Aguapendente_, a noted _Italian_ Surgeon, and is excellent for all kinds of
Wounds, even for the Nervous, which (as it is avouch'd by some Persons) may
be cur'd by it within the space of twenty four Hours. But the Wound must be
at first wash'd with good White-Wine cold, and afterward anointed {317}
with this Balsam well heated. If the Wound be deep, it may be syringed with
the same Balsam very hot, and the sides of it anointed when drawn together.
Then a Bolster steep'd in the Balsam is to be apply'd to the Part, and upon
that another Bolster soakt in the Lees of Wine; as also over this last
another drie Bolster.
_The Green Balsam._
Take Linseed-Oil and that of Olives, of each one Pint; one Ounce of Oil of
Bays; two Ounces of _Venice_ Turpentine, half an Ounce of the destill'd Oil
of Juniper-Berries, three Drams of Verdegrease, two Drams of Sucotrin
Aloes, two Drams and a half of White Vitriol, and one of the Oil of Cloves.
Having made choice of the best Olive and Linseed-Oil well purify'd and
mingl'd together in a Skillet or Pan over a very gentle Fire, let the
Turpentine and Oil of Bays be incorporated in it; then having taken off the
Pan from the Fire, and left the Liquor to be well cool'd, let it be
intermixt by little and little with the Verdegrease, the White Vitriol, and
the Sucotrin Aloes beaten to fine Powder: Afterward the destill'd Oils of
Cloves and Juniper-Berries being added, and the whole Composition well
mingl'd together, the Balsam will be entirely compounded according to Art.
This is the Balsam that hath been so much talkt of at _Paris_, and which
many Quack-Salvers, pretending to the Art of Physick and Surgery, keep as a
great Secret. Indeed it is very good for all sorts of Wounds, whether they
{318} be made by the Sword, or other Iron Weapons, or by Gun-shot. But it
wou'd be requisite at first to wash the Wound with warm Wine, then to
anoint it with this Balsam very hot, and to apply Bolsters that have been
steept in it, as also a large Bolster over the other, dipt in some Styptick
Liquor. This Balsam mundifies, incarnates, and cicatrizes Wounds; being
likewise good against the Bitings of venomous Beasts, and fistulous and
malignant Ulcers.
__Samaritan_ Balsam._
Take an equal quantity of common Oil and good Wine; boil 'em together in a
glaz'd Earthen Vessel, till the Wine be wholly consum'd, and the Balsam
will be made. I have produc'd this Balsam in particular, by reason of its
simplicity, and in regard that it may be readily prepar'd at all times. It
serves to mundifie and consolidate simple Wounds more especially those that
are recent.
* * * * *
{319}
CHAP. II.
_Of Ointments._
* * * * *
__Unguentum Althaeae_._
Take of the Roots of _Althaea_ or Marsh-Mallows, six Ounces, the Seeds of
Line, and Fenugreek, and Squills, of each four Ounces; of yellow Wax one
Pound; Colophony and Rosin, of each one Pound; _Venice_ Turpentine,
_Galbanum_, and Gum _Hederae_ pulveriz'd, two Ounces of each. The
Marsh-Mallow-Roots being newly gather'd, are to be well wash'd and slic'd,
as well as the Squills. After they have been put into a Copper-Pan or
Skillet, tinn'd over on the inside, together with the Seeds of Line and
Fenugreek, and a Gallon of fair Water pour'd upon 'em, the whole Mass is to
be macerated during twenty four Hours, over a very gentle Fire, stirring
the Ingredients from time to time with a Wooden _Spatula_: Thus they are to
be boil'd slowly, often reiterating the stirring, till the Mucilages are
sufficiently thicken'd; then, after having well squeez'd and strain'd 'em
thro' a strong and very close Cloth, and mingl'd 'em with the prepar'd Oil,
they are to be boil'd together again over a very gentle Fire, till the
Superfluous Moisture of the Mucilages be wholly {320} consum'd: Afterward
having strain'd the Oil again, the yellow Wax, Colophony, and Rosin cut
into small pieces, are to be melted in it; and if any Dregs appear at the
bottom of the Pan, when the whole Mass is dissolv'd, it is to be strain'd
a-new, or at least the pure Liquor must be separated from the gross or
impure by Inclination, whilst it is as yet very hot: The Ointment is to be
stirr'd about with a Wooden Pestle; and when it begins to grow thick, you
may add the Turpentine, the _Galbanum_ purify'd and thicken'd, and the Gum
_Hederae_ beaten to fine Powder, all which Ingredients were before
incorporated together. Then the Ointment is to be continually stirr'd, till
it be altogether grown cold.
