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. 93. De Centaurio, of Centory.

The Names and Kindes.

THere are two sorts of Centory chiefly in use, the great and the small: the great is called in Latine Centaurium magnum, and Centaurium majus vulgare, in English great Centory: the small is called Centaurium parvum, and Centaurium minus, in English small Centory, little, or common Centaury.

The Temperament.

The great Centory is hot and dry in the third degree; the lesser is hot and dry in the second degree, and very bitter.

The Duration.

They will keepe good a yeare.

The inward use.

The lesser Centory purgeth Flegme and Choller, and provokes sweate. It is usefull in the Sciatica, in Agues, for it openeth the stop∣pings of the Liver, Gall, and Spleene, helping the Jaundies and easing the paines in the side: making thin both the bloud and hu∣mours, by the cleansing and bitter qualities therein: it helpeth those that have the Dropsy, or Greenesicknesse. It killeth Wormes, and

dryeth up rheumes: A Decoction thereof also is good against the Collick, and to bring downe Womens Courses, helpeth to avoid the dead Birth, and easeth the paines of the Mother, and is very ef∣fectuall in all paines of the joynts, as the Gout, Cramp, or Convul∣sions. A dram of the powder taken in Wine is a good helpe against the biting or poyson of Adder, or Viper. The tops of the stalkes with the flowers are most in use.

The great Centory roots, being steeped in VVine, or the powder thereof given in VVine, is good for such as have the Dropsy or Jaun∣des, or are troubled with the stoppings of the Liver: two drams of the root (in powder) taken in VVine, or water, helpeth those that spit Bloud, or that bleed much at the mouth: It is also used for Rup∣tures, Cramps, and Pleurises, and for an old Cough, shortnesse of Breath, Gripings in the belly and paines of the Mother. It helpeth the Strangury and Stone.

The manner of Administring them.

They are given in Decoction, or in powder.

The outward use.

The Juyce of the lesser Centory mixed with a little Hony is good to cleare the Eyes from dimnesse, mistes, or cloudes, that hinder the sight, and is singular good for greene, or fresh wounds, and also for old Vlcers and Sores, to close up the one, and clense the other, and perfectly to cure them both, although they be Fistulous and Hollow, the greene herbe especially being bruised, and laid to: the Decoction dropped into the Eares, cleanseth them from VVormes, clenseth the foule Ulcers, and spreading Scabs of the head, and taketh away all Freckles, Spots and markes in the Skin being washed therewith.

The Decoction of great Centory, taketh away the paine and dan∣ger of the bitings or stingings of venemous Creatures: it helpeth to sharpen the Eye sight, if it be steeped in water and dropped in to them: the whole plant as well herbe as roote is very availeable in all sorts of wounds or Ulcers, to dry, Sodder, cleanse and heale them, and should be a principall ingredient in all wound drinkes and in∣jections. It helpeth the Strangury and Stone if the juyce bee injected.

A Decoction against Arthritcall paines, or the Joynt Gout.

Take Centory the lesser, two handfulls, roote of Assarum two Ounces, spring water ten pints. Boyle them to halfe. The Dose is about half a pint in bed, for divers mornings together.

An injection against Wormes in the Eares.

Take of Centory the lesser, VVormwood, Harehound and Ca∣lamint, of each an Ounce; Boyle them in a sufficient quantity of wa∣ter, to halfe, add unto a pint of the strayning, half a pound of Hony, or lesse, and keep it for your use.

The Dose.

The Dose in powder is from halfe a dram to a dram and a halfe. The juyce to halfe an Ounce.

Of such things as are made thereof.

Centory-water. Extract of Centory. Salt of Centory.