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. IX. De Bdellio. Of Gum Bdellium.

BDellium is a Gum flowing from a tree growing in Arabia, in India, and Media, but it chiefly groweth in Arabia.

The Names.

It is called in Latine, Bdellium.

The Temperament.

Bdellium is hot in the second degree, and moist in the first; of a mollifying and discussing nature.

The best kinde.

The best (say Authours) is clear like glew, fat on the inside, easily melting or dissolving, pure or clear from drosse, sweet in the burning, and bitter in tast; but that we have is not to be found so, for we find little bitternesse in any, and lesse sweetnesse in the burning of it, but strong and unpleasant rather, neither is it easie to be dissolved without warmth; and ours is of a sad brown colour, somwhat like Glew, and much like unto Myrrhe, in colour; insomuch, that some erroneously judge the purer part of this Gum to be Bdellium, and the grosser to be Myrrhe.

The Duration.

It will keep good ten or twelve years.

The inward Ʋse.

It provokes Urine, and the courses in Women, breaks the Stone: it is good for those that have the Cough, and are bitten by Serpents, or venomous Beasts. It helpeth to discusse the windi∣nesse of the Spleen, and pains of the side: it helpeth Ruptures, mol∣lifieth

the hardnesse of the Mother, and dryeth up the moysture thereof, and draweth forth the dead Child. It provokes sweat, stoppeth the overflowing of the menses or courses in Women, and also of the womb, as some affirm, which if it doe both, surely 'tis by its Arcanum, or hidden property. It is given against a super-purgation, after the taking of a sharp Medicine, that is, when a Purge worketh more then is meet.

The manner of administring it.

It is chiefly used in Pills, but it may be dissolved in wine, or any other liquour, and so taken.

Pills of Bdellium, that are good against the Hemroids, or Piles, and the overflowing of the courses.

Take of Bdellium one ounce and a halfe, Myrobalans, Chebuls, Black Myrobalans, Bellericks, and Emblicks, Concha, Venerea burnt, (which is a Sea-shell) of each two drams and a halfe; Ammios-seed, three drams, Amber two drams and a halfe; make those things in powder that are to be powdered, then macerate and dis∣solve the Bdellium in juice of Leeks, and with a sufficient quantity of syrupe made of the juice of Leeks, make it into a masse or lump for Pills. The Dose is from halfe a dram to four scruples.

Pills against the Hemroids.

Take of the former Pills, two drams, of Sene, Rubarbe, Agarick trochiscated in powder, of each a dram, with a sufficient quanti∣ty of syrupe of Roses, make a masse for Pills, of which take a dram at a time, in the morning for divers dayes together, if need re∣quire. Riverius observat. med. cent. 3. fol. 236.

The Externall Ʋse.

It is outwardly used against Convulsions and Ruptures, against swellings of the Throat; it dissolveth hard tumours and nodes of the Joynts, it openeth obstructions of the Womb, mollifieth the hardnesse thereof, and dryeth up its moistnesse, either applied or a fume thereof received: the same is good against swellings, and apostumes of the genitalls, or privy members.

A Plaister dissolving hard tumours.

Take of Bdellium one ounce, of Sagapenum four ounces, of Am∣moniacum, three ounces, Galbanum, Euphorbium, of each two drams. Dissolve the Gums in Sacke, then add thereto Oyle of white Lil∣lies, and Oyle of sweet Almonds, of each an ounce, Propolis (which is found in Bee hives) four ounces and a halfe: make them in∣to a Plaister.

A Plaister against Nodes, and glandulous tumours.

Take of Bdellium and Lupines, of each two drams, of Cow-dung two ounces, of Colewort-root, Capar bark, Sea Onion, pulp of Figs, of each halfe an ounce: make those in powder that are to be powdered, dissolve the Bdellium in Wine, and with a sufficient quantity of Honey, Vineger, Hogs-greace, and Old Oyle, make a Plaister: apply it as need requireth.

The Hurtfull Quality.

It is not to be given to Women with Child.

The Dose.

The Dose is from a dram to two drams.

These following are made of Bdellium.

1. Pills of Bdellium. 2. Oyntment of Bdellium. 3. Ʋnguentum A∣postolorum.