This Ointment serves to moisten, mollifie, and heat gently; it also allayes
the Pains of the Side, and softens Tumours, particularly the _Parotides_.
It may be us'd either alone, or with other Ointments or Oils.
_The mundificative Ointment of Smallage._
Take three handfuls of Smallage-Leaves; with Ground-Ivy, great Wormwood,
great Centory, Germander, Sage, St. _John_'s-Wort, Plantain, Milfoil or
Yarrow, Perewinkle, the greater Comfrey, the lesser Comfrey, Betony,
Honey-suckle, Fluellin, Vervein, Knot-Grass, Adders-Tongue, and Burnet, of
every one of these Plants two handfuls; a Gallon of common Oil, white
Pitch, Mutton-Suet, yellow Wax, and Turpentine, of each two Pounds. {321}
Bruise all these Herbs in a Marble-Mortar; let the Wax, white Pitch, and
Mutton-Suet cut into pieces, as also the Turpentine be melted in the Oil,
in a Copper-Pan lin'd with Tin, over a moderate Fire; put the bruis'd Herbs
in it, and cause the whole Mass to simmer together very slowly, stirring it
about from time to time with a Wooden _Spatula_. As soon as it shall be
perceiv'd that the Oil of the Herbs is almost quite consum'd, the whole
Composition is to be strain'd, and strongly squeez'd. Then after having let
the Ointment cool, to draw off all the Dregs and Moisture, it is to be
dissolv'd over a very gentle Fire; and after having left it a little while
to cool again and thicken, you may add thereto Myrrh, Aloes, _Florence_
Orris, and round Birth-Wort pulveriz'd very fine. When all these
Ingredients are by this means well incorporated, the Ointment will be
brought to perfection.
This Ointment is of singular Use to cleanse Ulcers; as also to mundifie,
cicatrize, and consolidate all sorts of Wounds.
_The black or suppurative Ointment._
Take a Quart of common Oil, white and yellow Wax, Mutton-Suet that lies
near the Kidneys, pure Rosin, Ship-Pitch, _Venice_ Turpentine, of each half
a Pound; and of Mastick beaten to fine Powder, two Ounces; let all that is
capable of being dissolv'd, be liquify'd in the Oil; and add the Powder of
Mastick to make an Ointment. {322}
This Ointment searches and opens all sorts of Impostumes, as well as
Carbuncles, and Pestilential and Venereal Bubo's. The use of the same
Ointment is also to be continu'd after the opening of the Abcesses, till
their perfect Cure be compleated.
__Unguentum Rosatum_._
Take Bore's-Grease well purify'd, and often wash'd, and Red Roses newly
pickt, of each four Pounds, with the like quantity of White Roses.
The thin Membrane or Skin which lies upon the Bores-Grease, being taken
away, it is to be cut into small pieces, well wash'd in fair Water, and
melted in a glaz'd Earthen-Pot over a very gentle Fire; the first Grease
that is dissolv'd is to be strain'd thro' a Cloth, well wash'd, and mixt
with the same quantity of thick Rose-Buds well bruis'd. Then the whole Mass
is to be put into a glaz'd Earthen-Pot with a narrow Mouth; the Pot is to
be well stopt, and set during six Hours in Water, which is between
luke-warm and boiling hot. Afterward it is to be boil'd an Hour, strain'd
and strongly squeez'd. In the mean while four Pounds of White Roses newly
blown are to be taken, well bruis'd, and mingl'd with the former
Composition, the Pot being cover'd, which is likewise set for the space of
six Hours in Water, between luke-warm and boiling hot: Then the Liquor is
to be strain'd and strongly squeez'd. Lastly, after the Ointment hath been
cool'd, and separated from its _Faeces_ or Dregs, it may be kept for use.
