ii ' •' 'ii- ' 4 i < i - ; , H , l ^ _ ri (l ,1c t f ?r) € / Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Getty Research Institute https://archive.org/details/completehistoryoOOpome * \ H I S COMPLETE T O DRUGS. Written in French By Monfieur P O M E T, Chief Druggist to the late French King LEWIS XIV. To which is added what is farther obfervable on the fame Subject, from MeflT. LEMERY and T O URNE 10 R %, Divided into Three Classes, Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral; With their Ufe in PHYSIC, CHEMISTRY, PHARMACY,, And feveral other Arts. Illuftrated with above Four Flundred Copper-Cuts, curioufly done from the Life; and an Explanation of their different Names, Places of Growth, and Countries where they are produced; with the Methods of diftinguifhing the Genuine and Perfedt, from the Adulterated, Sophifticated, and Decayed 5 together with their Virtues, A Work of very great Ufe and Curiofity. Done into Engli/b from the ORIGIN ALS. The Fourth Edition, carefully corre&ed, with large Additions. L O N D O 7, Printed for J, and J, Bonwicke t S. Birt , W, Barker , C. Hitch s and E, Wickjieed. MDCCXLVIIL . [ iii ] The D E D I C A T I O N of the former Editions To Sir HANS SLOAN E. SIR, I THINK myfelf under many Obligations of offering this Undertaking to you, which I fhould be much wanting to myfelf, if 1 did not acknowledge. The firft is. That you have been a very generous Encourager of this Defign, jiot only by recommending the Work, but in aflifting the Performance; which is a Favour I beg Leave to thank you for, as well as the kind Prefent you made me of your Natural Hiflorf of Jamaica. And though thefe were Inducements, they were not the real Motives that made me think this Work could come to none fo properly as ypurfelf ; but it was the Confiderahon, that you are, without the lead: Tindture of Flattery, the only Perfon of the Faculty in thefe Kingdoms, who of late Years hath made the Materia Medica your Study : So that it is hard to fay, whether- your Difcoveries in the Theory of Med/cine, or your judicious Improvements of thofe Difcoveries in the Practice, have ex- ceeded. * It would look vain in me to attempt the Characters of my Authors, to one who' is fo much better acquainted with them, and whofe (ingle Recommendation would be fufhcient to make the Publick value their Productions: But I (latter myfelf you will forgive me if I briefly inform you of the Method ufed in com- piling and tranflating this Work, wherein I hope you will be of Opinion I have done my Authors no Injuflice. For, in the firft A z Place, iv DEDICATION. Place, I have taken Monfieur Pomet for my Text, making ufe of the Liberty of throwing out Repetitions, or whatever elfe was foreign to the Purpofe, or better defcribed by others, efpecially Meftieurs Tournefort and Lemery, whom you know well to be more accurate and concife. And in the next Place, I have added feveral Things to Monfieur Pomet, wherein he was erro- neous in Defcription, Dofe, or Choice of Drugs, which were much better known in thefe Countries, and more in Ufe amongft us. And, indeed, I have purfued the fame Rule with Monfieur Lemery, but with more Caution ; fo that it made this a Work of more Time than I expedted when I firft engaged in it. And yet perhaps I have not come up to the Tafte of fome curious Gentlemen, who are more accurate in Botany than I can pretend to ; therefore I throw myfelf entirely upon your Favour, becaufe I am allured you have too much Candour for Induftry, and Con- cern for ufeful Knowledge, not to pardon fmall Faults, for the Sake of many Things that may be commendable and inftru&ive, and that otherwife would not be fo readily ufhered into the World. And though it is certain, that the Knowledge and Choice of Drugs is one of the moft ufeful and important Parts of Phyfick, yet it has been the moft negledted of any to this Day ; and it is not eafily apprehended how much the Publick fuffers in the Sale which is daily made of 1 know not what fophifticated and de- cayed Drugs, which are no* capable of producing the Effe&s that are defigned by them, and txpedted from them, either to reftore or preferve the Health of Mankind. We may yet be more fur- prized at the fatal Mifchief that flows from Mens Ignorance in the common Choice of Drugs ; and that nothing is more fre- quent in Druggifts and Apothecaries Shops than adulterated Medi- cines, which deferve not leaft the Tittle of thofe pompous Names, by which they enhance the Prices of them. Hence DEDICATION. v Hence, Sir, you may plainly fee our Author’s Defigns were to expofe the ill Pra&ices of thofe Men who did fo much Prejudice to the Frofeflion of Phyfick, by rendering the Pra&ice precarious, and fetting a greater Value on a decayed Drug, or Compohtion of the Shops, than on the Life or Health of one of their Fellow- Creatures: Therefore, as one can fcarce difcover their Works of Darknefs without fuffering by the Malignity of their Tongues, who fo undefervedly make a Gain of People’s Credulity, I ftand in need not only of an Advocate but a Prote&or : And fince every one knows that you are univerfally {killed in all the moft curious and ufeful Secrets of Nature, either in the Vegetable, Animal, or Mineral Kingdoms, whatever is here treated of in the following Books, your Travels into thofe Countries Abroad, where many of them are produced, and your Diligence in furnifhing your Mu* feum at Home, from all Parts of the World, have made you in- timately familiar with ; fo that no Perfon but will allow your Approbation a fufficient Sandlion to this Work, and Prote&ion to the Compiler thereof, who is, with the utmofi: Efteem, * / v , SIR, « Tour very Humble Servant to command \ &c. PREFACE TO THE FORMER EDITIONS. m T H E Knowledge of fimple Drugs is a Study fo agreeable, and fo exalted in its own Nature, that it has been the Purfuit of the fined Genius’s in all Ages. Several Princes have applied themfelves to it with a great deal of Satisfaction to their own Minds, and Improvement to the Publick, and to thefe we are obliged for the firft ElTays of 'Medicine; It is alfo an indif- penfable Knowledge to all who are concerned in Compofition, efpecially Apo- thecaries; for which Reafon they ought to begin with this Study, before they undertake Pharmacy , elfe they can never prepare any thing with Exa&nefs, which is the occafion of fo many grofs Errors that attend the Bufinefs, to the great Pre- judice of the Patient : They ought to know, as well as the Druggift, from whence every Drug comes, becaufe different Climates encreafe or leflen much their Virtues ; they ought to diftinguifh them by their Names, their Figures, their Subftance, their Touch or Feeling, their Weight or Lightnefs, their Colour, their Smell, their Tafie; and to take particular Care that thofe which come from foreign. Countries be not counterfeited or adulterated : For the Merchants, through whofe Hands they pafs, are fometimes too covetous of extravagant Gain, fo that they fophifticate and counterfeit fo well, that it is a hard matter to difcover the Cheat, if we have not been very converfant, or well acquainted with thofe Drugs before. Druggifis themfelves are fometimes deceived in buying great Quantities of falfe Drugs for good ones, and they then fell them fo again ; for which Reafon it is very neceffary that the Apothecary fhould be well fkilled in the Knowledge of the True from the Falfe, which is gained by a continual Trade in them, and a Fre-i quency of feeing them. A Druggift ought to apply himfelf as much as poffible to get Drugs at the firft hand, and to know the Places of their Growth, and their true Natural Hiftory : But moft Books that have been written hitherto, have told us nothing but Fables on this head. The Publick will find themfelves much indebted to Monfieur Pomet , for the great Number of curious and ufeful Remarks they will meet with in this General Hiftory of Drugs ; which is farther enriched by the Difcoveries of a great many Things that were before in the Dark, but lince brought to Light, by the Labour and Induftry of him, and the more accurate Lemery : But Intereft, we fee, pre- vails upon Curiofity, lince we meet with very few Merchants that will employ any P R E FA C E. vii Part of their Time to inffrudl themfelves in thefe Affairs, which they are not perfuaded are any ways neceffary to their Bufinefs. Befides, this Work is not only ufeful to thofe who profefs Phyfick, and who will put nothing in the Compofition of Medicines that they pre'fcribe, except choice Drugs, but likewife it is ferviceable to Students in Pharmacy, to Druggifts and Apothecaries, who may improve themfelves by what they will find in this Work, from whence they may learn to make a right Judgment of what is true or falle in the Ufe or Trade of Drugs ; fince People that compofe Medicines ought to know, that what they buy will anfwer the Ends they propofe : Betides, there are feveral Artifts and Tradefmen who make ufe of Drugs, to whom it is necef- fary, and of great Importance to the Publick, that they fhould not be cheated or impofed on, as Surgeons, Goldfmiths, Painters, Dyers, Farriers, &c. I am perfuaded, that thofe who read this Work will be fatisfied, that they ne- ver faw one Treatife of Drugs fo complete ; for here is not only collected what may be found fcattered in a great many Authors, but a great many Things that were unknown before Pomet's General Hi/lory oj Drugs, or at leaft very few of them were ever taken notice of by any former Author ; for he acknowledges to have abundance of Materials given him by Monf. Tournefort , and feveral others of his Friends, who made it their Bufinefs to affift him with all the new Difcoveries they could meet with. And though this Work is not fwelled into many Volumes, of much larger Size than the two prefent, yet they contain twice as much as is in Pomet , befidfes the Additions that are neceffary to the Text from Lemery ; and this confidered, together with the Number of Figures, and the neat Perform- ance of them, which are nothing inferior to the Originals, renders this one of the cheapeff Books that has appeared of latter Years; which has been contrived for the Good of the Publick, many of the Figures being brought into one Plate, on purpofe to prevent the Book from fwelling to too large, and too exorbitant a Price, and fo deftroying the Ufefulnefs of the Defign, and the Sale of the Book together. All the Drugs herein mentioned, have either their proper Latin Names, or the Names given them by the Country from whence they are brought, with their Etymology ; where mod pertinent, their Defcripiion and Hiftory taken alfo from Mr. Lemery s Univerfal Treatife of Simple Drugs ; the judicious Author whereof has endeavoured to inform himfelf both from ancient and modern Authors, and the Relations of .feveral Travellers, of whatever could be known concerning the Subfiances and Principles of which each Drug is compofed, and its Quality, and as fuccindtly as poffible, to give an Idea of the Thing treated of, that might be fatisfa&ory. Now all Drugs are taken from Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, their Parts, and what proceeds from thence ; as their Hair, Nails, Horns, Milk, Blood, and Excrements. Under Vegetables are comprehended Trees, Shrubs, and other Plants, with what comes from thence; as Roots, Barks, Flowers, Fruits, Seeds, Mufhrooms, Moffes, Gums, Rofins, Pitches, Turpentines, and Balfams. Under viii PREFACE. Under Minerals are underload Minerals, Metals, Marcafites, Stones, Earths, and Bitumens. All Animals, according to the moft probable and moft: received Opinions, come from Eggs, and are there enclofed, as it were in Abridgment, till the Seed of the Male penetrate their Covering, and ftretches them diffidently that they are ready for hatching : There enter into their Veffels a chylous Juice, which being pufbed forwards by the Spirits, circulates through the whole Habit of the little Body, nourifhes and dilates it by little and little, which makes what we call Growth. This Circulation, repeated feveral times, makes the nutritious Juices fo refined and at- tenuated, that they take a red Colour, and are converted into what we call Blood. This natural Operation has a great Refemblance to feveral chymical ones, by which, in attenuating and diffolving the fulphureous or oily Subftances, we can make a red Colour, which, notwithftanding, has a great deal of Difference : For example, if we boil in a Matrafs one Part of Chyle or Milk, with two Parts of Oil of Tartar, per Deliquium , the white Liquor will become red, becaufe the Salt of Tartar being rarified, diffolves and exalts the undtuous Part of the Milk, and reduces it into a kind of Blood. If we boil together in Water one Part of common Sulphur, and three Parts of Salt of Tartar, the white or yellowifh Li- quor that was before acquires a red Colour, according to the Quantity of the Sulphur diffolved. If we digeft upon the Fire Flower of Sulphur in Spirit of Turpentine, the Liquor gains a red Colour. The Circulations that are made perpetually in Animals, exalt fo much their Subftances, and render them fo difpofed for Motion, that the Principles which arile from thence are almoft wholly volatile. But indeed thefe Principles are not equally volatile in all Animals: For example, Fifli afford lefs volatile Salts than terreftrial Animals : The Scorpion , the Crab , and the Eei, yield lefs than the Viper ; Earth- worms and Snails afford lefs than Serpents - } Ivory lefs than Hart' s-horn and fo of the reft. The different Degrees of Volatility that are in Animal Subftances, give them different Virtues on^ from the other j fo thofe which have very volatile Salts, are ufually reckoned cephalick and diaphoretick; as the Viper , Human Scull, Hart' s-horn Goat' s- blood, Elk' s-claw ; becaufe the Matter being heated in the ViJ'cera , pufhes forth their Salts into the Brain, and by the Pores of the Body. Thofe whofe . Subftances are lefs volatile have an aperitive Virtue, fuch as is to be met withal in Hog-lice and Crawfifh ; becaufe the Salts of thefe Animals being heavier, are more inclinable to precipitate and open the urinary Paffages. Every Plant arifes from its Seed, and is confined in miniature as in an Egg, after the fame manner as Animals, the Earth becomes a Matrix to the Seed, it foftens it and extends the Bark, opens the Pores, and by a nitrous Fluid it is pe- netrated and unfheathed from the Hulk, fo that the Parts of the little Plant are i ftretched. IX PREFACE. ftretched, that were before wound or locked up together confufedly, and then this fmall Plant begins to appear upon the Surface of the Earth, and the nutritious Juice or Sap circulates in the Fibres that do the Office of the Veins, Arteries, and Nerves ; they dilate, extend, and grow to a certain determinate Size, limited and appointed by the great Author of Nature. A Plant draws its principal Nutrition by the Root, becaufe the Pores thereof are better difpofed than others, for receiving in the Juice from the Earth. This Juice, in circulating in the Veffels of the Plant, purifies itfelf, is rarified, exalted, and brought to perfection after the fame manner as the Chyle and the Blood acquire their Perfection by Circulation. Then the more exalted and fpirituous Parts of the Juice, which may be called the animal Spirits of the Plant, are imployed upon the Flowers and Fruits; the Iefs fubtle Parts fupply Nourifhment for the Stalk, the Branches, and the Leaves ; the groffer Parts ftill congeal or coagulate into Gums, Rofins, and Balfams : Thofe that are the groffeft of all, produce an external Bark. Though all the Plants of the Earth receive their Nutrition from one and the fame Spring, they, notwithftanding, every one of them, acquire different Qualities, oc~ cafioned from the Diverfity of Fermentations and other natural Elaborations, that are produced by the Texture or Difpofition of their different Fibres. We may diffinguiffi Rofins from Gums, in that Rofins are much fatter, and that they dif- folve, confequently, much eafier in Oil. The Origin of Minerals is different from thofe of Vegetables and Animals ; this proceeds from the Congelation of acid or faline Waters charged with fuch Matters as will diffolve in the Earth. Metals are produced from a greater degree of Con- coCtion, a longer Digeffion, and clofer Union than the Minerals, which are feparated or divided from the groffer Parts in the Ores, after the fame manner as Gold and Silver feparate themfelves from their Metals in the Cupel. All Ores are not in a State or Condition of producing Metals, for it is neceffary there fhould be a Difpofition and natural Heat capable of railing extraordinary Fermentations and Elaborations ; and high Mountains are ufually the propereft Places for thefe Pro- ' duCtions, becaufe the Heat therein contained is more regular and exaCt than el fe where. It is not Chance only that conducts us to the Dilcovery of metallick Mines, but thofe who apply themfelves that Way, obferve or take notice of feveral Cir- cumftances which direCt them to the Places where they may be found : For ex- ample, When on a Mountain, or in the Clifts and Breaches of Pvocks, they meet with Marchafites, and fmall heavy Stones of a Mineral Kind, or that they per- ceive on the Surface of the Earth feveral Mineral Veins ; thefe are Signs that there is fomething to be found, that is likely to anfwer their Expectations, and that they may be allured of Succefs. X P Fv E F A, C E. When in certain Streams or Rivulets there is feen a fort of Sand of little Pieces of Marchafite of fome Mineral, there is a Sign that there is fome metallick Mine near the Place ; for thefe metallick Bits are wafhed off, and conveyed by the Current of the Water that flows ufually from the Bottom of lome Hill; fo that it runs back again towards the Fountain-head, infomuch that if you purfue thefe fmall Pieces of Marchafite, they will bring you to the Place where the Mine is. When the Afpedt or Figure of a Mountain is rough and wild, the Earth is barren, naked, and without any kind of Plants, or that only fome particular Kinds are produced, which are almoft withered and dry ; thefe are Signs that there are Mines in this Mountain, becaufe the great Barrennefs of the Surface was occa- fioned by nothing elfe but the mineral Vapours, which confume the Roots of the Plants ; though it does not always happen that mineral Places are barren, there being very many that are covered with great Variety of Herbs. When we fee a very clear Water flow from a Mountain that has a mineral Tafle, it is a Sign that the Place abounds with fome kind of Metal or Mineral $■ for thofe fort of Places are ufually fupplied with a great deal of Water, which give great Difturbance to the Workmen, it being neceff.ry to drain oft the Water before you can fearch for the Metal. When we are very certain, by feveral Signs or Obfervations, that any Hill or Mountain contains in it fome Mine of Metal, we begin to fink or dig a Pit at the lower Part or Foot of the Hill, in order (as the Miners call it) to carry the Level, whereby the Waters may run off of their own accord, and without the Affiftance of Engines ; and thereby they may be ' able to come at the Deep, where the largeft and richeft Part of the Metal lies. We muft take notice, that the metal- lick Matter being as yet ftony in the Mine, divides itfelf into feveral Veins or Channels, that reprefent the feveral Branches of Trees, or the Arms of a River. Metals differ from other Minerals in being more malleable, whereof there are feven; to wit, Gold, Silver, Iron, Tin, Copper, Lead, and Quickfilver ; the iaft is not malleable, but will amalgamate with any of the others, and therefore is by fome called a half Metal, though others believe it to be the Seed of all Metals. The Aftrologers and Alchemifls join in their Opinions herein, and affirm this as an unconteflable Truth, that there is a great Correfpondence between the feven Metals and the feven Planets in their Influences, which flow the one from the other, and ferve reciprocally for their Nutrition. And though this Opinion is without any Foundation, it has neverthelefs many Followers, notwithftanding their fineft Reafonings are but gratis diSia-, for, excepting the Sun and Moon, there is not the leaft fhadow of Probability, how any of the reft fhould communicate any Influence to any thing that grows upon this terraqueous Globs, efpecially fubter- raneous Bodies, where neither Sun nor Moon feems to have any Dominion. A great PREFACE. XL A great many Phyficians and Apothecaries think it fufficient to anfwer the Ends of their Profeffion, that they know the mod: common Drugs in Ufe, without giving themfelves any further Trouble: But nothing is a greater Obftrudtion to the Progrefs and Advancement of Medicine than fuch a lazy Notion, which gives a Check to all Enquiries into the Secrets of Nature, and prevents the Difcovery of an infinite Number of excellent Medicines that are unknown to us. We fee that every Age has brought to light fome new Drugs, and we had never known the chief Part of the belt Medicines in Ufe among us at this Day, if the Che- milts had not brought them out of the Fire, from fuch Metals and Minerals as the Ancients believed not only ulelefs in Phylick, but pernicious to Health. How fhould we have met with the Bark , Ipecacuana , &c. which produce fuch extraordi- nary EfFedts, if the Botanifb had not carried their Enquiries- into the New World? And the Materia Medica had never been fo copious as it is now, if thofe who have made fo many valuable Difcoveries had contented themfelves with fuch Drugs only as ferved their Predecefibrs ? We likewile fee, that fuch Phyficians as pradtife Phylick with the mod Succefs, are fuch as have applied themfelves molt to the Knowledge of Drugs ; as we have an eminent lnllance in Monf. Fagon , Firft Phyfician to the French King; and fome of our own Nation, who are, and have been, the greateft Ornaments to the Profeffion of Phyfick, as well as the Study of Botany, as Dr. Morifon , Dr. Grew , Dr. Sloan, Dr. Woodward , Mr. Petiver , and others : Therefore all thofe who apply themfelves to the Compofition of Me- dicine, ought feriouily to enquire into the Knowledge of Drugs, and to penetrate into their fecret Virtues, it being certain there is not one of them that has not in it fome fpecifick .Quality for the Cure of Difeafes. It is pity there arc few Per- fonswvhofe Leifure and Fortune will give them an Opportunity of applying all their Time to this Bufinefs; but I am perfuaded, that any Phyfician or Apoffie- cary that would ufe a little Induftry this way, might, in the Courfe of his Life, difcover the particular Virtues of at lcaffc fome one Drug; and this would, in T me, enrich the Pradtice of Phyfick with a great many more Simple Medicines, that are furer, fafer, and more efficacious than thofe we ufe at this Day. a a T II E THE PREFACE of the EDITOR OF T FI I S FOURTH EDITION. T H E Author of this ufeful Work appears to have been a Man of great Candour and Opennefs in the Difcovery of every thing he knew regarding his Subject; and, what is perhaps a Merit more than equal to that or any other, in the Author of a Treatife of this kind intended for general Ufe, a Perfon of the ftridteft Probity ; to this he had added an uncommon Induftry and Appli- cation to his Bufinefs, as a Druggift, for a long Series of Years, and by being himfelf daily converfant among the Objects he had to defcribe to others, he feems to have made himfelf much better acquainted with the external Appearances and Differences of Drugs, and the various Accidents they are fubjedt to, than any Author who had wrote before him. With thefe Qualifications, the World could not but expedt a valuable Work from him, on a Subjedt he fo well underftood ; and his Countrymen, when the Book appeared, declared that he had not fallen fhort in it, of what they expedted from him : Indeed we find him every where talking as if he had the Subfiances treated of before him ; his Defcriptions are clear, fuc- cindt, and diflindfive ; his Cautions againfl Deceits are not calculated from the Figments of a fertile Invention, but given from the Memory of Sophifiications by which himfelf had, at fome time or other, fuffered : and his Directions how to know the good from the bad in every Species, are a Leffon that every Druggi/f, Chemift, and Apothecary, ought to have eternally in Memory. If the Work has, among us, been accufed of fome Inaccuracies, it is but Juflice to the Author to obferve, that it was in many Cafes the Englifh Tranflator, and not he, who was chargeable with them ; and if there are fome Inftances in whicD we can perceive Errors in his Accounts of the Drugs, it is owing to the Difcoveries made in later Times, of Things not fo much as fufpedted by the befl: Judges at the Time of his publifhing this Work* In P R E F A C R xm In this Edition, the grofs Errors of the Tranflator are amended, and the Author is fet in the juft Light he deferves, and his Senfe rendered clear where it was be- fore miftaken or left obfcure : And as the Improvements made in all Parts of na- tural Knowledge fince his Time have been very great, whatever might feem ne- ceftary for the farther inftrudting the young Student in the true Nature and Pro- perties of the Body defcribed, is here added at the End of the Chapter, from the Writings of the French Academicians, of Reaumur and Geoffrey, in their particular Treatifes, from our own Dale , and from fuch others as have given Lights into the Subject unknown to thefe; and fometimes from Accounts or Obfervations later than the Works of any of them. The Reader will not be difpleafed to find, that, what is added of this kind is not fpun out into an unneceflary Length, by Obfervations foreign to the Intent of the Work ; the Defign not being to enter into the Detail of all the Particulars, in regard to each Subjedt, as a Matter of Science, or to give Botanical, or other corn- pleat Treatifes on the Bodies under Confideration ; but to point out the Nature and Properties of each as a Drug; that is, as it becomes the Subjedt of this Hiftory ; with juft enough of its Charadterifticks or Defcription, for the diftinguifhing it from other Things of the fame kind. Thofe who want to be further informed of the general Hiftory of the Subjedt, are referred to the Page or Chapter of fome of the Authors of the greateft Credit who have treated more largely of it. The Engliff Tranflation having been made from the firft Edition of the Ori- ginal, it has been judged necelfary to add here the more material Part of what was afterwards added to it in the fucceeding one, publifhed by the Son of the Author ; and as there are fome few Drugs in ufe among us, which by Inadver- tency were pafled over in filence by this Author, there are added fhort Accounts of them, by which they may be known when genuine, and by which the Sophifti- cations, not lefs frequent in the Shops of London than in thofe of Paris , may be avoided. JOHN HILL. A N , [ xiv ] A N ACCOUNT OF THE NAMES of AUTHORS cited in this Work. A. ACOSTA, ( Chrijlopher ) an African Phyfician and Surgeon, who made a Treatife of Drugs jTjL and Medicines in the Year 1582, which was tranflated into Latin , then into French , and printed at Lyons in Oflavo. Adverfariorum Opus , done by Peter Pena and Matthew Label, both Phyficians. This Book was printed at London 1570, at Antwerp 1576, and reprinted at London 1605, in Folio. Agricola ( George ) of the Rife and Caufes of fubterraneous Productions. Book the Fifth, of the Nature of thofe Things which fpring from the Earth. Book the Fourth, of the Nature of Foffils. Book the Tenth, of old and new Metals. Book the Second, Bermannus , or a Dialogue of me- tallick Affairs,, being a German Interpretation of metallick Terms. Aldinus ; An exaCt Defcription of feveral fcarce Plants, contained in the Farnejian Garden at Rome. Printed there 1625, in Folio. Aldrovandi , ( Ulyjfis ) Dendrologia , printed at Bononia , in Folio. Alpinus , fee Profper Aipinus. Amatus Lufitanus , upon the five Books of Diofcorides ; to which is added the Names of Plants in feveral Languages ; printed at Straflurgh 1554, in ^gtarto. Ambrofmus Hyacinthus, his Phytologia of the Garden at Bononia , or the firft Tome of the firft Part of Plants ; printed at Bononia 1666, in Folio. Anguillaria , ( Alojius ) Third Prefident of the Garden at Padua , his Opinion of feveral Plants 5 a fmall Work divided into fourteen Parts ; with the Works of John Marine! in Italian : To which are added two Figures, one of the Cbamoslian-Tbijlle , and the other of the Tree Houfe-leek ; printed at Venice 1691, in Ottavo. Apuleius Platonicus , of the Virtues of Herbs, joined with a Demonfi ration of the. Herbs to every fmg'e Sign of the Zodiack , and alfo of the erratick Stars, or fuch as are not fixed j printed at Paris 1528, in Folio. Barbaras , Names of Authors died m this Work. xv b. Barbaras, ( Hermolaus ) his five Books of Additions upon Diofcorides ; printed at Cologn 1 5 30, in Folio. Bellonlus : Thefe Works are tranfiated by Cluftus, and placed in the fecond Volume of Plants, printed at Antwerp. There are, befides, printed at Paris , feveral Treatifes of the fame Belon , ol coniferous and ever-green Plants, in Quarto. Of the wonderful Excellency of the Works of the Ancients, in Qjtarto. Of embalming the Dead, in Quarto. Benzonis , (Hieronymus) his Hiftory of the New World, rendered into Latin by Urbanus Calvatones ; printed at Geneva 1600, in Oflavo. Boccones , (Paul) his Figures and Defcriptions of choice Plants ; printed 1674. Boetius de Boot of Bruges , Phyfician to the Emperor Rodolph the Second, his Hiftory of Gems and Stones; printed at Leyden. Bontius , (James) a Phyfician of Batavia , who writ fix Books of the Natural Hiftory of the EaJl~ Indies , but being prevented by Death left them unfinifhed : Afterwards William Pifo reduced them into Order, illuftrated and publifhed them together with the Natural Hiftory of the Weft -Indies ; printed at Amfterdam 1658, in Folio. Botanicum Monfpelienfe , the Montpellier Botanift ; printed at Leyden 1676, in Oftavo. Breynius , (James) of Exoticks , &c. Brunfelfus , (Oths) his Latin Hiftory of Simples, with Cuts, in three Volumes; the firft publifhed 1530, another in 1531, and a Pofthumous Work in 1536 ; printed at Strajburgh. C. Cafpar Bauhinus's Pinax , or Store-hcufe of Botanical Rarities ; printed at Bafil in 1623, and re - printed at the fame Place, with fome Alterations, in 1671, in Quarto. Cafalpinus , (Andreas) Aretinus , ProfefTor in the Univerfity of Pifa , his fixteen Books of Plants ; printed at Florence 1583. Camerarius, upon the Epitome of Matthiolus ; printed at Frankfort 1586, in Qjtarto. Camerarius, on the Medical and Philofophical Garden; publifhed at Frankfort 1588, in Quarto. Car darns, (Hieronymus) of the Variety of Things ; feventeen Books, printed at Be ft l 1581, in Gdtavo. Caftor Durante’ s New Herbal; printed at Rome 1585, and. at Venice 1684, in Folio. Cluftus, (Charles) his Appendix of the Hiftory of Plants, or his Defcription of feveral Roots as yet unknown; printed at Antwerp 16 11, in Folio. Cluftus, of Exotick Plants, ten Books ; printed at Antwerp 1605, in Folio. Clufus’ s Hiftory of fcarce Plants; printed at Antwerp 1601, in Folio. Cluftus’ s Hiftory of feveral rare Plants obferved throughout Spain. Cluftus' s Hiftory of feveral fcarce Roots obferved throughout Pannonia, Aujlria, Sec. Column a, (Fabii) Phytobafanos , with Cuts ; printed at Naples 1592. Two Parts of the fame Author, of the lefs known Plants; the firft of which contains One hundred fixty-one Figures, printed at Rome 1616; the other, forty -four Figures, printed at the fame Flace 1616. Cordus, (Valerius) his Annotations on Diofcorides. The Hiftory of Roots by the fame Author, in four Books, with feveral Cuts from W and fbme new ones added by Gefner. A S)lva of Obfervations, which were likewife publifhed together by Gefner Tit Strajburgh ic; 6 i jn Folio. ' 0 5 A Difpenfatory of the fame Author. Cor nut us, (James) a Pari Jian Defter, his Hiftory of the Plants of Canada, and others not known before; printed at Paris 1635, in Quarto. Cornarus, XVI Names of Authors Cornarus, (Janus) who undertook Diof corides , and added Cuts to every Head ; printed at Bafil 1557, in Folio. Cortufus , (James) Anthony , a Senator of Padua , 2nd Prefident of the Phyfick- Garden there, and who publifhed nothing but a Catalogue of the Padua Garden, with the Area or Plans of the fame ; printed at Venice 1591, in O Stave. Cofeus, (John) concerning the whole Nature of Plants, in two Books, printed 1578, in Quarto. Annotations of the fame Author upon the Mufeum , with the Works thereof ; printed at Venice 1570, in Folio. Crefcentius , (Peter) of Bononia , of the Parts of Agriculture, with the Nature and Ufefulnefs of Plants ; printed at Bafil 1548, with fome Cuts. D. Dalechamp' s Hiftory of Plants in two Volumes; printed at Lyons, in Folio. De la Duquerie, ( John Baptijl) his Lexicon Medico-Etymologicum. Diofcorides of the Materia Medica , live Books in Greek, of which there are various Editions ex- tant in Greek and Latin, with the Interpretation of Marcellas Virgilius, Goupijlius Ajfulanus , Johannes Ruellius, Johannes Conarius, Johannes Antonius Saracenus, and others. * Six Books of the faid Diofcorides , with Ruellus’s Notes, and fmall Cuts 350 ; to each Chapter of which is added compendiary Annotations of the fecond Edition : Alfo thirty Figures of Roots not be- fore delineated; by James Dalechamp ; printed at Lyons 1552, in Ofiavo . Dodonaus , ( Rembertus ) of Mechlin, Imperial Phyfician, his Hiftory of R.oots, in thirty Books ; printed at Antwerp 1616, in Folio. Dodonceus's French Hiftory of the fame, by Clufius . The Belgick Hiftory, by the fame Author. F. Furicius Cordus’s Botanologicum , or Difcourfe of Botany , by way of Dialogue ; printed at Colog n 1^34, in Folio. The Garden of Eyjlettenfis, deferibed by Bafilius Bejlerus ; printed at Norimbergh 1613, in Folio. Fracajlorius’s Works; printed at Lyons 1590, in Octavo. Fragofus , {John) Phyfician and Surgeon to the King of Spain, his Hiftory of Aromaticks, Fruits, and Simples, that are brought from both the Indies into Europe-, publifhed by Ifrael Spachius, a Phyfi- cian of Strafburgh, and printed at the fame Place 1610, in OSJavo. Fuchfius's Commentaries on the Hiftory of Roots ; printed at Bafil 1542, in Folio. G. Galenus, ( Claudius ) of Perga mus , the moft eminent after Hippocrates. Garzias ab Horto, Fhyfician to the Viceroy of the Indies , his Hiftory of Aromaticks and Simples that have their Growth in India, digefted into an Alphabetical Order, and found writ in the Fortugtieze Language, by the way of Dialogue, but contracted by Clufius , and rendered into Latin. This Book was tfanflated into French under the Title of The Hijhry of Drugs, Spices, and fimple Medicines. Gerard, {John) his Hiftory of Plants, in Englijh ; printed at London 1597* * a ^ G ^ 10 - Gerard's Hiftory enlarged by Johnfon ; printed at London 1636. Gefner, ( Conradus ) of the Gardens of Gennany. Gefner , of the Collection of Roots. GefneVs Catalogue of Plants, in four Languages. Gefner, on the Nature of Foftils, Stones, and Gems, with Figures, &c. printed at Zurich 1565, in OSJavo. / 4 Guihn- xvn cited in this Work. GuUandinus, ( Melchior ) Fourth Prefident or Governor of the Garden at Padua, his Apology againft Matthiolus ; printed at Padua 1558, in Quarto. Gulielmus Pijo, Phyfician at Amjlerdam , his Natural and Medicinal Account of both the Indies ; printed at Amjlerdam 1658, in Folio. Hariot , ( Thomas ) his Defcription of Virginia’, Clufius turned it into Latin , and this is the firft Part of the Weft-Indies. Flermannus. See H. L. B. Hermander y ( Francis his Hiftory of Plants, Animals, lAc. of Mexico ; firft compiled by this Au- thor, and afterwards digefted into a Volume by Nardo Antonio Reecho ; printed at Rome 1651, in Folio. Hermolaus Barbaras , his five Books of Commentaries on Hippocrates ; printed at Cologn 1 530, in Folio ; and die fame Author's Corrections of Pliny’s Natural Hiftory; printed at Bafil 1 5 34 > ' n Folio. Hieronymus , ox Jerome of trunfwick, his plain German Proof: To which is added, Brunfelfus’s Herbal; printed at Slrajburgh 1531, in Folio. Hippocrates’s Works. Honor i us Bellus Vincentinus , a Phyfician of Crete , his Epiftles of Plants, writ to Clufius ; to which is added the Hiftory. Hcrtus Meclicus Edinburgenfis , the Phyfick Garden at Edinburgh , or a Catalogue of Plants there, by Jacob Sutherland of Edinburgh 1683, in Odlavo. Ilermannus’s Catalogue of Plants of the Garden at Leyden , by Paul Hermannus , Profeflor cf Phy- fick and Botany in that Univerfity ; printed there 1687. Hortus Maltbaricus Indicus. Hcrtus Regius Blefenfis ; printed at Paris, 1655. Hortus Regius Pareficnfis , The Royal Garden of Paris , 1655. I. Johannes Bauhinus’s Hiftory of Plants, carried on by Henricus Charleus , Do&or of Bafil, and en- larged by Chabrceus of Geneva 1650, in Folio. Imperatus Ferantes, a Neapolitan Apothecary, publifhed a Natural Hiftory in twenty-eight Books, with Figures of Stones, Corals, Sponges, &c. and of Plants and Fruits, thirty-three; printed at Na- ples 1599, and Venice 167-2, in Folio. Ten Parts of the Hiftory of the Weft- Indies, with an Addition to the ninth Part, in Folio. Ten Parts of the Eaf -Indies, in Folio. Jchnjhn s Natural Hiftory of Animals, with Copper-cuts ; printed at Amjlerdam 1657, in tfolio. L. Lacuna , ( Andrew ) his Commentaries on Diofcorides, with Figures; writ in Spanijh , and printed at Salamanca 1552, in Folio. Lemnius , (Levinus) of facred Plants; printed at Lyons 1595, in Oftavo. * Le ius , ( Johannes ) writ the Hiftory of Brafil , firft in French , then in Latin', printed at Geneva 159 4 - Lin f conus, ( John Hugh ) his Itinerary and Voyage into the Eaf -Indies, belonging to the Portuguefe ; with the Annotations of Bernardus Paludanus-, printed at the Hague 1599, in i olio. Lobellius, ( Matthew ) his Figures of Plants and Roots; printed at Antwerp 1581, in a long Form in £harto. His Uluftrations of Roots, together with the further Care and Diligence of William How an Eng/ijh- man\ printed at London 1655, in Quarto. Lobellius’ s Obfervations and Hiftory of Plants and Roots; printed at Antwerp 1576, in Folio. b Loni- XV111 Names of Authors Lonicerus , (Adam) this was the Herbal of Eucharius , writ in High- Dutch, and afterwards pub- liihed under the Name of Adam Lonicerus , with 833 Cuts, about the Year 1582, at Frankfort. Ludovicus Romanus his Voyage into the Eafl ; Seven Books, with the Notes of Archangelus Madr'r guanus and others, who have defcribed the New World. A General Hiftory of Plants of Lyons , by Gulielmus Rovillius 1586 ; it is ufually called Dalechamp' s Hiftory, in French. M. Malpighius , ( Marcellus) his Anatomy of Plants ; printed at London ; in Folio. Marcgravius, ( George ) his eight Books of the Natural Hftiory of Brafil ; this Work was printed in Holland with that of Pifo, in the Year 1648, in Folio. Matthiolus his Commentaries on fix Books of Diofcorides , Of c. printed at Venice 1565. Matthiolus quoted by Lobellius in the Book intituled leones Lobellii. Matthiolus on the Venice Edition 1565. Mentrelius , chief Phyfician to the Elector of Brandenburgh , his univerfal Index of Names of all the Plants, in feveral Languages ; with a fmall one of the fcarceft Plants, and fome Figures cut in Cop- per ; printed at Berlin 1682, in Folio. ALefue's Works, of the Choice of cathartick or purging Medicines, with the Correction and Ufe of the two Books, whereof the firft are the general Canons, and the fecond treats of Simples ; printed at Venice 1623, in Folec. Monard , ( Nicholas ) a Phyfician of Seville , his Hiftory of fimple Medicines brought from America ■ writ firft in Spanijh , then done into Latin by Clufius , and afterwards tranflated into French by Antony Colin, Apothecary at Lyons : This Work was printed with that of Garzias ab Horto and Acojla , in the Year 1619, in Odiavo. Morifon s Univerfal Hiftory of Plants ; the fecond Part by Robert Morifon , Botanick ProfelTor at Oxford , printed there 1680, in Folio. The Hortus Regius Blefenfis , enlarged by Robert Morifon ; printed at London 1669, in Odiavo. Morifon' s Botanick Preludes. N. Nori fan's New Defcription, or ranging of umbelliferous Plants; printed at Oxford 1672, in Folio. Nehemiah Grew's New Anatomy of Plants; printed at London in Folio. Nicander’s Treacle and Alexipharmacks, with the Greek Readings, or Scholia of an uncertain .Au- thor; printed at Venice 1523, in Ahiarto. An Edition of the fame Author, with the Greek and Latin Readings of Gorraus ; printed at Paris J557, in Shtarto. o. Oviedus Gonfalvus Ferdinandus his general Hiftory of the Wejl- Indies : This Work has been turned into French by Mr. Duret. In Octavo. P. Paludanus Bernardus's Notes on the Indian Hiftory of Linfcotius , with the Addition of Indexes, Of c. Paul Herman s Prodromus of the Batavian Paradife; printed at Amfierdam in Odiavo. Parkinfon's Terrefrial Paradife , in which is contained a Hiftory of all Flowers, Fruit-Trees, Ofc. that are cultivated in Gardens or Orchards; printed at London 1629, in Folio. Parkinfon's Theatrum Botanicum-, printed at London 1640, in Folio. Petrus Pena. See ddverfariorurn Opus. Palus Renealmus Blefenfis his Specimen of the Hiftory of Plants, with Copper-cuts ; printed at Paris 1 61 1, in Quarto. Philip Pigafetta's Hiftory of the Kingdom of Congo, &c. Pile - cited in this Work. xix Piletcrius , ( Cafpar ) of the Plants growing in Z eland, in an Alphabetical Manner; printed at Middleburgh 1610, in O Slava. Pife. Sec Gulielmus Pifo. Pliny's Hiftory, in which feveral Things are extant concerning the Culture and Virtue of Plants This Work was tranflated into French by Mr. Dupinet , and printed at Lyons 1581, in Folio. Pitlon Fcurnefort' s Elements of Botany, or the Method of knowing Plants ; printed at P arts at the King’s Charge 1694, in OSiavo. Leonard Plukenelt's Phyiographia ; the fir ft Part printed at London 1691, *in Folio. Father Plumier' s Defcription of American Plants; printed at Paris 1693, in Folio. Pona {John) Apothecary at Verona, his Catalogue of Simples growing in Montebaldo, with the De- fcription of feveral others, and fixteen Figures, adding Clufius's Hiftory of rare Plants. This Work, after feveral Editions, was tranflated into Italian by Francis Pona , Doctor of Phyfick, and the Au- thor’s Son ; printed at Venice 1617, in Quarto ; at Bafil 1608, and at Antwerp , in Folio. Profper A’lpinus of Egyptian Plants; printed at Venice 1633, in Quarto. Proffer Alpinus's two Books of Exotick Plants; printed at Venice 1656, in Quarto. Johannes Baptijla Porta , a Neapolitan , twelve Books; printed at Frankfort 1592, in Quarto: This Author writ feveral other Works, efpecially the Phyftognomy , or Hiftory of feveral Plants, adorned with Figures, in OSiavo. Qi Quadramius , a Divine, and Botanift to the Duke of Ferrara , writ a Treatife of Treacle and Mithridate; printed at Ferrara 1597, in Quarto. R. Ray's Catalogue of Englijh Plants, and the Ifles adjacent; printed at London 1677, in OSiavo. Ray's Hiftory of Plants; printed at London 1686, in Folio. Ray's Methodical Synopfis of Britifh Roots, by the fame Author, John Ray , Fellow of the Royal Society; printed at London 1690, in OSiavo. Rauwolfius , ( Leonard ) his Defcription of feveral Plants in his Travels into the Eajl- Indies, and their Cuts; printed 1583, in Quarto. Renodaus , {John ) his five Books of Pharmaceutical Inftitutions ; to which are added three of the Materia Medica ; printed at Paris 1608, in Quarto. Rohini Hortus , or the Garden of John Robin , Royal Botanift to Henry IV. of France , with 214 Figures; printed at Paris 1608, in Folio. Rondeletius of Fifh, prhfted at Lyons 1554. Ruellius's Tranflation of three Books of Diofcorides into Latin , concerning the Nature of Roots; printed at Brfil 1557, ' n ^olto. S. Scaliger , {Julius Ctz far) his Animadverfions upon fix Books of Theophrajlus , of the Caufes of Plants ; printed at Geneva 1566, in Folio and OSiavo. Schola Botanica, printed at Amjlerdam 1689, in 12 0 . Schroder's Pharmacopoeia Medico-Chymica , whereof there are feveral Impreffions. Schwencfeldius's Catalogue of the Roots and Foflils of Silefia ; printed at Leipfick 1601, in Quarto. Suvertii Florilegium , in which, befides the many Figures, there are forty- feven Plants from both the Indies not defcribed before ; printed at Frankfort 1612, in Folio. Sylvatici , ( Mattheei ) Opus PandcSlarum ; printed at Venice 1499, in Folio. T. Taberneamontanus his German Hiftory, publifhed in three Parts, with 2087 Figures; printed at Frankfort 1588, in Folio. I The XX Names of Authors cited in this Work. The fame enlarged with the Defcription of Plants, Cuts, and feveral Medicines, by Cafpar Bau - hinus , in the Year 1613, in Folio. The Figures or Prints of the fame, with the bare Names in Latin and Hi-gh-Dutch ; printed at Frankfort 1590. Thalius , Sylva Hercynia , or a Catalogue of Plants, growing naturally on the Mountains and Parts adjacent to Hercynia ; printed at Frankfort 1588. This Catalogue is ufually joined to and adorned with the Medicinal Garden of Camerarius. ' Theophrajius’ s Hiftory of Plants, the Greek Edition, printed at Venice 1552, in OBavo ; at Bafil 1541, in Quarto-, and Gaza's Verfion at Lyons 1552, in Oftavo, with Jordan’s Correction. Theophrajius Erefius’ s ten Books of the Hiftory of Plants, which Bodecus illuftrated ; printed at Amjlerdam 1644, in Folio. Thevet’s Cofmography, in French , publifhed with feveral Figures of Plants and Animals. The fame Author has writ in French , a Hiftory of what is Angularly remarkable in New France in Ame- rica-, whereunto are added twelve Figures of Plants; printed at Paris 1557, in Quarto. Tragus his'Hiftory, which was often publifhed at Strafburgb in the German Language, in Folio, but now is tranflated into Latin , with 567 Cuts, though they are deferibed to 800 ; printed at Strafburgb 1522, in Quarto. Turner , ( William ) his Hiftory of Plants, in Englijh , with fome Figures; printed at London in Folia. V. Vefingius’s Obfervations upon Profper Alpinus , concerning Egyptian Plants ; printed at Padua, 1638, in Quarto. Virgilius Marcellus’s Interpretation of Diofcorides , with Commentaries of the fame ; printed at Cologn 1529, in Folio. Z. Giacomo Zanoni’s Herbal, taken from the publick Phyfick-Garden at Bologna ; printed there 1675, in Folio. P 0 ME T’s POME T s general history O F DRUGS: With what has been farther obferv’d by Lemery , T our ne fort, &c. on the fame Subjects. BOOK I. CHAP. I. Of S E i. Of Wormfeed. W ORMSEED has its Name from its principal Virtue, which is to deftroy all Kinds of Worms gene- rated in human Bodies ; particularly thofe in In- fants or young Children. It is likewife call’d San- loline , or Xantoline, Semen SanSium , the Holy Seed, Semen Santonlcum , Semencine and Barbotinc. It is a fmall Seed, which the Per fans trade in by their Caravans from Aleppo , Alexandria and Smyrna , and which is afterwards tranfported to England, Holland and France. The Plant which bears the TVormfeed, has fuch fmall Leaves, that it is difficult to feparate them from the Seed ; for this Reafon, thofe of the Kingdom of Boutan winnow it in proper Bafkets, to feparate the Leaves, which fly off, in a Kind of Powder. Some Authors affirm this Wormfeed to be the Seed of a Sort of Wormwood which is call’d Santonique, becaufe in grows in Xaintonge: But this is not worth difputing about, fince what is generally fold we know grows in Perfa , and EDS. on the Borders of Mufcovy , as Letters which I have received upon feveral Occafions affure me, and as you may be fatisfy’d from Mr. Tavernier, in the Second Volume of his Travels, Page 384, in thefe Words : As to what regards the Semcencine , or Worm - feed , it is not to be gather’d like other Seeds. The Herb which bears it is common enough, but muff be fuffer’d to Hand ’till it is ripe ; and the Misfortune is, that when it approaches to its Ma- turity the Wind fhakes off a great Part of the Seed, which falls among the Weeds and is loft; and this it is which makes it dear. They never dare touch it with their Hands for fear of fpoiling it, and when they are to Ihew it they take it in a Bafon. When they gather what remains upon the Plant, this is the Management by which they do it ; they take with them two Hand-Bafkets, and walking into the Places where it grows, they move one of the Bafkets from Right to Left, and the other from Left to Right, as if they were mowing the Herb, always laying hold of it by its Top, which is the Part were the Seed grows ; The Seed thus falls into the Bafkets. B There 2 General Hijlory There is Wormfeed alfo growing in the Pro- vince of Kerman ; but it is not fo good as that of Bontan , and fcarce any more is gather’d there than what is ufed upon the Spot. This Seed is not only good againft Worms in Children, but the Northern Nations ufe it like Jnifeed in Comfits and Sugar-Plumbs. You ought to chufe that which is well-fed or plump, of a greenilh Call and well-tailed, and take care that it be very clean, and have nothing flicking and clinging to the Seed ; for that will increafe the Price confiderably. You mull take care it be not too green, and that Southernwood- feed be not impofed on you for this, tho’ they are eafily to be diftinguilh’d ; for the Wormfeed is moderately large, long and greenifh, and the Seed of Southernwood is light and yellowifh, more refembling a Chaff cut very fmall than a Seed ; add to this, that the Wormfeed is bitterer and more aromatick. The Wormfeed is fo well known and common- ly ufed, that we need not fpeak of its Virtues : Its Bitternefs is the Reafon that it is generally cover’d with Sugar ; and this Way makes what we call Wormfeed Sugar -Plumbs. When it is taken otherwife it fhould be beat to Powder and taken in any convenient Liquor, or made into a Bolus from half a Scruple to a Dram, for a Dofe. Chufe your Wormfeed always as new Lemery. and frefh as you can, clean and round, of the ftrongeft Tafte and moll fragrant Smell : It contains a great deal of Oil, with vo- latile and effential Salt in it : It is very proper for the Deftrudlion of Worms , excites the Courfes of Women, fuppreffesVapours, {Lengthens the Stomach, caufes a good Digeftion, and adds a lively Colour and Complexion to the Face. The Dofe, from half a Scruple to a Dram, in Powder, to be taken in the Morning faffing, or in an Infufion in Wine, or made into Confedts, to be eat with roafted Apples Evening and Morning. The chymical Oil is excellent to anoint the Sto- mach or Belly with for the fame Purpofes. A compound Powder may be made thus : Take Wormfeed two Drams ; Powder of Coraline one Ounce ; At hi ops Mineral half an Ounce : Mix them : Dofe, from half a Dram to a Dram, fall- ing* [This is the Seed of a foreign Species of Worm- wood , call’d Alexandrian Wormwood , orthe Worm- feed Plant. The Abfnthium Santonicum Alexan- drinum five Sementina & femen SanSlum. Park. 102. Abfnthium Santonicum Judaicum. R. Hill. I. 368. Hill. Ox. 3. 8. It is a Plant of about two Feet high, the Stalk is hard and woody, the Leaves are large and finely divided, of a greyilh DRUGS, or alh Colour rather than green ; the Stalk divides into many Branches towards the Top, which are thick fet with fmall Leaves and numerous Clullers of Seeds ; thefe upper Leaves are thofe fmall ones which, as Pomet obferves, it is hard to fepa- rate from the Seeds.] [The Seed is fmall, light and chaffy, compofed of a Number of thin brittle Membranes, fet on a Ihort Pedicle, and eafily falling into Powder, on being rubb’d between the Fingers.] 2. Of the Choiian in French, or Carmine- Seed. HIS is a little light Seed, of a yel- lowilh green Colour, the Tafte Pomet, fomething biting ; and much refembling the Wormfeed , except that it is much larger and lighter. This Plant grows low, and carries its Seed in little Bunches or Clullers on its Top, in a Man- ner little different from the Wormfeed. I have found it impoflible to know pofitively the Place of Growth of the Plant which bears the Chouan ; all that I have been able to learn of it* has been from fome Perfons of the Retinue of M. de Gui/lerague, who went Embaffador from the King of France into Turky , who at their Re- turn brought a confiderable Quantity of it to Paris with them. If you would know how to chufe the bell Seed, you mull take that which is greenifh, the largeft, and bell clean’d or drefs’d, and lead fill’d with Specks, like Holes in rotten Wood. It is of no other Ufe, that I know' of, in France , but to make Carmine , and for the Feather- Men who dye with it, but at prelentmind it very little. This Author agrees with the former in the Defcription and Ufe of this Exo- Lemery . tick ; which he fays is like Wormfeed , but in Tafte a little pungent ; it grows upon a Shrub-Plant, plumb’d on the Tops like a Noiegay ; it is brought from the Levant , and ufed for Carmine. [This is the Santonicum viride, Offic. Dale's Pharm. 100, the green Wormfeed of the Shops ; it is fuppofed to have the fame Virtues with the former; but is fo feldom imported that the Name of it is almoft loft. It is probably the Seed of fome foreign Wormwood ; but no Author has yet afeertain’d the particular Species.] 3. Of Macedonian-Parfley. 7 l ,f Acedonian-P arfey is a Plant which Pomet, AVX refembles, in iome meafure, our Garden Parfey ; but the Seed is a great deal t 3 Book I. ' O/'SEED $. deal lefs, much longer and /harper pointed ; it grows in Clufters like Fennel-Seed. This Plant receives its Name from the Kingdom of Macedon , where it grows naturally, and from whence the Seed is tran /ported, which is almoft the only Part of it that is ufcd in Phyfick. Make choice of the new eft Seed, and fuch as is clean, well fed, longifh, and of a browni/h green Colour ; let it be wcll-tafted and aromatick, which are the chief Diftinftions of the Goodnefs of Macedonian-P arjley : There are fome who very improperly ufe our common Parfley-Seed, and others again a Sort of black Seed from the large Smallage , which the Gardeners falfly call Macedonian-P arfey. Atidroma chus, Phyfician to Nero , General of the Roman Legions, in the Time of the War betwixt the Romans and Han- nibal , invented a Treacle, which we now call Venice-Breacle , in which he put this Seed, by the Name of Macedonian- P arjley , as it is a power- ful Alexipharmack , or Refifter of Poifon or Pefti- Ience. It may be taken early in the Morning, half a Dram in a Glafs of Wine, or other Liquor pro- per to the Difeafe. Says it is the fame Species of P arjley Lemery . with ours ; but the Leaves are much larger, and a little more indented ; the Seed abundantly fmaller, longer, /harper pointed, and more aromatick. This Plant grows in Ma- cedon, from whence the dried Seed is brought hither. The Choice of it ought to be the fame as before directed. It contains a great deal of ex- alted Oil and volatile Salt ; it is aperitive, excites to Urine, provokes the Monthly Courfes, refifts Poifon, and expels Wind ; it is Lithontriptick, or a powerful Breaker of the Stone in the Kydnies ; and apply ’d in the Form of a Cataplafm, eafes Pain, and abates the Raging of the Gout, efpe- cially from a cold Caufe. Thisi Seed may be ufed either in Powder, Decodfion, Tindture, chymical or exprefs’d Oil, and in the diftill’d Water it is opening, cleaning, diuretick and fu- dorifick, and therefore is ufed in the Compoft- tion of the great Treacle of Andromachus. [This is the Seed of a Species of Par/ley call’d Petrofelinum Macedonicum verum. Ger. 864. Aphan Macedonicum. H. Ox. 3. 394. It is a Plant of about two Feet high, with Leaves like thofe of the common Parfley, only that they are a little hairy and more notch’d on the Edges. The Stalk is divided into many Branches at the Top and befet with Clufters of white Flowers, which are follow’d by the Seeds before deferib’d. It is a common Plant in many warm Countries ; but will not bear die Cold of ourClimate.J 4. Of Sefeli of Marfeilles, . HIS Sefeli takes its Denomina- tion from Marfeilles, which is its Pomet. native Climate , though it flouri/hes more in feveral other Parts of Provence and Lan- guedoc. It is a Plant which pafles for a Kind of Fennel , and is by manyAuthors call’d Fceniculum tor- t no fum, or Crooked Fennel ; but it has fewer Leaves than the common Fennel, and thofe not fo long, nor is the Stalk fo ftrait or high, but more naked, and the Branches lefs regular, fpreading themfelves wider on the Sides near the Bottom. We ufe the Seed, which grows by Clufters on the Tops, after the fame Manner as Dill. When it comes to Maturity it looks very much like the wild Fennel. This Seed ought to be of a moderate Size, longifh, heavy, well clean’d and of a greenifh Colour. There are feveral other Sorts of Sefeli ; as that of Candy , Peloponnefus, or the Morea , Ethiophia , lAc. but as it is only the Seed of the Sefeli of Marfeilles that is in ufe, I /hall not mention the otiiers, but refer you to the Authors that treat of them. Some a/lign the fame Virtues to this Sefeli of Marfeilles as was given to the Parfley of Ma- cedon ; and fome Botanifts call it the Siler Monta- num , or Sefeli of the Mountains. The Carriers who bring from French Comte the Berne and Valteline Cheefes , and Sweetmeat Boxes, fometimes bring us alfo, in little Bales, a Seed which they call Sefeli, larger and of a ftronger Smell than that of Marfeilles , which they give their Cattle that bring their Goods to fatten them, that they may fell the better at Paris. The Latin Authors call it by thefe Names, Sefeli Maffilienfe, or Sefeli of Lemery. Majfilia ; Sefeli Maffilienfe Fceniculi folio Diofcoridis cenfetur , Fceniculum tortuofum , according to Bauhin and Bourne fort ; Sefeli Maf- filienfe folio Fceniculi craffore , Ad Label , or the Maffiliee Sefeli with the thicker Fennel Leaf; Fceniculum Petraum, or Rock- Fennel. After he has given the fame Defcription of it as Pomet , he fays, it grows in fandy Places in the hot Countries, as in Languedoc, Provence , and about Marfeilles : The Seed is ufed in Phyfick, and brought to us dry ; it ought to be chofe mo- derately large, frefh, and of a grateful Smell ; then it affords a great deal of eflential Oil and vo- latile Salt, is hot and dry, incides, opens, dif- cufies ; it is cephalick, neurotick, pedloral and nephritick ; good againft Epilepfies, Apoplexies, Megrims, Vertigo’s, Lethargies, Cramps, Pal- fies, Convulfions, Coughs, Colds, Catarrhs, Ob- ftruttions of the Lungs, Wheefings, Shortne/s B 2. ~ of 4 Keener at Hiftory of Breath, Dropfies, Cholick, Crudities in the Stomach, Wind, Obftrutftion of the Terms, Pain and Stoppages in the Reins and Bladder ; and may he taken in Powder from a Dram or two, or infus’d in Wine, or boiled in Wine, Ale or Water ; likewife aTindlure may be drawn from it in Spirit of Wine. This is the Seed cf the Sefeli Maffilienfe. R. Hift. x. 4x4. Libanotis Majfilienfis Ferula folio. Hift. Ox. 3, 3x0. It is a Plant of three or four Feet high, the Leaves are like Fennel , but Ihorter and of a paler Green ; the Flowers grow in Clufters on the Tops of the Branches, and are white. The Seed is laid to be a Specifick againft the Poifon of Hemlock. 5 . Of Ameos, Bilh op’s- Weed, or the Ethiopian-Cummin. T 1 H E French call this V Ammi, and Pomet. D' Ameos. It is a Plant which has Leaves fmall and indented, and bears a Stem pretty high, with many Branches, which terminate in TalTels adorn’d with white Flowers, after which comes a little roundilh Seed, fmall, and very much refembling Grains of Sand, from •whence the Plant takes its Name. The Seed is the only Part of the Plant that is in Ufe ; it ought to be chofe frelh or new, greenilh, well-fed, of a little bitterilh Tafte and aromatick Smell : That which comes from Alexan- dria or Crete ought to be efleem’d before that which is cultivated in feveral Gardens in France , which has not that Tafte between Origanum and • Thyme , fo eafily obferv’d in that of Alexandria and Crete , which is much the better for all Ufes. It is incifive and aperitive. The Dofe is from half a Dram to a Dram. It is call’d Semen Ammeos , or Ammi Lem try. ab Arena ; the Name being given to this Plant becaufe the Seed is very like to Grains of Sand : It affords a great deal of eflential Oil and volatile Salt, and is attenuating, cutting, apeiitive, byfterick, carminative, cepha- lick, refills Poifon, and is one of the four leffer hot Seeds ; it expels Wind, is good againft the Cholick and Pains of the W^omb, and provokes the Menfes ; it is u fed in Powder from half a Dram to a Dram, in a Deco&ion with Wine or Water, or in a Tin&ure extrafted with Spirit of Wine, from a Dram to two Drams. [Thefe are the Seeds of the Ammi Odore Origani. Hift. Ox. 3. 295. Ammi creticum. Ger. 881. They are brought from /Egypt, by the Way of Alexandria , to Venice and Germany, and thence into the other Parts of Europe. The Plant is p/DRUGS; about two Feet high, the Stalks are flender, branched and ftriated, the lower Leaves broad and jagged, but the upper much more finely divided ; the Flowers ftand in Umbels, and are very fmall and white.] 6. Of Thlafpi, or Treacle Muftard. HIS Plant is about a Foot high, and has Leaves fomething of a deep Pomet. green Colour ; the Stem is charg’d with a great many Branches, bearing white Flowers, after which grow flat Pods, refembling Lentils. The Seeds are of a yellow Colour, tending to red, which in courfe of Time change to a dark red, and the older they are, the darker they grow. This Seed is oblong, and a little picked at the Ends. You ought to chufe that Seed which is cleaa and frefh, of the reddifh Caft, fharp and biting ; and to know that it grows in the hot Countries, fuch as Languedoc and Provence. No Body fhould go to buy this at the Seed Shops, any more than any other foreign Seed, becaufe they frequently fell the Seeds of the common Garden Crefs for thofe of the Thlafpi, at fuch Places, to thofe who do not underftand the Difference. But there is another Sort of Treacle- Mujiard, whofe Stem, Leaves and Pods are much lefs, as well as the Seed : This is altogether yellow and fmaller, comes up very near to it in Tafte, but is abun- dantly fhort of it in Virtue, for which Reafon it ought to be rejedled. I fhall pafs by the other Sorts of the Thlafpi which are out of Ufe. This is particularly recommended for the Cure of the Sciatica, Diflolving of the Stone, and Gru- mous Blood ; given in Powder from half a Scruple to two Scruples, in the Morning falling. The Root is pretty large and fibrous, woody, white, and a little acrid, or Lemery. biting. This Plant grows in unculti- vated, wild, ftony or fandy Places, much expos’d to the Sun ; likewife among Corn, _on the Tops of Houfes, and againft the Walls ; it affords a great deal of volatile Salt, and eflential Oil. We bring the dried Seed from Languedoc and Provence , where it grows better than in the more temperate Climates. We chufe the faireft Seed, which is moft biting and piquant to the Tafte, like Muftard. It is ufed in the Compofition of feveral Medicines, and is incifive, attenuating, deterfive, aperitive, pro- per to provoke Urine, and the Terms, to haften the Birth, and bring away the After-birth., and is very ferviceable to break inward Apoftems. [Thefe are the Seeds of the Thlafpi Dicfcoridis, Ger. 204. Thlafpi Arvenfis filiquis lath, Hift. Ox. ~i;*n "4 r’*bT ■ ' - . . i ' }'■ j' I* Plate 2 . Book I; tif SEED 5. 5 Ox. 2. 293. It is a Plant of about eight Inches high, the Flowers are white and compos’d of four Leaves each ; the Leaves are broad and oblong, the Seed Veflels are broad and flat, the Seeds fmall and dark-colour’d. It grows wild in Eng- land, but is not very common. The Seed is little us’d except as an Ingredient in the Venice Treacle .] 7. Of Daucus, or Wild- Carrot of Crete or Candia. T HIS Daucus is a Plant very like a Carrot ; it is a Foot and a half high, and bears on its Top feveral Bunches or Clufters of white Flowers ; the Seeds are of a pale green, hairy and whitilh, fome- thing like Cummin-Seed , tho’ not altogether fo long or big, nor of fo ftrong a Smell ; but on the contrary, their Smell and Tafte are both agreeable and aromatick, efpecially when one has held them fome Time in ones Mouth. This Seed being downy, frequently has little Animalcules and a Dull hanging about it; this Fault encreafes as the Seeds grow old, by the Par- ticles of Matter that feparate from thofe little Creatures ; it ought to be chofen new, well fed, and the cleaneft that can be found. Sometimes it is brought from Germany and the Alps -, but this is not fo good or ufeful as that which comes from Crete, which is only to be chofe. It is fmgular for the Stone , and thofe who are fubjeCl to Wind- Cholicks : It is ranged amongft thofe Medicines which are call’d Lithontripticks, and pafTes for a powerful Carminative , given in Radijh-l Voter, to a Scruple, or in White-Wine, againft the Stone or Gravel, early in the Morn- ing ; it may be likewife adminifter’d in Wind - Cholicks at Bed-time in Annifeed, Fennel , or Rue- Water, and fome add to it a Scruple of Salt of Worm-wocd. The Leaves of this Plant are fome- Lemery. thing like thofe of Fennel, theRoot long, of the Thicknefs of a Finger, furnilh’d with Fibres, and tailing like a Parfnip : It grows in ftony and mountainous Places ; the Seed is brought over dry from Candia , and other hot Countries ; that which is new, clean, well-tailed, and odoriferous, is the bell ; it affords a great deal of Oil and volatile Salt. Both the common Wild-Carrot and that of Crete, have one and the fame Virtues ; but that of Crete is much the llrongell. They expel Wind, and are good againlt Pains of the Womb and Bowels, vehement Cholicks, Vapours and Hyllerick Fits 5 as alfo againft old Coughs, Cold, Wheezings, Afthma’s, Difury, and all Sorts of ObftruClions of Urine, as Sand, Gravel, Stone, and tartarous Mucilage in the Reins, Ureters, and Bladder ; they are us’d in Powder, from a Scruple to a Dram, or more, in DecoCtions, in Tinftures with the Spirits. Dofe from a Dram to three or four. An oily Tin&ure is made from them with Oil of Turpentine, againft Cramps, Convulfions, Palfies, Pains and Aches from Cold. [This is the Seed of a Myrrhis, call’d Daucus Creticus by the old Authors, and by the later, Myrrhis Annua Semine jlriato villofo incam. Tourn. 1 Inft. 315. Myrrhis tenuifolia annua cre- tica Semine albo pubefcetite. Hill. Ox. 3. 302. The Leaves of this Plant are finely divided, and hairy, the Stalks llender, a Foot high ; the Flowers white. Handing in Umbells. The Seed is account- ed a good Alexipharmic, and is an Ingredient in the Venice Treacle and Mithridate. ] 8. Of Carui, or Caraways. C Arui, which the Latins call Carum , and the Greeks, Caron, is a Plant Pomet. that approaches near to theWild-Parf- nip ; the Leaves are large, indented and divided into many fmall Parts, among which are feveral Stalks about a Foot high, on the Tops of which grow Bunches, cover’d at firft with white Flowers, which are afterwards turn’d into Seed, much like that of G arden-P arfey , but that this is of a darker Colour, flatter, and of a more biting and piquant Tafte. This Plant grows in raoft Gardens, but as the hot Countries are moft agreeable and productive of Aromatick Plants, the Caraways that the People of Paris buy out of the Shops, are thofe brought from Provence and Languedoc. We ought to chufe this Seed well fed, frefh, greenilh, of a warm acrid Tafte, and aroma- tick Smell, and fuch as has an agreeable Flavour when held in the Mouth. It is efteem’d pro- per to make the Breath fweet, and very good to promote Digeftion, to allay or expel Wind, to ftrengthen the Stomach, and provoke Urine. The Germans have fuch a Regard for it, that they put it whole into their Py e-Cruft, mix it in their Bread, and in a great Meafure in all their Sauces. Several Perfons ufe the Leaves as a Pot Herb. The Root is long, flefhy, pretty Lemery. thick, white, fometimes yellowifh, but rarely, and of a Parfnip Tafte. This Plant grows in the fatteft Land in the Gardens, but profpers much the belt in warm Soils ; therefore contains in it a good deal of volatile Salt and Oil : It is incifive, aperitive, carminative, moderately binding. 6 General Hijlory binding, comforts the Stomach, helps Digeftion, flops Vomiting, and operates much like Annifeed. Caraways are good againft all cold Difaffections of Stomach, Bowels or Head, Faliing-ficknefs, and the moft inveterate Cholicks, ftrengthen the Womb, and quicken the Eye-fight. They are us’d in Confers to break Wind, tdc. in Powder to provoke Urine, and in the Chymichal Oil to all the Intentions aforefaid ; befides which they are very ferviceable to bring away both Birth and After-Birth. Dofe from 12 to 16 Drops of the Chymical Oil. [This is the Seed of the Carum vulgar e. Park. 910. Cuminum Pratenfe , Carui off c inarum. C. B. P. 158. a Plant of about two Feet high, the Root is large and white, the Stalks ftriated and jointed, [the Flowers in Umbells white and five leav’d. It is common in Germany , and I have feen it in fome Meadows in England. The Seed is an In- gredient in many of our Compofitions. It may be taken in Subftance from half a Dram to a Dram in any Liquor, or in the Diftill’d Oil from three Drops to ten.] 9. Of Saxifrage. SFAxifrage is a Plant fo like Thyme , Pcrnet. CJ that it is difficult to diftinguilh them. This grows plentifully in Dauphine , Provence , and Languedoc , among Stones and upon Rocks, which has occafion’d the Name of Saxi- frage to be given to it, as alfo to many other Plants that grow in the like Places, as it fignifies Break-Stone. You muft chufe the neweft Seed you can get, which is of a warm piquant Tafte and an agree- able Smell ; the Virtue of breaking the Stone is attributed to it, given in Powder in a Morning early, in a Glafs of the diftill’d Water from the Plant, or any other Diuretick Water. Dofe half a Dram. There are a great many other Kinds of Saxi- frage y which feveral Authors take Notice of ; but as this Seed is that which is commonly in Ufe among us, and which is generally fold in the Shops, I fhall fpeak no farther concerning the reft, which are treated of in many other Books, and particularly by Dodoneeus and Dalechamp , who have written of them at large.' Some will needs have it that all Plants which grow among Stones and Rocks are to be call’d Saxifrages. Saxifrage , in Latin , Saxfraga , is Lemery. a Plant whofe Leaves are almoft round, indented on the Sides, being fomething like Ground-Ivy , but a little thicker and whiter, and on the hinder Part a little longer and fmaller. The Stalks are about a Foot high, bearing on of D R U G S. their Tops little Flowers of five Leaves, difposM like a Rofe, of a white Colour. When the Flower is off, it produces a Fruit almoft round, which contains in two Partitions a very fmall Sort of Seed. The Root has abundance of Fibres, the Tops are furrounded with little Tubercles, about the Size of Coriander-Seed y or fomething bigger, of a Colour partly red and purple, and part- ly white, with a bitterifti Tafte ; thefe Tubercles are commonly call’d Saxifrage-Seed. This Plant grows in Places where Herbs are not propagated, as upon the Mountains, and in the Valleys ; it flourifties in the Month of May, and is a little vifeous. The Leaves are larger, and the Stalks grow higher in fome Places than others, but the}* are generally fmall, allowing a good deal of effential Oil and Salt. It is very aperitive, proper in Stone and Gravel, and to open Obftrudlions, to provoke Urine and Women’s Courfes, cut the tartarous Mucilage, and expel it ; and is chiefly us’d in Powder, from half a Dram to two Drams, or in an Infufion with White or Rhenifh Wine. [The Difference between the Deferiptions given by thefe two Authors, might create Confufion ; but it is to be obferv’d, that they mean two fepa- rate Plants, both of which are call’d Saxifraga y and both have been us’d in Phyfick: The Plant deferib’d by Pomet is the Saxifraga Antiquorum. Off. Dale. 231. Saxifraga magna Mathioli. Ger. Em. 605. That by Lemery , the Saxifraga Alba vulgaris. Park. 424. Saxifraga Rotundifelia alba. C. B. Pin. 309. and as this is order’d to be us’d in the College Catalogue, I have taken away the Figure before given by Pomet , and given one of this Plant.] 10. Of Cummin. Ummin is the Seed of a Plant which is like Fennel , and grows plentifully Pomet. in the Ifle of AIalta y where they fow it as they do Com here. In the Choice of it take that which is new, well fed, greenifh, of a ftrong difagreeable Smell. Obferve that it be not full of Holes or Worm-eaten, which it is very fubjeft to be, which may be eafily difeover’d by the Eye, and by its being full of Duft; and more certainly by the taking up a handful of it from the reft ; for the Seeds will be feen to be faften’d to- gether, and hang one from another by little Fi- laments, which are the Fibres of the Seed. Some ufe this Seed for Dropfical Tympanies, becaufe it is carminative : There is a great deal us’d to refrefh and invigorate Horfes, Oxen, and other domeftick Cattle : They make an Oil of it by Expreffion, as of Anns feed, which is very good for , the F late 3. Book I. Of S E the Rheumatifm, tho’ it yields but little in Quan- tity. Many Perfons make ufe of Cummin-Seed to replenifh their Dove-Houfes, becaufe Pigeons are very dainty in their Feed, tho’ it is not us’d juft as we fell it in the Shops ; but incorporated with a little Salt and Earth, fuch as the Pigeons are apt to pick up in the Fields, or ell'e Loam, inoiften’d with Urine, or the Brine of pickled Cod-Fifh, or other like Matters, infomuch that in fome Places People are forbid to fell it. Cummin , Cuminum , or Cyminum , is a Lemery. Sort of Caraway , which bears a Stem about a Foot high, divided into feveral Branches ; the Leaves are cut fmall, like thofe of Fennel, but a great deal lefs, rang’d by Pairs lengthways on the Sides. The Flowers grow in Umbrello’s on the Tops of the thick Branches, of a white Colour; after them come the Seed, join’d bv two and two, oblong and furrow’d as the Fennel , but lefs, and pointed or fharp at both Ends. The Root is fmall and longifh, and perifhes when the Seed is gone : They call this Seed in Malta , where it is propagated, Annis-Acre , or Cummin- Acre, {harp Annifeed , or fharp Cummin- feed ; to diftinguifh it from the fame Annifeed that is cultivated there, and call’d by the Name of Sweet Armife , or Sivcct Cummin by the Maltois ; which Circumftance makes feveral Botanifts equi- vocate, who believe this to be the fame Sort of Cummin with the fweet Seed. This contains a great deal of volatile Salt, and eflential Oil : It is digeftive, diflolving, attenuating, carminative, expels Wind, cures the Cholick, eafts Pain, is profitable againft Difeafes of the Nerves: The Chvmical Oil is good againft all Obftrudtions of Urine, Stone, Gravel, CSV. [This is the Seed of the Cuminum femine long; ore. C. B. P. 146. Cuminum fativam Diofcoridis. Ger. 907. It is one of the four greater hot Seeds : It gives Name to the Empiajbum de Cy- rnino, and is a good Ingredient in many other Compofitions.J 11. Of Fennel. HIS is the Seed of a Plant which is known throughout the whole Pomet. World, and therefore needs no Defctip- tion : I ftiall content myfelf to fay, that the Fen- nel which we now fell, is brought from Languedoc about Nifmes , where that Plant is cultivated with great Care, by reafon of the great Quantity of the Seed which is carried into France , and chiefly to Paris. Make Choice of the ncweft Seed, longifh, of EDS. 7 a green Caft, fweet Tafte, lufcious and agree- able, and which is freed: from Mixture. This is of Ufe in Phyfick, to expel Wind, for which it may be us’d inftead of Annifeed ; but it is much more us’d by the Confectioners, who cover the Seeds with Sugar, and diftinguifh them afterwards by Numbers according to the Quantity of Sugar they have on them. They take the Clufters of the green Fennel, which when cover’d with Sugar, they fell to make the Breath fweet, for the Green is reckon’d to be of the greateft Virtue. The Apothecaries make a diftill’d Water from the green Fennel frefh gather’d, which is efteem’d excellent for taking away Inflammations of the Eyes ; and they make after the fame Manner a white Oil of a ftrong aromatick Smell; but it yields fo fmall a Quantity, that it is not worth the Trouble to make it. The Drynefs of Fennel Seed makes it fo, that it is very trouble- fome to make a green Oil by Expreffion, as is done of Annifeed. There are fome who lay this Seed among their Olives, to give the Oil that comes from thence a fine Tafte. There is yet another Sort of Fennel which is wild, and which grows every where in the Fields, and upon Walls, without any Sowing ; but the Seed of this is almoft round, lefs, flatter, more acrid in Tafte, and not fo green as that we have been fpeaking of; it is fcarce of any Ufe by rea- fon of its fharp pungent Tafte, and becaufe the other Fennel is very common, efpecially fince it has been cultivated in Languedoc ; but at fuch Times as we had no other Fennel but that of Italy , which is call’d the Florence Fennel , the Wild Fennel was a little in Ufe. There is another Kind of Fennel , which bears the Name of Sea-Fennel, which the Latins call Critbmum , or Creta Marina , which we pickle in Vinegar to fell in Winter with Girkins or little Cucumbers , which are preferv'd after the fame Way. Feeniculum or Fennel, is a Plant of Lemery. which there are various Sorts ; I fhall only mention two which are ufed in Phyfick. The firft is call’d Feeniculum vulgar e minus acriore & nigriore femine ; or common lefler Fen- nel, with the fharp black Seed. It fhoots forth a Stalk of five or fix Feet high, hollow, of a. brownifh green Colour, fill’d with a fpungy Pith. The Leaves are cut as it were into long Threads of a dark green, and agreeable Smell, a fweet and aromatick Tafte. On the Tops are large Clufters or Bunches, yellow and fragrant. The Flower is compos’d of five Leaves, in the Extremity terminating like the Cup of the Rofe. After the Flower is gone, the Cup bears in it two oblong Seeds, fwallow-tail’d, hollow on the Back, flat 8 General Hi/lory on the Other Side, blackifti, and of a fharp Tafte. The Root is as thick as a Finger or Thumb, long, ftrait, white, odoriferous, and of a fweet aromatick Relifh. The fecond Kind is call’d Foeriiculum duke , ma- jore & albo femine ; fweet Fennel , with the larger white Seed. It differs from the former, in that the Stalk is ufually much lefs, the Leaves not fo big, and the Seed thicker, white, fweet, and lefs acrid. They cultivate both Sorts in dry fandy Places. This of the latter kind, which is call’d Sweet Fennel , is more us’d in Phyfick, and is brought dry from Languedoc , where it is hufbanded with great Care : It is the fame Sort as that which is fometimes brought from Italy, which is call’d Florence Fennel. Your Choice of it ought to be the fame as before directed. It yields largely ef- ential Oil and volatile Salt ; the Leaves, Branches and Root afford much Flegm, Oil, and fix’d Salt. The Leaves are good for Difeafes of the Eyes, which they cleanfe and {Lengthen ; they clear the Sight, encreafe Milk in Nurfes, fweeten the Acrimony in the Guts, and fortify the Stomach. The Root is aperitive, and ufed to purify the Blood, as one of the five opening Roots. The Seed is carminative, proper to expel Wind, to aflift Digeftion, eafe old Coughs, open Obftruc- tions of the Lungs, and caufe free-breathing. [It is to be obferv’d that Pomet here fpeaks of the Sweet Fennel , not the common Kind, as might be thought from the Beginning of the Chapter; but his Defcription of the Seed, as well as its Place of Growth and Ufes, make it plain afterwards, that it is the Sweet Fennel-Seed he is fpeaking of. The common Fennel-Seed is the Seed of that fo frequent in our Gardens ; the Sweet is that of the Fceniculum Dulce of Gerard, kfc. And the wild Kind, mention’d by Pomet , is the Faeniculum fylvejlre perenne Ferula Folio breviori. Tour, i Inft. 31 1. The Root of the common Fennel is one of the five opening Roots, and its Seed one of die greater Carminative Seeds.] 1 2. Of Annifeed. Nnifeed comes from a Plant that we know as well as Fennel , as Pomet. there is hardly a Garden without it ; but that whicli is fold in the Shops, comes from feveral different Places, as Malta , Alicant , (s’c. becaufe it is abundantly fweet^r, larger, and of a more fragrant and aromatick Tafte and Smell, and lefs green than that which is produced in France. Make choice of Annifeed that is of the fame Year’s Growth, large, clean, of a good Smell, and piquant Tafte, and beware of that which (/DRUGS. is any thing bitterifh, which you Can’t diftiilguiflj but by your Tafte. The Ufe of the Green Annifeed is too common to admit of a long Difcourfe ; and the more, be- caufe there are few Perfons who do not underftand that it is proper to expel and allay Wind, and that it is a Corrector of Sena. The Confec- tioners make ufe of great Quantities of the dried Seed, which they cover with Sugar for Con- fers. They draw from this Seed by Diftillation, a Water, and a white Oil, which upon the lead Cold congeals, and liquifies or flows again upon the fmalleft Heat; this has a ftrong penetrating Scent, and abounds with a great many Virtues ; but its ftrong Smell makes it but feldom ufed ; the Apothecaries and Perfumers ufe it frequently in their Pomatums , inftead of the Seed, as well to maintain the Colour, as to fave Charges ; for half an Ounce of the Oil will do more Service every Way than two Pounds of the Seed. The Perfumers keep it by them to fcent their Pafte, and to mix among a Variety of other Aro- maticks, which is what we properly call a Medley. Some People ufe this Oil, but very improperly, to make their Annifeed-IVater , and the like., This Oil has a great many Virtues, and is an excellent Remedy to eafe or allay the Gripes, efpecially in Infants, by rubbing the Navel there- with, or putting a fmall Drop or two among their Food. In a Word, it has all the fame • Virtues, and may be ufed to the fame Intention with the Seed. There is likewife a green Oil drawn by Expreflion, of a ftrong Smell, and which has the fame Virtues with the white, with this Difference, that it is not fo powerful, be- caufe a great deal more in Quantity is drawn this W ay ; but it is not fo pure, as Mr. Charas ob- ferves in his Royal Difpenfatory , to whom we are indebted for this Invention. In regard to the white Oil, we have it from Holland , partly becaufe it cofts lefs, and partly becaufe it is whiter, clearer, and more fragrant than what is made here ; whether this be purely from the Seed, or that they add fomething un- known to us by way of Menftruum, I do not pretend to fay, but there may be People found here who can make it as good as in Holland ; but I am fatisfied it could not be made for the Price it is bought for. In regard to the Choice of it, it ought to be, as has already been obferv’d, white, clear, and tranfparent, of a ftrong Smell, eafily congealing by a little Cold, and melting by a little Heat; and fuch as when dropp’d on Water, fwims like Olive Oil , and this Oil is call’d Eflence, or Quinteffence of Annifeed. The Water that is drawn off in making the Oil, is ufeful on the fame Book I. Of S E fame Occafions as the Oil itfelf, but requires to be given in a much larger Dofe. Anifum , in Englijh Annifeed , is a very Lemery. common Plant in our Gardens ; the Stem or Stalk is about three Feet high, round, hairy, hollow, and full of Branches ; the Leaves are long, cut deep, whitilh, odoriferous, and fomething like thofe of Parfley ; the Tops bear large Bunches, fupplied with little white Flowers, much refembling thofe of Burnet Saxi- frage : It has a little Seed, of a greenifti grey Co- lour, fccnted, and fweet in Tafte, with a pretty agreeable Acrimony. The Root is fmall, and this Plant is cultivated in fat Land : The Seed is only ufed in Phyfick : The largeft: and belt is brought from Malta and Alicant ; it is much browner than that of France , becaufe it is a great deal drier. This Seed yields a great deal of eflential Oil and volatile Salt : It is cordial, flromachick, pec- toral, carminative, digeflive, produces Milk in Nurfes, and gives Eafe in the Cholick ; it pro- vokes Urine, warms the Breaft, opens Obftruc- tions of the Lungs, is prevalent againft Coughs, Hoarfenefs, and Shortnefs of Breath. This Seed is ufed to make common Aqua Vita, with Irijh TJfquebaugh , Daffy's Elixir Salutis, and in the Laxative EleSluary , or Confection with Sugar a id Amomum , wherein the Seeds are fteep’d in Liquors, in which Scammony is difiolv’d, and fome- times in an Infufion of Crocus Metallorum. One Pound of Annifeed will yield about an Ounce of chymical Oil by Diftillation, two or three Drops of which are fpecifical in windy Cafes, Gripes in Infants, to take away Pains and Noife in the Ears ; outwardly the Stomach or Naval may be anointed therewith, and it may be dropp’d into the Ears, mix’d with a little Oil of bitter Al- monds. Le Fcbure is of Opinion, thefe Seeds ought to be diftill’d, being green, without any previous Digeftion or Putrefaction, becaufe this kind of Seed (faith he) abounds much with volatile Salt, of a middle Nature, fo that the Water will not attract it to itfelf by length of Digeftion ; which will happen otherwife, if the Diftillation be begun immediately after the Seed and Water are mix’d together. ’Tis true, faith he, that if Digeftion precedes, the Water will be all fpirituous, and of much more Efficacy than without, but without Digeftion the Seed will yield much more eflential Oil. [This is the Seed of the Anifum vulgatius minus annuum. Hift. Ox. 3. 297. Apium Anifum Dic- tum fernine fuave olente. Tourn. Inft. 305. The Plant flowers in July , and the Seed is ripe in Augujl , the Root dying every Year, after it has EDS. 9 perfected the Seed. The Seed is one of the four greater hot Seeds, and is an Ingredient in many of our Compofitions.J 13. Of Coriander. f^Oriander is the Seed of a Plant ^ which is very common amongft us, Potnet. and which grows plentifully about Paris , efpecially at Auberville , from whence all that we fell in the Shops is brought to us. We ought to chufe fuch Seed as is new or frelh, fair, dry, well fed, the largeft and cleaneft we can get : Care muft be taken that it be kept in a Place well fecured againft Rats and Mice, both thofe Creatures being very fond of it. It is but little ufed in Phyfick, but the Brewers employ it confiderably, efpecially in Holland , and in fome Parts of England , to give their ftrong Beer a good Relifh. The Confectioners, after they have prepar’d the Seeds with Vinegar, cover them over with Sugar, which they call Coriander-Con - fedts. There are three Kinds of Coriander , the Greater, the Lefs, and the Wild ; Lemery. but the Seed of the firft is only ufed, being brought to us out of the Streights ; the firffi, which is call’d Coriandrum majus, or Coriandrum vulgar e, bears a Stalk about a Foot and a half, or two Feet high, round, flender, and full of Pith : The lower Leaves are like thofe of Parfley, but thofe which put fortli towards the Top of the Stalk, are much lefs, and abundantly more cut in ; the Flowers are fmall, difpos’d in Bunches or Clufters on the Tops of the Branches, of a whitifh Flelh-colour ; each Flower is com- pos’d of five Leaves ; when the Flower drops off, the Cup bears a Fruit made up of two round hollow Seeds : The Root is fmall, ftrait, fingle, furnilh’d with Fibres, and the whole Plant (except the Seed) has a very difagreeable Smell like that of a Bug. The fecond Kind of Coriander , is call’d the Coriandrum Inodorum , or Coriandrum minus odo- rum , the lefs-fmelling Coriander. This differs from the other Sort mention’d before, by reafon it is much lefs, and its Branches more crooked. The Smell is nothing near fo great, and the Fruit is compos’d each of two Balls, which in fome Meafure look like fmall Tefticles. Both this and the former Kind are propagated in our Gardens, but we only preferve the Seed for Phyfical Ufes, which has the Virtue of the Plant, and is ufed in ConfeCIs, pleafant Liquors, and ftout Beer. The greateft Part of the Cori- ander-Seed now in Ufe comes from Auberville and other Places about Paris : It produces a good deal C of j o General Hijlory of efiential Oil and Salt, corroborates the Stomach, helps Digeftion, makes the Breath fweet, corrects Wind and flatulent Vapours, clofes the Mouth of the Stomach, and refills Infe£Hon. [The three Kinds of Coriander mention’d by Botanical Authors are the Coriandrum majus. C. B. P. 158. The Coriandrum minus odorum. I. B. And the Coriandrum Sylvefre , of the fame Author ; but the laft is now found to be only a Variety of the former Plant ; the firffc Species produces the Seeds we ufe, and they are ripe in July and Aitguf. They are an Ingredient in the Lenitive Electuary , and fome other Compo- fitions.J 14. Of Navew, Bnnias } cr Napus. T HIS Bunias cr Naveufeed is the Seed of a Kind of Wild-Turnep , which grows frequently amongft Corn. The Wild Navew has generally a Number of Branches; the Flowers are yellow, except in here and there a Plant, which has them mix’d with white : The Leaves of ail the Species are very near alike, only larger or fmaller, according to the Fertility or Barrennefs of the Soil that produces them. They likewife produce their Seed alike, in Hulks of an Inch or an Inch and an half long, more or lefs fo, according to the Size of the Seed which they bear. As for the Bunias , or Sweet Navew, the Seeds of which we fell, they are twice as large as thofe of the other Sort, becaufe the Seed is bigger. This Seed is round, of a purplilh Colour, acrid and biting to theTafte, and in all other Things comes near to the common Turnep, excepting only its Alexipharmack Virtue, which is peculiar to it. The Species of this Plant, which grows plentifully almoft every where, has a yellow Seed, which is lefs by half than the Bunias or Sweet- Navew , yet they are taken for one another. The chief Ufe of this Seed is for the Venice Treacle, which hardly makes it worth a Druggift’s while to keep any Quantity of it. You ought to buy it of People you can depend upon, and always be carefull that you have not the common Turnep- Seed impos’d on you for it. Some Perfons aff'ure me, that the true Wild-Navew is the Briony. But M. Tournefort condemns thofe who call Briony-Seed by that Name, and ufe it as fuch. The Napus, Bunias , or in French , Le/nery. Navet , fcareely differs any Thing from the Turnep, but by a certain Bearing which the Gardeners and Labourers diffinguilh it by, and by the Figure of the Root, which all the World knows. There are two Kinds of it, the one cultivated and the other wild ; the firft is call’d Napus by J. B. and Ray ; Napus fativa of DRUGS. by Tournefort ; and Bunias or Napus by Ad. Lcb. Ger. The Stalk rifes about a Foot and a half, or two Feet high, and fpreads itfelf into Branches : The Leaves are oblong, deeply cut, rough and green : 7 'he Flowers are compos’d of four yellow Leaves, form’d like a Crofs, which are fucceedcd by a long Pod of about an Inch, divided into two Apartments fill’d with Seed, thick and round, of a reddifh, or fomething purplifli Colour, Iharp and biting in Tafte : The Root is oblong, round, thicker at the Top, flefhy, and much lefs towards the Bottom, of a white or yellowifh Colour, fometimes blackifh on the outfide, and white within, of a fweetifh Tafte, and agreeably piquant: It is cultivated in moift Grounds for the Kitchen. The fecond Kind is call’d Napus Sylvejlris by Tournefort , and the Bauhins , Bunias five Napus Sylvejlris nofras. Park. Bunium and Napus Syl - vefris Ad. Bunias Sylvefris Lobelii, Ger. in French , Wild-Navew. It refembles the cultivated Navew , except the Root, that is much lefs: The Flower is yellow, and fometimes white : It grows among the Corn : The Seed is preferr’d in Phyfick to that of the domeftick Navew : Both one and the other Sort yields a great deal of Flegm, Salt, and efiential Oil. The Navew-Seed is deterfive, aperitive, di- geftive, incifive ; It refills Poyfon, and carries off the peccant Humours by Perfpiration ; it provokes Urine, is proper in the Jaundice, in malignant Fevers, Small Hox, and is employed in making of Treacle. The Root is excellent for inveterate Coughs, Afthma’s, and Phthifick, taken hot by Way of Decodlion, and is externally applied to digeft, refolve, or allay Pains, apply’d in Form of a Poultis. The Seed, which is call’d Navette, is none of the Navew-Seed , as a great many be- lieve, but is the Seed of a Kind of wild Colly- Flower, which they call in Flanders Colfa , or Rape-Seed, cultivated in Normandy , Britanny , Holland and Flanders. They make of this Seed, by Expreffirg, an Oil, which they call Oil of Navette : The Colour is yellow, the Smell not offenfive, and the Tafte is fweet. It is commonly ufed for Burns, and ferves the Cap-makers. [The Bunias order’d to be ufed in the Shops is the Napus Dulcis. Napus Sativa. C. B. Pin. 95. Bunias. Ger. 185. The Seeds are blackifh, and of a biting Tafte. And the Seeds of the Napus Sylvefris. C. B. Pin. 85. Bunias Sylvef- tris Lobelia. Ger. 1 81. are what we have the Oil from, which we call Rape-Oil , and the French Navett e-Oil. J [It has been a great Controverfy among the Learned, whether the Seeds of the Napus dulcis, or Sylvefris , fhould be ufed in the Venice-Treacle. Galen n Book. I. Of S E e! d s. GrtA-K diffcfs from both Seerry 2,'Z Book I. Of S E [The Plant which produces this is the Foenum- gr cecum fativum. C. B. Pin. 34^ - Hill. Ox. 2. 166. The Stalks are Tingle, {lender and hollow, the Leaves . 314., attributes mighty Virtues to the true Confedtion of Alkermes , and fays, that the faid Confedlion is, without doubt, one of the beft Cordials that was ever difeover’d in the Galenical Phyfick ; for it recruits and refrefhes the vital and animal Spirits, allays the Palpitation of the Heart and Syncope, very much {Lengthens the Brain, and other noble Parts, and is an Enemy to Corruption, preferves the natural Heat, drives away Melancholy and Sadnefs, and maintains the Body and Spirits in a good Condition. It may be taken by itfelf, or in any other Liquor, from a Scruple to a Dram or two. The Kermes , Coccum Infettorium , Fernery. Granurn & Coccus Bapbica , has a thick Shell or Hufk, like the Juniper-Berry is round, fmooth, fhining, of a fine red, fill’d with a Juice of the fame Colour, of a vinous Smell, the Tafte a little bitter, but agreeable. The Tree which produces it is a little Shrub, whofe Leaves are like the Holly, but lefs, and more indented on their Sides with prickly Thorns : The Branches bear Abundance of Shells as well Flowers, which afterwards turn into Fruit, which grows in feparate Places. The Fruit is oval, and thick, cover’d at the Top with a black Cap : The Skin of it is of the Nature almoft of Leather ; it contains a Kernel which is divided into two Halves. This Shrub grows in the hot Countries, as was faid before. The Origin of the Kermes , proceeds from a Kind of little Worm in the Holme , or green O k, on which they feed ; it produces a Cod which is fill’d with Juice, and which is very red when it is brought to us. ' This little Infedt is inclos’d in the Cod. We have had a very curious Difcovery of this, from Mr. Fagon , chief Phy- fician to the King ; and it is confirm’d by a Cir- cumilance, which is apparent when the Kermes is dry’d, for then it is fill’d with a vaft Quantity of Worms and Flies, almoft imperceptible, which convert all the internal Subftance of the Berry into little Infects, and leave nothing but a light Hufk or Skin behind. ’Tis eafy to appprehend that thefe little Worms, esc. come from the Fugs which the firft Worms which enter’d the Cod produc’d. To remedy this Accident, which fo much concerns the good Effect of the Kermes , every one ought to let the Cods lie fome Time in EDS. Vinegar before they are dry’d, by which Means the acid Liquor will deftroy thofe little Worms. [ Kermes is the Chermes feu Coccus inferior ins. Park. 1395- Chermes , Grana TinStorian , Coccus bapbica , Coccus Infediorum. Mont. Ex. g. Ker- mes five Chermes. Ind. Med. 43. It is an Infect brought to us from Provence and Languedoc , where it is found on the Ilex Coccigera , or Scarlet Oak. The Ilex Aqui folia five Coccigera. Park. 1394. Ilex aculcata Cocci glandifera. C. B. Pin. 428. Tourn. Inft. 583. There have been almoft 2s many and as various Opinions about the Nature of this Drug, as of the former : It has been guefs’d by many to be a Vegetable, and by many others to be an Animal. Subftance ; and not only Mr. Fagon , but fince him the Count Marfigli has alfo endeavour’d to prove it to be a Vegetable Excrefcence. The firft who open’d a Way to the true Dif- covery of what it was, were Meff. De la Hire and Sedileau , in the Accounts they gave of the Green-Houfe Bug, as we call it ; an Infedt of the fame Kind very common on Orange-Trees : Mr. Cejlori after them gave alfo very great Light in- to it ; but the true and accurate Account of its Nature and Origin we owe to the fame celebrated Mr. De Reaumur , who, from the Obfervations of other eminent Naturalifts, and his own Expe- riments, determines it to be of a Clafs of Infects little underftood before his Time, and which he calls Gallinfedts. The Male of this Species is alfo a fmall Fly, but the Female without Wings, and fix’d as the Cochineal to the Tree it feeds on. It is wonder- fully prolifick, often containing not lefs than two thoufand Eggs, every one of which produces an Infedt in its perfedt Form, and the Females fubjedt to no Kind of Transformation afterwards. The Confedlion was originally a Compofition of Me fie , but has undergone many Alterations fince. Our College Difpenfatory has order’d it in a more fimple and eafy, and at the fame Time a much better Way than any of the former ; vh ch is as follows : Take Rofe-Water two Pound, Juice of Kermes three Pound, fine Sugar one Pound ; boil thefe almoft to the Confiftence of Ploney, and then ftir in the Powders of Cin- namon and Lignum Aloes , of each fix Drams. ] 27. Of Amomum in Berry, and the Rofr of Jericho. H E Amomum Racemofum , or that in Clufters, or the Raifin Amo- Pomet. mum , is a Kind of Fruit we receive by the W ay of Holland or Marfeilles : It grows in fcveral 22 General Hijlory feveral Parts of the E aft- Indies ; we feldom fee it in Bunches, but much oftner in the fingle Pod. It grows upon a Shrub whofe Leaves are of a pale Green, longifh and narrow ; it is, in fome Sort, like a Mu feat Grape in Colour, Size and Figure, but it is much fuller of Seed, and has lefs Juice in it. It is alfo particular in this, that all the Pods being without Stalks, are ftrongly ftuck, and as it were glued againft a long Nerve, which they encircle round to its End almoft, and which ferves them for Bafis and Support, like the Grains of Pepper : The Top is terminated by a Kind of Button, and it is generally divided into Cells. On Opening thefe Pods we find them full of fquare purple Seeds, join’d and, as it were, glued to one another, making altogether a round Fi- gure, conformable to that of the Pod, and which are cover’d with a white Film very delicate, and divided into great Heaps by a like Membrane, but in fuch a Manner as makes it eafy to feparate them : Their Tafte is fharp and biting, and their Smell extremely piercing and aromatick. Chufe the frefheft Seed you can get, with the roundeft Hufk, and of the moft lively fair Colour, heavy, and well fill’d. Caft away what is light and open, containing a black wither’d Seed ; but efteem thofe that are well fill’d with Seed, large, plump, of a warm picquant Tafte, very aroma- tick, and the moft refembling the Cardamoms : It contains a great Quantity of volatile Salt and exalted Oil. The chief Ufe of the Amomum is for Treacle, fuch as that of Venice , London , iffc. for which make ufe of the cleaneft and beft fed Seed. It is alfo ufed to incide, digeft, refift Poifon, expel Wind, ftrengthen the Stomach, give an Appe- tite, and promote the Menfes. Several Perfons do not know this Drug but un- der the Name of the great Cardamom , which is no other but the Grain of Paradife , of which I Ihall take Notice in the following Chapter. There are other Seeds which bear the Name of the Amomum , as that of Pliny , which is a red Fruit, and altogether like that which is within the Fruit of the Aik eking, which grows on a Shrub which is very common. There is another Sort which the Dutch and Englifh call Amomi , and we Jamaica-Pepper , which is the Fruit of an Indian Tree, as will be feen in its proper Place. I muft advertife you, that when you meet with the Name of Amomum , or Amomi , in Authors, you ought to ufe no other than this clufter’d Amo- mum- All Perfons that deliver any Receipts Lemery. concerning Amomum , mean the Amo- mum Racemofum , or clufter’d Amomum , (/DRUGS. which the Defcription before is given of ; but there are feveral other little Seeds call’d by that Name, as the Amomum falfum, feu Pfeudoamo- mum , or the Baftard Amomum : It is a little black Fruit of the Nature of the Goofeberry or the Juniper Berry, which grows upon a Goofeberry Bufti, call’d Groffularia non fpinofa , fruftu nlgro , or the Goofeberry without Pickles, with black Fruit, or the black Goofeberry. ’Tis of little or no Ufe in Phyfick, any more than the Amo- mum of Pliny . The fmall Spice which the Dutch and Portu- guefe call Amomum , and the French Pepper of Fhevet , is round, and as big, or bigger, than Pepper; of a reddilh Colour, appearing at one End like a fmall Crown, of a Tafte and Smell like a Clove, a little pungent and aromatick ; it has likewife the Virtue of the Clove, but is fcar- cer. Some call it the fmall round Clove, as is deferib’d by Bauhin , p. 194, with the Name of Amomum quorundam odore Caryophilli. [This is the Amomum Racemofum , C. B. Pin, 413. Amomum novum Cardamomi vulgaris facie , five Indicus racemus. J. B. 2. 