Platerus golden practice of physick: fully and plainly discovering, I. All the kinds. II. The several causes of every disease. III. Their most proper cures, in respect to the kinds, and several causes, from whence they come. After a new, easie, and plain method; of knowing, foretelling, preventing, and curing, all diseases incident to the body of man. Full of proper observations and remedies: both of ancient and modern physitians. In three books, and five tomes, or parts. Being the fruits of one and thirty years travel: and fifty years practice of physick. By Felix Plater, chief physitian and professor in ordinary at Basil. Abdiah Cole, doctor of physick, and the liberal arts. Nich. Culpeper, gent. student in physick, and astrology.

The Cure.

We must consider first whether the fault be hid or manifest and accordingly foretel and Act.

If men are born without a Yard, or with a mishapen one not fit for the work; or if it be cut off, or the head cut, or if the stones are both taken out, the Cure is impossible. And Wo∣men that have the womb so clo∣sed that it can be opened by no Art without danger of life they are incurable. Other defects in men and Women, as Tumors, Ulcers, Wounds or Bruises, stoppage of the passage of the Yard, shal be spoken of in other Treatises. But we shal here shew the Cure of the streightness of the passage in man, and the largeness of the Hymen or Membrane in Women; but if none of these appear, and the Yard wil not stand nor seed be spent, or if the Woman without or with little delight perform the act and these be in sound people, there is some original fault which we perceive by what they have been from their youth; And this is incurable. Or when it comes from Incantation which is not our part to untie. But when from Weakness, Coldness, or other Diseases, which hindreth Seed, or makes it unprofitable, though long continuance may make difficulty, yet in these ca∣ses chiefly we undertake the Cure.

We give things that cause seed, and this as we said by its plenty and sharpness stirs up a desire to the Act, and disposeth the members for it. These are such as cause much blood, which is the matter of which seed is made. To these we add hot things which may make the blood hotter, and by consequence the seed, which will more stimulate or provoke; and by its heat and thinness come sooner and in greater plenty to the Yard. And when the serum is hereby inflamed and carried to the bladder, it being neer to the seminal vessels, & promotes the cause, as we have seen by the use of Spanish flies the Bladder hath been so inflamed that it hath been ulcera∣ted, and the Urin hath been much and bloody, and the heat so sent to the parts adjacent that they have vio∣lently provoked Lust; this sharpness of seed may be cured with Salts mixed with other things, as I shal shew. And we shal shew that it is our opinion that such me∣dicines work by a manifest quality, rather than by stret∣ching the Yard with Wind as some say (which cannot be) besides their secret hidden quality which was ob∣served by the first teachers of such things, from the whiteness of the flesh, fruits, and roots, resembling seed: Or because taken from Lecherous Creatures; Or from their shape resembling Stones, as the Satyri∣ons or plants called Dogs-stones; or like a rough wrinkled Cod, as Toad-stools or Mushrooms.

Many things are given for this, especially at Supper, or after at Bed-time, if we expect the effect that night, or (if you wil have them successively to work) in the morning.

Of meats they are best that nourish wel, and cause much blood, and they are chosen which are white and ful of marrow, as Brains, Stones, especially of the most lecherous Beasts, as of Cocks, Quails, Sparrows, Fox∣es. Also the flesh of the Castor, because his Stones cannot be eaten by reason of their stink: but they are thought to be Bladders and not Stones. The flesh of Craw-fish, Crabs, Lobsters, Oysters, and other hard Fishes that have Gristles, Cuttle-fish, Polypus, Milk, Eggs, Almonds, Nuts, Pine-nuts, Pistachaes, Ches∣nuts, Beans, Pease, Rise, Barley, Hartichoaks, Pars∣neps, Rapes, Scirroots and roots of Goars-beard, and such as cause Milk, cause Seed also, also Onions, Leeks, Mushrooms, also Rocket, Coleworts, Asparagus; all these diversly dressed and eaten do the same, especially if they be prepared and salted: for Pepper stimulateth and provoketh Venery, and we suppose that when such things are so eaten it comes rather from the Sawce than the Meat.