{323}
If it be desir'd to give a Rose-Colour to this Ointment, it wou'd be
requisite a quarter of an Hour before it be strain'd the last time, to
throw into it two or three Ounces of _Orcanet_, which is to be stirr'd into
the Ointment. If it be thought fit to retain the White Colour, and to
produce the smell of Roses, it may be done with Damask-Roses without
_Orcanet_. If you are desirous to give it the Consistence of a Liniment,
you may add Oil of sweet Almonds to the quantity of a sixth part of its
weight.
This Ointment is a very good Remedy against all manner of external
Inflammations, particularly against _Phlegmons_, _Erysipelas's_, and
Tetters; as also against the Head-ach and Haemorrhoids or Piles.
__Unguentum Album, aut de Cerussa_._
Take three Pints of Oil of Roses, nine Ounces of white Wax, one Pound of
_Venice_ Ceruse or white Lead, and a Dram and a half of Camphire.
The Ceruse being pulveriz'd by rubbing the pieces upon the Cloath of a
Hair-Sieve turn'd upside-down; the Powder is to be receiv'd on a Sheet of
Paper laid underneath, and to be often wash'd with Water in a great
Earthen-Pan, stirring it about with a Wooden _Spatula_, and pouring off the
Water by Inclination as soon as the Powder is sunk to the Bottom. When the
Water of these Washings grows insipid, the last Lotion is to be made with
Rose-Water, leaving it for the space of five or six Hours, which being
expir'd, it is to be pour'd off by Inclination, and {324} the Ceruse must
be dry'd in the Shade, cover'd with Paper. Then the broken Wax and prepar'd
Oil is to put into a glaz'd Earthen-Pot, and the Pot into the boiling Bath.
As soon as the Wax is melted, the Pot may be taken out of the Bath, and the
dissolv'd Liquor stirr'd with a Wooden Pestle till it begins to grow thick.
Afterward the pulveriz'd Ceruse is to be infus'd, and the Ointment stirr'd
about till it be almost cold. If you shall think fit to add Camphire, let
it be dissolv'd in a little Oil, and incorporated with the Ointment when it
is cold. The Whites of Eggs may be also well mixt with the Ointment, by
stirring it about, to make an exact union of the several Ingredients.
This Ointment is good for Burns, _Erysipelas's_, the Itch, and many
Distempers of the Skin; it allayes the Itchings and intemperature of
Ulcers; it dissipates the Chafings and Redness that happen in the Bodies of
Infants; It is of great efficacy in the healing of Contusions, and it
serves to consolidate and cool light Wounds.
__Unguentum Aegyptiacum_._
Take eleven Ounces of Verdegrease, fourteen Ounces of strong Vinegar, and
twenty eight Ounces of good Honey.
Let the Verdegrease be put into a Copper-Pan or Skillet over a very gentle
Fire; then bruise it with a Wooden Pestle; work it well in the Vinegar, and
strain the whole thro' a Hair-Sieve. If a little Verdegrease remains on the
Sieve, it is to be put again into the {325} Skillet bruis'd and beaten
small therein, as before, with a Portion of the same Vinegar, straining it
thro' the Sieve, till the unprofitable drossy parts of the Copper be only
left. Afterward this Liquor is to be boil'd over a gentle Fire, with the
Honey, stirring it about from time to time till it hath acquir'd the
Consistence of a softish Ointment, and a very red Colour.
This Ointment consumes putrify'd Flesh, and the Superfluities of Ulcers and
Wounds.
__Unguentum Basilicon_, or Royal Ointment_.
Take yellow Wax, Mutton-Suet, Rosin, Ship-Pitch, and _Venice_ Turpentine,
one Pound of each; with five Pints of common Oil.
Cut the Suet, Rosin, and black Pitch into small Pieces, and let 'em be
melted together, with the Oil, in a Copper-Pan over a very moderate Fire;
then after having strain'd the Liquor thro' a thick Cloth, let it be
incorporated with the Turpentine, and the Ointment will be made.
It promotes Suppuration, and cicatrizes Wounds when the purulent Matter is
drawn forth. It is often laid alone upon the Bolsters, and sometimes mixt
with the Yolks of Eggs, Turpentine, and other Ointments, or with Oils and
Plaisters. {326}
_A cooling Cerate._
Take a Pint of Oil of Roses, and three Ounces of white Wax.