195. It is brought to us from the Eajl-Indies. The Descriptions of Simples among the old Authors, particularly the Arabians , are fo fhort and imperfect, that notwithftanding the Perfe&ion that the Knowledge of Botany is now arriv’d at, it is not known what was the true Amomum of the Antients, aJmoft every Author having had a different Opinion about it. However, if this be not the very Amomum of the Antients, it at leaft: comes the neareft it of all others, and ought to be ufed wherever Amomum is prefcribed.J 28. Of the Great Cardamome. H E great Cardamome , which the French call M aniguette, or Grains Pomet. of Paradife, is a triangular Seed of a reddilh Colour without, and white within, of an acrid picquant Tafte, like that of Pepper ; which is the Reafon that the Hawkers frequently fell it for Pepper. The Plant which bears this Seed, has green Leaves, among which comes a Fruit, or rather a Hufk, of the Size and Figure of a Fig, of a fine red Colour, in which are enclos’d thefe Grains of Paradife : It is call’d Maniguette , or Melaguette , from a City of Africk , call’d Melega , from whence they ufed to bring it into France ; but at prefent it is brought from feveral Countries, by the Way of St. Jlfalo , and other Places. It ought to be chofen of a high Colour, frefh, well fed, and of an acrid piercing Tafte. [The ... .-.V . , . ' Book I. Of S E [The Grana Paradifi are the Cardamomum Arabum majus. Ger. 1358. Cardamomi genus maximum , Grana Paradifi feu Melleguetta , &c. J. B. 2. 204. They are brought to us from Guinea , and are of a Tafte between Cardamom- Seeds and Pepper. They ought to be diftinguifh’d from the true Cardamomum majus , and it is a great Error to ufe them in the Place of it. The true Cardamomum majus , is the Cardamomum cum fli- •fTtis longis. J. B. 2. 205. Cardamomum majus Officinarum. C. B. P. 413. This is brought us from Java , but is very feldom feen in the Shops. The Hufks are fometimes as long as ones Finger, and full of an angular brown aromatick Seed ; and this is what is defcribed by Pomet in the Be- ginning of the following Chapter. J 29. Of the true Great Cardamome, and the Small Cardamome. T H E true great Cardamome is a reddifh, (harp, angular Seed, enclofed in a Pod of the Length of a Child’s Finger, made triangular ; it grows upon a Plant, which fome have allur’d me is very luxuriant, and whofe Leaves are like thofe of the Trefoil, ending in a Point, and much in- dented ; it grows in feveral Parts of India : Thefe Pods are very rarely brought into France , and are of very little Ufe, becaufe the little or fmalleft Cardamome is more enquired for, as well by Foreigners as ourfelves, as having much more Virtue in it than the true great Sort. However, as it is fometimes met with, I fhall obferve that it ought to be chofe new, and fuch as comes neareft the Tafte, &c. of the fmaller Carda- mome. The fmall Cardamome, which is what is moll common among us, and brought from Holland , is a little Hulk or Pod of a triangular Figure, on the Outfide of a light grey, ftrip’d and adorn’d with a fmall Tail of the fame Colour. When open’d, you’ll find a Quantity of fmall Seed in it of the Figure and Tafte of the Amo mum, of which I have been fpeaking of before. The Plant which bears the fmall Cardamome is as yet unknown to me, notwithftanding the dili- gent Enquiries I have made ; but in all Appear- ance, it is like the true great Sort, and has no other Difference, but what the Diverfity of Places where it grow r s gives it. It is brought to us by the Dutch and Englijh , from the Kingdom of Vifapour, where it is very fcarce, and only ufed at the Tables of the Great, being the beft Spice ©f that Country. Chufe the frefheft, well fed, weighty and leaft fill’d with empty Hulks and little Straws, well dried and found : It is beft not to EDS. 2 3 open the Hulks ’till the Time of ufing the Seed, becaufe it keeps much beft in them : When they are to be ufed, feparate them from the Hulks, and chufe the moft compa£l, beft fed, higheft colour’d, and moft aromatick : This we chiefly ufe in Medicine, but the Dutch ufe it much for chewing. His Defcription of the great and leffer Cardamome differs nothing from Pomet : Lemery, But the third or leaft Sort is call’d fim- ply Cardamome for its Excellence, becaufe it is better and moft ufed of any of the three, it is brought to us in little triangular Hulks or Pods, of an Alh Colour, tending to white. they ftick or adhere together by little Fibres, but are eafily divided from their curious Coverings ; the Seed is then of a purplifh Colour, and of an acrid, bi- ting, aromatick Tafte. All the Cardamomcs con tain in them a great deal of volatile Salt, and ef- fential Oil. They are proper, particularly the leaft, to at- tenuate and refine the grofs Humours, to expel Wind, fortify the Head and Stomach, allift Di- geftion, excite Seed, provoke Urine and the Terms, refill malignant Vapours, and to chew in the Mouth to procure Spittle. It is call’d Car- damome, or fweet Najlurtium, becaufe it has a Smell much like the Najlurtium , or Crefle, from whence it is deriv’d. They are ufed from half a Dram to a Dram in Powder, or you may make a Decodlion of them in Wine or Water. Cardamome-Water is made of them, being fweeten’d with double re- fin’d Sugar ; ’tis a very good Stomachick Water, helps Digeftion, and is an Antidote againft the Plague, or any malignant Difeafe. A Tindlure drawn from it in Tindlure of Salt of Tartar, is excellent againft the Stone, Strangury or Stop- page of Urine. Dofe from two Drams to half an Ounce. [This is the Cardamomum fimpliciter in Officinis dilium. C. B. Pin. 414. Cardamomum cum fdiquis feu thccis brevibus. J. B. 2. 205. It is brought to us chiefly from Malabar. The Plant which pro- duces the true great Cardamome is common in the Woods of Java ; it grows to the Height of fe- ven Feet ; the Stalk is ftrong, and envelop’d by the Leaves, as the Stalks of fome culmeferous Plants, but not jointed like them : The Flowers grow on the Tops of the Stalk and Branches, and are like the Flowers of our Hyacinths, white, with a purple Border round the Edge. The Leaves bruifed yield a pleafant Smell, and are hoary underneath. That which bears the leffer Cardamome has a Stalk jointed like the Reed, and befet with Leaves not unlike thofe of the fame Plant. It is two. 24 General Hijlory two, or at the utmoft threeFeet high ; the Flowers are of a whitifh yellow, and four-leav’d ; after which come the Pods, which are the Cardamo- mum minus of the Shops. Thefe Flowers and Pods do not grow, as in the larger Kind, on the Tops of the Branches, but upon particular fepa- rate Stalks, that arife from the Root without Leaves, and thatperilh as foon as the Seed is ripe.] 30. Of the Nigella Romana. T H E Nigella Romana Seed is the Seed of a Plant about two Feet high, having little green Leaves indent- ed and fnipp’d deep, among which come white blueifh f lowers, and then Hulks or Pods, in which are contain’d a longifh Seed of a grey Co- lour, piquant Tafte, a ftrong and arcmatick Smell. Chufe the neweft, plumpcft Seed, of a fine bright yellow, of the moil aromatick Smell as well as Tafte, that you can poflibly meet with : That which comes from Italy is the belt, and more efteem’d than that which grows among our Corn. The Ufe of this Seed is to kill Worms, correft Wind ; and fome Perfons affirm it to be a very good Antidote ; they reckon it likewife very ufe- ful to create Milk in Nurfes. [This is the Seed of the Gith Off c in. nigella Flore minore fimplici condido. C. B. Pin. 145. JITelanthium Calyce et Flore minore Semine nigro. J. B. 3. 208. It is a Plant of a Foot high ; the Leaves are finely divided, the Flower and Seed Vefiel both large for the Size of the Plant, and the Seed Vefiel is divided into five Cells. It is very little ufed in Phyfick.J There are feveral other Sorts of Seed, which I Ihall forbear to mention, becaufewe feldom meet with them, as the Menfe, Mejfe , or Mungo, which the Indians ufe the Plant of to feed their Horfes with, and the Seed in Phyfick to cure Fevers, as we may fee in the Indian Hiftory of Garcias ab Florto. There is another Sort, the Bifnague, as yet very fcarce, which the Turks ufe, as feveral Perfons of Quality in France do, to clean their Teeth. Another Kind there is, call’d China Anife , or Radian , which ferves the Eaftern People, in Imitation of the Chinefe , to prepare their Tea and their S or bee. This Seed is entirely like that of the Colcquin- tida, except that it is of a dun Colour, as that it fhines and is of an agreeable Smell : It is con- tain’d in fmall Pods, thick and hard. ’Tis with this Seed, and the Root Nif, that the Chinefe make their Drink of Tea and Sorbec more agree- able than in France : The Quantity is two Drams pf Nif , four Ounces of boiling Water, half an Ounce of Tea, and a Dram of China Annifeed. of DRUGS. There are a great many other Seeds worth the Druggift’s Knowledge, as well as others ; but they being fo common, it would be counted fu- perfiuous to name them, as Lettuce, Violet, Suc- cory, Poppy, Mallows, Turnep, Radilh, Holy- oak, Fleawort, &c. There are other Seeds commonly in Ufe, and as commonly known, as the four cold Seeds, Citruls , or Water-Melons, Gourd, Melons, and Cucumber, which are chiefly ufed for Emul- fions, and fometimes to exprefs a cooling Oil from them for the Skin, and other Things of the like Nature, that tend to the Ornament of the Completion, £sV. The Method of making all Sorts of Oil by Expreflion, is fo univerfally known, it would be loft Labour to expatiate upon it, there being no more in it than blanching the Seed, beating it in a Mortar, and prefling the Oil from it cold : After the fame Way is made the Oil of Ben, White Pine, Poppy, fweet or bitter Almonds, Piftacia Nuts, &c. Authors have alfo given the Name of a Seed to a Sort of Plant which has neither Leaves or Root, which is what we call Dodder of Thyme , whofe Defcription you will find in the Chapter of Epithymum. 31. Of the Sago of the Indies. AGON, or Sago, is a round Seed, whitifb, but a little tending to grey ; it is unequal in Shape and Size, and is not bigger than the Head of a large Pin. This Seed is but little known in France ; its Tafte is Stiptick, tending to infipid, and not un- like Piedmont Rice, or cleans’d Millet. The Indians boil it ’till it is converted to a Jelly, with which they nourifh themfelves for a Time, and believe it has the Virtue to re-eftablifh their Health and prolong their Days. It has been long in Difpute what Part of the Tree or Plant which produc’d it, the Sago really was, and many others as well as Pomet have taken it for a Seed ; but later Difcoveries have made it certain, that it is prepar’d from the Fa ad a of the Pith of a Species of Indian Palm. The Palma Indica candice in annulos protu- bantes difinfto, fruttu pruniformi. R. Hi if. 2. 1630. Zagn, feu Arbor farinifera. Jonf. Dendr. 144. It is prepar’d by taking out the Pith, and beating it in large Mortars ; and afterwards mix- ing W'ater with it, and {training the Liquor, the F trades of which tiiey form into Cakes for their own Ufe, eating them as Bread when their Rice is fcarce ; and Part of it they granulate and dry, to fend into Europe. The End of the firfl Book of SEEDS. BOOK 2 5 BOOK the Second. Of ROOTS : PREFACE. I UnderJiand , by the Root , Part of a Plant which is in the Earth , which draws in the Nutrition, and communicates it to other Parts produc'd from thence , as the Stalk, the Leaves, the Seed , &c. The Roots which we commonly fell, are not only many in Number, but very different in Figure and Virtue. Our Ilerbarifts fupply us with many, which require no other Preparation than to be cleans'd and dry'd, which is fometimes well , and fometimes ill done, according to the Capacities of ehe Herb-Dealers ; fuch as Enula Campana Roots , Marfh- mallows, Avens, and. the like. We have others brought from foreign Countries , from fome of which the Heart , or inner hard Subftance, is taken out, be- caufe it is ftringy, hard, and ufelefs, as Turbith, Baftard Turbith, White Di&amny, &c. as is practis'd here upon fever al Roots, as Cinquefoil, &c. We have others brought to us cut into Slices, as Jalap, Mechoacan ; in little Bits, as the Letter Galingal ; in larger Pieces, as Rhubarb and Rhaponic *, in the entire Root, as Angelica ; fome adorn'd with their Leaves, as the Virginia Snake-Root ; others are brought in long, ftringy Fibres, as Sarfaparilla •, and loft of all, fome are wajh'd and cleans'd from their outward Skins , as Florentine Orris, and the like. There is no lefs Difficulty in the Knowledge of Roots than of Seeds , as well by reafon of their different Kinds, as the feveral Marks which many of them have in common. * Tis for this Reafon we ought to be very circumfpect in our Choice, and know the main Diftindlions of every one , to make an exalt Judgment of them, which is difficult to be done without Prac- tice, and where a Man does not make it his continual Bufinefs. Thofe who want Roots , ought not to go about hunting for the beft Bargains, but apply themfelves to Merchants in whofe Probity they can put their Confidence , efpecially when the Price is any thing conjider- able. Thofe Perfons who value not their Confcience , make no Scruple at all to fell one Thing for another, and ajk as much for an Ounce of the Root they deceive you with, as they would fell a Pound of it for under its own Name as fome People fell Tormentil for Contra- yerva. It is not to a Perfon's Advantage to load himfelf with a great Quantity of thefe Goods, efpecially fuch as there is not a large Demand for, as well becaufe of the Wafte in keeping them, as becaufe many are fubjecl to be Worm-eaten, as Angelica, the Acorus Ve- rus, (Ac. and to fpoil , as Rhubarb, and the like. . Of Ipecacuanha, or Ipecacuana. T H E Ipecacuana , call’d Begu- quclla, likewife Specacuanha Ca- gpfango, Beculo , Beloculo, or the Golden Mine Root, is a little Root about the Thicknefs of the Barrel of a middling Quill, which the Dutch and Portugueze bring us from many Parts of America, and which is found no where but where there are Gold Mines, which has been the Occafion of one of its Names. This is gather’d by thofe that are, condemn’d to the E ' Mines $ 2 6 General Hijtory of DRUGS. Mines ; and that which makes it the fcarcer, is, that the mod indudrious Labourer cannot get above a Dozen Pound of it in a Year ; and if it were not that it is exchang’d for other Merchan- dizes, it would be much dearer than it is. The Dutch and others bring us three Sorts of Ipecacu- ana , to wit, the brown, which is the fird and heft Sort, and, confequently the deared ; the fe- cond, which is grey, inclining a little to red, and white within, is lefs drong than the brown ; the third is the white, of which I (hall fpeak after- wards. Thefe Plants call’d Ipecacuana , as well the brown as the grey, are of a fmall Height, partly creeping, partly riling about half a Foot high j the Leaves of them are like thofe of the Pclli- tory of the Wall , in the Middle of them grow white Flowers of five Leaves apiece, fupported by little Heads with a Sort of brown Berries, which when they are ripe, are of a reddifh brown Colour, and of the Size of a wild Cherry : Thefe Berries contain a white Pulp full of Juice, in which are enclofed two Seeds, hard and yellowifh, approaching to the Figure of a Lentile. This Root ought to be chofe frefh, new and well fed, wrinkled, hard to be broke, refinous in its Subftance, and having a Nerve in the Middle ; take care that it be not mix’d with the Stalk, Fi- laments, or Threads, which thofe that fell it of- tentimes throw amongd it ; and that it be of an acrid, bitter and di (agreeable Tafte. Some Friends that I have at Lifbon , in Holland , and at Mar- feilles, have allured me, that the bed Ipecacuana is the brown, which is chiefly that which comes from the Gold Mines, and that the other two Sorts are brought from the lowermod Parts of the Mountains thereabouts and other moid Places. The Ufe of the (aid Root, is for the Cure of Dyfenteries ; feveral People will have it that this Root is alexiterial ; but notwithstanding that, I would not advife any Body to make ufe of it, but with great Precautions, and by the Advice of underdanding People, becaufe it works with Vio- lence, whether given in Infufion or Subftance. The common Dofe is from half a Dram to a Dram in Powder, taken in any proper Liquid in the Morning fading, and giving proper Liquids two Hours afterwards. This Root vomits before it a£ts as an Adringent, which is different from the Operation of other Adringents. Of the White Ipecacuana. The White Ipecacuana differs from the other two, in that the Root is white, and altogether made like the white Beben , or the white Die- tamny Root, and the Leaves refemble thofe of the round Garden-Sorrel. The Spaniards and Por- tuguefe prefer this Wlnte Ipecacuana before the two foregoing Sorts, efpecially for their Women with Child, and little Infants, by reafon it works with lefs Violence, and is commonly given in Sub- dance from half a Dram to a Dram, and in In- fufion to two Drams. In the Month of January 1690, there was a Thefis in the Phyfick Schools of Paris , concern- ing the Brafil Rooty or Ipecacuana ; in which it was obferv’d, that the Americans had it in very great Edeem, as well becaufe they believ’d it was a very powerful Antidote, as becaufe it was very ufeful for the Cure of many tedious and troublc- fome Difeafes ; but, above all, for the Cure of Dyfenteries , and other Fluxes of the Lower Belly. Some will have it, that M. Helvetius , a Dutch Phyfician, brought the Ipecacuana into Ufe among the French ; but I can affure you to the contrary, becaufe above twenty Years before that I faw it at Paris ; for a Proof of which I remember there was a Quantity in the Shop of M. Claquenclle, Apothe- cary, which fell into the Hands of M. Poulain t his Son-in-Law, who was likewife an Apothecary, ahd he afterwards introduc’d it again into Prac- tice, by the Direction of Helvetius. The Ipecacuanha , or Ipecacuanha , is a fmall Root, of the Thicknefs of a Lemery, Quill of a moderate Size, which is brought to us dry from feveral Parts of America. There are three Species or Sorts of it, the brown, the grey, and the white. The brown is the dronged and mod valued of all ; it is the compac- ted, crooked, wrinkled in Curls, dringy in the middle, difficult to break, of afmartTade, and bitter : It grows in Brafil , See. as faid before by Pomet. The Root of the grey Ipecacuanha differs from the former both in Colour and Virtue, for it has lefs Efficacy. This is brought from Peru , by the way of Cadiz , and the Spaniards call it Bexugilla. The third or white Sort is different from the two others, not only in Colour, but in Figure ; for it is neither crooked nor uneven. Some Au- thors fay it is fmall as Penny-royal, and that the Leaf is foft and woolly, and that the Flower is white : Others will have the Leaf like round Sor- rel. It grows low, and in moid Places. The way to chufe any of the three Kinds, is to take the larged and bed grown. This Root is both purgative and adringent ; it- works upwards and downwards, according as the Humours are more or lefs foluble ; drengthens and corroborates the Fibres of the Vifcera , by means of its earthy Parts. It is one of the bud Rente-' Book II. Of R O O T S. 27 Remedies, and mod certain, for the Cure of the Dyfentery or BIoody-Flux : It flops likewife other Scourings of the Guts, but not with that equal Succefs. The Dofe beaten into fine Powder, is from 20 to 30 Grains of the brown, from 30 to 40 Grains of the grey, and fo to a Dram of the white Root. The firft who brought this into Ufe in France , was Monfieur Le Gras , a Phyfician, (who had made three Voyages to America') in the Year 1672. It was {hewn afterwards by the Abbot Bourdelot ; and, in one of my Courfes of Chymiftry, I had fome given me by a Druggif , but without any Knowledge or Inftru&ion into its Qualities at that Time. [It is the Root of the Herba Paris Brafiliana polycocccs. R. Hi ft. r. 669. Periclymeno Accedens Plant a Brafiliana fief culls congcfis a Ibis. H. Ox. 3. 535. It is but very lately that it has begn known in Phyfick among us. M. Le Gras , in 1672, firft brought it into France , and Mr. Cl, 'a quenelle gave it but with very ill Succefs, which was owing to his giving it in too large a Dofe. The elder Helvetius afterwards ufed it fuccefsfully, of whom the French King purchafed the Secret, and all that related to the Ufe of it, and communicated it to the World. It is the beft Vomit ever known in Medicine, never fa- tigues the Stomach, and is befide the beft Medi- cine known in Dyfenteries , in which if the firft and fecond Dofe do not produce the expedled good Effects, it ought to be continued every Day in Dofes of three or four Grains each, to act as an Alterative. When given as a Vomit the general Dofe is half a Dram, and it operates fo well in Subftance, being only powder’d, that all Prepa- rations of it are needlefs. The Pfcudo Ipecacuanna is the Root of a Spe- cies of Apocytium. J See Page 155. 2. Of the Contrayerva Root. T H E Contrayerva is the Root of a Plant which has green creeping Leaves, full of fmall Fibres, of the Figure of a Heart, in the middle of which arifes a Stalk wholly naked, about a Finger’s Thicknefs. It is brought to us from New Spain. Chufe fuch Roots as are frefh, well fed, adorn’d with long Filaments, or fibrous Strings, that are knotty and ponderous, of a yellowifh red on the Outfide, and of an Afh-colour’d white within, and a fweet aromatick Tafte. It is an Alexipharmack , very powerful for re- filling feveral forts of Poifons ; and is therefore call’d by the Spaniards Cmtrayerva , which fignifies in their Language a Counter-Poifon. There grows alfo in Peru a Root very like it, which is call’d Radix Drakena, from Sir Francis Drake , who brought it firft into England. Not- withftanding that the Roots of the Ccntrayerva are an Antidote, the Leaves are a mortal Poifon. It is a good Sudorifck taken in Pov/der from four Grains to fifteen, in any proper Liquor, and this Dofe may be repeated three or four Times if it be found neceffary. It is good in Pains of the Head, and in Rheumatifms and the Sciatica. Several People make Ufe of this Root reduced to Powder, and mix’d with double the Quantity of Jefuits Powder, or the Bark, to turn off the Fits of an Ague or intermitting Fever ; and others again, mix the fame with Ipecacuanha , to cure a Loofnefs or Bloody-Flux. We fell alfo the Root of a Plant which grows plentifully throughout all France , for white Con- trayerva : It likewife grows in every Garden, and is known every where by the Name of Afclcpias or Hirundinaria , This is very white, and is called, by every Body in France , White Contra- yerva,' becaufe it is pretended this has the fame Virtues. There is a Compofition of feveral Drugs in Mr. Charas’s and other Difpenfatories which is call’d the Contrayerva Stone , by Reafon this Root is the Bafis of the whole. It ought to be chofen new, well grown, and of a piercing aromatick Tafte. Bauhin makes the Contrayerva a Spe- cies of Cyperus , and calls it Long Cype- Lemery. rus with the fweet Root. You ought to chufe that which is found, new, aromatick, and fharp in Tafte. It is an excellent Alexiphar- mack , refills Poifon, and cures the biting of Vi- pers, other Serpents, or any venomous Beaft ; and is good againft Calentures, Mealies, Small- pox, Spotted Fever, Plague, or any malignant and peftilential Difeafe. Schroder fays it is good in the Plague, even when the Tokens appear : It re- fills Melancholy, chears the Spirits, and makes the Heart merry. It may be given either in Pow- der, from half a Dram to a Dram, or in any cordial Draught or Bole. [The Name of Contrayerva has been at different Times given to many different Roots, fuppofed to have the Virtues of refilling Poifons. But what we have now in England under that Name are the Roots of the two Species of the Dorfenia of Pliymier ; which have both the fame Shape and Virtues, and are gather’d and fent over indif- ferently to us. The one is the Dorfenia Dent aria; radice Sphmdylii folio placenta Ovali. A£t Phi i . Lond. No. 241. And the other the Dorfenia Dentarid Radice , folio minus laciniato , placenta quadrangu- lar i, et undulata. Ibid. E 2 Do&or 2 8 General Hiftory of DRUGS. Do, v Shrub like the Elder, which groves plentifully in of DRUGS. Arabia-Felix , from whence it has its Name. Chufe the faireft heavy Roots, of an Alhen Grey without, and inclinable to Red within, not eafy to break, of a ftrong Smell, aromatick Tafte, to- gether with a little Bitternefs. It is aperitive, ftomachick and antifcorbutick ; taken in Powder from half a Dram to a Dram, and is alfo ufed in the Venice Treacle . Of the Sweet Coftus. The Sweet Cofus is a fmall Root, very like in Colour, Size and Figure to the Turmerick : But ftnce this at prefent is fuch a Rarity that it is hardly any where to be found, and the Plant it is the Root of is unknown to us, as well as that of the Bitter Cofus , I have not here given the Figure of either of them. The Bitter Cofus , which fome call by the Name of Cofus Indicus , is a thick Root, very hard, fmooth, fhining, and rather looks like a Piece of folid Oak than a Root. This Cofus is not fo fcarce as the other aforemention’d, being fometimes feen in the old Shops. We have from Italy fometimes the Roots of the Agriocynera fent us for this ; others ufe in the Place of it the Cor- tex Winter anus, and others Zedoary , or the Roots of the Mentha Hortenfs Corymbifera , and others Elecampane ; but to avoid all thefe Abufes, we may very well ufe the Cofus Arabica , as it is the beft of the three, and ought to have only the Name of Cofus , as we may allure ourfelves that the Difference in the Sorts of Cofus were only occafion’d by the different Places they were brought from, as Mr. Charas has very judicioufly remark’d, who takes all the Cofufes to be the Roots of the fame Plant, only growing in diffe- rent Parts of the World ; and that it might be that the Cofus growing in different Parts of the fame Country might receive fome Difference of Form and Figure, as well as Colour and Tafte, according to the Difference of the Earth from which it drew its Nourifhment, as we fee in Corn, Vines, Cfc. fo that the Arabian Cofus only ought to be ufed in all Compofitions. Some are of Opinion there are not two feveral Species, but only one of this Lcmery . Cofus, the neweft being fweet, and call’d Cofus Dulcis ; the fame, when it grows old grows bitter, and then is call’d Cofus Amarus : that which is good is outwardly of an Afh-colour, inwardly white ; and it is frefh, thick, well fcented, aromatick in Smell and Tafte, and not rotten : It is ftomachick, hepatick, hyfteiick, at- tenuating, aperitive, difeuffing, good againft the Cholick , and Pal fy , and moft Difeafes of the Nerves ■ *r » 35 Of ROOTS. Book II. Nerves and Womb. Dofe in Pojvder from half a Dram to a Dram, in Tincture from a Dram to two Drams. There is an Ele&uary made of it call’d Caryocofiinum , ufeful for the Intentions aforelaid, and a chemical Oil, which is profitable to be given in Clyfters in all uterine Cafes. [It is the Root of Co/his Indicns Viola Martis Odcre. Herm. Muf. Zeyl. 58. Tfiana Cm. Hort. Ind. Mai. xi. 15. Tab. 8. Which grows to fix or feven Feet high ; the Leaves are of a lively Green, but fomething paler on the under Side than the upper ; the Flowers are four- leav’d, white and lhap’d like a Bell ; the Fruit is three-corner’d, and divided into three Cells, con- taining a Number of triangular Seeds : The prin- cipal (Dccafion of its being divided into feveral Species, is, that it is white and fweet while frelh, and contracts a Bitternefs in keeping and grows darker colour’d. It evidently is from the Begin- ning but one and the fame Root ; for theDefcrip- tion of the Tfiana Cua , in the Hort. Malab. which, according to Commeline , is the true Ara- bian Cojlus , exa&ly agrees with the Sweet Cojlus of our Shops.] 9. Ofi Ginger. G inger is the Root of a Plant which the Botanifts call Arundo humilis clavata radice acri ; that is to fay, the fmall Club Reed with the Iharp Root : It repre- fents in Shape a Sort of Foot at the End of every Root, for which Reafon the Inhabitants of St. Chrifiopher’s , and the other Leeward Iilands , have call’d it Patte in French , which fignifies a Paw or Foot, or Gingembre. It produces fe- veral Reeds, bearing large long green Leaves, and afterwards a reddifh Flower, mix’d with a little Green, the whole Head of the Flower refemb- ling a Club ; from whence it is call’d Ginger with the Club Flower. This Root was brought to us heretofore from the Eajl- Indies, but that which is cultivated in the Wefilern Ifilands is more ufed, and much better, becaufe they dry it with more Care, fo that it is not parch’d and wither’d. Chufe fuch as is new, dry, well fed, not eafy to break, of a greyilh Colour, refinous within, and of a hot piquant Tafte; and reject that which is foft, fpungy, white within and without, and worm-eaten. Gin- ger is hot and drying ; it is ufed in the Theriaca and other Compofitions. Great Quantities of it are ufed by the Hawkers and Chandlers in the Country, who mix it with their Pepper ; the French reduce it to Powder, and then call it white Spice , which ferves there for feveral Ufes. Ofi Candied Ginger. The Wejl-Indians candy their Ginger frelh taken from the Earth ; likewife they make a Prefeeve of it green, as the Eafii-Inclians do ; from whence we have great Quantities of green Ginger. The Englijh , Dutch , and moll of the northern People, make ufe of this to warm the Stomach, as well as to affift Digeflion, and to preferve them from the Scurvy, to which thofe Nations are very often fubjedt. There are two Kinds of Ginger , the white or mealy, and the hard black ; Lemery. but the firft is reckon’d by much the belt. It grows both in the Eafi and Wefit Indies, and is very much cultivated at prefent in the Ifles of the Antilles ; but the greateft Quantities come from the Leeward Ifilands , Barbadoes , Nevis , St. Chrifiopher’s, (Ac. as likewife from "Jamaica and other Places thereabouts. 'We have now little out of the Eafi-Indies , but what is brought thence is a Confection, call’d Green Ginger : It is very warm, attenuating, inciding, aperitive, and high- ly ftomachick and alexipharmack ; gives Eafe in the Cholick, expels Wind, and is an excellent anti-afthmatick, made into an Electuary with Honey, or its own Syrup : It creates an Apetite, refills Putrefaction, expels the Plague, Poifon, and all manner of malignant and peftilential Di- feafes. It may be ufed in Powder, grated or pounded, from half a Dram to a Dram, or candied to an Ounce. Green Ginger, which they prepare in India, is likewife made in England and other Parts, after this Manner : Let the frelh Root foak two or three Days in warm Water, keeping it in a Balnco all the Time ; fo it will grow foft and fweil ; then boil it up, either flit or whole, with refin’d Sugar, to a Syrup. The candied Ginger is made by ftecping the Roots in warm Water, then cutting them into long Pieces, dry them, after which candy them. A laxative Confedlion of Ginger, ufeful for cold Conftitutions, to purge off watry and phleg- matick Humours, is made thus : Take Ginger two Drams, Cinnamon, Cloves, of each a Dram, Nutmeg, Saffron, Galingal, of each a Scruple, Turbith half a Dram, Diagridiujn three Drams, Sugar four Ounces, mix and make a Confect. Dofe from two Drams to half an Ounce. An- other Confection to revive and fortify a cold and weak Stomach: Take Ginger in Powder fix Drams, Cinnamon two Drams, Nutmegs, Cloves, Mace, Saffron, of each a Dram, Piftachia Nuts one Ounce, fine Sugar a Pound, dilfolv’d in Rofe- water ■, then mix ail and beat it up to a Confif- F ?. fence, 36 General Hijlcry fence, of which take the Quantity of a Wallnut twice a Day. [Th e Plant of which this is the Root is the Iris La ti foli a Tuber of a Zingiber dicta fore albo. Hill. Ox. 2, 3 SO. Zinziber angujliore folio fesmina uttiufque India Alumna. Pluk. Aim. 317. The Leaves of this Plant are long, flender and of a pale Green ; the Flowers are monopetalous, but di- vided into four Segments ; the Seeds lhap’d like a Kidney, and fallned to the Style with very flender Fibres. It is purgative, if taken in any Quantity when frefh dug out of the Earth ; when dry it is aromatick and attenuant : It is found excellent in warming the Stomach and keeping the Gout from that Part.] Of Zerumbeth and Zedoary. Thefe are two Roots of different Colour and Figure, which come notwithflanding from the fame Plant, which has Leaves like thofe of Ginger , for which Reafon fome call call it Wild Ginger. Both thefe Roots are brought us from the Eajl- Indies and the Ifle of St. Lawrence, where they grow in abundance. The Zerumbeth is the round Part of the Root, which we receive cut in Pieces like "Jalap . It ought to be grey without and white within, hard to break, not carious, of a warm aromatick Tafte ; the Zedoary , the long Part of the Root, ferving as a Foot to the Zerumbeth ; it ought to be about the Length and Thicknefs of one’s little Finger, of a whitifh red Call without, and white within, well fed, heavy, and not apt to break, not worm- eaten, of a warm aromatick Tafte, like that of Rofemary. The Zerumbeth is of little Ufe in Phyfick ; on the other hand, the Zedoary is efteem’d a good Cordial, and of great Efficacy againft all Venom and Contagion. [This is the Root of the Zedoaria Zeylarina Camphoram redolens. Herm. Cat. Hort. Lugd. Bat. 636. Zedoaria longa feu Zedoaria Officina- rum. Com. Cat. Hort. Amft. 371. Mathiolus thinks the Zedoary of Avicenna to be the Anthora of the Moderns ; and Dodonaus takes the Officinal Zedoary to be the Zerumbeth of Avicenna and Se- rapion. The Ancients had many Compofitions of this Root, which are now rejected. The Zedoaria Longa and Rotunda , as we call them, are certainly both the Roots of the fame Plant ; but the Zerumbeth is a diftinCt Thing, the Root of a different Plant, the Zinziber Latifo- lium Sylvejlre. Herm. Cat. 636. Kua Hort. Malab. xi. 13. Tab. 7. It grows in Malabar ; but the round Zedoary being confounded with it, makes it never feen in our Shops.] (/DRUGS. 10. Of Florentine Orrice. Lorentine Orrice is the Root of a Plant, whofe Leaves are long, nar- Pomet. row, and of a fine beautiful Green ; after which grow white Flowers, as I have been affur’d by Mr. Morin , Phyfician to Madam the Dutchefs of Guife , a Man of great Probity and large Experience in Simples. This Plant is known in France by the Name of Flower-Flag , Flower de Lye, &c. It grows al- moft every where by the Walls, Water-fides, and in the Gardens, and is of feveral Sorts, which many Authors have taken Notice of. And as to the Name Iris , they fay it was given to them for the various Colours of their Flowers, which in fome meafure refemble the Rainbow, call’d by feme Iris ; but ’tis a grofs Error to fay that the Floren- tine Iris is the fame with ours, for they are very different. Chufe fuch of this Root as is large, well fed, of a Piece, clean, white within and without, difficult to break, of a fweet Smell like the Violet ; but caft by fuch as is dirty, dry, and of no Smell ; likewife fuch as is foft or worm- eaten. The Dyers, Perfumers and Confectioners ufe this in their feveral Trades, to give a grateful Scent to their feveral Cloths, Perfumes, Comfits and the like. It has a great many other Quali- ties in Medicine ; it is a Hydragogue , inciiive, aperitive and cephalick : It is employ’d in feveral Galenical Compofitions, and is a mighty Favou- rite with the Fair Sex. There is a green Colour made of our common Iris , to which they give the Name of Verdi ter, which is ufed by the Pain- ters in Miniature. This Verditer is made feveral Ways, as is deferib’d in a little Treatife of Minia- ture, which thofe who defire to make this, as well as Carmine , and other fine Paints, may have recourfe to. This Orrice , call’d Iris Alba Floren- tina , or Iris major Alba, Illyrica vulgo, Lcmery . vel potius Florentina, is a white Root, the Thicknefs of a Thumb, oblong, which is brought to us from Florence, where it grows without Culture ; the Stalk is like that of the Flower-de-Luce, but the Leaves grow ereCl, and the Flowers are white. This Root, when in the Ground, is deck’d with feveral Fibres, which are cut off with the Outfide, which is reddifh, and then it is dried. The Illyrick Sort of Orrice is reckon’d the beft, but the Roots of both are ufed. That brought from Florence is plump, round, and of a delicate fragrant Smell, like Rafpberries. It is pectoral, and very good againft Stoppages in the Breaft and Lungs, Book II. Of R O Lungs, prevails againft Coughs, Afthma’s, Ob- ftru#ions of the Terms, Gripings of the Belly, Pain in the Stomach, Wind, flunking Breath. It is ufed outwardly in fvveet Powder for the Hair, and in Damafk Powder and Cyprefs Powder. It may be given in Powder, Tincture, Extra#, Spe- cies, or" the like Form, from a Dram to two Drams. [This is the Root of the Iris Flore Alio. I. B. II. 719. Iris Alba Florentina . Ger. 47. It is a good Medicine to attenuate the Lympha which fluffs up the Bronchia and Glands of the Intef- tines : It is often join’d with Hvdragogues in be- ginning Dropfies, to fcower the Glands of the Mefentery ; it is alfo good in Afthmas, and is an Ingredient in many of our Compofitions.J 11. Of Great Galingal. T H E great or large Galingal , which fome call amifs the Acorus verus , is the Root of a Plant or Reed, whole Leaves are like the Orrice, and which grows plen- tifully in the Ifle of Java and in China. Make choice of the largeft, heavieft Root, reddifh with- out and whitilh within, of a warm piquant Talle, and afterwards a little bitter, but throw away that which is almoft infipid, which it never is ’till very old. This Root is of no other Ufe, that I know of, but for the Vinegar-makers, who ufe it in- Head of the lefs Sort for the making of Vinegar. Of the Small Galingal. The fmall Galingal is a reddifh Root within and without, of a piquant Tafte, and very aroma- tick, which comes to us cut in Pieces from the Indies and China. This Root bears its Branches almoft like a Shrub, and the Leaves much re- femble thofe of Myrtle. Chufe fuch Roots as are beft fed, of the higheft Colour, and when chew’d of a bitter aromatick Tafte ; and take care there be no Pieces of the great Galingal mix’d, which is cafdy known, becaufe the fmall Galingal is no thicker than a Man’s Little Finger, of a more lively Colour and hotter Tafte than the larger Ga- lingal. The fmaller Sort is much more ufed in Phyfick than the greater, becaufe it abounds with more Virtue. There are two Sorts of Galingal , Lemery. brought to us from the Indies ; the firft is call’d the Great, and is a folid, heavy Root, cover’d with a reddifh Bark, white within, of an acrid, and fomething bitter Tafte. ’Tis a Sort of Species of the Reed, the Leaves like Orrice, the Flower white, without Smell, the Seed fma'l, and the Whole of little or no Ufe in Phyfick, o t s. 37 The fecond Sort is the Little Galingal , whofe Root is about the Thicknefs of a Finger, cut in Pieces on purpofe to dry, that it may be fitted for Sale. It is hard, reddifh without and white within, and of a Tafte and Smell much ftronger and more aromatick than the Large Galingal. It is cephalick, ftomachick, neurotick, hyfterick, and antifpafmatick, fharp tailed, attenuating, opening, difcuffive and prevalent againft moft Difeafes of the Head, Brain, Nerves, Womb, Stomach and Bowels. It is good againft Megrim, Head-ach, Palfy, Cramps, Convulfions, Ob- ftru#ions, Cholick, Indigeftions, Want of Ape- tite. Cachexia, Scurvy, (Ac. You may ufe it in Powder, Tincture, Extra#, or candied like Ginger. [Thefe Roots are the Galanga Major and Minor of all Authors. The Greater grows natu- rally in Malabar , the Smaller in China ; the Larger is the Root of the Banchale Indorum of Hennan ; the Smaller, of the Lagondi Indorum of the fame Author. The Smaller, which is moft in Ufe, is an admirable Ingredient in Bitters, and in all Compofitions that anfwer the Intentions of a Cordial or Cephalick.] 1 2. Of Turmerick. Urmerick , which fome call Curcuma, and others Saffron , or Cyprefs of In- Pomet , dia, Malabar , or Babylon , is a Root which is yellow quite through, and produces very large green Leaves ; the faid Root fends forth Flowers, which grow like Ears of Corn, as may be feen. by the Figure, which I have caus’d to be engrav’d from that in Herman. This little Root is al- moft like Ginger : It is brought to us from fe- veral Parts of India , bv the Company of Merchants trading thither, and likewife great Quantities of it come from the Ifle of St. Lawrence. Chufe your Turmerick large, frefh, refinous, hard to break, and the Jieavieft and leaft worm- eaten or dufty, or inclinable to be rotten, that you can get. There are a great many Perfons about Paris who afk for the Red Turmerick , as believing there are two Sorts, when in reality it is nothing but the Age of it that turns it brown ; when it is powder’d it fhews more or lefs red, according as it is older or newer. This Root is chiefly ufed by the Dyers, Glovers, and Per- fumers : The Founders employ it to tinge their Metals, and the Eutton-makers to rub their Wood with, when they would make an Imitation of Gold. The Indians ufe it to tinge and give a yellow Colour to their Bread, cr other Things, as we do Saffron. 38 General Hijtory [It is the Root of the Catinacorus Radice Cro- cea , five Curcuma Ojfcinarum. Tourn. Inft. 367. Curcuma radice longa. Herm. Cat. 208. The Leaves of this Plant are like thofe of the Cannacorus , but the Flowers on a feparate Stalk, four Leav’d; the Seed-Veflels finall, membra- naceous, and trieapfular, the Seeds round and of a dufky Brown. There are two Kinds of this Root, as of Z V ■ ' , ' " " ‘ . i\. *. " - I * Plate Tit/ivma/. l^cnr/i d'f (rj~ RjO~fftf . Pwiau^ot^. A 7'ai’ev _f 5 rfVY ■ , :• '{«r ; : :■ * . ■ , . ... - ••• MjVv • t ' . ' ' :L v / \ ■ - ■ ■ . • • : *> . / ;: 'V. ■ ’ . •• ■ . - ... •- ■ • *> -- - Book II. Of R O O T S. 39. The Manner in which Sugar is drawn from the Canes. T HE Americans having cut their Canes above the firft Joint, and freed them from their Leaves, make them into Bundles, and carry them to the Mill, which is compos’d of three Rollers of an equal Size, and equally arm’d with Plates of Iron, where the Canes are to pafs. The Roller in the Middle is rais’d much higher than the reft, to the End that the two Poles, which are affix’d crofs-ways at the Top, and to which the Beafts are yoak’d, may turn about freely, without being hinder’d by the Machine. The great Roller in the Middle is furrounded with a Cog, full of Teeth, which bite upon the Sides of the two other Rollers adjoining to it, which makes them turnabout, grind and bruife the Canes, which pafs quite round the great Roller, and come out dry, and fqueez’d from all their Juice. If by Accident the Indian , or whoever feeds the Mill with Canes, fhould happen to have his Fingers catch’d in the Mill, they mull immediately cut off his Arm, left the whole Body fhould be drawn in and ground to Pieces : Therefore as foon as they fee any one have his Finger or Hand catch’d, the Perfon {land- ing by cuts off his Arm with a Hanger, and he is afterwards cur’d, and kept for other Service. The Juice falling into a Veffel which is below the Mill, and being; drawn off, runs by a little Channel into the firft Boiler, which holds about two Hog- ih.eads, where it is heated by a fmall Fire, and fet a boiling, in order to make a very thick Scum arife : The IVeJl- Indians keep this Scum to feed their Cattle with. This Liquor being well feum’d is put into a fecond Bdler, where they make it boil again, throwing in, from Time to Time, warm Water, in which they have beat up fome Eggs: Having been thus purified, they pafs it through Strainers ; and, after it has has done run- ning, put it into a third Boiler, which is of Brafs or Copper, and then again, upon another refining, into a fourth Boiler ; and when it begins to cool, and they find it rifes to a Grain, they pafs a Scimmcr, or wooden Spathula underneath it, from the Right to the Left, to fee what Quality the Graining is of : The Sugar being thus ready, while it remains hot, is call into Moulds, or Earthen Pots, with Holes in their Bottoms, yet fhut : At the End of twenty-four Hours, which is the ordinary 'Lime the Sugar takes to incorporate, the Negroes car- ry the Pots into their Warehoufes ; and after they have open’d the Holes, and pierced the Sugar, they fet the Moulds upon little Pots or Jars, in order to receive the Syrup, or Molofies, which 57 runs from it. When the Syrup is run from the Sugar, they take it out of the Moulds, and cut k afterwards with a Knife ; and this Sugar cut in this Manner, is call’d the grey Mufcavado Sugar ; which, to be in its Perfection, ought to be of a whitifh Grey, dry, the leaft Fat, or fmelling of the Fire that may be. This Alufcavado is the Bafts and Foundation of all the other Sugars fold among us. It is but little in Ufe, though very proper to to make Syrups and colour’d ConfeCts. Of Caflonade, or Powder Sugar. The Caffbnade is made from the grey Mufcavado run again ; and, after it has been clarify’d, ftrain’d and boil’d, and caft into the Moulds, and fo prepared as we have been fpeaking before. After the Syrup is drain’d out, they lay upon the Su- gar about an Inch Thicknefs of Clay, wetted with common Water, that the Moifture which is in the Clay may get through the Sugar, and take away with it whatever fat or bad Matter might re- main in it : When it will run no longer, and the Clay at the Top is dry, they take the Sugar out of the Moulds, and cut the Cakes into three Pieces, the Top, the Middle, and the Bottom, which they dry feparately, according to their Finenefs. The fineft Powder Sugar is that of Brafil ; which is extremely white, dry, and well grain’d, of a Violet Tafte and Flavour. The Cajfonade , or Powder Sugar, is much in Ufe among the Confectioners ; above all, that of Bra- fil , by reafon that it is lefs fubjeCi to candy ; up- on which Account the Confectioners value it the more. The Sugar, which we improperly call Sugar of feven Pounds Weight, becaufe it as often weighs ten or twelve, is made of the grey Mufcavado y form’d into Loaves, as we have deferib’d before. The Sugar of feven Pounds is diftinguifti’d into three Sorts ; to wit, the white, the fecond, and the laft, which is of a browner Colour ; the whiter the Sugar is, the better ftov’d, grain’d, and dry’d, the more it is efteem’d. The lefs the Moulds are, that is, the lefs the Loaf is made, and the whiter it is, fo much the dearer it is. The Ufe of this is to make choice Syrups, white Confecls, and to preferve Apricots , and the like. Of Sugar-Royal, and Demy-Royal. The Sugar call’d Royal , from its extraordinary Whitenefs, is made from the fmall white Sugar, or Powder-Sugar, of Brafil , melted and caft into a Loaf as the former. 'Phis Sugar-Royal ought to be extremely white throughout the Whole ; that 5° General Hijlory of D R U G S. is to fav, as fine at the Top as the Bottom, of a clear, compact, fhining Grain, notwithftanding cafy to break ; which is the general Obferva- tion of Sugars, that are well bak’d, and of a kindly Sort. We fell befides, another Sort we call D any -Royal ; which is a finall Sugar-Loaf, very white, and wrapp’d in a blue Paper, which comes from Holland. The Dutch formerly brought us Sugars of eigh- teen and twenty Pounds, wrapp’d in Palm-Leaves inftead of Paper ; for which Reafon it was call’d Palm-Sugar, which was a white fat Sugar of a good Sort, and a Violet Tafte. We ufed to have befides another Sugar from the Madeiras , but we have no more of it now, becaufe we have it from feveral other Iflands much better. Of Brown Sugar. This Brown Sugar is one Sort of the Mufca- vado, which they turn to Powder Sugar, and is made of the Syrup of the Seven-Pound Sugar, after the fame Manner as the others are made. It ought to be of a grevifh red Colour, dry, and not fmelling of burning ; for there is fome to be met with fo moift, and with fo much of the burnt Smell, that it is almoft impoffible to ufe it. The Ufe of the Brown Sugar was formerly very con- fiderable, in that it ferv’d to put in Clyfters • At prefent feveral Apothecaries, very improperly, imploy it to make many of their Syrups with, which muft be very difguftful, by reafon of its naufeous Tafte, and its near Alliance to the Mo- lafies themfelves, which fome call the Syrup of Sugar, and which never ought to be ufed in Phy- ftek ; great Quantities of it are ufed in Holland to temper Snuff with, and to fell to poor People inftead of Sugar : I have been aftiired, however, that Molaftes are better for diftilling Rum than the Mufcavado Sugar. Of White and Red Sugar- Candy. The White Sugar-Candy is made of the white Li/bon Sugar, melted and boiled to a Candy thus : Difiolve your Sugar in pure Water, then boil it to the Confiftency of a Syrup, which pour into Pots or Veflels, wherein little Sticks have been laid, in order that the Sugar may ftick to them during the fifteen Days that it is in the Stove ; but the great Care muft be to keep the Stove Fire equal during thefe fifteen Days that it remains there ; they afterwards take it out of the Stove to drain and dry it, and then put it up in Boxes for Ufe.. Chufe this Sugar-Candy white, dry, clear and tranfparcnt. The very fineft Candy we have comes from Holland , and it is fold for Four-pence or Five-pence a Pound dearer than that of Tours , Orleans , Paris , and other Places. This Sugar- Candy is efteem’d good to moiften the Breaft and cure Rheums. The Red Sugar-Candy is made the fame Way with the White, except that this is made with brown Mufcavado. Both Sorts are better for Rheums, Coughs, Colds, Catarrhs, Afthmas r Wheezings, Uc. than common Sugar ; becaufe being harder, they take longer Time to melt in the Mouth ; and withal keep the Throat and Sto- mach moifter than Sugar does. Put into the Eyes in fine Powder, they take away their Dim- nefs, and heal them being Blood-fhot ; alfo they cleanfe old Sores, being ftrew’d gently upon them. That Red Sugar-Candy is beft which is made in Holland , and is the drieft and reddeft. Of Barley-Sugar, White and Amber-colour’ d y Sugar of Rofes, Paftiies of Portugal, £sV. Barley-Sugar is made either of white Sugar or brown ; the firft: Sort is boil’d ’till the Sugar be- comes brittle, and will eafily break after it he cold. When it is boil’d to a Height, cafl.it up- on a Marble, that is firft lubricated- with Oil of Sweet Almonds ; and afterwards work it to a Pafte, in any Figure you fancy. The other Sort, improperly call’d Barley-Sugar, is made of Cafi- fonade, or coarfe Powder Sugar, clarified and boil’d to a Toughnefs that will work with your Hands to any Shape, and is commonly made up in little twifted Sticks. This Kind of Sugar is more difficult to make than the other, becaufe of hitting the exaCt Proportion of boiling it to fuch a Pleight that they may work it as they pleafe : This ought to be of a fine Amber-Colour, dry, new made, and fuch as does not ftick to the Teeth : Some Confectioners, to make it of a fine Colour, ftain it with Saffron. Sugar of Rofes is made of white Sugar clari- fied, and boil’d to a Confiftence of Tablets, or little Cakes, in Rofe-water, and focaft into what Form you like beft. The Pajlilcs, or Portugal Lozenges, are made the fame Way, of the fineft Sugar that can he had, made into a Pafte with Gum Tragacantb, to which is added fome Ambergrefe, or any other Perfume, moft grateful to the Maker’s Fancy. Of SugarTlums. There are infinite Variety of Flowers, Seeds, Berries, Kernels, Plums, and the like, which are, by the Confectioners, cover’d with Sugar, and bear the Name of Sugar-Plums , which WO Hid Book II. C/R( would beendlefs to fet down, and are too frivo-- lous for a Work of this Nature The moft com- mon of the Shops are Can‘away-Confe£h, Cori- ander, and Nonpareiile, which is nothing but Orrice-Powder, cover’d with Sugar ; and what is much in Vogue at Paris is green Anife : Befides thefe, we have Almond-Confe&s, _ Chocolate, Coffee, Barberries, Piftachia Nuts. 13 c. Orange Chips and Flowers, Lemon-Peel, Cinnamon, Cloves, and many other Roots, Barks, Fruits, Flowers, 13 c. too numerous to fpeak of, toge- ther with Paffes, liquid Confe&ions, and the like ; many of which are ufeful in the Apotheca- ries Shops, as green Ginger, Oranges, Jelly of Barberries, fj 1c. Of Spirit and Oil of Sugar. Befide all the other Ufes that we make of Sugar, there is an acid Spirit drawn from it, by Chy- miftry, with the Help of Sal Ar-r.xoniack-, which, after Rectification, is a powerful Aperitive, and proper for many Difcafes, as the Gravel, Dropfy and Dyfentery. The Dofe is as much as is fuf- ficient to make an agreeable Acidity in any con- venient Liquor proper to the Diftemper. As the Oil of Sugar, even after Rectification, is a black linking Oil, I fhall direCt you to another Sort, which, llriftly fpeaking, is not an Oil, but rather a Liquor of Sugar , per Deliquium. This is made by putting Sugar into a hard Egg, and fet- ting it in a cold Place, to run into a Liquor, the fame Way that Oil of Myrrh is made; and is ufed to beautify the Face, cr inwardly to remove Pains in the Stomach. Sugar, in Latin Saccharum , or Suc- L emery, charttm , Zaccarum , or Z uctharum, is an effential Salt, of a Kind of Reed, call’d Arundo Saccharlfera, or the Sugar-Cane , which grows plentifully in many Parts of the Indies , as in Brazil, and many other Places. This Plant bears on each Joint a Cane of five or fix Feet high, adorn’d with long, ftraight, green Leaves, and carries on its Top a Silver-colour’d Flower, like a Plume of Feathers. The Juice of the Canes is made by prefling them through the Rowlers of a Mill, from whence there runs a great Quantity of fweet pleafant Juice, which being put into Boilers, the watry Part is, by the Force of the Fire, evapo- rated, ’till it comes to a Confiftency ; after which they caff it into a Mixture made of certain Ingre- dients, fit to cleanfe and prepare it for graining. All the Time it is boiling, with large Copper Scummers . jhey take oft' the Scum, which con- ftantfy rifes in great Quantities, until it be fit to empty into Coolers, viz. ’till it arrives to its juft Body : From the Coolers, it is again fhifted into o t s. 5? Earthen Pots, with Holes hr their Bottoms, and other Pots they call Drips, under them, for re- ceiving the Moloffes ; which, in about a Month’s Time, will be feparated from that which after- wards is call’d Mufcavado Sugar, being of a pale yeilowifh Colour ; this is then knock’d out of the Pots, and put into Calks, or Hogfheads, for Tranfportation. The firft Kind of Moloffes is either boil’d up again to draw from it a Kind of dufkifh, pale- grey Sugar, call’d Panecls , or fent in Calks for England,. From this Sugar there drips a fecond Sort of Moloffes , which, with the Scum that arifes in all the Boilings, together with the Wafhings of the Boilers, Coolers, Pots and other Inftru- ments, is preferv’d in great Cifterns, where it ferments, from which they diftil that famous Spirit call’d Rum , a noble Liquor, not at all inferior in Strength to French Brandy , nor yet in Goodnefs or medical Virtues, the Flavour or Palatablenefs being fet afide, having an Empyreuma, from a foetid Oil it acquires in the Diftillation. The next Thing to be confider’d is, the Re- fining of Sugar, to wit, the Mufcavado Sugar - which is thus : They put it into refining Coppers, mix’d with Lime-Water, where, as it boils over a gentle Fire, much Scum will arife, which is taken off conftantly ’till it comes to a fufficient Confiftency for mixing it with the Whites of Eggs, well beaten up, in order to clarify it; this being done, it is boil’d up to a proper Height for refin’d Sugar, and fo turn’d off into Coolers, from whence it is put into fuch Draining-pots as aforemention’d, with their Drips : When thofe Pots have flood draining or dripping eight or ten Days, then Clay, properly temper’d, is put upon the Pots, which is renew’d as often as Occafion requires : This forces down all the Moloffes ; fo that in feven or eight Weeks Time thefe Sugars will be fit for Calking. Thefe Moloffes , thus proceeding from refin’d Sugar, are boil’d up again, and all the former Work repeated; from -whence comes another Sort of white Sugar, call’d Bafard White ; From this Sugar there drips a fecond Sort of Moloffes , fit for nothing but the Still to make Rum of ; it is alfo to be obferv’d, that little or nothing is wafted in the Refining, but you have it fome Way or another ; for as much as the fine Sugar wants of its firft W eight, you have it in the Scum and the Moloffes, or Recrement running from it. After this Elaboration of Sugar for refining it is over, they put up in Cafks or Hogfheads that which is call’d Powder-Sugar, or make into Loaves what they call Loaf-Sugar ; both of which are efteem’d in Goodnefs according to the Num- ber of Times they have been refin’d. When 60 General Uijlory of DRUGS. When Sugar has been but once refin’d, it is a little fat or oily : Now to refine it farther, it is diffolv’d again in Lime-W ater, and boil’d as be- fore dire&ed, taking off the Scum all the while, &c. The Sweetnefs Sugar has, is thought to proceed from an effential, acid Salt, mix’d with fbme oily Particles, of which itconfifts ; for if by Diftillation we feparate the oily Parts from the fa- line, neither of them will be fweet, but the fa- line will be acid, and the Oil infipid upon the Tongue, becaufe it makes little or no Impreffion upon the Nerve of Tailing ; but when the Acid is entirely mix’d with it, the Edges or Points of the Acid penetrate the Pores of the guftatory Nerve, and, by opening them, carry in the oily Particles, and make them alfo penetrate and irri- tate the Nerve, whereby the Sweetnefs of the Tafte is produced. The Powder-Sugar, or that which is lefs refin’d, makes a fweeter Impreffion upon the Tongue than the Loaf-Sugar, or that which is more re- fin’d ; becaufe it contains more oily or fat Par- ticles, whereby it remains the longer upon the Tafte : This makes fome prefer the coarfer before the finer, forUfe and Sweetening. Sugar was firft known or produced in the Eajl-htdits , after- wards in Barbary and the African Iflands, as the Madeiras , Canaries , &c. then in the IVef -Indies , as Jamaica , Barb a does, Nevis , Antigua, Mont- Jerrat , as alfo in the Spanijh Indies ; laftly in Europe, as Spain and Portugal, but not in that Plenty as it is produced in the Wef -Indies. If you make choice of it from the Place, that from the Madeiras was formerly accounted the heft ; that from the Canaries next, and that from St. ‘Thomas’s laft ; but now our fine Jamaica and Barbadoes Sugar is inferior to none ; and next to them is reckon’d the Lijbon Sugar, which is the fatter, and not fo white. If you chufe it for Co- lour, the whiteft is the beft ; then the next to White is that of the Cream Colour, or pale Yel- low ; and laftly, the Red. If 'you chufe it from the Making, the treble refin’d is the beft, and that which is form’d into the Loaf, the whiteft of which will look like the driven Snow. It is good for the Breaft and Lungs, to fmooth their Rouglmefs, take away Afthma’s, Hoarfenefs, eafe Coughing, and to attenuate and cut tough Flegm, affi idling the Fibres of thole Parts. It is very profitable for the Kidnies and Bladder, and in all the Cafes aforementioned ; but it is reputed bad for fuch as are troubled with Vapours and Hyfte- rick Fits, and therefore fuch Perfons ought to avoid the Ufe of it. Refin’d Sugar is the fharper, and better to attenuate, cut and cleanfe ; but the unrefin’d to levigate and lenify, and fo the better for the Lungs ; but being conftantly ufed, rots and decays the Teeth, and makes the Gums fcorbu- butick. There are many Preparations, befides Confedls and Sweet-Meats, made of Sugar ; the chief of which are, firft. Sugar of Rofes ; 2dly, Sugar of Violets ; 3rus-Wood. It is very certain that there are two Sorts of Rofe-Wood which we confound together by that Name, without making ufe of that cf Cyprus. The two Trees fo exactly refemb’e one another, in Height, Size, Bark y Leaves, Flowers and Smell, that moft Part of trie Inhabitants miftake one for the other : I have, n rtwithftanding , feen fome curious People of Guadaioupa , who ha\e call’d this Wood, which the Inhabitants 6f Martinico Call Rofe-Wood v Marble-Wood ; becaufe the Heart of the Wood is ftain’d like Marble, with White, Black and Yel- low, which is the only Diftindtion I could ob- ferve. This Tree grows very high and ftraight, with long Leaves like the Chefhut, but more pliant hairy and whiter ; it bears large Clufters of fmall white Flowers, and after them little fmooth black Seeds ; the Bark of the Wood is whitifh, and almoft like the young Oak ; in working on if, it fends forth a Smell fo fweet that the Rofe can- not compare with it. This Wood lofes its Smell in time, but it recovers it again upon beingfrefh cut, or ftrongly rubb’d one Piece againft another. It is very good to build withal. It ought to chofen new, dry, of a yellowifli brawn Colour and a Rofe- like Smell, and in the largeft and eveneft Pieces that may be. This Wood is ufed to make Beads of, and is of fome Ufe in Phyfick, by reafon of its fine Smell ; it is ferviceable to the Diftillers to make Rofe- Water ,or at leaft to give their Rofe-Water a good Scent. The Surgeons and Barbers ufe it in Decodlions and Tin&ures for their feveral Purpofes. Some People employ this like Yellow Sanders , and after it is reduced to Powder mix -it up in Paftiies for burning. The Dutch draw a white Oil from it very odoriferous, which they tranfport abroad under the Name of Oil of Rbo- diu?n , and which we fell upon feveral Occafions, as to the Perfumers and others. ’Tis obfervable that this Oil, when new, is like Oil of Olive ; but after fome Time it becomes of a dark Red. The Wood, by Diftillation, yields a red Spirit,, and a black foetid Oil, which is proper for curing of Scabs and Tetters. There are feveral Sort3 of the Afpa- iathum that are not diftinguifhable but Lcmery. by the Curious, as the Alocs-Wood , that is call’d the Eagle ; and the Lignum Rhodium^ which is fo call’d, not that it bears Rofes, or is a Rofe-Tree, but from the Flavour and Fragrancy of the Wood, and the odoriferous Oil it yields. This is brought from the Levant , and fome from the Canaries ; the fceft is the fatteft, or moft oily, of a deep yellow Colour, inclining to Red, ftrong Rented if broken, and of a compact heavy Sub- ftance. This Wood contains two profitable Bo- dies, the one fpiritous and watry, and the other oily and fulphureous ; both which are very fubtile and volatile,. To make the Oil, chufe the weightieft and beft Rented Wood, rafp’d finely, of which take four Pounds ; Saltpeter one Pound $ infufe them in Rain-Water eight or ten Days, and draw off the Oil in proper. Veftels. There is at the fame Time a Water drawn from thence, which may be ufed as Rofe-Water for Perfumers,, mdi 64 General Hijlory of D R U G S. for a Vehicle where proper. The Oil, which is clear, fair, yellowifh, and of a fragrant Smell, is ufed inwardly againft Obftrudtions in the Kidneys or Bladder, freeing them from Sand, Gravel find flimy Matter, that load and ftop up the Paf- fages. You may make it into an Eleofaccharum with refined Sugar, and then diflolve it in its own Water, or any proper Diuretick. It is ufed with f ood Succefs in Gargles, and to cleanfe and cure JJcers in the Mouth, or other Parts of the Body. It is cephalick, neurotick, cardiack, antifpaf- fnodick, and arthritick, and may be given from three Drops to ten or twelve. This Oil, befidcs all its internal Ufes, is accounted one of the ftrongeft vegetable Perfumes, and holds its Odour the longeft. [Th is, and not the Lignum Aloes, is the true Calambac-Wood ; it is the Afpalatbum, Mon. Exot. 7. Agallocbum Prerjlantiffur.um. Jons. Dendro. 460. It is brought to us from the EaJ ?■* Indies and the Canaries. The Antients varied fo much from oile another in their Accounts of this Wood, that it is probable they have defcribed different Woods under this Name. It has been much in Efteem, but is now never ufed unlefs in the Oil to fcent Pomatums, &c.] 3. Of Sanders. T H E Sanders are three Sorts of Woods of different Colours, Smell and Figure ; all three, as I have been affured coming from the fame Tree, and having no other Difference than from the different Coun- tries where they grow. This Tree grows about the Height of our Wallnut-Tree, having Leaves like the Maftich ; it bears a fmall Fruit, of the Size of a Cherry, green at firft, and black when ripe, after which it eafily falls off the Tree, is of an infipid Tafte and no Value. The yellow Sanders is brought to us from China and Siam in Billets, freed from the Bark ; the French , when they return’d from Siam in 1686, brought with them a good Quantity. Chufe the heavieft Wood, of a good Scent and yellow, from whence it is call’d Citrine Sanders , which dignifies yellow ; but take Care, at the fame Time, you be not impos’d on with the Citron Wood, which is often fold in its Stead. The yellow Sanders is molt ufed in Phyfick, and by the Perfumers. The white Sanders is fomething like the yellow, but not having the Colour or the Smell, it makes a vaft Difference. This Wood is brought in Billets, diverted of its Bark, from the Ifle of Timor. Chufe fuch as is heavieft, white, and of the beft Smell you can get, It is ufed in Phyfick as the yellow, The red Sanders is brought to us in thick long Billets, from the Maritime Places on the Coaft of of Cormandel. Chufe that which is blackifh with- out, of a deep red within, hard to cleave, of an infipid Tafte, and almoft no Smell ; and take care you do not get Coral- Wood, which is often fold in its place, which I fhall mention by and bv. The Sanders are fomething aftringent. efpecially the red ; they fortify the Heart and Stomach, and purify the Blood, they are given inwardly in Ptyfans, or in Powder from half a Dram to a Dram, and are Ingredients in many Compofi- tions. There is befide thefe a fourth Sort of Sanders , call’d Taffety- Sanders, or Sanders of Conji anti- no pie, which ferves to give a red Stain, boil’d in Water with any Acids, like the red. Of the Citron-Wood. The Citron-Wood, which the Americans call Candle-Wood , becaufe being cut into Splinters it gives a Light, which they ufe to light themfelvcs by, is the Trunk of a large thick Tree, that grows very common in the Leeward-Iflands. This Tree is very beautiful to the Eye, having many large and long Branches, full of Leaves, like thofe of the Bay-Tree, but bigger, and of a more fhining green ; and Flowers like the Orange, of a Jeftamine Smell, after which grow little black Fruit, of the Size of Pepper. It is the Trunk of this Tree, that the Reverend Father Du Ter- tre falfly imagin’d to be the yellow Sanders, and which afterwards gave Occafion to certain Drug- gifts at Rouen to buy of the Company, and fell it boldly again for the true yellow Sanders, to thofe who underftood it not, or would buy with- out feeing it, or upon their Words, for the true Wood ; or they would fometimes {hew a Sample of the true yellow Sanders of the Indies, and after- wards fell this Citron , or falfe Sanders. The Cheat of this is eafy to difeover, in that the true Sanders taftes and fmells fweet and agreeable, and is but moderately heavy and refinous ; but, on the contrary, the Citron-Wood , which is heavy and oily, has a ftrong Smell, like the Citron, from whence it derives its Name ; and further, the Billets of the true Sanders weigh not above a hundred Pounds, and thofe of the Citron near a thoufand. This Wood is of no Ufe in Phyfick, but is very ufeful to work into proper Utenfils ; for after it has been expofed fomc Time in the Air, it' will look like polifti’d Cocoa. The Gum of the Citron-Wood is very fragrant ; and what is moft remarkable, is, that the older the Trees, the Tweeter is the Gum. This Book III. - - 0 / WOODS. 65 This Wood likewife bears the Name of Jeffamine-Wood, There grows, befides, in thefe files, another Candle-Wood, which has fuch Leaves, Flowers and Fruit as the Citron - Woody except that the Flowers are more fat, much thicker and rounder ; but as this Wood comes not to us, I fliall fay nothing further, but that Father Du Fertre fays, that this Tree is fcarce, and grows no where but on the Sea-Side, and believes it to be a Kind of Aloes-Wood. He obferves likewife, that this Tree yields a very odoriferous Gum, and that the older the Tree is, the better it fmells ; and that the Savages make no other Ufe of it but for Lights; except that they ufe the inner Rind of the Bark, from whence they prefs a Juice, valued bv them as a fovereign Remedy for Inflammations of the Eyes. Of Coral- Wood. Befides the Candle-Woody we have brought to us, from the L eeward- Ijlands , a certain red Wood, which they call Coral-Wood : It is with this Wood they counterfeit the true red Sanders ; but that which makes it not difficult to difcover the Difference is, that the Coral-Wood is of a fhining Red, light and ftringy ; but the true San- ders is of a deep Red, without Threads, and very heavy. The Americans ufe the Coral-Wood for feveral Sorts of Work. Befides this, in thefe Ifles there grow two other Kinds of Trees, which bear the Name of Coraly becaule their Fruit are red, "like Coraly except that on the Right Side of the Bud they have a little black Spot. This Fruit is what we call and fell by the Name of the red American Peafey which are extremely bitter, and fome pre- tend that thefe Fruits, moiften’d with the Juice of Citrons, have the Quality of foldering Gold and Silver, like Borax. Father Du Tertre fays, that there are fo many red Woods in thefe Ifles, that in every ten Leagues they are found of different Colours, fome deeper, fome paler, and that they are all very full, heavy, folid, and excellent for making the beft Joyners Work ; the Wood being, for the mod Part, not fubjecl to decay. Santalum Citrinum, Album vel Ru- Lemery. brum, the "yellow, white, or red San- ders, are exotick Woods, brought from both the Indies, of a very fragrant and fweet Smell. Th c yellow is to be chofe before the reft, and that which is of the moft agreeable Odour, heavy and knotty. Both this and the white are ufed in Faintings, Swoonings, Palpitation of the Heart, Obftrudtions of the Liver and Spleen. They arc good againft vomiting, and dry up Catarrhs ; outwardly the Fume prevails againft the Head- ach, flops Fluxes and Rheums of the Head, with other preternatural Deflu£tions. The red Sanders is alfo brought from the Indies , being a red heavy Wood, and commonly fold in the Apothecaries Shops in Powder : It is cooling and more aftringent than any of the reft ; is ufed in Catarrhs, to flay thin Rheums falling down upon the Lungs, and to abate the Heat of Fevers, to flop Fluxes, and the Profuvium fe- rn inis, with the Gonorrhoea in either Sex : But the chief Ufe of it, this Day, among us, is to colour Medicines with, as Lucatellus Balfam, and other Balfams, Tindlures, and the like. [It is generally fuppofed that the white and yellow Sanders are the Wood of the fame Tree, the inner Part or Heart being the Yellow , and the Outer the White , though there are fome who fay they are the Wood of different Trees. They are the Santalum Album and Citrinum of Authors. The Tree which is believ’d to produce them both, has Leaves like the Tamarind Tree, compofed of a Multitude of fmall Leaves, fet on both Sides of one Middle Rib ; the Flowers are of a bluifh Black, and the Fruit of the Bignefs of a Cherry. They are both brought to us from the Eajl - Indies. The Red is a Species of the Brazil Wood, it is brought to us from the Eafl-Indies \ the Tree which bears it grows beyond the Ganges. Its Leaves are like thofe of the Afh, and its Fruit contain’d in Pods, thick, bivalve, broad at the End, and the Seed itfelf oblong. The Labourers who cut this Wood are often feiz’d with malignant Fevers and Deliria of a very fingular Kind, the affe£led Perfon generally imitating the Adlions of his Trade: And they have alfo a Fames Canina , of a very terrible Kind.] 4. Of Nephritick Wood. H E Nephritick Wood is brought to us from New-Spain, chiefly from Pomet. the Kingdom of Mexico , where it is call’d Coult and Tlapalcypatly , and by us Nephri- tick, by reafon it is a fovereign Remedy in Stone, Gravel, and Difficulty of Urine. It is a Tree like our Pear-Tree, having Leaves like Chich- Peafe, but much lefs. Chufe the Wood well freed from the thick Bark, which is of a bitterifh Tafte, and yellowifh red, and being put into a little cold Water, ftrikes a fine Sky-colour’d blue, which is a certain Sign of its being true. They fell in the room of this a red Ebony, or Granadilla, which is rea- dily diftinguifti’d from the other, in that it is of a K deeper 66 General Hijlory deeper red, and by Infufing it in Water, it gives a yellow Colour, like another Wood we have brought alfo to us from the Indies and Brazil, the Name of which we have not yet learn’d ; however, you ought to reject all Sorts of Woods that are fold for the true Nephritick , if they will not yield a blue Tin&ure. This Wood, infufed in Water, is frequently ufed by Perfons afflicted with the Stone or Gravel for their Drink, and to mix in their Wine. Thofe who would add to the Virtue of the Wood, put radifh-Water there- to, with a little Salt of Wormwood, that is to fay, about half a Dram to a Glafs. ft is alfo good for Obdruffions of the Liver and Spleen, infufed in Wine or given in Ptifans, or in Powder, in any proper Liquor ; the Dofe is from half a Dram to a Dram in Powder, and from two Drams to half an Ounce, or more, in Infufion. The Nephritick Wood is thick, with- Lcmery . out Knots, white without, and blueifh within, which, by Infufion, makes a Iky-colour’d Liquor; therefore, to avoid being deceiv’d when you buy it, fcrape fome of the inner Parts of the Wood, put it into Water, and let it dand four or five Hours ; if it turns the Water into a blueifh Tin&ure, it is right and good ; but if not, and of a yellow Colour, it is felfe. It grows in America , and is brought from Mexico , and other Places of the Spanijh Wefl- Indies. It is call’d Nephriticum , becaufe it is a Specifick in Difeafes of the Reins and Bladder. Schroder fays, it grows like a Pear-Tree, and is a Kind of Afh. It is hot and dry, opens Obdruc- tions of the Liver, Spleen, Reins and Womb ; cures all Stoppages of Urine, whether in the Kidneys, Ureters, or Bladder, bringing away Sand, Gravel, Slime, or other tartarous Matter generated in thofe Parts. [This is the Wood of the Balanus myrepfica five glam Unguent aria. G. Em. 1433. Nux Ben five Gians Unguentaria. Park. 238. It grows in both the Indies ; the Leaves are like thofe of the Afh, but of a deeper green ; the Flower five leav’d; the Fruit is a Kind of trivalve Hufk, full of a white firm Subdance, enclofing triangular Seeds, The Wood is reddifh when frefh, but turns brown and lofes its Virtue in keeping. ■ The Infufion of it held in a Vial between the Eye and the Sun, is yellow, and held fo as to keep the Eye between the Sun and it, is of a beau- tiful blue ; the true Wood, therefore, may be rejedled for daining the Water yellow, only be- caufe it is view’d in a wrong Light. The Wood is now not much ufed in Medicine. The Oil, which we call Oil of Bm> which is brought to us c/DRUGS. from Italy, is made by Expreffion from the Fruit of this Tree, which is the Ben Nutt of the Shops.] 5. Of Lentifk, or Maftick-Wo©d. T H E Lenti/k is a Tree which has Leaves like Myrtle , among which it bears Flowers, which produce fmall Berries, in Clufters, green at firft, and blackifh afterwards, as they ripen, there likewife grows on the Leaves fometimes, a little Hufk or Bag, full of Liquor, from which little flying Infeeds are generated, as from the Scarlet-Grain, or Kermes-Berry. Thefe Trees are very common in Egypt and the Indies, and particularly the Ifle of Chio, where they are fo indudrioufly cultivated and watch’d, that a Man who cuts one of them down, whether defignedly or not, even tho’ he be the Owner, has his Hand cut off for the Offence, unlefs the Tree was old and pad Service. It is from this Tree that the Madich runs, which I fhall fpeak of prefently. They plant a great many of thefe Trees in Italy, and the Ita- lians make an Oil of the Berries, after the fame Manner as we do the Oil of Bay-berries. This is ufed to the fame Intentions as the Leaf and the Wood ; the lad of which they work into Tooth-pickers in Provence and Languedoc. Chufe your Lenti/k-Wood heavy, compact, and firm, that is, tough, or hard to break, grey without and white within, of an adringent Tade, and adorn’d with Leaves, if poffible. Of Madick in Pear. The Maffick in Tear, fo call’d to didinguifh it from that made of Refin, &c. is a refinous Gum, which drops during the great Heats, without Incifion, from the large Branches, and the Trunk of the Lentifk ; and fometimes like- wife, after having been cut, the Tears fall from the Tree into a Receiver fet for that Purpofe. Chufe fuch as is in the larged Tears, and which, being chew’d, becomes like white Wax. The bed is that of Chio , being larger and of a more balfamick Tade, than that which is brought to us from the Levant , by the Way of Marfeilles, which is almod the only Sort they have in France. Maflick is much ufed in Phyfick, and, among other Things to eafe the Tooth-ach, and is ufed to feveral other Purpofes, as the making of Var- nifh, fffr. The People of the Levant-Trade deal ill with us, particularly in mixing their Maflick fo as the word lies at the Bottom and the bed at the Top ; but they will not fell the one without the other, Lentifcus, Book III. Of WOODS. Linti feu i., the Lentifk , is a Tree full Lemery. of Branches, fometimes large and fometinris fmall, which are pliant, flexible, and cover’d with an Afh-colour’d Bark, The Leaves are like thofe of the Myrtle, ranged by Pairs on the Side, and at laft terminate with a lingle Leaf, always green, of a {Long Smell, but not at all difagreeable ; of a fmart, aftringent Tafte : There grow oftentimes upon the Leaves certain little Bags or Bladders, fill’d with a Liquor. The Flowers grow upon Stalks arifing from the Leaves like Grapes, reddifh in Colour, tending towards a Purple ; from whence arifes the Fruit, which are fmall round Berries, black when they are ripe, and of an acid Tafte, in each of which is contain’d a little longifh Ker- nel, hard and black, having a white or green Pith in it. The Wood is brought dry to us, and fhould be chofe frefli, difficult to break, heavy, and not fubjeCl to be carious or fpongy : It con- tains a great deal of Oil, Flegm, and likewife eflential and fix’d Salt ; is aftringent and cordial, refills Poifon, and is excellent to ftrengthen and preferve the Gums. The Refma Lentifci , or Majlick , is produced from this Tree, growing in Syria > See. and brought to us out of Turky , from Smyrna and Aleppo ; but the bell is from Chio , which is of a light Colour, or white yellow, clear, and almoft tranfparent, free from Drofs or Filth, in Grains, Tears, or Drops, and fweet-feented, bright, pure, and friable, being eafily reduced to Powder : It is a Gum-Rofin, faid, by feme, to come from the fame Tree with the Chio Turpentine. It is fometimes adulterated with Frankincenfe, and Rofin of the Pine-Tree ; but the Smell will eafily difeover the Cheat. The green-colour’d, blue, and impure, are not good ; and the black, like Bitumen, is nought. It is hot and dry, fubaf- ftringent, and {Lengthens the Stomach and Head, and is chiefly ufed againft Vomitings, Loathing, and Fluxes of the Bowels. It corredls lharp Purges, hinders Vapours arifing from the Sto- mach, |Which hurt the Head, {Lengthens the Nerves, cures fpitting of Blood, Coughs, Colds, Catarrhs, and a {linking Breath. By chewing, it draws away Flegm from the Brain, and is ufed in a Plaifter to the Temples for the Tooth- ach ; in a Cataplafm for the Stomach, and as a Denti- frice for the Teeth. Dofe, a Dram or two Drams in Powder, for the Fluor Albus, or Gonorrhoea. [The Tree is the Lentifcus ex Chio ex qua fiuit Majliche. Ind. Med. 73. Lentifcus vera ex Moula Chio cortice IA foliis fufeis. Cat. Hort. Ams. 192. It is common in the Ifland of Chios , it flowers in May and June j tire Leaves are pinnated like the 67 Alh, and ever green 5 the Flowers ftamineous, and growing at the Infertions of the Leaves. It is an Error to think this the fame with the com- mon Lentifk , or Majlick-Tree, as it is call’d. The Wood comes over in {lender knotty Pieces, but is feldom ufed now. The Refin or Maftich of the Shops is whitilh when new, and grows yellower by Age. It is fo much of the Turpentine Kind, as to deterge, and pafs by Urine, as appears manifeftly by its Scent. 6. Of Tamarifk. H E Tamarifk is a Tree of a mo- derate Size, which grows plenti- Pomet. fully in Languedoc , having very fmall Leaves, and the Fruit in Clufters, of a blackilh Colour, which the Dyers ufe inftead of Galls. Chufe the Tamarifk-Wood with the Bark, white without and within, of almoft an infipid Tafte, and without any Smell. They ufe it for Difeafes of the Spleen, and make little Cafks, Cups and Difhes of it, which are call’d Tamarifk Ware. Thofe who are troubled with the Spleen, ufed to fill thofe little Cafks with good Wine, and, after it has flood fome Time, drink it for their common Liquor ; and they ufe the Cups and Difhes for the fame Purpofe, to drink out of. From this Wood is made a white Cryftal Salt, call’d Tamarifk Salt, which is appropriated to the Cure of the Spleen, which, to be in its greateft Perfection, ought to be dry, in fmall Cryftals, and not in Powder, as it frequently is. Tamarifcust Tamarix major , five Arborea Narbonenfts , the greater Ta- Lemery. marifk , or Narbone-Shrub, is a Tree of a middle Size, whofe Bark is rough, grey with- out, and reddifh within : The Leaves are fmall, long, round, {lender, very like thofe of Cyprefs, of a pale green Colour ; the Flowers growing at the Top of the Branches, difpofed in Clufters, little, white, and purplilh, each one being com- pofed of five Leaves, which is fucceeded by a lanu- ginous Fruit, that contains blackifh Seed. The Root is thick, woody, and divided into feveral Branches. This Tree grows chiefly in the hot Countries, as Dauphiny and Languedoc , near Rivers and watry Places. It flowers three Times a Year, in Spring, Summer, and Autumn. AH' the Parts of the Tamarifk contain a great deal of Salt and Oil. The Bark, Root, Leaves, and Flowers are all ufed in Phyfick, to open Obftruc- tions of the Spleen and Mefentery, excite Wo- mens Courfes, and to attenuate the tartarous and melancholy Humours. [This is the Tamar i feus Narbo icrfis. Ger. Emal. 1378. Tamar if cus folio tenuiori. Park. K 2 1479 * 68 'General Hijlory 14.7c)- It is common in Gardens, and flowers in Afay and June ; the Leaves are like thofe of the Cyprefs, or Heath, the Flowers grow in Spikes, and the Seeds are wrapp’d in Down. It is re- commended for the Jaundice and Fluor Albus, and Etmuller equals it to the Saffafras ; but it is now very little ufed.J 7. Of Saflafras. T^HE Saffafras , or Cinnamon-Wood , Pomet. call’d Pavaume by the Indians , is a Tree very beautiful to the Eye, which grows plentifully along the Coafts of Flo- rida, where there are entire Forefts of it. This Tree has a very ftrait Trunk, on the Top of of which there are feveral Branches charg’d with green Leaves refembling thofe of the Fig, which the Inhabitants make ufe of bruis’d to cure Wounds withal. Chufe your Saffafras with the Bark reddifh, thick and rough, that being the beft Part of the Tree, as well for its acrid Tafte, as its ftrong aromatick Smell, which confiderably exceeds that of the Wood, efpecially when the Tree is Hand- ing. Upon this Account it was, that the firft Time the Spaniards landed in Florida , they thought they had been Cinnamon-Trees, becaule of their aromatick Smell, which they might fmell two Leagues Diftance ; they foon found their Error in that, but judging, however, that it was not without fome Virtue, they brought of it into Spain, and it foon got into Ufe. Several People prefer the Bark of this Teee to the Trunk and the large Branches, and that not unreafonablv, becaufe it is much more fragrant than the Wood ; it is commonly light, reddifh without and within, eafy to break, of a very ftrong aromatick Smell and Tafte ; the Bark is better than the Root, and the Root better than the Wood. When they cut or rafp this Wood for Ufe, the Smell is fo ftrong that it occafions the Head-ach in thofe that work upon it, as it Jikewife does in thofe that ufe it, which has much leffen’d its Credit. Saffafras is a yellow fragrant Wood, Lemery. of a Tafte fomething acrid and aroma- tick, almoft like that of Fennel. It is brought to us in large Pieces from Florida , New Spain, Sic. where it grows, and where the In- dians call it the Palm-Free ; and the French give k the Name of Saffafras, by which it is call’d by the Spaniards to this Day. The Fruit of this Tree is longifh, wrinkled, and hangs by a long Footftalk ; the Roots are extended along the Ground, bigger or lefs, according to the Size of the Tree, which is call’d Saffafras , by a Cor- c/DRUGS. ruption from Saxifrage, which fignifies that it has the fame Virtues with Saxifrage , that is to fay, it is incifive, penetrating, aperitive, fudoriflek, and cardiack ; it refifts Poifon, ftrengthens the Sight and the Brain, and is good in the Sciatica, Gout, Catarrhs, taken in Dccoflion orlnfufion, by Way of a Tea, Gfc. It is the Opinion of fome, that the Saffafras, call’d the Ague-Tree, is rather a Root than a Wood, brought out of the Wejl-Indies, as New Spain, &c. It is of a pleafant Smell, and comes in pretty long Logs, as thick as ordinary Billets. The Bark is red with- out, and cuts of a Flefh-Colour within ; its Tafte is a little fharp, but aromatick, abounding with much volatile Salt ; from whence it is evi- dent that it has great Virtues ; the fmalleft is to be chofen for Diftillation, and muft have its Rind about it, for that it poffeffes more of the astherial Oil, and volatile Salt and Spirit, than the internal Subftance of the Wood : It is a moft admirable Sudorifick and Diuretick, never miffing of its Effects by thofe two natural W ays of Evacuation ; for if the Sick will not yield to Sweating, it often works off by Urine, being full of Spirit and Salt, and therefore is a great Specifick in all the afore- mention’d Cafes ; befides which, a ftrong Tinc- ture, or the Chymical Oil, is commonly given to facilitate the Labour of Women in Travail, and to expel both Birth and After-birth ; after which, it ftrengthens the Parts, and invigorates the Inftruments of Generation. Dofe from three Drops to ten or twelve. [It is the Arbor ex Florida fculneo folio, C. B. Pin. 431. Arbor Saffafras Monardi , Breyn. Prodr. I. 18. Saffafras, Ger. Park. It grows in many Parts of America. It is very drying and hot, tho’ not quite fomuch as the Guaiacum. It makes an agreeable Tea, and would be in great Ufe, but that the Scandal of its being good in Venereal Cafes prevents many from ufing it. J 8. Of Guaiacum. T HE Guae, Guaiacum , or Lignum fanfium. Holy Wood, grows plen- tifully both in the Eafl and Wefl- Indies, and is brought to us in large long Billets or Loss, fome of which weigh four or five hundred Weight. This Tree is about the Height of our Walnut- Tree, bearing Leaves long or round, according to the different Species, which diftinguifties the Tree to be Male or Female. After the Leaves, come Tufts of blue Flowers, in the Shape of Stars, furnifh’d each with a little brown Hulk, of the Size of a Hazel-Nut, in which is con- tain’d a little Fruit of an Orange-Colour. It 2 8 Book III. Of W O O D S. 69 It is the beft Sort of Wood we have for Tur- nery-Ware, efpecially for making Bowls for the Bowling - Green , Mortars, Peftles, Rowling- Pins, is'c. The Surgeons, and others, who ufe it in the Venereal Difeafe, chufe the Shavings or Rafpings to make their Ptifans and fudorifick Drinks. There requires no other Care in the Choice of this Wood, but to fee that it be clean, of a blackifh brown Colour, refmous, heavy, hard and compact, and of a fcmething acrid Tafte, and fuch as has none of the pale outer Part of the Tree with it. There is made of this Wood, a Flegm, a Spirit, and black Oil, which is thick and foetid ; and that which remains in the Bottom of the Retort is black as a Coal ; but being made into a Lixivium , or a Lye, there is extrafted thence a Salt. They make alfo a Refin and Extracft of it, as they do of Jalap. The Bark of the Tree is likewife of great Ufe in the Cure of the aforefaid Difeafe. Chufe the heavieft, hardeft to break, grey without and whi- tifli within, of a bitter and difagreeable Tafte. We have brought from the Indies large Pieces of the Gum, fo like to Colophony, that itisalmoftimpoffi- ble to diftinguifh it, but by the burning it, whereby it will afford a fvveet Scent ; and, on the contrary, the Colophony will fmell of Turpentine. It is one of die greateft Sudorificks we know at pre- fent. Within fome Years the Surgeons thought that the Wood of the Box-Tree, to which fome have iven the Name of French Guaiacum, had the fame ’irtues with the Indian , which made them ufe much lefs of the true Guaiacmn than they had been ufed to do ; but if they had been curious enough in the Choice of the right Guaiacum , they would have found a vaft Difference. The Error arofe from hence ; they bought it cf the Turners, who uffd to fell them the Sweepings of their Shops, in which it was mix’d with feveral other Woods, for a Penny or Three- Half-pence a Pound. The Box-Wood [might indeed have as much Virtue as this. This Box- Wood is well kn own in France , they make feveral Sorts of Work of it. The heft of it comes from Spain, and fome Parts of France , but chiefly Champa igne. A Spirit and black Oil is drawn from this bv the Retort, and is rec- tify’d as that of Guaiacum. Guaiacum, fve Lignum Sanfium, Lemery. is a Tree the Size of a common Walnut-Tr ee, whofe Bark is thick and gummous, and eafil^^arts from the Trunk. Its W cod is hard, firm, weighty, and marbled with brown, red and black ; of an acrid Tafte : The Leaves are longifh, or almoft round : The Flowers grow in Ciufters, of a pale yellow Co- lour, hanging upon green Stalks ; thefe are fuc- ceeded by a Fruit like fmall Chefnuts, round, fo- lid, and brown ; in which is contain’d another little Fruit, or Seed, of an Orange-Colour. This Tree yields, by Incifion, a refinous Gum, of a reddifh brown, clean, fhining, friable, fra- grant, and of an acrid Tafte, call’d Gum Guai- acum. The Wood, Bark, and Gum, are all ufed in Phyfick ; every one of which contains a great deal of eflcntial as well as fixt Salt, Oil and Gum. They are efteem’d good Sudorificks, and are gi- ven in the Venereal Difeafe, Rheumatifms, Ca- tarrhs, Gouts, Scurvy, and Dropfy, and other Difeafes, which proceed from Weaknefs, Ob- ftrudlions, or Difeafes of the Vifcera. It is a Wood which is white without, and of a greenifh yellow, or blueifh green fometimes within, the heavieft being the beft. It is brought from Ja- maica, and feveral Places of the Spanijh Wejl- Indies, in Pieces fo large as to make Bowls of them, which hold from three to twenty Quarts. [It is the Wood of the Guaiacum, five Lig- num fandlum, Park. 1586. Guaiacum America- nurn primum fru£lu Acer is five legit imum, Breyn. Prodr. I. 31. It is common in Jamaica, St. Domingo , and many other Places. The Leaves are alated ; the Flowers blue and pentapetalous the Fruit fomething like the Maple. Some Au- thors diftinguifh the Lignum fanfium from the Guaiacum , and fay it is the Wood of the Guaia- cum foliis Lentifci, Breyn. Prodr. 2. 54. and Caf- par Bauhine has made three Species of it, 1. the Guaiacum magna matrice ; 2. the Guaiacum prope - modum fine matrice ; 3. the Guaiacum foliis Lentifci ; but Father Plunder , who was upon the Spot whence they are all brought to us, affirms they are all the Wood of one Tree in different Cir- cumftances of Age, Place of Growth, (jfc . The Wood was formerly famous for the Cure of the Venereal Difeafe ; but it was found not to fucceed fo well in Europe, as in hotter Climates ; but it is ftill kept in ufe in fuch Cafes as an Affif- tant, in Diet- Drinks during Mercurial Courfes.J 9. Of Cedar of Lebanon. H E Cedar of Lebanon is a T ree which grows to a prodigious Size, Pomet. and cf a pyramidal Figure, whofe Branches are adorn’d with little, narrow, green Leaves, and the Fruit like our Pine- Apples. It is from the Trunk, and the large Branches of this Tree, that there flows, during the great Heats, without any Incifion, a Sort of white Refin, very clear and tranfparent, which we call Cedar-Gum , of which the iargeft Trees yield not lefs than fix Ounces General Hijlory of DRUGS. 7 ° Ounces a Day. Here are likewife, during the hot Seafon, little Bladders form’d on the Body of this Tree by the fcorching of the Sun ; which being pierc’d, afford a clear white Liquor, like Water, of a ftrong penetrating Smell ; and when the Tree produces nothing more naturally, they make Incifions in it, and there runs from them an undtuous Liquor, which drops as it runs down the Tree, and makes what we call Refin of the Cedar ; but this, as well as the other Produftions of this Tree, are very fcarce. This Refin is of a very fine yellow, bright and tranfparent, and of a very grateful Odour. Of the Berry-bearing Cedar. The Berry-bearing Cedar is a Tree of which there are three Kinds, differing only in Height, or in the Thicknefs of the Leaves ; they are com- monly crooked, bearing long fharp-pointed Leaves, always green, efpecially in Winter ; after which come Berries of the Bignefs of thofe of Butcher’s Broom, or Knee-Holm, green at firft, but red when they are ripe. The Trunk being cut, there iffues forth a very clear tranfparent Gum, which is the true Sandarac ; but as we very fel- dom have it among us, we ufe the great Juniper- Gum inftead of it, which I ftiall deferibe here- after. They make of this Wood, by the Afliftance of the Retort, a black Oil, which being rectified, is call’d Oil of Cedar , or Cade Oil ; but as thefe Trees are not very common, we content ourfelves with that made of the Great and Leffer Juniper. The true Cade Oil, or Oil of Cedar , is admira- ble for curing Tetters and Scabs in Horfes, Cattle, Sheep, and other Beafts : But as thefe Sorts of Oil are too dear, we fubftiture in their Place clear Oil of Pitch, which for that Reafon is alfo call’d Cade Oil, as you will find in the Chapter of Pitch. Cedrus Magna, Jive Libani Conifer a, Lemery. or, according to Tournefort , Larix Ori- entalis , fruElu rotundiore obtufo , is a Species of the Larch Tree, or a very large, thick, ftrait Tree, rifing Pyramidal, whofe Bark is all of a Piece, the Wood very hard and durable, fo that it is faid never to decay ; the Leaves are fmall, ftrait and green, difpofed in Clufters along the Branches, putting forth in Spring-time, and falling at the Approach of Winter ; the Flowers and Fruit as before deferib’d. There runs a Sort of Gum from the Tree without Incifion, hard, and as it were in Grains like Maftick, from whence it frequently is call’d the Mafick-Cedar ; the Wood is ufed in fine Joiners Work, and Turners Ware i the Tear that flows from the Tree, is improperly call’d a Gum, becaufe it is the pureft refinous Part of the Tree, and is di- geftive, deterfive, confolidating, {Lengthening, good againft Gangrenes, and proper for Difloca- tions and Fractures. There is another Sort of Cedar call’d Cedrus Baccifera , the Cedar that bears a Berry, or Cedrus Minor , the Leffer Cedar , of which there are three Kinds ; the firft is call’d the Phoenician Ce- dar , or Cedrus folio Cupreffi major frueiu fiave - feente , the Great Cypreifs-leav’d Cedar , with the yellow Fruit ; the Trunk and Branches whereof are crooked and knotty, the Wood reddifli, yielding a Smell like the Cyprefs ; the Leaves nar- row and (harp-pointed, harder than thofe of Ju- niper and more prickly, green all the Year as the Cyprefs ; the Shells or Hulks are made up of fe- veral little Scales, at the Bottom of which grow feveral Bags or membranous Veficles, full of Duft ; the Fruit arifes upon the fame Foot or Stalks with the Hulks, but divided into Cells, in which are Berries that turn yellow when ripe, are a little fle{hy, odoriferous and of a grateful Tafte ; each of them containing three woody Kernels that are hard, hollow on their Backs, and flat on the other Side ; there comes from the Trunk of the faid Tree, in the hot Countries, a Gum call’d Varnifh. The fecond Sort is call’d the Lycian Cedar , or Cedrus folio Cupreffi media majoribus baccis, the Middlemoft Cyprefs-leav’d Cedar , with the great Berries ; this Tree differs from the former, in that it is lower, and the Berries are much bigger. The third Sort is call’d, Cedrus Hifpanica pro - cerior fruSlu maxima nigro , the Tall Spanif) Cedar , with the great black Fruit ; it is much higher than the reft, and the Berries a great deal bigger, of a black Colour : Thefe Cedars grow in Italy , Spain , Provence , and Languedoc ; they 'remain always green, and yield Abundance of Oil ; the Wood is fudorifick, being ufed in Decodlion ; the Berries are proper to {Lengthen the Stomach, and aflift Digeftion. The Oil is drawn after the common Method, by a Retort, being black, and paffes for the true Oil of Cedar ; it is good for all Sorts of Scabs and Deafnefs, and may be in- wardly given in Hyfterick Cafes. Dofe from two Drops to fix. [The firft of thefe Trees is the Cedrus Libani, Ger. 1161. Cedrus conifer a feliis Laricis, C. B. Pin. 490. It is kept in the Gardens of the Cu- rious ; the Refin is very feldom to be met with, and its Virtues are noflUfcw known but by Conjec- ture ; the Wood is of a red Colour, fomething re- finous, and of a ftrong agreeable Smell ; it is faid never to decay ; it is fometimes ufed in Phyfick as a Sudorifick, The Book III. Of WOODS. 