The usual meats to provoke Venery is the white Broath called in Dutch, Beinwarm made of Wine, Egs, Sugar and Butter, with which the Bride-groom resto∣reth himself in the morning. Or that called Lebersuls made of Piggs Livers which helps Conception with Wine, Spices, and Saffron, this according to Diascori∣des increaseth Venery; and that which the Germans give at Weddings called Pseffer strong of Pepper, and that congealed saffron'd Galren made of juyce of Flesh and Fishes wel spiced.

Divers Junkets are made of Sugar, Honey, and Spi∣ces, given after Supper or at night at the Greeks Col∣lation time called Epidorpismus-

As dried Confections of Kernels and Seeds with Sugar, among which Rocket seed, Pine and Pistacha Nuts are the chief.

Or March-pane, as this. Take Almonds, and small Nuts, each four ounces; Pine and Pistacho Nuts, each one ounce; beat them, Cinnamon half an ounce, Pepper one dram, Ginger, Cloves, Nutmegs, Cardamoms the great, each half a dram; Rocket seed two drams, and if you wil have it yellow, Saffron; or red Saunders and Sugar as much as is fit, mix them and bake them in an Oven like Bread.

The Bread of Life called in High Dutch Lebfuchen wel spiced and honeyed was invented with the rest to provoke Venery.

Rocket, Water-cresses and other sharp Herbs eaten at supper with Botargo or Honey after the Spanish fashion provoke much.

Strong sweet Wine wel spiced with Cinnamon and Pepper, taken moderately heats and refresheth the bo∣dy, and makes it fit for the work: but immoderately; stupifies and makes unfit and sluggish.

There are divers pouders to be given with Wine, Milk, or the like, or made up with Sugar in Tablers.

The first: Take Pepper ten grains, only bruised that it burn not the mouth, let him drink it in Wine or Milk at bed-time.

The second: Take Pepper half a dram, Saffron half a scruple, make a Pouder, take it with any convenient Li∣quor.

The third: Take Pepper one dram, Nutmeg half a dram, Salt one dram, take it in a reat Egg.,

The fourth: Take Pepper a dram, Ginger, Rocket seed and Leek seed, each half a dram; Sugar two drams, take a dram.

The fifth: Take Rocket seed two drams, Ashen keys, Burdock, Line, and Annise seed, each a dram; Parsnep, Nepp, Radish, Onion, Leek, Mustard, Nettle, Water-cres∣ses, and Asparagus seeds, each half a dram; Pepper a dram and half, Ginger, Galangal, Cloves, Mace, each half a dram; Saffron a scruple, Ivory shavings a dram, pizle of a Deare or Bull; the flesh of the Scincus each half a dram; Sugar as much as all the rest, Cinnamon two drams, make a Pouder, give two drams.

The sixth better than the rest: Take Rocket seed half an ounce, Parsnep Rape and Leek seed, each a dram; Wa∣tercress seeds and Pellitory roots each half a dram; Pepper a dram, Ginger, Cinnamon, of each half a dram; Saffron a scruple, spanish Flies without wings nine, Boraxa dram, Musk some grains, Sugar an ounce, make a fine Pouder, give a spoonful at first in Warm Milk, and more if it fail.

The seventh and strongest of all: Take two spanish Flies the wings being taken off, Cinnamon one scruple, Sugar Candy one dram, give it in Milk. if it do not the feat, take three the next time.

The Chymists highly commend the blood of Saty∣rion which Quercetan teacheth how to prepare.

Among Electuaries the Diasatyrion of Nicolas one dram was invented for the same use; also Confectio Anacardina which inflameth highly.

Another may be made thus. Take Satyrion and E∣ryngus roots candied each one ounce; Ginger candied, Con∣serve of Acorus each half an ounce; Pine and Pistacha Nuts each three drams; the Kernels of Indian Nuts one dram, Line seed and Ashen keys each two drams; Roeket seed one dram and an half, the Electuary of the three Peppers one dram, the species of Diambra and Diamoschu each half a dram; Cinnamon one dram, of Stags or Buls pizle and Scin∣cus of the Sea dried, each half a dram (for Women add the dried matrix of a Hare, and an ounce of Sugar) add Honey as much as is fit for an Electuary, give two drams or more.

The nauseous Pils are thus made. Take of Mouse∣dung half a dram, Rocket seed a dram, Pepper half a dram, spanish Flies the wings taken off five; mix them with Tur∣pentine, give a dram.