Let the whole Composition be put into a glaz'd Earthen-Pot, and the Pot set
in _Balneo Mariae_, till the Wax be well dissolv'd in the Oil: Then take
the Vessel out of the Bath, and stir the Ointment with a Wooden Pestle till
it be cool'd; add two Ounces of Water, and stir it about with the Pestle
till it be imbib'd by the Cerate; let as much more Water be infus'd, and
again the same quantity, till the Cerate becomes very white, and hath been
well soakt with fresh Water. Afterward all the Water is to be pour'd off by
Inclination, and separated as much as is possible from the Cerate, which
may then be kept for use; but some Surgeons cause an Ounce of Vinegar to be
mingl'd with it.
This Cerate is usually laid outwardly upon all Parts that stand in need of
cooling, and asswages the Pains of the Haemorrhoids or Piles. It is also
good for Chaps, sore Nipples, and other ill Accidents that happen in the
Breast; and is us'd for Burns either alone, or mixt with other Ointments.
Whensoever it is necessary to apply Desiccatives and Astringents to any
Part, this Cerate may be mingl'd with _Unguentum de Cerussa_. {327}
_An Ointment for Burns._
Take a Pound of Bores-Grease, two Pints of White-Wine, the Leaves of the
greater Sage, Ground- and Wall-Ivy, Sweet Marjoram, or the Greater
House-Leek, of each two handfuls.
Let the whole Mass be boil'd over a gentle Fire, and having afterward
strain'd and squeez'd it, let the Ointment so made be kept for use.
* * * * *
CHAP. III.
_Of Plaisters._
* * * * *
_The Plaister of _Diapalma_._
Take three Pounds of prepar'd Litharge of Gold, three Pints of common Oil,
two Pounds of Hogs-Lard, a Quart of the Decoction of Palm-Tree or Oak-Tops;
four Ounces of Vitriol calcin'd till it become red, and steept in the said
Decoction. Having bruis'd or cut very small two handfuls of Palm-Tree or
Oak-Tops, let 'em be boil'd slowly in three Quarts of Water till about half
be consum'd; and after the whole Mass hath been well squeez'd, the strain'd
Decoction is to be preserv'd. In the mean time the Litharge is to be {328}
pounded in a great Brass Mortar, and diluted with two or three Quarts of
clear Water; but it will be requisite readily to pour out into another
Vessel the muddy Water which is impregnated with the more subtil part of
the Litharge, whilst the thicker remains at the bottom of the Mortar;
whereupon this part of the Litharge will sink to the bottom of the Water,
and the Litharge remaining in the Mortar is to be pounded again. Then
having diluted it in the Water of the first Lotion, or in some other fresh
Water, the muddy Liquor is to be pour'd by Inclination upon the subtil
Litharge that remain'd in the bottom of the Vessel: Afterward you may
continue to pound the Litharge, to bruise it in the Water, to pour it off
by Inclination, and to let the Powder settle, till there be left only at
the bottom a certain impure part of the Litharge, capable of being
pulveriz'd, and rais'd amidst the Water. As soon as the Lotions are well
settl'd, and care hath been taken to separate by Inclination the Water
which swims over the Powder of Litharge; this Powder is to be dry'd, and
having weigh'd out the appointed Quantity, it is to be put as yet cold into
a Copper-Pan lin'd with Tin, and stirr'd about to mingle it with the Oil,
Lard, and Decoction of Palm-Tree-Tops. When these Ingredients have been
well incorporated together, a good Charcoal Fire must be kindl'd in a
Furnace, over which they are to be boil'd, stirring 'em continually with a
great Wooden _Spatula_, and constantly maintaining an equal Degree of Heat
during the whole time of their boiling. At last you may add {329} the
rubify'd Vitriol dissolv'd in a Portion of the Liquor that hath been
reserv'd, if you wou'd have the Plaister tinctur'd with a red Colour; or
else white Vitriol melted in the same Decoction, if it shall be thought fit
to retain the Whiteness of the Plaister, which may be form'd into Rolls,
and wrapt up with Paper.
This Plaister is us'd for the cure of Wounds, Ulcers, Tumours, Burns,
Contusions, Fractures, and Chilblains, and is also laid upon the Cauteries.
If you mingle with it the third or fourth part of its weight of some
convenient Oil, it will attain to the Consistence of a Cerate; and this is
that which is call'd _Dissolved Diapalma_ or _Cerate of Diapalma_.