71 The Berry-bearing Cedar is the Oxycedrus of the Shops ; the original Species is the Oxycedrus Lycia , Ger. 1191. Cedrus major Diofcoridis Clu- Jii, Pluk. Aim. 301 • ^ ^ a ^° kept * n the Gar- dens of the Curious. The Wood and Berries both refemble the Juniper in Smell and Tafte, as well as Virtues, but they are feldom ufed.j 10. Of the Great and Small Juniper. T H E Great Juniper , call’d in Latin Juniperus , is a Tree of different Sizes, according to the different Places where it grows ; this Tree is commonly flender, at a good Height of which fpring forth feveral Branches, furnifh’d with little, narrow, prickly Leaves, always green ; it bears alfo Berries of the Bignefs of a Hazel Nut; which the firft Year are green, the fecond brown, the third black, and which being full ripe, are very alexiphar- mick. Bv cutting the Trunk, and the largeft Branches of this Tree, there flows a Gum call’d Sandarac, during the great Heats, which is brought to us from Africk , where the Trees grow very high, and in great Quantities. This Sandarac is the Arabian Sandarac or Varnifh, which is much tra- ded in by the Swedes , Hamburghers and Englijh ; this is call’d by fome the Arabian Sandarac ; by others, the Varnijh-Gum , or Gum-Juniper , and is of more Ufe to Artifts than in Phyfick. Chufe it in large white Drops, and not dufty. Of the Small Juniper. The fmall Kind of Juniper is fo common every where, that it needs no Defcription ; there is made of the frefh and dried Berries, a white and fragrant Oil ; as likewife a Water or Spirit, vul- garly known by the Name of Geneva, as a Cor- ruption from the French W ord Genevre : Befides this, there is a Spirit and Oil drawn from the Wood, by the Retort ; which Oil is mention’d in the preceding Chapter. The Wood is ufually burnt as well as the Berry, to drive away or expel infectious Air. The Germans ufe the Berry in their Rugous, and it ferves them for the Theriaca , for which Reafon an Extract of it is call’d Ger- man-Treacle. This Juniper likewife affords fome Sandarac, but in fuch fmall Quantities that it is not worth the while to make it. The Great Juniper is call’d Junipe- Lemery. rus vulgaris eeffor & arborefeens, the common high Juniper-Tree , or the Spa- nifn Juniper , which is chiefly improv’d in Africa. M. Touriufort diftinguifhes this Tree from the Cedar by its Leaves, which are fmgle and flat, inftead of thofe of the Cedar, which more refemble the Cyprefs. It is A dcrifick in Decoctions, and fragrant when burnt ; to which Purpofe it is fre- quenly ufed in the Houfes to prevent peftilential Difeafes, and other Infections. The other Juniper is a common Shrub, known to every Body, which is full of Oil and ef- fential Salt ; it grows plentifully in fome Parts of England , and in moil Parts of Europe ; the Berries are cephalick, good for the Nerves and Stomach, to provoke Urine and the Terms, to refill: Poifon, for inveterate Coughs, Wind- Cholick, and nephritick Pains, together with the Strangury, Gravel, Sharpnefs of Urine, and all Obftructions of the urinary Paffages, Womb, Liver, or Spleen. In France they make Comfits of them, which they call St. Roch’s Comfits, and carry them in their Pockets, that they may chew two or three of them in a Morn- ing, to prevent infectious Airs, and make the Breath fweet. [The fmall or common Juniper is the Junipe- rus vulgaris fruttuofa , C. B. Pin. 488. Junipe- rus vulgaris baccis parvis purpureis , J. B. 1. 293. It is common on Heaths. • The Great Juniper , or Juniperus major of the Shops, is the Juniperus maxima Heyrica , Park. 1029. Juniperus major bacca car idea, C. B. Pin. 498. this is molt common in Greece. There is alfo another Species ufed in Medicine, which is the Juniperus Alpina , J. B. 1. 301. Juniperus minor montana folio latiore frufrtu longiore , C. B. Pin. 489. The principal Ufe of this Species is, that its Infufion or Juice are given to Horfes, to deftroy the Worms call’d Bots, with good Suc- cefs.J 1 1. Of Brafil Wood. W E fell to the Dyers feveral Sorts of red Woods, by the Name of Brafil-Wood ; the firft that is moft efteem’d, and moft in Ufe, is the Brafil-Wood call’d Fernambuck , becaufe it is brought from a Place of that Name in Brafil the next is the Brafil-Wood of Japan , which the Englijh and Dutch call Sapan- Wood, of which there are two Sorts ; to wit, the large Sapan- Wood , or the great Brafil-Wood of Sapan , and the left the Brafil-Wood of Japan , or the Biames Sapan , which is much fmaller : The third Sort is the Lamon Brafil ; the fourth is the Brafil of St. Martha ; the fifth, and much the leaft, is the little Brafil-Wood that comes from the Antilles ; fo that that which makes fo many different Kinds of Brafil-Wood , is nothing elfe but the feveral Places and Difference of the Soil where the Wood grows, yi General Ilijlory The Tree from whence this Wood is cut, is very thick and large, having long Branches that bear avail: Quantity of little Leaves, roundiih, of a fine ihining green, among which come Flowers, like the Lilly of the Valley, of a beautiful red, and a fweet Flavour, from whence comes a flat Fruit, in which are enclofed two flat Kernels, of the fame Shape and Figure as the Gourd Seed. The Natives, prepare the Wood, which is brought to us, by cutting it clofe with the Ground, and branching or lopping of it, and ta- king away the outer Part ; fo that what remains is only of the Size of a Man’s Leg, tho’ the Tree was of the Thicknefs of a Man’s Body. Chufe the true Fernambuck Brafil in heavy Bil- lets or Logs, compadl, and without Pith, found and firnns that is to fay, without the outer Sub- fiance and Rottennefs ; fuch as, after it is fhiver’d in Pieces, fhews ,of a reddilh Colour, and being chew’d, is of a fweet Tafle ; but Jake care that it be not mix’d with other Kinds of EraJil, which is eafily known, in that all other JSorts, except the Ja'pan, ate without- Pith ; and that oi^Lpynon may be diftinguifh’d from the Fernambuck , in that it is in large 'Billets. Some Perfons have affur’d me, that the Brafil of Lamon comes from All- Saints-Bay, where it grows in great Quantities. As to the Braf l in Chips, the bell Account I can give you of it,' is to truil to the Honefty of the Merchant with whom you deal. This Wood is ufed 'among the Dyers*, and the Stationers malje Red-Ink thereof. There is a very red Tindlure made of the Fernambuck Brafil , x of. which I have been aflur’d a Carmine is made as frem Cochi- neal, but I never try’d it. Likewife there is a Liquid Lake made o/ this, which the Painters ufe for Miniature. This W ood is call’d Lignum Brafli- Lemery. anum rubrum ; the Tree from whence it comes, by the Indians is nam’d Ibi- rapitanga ; the Bark is reddilh and thorny, the Branches are long, and adorn’d with abundance of fmall Leaves like the ’Bramble ; the Flowers are little and join’d feveral of them together, very odoriferous, and of a fine red Colour : This Tree grows in the Woods, and the bell Kind is the Fernambuck , which is brought us from a Town of Brafil , of that Name. Chufe the heavieft, firmed:, founded, reddeil, and that which affords the fweeteft Smell. ‘ There are feveral Sorts of this Wood, the -principal Ufe of all which is for the Dyers ; it contains a great deal of Oil, and a little effential Salt ; is aftringent, and the Tindlure proper to flrengthen the Stomach, abate a feverifh Heat, and remove the Inflammation of the Eyes : The Wood boil’d in Water, with a little Allum, will (/DRUGS. ftrike a red Dye into Eggs boil’d with it ; and it is ufed to colour Roots of Althea to clean the Teeth withal. Some Authors affirm it to be of great Ufe againft the French-Pox ; but I find it feldom or never preferib’d for that Purpofe ; for tho’ it may be drying, it has nothing of the acrid, hot Quality of the Guaiacum , neither does it abound with Rofin like that Wood : Accord- ing to the following Prefcription, you will have a Tin&ure for the dying of Skins, Book-Covers, and the like Things, and to write withal, as Red- Ink : I he Tindture prepar’d with Water, only ferves for dying of Wooll, which will not turn purple, nor fuffer an eafv Decay. The Tincture is thus made ; take Rafpings of Brafil , and, in- ftead of "Water, infufe them in Vinegar, orfome Lixivium, with a little Gum-Arabick and Allum, Letting them in a glazed Pot, or Pipkin, for fome Hours, you will have a Blood-red Tinc- ture. * . [This is the Wood of the Erythroxylum Brafi- lianum Spinofum foliis Acacia, Herm. Par. Bat. Pr. 333. Crifa pavonis Ccronilla folio , tertia, five Tinftoria, maxiina, Brafiliana , fore variega- to, parvo odoratijfmo , fliqua aculeata , Lignum Braflium didlum ferens , Breyn. Pr. 2. 37. It grows all over Brafil, and flowers in December ; the Heart of the Wood is what ought to be ufed. It is faid to have the fame Virtue with the Red Sanders, but is little ufed in Medicine.] 12. Qf Log-Wood, cr Campeachy- * -x- Woed. H E Log-Wood , call’d Indian-Wood, Campeachy , or Jamaica-Wood, is Pomet. the Heart of the Trunk of a large Tree, which grows plentifully in the two Iflands aforefaid, and in Santa Cruce in America , where there are whole Forefts of it. This Tree is bigger or lefs, according to the Soil that produces it ; it rifeswith a Trunk, very thick and ilrait, cover’d with a thin Bark that is plain and fmooth, of a Silver-grey, or yellow- ifh Colour ; the Leaves are like thofe of the Bay, and being held in the Mouth, afford a Scent like the Clove, which has made it oftener taken for the Tree that bears the Clove than any other, by Reafon of the delicate Flavour, which has given it the Name of the Indian aromatick Laurel ; Among the Leaves comes a fmall Fruit, which adheres to the Branch by a little Stalk like the Cubeb, and has at the other End a fmall Crown ; the Fruit is of a dun Colour, the Tafte fharp and piquant, notwithftanding it is agreeable enough, tailing like a Ciove, which occafions it for the moft Part Book m, o/wo o ns. n Part to ba call’d Clove-Berry ; the Fruit being broken, there are found within three fmall Kernels very nearly rcfembling Mulk-Seed. We may obferve then, that the Indian Laurel , or Campeachy-Tree , affords three Sorts of Com- modities that are very good and faleable ; the firft is the Wood, which ought to be chofen true Cam - peachy, cut by the Spaniards , as that is the beft Kind, fuch as is not decay’d, and cut, not faw’d at the Ends, which diftinguifhes it from that of Jamaica , which is commonly faw’d, and is brought by the Way of England , and coming from Campeachy or Jamaica , is carried to France ; this Wood chiefly employs the Dyers, Bead-makers, and others, who ufe it to dye blue and black. The fecond Commodity this Tree affords is the Leaf, which may be uled in the Place of the Ma- labathrum wherever it is order’d, as this Leaf has more Virtues than it ; the Americans make ufe of them for Fomentations, to cure the Palfy, and other Difeafes proceeding from cold Caufes. The third is the Fruit, which the French ufe in Imita- tion cf the Englijh , as being a very ftrong aro- mupck, and proper upon feveral Occaffons : As this'- has been known but of late Years, the French have had but little Commerce therein, be- ffdes what their Privateers of St. Maloes have ta- ken from England : The Grocers diftinguifh it by the Name of Clove-Berry, becaufe of its Re- femblance to that Spice in Smell and Tafte, and it is call’d with us All-Spice, as having an Ana* logy to Cinnamon, Cloves, Mace, and Nutmegs, and is very much uffd in all Sauces. By the Eng- lijh it is call’d 'Jamaica- Pepper, by the Dutch , Amomum , and by the French , the Fruit of the Indian-IF’ood , and vu’garly, though improperly, the Clove-Berry. The Flowers of this Tree are faid to be very beautiful. Lignum Indicutn , Campecium , Lcg- Lcmery. Wood, or Jamaica- JVocd, call’d alfo Braftletto , comes from Catnpcachy and Jamaica , where it is chiefly found growing ; but it grows in feveral other Parts of the IVcJl-Indies in the Spanijh Territories, thelfles of Providence , and the like ; where, befides the Wood, the main Produce is the Pepper, or Fruit of the Tree, call’d Pimento. What the Englifio ufe comes in great Plenty from Jamaica ; it is frnall, round and blackifh, admoft like common Pepper, but of a more fragrant Smell, and much more aromatick Tafte; when one chews it in the Mouth, it is hot, and the Flavour is as if you had all the other Spices in your Mouth at once, as Cinnamon, Cloves, Mace and Nutm.gs, being ftrong, and of an odoriferous Smell, and without doubt pof- fefles all their feveral Properties, Qualities and Virtues, tho’ poftibly not in fo large a Meafure, in Refpeit to its Body j for that it confifts' of .much more earthy Parts than any of them, Cin- namon only excepted ; but the T indlure, or Oil of it, being extracted from its terrene or feculent Part, with which it holds but a fmall Proportion, in Refpedl of the four Spices ; they are not much inferior to what may be extracted from thofe ge- nerous Drugs : So that in ffrort we muft allow this Spice to be ftomachick, cephalick, cardiac, uterine, nephritick and arthritick ; it is alexi- pharmick and diuretick, comforts the Brain and nervous Parts, refrefties and ftrengthens the whole Animal CEconomy, and reftores the natural Functions of Life, where weaken’d or decay’d. It is given in Powder, Decodtion or Tindlure, againft Difeafes of the Reins, Liver, Spleen and Womb ; and is very profitable in Gout or Stone, eight or ten Drops of the Tindlure, made with Spirit of Wine tartariz’d, being taken three or four Times a Day, in any Cordial Water or Wine. The foetid Oil, made by the Retort, is good outwardly applied to Gangrenes, Tooth- Ach, and the like. [The Log-lVood is the Wood of the Crijla Pavonis Coronillce folio fecunda five Finftoria In- dtea, fore luteo racemofo tninore, fiiliqua laiijfiuna glabra Lignum rubrum Sappan di£lum ferens , Breyn. Prodr. 2. 37. Erythroxylum five Lignum rubrum indicum SpinofiJJimum Colute a: fioliis filoribus luteis , filiquis maximis , Par. Bat. Prodr. 333. It is a Native of both the Indies ; the Wood is ufed in dying, and fometimes in Phyfick, being ac- counted an Aftringent : This Tree does not grow in Jamaica , but upon the Coaft of the Bay of Campeachy. Thefe Authors are miftaken in thinking the Pimento the Fruit of this Tree^ the Tree which bears that Spice is the Myrtus arborea fioliis Lau- rinis Aromatica , Cat. Jamaic. P. 161. which is very common over the whole Ifland of Jamaica. For a full Account of this Spice, fee the Appen- dix. 13. Of Fuftick-Wood. H E W ood we commonly call by this Name, is the Roots and Pomet. Trunk of a Shrub, which Botanifts call Coggigria from Thcophrajlus, and Cofinus from Pliny, which has green^Leaves almoft round ; after which grows a Flower, which at firft is made in the Nature of a Clufter, of a dark green Co- lour, and which at laft opens itfelfinto the Shape of a Fan, among the Down of which are black heart-fafhion’d Seeds. The Roots and Trunk of this Shrub are what the People of Provence and Italy , after they have peel’d off the Bark, fell L for- 74 General Uiftory of D R U G S. for Fujlick-Wood , which, according to its good yellow Colour, is fuppofed to be the better Com- modity ; that of Provence excels the Italian ; but there is a better Sort comes from Holland and England than either of the other two. The Ufe of it is for the Dyers, to make a dead Green, and it is of fome fmall Account among the Wor- kers in Ebony and the Curriers. This Wood is call’d by M. Tourne- Lemery. fort , Cotinus Coriaria, Coccigria by Tbeophrajhis , and Coggigria by Pliny. It is a Shrub of fix or feven Feet high, bearing its Branches round, cover’d with a dark red Bark ; the Leaves are large, veiny, almoft round like the Elm, but much lefs, fmooth, and green ; the Flowers grow on the Tops of the Boughs in Clufters, of a dark Colour, inclining to Purple. This Shrub grows on the Mountains in Italy , Hungary , and Provence. The Wood is yellow, and ufed by the Dyers and Leather-dreflers ; the Leaves and Seeds are very aftringent and cooling, drying and vulnerary, and may be ufed in Gar- f les for Ulcers in the Mouth, Throat, and other arts, and for the Tooth-Ach. A Salt made of the Allies of the Wood, makes an excellent Purge with two Drams of Treacle of Mithridate, and ten Grains of the Salt ; this may be given three or four Days fucceflively, as the Difeafe re- quires, and is faid to have fuch fufficient Virtue to give Relief in the Gout and Rheumatifm, as is not to be found in any other Medicine whatfo- ever, laxative, purgative, or expulfive. Make the Salt thus ; take what Quantity of the Wood you pleafe, burn it to Allies, and with Fumitory Water, or any other proper Vehicle, make a Lixivium , or Lyc ; filtrate this, and then coa- gulate it into a Salt, according to the ufual Form. In Surgery you may ufe the Salt thus : If the Wound or Sore you would drefs be open, firft eleanfe by this Salt, then anoint it twice every Day with the Balfam or Gum of this Wood, made as that of Guaiacum , ’till the Cure is per- fected. If there be great Pain in any Part of the Body, and nothing to be feen, anoint the Place •with this Gum. By this Gum may be cur’d the Gout, the Pal fy, and the Fremh Difeafe. [ Fujlick-Wood is the Wood of the Alorus fruc- iu viridi Ligno Sulphureo Tin ft or ia, SI. Cat. Jam. Fated iba Pis. 163. The Tree here deferibed by Pomet , and which he thought produced the Fujlick , is the Cotinus Mathiolf C. B. Pin. 4x5. Coccigria Cotinus coriaria nonnullis difta , Chabr. 37. It is common in Italy ; it flowers in May and "June ; the Fruit is efteem’d drying and a- ftringent, but now never ufed in Medicine.] There comes another Sort of yellow Wood Lorn England and Holland, in thick Billets, which is known by no other Name than that of the Yel- low W ood, which ferves the Dyers and the Wor- kers in Ebony. I know nothing further touch- ing this Yellow Wood, than what I have here related ; but that it ought to be chofen of the higheft Colour that may be, and the Buyer miift take care that he has not Fujlick fold him for it. There comes alfo a certain Wood from Lorrain of a greyilh Colour, tending fomething to reddifli, hard and moderately heavy, furnilh’d with a Bark that is thin, and a little refembling the Cherry- Tree, which is what we call St. Lucy's IVood ; and which, becaufe of its agreeable Scent, is ufed by the Workers in Ebony. The Choice of this Wood is from its being firm, and without Knots. This Wood is admirable in its own Nature, in that it is not fubjedt to decay, and the older it is, the better it fmells. M. Fournefort allured me, that this Wood was the Stem of the Shrub which bears the Mahalep, of which I made mention in the firft Book of Seeds. There is alfo brought from the Indies a certain greenilh Wood in thick Billets, of a very good Smell, by the Name of Calambourg-JVood , fer- ving for a great many Sorts of Works, by Rea- fon of its fweet Scent, which is proper for feve- ral Kinds, as alfo for inlaying and making of Beads ; the Barbers ufe it as Rhodium, boiling it in the Water with which they lhave. The Dutch tranfport two Sorts of purple or Violet-colour’d Wood in large Billets, which is of no other Ufe but for inlaying. The Choice of this Wood is to pick fuch as is the moll veiny, or marbled within and without, the leaf! fpotted or decay’d that can be met withal, and freed from the outward Subftance ; the Lrgeft Violet-Wood is call’d Palixandr e-Wood. There is another Sort the Dutch tranfport, of a reddifh Colour, tend- ing to a Purple, which the Dutch call Letter- Hout , and the French China-Wood. M. Fure- tiere fays, that this Wood only comes from the Continent of Guinea , which I do not underftand, having never feen any. But this is likewife for inlaying. Befides thefe Sorts of Wood mention’d before, there are three Sorts of Ebony, to wit, the black, which the Dutch bring from the Ifland of St. Maurice , which the Antients believ’d to be a Spe- cies of Lignum Aloes ; the fecond is the red Ebo- ny ; the third is the green Ebony, As to the Tree that produces the black Ebony, fome af- firm that is the Height and Size of the Oak, and that it is like that Wood both in the outer Sub- ftance and the Heart, except that the Colour is blacker, and takes a fine Polifh or Smoothnefs* which makes it valued. It is faid the Leaves refem- blc the Laurel, and that it bears a Fruit like an Acorn, Book III. Of W O O D S. 75 Acorn, upon a little Stalk. The red Ebony is likewiie very folid and heavy, being more veined and of a higher Colour. The green has the fame Qualities when freed from the Bark and outer Subftance. The Ufe of Ebony is for feveral Kinds of in- laying, and becaufe of the great Ufe it was of formerly, thofe who work upon Ebony are call’d at this Time Ebonifts, who are in France a verv p mfiderable Body of Work-Men. There are thofe who affirm that the outer Subfiance of the Ebony, infufed in Water, has a purgative Qua- litv, which will cure the Venereal Difeafe. Befides this, there comes from the Indies a grey- ifh Wood in large Billets, of an Anifeed Smell ; for which Reafon it is call’d by the Ebonifts, or Cabinet-makers, who work in it, Anife-Wcod, or Anil-Wood. There is another Wood fold with the Seed thereof, nam’d Anife of China , Siberia, or the Philippine Ifles, or the Badcan or the Zinge-Sced, Cfc. deferib’d under the Head of Nigella Romana , by the Name of China Anife. There are alfo brought to us two Sorts of the Caftiew-Wood, the red and the white ; the Tree is faid to bear Leaves like the Oak ; the Wood is light and fpongy. The Tacamahac-Wood is the Wood of a great Tree common in New Spain , which produces the Gum Tacamahac , to be fpoke of in its proper Place. There are yet feveral Sorts of Wood, as Sam- barame-Wood. , which is a Kind of white Sanders ; Molucca-Wood , which the Natives cf the Coun- try call Panava ; and many others which I fh.aH forbear to mention, we having little Trade or Sale for them. As to the Molucca-Wood, fome have aftur’d me that it was the white Cinnamon, which I have no Faith to believe. [As thefe Woods are not ufed in Medicine, a particular Account of the Trees which produce them I judged would be foreign to the Intent of this Work.] 14. Of Snake-Wcod. T H E Snake-Wood Plant is a Creeper which fpreads itfelf a great Way ; the Branches are (lender and full of Leaves, like thofe of Bri- ony, and faften themfelves to the Trees that are near them ; the Wood is firm, heavy and com- pact, and cover’d with a thin Rind, reddifh or of a marbled brown, without Smell, and of an infi- pid Tafte ; it is brought to us in long Pieces, of the Thicknefs of a Child’s Arm ; it grows in the Ifiands of Ceylon and Timor. Chufe fuch as is the oldeft you can find. It is deterfive, deficative, and good in Intermitting Fevers. [This is not properly 3 Wood, it is the Root of the Nux Vomica minor Moluccana , Lignutji Colubrinum Officinarum, Par. Bat. Prod. 357. Radix Colubrina Lignum Colubrinum, Mont. Ex. 7. It is of a very bitter Tafte, and is a ftrong Purgative and Emetick, taken in Infufion from a Scruple to a Dram, and in Subftance from ten Grams to a Scruple ; but its Operation is ob- ferv’d to be much more violent upon the Euro- peans than on the Indians, with whom it is a com- mon Medicine for the Worms. J The End of the Book of WOODS. L 2 BOOK 7 6 BOOK the Fourth. Of BARK S. PREFACE. B Y the Word Bark I mean the firft , fecond, or third Coverings or Rind of the Trunk of a Tree •, which we ufe , either as it is taken naturally from the Vegetable , as the Cortex, or Peruvian Bark , and the Bark of the Mandrake or cleanfed , or freed from the firft outward Rind , as Cinnamon, CaJIia Lignea, and others of the like Nature . Ijhall begin this Book with the Tree that bears the Cinnamon, as well he can fe of the great Conjumption that is made of that Bark, as for the confiderable Virtues with which it is endowed. i. Of Cinnamon. W HAT the Antients, as well as the Moderns, call Cinnamon , is the middle Bark of the Branches of a Tree which grows the Height of a Willow, and whofe Leaves are fo like the Folium Indum , that it is diffi- cult to find the Difference at firft Sight, which has given ground to fome People to affert, that the Folium Indum was the Leaf of the T ree that bears the Cinnamon ; but if the Leaves are fo like, that the Eye cannot readily diftinguifh them, the Palate can do it with Eafe, becaufe the Leaves of the Cinnamon are of fo fweet a Tafte and Smell, that they furpafs, in fome meafure, the Cinnamon. After the Leaves, arife white Flowers, in Form of little Cups, from whence come Berries, of the Figure of an Olive-Stone ; each of which .adheres to the Branch, as is reprefented by the Cut engrav’d from the Original, which M. Toitr- vefort has in his Hands, of which he gave me, at the fame Time, five or fix Leaves, of the Shape ,and Tafte -here taken notice of. As to the Place from whence the Cinnamon comes, and the Manner of Barking the Tree, I think it proper to relate- what Mr. Tavernier has writ of it. The Cinnamon comes from the Ifle of Ce-jlrn in the Fafi -Indies the Tree that bears it is very like our Willow, and has three Barks, or Rinds ; but the firft and fccond, or middle- raoft Bark, are chofen for Ufe, and the third they never meddle with. This Cinnamon cofts the Dutch more than can be believ’d, for the King of Ceylon , otherwife call’d Kins; of Candy , from the Name of the Capital City, is a fworn Enemy to the Hollanders ; fo that every Year they are o- blig’d to fet a Guard of five or fix hundred Men to cover and defend the Labourers, during the Seafon for barking the Cinnamon-Trees , and enter- tain thefe Workmen all the reft of the Year, without reckoning the fcveral Garrifons they are forc’d to maintain throughout the whole Illand. Thefe great Charges enhance much the Price of Cinnamon. When the Inhabitants of the Ifland gather their Crop of Cinnamon, they free it from the outward Bark, which is brown and rough ; then they lay it to dry, and roll it up : By this Means it ac- quires the Figure we fee it in, and becomes of a .reddifh Colour, being of a fweet Smell, and pi- quant Tafte, arcmatick, and very agreeable ; there- fore chufe fuch, together with the thineft Baik, and of the higheft or deepeft red Colour that you can get, throwing afide fuch as is thick, or has little Tafte or Smell. As to thofewho buy great Quantities, let them take care that they do not -purchi-.fe Cinnamon that has had the Oil cr EfTence draw* Book IV. Of BA drawn from it, which Is very difficult to know, unlefs you tafte it Piece by Piece. Cinnamon is of fuch great Ufe, that we have few Drugs which we ufe fo much, as well becaufe of its Virtues, as from its agreeable Tafte and Smell. The Dutch bring us another Sort of Cinnamon, with a large Bark, and verv thick, which is that the Ancients, from the Arabians , call’d Dracheni , and we, Rough Cinnamon. This Cinnamon is the Bark of the Trunk and large Branches of the Tree bearing the Cinnamon ; but as it is a Mer- chandize or Commodity of little Value, becaufe there is no Sale for it, being without Tafte and Smell, except it be here and there a Piece of it, which has a little thin Membrane within it of fo piercing and aromatick a Tafte, that it is almoft impoffible to bear it in the Mouth any Time ; but there is fo little of this to be found among it, that it is fcarce worth fpeaking of. The Confectioners, after infufing the fine Cinnamon in warm Water, caver it with Pearl Sugar, and fell it by the Name of Milan. Cinnamon. The French likewife make little Paftiiles of Cinnamon and Sugar, which, with the Mucilage of Gum-Tragacanth, they make into a Pafte. The Dutch , and the Natives cf Ceylon , make a Confection of frefh Cinnamon -taken from the T ree, which is an excellent Sweet- meat to carry to Sea, but very rare to be met withal in thefe Parts of the World. 2. Of Oil of Cinnamon. B Y ?•. leans of a proper Menftruura, 2nd an * Alembick, there is made, from fine Cinna- mon, a rich, clear, and reddifli Oil, of a very ftrong piquant Tafte, which it is almoft impoffible to bear upon the Tongue ; neverthelefs its Tafte and agreeable Smell is the Reafon that moft People -covet it. As Cinnamon is a Bark which has very little Oil in it, we are forc’d to have Recourfe to the Hollanders for it. It is an Error, however, to think they keep a better Kind of Cinnamon for their own Ufe, and to draw the Od from, than -they fell to us ; the Cinnamon is the fame, ar.d different Manner of managing it is the only Rea- fon thev have more Oil from it than we can get : They take what Quantity of Cinnamon they plcafe ; jr.fufe it twenty-four Hours in cold Water, then taking it out, put frefh in, continuing this fo long ’till tiie Water becomes ting’d of a beautiful red; they then put it into a Urge Copper Alembick, and add thereto a proportionable Quantity of Spi- rt of Wine, which -has the Property to feparate the Oil from the Water, and make it rife to the ' T .,p of the Veil'd ; fo that one Pound of . Cinna - r ::n fhall be able to produce near the Quantity of an Ounce o: Oil, width is very different RKS. 77 from what we can do here ; for Mr. Lemcry af- firms, that four Pounds of good Cinnamon will, with Difficulty, produce fix Drams of Oil. It is rare that the Hollanders fell the Oil of Cin- narnon genuine and natural as it is made, but mix it with Spirit of Wine, well deftegmated, and drawn over upon Salt of Tartar ; which has gi- ven a Handle to feveral Chymifts and Druggifts to do the fame ; fo that thofe who buy an Ounce of this Oil, have not above half an Ounce for for their Money ; which is of great Confequence, not only as it is a valuable Commodity, but as it is one of the heft Medicines ; tho’ the Cheat is eafy to difeover two Ways ; the firft is, when looking into the Bottle in which it is contain’d, you may obferve the Humidity that is within The fecond is, by dipping the Point of your Knife in, and putting it into the Candle ; if there is any Mixture of the Spirit of Wine, it will take fire prefently ; but, cn the contrary to that, when it is pure, it will do nothing but fmoke. And this pure Oil is what we call, with juft Rea- fon, Effence, Quinteffence, or Oil of Cinnamon , which is proper to all its Intentions, and excels all other Preparations of the Bark. This Oil and the Bark itfelf are the greateft Cordial we have j for which Reafon the Dutch, the Englijh, and the Germans , as well as the French and Italians ^ .ufe fuch great Quantities of it. Befides the Oil, there is made a Sort of Cin- namon-Water, in which the Oil plentifully a - Bounds. This is djftill’d from White-Wine, Rofe, or Balm-Water, or, inftead of Wine, Aqua Vita. t, or Spirit of Wine and Cinnamon - from which, by a Glafs Alembick, in a Sand- Pleat, or Baineo, a muddy Liquor is drawn, like Milk, which, after a Jittle Time, clears up again, and looks like Spring- Water : That which makes the Water look thick when it is new, is the Oil, which is rarified in the Water, fo that it 'becomes imperceptible in that Form ; but when the Liquor feparates, and Becomes clear, the Oil precipitates to the Bottom of the Liquor, and remains in Form of a little Ball. This Cinnamon- Water is very ufeful to give Women in Labour, in that it is an excellent Corroborative, {Lengthens the Stomach, and affifts Evacuations. It is alio pre- valent in .refilling the Malignancy of the Air, and jpeftilentiaj Vapours., and to re-eftablifh the natu- ral Heat of the animal Life. The Dole is from half an Ounce to an Ounce. Some make Paftiiles with Cinnamon-Water .and Sugar, which formerly were call’d Olco-Sac- charum ; but thofe arc not fo good as what are made with Oil of Cinnamon. At Montpellier they make a Svrup of Cinnamon, from a ftrong Infufion of it and Sugar, brought to a due Ccn- 7 5 General WJlory fiftence, and aromatiz'd with a few Drops of the effential Oil. We fell a Tinfture of Cinnamon , whofe Virtue is encreafed by feveral other Aro- maticks, as Cloves, Mace, Long Pepper, Ga- langal, Ginger, Coriander, Mufk, and Amber- greafe, all grofly powder’d and put into a Bottle, with Brandy or Spirit of Wine, and fet in the Sun during the hot Days ; and this is what we fell by the Name of red Hypocras. There is like- wife a white Hypocras , made almoft the fame Way, only it is diftill’d to difcharge the Colour ; they may both of them be mix’d in Wine, fweeten’d according to the Palate of the Drinker. This is a mighty Cordial in ufe at Montpellier , and the Southern Parts of France. 3. Of Cafiia lignea. T H E Cajfia lignea is alfo a fecond Bark of the Trunk and Branches of certain Trees, very like thofe which produce the Cinnamon. Thefe Trees grow in the Ifle of Ceylon here and there, intermix’d with thofe Trees that bear the Cinna- mon. It is the fame as to Cafia lignea as it is in Cinnamon, that is, the finer or purer the Bark is, the higher colour’d, the Tweeter tafted, and the more biting and aromatick it is, the more it is efteem’d j neverthelefs, be the Cajfta lignea ever fo good, there is a great Difference betwixt the one and the other, the Cajfia lignea leaving a Vifcofity in the Mouth, which we do not meet with in the Cinnamon. It is of little or no Ufe in Phyfick, only that it enters into the Compofi- tion of the great Treacle, and there would be but a fmall Quantity of it fold, but that it is fre- quently impofed upon the unfkilful Buyer for true Cinnamon, tho’ a Pound of that be worth more than four of the Cajfia , and the Caffia has not its Virtues. An Oil is drawn from it as from Cin- namon, and ufed in the fame Cafes. There are feveral Kinds of this Bark ; as firft, the true or Quill Sort , and 2dly, the Framboon , brought from the Eajl-Indies. The true is that which is the beft for medicinal Ufes, and is of the Quill Sort, being of the Thicknefs of a Goofe-Quill, made up into fmall Bundles, generally ten or fourteen Inches long, of a bright Cinnamon Co- lour, and much of the Tafte, but not fo biting upon the Tongue, when chew’d. T he Framboon is of three Sorts ; Firft, the fmall, like fmall Cinnamon, and fomething of the fame Tafte, but not fo ftrona:, being more earthy and woody, and of a worfe Colour. 2dly, The Bundle Sort, bound up in Bundles like Clove-Bark, of a very hot biting Tafte, but breaking more blackifh within, and, as it were, gummy. 3dly, The thick Sort, almoft like the laft, in Rolls as thick of DRUGS, as a Man’s Thigh, which is alfo ftrong, but of a very dark Colour. Cajfia lignea differs from Cinnamon, in that it is weaker, darker colour’d, and, when chew’d in the Mouth, more glutinous, dry, and harfh ; whence it appears that the Cafia lignea 1 ree, and that of the Cinnamon, are two different Trees. The Difference of the Colours in the Framboon Cajfia may be fuppofed to arife from its Preparation when taken off the Tree, being dry’d in the Sun ; when it islefs dry’d than it fhould be, it is of a paler Colour ; and, when too much burnt with the Sun, it grows, as it were, black. Cinnamomum, feu Cannella , in Eng- Lemery. lifli Cinnamon , is a thin Bark, that is fmooth, and roll’d in long Pipes, of a ruffet Colour, or yellowifn, inclining to red ; of a fweet Smell and Tafte, piquant, fragrant, and very aromatick : It is taken from the Branches of a Tree about the Height of our Willow, which bears a Leaf fhaped like the Indian Leaf we call Malabo thrum, which fmells and taftes like the Cinnamon. The Flowers grow in little Cups, white and odoriferous, fucceeded by a Fruit that is of the Shape and Size of a fmall Olive, green at firft, but growing black as it ripens. This Tree grows in the Ifle of Ceylon , which is in tho meridional Part of India ; and the Wood is without Smell or Tafte. The principal Virtue lies in the Bark, which, when frefh, is greyifh without, and yellowifh within : When it is fe- parated from the Tree, it eafily divides into two Barks, and they keep the inner Bark as the moft valuable, which they dry in the Sun, and roll it up juft as we have it come to us. This has little* or no Smell or Tafte when taken from the Tree, but acquires both afterwards ; take Care of fuch as has been dry’d in too fcorchiiig a Sun, for that will be blackifh, a great deal of the volatile arid effential Parts being evaporated : On the other Hand, if it has been dry’d in too moift a Seafon, it will have a grey Colour, and not have half its Virtue, becaufe the volatile Salts are not fufficient- ly exalted : But chufe fuch as is the fineft thin Bark, of the higheft Colour, a gratefull Smell, and biting Tafte. When they have bark’d the Cinnamon-Tree, if they let it alone for three Years together, it will produce another Bark as good as the former. This Cinnamon yields a great deal of exalted effential Oil and volatile Salt 5 therefore it is proper for the Head, Brain, and Nerves, to fortify the Vitals, comfort the Heart, aflift the Stomach, expel Wind, help Digeftion, {Lengthen the Womb, open Obftrudfions, and provoke the Terms : It is the greateft Reftora- tive in Nature, and an excellent Antidote againft Poifon, Plague, and any malignant Difeafes. • The Book IV. Of BARKS, 79 T; heft Preparation of it is the eiTential Oil, of which, if genuine, two Drops given upon a Lump of fine Sugar, or in a fpirituous Vehicle, w i revive the Soirits to a Miracle. It is good in Powder, Deco&ions, Tinctures, Cordial Wa- ter', tfc. from half a Dram to a Dram in Pow- der, and from that to an Ounce or two in De- coction, Tincture, ©r Water. That Cinnamon which is ill colour’d, and of no Tafte, is worth nothing ; therefore in buying it, you ought to bite, chew, and tafte every par- ticular Stick, that you be not deceived ; for that without Tafte, has either been ill got and dry’d, or diftiii’J in the Indies , or elfewhere, and its ftrong aromatick Oil taken from it, which is a great Cheat and Abufe to European Buyers. This Cinnamon was the Caffia lignea of the An- tients, and the fame which in fome Shops is call’d Camella : The heft comes from Ceylon aforenam’d, and the worft from 'Java. Its Co- lour it attra&s from the Sun-Beams ; for the Bark being taken off from the Tree, and expofed to be dry’d in the Sun, that which is not well dry’d is of an Afh Colour, but if too much burnt with the Sun, it is of a blackifh, or of a dark brown : If it be well cur’d, it is of a more rofy or pale red, and, by lying together, and Length of Time, changes into the Colour we have it of here. [There is a great Variety in Opinions among Authors, about the CaJJia , Cinnamon , and Ma- la bathe urn ; fome confound Cinnamon and CaJJia together, and fay they only differ in Name, ethers fay the Tree that, produces them is the fine, but that its growing in different Places makes the Difference, and others that thev are taken from different Parts of the fame Tree ; bat the certain Truth is, that they are the Barks of different Trees, fo much alike however, that they are not eafdy known from each other. The Tree which produces the Cinnamon, is the Arbor ccnellifera Zeylanica , cortice ccerrimo feu prajlan- t.ffmo qui Cinnamomum OJfcinarian. Breyn. Prodr. 2. 17. Laurus Ceylanica glandifera, folio tr'.neruio optimum et leg id mum Cinnamomum ferens., Muf. Zeyl. 12. That which produces the true Caff a lignea, is the Arbor Canellifera Malabarica cortice ignobi- lisre , cuius folium Malabathrum Ojfcinarum. Breyn. Prodr. 2. i 3 . Co fa vulgaris Calihacha dicta. Pif. The Bark cf this is brought to us from Malabar and Java. But there is another CaJJia lignea more common in the Shops, tho’ not nearly fo good, of a darker Colour, more mucilaginous in the Mouth, and generally in larger Pieces, which is the Bark of the Arbor Canellifera Jndica coriict accrrimo vifeido feu muci- laginofo qui Cajfa lignea OjficindYum. Breyn. Prod. 2. 17. This is brought from the Eajl- Indles , and is what we commonly fee under the Name of Cajfa lignea. The Folium Malabathrum is the Leaf of the Camella Sylvejir is Malabarica. Com. fl. Mai. 68. Katou Karva, Hort. Mai. 5. 105. Pfeudo Caf- fia Diofcaridis. Jon f. Dendr. 162. Diofcoridis err’d in faying, this was a Sort of Lens Paluftris, for there is no Room to doubt its being the Leaf of this Tree, but the true and genuine Leaves are very feldom feen, thofe of the Cinnamon and Cajfa Trees being generally fent over for them. The Fruit of the Cinnamon-tree by CoCtion and Exprefilon, yields an oily Subftance, of which Candles are made for People of the firft Rank ; and from the Neck of the Root they draw a fine Kind of Camphir, very rarely to be met with in Europe, and of a fpicy Smell.] 4. Of White Cinnamon, or Cortex Win- teranus. W Hite Cinnamon , to which fome give the Name of White Cojlus , Coflus corticofus , Winter's Bark , or Winter s Cinnamon, becaufe IVilliam Winter was the firft who brought it into England ; is the Bark of the Trunk and Branches of a Tree, of the Size of a Pear-Tree : The Branches are flender, high, ftraight, and well adorn’d with Leaves like thofe of the Spurge Laurel, but more delicate, fofter, of a Sea- Green, and very fine Smell ; after which grows a round Fruit, of a beautiful red. This Tree grows plentifully, at St. Domingo in Guadaloupa , all about the Tandy, mountainous, or rocky Parts ; and is met withal in the Ifle of St. Laurence or Madagafcar , where it is call’d Fimpi. The white Cojlus we call white Cinnamon , has fo great Conformity with the rough Cinna- mon, that but for Colour and Tafte, few People could difeover the Difference. This is the Bark that fome Apothecaries improperly make UTe of, inftead of Arabian or Indian Cojlus , of which we made Mention already, and upon that Occafion, give it the Name cf Indian Cojlus ; which is very improper, becaufe the Indian Cojlus is a Root al- moft unknown to us, and this is a Bark we are very well acquainted with. Tho’ this is of a warm biting Tafte, and very aromatick, it is very little in Ufe, either in Medicine, or to other Pur- pofes, among any of the European Nations. It ought to be chofen in fine Pieces, whitifh with- out and within, cleanfed from its outer Rind, which is greyiih, thick and rough, of a biting, acrid Tafte, and a Nutmeg Smell. Some have thought 20 General Wjtory of D R V 0 §, thought this Sark very ufeful in the Cure of the Scurvy. It is an Ingredient in fome Galenical Compofitions, and its Ethereal Oil is excellent for the Gout, and other fuch Difeafes. During the hot Seafon, there flows from the Trunks of thefe Trees, a black Gum, fat, and very odori- ferous : This is that which fome Druggifts call Gum Alouchi , and oftentimes fell for Gum Ivy, or Bdellium ; which is eafy enough to diftinguilh, in that Gum Ivy is very dry, dear, and tranfpa- rent, and the Bdellium is almoft like Gum- Arabic k, but that it Won’t difl'olve in Water; whereas this Gum is foft andgreafy, of different Colours, very dirty and impure. Cinnamomum JViriteranum , tolls up in Pipes like Cinnamon, but is much larger and thicker, and of a whitifh yellow Colour, very hot, biting, and aromatick in Tafte, haying the Virtues and Relifh of mod other Spices ; and is brought to us out of the IFeJl-Indies , from Nevis., Antigua , Montfet- rat , and other of the adjacent Iflands. It is an excellent Cephalick, Stomachick, Coi'dial, and Hyfterick : It attenuates and opens, is fudorifick and alexipharmick, prevails againft the Vertigo, Megrim, Hcad-Ach, Apoplexy, Lethargy, Paify, and mod Difeafes of the Head and nervous Parts : It {Lengthens the Stomach, caufes an Appetite and good Digeftion, expels Wind, and is lingular againft the Cholick, and griping of the Guts ; opens Obftruftions of the Bowels, and provokes the Terms : It is a good Cordial, {Lengthens the Heart, revives the Spirits and fortifies the whole Body, being excellent againft Faint- ings, Swoonings, Sicknefs at Stomach, Palpi- tation of the Heart, iffc. ufed as the true Cin- namon, in Powder, Water, Oil, or Spirit ; but in large Quantities, to anfwer the fame In- tentions. [The true Cdrtex Winter anus is the Bark of a Species of Periclymenum , the Laurifolia magella- nica cortice acri. C. B. Pin. 461. The Cortex IVinterams , Cortex magellanicus. Mont. Exot. 8. But this, tho’ the right and genuine Cortex Win- teranus , is feldom feen in the Shops ; what we meet with in its Place, is the Canella Alba. Rai. Hift. The Bark of the Arbor Baccifera laurifolia aromatica fruit u viridi calyculato , racemofo. Phil. Tranf. X92. This grows plentifully in 'Jamaica , the Bark has no Ufe in Medicine but as a Succe- danewri , for and under the Name of the Cortex Winter anus. J 5, Of Clove-Cinnamon, T HIS is what wecall improperly, Chve-TFoAt t It is the fecond Bark of the Trunk and Branches of a Tree, whofe Leaves come very near thofe of the Bay-Tree ; after which thefe grows round Fruit, of the Size of Gall-Nutsy Chefnut-colour’d, very light, which being broke, you may find within a Kind of Kernel : The Fruit has the Smell and Tafte of the Clove, which gave Occafion to the Antients to call it Clove or Madagafcar Nut, becaufe we meet with great Quantities of thofe Trees in that Ifland. The Clove-Wood, or rather the Bark, having the Tafte and Smell of tire Clove, is at prefent made Ufe of, efpecially by the Hawkers and Chandler* ,• who fell it, after it is beat to Powder, for pow- der’d Cloves, though the Cloves are four or five Times as dear as this Bark ; and fo they deceive the ignorant. They alfo fell it whole, pretend- ing that it is the Bark of the Clove Tree, which is falfe, for the Clove is found only in the Ifland of Terrnte , and this Bark is from Brctfil, or from Madagafcar. As it is a Bark in fome Ufe, I fhall obferve that it ought to be chofen pick’d clean from the outward Bark which is ufually grey and knotty, and of a dun Colour ; that it ought to be thin, of a biting aromatick Tafte, and as nearly ap- proaching the Clove, both in Smell and Tafte, as poflible ; but take care that what you buy be not mufty, or mix’d with thick Bark, that has nei- ther Tafte nor Smell, as happens too often. This is of little or no Ufe in Phyfick ; but there are fome Perfons who make a Tincfture of it with Aqua Fites , or Spirit of Wine, which they fell for Tinifture cr Eflence of Cloves: The Confec- tioners and Perfumers likewife ufe it inftead of Cloves. Others fay, the Clove-Bark is brought to us out of Turkey , and is almoft in the Shape of Cin- namon, bat comes very near the Colour of Cloves,- and has the fame Tafte and Smell ; fo that the Fragrancy a;ld Odour of each are fcarce- ly difcernible one from the other, except by the Strength, Cloves being much {Longer than this Bark. We feldom make Ufe of it in thefe Parts of the World ; but the Natives of the Country where it grows,- efteem it as a Cephalick, and good againft the Cholick, Wind, Gripings of the Guts, Obftrufftions of the Courfes, £SY. taken in Powder from a Dram to two Drams, and in Tincture to dn Ounce or two. There is a Water made of it, that the Hollanders impofe upon us for Clove- Water, tho’ at an inccnfider- able Price, which is a good Stomachick, and an excellent V chicle to convey any Cephalick or An- ticholick Medicine in. [This is the Caf.a Caryophyllata of the Shops: It is the Bark of the Caryopkyllus folio et fruttn rotundo. Breyn. Pr. 2. 26. Caryophyllus Aroma - ticus Indies Occident alls foliis et fruit u rotunda, dipyrerm , Book IV. Of BA dhyrenls , feminibus fete orbiculatis plants. Pluk. Aim. 88. The Tree is plentiful in Cuba , and elfewhere in the JFeJl- Indies. The Fruit of this Tree is frequently, but er- roneously fold in the Shops for the Carpob alfatniim , and fometimes for the Amomum. ] 6. Of the Peruvian Bark. T H E Kinquina, or Quina-quirta , Peruvian- Barky or the Bark againft Fevers, is the ex- ternal or outward Bark of the Trunk and Branches of a Tree, that grows plentifully in Peru , from whence this is brought us, bv the Way of Cadiz. But as I have never been in Peru , to know how to fpeak exactly of the Trees which produce this Bark, I fhall hive Recourfe to Mr. Bernard , who is a very honeft: Man, and very curious in the Knowledge of Simples, who had a Defcription of the Kinquina given him from one who liv’d twenty Years in Portugal, and had made feveral Voyages to the Wejl- Indies, and to Peru. A true Defcription of the Peruvian Bark. The Kinquina is the Bark of a Tree that grows in Peru , in the Province of Quit to, upon the Mountains near the City of Loxa. This Tree b alinoft the Size of a Cherry-Tree; the Leaves are round and indented : It bears a long reddifh Flower, from whence arifes a Kind of Hufk, in which is found a Kernel like an Almond, flat and white, cloath’d with a thin Rind ; that Bark which comes from the Trees at the Bottom of the Mountains, is thicker, becaufe it receives in more Nouriftunent from the Earth : It is fmooth, of a whitifh yellow without, and of a pale brown within. That which comes from Trees on the Top of the Mountains, is much thinner ; it is uneven, browner without, and of a higher Co- lour within ; but the Trees which grow on the Middle of the Mountains, have a Bark yet browner than the other, and more rugged. All thefe Barks are bitter, but that from the Trees at the Bottom of the Mountains, lefs than the others. It follows from hence, that the Bark of the leaft Virtue, is that which grows in the loweft Places, becaufe it abounds more with earthy and watry Parts, than that which grows high, which for the contrary Reafon, is better ; but the beft of all, is that which grows in the Middle cf the Mountains, becaufe it has not too much or too little Nourilhment. There is another Kind of Quinquina, which comes from the Mountains of Potoft, and is browner, more aromatick, and bit- R K. S. 8 1 terer than the former, but abundantly fcarcer than any cf the reft. Befide the Qualities remark’d in this Bark, it ought to be heavy, of a firm Subftance, found and dry. Beware of fuch as is rotten, or hurt by Wet, and fuch as flies into Duft in breaking, or is dirty and unclean, as it happens to be fome- times : But make choice of fuch as is in little thin Pieces, dark and blaekifh without, with a little white Mofs, or feme fmall Fern-Leaves flicking to if, reddifh within, of a bitter and difagreeable Tafte; and refufe that which is full of Threads when broke, and of a Rufiet Colour ; and take care that there be not feveral Pieces of Wood mix’d with it, which you have fometimes flicking to the' Bark. This was brought firft into France, in the Year 1650, by the Cardinal Lago a Jefuite, who having brought it from Peru , it was had in fuch Vogue in France, as to be fold Weight for Weight for Gold, but the Quantities of it foon afterwards brought over, quickly leflen’d the Price. The Ufe of this Bark is for the Cure of Fevers, efpecially intermitting, for which Purpofe it is given in Subftance, Tincture, or Infulion ; but as it is a Medicine fome People have an utter Averfion to, and as the Ufe of it is of ill Effect, unlefs properly applied ; I would advife no Body to make Ufe of it without the Direction of an able Phyfician. The extraordinary Virtues which the Spaniards attribute to this Kinquina, for the Cure of Fevers, is the Reafon why they give the Tree that bears this Bark, the Name of Palo de Calenturis, wnich fignifies the Fever-Wood. Kinakina, Quin quin. Cortex Peru- viana. The Peruvian, or Fever-Bark, Lemery. is call’d fo from the Tree that produces it in Peru, where it grows, about the Size of our Cherry-Trees ; the Leaves are round and indent- ed ; the Flower is long, of a reddifh Colour, and is fucceeded by a Pod, which contains a flat Kind of Kernel that is white, and enclofed in a very thin Skin. There are two Sorts of it, one cul- tivated, and the other wild ; the cultivated is to be prefer’d much before the other : It contains a great deal of fix’d Salt, and abounds with an Oil ; it cures intermitting Fevers beft ufed in the Powder, finely fearc’d; from a Scruple to two Drams the Dofe : There may be likewife an In- fufion made of it in Wine or W ater for the fame Intention. Some fay that Bark is beft which is of the moft lively Colour, and enclining to a dark Cinnamon, moft curled up, as coming from the fmaller Branches of the Tree, that breaks of a fhining Colour, is of a bitter Tafte, very aftringent ; or rough and ftyptick upon the Tongue, and whitifh outwardly : The thick, flat, M dark- General Hijlory dark-colour’d, is nothing fo good ; and if it wants its bitter Tafte and Stypticity, it is good for nothing. It is a Specifick for the curing of all Sorrs of intermitting Fevers or Agues ; and fo certain it is in effecting this Cure, that it feldom fails in a fkilful Man’s Hand : Befides which. Experience tells us, it flops Catarrhs, and all Sorts of Fluxes ; but the great Skill of a Phyfician is to know to whom, when, how to ufe it, and how long : Firfl, confidering the Nature and Quality of this Medicine, it is evident, it ought not to be given to fuch as have their Courfes flopp’d ; or to fuch with whom they feldom flow kindly, but come down pale and fparingly ; nor yet to fuch as are coflive in theirBodies, or are commonly troubled with a Conflipation of the Bowels ; for to fuch, the Ufe of this is generally of ill Confequence ; nor ought it to be given in continual burning Fe- vers, becaufe it fixes the morbifick Matter, flops the Pores, and fo encreafes the Heat, and con- centers it, that it infallibly deflroys the Patient. Secondly, when it ought to be given, the Perfons to whom we allow it to be given, ought to be prepar’d for the Ufe of it, by fome proper Vo- mits or Purgatives, fuch as the Ipecacuana , the emetick Wine or Tartar ; and purge with Glau- ber's Sal Mirabile , or Solutivum , Cream of Tar- tar, and the like, two or three Times at leafl, before the Ufe of the Cortex. Thirdly, You ought to know how it fhould be given, which is in Powder, from a Scruple, or half a Dram, to a Dram or two; beat it very fmall and fearce it ; and about an Hour after the Fit is gone off, put your Quantity of Powder in a Glafs of good flrong White-White or Claret, and drink it off : There are feveral other Liquors this may be taken in, according to the Fancy of the Patient. In Infufion, take fine Powder of the Bark one Ounce, Claret ten Ounces ; infufe four or five Days, fhaking it twice a Day, then decant it clear ; it is given in double the Quan- tity in Infufion, to that of the Powder, becaufe you take the lafl in Subfiance ; you may make a Tincture with Brandy, or Spirit of Wine, where- of take half an Ounce. In the fourth Place you ought to confider how long, or often the Bark ought to be taken : Here- in you muff have regard to the Nature of the Fits, their Strength and Accidents that attend them, as Seafon, Temperature, Ufe, &c. In Children, and tender Conflitutions, the Dofe is to be lefs, but oftner and longer continued : In Tertian Agues, it ought to be ufed at the End of the Fit, and taken at different Intervals, till the next Return. When that is over the Remedy muff be repeated in the fame Manner, ’till the c/DRUGS. Expectation of another Fit ; what Intervals of Time are to be obferv’d between each Dofe, de- pends on the Quantity of the Powder, or Strength of the Infufion, or Length of the Inter- million between each Fit : The ffronger the In- fufion, the longer Space of Time is to be between each Dofe ; and if the Intermiflion of the Fits is long, there is no Need of repeating the Dofes fo often, as if the Intermiflion was fhorter. The whole Quantity, from the firft to the laft, ought to be about an Ounce and half, or two Ounces ; let it be given an Hour or two before Meat, and two or three Hours after ; and if it be in Infu- fion , let the Quantity taken be about four Ounces. To prevent the Return of the Ague, this Me- thod ought to be continued for eight Days, three Times a-Day : Firft, early in the Morning, then an Hour before Dinner ; and at Night, an Hour before Supper ; but if the Ague fhould return again, as it does, if you purge after it, the Ufe of the Bark muff be repeated after the fame Manner as before, and it will not fail to produce the defil’d Effedl, which is abfolutely to cure the Ague, fo that it fhall not return any more. But tho’ the Ague feems to be perfectly gone, for fe- veral Revolutions of Fits, yet it is neceffary to continue the Ufe of the Remedy, for twelve Days, by which Means you will fecure the Patient a- gainft any frefh Affault. It is at the End of the Fit that the Dofe is to be given, and it muff be continued ’till the Cure is perfeded ; which in a Angle and double Tertian, commonly happens at the fecond Fit, or at moft at the Third : The fame is to be under- flood in a Angle and double Quartan, wherein you have two whole Days to give the Medicine in,, without Interruption ; in which, as in the Ter- tian, the Ague is mafter’d at the third and fourth Fit, if not at the very firft, which often happens ; and to prevent its Return, the Ufe of the Bark is to be the longer continued after the Cure; for ’tis the too hafty Difcontinuance of it, which caufes the Relapfe, and puts the Patient to a new Trouble of running over the fame Courfe again. This Medicine ought not to be given at the coming on of the Fit, nor yet during the Time of it ; becaufe then, inftead of alleviating the Force and Violence of the Ague, it would be apt, by Reafon of the febrifick Ferment, to ex- cite a fiercer Conflidl, and make the Paroxyfm the more violent. This Method being obferv’d, the Medicine will intercept the Courfe of the Difeafe in its Progrefs ; and being convey’d into the Mafs of Blood, by a gentle Motion, it pu- rifies it, and deflroys thefeverifh Ferment, which would produce a new Fit. It ought likewife to be 40 _L//u- ^ttau < ^ /io £mi//sz a/la,or/orfatfhn//'ro'///i , > . .( "t . «. * N 4 ' , *• ■■ ^ ,Ai ■ r . \i . ' : ■ * S'.'. v • SW A ' . . ' - • • 32 Book V. Of L E in his Garden ? So that we need not wonder if die Chine/e, ifc. exchange Tea for it. It may not be improper in this Place to refute the Error into which the Author of a Treatife of Tea , Coffee, &c. has fallen, when he fays that this Tea produces a blackifh Seed, which he faw brought into France ; but he was wrong inform’d, fince the Fruit of the Tea , as I have faid before, is of the Shape of the Areca, and the Size of an Acorn cut in two, and is cover’d with a thin Shell, of a Chefnut Colour. This Author cb- ferves, that there is a febrifuge Syrup made of Tea., to which he attributes great Virtues, which thofe who defire to know farther of may confult his Treatife for. The , or Tfia, is a very little Leaf, Lemery. which is brought dry’d from China , Ja- pan , and Siam. It grows upon a fmall Shrub, from whence it is gather’d in the Spring, at which Time it is little and tender. The Fi- gure or Shape of it is oblong, pointed, thin, a little indented on the Sides, of a green Colour. The Flower is compofed of five white Leaves, form’d like a Rofe, and fome Stamina ; which, when gone, is fucceeded by a thick Cod, like a Hazel-Nut, of a Chefnut Colour, in which are found two or three Nuts or Berries, which con- tain in each a little Kernel, of an ill Tafte. The Foot is fibrous, and fpreads upon the Surface of the Earth. This Shrub flouriflhes equally in rich or poor Ground. The Leaf is more ufed for Pleafure in the Liquor we call Tea, than for any medicinal Purpofe ; but it has a great many good Qualities, for it lightens and refrefhes the Spi- rits, fupprefies Vapours, prevents and drives away Drowfinefs, ftrengthens the Brain and Heart, haftens Digeftion, provokes Urine, clcanfes or purifies the Blood, and is proper again!! the Scurvy. [Tea is the Leaf of the Styraci if Euonymo Media: affinis. The Sinenfium five TJia Japonen- fi 1 us, jiore niveo , fimplici if plena , Br. Pr. 2. 98. Thea firutex folic Cerafit, jiore Rofies fiylvejlris , firu£iu unicocco , briocco , if ut plnrimum tricccco , Kaemp. Hift. Jap. 2. Ap. 2. We have fix Kinds of Tea ufed in England ; I. The Bohea, of a dark Colour, giving a brown Tinge to the Water it is infufed in ; 2. the Congou ; 3. the Peso ; 4. the Green Tea, cali’d Singlo , of which there are two Kinds ; the one with oblong narrow Leaves, the other with (mai- ler ; both equally good, and both of a blueifii green Colour, crifp to the Touch, and giving a pule green Colour to Water they are infufed in ; 5. the Imperial Tea , the Leaves of which are large and loofe, and lefs roll’d together than thofe of die former Kinds ; the beft is green, crifp ir. the A V E S. 89 Mouth, and has the mod agreeable Flavour ; the fixth is that call’d the Hyfirn Tea , now mod ufed among Perfons of the upper Rank. All thefe Kinds are the Leaves of the fame Tree, only differing according to the Time of gathering and Manner of curing. Thefe are much more ufed for Pleafure than as Medicines ; the Bohea , how- ever, is efteem’d foftening and nourtfhing, and good in all inward Decays ; the Green is diure- tick, and carries an agreeable Roughnefs with it into the Stomach, which gently aftringes the Fi- bres, and gives them fuch a Tenfity as is necef- fary for a good Digeftion : Improper or exceflive- Ule may make this, or any thing elfe that 1 has any Virtues at all, do Mifthief ; but there are very few Inftances of that ; and with Modera- tion, it certainly is one of the beft, pleafanteft, and fafeft Herbs ever introduced into Food or Medicine, and in the frequent Ufe of which. People generally enjoy a confirm’d Health : The Green indeed, if drank too freely, is prejudi- cial to fuch as have weak Lungs ; fuch People, therefore, ought to drink the Bohea with Milk in it.j 6 . Of Senna. HE Senna , which fome call the Eajlern Leaf , comes from a Plant, Pomet. or rather a Shrub of about a Foot high, which grows in feveral Parts of the Levant , and alfo in Europe. This Plant, or Shrub, bears Leaves which are more or lefs green, and of diffe- rent Shapes, according to the different Places where they grow. Among the Leaves come little Flowers of a purple Colour, in Form of Stars ; and after them, thin flat Pods, in which are con- tain’d five or fix fmall Seeds, Iikewife flat, broad at one End, and fharp at the other ; and thefe Pods are what we call Senna Hufks. As Senna is a Leaf that is very common among us, from the great Sale of that Commodity, I muft inform you there arc three Sorts, which we diftinguifh into Alexandrian Senna , Tripoli Senna, and Mocha Senna ; and under thefe three Kinds there are feveral other Species, which have no Difference, but from the Places where drey are cultivated, as tiie fame Species may have a Va- riety in the Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit, from the Nature of the Soil where it is cultivated : 'I'he fine!! Sort, and beft in Quality, is the Alex- andrian Serma, that comes from the Levant', which pays a Tribute to the Grand Signor ; this the Turks call Palte. Chufe this Senna with narrow Leaves, of a mo- derate Size, of the Shape of a Spear- Point, yel- : lowifh colour’d, of a ftrong fragrant Smell, in a N manner go General Hijrory of D R U G S. manner fweet, the Ieaft broke, full of Sticks or dead Leaves, or any other Filth that may be. This Defcrfption of Senna will undoubtedly ap- pear ridiculous to fome People, who have no great Knowledge of it, who will have it that the beft Senna is that with great, broad, green Leaves : But I am fatisfied that no body that un- derftands Senna will contradict what I fay ; and the rather, becaufe I mud be allow’d to be a Judge of it, from the vaft Quantities of this Drug that have pafs’d thro’ my Hands ; befides that, I have by me the entire Plant, from whence the Figure is engrav’d, as it was brought to me from Aleppo. The Ufe of Senna is fo common, it would be needlefs for me to fay any more, than that it is a very good Purgative. The fecond Sort of Senna is that of Tripoli , which is a green Senna , fold fometimes, but very rarely. It comes next in Virtue to the Alexan- drian , but is ufually more churlifh, and has very little Smell ; notwithftanding which, it is bought up by thofe who underftand little of it. The third Sort is the Mocha Senna , which the Hawkers call Pike Senna , becaufe the Leaves are long and narrow, that is to fay, twice as long as the true Senna from the Levant. The ill Quality of this Senna is fufficient to warn you againft the meddling with it all ; for it is good for nothing. As to the Folliculi , or Senna- Hufks, their Ex- cellency ought to engage the Phyfician to preferibe them more frequently, becaufe they purge very gently, and fcarce give any Tafte or Smell to the Medicine, contrary to the Leaf, which gives fo bad a Tafte, that mod People refufe to take the Medicines made with it. Chufe thefe Shells thick, large, and of a greenifh Colour, with the Seed which is within plump, well fed, and almoft like the Stones of Raifins, only flat. Throw fuch away as are blackifh and dry’d, as not fit for in- ternal Ufe. You may make an Extract of Senna, by Means of Fire and Water, and alfo a Salt, to which fome People aflign great Virtues, and pre- tend by its Help to make Infufions of Senna of greater Force and Efficacy. Some Authors have writ, that there is Plenty of Senna to be found in Italy, efpecially in Tufcany , and about Genoa ; but I believe that thefe Kinds of Senna are rather the Leaves of that Plant which the Botanifts call Colutea , or the Wild or Baftard Senna ; an Ac- count of which may be feen at large in Botanick Authors. There is a Plant found in France , which the Botanifts call Gratiola, which purges more than Senna. There is, befides, another Plant, which the Simplers call Alypon mantis Ceti, becaufe it is found plentifullyat Cette near Montpellier, which purges more than Senna : Some call this Alypon . White Turbith. Senna, Folium Orientale , or Sena , is a little longifh Leaf, which is brought Lcmery. dry’d from feveral Parts of Europe. It grows on a fmall Shrub, and is of two Kinds ; the firft is call’d Senna Alexandria, five foliis acu- tis , the Alexandrian Senna , or that with fharp- pointed Leaves, by Bauhine and Tournefort : It carries its woody Stalks a Foot and a half, or two Feet high ; from whence come Leaves that are oblong and narrow, pointed, of a yellowifh green ; the Flowers are made up of five Leaves each, af- ter which come flat crooked Pods. The fecond Sort is call’d Senna Italica , five fo- liis ohtufs , by Bauhine and Tournefort , or Italian Senna with blunt Leaves : It differs from the for- mer, in that the Leaves are larger, more nervous, broad, and blunter at the End. We are furnifh’d by the Merchants with three Sorts of Senna \ the firft and fecond of which are call’d the Levant Senna, and the laft Mocha Senna, as Pomet has deferibed them. The Leaves and Pods of all the Sorts afford a good deal of Oil and Salt. Other Accounts of Senna diftinguifh it into True and Baftard ; the True is of three Sorts ; firft, the Alexandrian , with fharp-pointed long' Leaves, frefh Smell, ftrong Scent, free from' Stalks, fmaller or narrower than the other Kinds, of a lively Colour ; this is the beft of all. 2d ly. That of Aleppo, which is generally fuller of Stalks and Duft, and has a fhorter and blunter Leaf than the former. Chufe that which has a good ftrong Smell, of a pale green Colour, well cleanfed, and not mufty : This is next in Goodnefs to the former, qdly, The Indian Senna , which is much like that of Aleppo in Form, is the coarfeft Sort of all, and the worft, and becomes fomething worfe and weaker by reafon of its long Carriage from the Indies hither, being often heated in the Hold of the Ship, where it is fpoii’d. The Baf- tard Senna is the Colutea, or Wild Senna, fpoken of before. The Leaf of the beft Senna is the mod famous and common Purge againft ferous Humours and Melancholy, which it dii'charges from the Head, Stomach, Lungs, Liver, Spleen, Womb, and Joints ; but it gripes fometimes, by reafon of the fharp Humours from the Body that join with it, and upon which it a' k sSR ■ ■■ ; , ■ ; - " * • V , , - k ; 3 f , ' . • ' 1 'Jv \v v v ;A <- *: '■ • , N / / ’ ■ . ■ Vi, ... ... . v; . ■: > - w<)Syv\ > \ \ V>\j\'V,\. ..,V v Book V. O/LE rations of this Leaf in Ufe, in the moll common Difjxnfatories, as the Extract Benedict urn , De- cotlum Senna Gcreonis , Quercetan' s Cathartick, and the like. [The beft and right Senna of the Shops, is the Leaf of the Senna Alexandria , five foliis a calls, C. B. Pin. 397. Senna Orient alls, Ger. 1114. It grows in Syria , Arabia , Perfia , and Fgypt : The Leaves of this are narrow and pointed. The worfe. Sort of Senna, too often fold in the Place of this, is the Leaf of the Senna Italica foliis obtufis , Boerh. Ind. Alt. 2. 57. Senna Ita- iiea. Park, 225. The Leaves of this are round- illi and fomething Heart-fafhion’d at the End. It purges lefs, but gripes more than the true Senna.] 7 . Of Maidenhairs. T H E Maidenhairs are little Plants that are brought whole to us from feveral Parts ; the chief and moft ef- teem’d, is that which comes from Canada, and is call’d Maidenhair of Canada , and, by Botanifts, Adianthum album Canadenfe , or the White Cana- da Maidenhair. This grows about a Foot high, with a very {lender Stalk, hard and blackifh ; from whence there arife fmall Branches bearing green Leaves, pretty deep indented, as may be leen by the Figure : It grows likewife in Brafil : This is cultivated with great Care in the King’s Garden at Paris, as well as many other Sorts of exotick Plants, which were brought from feveral Parts of the World by Meffieurs Fagon and Tour- nefort , the moft eminent Botanifts we have had. Befides the Maidenhairs which we have from Canada, we have alfo the Syrup fent to us, which to be of the beft Kind ftiould be Amber-colour’d, of a good Tafte and Confiftence, fmelling neither four nor mufty, truly made in Canada, and as clear and tranfparent as pofiible. Great Virtues are attributed to this Syrup, ef- pecially for Coughs, Catarrhs, and Difcafes of the Breaft ; it is alfo adminifter’d to Infants new- born, with a little Oil of Sweet-Almonds. As to the Choice of Maidenhair, you muft take fuch as is neweft, very green, and the leaft broke that you can get. Befides this Maidenhair and the Syrup, we have from Montpellier another Kind of Syrup, call’d Capillairc , which is made from a Plant the Botanifts call Adianthum album Mmfpelicnfe, cr the White Maidenhair of Montpellier. The Sy- rup of this is little different from that made of the Canada Maidenhair ; when faithfully prepar’d, it ought to be of an Amber-Colour, and a very agreeable Tafte. There are other Syrups of Maidenhair, and the like, prepar’d in the South- A V E S. 91 ern Parts, as of Black Maidenhair , Golden Mai- denhair, Scolopenarlum , and Ceterach -, fome add Polypody, Salvia Vita, or common White Mai- denhair, and Liquorice ; and all thefe Plants to- gether make a red Syrup, which they fell as well as the Syrup of Maidenhair. Some Apothecaries diftil a Water from the Maidenhair , and make a white Syrup of it, which fells very well, but it has no more Virtue than a plain Dift'olution of Sugar. Sometimes there comes from Montpellier a liquid Conferve of Maidenhair, but it is very fcarce, and little enquired for. As to the Preparations of the Syrups, I fhall fay nothing further ; but thofe who would make the Syrup of Maidenhair of Canada or Montpellier , may confult fuch Books or Difpenfatories as treat of them. Adianthum , or the true Maidenhair of the Shops, is a Plant that bears fe- Lemery. veral {lender, blackifii Stalks, of about half a Foot, or a Foot high, divided into fine de- licate Branches, which are adorn’d with little Leaves, like thofe of Coriander, almoft triangu- lar, fragrant, and of an agreeable Tafte : This Plant bears no Flowers ; its Fruit, according to Mr. Tournefort' s Obfervations, is produced in a Folding of the End of one of the Leaves ; which after it is ftretched out, enclofes feveral fpherical Coverings which are caked to the faid Foldings,* and cannot be difeover’d but by the Aftiftance of a Microfcope : Thefe Capfula, or Coverings, are furnifh’d with, as it were, a Purfe-String, which by its Contraction opens them ; they contain fome little Seeds in them that are almoft round : The Root is fibrous and black ; it grows in Ihady, moift, or ftony Places, againft Walls, or Sides of W^ells and Ditches : The beft they have in France grows about Montpellier in Languedoc. It is brought likewife from Canada, Brafil, and feveral other Parts of America, where there is a Sort of the dried Maidenhair, a great deal larger than ours, call’d by C. Bauhine , Adianthum fru- ticofum Brafilianum, and is the fame with the Maidenhair of Canada : The Stalk is {lender, hard, and of a brownilh red, or purple Colour, tending to black, divided into many Branches, which bear little Leaves, almoft like the common Sort, long, and indented on one Side, but whole on the other, foft, tender and fragrant ; this is what is moft valued, as being the beft feented of all the Maidenhairs. It is common in feveral Parts of America, and efpecially in Canada ; fo that the Traders pack up their Goods with it in- ftead of Hay, when they would fend them to a diftant Country ; ’tis by this Means we have fuch Quantities of it ; but it would be much better if they would pack it up in Paper, or Bags, which would prefer/e the Scent and Virtue of it. Chufe N 2 fuch 92 General Hiflory fuch as is frefh, green, well Rented, whole and foft to the Touch. This Plant contains little Phlegm, a good deal of Oil, but not much Salt ; they are pedtoral, aperitive, and raife the Spittle, fweeten the Blood, and provoke Womens Courfcs. They give the Name of Maiden-Hair to four other Kinds of Plants, which in fome Mcafure re- femble the Adianthum , and to which they attri- bute the like Virtues, viz. Filicula , Ceterach, l Vail -Rue, and Polytrichurn aureum , or Golden Maiden Hair. The Adianthum Aureum minus , and Politrichum nobile vel primum , is a little Plant about the Length of a Man’s Finger, bearing many Leaves, on Stalks almoft as fine as Hair, of a yellowifh Colour ; the Stalks bear on their Tops little longifh Heads, the Roots are very little like finall Threads : This Plant grows in the Woods, and againft old Walls, and in Bogs and marfhy Places ; it is a good Sudorifick and Antipleuretick, being in- fus’d half a Handful in a Pint of boiling Water, as you make Tea, and ufed after the fame Manner. Polytrichum vulgare , or the Prichomanes of the Shops. M. Pournefort has difeover’d with his Microfcope, that this Plant, as well as the Adi- anthum , bears a little Seed roul’d up in the End of the Leaf, which is very final], and almoft round, cover’d on the Ribs with a great many light Par- ticles like Duft ; the Roots are very finall and ftringy ; it grows like the other Sort, and is reckon’d a good Pe&oral, aperitive and proper for Obftrudlions of the Liver and Spleen, and in Womens Cafes. Ceterach of the Shops, or the true Scolopen- drium , is a Kind of Maiden Hair , or a Plant whofe Leaves refemble, in fome Manner, Poly- pody , but they are much lefs, cut in almoft round ; their back Parts are reddifh or yellow, hairy, and cover’d with a little fcaly Matter: M. Tournefort has made a Difcovery of a Seed in this Plant unknown before : This grows in wild Places in hot Countries ; and thofe of Languedoc call it ufually Golden Locks , becaufe of its near Approach to Hair and its golden Colour. It is pe&oral, and particularly appropriated to the Di- feafes of the Spleen, and is a good Aperitive. [The true Maiden Hair is the Adianthum foliis Coriandri. C. B. 355. Capillus Veneris Verus. Ger. 982. This grows in France and Italy. The Canada Maiden Hair , which is another Species of this, is the Adianthum fruftuofum Bra- flianum. C. B. Pin. 355. Adianthum fruflus- fum Americanum fumrnis ramulis refexis & in orbem Expanfis. Pluk. Almag. 10. The other Kinds ufed in Medicine, or kept in the Catalogues of Officinal Plants, are i. The Polytrichum Aureum tr.ajus, C. B. P. of DRUGS. 356. This is a large credl Mofs, and different in Form from all the Maiden Hairs. 2. The Prichomanes. Park. 1051. 3. The Adianthum Album. Rai. Hift. 1. 146, 4. The Adianthum nigrum vulgare. Park. 1049. And 5. The Adianthum Album folio Filicis. J. B. J. 741. Dryopteris Alba. Ger. Emac. 1x35. The Ceterach mention’d in this Chapter is the Afplenium five Ceterach. J. B. 794. And is not properly a Species of Maiden Hair. Thefe were ail once in great Effeem, as Pec- torals, Balfamicks and Reftoratives ; but have of late loft much of their Credit, and are now feb- dom feen in Prefcription.J 8. Of Sea-Bind-Weed and Winter-Green* Oldanella , or Convolvulus Maritimus nojlras , of M. Pournefort : The Pomet. Sea-Bind-Weed is a finall Plant, whofe Roots are flender, and the Leaves like thofe of the Arijlolochia , or Birthwort , except that they are lefs and fomething thicker ; among thefe grow Flowers, very much refembling thofe of the common Bind- Weed, of a purple Colour. This Plant is brought to us entire from Maritime Parts, where it grows in Abundance ; ’tis much ufed in Medicine, to purge off dropfical Humours ; for which Reafon Mr. Brice Bauderon made it very properly an In- gredient in his hydragogue Powder: You need take no further Care about the Choice of it, only that it be new and as little broke as poffible. Be- fide this S oldanella, we fell another Herb call’d Pyrola , or Winter-Green , of which there are two Kinds, a larger and a finaller ; its Leaves fome- thing refemble thofe of the Pear-Tree, from whence it takes its Name, and is alfo call’d Winter- Green, becaufe it preferves its Verdure all Win- ter, in fpite of the hard Seafon. It is a Plant pretty common in fome Places, as Germany , and other cold Countries. And as this Plant is fome- thing fcarce in thefe Parts, our Herbalifts fell to thofe who want it the young Leaves of the Pear- Tree, raifed from Seed, which it is not eafy to detedl, becaufe of the great Likenefs between one and the other : ’Tis faid the Decodlion of this is a very great Aftringent, and that it is very pro- per for the Cure of Ulcers, and other Maladies of the like Nature. The Pyrola bears feveral little Stalks, at the End of each of which is a fmall roundifh Leaf of a brownifh Green ; from the Middle of the Leaves arifes a Stem, whofe Top is adorn’d with many little white Flowers, of a very good Smell, and the whole Plant is not above a Foot , or a Foot and a half high j it delights much in the Northern * k# ' 'j. .*Y XL ;; / : .. , \ ;; ' • \v\ • \. 5 o£. \\ Book V. Northern Countries, which makes it very rare in France , and other warm Climates. Soldanella , Braffica Marina , Sea Lemery. Colewort, or Convolvulus Maritimus no- Jlras according to Fournefort , Sea-Bind- Weed is a Species of Bind-Weed , or a fmall Plant that fends forth llender, winding, reddifh Stalks, that creep upon the Ground. The Leaves are al- moft round, fmooth, fhining, like thole of the lefier Celandine , but thicker, full of a milky Juice, tied bv long Tails , the Flowers are in Form of a Bell, with the Mouth turn’d upwards, as other Kinds of Bir.d-JFeed , and of a purple Colour : When thefe are gone they are fucceeded by a Fruit that is almoft round and membranous, which contains a corner’d Seed, black or white ; the Roots are fmall and fibrous : The whole Plant has a bitter Tafte, and is a little faltifh ; it grows near the Sea-fide, and flowers in June. They dry it entire with the Root, and fo it is transported : Chufe fuch as is freih or new, as little broke as may be ; it yields a great deal of eflential Salt and Oil, purges violently, and is ufed in Dropfies, Palfies, Difeafes of the Spleen, Scurvy and Rheu- matifm : The Dofe is from a Scruple to a Dram. Pyrola , JVinter-Green or Sea-Green , is a Plant of which there are feveral Kinds. I fhall only take Notice of two that have fome Ufe in Phy- fick : The fir ft is call’d Pyrola nojlras vulgaris , by Parkinfon , ox Pyrola rotund] folia major , b yFourne- fort , the greater round-leav’d Winter-Green. It bears from the Root five or fix Leaves, fupported each by a long feparate Foot-Stalk, by which they trail upon the Ground ; from among thefe rifes a Stem, about a Foot high, furnifh’d with feveral little pointed Leaves, which bear on the Top fweet-feented Flowers that are very beauti- ful to the Eye, compofed each of many Leaves, in the Shape of a Rofe, of a white Colour, having fomething rifing in the Middle that refembles an Elephant’s Snout, which, after the Flower is gone, becomes an angular Fruit, divided into five Cells, fill’d with a Seed that is as fmall as Duft j the Root is thin, fibrous and winding, all the Plant of a bitter Tafte and very aftringent. The fecond Sort is call’d Pyrola minima , or Pyrola rotundlfolia minor, by Fournefort , the lefler round-leav’d Winter-Green. It differs not from the former, but only as it is lefs in all its Parts. Tnefe Plants grow in mountainous Places, in Woods and Shades, about Geneva , in Ger- many , Bohemia , Moravia , and other Northern Countries, from whence the dried Leaves are brought ; but they are very fcarce a t Paris : Take Care left the Merchant, too greedy of Gain, mix young Pear-Tree Leaves with them, which it is not eaiy to diftinguilh : They are both very 93 aftringent, vulnerary, cooling, proper in Fluxes of the lower Belly, Hemorrhoids and mflamina- tions of the Breaft, being taken in Imufion or Powder ; they are likewife ufed externally in Plaifters and Ointments, to ftop Blood, and to dry up Wounds. [The firft of thefe Plants is the Soldanella Ma- ritima minor. C. B. Pin. 293. Soldanella vul- garis , volubilis Marina. Park. 161. It grows on the Sea Shores, and flowers in June. The Second is the Pyrola nojlras vulgaris . Park. 508. Pyrola rotundlfolia major , C. B Pin. 191. And the other Species of this the Pyrola folio mucronato f errata. C. B. Pin. 181. Pyrola tenerior. Park. 509. But neither of thefe are now ever heard of in the Shops.] 9. Of Anil, whereof Indigo is made. HE Indigo Plant grows about two Feet high, with round Leaves, of Pomet. a Green, inclining towards Brown on the upper Side of the Leaf, and Silver-colour’d underneath, and pretty thick ; after which come Flowers almoft like thofe of Peafe, of a reddifh Colour, from whence come long crooked Pods, refembling a Sickle, which enclofe a little Seed in them, like Radifh-Seed, of an olive Colour. When the Americans fow this Plant they firft drefs the Ground, and afterwards .make Holes in it about a Foot Diftance one from another, and into each Hole they throw ten or twelve of thefe Seeds, which they cover lightly with Earth, and in three or four Days Time this little Seed will be fure to appear, efpecially in a wet Seafon ; and in two Months, or fix Weeks fometimes, this Plant will be ready to cut and make Indigo of, as the Sequel will fhew ; and, if it is left in the Ground, in three Months Time it will yield both the Flower and Seed : What they fear moft, upon account of this Plant, is a Kind of Caterpillar, which in St. ChriJlopheP s they find fometimes to breed in a Night, and ruin all the promifing Hopes of the Inhabitants : The Way they have to reme- dy this is, immediately to cut down all the Plant, and throw it into a Vat, or Tub, with the Ca- terpillars and all, which alfo are of fome Service. The other Way to remedy this Misfortune is, to clear a large Space betwixt what they have eat, and what they have not touch’d : This Havock is not feen in Martinico. Indigo is a Fecula, or Settling, made by means of Water and Oil-Olive, out of the Leaves of ihe Anil, or Indigo-Plant : There is a difference be- tween that made of the Leaves only, and that which is made of the Leaves and fmall Branches. The Of L E A V E 5. 94 General Hijlory The choiceft of the former Sort is that which bears the Sur-Name of Serquiffe , from a Village of that Name, which is twenty-four Leagues from Surat , and near Amadabat. It is made likewife about Biana , and Coffa near Agra , alfo in the Kingdom of Go/conda: The Dutch alfo bring fome of it from Brampour and Bengal , but that is the lead valuable of all. When the Inhabitants of the Places above- nam’d would make the Fcculee of Anil, in order to make Indigo of it, they cut the faid Herb with a Sickle, when the Leaves begin to fall upon touching them ; and after they have ftrinp’d them from the Branches they put them into a fufficient Quantity of Water, which is in a Veflel call’d the Steeping-Vat, there letting them infufe thirty or thirty-five Hours ; after which they turn the Cock in order to let the Water run off, which is become of a green Colour, inclining towards Blue, into a Veflel of tire Nature of a Churn, where it is work’d by a Negro, by Means of a Rouler, or Turner of Wood, the Ends of which are pointed and faced with Iron ; this they work ’till the Water abounds with a Lather, then they call into it a little Oil-Olive ; to wit, one Pound into fuch a Quantity of the Liquor as will yield feventy Pounds of Indigo , fuch as we fell ; and as foon as the faid Oil is thrown in, theLather feparates into two Parts, fo that you may obferve a Quan- tity curdled, as Milk is when ready to break ; then they ceafe working and let it ftand to fettle ; which when it has done fome Time, they open the Pipe or Cock of the Veflel, in order to let the Water clear off, that the Fecula which is fub- fided may remain behind, at the Bottom of the Veil'd, like Dirt of Lees of Wine : Then taking it out they put it into Straining Bags of Cloth, to feparate what Water was left ; then they convey it into into Chefts or Boxes that are fhallow, to dry it ; and being dried, it is what we call Indigo , and that Name is given to this, in all Appearance, becaufe it comes from India. Sometimes the In- dians make their Indigo in a Sort of Ponds, made in Form of a Bafon, which they prepare with Lime, that becomes of an equal Hardnefs almofl to Marble. Chufe the Indigo of Serquiffe , in flat Cakes, of a moderate Thicknefs, neither too foft nor too hard, of a deep Violet Colour, light, and fuch as fwims on Water, and when broken has no white Spots in it ; and laftly, fuch as is copperifh or reddifh on being rubb’d with one’s Nail, and has the leaft Dull or broken Pieces among it. We have no Sort of Commodity liable to more various Ways of being fophifticated, or counter- feited, than Indigo , when it bears a good Price ; which, if I fliould attempt to relate, it would of DRUGS. make a fmall Volume of itfelf ; but I do not think it neceflary, fince it is eafy to diftinguifh that which is good from the bad, by what I have been dire£ting about its Choice. We have another Sort of this, call’d Chef nut Indigo , or Agra Indigo , which is almofl: as good as the Serquiffe ; but as the Form does not re- commend it to all the World, it is only in Ufe with the Dyers. There come to us, befide this, feveral other Sorts of Indigo , which have no other Difference than what arifes from the Places where they are made, and the different Seafons and Age of the Herb from which they are made ; for the Indigo made' of the Plant of the firft Gathering is better than that of the Second, and the Second better than the Third ; the younger the Leaf i$ which is ufed, the finer the Indigo is, being of a more lively, fhining, violet Colour. The Ufe of the Indigo is for the Dyers and Laundrefles, ferving the laft to put among their Linnen. The Painters ufe it to grind with White, for painting in Blue ; for if it is ufed alone, and neat, it turns black ; ground with Yellow it makes a Green. Some Confectioners and Apothecaries very prepofteroufly employ this to colour Sugars to make Conferves with, and Syrup of Violets, by adding fome Orrice; but there is no danger of being thus cheated if the Syrup is bought of reputable Perfons. 10. Of the other Scrt of Indigo. T HIS Indigo is alfo the Fctculce, made from the Anil, which differs not from the former, but as it is made of the whole Plant, Stalk and Leaf ; the beft of which Kind is that which bears the Name of Gatimalo, which comes from the IVefl-Indies. It ought to be light, moderately hard, reddifh upon one’s Nail, fuch as will fwim upon Water ; and, in Ihort, to come as near the other Kind as may be. The fureft Proof of its Good- nefs is its burning upon the Fire like Wax, and leaving only a little Afhes behind. The fecond Sort of this Indigo is that of St. Domingo , which differs not from the Gatimalo, only that it is not of fo lively a Colour. The third is the "Jamaica Indigo , that is brought to England. The fourth is that of the Lceward- Ifes ; all the Sorts are better or worfe, according as they are more or lefs neat and pure; forthofe who make this, mix it fometimes with Sand or Dirt ; but the Cheat is eafy to difeover, in that th e Indigo, which is fine and nctit, will burn like Wax ; and when this is burnt, the Earth or Sand will be left behind. M. Tavernier obferves, in his Book, Page 242. that the Indigo Duff: is fo fubtile, and fo penetrating, that thofe who fift it are obliged to Book V. Of L E to have their Face cover’d, and drink Whey very often : And to confirm this, and make good the Penetration of the Indigo-Powder , he fays, having put feveral Times an Egg, in the Morning, near the Sifters of Indigo , and at Night breaking it, the Infide has been all ftain’d thro’ with a blue Colour. This is ufed only by the Dyers. And, Gilt, five Nil, herba rorifma- Lemery. rini facie-, or Indigo-Herb refembling Rofemary, is a Plant of Brazil , about two Feet high, the Leaves round and pretty thick. The Flowers are like thofe of Peafe, red- difh, and fucceeded by long crooked Pods, con- taining in them Seeds like Radifh-Seed, of an Olive Colour. All the Plant has a bitter piquant Tafte. Of this they make Indigo [as defcribed by Pomet before .] The Leaf is reckon’d vulne- rary*, and proper to deterge and cleanfe old Ul- cers, being applied to the Part in Powder ; like- wife there may be a Frontal made of it to aflwage and abate Pains in the Head. The Indicum , fo call’d, becaufe this is pre- pared only in the Indies , is a blue Flower or Meal, brought from thence, made only of the Leaves of Anil, by the Means of Water and a little Olive-Oil, [as taught before.'] There are feveral Kinds of it, but the beft is that of Ser- quijfe, call’d fo from a Village of thar Name, where it is made. The next is that of Agra, made in Shape of a Chcfnut, from whence it is call’d fo. There is a Meal made of Anil, that is only diftinguifh’d from the Indicum fpoken of before, as being made out of the entire Plant. Chufe fuch of this as is the lighted:, neat, and clean, mode- rately hard, and of a fine bright Colour, and that will fwim upon the Water, and flame in the Fire ’till it is almoft all confumed. [The Plant from which Indigo is made, is the Indigo vera C olates folds utriufque Indies. Phil. Trans. 276. Nil five Anil five Indigo Indica. Hid. Ox. 2. 202. Ernerus Americanus Siliqua incurva. Tourn. Inft. 666. It is common both in the Eajl and JVef -Indies. It lias been gene- rally efteem’d a Poifon, and the Ufe of it is ftri&ly prohibited by the Ele&ors of Saxony ; fome Phyficians, however, have preferibed it in the Jaundice and fome other Cafes. ] 11. Of Woad, cr Dyers Herb, and other Herbs ufed in Dying. T HERE is cultivated in France , efnecially near Thouloufe , a Plant which is call’d in Latin , Ifatis, or Woad and by the French , Pejlel, Grefde , and A V E S. 9$ Serech. They make a Merchandize of this Plant, which bears fome Refemblance or Affinity to In- digo, not with regard to the Herb or Form it is- brought in, for it looks like Earth ; but as it is made from the Leaves of Woad , as the Indigo is made from Anil. This Woad is very heavy ; it is ufed by the Dyers. For making of it, the young Leaves are cut at the End of February , or at the Beginning of March , and then put into Places to heat and rot, moiftening them with Water, and ftirring them twice a Week ; and when the Herb is re- duced in a Manner to Dirt, and become dry, they put it into a Corner, and lay in its Place a fecond Crop of the Leaves, which have fprung up fince this was rotting : When this Crop is rot- ted in like Manner, they put it to the firfl:, and bring in a third Crop, and afterwards a fourth, for they continue cutting it ’till the End of Sep- tember, at which Time they make the fourth and laft gathering ; and this it is which makes it of that bad Quality, and fills it fo with Dirt ; for the Woad made of the firfl: Cutting is much more efficacious than that which is mix’d with what is cut in September , as well becaufe it is mix’d, as that the Leaves are much harder, and fuller of Sand and Gravel, occafion’d by the Winds and Rain, which happen during that Seafon. The Dyers that ufe this Commodity, dry the Drofs or Scum of it ; which, when dry, bears fome Refemblance in Colour to Indigo, and is fold by the Name of End'tgo Flower , which has given Occafion to Authors that underftood not the Commodity, to take this for true Indigo , as Dalechamp and others did. One may fee by the prefent Defcription, that it is poffible of the young or firfl Leaves of this Kind of Woad to make a blue Flower, or Meal, like the Indigo . Befide this Woad , they bring from Picardy a Plant which the Dyers call Yellow-Weed, and the Latins Luteola. We have alfo another Sort that comes from Provence, for the Ufe of the Dyers, the Leaves and Stalk whereof are green, which is what the French call Serech, from the Arabian Word Sereth. This Plant is likewife call’d Dyers-Weed, or Small Broom ; and by the Inha- tants of the Canaries , from whence it firfl came,. Grifel. Befide the Plants already mention’d* we bring from Portugal, efpecially from a Place or Sea-Port call’d Porto, a certain Commodity, which is nothing elfe but Leaves and young Branches of a Tree we call, after the Arabs, Sumach , beat or' pounded ; and is the fame that is often call’d by the Leather-Dreflers, Pouffe. This Commodity is in great Ufe among the Tanners, Dyers and Curriers, to dye green with. The 9 6 General Hi/lory of D R U G S. The bell Sumach for dy ing is that which is greenifh and new. This Commodity obtains the Name of Port of Port , from the Place it comes from, being Porto. Befide the great Ufe which the Dyers make of the Leaves of this, w r e ufe the Fruit, which grows in Clufters, and is of a very fine red, and a fharpifh Tafte ; it is an excellent Remedy for the Flux of the Belly, being boil’d in Water with the Pomegranate Bark. The Fruit, fton’d and dried, are what we call Sumach Berries ; they have the fame Phyfical Virtues, except that they are not fo ftrong, becaufe of their being dried. They will not keep good above a Year, becaufe their Sharpnefs and Aftringency are then loft. 12. Of the Dutch Turnfole in Pafte and in the Cake. T H E Dutch Turnfole is a Pafte made, accord- ing to the beft Information I can get, of the Fruit or Berry of a Plant which the Botanifts call Heliotropium Tricoccum , or Turnfole , (which grows plentifully in feveral Parts of Holland) of Perelle , or a dry’d Earth that is brought from Auvergne in France , Lime and Urine : After ha- ving mix’d tliefe four Drugs together, they put them into little Barrels that hold about thirty Pounds. Thofe that make the Turnfole in Pafte, do not fell it always foft, but fometimcs in Form of fquare Cakes of Bread, which, after it is dried, is what we call Turnfole in the Cake ; as when the Pafte is new made any Thing will mix and be hid in it, the Dutch , and others, feldom fail to throw in a Quantity of Sand, to cncreafe the Weight; and that’s the Reafon that the Turnfole in Cake, or that which is dried, is reckon’d better than the foft. This Cake Turn- fole ought to be dry, of a Violet blue ; and ftriking a blue, and not a red Colour, on Paper. It is ufed by the Dyers, Cardmakers, and others, inftead of Indigo. 