolveth the hardnesse of the spleene, as also the Kings evill, or Scrophulaes bred under the eares and neare the throat, and those hard nodes that arise in the joints after the Gowt; with the juice of Rue or Fennell, it cleareth the sight, and takes away all spots therein. Dissolved with Oile, and applyed, it strengtheneth those members that are out of joint, or the strained members, and joynts. It draweth forth Thornes or splinters, and breaketh any Botch or Boile. Being put into Gly∣sters it easeth the Collick; and a Pessary made thereof and put up, bringeth downe the after-birth, and the courses A fumigation thereof with the horne of a Goat is commended against the Lethar∣gie.

The hurtfull quality, with the corrective meanes.

It hurts the Liver and Stomach, therefore it is corrected with the third part of Mastick, Cynamon, Ginger, Spicknard, &c. It must not be given to women with Childe, for it kills the birth. The best way to prepare it for the diseases of the braine, nerves, breast, joynts, and cold diseases of the Wombe, is to dissolve it in Wine, and with Aqualangii, &c. to draw forth its vertue in the manner of an extract.

The dose.

The dose is from halfe a dram to a dram.

The compounds made of Sagapenum.

Pils of Sagapenum, extract of Sagapenum, oile thereof.