_The Plaister of simple _Diachylum_._
Take of Marsh-Mallow-Roots peel'd, three Drams; the Seeds of Line and
Fenugreek, of each four Ounces; three Quarts of Spring-Water; two Quarts of
common Oil, and two Pounds of Litharge of Gold.
Let the Mucilages of Marsh-Mallow-Roots, and of the Seeds of Line and
Fenugreek be taken, as hath been shewn in the making of _Unguentum
Althaeae_, and let the Litharge be prepar'd after the same manner as for
the Plaister of _Diapalma_. Having at first well mixt the Oil with the
Litharge in a large Copper-Vessel or Pan, Tinn'd on the inside, being wide
at the top, and tapering like a Cone toward the bottom, as also having
afterward added and well incorporated the Mucilages, a moderate {330}
Charcoal Fire is to be kindl'd in a Furnace, upon which the Vessel is to be
set, and the whole Mass is to be stirr'd about incessantly with a Wooden
_Spatula_; and as fast as is possible. A gentle Fire is to be maintain'd,
and the Boiling and Agitation to be continu'd, till it be perceiv'd that
the Plaister begins to sink in the Pan; then the Heat of the Fire must be
diminish'd one half at the least; and it will be requisite only to cause an
Evaporation by little and little, of the Superfluous Moisture that might
remain in the plaister, which being consum'd, it will be sufficiently
boil'd, having attain'd to its due Consistence and Whiteness.
This Plaister softens and dissolves hard Swellings, and even the Scirrhous
Tumours of the Liver and Bowels; such are the Scrophulous or King's-Evil
Tumours, the old remains of Abcesses, _&c._
_The Plaister of _Andreas Crucius_._
Take two Ounces of Rosin; four Ounces of Gum _Elemi_, _Venice_ Turpentine
and Oil of Bays, of each two Ounces.
After having beat in pieces the Rosin and Gum _Elemi_, they are to be
melted together over a very gentle Fire, and then may be added the
Turpentine and Oil of Bays. When the whole Mass hath been by this means
well incorporated, it must be strain'd thro' a Cloth, to separate it from
the Dregs. The Plaister being afterward cool'd, is to be made up in Rolls,
and kept for use.
{331}
This Plaister is proper for Wounds of the Breast: It also mundifies and
consolidates all sorts of Wounds and Ulcers, dissipates Contusions,
strengthens the Parts in Fractures and Dislocations, and causeth the Serous
Humours to pass away by Transpiration.
__Emplastrum Divinum_._
Take of Litharge of Gold prepar'd, one Pound and an half; three Pints of
common Oil; one Quart of Spring-Water; six Ounces of prepar'd Load-Stone;
Gum _Ammoniack_, _Galbanum_, _Opoponax_, and _Bdellium_, of each three
Ounces; Myrrh, _Olibanum_, Mastick, Verdegrease, and round Birth-Wort, of
every one of these an Ounce and an half; eight Ounces of Yellow Wax, and
four Ounces of Turpentine.
Let the Gum _Ammoniack_, _Galbanum_, _Bdellium_, and _Opopanax_ be
dissolv'd in Vinegar, in a little Earthen Pipkin; strain 'em thro' a course
Cloth, and let 'em be thicken'd by Evaporation, according to the Method
before observ'd in other Plaisters: Then prepare the Load-Stone upon a
Porphyry or Marble-Stone, and take care to bruise separately, the
_Olibanum_, the Mastick, the Myrrh, the round Birth-Wort, and the
Verdegrease, which is to be kept to be added at last. In the mean while,
having incorporated cold the Oil with the Litharge, and mingl'd the Water
with 'em, they are to be boil'd together over a very good Fire, stirring
'em incessantly, till the whole Composition hath aquir'd the Consistence of
a somewhat solid {332} Plaister, in which is to be dissolv'd the yellow Wax
cut into small pieces. Afterward having taken off the Pan from the Fire,
and left the Ingredients to be half cool'd, intermix the Gums, which have
been already thicken'd and incorporated with the Turpentine; then the
Load-Stone mingl'd with the Birth-Wort, Myrrh, Mastick, and _Olibanum_; and
last of all the Verdegrease. Thus when all these Ingredients are well
stirr'd and mixt together, the Plaister will be entirely compounded; so
that it may be made up into Rolls, and preserv'd to be us'd upon necessary
Occasions.