13. Of Turnfole in Rags. T H E Turnfole in Rags, is fo call’d becaufe it is nothing but Rags which have been colour’d red with the Turnfole Fruit, by the Afliftance of fome Acid. What is commonly fold in the Shops is nothing but old Rags, or old Linnen, dipp’d either in the Juice of the blood-red Grape, or that of Mulberries, and fo dried in the Sun : But this is a Cheat, or an Abufe of the firft Defign ; for the true Turnfle ought to be dipp’d in the Juice of the Berry of the Herb call’d Turnfole. This Plant, which we call Turnfole , the Greeks call Helioiropion , the Sun-Flower, becaufe its Flower always turns to the Sun. It bears Berries always three fet together, not much unlike the Palma Chrijli ; whence it is call’d by Pliny , He- liotropium Tricoccum , the Turnfole with three Ber- ries, which, when they are at their full Maturity, have within them, between the outward Skin and the Kernel, or Seed, a certain Juice, or Moif- ture, which being rubb’d upon Paper or Cloth, at firft appears of a frefh and lively green Colour, but prefently changes into a Kind of bluilh purple ; and the fame Cloth afterwards wet in Water or White Wine, and wrung forth, will {hike the faid Water orWine into a red or Claret Wine Colour ; and thefe are the Rags or Cloth which are the true Turnfole , and ought to be fold in the Druggifts Shops, wherewith People colour Gellies, Conferves, Tindlures, Gfc. as they pleafe ; as alfo to colour all Sorts of Spirits and the like, that have of themfelves no Colour. [It is to be obferved, that the Fruit of the Turnfole makes of itfelf a very fine blue, but on being touch’d with any Acid, it becomes red ; therefore, when we have a Mind to try whether any Thing contains an Acid in it, we need to do no more than touch it upon fomething that has been ftain’d by this Fruit.] Of the Turnfole Rags from Lyons. That of Lyons is compofed as the other, of Perelle, quick Lime, and Urine, to which feme add a Tindfure of Brazil-lVood , in order to give it a finer deep red. This is made frequently about Lyons and Auvergne ; it ought to be deep- colour’d, and when rubb’d upon Paper the Colour very lively. The ifatis domefica , five Glajlum , Lat folium of Tournefort , in Eng/ijh , Lemery. the Broad leav'd JVoad y or Dyers-Weed , is a Plant that bears its Stalks three Feet high, as thick as the little Finger, round, hard, fmooth, reddifh, divided towards the Top into abundance of Branches, cloth’d with a great Number of Leaves, difpofed without Order, that are oblong and large as thofe of Hounds-Tongue, without Hair, of a deep green Colour, and fometimcs tending to a Sea-green. The Branches are fur- nilh’d with a great many little Flowers, compofed of four yellow Leaves, like a Crofs, tied by a {lender Foot or Stalk. When the Flowers are gone there arife in their Places little blackifh Fruit, divided into Tongues, fiat on the Sides, containing each two oblong Seeds. The Root is about a Foot and a half or two Feet long, an Inch thick at the Top, and growing fmaller by Degrees downwards, white and woody. It is cultivated pimiintr Jllil/iirnili Book V. Of L E cultivated in the hot Countries, particularly in Languedoc , near Thouloufe. The Tafte is bitter and aftringent. It yields abundance of Oil and fix’d Salt. There is made of this Plant a dry’d Pafte, in the Nature of an Extraft, which is call’d PaJIel , or Indian Flower. This Plant is vulnerary, drying, aftringent.' Some People ap- ply it to the W rift, after damping it, to cure an Ague, or Intermitting Fever, in the Shaking or cold Fit. The Rhus, or Sumach, is a Shrub which grows fometimes the Height of a T ree. The Leaves are longifh, large, indented on the Sides, and reddifh. The Flowers dilpofed in Bunches, of a white Colour, each of which makes a little Rofe of feveral Leaves ; which being gone, there fuc- ceeds a flat Capfula, or Hulk, that is almoft oval, membranous, and red, containing in it a Seed of the fame Figure, which refembles in fome Degree a Lentil, of a reddilh Colour. The Fruit has an acid aftringent Tafte. This Sumach grows in ftony Places, and is ufed fometimes to feafon Provifions with ; from whence it is call’d Rhus eul inaria, or Kitchen Sumach. The Tanners make Ufe of the Leaves to tan Skins, thence it is call’d Rhus Coriaria , Tanners or Curriers Sumach. The Leaves and Fruit are both ufed in Phyfick ; they are verv aftringent, proper in the Dyfen- tery, menftrual Courfes, and Hemorrhoids, to ftop Gonorrhoea’s, and the like, being ufed in a Deco&ion, or in Powder. The fine Turnfole in Rags, is made of Linnen Cloth died at Ccnjlantimple , with Cochineal and fome Acids. The Cotton Turnfole, call’d Portu- gal, or Spanijh Wool , is made from Cotton that is flatted the Size of a Crown, and dyed in Spain or Portugal , with Mejlich Cochineal. Both Sorts are made Ufe of to colour Liquors, Fruits, and Gellies. * There is another Kind of Turnfole that is made with Rags dipp’d in a red Tincture, pre- pared wirh the Juice of the Berry of Turnfole , and a little acid Liquor. It comes from Holland , Languedoc , c sc. and is ufed to tinge Wines of a red Colour. The Turrfole in Pafte, or in Cake, or Stone Turnfole, call’d likewife Orfeil , is a dry’d Pafte made up of the Fruit, Perelle, Quick Lime, and Urine ; the Colour of the Pafte will be blue. The Dyers ufe that which comes from Holland , and they make it at Lyons, but it is not fo good. [The Herb from which Weed is made is the Jfatls fat 'tva vel latifolia. C. B. Pin. 113. Glaf- tu?n fetivum. Ger. 394. The other two Herbs, call’d Dyers Weeds, are the Lutcola. Ger. 30S, and the Gcnijlella Tinctoria. Ger. 1136* The Sumach is the Rhus Coriaria. 1291. Rhus folia IVES. 97 Ulmt. C. B. Pin. 414. And the Plant, Xvith the Berries of which the Linnen and other Things are ftain’d for Ufe, is the Heliotropium Tindloriu.n tri - coccum. Pluk. Aim. 182. Ricincides ex qua para- tur Turnefol Gallorum. Tourn. Inft. 665. Each of thefe Herbs has a Place in the Catalogues of Medicinal Plants, and they have all their feveral Virtues, according to many Authors ; but the prefent Pra&ice takes no Notice of any of them.] 14. Of Tobacco. 0 B A C CO is fo called becaufe it is met with plentifully in the Ifle of Pomet. Tobago ; and by fome it is called Nico- tiana , becaufe Mr. J. Nicot , a French Embaf- fador in Portugal, was the firft that brought it into France to the Queen Regent, upon which Account it was likewife called the fhtem’s Herb. It is alfo called Antartick Buglos, becaufe it grows much in thofe Illes ; and Holy Herb, from its great Virtues ; and laft of all Pe'tum, from Petun , which is the Name that the Indians give it, and which was the firft, and is the true Name for it. This Plant, at prefent, is very common in France , there being few Gardens Avhere it does not grow : But I fhall not entertain you with a long Account of it, it having been writ upon by fo many Authors, who have efteem’d it more or Iefs, according as they have liked or difliked it. We have Tobacco in Leaf, in Roll and in Pow- der. That in Roll is diftinguifhed by feveral Names ; as firft, the Brazil Tobacco , which is a black Tobacco , of the Size of one’s Finger The fecond is in a dry reddifh Leaf, roll’d the Thick- nefs of a large Cane, and is call’d Saufage-To- bacco , from being like a Saufage in Shape. And there is another Sort in this Form that comes from Holland The third Kind is that call’d Dieppe Tobacco , and is a little black Roll, of the Thicknefs of a Child’s Finger, or thereabout. There are feveral other Sorts of Tobacco, as thofe of Virginia, St. Domingo, isc. As to the Tobacco in Powder, or Snuff, feented and unfeented, there are fo many Sorts, it is im- pofiible to treat of them all ; for which Reafon I ihall fay nothing of them ; but content myfelf to relate what Father du Tertre has writ about the Tobacco Plant , which is, That the Inhabitants of the Iflands commonly cultivate four Sorts of Pet urn, or Tobacco , namely. Green Tobacco, Tongue Tobacco, Amazonian Tobacco , and Mufk Tobacco. The Savages call all Tobacco , without Diftin&ion, Toly. The Green Tobacco is the meft beautiful, and of the fineft Figure. The Leaves are a Foot broad , and two Feet long, but it is commonly very fubjeft to Decay, and not reckon’d of any great Account. The Tongue O Tobacco 9 8 General Hijlory Tobacco, is fo call d becaufe the Leaves grow in the Shape of a Tongue, is very much efteem’d, becaufe it is not at all fubjeft to waftc away and damage. Diefe two firft: Sorts are what are mod commonly fold. The Venice, or Mufk Tobacco, is much lets than the two former. The Leaves are a little rougher, more wrinkled, and pointed at the End, than the others. It is, in Propor- tion, the lead of all, and is themoft inclinable to decay, yet the mod valued, and the deareft, be- caufe the Leaves have not only a Mufk Scent, but the Smoke is perfum’d in the burning of it, with a very agreeable Odour, as that of the other Tobacco is unfupportable to a great many People. But what is further remarkable, is, that one Plant of this mufk’d Tobacco will com- municate its Virtue to four others, fo as to make them pafs for the fame ; which is ufually praffifed in the Places from whence it comes. Tho’ the ' Manner of cultivating, and afterwards making Tobacco , be commonly known among the Inhabi- tants where it grows, it may yet be fatisfa<£b>ry to a great many curious Perfons in thefe Parts of the World, to have as fuccinift an Account w’rit of it as may be. They firft of all fow the Seed, which is mix’d with five or fix Times as much Afhes. After they have fown the Seed well, and that it begins to rife or fpring out of the Ground, they cover it every Morning with Branches of Trees, to de- fend it from the fcorching Heat of the Sun, which would burn it up before it was ready to tranfplant. They make ready the Garden where they defign to raife the Tobacco, by clearing, flub- bing, cutting, and burning the Wood that is upon the Ground, and freeing it entirely from all Sorts of Weeds. When the Garden is ready, they remove the Plants in a rainy or wet Seafon, and plant them down again at about three Foot diftance from each Plant to another every way, that it may have Room to fpread, without the Leaves touching one another, fo as to make them rot and corrupt. After the Tobacco is thus planted out. Care muft be taken from Time to Time, to prevent the Weeds from over-powering it. When the Plant is ready to flower, they ftop it fhort, by cutting it about Knee-high ; then pull off the Leaves underneath that hang on the Ground, fo that they leave behind about io or 12 Leaves upon a Stalk, which 'being weeded or howed dili- gently every feven or eight Days, all that Time cleanfmg away all Weeds, the ten or twelve re- maining Leaves will be prodigioufly encreafed, and become as thick as a good Skin. To know and try whether it be ripe, they rumple or fold a Leaf in their Fingers, if it break in touching, it is ready to cut : Being cut, they leave it fpread of DRUGS. upon the Ground after which they fixing it upon Cords, fo that the Plants may not touch one another ; and fo they leave it to dry in the Air, fifteen Days or three Weeks : They then pull oft’ the Leaves from the Stalks, and take out the middle Rib, and moiftening them a little with Sea Water, twift them into a Sort of Rope, and afterwards roll them up together. They make, by Dil filiation of Tobacco with Flegm of Vitriol, a Liquor that is emetick, or very vomitive, and proper to cure Itch and Scabs, by rubbing lightly with it. There is a black fetid Oil diftill’d from it, by Means of a Retort, which is much of the fame Nature. There is likewife a Salt made of it that is Sudorifick, to be given from four Grains to ten, in any convenient Liquor. There are • feveral other Softs of Leaves, which we may fell if they come to Hand, as Betel, or Tembul , which are the Leaves of a creeping Plant, of which the Indians make a Kind of Troches with 1 Areca and burnt Oyfter- Shelis, hut this Leaf feldom is brought into Eu- rope. The Coca, which is the Leaf of a fmall Shrub, pretty like the Myrtle, which the IVeJl- Indians ufe as the Eajl- Indians do Betel, and the Europeans Tobacco. The Inhabitants of Peru ufe the Leaves of Coca two different Ways ; the firft, in making a Comfit of it with burnt Shells, to fccure them from Hunger and Thirft in a Jour- ney ; the fecond, in mixing it with Leaves of Tobacco, which makes them as if drunk or mad, and fets them on a thoufand Extravagancies. The Alcana, or Cyprus, are the Leaves of a Plant which grows plentifully in /Egypt, and the Levant , and which the Indians employ in painting their Nails and Hair yellow, infufingit in Water; and to paint red, putting it in Vinegar, Juice of Citron, Alum-Water, or any other Acids. The /Egyptians make an Oil of the Berries of this Plant, which is call’d Cyprus Oil, very fragrant, and proper for relaxing and foftning the Nerves. Several Perfons have allur’d me, that the Alcana , or Egyptian Cyprus, is that which the Botanifts call Ligujlrum JEgyptiacum. There are feveral other Medicinal Herbs, which the Druggifts do not deal in, becaufe the Herbfellcrs furnifli the Apothecaries with what they have Occafion for. In Places where there are none of thele Herb- fellers, the Apothecaries have often a great deal of Trouble in fending to a great Diftance for a fmall Quantity of any Herb they want, but they have the Advantage of knowing the Herbs much the better for it, and of ufing the right Plant, whereas the Herbfellcrs frequently fell one for another. Befit] c< Book V. , Of L Befides diefe Herbs, we fell a great deal of a fmall Seed, of a deep red Colour, no bigger than a Pin’s Head, which is found upon the Root of the large Pimpernel w which the Dyers ufe by the Name of Seed Cochineal , and fometimes Wood and wild Cochineal. This Cochineal fhould be clrsfen frefh, dry, large, high hi the Colour, and the cleaned that can be got. The Plants that come under the Catalogue of Drugs, are Scordium , Mountain Calamint , Ger- mander, Chamapitys, White Hore-hound or Mar- rublum , Southern-wood , the great and fmall Wormwood, Ccterach or Spleen-wort , Betony, Averts, Camomil, Periwinkle , Hemlock , Hart's- Tongue, Hound' s-Tongue, Agrimony, Rupture- wort, St. John's Wort, the great and leffer Cen- taury, Melilot , Mugwort , Mint , Baum , Bafili - cum. Origanum , Savory, Hyjfop, Scabious, 1 hyme , and feveral other Herbs treated of fo largely by all Bctanifls, that it will be unneceffary to fay any Thing further. We do not fell thefe Herbs in the Druggifls Shops, becaufe ot tire Herb-fel- lers ; but we fell the fix’d, etTential, and volatile Salts, efpcciully thofe of Carduus , Wormwood, Mugwort , Centaury , Baum, Sage, Rofemary , Succory , Scttruy-grafs, Bern, and feveral other Sorts. But as to the Choice of thefe Salts, that honeft People m..y not be cheated in the Purchafe of them, which is too frequently done by the Chymifl and Druggift, who inftead of any of thefe Salts, give ’em either Salt-Pcter, Sait of Tartar, or Sal-Polychreft, which they put into fo many different Bottles, and write the Names of tire feveral Salts upon them : Therefore, I fay, to hinder them from being cheated, let ’em throw any of thefe Salts upon lighted Charcoal, and if they fly off, or fparkle in the Flame, it is certain they are mix’d with Salt-Peter ; but it is not fo eafy to difeover the Tartar, but only that this Salt is not fo foft to the Touch, as thefe vegeta- ble Salts. A icotiana, in Englijb, Tobacco, is a Lemcry. Plant whereof there are principally three Kinds, the firll is call’d, by C. Bau hi- nts and Tournefort, Niestiana major latfolia, the broad-leav’d Tobacco, and by Parkinfon, Tobacco let: folium. There are a great many other Names more curious than inflructive, which I fhall pafs by : This firfl Kind bears a Stem of about five or fix Foot high, as thick as a Man’s Thumb, round, hair/, full of white Pith ; the Leaves arc broad, and larger than thofe of Enula Campana , without Stalk, a little pointed, ftringy, of a pale, green Colour, glutinous in touching, of a iharp burning rafle: Mr. Tournefort fays, that the Top of the Stem is divided into feveral Sprigs, tliat fuftain Flowers made like Bells, cut or feparated into : A V E S. 99 five Parts, of a purple Colour ; when the Flow- ers are gone, there is a bulky, oblong Fruit fuc- ceeds, that is partition’d into two Cells, contain- ing in them a good deal of fmall, reddifh Seed : The Root is fibrous, and of a very biting Talle j the whole Plant is of a flrong Smel!. The fecond Sort is call’d Nicotiana major an- guflifolia , the great Narrow-leav’d Tobacco, or Hytfcyamus Peruvianas ; in Oppofition to the firfl, call’d Hyofcyamus latif alius Peruvianas, the Pe- ruvian Henbane. It differs only from the other, in that the Leaves are narrower, fharp-pointed, and hang to the Stem by longer Tails or Stalks. The third Sort is call’d Nicatiaua minor j the fmall Tobaccc, by Bauhinus , Tournefort , and Ray, and by Parkinfon, Tobacco Angllcamm, the Englijl) Tobacco. It bears a Stalk a Foot and Half, or two Foot high, round, hard, hairy, the Thicknefs of one’s Finger, fometimes branchy, glutinous to the Touch, and carries its Leaves, rang’d alternately, oblong, thick, and of a brownifh, green Colour, hanging upon fhort Stalks ; the Flower, Fruit and Seed, are like the firfl Sort, but the Flowers more inclinable to a yellowifh Purple ; tire Root about a Finger’s Thicknefs, and fometimes divided into white Fibres, that fpread themfelves round in the Ground. Tobacco is cultivated in fat, rich Land in Gardens, and yields Abundance of a fharp, biting Salt, both fix’d and volatile. It purges upwards and downwards, with a great deal of Violence, in the Apoplexy, Palfy, Lethargy, Suffocations of the Womb, and in the Aflhma taken by the Mouth, or being fomented with it ; applied outwardly to the Part, or finoak’d, it relieves the Tooth-achj in Powder or Snuff it purgeth the Noflrils, and excites Sneezing, and is a very good vulnerary, the Leaf, Ointment, or Powder, being applied to the Wound. [Tire Tobacco of the Shops is the Leaf of the Nicotiana major latfolia. C. B. P. 169. Hy- efeiantus Peruvianas. Ger. 285. It is common in the Gardens of the Curious, and flowers in June ; the Species call’d Englijh Tobacco, is the Priapeia quibujdam Nicotiana minor. J. B. 3. 360. Hyofcyamus luteins. Ger. 284. In Regard to the other Things mention’d in this Chapter, the Betle is the Beetla Cedi Hert. Mai. 7. 29. Piper longumfolioru.n Nervis decur- rentibus, tenuioribus et mollioribus Betle dictum. Hift. Ox. 3. 603. But as neither this, nor the ethers that follow it, ever come into the Druggifls Shops, and the Herbs are P..rt of that Clal's of the Materia Mcdtca, which is entirely in the Hands of the Sellers of Medicinal Herbs, I fhall not trouble the Reader with a particular Account of them here. O 2 For toot General Hijlory For the Coccus infect orius , here call’d Seed Co- chineal, fee the Chapter of Cochineal .] 15. Of Coral. C ORAL, according to' Mr. Tourm- fort , is a Plant that grows at the Bottom of the Sea ; it has no Leaf, nor is yet known to have Flower nor Seed ; ne- verthelefs it flicks to the Rocks by a Kind of a Root, and is cover’d with a Bark that is adorn’d with Pores like Stars, nearly to the Bottom ; it is divided into Branches, and difeovers Rays that have fome Analogy to Fibres : In fhort, it is un- doubtedly encreafed by its Seed, which is the Opinion countenanced by all thofe that rank Coral among the Number of Plants. It is agreed, at this Day, that it is hard in the Sea ; the Softncfs of the Bark or Cruft, which is fmooth, and almoft oily, has, perhaps, deceiv’d thofe who have aflerted that this Plant was foft. The Bark is a tartarous Cruft, red upon the red Coral, and white upon the white : The Extremities, or Ends of the Branches, are foft, and alfo produee little Balls, the Size of a red Goofberry, divided commonly into fix Cells, fill’d with a white Hu- mour like Milk, like that of the Tithymale ; it is fat, acrid, and aftringent. Thefe little Balls are commonly call’d Flowers of Coral, but ought, with more Reafon, to be nam’d the Cafpulce of the faid Plant : For our modern Authors have ob- ferv’d, that the white Juice which they yield, produces the Coral Plants on any Bodies upon which it falls ; and befides the Coral they fhew at Pifa, which flicks naturally upon a human • . Skull, I have a pretty large Piece that grew upon ' a broken Piece of Earthen-ware. There are properly but three Sorts of Coral ufed in Phyfick, namely, the red, the common white Coral, which has fome Refemblance too the red or flefh Colour, ought to be judg’d a Species of this ; the true white Coral, which differs not from the red but in Colour ; this is the fcarceft and deareft : In its Place thev ufe com- monly that Sort for the white, which J. Bauhinus calls Corallium Album Officinarum Oculatum , the white Coral of the Shops, that is full of Eyes : The black Coral, called Antipathes , is of no Ufe at all : It feems indeed of a different Nature from all the others. They fifh for Coral in the Mediterranean , on the Coaft of Provence , near Toulon , or Cape Creufe , betwixt Colioure and Rofes, upon the Coafl of Catalonia , in the Streigbts which are be- twixt Sicily and Italy, towards the Bajlion of France , and in fome other Parts ; as on the Coaft of Sardinia , and thofe of the Ifles of Corftca /DRUGS. and Majorca. The Coral-Fifhing, according to Mr. Tavernier , is from the Beginning of April to the End of July, in which they ufually employ two hundred Barks, fome Years more, and fome Years lei's. As the Coral grows in the hollow Rocks where the Sea is deep, this is the Artifice they ufe to get it up. The Coral-Fiffiers tye two Beams of Wood acrofs, and hang a good Piece of Lead in the middle, to fink them ; then they tye Tufts of Hemp about the Beams, wh : ch are flightly or carelefty twitted, about the Thicknefs of one’s Thumb, and tye the Beams with two Cords ; the one to hang at the Prow, and the other at the Stern of the Bark ; fo that the Pieces of Wood are left at the Bottom to run along the Rocks, and catch hold of the Coral in their Paf- fage : It is neceffary, fometimes, to make Ufe of five or fix Boats to get up the Beams ; and du- ring that Time, if one of the Cables happen to break, they are all in Danger of being loll ; there is a great Rilk in the taking the Coral out, that fome docs not fall into the Sea ; and the Bottom being ufually full of Mud, the Coral is apt to be deftroy’d as the Fruits of the Earth by Worms ; fo that the fooner the Coral is got from the Filth of the Sea, the lefs it is damag’d. Of all the Corals the red is mod in Ufe, as well for Medicine as other Things ; and People that value Coral, the Japoncfc , and other Na- tions, moft efteem the red Coral ; which to be in its Perfe£lion ought to be thick, fhining, in fine Branches, and of a beautiful red ; the little Pieces, and fuch as are cover’d with a crufty Matter, ought to be rejected ; ncverthelefs, when that is reduced to Powder, it is every whit as efficacious as the finer. By Means of certain Acids, they make a Tindture of red Coral, which is afterwards reduced to a Syrup, which is reckon’d an admirable Cordial, and ufeful to purify and cleanfe the Mafs of Blood. There is likewife a Magifterv, and Salt, made of this ; but the moft common Way of ufing it is, reduced to an impalpable Powder, by levigating it upon a Marble with Rofe- Water, CSV. 16. Of Black Coral. A S to the black Coral, the true Kind is fo rare, that it is almoft impoffiblc to meet with it ; for all that we now have, is only a Sort of Plant that is petrified in the Water, which fome have call’d Antipathes ; but it is entirely different from the true Coral, being very light, and more like Horn than Coral ; whereas tho true Sort is heavy, of a reddifh black Colour, and very rough ; with the utmoft Diligence I have Book V. Of L E . have only been able to meet with one Piece of this, and that no bigger than the End of one’s Finger ; tho* I have a Piece of the common black Coral, of about two Foot long. As to the Coralloides, it is nothing elfe but white Coral that is not brought to its Perfection, and is of no Manner of Ufe; yet it is fometimes fold inflead of the White, tho’ it is eafy to diftinguifh, it be- iiig large, light, and imperfectly form'd. 1 7. Of Coralline, or Sea-Mofs. T H E Coralline, or Sea-Mofs, is gather’d from Rocks, or Shells, in the Sea, to which it grows ; there are feveral Sorts of it to be met withal ; but that which is ufed in Phyfick comes from the Baft ion of France , and other Parts of the Mediterranean. C. Bauhinus calls it, Mufcus Maritimus , five corallina Offtcinarum. This Mofs or Coralline, is of fome fmall Ac- count in Medicine, as it is faid to have a Quality to deftroy Worms : As to the Choice, it ought to be greenifh, fmelling and tailing of SeaWater, and the moft free of Dirt and Filth that can be got. CoralVrum , Lithodendrum, or Coral, Lemery. is a ftony Plant, that is found growing to Recks, at the Bottom of the Sea, and crufted over in the Nature of Stone. The chief of what is "fold comes from feveral Parts of the Mediterranean. There are three Sorts of it, red, white, and black. The Corallium Rub rum, or red Coral of C. Bauhinus , grows commonly three or four Fingers high, but fuch Corals as are found of any confi- derable Length, are kept in the Cabinets of the curious ; it bears feveral Branches without Leaves, that are very hard, fmooth, fhining, and of a fine red ; the Root is rocky, and of the fame Hardnefs : This Coral is the moft ufed and efteem’d in Phyfick ; chufe fuch as is all of a Piece, polifh’d, fhining, and of the higheft Colour. The fecond Sort is white Coral that grows much about the fame Height. There are two Kinds of this, one call’d Corallium Album , Ocu- latum , which is a little ftony Plant as the former, the Ends of whofe Branches arc round, and re- prefent, in a Manner, little Eyes. The other is call’d Corallium Afperum , the rugged Coral ; this is a little ftreng Shrub, about a Hand high, that is ramofe, rough, white, full of Pores, or little Holes, and much lighter than the former ; this laft grows not only in the Mediterranean but in the red Sea, and is of fmall Account in Phyfick. IVES. 101 The third Kind of Coral is call’d by C. Bau- hinus, , Corallium extra rubens intus nigrum, or red Coral without and black within, but this is very fcarce ; and there is fubftituted in its Stead a falfe black Coral, call’d Antipathes , which is a ftony Sea-Plant, which is ufually cover’d in the Sea with a Sort of Bark or tartarous Cruft, of the fame Colour. When the Corals are young and tender, the Ends of their Branches are found di- vided into little Balls, of the Size of a fmall Goofeberry, that are foft, and diftinguifh’d ufually into fix little Cells, full of a milky Liquor, that is of an acrid ftyptickTafte, and thefe are call’d Coral Flowers. Others fay, but improperly, that Coral, while underWater, is green and foft, but when it once comes into the open Air, it changeth both its Colour and its Nature, and from its Greennefs becomes of a very delightful beautiful Red, and from its Softnefs, of a compared Firmnefs, that is hard and durable. It fprings up naturally, rc- fembling a Plant or Shrub, adorn’d with many pretty Branches. The red is beft, and of that the reddeft, the paleft being of lefs Ufe ; but in Medicines a fmall Sprig Sort is taken for Cheap- nefs. The white is next in Goodnefs ; the beft of which is that which is pure, white, and clear, almoft tranfparent, free from Drofs, and fome- thing refembling white Wax. The black is not valued, yet the greateft Rarity of them all. It is obfervable, that red Coral, infufed two or three Days in white Wax, melted upon hot Embers, and pour’d an Inch over it, lofes its Colour, and the Wax becomes yellow. Frefh red Coral put into the fame Wax, in the fame Manner, be- comes brown ; and frefh red Coral put in like Manner into the fame Wax the third Time, makes the Wax become red; for the Wax dif- folves, and draws forth Part of the red fulphure- ous Particles lying on the Surface of the Coral. Coral is prepar’d by levigating it on a Marble into a fine fubtile Powder. It is cooling, drying, and aftringent, ftrengthens the Heart, Stomach and Liver, abforbs Acidities, purifies the Blood, refills the Plague, and the Foice of putrid and malignant Fevers ; flops Fluxes of the Belly, and is profitable in the Gonorrhoea and Whites. It is faid to prevent the Epilepfy in Children, being firft given in the Mother’s Milk as foon as the Child is born. It flops bleeding, helps in Diffi- ctrlly of Urine, and is prevalent againft the Stone in the Bladder, and the bloody Flux. Dofe front a Scruple to a Dram, in any proper Liquor. Outwardly it helps Ulcers, filling them with Flefh, and cicatrizing ; in Collyries it helps the Eye-Sight, flops the Weeping of the Eyes, and abforbs the watry fharp HumourS. 102 Of this there is aTin&ure made with Spirit of Vinegar, or Juice of Lemons, and from thence a Syrup, Magiftery, and Salt prepar’d ; but they are all forced unnatural Preparations. And crude Coral, reduced to fuch an impalpable Powder, as aforefaid, is far fuperior to all the other I repara- tions of ft. c Corallina , call’d Coralline, or hard Sea-Mofs, s of feveral Kinds. That which we now ufe in Phyfick. is call’d Mufcus Mannus, fivo Corallina OfRcmanfm , , Sea-Mofs, or the Coralline ot the Shops. This is a little bufhy Plant, which grows about three Fingers high, bearing a great many little Stalks, that are as fine and flender as a Hair, ftony, and furnifh’d with very little Leaves, of an afh-colour’d green, and a fifty Sme.l, the Tafte being fait and difagredable, cracking or crackling betwixt the Teeth like fmall Stones, and being fubjea eafily to be bruifed betwixt the Fingers. Chufe fuch as is whole, clear, of a whitifh green Colour, and very ftrong Smell. It yields a good deal of Salt and Oil. It is proper to kill Worms, fupprefs Vapours, pro- voke Womens Courfes, and ftop Fluxes of the Belly. Dofe, in fine Powder, from half a Dram to a Dram. . , ^ . - c j The Coralloides is a Plant that is but petrified in Part, having the Appearance of a little Shrub, but without Leaves. There are feveral Sorts of it, which vary in Size, Shape, Hardnefs, and Colour. They are all ufually aftnngent as to Paflage bv Stool, and aperitive by Urine, but ot no great Vogue in Phyfick. It is call d Coralloides, as being fomething like Coral in Figure and Hard- Other Authors deferibe the Coralline to be a bard ftony Mofs, growing ufually on Rocks, in or near the Sea, rifing either from the Stones thereof, or from the Shells of Scallops, Oyfters, and the uke. It grows fcarce a Hand high, fpreading forth feveral fmall Branches, like a green Herb, with many fmall fhort Leaves like Hairs. It is gather d on all the Weftern Coafts, and the Northern Parts of Europe , and is found growing in little wh te Threads, fatten’d to the Rock or Shell it fpnngs from, as Mofs to a Tree ; and if good, is very white, in little Strings, like the Unravelling of coarfe Linnen Cloth, fome an Inch long, feme fhorter, fome longer, of an unpleafant I alfe and Smell. [The red Coral is the Corn Ilium rubrum majus. Park. 1299. Cor allium verum. Boet. 318. the White the Corallium album majus. Park. 1 300. Cor allium album . Tourn. Inft. 527. and the Black the Corallium nigrum. C. B. Bin. 300. Keratophyllum arborum nigrum. Boerh. Ind. Alt. 6. Lithophytsn nigrum arbortum. I ourn. General Hiflcry of DRUGS. Inft. 574. The Red is taken out of the Medi- terranean, the White moftly out of the Sicilian y and the Black out of the American Stas ; the Red is ufed in Medicine very much ; but all its Preparations, except that of Levigating it into an impalpable Powder, are now entirely out of Ufe.] 18 .Of Spunges. oPunges are a Kind of Fungus , or O Sea Alufhrome, which are found Pomct. flicking to the Rocks in the Sea. I fhall not detain the Reader to give an Account of what a Multitude of Authors have faid concerning Spunges , fome faying that they are Male and l c- male, others that they are neither Plants nor Ani- mals, but both, that is Zoophytes, which partake of the animal Kind, and that of Plants too. There are two Sorts of Spunges fold, namely, the fine, which are thofe the Antients call d the Male j and the coarfe which are the Female. The great- eft Part of the Spunges that are fold comes from the Mediterranean , and there is a certain Ifland of Afia, that furnifhes us with a very large Quantity of Spunges. This Ifle is call’d Icarus , or A icarus y where the young Men are not allow d to marry, ’till they fhew that they can gather Spunges from the Bottom of the Sea ; and for this Reafon, when any one would marry his Daughter, a Number of young Fellows are ftripp’d and jump into the Sea ; and he that can flay longeft in the Water, and gather the moft Spunges, marries the Maid. The People of this Ifland pay a Tribute to the Grand Signior in Spunges. The finer the Spunges are, the more they are efteem’d, and thofe are reckon’d beft that are faireft, cleareft and lighteft, whereof the Holes are fmall, and the leaft full of Stones, that may be ; as to the coarfe Sort, the nearer they ap- proach to the fine, the more they arc valued. The Ufe of Spunges is fo well known, it would be unneceflary to give any Dcfcription thereof ; after they are prepar’d, by cutting into uzeaole Pieces, and put into melted, white Wax, and afterwards prefted, thev are fold to Surgeons, and other People, by the Name of prepar’d Spunges. They are ufed to dilate the Orifices of Wounds : They are likewife calcin’d to make a Powder for the Teeth : The large or coarfe Spunges have a Sort of little Pebbles, and other extraneous Bo- dies in them ; to which, when reduced to Powder by Calcination, they affign a Property of curing the Gravel : Some Authors call thefe atones by the Name of Cyjlbeolithos, and affirm that fuch ot ’em as are to be found in Shape of an Almond, being [Ac IJ /it te Squill. Book V. Of L E A V E 5 , 10 being pounded and mix’d in anv proper Vehicle, are ufeful to deftroy W orm$ in Children. The Spunge is a Kind of Mufhroom L emery, which grows to the Rocks in the Sea, of which there are two Kinds, [as Po- met has deferib’d them already.] But though it is taken from the Sea, Authors have not yet de- termin’d in what Clafs to place it ; fome thinking it to be neither Vegetable, Mineral, nor Animal ; others, that it participates of them all : Some again place it between Animals and Vegetables, and think it partakes of both of them, for that it has an adtive Quality to dilate itfelf, and fhrink up together, w’hen in the Sea, and therefore they will have it to be a Plant Animal ; becaufe in its Nature it comes near both to that of an Animal and alfo to that of a Plant. The moll Part of Spunges that we ufe are brought from Smyrna , Aleppo, and other Places in the Levant. Thofe which are fine, fmooth, fo ft, and not too full of large Holes in them, are faid to grow in the Archipelago. Thofe which are large, fine, clofe, and lively colour’d, whe- ther white or yellow, are accounted the beft. The worft Sort are of a dirty Colour, rugged on the Surface and hard, with fmall gritty Stones fometimes in them. The Spunge is of an alka- lious Nature, and is good againft Pains of the Stomach, Gripings in the Bowels, and the Cho- lick ; and is fuppos’d to be a Specifick againfi: the Stone and Gravel in the Kidneys or Bladder, or anv Obftruciions in the Urinary Pafiages. The chief Ufe of it is in a Powder calcined. The Spunge-Stone is found in thofe Places where Spunges are found, and is made of the Matter of Spunges petrified or harden’d. Schroder faith, that it alfo grows in Spunges, and is a brittle Stone, white or grey. It is attenuating without much Heat, and is good to break the Stone in the Kidnevs and Bladder, and to difeufs Tumours of the King’s-Evil, being drunk every Morning in Urine, or in Wine, with Sal Gem and "Tartar. The levigated Powder 2bforbs Acids, deftroys the Matter breed ng the Stone and Gout, cures Heart- burnings, and violent Pains in the Stomach. [The Spunge ufed in Medicine is the Spongia Globofa , C. B. Pin. 368. Spongia marina alba , G?r. 1383. Spongia marina veftcalis, Park. 1 303. It is found growing to Rocks, Shells, and other Subftances, in the Sea. The Spunge Stone is the Lapis Spongia, Boet. 407. Lapides in Spongiis, Mathiol. 1390. Spcn- git s , Aldrov. Muf. Metall. 671. It is a porous, brittle Stone, of a pale greyifh Colour, found in and about the large Pieces of Spunge, but never ufed now in Medicine.] 19. Of Squills. QUILLS are Sea Onions, which are brought from Spain, &c. where Pomet. they grow plentifully, efpecially on the Sea Shore ; great Quantities alfo come from Nor- mandy, efpecially about Rouen. They are of dif- ferent Sizes and Colours ; but thofe we com- monly have are the red Squills, which the Anti-, cuts call’d the Female. The white were known by the Name of the Male Squill ; but w r e meet with very few of them. Thefe Onions bear broad, large, long, green Leaves, and Flowers, like Stars, of a fine white Colour. Chufe fuch Roots, or Bulbs, as are found, heavy, frefh, and full of Juice, and beware of thofe that are decay’d towards the Head, to which they are fubjedf. They are made Ufe of in the Shops for making Vinegar and Oxymel of Squills , and Troches for Treacle, and likewife in fome Ointments and Emplaiflers. Several Perfons have a fill r’d me, that the Squills which we have from Normandy, are thofe that the Botanifls call Pan- cratium. The Squills are reckon’d, efpecially the Heart, to be Poifon ; for which Reafon they fplit them in two, throw away the dry Leaves, and the Heart ; and the middle Part betwixt both, they expofe to the Air to dry ; and being thus prepar’d, they make Ufe of it, as aforefaid, to make Vine- gar, Honey, Wine, Lfc. Scilla, or the Squill , is a kind of Ornitbogalum, or a Plant, whereof Lemery. there are two Sorts. The firft is the Scilla major, or Scilla rubra magna vulgaris, the great, common, red Squill, call’d by Tounie- fort , Ornitbogalum maritimum , feu, Scilla radice rubra, the Sea-Onion, or red-rooted Squill ; and by Parkinfpn, the true Pancratium. It bears Leaves of above a Foot long , almoft as broad as a Man’s Hand, flefhy, very green, full of a bitter vifeous Juice : From the Middle rifes an upright Stalk, of about a Foot and a Half high, bearing on the Top, Flowers compos’d of fix white Leaves, that are form’d round ; which, when gone, are fucceeded by a Sort of roundifh Fruit, rais’d with three Corners, and divided within into three Partitions, which arc fill’d with black Seed. The Root is an Onion or Bulb a* big as a Child’s Head, compos’d of thick Coats or Spheres that are red, juicy, vifeous, and encom- paffing one another, having at the Bottom feveral thick Fibres. ' . The fecond Sort is call’d Scilla mafcula, the Male Squill , or Scilla minor, feu Scilla radice alba , the lefier Squill, or that with the white Root. It varies from the former, in that the Roots and Leave; 104 , General Hijiory Leaves are not fo large ; befides, this is white, and lefs common. Both Sorts grow in fandy Places, near the Sea, in Spain, Portugal , Sicily , and Normandy. We have them brought to us of all Sizes. They contain a great deal of eflential Salt, fome Oil and Flegm, and a little Earth. They are hot and dry, {harp, bitter, attenua- ting, inciding, abfterging, dife lifting, alexiphar- jnick and diuretick ; powerfully cleanfe the Sto- mach, open Obftruclions of the Liver, Spleen, Gall, Mefentry ; provoke Urine and the Terms, carry off flimy tartarous Matter from the Lungs ; for which Reafon they are accounted good againft Colds, Coughs, Wheezings, Hoarfcnefs, Diffi- culty of Breathing, and are fingular againft the Scurvy, Gout, and Rheumatifm. The Root is prepar’d by rolling it in Dough, or putting it in Pye-cruft, and baking it in an Oven, then taking it out and drying it. Being thus prepar’d, it is fit to make Vinegar of Squills , by infufing it in Vinegar. Dofe from one to four Spoonfuls : Or Wine of Squills , by infufing it in Wine ; which is emetick, and good againft Afthma’s, Phthificks, Falling-Sicknefs, (Ac. given from an Ounce to two, or more. There are feveral other Prepara- tions of the Root to be met with in every Dif- penfatory, efpecially ^uercetan' s, Swelfers , the Augufan and London Difpenfatories. [The Squills generally ufed are red, which are the Roots of the S cilia vulgaris radice rubra , C. B. Pin. 73. S cilia rubra five Paneratium verum , Park. Parad. 133. It grows on the Sea Shores, and flowers in September. The White, which is not fo common, but fometimes brought among the other, and ufed in- differently with it, is the Root of the Scilla Hif- panica vulgaris , Ger. Em. 17 1. Scilla magna alba, J.B 2.618. A few Grains of Cinnamon in Powder takes off the emetick Quality of this Root, and makes it a powerful Diuretick, and an excellent Medicine in Dropfies. ] 2 o. Of Pot Allies, Kelp, or Kali. T HIS is a grey Salt, which we bring from Alicant and Carthagena in Spain , in Loaves or Cakes of different Sizes. It is made from a Plant that grows along the Sea Coaft, which the Botanifs call Kali , and we Salt-wort , Soap-wort , Glafs-weed , Kelp , and many other Names. This Plant bears a Stalk a Foot and a Half high, or thereabouts, furnifh’d with fmall narrow Leaves. They fow this Herb, and when it is come to a due Height, they cut and manage it like Hay. When it is dry’d, the Spaniards make large (/DRUGS. Holes or Pits in the Ground, in the Nature of Lime Kilns, into which they throw a Bundle of the dry’d Herb, to which they put Fire ; and when it is well lighted, they throw in other Bun- dles, ’till they fill it full of the dried Herb ; when they have fill’d it, they ftop it up, and leave it all together for fome Time, that it may not only be reduced the better to Allies, but lfkewife in- corporate, and be capable to form into a Stone or Cake 3 in which Form it is now brought to Mar- ket ; when they have open’d the Pit, they find the faid Herb burnt into a hard Stone, which they are oblig’d to break and raife up juft as they do Stone out of the Quarry. We fell at Paris four Sorts of Pot-AJhes ; the firft and moft valuable of which are thofe of Ali- cant. , which, when they are right, ought to be dry and clean, of a bluifh grey without and with- in, having little Holes made like a Partridge’s Eye, and when fpit upon and held to the Noi'e, have no offenfive Smell. And beware the Stones be not enclofed with a greenifh Cruft, or full of Pebbles ; for the firft will ftain and fpot and entire- ly fpoil Linen, and the fecond, by encreafing the Weight, will enhance the Price, befides Spot- ting the Linen, according to the Nature of the Stones that are found within. Likewife take heed that the Bales be not open’d, and the Commodity that was good exchanged for that which is naught, and chufe fuch as is in fmall Pieces. This is very much ufed by the Glafs-makers, to make the beft Glafs, and the Soap-boilers likewife ufe it confi- derably, drawing its Salt from it, which they ufe in the making of white and marbled Soap ; but the greateft Part of that which comes from Spain is confum’d at Paris and the neighbouring Villages by the Scourers or Whiteners, who ufe it to whiten their Linen. They make from this Salt, which the French call Soude , by the Affiftance of common Water, a white Salt, call’d Salt of Kali, or Alkali, which is as much as to fay, Soude Salt, becaufe Al is an Arabian Word that fignifies Salt, and Kali , Soude. It is to be obferv’d, that this Salt only is proper- ly called Alkali Salt ; though the fixed Salts of other Plants may be alfo called Alkali Salts, with the Addition of the Name of the Plant they are made from, as the Alkali Salt of Wormwood. There are thofe who pretend that the true Alkali Salt, is the Glafs Salt, but they deceive them- felves, as they may be fatisfied in the Chapter con- cerning the Glafs Suit. The fecond Sort is that of Carthagena, which only differs from that of Alicant in not being fo good, neither is it of the bluifh Caft, but more crufted, and the Bales are much larger. The third Sort of Pot-Anies is that named the Bcurde Kind, which Book V. which ought to be entirely rejected, as being fo bad, that it is fit for nothing but to deceive thofe that buy it. This is ufually moift, of a blackifh ereen Colour and very foetid. The fourth Sort is that of Cherbourg , which is made of an Herb found along the Sea-Coafts of Normandy. This is likewife a very bad Kind, being extremely humid, of the fame Colour and Smell with the laft Sort, and fill’d with Stones. Thefe two Sorts are good for nothing but to impofe upon the unwary Buyer, and cheat the poor Whiteners. 2i. Of Sandiver, or Giafs Salt. T H E Giafs Salt , which the Workmen call Sandiver , or the Scum of Giafs, is a fat Drofs that floats upon the Giafs Metal when it is in Fufion. And this Froth comes from nothing but the Pot-Afhes, which they ufe in making their Giafs ; for the Flints that they make ufe of will afford no fuch Scum. Chufe fuch Sandiver as is in very large Pieces, white without and within, heavy, and the likeft Marble that can be ; and throw away fuch as is fat, blackifh, and moift. It is very much ufed by thofe who make white Earthen Ware, becaufe it affifts the Sand in its Vitrification. It is very remarkable that this fhould be of no Ufe to the Glafs-makers ; and the Earthen Ware Workers would not know what to do without it. It is to be had in all Places wherever Giafs is made, it being a fort of fuperabundant Salt, thrown forth from the Metal while melting in the Furnace, and by the Glafs-Men taken off, as the Recrement of their Materials, with a Ladle. It is a very white Salt, and inclining neareft to a ni- trous Tafte, eafily diflolving in the Air, or any moift Place ; for as Giafs is made of Sand and Pot-Afhes, the latter being put in to make the for- mer melt into Metal ; fo this Sandiver is the Su- perabundancy of that Salt, more than is requifite to go into the Body of the Giafs, which being in Fufion, fends up to the Top whatever is more than requifite for that Purpofe. This muft be fcumm’d off, or eife ’twill make the Giafs unfit for working, very brittle, and no ways pliable. The beft Metal will yield, in a Pot of two hun- dred Weight, a quarter or half a hundred of San- diver. The weaker the Salt or Afhes are, the greater is the Quantity of Sandiver : They yield feme four or rive Parts more than others do. When the Afhes are bad, they are forced to fill the Pot four or five Times with more frefn Afhes, by reafon of the Quantity of Sandiver that is in them, before the Pot will be fill’d with Metal. They dare not caft in any cold Water to hinder lo s the Boiling ; for if they fhould, the Furnace and the Pots would be blown up together. This Sandiver ferves to make Metals run ; and a little thereof put into Antimony and Salt-Petre y for making Crocus Metallorum, encreafeth the Quantity of the Crocus, and it will therewith fe- parate the better from the Scoria. ’Tis fold in France , and there ufed to powder their Meat, and alfo to eat inftead of common Salt. Difiblv’d in Water, and pour’d upon Gar- den Walks, it deftroys both Weeds and Vermin. The more nitrous and fofiile the Salts are, the more UnCtuofity they have, and the more they run into Sandiver , to which Nitre comes fome- what near in Colour, Tafte and Fatnefs. It is faid wonderfully to dry and heal Scabs and Manginefs, the difeafed Part being bathed with Water, in which it is difTolv’d. Parkinfon fays that Sandiver works much the fame Effedt with the Afhes of Kali , or Pot-Afhes ; and is ufed of- ten, being ground fine, either to be blown into Horfes Eyes, or, being diftolv’d, fquirted into them v/ith a Syringe, to take away any Skin, Film, Cloud, or Pearl, growing on the Sight. It is alfo ufed to dry up running Sores and Scabs, Tetters, Ring- Worms, and fuch like Blemiflies of the Skin. 22. Of Cryftal-Glafs, and many other Sorts , with the various Ways of Colouring them y &c. from Pomet, Lemery, and feveral other Authors. ' G LASS is a CompofitionyOr Mixture of Afhes, or fome Alkalifate Salt, with Sand, Cryftal, Flints, Pebbles, or other Stones, melted toge- ther into one Body, by the Force of Fire. The firft Ingredient going into the Compofition of Giafs, is Pot-Afhes, called by the French , Soude , & Roquette ; and by the Italians , Polverina Ba- ri/lia, tsfe. There is little or no Difference in the Goodnefs of thefe Pot-Afhes, but as to the fe- veral Places they are brought from ; for the beft Afhes make the moft Salt, and the cleareft and fineft Giafs. Pot-Afhes made of Kali, which comes from the Levant , make a far whiter Salt than the Barillia , and by Confequence a more perfect and beautiful Cryftal. Some ufe Brafs Boilers in making this Salt, which may do, where green or blue Colours arc to be made ; for this ftrong Lye will* fret off fomc Part of the Metal or Verdegreafe, which will da- mage a Cryftalline Giafs : In this Cafe therefore, the better Way is to have the Copper, or VefTel, doubly lin’d with Tin, becaufe that emits no Tin- cture ; Alfo, in making the aforefaid Salt, you P muft Of L E A V E S. io6 General Hijlory of DRUGS. muft mix a Quantity, more or lefs, of Tartar calcin’d to Whitenefs, with your Pot-Afhes ; be- caufe it makes not only more, and a whiter Salt, and a more beautiful Cryftal, but likewile opens the Body of the Pot-Afhes, caufes a fpeedier Dif- folution, and a better Extraction of the Salt, juft as Alum or Vitriol opens the Body of Salt-Petre, iii making Aqua Fortis , or Spirit of Nitre, which otherwife, without fuch Addition, would not rife fo eafily. The fecond Ingredient that enters into the Com- pofition of Glafs, is Glafs Stone, or Sand ; and this is what gives Body, Confiftency and Firm- nefs to Glafs, as Iron gives to Englijh Vitriol, and Copper to Hungarian, Dantzick , and Ro?nan Vitriol, which otherwife would run into Water, in moift Places and Seafons. Glafs Stones are properly all, or moft Sorts of Stones, which will ftrike Fire with a Steel ; thefe are apt to vitrify, and eafy to make Glafs and Cryftal withal ; thofe which will not ftrike Fire with a Steel will never vitrify, whereby you may partly know the Stones which will, and which will not, be tranfmuted into a glafTy Body. The fir ft Place is given thofe Stones which are white, but not tranfparent, of which Kind is Tarfo , which is a Sort of hard White Marble, found in Tufcany , at Pi fa, Seraveza, Carara , the River Arnus, above and below Florence, and in many other Places in the World ; that is the beft which is without blackifh or yellowifh Veins in it like Ruft. The next to a Kind of Pebble, in Appearance like White Marble, fomcthing tranfparent, and hard as a Flint, which being ftruck, gives Fire, and turns not into Lime: This, when firft put into the Fire, becomes white, and lofes its Tranfparency, and afterwards it turns to Glafs. Where fit Stones cannot be had, Sand is made Ufe of; and as fome think, and affirm with good Reafon, was the firft Material made ufe of in making Glafs ; it muft be fmall, white, and very dean, and well wafhed, before it be ufed, which is all the Preparation of it. This is ufually met withal upon the Mouths and Banks of Rivers, and in many Places upon the Sea Shore, and fome- times upon Inland Sand-Hills. White Cryftal Glafs requires a fine, clear, tranfparent Sand, but green Glaffes a more coarfe and brown. The laft Ingredient is Manganefe, or Magnefta , fo call’d from itsLikenefs in Colour, Weight and Subftance to the Load-Stone, and it is accounted one of the Kinds thereof ; it is found in Germany, Italy, Piedmont, l£c. and of late Years, in Eng- land, among the Lead Mines ; and wherever the Miners find it, they certainly conclude that Lead- Oar lies under it. The Potters fpend great Quan- tities of it, this being the only Material where- with they colour their Black, as they do Blue with Zaffer. That is beft which has no glittering Sparkles in it, and is of a blackifh Colour ; but being powder’d, of a dark Lead Colour : ’Tis a Stone very hard and ponderous, and the deeper its Colour is, the deeper it colours the Metal in the Furnace ; this is to be put into the Melting-Pot together with the Fritt. This is the moft univer- fal Material ufed in making of Glafs ; and is that which alone purges off the greenifh, bluifli Co- lour which is in all Glafs, and makes it not only clear and diaphanous, but alfo makes it dark, black, red, and purple, according to the Propor- tion which is added. The Manganefe of Pied- mont, and that of England, which are the beft of all others, leave the Glafs white, and take away from it the Greennefs and Bluenefs ; the Reafon of which Operation feems to be a Change in the Figure, and more minute Parts of the Metal ; for the Fire making the Manganefe run, mixes it with the fmalleft Atoms of the Metal throughout, which by boiling and various Agitations and Revo- lutions of them, form thofe Reflexions of Light, which we call white, clear, and diaphanous. As much Manganefe prepar’d muft be ufed in common white Glafs, as in that made of P'lint, or Cryftal ; the Quantity of the Manganefe is un- certain, and is only known by Practice and long Trial, and therefore cannot be pofitively deter- min’d, either by Weight or Meafure, but muft be wholly left to the Eye, Judgment, Trial and Experience of the Artift. In putting of it in, you are to try whether it has enough of Manga- nefe, or no ; if it be greenifh, give it more Man- ganefe, with Difcretion, and put it in by little and little ; for otherwife, inftead of a clear, white, diaphanous Colour, which in juft Propor- tion it always gives, if too much be added it will make a dufky Purple, or Black, and take away the Splendor of the Metal, which otherwife would be clear and fhining ; for it is the Property of Manganefe, to take away the Foulnefs and Greafinefs which Cryftal has, and to make it re- fplendent, white and clear. A fourth Ingredient alfo has of late been added to the Compofition of Glafs, which is Salt of Tartar : If the Proportion of twelve Pound of pure Salt of Tartar be added to a hundred Weight of Fritt , it makes it, without any Comparifon, much fairer and more pliable to work than ordi- nary. This Salt of Tartar muft be very pure, and put in when the Fritt is made, mix’d with the Glafs Stone, Tarfo or Sand, together with the Pulverine , Rochette , or Pot-Afes fifted and made fine, whereof the Fritt is to be made. Hitherto of the Materials ; but to defeend to the Iiiftru- Book V. Of L E Jnftruments, and the Manner of working in the Glafs, would be beyond the Scope and Intention of this Performance, therefore I fhall proceed to {hew how to turn the Materials into Fritt , of which Glafs is made and fafhion’d. Fritt is nothing elfe but a Calcination of thofe Materials which make Glafs ; and tho’ they may be melted, and make Glafs without Calcination, vet this would require Length of Time, and oc- cafion much Wearinefs, and therefore this Cal- cination was invented to calcine the Fritt in the Calcar ; which when it is calcin’d, and the Pro- portion of the Materials is adjufted to the Good- nefs of the Pot-Ajhes, it prefently melts in the Pot, and admirably clarifies. Fritt feems to be deriv’d from frittare , to fry ; fince, indeed, it is nothing elfe but Salt or Allies mix’d with Sand, or Stone, in fine Powder, and fo fry’d or bak’d together ; the Englijh call the whole Quantity, bak’d at a Time in the Calcar , a Batch : Then it runs into little Lumps like Fritters , call’d often in Italian , Fritelle, or little Fritts. It is of three Sorts ; firft, Green-Glafs Fritt, made of common Alhes, without any Prepara- tion of them, other than beating them to Pow- der, and a hard Sand fetch’d from Woolwich in Kent. Secondly, Ordinary IVhite Fritt , made of Alhes of Polverine, or Barrillia , without ex- tracting the Salt from them, which makes common White Glafs. Thirdly, Cryjlal Fritt , made with Polverine , or Pot-AJhes, and Salt of Tartar, with white Cryftalline Sand, Cryftal, Pebbles or Flints. The Materials mult be finely powder’d, walh’d, fearfed, and then incorporated well toge- ther, which put into the Calcar , will exactly mix in the fimalleft Particles, and minuteft Atoms ; for otherwife the Salt and Sand will, in the Melt- ing-Pot, eafily feparate one from another, which they are apt enough to do were they not ftirr’d with the Rake. To make the fccond Kind, or common white Sort of Fritt for the White Glafs ; fearfe the pure Pot-AJhcs , and what will not go thorough, beat and fearfe again ; beat alfo finely and fearfe your Tarfo , Cryjlal , cjc. Take of the Alhes, CSV. one hundred Weight, of the Stone from eighty to ninety ; pure white Cryftalline Sand, wafh’d and freed from all its Filth, fix Pounds ; mix all together, then put them into the Calcar, or calcining Furnace, when it is hot ; at firft mix and fpread them well in the Calcar, with a Rake, that they may be well calcin’d, and continue this 'till they begin to run into Lumps ; the Fritt will be perfectly wrought in five or fix Hours, being ftirr’d all the Time, and a fufficieut Fire conti- nued ; when you wou’d fee whether it be enough ©r no, take a little of it out ; if it be white, A V E S. 107 yellowilh and light, ’tis enough : The calcining it more than five or fix Hours is not amifs ; for by how much the more it is calcin’d, by fo much the better it is, and the fooner it melts in the Pot ; and by Handing a little longer in the Calcar, it lofes the Yellownefs and Foulnefs, which it wou’d communicate to the Glafs, and becomes more clear and purified. It is here to be noted, that in Italy , and other Places, when they take the Fritt out of the Cal- car, they throw upon it a good Quantity of cold Water, while it is hot, then fet it in a Cellar, from whence a Lye will drop, which may be ftrengthen’d with calcin’d Tartar to be kept for Ufe, with which they now and then water the Fritt ; which being heap’d up together in a moift Place, the Space of two or three Months, or more, grows in a Mafs, like a Stone, and is to be broken with Mattocks : This, when it is put into the Pot, foon melts and makes Glafs as white as Cryftal ; for this Lye is thought to leave, up- on the Fritt, its Salt which produceth this White- nefs, and makes it eafier to melt, and more Cry- ftalline, as aforefaid. To make Cryjlal Fritt, commonly call’d Bol- lito : Take of the beft clear Pebbles, Cryftal, Tarfo, or Flint, ground fmall in a Mill, and fearfed as fine as Flower, two hundred Pounds j of pure Salt of Polverine, or Pot-Afties, fift- ed alfo, one hundred and thirty Pounds ; put them into the Calcar when it is well heated ; for Ihould the Calcar be cold, the Fritt would never be made : At firft, for an Hour, make 2 temperate Fire, and always mix the Fritt with the Rake, that it may be well incorporated and calcin’d ; then increafe the Fire, always mixing the Fritt well with the Rake ; for it is of great Importance, which you muft continually do for five Hours, continuing a ftrong Fire ; then take the Fritt out of the Calcar , being perfected, and put it into a dry Place on a Floor, and cover it well with a Cloth, that no Filth or Duft may fall upon it ; and you muft take care of this, if you would have good Cryftal. The Fritt , thus made, will be white as the pureft Snow. If the Tarfo be lean, you may add to the Quantity ten Pounds, or more, of the aforefaid Salt ; but this is to be done after making Trial : You ought always to make Trial of the firft Fritt, by putting it into a Crucible, and fetting it in the Furnace j if it grow clear fuddenly, you will know whether it be well prepar’d or not, whether it be foft or hard, and whether any more Salt is to be added to it, or to be diminilh’d. This Cryjlal Fritt muft be kept in a dry Place, where no Moi- fture is ; for by Moifture it will fuffer Damage, grow moift, and the Salt of it will run to Water, P 2 and io8 General Hiflcry and the other Ingredient remain alone, which of itfelf will never vitrify. This is not to be wa- ter’d as the former, but may lie three or four Months ; after which it will be much better to put into Pots, and fooner grows clear. Green Glafs Fritt, of which we have yet faid nothing, is a Compofition made of groffer Mate- rials ; to wit, of common Afhes, without any Preparation of them, or elfe of Gobbets ground to a fine Powder, and a hard Sand ; this requires ten or twelve Hours baking, more or lefs, ac- cording to the Goodnefs and Softnefs, or Hard- nefs of the Sand and Afhes. When the Fritt is put into the Melting-Pots, to be made into Glafs, in the fecond, or working Furnace, whether it be Green Glafs, White Glafs, or Cryftal Fritt , it is to be melted and kept fo long in Fufion ’till it is purified and refin’d, before it is wrought : It purifies itfelf by fending up a Scum to the Top of it, which is a fuper-abundant Salt, caft forth from the Metal, and by the Workmen is call’d Sandi- ver , and is to be taken off with the Scumming- Ladle, as the Recrements of the Materials. This Sandiver damages the Metal, and makes the Glafs obfcure and cloudy, being always very foul, and therefore is continually to be fcumm’d off, and taken away, as long as any of it rifes. To reduce Glafs again into its firft Principles ; take Glafs in Powder, what Quantity you pleafe, Pot-Afhes, as much ; mix or melt them in a ftrong Fire, which immediately put into warm Water, fo the Glafs will difi'olve, the Salt will melt and mix with the Water, and the Sand, tffc. will fall to the Bottom ; by which it appears that the Fufion of Glafs is not the laft Fufion, or beyond any Reduttion. Helmont faith, if you melt Glafs in fine Powder, with good Store of Sandiver , and fet them in a moift Place, all the Glafs will foon be refolv’d into Water, where- unto if you add as much Aqua Regis as will fuf- fice to faturate the Sandiver , you fhall find the Sand prefently fettle to the Bottom, in the fame Weight in which it was firft put in ; for the Salt in the Glafs is imbib’d, and taken up by the Sandi- ver and Aqua Regis , and fo the component Parts, analyz’d into their former Principles. As to the Way of making Prince Rupert’s Glafs Drops : They are made of green Glafs, well refin’d, for otherwife they will not fucceed, but crack and break prefently after they are dropp’d into Water : The beft Way of making them, is to take up fome of the Metal out of the Pot, upon the End of an Iron Red, and imme- diately let it drop into cold Water, and lie there ’till it is cold ; where obferve, firft, If the Metal be too hot when it drops into jhe Water, the of DRUGS. Drop will certainly froft and crackle all over, and fall into Pieces in the Water. 2dly, Every one of them that cracks not in the Water, but lies in it ’till it is quite cold, is fure to be good, qdly, That the moft expert Artifts know not the juft Meafure of Heat required, and therefore can- not promife before-hand that the next fhall be good, for many of them mifearry in the making, and oftentimes two or three, or more, prove ill for one that hits. 4-thly, If one of them be ta- ken out of the Water whilft it is red hot, the fmall Part of the Tail or Thread it hangs by, fo much of it as has been in the Water, will, upon breaking, fall into Duft, but not the Body of the Drop, tho’ its Cavities are full as large. 5thly, If one of them be cooled in the Air, or on the Ground, hanging by the Thread, it becomes, in all Refpe&s, like other Glafs. 6 thly, The Out- fide of the Glafs Drops that are cool’d in Water, is clofe and fmootli, like other Glafs, but within it is fpungy, and full of Cavities or little Bubbles. 7thly, The Figure of it is roundifh, or oval at the Bottom, not much unlike a Pear or Pearl, wreath’d from the Beginning of the Neck as it grows fmaller, and terminating in a long Neck, for the moft Part bended or crooked. 8 th!y, If a Glafs Drop be let fall into Raiding hot Water, it will crack and break in the Water, either before the red Heat is over, or foon after, gthly, If it be taken out of the Water before it be cold, it will certainly break, iothly. If they be dropp’d into Vinegar, or Spirit of Wine, or Water in which Nitre or Sal Armoniac have been difiolv’d, or Milk, they never mifs to froft, crack, and break to Pieces, uthly, If dropp’d in Oil- Olive, they do not fo frequently mifearry as in cold Water, nor have fo large Blebs or Bubbles in them, but fome Part of the Neck, and fmall Threads break like common Glafs ; and if the Neck be broken near the Body, and the Body held clofe in the Hand, it breaks not into fmall Parts, nor with fo fmart a Force and Noife, as thofe made in cold Water. I2thly, If you break off the Tip of the Thread, or Neck, of one of thofe made in Water, the whole will fly imme- diately into very minute Parts, which will eafily crumble into coarfe Duft. 1 3thly, A Blow with a fmall Hammer, or other hard Inftrument, only upon the Body of one of thofe made in Water, will not break it. I4thly, One of them broke in the Hand, under the Water, ftrikes the Hand more fmartly, and with a brifker Noife than in the Air ; but faften’d in a Ball of Cement, half an Inch in Thieknefs, upon the Breaking off the Thread, or Tip of it, it breaks the Ball in Pieces like a Gran ado. Laftly, Some of them being ground Book V. ground upon a Tile, or other Stone, break when the Bottom is a little flatted, and others not ’till half is rubb’d, or ground off. To prepare white Glafs, or Cryftal Glals, take Fritt of ordinary Pot-Afhes, to make a fair, white, common Glafs ; but Fritt of the beft, white ft, and hardeft Pot-Aflies, in great Lumps, makes the Glafs, which is call’d Cryjialline Glafs , not Cryftal itfelf. You muff put as much Manganefe in one Sort as to another ; caft the white and Cryftal-like Glafs into Water, that you may have them clear in Perfe&ion. You may make them without this cafting into Water ; vet it is neceffary, if you would have them fairer than ordinary ; and may be repeated, if you would have them yet more refplendent, and then you may work them into what Veffel you pleafe. To have the Glafs yet whiter, calcine it, that it may purify well, and have but few Blifters ; and alfo add to a hundred Pounds of the Fritt twelve Pounds of pure Salt of Tartar, which muft be put in when the Fritt is made, and fo mix’d with Sand Pot-Afhes fifted, and then be made Fritt thereof, as before ; and fo will the Metal be fairer beyond Comparifon. Of Colouring Glafs. The calcining Copper or Brafs varioufly for various Colours is done firft bv Fcretto of Spain , with thin Copper-Plates laid in Bits upon Sulphur, Stratum fuper Stratum , cover’d, luted, and cal- cin’d for two Hours, then beaten fmall and fears’d : Or, 2dly, It is prepar’d with Vitriol in- ftead of Sulphur. 3%, You may make a Cal- cination of Brafs with Sulphur, thus : Take thin Plates in Bits, which lay upon Sulphur, Stratum fuper Stratum , which calcine for twenty-four Hours ; then powder and fearfe it, and reverbe- rate again for twelve Days ; grind, fearfe, and keep it for ufe to colour Glafs of a tranfpa- rent Red, or Yellow. 4thly, Calcine Brafs by itfelf, by putting Bits of Brafs Plates into a Cru- cible, and luting on the Top ; this makes Glafs of a Sky-Blue and Sea-Green. 5th, Calcine Scales of Brafs per fe , which if well done will be red. Scales of Brafs thrice calcin’d, become of a ruffet Colour, and will make a Sea-Green, an Emerald, a Turchois, and a beautiful Sky-Blue, with many other Colours. To tinge Glafs of a Sea-Green ) take Cryflal Fritt, put it in a Pot, without any Manganefe addded ; melt it, and take off the Sandiver Be- ing well and perfectly clarified, take of this Cry- ftal twenty Pounds ; Brafs of the firft, third, or fixth Preparation, fix Ounces ; Zaffar prepared, one Ounce and half ; mix thefe two Powders well, 109 and put to the faid Cryftal at three Times, At firft it makes the Metal fwell very much, there- fore mix the Glafs with the long Squares ; then let it fettle, that the Colour may be incorporated for three Hours ; then mix again, with the long Squares, and take a Proof thereof. Put in rather too little than too much of the Colour ; for then it may be eafily heighten’d. At the End of twenty- four Hours, after it has had the due Colour, it may be wrought, mixing it well firft from the Bottom of the Pot, that the Colour may be equally mix’d and fpread through all the Metal, and united with it, otherwife it fettles to the Bot- tom, and the Metal at Top becomes clear. At Moran they take half Cryftal Fritt and -half Pot- Afh Fritt , and proceed as before, whence arifes a fair Sea-Green, but the former is fairer. For a Sky-Colour, take Fritt made of the beft Pot-Afhes, which purify from its Sandiver ; and to twenty Pounds thereof add Brafs, of the fourth Preparation, fix Ounces, and put it in at three Times, as aforefaid. At the End of two Hours remix the Metal and make a Proof ; being well colour’d, leave it for twenty-four Hours, fo will you have an excellent Sky-Colour, varied with other Colours, then work it. Another Sea-Green, yet more excellent, is thus made : Take Caput Mortuum of the Vitriol of Venus , made without Corrofives, expofe it to the Air for feme Days, and you draw from it, without any Artifice, a pale green Colour, which being powder’d, to fix Ounces of it, add Zaffar prepar’d, once Ounce and half ; Chryflal Fritt purified, as before, twenty Pounds : Work as in the firft Green, fo will you have the moft beauti- ful Colour of the three. To make a Gold-yellow in Glafs, or a Kind of Amber-Colour : Cryflal Fritt two Parts, pure Pot- Ajhes Fritt one Part, both made of Tarfo, which is much better than Sand ; but if of natu- ral Cryftal it is yet better 5 mix thefe well to- gether, of which take twenty Pounds ; of Tartar well beaten and fearfed fine, Manganefe prepared, of each three Ounces j mix thefe Powders well together firft, then, with the Fritts, put them in the Furnace, and let them ftand four Days on an ordinary Fire, becaufe they rife much. When the Metal is purify’d and well colour’d, which is at the End of four Days commonly, it will be very fair and beautiful, and is then to be wrought into Veffels, c fc. This Colour you may make deeper or lighter, by adding or diminifhing the Powders or Fritts. If you would have it yet fairer and more beautiful, you muft take all Cry- flal Fritt : Moreover, another Thing is to be ob- ferv’d ; you muft put the Powder at feveral Times into the Fritt, not into the Metal, for then it colours not. To O/LEAVES, 1 10 General Hijtory of D R U G S. To make a black Colour in Glafs : Take Pieces of broken Glafs of many Colours, grind them fmall, and put to them Powder made of Xaffar prepar’d, two Parts ; Manganefe prepar’d, one Part; this Glafs, purified, will be a moft admi- rable Black, fhining like Velvet, and will ferve for Tables, ifc. Another brighter Black : Take Fritts of Cryftal and Pot-Afhes, of each ten Pounds ; Calx of Lead and Tin, of each two Pounds ; mix all together, fet them in a Pot in the Furnace, well heated ; and when the Metal is pure, add fix Ounces of Powder made of Steel, well calcin’d ; Scales of Iron, finely powder’d, of each equal Parts ; let them boil twelve Hours, now and then mixing the Metal, then work it. Another Black, yet clearer, is this : Take of the beft Pot-Ajh Fritt twenty Pounds, Manganefe prepar’d, one Pound and a Quarter, Tartar in fine Powder, fix Pounds ; mix them, and put them into the Furnace leifurely ; let the Metal purify, which will be at the End of four Days ; mix again well, then caft it into fair Water, and it will be black beyond any of the former. To make a fair Milk-white call’d Lattimo : Take Cryjtal Fritt , twenty Pounds; calcin’d Lead and Tin, of each three Pounds and a half ; Manganefe prepar’d, one Ounce ; mix all to- gether, and put them into a Pot heated, let them ftand twelve Hours, that the Materials may be melted ; and at the End of eight Hours you may work it. It is a fair White ; and to make a Peach Colour of it, add a fufficient Quantity of Manganefe prepar’d, and it will be a Peach Co- lour ; but you muft work it in Time, otherwife it will fade again. To made a deep Red : Take Cryjlal Fritt, twenty Pounds ; Tin calcin’d , two Pounds ; broken Pieces of white Glafs, one Pound ; mix thefe well together, put them in a Pot to run and purify them; being melted, add leifurely, one Ounce of this Mixture ; Steel calcin’d and ground, Scales of Iron finely ground, of each alike ; mix them well together, and in about five Hours it will be perfected : Too much of the Powder makes the Metal black and opacous, whereas it ought to be tranfparent ; if it be too black or deep, put in of the fourth Preparation of Brafs, about an Ounce, and mix them many Times, and in about three or four Repetitions it will become as red as Blood : Make feveral Trials, and when you find it right and good, work it Ipeedily, otherwife it will lofe its Colour and be- come black ; you muft alfo leave the Mouth of the Pot open, elfe the Colour will be loft. Let it not ftand above ten Hours in the Furnace, and fu ffer it not to cool, if poftible. If you find the Colour fades, put in fome of the Steel and Iron- fcale Powder aforefaid, and it will reftore it again; 'tis a nice Colour, therefore fpeedily to be wrought. For a tranfparent Red in Glafs, like Blood, take common white Glafs, twenty Pounds, Glafs of Lead, twelve Pounds ; put them into a Pot glaz’d with white Glafs ; when the Glafs is boil’d and refin’d, add Copper calcin’d to Rednefs, as much as you pleafe ; let them incorporate, mix- ing well the Glafs, then add fo much Tartar in Powder as will make the Glafs Blood-red : If the Colour be too pale, add more of the calcin’d Copper and Tartar, ’till the Colour is exa P*g- Pa S; 9 8 - The feveral Things ufed in Medicine which owe their Origin to Kali y are 1. The Pot-AJhes , or Cineres Clavellati of the Shops. 2. The Sandiver, or Axungia Vitri. 3. The Soap Lye, or Lixivium , made by dif- folving the Salt in Water , from which the Cau- Jlick Stone is made. 4. Soap, which is made of this Lixivium , and is treated of in its proper Place. Befide the Afties made from the Kali, there are the Afties of the Rocket , prepar’d in the fame Manner, brought from the Levant, and ufed in the fame Manner by the Soapboilers and Glaflmakers : And in Lorrain they burn the com- mon Female Fern to Afties in the fame Manner, and make a particular Kind of Glafs with them, call’d Fern Glafs , which is generally very light and thin, and of a pale Sea-green. J The End of the Book of LEAVES. BOOK General Bi/lory of DRUGS. BOOK the Sixth. Of F L 0 W E R S. PREFACE. F LOWERS are the expanded Buds of Vegetables , of various Colours and Figures , /# which are generally found their Fruits or Seeds. A Flower is compofed of three Parts , the Empalement , or Cup ; the Foliage Heart, or Centre. Befides the Flowers of Plants which we ufually fell , I Jhall comprehend in this Book the Parts of Flowers, and fome other Vegetable Subfiances, which have no regular Place under any of the other Clajfes of this Work , as the Spikenard, Epythymum, and the like. i. Of Schcenanth, or Camels Hay, T HIS Schcenanth is the Flower of a fmall Plant, or, more pro- perly fpeaking, a Tweet Rufh that grows plentifully in Arabia Felix, and at the Foot of Mount Libanus, from whence it is brought to us by the Way of Marfeilles. This Plant is about a Foot high, the Root being knotty and very little, furnifh’d with fmall, hard, long, white Filaments, and from each Root come fe- veral hard Stalks, of the Size, Figure and Co- lour of a Barley Straw ; there arife little tufted Flowers on the Tops of the Stalks, the Bottoms of which are of a Carnation Colour ; fo that when the Rufh is in Flower, it is a very fine Plant to look upon. And as this Flower is agreeable to the Eye, fo it is to the Palate, having a warm, biting, aromatick Tafte. We have brought from Marfeilles the Flower and the Rufh feparate from one another, to wit, the Rufh in little Bundles, and the Flower juft in the Manner as it is gather’d ; fometimes clean and neat, and other Times nafty and dirty ; which is the Reafon why fuch Apothecaries as are curious in their Drugs, clean and wipe every Flower, which is a troublefome Piece of Work. Chufe fuch as are the neweft, and approaching neareft the fcarlet Colour that you can get ; tho’ they are of no confiderable Ufe in Phyfick, they they are requir’d for the making of the Great Treacle. When the Flower is fcarce People ufe the Plant in its Place, but when the Flower can be had it ought to be ufed, as it has much more Virtue. Fcenum Camelorum , J uncus odoratus Schcenanthus, Schcenanth ; the fragrant Lemerj. Rufn, or Camels Hay, is a Kind of Reed, or Grafs, which grows plentifully in Ara- bia Felix, at the Foot of Mount Libanus , where it ferves the People for Forage and Litter for their Camels. The Stalk is about a Foot high, di- vided into feveral hard Stems, of the Size, Fi- gure and Colour of a Barley-Straw, being much fmaller towards the Top. The Leaves are about half a Foot long, narrow, rough, pointed, of a pale green Colour. The Flowers growing on the Top are ranged in double Order, fmall, hairy, of a Carnation Colour, and beautiful to the Eye. The Root is fmall, hard, dry, knotty, adorn’d with long white Filaments. All the Plant, and particularly the Flower, is of a ftrong Smell and biting Tafte, pungent and very aromatick, be- ing preferr’d to all the reft for its medicinal Ufe ; it is incifive, attenuating, deterfive, refifts Malignity, is an excellent Vulnerary, provokes Urine, and removes Obftrudlions. [The Schcenanth is the Gramen ad Junccum ac- ccdcns aromaticum , majus, Syriacum. Hift. Ox. 3. 229. Gramen daily Ion aromaticum multipiici Panicula Spicis brevibus, tomento candicantibus ex eodem pediculo binis. Pluk. Phyt. Tab. 109. Fig. j. It is brought from the Eafi - Indies and Arabia ; many Virtues are attributed to it, but its principal Ufe - Cook VI. Of F L Ufe at prefent is as an Ingredient in the Venice Treacle, Mithridate, tsf c. 2. Of Provins Rofes. T HE Rofes, call’d Provins Rofes , are Flowers of a deep Red and vel- veted, which are brought from Provins , a little Town about eighteen Leagues from Paris. Thefe Rofes grow in fuch great Quantities about that Place, that it mull be allow’d that the Ground there is particularly proper for the raifing thefe Kind of Rofes , becaufe in Beauty and Goodnefs they furpafs all that come from other Parts ; and that which contributes greatly to their Excellency is, that the Inhabitants thereabout are perfectly fkill’d in the drying of them, 1 which makes them keep confiderably longer than others, and preferves both their Colour and Smell. We bring flow from Provins two Sorts, the larger and jhe fmaller, the Goodnefs of either of which de- pends on their Colour, Smell, Clearnefs from little Leaves, Threads, £sV. and their Drynefs. Thofe who make it their Bufinefs to deal in lar^e Quantities of Provins Rofes mull preferve them in dry Places, where no Air can enter in, and dole prefs’d or fqueez’d, and in fuch Man- ner they may maintain their Beauty a Year, or eighteen Months ; but about that Time, whatever Care is taken of them, they lofe their Colour, and Worms breed in them : Some put old Iron among them, to hinder the Worms from deftroy- ing them. Thefe Provins Rofes are Flowers much efteem’d bv all the World, becaufe they are aftringent and cordial, ftrengthen the Nerves, and other weak Parts of the Body : They are of confiderable Ufe in Phyfick, and enter feveral Compofitions of Value: But fince, of late Years, thefe Pro- vins Rofes were dear, feveral Druggifts and Apo- thecaries have contented themfclves with the common red Rofes that are cultivated about Paris and other Parts, fince which Time there has not been that Confumption of thefe Rofes as for- merly : Neverthelefs, thofe who have made Ufe of the other Sort have found, that they are not equal to the true Provins Rofe , either in Beauty or Virtue ; belides which, they will not keep fo long, notwithftanding all their Pains to preferve them. The true Provins Rofes are fo efteem’d in the Indies , that fometimes they will fell for their Weight in Gold ; befide the great Quantity we fell ot thefe Rofes, we alfo receive them now made into Liquid and drv Conferves, and fome- times S', rups. You mull take Care in the Choice of thefe Things to deal with honeft People, for O W E R S. nj fear they make their Conferves and Syrups, when old, of a frefh, lively red, by adding Spirit of Vitriol, or other Acids to them : The liquid Con- ferve is ufed to ftrengthen the Stomach, and the dry to ftop Catarrhs, Rheums, (jfc. and alfo againft Gripes and Diarrhaeas. The Syrup has the lame Virtues with the Conferves, but in a left'er Degree : There is likewife a Conferve made of the white Rofes, but it is of little Value. We have from tine fame Place befides, another liquid Conferve, or Honey of Rofes, which is made with the frefh Juice of the Provins Rofe and Honey boil’d together: This is what the Apothe-r caries call Honey of Rofes. It is of thefe Rofes we make the beft Rofe- Water in the World ; but it depends entirely on the Honefty of the Diftiller , whether he will make all of the pure Rofe, or with the Addition of a great deal of Water ; and moft commonly it is made, as I hinted before, of the Rofe-Wood. The Ufe of this Water is fo well known, that I need not wafte Time to relate to you the great Confumption that is made, both by the Perfu- mers and the Apothecaries, and the large Quan- tities daily ufed by private Families, upon all Oc- caiions, efpecially in Difeafes of the Eyes, ts'e. Belides the Water, there is a fragrant and in- flammable Spirit made of Rofes, which is very proper to refrefh and exhilerate the Spirits, as well as to ftrengthen the Stomach. A white and very fragrant Oil, or Eflence, may alfo be drawn from Rofes ; but the Dearnefs of it is the Reafon why we fell but very fmall Quantities of it. The Rofes which remain in the Alembick, or Still, after Diftillation, and which are found like a Cake in the Bottom, being dried in the Sun, is that which we call Rofe-Cake ; but a De- co£lrion of the Buds being fo much better for all Purpofes than any thing that can be made from this, it is needlefs to fay any thing far- ther of it ; and the little Ufe, as well as Virtue, there can be in the Salt made from the Rofe, prevents me entirely from faying any thing about it. Rofe , in French and Englijh , a Rofe, is a Flower known through the World; Lemery. there are two Kinds of it, one culti- vated and the other wild : The Rofe-Bufh is like- wife call’d in Latin , Rofa ; it is a Shrub which bears hard woody Branches, ufually befet with ftrong fharp Thorns ; the Leaves are oblong, in- dented on their Sides, rough in touching, hang- ing five or feven on the fame Stalk ; the Flower is compofed of feveral, large, beautiful, fragrant Leaves, fupported by a Cup, or Bud, which be- comes afterwards an oval Fruit, of the Figure of an Olive, whole Bark, or Covering, is a little Q_ flefhy ; 1 1 4 General Hijhry flefhy ; it cnclofes, or contains, angular, hairy, whitifh Seed ; the Roots are long, hard and woody ; this Shrub, cultivated or uncultivated, is a Hedge Bufh. The cultivated Rofe is diftinguifh’d into feve- ral Kinds ; thofe which are ufed in Phvfick, are the Pale, or Carnation Rofes ; the Mufk, or Damafk-Rofes ; the common white and red Rofes : The pale Rofe, call’d in Latin , Rofes pallida, feu Rofes incarnates , are fine and large, of a plea- fant Red, or Flefli Colour, very fweet to the Smell, and that fpread their Leaves wide ; chufe fuch of thefe as are the mod fingle and leafi: fur- nifh’d with Leaves, becaufe the volatile Parts are lefs diffus’d, and their Smell and Virtue is the greater : They afford a geat deal of exalted Oil and volatile effential Salt ; are purgative, atte- nuate, and difeharge a Mucus from the Head, pu- rify the Blood, and purge, chiefly, the bilious and ferous Humours. The Mufk Rofe, call’d in Latin , Rofes Mof- chates 13 Damn fence , are fmall fingle white Rofes, which blow not ’till Autumn ; they have a Mufk Smell, very fweet and agreeable ; the beft and mod efficacious are thofe that grow in the hot Countries, as Languedoc and Provence ; they yield great Plenty of exalted Oil and volatile Salt : Three or four of thefe Mufk Rofes being bruifed in a Conferve, orlnfufion, purge brifkly, fo that fometimes they cccafion Blood ; thofe of Paris do not work fo ftrong, but are more purgative than the pale Rofes. The common white Rofes, call’d Rofes fatives alba , feu Rofa alba vulgarcs major es, are large, white and fragrant, a little laxative and deterfive, but arc not ufed otherwife than in Diffillations : They contain a great deal of Phlegm, exalted Oil, and but a little elfential Salt. The red Rofes, call’d in Latin , Rofa Rubra , feu Rofa Provinciates, are of a fine deep red Co- lour, but of little Smell : They gather them in Bud, before ever they blow, in order to preferve both their Colour and Virtue, which are deffroy’d by the Air, if they are entirely expos’d to it. Chufe thofe that have the higheft’ Colour ; thofe that grow about Provins are the fineft and moft valued. The red Rofes are ufed for Conferves, and are likewifed dried in great Quantities to keep, be- «aufe they are employ’d to many Purpofes, beino- well dried, fo as to preferve their deep red Co- lour, as well as the Smell they had when frefh. i'hey are aftringent, deterfive, proper to {Length- en the Stomach, flop Vomiting, Loofenefs, He- morrhages, King taken inwardly : Outwardly; they are ufed for Contufions, Diflocations, Sprains, of the Plands or Feet, forBruifes, and to fLength- of DRUGS. en the Nerves and Joints : They are apply H in Fomentations, Cerates, Ointments and Plaifters. You ought to obferve to gather all your Rofes in the Morning before the Sun has got high, for then the efiential Parts are, as it were, concen- ter’d by the Coolncfs of the -Night; otherwife, when the Sun has been upon them, it exhales a coniiderable Part from them. The little yellow Bodies which are found in the Middle of the Rofe, are call’d Anthera ; thefe {Lengthen the Gums, and are ufed in the Teeth-Powders. The wild, or Canker-Rofe, call’d Cynojlaton, I (hall fpeak of in its proper Place. [The Rofes ufed with us in Medicine are, 1. The Red, the Rofe rubra multiplex. C. B. Pin. 481. Rofa rubra valde plena. J. B. 2. 34. This is ufed in the Bud for Conferve, and dried for Tindlures, i 3 c. 2. The Damafk, the Rofa Damafcena fore plena. Boerh. Ind. A. 2. 152. Rofa rubella fore majore multiplicato, fvePleno , incarnato vulgo. J. B. 2. 36. Thefe are ufed for the Damafk Rofe Water, the Syrupus rofaceus folutivus, i 3 c. 3. Tire White, the Rofa alba vulgaris major. C. B. Pin. 482. Rofa Candida plena. J. B. 2. 44. This is ufed for the Diftill’d Water. And 4. The Dog Rofe , or common Bryar. Rofa Sylvefris inodora feu canina. Park. 1017. Rofa canina inodor a. Ger. 1087. The Fruit of this is ufed for the Conferve of Heps. The Provins Rofe, fo much commended here, is the Rofa maxima multiplex. C. B. Pin. 481. Rofa Provineialis fve Hollandica Damafcena. Park. Parad. 413., It is common in our Gar- dens, but we make no Ufe of it. The Mufk Rofe is the Rofa Mofchata fmplici fore. C. B. Pin. 482. Rofa Mofchata f triplex. Park. Parad. 417, which is common in warmer Countries, but never ufed with us : and the Rofa Pallida of the Shops is but a Variety of the common Damafk Rofe. The Bedeguar of the Shops is the fpungy Subftance frequently found cn the Stalks of the Briar. And the Antheres are the yellow Chives within the Flower of the Red Rofe. ] 3. Of Saffron. H E Saffron, which the Latins call Crocus, becaufe of its reddifh Co- Pomet. lour, is the Chive, or Thread of a flower, of a very beautiful red at one End, and yellow at the other, which is brought from feve*- ral Parts. Ehat which bears the Saffron is a bulbous Root, almoft bke that of the great Shalot, ex- cept that it is a little rounder, and of a Colour fomething redder, from whence arife Stalks, adorn’d Book VI. Of FLOWERS. adorn’d with long, green, narrow Leaves ; 2t the Lad of each Stalk comes a deadifh.blue Flower, ia the Midd'e of which are three little Threads, which is what we call Saffron. The beft Saffron , and which is moft valued, is that of Boijluc in the Gatinois, where it is huf- banded with great Care, being almoft all the Riches of the Country. They plant the Onions, or Bulbs of Saffron , in Spring-Time, in Rows like the Vines, in the Earth: The fir ft Year it brines nothing but the Herb, or Leaves, which remain green all the Winter long, ’till the Be- ginning of Summer, after which the Leaves fall or dye. The fecond Year it returns with a Flower, in the Middle of which there are three little reddifh Threads, which are th e Saffron-, when it is ready to be gathered, which is in September and October , they gather it before the Sun rifes, and then they retire with what they have got ; and af- ter it is clean they lay it upon Hurdles, or Bake- Stones, under which is a little Fire to dry it: The next Day they return to gather fuch as fprung afrefh fince tire other was got ; for it is a won- derful Thing that thefe Bulbs recover again in f >ur and twenty Hours, and continue feveral Days to be gather’d and dry’d, ’till the Roots will yield no more. There grow in France feveral other Sorts of Saffron , as that of Orange , Touloufe , Angouleme , and of Menille in Normandy ; but the laft is the worft of all, and none of the other three are fo fine as the true Gatinois , for which Reafon it is preferr’d before all the reft : And to have the re- quiltte Qualities, it ought to be well dry’d, of a beautiful Colour, long and large, well tufted, of a fine red, good Smell, with the feweft yellow Threads polfible, and not fmelling either burnt or mufty. Saffron is much ufed in Medicine, being one of the beft Cordials we have. It ferves for feveral Ufes, becaufe of its yellow Dye. The Germans , Dutch and Englijh are fuch Admirers of the Ga- tinois Saffron , that they trail fport great Quantities of it every Year in Times of Peace, into their own Country. [ Here our Author's Love for his Country , or Ignorance of the Goodncfs of Englifh Saffron, which is preferable to any in the World , has led him into a palpable Miflake. J As there is a great deal of Saffron-Powder fold, fo it is generally a Cheat upon honeft People, that being almoft only fold in Powder, which lias been ufcd beforehand by the Druggift or Apo- thecary, to make Tin&ures, Spirits, and the like, with. We have Saffron brought from Spain that is good for little or nothing ; they fpoil it en- tirely through their Ignorance, which makes them believe that the Saffron will not keep without it be put in Oil. The Antients made Pajlilln with Saffron , Myrrh, Rofcs, Starch, Gum Ara- bick and Wine ; formerly they were brought from Syria , and ufed for fore Eyes, and to provoke Urine. This Pafte, or Troche, was call’d Cro - comagma , and by us Pajlilks , or Saffron Troches ; but this Remedy is little known or ufed at pre- fent. There may be a Salt and Extracft made from Saffron , but the Dearnefs of them is the Reafon there is but little made : The Tincfture made with Spirit of Wine is ufed in Hyfterical Cafes, given in any convenient Liquor, from four to twelve, or more Drops. 4. Of Baftard-Saffron. Afard-Saffron is a very common Plant, which grows about two Feet high, furnifh’d with Leaves that are rough, pointed, longifh, green and flalh’d ; at the End of each Branch arifes a hulky Head, of the Bignefs of one’s Thumb’s End, of a white Colour : From this Head come feveral red and yellow Filaments, or Threads, which is what we call German Saffron , Bajlard-Saffron, or Flowers of Carthamus : But as they do not trouble themfelves to propagate this at Paris , we have it brought from Alface , and both Sides the Rhine , where they cultivate it carefully. It grows alfo plentifully in Provence , and other Places. This Saffon is in great Vogue among the Feather-Sellers, and for making Spanijlt-red ; but has no Ufe in Phyfick , except in its Seed, which the Apothecaries ufe, after having cleans’d it well, in the Compofition of their Tablets of Diacarthamum , which it is the Bafis of. Chufe fuch Seed as is heavy, well fed, clean, new and dry, as can be got, and fee that it be not mix’d with Melon, or Gourd-Seed ; to diftinguilh be- twixt which, know that the true Carthamum is round at one End, and pointed at the other ; be- fides that, it is never fo white as the Melon- Seed. 5. Of Saffranum, or the Lefs Baftard- Saffron. T HERE is another Bafard- Saffron, brought from the Levant , about Alexandria , (Ac. which is in little Threads or Chives, extremely fine and fmall, curl’d and reddilh. This Saffron is alfo a Kind of Carthamus t which differs not from that afore, but only as it is much lefs. We chufe this Flower of the higheft Colour and fineft Red ; and likewife as frefih as we can meet with. The Ufe of it is for the Q_ 2 Dyers j j 6 General Hiffory Dyers about Lyons and Tours , where they con- fume the greateft Quantity of it, to make their fine Colours, as the bright Spanijh Carnation, and the like. Crocus , or Crocus Sativus, according Lemery. toTournefort and Rauhinus , in Englijh , Saffron , is a Plant which bears feveral long Leaves, very narrow, and furrow’d. It fprings about the End of Auguf, or Beginning ot September , with a low Stalk, or rather Foot, which fupports a fingle Flower, fomething re- fembling that of the Colchicum, or difpofed like a Flower de Lis , but much lefs, being divided into fix Parts, of a blue Colour, mix’d with Red and Purple ; in the Middle of which Flower rife three fmall Threads, in the Nature of a Tuft, but di- vided, and of a fine Colour and Smell, which, when gather’d and dried, is the Saffron. The Root of it is a Bulb as large as a Chefnut, and fometimes bigger, flefhy, fweet to theTafle, and cover’d with white or alh-colour’d Funiclcs or Coats, fupplied externally with a great many Fibres, whereby ’tis faften’d to the Ground. They cultivate this Plant in feveral Parts of France [ar obferv' d by Pomet,] but the beft is that of Gatinois, and the worft from Normandy. Chufe your Saffron new and freflr, that is well dried and oily ; but take Care that it be not arti- ficial, by keeping it in oily Skins or Bladders, as is ufed by fome. Let it be of a red Colour* with as little Yellow among it as may be. It abounds with an exalted Oil, mix’d with volatile Salt j and is cordial, pedtoral, anodyne, hyfterick, alexiterial, aperitive, ufed fometimes as a Refto- rative in our Food, and in Collyries, to preferve the Eyes in the Small Pox. It enters the Compo- fition of fome Plaifters, particularly Oxycroceum , but is chiefly ufed internally. [The Plant which produces the Saffron is the Crocus Sativus. C. B. Pin. 65. Crocus Jativus au- tumnalis. Park. Parad. 167. The beft Saffron in the World is that of our own Growth. It is excellent to enliven the Blood, remove Obftruc- tions of the Vifcera, and expell the morbid Hu- mours in malignant Fevers. It is faid that in Hungary and Poland they eat it as a Cordial, fometimes an Ounce or more at a Time ; but taken in excefiive Quantities with us, it brings on Convulfions, Deliriums, and Death, if not prevented. Its ufual Dofe in Powder is about fix Grains, and in Tindkre half a Dram. The Bajlard-Saffron is the Carthamus five Crocus. J. B. 3. 79. Carthamus offeinarum fore Croceo. Tourn. Inft. It is cultivated in iome Places, and flowers in July. The leffer Kind differs from this only in its Place of Growth and Manner of curing. J of RUGS. 6. Of Balauftine, or the wild Pomegranate, H E Balaufines are Flowers of the wild Pomegranate , which are Pomet. brpught from feveral Parts of the Le- vant. We fell two Sorts of Balaufines , name- ly, the fine and the common. We mean by the fine the Hulks, together with their Flowers ; the common have nothing but the Hulk. The Ba - laufincs have Ufe in Medicine, as they are pow- erful Aftringents ; make choice of fuch as are frelh, well fupplied with Flowers of a deep Co- lour, that is, a fine Velvet red, as little mix’d with Chaff and Dirt as pofiible. The common Sort are not worth Regard, being in a Manner wholly ufelcfs. As to the domeftick Pomegranate , we never fell the Flowers of it, but we have Plenty of the Fruit brought from Provence and Languedoc , as a Fruit that is very agreeable to eat, as well as ufe- ful in Phyfick, the Juice ferving to make a Syrup with. We fell principally the Rind of the Pome- granate, as being an Aftringent ; but take Care that it be well dried, and does not fmell mufty : For the mod: Part of thofe who fell Pomegranate- Bark , fell nothing but fuch as hath been dried whole, without emptying, and when they are fo dried, and come to be ufed, they have fuch an ugly Tafte, that they are rather fit to make one fick than relieve one. * We fell alfo what is call’d a dry’d Conferve of Pomegranate , which is nothing elfe but a little melted Sugar colour’d, with the Addition of a little Cochineal, Cream of Tartar, and Alum. This Conferve is difficult to make, becaufe of the fmall Quantity of Alum which is oblig’d to be mix’d with it ; and there is nothing in the World more contrary to Sugar than Alum ; which ftiews the Error of thofe who fay that they mix Alum with Sugar to refine it ; and what we here affert is fo true, that four Ounces of Alum is capable of hindering two thoufand Weight of Sugar from incorporating. But to come to our Conferve. It is advifable to keep but little Quantities of it, for there is but little Demand for it, and when it grows moift there is no recovering it to its Con- fidence again, as we can other Things of that Kind, becaufe of the Alum. In a Word, Alum is to Sugar as Oil to Ink. Punica ALalus , or the Pomegranate , is a Shrub, whereof there are two Lemery. Kinds, one cultivated, cr domeftick, and the other wild. The firft is call’d by Tourne- fort , See. Punica qiuc malum Gr ana turn frt, that which pi-oduces the Pomegranate ; by Parkinfon and C. Bauhinuy, it is call’d Malus Punica fativa : Fhe - Book VI. Of F L The Branches are final!, angular, arm’d with Thorns ; the Bark is reddifh ; the Leaves are fmall, and refcmble thofe of the Myrtle, but lefs pointed, hanging by reddifh Stalks ; of a {Irons Smell when they are crufh’d or bruifed. The Flower is large, beautiful and red, inclining to purple, compofed of five Leaves, like a Rofc in the Hollow of a Cup, reprefenting a little Bafket of Flowers: The Cup is oblong, hard, purplifh, large at the Top, having, in fome Mea- lure, the Figure of a Bell ; they call it Cytinus. At the Bottom comes a Fruit after the Flower is gone, which grows into a large round Apple, adorn’d with a Crown, form’d by the Top of the Cup ; the Bark is as hard as Leather, of a purple Hue, dark without and yellow within. This Apple is call’d in Latin , Malum Punicum, feu Gram turn, the Pomegranate in Englijh. It is di- vided internally into feveral Partitions full of Seed, heap’d one upon another, being flefhy, of a fine red Colour, abounding with a very pleafant Juice, .each of which contain, in the Middle of them, an oblong Grain, yellow, and fometimes very irregularly form’d. There are three Sorts of Pomegranates, which differ in Tafte ; the one Sort are aigre, or {harp, the other fweet, and fome are betwixt both ; ma- nifeftly neither the one nor the other prevailing, call’d vinous. Thefe Pomegranates are improved in our Gardens, efpecially in all the warm Coun- tries, as Spain, Italy , France, See. The fecond Sort is call’d Punica Sylvejlris , the wild Pomegranate. This is a Shrub like the for- mer, but more rough and thorny : They gather the Flowers when in their Prime ; and they are what they call Balaujlia, or Balaujiines ; thefe are dry’d to keep, which the Merchant brings from the Levant. The wild Pomegranate grows only in the hot Countries, contains in it a good deal of Flegm, Oil, and effential or acid Salt. The Balaujiines ought to be chofen new, large, fair, well blown, of a deep Colour, or reddifh purple, affording Plenty of volatile Salt and ef- fi-ntial Oil. They are proper for Bloody Fluxes, Diarrhoea, Ruptures, to flop a Gonorrhoea, Whites in Women, and {pitting of Blood. The Bark is ufed for the fame Intentions. The Juice cf the Pomegranate, which is fharp or acid, is moft valued in Phyfick, as proper to fortify the Stomach, flop Vomiting and Loofenefs, precipitate Bile and Clioler : The Seed is likew’ife aftringent, and ufed in Injections. There is found upon the Rock's in the Sea, a Stone, in Shape of an Apple, which both in Figure and Co- lour refemfcles this, and therefore is call’d a Sea Pomegranate [The Pomegranate-Tree , which bears the Fruit, O W E R S. u 7 is the Malus punica fativa. C. B. Pin. 438. Granata Malus. Mont. Ind. 42. This is a wild Tree in hot Countries, though only to be feen in Gardens here. It flowers in May. The Balaujline-Tree , which produces the Flowers of that Name, is the Balauftia Hi/'pa- nica. I. B. I. 82. Balauftia fore plena may ore. C. B. Pin. 438. The Flowers of the firft Kind are fometimes ufed, and are call’d Cytini ; but they are fddom to be feen in the Shops, as the Balaufines are efleemed fo much the better Medicine. J 7. Of Arabian Stoechas. H E Stccchas , very improperly call’d the Arabian Stoechas, as moft Pomet. of that which we fell is brought to us from no other Part than Provence and Languedoc , , where it grows plentifully, is the Flower of a Plant which has very narrow green Leaves ; this Flower comes in the Nature of a Spike, of the Size of one’s Finger’s End, from whence arife little blue Flowers, almoft like a Violet. Part of the Stoechas we fell comes from Mar- feilles, by reafon of the Plenty they have in the Ifles of Hyeres, which were heretofore call’d Stae- chades, and probably gave their Name to this Flower. The little Ufe this Flower is of in Phy- fick, makes it that we fell but fmall Quantities, which makes it generally old, and of little or no Tafte, Smell, or Virtue. There is another Stoechas we fell befides, whofe Flowers are of a Citron Colour, to which fome have given the Name of the Telloiu Ama- ranthus ; but the little Ufe that is made of it, gives me no Encouragement to fay any Thing further, but that it is a very common Plant in Provence and Languedoc. The Arabian Stcechas grows fo large and thick in Spain, that it is found as big as one’s little Finger, and the Spikes or Heads fometimes white. The chief Ufe of it is for Treacle, wherein there needs no farther Di- redtion but to chufe it frefh, good, clean and neat. Stcechas Purpurea, according to Bau- hinus and Tournefort , is a beautiful Lemery , Plant, which bears, in the Nature of a Shrub, feveral Stalks, of a Foot and a half, or two Feet high, woody, and divided into feveral Branches. The Leaves are like thofe of La- vender, but much lefs, narrower, and whiter. The Tops fupport or carry Ears, or hufky Heads that are oblong, mounted each on a Clufter of Leaves, and adorn’d with little Flowers, purple or bluifh, difpofed in Rows the Length of the Head. There fucceeds to each of the Flowers four 5 j 8 General Hijlory of DRUGS, four Seeds, tlut are almoft round, blackifh, and enclofed in a Covering, which ferves as a Cup to the Flower. The Roots are woody. All the Plant has an aromatick Smell, with aTafte fome- tbing acrid and bitter. It grows in great Plenty jn Languedoc, Provence, and the Ides of Hyeres, call’d by the Antients the Staecbas IJlands. It de- lights in dry and Tandy Ground, and is brought dry to the Shops, where the Flowers are only n fed. It is call’d Arabian Staecbas , bccaufe the greateft Quantities are brought from thence. It is attenuating, deterfive, aperitive, cephaliek, liyflerick, ftrengthens and comforts the Brain, provokes Urine and the Terms, refills Poifon, and expels Melancholy. Some fay this Plant grows near the Rhine, that if has a pretty large Flower, much in the Shape of Hops, of a fragrant Smell when growing, yellow and bluifh, but when dried of a brown Colour, and in Knobs. Thofe which are the largeft, belt Rented, and lead: broken, are the bell. Thefe Flowers are diaphoretick and vulne- rary, ufed chiefly in Difeafes of the Head and Nerves, and by their Fume they dry up De- fluxions. They may be ufed in Powder, from a Dram to two Drams. A Lixivium , or Lye, of the Allies, in fair Water, will kill Lice and Nits in the Head. The Spirit of this Flower is reckon- ed excellent againfl all cold Difeafes of the Womb, Wind, Gripes and Convulflons ; and exceeds Hungary Water internally or externally. The Syrup of Staecbas is given in Coughs, Catarrhs, Barrennefs. [Thefe are the Flowers of the Staecbas Arabica vulgo ditto. J. B. 3. 