You may make a Syrup to be kept til you have oc∣casion thus. Take the green roots of Eryngus, Satyrion and Parsneps each two ounces; roots of Pellitory and Dracuncu∣lus each half an onnce; Rocket two handfuls, Watercresses, Hedg-mustard, each one handful; Rocket seed half an ounce, Line seed, Ash-keys, Asparagus seed, each two drams: Anise seed (which is thought to cause Milk) half an ounce, Dates five, boyl them in white Wine, and add to the strained Liquor, Sugar, Cinnamon and Pepper, boyl them to a consistence or height, give an ounce alone or with white Wine.

We have observed that gentle Purges corrected with hot Spices, whether they work or not, do vehemently provoke Venery: so that before they work they cause erection, as some have confessed to me, who thought I had mistaken in my intention when I gave the Medi∣cine.

Sweet scents provoke not only by refreshing, but by heating and piercing, as Amber-greece, Musk, Civet.

In men outward applications are best for the Yard, and beneath, by the heat whereof the blood may come to erect that part: and that blood may come into the seminal vessels to make seed, we anoynt the Stones, Loyns, and Privities, and sometimes the soles of the Feet, these are made of hot Attractives.

Of usual Oyls thus. Take of Oyl of Pepper, Euphor∣bium and Castor, each equal parts.

Or thus. Take Juyce of Rocket, Watercresses, Aqua vitae each an ounce; Pellitory roots two drams, Mustard seed one dram, Euphorbium half a dram, Line seed Oyl one ounce and half, boyl and strain them.

Otherwise, Take Oyl of Nutmegs by expression two drams, Oyl of Spike two drams, Oyl of Cloves half a scruple, mix them for an Oyntment.

Without Oyls thus. Take the Gall of a Bore or Hogg one dram, Civet half a scruple, Honey, anoynt the Yard and parts adjacent, if you add three or four spanish Flies it wil be better.

Oyl of Ants which have wings; made by boyling of them in Sallet Oyl is excellent.

Also the Fat of a Hedg-hog.

A good Oyntment. Take roots of Pellitory, Pepper, Ginger, Mustard seed, each one dram; Euphorbium half a dram, Castor one scruple, dried Ants half a dram, pouder them, add Oyl of Spike and a little Wax; make an Oynt∣ment.

They say that if the right Toe be anoynted with Oyl of Spanish Flies it will provoke Venery: which we cannot deny to be possible from the vertue we have declared in them for provoking bloody Urin of which we have experience.

These Oyntments in the Loyns and Privities of Women stir them up when dull: But privately before Copulation, let the man anoynt his Yard wit Civet or Gall of a Hen.

The use of hot natural Baths is counted the best Re∣medy to restore heat in cold and decaied persons.

Also other Baths and Fomentations for the Feet and other parts being actually and potentially hot do the same, As the Decoction of Flower-de-luce roots, Nep, Calamints, Nettles Marjoram, Rocket, Hedg∣mustard, Lavender flowers, and of Chamomil, and the like.

It is good to wrap the Feet in soft furrs (which by their gentle tickling stir up Women and effoeminate Persons) to preserve the Heat, and prevent Cold.

Somtimes weakness is taken away by manual Ope∣ration, in a Man when the Fore-skin is so strait that it will not uncover the Head of the Yard, we stretch or divide it by cutting. In women, when the neck of the womb is too strait, or covered with the skin called Hy∣men, or with a Callus, we open it with a thin Groat or Instrument made on purpose, to cut both sides.

Other things belong to the Cure of Incantations, as shaking of the Pillows, pissing through the wedding∣ring, or the Axle-tree of the Plough, or the changing of shifts, before they go to the sport, shiftings of the left Foot, and the like, these belong not to us.

Nor care we for Amulets, to which much is attribu∣ted. They say the ashes of a black Lizard carried in the left hand cause Erection, and in the right hand hin∣der it.

Imagination and apprehension of former sport, pro∣voke Venery extreamly; by remembrance beholding or hearing of things passed: and much more tou∣ching.

Sweet affections, as Joy advance, Sorrow and grief hinder the Act: This joy is brought by recreating the senses, as the Sight, the Hearing, and the rest, especi∣ally by Musick.

Notes

• The Care of Impoten∣cy, Faintness, Copu∣lat on bindred, or im∣perfect, or extinct, whether in man or woman.