This Plaister is efficacious in curing of all kinds of Wounds, Ulcers,
Tumours, and Contusions; for it mollifies, digestes, and brings to
Suppuration such Matter as ought to be carry'd off this way. It also
mundifies, cicatrizes, and entirely consolidates Wounds, _&c._
* * * * *
CHAP. IV.
_Of Cataplasms or Pultisses._
Cataplasms are usually prepar'd to asswage Pain; as also to dissolve and
dissipate recent Tumours, and are made thus:
Take four Ounces and a half of white Bread, one Pint of new Milk, three
Yolks of Eggs, one Ounce of Oil of Roses, one Dram of Saffron, and two
Drams of the Extract of _Opium_.
{333}
The Crum is to be taken out of the inside of a white Loaf newly drawn out
of the Oven, and to be boil'd with the Milk in a Skillet over a little
Fire, stirring it from time to time with a _Spatula_, till it be reduc'd to
a thick Pap. After having taken the Vessel off from the Fire, the three
Yolks of Eggs beaten are to be put into it, and the Dram of Saffron
pulveriz'd; to these Ingredients may be added two Drams of the Extract of
_Opium_ somewhat liquid, if the Pain be great.
_Here is another Cataplasm proper to mollifie and to bring to Suppuration
when it is necessary._
Take White-Lilly-Roots, and Marsh-Mallow-Roots, of each four Ounces; the
Leaves of common Mallows, Marsh-Mallows, Groundsel, Violet-Plants,
Brank-Ursin, of every one of these Herbs one handful; the Meal of Line,
Fenugreek, and Oil of Lillies, of each three Ounces.
The Roots when wash'd and slic'd, are to be boil'd in Water, and the Leaves
being added some time after, the Boiling is to be continu'd till the whole
Mass becomes perfectly tender and soft; at which time having strain'd the
Decoction, beat the remaining gross Substance in a Stone-Mortar, with a
Wooden Pestle, and pass the Pulp thro' a Hair-Sieve turn'd upside-down:
Then let the Decoction and Pulp so strain'd be put into a Skillet, and
having intermixt the Meal of Line, Fenugreek, {334} and Oil of Lillies; let
'em be boil'd together over a gentle Fire, stirring about the Ingredients
from time to time, till they be all sufficiently thicken'd. These two
Cataplasms may serve as a Model for the making of many others.
* * * * *
CHAP. V.
_Of Oils._
Oils are made either by Infusion or Expression.
_Simple Oil of Roses made by Infusion._
Take two Pounds of Roses newly gather'd, and bruis'd in a Mortar; half a
Pint of the Juice of Roses, and five Pints of common Oil: Let the whole
Composition be put into a Earthen-Vessel, Leaded and well stopt, and then
let it be expos'd to the Sun during forty Days. Afterward let it be boil'd
in _Balneo Mariae_; and having strain'd and squeez'd the Roses, let the Oil
be kept for use.
_Compound Oil of Roses made by Infusion._
Take a Pound of Red Roses newly gather'd, and pound 'em in a Mortar; as
also four Ounces of the Juice of Red Roses, and two Quarts of common Oil.
Let the whole Composition be put into an Earthen-Vessel Leaded, the Mouth
{335} of which is narrow, and well stopt; and then having expos'd it to the
Sun during four Days, let it be set in _Balneo Mariae_ for an Hour, and
then strain'd and squeez'd. Afterward let this Liquor be put into the same
Vessel, adding to it the Juice of Roses, and Roses themselves, in the same
quantity as before: Let the Vessel be stopt; let the Maceration, Boiling,
Straining, and Expression be made in like manner as before; and let the
same Operation be once more re-iterated: Then let your Oil be depurated,
and preserv'd for use.
These Oils qualifie and disperse Defluctions of Humours, suppress
Inflammations, mitigate the Head-ach and _Deliriums_, and provoke to sleep.
They must be warm'd before the Parts are anointed with 'em, and they may be
given inwardly against the Bloody-flux and Worms, the Dose being from half
an Ounce to a whole Ounce. The Parts are also anointed with 'em in
Fractures and Dislocations of the Bones, and _Oxyrodins_ are made of 'em
with an equal quantity of Vinegar of Roses.
_Oil of Sweet Almonds made by Expression._