277. Staecbas purpurea. C. B. Pin. 216. The Plant is common in Spain and France-, it is cephaliek and deobftruent. There is another Species of this Plant that has a Place in the Catalogues of Officinal Plants, and is there call’d Tragium alterum , which is the Tra- gium alterum Diofcoridis quibufclam foliis Tricho- manis. J. B. 3. 279. Staechadi ferrates AJfinis. C. B. Pin. 216. The Root of this is accounted an Aftringent, but is feldom feen or heard of. The Yellow is the Stoecbas citrina tenufolia Karbonenfis. J. B. 2. 154. Elicbryfon five Stoecbas c'ftrina angufli folia. C. B. Pin. 264. The Flowers of this are accounted good in Obflruc- tions of the Vifcera and King’s Evil, hut they are feldom ufed.] 8. Of Rofemary. JD Ofemary is a Plant fo common, it Pomet. would be a needlefs Thing to give a Defcription of it, but the confidcrable Sale there is of what is produced from it, engages me to treat of it. Therefore I jfhall begin with the Oil, which is made from the Leaves and Flowers, by Means of an Alembick, with a fuf- flcient Quantity of Water ; from which, by the Help of Fire, we have a white, clear, penetrating and fragrant Oil, indowed with a great many ex- cellent Qualities: But the Dearnefs of this Oil, by reafon of the fmall Quantity that it yields, cc- cafions certain People to adulterate it, by mixing a conflderable Part of Spirit of Wine, well defleg- mated, with it, or elfe they fell inftead of it, Oil of Spike, Lavender, and other aromatick Oils ; though it is eafy to djllinguifh Oil of Rofemary ; as being white, clear, and tranfparent ; of a fweet Smell, and very penetrating. The Ufe of this Oil, which is call’d the Eflence or Quinteffence of Rofemary , is not very confl- derable in Medicine; but it is very much ufed by the Perfumers, to aromatife their Liquors, Waft- Balls, &c, Seme efteem it greatly for the Cure of Wounds, as a very fpecifick Balfam, which has given occafion to fame Strollers and Mounte- banks to make it a mighty Commodity, and fwear that theirs is true Oil \ ; , V : ' •: ’ p ■ " SWV.J Y_ ‘ L I ' AS\\J \ V . , ‘ r: ■*r - • , . V: > .. i-j •• • . • * V. Cfttt/i s' (nwJ of i man. BifudfUi orTcrvtfijuck FlowaS^ Dodder Book VI. Of FLOWERS. We have likcwife a liquid Conferve of the Flowers. Befides the Oil of Rofemary , they bring us from Languedoc and Provence Oil of Spike, which is made of the Flowers and the fmall Leaves of a Plant which the Botanifis call Spun, Jive Lavendula mas , Vcl Nardus Italica , aut P feud:- Nardus , which fignifies Spike, male La- vender, Italian, or Bafiard-Nard : Thefe grow common in Languedoc and Provence, and upon all the Mountains thereabout. This Oil is frequent- ly- adulterated; and many People fell for it Oil of Turpentine, colour’d with a little Petroleum. This Oil of Spike is proper for feveral Sorts of People ; as Painters, Farriers, and others ; be- fidcs its Ufe in Phyfick, wherein it is accounted cephalick, neurotick, cardiack, fiomachick, and uterine ; a great Strengthener of any weaken’d Part, efpecially the Head or Nerves ; excellent againff Vertigoes, Lethargy, Apoplexy, Epilepfy, Palfy, Convulfions, Syncope, Fainting Fits, Pal- pitation of the Heart ; a good Specifick to firengthen the Eye-Sight, and open Obfirudfions of the optick Nerves, cure a Pinking Breath, and relieve in the Sp'een and Jaundice. We have from the fame Places the Oils of Lavender, Marjoram, Thyme, Sage, Mint, and other aro- matick Plants. Rofmarinus hortcnfis angujliore folio , Lancry. according to C ■ Baubinus and Bourne- fort ; or, the Garden Rofemary with the narrow Leaf. This is a woody Shrub, whofe St.Jk grows four or five Feet high, and fometimes much more, having feveral long Branches, afii- colcur’d, on which grow long narrow Leaves, that are hard and fiifi', of a brownifh Green without, and whitifh underneath ; a little fuccu- lent, of a Prong Smell, aromatick, and of a plea- fant agreeable biting Tape. The Flowers are final!, but numerous, mix’d among the Leaves, each of which has a Tail cut at the Top into two Lips, of a pale blue Colour, inclining to white, of a lV/eeter Smell than the Leaves. When the Flowers are fallen, there follow fome little Seeds, that are almoP round, join’d four together, and enciofed in a Capfula , cr Covering, which ferves as a Cup to the Flower. The Roots are fmall and fibrous. They cultivate this Shrub in Gar- dens, but it grows without Improvement near Narbonne in Languedoc, and flowers in May and June. The Flower is call’d Antbos, which is as much as to fay the Flczvcr, by way of Excellence. Both the Leaf and Flower are ufed in Medicine; but thofe of Languedoc are to be valued before any of the more Northern Parts of France , be- Caufe the Heat of the Climate renders the Plant there more fpiritucus and bitter. It yields a large Quantity of efiential Oil and volatile Salt, be- fides fix’d Salt, which it affords great Plenty of, by burning to APies, making a Lye of them, then filtering, and afterwards evaporating in a Sand Furnace to a due Drynefs. [The Officinal Rofemary is the Rofmarinus co- ronarius frudlicofus. J. B. 2. 25. Rofmarinus hortenfs Angujliore folio. C. B. Pin. 217. The Plant from which the Oil of Spike is made, is the Lavendula minor five Spica. Ger. 468. Pfeudo-nardus qua Lavendula vulgo. J. B, 3. 282. This is a fmaller Species of Lavender ; but is not that Kind commonly known here by the Name of Lavender, and ufed in the Spiritus Lavendula Compofitus, &c. That is the Flower of the Lavendula major five vulgaris. Park. 72. La- vendula lati folia. C. B. Pin. 216. and indeed is the moP fragrant of all the Kinds.] 9. Of Dodder of Thyme. Tf Pit by mum is a Plant like a Bufli *— J of Hair , found upon Thyme, Pomet. from whence it took the Name of Epi - tbymurn, or Thyme- Weed. We fell two Sorts of it, to wit, the Epitbymwn of Candia , and that of V mice : The firP in long Threads, of a brownifii Colour, and pretty aromatick Smell. The fecond Sort, on the contrary, is very little, and curled, and has a great deal Pronger Smell than the other. There is a third Sort of Epithy- mum, which our HerbariPs fell by the Name of Country Epithymum ; but this ought to be entirely rejedted, as it is good for nothing at all, having neither Smell nor Tafie, which is the very reverfe of the two former, which you ought to chufe frefii, odoriferous, and the leap bruifed that can be. This Dodder is of fome Ufe in Phyfick, a9 it is warm, deficcative, and aperitive ; befides which it enters into feveral Galenical Compo- fitions. There is anotherKind of a Plant we fell, which we call Cufcuta Podagra , Angina Lini, Dodder , IVhitwinde, Gout-Herb , See. This Plant is the fame Thing with the Epithymum , having no Dif- ference ; but according to the Plants it grows up- on it changes its Name. And to prove what I fay, I Piall relate what M. Bournefort wrote to me on this Subjedl. The Cufcuta , fays he, is a Plant of a fingular Kind : It comes from a very fmall Seed, that pro- duces long Threads or Strings, that are as fine as Hairs, which perifii very foon, as alfo does theRoot, unlefs there are fome Plants near it, for it to twiP itfelf about ; they catch hold of the Stalks or Branches of any fuch, and draw their NouriPi- ment from the Bark of the Plant. It bears feve- ral Flowers, at Difiances, gather’d into Balls : The 12© General Hijlory The Flowers are like little Cups, white, tending to 3 Flefh Colour, cut into four Quarters, in each of which is a round Capfule, membranous, and fill’d with four or five Seeds, fmall, brown, or greyifb, as little as Poppy-Seeds. This Plant grows indifferently on all Sorts of Herbs, and there are above a hundred Plants to which it clings ; and it is believ’d, that as it re- ceives its Nourifhment from thofe Pants which it furrounds, it likewife partakes of the fame Qua- lities. The Dodder that grows upon Flax, or Flax-Weed, is what we generally ufe and mean fay Cufcuta , as that which grows upon Thyme is the Epithymum. It corroborates, opens Obftruc- tions of the Vifcera , and pafles by Urine. Epithymum , five Cufcuta minor , is a Lemery. Kind of Cufcuta , or Dodder , that is ftringy, and winds itfelf upon any Plant it approaches, being of a reddifh brown Colour, and having a pleafant fragrant Smell ; that which has feweft Stalks in it is to be preferr’d. By feeing how Dodder grows upon Nettles, Hemp, Ufe. we may apprehend what it is like. It is brought to us out of Turfy, Italy, Venice, and other Pars of the Streights. It is reckon’d amongft Catharticks, and laid to purge watry Humours and Melancholy ; is aperitive, arthri- fcick ; purifies and cleanfes the Blood ; is good for the Spleen and Hypochondria, Wind, Rheuma- tifm, and Gout, being beaten to Powder, or taken in Infufion in Water, Wine, or Whey. [The Epithymum is the Cufcuta minor , Tourn. Lift. 692. Cufcuta minor, five Epithymum , Buxb. 89. and the common Dodder, the Cufcuta, , five Cajfutha, Ger. 462. Caffuta , five Cufcuta, J. B. 3. 266. Neither of them are at all ufed in the prefent Practice. 10. Of Spikenard. QPikenard, or Indian Nard, is a Kind Pomct. CJ of Spike of the Length and Thick- nefs of one’s Finger, adorn’d with little brown Hair, or Nap, that is rough, coming from a fmall Root of the Size of a Quill. They fay that the Spikenard grows in Tufts or Bufhes clofe to the Ground, and that it raifes a {lender, long Stalk ; but as I never faw it growing, I have fet it down in the Manner as we fell it, according to the Figure engrav’d with the Root, to fiiew that the Root is not fo fmall and fiender as Au- thors wou’d make it. As I have Pieces like that I had the Figure engrav’d from, which I found among the Spikenard I keep for Sale. We fell three Sorts of Spikenard, namely, the Indian Spikenard, fo call’d, bccaufc it comes from India, whereof there are two Sorts, viz . the c/DRUGS, great and the Small. The fecond is the Moun- tain-Spikenard, which is brought from Dauphiny. And the third is the Celtick-SpJkenard. The final! Indian Spikenard is according as it is exprefied in the Figure ; it is of a bitter Tafte, and a ftrong difagreeable Smell j and the large is of the Length and Thicknefs of one’s Finger, and much of the fame Quality with the other ; it is ufually brown- er, and more upon the red. As to the Celtick Nard, it is in little fhelly Roots, full of pretty long Fibres, from whence arife little long Leaves, that are narrow at Bot- tom, and large towards the Middle, and a little fharp at the End ; of a yellow Colour, fomething upon the red ; when they are dry’d, and brought to us, they are fit for tranfporting. In the Mid- dle of the Leaves comes a little Stalk, about half a Foot high ; at the End of which are many fmall Flowers, of a Gold Colour, fhap’d like Stars. This Spikenard is brought us in Bunches from different Parts, but the greateft Plenty comes from the dips, from whence we have it by the Way of Marfeilles or Rouen. The Ufe of this is only for the great Treacle, where it undergoes a long and difficult Preparation ; for they are forc’d to put this fome Time in a Cellar to make it moift, that its little Root may be the eafier clean’d, which is the only Part put into the faid Compofition. One ought to take Care of feve- ral little extraneous Plants, which are ufually found mix’d with it ; as Bafard Spikenard, Hirculus, or the like. Chufe all the Kinds as freftt and fra- grant as poffible. The great Indian Spikenard fhould never be ufed but when the little one is not to be had ; the Mountain Kind ought to be entirely rejected. Nardus Celtica, or Spica Celtica, is a little knotty Root, yellowifh and aro- Lemery , matick, being form’d like an Ear, from whence it takes the Name of Spike or Spica. It bears fine fmall Fibres, or fiender Tails, pretty long, which fupport fmall oblong Leaves, narrow at the Bottom, large or broad in the Middle, and ending in a Point of a yellow Colour ; there rifes among the Stalks a little Stem of about half a Foot high, bearing on the Top a good many Flowers in Form of Stars : It grows in the dips, Tyrol, Liguria, Carinthia, Styria , &c. That is beft which is frefh, fweet-feented, with many fmall Fibres, full and ftrong, or not brittle ; it is hot and dry, and of the Nature of the Indian Spikenard , but not altogether fo ftrong ; it {Length- ens the Stomach, expels Wind, is good againft the Cholick, and provokes Urine ; it may be gi- ven in Powder, from a Scruple to a Dram, and in Tindurc 10 half an Ounce. Nardus Book VI. Of FLOWERS. Nardus Indicd , or Spied bidica , the Indian Spikenard, is a Kind of Ear as long and thick as one’s Finger, light, and fupplied with long Threads, or Hairs, that are reddilh, not brown, of a flrong, unpleafant Smell : It grows in India , and is brought thence to Alexandria in /Egypt, and from thence to Venice, and fo hither ; and is call’d Spica, becaufe it refembles an Ear of Corn. There is a Ballard Spikenard , which is a Sort of Lavender ; a fecond Sort of Narbonne ; and third- ly, a Mountain Spikenard , like Valerian. When you chufe the Indian Spikenard , let it be Inch ns is dry, of a yellowifh red, or Cinnamon- Colour, frelh, fmooth, with a long Beard, or Fibres, and a lharp Spike, biting on the Tongue, fweet-feented like C'yprefs, and keeping its Scent long. If it be moifl or whitifh, or rough, and without Hairs, and Fibres like Wooll, it is naught : It is hot, cephalick, llomachick, and alexipharmick ; attenuates and allringes ; Hops Fluxes, yet provokes Urine and the Terms, powerfully expels Wind, and cures the Jaundice ; it refills the Malignity and Poifon of the Plague, and all Manner of malign and pellilential Fevers : It is ufed in Powder, befides its being an Ingredi- ent In Mithridate , Venice Treacle, and other An- tidotes. Its Dofe is from half a Dram to a Dram and a Half ; and there may be an excellent com- pound Oil made of it, with the Addition of other Spices. (The Indian Spikenard is the Root and hairy Fibres of the wither’d Leaves of the Gramen Cy- feroides aromaticum Indicum , Breyn. Prodr. 2. 53. It is brought to us from the Eaf- Indies and Egypt! The lefler Kind of this, mention’d by Pomet , differs in nothing from the larger, but that it is the Root of the younger and fmaller Plants, and for that Reafon is commonly the llronger Rented. The Celtick Spikenard is the Root with the firfl Leaves of the Nardus Ccltica Diofcoridis , C. B. Pin. 165. Nardus five Spica Ccltica, Park. 1I 7- And the Mountain Spikenard the Root and Leaves of the Valcriena Nardus diffa radice Oli- vari. Hill. Ox. 3. 103. Nardus Montana tu- lerofa , Park. 116. This is fuppos’d to have the fame Virtues with the Celtick , but is but little ufed.] ii. Of Bifnague, or Tooth-Pick-Flower. T H E Bifnague, or Vifnage, is the T ufts and Taffels of a Plant where- of you have the Figure under that Name, which grows plentifully in Turky , from whence we have it brought to fell. This Plant, is cultivated in feveral Parts of France , but chief- ly in the Royal Garden at Paris. Of the whole Plant we fell nothing but the Taffels, becaufe the People of Quality, in Imitation of the Turks, ufe them as Tooth-Picks ; and the rather, becaufe they are of an excellent good Tafte : As to your Choice, you need not be otherwife curious, than in taking fuch as are whole, the largeft and faireft you can get. [Thefe are the Seeds of the Gingidium Fceni- culi folio, C. B. Pin. 19 1. Gingidium verum Syriacum, Park. 890. Thapfa orientalis , dnethi folio, femine eliganter crenato, Tourn. Cor. 22. Boer. Ind. 60. This is the true oriental Kind. There are alfo the Seeds of another Plant put to the fame Ufe, call’d the Spanijh Tooth-Pick , which is the Gingi- dium umbella longa, C. B. Pin. I^r. Vifnaga Gingidium appellatum. Park. 890. Vifnaga , Boer. Ind. IE. 49. The Plants have both the fame Virtues with Fennel, but are never ufed, ex- cept in the Taffels, which make excellent Tooth - Picks. ] 12. Of Hearts-Eafe. B Efides the Bifnague, we fell a cer- „ tain Flower, which is brought us 0 e ' from Provence and Languedoc, or from Lyons ; becaufe of its bluifh Colour, and its Refemblance to Violets, when dry’d ; upon which Account the Apothecaries ufe it inftead of March Violets in feveral of their Compofitions, where the true Violets are required, which is an Abufe, as it has been obferv’d by Mr. Charas , in his Pharmaco- poeia, the fecond Edition, Page 334. But thefe are not true Violet Flowers, but ths Flowers of a Plant, whofe Figure is here given under this Head, and which is what the Botanifts call Viola Tricolor erelta, Affurgens Tricolor Do- doncei, &c. and others Viola Pentagcnia ; in Englijh, Panfy or Fancy ; Flos Trinitatis, by fome, Trinity -Flower, and by others Hearts- Eafe : It is call’d the Flower of Trinity from having three Colours ; to wit, the Violet, the blue, and the yellow ; fome have thought thefe Flowers, tho’ erroneoufly, a proper Succedaneunt for true Violets ; which being fo well known in all Countries, and treated of in every Herbal and Difpenfatory, I Ihall fay nothing further of, either in relation to the Syrup, Flower, Seed or Com- fit but advife every Body to apply themfclves to honell People when they want any of them, that they may furnifli them with what is true, natural, and not decay’d. R The.e 122 General Hijlory There are other Sorts of Flowers fold by us, as red Peppy, Colt’s-Foot, St. John's Wort, Centaury, Cat’s-Foot, and Lilly of the Valley, and feveral others People are furnifh’d with from the Herb-Shops, and publick Markets in Paris , as I told you before ; for which Reafon there are a great Variety of Simples that we do not keep in our Shops. Herba Trinitatis , Viola Tricolor , Lemery. Jacea major , five Viola Tricolor , five Trinitatis f.os , Panfy, or Penfie in French , and Fancy in Englijh , is a Kind of Vio- let, or Plant, bearing its Leaves upon creeping Stalks, like thofe of Ground-Ivy ; the Flowers are blue, purplifh, or white and yellow, without any Smell, each compofed of five Leaves. After the Flower is gone, there appears a Pod, or Bag, which contains feveral fmall Seeds ; the Root is fibrous and ftringy. This Plant is cultivated in our Gardens, flowers moft of the Summer, and yields fome efTential Salt and Oil : It is incifive, * The End of the Book of DRUGS. vulnerary, deterfive, penetrating and fudorifick ; good for Ulcers of the Lungs, Coughs, Obftruc- tions of the Womb and Gall : The Juice taken in White Wine, &c. is good againft Fevers and Inflammations, drank for a Continuance of three Weeks or a Month ; it is faid to be a Specifickin the Venereal Difeafe : The faline Tindlure is much more effectual for that and other Purpofe* above-mentioned : Dofe three Drams in any pro- per Vehicle. [Thefe are the Flowers of the Viola Tricolor , Ger. 703. Viola Tricolor major et vulgaris , Park. 756. They are never ufed in Medicine, the other Violet we make the Syrup from, poflefling all their Virtues in a much greater Degree, which is the Viola martia purpurea fore fimplici odorato , C. B. Pin. igg. Viola fmplex martia. Park. Parad. 282. The Syrup of this is the hardeft to keep, but is alfo happily the hardeft to counterfeit of any in Shops.] of FLOWERS. BOOK the Seventh. Of FRUIT S. PREFACE. 7 N this Chapter I Jhall take in whatever hears the Name of Fruit , and whatever , in l Herbs , Plants , Shrubs , or Trees , it is that fucceeds the Flower ; and likewife , what- ever is produced by any of them , whether naturally , or as an Excrefcence , as Miffelto by the Oak , Agarick by the Larch Tree , and the like : 1 f hall alfo fpeak here of what we have from Fruits. Fruits are commonly diftinguijh' d into two Sorts , to wit , into fuch as bear Nuts, and fuch as bear Stones or Kernels. It is faid that Fruits are compofed of three effen- tial Parts, namely, the Skin, or outward Membrane, the Pulp or flefhy Part , and the Fibres or ftringy Parts. There are Fruits whofe Kernels are cover'd with a Capfula, or Cafe , that contains the Seed, and others that are not. 1 . Of White Pepper. TJ 7 HITE Pepper is the Fruit of a Pomet. try climbing Plant, whofe Leaves are entirely like thofe of our Goofe- berry ; after which come fmall Clufters, adorn’d with round Seeds, green at firft, but when ripe they are of a greyifh Colour. As this Pepper-Plant cannot fupport itfelf, the Inhabitants of thofe Parts where it grows, plant it at the Root of certain Trees, as the Areca , which is a Sort of Palm-Tree, very ftraight and tall i the Cocoa, or other Trees of the like Na- ture Book VII. ture. But as this Pepper is rarely brought to us, a great many Perfons will affirm, that there is no fuch Thing as true natural White Pepper , and that what we have is only the Black with its out- ward Rind taken oft. It is for this Reafon I have given you the Figu- , and will endeavour to prove the White Pcpp:, to be natural in fome Places, according to what M. de Flacourt , Governor in the Ifle of Madagafar , after ts ; who fays, that the true White Pepper grows upon a Creeper, and that the Stalk and Leaves fmell altogether as Pepper ; and that there are great Quantities in that Country, where the French might have a good Eftablifoment, and lade their Ships, every Year, with a great deal of it ; for the Woods all about are frill of it, fo that it is Food for the Turtles and Wild Pigeons. It is ripe in Augujl , September , and October. Tho’ fome Authors, and among the reft Pifo , in his Hiftory of the Indies , and after him Mr. Char as, obferves, that there’s no fuch Thing as White Pepper , it fhall not hinder my Belief of it ; for it is impoffible that they can ever bark Black Pepper, fo as to make it fmooth and even, as we find the white Coriander Pepper that the Dutch bring us. And further, when we break the Pepper, we fee the outward Skin, which is an infallible Token that was never taken off ; and if it had been bark’d, we fhould have difeover’d fome Grains with the Wrinkles remaining; and this is fuch a Truth, that all the Peppers we find bark’d, or hufk’d, and blanch’d in Holland , we always find a great Part of them plainly to have a wrinkled or wi- ther’d Skin. Chufc the true White Dutch Pepper , the lar- geft, beft fed, heavieft, and the lead Black a- mongft it, that you can get j and take Care of fuch as is blanch’d, which is foon known by rub- bing it in your Hands ; for the white mealy Co- lour will change yellow : Befides that, the Cori- ander Pepper, that is not blanch’d, will appear with little Streaks like Ribs ; and when beat to Powder, of a fine grey, tending to a white Co- lour: Its Ufcs are too well known to detain me any longer on that Head. We pound, or reduce to a grofs Powder, the white Coriander Pepper, upon which we throw Ellence of Ambergreafe, and then it is call’d Amber-Pepper, or Bergerac Pepper, which has no other Ufe than to gratify Perfons of Quality. 2. Of Black Pepper. T)LAC K Pepper is likewife the Fruit of a Creeper that has large broad Leaves, very fibrous, and fupplied with feven nervous Ribs, that are very conspicuous, according to the Figure 123 which was given . me by M. Tournefort. The Dutch and Engl/Jh bring three Sorts of Black Pepper , which differ not from the other, but ac- cording to the Places where they grow. The firft and fineft is that of Malabar ; after that the Pepper of Jamby, which comes the neareft to the Malabar. The third Sort is a meagre, lean, dry Pepper of Bilipatham ; and tho’ that be the leaft of ail, it is neverthelefs moft efteem’d by the Mahometans , becaufe, they fay, die fmaller the Pepper is, the better Condition it is of : The fmaller Pepper is not fo hot as the great Pepper, which is the Reafon the Dutch rarely bring any of the little Pepper from India : Befides, they have a better Trade for the large Malabar Pepper than other Nations, in that they never pay any Ready Money, but truck with the Natives for their Commodities which they carry thither, as Quick-Silver, Cinnabar, and the like ; whereas the Englijh buy theirs with Ready Money ; for which Reafon they cannot well afford one Bale of Malabar Pepper, to a Lot of Black Pepper of ten Bales, which makes the Pepper from England feldom fo fine and large as the Dutch. Chufe your Black Pepper well fed, and little wither’d or wrinkled, heavy, and as clean from Dirt and Duft as can be ; and take Care of being impofed upon with Pepper, the largeft of which has been pick’d out for making White Pepper. The Black Pepper is ufed as the White, and is likewife of Ufe in Medicine, becaufe of its Warmth ; for which Reafon it is employ’d in fome hot Compofitions, as Venice Treacle, and fome others. Druggifts fometimes fell it ; but it is moftly fold by the Grocers. Pepper ex- pels Wind, and cures the Cholick, fo that it is the Bafis or Foundation of moft of the Gripe- Waters that are made : The Tin&ure is good for moft cold Difeafes of the Nerves and Brain ; as Palfies, Convulfions, Rheumatifms, Sciaticas, &c. The Chymical Oil, whereof this yields but little, is an incomparable Remedy, internally or externally, in Weaknefs of the Parts of Genera- tion of Men or Women, as likewife in Barren- nefs ; a few Drops of the Oil in any proper Lini- ment, rubb’d upon the Perineum three or four Times, will reftore a loft Erection. 3. Of Fine Spice. T H E Fine Spice is a Mixture of feveral Aroma- ticks together. To prevent the Abufe that attends this Compofition, I have thought fit to give the Receipt of thofe Things it ought to contain : Take Black Dutch Pepper, five Pounds ; dry’d Cloves, one Pound and a Half ; Nutmegs the fame Quantity ; frefti dry’d Ginger, two Pounds R 2 and Of F R U I T S. 124 General Hijlory of DRUGS. and a Half ; green Anife and Coriander, of each three Quarters of a Pound ; powder them fepa- rately, and fift them thro’ a fine Sieve ; then mix them together, and take Care to keep them clofe ftopt for Ufe. It is here obfervable, That the Generality of thofe who make the four Spices, ufe, inftead of Pepper, Pepper- Du ft ; inftead of Cloves, 'Ja- maica Pepper ; inftead of Nutmegs, white Cof- tus, or a Kind of Bark, that I know not well what to call, but is fo like rough Cinnamon, that it is impoflible to difeover the Difference, but that the Tafte is altogether foreign, and has more Likenefs to Saffafras, the lefler Galingal and Cloves mix’d together ; and thofe who fell it, call it Cinnamon-Wood, clov’d Cinnamon, or Clove- Wood, and fay, that it is the Bark of the Clove Tree, which is falfe ; for my own particular, I believe that it is the Bark of a Kind of Sajja- fras. 4. Of Cubebs. C UBEBS a ;e a little Seed, or Berry, fo like the Black Pepper, that if it was not for their little Stalk or Tail, and that they are a little grey- ifh, no Body could find out the Difference be- twixt them and Pepper : Thefe grow likewife on a creeping Plant, the Leaves of which are long and narrow,; after which comes the Fruit in Cluf- ters, each being ty’d by the Means of a little Stalk. The Ifie of 'Java , Bantam , and other Parts of the Eaftern World, produce great Quan- tities of Cubebs ; they are of fome U fe in Phyfick, from their pleafant Tafte, efpecially when held in the Mouth without chewing ; likewife of ad- mirable Ufe to make the Breath fweet and help Digeftion. They are faid to be good for Barren Women, by taking away the Coldnefs, Moifture and Slipperinefs of the Womb. The beft are fuch as are large, heavy and frefh. Not many Years ago it was difputed what they were ; fome faid they were a Sort of Pepper like the Black ; others thought they came from the Agnus Cajius ; and fome again faid they were the Fruit of a Rufcus , or that of Amemum ; which were all falfe Conjectures ; for they are the Fruit of a creeping Plant, as I have before deferib’d, and delineated in the Figure. 5. Of Thevet Pepper. T PI E Thevet Pepper is a fmall round Berry, of the Size of White Pepper, reddifh as to Co- lour, and at one End has, as it were, a little Crown ; but as this Pepper is of no Kind of Ufe, by Reafon of its Scarcity, I Mali fay nothing fur- ther of it, but only that it has a pleafant aroma- tick Tafte. The Tree that bears it, is of the fame Figure, as exprefs’d in the Plate under the Name. The Dutch likewife give the Name of Amo- mum to this Pepper, as well becaufe of its Re- femblance to Jamaica Pepper in Shape, as becaufe it has almoft the fame Tafte ; and becaufe it is both round and bears the Tafte of Clove, it has obtain’d the Name of the little round Clove, to diftinguifh it from the Clove, or Madagafcar Nut. They ufe it in the Place of the common Clove, as the other. 6. Of Long Pepper. L ONG Pepper is the Fruit of a Plant altoge- ther like that which bears the Black Pepper, except that it climbs not fo high, but grows com- monly in the Nature of a Shrub, and fupports it- felf upon its own Stem, and has fmaller and much greener Leaves, the Stalks of which are not fo long as thofe of E aft- Indian Long Pepper. The Eajl-India Long Pepper , which is that we ufually fell, is a Fruit of the Thicknefs and Length of a Child’s Finger ; it is, properly fpeaking, nothing elfe but a Collection of Seeds toge- ther, fomething red without and blackifh within. In each of thefe Seeds is a Kind of Kernel, or a Sort of white Powder, of a hot biting Tafte ; they flick fo clofe together, as not to be fepara- ted but by pounding ; and this Mafs forms a Kind of Fruit of the Size and Length aforefaid. The Dutch and Englijh bring Plenty of this Pepper from India ; which, to have its requifite Qualities, ought to be frefh, well fed, weighty, hard to break, found, and as clear as can be from Duft and Dirt, which it is very fubject to be full of. It is of fome Ufe in Phyfick, as it is an Ingredient in the great Treacle, and fome other Galenical Compofitions ; and is recommended, when bruifed into a grofs Powder, to boil in any Food, and given to Nurfes to increafe and give a frefh Spring to their Milk. It warms a cold Sto- mach, raifes the Appetite, confumes crude ai d moift Humours, expels Wind, provokes Urine, and cures the biting of Serpents, and other veno- mous Creatures. 7. Of Long American Pepper. T HERE is found in the Ifiands of America a Shrub, which has Leaves almoft like thofe of Plantain, which produces a Fruit about a Foot long, according to the Relation of Nicholas Mo- nard. This Fruit is compofed of feveral little Seeds, placed about a long Stalk, ranged in Order and touching one another, and are together of the / M I 2 5 O/FRUITS. Book vn. the fame Shape as the Long Pepper. The fame Author fays, that the- Fruit, when frefli and young, is green ; but when the Sun has ripen’d it, black ; and that it has more Acrimony than the Long Eajl-lndia Pepper. This Long American Pepper is what the Ameri- cans call Mecaxuchit , which ferves them to put into Chocolate. ’Tis likely the Author of the Book of Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate, never heard of this Fruit, for he has taken no Notice of it. This Lang Pepper , in Appearance, is that which the Reverend Father Plumier means by the Name of Saururus , Botryitis major , Arboref- cer.s foliis Plantagineis ; which fignifies, the great Shrub Lizard’s Tail , with Plantane Leaves. The Reverend Father obferves, that this Long Pepper is a Fruit, or rather a Clufter, of half a Foot lon^, and four or five Lines thick at the Bottom, but grows narrower at the End ; and is full of a great many Grains, or Seeds, of the Size almoft of Muftard-Seed, which are green at firft, and black and foft when ripe, of a hot biting Tafte. The fame Father fays, That this Pepper is much ufed by the Iflanders, as likewife the Root of the Plant, for curing a Difeafe they call the Stomach- Ach. He further obferves, That there are feve- ral Kinds of this Plant met with in the Illands, which vary not, fave only as to the Size of the Leaves ; but as his Account would be too tedious to infert in this Place, I fhall refer the Reader to his Book, where it is treated of at large. 8 . Of Long Black Pepper. B Efides the other two Sorts of Long Black Pep- per , of which I have been fpeaking, we fell fometimes, tho’ very rarelv, a third Sort, by the Name of Long Black Pepper , cr Ethiopian Pepper, Moorijh , or Z elim Berry. This Pepper is the Fruit of a creeping Stalk, which produces neither Leaves nor Flowers, but only five or fix Heads of the Bignefs of one’s Thumb End, hard and roundish, from whence proceed feveral Pods of the Length of one’s Little Finger, and the Th cknefs of a Quill, brown without and yellow within. Thefe Pods are divided by Knots, and in each Knot is found a little Bean, black with- out, and reddifh within, without any Tafte or Smell, which is unlike the Pod, for that is of a hot, acrid, biting Tafte, and pretty aromatick, efpecially when held long in the Mouth ; and by reafon of its great Acrimony, the Ethiopians make ufe of it for the Tooth- Ach, as we do Pel- litory of Spain. But as this Pepper is little known, and very fcarce, I fhall trouble j t ou no farther with an Account of it. 9. Of Guinea Pepper. Uinca Pepper , or Garden Coral, which the ■L Americans call JMexico Pepper , Tobago , Bra- pi, Spanif. '), Long Red Indian Pepper , Chilli Axi , or Carrue , and we French Pepper, or American Pepper ; is a red Pepper, whereof there are three Sorts, viz. The firft, that we fell, which comes in Pods of the Thicknefs and Length of one’s Thumb. The fecond is much fmaller, and as it were embofs’d. The third is much lefs, and al- moft entirely round. All the three Sorts of this Pepper, as they hang to the Plant, are green in beginning, yellow when half ripe, and red at laft. Of the three Sorts we fell only the firft, in that the others are too acrid, fo that none but the Na- tives can ufe them ; they, indeed, are very fond of them. The Guinea Pepper which we fell, comes from Languedoc , efpecially the Villages about Nifmes , where they cultivate it very much : And this Plant is at prefent fo very common, that we have few Gardens without it. The Ufe of it is chiefly for the Vinegar Makers, to make their Vinegar ; for which Purpofe it ought be frefh, in fine Pods, well dry’d, and of a good red Colour. Some People make Comfits of this Pepper to carry to Sea, and the People of Siam eat this Pepper raw, as we do Radifhes : But it is much more grateful to the Palate and Stomach, and muft un- doubtedly pleafe better in Sauces, being preferv’d in a Pickle thus : Take ftrong Brine that will bear up an Egg, and Wine Vinegar, of each a Quart ; good Spirit of Wine, a Pint ; put the Pepper. Pods into it, as well unripe and green, as thofe that are ripe, and of a red Colour. [Black Pepper is the Fruit of the Lada , aliis Molanga , five Piper aromaticum, Pif. Mant. a. 492. Piper rotundum ex Malabara foliis latis , quinque nervis albicantibus , Herm. Mufc. Zey- lan. 32. The White Pepper is the Piper album Leuco- piper , Mont. Exot. 9. The Eajl- Indian Long Pepper is the Fruit of the Hatlancuayc five Piperis longi fpecies, 2 Hern. 126. Cattatripali, Hort. Mai. 7. 27. Tab. 14. This is always gather’d before it is quite ripe, and is brought to us from Java and Malabar. The American Long Pepper is the Fruit of the Saururus humilis folio carnofo fub rotundo. Plum. 53. Fig. 70. Piper Ion gum humilius fruttu efum- mitate caulis propendente. Cat. Jam. 45. This grows principally in New Spain ; it is in forne Places made an Ingredient in Chocolate, but we feldom fee it here. The 126 General Hijlory of DRUGS. The Guinea Pepper is the Fruit of the Capfi - cum longioribus filiquis , Ger. 292. Solanum Cap- ficum didlum vulgatiffimum , Hort. Lugd. Bat. 354. There are many Species of this Plant, but the Pods we fee preferv’d in Pickles are the Fruit of this Kind. The /Ethiopian Pepper is the Piper A Ethiopicum filiquofum, J. B. 187. Carpefium Cord. Piper ob- Ifingum nigrum , C. B. Pin. The Tree which produces the Cubebs is the Arbor Bifnagarica myrti amplioribus foliis per fcci- tatem nigris Cubebtz fapore, Pluk. Aim. 33. Ar- bor Baccifera Braflienfis fruftu Piper recipiente , R. Hift. 2. 1593. We have thefe from Java, where the Inhabitants boil, or at leaft fcald them in hot Water, before they export them, to pre- vent their being raifed any where elfe. The Thevet Pepper is the Fruit of the Xocoxo- chitl feu Piper Tavafci , Hern. 30. but it is ne- ver fee n among us.] 10. Of Cloves. T HE Clove is, properly fpeaking, the Flower of certain Trees, that is made hard and black by the Heat of the Sun : They were always very common in the Molucca Illands ’till of late Years, the Dutch not being able to hinder the Eng/ijh, Portuguefe , and French from going thi- ther, and bringing away Cloves from thence, thought it advifeable to make themfelves entirely Mafters of that Commodity, to pluck up all the Trees, and tranfport them to an Bland of their own, call’d Ternate ; by which Means other Na- tions are forc’d to purchafe that valuable Mer- chandife from them. As to the Leaf of the Tree bearing the Clove , the Figure here reprefented in the Plate, was ta- ken from the Original in the Hands of M. Tour- nefort. Here is alfo the Root, the Stalk, and the Leaves, in the Figure mark’d A , which came from two Cloves which were planted, and which in a little Time produced that little Root, Stalk, and Leaf, as reprefented. When the Clove begins to appear, it is of a whitifh green, afterwards reddifh, and according as it ripens, it grows brown ; and that without being fteep’d in Sea-Water, and dry’d before the hire, as fome Authors have obferv’d : For the Dutch , and Natives of the Blands, make no other Preparation of the Cloves than after they are beaten from the Tree to let them dry in the Sun, expofed in the open Field, and after that keep them carefully. As it is impoflible but there mud remain fome Cloves upon the Trees after the Crop is got, thefe grow to the Size of a Man’s Thumb, and contain a black Gum, of a pleafant Smell and fine aromatick Tafte. I never had any fo large, but only of the Bignefs of one’s Little Finger’s End. We now and then meet with fome of thefe among the Cloves, but very feldom ; be- caufe the Dutch fell them feparately, by the Name of the Mother-Clove ; and thefe large ones are known in Phyfick by the Name of Antophylli ; but the little Ufe of them is not a furficient En- couragement to the Apothecaries to enquire after them, othcrwife they are proper for Ufe, as a- bounding with a Gum, that is vaftly more fra- grant and aromatick, and endow’d with much greater Virtues than the common Clove. It is obfervable, that near to where the Clove- Trees grow, no other Tree or Plant will thrive ; becaufe the great Heat of thefe Trees confumes all the radical Moifture of the Earth round about them. It is obfervable likewife, that there are no Trees or Plants in the whole World that af- ford fo fweet a Smell as the Cloves when they firft appear. Chufe fuch Cloves as are well fed, or oily, dry, brittle, or eafy to break ; of a tawmy red, well furnifh’d with the Top, or Head, to which fome improperly give the Name of Antophyllus : I mean, that little Head at the Top of the Clove , which is very tender, and of a clear tawny Co- lour ; and which, being put into the Mouth, has a hot, piquant, aromatick Tafte. RejeCt fuch as are lean, blackilh, foft, and without Tafte or Smell ; taking Care that fuch as are good are not mix’d with fuch as have had an Oil or TinCture extracted from them, which renders them of a flat, bitter, earthy Tafte. The Ufe of this Drug is too well known to need any Account of its Virtues, which are fo confiderable, as to give it a Rank among the beft Cordials. The Dutch candy Cloves when they are green, and they make an excellent ConfeCt, which is of great Ufe to carry to Sea, to correct and expel Wind, prevent Crudities of the Stomach, Faint- ing, Swooning, &c. as alfo to reftore Nature where decay’d, and recover a weak and languid Conftitution, giving Heat and Vigour to the Bo- dy, and Motion to the Limbs. The Dutch diftil a great deal of efiential Oil from the Cloves , and too often impofe them on Strangers afterwards for a true Commodity. This Oil is ufed by the Perfumers, Surgeons and Apo- thecaries, in feveral Compcfitions, and as a Cor- rective for many Sorts of Purges, as Pilulee ex ' duobus , £sV. There is a white Oil of Cloves made by Means of Fire, a Drinking-Glafs, and the Bottom of a Scale, as obferv’d by Mr. Le- mcry , but it is fcarce worth the Time of doing it, and it is not better than the other Sort. 11. Of - K ' ' ' . . • ' ■■ ■ * I [ * - 1 -' . ; . 10 Plato 4 L ! \d Rubrrugjrcin \)n r /ioncc ar/fcj a X\S talk.lv lie**** • Tcma/c Tlutmcf P oval Clovt' . Male Tiutmey Book VII. Of FRUITS. ii. Of the Royal Clove. T here is another Clove exprefs’d in the Fi- gure, which we meet with now and then in Holland , tho’ it is but feldom ; which is a fmall Fruit of the Shape and Bignefs of a Barley-Corn, and which terminates in a Point, Sticking five or fix together upon one fmall Branch ; fo that they refemble, in fome Meafure, a little Crown. This Clove is of 2n Iron Colour, and has the fame Tafte and Smell as the common Clove. They fay there is but one Tree that bears this Fruit in all the Country, and that grows in the Middle of the Ifle of Mafia , in the Ea/l- Indies , where it is call’d, by the Inhabitants of the Ifland, Tbinca Radai, which fignifies Royal Clove. This Fruit, by the Order of the King of the Ifland, is guarded by Soldiers, that no Perfon may have it but himfelf. They pretend likewife, that when this Tree is loaden with Fruit, the other Trees bend down towards it, to pay their Homage ; and the Flowers of the common Clove fall off when thefe begin to appear. They firing this Fruit, and make Beads of it, to carry about them, becaufe of its agreeable Smell. I fhall fay no more of this Clove , having no- thing certain that I can colleCt, and having never feen it, notwithflanding all the diligent Enquiry I have made : But the Thing has been certified to me by a Perfon who faw it in Holland , and Pifo fpeaks of it in his Natural Hiflory, from whence the Figure is taken ; and Mr. Wormes quotes it in exprefs Words, in the 203d Page of his Book ; the Senfe of thefe Authors I have al- ready given you in Englijh , but for the more Cu- rious I fhall deliver it in the Original from Pifo. Garyofhillus Regius frultus ejl a nemine quod fciam haltenus defcriptus , forem potius quam fruc- tum figurd referens , longitudine ejl grant hordei , eiufdemq-, ferme latitudinis , oblongus , angulofus , fex vel olio cufpidinibus alternatim e later 'thus erum- pentlbus , id in fummitate quaft coronulam confitu- extibiu ; colore ferrugineo , odore Garyophtllorum cromati corum, fapcre acri Id plane Garyophyllaceo. P rev era t in infula Macciam India Orientalis ; ab incolis vacatur Thinca Radoi, quod exponunt Ga- ryophilius regius. Magno in pretio apud Indos funt hi Garyophylli , if ad nos raro deferuntur. Unicam faltem ferunt tjje hujus fruit us arborem in tota India in medio diH a irfula ftiam. Flores ubi producit hac arbor decidunt Jlores reliquarum arborum , qua communes ferunt Garyophyllos. Arbores etiam reliqua verfus hanc fe incurvant , honorem q aft def creates, ut extent qui viderunt. Rex infula Satellitibus hanc arborem Jlipat , quamdiu fruit um fert, ne quit pra- ter ipfum eo gaudere poffit. Hac ex ore ejus qui in infula fuit if arborem fe vidiffe teftaiur ; qua , ft vera, mira. Fruit us flo per longitudinem traji - cere folent, ut Armillarum loco , ob odoris gratiam , in brachiis gcjlentur. Caryophylli , five Garyophylli, in Eng- HJh, Cloves : They are call’d a Fruit, Lemery. but are rather an aromatick Flower from an Indian Tree, whofe Leaves are long, broad, and .pointed. When the Fruit begins to appear, their Colour is of a v/hitifh green ; after- wards they grow red, and at laft, when ripe, are of a dark brown, as we fee them of. The large Cloves are call’d, in Latin, Antophylli, or the Mother-Cloves, but they are very fcarce. There is alfo the Caryophillus Regius, or the Royal Clove [deferib'd by Pomet from Pifo. j It has this Name from bearing on its Top a Sort of Crown ; for which Reafon the King of the Country keeps it in his own Pofleflion ; and becaufe there is a common fabulous Opinion, that the other Trees bow towards this as their King. The Cloves, in general, are cephalick, neurotick and cardiack, proper for the Epilepfy, Pally, and Vertigo ; are gooe'N Wind and Cholick, and are allow’d, efpecially the Oil, to be the befl Specifick in the Tooth-Ach. They are ufed in Powder, TinCiure, Water, Spirit, Oil, ifc. The Way to make an Oil by Diflillation, is to make a Kind cf FutrefaCtion firfl, in order to diflolve all the Parts of the Cloves , and to force the volatile Salt and oily Parts more effectually from the earthy Parts, thus : Take Cloves grofly bruifed, one Pound ; put to them Fountain or Rain Water, lukewarm, two Quarts; cover it with a Veffel clofe, fo as to lute it well ; put it into a gentle Heat in Sand for fourteen Days ; then put all the Matter into a Copper Vefca , tinn’d within, which cover with its Head and Refrigeratory ; add a fit Receiver, lute the Junctures, and diftil with an immediate quick Coal Fire, fhifting as Occafion requires ; continue ’till you have diftill’d about two Thirds of the Humidity : This done, and the Vcffels being half cold, feparate the fpirituous Water which fwims abo e the Oil, putting up that into a Glafs Vial, which keep clofe flopp’d for Ufe : Cohobate the diftill’d Water upon the Faces , and diftil again as before, fo will you have more Oil, which the firft Diflillation could not raife, which add to the former Oil, keeping the diftill’d Wa- ter alfo for other Ufes. Or, Take Powder of Cloves , one Pound ; warm W ater, two Quarts ; macerate them for a Fortnight ; then put all into a Glafs Retort, and diftil in a Sand-Heat, with a moderate Fire, fo will Oil and Water come over ; which feparate as before, and cohobate the Water, as in the former 123 General Hijlory of D R U G S. former Operation ; fo will you have all that the Clove contains of Oil and volatile Salt, which is cephalick and cordial, befides its other Virtues. It is given from one Drop to three, incorporated with double refin’d Sugar, and mix’d with feme proper Vehicle, either liquid or folid ; as in Bolus’s, Opiates, Pills, Tablets, or the like, as you fee Occafion. It may be alfo mix’d with Oil of Nutmegs by Expreffion, to anoint the Temples for the Head-Ach, and the Stomach, to {Lengthen that Part, and procure Digeftion. A pretty cephalick Balfam is made with Oil of Nutmegs, one Ounce ; Oil of Cloves, one Dram ; Mufk and Ambergreafe, each fix Grains ; Oil of Cinnamon, ten Drops ; Oil of Mace, two Scru- ples ; mix, and make a Balfam for internal and external Cafes. [The common Clove is the unripe Fruit of the Caryophyllus aromaticus frutlu obhngo. Breyn. Prod. 2. 25. Caryophyllus aromaticus Indies ori- entalise fru£iu clavato monopyreno. Pluk. Aim. 88. The ripe Fruit, the Antophilli of the Shops, are feldom feen. It is a Secret among fome, who deal largely in Cloves, to keep them in a Cellar or other damp Place, where C ?y will fwell and encreafe confiderably in Weight, and look much better, tho’ they really are much worfe, than be- fore fuch Management. The other Trees bend- ing to the Royal Clove, is a Tale too abfurd to bear any Animadverfions.J 12. Of the Nutmeg. T H E Nutmeg , or aromatick Nut , which the Latins call Nux Mofcha- ta , Myrijlica or Aromatica , is properly fpeaking the Kernel of a Fruit, of the Size of a green Walnut : We diftinguifh the Nutmegs into two Sorts ; to wit, into the Male or long Nutmeg , and the Female, or round, common Nutmeg. The Tree that bears the Nutmeg is of the Big- nefs of the Peach-Tree, and the Leaves have a very near Refemblance to thofe of the fame Tree, according to Dalechamp, except that they are (horter and narrower ; after which comes the Fruit of the Size of a Walnut or Abricot. This Tree, according to Mr. Tavernier , is not planted, but grows by Means of certain Birds, or Fowls, which fwallow the Nutmegs whole, and throw them out again without having digeiled them ; and the Nutmeg being then cover’d with a vifeous and gluey Matter, and being call upon the Ground, takes Root, and produces a Tree, which it would not have done, if fet in the Manner of others. The Nutmeg is likewife a Commodity which none but the Dutch are Mafters of, becaufe it grows no where but in the Ifles of Nero, Lon- tour, Pouleay , R. of gain, Poleron, Granapms , and Dasne Ijland in the great Ifland of Banda in Afia , and not in the Wejl-lndies , as a late Author fays. It is remarkable, that fo little a Quantity of Land fhould furnifh all the World with Nutmegs ; but it is not hard to be believ’d, when one confi- ders, that thefe Ifles are fo flock’d with Nutmeg- Trees, that it is almoft incredible ; and befides, they lie in fo good a Climate, that the Trees are always loaden with Flowers and Fruit, and they have three Cro£s a Year ; to wit, in April, Augujl, and December ; but that of April is much more valued than thofe which are got in Augujl or December ; and the Climate is fo temperate, that the Men live to a hundred and twenty Years of Age, and have nothing to do but eat, drink and fleep, and walk about, while the Women employ themfelves in feparating the outer Fruit from the Nutmeg , drying the Mace, and break- ing the Shells wherein is the Nutmeg ; being the chief Commodity of the Country, and almoft all they live by. The Nutmegs we fell are nothing but the Ker- nels of the Fruit, which are cover’d with a hard, thin, and blackifh Shell. Without this Shell there is found a covering, which is thin and red- difh, of a fvveet Smell, and aromatick Tafte, and is what we call Mace, but vulgarly, and im- properly, the Nutmeg- Flower. After the Mace there is a green Pulpy Fruit, that is of no Ufe. From this it is to be obferv’d, that the Nutmeg has three Wrappings, or Coverings ; to wit, the Shell, the Mace, and the Pulpy Fruit, and not barely two, as a late Author has obferv’d ; and the Thing is fo evident, that if any Perfon will give himfelf the Trouble to cut a preferv’d Nut- meg in two, he will find the three Parts, about which I have been fpeaking. The Trees which bear the Female, or common Nutmegs, grow not but in cultivated, or improv’d Lands ; but thofe which produce the long Nut- megs, grow in Wocds and Forefts, which makes the Dutch call ’em wild Nutmegs ; but they are little ufed, becaufe they are almoft without Tafte or Smell, and void of any Virtue, and for thisRea- fon they are feldom brought hither : Thefe Male Nutmegs were call’d by the Ancients Azerbes. As to the common Nutmegs , we ought to chufe fuch as are heavy, firm, hard, and of a full Plumpnefs, of a light grey, whofe Infide is finely marbled, and reddifh, and fuch as are of a fat, oily Body, which are the Signs of their Newnefs, and which being grated afford a fweet Flavour, and put into the Mouth, yield a warm, piquant, aromatick Tafte. As to the little Hole that is met with fo very common in Nutmegs , ’tis a vulgar Error to believe, that that makes them iofe Fiji: tf*' 7 ' ruifr . . Book VII. lofe their Virtue ; for there is no Nutmeg with- out it, as may be feen when the thin Rind is raifed. The Ufe of the Nutmeg is fo well known, it would be needlefs to fay any Thing of it ; I fhall only add, that it is valued in Medicine, and being beat up with Sugar, there is a Powder made of it, which is admirable , taken in warm White- Wine, for curing of Catarrhs and Rheums, that proceed from cold Caufes ; and this is call’d the Duke’s Powder. The ufual Quantity is to put two Ounces of Nutmegs to a Pound of Sugar, and fome add Cinnamon. The Inhabitants of the Ifle of Banda make a Confedtion of the green Nutmegs , which is brought to us by the Way of Holland , fometimes with Syrup, and fometimcs without. Thefe are one of the beft Prefervers we have, being very proper to ftrengthen and in- vigorate the Stomach, and to reftore a natural Heat to Age ; but their chief Ufe is to carry to Sea, particularly by the Inhabitants of the nor- thern Parts, where they are much efteem’d ; the People there being great Lovers of thefe Sorts of warm Sweet-meats. As to the Oil of Nutmegs , by Exprc/Iion, that which is brought us from Holland is no bet- ter than frefh Butter ; for which Reafon the Apo- thecaries ought to make it themfelves, rather than buy it at fuch a cheap Rate, when it is good for nothing. The true Oil of Nutmegs ought to be of a thick Confiftence, of a golden yellow, a fweet aromatick Smell, and a warm, piquant Tafte. The Manner of making this Oil is fo eafy, and hath been fo long known to every Ar- tift, that it would be fuperfluous, at this Time of Day, to pretend to teach it ; only this may be obferv’d, that when it is exprefled, it will be liquid and clear ; but when cold it coagulates, and becomes yellowifh, of a folid Confiftency, and that it will yield a double Quantity of Oil this Way, from the fame Weight, of any other Spice, Fruit, or Seed whatever. There is like- v.'ife another Oil made by Diftillation, which is a white, clear Oil, very fragrant, and has double 'the Strength and Virtue of the Former" ; and whatever the Nutmeg has fingly in itfelf, is hereby highly exalted ; fo that four or five Drops is a Dofe in any proper Vehicle ; wherein it becomes cephalick, neurotick, ftomachick, cordial, hepa- tick, uterine and alexipharmick ; good againft all cold Difeafes of the Head, Nerves, Womb, &c. expels Wind, and cures griping of the Guts. The Mace that grows round the Nutmeg has all the fame Virtues ; difeufies Wind, heps Con- codtion, cures {linking Breaths, {Lengthens the Child in the Womb, Hops Fluxes and V omiting : It is of thinner Parts than the Nutmeg , and there- 129 fore more piercing. The Oils, bv Expreffion and Diftillation, are made the fame Way as thofe of Nutmegs. Chufe fuch as has the largeft Blades, the higheft and frefheft Colour, and that is the cleaned you can get. As to the Bark of the Trunk, and the Branches of the Nutmeg- Tree, it is fo little ufed, that it is not worth fpeaking of, and is feldom brought hither ; by Reafon of its great Likenefs to the white Cojlus , both in Figure and Tafte. Some fell Cojlus for the Nutmeg Bark, but that you ought to be- ware of. Nux Mofchata , Mo f chocary on, Nux Unguentaria, or Nutmeg, is a Kind of Lemery. Nut, or Fruit, of a foreign Tree, as large as a Pear-Tree, with Leaves like the Peach, but much fmaller. The Flower is in the Shape of a Rofe, of a pleafant Smell ; after the Flower is fallen off, a Fruit appears as large as a green Wallnut, cover’d with two Barks; the firft, which is very thick, is pull’d off when the Fruit is ripe ; the fecond is much thinner and finer, red- difli or yellowifh ; it is feparated from the Nutmeg in order to dry, and is what we call Mace, not tire Nutmeg Flower ; this yields a great deal of Oil and volatile Salt. When the Nutmeg Is feparated from the Barks, they dry and preferve it. The T ree which bears this grows plentifully in the Ifle of Banda, where there are two Sorts, the wild and the cultivated, or male and female : The male, which is a long and large Nut, is feldom ufed : The female, which is the rounder and lefler Nut, is that gene- rally fold in the Grocers Shops. When gather’d, fome fay they are laid in Quick-Lime, in the Indies, for two Reafons : Firjl, that being car- ried into other parallel or proper Climes, they might not grow, for fo in Time it might prove to their Damage, idly, that being thus cur’d, the Worm, might not take them. The beft: are thofe of a reafonable Size, frefh, heavy, firm, not fpungy, of an Oilynefs when grated, and of a pleafant Smell and Tafte, not too bitter or acrid. They fortify the Brain, Nerves and Stomach, af- fift Digeftion, expel Wind, provoke the Terms, and refill Putrefadlion. Chufe your Mace frefh, whole, of a yellow Colour, a good Smell, and agreeable Tafte, be- ing a little acrid. It has the fame Virtues with the Nutmeg, but more exalted, and it adts with greater Penetration and Efficacy. The Mace Baik or Wood of the Antients, is the Bark of the Trunk of a Tree of the fame Name, which grows in Barbary, and is thick, reddifh, and of a bitter, fmart Tafte. Its Virtue is aftringent, and proper to flop the Bloody-Flux, and other Fluxes of the Belly ; but this Bark is feldom S brought O/FRUITS. General Hijlory of D R U G S. brought among us ; they impofe it inftead of Mace, tho’ the Qualities are different, and fo confound the Mace Bark with the true Mace. [The Tree which produces the Nutmeg and Mace, is the Nux Mofchata fruftu Rotunda. J onf. Dendr. 158. Nux Mofchata five MyriJUca, Nuciffa. Mont. Exot. 9. What we call Oil of Mace by Expreflion, is the exprciTed Oil of Nutmegs , brought from the Eajl-Indies in Jars, but this is of late become fcarce, becaufe we have from Holland a much cheaper, but much worfe Kind of the fame Oil. There is indeed a true Oil of Mace by Expref- fion, made in the Indies, but it is feldom or never brought into Europe ; it is exprefs’d from the Mace while frcfh, and is fluid, of a reddifh Co- lour, a flrong Smell of Mace, and is ufually fomething thicker at the Bottom than at the Top of the Veffel it is kept in. What is fold in the Shops of our common Re- tailers of Medicines who call themfelves Chymiffs, under the Name of Oil of Mace by Expreflion, is a bafe Mixture of Sewet and Palm Oil feented with a little of the Dutch Oil of Nutmeg by Ex- preflion.J 13. Of Coffee. ff^Affe, Coffe , Coffi, Buna, Bon , Ban , Pomet. or E Ikaire, is, according to a mo- dern Author, the Fruit or Berry of a Plant, whofe Stalk refembles that of our Bean ; but as he is a Perfon on whom we can have no Dependance, I {hall hold with that celebrated Au- thor, Cafpar Bauhine , who fays, that Coffee is the Fruit of a Tree, whofe Berries are brought from Arabia Felix , and that the Tree is like the Spindle-Tree, or Euonymus, and that the Leaves are thick, and always green, of the Shape repre- fented in the Figure, which is taken from the faid Bauhinus. Chufe your Coffee greenifh, frefh or new, and that does not fmell mufty, but whofe Berry is of a middle Size ; in fhort, the cleaneft, dryeft and plumpeft that can be had. As to thofe who buy whole Bales together, let ’em take Care that the Bottom of the Bales be not mouldy, which will fpoil and damage the whole Cargo. Coffee is ufed for little or nothing that I know of, but to make a Liquor with Water and Sugar, which is more or lefs efteem’d, by different Nations ; where it is valued, there is a great Confumption made of it, in the prepar’d Berry ; which is dene by drying it in an Oven or Kiln, fo long, ’till it is well parch’d, or rather half calcin’d, and looks not of an abfolute Black, but rather of a dark Purple, inclining to black j if it be well burn’d, and not over high, it has a grateful Flavour ; but if over much or too little done, or if afterwards it be ground any Time before it be ufed, it lofe3 all its Virtue ; fo that in making Coffee, the Powder is to be frefh ground, and ufed imme- diately ; for an Hour’s Time will pall and flat it, fo as it {hall lofe all its volatile Parts, which float like an Oil upon the Liquor, when frefh ; but upon the leaf! keeping, after reduc’d to Powder, its effential Particles are fo fubtle as to fly away, or be deftroy’d by the corrofive Nitre of the Air, which being expos’d to but for a few Minutes, they inftantly imbibe. Caffe , Coffe , or Coffee , is a fmall Berry, longifh and round, like a Pine Lcmery. Apple Kernel, of a dark brown Colour ; its Bark is a Kind of Hufk that is a little hard and woody ; it enclofes a Berry as large as a Pea, of an oval Figure, dividing itfelf into two Parts, yellowifh, inclining to white ; the Fruit grows upon a Tree of the fame Name, which is com- mon in the Arabia Felix , from whence it is tran- fported through all the Dominions of the great Turk , and from Turkey brought to us, as is fup- pofed, cur’d, that it may not be planted in other Countries. It is of an excellent drying Quality, comforts the Brain, and dries up Crudities in the Stomach : Some Author fays, it cures Confumptions, Rickets and Swooning Fits ; it helps Digeftion, cafes Pains of the Head, ratifies the Blood, fupprefles Vapours, gives Life and Gaiety to the Spirits, hinders Sleepinefs after Victuals, provokes Urine and the Courfes, and contracts the Bowels ; it is an excellent Dryer, fit for moift Bodies, and mod Conftitutions, but that of young Girls, fubjedl to the Green-Sicknefs ; and likewife is prevalent in fuch as are apt to have running Humours, Sores, or King’s Evil upon them : It prevents Abortion, and confirms the Tone of the Parts drunk after eating ; but with this Obfervation, that this Liquor be always made frefh ; for if it {lands but two or three Hours, it will be pall’d and grow naught. It is an effectual Remedy againft Worms in Children ; fo that if the Mo- ther drink but frequently of it, when with Child, the Infant fhall not be afEidfed with Worms, du- ring its Infancy. [The Tree which produces Coffee , is the Jaf- wnum Arabicum Cajlaneee folio fore albo odoratif- Jimo cujus frudius Coffe , in ojfcinis dicuntur. Com. PI. Uf. 85. Bon Arbor cum fruElu Juo Buna. Park. 1622. It is a Native of Ferfa and Arabia Felix , but is now become common in the Gardens of the Curious, and flowers and bears its Fruit with us ; it grows to about fix Foot high, the Leaves are like the Bay Leaf, but longer, the Flowers Book VII. Flowers pentapetalous, and the Fruit like Bay Berries within ; which is the Coffee we ufe. The greateft Part of the Coffee we fell, is brought to us from Mocha.] 14. Of the Cacao, or Chocolate-Nut. T H E Cacao is the Fruit of a Tree which grows in the Indies , of the Bignefs of the Orange-Tree, but with Leaves longer, and more pointed ; the Flower is lar^e and yellow, which when fallen, leaves long,°lanuginou 5 , green Filaments, from which grow pointed yellow Fruits, which, as they ripen, become of the Site of a Melon ; each of thefe Fruits contains twenty or thirty Kernels, as large as Piftachia Nuts, and fometimes there are as far as fourfeore Kernels in one Fruit. Each of thefe is cover’d with a yellowifh Pellicle, which being taken off, there appears a tender Subftance, divided into feveral irregular Parcels, of an oily rich Tafte, leaving fomething of a Sharpnefs behind them in the Mouth. Wormius, in Page 19 1 of his Book, makes mention cf four Sorts of Trees which bear the Cacao Nut-, the firft and fecond whereof are call’d Cacahuaquahuitl , the third Xuchicacahuaquahuitl , the fourth Tlacacahuaquahuitl -, which Account agrees very well with the four Sorts of Cacao we fell, which certainly come from different Trees ; the firft and beft Sort are call’d the large and fmall Carack , from the Province of Nicaragua , from whence thefe Sorts of Cacao's are brought : The third and fourth are call’d the large and fmall Bland Cacao's , becaufe they come from the Ame- rican Ides, as St. Domingo , &c. The moft va- lued of the four Kinds of Cacao's is the large Carack , efpecially for making Chocolate , which is their chief Ufe ; for the fmall Quantities that arc eat of them as they come over, are not worth fpeaking of ; they ought all to be chofen frefh, plump, weighty, blackifh without, and of a deep red within, well tailed and net of a mufty Smell : The fmall Carack is as near approaching to the Qualities of the large as can be. As to the Ifland Cacao, efpecially the large, the nearer it coines to the Carack, the better it is. Some Authors fay, that the Cacao is in fuch Ufe in Mexico, that it is the chief Drink of the Inhabitants of the Country, and that they give it as Alms, or Charity to the Poor: The other Sorts alfo that come from the Iflcs, are ground to make Bread of different Sizes, for the Ufe of different Sorts of People. The Cacaos, or Cacao , is a Kind of L/rnery. Almond that is made the Bafis or Foun- dation of Chocolate , and from whence it takes its Name. I3 1 It grows in all the Spanijh TVe ft- Indies, Guati- mala , Hifpaniola, Cuba, New-Spain , Jamaica, itfe. in hot, but fhadowy Places, being planted in Ranks and regular Walks, fhady Plantanc- Trees are rang’d with it; the one to fhelter the other, left the parching Sun, by its exceflive Heat, fhould kill it, or the boifterous Wind injure it. This Cacao- Tree, not exceeding our Cherry- Tree for Bignefs ; as it is a Tree of fingular Beauty, having large, broad, oblong, green Leaves, which fall back, and hang like fo many Shields, to preferve and defend the tender Fruit ; fo it is a Tree of great Profit to the Owner, arifing from its moft defirable Fruit, which grows after an admirable Manner in Cods ; ftudded, as it were, in the very Body of the Tree, as well as the Arms and Boughs, from the very Earth upwards ; each Cod containing about thirty or forty Nuts, regularly fet in a Mafs of foft, flimy Pulp, to preferve, as well as nourifh, the tender Fruit. The Nuts, among the Indians and Spa- niards, go for current Money, even in thofe Countries where Gold and Silver are naturally produced ; there is in them Food and Raiment, Riches and Delight all at once ! The Cod is faid to be very like the Pear or Pear-fafhion’d Gourd. Each Nut is about the Bignefs of an Almond Stone, and cover’d with a thin Shell, blackifh without, containing within a brownifh red, or almoft Chefnut-colour Kernel, with brownifh Afh-colour’d Veins, which to the Indians is pleafantin Tafte, tho’ not altogether fo to us. The Cods being gather’d, they break them, take out the Nuts, and lay them upon Mats to dry in the Sun, ’till the Moifture within them be confum’d, and then keep them both for Meat and Merchandize. This Fruit is cooling, as may eafily be difeern’d by their cold nitrous Tafte. They open Obftruc 1 - tions, reftore in deep Confumptions, ftimulate to Venery caufing Procreation and Conception, fa- cilitate Delivery, preferve Health, help Digeftion, make People inclinable to feed, eafe Coughs of the Lungs, Gripings of the Bowels, and Fluxes thereof, caufe a fweet Breath, and affift in a Dif- ficulty of making Urine. The chief Ufe of them is in Chocolate, which is fo well known, there needs no longer Difcourfe about it. [The Cacao is the F'ruit of the Arbor Cacavora. Pit'. Mant. A. 197. Cacava fth/avit five Arbor Cacari Caeavfra. Hern. 79. It is cultivated in Cuba, Jamaica, and other Parts of the IVeJl- Indies. It is a tall Tree, with a fmooth even Bark, the Leaves are long, fmooth, and pointed, and the Flowers pentapetalous, and of a very beau.iful yellow. J S 2 Of F R U I T S. 15. Of 132 General Hiftory 15. Of Chocolate. W E fell feveral Sorts of Chocolate , which have no other Difference but according to their Finenefs and G’oodnefs, the Drugs that compofe them, and the Countries where they are made. But the beft Chocolate , and the fineft, is what is made with the largeft Caraclc Nut , and wrought up with the fineft Sugar, good Cinnamon, and the pureft and beft Vanillas : In fhort, what is made by an honeft Ma n, who underftands how to prepare it, and will neither fpare Labour nor Coft ; it is impof- fible to afford good Chocolate at a low Price ; and the moft of thofe who fell their Chocolate at fuch eafy Rates could fcarcely buy the fine Sugar they ought to make Ufe of at the Price. Although fome {fill cry up the Wejl- India, Spanijh , Portu- gal , and St. Maids Chocolate , at this Time there is no Place in the World where they make better Chocolate than at Paris. I did not think it proper to give you the Compofition here, fince there are fo many Books that treat of it, and the Compofi- tions are fo various, that every one is for pleafing his own Fancy. Neverthelefs, I cannot forbear acquainting you with what is propofed by the Sieur Blegny , in his Book, who mentions the Flower of Orejeuclas , to be added to the Compo- fition, becaufe it is a Drug which I believe to be imaginary, as not being able to know what it was, after the moft diligent Search I could make. And the Sieur Blegny , who calls himfelf the Author of that little Book which I have juft mention’d, had Reafon to fay he could not meet wi.h it among the Druggifts ; for he could not give me any Ac- count of it. When I afk’d him, before a certain Perfon, what the O'rejevalla Flower was ? he told me, it was what went into the Compofition of the American or Indian Chocolate , which I fuppofe was what he had read fomewhere. As to the Achiotl , that is nothing elfe but what we call the Rocou , which is not made, as the faid Author fays, but as it is fet forth in its proper Place in this Trea- tife ; and if he had known that the Achiotl was the Rocou , there are very few Grocers but could have furnifh’d him with it $ fo that he needed not have put it in his Book, that he could not meet with it at the Druggifts. [Chocolate is made by attenuating the Oil of this Fruit by Heat ; and, according to the different Degree of Heat, ufed in the making it, and the Spices'mix’d with it, it is feen to have very different Effedls in heating, or in only nourifhing and ftreftgthening. The beft and nice:! judges are of Opinion, that the two Kinds of Cacao , mix’d to- gether, make the fineft Chocolate. The Orejeuclas of DRUGS. Flower, which our Author thinks an imaginary Drug, is the Flower of the Xochinacaflhe feu fos Auricula, Hern. 30. R. Hift. 2. 1671. Orejeu- clas feu Orichelas , Hughes. FruClus oblongus cin- eraccus acidulus, C. B. Pin. 406. It grows in New Spain ; the Flower is very fragrant, and is there ufed fometims in Chocolate .] 16. Of VanillaV. r l "'HE Vanilla's, according to the Sieur Pomet. -*■ Roujfeau, are Pods of about half a Foot long, of the Thicknefs of a Child’s little Finger, which hang upon a Plant of twelve or fifteen Foot high, that climbs like a Creeper ; for which Reafon it grows moft frequently along Walls, or at the Roots of Trees, or fome other Kind of Props, or the like, whereby it may be fupported. The Plants have round Stalks, dif- pofed in Knots like the Sugar Cane ; from each Knot there put forth large thick Leaves, about a Finger’s Length, which are green, of the Colour of the Stalk, and very like thofe of the great Plantane, after which come Pods, which are green at firft, yellowifh afterwards, and grow browner as they ripen. When they are ripe, the People of Mexico, thofe of Guatimala , and St. Domingo , gather them, and hang them up by one End in the Shade to dry , and when they are dry enough to keep, they rub them with Oil, to hinder them from drying too much, and prevent their break- ing, and then they put them up in little Bags, of fifty, a hundred, or a hundred and fifty, to bring them hither. Neverthelefs, there are fome who value their Gain more than their Confcience, who let them hang upon the Stalks ’till over-ripe, and receive from them a black fragrant Balfam, that flows ’till the effential Parts of the Vanilla are ex- haufted, and it can run no more ; and then they gather the Pods, and pack them up for Sale, as aforefaid. The great Lords of Mexico are mighty Lovers of thefe Plants, as well becaufe of the pleafant Smell of their Fruit, as they mix it plentifully in their Chololate, as becaufe of the great Profit they yield them in Trade. The Spaniards bring us this rich Commodity, and give it the Name of Vanilla, which fignifies a Sheath, becaufe the Pod refembles the Figure of a Sheath. It is of a plea- fant Tafte and Smell. Chufe fuch as are well fed, thick, lone, new, heavy, not wrinkled, or rubb’d with Balfam, and which have not been kept moift, but are of a good Smell ; and beware of thofe that are fmail and dry, and of little Smell ; the Seed which is very little, is black and fhining. The Vanilla's are much ufed in France for making up Chocolate, and fometimes to jy: ijj . ijv h • jf Fruits I he Aceyot^ l'late .. w Book VII. Of FRUITS. to perfume SnufF. Some fay they are good to flrcngthen the Stomach. As to the Balfam, the Spaniards keep that, for we have none of it brought to us. Vanilla , or Vanilla’s , is a Pod, of Lemsry. about half a Foot long, and the Thick- nefs of a Child’s Finger, fharp at both Ends, of a dark Colour, a pleafant balfamick Tafte and Smell, a little acrid, containing very fmall, black, fhining Seeds : This Pod is the Fruit of a kind of Vclubilis, or a Plant of four or five Foot high, which the Spaniards call Campeche. It rifes like a Creeper, and winds about the neigh- bouring or adjacent Trees, upon Poles, or climbs upon Walls. The Leaves refemble thofe of Plan- tane, but they are larger and more flefhy. The Flowers are blackifh. This Plant grows in Mexico, where the Indians call it T’lixcchitl, and the Pod Mecafuthill. Chufe fuch Vanillas as have the Iongeft Pods, pretty thick and heavy, well fed, of a good Tafte and pleafant Smell. It yields a great deal of Oil and volatile Salt ; is cordial, cephalick, ftoma- chick, carminative, aperitive. It attenuates vif- cous Humours, provokes Urine, and Womens Courfes ; is mix’d in Chocolate, and makes it agreeable both to the Tafte and Smell. [The Vanelloes are the Pods of the Vohebilis fili- quofa Alexicana foils plantaginis , R. Hift. V. 2. p. 1330. The Plant grows in New Spain , and other hot Countries ; the Pod it flat, and contains a Multitude of fmall Seeds. Its principal Ufe with us is as an Ingredient in Chocolate.] 17. Of the Acajou. T H E Acajous , or Cajhew Nuts , or Weft -Indian Anacardiums , are the Fruit, or rather the Seeds of a yellow Fruit, inclining to red, of the Size of a Magdalen Pear, or an Orange. The Tree which bears thefe is, according to the Sieur Roujfeau’s Letter, five or fix Foot high, adorn’d v/ith Leaves of a yellowifh Green, and fomething of the Shape of the Ivy. The Flowers are fmall, and grow in Tufts, of a Carnation Colour, from whence comes a yellow Fruit, as faid before ; at the Bottom of which are placed the Seed, of the Bignefs of a Chefnut, of the Shape of a Kid- ney, and of an Olive- Colour, and confifting of a white Kernel cover’d with a tough Skin ; which, after it has b^en roaftcd, like a Chefnut in the Fire, is pleafant to e-t. Tnere is contain’d be- fides the Kernel of thefe Acajous , a black cau- ftick Oil, which is a good Remedy to cure Corns upon the Feet, and take away red Spots in the Face. J 33 The Americans cut the yellow Fruit in Slices, and eat it with Sugar, as we do a Lemon ; as well to revive the Spirits as to cool them ; they are full of a well-tafted Juice. Chufe fuch Acajous as are large and new, of an Olive-Colour, with white Kernels, which are certain Signs they are frefh, and not of a Chefnut Colour, which is a Token of their Age and over Ripenefs. [The Cajhew Nut is the Seed of the Fruit of the Anacardus Zeylanica folio nttcis Juglandis , Hern. Muf. Zeyl. p. 55. It hangs to the Bottom of the Fruit. The Juice of the outer Rind is of fome Ufe to take away Freckles, and the Kernel is eatable ; but it is very little known as a Medicine.] 18. Of Anacardiums. ' I ' H E A?iacardium is a Kind of a Fruit, brought from the Eaji- Pomet. Indies ; the Tree which bears it has greenifh Leaves, that are roundifh ; after which come Pods, of the Size of the large Bean, in which are ufually inclofed two Anacardiums ; which, when half ripe, are of the Colour of burnt Coffee ; but when full ripe, they are of a fhining Black. Chufe fuch as are large, well fed, new, dry, and have in them a white Kernel. They pretend that the green Fruit of thefe are a danger- ous Poifon, but otherwife when dry : After they are prepar’d in Vinegar, they become a good Pur- gative ; but neverthelefs they ought not to be meddled with, without the Advice of an ablePhy- fician. They yield an Oil like the Cajhew Nut, which has the fame Virtues. Anacardium is a Kind of large Fruit, like the Chefnut, being in fome Mea- Lemery. fure of the Shape of a Bird’s Heart, whence it derives its Name : It is of a fhining, black Colour, containing in it a white Kernel. This Fruit grows on a Tree in the Indies , v/hofe Leaves are almoft round, 2nd the Fruit in Pods, of the Size of a Windfor Bean ; holding each, not above two Anacardium*, which afford Oil, and are fold in great Plenty ; they rarify and purge the pituitcus Humours ; are refolving ; refrefh the Brain, and (Lengthen the Memory, being taken in Decodlicn. ' [Thefe are the Fruit of the Arbor Indica fruflic conoide , Cortice pulvinato , nucleum unicum , nullo offtculo tedium Claudentc , R. iliff. V. 2. p. 1566. It is a warm cordial Medicine, but is very little taken Notice of in the prefeilt Practice, and rare- ly to be met in our Shops. IQ. Of *34 General Hip or y of DRUGS. 1 9. Of Jububs. T il E Jububs are the Fruit of a Tree which grows commonly in Pro- vence, but chiefly in the Gardens of Hyeres , near Toulon , where it is in fuch great Quantities, that almofl: all we fell comes thence by the Way of Marfeilles : The Tree that bears them is of a moderate Height, and the Leaves are greenifh, thin and fibrous ; after which comes Fruit, of the Bignefs of one’s Thumb End ; green at firft, and fomething reddifh as they ripen. Chufe your Jububs frefh, large, well fed and flefhy, of a good Kind, that have been well dry’d, that they may keep without Danger of rotting ; and take Care that they be not kept in Places too moift, or gather’d when they are too ripe, for that is the Way to lofe them all : They tafte, when gather’d, and rightly manag’d, like Railins of the Sun, with one Stone, like a Prune Stone, in the Middle. Dodoneeus faith, they are of two Sorts, viz. the Red and White ; and the Red are of three Kinds, to wit, Jujuba ma- jor, Jujuba minor , and Jujuba Agrejlis \ the firitr, which grew originally in Africk and Egypt , and were thence tranfplanted into Italy , France, &c. are thofe which we chiefly ufe, being moderately hot and moift. This Plum is an exellent Pecto- ral, and opens the Body, temperating the Sharp- ncfs of the Blood and Humours ; it expectorates tough Flegm, and is good againft Coughs, Colds, Hoarfenefs, Shortnefs of Breath, Wheezings, Roughnefs in the Throat and Wind-Pipe, Pleuri- fies, Heat of Blood, Exulceration, or Excoria- tion of the Kidneys and Bladder, cleanfing them ; and by their mucilaginous Quality, making the Paflages flippery : They are ufed, in a DecoCtion, for Stone, Gravel, isfc. or for opening Obftruc- tions in the Liver, Spleen, Dropfy and Jaundice, by Urine. Jujuba, or Zizipha, a large Fruit of Lemery. the Ziziph Tree, is like a moderate fiz’d Prune or Plum, oblong or oval, red without, yellow within, flefhy and tender, of a fweet and vinous Tafte, having a tough Skin, and a hard, ftrong Kernel : The Fruit grows upon a Tree call’d Z iziphus, by Tourne- fort, and wants little of the Plum-Tree in every RefpeCt ; but is crooked, cover’d with a rough uneven Bark, that cracks or fplits : The Branches are hard, furnifh’d with ftrong Thorns ; the Leaves oblong, fomething hard, terminating in a blunt Point, of a fine, fhining, green Colour, llightly indented on their Sides -, the Flowers growing among the Leaves, being ty’d by fhort Stalks, each of which, according to Mr. Tctirtie- fort, is commonly compofed of five Leaves, like a frnall Rofe, which is placed in the Middle of the Cup, of a grafly or pale Colour : When the Flowers are gone, the Fruit, or Jububs, fuc- ceed ; being green at firft, and reddifh as they ripen. This Tree grows in the hot Countries, and is very common in Provence, and in the Ifles of Hyeres, near Toulon , from whence die dry’d Fruit are brought. They are peCtoral and aperi- tive, being ufually employ’d in Ptifans for Dif- eafes of the Breaft ; they fweeten the Sharpnefs of the Humours, by their fweet and p'utinous Subftance, and provoke Spitting. [The Jujubes are the Fruit of the Jujube ma- lum, five Zizyphus Dodoneei , Ger. 1318. They are efteem’d warm and moiftening, and are recommended in Stranguries, li 1 c. but arc at prefent little ufed.] 20. Of Sebeftens. C Ebefens are a blackifii Fruit, that CJ are brought by the Way of Mar- Pomet. fellies, from the Levant, (tfe. The Tree that bears this Fruit is about the Height of our common Plum-Trees ; the Leaves green, and almoft like them, but that they are a little rounder : The Flowers are whitifh, in Form of a Star, from whence comes the Fruit, about the Size of one’s Finger’s End ; it hangs to the Branch by a little white Cup, as it is brought to us. Chufe your Sebefens frefh, plump, moift, and full of Pulp, of a black brown Colour outward- ly, adorn’d with white Caps, which is an effen- tial Sign of their Newnefs, and fuch as have neither been wafh’d nor rubb’d ; the fweet, vifeous, and flefhy ; therefore reject fuch as are otherwife, and whofe Caps are gone, which is a Token they have been wafh’d or rubb’d ; and al« fo take Care not to chufe thofe that are hard, frnall, and of a reddifh Colour. The Way of ufing the Sebefens is much the fame as that of the Jujubs, and their Virtues alike, fo that one is frequently ufed for the other. The Egyptians make a gluey Sort of Birdlime of this Fruit, which is call’d Alexandrian Birdlime ; but as this feldom comes amongft us, we ufe that which is made in feveral Parts of France, in Nor- mandy, and about Orleans. This Birdlime is prepared from the Holly-Tree, fteep’d in a Pond or Pit, and afterwards beat together in a Mor- tar, ’till it is reduced into a Paffe, and then well work’d with the Hands, and wafh’d in Water it is put up in Barrels, to be fent to feveral Parts : The Choice of it is, to take fuch as is the greeneft, the lead: foetid, and freeft from Water that Book VII. Of F R that can be got ; the Ufe of it being to catch Birds, and other Creatures of the like Nature. Schroder fays, the Plums of the Sebejlen-Tree are fmail, with a three-corner’d Stone ; temperate in refpect of Heat, and moift, foften and pre- vent, or allay the Acrimony of Humours ; are ufed chiefly in Defluxions of Rheum, Obftruc- tions of the Belly, and quench Thirft. You may make a Decoftion of them with Wine and Water, to move tire Belly gently to Stool; or make an Electuary of them thus : T ake Sebejlens without the Stones, Prunes fton’d, Pulp of Ta- marinds, of each five Ounces ; Violet Water two Pints ; Juice of the Herb Mercury, clarify’d, four Ounces ; Sugar Penids half a Pound ; of the four greater cold Seeds, blanch’d, of each two Ounces ; Diagridium three Drams : Boil the Sebejhns , Prunes and Tamarinds, in the diftill’d Water, which being diffolv’d , mix with the Juices ; then add the Penids and Pulp of Prunes, which being diflolved alfo, mix the Diagridium and make an Ele&uary. It purges, and carries off the Sharpnefs of Humours, and provokes to Urine. Sebejlena , or Prunus Sebeflen , is a Lemery. Fruit of the Size of a fmail Acorn, that is oblong, roundifh and black, wrinkled as a little Prune, of a fweetilh, vifcous, or clammy Tafte, cover’d at the upper End with a fmail woody Cap, of a whitifh Grey. The Fruit grows upon a Tree of the fame Name, refembling the Plum-Tree, only that the Leaves are a little more indented ; the Flowers are fmail, white, and like thofe of the Geranium. This Tree grows in Syria, Egypt, &c. Make choice of your Fruit according to the Directions given by Pomet-, they contain in them much Oil, and fome eften- tial Salt ; are moiftening, emolient, fweetening, peftoral, and ferve to open the Breaft, cleanfe the Reins, provoke Spittle, and relax the Bowels. \Sebefiens are the Fruit of the Myxeis Domejlica. J. B. i. 198. Prunui Sebejlina Domejlica. Jonf. Dendr. p. 85. The Tree is common wild in Egypt and Afta. The Fruit is emolient , and recommended to blunt the Acrimony of the Humours ; but is very little now in Ufe.] 2 1 .Of Dates. T HERE are three Sorts of Dates which we fell ; the belt are thofe which grow in the Kingdom of Tunis. There are fome that come from Sally in Africa ; but they are lean and dry, and diher much from thofe of Tunis, which are fat and flcfhy. W e have others that are brought from Provence , which u 1 t s. m fell well, being large, flefby, fair without, and white within ; but thefe are very fubjeift to damage in keeping. The Tree that bears this Fruit is the Palm, which is fo well known throughout the whole World, it would be unneceflary to de- feribe it. Chufe fuch Dates as are large, full and flefby, of a golden,, yellow Colour without, and white within ; the Tafte fweet and pleafant ; let the Pulp be firm, white about the Stone, and reddifh towards the Bark ; of a Malaga Wine-like Tafte, and fuch as, being fhaken, make no Noife : If they are fmail, hard, without Pulp, or rattle, they are naught : Thofe of Tunis are worth much more than thofe of Sally or Provence, as obferv’d before. Dates are fo common, in fome Parts of the World, that they ferve for the daily Subfiftence of more than an hundred Millions of Souls ; but for medicinal Ufes, they are not much employ’d, fa- ving in the Diaphaenicon , fome pedoral Ptifans, with Sebejlens and Jujubs, Is'c. befides which, they are frequently eat as other Fruit. Daflyli, or FruSius Palmes, the Dates, are an oblong, roundifh Fruit, Lcmery. a little larger than one’s Thumb, flefhy, of a yellowifh Colour, fweet and agreeable to the Palate, being clofed in a long, round, ftrong, hard Nut, of an afh-colour’d Grey, cover’d with a little, thin, white Skin : They are brought chief- ly from Tunis in Barbary ; where they grow upon a large Tree, called Palma Major , or Palma Daftylifera , whofeTrunk is large, round, ftreight, high, cover’d with a thick Bark, rifing all the Way, with feveral fcaly Knots, which make it advantageous to climb ; the Leaves only grow at the T op longwife, pointed as thofe of the Flower- de-Lis, fpiring, and oppofite one to the other, about four Foot long, and as thick as one’s little Finger ; triangular, hollow, fpungy, and bending Archwife ; the Flowers are white, and grow to- gether on a Clufter, like a Bunch of Grapes, and are fucceeded by the Dates ; which, when ripe, ferve for the Food, or Supply, of vaft Numbers of People in the Indies , Syria, Africa and Egypt ; but what are brought hither, ferve only for phy- fical Ufes, being deterfive and fomething aftrin- gent ; they allay the Acrimony of the Stomach, ftrengthen the Foetus in the Womb, moderate the Scouring of the Guts, and are cooling in in- flammatory Fevers : They are reckon’d peculiarly ferviceable to deftroy all tartarous Mucilage, and other grofs Humours, that breed the Stone, Gout, and Rheumatifm. [ Dates are the Fruit of the Palma vulgaris. Park. 1545. Palma major, C. B. Pin. 506. Palma Dahylifera snajor vulgo. Hern. Par. Bat. Pr. 366. It is common in Egypt , and other hot Countries, 136 General Hijtory of D R U G S. Countries. Before the Fruit is ripe it is fome- tliing aftringent, but when thoroughly mature it is of the Nature of the Fig, and fometimes ufed in Cataplafms, as Figs are ; but they are feldom feen in Prefcriptions at prefent.J 22. Of Palm Oil. P Alm Oily or Oil of Senega is an un&uous Liquor, as thick as But- ter, of a gold -colour’d Yellow, and a Violet or Orrice Smell, efpecially when it is new and right. This Oil is made by Deco&ion or Expreffion from the Kernel of a Fruit that grows by Clufters, of the Size of an Egg. The Tree which produces this, is a Sort of Palm that is common in Africky efpecially at Senega , and in Brafil. The Africans make this Oil in the fame Manner as they make Oil of Bay-Berries at Cal- •vijfon in Languedoc and it ferves them to eat, as we do Butter : As to that which is old made, they burn it in Lamps. Chufe your Palm Oil frefli and new, of a good Smell, and fweet Tafte ; fo that it be as pleafant and grateful as the beft frefh Butter we have, and of the higheft Colour you can get. The white Colour it acquires by Age, has made fome People fan fy that the Palm Oil is white : Take care you do not buy fuch as is compounded of Wax, Oil Olive, Orrice Powder, and Turmerick, as it happens to fome you may meet with, where the Seller underftands how to counterfeit it ; but the Cheat is eafy to detecft ; becaufed the true Palm Oil lofes all its Colour, if it is expofed to the Air, which the Counterfeit Oil will not do ; be- fides, the true Palm Oily that becomes white, in courfe of Time, will recover its natural Colour, by melting it over a gentle Fire, which happens not to the adulterate Compofition. They ufe this Oil to eafe the Gout, and cure cold Humours. [The Palm Oil is made from the Frui^of the Palma Guinea, I. B. 1. 369. Palma major Daffy lifer a et vinifera Guineenjis, Jonf. Dendr. 139. It grows plentifully wild in Guinea. The Oil is good as a Liniment in Rheumatifms and Palfies, and toftrengthen the Nerves.] 23. Of Cokar Nuts. T HESE are Fruit of various Sizes _ _ and Shapes, as reprefented in the Figures of them, which are engrav’d from the Originals which I have in my Hands. They are proper for feveral Sorts of Works ; as Bowls, Beads, Snuff-Boxes, (Ac. The Place in Europe , where they trade molt in thefe Kind of Fruit, is at Dieppe. I fhall not here defcribe the Trees which bear them, hut fhall only fay, that they are different Sorts of Palm Trees ; but as fo many Authors have treated of them, I fhall add nothing more. The middle-fiz’d Cocos , which we have from the Ant ills Ifandsy make a confider- able Trade, and furnifh the Workmen with con- fiderable Bufinefs, that deal in Beads and Snuff- Boxes ; and the larger Sort is of fuch vaft Ufe in Af- ricky Arabia y and feveral other Parts of the World that many Millions fubfift by Means of it only! as it produces fo many Neceffaries of Life ; which were I to enter into a Detail of, it would fwell this Chapter to too great a Bulk. There is ano- ther Sort, but much more fcarce, which J. Bau- binus calls Nux Indica ad Vencna celebrata j five Coccus Maladivee ; the Indian Nut, famous againft Poifon, or the Maidive Nut. I have one of thefe, which differs from the common Kind, in that it is more long fhap’d, and pointed, and has a browner Shell : The high Virtue afcrib’d to this, is the Reafon why it is fo very fcarce and rare. The Cokar-Nut grows plentifully in the Spanifh JVeJl- Indies ; as New Spain, Lemery . Campechy , Bay of Mexico , Cuba , Hif- paniola, Guatimale, Jamaica , (Ac. as well as in the Eajl-Indies. The Tree afcends direct and high, having on its Top a Tuft of Palm-like Branches, of a moft beautiful Figure, bringing forth monthly Clufters of very large Nuts ; con- taining within a very large Kernel, which eats as pleafant as an Almond, with a milky Juice, which is drank for quenching Thirft. The Kernel is cover’d with a very hard Shell, of which the Turners make Veffels and drinking Cups ; fome fo large as to hold a Quart, three Pints, or more ; and the Shell is cover’d with a thick Rind, which being beaten, becomes hard like Flax or Hemp, of which Cloathing is made, Cords, Ropes, and the like ; fo that the Cokar- Nut Tree feems to be well provided with all Ne- ceffaries for human Life ; as Cloathing, Veffels of Ufe, Meat, Drink, (Ac. The milky Water, within the Nut, is pleafant, both to quench Thirft, and alfo to nourifh the Body ; and by the Heat of Fire it will thicken into a Jelly, like a Cuftard made of Cows Milk ; otherwife it is an excellent pleafing Liquor, cooling, moiftening, and fweeten- ing the Juices ; for which Reafon it is faid to be good againft Confumptions and Hedfick Fevers, abating all preternatural, and irregular Heats. The Branches of the Trees being cut, yield a pleafant Liquor, which being diftill’d, gives a ftrong Aqua Vita : The Kernel, befides its ferving for Meat, yields, by Expreffion, an Oil, which is better than any Oil Olive, not inferior to the beft Oil of Sweet Aldmonds. Of thi Branches they make Houfes j of the Trunk their Boats and Ships ; of the c' . x-: , • ■ * • i • /» • i V, ... . ' - 1 V ' ' v\W \v \V- ■ 1 • *V«{; - ; <■ * ■ . % . ... » » '• - k •> • . . S * :> > N \ \ V r VttllW • CCaxConxiCct fhcPa/rn Pond Co kai\ Pdlnij7~iufr~ cf~ ir^I/lc opCcdan. J < 1 $ ZevzmtrJCuC ■k-ar liars of- d,LvcrJcdizoj with our PAeJLdpocfCul r uiolr. C/c//y . Plate 4^ ( r : ¥- (ftatrky . ol Fruitz / . a'i Book VII. the coarfe Hards, on the Outfules, their Cables; and of the finer Stuff, Sails for Ships, and Cloth, as aforefaid. [The common Coco or Cocker Nut is the Fruit of the Palma Indica nucifera Coccys didla, R. Hi ft. 2. 1356. Palma five nux Indica vulgaris ferens Coccos , Park. 1596. This grows both in the Eajl and IVeJl Indies, The Maidive Nut is the Fruit of the Coccos de Maldiva five nux Indica ad Vmena celebrata , R. Hift. 2. 1359. Palma Coccifcra figura Ovali , C. B. Pin. 509. This grows only in the Eajl Indies , and has the Character of a very great Medicine in Paliies, Epilepfies, (Ac. befidesits Virtues in refill- ing Poilbns, but is little us’d at prefent.J 24. Of the Vomiting-Nuts. T H E Vomiting-Nuts are round flat Nuts, of the Size and Shape repre- f ‘ed in the Figure; they are of a greyifh Colour on the Outfide, and being flit in two, are of divers Colours, as yellow, white, brown, (Ac. within. Thefe Nuts, according to the Relation of fome Perfons, are the Kernel of a Fruit of the -Size of our Rennet Apples, which grow upon a large Plant in feveral Parts of Egypt , from whence come the Vomiting-Nuts we now fell. The beft Relation we have of the Growth of them, as well as their Defcription, is given by Mr. Paul Hermans , Phyfician and Botanift of Leyden , one of the moft able Men of his Age. This Relation of his has a great deal of Analogy with what I have faid of them, except that he fays they grow in the Ifle of Ceylon , which may be, and yet they may alfo grow in Egypt , for every Body knows the fame Fruit may grow in feveral different Places. He fays like wife, that there is another Sort of Nux Vomica, which comes from the Ifle of Timor , and that the Fruit is four Times fmaller than that of Ceylon ; and that the Plant is calied Lignum Colubnnum. They are brought from Egypt , the Levant , and Eaf -India, and are generally flat, round, and of the Thicknefs of a Crown Piece, almoft like Lupins, but larger, hollowifh on the one Side, and a little bunch’d round on the contrary ; of a greyifh Colour, with a Kind of Freeze, or foft Cotton, covering the whole; but of fo hard and horny a Subftance, that it cannot eafily be beaten into Powder, but muft be grated, or ground in a Horfe-Mill : The chief Ufe of them is to infatuate Birds, as Crows, Ravens, Pigeons, (Ac. It is faid it will kill Dogs, Cats, and other Creatures, if it be given mix’d with their Meat : And it is probable, that if it kills not fuch Crea- tures as Wolves, Foxes, Tygers, (Ac. yet pof- *37 fibly it may fo ftupify them, that they may the more eafily be mafter’d and kill’d by Mankind : It is alfo mix’d with Pafte, and given in a Bait to catch Fif.h withal. It has been given inwardly, to three or four Grains, for feveral Intentions, but is much better let alone, fince there are fo many Remedies that may be ufed with lefs Danger. Nux Vomica is a little flat Fruit, as round as a Farthing, downy or lanugi- Lemery , nous, of a greyifh Colour, hard as Horn, of various Colours within, fometimes yel- low, fometimes white, and fometimes brown: Some People believe this to be the Kernel of a Fruit as large as an Apple, that grows upon a great Plant in feveral Parts of Egypt ; but the Truth is, no Body as yet truly knows the Ori- gine of the Vomiting-Nut, and there is nothing to be depended on in the Hiftories concerning it. Chufe fuch as is large, clean and new ; it is em- ployed chiefly for intoxicating of Birds and Filh, though it is not poifonous if given to Men, but may be ufed in fmall Quantities ; and is reckon’d deterfive, drying, refolutive, being applied exter- nally and internally : It is commended as ufeful to refift Poifon, and drive away Melancholy and Vapours by Perfpiration. [The Nux Vomica is the Seed of the Nux Vomica major et Offcinarum. Par. Bat. Prodr. 357. Malus malabarica frudlu cortice Amaricante femim piano compreffo. R. Hift. 1661. Solanum abo- reum indicum maximum foliis Mnoplia five Na- pecce majoribus fruciu rotunda. Breyn. Prcdr. 2. 9 2 * ' The Lignum Colubrinum is the Root of a fmaller Species of this Plant, as mention’d before in its- proper Place. It is probable that the Nux Vomica becomes a Poifon by its extreme Bitternefs, which muft make an infupportable Impreflion upon the ner- vous Syftem, as we find all bitter Drugs are poifonous to fome Kinds of Animals, and even Bitter Almonds to Birds, j 25. Of the Coculus Indus, or Levant Nut or Berry. H E Berries which we fell by the Name of the Lraant, or Eafern Pomet. Berry, are a fmall Fruit, of the Size of a good large Bead, roundifh, and fomething of the Shape of a Kidney, as you will fee repreferrt- ed in the Figure. They are of a reddifh Colour, and hang to the Plant which bears them, by a little Stalk of the fame Colour. In thefe Fruits is found a little Kernel, which is divided into fe- T veral Of F R U I T S . 138 General Uijlory veral Parts, very fubje& to be worm-eaten, and the greateft Part of thefe Fruits come to us, for that Reafon, empty ; therefore chufe thofe that are heavy, frefh, the higheft colour’d, largeft, and leaft fill’d with Dirt that may be ; they are ferviceable to deftroy Vermin, bc-ing ufually mix’d with Stavefacre. Some Authors alfo fay, that they will intoxicate Fifh, fo that they may be eafily taken. There is another Fruit call’d the Fagara of Avicenna , which is almoft like the Levant Berry , or Ccculus Indus , and whofe Figure is fhewn with that of the Date, of which there are two Sorts. The firft: is fo like the Coculus Indus , that if it were not for a thin greenifh Covering that it has, it wou’d be hard to diftinguifh them. The fecond is of the Figure and Size of a Cubeb , of a brown Colour, and aromatick Smell, and the Tafte a little bitter and piquant ; both partake of the Nature of the Cubebs , being good to ftrengthen the Stomach, aflift Digeftion, and expel Poifon. Some Authors call the Levant Nut, or the Co- culus Indus, the Bacccz Orientales ; they are Berries brought from the Eajl-Indies, as alfo from Turly ; round, and a little larger than Bay- Berries, hollow within, and of a brownifh Co- lour, or rather blackifh-afti Colour on the Out- fide ; having a white Kernel within, and of a hot Tafte, drawing Water into the Mouth ; and as is reported, grow many together like Ivy-Berries, yet each by itfelf on a Stalk. Some will have them to grow on a Kind of Night-Shade, others on a Kind of Tithymal or Spurge ; but the Truth is fcarcely yet known : They are chiefly ufed for Baits to catch Fifh withal, or in a Powder to kill Lice and Vermin in Children’s Heads. [The Cocculus Indus is the Fruit of the Solanum racemofum Indicum arborefcens , Coceulos Indcs ferens. R. Hift. 1 15. Arbor indica Coculos indicos ferens. Breyn. Prodr. 2. 19. it is common in Malabar. Four Grains of this Fruit taken inwardly, caufe Hick- ups, Naufea’s and Faintings, and a larger Dofe is poifonous. The Powder, mix’d with Flour and New Cheefe, intoxicates Fifh fo, that they may be taken with the Hand. Some People are afraid of eating fuch Fifh ; but Experience has prov’d that their Apprehenfions are without Foundation. The Fagara is the Cubebis Affnis Fagara ma- jor. C. B. Pin. 412. Fagara feu Cayutona Lu- zonis. Com. Syll. 74. Thefe are brought to us from the Philippine- If ands ; but feldom ufed in Medicine.] 26. Of Caffia. W E have four Kinds of Cajfta, 1. That of the Levant. 2. That of Egypt. 3. That of Brazil j and of DRUGS. 4. The If and Caffia : They are all the Fruits or Pods of different Species of the fame Tree, which have Leaves fome longer fome fhorter, and yel- low Flowers. The firft and mod cfteem’d is that of the Levant. This Caff a grows plentifully in feveral Parts thereof, from whence it is now brought by the Way of Marfcilles. The Leaves of this are green, and the Flowers yellow. Chufe this Caffa frefh, in thick Pieces, that are heavy, not hollow, of a brown Colour, whofe Bark appears fine and white within, and fuch as is furnifh’d with a black Pulp, and a white hard Stone or Kernel in Form of a Heart. This Pulp ought to be fweet, without being either fliarp or mufty, and fuch as will eafily fe- parate from the Pod. Beware that the Pods be not knotty or crooked, but even, and fuch as will not fhake or rattle. Some will have it, that the true Way of diftinguifhing the Levant Caffa, is by a Ridge that runs the Lengthway of the Pods ; which neverthelefs is no general Rule, be- caufe there are Pods with this Mark frequently met with in the Antilles, or Wefern-Ifands. The beft Way is to take that of Marfeilles, becaufe there is none comes that Way but from the Levant and Egypt. 27. Of Egyptian Caffia. T H E Egyptian Caffa is a Fruit like the for- mer, only that it is thinner, and a great deal tenderer. The Tree that bears this Caffa grows to a prodigious Size ; it is as large as any Tree we have in France, and differs not from the for- mer but as the Leaves are much fmaller. They meet with fuch vaft Quantities of thefe Trees throughout Egypt , that the Caffa they produce goes for almoft nothing there, efpecially at Grand Cairo. The Egyptian Caffa fhould be chofen as that of the Levant ; it fhou’d be fuch as will break under the Thumb in cleaning. The Levan- tines and Egyptians make a Confection of the Caffa, while frefh, which they keep to loofen the Belly, it being a Medicine very convenient, and eafy to take. The Caffa ConfeCt ought to be new, and neither aigre nor mufty. Some People life it here, in Imitation of the People of the Le- vant, to keep the Body open. 28. Of Brazil Caffia. HT H IS grows in Brazil, on Trees whofe *■ Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit, are as in the Figure reprefented. The Caffia which thefe Trees produce is fo large, that if I had not feen a Piece in M. Tournefort’s Hands of about a Foot and a half long, and the Thicknefs of a Man’s Wrift . ¥ i: . . ■ W' ' ' - , I Book VII. Wrift, I coo’d not have believ’d that there was »rty Cajf.a fo thick. But this Fruit is of little Ufe: But the Cajfta we have the greateft Deal- ings in, is that we have from the American Ijlands. 29. Of the IHand Caflia. T ri E Caff a of the Lies is that which at pre- fe.;t is moft ufed, and is a Fruit of the fame Nature with the former ; all the Difference is ac- cording to the Places where it grows. The An- tilles are fo full of thefe T rees, that the Cajfta of tliofe Parts cofts them nothing but the Trouble of gathering. It is the Profit or Perquifite of the Seamen who gather it, and flow it at the Bottom cf the Ship and amongft other Goods ; which is the Reafon why it oftentimes comes fo dirty, be- ing full of Sugar and Filth that it gathers from the other Ladings in the Ship : Chufe fuch as comes neareft to the Finenefs and Goodnefs of the Lnant Cajfta that you can get. Schroder fays, that which comes from Brazil purges more in one Ounce, than titan that from Egypt in two ; yet that brought from the Eajl- Indies and by the Lnant , is accounted the beft. 7’hat from the JVefi- Indies is generally large and thick rinded, and not fo pulpy, and therefore worth much lefs than the Eaji-Indta. The Pulp gently loofens the Belly, and brings forth the Excrements with- out griping ; it is temperate in refpedl of Heat or Cold, and moderately moift. It is good for fuch as are troubled with Fevers, the Pleurify, or any Inflammation of the Liver or Spleen, be- ing mix’d with Water, and Drinks of a cooling Nature. It is good to cleanfe the Reins and Ure- ters, to bring forth Gravel and Stone, if drank in a Decoction of Cicers, Parfley-Roots and Li- quorice. It is extrafted by forcing the Pulp, taken cut of the Cane, through a Sieve, under which is a Veffel of hot Water, that by the Help of Pie Vapours, the Pulp being ftirr’d about in the Sieve, may the eafier pafs thorough, when hot; you ought to extract it but juft at the Time of ufing, becaufe it grows four with keeping. Tiiere are feveral compound Extracts of it, ac- cording to the Nature of the Occ&fion. Cajfta ffula Alexandria , five purgans , Lemery. or Canna fifiula , is a Pod, the Length ufiially of a Man’s Arm, thicker than one’s Thumb, and almoft round or cylindrick, woody, of a blackifh Colour. The Bark is as hard as Wood, comnofed of two Parts, equally join’d together, which cannot be feparated but by breaking their Junctures. The Hollows or Cells are divided by thin Partitions, but very hard ones ; and are fill’d with a Pulp or Subftance like *39 Marrow, that is liquid, black, and as fweet as Sugar ._ Each of thefe Cells contains a thick Seed, like a little Pea, flat, and almoft round, of a yel- low Colour. Th:s Pod is the Fruit of a large thick Tree which grows in Eg)pt , the Indies and feveral other Parts of the World ; the green Leaves much refemble thofe of the Walnut-tree ; the Flowers grow in Numbers upon one Stalk, compofed each of five Leaves, difpofed in a Circle, of a yellow Colour. When the Flowets are fallen, the Cajfta Sticks grow out and harden themfelves, fo that they break one againft the other, when the Wind is ftrong, and make fuch a Noife, that they may be heard two Leagues round. The beft Cajfta is that which comes from the Levant ; but it is fo dear and l'carce in France , efpecially in W ar-time, that we are obliged to make ufe commonly of fuch as comes from Egypt and the Antilles ; that of the Lnant and Egypt is brought to us by the Way of Marfeilles , but the. others by Dieppe , Rochelle , See. [It is to the Arabians we owe the Knowledge of this Medicine ; for neither the Greeks nor Ro- mans knew any Thing of it. The Tree which produces it is the Cajfta fifiula vulgaris fore luteo. Breyn. Prodr. 2. 25. Arbor Cajfiam fiolutivam ferens. Bont. 101 . It is common as well in Egypt as in both the Eajl and IVefi-Indies. The Alexandrian Cajfta is the beft, but is very fcarce : What we ufe now is the American , which is more acrid and griping than the Alexan- drian ; not that it is the Fruit of a different Tree, for the Tree that produces Cajfta is the fame in all Places ; but the different Degrees of Heat make a Difference in the Fruit, for the Trees that now flourifh in America , were firft tranf- planted from the Lnant , which is a Proof of the Truth of this. The Br ascii Cajfta is aftringent while green, but purges twice as ftrongly as any other Kind when ripe. The great Value of Cajfta is, that it is a proper Purge in all Inflammatory Cafes, which cannot be faid of any other known Ca- thartick. ] 30. Of Tamarinds. J 'Amarinds are a fharp acrid Fruit , which are brought from the Lnant , Pomet. fometimes in Bunches, but more com- monly freed from their Stalks. Tbc Tree which bears them has very fmall Leaves ; after which come white Flowers, almoft like Orange flowers, from whence arife Hulks that are green at firft, and grow brown as they ripen, when the Inhabi- T 2 tants Of FRUITS. T4-0 General HJlory cf DRUG S.. tants of tbofe Parts gather them in Clufters, and dry theqi a little before they are fent hither. Chufe your Tamarinds fat or oily, frefh, of a Jet Black, and a fharp pleafant Tafte, and fuch as have not been laid in a Cellar, which may be known by their too great Moifture, their Smell of the Vault, and their Kernels being fwell'd. Avoid fuch as are adulterated with Molaffes, Sugar and Vinegar- They are much ufed in Medicine, becaufe of their cooling purgative Quality, and are Ingredients in many Officinal Compofitions. There grow a great many Tamarind T 1 ees at Senega, where tire Negroes make the Fruit into Cakes, after they have Boned them and freed them from their little Stalks, which they make frequent ufe of to quench their Thirft. Thefe Tamarind Cakes are very fcarce in France. They cleanfe Tamarinds like C affix, and with Sugar make a Confe&ion. of them, which is not un- pleafant. Tamarindi , or Oxypfceeniea, is a Fruit Lcmery. about the Length of one’s Finger, as broad and thick as the Thumb, cover’d with a green Bark at the Beginning, but that grows brown as it ripens, and is fo tender that it eafily falls off or feparates. The Fruit affords a black, fourifh, or fharp Pulp, that is grateful to the Tafte ; it hangs by long Fibres, or woody Strings, form’d in the Nature of a Bunch. They take this Pulp from the Seeds as they do that of Cajfia. The T ree which bears the Tamarinds is call’d Tamar indus , by Gerard , P ar kin f on, Bauhinus and .Ray ; or Siliqua Arabica , quee Tamarindus ; or Balam Pulli, fen Mcderam PuU't. It is as big as an Afh or Cherry-Tree. The Trunk is large, cover’d with a thick Afrf-colour’d Barkv The Wood is hard, the Branches furnifh’d with a great many Leaves, like thofe of Fern, long as one’s Hand, compofed of feveral fmall Leaves, ranged on each Side, hard, nervous, or ftringy, green, of a pleafant Tafte. The Flowers fpring from Wings of Leaves join’d eight or ten to- gether, like thofe of the Orange; white-colour’d, ftrip’d with red Veins. The Roots, are long, large and red- This Tree grows in feveral Parts of India , as Cambay a , Senega , &c. The Leaves are proper for quenching Thirft, and cool- ing in burning Fevers, being taken in Decoc- tion .. The Indians feparate the Tamarind's from the Bark and the Bunch, after having dried them a little ; we have them frequently among us hang- ing one to another. Chufe the newefr, that are bard as Pafte, pulpy, black, of a fharpifh grateful- Tafte and vinous Smell. They yield a good deal of acid Salt* Oil and Flegm ; are deterfive* gent- ly laxative and aftringent. They allay, by their Sharpnefs, the too great Motion of the Humours, abate feverifh Heat, cool, and quench Thirft. They are given in continual Fevers and Loofenefs, being taken in Deco&ion, Bolus, (Ac. or a Pulp may be made, as of Cajfia. Dofe from an Ounce to two. It ftrengthens the Stomach, creates an Appetite, refills vomiting and cuts tough Flegm- An Extract is made thus : Take Tamarinds , boil them in fair Water, ftrain, clarify with the White of an Egg, and thicken by confuming the Water to a due Confidence- Dofe from two Drams to half an Ounce- It cools Inflammations of the Stomach arid Liver, Reins, Back and feminrf Veffels ; is good in Catarrhs, Rheums, Erup- tions of the Skin, fait and fharp Humours, St. Aes~ thony's Fire, (Ac. [ Tamarinds are the Fruit of the Tamarindus r Rai. Hift. 2. 1748. Tamarindas Derelfide Prof- peri Alpini. Breyn. Prodr. 1. 51. The Tree is common in Arabia and in both the Indies. What we ufe in Medicine is the blackifh Pulp taken out of the Pod of this Tree, which is fome- thing like a Bean ; this Pulp lies between two Shells, one of which is woody and the other mem- branous. We owe the Knowledge of this alfo to the Arabians ; for neither the Greeks nor Ra- mans knew any thing of it- The Pulp is very properly mix’d with Caff a as a Purge, and may- be given alone as an Alterative. It is very proper to be mix’d in Juleps, (Ac. to quench Thirft in Fevers. J 31- Of Myrobalans.. Trolalans are a Fruit of the Bigncfs of x Plum, which are brought to us dry from, feveral Parts of the Eajl-Indics. There are five Kinds of them ; the Citrine , the Indian , the Chcbulick , the Bellerick , and the E mb lick. 3.2.. Of Citrine Myrobalans. HE Citrine, or yellow Myrobalans, are Fruit which grow in feveral PomeE Parts of the Indies^ efpecially about Ba- iacala and Goa. When thefe Fruit are ripe they are of the Figure or Likenefs of the Mirabel Plum, enclofing a Stone. The Indians candy this Fruit while green-, as we do Plums, and they ferve to loofen the Bowels.. The Portuguefe and Dutch bring us this Fruit thus candied for the fame Purpofe ; but the greateft Quantity is brought us dry, which the Apothecaries keep for fcreral Ga- lenical Compofitions, after the Stone is taken out- Chufe your Citrine Alyrobalans of a reddifh Yel- low, long, well fed, heavy,, and hard to break,, i Tamarinds- Citro-rTmyrcba lanj JSeblerick . Jf Book VII. Of FR of an aftringent difagreeable Tafte ; and beware of being impos’d upon by any of the other four Sorts, to wit, the Indian, Chebulick , Emblick, or Beilin ck. 33. Of Indian Myrobalans. T HE Indian Myrobalans are a fmall long Fruit, of the Size of a Child’s Finger End, black without and within, without Stone, and very hard, that are brought from the Eajl- Indies,. where they grow in great Quantities-, and from whence they take their Name. The Tree which- bears thefe has Leaves like a Willow, after which comes Fruit of the Size and Shape of a Spanijh Olive, which are green at the Beginning, and grow browner as they ripen, and blacken in drying. As we have them now brought to us, they are hard, and black as Ebony. Chufe thofe that are well fed, dry, blackifh, of a fharpifh aftringent Tafte, and the heavieft you can get. 54. Of Chebulick Myrobalans. T HE Chebulick Myrobalans , or thofe call’d 'uebuli , are a Fruit very like the Citrine , except that they are bigger, blacker and longer. The Tree which bears them is as high as an Apple-Tree, and has Leaves like the Peach, with Star-Flowers of a reddifh Colour. Thefe Sorts of Trees are met with about Bengal \ where they grow without Culture. Chufe thefe Myrobalans flefhy, the leaft wrinkled and black that is pof- fiblej fuch as are refinous within, of a brown Colour, and fuch as have an aftringent and bit- terifh Tafte. 33. Of Bellerick Myrobalans. T H E Bellerick Myrobalans are a fmall Fruit of the Bignefs of a Nutmeg, of a reddifh Yel- low without and yellowifh within, in which is a Stone fupply’d with a Kernel of no Virtue. The Tree which bears thefe is large, and has Leaves like thofe of the Bay-Tree. The Fruit is faften’d to the Branches in Shape of little Gourds, of a yellow Colour. Thefe ought to be chofen well fed and new, fmooth, high colour’d, and of an aftringent Tafte. 36. Of the Emblick Myrobalans, T HE Emblick Myrobalans are a blackifh rough Fruit, of the Bignefs of Galls, eafy to divide, into Quarters for which Reafon almoft all we have brought are after this Manner. The Trees that bear them are as high as the Palm, and the U I T 1 i 4 i Leaves are almoft like the Ferh. Chufe fuch as are leaft fill’d with Stones and other Trafh, which they are very fubjecl to ; but, on the contrary, the mod flefhy and blacked: you can meet with. The Indians do not ufe the Emblick Myrobalans , either candied or raw, as the other four Kinds, ex- cept fometimes while they are unripe, for their Tartnefs ; but they employ them to dye Skins green, as the Leather-drefters do Sumach , and alfo to make Ink. Some hold that all the Myro- balarn grow upon one and the fame Tree, which is far from Truth, as I have (hewn ; for, though they all grow in the Eajl -Indies, fome of them grow fifty Leagues from one another. The Ci- trine Myrobalans , which the Indians call Arare r purge Bile : The Indian, which thofe People call Rezenuale , and Bcllaris Gotin, purge Melancho- ly : The Emblick , call’d Annual by the Indians , and the Chebulick, Areca , purge Flegm : Befides thefe five Species of Myrobalans , ufed fometimes- in Pharmacy after the Stones are taken out, there there is alfo a fixth Kind of Myrobalan , call’d Dieacque-Nut, which refemble Citrine Myrobalan in Figure and Size, but is black. This Kind, however, is never brought to U 3 » Myrobalani , or Myrobalanes, are a Fruit the Thicknefs of a Prune, which Lttnery, are brought to us from India dry. There are five Kinds of them ; the beft call’d Myrobalani Citrini ; the fecond Myrobalani Indict ; the third, Chebuli ; the fourth, Emblici ; the fifth, B slier ici. The Citrine , or yellow Sort,, are fmall, oblong or oval, of the Size of an Olive, or a little bigger,, raifed on feveral Sides, containing each a longifh Stone. They grow upon a Tree refembling a Prune or Plum, but that bears Leaves like a Ser- vice-Tree. It grows without Management or Care in- India , and particularly near Goa. This Kind of Myrobalan is the moft ufed of all the Sorts in Phvfick. It ought to be chofen flefhy, heavy, hard, of a reddifh yellow Colour, and an unpleafant aftringent Tafte. Myrobalani Indie i five nigri, five Dama fieri, the Indian, or black Myrobalans, are an oblong Fruit, of the Size of a fmall Acorn, rough and ridged lengthways, of four or five Sides, very hard, hollow within, and void of a Stone. They grow upon a Tree whofe Leaves are like thole of the Willow. Myrobalani Chebuli, Qrteluli, Chepuli, Cepuh , or Chebulick Alyrobalans, are a Fruit like Dates, ©blontt and fharp, or pointed at the End which grows to the 'Free, having five Corners 01 Ridges, of a yellowifh brown Colour. They grow upon a large Tree like- a Plum-Tree, in India, without Culture. The Leaves are like thofe of the Peach- Tree ; the Flowers form’d Star-wife, of a Ct - 142 General Hijlory lour tending to Red. Make choice of large, flefhy, hard Chebule Myrobalans , of a daik yel- low Colour, and an aftringent Tafte, inclining to bitter. j Myrobalani Embhci , Fmbclgi, Emblegi , Am- begi , Dyfeni , or Emblick Myrobalans, are a Fruit that are almoft round, and about the Size of a Gall-Nut, rough on the Outfide, and ridg’d on the fix Sides, of a dark brown Colour, contain- ing each a thick Nut, like a Filbert, rais’d on fix Corners, of a yellow Colour. The Fruit grows upon a Tree of the Height of a Palm, having long Leaves cut fmall and indented like the Ferns; we have thefe brought to us cut in Quarters, fe- parated from the Stone, and dried. You ought to chafe them clean, without Shells, blackifh without, grey within ; of an aftringent Tafte, attended with a little Sharpnefs. Th c Indians dye Skins and make Ink with them. Myrobalani Bellerici, Belleregi, Bellegu , or Bel - lerick Myrobalani , are Fruit of the Size of the common Sort, oval, or almoft round, hard, yel- low, more united, and lefs angular, or corner’d, than the others, containing each an oblong Stone, or Nut, as long as an Olive ; the Stone enclofes a little Kernel. The Tree that bears this has Leaves like the Bay, and is as big as a Plum- Tree. All thefe Sorts of Fruit yield a great deal of efTential Salt and Oil, a moderate Quantity of Earth and Flegm : They are all gently purgative end aftringent, fomething like Rhubarb ; but the ■ Citrine Kind are efteem’d more particularly for purging the bilious Humours ; the Indian the Me- lancholy, and the others for the Serous and Fleg- matick. They may be given from fix Drams to double the Quantity, either in Pills, a Decodtion in Wine, or an Extradl made of the pulpy Part, by keeping them in Wine, then draining out the Infufion, and infpiftating, or thickning, to a Con- fidence. [Many have been of Opinion that the Citrine and Chebule Myrobalani were the fame Fruit, on- ly in different Degrees of Maturity, the Citrine being fuch as were gather’d before they were ripe, and the Chebule fuch as were differ’d to remain on the Tree ’till perfedfly mature : Others have thought all the Kinds to be produced by the fame Tree ; but the Truth certainly is, that they are the Fruit of five entirely different Trees. The Citrine is the Fruit of the Myrobalanifera Sorbi foliis. Jonf. Dendr. 83. T he Indian is the Fruit of the Myrobalanifera Salicis folio. Jonf. Dendr. 82. The Chebule , of the Myrobalanifera Perfica folio. Jonf. Dendr. 83. 'Flie Bellerick , of the Myrobalanifera Lauri fflio J'ubcinercclo. Jonf. Dendr. 84. of DRUGS. And the Emblick , of the Myrobalanifera foliit minutim ineijis. Jonf. Dendr. 83. Canna indica arbor ea Zauon. Myrobalanui Emblica foliis Se- cvridaces. Breyn. Prodr. 2. 74. The Bengal Bean , fometimes ufed in Medicine as an Aftringent, is no other than the Fruit of the Citrine Myrobalane , hurt while young by the Pundture of an Infedl, and growing by that Means of an uncommon Shape, as Plums, lAc. will with us.] 37. Of the Areca. HE Areca is fuppofed to be the Fruit of a Kind of Palm-Tree of Pomet. that Name. This Fruit is alfo call’d Fanfel , the Eajl Indians make a great deal of Ufe of it: It is of various Shapes, fometimes roundifh, but flat at the End, fometimes oblong ; and there is befides a Kind that is flender and black, very hard, and of an infipid Tafte. They feldom fend us the Areca with its outer Subftance ; and what we have of it is fo hard, that if all Accounts did not allure us of it we could hardly conceive it could be eatable. The Areca is generally call’d Mut ; it however is only a Kernel, commonly of the Shape of a Coat Button, but fomething more pointed, and is marbled within with black and white Veins like a Nutmeg. The Subftance is fo hard that it is like Horn. The Indians make a Kind of Confeft of the Areca , Betel , and Oyfter-Shells burnt, which is in great Ufe among them. So many Authors have given the Preparation of this Mixture that I fhall not repeat it here. The Tree which bears the Areca is figur’d in the fame Plate with the Peppers. Areca Palmer Species. Scalig. Areca five Fanfel Cluf in Garz. Ludg. Palma Lemery. cujus fruSlus fejfilis Fanfel dicitur. A~ vellana Indica. The Palm, whofc Fruit is call’d Fanfel , or the Indian Filbert , is a Species of the Palm-Tree, very high and ftreight, that grows in Malabar , and feveral other Parts of India. The Flowers are fmall, white and almoft without Smell ; the Fruit is of an oval Figure, the Size of a Nut, having a green Bark, or Peel, at firft, which becomes very yellow as it ripens, foft and very hairy. The Bark, or Rind, being taken away, there appears a Fruit the Size of a Filbert, fometimes half round, fometimes pyramidal ; which being broken, refembles that of a Nutmeg in Finenefs. The Fruit which the Indians call Chofool, not being as yet half ripe, make thofe that eat it giddy and drunk : When ripe it is infipid arid aftringent. They reduce it to Powder after having dried it in the Sun, and having mix’d it with Betle, burnt Ovffer- Book VII. Of F Ovfter-Shells, Camphire, Aloes Wood, and a little Ambergreafe, they form all into Troches, which they chew in their Mouths to make them fpit and purge the Head. [The Areca is the Fruit of the Palma Arecifera nucleo vcrficolore r.uci mofchata Jimili , Par. Bat. Pr. 361. Palma fanf elf era. Jonf. Dendr. 151. The Fruit is never ufed with us, but its infpifrated Juice is what we call Terra faponica , to be treat- ed of hereafter.] 38. Of Coloquintida. C Oloquintida is a Fruit of the Size of our Rhennet App’e, that grows upon a climbing or viny Plant, that has green Leaves, very like thofe of the Cucumber. The Fruit, being upon its Stalk, is of the Colour of the Callebajh , and grows plentifully in feveral Parts of the Levant , from whence it is brought to us, freed from the fine Skin, or outward Shell, which is yellow. Chufe the fineft white Coloquintida Apples, that are light, round, and as little foul and broken as may be. Thofe who have their Coloquintida from Marfeilles , or other Parts, order their Corref- pondents, if they wou’d ferve them well, to take care that the Apples be not broken, and the Seed fkak’d out ; otherwife, out of an hundred Weight of Coloquintida they fhall find fixty Pounds of loofe Kernels, which are to be thrown away. Coloquintida is one of the bittereft and moil purgative Drugs in Phyfick ; therefore it ought not to be ufed but with great Precaution, and ef- pecially not without throv/ing away the Seeds. It is a ftrong Puree, and is an Ingredient in many Compofitions. The Troches of Albandal made of it purge in a very fmall Dofe, and an Extra# is made from it which purges ftrongly in three, fix, twelve, or fifteen Grains. The Confectioners cover thefe Seeds with Sugar, and fell them to catch or delude Children with. The Apotheca- ries keep them by them to powder, and put into their purging Compofitions, efpecially the com- mon Lenitive Electuary ; which is a great Abufe, and a very wicked Practice. Colocynthis ^ vel Colocynthie fruSIu ro- Lemery. tundo minor , vel Cucurlita SylveJIris fruliu rotundo minor : The lefier Cdo- qnintida with the round Fruit, or the lefier wild Gourd with the round Fruit, is an Indian Plant which bears feveral Stalks that creep upon the Ground, hairy and rough. The Leaves grow fingly, ty’d to long Stalks, running one from an- other, large, indented, hairy, rough and whitifh, efpeciaily on the Outfide, mark’d with feveral white Spots ; the Flowers are of a pale Yellow, RUITS. *43 fucceeded by a Fruit about the Size of a mode- rate Orange, almofi: round, and naturally pretty dry and light, cover’d with a hard Bark, or en- tire Shell, that is of a yellowifh fhining Green. The Indians feparate, or pull off this Bark, and having dry’d the flefhy Part of the Fruit, they bring thefe Apples of different Sizes, white, fpungy, light, and of an intolerable Bitternefs, which is what we call Colocynthis Qffcinarum , or the Coloquintida of the Shops. There are feveral Cells, or Apartments, fill’d with large Seeds, like thofe of Melon , but fhorter, more flefhy, and a great deal harder, of a yellowifh Colour, inclining to White. They cultivate this Plant in feveral Parts of the Levant. Chufe fuch as are fine, large, white Apples, flefhy, well dry’d, light, that will eafily break, and are very bitter ; they yield a great deal of Oil, together with volatile and efiential Salt. The Co- loquintida , feparated from the Seeds, is call’d Pulp of Coloquintida , and is often ufed in Phyfick : It purges violently by Stool, is proper to evacuate the ferous Humours of the more grofs Parts of the Body, and is recommended in the Epilepfy, Apoplexy, Lethargy, Small-Pox, overflowing of the Gall, Sciatica and Rheumatifm : but ought never to be adminifter’d alone, but ufed in Com- pofitions, as Pills, Confections, Troches, and the like. [ Colocynth is the Fruit of the Colocynthis vulgaris. Park. 160. Colocynthis fruftu rotundo minor. C. B. Pin. 313. It is brought to us from Aleppo and the Ifland of Crete. It is the rougheft Purge we know ; taken in a large Dofe it not only often brings away pure Blood, but alfo produces Cholicks, Convulfions, Ulcers in the Bowels, and fatal Hypercatharfifis. It is ufed in Clyfters in Apopledtick Cafes ; and mixed with Ox Gall will purge Children if apply’d to the Navel. There is a larger Species of this, the Colocynthis fruttu rotundo major , C. B. Pin. 313. Hilt. Ox. 2. 27. which is faid to pofiefs the fame Virtues, but is never ufed.] 39. Of the Grana Tiglia, or Indian Kernels. T" H E Grana Tiglia are the Fruit of a Species of the Ricinus, very common in the Antilles Iflands, which grows to tire Height of a Fig- Tree, and is fomething like it in Figure : The Wood is foft and brittle, the Leaves are fome- thing like thofe of the Fig, green, foft, round- ilh, fet irregularly on the Branches, and ending in three Points. Both the Wood and Leaves yield a milkv Juice. The Flowers are ccmpofed of 144 ‘General Hi/lory of federal yellow Stamina, fupported by a five- leav’d green Cup. The Fruit are of the Shape and Size of a milling Nut ; they are green at fivft, afterwards yellowifh, and black when quite ripe : Each Fruit is compofcd of three Capful#, each including a white Kernel, cover’d with a black cartilaginous Film. The Plant that pears this Fruit is call’d, in Mr. Hermans Paradifus Batavus, Ricinus arbor fruc- tu glabro Grana Tiglia Officials ditto, which figni- fies the Ricinus with the fmooth Fruit, call’d in the Shops, Tyle-Seed, or Tilli-Bcrries. The Kernels ought to be chofen frefh, plump and flclhy ; the lead fill’d with Hufks, Shells, or other Filth and Dirt that can be. Take care that they be the true Nuts, and that thofe of the Pal- ma ChriJIi be not impofed upon you in their Stead, which is difficult enough to didinguifh, when the Palma ChriJIi is not fpeckled ; for when it is fo, you can fcarce be deceiv’d ; other- wife when it carries the Colour of the Grana Ti- glia, ’tis not eafy to know the Difference. TheUfe of thefe Kernels is to purge, and they are indeed one of the greateft Purgatives we have, which makes it that we ought not to meddle with them, but with great Care and Precaution, not venturing to adminider them but to ftrong and robud Bodies. As to the Qr_iantity, one may give fix, eight, or ten Grains in Weight, accord- ing to the Conditution. Some affirm that it is no- thing but the thin Membrane, or Skin that co- vers the Kernel, which gives fit the purgative Quality, which I cannot affirm pofitively, as I am not quite certain of the Truth of it. Befides thefe, which we improperly call the fmall Kernels, we fell another Sort, call’d Barbary Kernels, large Indian, or American Kernels ; which are the Seeds of what Cafpar Baubinus calls Ricinus Americanus, femine nigro ; the American Ricinus with the black Seed. Befides thefe, there are two Sorts of Indian Kernels, which we do not trade in at all, by Rea- fon of their great Scarcity. The fird are Kernels of the Size and Shape of the Filbert, extremely white, and are cover’d with a hard Shell of diffe- rent Colours ; to wit, grey and reddifh ; thefe grow three together in a Shell, of a triangular Figure ; the Plant which produces them being call’d Ricinus fruttu maxima , or the Ricinus with the large Fruit. The fecond Sort are little long Kerne’s, of the Bignefs of a Pin’s Head, fpotted a little, like thofe of the Palma ChriJIi, which grow toge- ther, in a little three-corner’d Pod, of the Size of a Pea : Thefe little Pods, or Shells, differ from the Indian Kernels, in that the Shell is com- pjofed of five little hairy greenifh Leaves. The /DRUGS,. Plant which produces thefe, has Leaves like thofe of Dittany of Crete , only that thefe are greenifh, and thofe of Dittany are whitifh. Thefe little Fruits are extremely fcarce, and the Plant that bears them may be call’d Ricinus Indicus fruttu minima , the Indian Ricinus with the lead Kernel. As for the Palma ChriJIi , the great and the fmall, together with the Fruits of the Spurges, I fhall fay nothing of them, becaufe many others have treated of them ; and the rather becaufe honed People will have nothing to do with them. Ricinus Vulgaris, according to Bau- hinus and Tcurnefort , or Cataputia ma - L emery, jor Vulgaris, the common Ric'mus , or greater Spurge, is a Plant that has the Refem- blance of a fmall Tree, whofe Stalk rifes fix or feven Feet high, thick, woody, hollow within like a Reed, branching at the Top, of a dark, purple Colour, cover’d with a white Powder like Meal ; the Leaves are in the beginning round, but as they grow bigger they become corner’d, and divided like the Fig-Leaf, but much larger and foft to the Touch : The Flowers are fo many pale Stamina, Threads, or Chives, which do not lad long, and which leave nothing after them, either of Seed or Berry : Thefe P'ruits growing feparately, either upon the fame Stalk, difpofed in the Nature of a Bunch that is prickly and rough to the Hand : Each has three Sides, and is made up of three Capful#, which contain feverally an oval or oblong Seed ; pretty thick, of a livid Co- lour, fpotted without, and fill’d with a white ten- der Pith : When the Fruit is full ripe, it is full of Chinks, or Cracks, by which the Seed rudies out with Force ; the Root is long, thick, hard, white and dringy ; they cultivate this Plant in Gar- dens, not only for its Beauty, but becaufe it drives away the Moles ; it grows of different Sizes and Heights, according to the Places wherein it is fet; for in Spain one may fee them of the Height of a Man ; and in Candia there are others that grow to the Bulk of large Trees, provided there be Poles for them to mount on. The Ricini , or Tyle- Berries, are ufed in Medicine, and contain in them Plenty of Oil and Salt ; they purge vio- lently all Sorts of Humours, and may be given from one Grain to fix. There is an Oil made of them by Expreffion, after they have been well beat, call’d in Latin , Oleum de Kerua, Oleum Cicinum , Oleum feus in- fernalis : It purges only by rubbing the Stomach and Belly with it ; it kills the Worms, cures the Itch, deterges old Ulcers, and allays the Suffoca- tion of the Womb. Thefe Berries are brought from America, and arc call’d in Latin , Grana Tiglia, Tyle-Berries. Book VII. [We have four Kinds of the Ricinus Seeds brought over, tho’ neither of them are now ever ufed in Medicine ; they are call’d , i. the Mexico Nut, or Mexico Seed ; 2. the Barbadoes Nut ; 3. the American Purging Nut, and, 4. the Tiglia. The firft of thefe is produc’d by the Ricinus Jive Caput ia major vulgatior , Park. 182. Nham- bu Guachu five Ricinus Americanus , Pif. 180. Tiie fecond by the Ricinus Americanus , Get'. 399. Ricinus major Americanus Curcas diftus & faba Purgatrix India: Occidua , J. B. 3. 643. The third by the Ricinus Americanus tenuiter Divifo folio, Breyn. Cent. 1 16. Ricinoides arbor Americana folio multifido , Tourn. Lift. 366. And the fourth, the Grana Tiglia of the Shops, bv the Ricinus arbor fruchi glabro Grana Tiglia Ojfcinis diclo, Par. Bat. Pr. 370. Palma Chrifi Indica, Tourn. Mat. Med. 75. The firft of thefe Plants is a Ricinus , but the ethers aie Ricinoides. The fecond Species is common in America ; the Seeds of it are diftinguilh’d from the Grana Tiglia by a fmall black Speck at the End, which the others have not : They purge violently, but if the Skin that covers them be taken off, they lofe their purgative Quality, and may be eaten with Safety. New-comers into America are often catch’d by the Natives, for want of knowing this Secret. The Grana Tiglia are the mod violent of them all ; two Grains of them will work vehemently, othup wards and downwards. 40. Of the White Pine Kernels. T HESE are a white Sort of little, longilh, round Kernel, of a fweet Tafte, to which they give the Name of fweet p; ne Kernels. Thefe fmall Kernels are cover’d with a thin Pellicle or Skin, that is light and reddilh, and with a very ftrong Nut like Shell ; thefe Nuts, with their Kernels, are found in the Pine Apples, and are call’d, for that Rcafon, Pine Nuts, Pine Kernels, or Almonds of the Pine Fruit : Thofe we now fell come from Catalonia , as likewife from Provence and Languedoc , and fe- veral other Parts of France. To get the Kernels from the Pine Apples, they are thrown into a hot Oven, where the Heat makes them open ; after which they break the Nuts, and take from thence the Kernels, which are fent into different Parts of the World : Chufe them white, the largeft and leaft mix’d with Shells and Skins that you can get, and which are of a fweet Tafte ; in a Word, which neither fmell of Oil or Muftinefs : They are much ufed, efpeciallv in Lent, to make feve- ral Sorts of Ragous : The Confe&ioncrs cover *45 them with Sugar, after having Loved them fome Time to take out the Oil : They make an Oil of them by Expreftion, which has the fame Virtues with Oil of Sweet Almonds, efpecially when the Kernels are frefh and new : They are fometimes ufed to feed Canary-Birds ; and the Pafte, after the Oil is prefs’d, is good to wafh the Hands with. There are feveral Sorts of Pine Ker- nels, from the feveral Sorts of Pines Lemery. wh.ch produce them ; I fhali give you an Account of four ; one whereof is cultivated, and the other three wild. The cultivated Pine is call’d Pinus , or Pinus Sativa, vcl Domejlica, by Baukinus, Raius, Tour- nefort and Gerard : The Trunk of which is large, upright, and tall ; naked, or bare at the Bottom, and full of Branches at the Top, cover’d with a rough, reddifh Bark ; the Wood is firm, ftrong, yellowilh and feented ; the Branches are difpofed in Order ; the Leaves grow two and two, long and fmall like Threads ; hard, durable, and con- ftantly green ; pointed or prickly at their Tops ; furrounded at the Bottom with a membranous Sheath. The Hulks or Shells, are of feveral membranous Foldings, which contain two Cells, fill’d with nothing but a light Duft ; thefe Hulks leave no Fruit behind them ; that growing upon the fame Stalks with the Leaves, begins by a But- ton, and arrives to be a large fcaly Apple, almoft: round, or pyramidal, of a reddilh Colour : The Scales which form it are hard, woody, thicker commonly at the Point, or Top, than at the Bottom ; hollow lengthwife, with two Cavities, each of which contains a hard Shell, or oblong Nut, cover’d or edg’d with a thin, light, reddilh Rind ; they call thefe in Latin , Strobili Pinei , feu Nuces pinea, or Pine Nuts, which enclofe in each an oblong Kernel, half round, white, fweet to the Tafte, and tender. The fecond Sort is call’d Pinus Sylvefris , by Raius, &c. or Pinus Sylvefris vulgaris Gencven- fis, by Bauhinus and Tournefort, the common wild Geneva Pine ; this grows, ufually, lefs high than the cultivated, but fometimes it attains to the fame Height and Size ; its Trunk more fre- quently ftrait, but is fometimes crooked ; the Leaves are long and narrow ; the Fruit much fmaller than the firft, more refinous, and falls ea- fily when ripe: This Tree grows in mountainous and rocky Places. The third Sort is call’d Pinus fylvefris Mu go, fve Crein , or Pinafer Aufriacus , the Aufrian wild Pine, being a diminutive Pine, wdrich grows not above the Height of a Man ; it divides itfelf from the Root into feveral large Branches, that are flexible and pliant, fpreading wide, cover’d with a thick, rough Bark ; the Leaves are of the U fame Of FRUITS. 146 , - General Hijlory of D R U G S. fame Form, and difpofed like the cultivated Pine, but much fhorter, thicker, flefhy, lefs fharp at their Ends, and greener ; the Fruit are not fo big as thofe of the Larix , or Cyprus , but they are fcaly, form’d pyramidally like other Pine Ap- ples ; the Root. is thick and woody : This Plant grows in mountainous and ftOny Ground, as about the Alps , and among other Rocks. The fourth Sort is call’d Pinas fyhejlris Alari- tima , conis firmiter ramis adheerentibus , by Bau- hinus, Ray and Tournefort , or Pinus fylvejlris al- tera Maritima , the wild Sea Pine : This is a fmall Tree whofe Wood is white, ftrong- Rented and refinous ; the Leaves are like thofe of other Pines ; the Fruit are in Pairs, and fhap’d like thofe of the cultivated Pine, but a great deal lefs, being ty’d ftrongly to the Branch, by their woody Stalks : This Plant grows in mountainous Parts, near the Sea. All the Pines that grow in the hot Countries yield Plenty of Rofin, by Incifions made in their Bark ; they afford Abundance of Oil and efien- tial Salt : The Bark and Leaves of the Pine are 'aftringent and deficative. We have Pine Kernels from Catalonia, Languedoc and Provence , which are taken from the Pine Apples, as taught by Po- met. Chufe fuch as are new, plump, clean and white, that have a good fweet Tafte ; they con- tain a great deal of Oil, and fome Salt ; are pec- toral, reftorative, fweeten and correct: the Acri- mony of Humours, increafe Urine and Seed, cleanfe Ulcers of the Kidneys, refolve, attenu- ate, and mollify, and may be ufed internally and externally. [The Pine Kernels ufed in Medicine are pro- duced by the Pinus fativa five Domejlica , Ger. 1173. Pinus Urbana five Domejlica, Park. 1534. They are emollient, agglutinant, and very nutri- tive, and therefore very good in Confumptions, and make a pleafant Emulfion, like Almonds.] 41. Of the White Ben Nut. T HE Ben, or Behen, is the Fruit of a Tree that grows in Arabia ; it rifes to the Height of the Birch Tree ; the Leaves are roundifh, very fmall in Proportion to the Bignefs of the Tree,’ rang’d by Pairs on Ribs, and at Diftances from one Pair to another ; the Fruit is a Pod, or Hufk, five or fix Inches long, compofed of two furrow’d tough Pieces, of an i.iiipid rather than aftringent Tafte, and enclofing, in different Colls, v/hite triangular Seeds, as large as Hazel-Nuts, which have, un- der a thin Skin, a bitter oily Kernel, like that of a Nut, but whiter. The Tree whieh bears the Ben is very fcarce in Europe, and the Figure I here give you, is taken from that which is at Rome , in the Garden of Cardinal Farnefe. Chufe fuch Kernels as are white, frefh, and the heavieft you can get. They are ufed to make an Oil of, which has a great many good Quali- ties ; the firft is, that it has neither Tafte nor Smell, and never grows rank, which makes it of great Ufe to the Perfumers and others, for taking the Scents of Flowers, as Jeftamine, Oranges, Tuberofe, and the like. With this Oil it is they make all their fweet Eftences, adding to the Flow- ers aforenam’d, as they fancy, Ambergreafe, Mufk, Civet, Benjamin, Storax, Balfam of Peru , Gfc. They grow in Syria, Arabia , Ethiopia , and India , where they come to Perfection, which they fcarcely ever do in Europe. The whole Nut is of a purging Quality, and the dry Preffmg, or Powder, after the Oil is ta- ken out, is cleanfing and drying ; the Shells, or Hulks, bind extremely ; the Kernels bruifed, and drunk with a little Ale, purge the Body from grofs and thin Flegm ; the Oil, which is drawn out of the Nut, does the fame, provokes vomit- ing, and cleanfes the Stomach of foul Matter ga- ther’d therein ; but the Nut itfelf, in its grofs Body, does much more trouble the Stomach, unlefs it be roafted at the Fire, for then they lofe much of their emetick Quality, and only purge downwards ; they are given in Clyfters with very good Effedt to cleanfe the Bowels and cure the Cholick ; the Kernels, taken in Pofiet-Drink to a Dram, mol- lify the Hardnefs of the Liver and Spleen. The Oil, befides its excellent Ufe to the Perfumers, is employ’d by the Glovers and Skinners to preferve their Leather from Spots or Stains, or from ever growing mouldy, as thofe perfum’d with Oil of Alrnonds do. It more c-afily extracts, and longer retains the Perfume of any thing infufed in it, than any other Oil whatfoever ; being dropp’d into the Ears, it helps the Neife in them, and Deaf- nefs. The Kernel ufed with Vinegar and Nitre, is good againft the Itch, Leprofy, running Sores, Scabs, Pimples, and ether Defedations of the Skin. Mix’d with Meal of Orobus, and apply’d plaifterwife to the Side, it helps the Spleen, and cafes the Gout, and Nerves which are pain’d with Cramps, Spafms, Colds and Bruifes. Mix’d with Honey, it diftolves Node3, Tophes, Knots, and hard Tumours. Ben parvum vel Balanus Myrepfica, Pharagon ineslis ad monton Sinai, or Lemery . Granum Ben, the Ben Berry j is a Fruit like a Hazel Nut, oblong, triangular, or raifed with three Corners, cover’d with a Rind, or thin Scale, pretty tender, and of a grey or white Co- lour. Within the Bark, or Rind, is a white oily Almond, of a fweetilh. Taftcv The Fruit grows upon F late. tfe into the Ribs ; they are fharp-pointed, of a light green Colour ; it bears no Flowers, but there arife fe- veral fmall Knobs, like Blifters, upon the lower or under Part of the uppermoft Jags of the Leaves, rank’d in a double Order ; they are round, and about the fixth Part of an Inch thick, confiding of a fine Duft, that is firft a little yel- lov/ifh, and turns of a bright Golden Colour : Every Grain of this Duft is a Sort of fmall Seed- Vefl'el, being of a round Figure, and membra- nous, which, when ripe, breaks into two equal Parts, and pours forth feveral Seeds, fo fmall that they can fcarcely be difeern’d by the naked Eye. Polypody grows upon Rocks, old Walls, and antient decay’d "Frees ; but that which grows up- on old Oaks is reckon’d the beft ; upon which Account Polypody of the Oak is commonly pre- ferib’d, and is rank’d among the purging Medi- cines : Yet Dodoneeus denies its carthartick Qua- lity ; neither ought we to diil'emble the Matter, for the Deco&ion of it fcarcely moves the Belly, but the Powder of it does fomething, being given from one Dram to two Drams. This Root contains a great deal of Oil, and no fmall Quantity of an acid Flegm ; but this is, as it were, fuffocated by the Oil, which is the Caufe that it produces no Alteration of Colour on blue Paper, when it is dipp’d in the Infufion of it. There is likewife a large Quantity of Earth extracted from Polypody by a chymical Re- folution. ’Tis from this Earth that its ftyptick and brackifh Tafte proceeds. The Roots are very properly adminifter’d in all Diftempers proceeding from a faltilh Difpofition of the Blood ; fuch as the Scurvy, Rickets, and Hvpochondriack Paf- fions ; they alfo help to abate an inveterate Cough, when it is attended with a faltifh Spit- tle. They arc prefuibed in Potions and Apc- zems. Take of Polypody of the Oak, two Ounces ; Salt of Prunella, one Dram ; infufe them in a Quart of warm Water ; ftrain it : To be taken by Cupfuls or Spoonfuls, as an Apczem. Or, take Polypody of the Oak, one Ounce and a half ; Elecampane-Roots, three Ounces ; infufe them all Night in a Quart of warm Water ; in the ftrain’d Liquor add two Ounces of Calalrian Manna ; mix and make a Ptifan to be drank. Take of the Decodtion of Polypody Roots, fix Ounces, in which infufe two Drams of Sena- Leaves ; in the ftra'n’d Liquor diflolve the Elu- tuary of Diacarthainum, three Drams ; mix and make a purging Potion. Polypody Roots are ufed in the Catholick Electuary, the Lenitive Elcdtu.iry, 169 Book VII. Of F R U I T S. Electuary, the Confection of Hamech , the Pan- chvmagog Extract of Hartman ; £hiercetan’ s Pills of Tartar, and in the Hi era of Coloquintida. [The Oak, whole Bark, (Ac. are ufed in Me- dicine, is the Jfiercus vulgaris , Ger. 1156. Jfeercus la t folia. Park. 1386. The Mifletoe is the Fifcus Hfuer cus et aliarum arbor urn, J. B. 1 . 89. Vifcum vulgar e, Park. 1392. And the Polypody is the Polypodium vulgar e, C. B. Park. (Ac. It is to be obferv’d, that both thefe are much more frequently found on other Trees, than on the Oak. The other Species of the Oak , mention’d in the Catalogues of Officinal Trees, are, 1. The P bogus, five Ef cuius. Park. 1387. J. B. 1. 2. 74. the Efculent or Sweet Oak, the Acorn of which is eatable, not being fo bitter as thofe of the reft. 2. The Cerrus, Aldrov. Dendr. 253. Cerris majere glande, Ger. 1162. Ofuercus Calyce echi- nato, glande majare , C. B. Pin. 420. the Bitter Oak. And, 3. The Robur tertia Clufi , J. B. 1. 2. 76. Robur five Galla major altera , Ger. Em. 1348. the Gall Oak. The common Oak grows naturally in many Kingdoms ; the Efculus is found in Greece and Dalmatia, the Cerrus in Italy, and the laft in Smyrna and other Places.] 77. Of the Oil of Acorns. B Efides the Polypody, the Oak pro- duces Acorns, which are its proper Fruit, and People pretend to make and fell the Oil of them ; but as I never could fucceed in the making it, I fhall only obferve, that all the Oil of Acorns that the People of Provence fend us, is nothing but the Ben or Nut Oil, in which the Acorn has been infufed. The great Scarcity of the true Oil, is the Reafon that the World attri- butes fuch great Virtues to it, as they do to the Oil of Talck. There may be a true Oil of A- carns drawn by the Retort, but it will be black, and of an ill Smell. The Oak produces, befide the Acorn, the Mif- fcltce, and Polypody, a Mofs which is what we call Ufnea ; it enters the Compofitions of the Cy- prus Powders ; thofe of Frachipane and Le Mare - ihale , or the Farriers Powder, which we have brought from Montpellier. The true Defcription of makmg thefe Powders is unknown to me, which obliges me to refer the Reader to a De- fcription made by the Sieur Barbe in a little T;ea- tife of his printed at Lyons. 78. Of Galls. ALLS are produc’d by a Kind of Oak that grows plentifully in the Pomet. Levant, efpccially about Aleppo and Tri- poli, which are thofe we call Aleppo and Tripoli Galls : Befides, they are brought from Smyrna. There are alfo fome grown in France , in Pro- vence, and in Gafcoigny, but much inferior to thofe of the Levant, in that they arc ufually reddifti, light, and altogether fmooth ; and thofe of the Levant are prickly, from whence they are denominated the Prickly Galls ; they are alfo more heavy, and are either blackifh, or greenifh, or whitilh. The Variety of thefe Fruit occafions that they are put to different Ufes ; thofe of Aleppo and Tripoli are for dying black, and making Ink ; the White for dying or ftaining Linnen, and the Light French Galls, for dying Silk : All the Sorts are of fome Ufe in Phyfick, efpecially the more aftringent and ftyptick they are ; being good to draw toge- ther and fallen loofe Parts, to dry up Rheums and other Fluxes, efpecially fuch as fall upon the Gums, Almonds of the Throat, and other Parts of the Mouth j ufed in a Decodlion, in Water or Wine, they cure Diarrhoeas, Dyfenteries, and are good againft all Weakneffes of the Bowels : A Fumigation in Claret is good for Women to lit upon, that are troubled with a Flux of Reds or Whites, or falling dowm of the Womb ; as alfo of the Fundament : The Allies quenched in Wine or Vinegar, being apply’d, ftanch Blood ; and the Powder of the crude Galls may be given inwardly from ten Grains to a Scruple, to all the Purpofes aforefaid. There grows upon a Species of Oak in Turky a little reddifti Fruit, of the Bignefs of the Hazel- Nut, call’d by the Turks, Bazgendge, whofe Fi- gure is reprefented by the Impreffion of the Oak. The Levantines, efpecially thofe of Aleppo , take a hundred Drams of Cochineal, which they call Cormeti ; fifty Drams of Bazgendge, and fifty Drams of Tartar ; and after powdering them all, they make a very fine Scarlet. This Fruit is very fcarce in France, for which Reafon it is not ufed there, tho’ fome of it is frequently found among the Galls and thrown away, bccaulc it is not known. Galla, or the Gall-Nut, is an Ex- crefcence which grows upon an Oak in Lemery. the Levant, whofe Origin proceeds from this, that certain Infedts bite the tendereft Part of the Tree ; fo that an Humour flows out into a Shell or Bladder, which fills and hardens as it grows on. There are feveral Sorts of Galls, that differ according to their Size, Shape, or Co- Z lour, jjo General Uijlory our, and by the Surface of them being fmooth or ugged ; they are ufually round, and as big as the common Nut, fome as the Filbert, rough or prickly, white, green, or black ; the beft comes from Aleppo and Tripoli. Chufe the beft fed and wcightieft. There are alfo Galls grow in Gafcoigny , and in Provence , which differ from tliofe of the Levant , being fmooth, light, reddifh, and affording a lefs Tindure. They are aftringent, and enter feve- ral medicinal Compofitions ; as Plaifters, Oint- ments, Injections, Fomentations, (Ac. [The Species of Oak from which we have the greateft Quantity of Galls , is the laft of thofe mention’d at the End of the foregoing Chapter ; the Infed whofe Pundure produces them, is a fmall black Ichneumon Fly, which leaves its Egg within them, which afterwards hatches into a Maggot, and from that, after a Week’s Reft in its Chryfalis State, becomes a Fly, like that whofe Egg produced it. 79. Of Agarick. AGarick is an Excrefcence that is Pomet. found upon the Trunks and large Branches of feveral Trees, but chiefly upon the Larch-Tree, call’d bv the Latins , La- rix , and upon feveral Sorts of Oaks ; the beft is white, light, tender, brittle, and of a bitter Tafte, pungent, and a little ftyptick ; and this is the Agarick the Antients ufed to call the Female : As for that which is term’d the Male, it is ufual- ly heavy, yellowifb, and woody, and ought to be entirely rejected from phyfical Ufcs. The beft Agarick is that from the Levant , it being abun- dantly better than what comes from Savoy or Dau- phiny. We have likewife fome from Holland, that is rafp’d and whiten’d on the Outfide with Chalk, which ought alfo entirely to be reje&ed ; in Ihort, none is fit forUfe but that of the Larch- Tree and what we have from the Levant : The Dyers ufe this to dye Black with. The Agarick of the Oak is generally reddifh and heavy, and of very little Value •, for which Reafon I fhall fay nothing more about it. Agarick was a Medicine fo familiar to the An- tients, that they made ufe of it not only for pur- ging Flegm, but likewife in all Diftempers pro- ceeding from grofs Humours and Obftrudions ; fuch as the Epilepfy, Vertigo, or Giddinefs of the Head, Madnefs, Melancholy, Afthma, and Diftempers incident to the Stomach, and the reft of that Kind ; yet they complain’d that it weak- en’d the Bowels, and purg’d too churlifhly ; upon which Account Galen fteep’d the Powder of it with Ginger, and gave it, to a Dram, in Oxy- rf DRUGS. mel, or Honey of Squills. It is preferib’d in Powder, tho’ rarely, from a Dram to two ; but in Decodion, or Infufion, from two Drams to half an Ounce. By a chymical Diffolution it paffeth almoft all away into Oil : It yields no volatile Salt, but abounds with a Sort of fcaly Earth, and an acid Flegm ; the Infufion of Agarick makes the blue Paper of a purple Colour. It ought to be cor- reded with Cloves, Cinnamon, Mace, Mint, Wormwood, and others of this Kind. Its Slow- nefs in working may be help’d or promoted with Scammpny and Calomel ; or it may be wet in fome purging Decodion made of Afarabacca, Se- na, and other Purgatives, and then dry’d again, and form’d into Lozenges, adding Balfam of Pe- ru , or Oil of Cinnamon to corred it. Thefe Lozenges are commonly kept prepar’d in the Shops : But we muft not forget to take notice, that Lufitanus admonifhes us to make ufe of the Troches of Agarick , or Lozenges, while they are frefh, and new made, left their Virtue be weak- en’d by long keeping. Befides the Troches, there is an Extrad and Rofin prepar’d from Agarick : It is likewife ufed in the Confedion of Hamcch , Hiera Picra, the Bleffed Extrad, and Pills of Eu - pkorbium. [ Agarick is the Agaricus five Fungus Lacricis , C. B. Pin. 375. A gar i cum, J. B. 1. 268. It is cover’d with a yellow Bark, and is white with- in ; it taftes fweet at firft, but bitter after a Mo- ment’s holding in the Mouth ; this is The Female, which is ufed in Medicine. The Male is yellow, hard, and woody, and is ufed in Dying.] 80. Of the Ccnfehlion of Hamech. Garick being one of the Ingredients of this Compofition, which we Pomct. have brought from Montpellier , together with Confed of Hyacinth and Alkcrmes, Treacle and Mithridate, I thought it it not improper to mention it in this Place : Tho’ it is almoft out of Pradice in fome Countries, it is a good Medicine if faithfully prepar’d ; however, I mall only give you the Receipt, and leave you to conlult the Method of preparing it in the Difpenfatories of Mr. Char as and others. Take Polypody of the Oak, Raifms ftoned, Damaflc Prunes, of each four Ounces ; Citrine, Chebulick, and Indian Myrobalans, Violet-Seeds, Coloquintida, White Agarick, Sena, of each two Ounces ; Wormwood, Thyme, of each one Ounce ; Red Rofts, Anifeed, and Fennel, of each fix Drams ; Juice of Fumitory depura- ted, a Quart ; Sugar and pure Honey, of each three Book VII. Of F three Pounds ; Caff a and Tamarinds pulp’d, and pure Manna, of each four Ounces ; Rhubarb, White Agarick, Alexandrian Sena, of each fix Ounces ; the five Myrobalans and Epythymum, of each fix Ounces ; Cinnamon and Ginger, of each two Drams : Mix all together according to Art, and make a foft EleCtuary, working it well and preparing it truly, and it will keep a long Time. Tin’s Confedf, thus artfully made, is of a fhining black, and a good Confidence. This, with the other before-mention’d, we reckon the five great Compofitions of the Shops. We fell likewife dry’d Morells and Truffles, and black Sow-bread, which are brought from Provence and Languedoc , with the Bulbs of Tuberofe, Ranunculus’s, and Junquils, which come from Italy, Provence , and fome from Con- fantinople , together with Jews-Ears, which is a fungous Excrefcence found on the Stumps of El- der-Trees, before their Leaves appear, fomething in the Form of an Ear, from w’hence it had its Name, &c. And they bring us from St. Fleur in Auvergne a certain grey Earth, in little Shells, which is what we call Perelle , and the People of that Country tear it from the Rocks : This Earth is lodg’d there by the Winds, which carry the Earth R U I T S. , 7I upon the Rock, and by the Rain and the Sun is calcin’d after being wet. The Ufe of it is to make Orfeille , of which mention was made in the Chapter of Turnfol. We fell, befides, a certain Herb which we call Prejfe , and the Botanifts Equi- fetum, or Horfe-tail, which the Cabinet-makers, and Artificers in Wood, ufe to polifh their Works withal. [The Confection of Hamech is now entirely out of ufe. The Jews-Ears are in great Efteem among the common People, as a Remedy for Sore Throats ; but I have obferv’d that they are never feen in the Shops : What is conftantly fold under that Name, is the Fungus membranaceus expan f us, R.Syn. Ed. tert. Pag. 18. which our Druggifts employ People to gather from the old Water-Pipes about Ijling- ton , and elfewhere. The true Jews-Ear is the Peziza Auriculum referens, R.Syn. 195. Fungus membranaceus Auri- culam referens five Sambucinus , C. B. Pin. 372. of which I have fome fair Specimens, which I found about three Years fince on the Elders near the Neat-Houfes in tire Way to Chelfea , and which are entirely different from what is fold un- der that Name.] The End of the Book of FRUITS. z 2 BOOK General Hiftory of DRUGS*. 172 BOOK the Eighth. Of GUM S. PREFACE. CIV f E difiinguijh Gums into two Sorts ; namely, fuch as are aqueous, and fuch as are ^ \ refinous. IV e underfiand by the aqueous Gums thofe that will dijfolve in Water, Wink, or other the like Liquids ; as Manna, Gum Gutta, or Gamboge ; and by the refinous, thofe that will not dijfolve but in Oil, as Gum Elemy, Tacamahaca, and the like, as you will find by the fubfequenl JDifcourfe. There are fome who will add to tbefe two Sorts a third , which they call the Irregular, and which they pretend will not readily dijfolve either in Water or Oil, as Myrrh and Benjamin. If Seeds, Roots, Woods, Barks, Flowers, Leaves, and Fruits, are fo difficult to diftinguifh one from the other , Gums are not the lefs fo and as the Knowledge of them is difficult, there are Subftitutes of one Kind or other fold at Times , either thro * Deceit or Ignorance, for almofi every Gum in Ufe. 1. Of the Manna with which God fed the Ifraelites in the Defart. W HEN the Ifraelites had pafs’d the Red Sea in a miraculous Manner, and were deliver’d from their Enemies, the Fa- mine purfued them into the Defart, and they murmur’d againft Mofes : But that faithful Mi- nifter of God made his Supplication to Heaven, and God delay’d not to give them Food ; for there fell a great Quantity of Quails in their Camp, and the next Morning it rained Manna upon the Earth, which was continued for forty Years, during the Time the Hebrrws remain’d in the Defart. The People were prefently fur- prized when they beheld the Earth all cover’d with a Kind of Grain they were Strangers to : And the Scripture informs us, that not knowing what it was, they cried out with Admiration, Man hu ! Shed efi hoc ! What is this ! But Mofes told them it was the Bread of God that was fent from Heaven, and appointed them to come every Morning before Sun-rife, to gather this divine Food ; becaufe when the Day was ad- vanc’d, it was no Time to gather the Mama, which melted away after the Riling of the Sun. The Jewifh, as well as the Chrildian Interpre- ters, do not agree about a great many Things re- lating to this Manna : They are divided about the Etymology of the Word Manna ; fome will have it that it comes from the Hebrew, Man hu, which the Jews pronounc’d when they faw the Earth cover’d with little white Grain or Seeds, which fell during the Night ; neverthelefs feveral others, of which Number Buxtorf is one, fay, that the Word Manna fignifies Food prepar’d, as if he fhould fay, the Food which God had prepar’d for his People. Neither arc they at all better agreed about the Nature of this Manna ; feveral main- tain that it was the fame with the purging Manna now ufed in Phyfick ; that is to fa)', a Liquor which falls in the Nature of Dew, and which is congeal’d into little Grains, like thofe of Corian- der. Valefius, Phyfician to the Emperor Charles the Fifth, is of th : s Opinion. Cornelius a Lapi- de, a very learned Jefuit, fays, in his Commen- tary upon Exodus , that he had feen in Poland little Seeds like Millet, fomething long and red- difh, which fell, during the ferene Nights, in June and July , and that they were eaten when boil’d, 4 1 * " B Liqu Manna Jfanna cj^ 73 nan U^uvIl 8 . Plate, 0 Book VIII. Of G boiled, having the Tame Tafte as the Panick. And I have been confirm’d in this by a Friend of mine , who was a long Time in Poland , ef- pjcully on the Side of Silefta, where this Dew falls plentifully. And I have alfo feen on the Heights of Dauphiny , at the Foot of the Moun- tain of Geneva, about Four o’Clock in the Morn- ing, a large Quantity of this Manna, which I have taken at firft Sight for Hail, but after having tailed it, I found, by its fweet fugary Tafte, that it was a Dew like that fpoke of in the Holy Scrip- tures ; for as foon as the Sun was up, it dif- folv’d. Thofe who hold that the Alanna with which God fed the Joivs in the Defert, was not the fame with that ufed in Phyfick, fay, that that which purges muft weaken and cannot nouriih ; but Vojjius anfwers this Difficulty, and fays, that this Alanna differ’d not at all in its Nature, but as to Accidents, from that ufed in Phyfick ; and this Difference* arofe from the Preparation which the Angels made in fweetning and cleanfing this Dew from its Aqueous Parts that the common Alanna is loaded with, in order to make it fit for Bread, &c. as that which falls in Poland in the Months of June and July is. Befide which, the conftant Ufe of a Medicine will hinder it from having its common Effect. We fee Men daily who make their Food out of ftrong Poifons by a continued Cuftom and Habit ; and Wine fhall be highly fer- viceable to Perfons when fick, who do not drink it at other Times ; (hall be hurtful to Perfons in Illnefs who make a conftant Ufe of it when well. Valefius does not doubt in the lead but that the Alanna in the Defert did at firft purge the Hebreivs , who were replete with grofs Humours, which they colledled by the Ufe of Garlick, Leeks and Onions, of which they fed during their Abode in Egypt ; and that after they had been duly purged, the Alanna became nutritive, efpecially after having been prepar’d or purified by the Angels ; for it is exprefty faid in Pfaltn lxxviii. ver. 23, 24, and 25. God commanded the Clouds above, and opened the Doors of Heaven ; he rained down Alanna alfo upon them for to eat , and gave them Food from Heaven • So Man did eat Angels Food. And this Explication appears very agreeable to the Hebrew Word Alanna, which fignifics Nourilhment, or Food prepar’d ; as may be inferr’d from the 31ft Verfe of the nth Chap- ter cf Exodus, where it is fin'd, And the Tafe of Manna was like JVafcrs made with Honey. U M S. Pcrr.et. 2. Of Manna. T H A T which we call and fell now by the Name of Alanna, is a white cryftaJiine Liquor that flows with- out Incifion , and with Incifion from both the wild and domeftick Allies, which the Italians cal] Fraxini and Orni, that grow plentifully in Cala- bria and Sicily, but chiefly at Galliopoli, about Alount Saint Angelo , and Tolfe, from whence al- moft all the Manna we now fell is brought. We fell feveral Kinds by the Name of Cala- brian Alanna. The firft and beft Sort is the- Manna of Mount St. Angelo , but that is fatter than the other Kinds, and therefore very little de- manded by People who do not underftand it : The fecond is the Sicilian Manna , which is ufually white, dry, and teary. The third Sort of Manna is that of Tolfe ; this is the worft of the three, and is that which is improperly call’d Brian fan Manna, which is another Kind, as will be feen hereafter ; this is dry, white, and very apt to be full of Dirt. The Arabians look’d upon Manna to be a Sort of airy Honey, or a Dew that falls from the Heavens : And this was a 09m mon receiv’d Opi- nion for' many Ages ; but Angelas Sale, and Bar- tholomaus ab Urbe veteri , two Francifcan Friars, who, in 1 545, publilh’d Commentaries upon Alefue, were the firft that I know of, that in their Writings affirm’d Manna to be truly the con- creted Juice of the Afh-Tree, as well the com- mon as of the wild, generally call’d fuickbeam. Donatus Antonius ab alto mart, a Phyfician and Philofopher of Naples , who flourifh’d about the Year 1685, has alfo confirm’d this Opinion by fe- veral Obfervations. For firft, having cover’d Afti-Trecs for feveral Days and Nights together all over clofe with Sheets, fo that no Dew cou’d poffibly come at them; yet he has found Manna upon thefe Trees fo cover’d, under the Sheets, when at the fame Time net the lead Sign or Imprcffion of any Dew or Honev was to be feen upon the upper Part of the Sheets, idly. All thofe who make it their Bufinefs to gather Manna, freely own and confefs that it drops out again of the fame Places of the Trees, from whence it was before taken, and by Degrees coagulates with the Pleat of the Sun, 3 dly. In the Trunks of the Afh-Trees, little Bladders, or as it were Blifters, are often ob- ferv’d, or rife near the Bark, which are fill’d with a Liquor of a white Colour, and fweet Tafte, which afterwards thickening, is turn’d into a very good Sort of Alanna. \thly , The very fame Liquor flows out of the Bark of the AJh when it is wounded : And it is very obfervable, that Gralhoppers and other fmall In feels very often hoie through the Bark of this Tree, that they may fuck this fweet Tear ; and when they have left it, the Alanna fweats out of the fmall Wounds that they have made. 5.^/y, Wild Alaev 174 General Hijlory of D R U G S. Afhes being cut down by Coopers to make Hoops for Wine VefTels, it often happens that no fmall Quantity of Manna flows out of their Stocks or Boughs, being cloven or fplit lengthways, and expofed to the Heat of the Sun. 6 thly, Such as are employed in the making of Charcoal, confi- dently allure us, that they have often obferv’d Manna fweat out of the Afh-Wood, after it has been kindled and thrown in the Fire. The fame Author further takes Notice, that tbe fame Trees yield Mama every Year, but not all of them indifferently ; upon which Account there are a great many that make it their Bufi- nefs, for the Sake of Gain, to bring up thefe Trees: Yet there are in thefe Places Trees of the fame Kind, that afford no Manna. More- over the fame Author tells us, that the Manna runs chiefly out of that Part where the Foot- ftalks of the Leaves are inferted into theBranches } for in thefe Parts the Veffels being thinner and finer, are the more eafdy divided ; wherefore he does with very good Reafon obferve, that Manna never drops out of the Leaves of this Tree, un- lefs it is at Noon, or about the hotteft Time of the Day ; becaufe there is a large Degree of Heat requir’d for the fetching of this Juice out of its pro- per Veffels, and conveying or tranflating it unto the diftant Leaves. In the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily , Manna naturally flows and drops out of the Leaves of the aforefaid Trees in the Form of a clear Liquor, and afterwards thickens and be- comes a little hard ; but efpecially in the Month of yune , when the Weather is very hot and dry ; next Day, with a Knife, they fcrape and pick it off the Leaves, left it fhou’d be diffolv’d and wafh’d away by the falling of Rains, or the Moiftnefs and Dampnefs of Air ; then they carefully put it up in Veffels, well glazed ; and after that they expofe it to the Heat of the Sun, ’till it will not flick nor cleave any more to the Fingers ; other- wife it wou’d melt and lofe its Whitenefs. Manna flows fpontaneoufly from the Middle of y-une to the End of yuly, unlefs Rains happen to fall ; after the Month of ‘July, the Country People or Peafants make an Incifion into the Bark of the Afh-Tree, even to the Wood, from whence the Liquor of Manna continues to flow and drop, from Noon-Time to Six o’Clock in the Evening inceffantly, which afterwards runs together into thick Lumps or Clots, but of a darkifh Colour. This fpontaneous Manna , by the Italians is call’d Manna Di fronda , upon Account that it drops from the Leaves of the Afh-Tree, like Sweat in the Dog Days or Heat of Summer. But that Sort of concreted Mama , that proceeds from the Bark of thofe Trees being wounded, is call’d by the Italians Sporfatella and Stoifata , or Manna Dicorpa. This Opinion of Altomarus has been defended by Gropius , Labellius Ccefalpinus , Cof- tcsus, Cornelius Confentinus y Boccone , and others ; who have given more Credit to their Eyes than to Authority. Manna is approv’d of when it is fat and a little clear, of a fweet T afte like Sugar, and biting to the Tongue. Chufe that which is frefh and light, from a white Colour inclining to be a little brown, and when the Clots or Lumps being broken, look as if they were fprinkled with Syrup. That is to be rejedled which is dry, and as it were fpungy, without any Manner of biting Tafte ; and that is good for nothing that is naufeous, im- pure and adulterated. The Calabrian Manna is moft efteem’d ; but befides that, there is a Sort of it fold in the Shops, call’d the Larch , or Briangon Mama , becaufe it flows from Larch Trees growing nigh Briangon in Dauphiny^ of this we fhall fpeak in the nextChapter, but it is but little ufed, becaufe it is much inferior to the Neapolitan Manna. Calabrian Mama purges moderately in the Dofe, from one Ounce to two or three ; it allays the Acrimony of Hu- mours, and is very ufeful in bilious Diftempers, and others attended with Inflammations, fuch as Haemorrhoides, Pleurify, and Peripneumony. It is feldom preferib’d dry, or by itfelf, but very often in Potions, isfe. As for Example: Take an Ounce or two of this Manna and difTolve it in five or fix Ounces of warm Water, Broth, Whey, or the like ; to which add an Ounce of Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb, or Rofes purgative, or Violets, for a Dofe. When Patients are afflic- ted with vomiting, or a Difpofition to it, take of Calabrian Manna two or three Ounces, Tar- tar Emetick eight or ten Grains, diffolve them in a Quart of Whey, and let the Patient drink this by Cupfulls, now and then taking a little warm Broth betwixt. Monficur Char as and others Iikewife agree, that the true Manna is not found upon all Plants, Trees, Rocks, and Earths promifeuoufly, as fome believe, but only upon the ordinary Frax- inus , or Afh-Tree, and upon the Ornus , or wild Afh. That it is gather’d from the Afh or wild Afh is evident ; for that upon Come large Tears, the very Print of the Leaf upon which they grow is to be feen, and oftentimes Afh-Tree Leaves arc found mix’d with it. That which comes from the Body of the Afh, and iflues voluntarily and freely, as alfo from the biggeft Branches of the Tree, is the pureft and faireft, and comes forth in a chryllalline Liquor, beginning to diftil in yune , forming itfelf into Tears bigger or leffer, as the Part of the Tree is more or lefs full of it ; this is gather’d the next Book Vllt. Of Day after it is diftill’d forth, for in that Space of Time it hardens by little and little, and becomes white ; this, if it fhou’d meet with Rain and Wet, will melt and come to nothing. They take the Bark from it with a thin pointed Knife, putting it into glazed Earthen Pots or Pans, then fpreading it upon white Paper, they expofe it to the Sun, ’till it ceafes to ftick to the Fingers, left: it fhou’d difTolve by Addition of any fuperfluous Moifture, and lofe its Whitenefs : This gather- ing continues about fix Weeks. The next Kind of Manna is that which is forced, which is drawn forth when the former Manna ceafes to flow voluntarily : They wound the Batk of the Trunk to the Wood itfelf, with fharp Inftru- raents, and fo from Noon ’till Evening you will fee the Mama flow from thofe Wounds, which is fometimes clotted together at the Bottom of the Tree, like little Sticks of Wax. This they gather the next Day after die wounding, and it is yellower than the former, and therefore not fo much efteem’d, being apt to grow brown if kept any Time, yet nothing lefs purgative. Thirdly, There is a Mama of the Leaf ; this flows voluntarily from the Leaf or Leaves of the Afh, like little Drops of Water, and appears in the Nature of a Sweat upon the nervous Part of the Leaf, during the Heat of the Day, and ex- tends itfelf all over the Leaf ; but the Drops are bigger at the Stalk, dian at the End or Point of the Leaf, and harden and become white in the Sun as the former, being fomething larger than Grains of Wheat. In Augujl the great Leaves of the Alh will be fo loaden with thefe Drops, as if they were cover’d with Snow : This Is as pur- gative as any of the reft. Manna is an excellent Purge for Children, and others that are of weak Conftitutions, and abound with fharp fait Humours ; it is temperate, inclin- ing to Heat, mollifies or foftens the Throat and Windpipe, ' opens Obftruciions of the Brcaft, Lungs, and other Bowels, purges v/atry Humours, and keeps the Belly foluble ; being an excellent Thing for fuch as are apt to be coftive. Hoffman fays, it ought not to be given crude, but boil’d, not being lefs flatulent than Caflia, and therefore fhou’d not be adminifter’d without Corre&ives. There is a Spirit of Manna , made by Diftilla- tion in a Retort. M. C haras’s Spirit of Manna is prepar’d thus : Put Manna into a Retort, filling it two Parts in three full, diftil in Sand ; firft, with a gentle f ire, then increafing by Degrees ; diftil to Drynefs, coh.,bate the Liquor, and re- peat the Diftillation, fo will you have a fpirituous Water, containing all the beft of the Manna , which is not only an excellent Sudorifick, but a wonderful Specifick againft all Sorts of Agues or SUMS. 1 75 intermitting Fevers, giving it at the Beginning of the Fit ; Dofe two Drams or more in Carduus Water. Schroder's Spirit of Manna is thus made: DifTolve Manna in May jDw, and cohobate ’till it fublimes to the Head of the Alembick, like Snow ; fo the Mercury of tire Manna being brought to the fluid Nature of a Spirit, becomes a Solutive for Minerals : But this I dare not affirm for a Truth, never having feen it tried. 3. Of Briancon Manna. Hr H E Manna of Briangon is a white dry " Manna ; but as it is of no Ufe, and little of it is fold, I fhall therefore not dwell long upon this SubjedL This Manna flows from the large Branches of the Larix or Larch-Tree , for which Reafon it is call’d Manna Lariceca , and it is met with plentifully in the Hills of Dauphiny , efpe- cially about Brian f on, from whence it takes its Name. Befides the Brianfon Manna, there are other Sorts ; the fcarceft and moft valuable of which is the Majlich Manna, from the Levant , or that of Syria : This is a Manna, which in Colour comes near that of Calabria, and is in Grains like Majlich, whence it was fo call’d ; this flows from the Cacdars of Lebanon. This Manna is very fcarce in France ; though I have about three Ounces, which was affirm’d to me to be true, which is of the Colour and Figure already deferibed, of a bitter and unplea- fant Tafte, which is very different from Fuchjius’s Account, who fays, the Peafants of Mount Le- banon eat it. This Variety of Taftes probably proceeds from its Age, or the Change of the Cli- mate : The People of Mexico have a Kind of Manna which they eat as we do Bread ; and there is a Kind of Manna which the Africans have in conftant Ufe inftead of Sugar or Honey. There is alfo a Perfian Kind in large Lumps ; but as none of them ever come to us, it wou’d be but unnecefiary to write any Thing more about them. 4. Of Liquid Manna. 'T' H E Liquid Manna, or Tereniabin, is a white Manna that is glewy like white Honey; it is met with upon certain Plants, gar- nifh’d with Leaves of a whitifh green, and befet with reddifh Thorns ; the Flowers are alfo red- difh, and are followed by Pods like thofe of the Colutea, or Bladder Sena : It grows plentifully in Pcrfta , and about Aleppo and Grand Cairo, whi- ther it is brought in Pots, and fold to the Inha- bitants, who ufe it as wc do Calabrian Manna. This ij6 General Hi dory of D R U G S. This Liquor is very rare in France . In the "Year 1683, a Friend of mine, who had been in Furky, made me a Prefent of about four Ounces, which I keep to this Day ; and which was, when given me, according to the Defcription I have made of it ; but as Time deftroys all Things, the Colour is chang’d to a grey, and it is become a Syrup of a good Confiftence, and of a reddifh brown ; and that which is mod remarkable is, that the Tafte is fweet, Sugar-like, and pleafant, and that it is not turn’d fharp. There is met with, beiides, in the A/ia major , upon feveral Trees like the Oak, a Liquid Manna , efpecially near Ormus , whence it is brought into the Towns in Goat-Skins, where they make fo confiderable a Trade of it as to tranf- port it to Goa : This Manna is of the fame Figure and Colour with the former, but it will not keep fo long. Manna is a white or yellowifh con- Lemery. crete Juice, which inclines much to the Nature of Sugar or Honey, melting or diflolving eafily in Water, of a fweet Honey-tafte, and a faint weak Smell ; it flows either with In- cifion or without, in the Nature of a Gum, from the large Branches and Leaves of the Afh-Tree, both wild and cultivated. The fineft and mod pure Manna flows without Incifion in June and July , when the Sun is the hotteft ; it drops in cryftalline or fine tranfparent Tears, almoftlike Gum Maflich, fome larger and fomelefs, according to the Nature of the Soil, and the Trees that it grows upon. In a Day’s Time it hardens by the Heat, and grows white, unlefs it happens to rain that Day, for then it is all fpoil’d ; they take it from the Place when it is condenfed, and dry it in the Sun again, to ren- der it whiter and fitter for Carriage. The fecond Sort of Manna is taken from the fame Trees in Augujl and September. When the Heat of the Sun begins to decreafe, then they make Incifions into the Bark of the Afh-Trees, and there flows a Juice which condenfes into Manna , as the firft Sort ; there runs a greater Quantity than the firft, but it is yellower and lefs pure ; they remove it from the Tree and dry it in the Sun. In rainy or dripping Years they make very little Manna from the Trees; becaufe it liquifies and fpoils by the Wet, which is the Rea- fon that fome Years the Manna is dearer than others. When Manna is kept it lofes much of its Beau- ty, and does not lofe a little of its Virtue. Seve- ral People believe that the older it is the more purgative it grows, which I cannot at all under- ftand, and therefore advife you not to ufe the red or brown decay’d and foft Manna , which fometimes you meet with at the Druggifts, but take the pureft you can meet with. It is a gentle Purger, and proper for the Head, from an Qunce to two Ounces. The Word Manna comes from the Hebrew Word Man , which fignifies a Kind of Bread, or fomething to eat ; for it has been receiv’d among the Antients, that the Manna was a Dew of the Air, condenfed upon certain Cala- brian Plants, refembling that which God rained down upon the Ifraelites in the Defart for Food. [Manna is the condenfated Juice of the Fraxi- nus rotundiore folio. C. B. Pin. 416. Fraxinus Alepcnf.s. Herm. Cat. Lugd. Bat. 261. It grows plentifully in Calabria and Italy. Befide what has been already mention’d to prove that Manna is not a Dew, as had been be- liev’d for many Ages, the greateft Proof of all that is not fo, is, that all Dews melt in the Sun, whereas Manna is very well known to dry and har- den by its Heat. The Arabians were the firft who difeover’d this Medicine ; it was unknown to the antient Greeks and Romans .] 5. Of Gamboge, or Gum Gutta. U M Gutta, or Gutta Gamba , Gam- boge ^ Gamandra , or the Peruvian Pomet. Gum , is a Gum that flows from theTrunk of a creeping Plant, that is of a particular Nature ; it has neither Leaves, nor Flower nor Fruit ; and produces nothing but a Quantity of prickly or thorny Branches, which arife one among another, according to the Figure reprefented in the Plate : Or elfe, according to an Account I have receiv’d fince the firft Publication of this Work, from a Cbinefe Tree, call’d by the Indians , Codelampulli , or Cantopuli, which bears reddifh Apples, of a naufeous four Tafte, and without Smell. The Gum is gather’d from the wounded Bark of the Tree, and the Indians afterwards diflolve it, and form it into Cakes, as we receive it. The People of Siam, and the adjacent Coun- tries, cut the thick Trunk of the Plant, from whence proceeds an infpifiate milky Juice, of a moderate Confiftence, which after it is left fome Time in the Air , thickens and grows yel- low, and then the People roll it up like Pafte, and afterwards make it into Cakes, as we have it brought to us. The Peafants about Odia , or On- dia , the Capital of Siam, bring it to Market to fell. It is moft commonly brought into Europe from Peru and China, and other Places of the Eajl ; being of a pure fine Body like Aloes, but of the Colour of the fineft Turmerick, being a goed yellow, inclining to an Orange-Colour, without Rubbilh. t *, *. of Gunu . Plate Fy-’jj • L/urrbArab ccA CJiun Seruey -'Qatrk 8 . 14 B cry aem ttv . Book VIII. Of G U M S. 181 wardlv to a Spoonful, and outwardly it powerfully refblves, difcufles, and not only prevents, but a’fo cures a Gangrene. An Oil is prepar’d from it befides that mention’d, by dilTolving it in the highly rectify’d Spirit of Turpentine, which is an effic cious Medicine againft Rheumatifm, Sciatica, cr Hip-Gout : It is ufed in the white Troches of Rbafes, the O ntment of Cerufle, in the red de- ficcati-. e Ointment, in the Cerate of Sanders, the St prick Plaifter of Paracelfus , See'. Camphor a feu Capbura , or Camphire , Lemery. is a Kind of white light Rofin, that is very' volatile, combuftible, cf a ftrong penetrating Smell, that flows from the Trunk and larje Branches of a Tree refembling the Cherry Tree, that grows in the Ifle of Borneo, and in China : This Camphire is found at the Root of the T ree, where it is form’d into Pieces or Lumps of different Sizes, which is call’d rough or unrefin’d Camphire ; this is refin’d by fub- liming it over a gentle Fire, as hath been already hinted. There are fome who affirm the Camphire to be a Gum that diftils Drop bv Drop, from a great Tree much like a Walnut-Tree in China , and in the Iflands of 'Japan, Java, Borneo ; from which laft Place, the beft is faid to come, and other Parts of the Eaf -Indies, from whence it is brought to us in Duppers, and Cakes unrefin’d ; which when purified, is of a white Cryftalline Colour and a ftrong odoriferous Smell, volatile in Quality, and ready to diflolve in oily and fpiritu- ous Bodies : Being fet on Fire, it is almoft un- extinguifhable, burning not only in the Air, but Water, and therefore is a proper Ingredient for all Sorts of Wild-Fire. That which is brought out of China, is in little Cakes, but is not accounted fo good as the Bor- nean. It is fo very fubtil and volatile, that it is difficult to keep it from lofing itfelf even in Quan- tity and Subftance, unlefs it be clofe flopp’d up in Glafs Bottles : This is an excellent Remedy fur Hyflerick Fits and Vapours, being fmell’d to, ufed Ciyfterwife and given inwardly from three Grains to fix in any convenient Vehicle ; it is alfo good in continual and intermitting Fevers, whe- ther Putrid, Malignant or PeftiLntial, being gi- ven inwardly, or hung about the Neck ; becaufe being of fuch fubtil Parts, it infenfibly enters into the Pores, and caufes a Rarefadlion and Per- fpi ration. There are feveral Preparations cf Camphire , but not one of them exceeds the pure Subfiance itfelf, or a bare Difiolution of it, becaufe of the Purity and Fmenefs of its own Body : As the 0 : 1 , Ample and compound, the eflential Spirit, the Camphire terebinthinated, Troches, and the like, which rather debafe than exalt this noble Medicine to a higher Pitch of Ex cellency : It is certain this abates Lull, refills Inflammations, and prevents Gangrene ; the two fir ft cf which are apparent from the great Power this has to overcome the Force of the Cantharides inwardly taken, and to render them fo far from being dan- gerous, that they become the mod efficacious Remedy in Practice. [The Camphire we fee in Europe, comes either from Japan , or from Sumatra and Borneo ; the Tree which produces the Japan Camphire, is the Laurus Camphorif era . Kaeinp. Am. Ex. 770. Arbor Camphorif era Japonica foliis laurinis, frudtu parvo globe fo calyce brevijfmo. Breyn. Prod. 16. That which produces the Sumatra and Borneo Camphire , is the Arbor Camphorifera Sumatrana Grirnmii. Rai. Hift. 2. 1679. Camphorifera Summatrana foliis Caryophylli AroTnatici longius mucronatis, fruftu majore, oblongo, Calyce Am- pliffimo , Tulipes figuram quod ammodo reprafentante. Breyn. Prod. 2. 16. The Borneo Camphire is much more valuable than that of Japan or Sumatra, but as thofe are cheaper, we have very little of the Borneo Kind brought into Europe. There is a more precious Camphire than either of thefe, which comes from the Roots of the Cinnamon Trees in tire IfLnd of Ceylon ; but this we never fee. The Camphir is got by diftilling the Roots of thefe Trees with Water, in an Alembick with a Head made of twilled and platted Straw ; all the Humidity evaporates thro’ the Head, and the Catnphir flicks to it. It is in this State of a greyirh Colour, but after refining by Sublimation in a Sand Heat, it becomes white and tranfparent. Taken inwardly, it is cordial, fudorifick, and anodyne, and ufed externally a powerful Difcutient. The Antients believ’d it an Enemy to Generation, but that was wholly a Miftake.J 14. Of Benjamin. HIS is a Gum that flows from the Trunk and large Branches of a Pomet. great Tree, by Incilion, which grows plent : fully in Cochinchina , chiefly in the Forefts of the Kingdom of Lao and Siam ; from whence the Attendants of the Embafladors of Siam brought a great Quantity to Paris , where it was fold at a good Ptice. We have two Sorts of Benjamin , that in Tears and that in the Lump: Chufe that in Tears, of a golden Yellow without, and White within, with reddifh and whitilh clear Veins ; brittle, without Tafte, but of a fweet, agreeable, aromatick Smell. This- i $2 General Hi fiery This Defcription of Benjamin will not fail to furprize thofe who have never feen Benjamin as it comes from the Tree, and flicks to the Bark, having feen no other at Paris , but a Quantity of other Kinds of Benjamin ; the firft of which is that we call the Benjamin in the Tear, though it is in a grofs Mafs, which is ufually clear and tranfparent, of a reddifh Colour, mix’d with white Spots, as Almonds that are beat ; whence it is called the Amygdaloides , or Almond Benja- min ; this is the beft Sort, and is faid to come from Sidon , and Samaria ; but that which is brought to us comes from the Eajl-Indies , from Sumatra, and Siam, Malabar, Surat, and Java. The fecond is the greyifh, call’d Benjamin in Sorts, which if good, ought to be clean, of a good Smell, full of white Bits or Spots, as refi- nous and little loaded with Filth as may be ; but have nothing to do with the Black, which is earthy, and lull of Drofs ; and beware of the Artifice of having them all mix’d together, that they may fell the better. This Gum was not for- merly ufed inwardly, either by the Indians or Eu- ropeans ; but fince Chymical Phjfick has been in Vogue, the following Preparations are made from it, a Tincture, Magiftery, Flowers, Cryflals, and Oil. The Flowers, according to Lcmery, are made by putting the Benjamin into an earthen Pot, covering it with a Cone of Paper, and tying it round about under the Border ; then fetting it into hot Allies or Sand ; and, when the Benjamin is heated, the Flowers will afeend. Shift the Cone, and fweep off the Flowers every Hour or two, and keep them in a Bottle clofe flopp’d. Note, That Benjamin being very full of volatile Particles, eafily fublimes over the fmalleft Fire, and the Flowers afeend in little Needles, very white ; but if you give never fo little Fire more than you fhould do, they carry along v/ith them fome of the Oil, which will make them yellow and impure ; you muft therefore perform the Ope- ration gently to have the Flowers fair, which will have a very pleaLnt Flavour and Acidity. Thefe Flowers are, without doubt, the moll effential Part of the Benjamin, whofe principal Virtues are as well to fubtilize bad Humours and expel them through the Pores of the Skin, as to loofen and expel the thick and vifeous by the ordinary Ways, chiefly thofe of the Breail and Lungs : Dofe from three Grains to ten in any proper Liquor. They are profitable in vehement Catarrhs, Coughs, Colds, Aftbmas, and Obftruc- tions of the Lungs ; procure Sweat excellently in venereal Cafes, given in a Decoction of Guajacum, and fortify a weak Stomach. From thefe Flowers a Tinclure is likewife extracted with Spirit of Wine tartarized, whol'e fulohureous Parts have a f DRUGS. good Agreement with the volatile Salt of the Benjamin ; fo that this Spirit not only extracts a Tin< 5 iure from the Flowers, but from the buttery Subfiance of the Gum, much more pure and fubtil, and which will work in lefs Quantity than the Tindlure drawn out of the crude or grefs Benjamin. Benzoinum offic inarum, Ben Judtsum , or Afa dulcis, the Benjamin of the Lemcrj. Shops, is a refinous Subftance, running together in large Lumps or Clots, being bright, fhining, of a brown Colour, brittle, and eafily crumbled into Bits, adorn’d with feveral white Flakes or Specks, like the inner Subftance of Al- monds, inflammable and odoriferous. Benjamin is mofl efleem’d when it is very clear, and almoft* tranfparent, of a light brown Colour, inclining to red, and plentifully furnifh’d with white Flakes ; that which is black is not fo much valued : This is brought from the EaJl-lndics, but more particularly from Sumatra and the King- dom of Siam. The Benjamin Tree is large, tall, and beautiful, as Garcius ab Horta relates, heal- ing Leaves like the Citron, or Lemon Tree, but fmaller, and not fhining fo much, being whitifh upon their underSide. A Tree bearing the Leaves of the Citron or Lemon Tree, and dropping Benjamin, which feems to anfwer the Defcription of Garcius, was not many Years ago fent out of Virginia , by Mr. Banifter , to the Right Reverend Henry Lord Bi- fhop of London , which grows now in the Royal Garden at Paris, being the Gift of the aforefaid Bifhop. It flowers in the Beginning of the Spring, but has not produced any Fruit as yet. Benjamin promotes E.\pe£loration, and is of great Force and prevalency in the Afthma, or Stoppage of the Lungs, and a lingering phthiftcal Cough ; but chiefly the blowers of it, which being Irefh and new made, may be given from fix Grains to twelve : They are likewife endued with a Virtue to provoke Urine and Perfpiration, and the fol- lowing is admirable in a Pleurify. Take Carduus , and red Poppy W ater, of each three Ounces ; Flowers of Benjamin , ten Grains ; of the Oil of Cinnamon, two Drops ; Syrup of red Poppies, one Ounce ; make a Potion to be repeated ac- co ding to the Nature of the Difeafe, twice or thrice in twenty-four Hours. [The Tree which produces the Benjamin is the Arbor Virginiana Pijaminis folio laccata Benzoi- num redolcns, Pluk. Aim. 42. Arbor Benzoini- fera , Breyn. Prodr. 2. 16. Arbor Benzoini Griri- tni, Ephem. Germ. A. 11. 376. F. 31. It grows both in the Eajl and IVeJl Indies. We have the Benjamin from the Philippine Iflands, frem Siam and Sumatra. We *83 Book VIII. Of GUMS. We have three Kinds of Benjamin in the Shops ; the Arr.ygdalctd.es, which is reddilh, with white Specks ; the Grey, and the Black : The firft we have from Siam, the fi.cond from 'java and Su- matra , and thelaft from Sumatra only. There is befide this Difference in that from the fame Tree ; that Part of it is white and yellow, and perfectly fine, and Part brownifh, dark and dirty. Benjamin was unknown to the antient Greeks and Arabians ; and there were many Difputes among the later Writers about the Tree that pro- duced it, before the Truth was known.] 15. Of Red S to rax. r T"' H E Red Stcrax , or Frankincenfe , Psmet. of the Jews, which is very com- mon among us, is a Rofin, iffuing from the Trunk and thick Branches of a Tree that is of-no great Height, but whofe Leaves refemble thofe of the Quir.ce Tree, only that they are fmaller, and the Fruit is of the Bignefs of a Fil- bert, in which is contain’d a white Kernel that is oily, and of a Smell entirely like the Storax ; and as the Storax is fometimes found in Pieces in the Shells of this Fruit where it has accidentally got in, it gives Occafion to Several to believe that the Storax runs from thefe Nuts. Thus Gum is brought us by the Way of Alar- feilles, from Several Parts of Syria and the Levant, where thofe Trees grow plentifully. Chufe that which is in Lumps or Clots, of a red Colour, with fome Small whitifh Lumps interfperfed, Sweet, and of a fragrant Smell ; but reject that which is dry, black, branny, or foul, and Smells like the Li- quid Storax ; as alfo refufe the Storax in the Cake or Roll, which is a Compofition of Liquid Storax , and abundance of other Drugs cf little Worth ; as a;fo that which is in Daft, being little elfe but the Saw- Duff of the Wood. C. Bauhinus fays, the Tree which produces it is about the Bignefs of the Olive T ree, and grows in the Woods of Pro- vence in France, between St. Magdalen and Ten- la: : In its Trunk, Bark and Leaves, it refembLs the Quince Tree. The Flowers grow upon Small Twigs, being not much unlike the Flowers of the Orange Tree ; but Single leav’d, having their lower Part fiftulous, and their upper Part ftarr’d like a hollow Cup, and Bell-falhion’d, containing a round globous Pcintal, that paffes away into a Fruit of the Bignefs and Shape of a Filbert Nut, bc.ng thick and pulpy ; at firft cf a fweetifh Tafte, but afterwards turning bitterifh, in which is con- tain’d a Stone tint is very hard, including a white Kernel. 1 6. Of Calamite Storax. T HE Calamite Storax, or that in Tear or Grains, which we have from Marfeilles or Holland, is a reddilh Mafs, full of white Grains or Bits, and fometimes thev are feparate, that is to fay, it is all in Tears, white within and reddilh without, of a middling Conhfter.ee, and of a fvveet fragrant Smell, almoft like Balfam of Peru. Chufe fuch as is in feparate Tears 01 fmall Pieces, and the dried and leaft flicking to the Fingers that may be. Stcrax Calamita is of a refinous S ibftance, fat, clammy, foft: in handling, of a fragrant Smell, and a reddilh Colour : The beft is that which is in Grains, and with fome white Fragments in it, or yellowifh, with a very fweet Scent, and that yields like Honey when feften’d. That is worfe which is mix’d with Bran, but that which is mix’d with Saw-duft, or is black and mouldy, or with- out Scent, is worft of all, and naught. Mat- thiolus fays, it is a concreted Rofin from a Tree, dry and fweet, and is called Storax Calamita, from the Calami , or Canes, in which it was ufed to be brought from Pamphylia. Mr. Charas fays, he believes that the Storax which is brought to us, and which they pretend to bring out of the Eajl , is not the true Storax , but a Compofition : The high Price at which it has been fold for thefe many Years, has encou- raged the Villainy of thofe Cheats, and the Trials which he had made thereof had convinced him. It cannot, however, fays he, be counterfeited with Galbanum or Ammoniacum , becaufe of their ftrong Scent, whereas Storax is very pleafing and odoriferous ; but doubtlefs, it may be adulterated with the white Tears of Benjamin, or feme refit- nous Gum v/ithout Scent, or which may be eafi- ly out-feented by the Storax ; To which Purpofe, continues he, I have thought fit to publifh what I have experimented, viz. That having Storax in Tears by me, whofe Smell, Tafte, Colour, Form, and Body, were fuch as are required in the true Storax, I undertook to foften one Tt^ar in my Hand, intending to incorporate it afterwards with other Drugs of a like Subftance : I was aftonifti’d when I found all the good Scent of the Storax to be loft in my Hand, and the fame Tear not fit to impart any Scent or Virtue to the arcmatick Bal- fam I was making: Therefore, truflin: neither to the Storax made up like Bowls, which is en- creafed with Liquid Stcrax, nor to the othe: ull of Saw-duft, which is fold in the Shops ; I chofe a Storax of a very delicious and fragrant Scent, full of Grains or little Tears, and free from Dirt, out of which I extracted the Gum thu 3 : 'Fake < i this Storax 1 84 General Hijicry Storax eight Ounces ; put it into a Pipkin with a Pint of White-Wine; place it ocer the Fire, 2hd ftir the Whole gently with a Spatula , ’till it is fufficiently difToiv’d ; put it out immediately hot in a flrong Bag, tie it hard juft above the Gum, and prefs it out between two hot Plates ; fo will you have about two Ounces of pure Gum, both fair and fragrant, and every way exceeding all the Sorts of Storax in Tears. It is emollient, digeftive, cephalick, neurotick and pectoral ; cures Coughs, Catarrhs, Hourfe- nefs, Heavinefs, Barrennefs, and Hardnefs of the Womb: Taken with Turpentine as a Pill, it opens the Belly, and, after an excellent Manner, eafes the Pains of the Stone, and takes away all Obftructions of Urine by Sand, Gravel, iyfe. Outwardly it is vulnerary, dil'cufles Tumours, eafes all Sorts of Pains and Aches, and ftops Ca- tarrhs, ufed as a Fume. The Tincture of Sto- rax has all the Virtues of the Gum, ftops Go- norrheas , , and is faid to be a Specifick againft Barrennefs in Women : It is a Cordial againft fainting Fits, and alfo good in Difeafes of the Head, Brain and Nerves. Tire Pills made up with this Gum and Ohio Turpentine have all the Virtues of the Gum, ftep Gleetings in Men and Women, eafe Pain in making Water, and re- move all Obftrudtions of Urine. Dofe from a Dram to two Drams. There is an acid Spirit drawn from it, that is aperitive and very pene- trating, and the yellow Oil is good againft Palfies, Numbnefs, Convulfions, &c. either inwardly taken to three or four Drops, or outwardly ap- plied to the Part affedted. The red Balfam made of the Storax has the fame Virtues, but is not fo fublil and pure, and fo is feldom given inwardly. 17. Of Liquid Storax. T H E Liquid Storax is a thick vif- cous Matter, of the Confidence of Balfam. It is compofed of four Ingre- dients ; which are, Storax , the raw Pine-tree Pitch, call’d white Incenfe, Oil and Wine, beat up in Water to the Confidence of an Ointment, of a greyifh Colour like Potters Clay. Chufe your Liquid Storax as grey as may be, that has the Storax Smell, of a good Confidence, and as little of Filth and Dirt as may be : Its Ufe is in Surgery, efpecially for an Ointment that bears its Name, and is much ufed in the Hofpiials, efpe- cially Hotel Dieu in Paris, where it ferves them very fuccefsfully in the Cure of the Scurvy, Wounds and Gangrene : The Perfumers ufe it but feldom, if they can get the other Storax. It is a fat Balfam-like Subftance, much thicker than Venice Turpentine, of a ftrong Smell and of j/DRUGS. a whitith Colour, which rs kept in Water be- caufe of its Ciamminefs : It is brought to us from the Str eights ; that this Storax differs much from the other, is apparent. Matthiolus, Diofco- r'tdes and Bauhinus , are of Opinion it is the Com- pofition before deferib’d ; but Serapto will have it to be an Exudation from the Kernels or Fruit of the Tree : Avicenna will have it from the Bark ; and Gerard, a Liquor, or Gum, that falls from the Storax-Tree , and wiil never be hard : Parhin- fon faith, that none of the Ancients have made Mention of any fuch Thing, and fays, it is af- furedly fome other Thing, of which, as yet, we have no Knowledge ; but whether we know the Original of it or no, it is lefs Matter, fince we know the Thing, and, by manifold Trials, the medicinal Ufes thereof. Inwardly taken it opens Obftrudtions , difeufies Wind, expels Vapours, helps Hyfterick Fits, eafes the Cho- lick, and provokes Urine. Dofe from half a Dram to a Dram, in Pills or a Bolus. Out- wardly , it is good againft Sciatica , Palfy , Contraction of the Joints and Nerves, Bruifes, Wounds, Ulcers, lAc. made into a Balfam^ or Plailter. 18. Of Paftiles. H E Pajliles for burning are a Com- pofition of Benjamin and Storax , Pomet. diffolved together over a fmall Fire as quick as may be : They are form’d into Tables of what Shape you pleafe, and are in Goodnefs ac- cording to the Materials of which tliev are made ; fome add to them Mufk, Civet and Ambergreafc. In fhort, they are made richer and meaner, as the Maker will afford ; but the more ufual Ad- ditions are Liquid Storax , Rhodium and Labda- num ; and to make them black they feldom ufe any thing elfe than Charcoal : M. Charas mentions three Sorts, which may be found in his Book of Cfymiftry, Page 1057, where he calls them Tro- chifci Odorati vel Avicuhe Cyprcee. ig. Of Virgin Milk. E SIDES the Virgin Milk made with Lytharge , we make another Pomet. from Tincture of Benjamin and Storax y which is what the Surgeons and Barbers ufe, by reafon of its pleafant Smell. The Tincture of Benjamin and Storax is call’d Virgin Milk Tinc- ture ; becaufe when it is put into Water it wiil turn it white as Milk. Thofe who would have their Virgin Milk fine ufe the dry Balfam of Peru in Shells, and Storax in Tears; to wh ch they add Mufk* Civet and Ambergreafc. Some who value Book VIII. ' Of value not the Smell add Myrrh, becaufe good for taking away red Spots in the Skin. This Tinc- ture ought to be very fine, red, clear, and very fragrant, fmelling the leaft of the Spirit of Wine that is poflible. Styrax , or Storax , is a fragrant re- Lcmcry. finous Gum, whereof there are three Sorts : The firft is call’d Styrax ruber , or the Red Storax ; and by fome Thus Judaorum , the JewiJh Frankincenfe , becaufe they believed it was the Frankincenfe which the Magi carrv’d to the Saviour of the World. This Gum is in the Mafs reddifh or yellow, which they draw by In- ci:ion from a Tree of a moderate Height, call’d Styrax Arbor by Gerard and Ray, and Styrax folio Mali Cotonei , by C. Bauhinus and Tournefort. This Tree is like that of the Quince, but the Leaves are much fmaller, oblongilh, firm, green on the upper Side, and whitifh underneath, and downy. The Flowers grow upon the Branches, collected feveral together ; each of which, ac- cording to Mr. Tournefort , is a Funnel open at the Top, and cut into feveral Parts, difpofed round, that makes a larged jagged Cup of feveral Points : When the Flower is gone there appears the Fruit, of about the Size of a Filbert, that is white and cover’d with a fiefhy Rind, the Tafte fomething bitterifii ; and under this Rind, or Shell, are two or three hard ftrong Kernels, full of a foft oily Seed, that has a Smell like the Gum of Storax , and an unpleafant Tafte : The Gum ought to be chofen neat, foft, fat, of a fweet pleafant aromatick Smell, and not too dry : It is fometimes full of the Saw-duft of the Wood of this Tree, and other Impurities. The fecond Sort of Storax is nam’d Calamita , becaufe it is often brought in Reeds to preferve its Beauty and Smell : Sometimes it is brought us in reddifh Lumps, full of white Specks ; fometimes in feparate Tears, which, if fine, you ought to chufe, or elfe fuch as come in clean fmall Bits, that are reddifh without and white within, and that fmell like the Balfam of Peru : Thefe two Sorts contain a good deal of Oil and fome vola- tile Salt, are proper to ftrengthen and refrefh the Brain, Nerves and Stomach, refift malignant Hu- mours, and mollify the Hardnefs of the Spleen, Glands, & c. The third Sort is Liquid Storax , which is an oily, vifeous, grofs Matter, having the Confidence of a thick Balfam, being made up of feveral Bodies incorporated together ; and is emollient and very refolutive, and revives tire Brain by its Smell ; but is feldom apply’d other- wife than externally. [The Storax-Trce is the Styrax Arbor. J. B. I. 34.1. Rai. Hift. 2. 1680. Styrax Arbor vul- garis. Park. 1530. Styrax folio mali Cotonei. C. B. Pin. 452. C tJ M S, 18^ There are two Sorts of the Dry Storax , the Calamita and the Rubra , thefe are both the fame Gum, but different in Purity; the Calamita is that in Grains, and the Rubra that in the Lump. The true Liquid Storax is a reddifh brown Sub- ftance, of the Confidence of common Turpentine and of a ftrong Smell, made from the Bark of the fameT ree which produces the other Storax ; but this is no where to be found among us at prefent ; what is now fold under that Name is a Bird-lime made with the Bark of the Indian Rofa Mallos , boil’d in SeaWater ; and even that we can feldom meet with, the Mixture deferib’d by Pomet being gene- rally fold inftead of it.] 20. Of the Abyfllne Myrrh. TR R H is a refinous Gum that flows from a little Shrub that is Pomet. very thorny, by Incifions that are made into it, in clear tranfparent Tears of a white Co- lour, that in growing older become of a deep Reddifh. Thefe fmall Trees, whofe Leaves come neareft in Likenefs to the Elm, grow plentifully in Happy Arabia , Egypt and Africa , efpecially among the Troglodytes , from whence it derives its Name, as well as that from AbyJJin'e ; becaufe they gather a great deal in the Kingdom of the Abyf- fines , or Prefer John's Dominions. Chufe the fineft Tears, of a golden yellow Colour, clear and tranfparent, brittle, light, bitter to the Tafte, of a ftrong agreeable Smell : And thus chofen, it is the true Myrrh, or Stable in Tears. They ought to be undeceived who believe, ac- cording to what a late Author has advanced, that all the Myrrh the Druggifts fell has not the requi- fite Qualities it fhould have ; as for the little the Apothecaries fell, it is not worth fpeaking of ; befide, that what they fell they firft buy of the Druggifts. However, as we cannot always find Myrrh fo perfectly fine as we could wifh, we muft be fatisfy’d if we get that in fmall Lumps, or large red Tears, clear and tranfparent, that when broke has little white Spots in it : This is brought out of Turky and ALthiopia , from whence comes the beft Kind, being of a bright yellowifh, or red Co- lour, fomewhat clear, brittle, of a biting and very bitter Tafte, a ftrong Smell, fat, refinous, and mark’d within with white Specks : It is either firm and folid, which is properly call’d Myrrha ; or liquid, which, according to Diofco- rides, is call’d Stable, which is fo gather’d from the Tree without Force. There is prepared from it an Extract, an Oil or Liquor of Myrrh, Troches, and an Oil by Diflillation : As to the Liquor, Lemery fays it is the true foluble Part of the Myrrh , moifteh’d B b with General Hiflory of DRUGS. 1S6 with the Humidity of the Whites of Eggs, and the moift Places in which it is made, which is ge- nerally a Cellar ; and in his Opinion this is the belt Oil yet invented ; for if it be drawn by Spirit of Wine or Diftillation in a Retort, it is fo tor- lified that it lofes its bed Parts ; whereas per De- liquium, what volatile Parts this Gum contains are preferved in their natural Being, the Humi- dity joyn’d to it not being able to alter its Na- ture. Myrrh opens and removes all Obftrudlions of the Bowels, provokes the Courfes, and removes all, or moil Diftempers incident to the Womb ; being given in a Bole, Electuary or Powder, from fix Grains to twenty. Staffe is that liquid Fart which is found in the Centre or Middle of the Lumps or Clots of Myrrh , when they are frelh and new, or fqueez’d from the Myrrh , as Diaf- corides teaches. Befuks its opening and anti-hyfte- rick Faculty, it is likewife ufed with Succefs in a Quinfey, Hoarfenefs, Cough, Pleurify, Fluxes of the Belly, and Quartan Agues : Outwardly, in Wounds, T umours, Gangrenes and rotten Bones : It attenuates, difeufles apd refills Putrefaction. Myrrh has given a Name to the Troches of Myrrh : It is alfo ufed in Venice Treacle , in the ConfeCtion of Hyacinth, Pills of Agarick, the Divine Plaifter, in Oxycroceum , and many other Compofitions. Myrrha , or Myrrh , is a refinous Lemery. Gum, that flows by cutting a thorny Tree that grows in Arabia Felix , " Egypt an ^ ^Ethiopia , in the AbyJJines Country, and amongfl the Troglodytes ; for which Reafon the belt is call’d Myrrha Troglodytica. It ought to be freih, in fine clear Tears, light, of a golden Yellow, or reddifh Colour, having little white Specks within, like thofe upon the Nails, of a fat Subfiance, a ftrong Smell, and not very pleafant, the Tafte bitter and acrid ; but as this Gum fo chofen is rare, it ought to be referv’d for internal Ufes, and the common may ferve for Plaiflers, Ointments, (Ac. It is aperitive by Urine, and a little aflringent by Stool, provokes the Courfes, and haflens the Birth, is an excellent Vulnerary and proper in Ruptures, both internally and ex- ternally apply’d. The Myrrh which the wife Men of the Eajl prefented to our Saviour, was likely a Drug different from ours ; for it is re- prefented to us as a very precious aromatick Per- fume, inflead of which our Myrrh is common, and has neither T afte nor Smell that is agreeable. Some hold that it was the Stable, of which I fhall treat in its Order; others will have it to be the Slorax ; others again pretend that it was a very lcarce and fragrant Gum, or Balfam,- which had then the Name of Myrrh , and which is now un- known to us by that Name ; but this is a Matter too difficult to decide here. [The Tree which produces the Myrrh is yet unknown in Europe , and Fuchfius and many others are of Opinion, that what we fee under the Name of that Drug was not the Myrrh of the Antients, but that what we now call Benjamin agrees much better than it with their Defcription of the Myrrh. The mod probable Conjecture in regard to the Myrrh offer’d by the Magi to our Saviour is, that it was ait oily Liquor found in the Body of the Myrrh-Tree , as we have fome Sort of Men- tion of fuch a Subfiance in fome old Authors, who fpeak of it as very precious, and an Ingre- dient in the richefl Perfumes.] 21. Of the Myrrha Stable, or Liquid Myrrh. HE Staffe , or Liquid Myrrh, is that which was prefented to our Pomet. Lord and Saviour by the Magi , or wife Men, and which the Ancients call Staff en, or Myrrha Staff e vel Eleffa, whofe Scent was very grateful ; as -is obferv’d in the third LefTon of the Office of the Virgin, where it is faid in exprefs Words, uafi 'Myrrha eleffa dedi fuavitatem odoris. It was a fat unCluous Liquor, which is met with in Myrrh newly fallen from the Tree, as alfo that which falls from young Trees, with- out Incifion. But as at prefent this precious Merchandife, or Commodity, is altogether un- known to us, feveral Perfons have invented an artificial Staffe, by diflolving Myrrh in Oil, which they call Stab le Unguent. Others make it thicker, and give it the Name of Artificial Staffe. Staffe , Staffer, Myrrha Staffe, or Liquid Myrrh, is a Kind of Balfam, or Lemery. gummy Liquor, that is of a fragrant Smell, and collefied from under )oung Trees, that produce Myrrh, and which drops from them without cutting. The Ancients preferv’d this Drug as a precious Balfam, and believed, with juft Reafon, that it was that Kind of Myrrh fpoke of in the Gofpel, and which the Magi brought to the Saviour of the World at Bethle- hem, with Gold and Frankincenfe. This has the fame Virtues with the other Myrrh, but is more efficacious ; though the Staffe that we have brought us by the Merchants is oftentimes arti- ficial, being made by diflolving Myrrh in Oil, and mixing a little Wax with it, to give it a Confiftence. [The true Staffe, according to Diofcorides, was no other than a liquid Myrrh,, either prefs’d out of / Eook VIII. ' Of G ' of the common Myrb a little moiften’d, as he was of Opinion; or, according to Pliny , flowing naturally from the Myrrh-Tree without Incifion. It is the common Opinion that this was the Myrrh offer’d to our Saviour ; but I cannot conceive how any Preparation of Myrrh , by Ex- preffion, could be fo precious or fo excellent as that muft have been ; and if it was only the fpon- taneous Flowings of the Tree I cannot but think we fhould certainly have been better acquainted with it by this Time, as naturally, among the Quantity of Myrrh we receive, we fhould at one Time or other have feem fome of it. ] 22. Of Affa Foetida. A S S A Fcetida is a Gum that flows, Pomet. ■ * during the Heats, from the Trunk of a fmall Shrub, whofe Leaves are like Rue, that grows plentifully in the Indies , efpe- ciallv about the City of Utar, where it is call’d Hlngt. It alfo comes from Perfia , Affyria and Libya. The Natives of the Place cut the Trees juft at the Roots, from w'hence runs a white Gum, inclining to Red, of a very {linking Smell ; for which Rcafon the Germans call it Stercus Dlaboli , or Devils Dung. Chufe the A fa Foetida in Clots, or Lumps, full of white Tears, dry, and which being frefti cut, will be of a yellowifh White, that in a little Time after changes into a fine Red, tending to a Violet Colour, and whofe Smell may be born with ; and meddle not with that which is fat, nafty, full of Dirt and Rufhes that come along with it. Likewife reject fuch as is black, and of fuch a dif- agreeable Smell as is fcarce poflible to bear : This Drug is of great Importance in Medicine, and much ufed by Farriers as well as the Phyfi- cians. There are feveral other Names that AJfa Foe- tida goes by ; as the Syrian Juice, or Liquor, the Median , Perfian , &c. The greateft Part of it that comes ;to France is brought from London , from whence it is brought in large Earthen Veflels, like thofe in which we have Oil of Turpentine brought us fometimes from Provence. They have fuch vaft Quantities of AJfa Fcetida fometimes in London , as well as other Drugs, that they have great Warehoufes fill’d with thefe Kinds of Com- modities. The AJfa Fcetida in Tears is much finer and fitter for internal Ufe than that in the Lump. Afj'a Foetida is a Gum in great yel- Lemery. low r Clots, of a ftrong unpleafant Smell, that drops out of the Trunk of a Shrub whole Leaves have a great Refemblance to thofe J M 3 . 187 of Rue : But Bon aftures us, that it is pre/s’d out of the Roots of a certain Plant growing in the Kingdom of Perfa , not far from the Sea-Coaft ; And that there are two Kinds of this Plant, the firft being a Sort of a Shrub, bearing Twigs and Branches very much refembling the Willow, or, Oficr : The AJfa Foetida , fays he, is prefied out of the Chives, or Flowers, of this Plant, be- ing cut fmall and bruifed, which afterwards is dry’d and harden’d. The fecond Kind of AJfa Fcetida is prefied out of the Roots of a Plant that fends forth very thick and {linking Stalks, bearing Leaves like thofe of Spurge. That of the Shops is a reddifhGum, confiding ofwhitilh, and fome- times Carnation and Violet colour’d Drops, be- ing of a bitter biting Tafte, and a ftrong, vehe- ment rank Smell, like Garlick or Leeks ; that is the beft which is brought out of the Eaftern Parts, in clear, pure, t ran (parent Drops : It is adulte- rated with Sagapcmim. This Gum is cephalick, fplenetick, hvfterick and vulnerary ; but chiefly ufed in Obftrutftions and Suffocation of the Womb, Obftrudlions of the Liver, Spleen and Lungs. It has been found a Specifick in the Epi- lepfy. Vertigo, Lethargy, and other Difeafes of the Head. Dofe from half .a Scruple to a Dram, in Pills or otherwife. This Gum will diffolve in Water, Vinegar or Wine, and therefore confifts moft of aqueous Parts, and has very little of Rofin in it ; for which Reafon it is not fo often ufed with Spirit of Wine as with aqueous Menftruums. Schroder fays, if any be troubled with the Epilepfy he ought prefently to fit with his Head over the Fumes of AJfa Foetida ; but it is generally taken inwardly in Pills or Tindlure. [The Plant which produces the AJfa Foetida is the AJfa Fcetida Difgunenfis Hlngifch , U/nbelll- fera Levlflico AJfnis , Injlar Paeonice ramofus caule plena , maximo femine foliaceo , nudo, folitarh Branchce Urfince vel PaJlinachce ftmili Radice Afam feetidam fudente. Koemp. Armen. Exot. 535, Fig. 536. Altlth feu A fa fcetida-, Javanis Ltf Malaiis Flin. Dicta: Bont. 41. The AJfa Fce- tida flows either fpontaneoufly or by Incifion, from the Root. There have been various Opi- nions among Authors about the Plant which pro- duced this Drug, and leveral different Trees and Plants have been deferibed as yielding it. It is to Kempfer that we owe the Knowledge of the Truth. Many have doubted whether our AJfa Fcetida be that of the Ancients; becaufe they call’d it the Food of the Gods ; but we now find that the Per fans , Indians , and other Eajlern People, eat it in Sauces, and call it exprefly by that Name. The Plant which produces it grows plentifully in the Province of Lahir t in the L)omi- B b 2 nioas- 1 88 General Hijlory nioijs of the Great Mogul, and of Chora fan in Ferfia.] 23. Of Galbanum. G i A L B A NU M is a Gum that • flows from the Root of a Plant which the Botanifts call Ferula Galbani- fcra , or the Fennel-Giant, bearing the Galbanum , whofe Leaves are, according to the Figure de- icribed, taken from the Original which I have in my Hands, given to me by Mr. Tournefort : On the Top of the Stalks grow flat Seeds of the Size and Thicknefs of our Lentils, which are frequent- ly found 2mong the common Galbanum. This Plant flouriflies in Arabia Foelix , Syria , and throughout India. We have two Sorts of Galbanum from Mar- feilles ; to wit, that in Tears and that in the Mafs: The firft ought to be chofen in fine Drops, yel- low within and of a golden Colour without, bit- terifh in Tafte, and of a very ftrong Smell. The other Sort in the Mafs ought to be chofen dry, clean, the mod furnilh’d with white Tears, and the leaft fetid that is poflible. It is a Drug much ufed in Phyfick, as well internally as externally. Galbanum ought to be chofen fat, inclining to a reddifh Colour, confifting of feveral whitifh and fhining Lumps ; it will not diflolve in Oil, but eafily in Water, and is of a pungent bitter Tafte and a ftrong Smell : It powerfully brings down the Courfes, cures the Suffocation of the Womb, expels the After-Birth, and helps to fetch away a dead Child. The Fumes of Galbanwn are very prevalent againft Hyfterick Fits or Vapours, and is given in Subftance from half a Scruple to half a Dram. A Plaifter made of Galbanum is very pro- perly and profitably apply’d to the Navel in Hyfte- rick Fits or Vapours ; or elfe the Navel may be anointed with the Oil in the fame Cafes. The Galbanetum of Paraceifus being an effectual Me- dicine in a Palfy andCholick, is prepar’d after the following Manner : Take Galbanum one Pound, Oil of Turpentine half a Pound, Oil of Lavender two Ounces, diflolve and digeft them in a Retort, with a fuflicient Quantity of powder’d Lime, and keep the Liquor for Ufe. Galbanum, outwardly apply’d, refolves and difeuffes Tumours, upon which Account it is apply’d, by way of Plaifter, to venereal Buboes, and helps to difeufs all Sorts of fchirrous Tumours. Galbanum is a Gum whereof we have Lemery. two Sorts, the one in yellow Tears, or Drops, of a ftrong Flavour and un- pleafant Smell, of a bitter Tafte and a little acrid. The other is in a large fatty and glutinous Mafs, full of Stalks and Drofs, and of a very ftinking f D R U G S. Odour. Both Sorts flow by Incifion from the Root of a Kind of Fennel-Giant, which grows in Arabia , about the Height of a Man ; the Stalk is thick and full of Pith, the Leaves broad and large, refembling thofe of Parfley : The Flowers grow in Tufts, or Clufters, compofed ufually of rive Leaves, made like a Rofe at the End of the Cup ; when the Flower is gone the Cup becomes a Fruit, confifting of two very large Seeds, tiiat are oval, flat, and thin, like thofe we fee come over in the Galbanum. That which is in Drops, yellow, pure, fat, heavy, and not fticky, yet with fome Branches or Bits of the Ferula in it, is to be chofen, which is not too dry or moift, and flames when burnt. It foftens, diffolves, difeuffes, and yet extracts Things forth of the Flefh : It is chiefly ufed againft Vapours, Fits of the Mother, and Obftruddicns of Liver, Spleen and Womb. It diffolves Tu- mours and Nodes, gouty Swellings and Pains, being apply’d Plaifterwife to the Parts aftii£ted. Galbanum is difl'olv’d, as fome other Gums are, in any Liquor, as Water, Vinegar, or Wine ; diflolve it in the Liquor, ftrain and inf- piflate, and it is what is call’d Galbanum Colatum : Some hang it in a Cloth over the Vapour of a Bath, and fo let it drop out ; but others put it into hot Water, and caft off the Rubbifh which fwims at the Top. Oil of Galbanum is made by a Re- tort with Vinegar ; the Tin&ure by Spirit of Wine acuated with Spirit of Nitre. [ Galbanum is a Gum Refin, which is got by Incifion from the Ferula fruticofa femper virens, foliis anifi , Galbanifera ex qua Galbanum officina- rum. Par. Bat. Prodr. 334. Orcofelinum Afri- canum Galbaniferum frutefeens Anifi folio. Tourn. Inft. 319. Oreofelinum Anifoides Arborefccns Li- gujlici foliis id facie , fore luteo Capitis Bona fpei. Breyn. Prodr. 2. 79. There are two other Species of the Ferulq , which alfo yield a Galbanum no way diftinguiflr- able from the common Kind, thefe are the Ferula Africana Galbanifera frutefeens , Myrrhidis folio. C. Commel. Hort. Amft. 11. pag. 115, and the Ferula latiore folio. Hift. Ox. 3. 309. But all the, Galbanum we ufe is from the Species firft named.] 24. Of Gum Sagapenum. H E Sagapenum , likewife call’d Se- rapinum , becaufe of its Smell , Pcmet. that is almoft like that of the Pine, and by the French , Gum Seraphin , flows from the Trunk of a Plant whofe Leaves are very final), and the Seeds refembling thofe of Galbanum , except that they are lefs. It grows plentifully in Perfa , Media , idc. from whence the Gum is uanfported Book VIII. Of G to us and all ether Parts of Europe. Chufe your Cagtprum in fine Tears, clear and tranfparent, of a ftrong Smell like that of the Pine ; outward- ] v 0 f a yeTlowifh or reddifh Colour, inwardly the ■whiteft and leaft full of Dirt and Fihh that can be. This enters into feveral Galenical Compofi- tions. Mr. TVormes , a Danijh Phyfician, fay?, in a Book of his, that it is admirable for the Fall- ing Sicknefs and Palfy ; I know, by my own Ex- p.rience, that it is excellent for Afthmas, taken about the Bignefs cf a Pea at Bed-time, and the fame Quantity in the Morning rifing. This Gum is attractive, drawing forth Splin- ters, Thorns, gotten into the Flefli ; it has, as Hof man fanfies, a peculiar magnetrek Quality, qua inteftina dijlccata in Iliaca Pctfwie ex Hernia , jr. prijlimm reducit iccum ; for which Reafon he made it the chief Ingredient in the magnetick Emplafter. It is alfo ufed in DifafFecfions of the Womb, and being apply ’d, it cures the Sty in the Eve-Lid. It purges W ater and all grofs Humours from the Stomach, Guts, Womb, Reins, Head, Nerves, f dc. Is good in Dropfies, Convulfions, Palfies, Numbnefs, Weaknefs and Obftru&ions ; befides which, it is excellent in Pleurifies, to eafe Pains and diffolve hard Tumours of the Spleen. Dofe from one Dram to two Drams ; but becaufe it is apt to difturb the Stomach, it is corrected with Ginger, Cinnamon and Maltich. Sagapenum , Serapinum , Sacoponium , Lottery, is a Gum reddifh without and whitifh within ; of a ftrong unpleafant Smell, of an acrid Tafte, that flows by Incifion from a Sort of Plant that is of the Nature of Fennel. Chufe Sagapenum in Drops, that are pure, neat and bright : It yields abundance of Oil and vola- tile Salty and will diffolve in Wine, Vinegar, and in Juice of Plants ; but had better be re- duced to Powder when ufed in Compofitions that require its Difiblution. This Gum is incifive, penetrating, aperitive, a little purgative, fudo- rifick; opens Obftrudions of the Spleen, Me- fentery and Liver ; affifts Refpiration , and ftrengthens the Nerves ; is good in Epilepfy, Palfy and Afthma ; to provoke Urine and the Terms, and to f ipprefs Vapours. Dofe ten or fixteen Grains in Pills. There is a Spirit and Oil made from it, as from Galbanum ; J he acid Spirit has all the Virtues of the Gum, but with this Advan- tage, that it is more penetrating ; for which Rea- fon it is fuccefsfully given againlt Obftruclions of the Womb, (Ac. The Oif is good for the fame Purpofes, but is moftlyufed againft Vapours, be- ing fmell’d to or anointed upon the Noflrils : It is feldom given inwardly, except in Fits of the Mo- ther, to four or five Drops in feme proper Ve- hicle. UMS, i $ 9 [The Plant which produces the Sagapemm is another Sp.cies of the Ferula ; it is the Saga- penum Chcmel. Plant. Af. 190. Rai. Hi ft, r. 1844. The Gum is brought to us from Alex- andria^ and is purgative, attenuant and aperi- ritive. The Dofe is from twenty Grains to a Dram. 25. Of Gcim Opopanax. P 0 PAN AX is a Gum that flows, according to fome Authors, from Poinet. a ferulaceous Plant, call’d Panax He- racleum , or Hercules's All-heal. It is brought us from the Str eights, and fometimes from the Eajl- Indies , though great Quantities grow in Macedon , Achaia , and other Parts of Greece. The Leaves of the Plant are almoft like thofe of the Fig-Tree, divided, or partition’d, into five Parts ; the Stalk is very high and woolly, producing at the Top a great TafTel, or Bunch, with yellow Flowers ; and after that a Seed, that is burning upon the Tongue and of a ftrong Smell ; the Roots are white, a little bitter, and cover’d with a pretty thick Bark. From the Cutting of this Bark the Opopanax flows liquid, and white at firft ; but when it is afterwards dry’d it becomes, by degrees, of a golden Colour on its Surface. There are three Sorts brought from Marfeilles , viz. that in Tears, that in the Mafs, or Lump, and the adulterated or flat Kind. The firft Sort ought to be chofen in fine Drops, white within and of a gold Colour without ; of a ftrong Scent and an unpleafant bitter Tafte, the dryeft and leaft full of Dirt that can be got. The fecond Sort, that is in the Lump, ought to be as full of Tears, and as near the Colour and Smell of the firft as poflible. The flat Sort is that call’d the Companies Opopanax , and which feveral fell for that in Tears, though it is eafy to know the Difference ; becaufe the true is in little round Drops, and the flat Sort of the Breadth and Thicknefs of one’s Thumb ; this ought to be en- tirely rejected, for it is a Counterfeit, made of a Mixture of Galhanum and another cheap Gum, which need not be mention’d here. Opcponax difeufles Wind, purges Flegm, which is thick and tough, from the remote Parts, as from the Womb, Joints, (Ac. opens the Breaft and Lungs, foftens Tumours, and, taken in at the Mouth by Fumes, cures Catarrhs, and the failing down of the Uvula. It is reckon’d an excellent Thing againft an old Cough, Sharpnefs of Humours, Difficulty of Breathing ; and l0ing drank an Hour before the Fit cf an Ague, it takes away the cold Fit, efpecially if the Stomach and Back- Bone be alfo anointed with the Oil thereof, or volatile 19 ° General Hijlory volatile Spirit, both of which poffefs all the Vir- tues of the Gum. This Gum , when new, is of an infupportable ftrong Smell ; but that, as well as its natuial Whitenefs, wears off in keeping. Opponax is a yellow Gum that is Lemery. drawn by Incifion from the Stalk and Root of a Spondylium , that grows in Mace don, and other Parts of Greece. This Plant is call’d Spondylium majus , five panax Heracleus quibufdam ; the Great Spondyliutn ; or by fome, Hercules’s All-heal , according to J. Bauhinus , Ray , and Toutnefort : The Stalk is high and woolly ; the Leaves like thofe of Figs, rough to the Touch, divided into five Parts ; the Flowers grow in Clufters upon the Tops of the Branches ; they are fmall, white, compofed each of five unequal Leaves, difpofed like the Flower-de-lis : When thefe are gone they are follow’d by Seeds join’d two and two together, flat, large, oval, hollow, or cut at the Top, ftrip’d along the Back, of a yellowifh Colour, a ftrong Smell, and poignant Tafte; the Root is long, white, full of Juice, odoriferous, a little bitter to the Tafte, cover’d with a thick Bark : The Opopanax drops from the faid Root in a white Liquor, which thickens as it dries, and grows yellow upon the out Parts. Chufe it frefh, clean and pure, in large Drops, that are yellow without and white within, fat, and pretty brittle, of a bitter Tafte, and a ftrong unpleafant Smell ; it affords a great deal of Oil and volatile Salt, is emollient, attenu- ating, digefting, expels Wind ; is proper in hyf- terick Cafes, and to refill Putrefaction. [The Plant which produces the Opopanax , is the Panax Paflinacte folio. C. B. Pin. 156. Paf- tinaca Sylvefris altijfima. Tourn. Inft. 319. Pa- nax Heraclcum. Hift. Ox. 3. 315. It flows na- turally, and without Incifion : It is at firft of a yellowilh Colour, but turns reddilh by Age ; it is feldom preferjbed alone, but is an Ingredient in many Compofitions. 26. Of Ammoniacum, or Gum Ammo- niack. T HIS is a Gum that flows in white Tears, from the cut Branches or Roots of a Plant of the ferulaceous Kind, that grows in abundance in the Sands of Libya , efpecially about that Place where feme- time the Temple of Jupiter Ammon ftoed ; from whence it has its Name. This Gum is brought us in Tears, or elfe in large Lumps, wherein are a great many white Drops or Tears, as well on the out-parts as within. It is of a tolerable grate- of DRUGS. ful Smell, inclining towards that of Opopanax. Chufe this Gum in Tears, in the fineft, dry,' white, round Drops, of a bitter Tafte, unplea- sant enough ; and that in the Mafs' or Lump, as full of Tears and as clean as poffible. It is ufed in feveral topical Medicines ; and Monfieur de Meuve, in his Pharmaceutick Dictionary, attri- butes great Virtues to it, whereto the Reader may have Recourfe. It is emollient, and wonder- fully difeuflive, admirable in Afthmas, and ufed ordinarily to difeufs hard Tumours in Womens Breads with great Succefs : An Extra# of' it takes off Roughnefs from the Windpipe, thickens thin and fharp Rheums, which fail down upon the Lungs ; and is ufed in Pe#orals for the fame Purpofes. There is, befides this, an Oil, vola- tile Salt, and Spirit of Ammoniacum , according to Lemery , in which Proceffes you have not much Difference from thofe of Charas y only that the laft requires the Retort to hold eight Times the Quantity ; Lemery but three Times : Lemery alfo fays, there is no need of adding Alcalies in Recti- fication, becaufe they rather hurt and fpoil thefe Kinds of Spirits than make them better. This Gum is purified by diffolving it in Vine- gar ; then draining it through a Cloth, and thick- ening. 1 he Spirit of Ammoniacum opens Obftruc- tions, and is ufed with Succefs in the Scurvy, Dropfy, and the Jaundice ; as alfo for Stoppage of Urine ; but particularly in Difeafes of the Womb: Dofe from eight Drops to twenty in Rhenifti Wine, or the like. The Oil is given for the fame Purpofes, from two Drops to fix, with double refin’d Sugar, & c. Ammoniacum Gummi , vel Gummi Hammoniacum , five Gutta Ammoniaca , Lemery . Gum Ammoniack , is a yellow Gum on the Outfide, and white within, of an unpleafant Smell, a] mo ft like Galbanum, inclining to a bitter Tafte. It flows in white Tears from the Branches and Roots that are cut off a Sort of Fennel call’d Ferula Ammonifera , or the Fennel, bearing Am- moniack, that grows plentifully in the Deferts of Lybia, efpecially about that Part where the Temple and Oracle of Jupiter Ammon flood. Some call this Plant AAetopion , from being very perous. The beft Gum is in fine neat Tears, . almoft like Olibanum , dry, white, brittle. It foftens before the Fire, and is eafy to reduce to Powder, of a little bitterifh Tafte, and an un- pleafant Smell. The Druggifts fell it alfo in the Mafs or Lump, loaded with a great deal of Filth ; and this ferves to make Plaiilers of. This Gum yields plenty of effential or volatile Oil, fome Flegm and Earth. It attenuates, refolves, di- gefts, is aperitive, proper for Hardnefs of the Spleen, Liver, and Mcfentery, opens Obftruc- tioos. JMr | ■ ' ' 3ook VIII. Of GUMS. ■ions, provokes Womens Courfes, and is ufed >cth internally and externally. [The Plant which produces the Gum Ammonla- nm is not certainly known ; it is fuppofed to be mother Species of the Ferula, and many have bought the Galbamm Sagapc.um and this Gum :o be all produced by the fame Plant, growing in htferent Climates ; but as we now know that the gctenum and Galbamm are produced by difie- ent Plants, it wou’d be abfurd to believe, that :he Ammoniacum , which is much more different irom either, than they are from each other, fhou’d >e produced by the Plant from which we have ather of them. It is purgative in a fmall Degree, but is a pow- ;rful Refolvent, and excellent in Obftruftions of :he Vifcera. The Dole is from a Scruple to half i Dram.] 27. Of Indian Dragon’s Blood. T H E Indian Dragon’s Blood is a Gum that diffils or drops from the Trunks of feveral Trees, whofe Leaves ire like Sword Blades, of half a Foot long, and of a green Colour ; at the Bottom of which grow round Fruit, of the Size of our Cherries, that are yellow at firft, afterwards red, and of a beautiful blue when ripe ; in which, having taken off the F.riF or outward Skin, appears a Sort of Dragon, which has given Occafion to have the Drug nam’d, though very improperly. Dragon’s Blood , fmee it is the Gum of a Tree, and not the Blood of any Creature, as fome believe {fill. The Inhabitants of the Country cut the Trunks of the Trees, and there prefently flows a fluid Liquor, that is as red as Blood; which har- dens as foon as the Sun Ihines on it, and forms it'clf" into- little brittle Tears or Crumbs, of a very fine red Colour ; and when the firft and beft Sort i- fallen, there drops another. This is fometimes brought us wrapp’d up in the Leaves of the fame Tree, in the Figure and Size of a Pigeon’s Egg; but commonly it comes folded in the fame Leaves, of the Length and Thicknefs of one’s Little Finger, and fometimes alfo of the Size and Shape of the Sebeftcn. Chufe Dragon’s Blood in little Tears, that are clear, tranfparent, and very brittle. The fineft, or firft Sort, is very fcarce in France ; the beft to be met withal at prefent is what comes in little Reeds, which ought to be dry and eafy to break, and that when rubb’d on Paper, or hot Glafs, will leave behind it a beau- tiiul red Stain ; upon which Account, antiently, they ufed it to paint Glafs red. There is fome 'brought likewife in the Mafs, which is like that in 1 ears, but the fine is difficult to be met ■with. Hcfhmn thinks that which is in Drops, and is the verv fineft Sort, is made from the coarfer, by diffbl ving of ft, depurating it from its Fasces, and infpiflating ; and that thofe Drops are firft ex- tracted with Spirit of Wine, bccaufe, being in- fufed or digefted in Spirit of Wine, it yields a delicate, blood-red Colour. It is good to flop all Sorts of Fluxes, whether of Flood or Humours, whether Defluxions from the fuperior Parts, or Fiuxes of the Bowels or Womb, the Bloody- Flux, Whites, and Gonorrhoea, being inwardly given, from half a Dram to a Dram, mix’d with Conferve of red Rofcs, or fome ether proper Ve- hicle. It is good againfl Spitting of Blood, and flops Catarrhs, being of a drying, binding, and repelling Property. Being finely ground, it is ufed by Goldfmiths for Enamel, by Jewellers to fet Foils under their precious Stones, for their greater Luffre. By Painters, Varnifhers, and Japanners, to make Varnifh and Japan, by mix- ing it with common or Shell-Lac, or Seed-Lac Varnifh. 28. Of Dragon’s Blood of the Canaries. HIS Dragon’s Blood is likewife a Gum that flows from the Trunk Pomet. and large Branches of two different Trees ; after having been cut, the one of which has a Leaf I ke the Pear-Tree, but a little longer, and the Flowers bear a Refemblance to Tags, at the End of Laces, of a very fine red. The Leaves of the other come nearer to the Cherry, and the Fruit is yellow, of the Bignefs of a Hen’s Egg, in which is found a Nut, of the Shape of Nutmeg, which contains a Kernel, of the fame Figure and Colour. Thefe Trees grow plentifully in the Canaries , efpecially in the Ifland of Porto Santo ; likewife in the Ifle of St. Laurence , where thefe Trees are call’d Rba, that is to fay Blood , and their Fruit Mafontra , or Voafontra. The Natives of Mada- gafear make an Oil of the Kernels of this Fruit, which ferves them to cure Burns, Eryfipelas’s, and other Difeafes that proceed from Heat. The Inhabitants of thefe Iflands cut the Trunks of thefe Trees, from whence drops a red Gum, which they make into Balls, of different Sizes. But this Sort of Dragon’s Blood , though go^d, is always fo full of Dirt, that no Body cares to meddle with it. Sofne foften this Dragon’s Blood by means of hot Water, and fo put it into Reeds, like that which comes from India. The Inhabitants fometimes melt this Gum, and put little white light Sticks into it: and when the)' are cover’d with Gum, they take them out and dry them, to clean the Teeth withal 3 and thefe are yfually 192 General Hiftory tifually brought over by the Eajl-Indta Company. It is further to be cbferv’d, that the Reafon why the Inhabitants call this Gum Dragon’s Blood , is, becaufe the Tree that bears it is call’d the Dra- gon-Tree ; which, according to Clufius , appears to be a Kind of Date-Tree, having a very thick Trunk, about five Yards high, and fending forth feveral Branches or Boughs that are naked, or bare of Leaves. The Fruit is of a round fpherical Figure, of a yellow Colour, and about the third Part of an Inch thick, containing a very hard Ker- nel, like a Date. The Trunk of the Tree is very rough, and full of Clefts and Chops, pouring forth a Liquor, during the Heat of the Dog- Days. , which afterwards thickens or congeals into red colour’d Drops or Tears, call’d Dragon’s Blood’, which, though it hardly diflolvcs in aqueous or oily Liquors, yet ought to be reckon’d among the Gums and Rofins. 29. Of .Falfe or Counterfeit Dragon’s Blood. T HE Dutch now bring us a Sort of Dragon’s Blood which is in flat Cakes, of a very deep red, and fhining as well on the Outfide as the Infide, pretty brittle, which being broke, is of a very fine red Colour; and when burnt, fmells ljke Spanijh Wax. This Di-agon’s Blood is nothing elfe but a Mixture of the true Dragon's RW .with two other Gums, which I fliall not mention here ; and this I am the more fure of, as I have made the Compofition myfelf, and have of it now by me. We have brought from Holland , befides this, another Sort of Dragon’s Blood , made of Gum-Arabick, or that of Senega, with a Tinc- ture or Dye of the Fernambouc Brazil ; there- fore I wou’d advife every Body not to make Ufe of either of thefe two Sorts of Dragon's Blood, as they are only Mixtures of other Gums, which have neither the Smell, Colour, nor any of the Virtues of the true Dragon’s Blood. Sanguis Draconis , or Dragon’s Blood, Lemery. is- a gummous Juice, congeal’d or co- agulated, dry, brittle, and of a red Co- lour like Blood, drawn by the Incifion of a large Tree in the Indies., call’d by Clufus, Draco Arbor, or the Dragon-Tree ; It is of the Height of the Pine, thick and furnifh’d with feveral Branches. The Wood is very hard, cover’d with a Bark of a tolerable Thicknefs, and foft. The Leaves are large, fihap’d fomething like thofe of the Flower-de-lis, , being of the Length and Figure of a Sword Blade, and are always green The Fruit grows in Bunches, the Size of a fmall Cherry, round, yello w at the Beginning, red af- of DRUGS. terwards ; and whetl they are ripe, of a fine blue Colour, and a little acid to the Tafte. Monard, and feveral other Authors, write, that when the Skin is taken off from this Fruit, there appears underneath the Figure of a Dragon, as it is repre- fented by the Painters, with Wings expanded, a {lender Neck, a hairy or brifled Back, a long Tail, and Feet arm’d with Talons. Thev pre- tend that this Figure gave Name to the Tree; but I believe th s Circumftance fabulous, bccaufe 1 never knew it confirm’d by any Traveller. The fineft and beffc Dragon's Blood is that which drops firft from the Tree in little Tears, that are clear, tranfparent, and e2fy to break, of a refplendent red ; but this is very fcarce, and not brought us in War-time; fo we are forced to content ourfelves with the fecond Sort, [deferib’d already by PometJ. The true Dragon’s Blood yields a fufficient Quantity of Oil, and a little effential Salt. It is very aftringent, agglu- tinative, drying, flops Hemorrhages, Fluxes of the Belly, deterges and confolidates Wounds, {Lengthens luxated Joints, and is proper for Con- tufions, ufed both inwardly and outwardly. [There appears great Contradidfions among good Authors about the Tree which produces the Sanguis Draconis ; but I believe they may all be reconcil’d, by allowing, as it certainly is fo, that we have three different Kinds of this Drug fold in the Shops, befide the counterfeit one deferib’d by our Author. The firft, or Indian Dragon's Blood, is pro- duced by the Draco Arbor. Ger. 1339- Park. 1531. Palma foliis longijfnnis Pendulis abfque ullo Pedunculo ex caudice glabro enatis. Boer. Ind. alt. 2. 169. The fecond, or Canary Dragon’s Blood, by the Draco Arbor Indica Siliquofa Populi folio five Angfava favanica. Comm. Hort. Amft. 1. 213. Faq. 109. Ras. Dendr. 1 1 3. And The third, or Verniflo Dragon’s Blood, by the Arundo farEia India Oricntalis Sanguinem Draco- nis manans. Hift. Ox. 3. 220. Raii. Hift. 3. 615. It is with this Sort that the fine red Chi- nefe Vernilh is made. And to thefe we may add a fourth, produced by another Species of Palm, deferib’d by Dr. Sherrard, who calls it Palma foliis & caudice undique Spinis longis accutijfimis nigris Armata : And this is the Kind which Kecmpfcr mentions, and calls Dijercnang five Sanguis Draconis ex fruElibus Palma conifer a fpinofa elicitus. Keemp. Ant sen. Exot. 552. But the Dragon’s Blood this yields is leldom brought to us. The Additions Kind mention’d by our Author is never given Inwardly, but is of. great Ufe to Painters. _ Tne Book VIII. Of G The Story of the Dragon in the Fruit of the Tree is wholly fabulous.] 30. Of Gum Elemi, G UM Elemi is a white Rofin, inclin- ing to greenifh, that flows by In- cifion from the Trunk and large Branches of a Tree of a moderate Height, whofe Leaves are long and narrow, of a whitifh green, filver’d on both Sides ; with a red Flower that rifes frem a little Cup, of the Colour of the Leaves ; the Fruit is of the Colour and Shape of our Olives ; which is the Reafon why thefe Trees are c:. i'd JVtld Olive-Trees. There are abundance of thefe Trees in /Ethiopia and Arabia Felix, from whence this Gum is brought us in Cakes of two or three Pounds Weight a-piece, wrapp’d up in Leaves of the Indian Cannacorus ; whence it is call’d Gum Elemi in Reeds. Chufe fuch as is dry, neverthelefs foft, of a white Colour, tend- ing to green, the Smell fweet and pleafant enough ; and take Care it be not the common Incenfe, wafh’d with Oil of Spike, as happens too often ; which may be eafily found out, as well by its great Whitenefs, as its ill Smell, in- clining to Turpentine ; and that fuch is always wrapp’d up in the Leaves which are found among the Clove- Wood. This Rcfin adulterated is call’d by thofe who make it, the American Gum Elemi , that Title ferving them as a good Pretence to cover their Knavery. The true Gum Elemi we have from Hslland or Marfeillcs , is a natural Balfam for curing of Wounds, for which Reafon it is very properly made Ufe of in Arcaus’s Leniment. There is a large Tree found in the American- Ijland: , the Wood whereof is white, and the Leaves like thofe of the Bay, but that they are a great deal larger: This Tree is fo loaded with Rofin, that it yields to fifty Pounds Weight of white Gum, altogether like the common Inccnfe, only that it is not fo ftrong fmelling. And as this Rofin is but as yet little known among the Merchants, though common among us, they often fell it under different Names, fometimes calling it Gum Elemi , fometimes Gum Aninue , and fometimes Tacamahaca ; but it ought rather to be call’d American Incenfe , in that the Smell and Shape referable it, and it is not eafy to find the Difference. The Gum Chibou is the fame with this, and the large Leaves it comes wrapt over in, are thofe of the Cachibou, which the Americans ufe cn many fuch Occafions. This Rofin comes in Barrels of different Weight. We fell, befides, two other Sorts of Gum Elemi ; one whereof is like common Rofin, but has a fweet aromatick Smell, and is cover’d with Leaves that cover the Clovc-W ood. The U M $. other Sort of Gum Elemi, is of an Afli-Colour, inclining to be brown, and in great Pieces that are dry and brittle : But as it is impoflible to learn cxaflly what thefe are, I fhall fay nothing further, but that I believe that they are nothing but im- pure or foul Gum Elemi, which may have their good Qualities recover’d, by refining over the Fire, which I dare not, however, yet affirm, not being certain of it. Gutnmi Elemi , five , Refina Elemi, is a Kind of gummy and refinous Sub- Lemery. fiance ; for it difiblves in Oil, and is in- flammable. There are two Kinds of it, viz. the true Gum, cali’d alfo, the /Ethiopian ; and the bafiard, or fpurious, call’d the American Gum Elemi. The true, or /Ethiopian Gum Elemi , is a Rofin from a whitifh Colour, a little inclining to a green, moift and tough, run together in Lumps or Clods of a long and round Shape, for the mod Part inflammable, of a pleafant Tafte, and fmelling fomething like Fennel. Thofe Lumps are brought over to us wrapp’d up in a large Leaf, appearing to be a Kind of Indian Reed. Bafiard or American Gum Elemi, is a Sort of white Rofin, not much unlike Pine Rofin , inflammable, and of a ftrong Smell, flowing plentifully out of a certain Kind of Tree, bearing Leaves like the Bay-Tree, call’d Cleban. Par - kinfon faith it is a yellowifh Gum, clear and tranfparent, which being broken, fhews more white and gummy within, quickly taking Fire, and melting thereat, and of a Kind of quick Scent and Tafte. If it is like Ammonia cum, or Gum-Arabick, or is black, it is good for little or nothing. This Gum is of Angular Ufe in all Wounds and Fractures of the Head and Skull, and to be mix’d with Leniments and Balfams for that Purpofe. It is alfo emollient, digeftive, and is anodyne, difeufies Tumours, and opens Obftrudtions. The Spirit, Oil, and Balfam are diftill’d by the Retort in Sand, as hath been taught. The acid Spirit, which contains the vo- latile Salt of the mix’d, fupprefles Vapours and Fits of the Mother, opens the Paflages of the Urine, tempers the Heat thereof, prevents breed- ing of the Stone, and is a good Pectoral. The Oil and Balfam are accounted, by fome, fpeci- fical in the Gout, Palfy, and Convulfions. They cure Ulcers, chiefly of the Fundament, heal and cleanfe all Wounds, cAc. as well old as new, eafing Pain, refolving Contufions, and difeufling Swellings. [The fir ft Kind of Gum Elemi mentioned by our Authors, is the Gum Elemi Legitimum /Ethi - opium. Geoff. T raft. 357, which was once common among us, but the Quantity and Chcap- nefs of that brought from America, has quite banifh’d it now from the Shops, fo that it is no where to be found, and few Drugeifts know that C c there C/J j 94 General Hijlory there ever was any other Gum Elemi than that which they now fell, which is the natural Drop- pings of the Arbor Brafilienfts Gummi Elemi ftmile fundens foliis pinnatis fofculis verticillatis, fruftu Olives figura et magnitudine. Rai. Hift. 2. 1546. Prunifera fago ftmilis Arbor Gummi Elemi fundens figura et magnitudine Olives ex Infulis Barhadcnfi. Pluk. Aim. 306. This is a very common Tree al- moft all over the Wejl-Indies. 31. Of Gum Tacamahaca. G TJM Tacamahaca is a refinous, liquid and tranfparent Gum, that flows from the Trunks of large thick Trees, that grow plentifully in New Spain and Madagaf- car, where they are call’d Harame ; they are pretty like our Poplars. Thefe Trees are fur- nilh’d with green Leaves, almoft like thofe of the Box-Tree ; after which comes red Fruit, of the Bignefs of our Wallnuts, in which is con- tain’d a fragrant Balfamick Rofin. The Natives cut the Trunks of thefe Trees, whence diftils a white cryftalline Liquor, of an agreeable Smell, that hardens fometime after it is fallen, and that ferves for the Cure of cold Humours and to abate the Tooth-Ach, but they principally ufe it to caulk Veflels and Ships with, and the Wood ferves for Planks. The Inhabitants of St. Laurence have a Cuftom to put the firft that falls from the Tree, without Incifion, into little Shells cut in two, which they cover with a great Leaf, like a Sort of Palm Leaf ; and that is what fome Authors mean, when they fpeak of Gum Tacamahaca Sublimis , which ought to be dry, reddifh, tranfparent, of a ftrong Smell, inclining to that of Lavender, of a Tafte fomewhat bitterifh ; this Kind is what we call Shell Tacamahac. That which falls from the Tree by cutting, is what we have brought in the Mafs or Lump, and fometimes in Tears, in Fi- gure refembling Indian Frankinccnfe, which is to be chofen as full of white Drops, clean, dry, and as near the Smell of the former as can be got. It comes near the Virtues of the former, for which Reafon it is ufed to put in Plaifters. It is verv good to foften Tumours, and eafe all Manner of Pains in the Head, Nerves, Joints and Womb. It is inwardly given from half a Dram to a Dram againft Vapours, but moft: commonly againft Pains, for which it is fo famous amongft tire In- dians, that they ufe it to all Pains whatfoever, if not attended with any great Inflammation. Tacamahaca, vcl Tacamaca, is a Lemery. Kind of hard, clear, fragrant Rofrn, that is drawn by Incifion from theTrunk of a great, thick, unknown Tree ; call’d by Par- kmfon and Ray , Tacamahaca ; by f. Bauhinus, Tacamahaca Papula ftmilis frufttt colore Peconus \ of DRUGS. or that like the Poplar Tree, with Fruit the Co- lour of the Peony. It refembles much the Poplar Tree ; the Leaves are fmall and indented ; the Fruit is of the Bignefs of a Nut, of a red Colour, refinous, odoriferous, and contains a Stone almoft like that of the Peach. This Tree grows plenti- fully in New-Spain, and feveral Parts of the IVeJl- Indies ; the Gum is gather’d from the Tree after wounding. We have two Kinds of it, one of which is brought over in Shells, that is foft and whitifh, of a very pleafant fragrant Smell; the other in Lumps, and comes in Chefts, which is nothing near fo good, but for the moft Part is very foul and drofly : Both yield a deal of exalted Oil and volatile Salt. The Gum Tacamahaca is digeftive, refolutive, neurotick, anodyne, cephalick, drying, being apply’d externally. There is an acid Spirit, Oil and Tindlure made from this Gum, which open Obftrudfions of the Womb and Mefentery ; are anodyne and ftomachick, taking a few Drops in any generous Liquor ; or the Oil is good exter- nally to fmell to, and to anoint old running Ul- cers with, to cleanfe and heal them, as well as to difcufs hard Knots and Tumours. [The Tree which produces the Tacamahac , is the Tacamahaca foliis crenatis, Sadelhouts Lignum ad Ephippia conficundumaptum. Par. Bat. Prod.379. Tacamahaca Populo ftmilis fruElu colore Pccoma ftmili. J. B. 1. 346. The Gum is of a very agreeable Smell, like that of Lavender and An- gelica. We have it from Madagafcar and New- Spain. It is principally ufed externally, and is in great Efteem for all Kinds of Pains among the Indians. J 32. Of Gum Ivy. N M Ivy is a liquid Rofin which hardens as it flows. This Gum Pcmet. flows abundantly in the Indies, Italy, Provence and Languedoc, from the great Ivy that creeps or climbs upon Trees and Walls. Being at Montpelier in the Year 1680, and walking in the King's Garden, I perceiv’d an Ivy there that climb’d up a Bay-Tree, having on the top Branch a Piece of Gum of the Bignefs of one’s Finger, which I begg’d of Mr. Chicanneau’s Son, who gave it me ; and after I had examin’d it, I found it like Glue, of a red Colour, a ftrong penetra- ting Smell, and unpleafant enough. After having kept it fome time, it grew dry, brittle, and of a yellowifh Colour, juft as we have it come from India by MarfAU.es. Chufe the left dry’d, cleareft, of a balfamick Smell ; and take Care that you be not impofed upon with the Gum Alouchi, which is fometimes fold in its ftead, es- pecially when dear. It is reckon’d proper to make the Hair fall, and for the Cure of Wounds. He da a G.Bc/e/uim or * cr. of if unis. Qo-o-i 8 31 ah Lt ac am aca G.Jvy Book VIII. Hedra Arberia , 6r the Ivy-Tret , is a Ltrtr-f. Shrub, or Tree, whofe Branches creep up and cling to the next adjacent Trees orW.u-s, and insinuate themlelves into the Cracks thereof, and into the Chinks of Stones, where they will fix a deep Root. The Bark is wrinkled, Afii-colour’d, and the Wood hard and white. The Leaves are broad, large, corner’d, thick, fmooth, green all the Year, and finning, of an aftringent acrid Tafte. The Flowers grow at the Extremity of the Branches, compofed each of fix ftrip’d Leaves, of a graffy Colour, fucceeded by round Berries, that are a little flcftiv, and as large as thofe of Juniper, difpofed in Clufters, of a black Colour when ripe. They contain each five Seeds, furrow’d on the Back, and flat on either Side. The Ivy grows generally upon Walls, and yields Abundance of Oil, and fome afTential Salt. It is deterfive and vulnerary. The Leaves are apply ’d to Illues to cleanfe them from their Sorties. They are likewife boil’d in Decoc- tions for the Ear-ach and Tooth-ach. There is another Sort of Ivy, call’d Heclera Poetica by C. Bauhinus and Tournefort , and He- iera Dycnif.as and Chryfocarpos , whofe Ivy-Berries are of a Gold Colour. The Leaves of this are not fo angular, but only Sharper towards the Top, lefs thick, hard and fleftiy than thofe of the other Ivy , and not of fo deep a Colour. T he Berries are of a fine Gold Colour. This Species of Ivy is rarely met with in Fiance. Ehe Antients made Crowns of it, with which they crown’d their Poets, from whence it is call’d Hedera Pcetica , the Poets Ivy ; Hedera Dyonijias , aut Bacchica , becaufe they made Ufe of this Sort of Ivy in theirpublick Rejoicings, and F eafts of Bacchus. They make Incifions in the Trunks of the larger Ivies in the hot Countries, as Italy , Lan- guedoc, and Provence , to make the Gum or Rofin flow, which hardens in a little Time, and which they call Gummi Hedera , or Gum-Ivy. It ought to be of a reddifh yellow, tranfparent Colour, of a ftrong Smell and an acrid aromatick Fade. The greateft Part of it that is fold by the Druggifts comes from India by Marseilles. It yields a good deal of Oil and Salt, and is ufed externally to the fame Intentions as the former, and is fometimes put into the Ointment of Althaa. [This is produced by the common Ivy, the Hedera arbor ea. Tourn. Inft. 613. Hedera co- rymbofa. Ger. 208. The Antients thought this Gum a Cauftick and Depilatory, but Experience {hews it is neither, but a powerful Refolvent and Difcutient, and an excellent Ingredient in Plaiftcrs 2nd Ointments in fuch Intentions.] 33. Gum Caranna. rriHE Caranna is a Gum which Pomet. X flows from the Trunk of feveral *9 5 Trees, like the Palm Tree, which are plentifu in New-Spain. This Gum is brought us in the Lump, wrap'd up in Reed Leaves. It ought to be fott, of a greyifh Colour, inclining to green* of a fweet Smell, and fomething aromatick. Some Authors obfcrve, that there is a white Caranna , which I eafily believe, as very probably it is of that Colour, when it is newly-fallen from the Tree, and only becomes of the Colour wc fee, by Reafon of its Age ; the whiter it is, therefore the more valuable : But have nothing to do with feveral hard Gums that are offer’d in its ftead, becaufe of its Dearnefs. This Gum apply’d in a Plaifter upon the Head, is admirable to abate the Pains thereof, as well as thofe of the Joints. And this Gum has fuch fine Qualities, that it is ufually faid, What Tacamahaca cannot cure , Caranna can. The Americans compofe a Balfam from this Gum, which they ufe with good Succefs for the Cure of Wounds and Hemorrhoids in this Man- ner : They take fine Turpentine half an Ounce, liquid Amber three Ounces, Caranna * Maftich , Myrrh and Aloes, of each two Ounces, Copal Tacamahac, Incenfe , Dragon’s Blood and Sarco - cclla, of each a Dram and a half. Diffolve the Gums and Rofins upon the Fire, and after incor- porate them with the Powders. Gum Caranna is mightily commended for its Faculty of difeuffing or aflwaging hard Tumours : It is alfo apply’d to the Temples upon fmall Plaifters or Patches in the Head-Ach, or to prevent and reftrain the falling down of the Humours upon the Eyes and Teeth. There is alfo prepar’d from it an excellent anti- podagrick Plaifter to be apply’d to gouty Swel- lings. It is call’d Caranna Gummi , or Ca- ragna, from Cartagena the Place of its Lcmery . Production in the Spanijh Wejl- Indies, where it is in great Plenty, flowing out of a Tree cut or wounded. It is a hard Rofin, clammy but not glutinous, foftifh and tough, of a dark olive Colour, inclining a little to a Mufk Colour. It comes forth foft, but condenfes after- wards, not much unlike Tacamahaca , but more odoriferous and fweeter, and of fomething a brighter Colour ; it comes wrap’d up in its broad fibrous Leaves like Reeds. It is a famous Ccphalick, Neurotick, Arthritick and Vulnerary ; cafes all manner of Pains in any Parts of the Body, proceeding from a cold and moift Caufe, ftrengthens weak Limbs, and is accounted excellent to ftop Defluxions from the Glands, being apply’d Plaifterwife to the 1 emples. It eafes the^Spleen, and diffolves the Hardnefs thereof, mollifies Swellings, and cures green Wounds, chiefly of the Nerves and Joynts : Dofc inwardly from a Dram to two Drams. There is a Spirit, Oil and Balfam made from C c 2 Caranna : Of GUMS. ig6 General Hijlory Caranna : The volatile Spirit is aperitive, and opens Obftru&ions of the Reins, iAc. Dofe from ten Drops to twenty in any proper Liquor. The Oil is good againft: Lamcnefs, Pains, Aches, Convulfions , lAc. anointed upon the Parts affe&ed. The Balfam is excellent to heal and confolidate Wounds, to {Lengthen the Nerves, &c. [The Tree which produces the Caranna is the llahueliloca htahuitb , i. e. Arbor Infantes Ca- ragna Nuncupata. Hermand. Caranna. Jonf. Dendr. 356. The Gum, or rather Rofin, is brought from the Province of Mechoacana in America. A Plainer of it, as broad as a Shilling, laid to the Temples, is by fome faid to be an infal- lible Remedy for the Tooth-ach.J 34. Of Gum Bdellium.. TyDellium is a Gum which flows from Ptmet. the Trunk of a thorny Tree, whofe Leaves are like thofe of the Oak, and the Fruit like the wild Fig; it is brought to us from Arabia Felix, and the Eafl- Indies ; it fhould be chofen in clear tranfparent Pieces of a reddifli grey without, and the Colour of Englijh Glue within, dry, clean, and of a good Smell ; take Cane not to buy Gum Alouchi in its Place, which is a black Gum often offer’d to Sale inftead of the Bdellium when it is dear. It is warm, deficcative, and fudorifick, and is given in Coughs and Difeafes of the Lungs ; it alfo diffolves the Stone, and provokes Urine taken in Powder from two Scruples to a Dram ; but its principal Ufe is for the Mithridate, and other Galenical Compofitions. Bdellium is a yellowilh or reddifli Lemery. Gum, that flows from a thorny Tree call’d Bdellia , growing in Arabia , Me- dia, or the Indies. They fay that it bears Leaves like thofe of the Oak, and a Fruit refembling the Wild-Fig, of a pretty good Tafte. This Gum is brought us in Pieces of different Sizes and Shape, but the fineft is ufualiy oval, or in Fafliion of Pendants for the Ears, neat, clear, tranfparent, reddifli, fragrant, and that eafily foftens, of a Tafte inclining to bitter, it yielding a good deal of Oil and volatile acid Salt ; is di- geftive, difeuffive, fudorifick, drying, aperitive, ferviceable in the Empyema,, to provoke the Terms, haften the Birth, and to refill Poifon ; ufed both externally and internally. [The Tree which produces the Bdellium is the Efuercinis foliis Arbufcula , fpinofa , laclefcen Pcrtoricenfis. C. B. Pin. Arbufcula Portori- ctnfis ladtefcens folds J^uercinis fpinis Geminis , ad fngulorum fcliorum Ortum exafperata. Hort. Hi auni. Arlo “ Laflefcens Aculcata foliis f’uernis Americana Bd< llifera forte five Arbor Bdellium ferens of DRUGS. in America. Pluk. Phyf. Tab. 145. There are two Kinds of this Gum in the Shops, one in large Cakes, reddifli, and bitter, the other hard, brittle, of a darker Colour, and ftrong Smell. It is now brought from Africa, and is got in Abyffmia and /Ethiopia ; the Kind firft deferib’d is the beft, and probably is what drops naturally from, the Tree.] 35. Of Gtim Sarcocol. C Arcocol is a Gum that flows from a little prickly Shrub, whereof the Pornet. Leaves are like Sena , of a white Co- lour tending to a yellow : Almcft all Authors fay, that thefe Shrubs grow in Perfia ; but two Friends of mine at Mar fellies writ to me in July 1692 after this manner, that Sarcoeolla was a Gum that is gather’d in the Deferts of Arabia, the Tree being little and very thorny ; chufe that in Tears or Grains, of a white Colour, inclining to yellow or red, of a fweetifh Tafte, attended with an unpleafant Bitterncfs. This Gum is wonderful in its Kinds, in that it flows from the Tree both without Incifion, and by Incifion, in Tears or Drops of different Colour and Bignefs, white, yellow and red ; which when they are dry, are granulated, as they are brought to us from Marfeilles. There is befides another Sort of Sarcocol, which is in brown Lumps, and looks like a Compofition ; but I take it to be nothing but the damag’d Gum; however it ought to be thrown away, as alfo that which is very full of Dirt, and other Filth, to which it is much fubje£l. This is very proper for curing of Wounds, which made the Greeks call it Sarcocol , which fig- nifies Flejh Glue. It is confolidating and repelling, ufed chiefly to heal Wounds, flop Fluxes in the Eyes, and clear thc-m from any Clouds, Films,. Pearls, (Ac. that may hinder the Sight. It is good to purge the Head, and therefore profitable againft Coughs, Shortnefs of Breath, efpecially m Perfons that are flegmatick. Outwardly it is ufed againft Inflammations of the Eyes, and to heal Ulcers in the Ears. The Fume thereof from. Charcoal, receiv’d up the Fundament, cures the Piles, and other Difeafes of thofe Parts. Sarcoeolla , or Flefh-Glue, is a gra- nulated Gum, in very fmall Bits, fpongy, Lemery. of a yellowilh Colour, tending to white, refembling the broken Pieces or Remains of a Gum, or of Frankiacenfe that have been grofly powder’d. We have it brought us from Arabia ; where, as fome fry, it comes from a thorny Shrub, whofe Leaves are fomething like Sena. Sarcocol is of fuch a brittle Nature, that it moulders down into a grofs Powder only by fha- king or handling it ; wherefore it is commonly brought over to us in fmall Grains,, not much bigger r late 6 . ath . S . ol 1 LruniJ’ (t . Eupk erlrium , (The £. up/ierrb ium£ errv. : S' • ( r . like a Pin’s Head, which fome have allur’d me i s the Seed of the very Plant which brings forth the Euphorbium. This Drug is not much ufed in Medicine, becaufe of its immoderate Heat, and great Acrimony ; but much by the Farriers, being very good for the Farcy and Wind-Galls in Horfes. The Africans ufe this Gum internally, but they walh it ffrfl in Poppy- Water, to abate the Heat of it. Euphorbium being reduced into a fine Powder, which is a very difficult Talk to do, is enclofed n a hollow’d Quince, which being cover’d over with a Pafte, is baked in an Oven. It ought to be correfted with Vinegar, Juice of Lemons, or four Pomegranats ; or elfe with the Flegm or Spirit of Vitriol. By a chymical Analyfis it yields a great deal of Oil, of a moft ftinking Smell, and a hot burning Tafte ; moreover, an acid Flegm, and a fharp, concreted, volatile Salt are extracted from it. Euphorbium purges violently from five Grains to twelve, and is ufed againft the Dropfy and lethargick Diftemper. The Pills of Eu- phorbium of Quercetan, are prepar’d from it, being good againft intermitting Fevers. It is ufed in the Pills of Nitre of Trallianus , and in Mefue's Pills of Her moda ffyls. Euphorbium, fo call’d from Euphor- bias, Phyfician to King Juba, who Lemery. firft introduced it into Pra£tice, and with it cur’d Augufus Ccefar ; is a yellowifh Gum in little brittle Pieces, very acrid and burning to the Tafte. It flows by cutting from a Sort of Ferula that bears the fame Name. The Bark is hard and thorny ; the Leaves about the Length of a Man’s Finger, and thick} of a quadrangular Form, garnilh’d at each Angle with a great Number of little Thorns. It grows in Libya. It is yellow and clear, in hollow Drops as big as Peafe, and almoft like Sarcocol, and is in Blad- ders as clear as Glafs. Chufe that which is white, bright, pure, or yellow and fharp, which, with a fmall Touch, makes the Tongue burn. It is the better for being old, Age abating its Sharpnefs, which whilft frefh is not to be ufed. Dodoneeus faith it is the Gum of a Plant. Diofcorides af- firms, that it proceeds from a Kind of Libyan Fe- rula, being cut. It is adulterated with Gum Sarcocol, and Juice of Tithymal or Spurge. It purges ferous and watry Humours, but is vio- lently inflaming. It is adminifter’d with great Caution in Dropfies, Gouts, Palfies, and Green- Sicknefs ; for it powerfully opens the Womb, provokes- the Terms, and brings away both Birth and After-Birth. [The Plant which produces the Euphorbium, is the Euphorbium verum Commelin. Euphorbium ■oerurn Antiquorum. R. Hift, 1. £73. Hcrt. Arnft. 198 General Hid cry of DRUGS. Amft. 12$. Euphorbhm trigonum fpinofum ro- loaded with Dirt, of a reddifh Colour, fomething tundifolium. Adi. Reg. Par. Anno. 1720. bitter to the Tafts, that is brought into France by When it is given inwardly, it is beft difTolv’d the Eajl-India Company ; upon which Account it in the Yolk of an Egg, and diluted with Oil of i* call’d the Company’s Frankincenfe, Olibanum, Sweet Almonds. Some venture it in Clyfters, in or Indian Frankincenfe. They never fell it but to the Quantity of twelve Grains, in Palfies and counterfeit the former, and fometimes, tho’ very Lethargies, and it is fometimes ufed in SnufF.] improperly, for the true Bdellium. 37. Of Olibanum, cr Male-Frank- incenfe. T H E Olibanum , which we ufually call the Male Franklncenfe , is a Gum that flows, by Incifion, from the Trunk of feveral Shrubs which are found plenti- fully in the Holy Land , and in Arabia Felix, where they grow in great Quantities, efpecially at the Foot of Mount Lebanon, from whence came its Name Thus Libani Oleum Libani , and by Corrup- tion of the Language, Olibanum ; it was alfo call’d Franklncenfe , becaufe the Antients made Ufe of it for an Incenfe to their Gods. From Arabia Felix they tranfport it by the Red Sea to Egypt, from whence it comes to Grand Cairo, and from Grand Cairo to Alexandria , where it is embark’d for Marfeilles. Several Perfons write, that when they cut the Trunk of the Frankinccnfe-Tre e, and it begins to drop, no Body, except thofe who are of a certain reputed holy Family, may be permitted to gather it. Chufe the fineft white Tears, inclining fomewhat to a gold Colour, which being chew’d, make the Spittle white as Milk, and are of a bitter unpleafant Tafte, throw- ing fuch afideas is full of Duft, and Leaves, and little yellow Pieces, to which it is very fubjedl. Its Ufe is for feveral Compofitions, as well Chy- mical as Galenical. This Olibanum drops from the Tree plentifully, in roundifh Drops , fome bigger , fome lefs, fcarcely any of them exceeding the Size of a Horfe-Bean ; and it falls pure, without either Bark, Wood, or any other Thing flicking to it, and is of a yellowiflh white ; the whiter it is, the more it is efteem’d. This refinous Gum ftrengthens the Bowels, flops Fluxes and the Go- norrhoea in Men, with the Fluor Albus inWomen, taken from one Dram to two in Jelly of Ifinglafs. It is cephalick, cardiack and pedloral, comforts the Head, and revives the Memory, fupprefies Melancholy and the Vapours, and abates vehe- ment Coughing, Hoarfenefs and Catarrhs. The Fume taken up the Fundament, cures the Piles. 38. Of Moca Frankincenfe. T H E Franklncenfe of Moca is no- thing elfe but a Kind of Olibanum Pomety in little Tears, or in the Mafs, much 39. Of the Manna of Frankincenfe. H E Manna of Frankincenfe is only a Number of little round Pomct. Grains, that are clear and tranfparent, which are found in the Olibanum , and which are to be ufed for the fame Purpofes and after the fame Manner as Olibanum. Thus, or Frankincenfe , is a Kind of white or yellowifh Rcfin, which yields Ltmery. a great Smell and Perfume, when thrown into the Fire ; it is drawn by Incifion from a little Tree, the Leaves whereof are like the Lentisk , and which grows plentifully in the Holy Land, efpecially about Mount Libanus. They call this Tree Thus, or Arbor thurifera ; die Tree bear- ing Frankincenfe. The firft that flows from the Tree in clear pure Tears or Drops they call Olibanum Melax, Thus Mafculum, or the Male Frankincenfe ; that which falls confufedly on the Ground, and is fometimes mix’d with the Pieces of the Bark of the Tree, or with fome other Impurities, is the common Frankincenfe which fome call Female Frankincenfe ; it is in the Lump, yellowifti, foft, fat, very apt to take IFire, and odoriferous : That which is call’d the Manna of Frankincenfe , is the Olibanum in fmall Grain or Seed, that is round and pure, bearing the Colour of fine Manna ; this Sort yields abundance of Oil and volatile Salt. The Olibanum is deterfive, a little aftringent, fudorifick, proper for Difeafes of the Breaft, for the Pleurify, to {Lengthen tho Brain, for the fcouring of the Guts, being taken in- wardly, and is ufed externally to deterge and con- folidate Ulcers. The common Frankincenfe is deterfive, and deficcative, being mix’d in Oint- ments and Plaifters. The Bark of the Tree, from whence the Fran- kincenfe flows, is call’d Thymiama, Thus Judceo- rum, or the Frankincenfe of the Jews : It is call’d Thymiama from fmelling fweet in burning, becaufe they burn this Bark in the Churches, or their Houfes, to perfume them. It ought to be chofen thick, fat, or refinous ; fmooth, frefli and fragrant ; it is deterfive and drying. [We are not certainly inform’d what Tree it is which produces the Olibanum ; Thcophrajhts calls it a fmall Tree with Leaves like thofe of the Pear-Tree ; others have compar’d it to the Len- tifk, and others to the Acacia Kind ; and TheveU, J who > ■ P ■ ' . I - - ! A - .. » Book VIII. who in all Probability is mod right of all, judges it to be of the Pine Species. The Olibanum is brought to us from Africa and the Eafi-Indies. The Thus vulgare of the Shops is the dry Re- frn of the Pinus fylveflris , Ger. 1175. Pinas fylveflris vulgaris Gentvenjis et Teda, J. B. 1253. and the fofter Kind, call’d Thus faemininum, or common Incenfe, is only a thinner Sort of this, very much approaching to the Turpentine Kind.] 40. Of Gum Copal. T H E Gum Copal , which we call Oriental Copal , is a clear, tranfpa- rent Rofin, of a golden Colour, that flows from the Trunk of a Tree of a moderate Growth, adorn’d with Leaves which are green, long, large, and pointed ; and with a Fruit that is like our Cucumbers, of a dark Colour, in which is to be found a Meal, or Flour, of a very good Tafte. Chufe this Rofin in fine Pieces, of the mod beautiful yellow Colour, clear and tranfparent, that is eafy to break or crumble ; and which, when put into the Fire, melts prefently, and yields a Smell like that of Olibanum. This Rofin is very feldom brought into France., and therefore its Ufeis little known, altho’ it is often met with in both the Indies . But in the Room of it we have another Gum Copal brought from the Ameri- can Iflands, which fome improperly call Kara be This Gum flows, without cutting, from the Trunk and Branches of feveral large Trees, like our Black Poplars, that grow plentifully upon the Mountains of the Antilles , from whence it is brought along the Rivere, by means of the Rains and Torrents of Water that pafs by the Roots of tr.efe Trees, where this Gum falls naturally. Its Lfe is to make Varnifh of, with Spirit of Wine, and to fell inftead of the true Karabe , tho’ very improperly, becaufe it is fcarce any thing like it ; fmells little when burnt, and is therefore no ways ufchil to allay the Vapours : Befides, it is fo like :he Gum Senega, that there is nothing but the Co- lour, and the not diflblving in Water to difcover the Difference by. [The Tree which produces the Copal , is the C-.palli quavith Palahoca five arbor Cop alii f era la- t. folia five fecunda. Hern. 46. Rhus Virginia- num Lentifci foliis , R. Hift. p. 1799. It grows both in the Eajl and IVefl ■‘Indies. The Indians call all tranfparent odoriferous Gums Copal ; and Hernandez has defcribed eight Kinds oi Copal Trees ; but the Species here men- tion d, is that which produces the Gum we ufe, under that Name, which only differs in Colour ac- cording to its Purity, and to the Climate in which the I rec grows. It is not much ufed in Medicine, but is in great Efteem among the Varnilhexs.] *91 41. Of Cancamum, or Gum Cancamy. HIS is a Drug that is controverted even to this Day ; fome affirming Pomet. it to be Gum Lac , others Myrrh , Ben- jamin, and Turmerick. But Mr. Brifot, a Phy- fician at Paris, at his Return from his Voyage to the Wejl- Indies, brought into France a Gum of four different Colours ; the firft Amber-colour, the fecond blackifh, the third the Colour of Horn, to which was faften’d a dry white Subftance which was what we fell by the Name of Gum Aninus ; this a great many People fcarcely believe, not- withftanding Dalechamp, and others, have men- tion’d it ; but I can atteft the Truth of it, ha- ving a Ptfbe by me of the Size of one’s Finger, where the four Sorts of Gums are flicking toge- ther. The Tree that bears thefe four Sorts of Gums is of a moderate Height, and the Leaves like thofe of Myrrh ; it grows every where in Africa, Bra- fil, and in St. Chrifiopher’s, from whence this Piece came, which was given me by a Friend the 30th of July 1686, who had it of a Perfon of the firft Quality, to whom it had been fent by one of the Governors of St. Chriflopher’s : That which refembles Amber, being burnt, diffolves, and has the Smell of Gum Lac ; the fecond, which is black, melts as the other, and has a much fweeter Smell , the third, which is like Horn, is almoft without Smell ; the fourth is the Gum Anime : But fince we have none comes to Paris but the Anime Kind, chufe fuch as is white, dry, brittle, and of a good Smell. This Gum is very little ufed in Medicine, tho’ endow’d with a great many good Qualities, being a natural Bal- lam. Some would put off, tho’ very wrong. Gum Anime for Gum Elemi ; for there is a great deal of Difference, the Anime being hard and white, the Elemi pcift and greenifh. Gunimi Copal , five Pancopal , is a foft Gum, of a very good Smell, of a white Lnnery. yellowifli Colour, and fragrant, brought fiom Hifpaniola, and other Places of the Spanijh Wefi Indies. Some Authors have thought this Gum and Gum Anime to be all one ; they may poffibly be comprehended under one Genus ; but I am confident that Copal is a Species different from the other; for Copal is a fine, clear, tranfparent, white Gum, in fomewhat greater Pieces, and very odoriferous, tho’ not altogether fo fweet as the Anime is ; and with this Copal it is that the Indians , inftead of Incenfe, perfume their Sacrifices in their Temples, as the Spaniards ob- ferv’d when they firft came among them. Gum Anime is alfo a whitilh Gum, but is fat- ter. Gum Copal is more pure, clear, and white, and not fo fatty as the other ; lb that of the two, the Copal is indeed the more excellent in Sub- ftance ; Of GUMS, -v 200 General Uijiory cf DRUGS. fence ; but the Amine is the more odoriferous, and to be chofen before the Copal , if it be for a medicinal Ufe ; but the Copal is to be chofen be- fore the Anime , if for any other Purpofes. Cancamum is a very fcarce Gum, which is clot- ted, and refembles feveral Sorts of Gums or Ro- fins united, or {ticking clofe one to the other, as one entire Gum. Some will have it to be a Spe- cies of Amber, others of Gum Anime , fome of Benjamin, and fome again of Lac ; whereas all the Cancanum we know comes from Arabia , and 1110ft of the others are unknown there ; fo that it rather appears to be a fingular Species or Kind of itfelf, and the true Rofin of a Tree growing in Arabia. As to its Virtues, Experience confirms that it ftrengthens the Stomach and Bowels, kills Worms, and opens Obftru&ions of the Spleen. You may make a good Varnifti by diflolving it in Spirit of Wine tartariz’d, or good Spirit of Tur- pentine, as you make Varnifh of Gum Anime , or of Seed and Shell Lac. [We are altogether ignorant what was the true Cancanum of the Antients ; fome have thought they meant Myrrh by this Name, and others, with more Probability, Gum Anime , which is pro- duc’d by the Animi fera Arbor Braftliana , Herm. Par. Bat. Pr. 312. Anime Cancanum Gracorum , Mont. Exot. 1 1 . Acacia: quodamodo accedens Ar- bor Anima: Gummi f undens Americana foliis magnis acuminatis in pediculo binis Lobo magno, erajjijimo Eduli , Breyn. Prodr. 2. 8. Courbaril. Plum. N. G. 49. It grows in New Spain and Braftl : The Gum has the fame Smell and Virtues with the Copal-, and it is alfo to be obferv’d, that the Word Anime among the Indians comprehends as many Gums as Copal ; but the Tree here men- tion’d, produces what we receive and ufe under that Name.] 42. Of Gum Lac in the Stick. T H E natural Gum Lac , or that in the Stick, is a reddifh Gum, that is hard, clear, and tranfparent, which is brought us adhering to little Sticks or Reeds, of the Thicknefs and Length of one’s Finger, from the Kingdom of Pegu , where it is found in great Quantities. The Sieur Rouffcau , who was a long Time in the Indies , in Per fin and Pegu , where they ga- ther this Gum Lac , lays, that in thofe Parts there is a vaft Quantity of Infetfe, like our common Flies, that gather together the Dew which is found on feveral Trees after the fame Manner as we ob- ferve our Bees ; and when they are full of this Dew, they difeharge it upon whatever they meet with : That the Inhabitants of thofe Places {tick up Branches of Trees, Sticks or Reeds, as we do here in the Ground for Peafe, or the like, to run upon, that the Flies may difeharge their Loads of Dew upon thofe Sticks, and the Sun drys them to a Gum that is hard and dry, juft as we fee it ; which is not improbable, fince the Lac we have brought over, flicks upon Pieces of different Wood, and likewife upon little Reeds : Befides, it is eafy to fee that this Gum does not flow from thefe little Pieces of Wood on which it is found flicking ; becaufe there are no Ap- pearances from whence fuch a Matter fhould pro- ceed. The faid Sieur Rjoufifeau has aflured me that the lower End of the Body of thefe Flies, put into Spirit of Wine, makes the moft beautiful Red imaginable ; and that it was the Tip of thefe Flies that might be call’d the Animal Cochineal , and not the Mcjlick Cochineal $ which we have treated of before. When this Gum is in Perfection, they gather thefe fmall Sticks loaded with it, which they keep to make a TinCture of, and to trade with feveral Nations, efpecially with the Dutch and Englifb , from whence wc have it ; and this is what we call Stick-Lac. Chafe this Gum clear and tranfpa- rent, fuch as melts well, the leaft full of Sticks, black Gum, and other Filth, to which it is very fubjeCl, and fuch as being chew’d, tinges the Spittle red, and boil’d in Water, with any Acid, produces a fine fcarlet Colour. ’Tis with this TinCture that the Indians ftain their Linnen, and the People of the Levant what we call Turky- Leather ; and the Indians make the Wax we name from thence Indian-Wax ; the Dutch and Englijh make Scarlet of it. When the Dutch and Englijh would clear what there is good from the Stick-Lac , they grind it {lightly in a Mill, and that which pafl'es through the Linnen, they feparafS, which they ufe for Dying ; the Remainder is the grofter and worfe Part, and is what they fend to us (mix’d with what they have, by the Affiftance of Acids, drawn the finer TinCture from, without changing its Figure, and dry’d) and call Secd-Lac. It ought to be chofen fuch as melts well, and comes as near the Properties of the Stick-Lac as may be. When they would make what is call’d Shell- Lac , they take the Gum-Lac off th’e Sticks ; and when it is melted, they caft it upon a Marble, and make it flat and thin, as we now fee it : It is of different Colours according to the Finenefs of the Gum Lac that was ufed ; but that which is al- moft black, is what has been made with fuch as had the TinClure drawn from it before. The Englijh have brought into France , for many Years, a large Quantity of the fineft Gum Lac , made in the Shape of Ears, whence it has receiv’d the Name of Ear Gum ; but of late there has been none of it feen. As to the Choice of Gum Lacs , the principal Thing is to have them fuch as will Book VIII. * Of melt well ; for all the Gum Lac that will not melt is good for nothing but to be thrown away, efpe- ciauy if defign’d for Spanijh Wax, which is the chief Ufe of it. As for the Shell Lac , it ought to be fliining, clear, tranfparent, the leaft rug- ged, of the higheft Colour, and the thinneft that may be. The third Sort, fucli as will melt beft, ought to be the leaft burnt ; and as to the Seed Lac , the Makers of Sealing-Wax grind it in Mills, as they cannot melt it. Lacca , or Gum Lac , is a hard, red, Lemery. clear, tranfparent Rofin, which is brought us from Bengal , Malabar , Pe- gu, and feveral other Eajl-India Provinces, ad- hering to little Sticks about the Length and Thick- nefs of one’s Finger. They pretend it is made from the great wing’d Ants, or a Kind of Flies refcmbling our common Flies, which draw a Juice from the Subftance of certain Trees, and dif- charge the fame upon the Boughs of others, or elfe upon Sticks or, Reeds, fet up for that Pur- pefe ; which being dry’d into a Gum, is call’d Stick Lac. You ought to chufe fuch as affords the higheft Colour, neat, clear, a little tranfpa- rent, that will melt upon the Fire when it is lighted, yields a pleafant Smell, and being chew’d tinges the Spittle of a red Colour ; and likewife boil’d in Water with any Acid, ftrikesa beautiful fcarlet Dye. This Gum yields abundance of Od, a little volatile Salt, fome Earth and Phlegm ; it is incifive, penetrating, deterfive ; it purifies the Blood, excites Sweat, and Womens Courfts ; facilitates Refpiration, refills the Malignity of Humours, and ftrengthens the Gums. They fell at the Druggifts a flat Gum Lac , call’d Shell Lac , which differs not from the other, but as it is feparated from the Sticks j diffolved and caft upon a Magpie, it looks like Glafs of Antimony. They have likewife Lac in Seed, or little Bits ; but ufually it is not fo good as the other, becaufe it is often only the remaining grof- fer Parts of the Gum, after the Dutch and Eng- lijh have taken the fcarlet Tincture off from it. 1 his Seed Lac is ufed for Sealing-Wax. The In- dian Sea.ing-Wax is made of the. Gum Lac melted cr liquified, and colour’d with Vermilion, and is much better than that made in France , becaufe i t is compofed of choice Gum Lac j inftead of which, that of France is generally of the worft Seed Lac , Rofin, and Vermilion. The black Sealing-Wax is ting’d or colour’d with Smoke Black ; the yel- low with Orpiment, lAc. They give the Name of Lac , or Lake, to fe- verai Kinds of dried Paftes, or Crayons, which the Painters ufe to paint in Miniature, and in Oil. That which is call’d fine Venetian Lac , is made with Meftick Cochineal, which remains after drawing off the firft Carmine : Thefe they pre- pare belter at Paris than Venice , and make them GUMS. 2QI up in little, foft, brittle Troches, of a deep red Colour. That which is call’d Dove Lac , or Flat Lac , is made with Shaving* of Scarlet, boil’d in a Lixivium of white Pot-Afties, Chalk and Alum, which they form a Pafte of, and make into Ta- blets to dry ; the beft is made at Venice. There is a certain Tindlure made of Braftl Wood, which the Painters call Liquid Lac. 43. Of Indian Wax. H E Indian Wax is made of Gum Lac, melted and colour’d with Pomet. pale Vermilion, and afterwards form’d into round or flat Pieces, in the Manner as we now have them. Chufe fuch as melt well, are fmooth, the leaft full of brown Spots, and of the higheft Colour you can get. This Wax is of no other Ufe than to feal Letters, and it ought to be this which bears the Name of the true Sealing- Wax, and not that which is mix’d and traded with at Paris , which is no other than the Seed Lac, ground and incorporated with melted Rofin, and colour’d by the Addition of a little Vermi- lion, and fo fold amongft us. And as this Wax is of a bafe Colour, becaufe they put in very little Vermilion, they cover their Sticks over flightly with a good Alining Red ; which Cheat is eafy to difeover by breaking the Sticks, and feeing that they are not of the fame Colour within as with- out. I wonder why this Kind of Wax Aiould be fo falfly call’d Spanijh Wax , fince the Spaniards never make it, but are entirely ignorant of it. There are feveral other Sealing-Waxes made of other different Colours, as black, yellow, £sV. befides perfum’d Wax, that is made by adding a little Civet or Mufk to the Compofition. [This common Opinion of the Gum Lac being left on Sticks, lAc. by Flies, which is alfo coun- tenanc’d by Garzias and Bontius , who both fay, that it is form’d in that Manner by what they call a Species of large wing’d Ants, feems repugnant to Reafon and the common Courfe of Nature, and is not believ’d by many very eminent Authors, among whom John Bauhin , and the late celebra- ted Mr. Ray , are of Opinion that it is the na- tural Gum ouzing from the Branches of the Trees we have it found on. Herman ha* deferib’d feve- ral Lacca-Trees ; but what we have brought into Europe is gather’d from the Jujuba Indica , Rai. Hift. 2. 155. Jujuba Indica rotundifolia Spinofa , foliis majoribus Jubtus lanuginofss et incanis, Breyn. Pr. 2. 60. Commel. Flon. Mai. 149. Zizy- phus Indica Argentea tot a, Herm. Muf. Zeyl. 8. 37. which is plentiful in Malabar , and many other Parts of the Eajl-Indies ; and I think there can be no great Difficulty in deciding the true Origin of this Drug, when Herman affirms that he has himfeif often procur’d a fine red and tran- D d fparent 202 General Hi /lory of D R U G S. fparent Gum Lacca, tho’ in fmall Quantities, from Incifions which he made in the Bark of this Tree. The Pun&ure made in the Bark by Flies and Ants may indeed very much facilitate the flowing of this Gum ; and hence, I fuppofe, grew at firft the Opinion of their leaving it there : Nay, tho* we Ihould allow Mr. Geoffrey the Truth of what he fuppofes, as to its being the Nefts of thefe In- fers, and their Eggs being found in fome of the Cells of it, I cannot fee that he need think that a Proof of the Matter’s being brought thither by them, any more than that the Subftance of a Gall is brought and lodg’d upon an Oak by a Fly, be- caufe the Egg, or Eula , of a Fly is found in it : Allowing therefore the Truth of thefe Eggs being fometimes found in the Cells of the Lacca , as I muft acknowledge I have fometimes found Bodies that had that Appearance, I think it rather a Proof of, than an Obje&ion againft, what I believe as to the Origin of the Lacca , which is, that Na- ture has inftrufted a certain winged Infedl to pierce the Bark of the Jujuba Laccam fundens , as I would call that Species we have the Lacca from, and there to leave its Eggs, where a proper Juice would foon naturally flow over them, and defend them from external Injuries ’till the Time of their hatching.] 44. Of Balfam of Judsea, or Balm of Gilead. T H E Balfam of Jtidaa , which we ufually call Opobalfamum , Balm of Gilead, Egyptian Balfam , or Balfam ef Grand Cairo,, is a liquid white Balfam, that flows during Summer from the Trunk of a Shrub, that bears Leaves like Rue, and white Flowers fhap’d like Stars ; in the Middle of which rife little Berries, that are lharp at the End, in which is a fmall Kernel ; this little Fruit we call Carpo- lalfamum ; it flicks to the Branches by means of a fmall Stalk, is green at the beginning, and grows brown as it ripens. Jericho was once the cnly Place in the World where this true Balfam was to be found ; butfince the Turks have been Mailers of the Holy Land, they have tranfplanted this Shrub into their Gar- dens at Grand Cairo , where they are guarded by feveral Janiffaries, during the Time the Balfam flows. A Friend of mine, who has been at Grand Cairo, allured me, that no body, unlefs by looking over the Wails, could get a Sight of thefe Shrubs, which are defended by very high Walls, as well as Soldiers, from any Chriflians entering. And as to the Balfam, it is almoft im- poflible to get any upon the Place, unlefs it is by means of fome EmbafTador at the Porte, to whom the Grand Signior has made a Prefent of it, or by the Janiffaries, who watch this precious Bal- fam ; by which we may under Hand, that what fe- veral Cheats pretend to fell for true Balfam of Gilead, is nothing but white Balfam of Peru, which they prepare with Spirit of Wine rectified, or with fome diftill’d Oils. But it is met with fometimes in the Cabinets of the great Lords. In 1687 there happen’d to be a Quantity fent to Madam de Villefavin, which was found to be about fourteen Ounces in tw» Leaden Bottles, as it came from Grand Cairo, which was fold to a Perfon who let me fee it ; we found it to be very hard, of a Golden yellow Co- lour, and a Citron Smell : But fince that, a Friend of mine gave me one Ounce, which he brought himfelf from Grand Cairo, and which was of a folid Confiftence, like that of Turpen- tine of Chio, and of a fragrant Smell, which is the true Sign of its Goodnefs. 45. Of Carpobalfamum. H E Carpobalfamum is as I bave faid, the little Fruit of the Bal- Pomet. fam-Shrub •, thefe, to have their due Qualities, ought to be new, and of an aromatick Tafte, and a pretty pleafant Smell. They are of fome medicinal Ufe, but principally for the great Treacle, wherein they require no other Prepara- tion than to be chofen true, and freed from their Stalks, empty Shells, and fuch as are Worm- eaten amongft them. 46. Of Xylobalfamum, or the Balfam- Wood. HIS is the Trunk and Branches, ftripp’d from the Leaves and Seed Pomet. of the Balfam-Shrub, which we have brought in little Faggots, from Cairo to Mar- feilles ; for they every Year prune the Balfam- Shrubs as we do our Vines, and bind up the Cut- tings for Sale ; for the Turks love rather to make Profit of it, than burn it. Chufe your Baifam- Wood in little Rods, full of Knots, reddifh with- out, and white within, the molt refinous and aromatick that can be got. The chief Ufe of it is in the Troches of Hedicroy, without any other Preparation than the Choice abovefaid. 47. Of Balfam of Mecca. H E Turks, who go a Pilgrimage every Year to Mecca, bring from Pomet. thence a certain dry white Balfam, in Figure refembling white Copperas, efpecially when it is Hale. The Perfon who made me a Prefent of about half ait Ounce, allur’d me, that he Book VIII. be brought the fame from Alecca liquid, and that the Smell is the fame as that of the Balm of Gi- Itad. The fame Perfon likewife did teftify to me, that it was as good as the Balm of Gilead. There is a Tincture and Spirit of Balm of Gi- lead ; the Tincture is a great Secret in the Vene- real Difeafe ; the Spirit is of great Value, by Reafon of its balfamick Virtues, being beneficial to the nervous and membranous Parts ; it con- tains a volatile, fubtile, and deterfive Salt, which mundifies itrongly, by which it takes away the Vifcofities, Impurities, and other Difeafes of the Lungs, Ureters lAc. Balfamum Judaicum , Gileadenfe ve- Lemery. rum Mgyptiacum, Syria cum, de Alecca , the true Syrian Balfam or Balm of Gi- lead ■, proceeds from a fmall Tree or Shrub that once grew no where but in the Valley of Jericho in Gilead , and in Arabia Felix ; but fince the Turks have been Mafters of that Part of the World, they have tranfplanted thefe Trees into other Parts, where no Chriftians are permitted to ap- proach, by the Command of the Sultan, who has appointed Soldiers to guard every one of thefe Trees perpetually. This Tree rifes to the Height of Shrub-Trefoil, bearing a few Leaves like thofe of Rue, or rather like the Leaves of the Maftick- Tree, being always green, and confifting of three, five, and fometimes of feven Wings. The Bran- ches are odoriferous, refinous, and tough ; the Flowers are of a white Colour, inclining to a Purple, not much unlike thofe of the Egyptian Thorn, or Acacia , of a very fine fragrant Smell ; the Seeds are yellow, contain’d in Cods that are of a blackilh Colour, inclining to red, being of a fweet Smell, a pungent and bitter Tafte, pour- ing: forth a yellow-colour’d Moifture like Honey : The Fruit of this Tree is call’d Opobalfam ; and die Liquor ifuiing from it is call’d in the Shops, the Liquor of Opobalfam ; and the Wood of the Tree Xylobalfam , or Balfam-fVood , wh;ch is ce- phalick 2nd ftomachick, refills Poifon, and drives away any Contagion. It is prefcrib’d in feveral pharmaceutical Difpenfations, and may be ufed indeed of Yellow Sanders, or Wood of Aloes, 'i'iie Carpebalfam , or Fruit thereof, is alexiterial, proper to ftrengthen the vital Parts, to excite the Semen Virile , to cure the Biting of Serpents, and other venomous Creatures ; but as it is fcarce, Cnbebs are ufed in its Stead. There flows, in Summer-time, from the Trunk of this Balfam-Tree, being cut, or the Boughs lopp’d otf, a liquid Rofin that is white and fra- grant, call’d in Latin , Opobalfamum , Balfame- leetn , Balfamum de Mecha, Balfamum verum Sy- riacum , Balfamum album /Egyptiacum feu Judai- cum. As this Balfam is fcarce, dear, and pre- cious, it is apt to be mix’d and adidterated. It ought to be of a Confidence very near like that 203 of Turpentine, of a whitilh Colour, inclining to yellow, tranfparent, of a penetrating and pleafant Smell, the Tafte a little bitter and acrid. It yields abundance of Oil that is half exalted by the volatile Salt. If for Curiofity one would make a Diftillation of it, in the firft Place we Ihall find an etherial Oil, then a yellow Oil, and at laft a red Oil, fuch as is to be met with in Diftillation of Turpentine. But as this white Balfam is a natural Drug fo exalted, that it Hands in need of no Afliftance from Chymiftry, it is much better to ufe it in its natural State. To know if this Balfam is true and frelh, pour fome Drops' of it into a Glafs of Water, and it will fpread itfelf delicately upon the Surface, and afterwards be ea- fily collected together by the End of a Stick en- tirely from the W ater ; but if this Balfam be old, tho’ it be true, it gains a firmer Confidence and Solidity, fo that it does not fwim or float upon the Water, but will precipitate to the Bottom. This white Balfam is the moft efl'ential Part of the Tree, and is the moft valuable Medicine to fortify the Heart and Brain. The Dofe is from two Drops to five or fix. And it is likewife given inwardly to deterge and confolidate Wounds, ftrengthen the Nerves, and to heal Ulcers of the Lungs, Confumptions, Catarrhs and Phthificks, fo that there is fcarce a better Thing in the World. The Ladies ufe it for a Wadi, and mix it with a little Oil and the four cold Seeds, to foften the Roughnefs of the Skin ; befides which, it takes away Pimples and Blotches in the Face. Some diflolve it in Spirit of Wine, or Hungary Water, and fo mix it with Snail Water, or Bean Flower Water, to make a Virgin’s Milk or Wafh of. [The Tree which produces the Balm of Gi- lead, is the Balfamum Syriacum Rutes folio, C. B. Pin. 400. Balfamum ab /. Egyptiis Baleffan, Alpin. AEgypt. 60. and the Wood and Fruit of the fame Tree are the Xylobalfamum and Carpobalfamum. The true Balm of Gilead is a refinous Liquor which at firft is of the Confidence of 0:1 of Sweet Almonds ; but by Age lofes its Smell, and fometimes its Colour, and becomes thick as Tur- pentine ; when frefli, it has the Smell of Citron Peel. M. Lippi, Embafiador from Lewis XIV. of France to the Emperor of the Abyffnes, being in Egypt, took great Pains to difeover the Plant, and the Ways of procuring the Balfam from it ; he found there were three Ways of collecting it, and that the three Liquors collected differ’d accordingly ■, the firft, and fineft, was catch’d as it flow’d fpon- taneoufly from the Tree ; the fecond was pro- cur’d by Inci lions, and the third by boiling the Tops of the Trees, which firft yield a very fine Balfam, and afterwards a coarfer. The Balfam which flows fpontaneoufly from the Tree is all fent D d 2 to Of G U M S. 204 General Hiflcry of D R U G S. to the Grand Signor’s Seraglio, the others are Aider ’d to be exported. ] 48. Of Balfam of Peru. W "E fell at Paris three Sorts of Balfams by the Name of Balfam of Peru ; to wit, The White , which is called; the Balfam by Incifion ; that in the Shell, which is called the Dry Balfam , and the Black Balfam. This firft is a v/hite Liquor, altoge- ther like the Bijon, of which I fhall treat in the Chapter of Turpentine , that diftils from the Trunk and large Branches of certain Shrubs, whofe Leaves are reprefented in the Figure of Balfam of of Peru , which Tree grows plentifully in New Spain , is'c. The fecond is the Balfam in th<$ Shell, which drops from the Branches that are cut, at the Ends of which they hang Shells, to receive a kind of Milk that falls into them after the fame manner as the Vines yield a clear Water. When thefe Shells are full, they place others in their room, continuing fo to do ’till the Trees will yield no more ; then they expofe, or fet thefe Shells, in hot Places for fome Days, that the Milk may congeal or harden, and change its Colour. The third is the Black Balfam , which is made by boiling the Bark, Branches and Leaves of thefe little Trees in Water ; after they are boil’d fome Time, taking the Whole from the Fire, and gathering off the Fat that fwims at Top, which is of a blackilh brown Colour, and is what we call Black Balfam of Peru. The firft and fineft Kind of all being that which diftils from the Branches, is a haxd. Balfam, which, to have its requifite Perfe£tion, ought to be red- difh, the moft fragrant and dry that may be. Its Ufe is as well in Medicine, as to make a Virgin’s Milk abundantly more odoriferous than that which is made of Benjamin and Storax. Several Perfons have allured me, that the Balfam in the Shell was a Compofition of Benjamin , Storax , and Balfam of Peru , which I never could find to be true from feveral Trials that I have made. However, with this Balfam , and fome other Drugs, is compofed the Balfam of Monfieur the Governor of Berne , which I fhall communicate to the Publick, becaufe of its many great Virtues. After that the Branches will drop no more they cut the Trunk, and from thence flows a white Humour, that is as clear as Milk ; which, to be right and true, ought to be white, and as ,like the Balm of Gilead as may be. This Balfam is of no other Ufe, that I know of, but for Wounds, or to fell inftead of the true Opohalfamum ; though there is a vaft Difference, in that the true Opohal- famum has a Citron Smell, which is not to be met withal in the white Balfam of Peru. 49. The Manner of making artificial Balfam of Peru. Have been inform’d by many Perfons, that the Black Balfam of Peru is Pomct. a Compofition made by the Portuguese, who fell it to the Dutch , in the following man- ner : Take fine Turpentine, white Frankincenfe, of each one Pound ; Oil of Ben , Olibanum , Lab- danum, GumElemi , of each fix Ounces ; Laven- der Flowers, and Nutmeg, of each four Ounces ; Spikenard, Wood of Aloes, of each two Ounces; Myrrh, Aloes and Dragon’s Blood, of each one Ounce and Half ; the little Valerian Orrice, long Birthwort, Acorus Verus, Mace, Benjamin, Sto- rax, of each one Ounce ; Zedoary, Galingal, Cloves, Cinnamon, Caftor, and Maftich, of each fix Drams : Powder all the Drugs grofly, then melt the Turpentine, Frankincenfe, Gum Elemi, and Oil of Ben over the Fire, and when they are diflolved, incorporate the Powders ; and when they are made into a Pafte, put them into a Glafs Retort, whereof one third Part is empty ; and af- ter it is well luted and dry’d, fet it upon a Sand- Furnace ; and when the Matter begins to heat, there will flow a clear Water, then an Oil of the Colour of Gold, at laft a black Balfam, tending to red, which fome would have to be what we fell by the Name of Black Balfam of Peru. The Water is proper to be taken inwardly, by thofe who have the Falling Sicknefs, Convulfions, Weak- nefs of the Stomach, and to correct Wind. The Oil is good for the Palfy, Nerves that are woun- ded, Pains in the Joints, rubbing them with it hot. As to the Balfam , it has the fame Virtues with that of Peru. 50. The Balfam of the Governor of Berne, given me by Mr. Pimodan, the King's Lieutenant of Toul in Lorrain. A K E dry Balfam of Peru, one Ounce ; Storax in Tears, two Pomet. Ounces ; Benjamin, three Ounces ; Aloes Succotrine, Myrrh, Olibanum in Tears, Roots of Bohemia Angelica, Flowers of St. John’s Wort, of each Half an Ounce ; Spirit of Wine, one Quart ; beat all together, and put them into a Bottle well flopp’d, which hang in the Sun in the Dog-Days. The Virtues of this Balfam, according to the Origi- nal given me by the faid Mr. Pimodan. Firft of all, it is an admirable Balfam for all Kinds of Wounds ; it is alfo excellent, given in- wardly, in the Cholick, taking four or five Drops of it in a Glafs of Claret. It is alfo fovereign in the Book VIII. Of G the Gout, applied to the Part affeeled, with a Feather or Cotton. For the Tooth-ach it is won- derful, apply’d to the Teeth with Cotton that has been fteep’d in it. It cures all Sorts of Ulcers, Cancers and Shankers ; cures the B : tine of veno- mous Creatures and mad Dogs ; is good to pre- vent the Marks of the Small-Pox, by rubbing the Pimples as they appear upon the Face. It is ex- celknt for the Piles, Inflammations of the Eyes, Pains of the Stomach, and likewife to provoke the Terms, taken five or fix Drops in hot White Wine. Balfamum Peruvianum , feu Indicum, Lemery. or Balfam of Peru , is a natural Balfam, whereof there are three Sorts or Species. The firft, call’d the dry Balfam , is a Sort of hard, reddifh, fragrant Rofin, which is brought us in the Shell. [ Produced as defcriVd in Pomet.] The fecond is a liquid, white, fmelling Rofin. And the third is a black, odoriferous Balfam , which is the the moft common, and moft in Ufe of all the others, as well in Phyfick as for Perfumes. It ought to be vifeous, and of a Turpentine Confl- uence, of a blackilh brown Colour, a fweet and agreeable Tafte, having fome Analogy to St or ax. Thefe Balfams are proper for the Brain and Sto- mach, to drive’malignant Humours off by Perfpi- ration, to deterge and heal Wounds, to ftrengthen the Nerves, and to refolve cold Tumours. The Dofe from a Drop to four or five. [The Tree which produces the Balfamum Pe- ruvianum is the Hoitziloxitl , five Arbor Balfami Indies , five Balfamif 'era. Hern. i. 51. Cabureiba , Pif. 57. Hoitziloxitl Mexicanorum, Jonf. Dendr. 309. which grows in New Spain , and other Parts of America. The Black Balfam , which is almoft the only Kind now in Ufe, is procur’d as deferib’d by Authors, by boiling theTops of the Tree ; but the White is the Production of another Species of the Peruvian Balfam Tree : It flows by means of Incifions, from the Hecaconex five Balfami f era fe- cunda , Hern. 52. which grows plentifully in Peru.] 51. Of Balfam of Copyba, or Capivy. U M S. 205 which occasions it to feparate, and makes this Balfam whitifh like Curd. The Tree grows in many Parts of Brafil , as Rio de Janeiro , St. Vin- cent, and Fernambouc. The Natives know not a better Remedy for all Sorts of Wounds, titan their Colocai ; for fo they call this Balfam: The Brafilians call it Copaiba , the Portugue ze, Gamelo. It is a very admirable Medicine, both internally and externally ufed ; being a Specifick in the Go- norrhea, and Womens Whites. The Natives found out the Virtue of this Balfam by means of certain Hogs in thofe Parts, who prefently, when they were wounded, would ftrike their Teeth againft the Trunk of thefe Trees, from whence the Balfam would flow out into their Wound ; and this they would continue to do ’till they were perfectly well. The Wood of the Tree ferves them to die red with, as well as that of Brafil. Balfamum Copahu , Copau , Copalyva , Copaif , Campaif, Gamelo, or Balfam Lemery. of Capivy ; is a natural Balfam flowing from a Balfam Tree, about Surinam in the Wefl- Indies , hot and bitterifh to the Tafte, of an aro- matick Smell, and clear tranfparent Body, like Venice Turpentine, but equal in Goodnefs and Virtue to moft other natural Balfams. It com- forts and warms a cold Stomach and Bowels, dif- folves and enters into the whole Mafs of Blood, depurates it from all its Feculencies, is an admi- rable V ulnerary, and a very good Thing againft the Scurvy ; opens ObftruCtions, and provokes Urine powerfully : It ftrengthens a weak Back , flops f luxes of all Kinds ; in a Word, provokes Sweat, and cures moft Difeafes which are to be remedied by fweating, doing whatever any other natural Balfam or T urpentine will do. Dofe from twenty Drops to forty, twice a Day. [The Tree which produces the Capivi, is the Arbor Balfamfera Braftlienjis fruRu monofpermo y Rai. Hift. 2. 1759* Copaiba Brafilienfibus , Marc. 130. Copayva , Pif. 56. When the Balfam is new it is of the Confl- uence and Colour of Oil of Sweet Almonds, and fmells like Lignum Aloes , but the Tafte is pungent and bitter. T H E Balfam of Capivy is brought us two ways, to wit, in a clear Oil, and a thick. And this Difference arifes only from the Difference of the Time in which it flows from the Tree ; for that which comes firft from the Incifion that is made in the Tree, whofe Figure is reprefented in the Plate herewith, is a clear Oil, that is white, and of a refinous Smell ; and after that diftils another Sort, that is of a golden Colour, and thicker, which gives it the Name of a Balfam. This is ufually brought from Portugal in earthen Bottles, fharp and narrow at the End, in which is often found a Moifture, 52. Of Balfam of Tolu. Alfam of Tolu is a Rofin that flows from the Trunks of Trees, by Pomet. means of cutting them. Thefe Trees are found in great Quantities in a Province of New Spain , which is betwixt Carthagena and Nembre de Dios , call’d Tolu. The Balfam, as it flows from the Tree, is of the Confiftencc of Tur- pentine, and of a reddifli brown Colour. The In- habitants of thofe Parts tie at the Bottom of fhe Tree little Veffels made of the black Wax of that Country, or clfe a Calabajh , to receive the Bal- 2o6 General Uijlory fam ; which, after it is fallen, hardens, and be- comes much about the Confiftence and Colour of Flanders Glue newly made. This Balfam is very fcarce in France ; thofe who want it, procure it from England , where it is very common. Chufe that which is frefh, of a fweet penetrating Smell, like Balm of Gilead ; when it grows ftale it becomes of the Confiftence of the dry Balfam of Peru : This has the Virtues of the other Balfams, but more particularly is proper for internal Ufes, not being in the lead: apt to vomit. Balfam de Tolu is a balfamick refinous Lemery. Liquor, of a reddifli Colour, inclining to that of Gold ; being of the Confi- ftence of Turpentine, very clammy, and flicking faft to any thing ; when it grows old it grows dry and foil'd, and will break into Pieces almoft like Aloes. It is of a very fragrant and pleafant Smell, reviving the Senfes, much refembling the Smell of Lemons and Jeffamine Flowers, but ftronger, and not fo faint and weak. It is more efteem’d than the Balfam of Peru , and reckon’d almoft as good as the Balm of Gilead. It attenuates, diflolves, is pedloral and vulnerary. Outwardly it cures old Aches and Pains in the Head and Joints. It ftops Catarrhs , helps Defluxions , ftrengthens the Weaknefs of the Bowels, difcuffes Tumours, and cures Contractions. It is ufed in the Tinc- ture, Spirit, and volatile Oil, as the Balm of Gi- lead, &c. [The Tree which produces the Balfam of Tolu , is the Balfamum Provinces Tolu , Balfarnifera quar- to , Hern. 53. Arbor Balfarnifera Tolutana , Jonf. D. 308. Balfamum Tolutanum foliis cerat'us fimi - bus , quod candidum , Com. 626. The Balfam is brought in Shells from the Province of Tolu in America .] 53. Of the New Balfam. T H E New Balfam , in Colour and Shape, is very like that of Tolu, but of a much lefs agreeable Smell. This Balfam is made after the fame manner as the Oil of Bays, from little red Fruit that comes in Cluf- ters, upon a kind of Tree, the Leaves whereof are very large and broad, green above, and green- ifh underneath, that grows in the TVeJl-Indies , ef- pecially in the Ifland of St. Domingo. This Bal- fam is fo very fcarce in France , that there is very rarely any of it to be feen. [What was once called the New Balfam was the Balfamum ipecuebes , drawn from the Fruit of the Becuiba nux, Geoff. 324. It was of great Efteem in Bra-z.il for Palfies and Rheumatifms, and brought over to England as a great Remedy in fuch Cafes, but it never came into Ufe here.] of DRUGS. 54. Of Liquid Amber. Iquid Amber is a Liquid Rofin, clear and reddifh, which flows from the Pomet. Trunk of very thick and large Trees ; the Leaves whereof are like thofe of Ivy, and which grow plentifully in New Spain , where they are called O$o$ol. The Indians cut the Bark of thefe Trees, which is large, and very thick, and fo they afford a Rofin, which, when they have got a reafonable Quantity of, they fend into Spain, where it is fold by Barrel, as they do fine Turpentine : It was once very common in France , though at prefent it is fcarce. Chufe that which is clear, of a good Smell, inclining to that of Ambergreafe, which gives it the Denomination, and of a pale Yellow. When it grows old it thickens, and is of a redder Colour. It is an ex- quifite Balfam for curing of Wounds, efpecially the Fiftula in Ano. We fell two Sorts of Liquid Amber ; the one in a thin clear Oil, which, for its Confiftence, is call’d. Oil of Liquid Amber ; and the other in an Oil of the Confiftence of Turpentine, which from thence is call’d, Balfam of Liquid Amber : But the Difference is no other than according to the Time the one or the other falls from the Tree ; for that which falls firft is always the cleareft, and fo ought to be preferr’d to the other. As Liquid Amber is fcarce, they make Ufe of Oil of St. John’s Wort in its Place, which is made with the Flowers put in Oil Olive, and fet it in the Sun during the Dog-Days. Thefe Flowers give a fine beautiful red Colour t© the Oil. Some People add, very properly, fine Turpentine and Saffron. The older this Oil is made, the more Virtue it has in it. Befides this, they make another Oil of a blue Colour, with Camomile Flowers, after the fame manner as the former. Liquid Amber is a natural Balfam, or a Liquid Rofin, as that of Turpen- Lemery. tine, clear, reddifh, or yellowiih, of a pleafant Smell, almoft like Ambergreafe. It flows by Incifion from the Bark of a fine large Tree, that grows in Nezu Spain , which the Indians call Ofofol, or Ofocol ; the Leaves refem’cle thofe ot Ivy ; the Bark is thick, of an Afh-Colour, and very odoriferous. They gather this Liquid Rofin, and bring it to us in Barrels ; but fometimes they leave it to dry in the Sun, where it hardens like common Rofin. This Confiftence makes it eafier to tranfport than the other ; but the Smell is not fragrant, becaufe the Heat'cf the Sun exhales fome of the more volatile Parts. The Trees which prodnee the Liquid Amber , perfume with their fine Smell the Places where they grow. This Li- quid Amber is an excellent Balfam, it mollifies and confolidates, is good againft Hardnefs of the Womb, Book VIII. Womb, Rheumatifm, Sciatica, and Weaknefs of the Nerves. [The Tree which produces the Liquid Amber is the Styrax Aceris folio , Rai. Hift. 2. 1848. Sty- racem f undens vel Styrax arbor Virginiana Aceris folio , Breyn. Prodr. 2. 84. Acer Virginianum odoratum , Herm. Cat. K. B. 641. It is com- mon in Virginia , New Spain , and other Parts of the JVefl-Indies , and is kept in the Gardens of the Curious here in England. The refinous Juice flows either naturally, or by Incifions, in great Abundance ; but there is alfo another Balfam procur’d from this Tree, by boil- ing the Twigs and Leaves, and taking off the oily Matter which fwims at the Top. This is often fold for the true Balm of Gilead. Some have imagin’d this to be Liquid Storax of the Shops ; but that is an erroneous Opinion. The reftnous Juice was once much ufed in Per- fumes, ttfc. but is now very feldom feen.J 55. Of Turpentine. 'T'Urpentine is a vifcous, oily, tranfpa- Pomet. rent, refinous Liquor, that flows naturally, and from the Incifions that are made in the Trunks of feveral different Trees, as we lhall fee afterwards. We ufually fell three Sorts of Turpentine ; to wit, the Turpentine of Ohio , the Pine Turpentine, commonly called Venice Tur- pentine , and the Bourdeaux Turpentine. There are feveral others befides thefe to be met with in the Shops, which are nothing elfe but Names gi- ven them, according to their Adulterations. The firft and the deareft of ail the Turpentines is that of Chio, which flows from the Trunk and large Branches of a Tree of a moderate Size, cal- led the Turpentine Tree , which grows in the Ifla of Chio, in Cyprus, Spain, and France. Thefe Trees bear deep green Leaves, with Flowers and Fruit, as exprefled in the Figure. As for the Turpentine of Chio, it ought to be of a l'olid Confiftence, without any kind of Taffe or Smell, of a White, inclining to a Green, and the leaft Subject to flick in the Teeth, or to the Fin- gers, that is poflible ; and take Care of the Pine Turpentine, which fome fell, when boiled to a Conflftence, for the true Chio Turpentine ; but tins Cheat is eafily found out by its ftreng Smell, and becaufe it flicks to the Teeth. This Turpen- tine is very little ufed becaufe of its Dearnefs ; but there are fome curious honeft Apothecaries who make Ufe of it upon moil Occaflons. The fecond Turpentine is what we falfly call Venice Turpentine ; this flows at firft without Incifion, from the Larch Trees, Pines and Fir Trees du- ring the great Heats ; and this Turpentine, or ra- ther natural Balfam, which flows without Inci- 207 flon, is call’d by the Lionnoife , Bijon ; but the little we have brought us is not worth fpeaking of, for the Merchants of that Country know how to difpofe of it to better Advantage, in that they fell it for true white Balfam of Peru ; which is quite contrary to what M. de Furetier obferves, who fays, that the Bijon is a Drug the Apothe- caries fubftitute in the room of Turpentine , which is a great Error for many Reafons : Firft, becaufe a Pound of Bijon is worth more than fix Pounds of Turpentine. Secondly, becaufe there are very few Apothecaries or Druggifts in Paris that know what it is. And in the laft Place, I believe, if we wanted ten Pounds of Bijon in Paris, we fhou’d be at a great deal of Trouble to get it, whereas we might meet with many thoufand Pounds Weight of Turpentine. To return to what is call’d Venice Turpentine : When the poor People, who wait in the Fir- Woods, fee that the Trees will drop no more of their own accord, that is, will yield them no more of the Bijon , they make Incifions in them, from whence flows a clear Liquor like Water, of a yellowifh white, and that, as it grows older, thickens, and becomes of a Citrqn Colour. When they make their Turpentine HarVeft, which hap- pens twice a Year, to wit, in Spring-time and Autumn, they bring it to Lyons in Calks, or in Goat-Skins, to fell to the Merchants, of whom we buy it ; hence we may be fatisfied, that what is improperly call’d Venice Turpentine , is the fine Larch Tree, Pine or Fir Turpentine of Lyons. Chufe that which is clear, and the whiteft that can be got, and beware of what is adulterated with Refin and Oil of Turpentine , which may be eafily known by its Colour, Smell and Confiftence, and by wet- ting a Piece of Paper therein, and burning it : If there be any Addition of the faid Oil, it will yield a black ftinking Flame ; on the contry, if it is natural, it affords a refinous Smell, and will not burn away fo quick. This Turpentine ferves for many Ufes, as well in Phyfick as for the Arti- ficers, efpecially for making Varnifh. The third is the common Turpentine, to which fome give the Name of Bayonne, or Bourdeaux Turpentine ; this is white, and thick as Honey, and comes moft from Bourdeaux , Nantz, cr Rouen. This Turpentine flows not from the Trunks of Pines or Fir-Trees, as moft People believe ; but is made from a white hard RofiQ, which we call Incenfe, and the Mountaineers Barras. As to the true Venice, Cyprus , or Pi fa Turpentines, we have none brought us ; what we fell by the Name of Venice Turpentine is, as I have faid before, the Larch and Pine Turpentine of Lyons ; for the Cyprus they fubftitute that of Chio ; for the Pifa, the common Turpentine , mix’d with the Oil of Turpentine and a little Verdegreafe, to give it a grecni/h Caft, which is very improper O/GUMS. 2o8 General Hijlory for many Reafons. The true Pifa Turpentine is of a yellowifh White. There are great Cheats in the Mixtures fold under the Names of the different Turpentines , which it were weil if there cou’d be fome Way found to remedy, that fick People and Workmen, as well as Apothecaries and Surgeons, might not be impofed upon with artificial Turpentines for the natural. As for the Strafbourg Turpentine , it rarely comes amongft us, but is frequently fold in Holland and England. 56. Of Common Incenfe, Rofin of the Pine-Tree, or Barras, and the different Preparations of it, Pitch, Rofin, &c. W E fell two Sorts of Pine Rofin , or Incenfe , one under the Name of Galipot , or common IVhite Incenfe , and the other under that of Marbkd Incenfe ; thefe differ not but in Colour. The firft, which is white, is a Rofin that flows by Incilions, that are made in the Pines, from whence it takes the Name of the Gum, or Rofin of the Pine-Tree ; and when it flows in a fine Seafon it is neat and white ; but when it takes a Part of the Bark, or other Foulnefs into it as it runs down, it is marbled or fpeckled ; and when it is fo, and good withal, the Hawkers fell it for Benjamin, though it is very different from it, in that the Benjamin is of a good Smell, and the Spotted In- cenfe is extremely ftrong fmelling ; this is of no other Ufe, that I know of, but to fell inftead of Benjamin, which in all Things, but Smell and Virtues, it very nearly refembles. This Pine-Rofm , or Common Incenfe, is the Bafis of many Things, as we (hall fee in Order. It ou°ht to be chofen dry, clean, and as white as may be. They difTolve the White Incenfe, and put it into Barrels, or Half Barrels, which con- tain from three hundred and fifty, to feven hun- dred Weight, and fend it us under the Name of the grofs or common Turpentine, which ought to be clear, and as little Mixture in it as may be. As this Turpentine is a Rofin which is at Times more or lefs clear and thin, there are Barrels of this Commodity to be met with, where there are fometimes fifty Pounds of Turpentine as clear as Water, that fwims at Top, which is frequently fold for Venice-Turpentine , but may be known by its Colour. The common Turpentine is much in Ufe to make Ink for the Printers, as alfo for the Farriers, and to make coarfe Vamifh, which they do by melting common Turpentine with Oil of Tur- pentine ; but this is a Compofition they are forced to make in Places far from other Buildings, for Fear of Fire. They diftil Turpentine in great of DRUGS. Alembicks, and there flows a Water firft, then a white Oil, then a red Oil, which is a true natu- ral Balfam for the Cure of Wounds. But as thefe white and red Oils are not much ufed, we do not deal in them ; but inftead thereof we have a very' confiderable Trade in the Oil drawn by the Alembick from the Refin or Incenfe, as it flows from the Tree. This Oil is made plentifully in the Foreft of Cages, about four Leagues from Marfeilles , and in the Neighbourhood of Bour- deaux. This Oil is what we call iEtherial Oil, Spirit, or Effence of Turpentine; that which remains in the Alembick, is what we call Colo- phony, or Black Refin. Oil of Turpentine, to be fit for Sale, and fer- viceable upon all Occafions, fhou’d be clear and white as W ater, of a ftrong penetrating Smell ; yet this is a mifchievous Commodity, and great Cheats are put on People in it, befides the Rifque of Fire, and the little Profit there is got by it, which is the Reafon why fo many People will not deal in it. This Oil is ufeful for feveral Sorts of People ; as Painters, Farriers, and others. It is likewife a true natural Balfam, and very proper for all Sorts of frefti Wounds. Several Perfons have affur’d me, that the Oil of Turpentine which comes from Marfeilles is made with aro- matick Herbs, as Thyme, Rofemary, Lavender, and the like; and call’d Herb-Oil; but I cou’d never have this confirm’d to me by feveral Letters that I have receiv’d from Marfeilles ; but on the contrary, every one aflur’d me that it was made with Pine Refin, or White Incenfe only. They difTolve this Refin with a little Oil of Turpentine and fome common Turpentine, and make what we call Burgundy Pitch ; they pre- tend that the beft is made at St. Nicolas in Lor- rain, which is quite contrary to the Truth at this Day ; for the beft of this Kind comes from Hol- land or Strafbourg. It is obfervable, that this Commodity comes not but in private, or by ftealth, being contraband. I believe that the Sort of white Pitch which we make in France, has more Smell, and is of a lefs Body, and whiter than that of Strafbourg, becaufe we put in more Oil and Turpentine, and the Dutch ufe nothing but the Refin. The Difference may alfo, in fome Degree, proceed from the different Climates. Burgundy Pitch fhou’d be chofen clean, dry, and firm. The Ufe of this Pitch is for feveral Sorts of Work, and it is of fome account in Phyfick, becaufe it is attractive ; but it is a very trouble- fome Plaifter, flicking clofe to the Skin, but may be taken off with warm Oil, or Beer and Butter. They make, befides this, with the Pine , Refill , or Common Incenfe , boil’d to a Conuften.e, what we call common yellow Rofin ; but that which we fell is gather’d at the Roots of the Trees ; and i . ■ ' . . ■ ■ I T IrttC fr 'Pine 'Tree, 'J$ c^crA 8 - Purp endnePree^ of lfu/?lS JirvA tus , by feveral Author? ; but few' of them are ufed now. Sal Armoniac indeed is a Preparation of Urine and other Ingredients ; and the Skull is an Ingre- dient in the Pulvis ad Guttetam ; but little other Ufe is now made of any thing belonging to the human Body. As to the flrange Hiftory here given of the Beetle, it may be proper to obferve here, that that Animal is produced by the Eggs of a female Parent, which hatch into fix-footed pale-coloured Worms, which afterwards change into Beetles, as the Caterpillar does into a Butterfly.] 2 . Of the Unicorn. Psinet. *TpHE Unicorn is an Animal which Na- -I. turalifts deferibe under the Figure of a Horfe, having in the Middle of his Head a fpiral Horn, of two or three Feet long ; but as we know not the real Truth of this Matter to this Day, I fhall only fay, that what we fell under the Name of the Unicorn s Horn, is the Horn of a certain Fifh, by the Iflanders called Narvual , or the Sea-Unicorn , as you will find when we come to treat of Fifh. This Horn was formerly in great Efteem, becaufe of the mighty Virtues attri- buted to it by the Antients, efpecially againft Poifons, which is the Reafon that many great Perfonages have been very fond of it ; fo that it has been va- lued at its Weight in Gold. And there are yet fome People, who efteem it as highly. Ambrofe Par ecus, in a little Treatife which he Wrote of the Unicorn , fays. That in the De- farts of Arabia are wild Affes, which they call Camphurs, carrying a Horn in their Front, with which they ufed to fight againft the Bulls, and which the Indians made ufe of to cure feveral DIfeafes, efpecially fuch as came by Poifon ; and that the Arabs near the Red Sea had another Ani- mal among them, which thofe People called Piraf- foupi, that has two Horns, long, ftraight, and fpiral, which the Arabs make ufe of when they are wounded, or bit by any venomous Creature. Vol. II. M A L S. 9 They let this infufe fix or eight Hours in Wa- ter, which they drink to cure them. He fays, that this Animal is of the Size of a Mule, which alfo it refembles in its Head ; and that the Body is hairy .like a Bear, a little inclining to a fallow Colour, and the Hoof divided or cleft like the Deer’s. Jthnjlon [\ ays, in his Treatife of Animals, that there are other Unicorns ; to whom the Reader may have recourfe. However, that the Unicorn is a Bead having but one Horn, all agree ; but becaufe there are five feveral Kinds of Beads which have alfo but one fingle Horn, it is fome Queftion which ot them be the true. They are, Fuji, The Orix, or one-horn’d wild Goat. Secondly , The one horn’d Ox. Thirdly , The Hart with one Horn. Fourthly , I'he one-horn’d Hog. And, Fifthly, the one-horn’d Afs The firft is certainly but a kind of one-horn’d , wild Goat, the Defcription of it differing not much from a Goat. It refembles a Roe, having a Beard under its Chin, of a palilh white Colour, and is cloven hoofed, with one Horn growing outo r the Middle of its Head. Thefe are bred in Adgypt, / Ethiopia , and many other Parts of the World . fome of them are as large as Oxen. Their Horns are not only ftrong and Iharp, like the Horns of a Rhinoceros , but alfo folid, and not hollow or porous, like the Homs of Harts. This Creature is faid not to value the Barking of the Dog, the Foaming of the Bear, the Bellowing of the Bull, the Cry of the Panther, or the Roaring of the Lion. The one-horn’d Ox, Bull, or Cow, is bred in Aonia , of various Colours, intermix’d one with another, having a whole round Hoof, like a Horfe, and but one Horn growing out of the Middle of the Forehead : It is alfo bred in India , where the whole Species eat Flefh, and are whole-hoof ’d, and have only a fingle Horn, which grows out of the Middle of their Foreheads. Some of them are faid to be as high as Camels, and their Horn four Feet long. There are alfo in Ethiopia, a kind, of a purple Colour, which have but one Horn growing out of their Heads, which turns up to- wards their Backs. The Unicorn Hart is a Beaft bred alfo in India , whofe Feet refemble an Elephant’s ; the Body, a young Horfe, and its Head, a Hart’s ; out of the Middle of which grows a Horn about three Feet long It has a roaring Voice almoft like a Bull, but much fhriller. The Unicorn Hog is fo called from his Plead, being like a Boar’s or Hog’s Head, found, as fome Authors fay, in the Dominions of the Great Cham of Tartary. This Species of Unicorn is fomewhat lefs than the Elephant ; they have Flair like Oxen, C Heads 10 General Hijlory of DRUGS. Book I. Heads like Hogs, Feet like Elephants, a (harp and thorny Tongue, and a Horn in the midft of the Forehead, wherewith they deftroy both Man and Beaft. Had this Horn grown out of its Snout, it would have been a Rhinoceros ; but as it does not, it muft be taken for one of the Kinds of Uni- corns. The one-horn’d Afs is the Indian Afs, which equals in Bignefs a Horfe ; all white on the Body, but purple-headed and black-eyed, having one Horn in his Forehead, near three Feet long, whole up- per Part is red or black, the Middle black, and the nether Part white. In thefe the great People of India drink, adorning them with all kind of pre- cious things, believing that thofe who drink in thefe Horns are freed from any fort of deadly Poifon or Infection. This Afs, or Unicorn , ex- ceeds all others of the Kind, both in Stature, Body, and Swiftnefs of Foot. They are fo ftrong that no Horfe can ftand before them, and fight with their fingle Horn like Bulls. The true Unicorn , if you dare believe Ludovicus Vertomanus , who fays he faw two of them at Meccha in Arabia , which were kept within the Verge of Mahomet's Sepulchre, is of a Weafel Colour, with the Head like that of a Hart, the Neck not long, and the Mane growing all on one Side ; the Legs flender and lean, like the Legs of a Hind ; their Hoofs cloven like Goat’s Feet, and the hinder Legs all hairy and fhaggy on the Outfide. Of all the other five the wild Indian Afs comes neareft to this Defcription ; for the true Unicorn and he agree in thefe four things : Firjl, That both of them have one Horn in the Middle of the Forehead. Secondly , That both of them are bred in India. Thirdly , In that they are both about the Bignefs of a Horfe. Fourthly , In their Celerity and folitary Life in the Mountains. But herein they differ ; Firjl, In that the one horned wild Indian Afs is whole-hoofed, and not cloven, as the Unicorn is. Secondly , That his Colour is white on the Body, and purple on the Head ■ whereas the Unicorn is of a W eafel-like Colour. Thirdly , That his Horns are purple, black, and white ; whereas the Unicorn's Horn is wreathed in Spires and of an Ivory Colour. In the Year 1553, a great Unicorn's Horn was brought to the King of France , valued at twenty thoufand Pounds Sterling. That which was prefented to King Charles the Firft, of England , is fuppos’d to be one of the greateft that was ever feen in the World ; it was feven Feet long, weighed thirteen Pounds, and was in the Shape of a Wax Candle, but wreathed within itfelf in Spires ; hollow about a Foot from its Root, growing taper by little and little towards the Point ; of a polifhed Smoothnefs, and the Spires net deep, but like the Windings of Woodbine, and the Co- lour not perfedUy white, but fomewhat obfeure. Some in Poland have been found five or fix Feet long, being very fharp and fmooth : Others in the Rivers, but lefs pure, outwardly blackifh, and inwardly of a pure white ; a third and fourth Sort of a folid hard Subftance, fo that one would take them to be Stone ; and many other Sorts have been found in that Country. But that thefe, or any of the others, were true Unicorns Horns, none of our Authors have yet made appear ; and if all the Circumftances be confidered, it is much to be doubted whether any of them were the right or not; forafmuch as the Druggifts or Apothe- caries were never known to have or fell the true, that which is commonly fold being from five to eight Foot in Length, and more, very Iharp- pointed, running taper all along, and twilled or or wreathed, of the Colour of Ivory, but of a much finer Grain, and very white within. Yet this Horn is not produced by a four footed Beaft, but comes from a Fifh called the Sea Unicorn , and is brought from Davis’s Streights near the North Pajfage. Authors have aferibed almoft incredible Things to it, the chiefeft of which are, to refill: all Man- ner of Poifons, and to cure the Plague, with all Sorts of malignant Fevers, the Biting of Serpents, mad Dogs, (Ac. It is chiefly ufed as a Cordial, for which Purpofe a Jelly is made of it, together with a little Cochineal and Saffron; and the Shav- ings are boil’d in Broth, (Ac. after the Manner of Shavings of Hart’s Horn. [The only one-horn’d Land Animal in the World is the Rhinoceros , which therefore is the true Uni- corn , however varioufly deferib’d by People who either knew nothing of it but byHearfay ; or had a Mind to tell ftrange Stories, rather than Truth. The Horn of this Animal is what the Indians ufe, and have fo much in Efteem, taking it inwardly in almoft all Difeafes, and making Cups of it for their Kings to drink out of, imagining that nothing drank out of them can be poifonous. It is cer- tainly a Sudorifick, probably from the Quantity of volatile Salt it contains, and is commended in Epi- lepfies, (Ac. The Rhinoceros is found in Africa , and in the Ifle of Java , and is deferib’d by Bontius , under the Name of Abada five Rhinoceros : The Horn is black and folid, and when full grown is about twenty Inches long, and fomething of the Figure of a Bull’s Horn. The thing called Unicorn's Horn in the Shops, is the Tooth of the Cetus marinas, Narwal difius. Mont. Ex. 6 . Balana decirnum fextum genus dicta Narwal Schones. Jet. 28. It has long been known to belong to this Filh, and has been erroneoufly thought Book I. Of A N I thought to be a Horn growing out of its Nefe, but is in Reality a Tooth of prodigious Length, growing out of his left upper Jaw : It is like Ivory but more folid and heavy, and its Fibres are fmaller. Its Virtues are the fame with thofe of Ivor)', Harts- horn Shavings, Uf c. The Pieces of this fold intheShops, are often ficti- tious, being Piecesof die Bones of the Sea-Horfe and other Animals, turned into the Shape of this. The foible Unicorn s Stone is the Cornu fofftle. Worm. 54. Char It 23 Cornu fojjile vulgo Monoceratos cornu Boet. 425. Etur fcjjilc. Cluf. Exot. 168. It is a llony or earthy Subftance fomething refembling Bones, hard on the Outfide, fofter within, and Picking to the Tongue. It is dug out of the Larth, ar.d has the fame Virtues with the Terra Lemnia , and other fuch Earths.] 3. Of the Bezoar. Pomet. '"T"' HE Bezoar , which the Indians calls JL Pozan , is an Animal that produces in its Stomach, a Stone that is called by drat Name, to which great Virtues are attributed, which made it heretofore highly valued, and fold at a great Rate, as the right and oriental Be- zoar is at this Day. There is a great deal of Trouble in meeting w T ith the natural Stone, as certain Per- fons have found out the Secret of counterfeiting it ; befide that thefe Animals do not produce any con- fiderable Quantities ; and feveral of them none at all. Mr. Tavernier fays concerning Bezoar , as follows : “ Bezoar comes from a Province of the King- « dom of Goleonda lying on the North Eaft. It “ is found in the Matter that is in the Maw of “ the Goats that browfe on a Shrub, the Name “ of which I have forgot. This Plant bears little “ Buds, about which, and the Ends of the Branches ** w’hich the Goats^eat, the Bezoar forms itfelf in “ the Stomach of thefe Animals. It takes its Shape “ from that of" the Buds and the Ends of the “ Branches; which is the Reafon we fee it of fo “ many different Figures. ThePeafants, by feel- “ ing of the Belly of the Goat, know whether “ there is any Bezoar there, and fo fell it accord - “ ing to the Quantity that is therein. They rub “ their two Hands under the Belly, and prefs die “ Maw or Stomach along on both Sides, fo that “ what is therein muff fall into the Middle, and “ they can then perceive exactly by feeling, how “ much Bezoar there is. “ The Rarity of Bezoar is in the Size ; for the “ fmall Pieces have not fo much Virtue in them “ as the large ; but in this there is oftentimes a “ Cheat, becaufe there are People who powder and “ mix the fmall Pieces of Bezoar with a certain M A L S. u “ Pafle compos'd of a Gum, and fomething elfe “ of the Colour of Bezoar , and form it up widi “ its feveral Coats in the fame Manner as we fee “ the natural Bezoar ; but we may difeover this “ Fraud chiefly thefe two Ways : The firft is, to “ weigh the Bezoar , and Peep it fome Time in “ warm Water ; and if the Water does not change “ it’s Colour, or the Bezoar lofe its Weight, it is “ true and natural. The other Way is to run a “ fharp Piece of red hot Iron againP the Bezoar ; “ if the Iron enter, and it fry, it is a Sign of its “ Mixture, and that it is not natural. The larger “ the Bezoar is, the dearer it is, and it rifes in “ proportion as a Diamond : For if five or fix “ Bezoar Stones weigh one Ounce, that Ounce “ will be worth from fifteen to eighteen or twenty “ Livres ; but if it be one Stone of an Ounce “weight, it will fell for a hundred Livres. I have “ fold one of four Ounces and a Quarter for two “ thoufand Livres. “ There are alfo a great many Bezoar Stones “ taken from Cows, both in the Eaft and Weftern “ Countries, and they are fo large as to weigh fe- “ venteen or eighteen Ounces ; of which Sort I “ have feen one that was prefented to the Great “ Duke of Tufcany ; but they have nothing near “ the good Qualities of the true Bezoar-, fix Grains “ of which will do more than thirty of this. As “ to the Bezoar that is found in Apes, it is fo “ Prong, that two Grains will perform more than “ fix of that of the Goat ; but it is very fcarce : “it is found particularly in the Apes to be met “ with in the Ifle of Madagafcar. This Sort of “ Bezoar is round, whereas the other is of various “ Forms, according as it is ftiaped from the Buds “ and Ends of the Branches which the Goats eat. “ As thefe Stones which are had from the Ape “ are a great deal fcarcer than the other, fo are they a abundantly dearer, and more fought after ; and Meptiokjit: tun? par/h d 3 Jduntfhzzn rfocj 5 . at CL/um als ^ 7 Ji oak, i d al- a • Book T. O/ANIMALS. Root, {Lengthened by Joints running into one another : Its Legs are fhort, thofe before refem- bling a Dog’s, and the hinder one’s a Swan’s : It feeds upon Fruit, Leaves, and Bark of Trees; and upon Fifh when it is in the Water. It is half Flefh, and half Fifh. The Tail and hinder Legs are fweet like the Tuny, having a folid Fat. Some of the Tails weigh four Pounds, and are accounted a great Dainty both boiled and roafled. If you would take hold of a Beaver , you mufl feize on his Tail, and fo fecure him, that he can- not turn to bite you; and by the Hold you have of his Tail you may govern him as you pleafe. Amongft the Beavers fome are accounted Mailers, fome Servants. They generate in the Beginning of Summer, and bring forth in the End of Autumn. They are cleanly in their Houfes ; for the making of which, they draw the Timber on the Belly of their Antients, they lying on their Backs. They love their Young. They ufe their fore Feet like Hands. And their Cry is like that of an Infant. Their Teflicles are placed at the lower Part of the Belly, betweejHtlje Thighs, near the Fundament, but they lie within, under a flefhy Skin, which is hairy, and covers all the Belly ; however they may be diflinguifhed outwardly, and handled. When they would have thefe Tellicles, they open the flefhy hairy Skin, under which they find the firft common Purfe, which contains the two others in the Shape of little Purfes, or the real Teflicles of an Animal; then they tie them by the Neck, and hang them in the Chimney, leaving them till they be dry and hardened, and the .outward Purfe is of a brovvnifh Colour, and this is what they cali Cajior. If you then open thefe inward Purfes, you will find a Matter which is hard, brittle, of a yellowifh Brown, intermixed with many loofe Membranes of a flrong and piercing Odour ; and there is another Pouch which enclofes an undtuous and fattifh Liquor, very like Honey, which as it grows old, comes to the Co- lour and Confiflence of Suet, and is of as ftrong a Scent as the Parts that are more folid. Some of thefe Purfes are larger, fome Ids, according to the Beafl they are taken from. They are beft cured by taking them out, cleanfing them purely, and drying them well in fome lhady Place : which when it is well done, they will keep feven Years. It is adulterated by Gum Ammonia cum. Blood, and Powder of Kidneys, (Ac. as alfo whole Kidneys put up into little Bladders ; but may be difeovtred by being black, mouldy, and not apt to crumble > whereas the genuine is of a fetid, flrong, and unpleafant Smell, and of a flrong, fharp, biting, and bitter Tafle, and of a brittle Subfiance. The Cajior contains a great deal of exalted Oil and volatile Salt ; it attenuates vifeous Humours, flrengthens the Brain, provokes the Terms in Women, allays Vapours, refills Putrefaction, caufes Perfpiration ; is proper for Epilepfy, Palfy, or Apoplexy, and is a good Medicine for Deaf- nefs. The undluous Liquor which is found annexed to the Teflicles of the Beaver has the fame Virtue, and is flrengthening to the Nerves. [The Creature from which we have the Cajior of the Shops, is the Cajior. Aldrov. de Quad, dig. 276. Cajior five Fiber , Rail Syn. Amin. 209. It is found both in the Eaji and Weft- Indies, and in many other Parts of the World, as Poland ,. Ruffia , (Ac. The Cajior we ufe is the inguinal Glands of this Animal, taken both from the Males and Females, which are of different EignelEs in dif- ferent Beavers , and are fltuated in the Groin, un- der the Teflicles, covered with a thick Mem- brane, and filled with an oleaginous Liquor, which in Time hardens into a pulverifable Sub- fiance. The Ruffia Cajior is greatly preferable to that, of any other Country, and the Creature from which it is taken, though of the Beaver kind, is very different from the common Beaver of Europe and America. It is an admirable Medicine in all hyfterical. Cafes. The Dole is from three Grains to ten in Powder, and from thirty' to fifty Drops in Tincture.] 7. Of the Elk. npHE Elk is a wild Creature that is Pornet, commonly met with in cold Coun- tries, efpecially in Sweden , Norway , Canada , and other Parts. This Animal is about the Height of a Coach-horfe, or a large Ox ; the Head is very thick, the Eyes are bright and fparkling; the Horns are fpreading and large, like thofe of the Deer; the Legs long and (lender; the Feet black, and divided at the Hoof, as thofe of the Ox or Cow ; as to the Hair, it is foft, and of a blackifh Yellow. I fhall not {land to relate what abundance of Authors have faid concerning this Animal : But fhall only obferve, that the Name Eland , or Elan , given by the Germans , fignifies * Mifery ; as well becaufe that this Animal lives no where elfe but in defolate Places, as Woods, Forefls, and the like, as becaufe he is very fubjeci to the 1 ‘alling-Sicknefs,; and as foon as he is at- tacked with this Difeafe, he fails not to put his left Foot to his left Ear, to cure himfclf thereof; which has given Occafion to the Antients to believe 22 General Hiflory of DRUGS. Book I. believe that the Elk f*r Claw, or the Covering upon the left Foot, was a Specifick for the Epilepfy. Of all the Parts of this Animal, there is none ufed in Medicine but the left hind Foot, which is called Ungula Aids in the Shops; the Buyer muff take care, that what is offered to Sale be not the Foot of fome other like Animal, which it is dif- ficult enough to diftinguifh, and that the Leg or the Skin be with the Foot, to fee by the Hair whether it be the left hind Foot. You ought to take care likewife, that it be not worm-eaten, which often happens when they are old ; but on the contrary, let the Claw be heavy, black, fhining, and very fmooth. It is of fome Ufe amongft the Apothecaries, being an Ingredient in many Com- pofitions for the Difeafes before-mentioned. Some People eat the Flelh as Venifon. The Skins are drefled by Tanners, with Filh-Oil and Alum, to make Breaft-Plates of, and to fhelter ■from Rain. They may be known from a Deer or Hart’s Skin, by blowing through them ; for the JSreath will come through, as in Buff. The Nerves are ufed againft the Cramp, by binding the affected Part with them. The Horns are faid to be anti-epileptick ; but the chief Virtue is faid to lie in the Hoof, being taken inwardly in Powder, or worn in a Ring, or hung about the Neck, fo as it may touch the Skin, or taken, being rafped or filed like Harts-Horn. Alee, five Alces , or the Elk , is a four- Lemery . footed wild Beaft of a large Size, be- twixt a Deer, an Afs, and a Goat, having great branched Horns, bending toward the Back on the plain Edge, the Teeth or Branches of them being upwards, folid at the Root, and round like a Hart’s Horn, but much broader. They grow as it were out of their Eye-lids, are very heavy, weighing at leaft twelve Pounds, and are about two Feet long, which Horns they lofe every Year. It is headed fomething like a Horfe, has long Ears, a broad Forehead, and an upper Lip fo great, that hanging over the nether, it fo much falls over, that it cannot eat for it but by going backwards. It is a long-backed Beafl, with a fhort, or almoft no Tail, and a cloven Hoof like the Hart ; his Hair is almoft of the fame Colour, and fometimes of a brown Ruflet. He has a ftrange kind of Mane, lying both on the Top of his Neck, and underneath his Throat, where it flicks out like a Beard, or curled Lock of Hair. This is a melancholy Beaft, and frequently af- flicted with the Falling-Sicknefs, continuing in the Pan£is thereof till the Hoof of the left Foot touch D the left Ear ; wherewith rubbing the Part, the Creature is thereupon immediately delivered. In the Northern Climes they live in Herds, and are taken by Hunting; for upon the flighted Wound, they are fo timorous a Creature, they immediately fall down, and yield themfelves a Prey to their Enemies. In Sweden , Livonia , Gfc. they are taken, tamed, and ufed for Beafts of Burden; for they are both fwift and ftrong, and ferve well to draw in Sledges upon the Ice and Snow, in Rujfa , Scandinavia , and other Northern Parts. [The Ungula Aids is the Hoof of the Alee, Rail Syn. An 86. Gefn. de Ahead, i. Aldrov. de Ahead. Bifulc. 886. The Creature is of the Stag kind, and there are generally Numbers of them feen together. The Hoof is good in the Epilepfy, as it contains a volatile Salt like that of the Horns, (Ac. of other Animals. The Story of its curing itfelf of a convulfive Diftemper by the Touch of its left hinder Hoof is an idle Tale ; and for medicinal Ufe the Right Hoof is therefore altogether as good as the Left, and thofe of the fore Feet as thofe of the Hinder.] 8. Of the Elephant and Rhinoceros. HE Elephant is an Animal that in Height and Thicknefs exceeds all the Pomet. Beafts of the Earth. It is a very under- flanding and tradtable Creature, and is armed with a long, flefhy, and nervous Trunk, which ferves inftead of an Arm or Hand upon many Occafions. It has likewife the Difcretion to ex- tend and bend its Body fo as to. go through a Gate many Feet lower than its Body, provided it be wide enough for its Bulk. I do not believe it will be neceflary to give a very particular De- feription of this Animal, becaufe there is fcarce any confiderable Town in Europe, but where this Creature has been feen ; only it may not be amifs to inform you, that the Elephants come from the Eaftern Parts of the World, but more particularly from the Great Mogul' s Country. They are the Males only that are armed with great Teeth, or Tufhes, at the upper Part of the lower Jaws, for tire Females have none fuch ; tlrefe are called Ivory, of which feveral fine Works are made ; as well as Medicines and other neceflary Things for Life. I fhall not trouble nryfelf to give an Account of all that has been writ by the Antients ; but only take notice of fome few Things that may be enter- taining to the Reader, if they afford him no other Inftrudtion. Ambrofe Parey gives an Account of two forts of Dragons which deftroy the Elephants after this manner : Thefe Dragons wind thern- felves about the Legs of the Elephants, and then thrufting their Heads up their Noftrils, they put out their Eyes, fting them, and fuck their Blood till they are dead. Pliny Book I. Pliny affirms he faw an Elephant which learned the Greek Letters, and was able with Iris Tongue to write a Greek Sentence ; and in the Plays of Germa- vicus Ceefar , Elephants danced after Inftruments of Mufick, keeping Time and Meafure. The Elephant is faid to have a kind of Religion ; for it worfhips, reverences, or obferves the Courfe of the Sun, Moon, and Stars : For when the Moon fhine’s, they go to the Waters where they may fee her ; and when the Sun rifes, they falute or reverence his appearing, by holding up their Trunk to Heaven in Congratulation for the Light. By a kind of natural Inftindl they have fome Fore- knowledge of their own Death ; and when any of their Kind dies, they cover the dead Carcafe with Duft, Earth, and green Boughs. They have a paffionate Love to their Mafters and Keepers, and feldom forget to revenge an Injury on thofe that have offended them ; as they are always grate- ful to their Benefadlors. Aynou faith, an Elephant was cheated of the half of his daily Allowance by his Overfeer ; by chance the Mafter came and ferved him, upon which the Beaft divided it into two Parts before his Mafter, laying one of them afide : By this the Fraud of the Servant was detected. Pliny fays, that an Elephant which was duller than ordinary, was found by his Mafter in the Night pracfifing Things, which he had taught him in the Day with much Difficulty, and many Blows. It is reported they will live two or three hundred Years, if not prevented by extraordinary Accidents. They only breed in hot Countries, and fcarcely can bear Cold and Winter Weather. As to their Teeth, they are often found very large. An Elephant’s Tooth was fold to a Vene- tian Merchant about twelve Feet long, and three Feet Diameter ; and it weighed fo heavy, that he could not lift it. Vertomannus faith, that he faw in the Bland of Sumatra two Elephants Teeth, which weighed 336 Pounds. When thefe fall off, which is about every tenth Year, they bury them in the Earth with their Feet. The Ivory, which the Latins call Ebuiy is the -Teeth, or rather the "Weapons, or Arms of the Male Elephant •> the belt and whiteft of which come from Angela , Ceikn , and other Parts of the Eajl-Indics. T he Trade of Ivory, or Elephants Teeth, is very great i n France, as well as England, for many Purpofes. There is a Spirit and volatile Salt made from it, by the Retort, which is highly efteemed in Difeafes of the Heart and Brain. The Shavings of Ivory are ufed with thofe of Hartfhorn in Ptifans : they are cooling,, drying, and aftringent, a peftilential Antidote,. moderately binding, and {Lengthening the Bowels. Take. Filings, or Rafpings of Ivory, half a Dram Powder 23 of Man’s Skull, Bezoar Mineral, of each fifteen Grains ; mix them for a Dofe in the Epilepfy, or any malignant Fever. Mixed with Japan Earth, and Jcfuits Bark, it is good for the Fluor Albus'y Bloody Flux, Weaknefs of the Back, &c. Like- wife Cochineal and Saffron being added, it becomes an excellent Cordial. Ivory Black is made of burnt Ivory, that is taken from the Fire whilft it retains its Blacknefs, is then pounded, and with Water made into little fiat Cakes or Troches for the Painters, which* when good, ought to be very finely ground, foft, and brittle. T he Apothecaries, or others, who diftil Ivory by the Retort, inftead of throwing the burnt Ivory that remains in the Retort away, may pound it, and make it into little Cakes, orTroches, as I have faid before, and then fell it to thofe who buy Ivory Black, or elfe put it upon a good- Coal Fire, to reduce it to a white Powder, which is- called Spodium, or burnt Ivory. Spodium , or Ivory calcined to a Whitenefs, is alfo Ivory burnt for the Purpofe, that it may be fervice- able in Medicine. The beft is that which is white within and without, heavy, eafy to break, in fine Pieces, the leaft full of Dirt and Filth that may be. They reduce this to an impalpable Powder, upory a Marble, and make it into little Calces o^l/umps, and this is what we call prepared Spo- dium of Ivory. The fame Virtues are attributed to this, as to Coral and other Alkali’s. The Anti- ents, befides Ivory, burnt Canes or Reeds ; and the Canes thus reduced to Afhes, were alfo called Spodium or Antifpodiujn. The Ivory Spodium {Lengthens the vital Parts, refifts malignant Fevers, prevent Micarriages in Women, helps Concep- tion, cures Vapours and Fits, and likewiffe kills Worms in Children. The Rhinoceros is a four-footed Animal, of the Size of a Bull, whofe Body refembles moft the wild Boar. He is fo called, becaufe of the Hor.t that grows out of his Snout, which is black, - about a Foot and a half long, hard, pyramidal, folid ; the Point or Tip whereof turns up again towards the Crown of the Head. This Animal is covered all over with ftrong Scales. In like manner the Legs are fealed to the Hoofs, which are parted into four diftimff Claws. This Animal is an Enemy to the Elephant , and,, in fighting wkh him, fixes his Horn in the foft Part of the Elephant’s Belly ; for which Caufe it is faid that an Elephant will run from him. When they fight they whet their Horn before-hand againft Stones. They are not fierce againft Mankind without great Provocations. The Cry :s like the- Grunting of a Hog. The Indians make Bottles- of their Skins to put Liquors in* The Powder being Of ANIMALS. 24 General Hijlory of DRUGS. Book I. being infufed in Wine, or taken by itfelf to a Scruple, is good againft malignant Difeafes. The Horn, which is chiefly ufed as the Unicorn’s, is faid to be good againft all-contagious and malig- nant Fevers ; for being a high Alkali, both fixed and volatile, it encounters and deftroys the ma- lignant Acids, which ftir up and influence the moft pernious Difeafes. It is reckoned a Angular Sudorifick. Elephas,fve Elephant us , is a Quadruped, Lemery. efteemed the biggeft in the World, of a monftrous Shape : The Head is great and deformed ; the Mouth fo large, that a Man’s Head may as eafily enter into it, as a Finger into the Mouth of a Dog : Their Eyes are really large in themfelves, but appear fmall in Comparifon, and their Ears little, in Proportion to the reft of the Body, not much unlike the Wings of a Bat. The T eeth on either Side are four, to eat with and grind their Food, with two others, one on each Side, which hang forth beyond the reft. It has a Trunk at the End of die Snout, called Probofcis , feu Tuba , feu Manus Nafuta , which is a large hollow thing, hanging from his Nofe, like Skin, downwards, ferving inftead of a Hand. When he feeds, it lies open to draw in both his Meat and Drink ; by this he receives of his Keeper whatever he gives him, and in Swimming draws through it his Breath. It is crooked, griftly, and inflexible at the Root, next the Nofe, where it has two PaiTages, one into the Head and Body, by which the Elephant breathes, the other into the Mouth, by which he receives his Meat. With this he fights in War, and is able to take up a fmall Piece of Money from the Ground, or any other Place ; with this he can draw up a great Quantity of W ater, and fhoot it out, to the annoying of his Enemy. He is faid to have four Venters , and Lungs four Times as big as an Ox. His genital Member is like that of a Horfe, but lefs ; and the Tefticles lie inward about the Reins. The fore Legs are much longer than the hind Legs, of Ihort Joints, and of equal Bignefs both above and beneath the Knees ; the Ancle-Bones are very low ; he bends his hind Legs as a Man when he fits, but not both together, and fo leaning on one Side, fleeps moft commonly againft a Tree. Their Feet are round like Horfes, and as broad as a Bufhel, having five diftindt Toes upon each Foot, which are very little cloven, but without Nails. They are for the moft part of a Moufe Colour, or darkilh Brown. The Skin is harder on the Back, and fofter on the Belly, without any Covering of Hair or Briftles, unlefs here and there one fcatteringly : It is fo tough, that a lharp Sword or Iron pannot pierce it. The Tail is like an Ox’s, but without Hair, except at the End. The Sound or Noife they utter has the moft Re- femblance to braying, and feems as if always hoarfe. The Rhinoceros , called fo from carrying his Horn upon his Nofe, is a large four-footed Ani- mal, that looks as if he was fomething of the Boar Kind, only that he is much larger, and more lubberly and dull. His Head is thick, and enclofed in a fort of flat Cowl, for which Reafon, according to the Rev. Father Le Comte's Me- moirs of China , the Portuguefe have given him the Name of Maine des Indes , or the Indian Monk. By reafon of his Horn fo advantageoufly placed, he becomes formidable to the Bufflers, Tigers, and Elephants, which he engages fometimes. This Animal is found in the Defarts of Africa , in Afta , at Siam, and in China , where they feed upon the Branches of hairy and prickly Shrubs and Trees. The Horns,' the Nails, and Blood, are all ufed in Medicine, containing in them a good deal of volatile Salt and Oil. They are ufeful to refill Poifon, ftrengthen and fortify the Heart, procure Sweat, flop Fluxes of the Belly, and are good againft all contagious Difeafes. The Dofe is from a Scruple or two, either in Infufion or Powder, which drunk in Wine, purifies the Blood, and is a good Prefervative againft infedlious Air. [Ivory is the Tulks of the Elephant, Elephas, Rail Syn. Animal. 131, iAc. The bell Ivory we have is from the Ifland of Ceylon. The Shavings of it boil into a Jelly like thofe of Hartlhorn, and have the fame Virtues ; and the Spodium ex Ebore is now never made, becaufe the burnt Hartlhorn is found to be the fame Thing, in regard to all its Virtues. The Rhinoceros I have already had occafion to fpeak of, in die Chapter of the Unicom.'] 9. Of the Camel. T H E Camel is a gentle domeftick Ani- Pomet. mal, whereof there are great Num- bers throughout all Africa , and particularly in Barbary , and the Defarts of Getulia and Libya , and they are the greateft Riches of the Arabs. Thofe of Africa are better than the other, becaufe they will travel forty or fifty Days together upon Barley only, and ten or twelve without eating or drinking at all. The Female carries her Young eleven Months. When the Camels travel in the Caravan, the Drivers of them whiffle and fing ; for the more they encourage and pleafe thefe Ani- mals, the better they march. Their Food is Grafs, Hay, Thiftles, Barley, Oats, Rufhes, and Herbs. There i Book I. Of A N I There are three Kinds of Camels ; thofe called Hegin are the biggeft, and will carry a thoufand Weight. The fecond Kind are what they call the Be chit, that have two Bunches on their Back, and are the beft to ride upon ; but thefe are only to be met with in Afia. The third they call Dromedaries , which are the fmalleft and fineft, and fit for no other Ufe but riding upon, and are fo fwift, that they will travel thirty five or forty Leagues a Day, and continue fo to do nine or ten Days, through the Defarts, with little or no Suftenance. When thefe Animals are to be loaded, they ftrike them over the Knees and upon the Neck with a Stick, and they kneel upon the Ground to receive their Burden ; and when they are loaded, upon the Sign being given, they rife prefently with it. Thefe Creatures bear Hunger and Thirft with great Patience. Some fay they carry W ater in their Stomachs a long time to cool them, by means of their large Ventricle, about which they find a confiderable Number of Bags inclofed in the Tur.icles or Coats thereof, in which it appears thefe Animals keep Water in referve. And hence it is that fome Perfons affirm, that when the Turks go with the Caravan, to Meccha, and Water is fcarce, they kill their Camels , to drink the Water they have in their Stomachs. It is from thefe Animals we have the Hair that is called by their Names, and of which feveral fine Stuffs are made ; the beft of which is that on the Back, and the leaft full of white Hair : In fhort, the Camel of all Animals is the moft gentle, thedeaft chargeable to keep, and brings the greateft Pro- fit to his Owner. Of natural Sal Ammoniack. Sal Armor, lack, or rather Natural Ammoniack , is a Salt white within and without, of a faltifh Tafte, pretty like common Salt, only that it is more pungent. It ufed to be brought us from Arabia or Lybia ; but at prefent we have very little from thence, but the Venetians and Dutch have found out a Way of making a Compofition that near refembles it in its Virtues; there is how- ever a great deal of Difference in the Figure be- twixt the natural and artificial. When the Turks , and other People of Afia or Africa , travel with their Caravans, their Camels , paffing thro’ the Defarts, urine upon the Sands ; and the Sun Ihining fierce on the Urine, fails not to dry it up, and reduce it into a white Mafs ; the Truth of which I am convinced of by a Piece which Air. T our m fort gave me the 6th of March, 1 6 ; 3, whole f igure is here reprefented, and Vox. II. M'A L S. 25 marked A, and which I keep by me as a great Rarity. This Piece is cryftallized ; that is to fay, it appears on the Top like Needles, as Salt Petre refined, and Is hollow on the under Side, where there is alfo fome Sand flicking to it, which fhews that the Salt is fublimed by means of the Sun, and rifes up from the Sands, that are very hot. The Antients univerfally agreed, that there was a natural Sal Ammoniack-, that this Salt was found in the Lybian Sands, and that it was made from the Camels Urine which travelled to the Temple of Jupiter Ammon, from whence it took its Name : And others fay that it comes from the Greek Word Ammi, which fignifies Sand ; and therefore we ought not, as is commonly done, to call it Armoniack, but Ammoniack. There is be- fides this, another natural Ammoniack, or rather more properly fpeaking, an artificial one, which is made after the fame Manner as we make Salt Petre. It is, drawn from a kind of Earth, or faltifh Scum, that ouzes out of old Caverns, and the Chinks of Rocks, betwixt Labor , Thanufferi, and Tzerhint. But as thefe two Salts are almoft: unknown to us, and we meet with but very little if any of them, we muft content ourfelves with that brought from Venice or Holland ; but the laft: is chiefly what comes to Paris , efpecially in Time of Peace. Of artificial Sal Armoniack. This Sal Armoniack, or rather Acrimoniack , or, according to fome, Acrimonial , is a Mafs or Compofition of feveral Things, made in Shape of a Pot-lid, which the Venetians or Dutch make, according to the Relation of feveral Authors, from human or animal Urine, common, or Sea Salt, and Chimney Soot, boiled all together, and fub- limed into a Salt, and formed into Cakes, as we have it now brought to us. Some have affured me that Sal Armoniack was likewife compofed of Biood, which I cannot affirm, having never feen it done. They ufed heretofore, to fend us from Holland and Venice, a Sal Armoniack in the Shape of a Sugar Loaf, which was much finer than what we have in Cakes at prefent. That Sal Armoniack is the beft which is cleareff, whiteft, and moft tranfparent, and which being broke, there appear in it as it were Needles, and that which is the drieft; but rejedt that which is black both on the Upper and Under-fide, and which being broke, is almoft all grey or black. Which is occafioned by the Avarice of the Makers, who raife up too much of the Matters it is compofed of, by too violent a Fire. That E which 26 , General Bijlory of DRUGS. Book I. which comes from Venice is the pureft ; but that from Antiverp and Holland is the moil common Sort. The Ufe of it is very confiderable for feve- ral Trades, befides the many excellent Prepara- tions made from it in Chymiftry. It ferves the Dyers, Goldfmiths, Founders, Pin-makers, and almoft all that work in Metals, and the Farriers. And it is fo acrid and piercing, that being dif- folved in Aqua forth or Spirit of Nitre , it gives them a Power of diffolvingGold, which before they could not touch. It is aperative and fudorifick, refills Putrefaction, and is good in Quartan Agues : the Dofe is from a Scruple to half a Drachm. It is alfo good in Gar- garifms, for the Quinfey, and in Eye-waters for Dimnefs of Sight ; but in thefe Cafes it mull be ufed with Difcretion. In the Sublimation of this artificial Salt, ac- cording to the Compofition mentioned before, the volatile alkalious Salts of the Urine and Soot do raife up as much of the Acid, or Sea Salt, as they can hold ; fo that it appears this Salt confiftsof two different Natures and Pro- perties, to wit, of Acid and Alkali, fixed and vola- tile, and accordingly two different Spirits, or Salts, may be drawn from it, viz. a volatile alkalious Spirit and Salt, and an acid Spirit and fixed Salt. 7* o purify Sal Armoniack. Diffclve it in a fufficient Quantity of Water, filterate the Diffolution, and in a Glafs Veffel either evaporate till it is dry, by which you will have a pure white Salt, or evaporate till a Pellicle arifes ; and fet it to cryflallize according to the ufual Way. You may alfo purify Sal Armoniack by Sublima- tion, thus : Take Sal Armoniack in Powder, and Sea Salt decrepitated, or rather Smiths Scales ; of each equal Parts, mix them, and put the Mixture - into an earthen Cucurbit; and having placed it in Sand, fit to it a blind Head ; give a gentle Fire at firfl, and encreafe it by little and little, until you can fee the Sal Armoniack rife up like Meal, and flick to the Head and uppermofl Part of the Cucurbit, and continue the Fire till nothing more willafcend: The Veffel being cold, gather thefe Flowers with a Feather, and keep them in a Glafs clofe flopped. They are only Sal Armoniack , and their Virtues the fame with the former, being given only to one Scruple. Thus purified from Sea-Salt, the Flowers are white ; but from Iron Scales they are of a yellowifh Colour; the latter being much the better, and more fuccefsful again# Quartans ; and both of them are very powerful Agents in all chymical Operations, for extracting the Sulphurs of Metals and Minerals, both by the Help of Sublimation, and otherwife. This Sal Armoniack purified, is alfo ufed outwardly againft Gangrenes, and to confume fuperfluous and cor- rupted Flefh. It prevails in a Gargarifm againft the Quinfey and Inflammation of the Throat, and in a Bath it gives Relief in the Gout, efpecially if Cloths be made wet therewith and applied. Of volatile Spirit of Sal Armoniack. Take Sal Armoniack and quick Lime in Powder, fix Ounces of the firft, and one Pound of the latter ; mix them in an Iron Mortar ; add three or four Ounces of Water ; put them quickly into a Retort, the half whereof is empty ; fet it in a Sand Furnace, with a very large Receiver, luting the Junctures clofe ; begin the Diftillation without Fire for a quarter of an Hour ; then add the Fire, increafing it by little and little, till no more Spirits come forth. Take off the Receiver, and imme- diately turning away your Nofe, put the Spirits into a Glafs, which keep clofe ftopt for Ufe ; you will have four Ounces of Spirit or better. This is ftronger than that made with Tartar, being endowed with the fiery Particles of the quick Lime; which being mixed with Spirit of Wine, prevents the coagulating ; whereas that made with Tartar will caufe a Coagulum upon the Spot. This Spirit prepared either Way, corrects and hinders Putrefaction, more than moft other Things in the World ; and powerfully refills the Poifon or Ve- nom of the Plague or Peftilence ; and is very profitably given againft all putrid Fevers. The volatile Spirit and Salt are more fubtle and pene- trating, and of a kinder Tafte and Smell than thofe which have been extracted out of plain Urine, becaufe they were not fermented and depurated by common Salt. This Spirit is good in all hypochondriacal Cafes, Suffocation of the Womb, hfc. but chiefly againft Difeafes of the Head ; as Vertigo, Lethargy, Epilepfy, Deafnefs, Palfy, Trembling, and the like. In a word, it is good in all Difeafes proceeding from Corrup- tion, or Obftrudlion of Humours. Of the acid Spirit , and fixed Salt of Armo- niack. After the Spirit is drawn off with Tartar, in- ftead of Lime, there remains at the Bottom of the Veffel feven Ounces, and better, of a white fixed Mafs, from which you may diftil an acid Spirit, as you do Spirit of Salt ; for indeed it is a Kind of Spirit of Salt, or little other ; otherwife you may diltolve it in Water, filtre and cryftal- lize, fo will you have a very good Salt againft in- termitting Book I. O/ANIMALS. 27 termitting Fevers, given from ten Grains to thirty. This is as agreeable an Acid as any we have ; and is very proper to allay the Heat of Fevers, to pro- voke Urine, and flop the too violent Fermenta- tions of the Blood. There is another Way of making the fixed Salt, by the Means of Egg-Shells, or quick Lime, which they reduce with the for- mer Mafs, into a clear tranfparent Body, like Chryftal, which is a very good Cauftick, but eafily runs to Water; for which Reafon, thofe who are defirous to keep it, put it in a Glafs Bottle well flopped, fo that no Air can enter. This fixed Sal Armoniack being reduced into a Liquor, is what fome call, tho’ improperly, Oil of Sal Armoniack-, and is indeed an Oil per deliquium, which feveral Perfons keep for the Refufcitation of Quick- Silver. Camelus , or the Camel, is a very tall Lemery. t raft able Beaft, that is of mighty Ser- vice to all the People of Afia and Africa. His Neck is long, the Body very thick and broad, having a Bunch on his Back, and fome Kinds two. The Tail is like that of an Afs; his Buttocks are fmall, confidering the Bulk of his Body, and the Legs very long. The Female goes with Young eleven, and fometimes twelve Months ; and when the young Ones arrive at an Age and Size fit for Service, they load them with Burdens as we do Horfes in Europe. But as this Animal is very high, fo that it is difficult to load them, they are taught, while young, to kneel down upon their Knees to receive their Burdens ; and this is the Reafon that they become, in Time, fo callous and hard, that they have fcarce the Senfe of Feeling on that Part. Thefe Camels are the ufefulleft Creatures in Africa. The Arabs make great Advantages of them, becaufe they will live hard, and endure both Hunger and Thirft with much Eafe, and won- derful Patience. Thefe Beafts are great Lovers of Singing, and other Mufick ; fo that thofe who travel long JcuMeys with them, fing or pipe all the Way to make them go the fafter and more chearfully. There are three Sorts of them ; the firft, or largeft fized, is called Hugium ; the fe- cond, more peculiar to Ana, is named Becheti ; and the third is Dramas five Dromedarius , the Dromedary , which the Arabs call Raguahil ; and is a fmall, thin, lean Creature, in refpeft of the others. ' All the Parts of the Camel yield a great deal of volatile Salt and Oil ; the Flefh being eat, pro- vokes to Urine ; the Greafe or Fat is emollient, foftening, and refolutive, proper for the Piles or Hemorrhoids : The Brain being dried and beat to Powder, is good for the Epilepfy. The Gall mixed with Honey, is reckoned proper for the Quinfey ; the Milk loofens the Belly, procures an Appetite, relieves and gives Eafe in an AJlhma. The Blood is faid to be proper to incline Wo- men to conceive, if the Region of the Womb be fomented therewith after the menftrual Flux. The Urine is good to cleanfe the Teeth, and make Sal Armoniack of. The Dung is vulnerary and de- terfive, and the Milk and Flefh good to eat, fo that the Arabs feed upon them. [The Camel ufed as a Beaft of Burthen in the Eafl, is the Camelus. fonf. de Vhtad. 67. In re- gard to this Creature and the Dromedary , it may be obferved, that Authors have been very much divided in their Opinion about which of them it is that has two, and which but one Bunch on its Back : But the Truth certainly is, that the Camel common in Afia and Africa , and conftantly ufed there as a Beaft of Burthen, has only one Bunch ; and that the Dromedary , which is a very fcarce Animal, and only found in the PoiTeffion of great Perfons, has two Bunches on his Back, and is never ufed otherwife than as a Beaft to ride on, as it is light, and travels very fwiftly. The Blood, Gall, Dung, and Urine of the Camel, are all commended as great Medicines in feveral Intentions, but are never ufed at prefent, except in the Share the two laft of them have in the Egyptian Sal Armoniack . In regard to the Sal Armoniack, the true natu- ral Libyan Kind, faid to be produced by the Aftion of the Sun upon the Camel's Urine on the Sands, is now wholly unknown among us, nor can we any where find a certain Proof that there ever was fuch a Thing ; for what the Antients deferibe under this Name, was a foffile Salt of the Nature of Sal Gemm. But however that be, we have at prefent three Kinds of crude Sal Armoniack in the Shops, the common, the Egyptian , and the Italian , of which the firft is almoft the only kind now ufed, and kept by the Druggifts. The firft or common Sal Armoniack is made at Venice, in Holland, and in other Places, with five Parts of human Urine, one Part of common Sea Salt, and half that of Wood Soot, boiled into a Mafs, and fublimed into the Form we fee. The fecond is brought from Grand Cairo and other Parts of Egypt, and is made with the Soot of Camels, Cows, and Pigeons Dung (which is the common Fewel of the poorer People of Egypt , when made up into Cakes with chopt Straw and dried) mixed with Salt, and Camels Urine, and fublimed into flat Cakes in Glafs Veflels made for that Ufe: And the third, or Italian Sal Armoniack, is formed by the Soot and Smoak of burning Mountains; and gathered from the Rocks about Puteoli, This E 2 is 28 General Hiflory of D R U G S. Book I* is the only Kind of this Sort that can with any Juftice be called a native or natural Sal Armoniack. We have, befide thefe, a Sal Armoniack in Cakes like Sugar Loaves, brought to us from many Parts of the Eaft-Indies , but as there is very little Dif- ference between this and the Egyptian Kind, I forbore to name it as a fourth Sort.] io. Of the Bull, &c. Pcmet. H E Bull , Ox, and Sheep , are Ani- J. mals fo well known to all the World, that it would be ufelefs to give a Defcription of them. There is fometimes found in the Gall Bladder of Oxen, a Stone of the Colour and Shape of the Yolk of an Egg, that is foft, and of divers Crufts like the Bezoar ; for which Reafon it is called the Ox Bezoar , or the Gall- Stone, which if good ought to be high-coloured and well-dried ; for if they are purchafed when taken frelh from the Animal, they wafte confide- rably in drying. Sometimes this Stone is fold pretty dear, efpecially if it falls into the Hands of Perfons who know it’s Value. The greateft Ufe that is made of it is for painting in Miniature, as they ufe Gamboge. The fame Virtues are afcrib- ed to this as to Bezoar. But as this Stone is to be met with at home, it makes it not fo much valued as Oriental Bezoar. W e likewife fometimes meet with a Cartilage in the Heart of an Ox , like that of a Stag, to which they give the Name of the Bone in the Heart of the Ox, which is nowand then ufed in Phyfick, inftead of that in the Stag’s Heart, tho’ improperly. By the burning of Beef Bones, there is a Black made, called Bone Black ; it ought to be fine, brittle, fhining, and well ground ; its Ufe is for Painting. There is a Glue made of the Cartilages, (Ac. well boiled in Water, which is call into Moulds, and afterwards fpread out and dried. This is then called Bulls Glue, or ftrong Glue, of which they make a confiderable Trade in France , efpecially of that made in England or Flanders. The ftrong Englijh Glue ought to be chofe well boiled, dry, clear, and tranfparent, of a reddifh brown, eafy to break with the lift, not gravelly or foul, but the fmootheft and neateft that can be had ; rejecting fuch as when melted ftinks much ; as all the ftrong Glues that are made at Paris , or thereabout, do, which arc lefs valued for any Kind of Works, than that which is brought from England. The Flanders Glue ought to have the fame Qualities with the former ; but is not fo much boiled ■, they ufe this Glue for Hat- making, it ferving them better than that of En- gland as well as to paint in Water Colours. The Wcjl-India Company in France brings efpecially to Rouen , a great Quantity of Ox Hid^s from Barbary, of which the Merchants of Rouen make a confiderable Bufinefs, tho’ at Paris they fell but few. The greateft Share comes from Senegal with the Gum and Gold Dull. As the Mer- chants of Rouen are obliged to give Credit for three Years to the Tanners, if by Accident any Tan- ner come to fail or die, and that the Succcflbr of him is not able to pay for his Goods, the Merchant is permitted to open his Tan-Pits, and withdraw his Merchandize. Befides thefe, we fell many other things had from the Bull, as Ox- Hides from Hungary. The beft are the whiteft, and the true Hungarian , becaufe they are much- better than thofe which are wrought in France. Likewife Englijh Calf-Skins, and others without Hair, which come from feveral Parts, as alfo Flocks and Beafts Hair. And befide all thefe we trade in Beef-Suet, from Ireland , which ought to be new and white. Bos , in Englijh the Bull , Ox, or Cow, Lemery. are fluggilh, horned Beafts, which chew the Cud, and cleave the Hoof ; the Horns of the Bull are Ihort, of the Ox very large. It is a Beaft generally known, differing- much in Shape, Size, Homs, and Colour, according to the Vari- ety of Countries where brought forth. They yield from every Part a great deal of Oil and vo- latile Salt The Flelh of the Bull is coarfe and tough to that of the Ox. The Cow’s Flelh, if fat, is good Meat ; but if old and lean, it is not eatable, The young Bullock’s Flelh is fine, but much inferior to the .Ox’s. Veal is a pleafant Meat, eafy of Digeftion, loofens the Body, and heals the Bowels in a Bloody-Flux. The Blood drunk warm is faid to cure the Epi- lepfy; befmeared upon the Skin warm, it takes away all Foulnefs; and is alfo good againft thfe Gout and other Pains. The Fat is emollient, and is ufed in Balfams, Ointments, and Plaifters. It eafes Pains proceeding from Colds ; cures Kibes and Chilblains, and heals the chapping of the Hands, Lips, Nipples, Fundament, (Ac. The cny- mical Oil is good againft the Gout, Palfics, Numbnefs, Contractions of the Nerves and Muf- cles, Lamenefs, (Ac. The Marrow is of the fame Effects, but much finer. The Horns are alexr- pharmac, and by fome called the Englijh Bezoar ; the Powder raffed from the Horn much exceed- ing the trueft and beft Oriental Bezoar. More- over, it is of lingular Ufe in the Falling-Sicknefs, Fits of the Mother, Convulfions, Palfies, Lethar- gies, (Ac whole y 2 Length 36 General Hi /lory of D R U G S, Book I. Length of him, from the Snout to the Tip of the 'Tail, is not above two Feet and a half. The Liver and Bowels of the IVclf dried, are recommended for the Cure of all Ddeafes arifing from the Liver and Bowels, particularly the Cho- hck; and the Heart of the fame Creature is elleemed good in Epiiepfies. We alfo fell the Greafe and dried Lungs of the Fox. The laft efleemed excellent againft Coughs, Afthma’s, Phthificks, Wheelings, Hoarlenefs, Shortnefs of Breathing, and all other Difeafes of the Lungs. The Greafe is admirable for the Ear-ach, and to rub the Limbs of fuch Perfons as are fubjedt to Convulfions, Palfies, Tremblings, and Weaknefc in any Part. Of the Mufk Rat. There are alfo the Tefticles of a little Creature brought us, called, in the American IJlands , Pilaris , or Mufk Rat, becaufe of its Refemblance to our common Rats, except that the IVeJl-lndian are much larger. They fell thefe for Mujk, to People that do not underftand them ; but it is an eafy Matter to find it out, fince thefe are no longer or thicker than a Child’s little Finger. The Mufk Rats, according to Father Du Tertre , have the fame Shape with ours, but are fo much bigger, that one will out-weigh four of ours : The Hair upon the Belly is white, and that on the Back black; they fmell fo ftrong of Mufk, that they perfume all the Air about them as they go. The Inhabitants of Martinico eat them ; but they are forced, after they have fkinned them, to leave them one Night in the Air, and then throw away the firlt Water they are boiled in, to take off the too ftrong Scent of the Mufk. Thefe Rats are natural to the Ifland, and they had none of the common Kind, ’till of late that they were brought thither by the Ships that trade there. [The Bears Greafe is now feldom ufed, or found genuine among our Druggifts, the others fcarce at all ; and the Tefticles of the Mujk Rat, the Piloris, Lem. DiP.ion. des Droug. 424. are of no other Ufe than to adulterate the true Mufk with.] 1 7. Of the Oftrich. Porr.el. *"T~' H E Ojlricb is a Bird that has Ihort JL Wings, and is much valued for its Feathers ; which ferve as Ornaments for Hats, Caps, Beds, and Canopies of State. The OJlriches are taken in Africa , and are very common in. Peru, where they march in Flocks like Cattle : The Natives eat their FJefh, and their Eggs are good, though hard of Digeftion: This is the largeft of all Birds, being feven Feet high, and fometimes more. His Head is fmall, depreffed, or fiat-crowned, and almoft like a Gcofe’s ; the Bill is compreffed and fmall, of a triangular Figure, Horn coloured, with a black Tip ; it has great Eyes, with a Hazel-coloured Iris-, the Head and Neck, almoft as far as the Breaft, are bare or Feathers, as alfo the Thighs; the Head and Neck are covered with a certain Down, or thin fet Hairs : The Sides under the Wings and Thighs are abfolutely bare; the Wings are fmall, and altogether ufelefs for Flying, defigncd only to afiift the Bird in Running. The Feathers of the Back, in the Cock, are Coal black ; in the Hen only dufky, and fo foft that they refemble a kind of Wool ; the Wing-Feathers beneath, are of the fame Colour with thofe in the Back ; but above, in their upper Part, they are purely white : The Tail is thick, bulhy, and round, not as in other Birds, fpread out in Breadth ; the Feathers in the Cock being whitilh, in the Hen dulkilh. Its Neck and Legs are very long ; it wants the back Toes, and has but two others ; the one Toe is five Inches and a half, and the other eight Inches long, covered with great disjointed annu- lary Scales. It lays very large Eggs, of four or five Inches Diameter, one of which has Meat enough in it to ferve feven or eight People, con- tained in a hard ftrong Shell, which they cover in the Sands, and forfake, never taking any more Care of them, but leave them to be hatched by the Heat of the Sun. They have differed feveral OJlriches in the Academy of Sciences ; the largeft whereof was feven Feet and an half high from the Ground to the Top of his Head. The Eye is oval like a Man’s, having large Eye-brows ; and the upper Eye-lid is moveable, contrary to the Generality of Birds, with an Eye-lid within, as a great many Brutes have ; the Bill is fhort and pointed ; the Tongue is fmall and adhering, as that of Fifties; the Thighs large, fleftiy, and without Feathers, covered with a white Skin, a little reddifli : The Legs are covered with great Scales ; the Feet cleft, having only two Toes, with large Claws. The Oftrich carries the Quill exa£Uy in the Middle of the Feather, upon which Account the ^Egyptians reprefented fujlice by it. When they came to examine the Infide of this Creature, they met with five Diaphragms or Partitions, which divide the Trunk into five Parts; four of which were placed ftrait up and down ; and a fifth fituated acrofs, or thwart the Ventricles, which were found full of Herbs, Hay, Barley, Beans, Bones, and Stones, of which there were fome of the Big- Book I. nefs of a Hen’s Egg. They found in one feventy Pieces of Money ; the moft Part of which was wafted and gone, and that apparently by their mutual Attrition one againft the other, rather than by Corrofion. It is obfervable, that the OJlriches fwallow Iron for the fame End that Birds do Pebbles and Gravel, to help them to grind their Food, and not nourifh them, or to digeft it, as the Antients believed, for they perifh if they fwallow too much of it. The Flefh of the Ojlrich is fat, and faid to caufe an Appetite, and reftore in Confumptions. The Ventricle, or Skin of the Stomach, ftrength- ens and allifts Digeftion. The Fat is hotter than Goofe Greafe, and may be ufed with great Advantage to diflolve hard Swellings, relax con- tracted Nerves, and eafe Pain. Befides the African Ojlrich, already defcribed, there are three other Sorts, to wit, the American , the Emeu or CaJJbwary , and the Dode. The American OJlriches are fomewhat lefs than the former. Their Legs are long, and they have three Toes on each Foot, one of which Hands backwards. The Head is like that of a Goofe, the Neck twenty-four Inches long, which they carry bended like a Swan or Stork; the Bill is compreffed, or fiat, but not very broad, two Inches and a half long; the Wings fmall, and not fit for flying, which they only affift themfelves widi in Running, which they do with that Speed, that a Grey-hound can fcarcely overtake them. The whole Body is covered with grey Feathers, which are longer and more beautiful on the Back. The Tail is like that of the former, but ftretched long- ways. It feeds on Fruit and Flefh, but will fwallow any thing you offer it. The Flefh is reckoned among the Spaniards as good Food. The Emeu , or Cajfcivary Ojlrich , has a horny Crown on the Top of its Head, near three Inches high, of a dufky yellow Colour, which is re- ported to fall off at moulting Time, and to grow again with the new Feathers. The Head and Neck are bare, or only covered with a hairy Down; the Skin being of a purplifh blue Colour. In the fore Part of the Neck hang down two membranous Wattles, or Lobes of Flefh, two Inches long, of a Vermilion Red; as is alfo the lower Part of the back Side of the Neck : Its Bill is of a moderate Thicknefs, and ftraight, and four or five Inches in Length ; the Neck is about thirteen Inches long; the Length of its Body, from Breaft to Rump, three Feet, the Breadth two Feet over ; the Thighs, with the Legs to the Feet, are feventeen Inches long ; the Legs are thick and ftrong, and almoft five I itches about. 37 covered as it were with broad Scales. It has thick, hard Feet, divided into three thick Toes, all Handing forwards, and wanting a back Toe, having very great Claws, almoft two Inches long. It has fome Rudiments of Wings, confifting only of fi ve naked Shafts of Feathers, fomewhat like Porcupines SJuills, which commonly lie hid under the Feathers, covering the Sides ; but it has no Tail. The Feathers covering the whole Body are all double ; two coming out of the fame Pipe or Stem, the upper fomewhat the thicker, or grofier, the lower the finer and more delicate. It is commonly faid to want a Tongue, becaufe the Tongue cleaves to the Mouth as in* Fifties. It feeds upon Fruits, Flefh, Bread, Hen’s Eggs, Oranges, and almoft any Thing that is offered it. It’s Eggs are great and fair ; one being meafured length-ways, was fifteen Inches, and crofs-ways twelve Inches, or more ; of a greenifh afh Colour, thick fet with fmall Protuberances of a deep Green. The Dode , called Gallus Gallinaceus , is faid to be of a middle Size, between an Ojlrich and a Turkey , agreeing much with the African OJricJf, if you confider it’s Rump, Wings, and Feathers ; but in regard of the Shortnefs of its Legs, it looks like a Pigmy among them. It has a great Head, covered with a Membrane refembling a Hood, great black Eyes, prominent fat Neck, a Bill long and ftrong, not flat and broad, but thick and of a bluifh White, fharp pointed and crooked. Its Body is fat and round, covered with foft grey Feathers, much like an Ojlrich* sy, on each Side, inftead of hard Wing-Feathers, or Quills, it has fmall foft-feathered Wings, of a yellowifh afh Colour; and for a Tail, it has five fmall curled Feathers of the fame Colour. It has yellow Legs, being about four Inches in Compafs, and fomething more than four Inches in Length, covered with thick Scales. It has three fore Toes, and one back Toe, near an Inch and an half long, and its Claw above an Inch in Length. It is a flow-paced, ftupid Bird, and eafily taken. The Flefh, efpeciaily of the Breaft, is fat, efculent, and lias fo much of it,' that three or four of them will fometimes be enough for a hundred Men ; but it is commonly falted, and ftored up for Sea Provifions. It fwallows Stones, and fuch like hard Subftances, which fhews it to be of the Ojlrich Kind. [The Ojlrich , whofe Fat is efteemed fo excellent in nervous Cafs, is the common Kind, the Struthio. Chari. Ex. 79. Struthio camelus. Raii Ornith. 1 4.4. Gefn. De Avib. 670. The Fat, by the Relation, of thofe who have been where it was to be had, and tried it, is one of the greateft of Medicines, ufed as an Ointment in Contractions of the Nerves, but Of A N I M A L S. 38 General Uijlory oj DRUGS. Book I. but whether this be true or not, is of little Con- sequence to us who cannot expedt often to meet with it. J 1 8. Of the Eagle. Pomet. r T i HE Eagle is a large Bird of Trey, A and the fierceft and ftrongeft of that Kind, being Scarce diftinguifhable from the Hawk , but only in Bignefs, or from the Vulture , but by its long, black, and crooked Bill ; befides which its Legs are yellow, and covered with Scales. This Bird is very well known in Europe , as well as other Parts of the World. There are feveral dif- ferent Species however of it ; as tire Golden Ea- gle, the Black Eagle , the White tailed Eagle , the Brafilian Eagle , the Sea Eagle , and the Vulterine. The Flefh of all the Kinds is hard, fibrous, and not fit for Meat or Phyfick. The Brain is faid to cure the Epilepfy, the Tefticles to procure Luff, and the Gall is the ftrongeft of all Galls, and helps all the Difeafes of the Eyes whatfoever $ as Clouds, Miffs, Films, Pearls, Blood-fhot, Ulcers, iff c. The Fume of the Dung is faid to bring forth th e Foetus, and outwardly applied, ripens Tumors and Apofthumes. The Eagle is a very falacious Bird, yet lives to a very great Age. But of all that belongs to this Bird, there is nothing fold in the Shops, but a kind of Stone that is found at the Entrance of the Holes wdicre the Eagles build their Neffs, fuppofed laid there to preferve their Young from Lightnings, and other Injuries of die Weather. This Stone is brought us by the Pil- grims of St. James in Galicia. The Eagle Stones rnoff effeemed, are thofe which are flat, blackifh, and that rattle well ; that is to fay, which make a Noife when fhaked at your Ear, which proceeds from a little Stone contained within. Great Virtues are afligned to this Stone, efpecially to procure eafy and fafe Labour, and to prevent Mifcarriages. Some write, .that the Eagle hunts for this Stone to the very Indies , in order to hatch, or bring forth its young ones. [The two Kinds of the Eagle , which have Places in the Catalogues of Birds ufed in Medi- cine, are the Aquila fulva, five aurea. Will. Orn. 58. Aquila Germ ana. Gejn. De Avibus , 149. Aquila regain , Schyj. A. 2x4. The Golden Ea- gle , and the Haliecetus. jonf. De Av. 93. Ha~ Li.ecctus five Aquila Alaiina. Will. Orn. 29. Ilalie- eetus Jive OJfifraga. Rail Syn. An. 6. The Ofprey. The Gall of the fuff is faid to be good in Deafnefs ; and the Marrow of the Thighs of the other to make Baits for Fifh : But neither are ever ufed now. The Eagle Stone is the Mtitcs five Aquilinus Lapis , IVcrm. 77. Chari. Fojfil. 31. Its Virtues Lem altogether imaginary. There are feveral Kinds of it : The Ochrcoferreus Mtitcs, the Baffard Eagle Stone, the Geodes. Woodw. Att. 2. 9. Boet. 381. and the Terra Sicula, Bezoardicurn miner ale. Alont. 14. which are ferrugineous Bodies contain- ing Earth, Gfc. The true Mtitcs is a Pebble with a loofe Nucleus.] 19 . Of the Vulture. '"I"' H E Vulture is a Bird of Prey that Pcmet. is much like an Eagle, and has fo quick a Scent, that it will fmell a dead Carcafa many Miles. Many are of Opinion that he dif- fers not in Kind from the Eagle, but only in fome other Characleriflicks, as that the Head and Neck of the Vulture are ft-r the moff part bare of Fea- thers, and are only covered with a fhort white Down ; that a little under their Throats they have about a Hand’s Breadth covered rather with Hairs, like thofe of a Calf, than Feathers ; that the Craw hangs down like a Bag before the Stomach or BreafI ; that the Bill being ftraight for two Inches, does then grow crooked ; that among all rapacious Birds, none fly together in Flocks but the Vul- tures ; and laftly, that the Infldes of the Wings are covered with a foft Fleece of Down, which is proper only to the Vulture. There are feveral Kinds of Vultures deferibed by Authors, as the Afh-coloured, the Black, the Chefnut, the Hare Vulture, the Golden, the White, the Brafilian, and the Vulturine Eagle. The two firft differ in nothing but their Colour. The Chefnut-coloured is lefs than an Eagle, having the whole Plumage of its Body of the Chefnut Co- lour ; the Feathers of the Crown are very fhort if compared to Eagles, which is the Reafon fome have thought them bald. The Hare Vulture is fo called from its preying upon Hares ; is inferior in Magnitude, and has not a Bread: fo refulgent as the Golden Vulture , which has many Things in common with the Golden Eagle , but is every Way, or in all its Parts greater. The Brafilian Eagle is a rapacious Bird, of the Bignefs of a Kite, having a long Tail, and Wings longer than it. The whole Plumage of the Body is black, with a little Tawny here and there mixed. It is headed almoft like a Turkey, having a wrinkled Skin. Its Bill is long, hooked at the End, and fharp ; in the Middle whereof is one large Hole for the Noflrils, tranfverfely fituate ; its Eyes are almoft of a Ruby Colour, with a round black Pupil. Its Flefh ftinks like Carrion, for it feeds chiefly upon dead Carcaff.s; it is ill-looked, always lean, and never fatnfled. The Vulturine Eagle , though called fo by the Naturalifts, has nothing of the Eagle in him ; its Shape is unufual the Bill is ftraight almoft to the Middle, Book I. Of AN l Middle, and towards the Point bent into a re- markable Hook, after the Manner of Vultures , white towards the Head, the reft of it black, the lower Chap wholly white. The Iris of the Eye is not fo fiery as in Eagles, but whitifh, and the Papilla black ; the whole Head whitifh or grey ; the Neck, half way from the Head, almoft bald, fet with a few white Feathers, and fome finall ones, like rough curled Hairs, higher than the reft of the Plumage, as if they were fine long Bridles ; on the Back there is as it were a kind of Hood, reaching to the Middle thereof, and ending in a {harp Peak, refembling a Triangle. The Colour of the whole Plumage is of a dark Chefnut, in- clining to black. The Fat is the only Thing be- longing to the Vulture Kind that is fold in the Shops : It is ufed to anoint with in Palfies and other nervous Cafes. [The Vulture , that has a Place in the Cata- logues of medicinal Birds, is the Vultur niger. Aldr. Ornitb. I. 271. Vultur nigricans. Char. Ex. 71. The Flefh, Fat, Gall, Brain, and Dung of this Bird are recommended as having their feveral Virtues, but none of them are ever feen in the Shops, or preferibed in the prefent Practice.] 20. Of the Frigat:. Poniet. *"T"' H E Frigat is a Bird which the In- JL dians call fo becaule of the Swift- nefs of its Flight. The Body of this Bird is no bigger than a Pullet’s, but its Stomach is very flefhy. All the Feathers of the Males are as black as Ravens. The Neck is pretty long, the Head fmall, with two great black Eyes, and the Sight more piercing than the Eagle’s. The Bill is pretty thick, and altogether black, about fix cr feven Inches long, and ftraight to the End, where the upper Beak is crooked like a Hook : The Claws are very fhort, being divided into two, as the Vulture's , but are entirely black. The Wings are fo prodigioufly great, that it is fevtn or eight Feet from the Extremity of one Wing to the other, and that not without Reafon, fince his Wings are fometimes employed to carry him above three hundred Leagues from Land. It is with a great deal of Trouble that this Bird can raife himfelf, but when he has once taken his Flight, he keeps his Wings extended almoft without any Motion or Fatigue. If the Weight of the Rain, or the Impetuofity of the Winds force him, he mounts above the Clouds, and foars beyond Sight into the middle Region of the Air ; and when he is at the higheft, clearly d'ftinguifhes where the Dorado gives chace to the Flying-Fifh, and throws him- felf down like Lightning j not fo as to ftrike upon M A L $. ^ g the Water, for then it would be difficult for him to rife again ; but when he comes within twelve or fourteen Paces, he makes a large Turn, and lowers himfelf as it were infenfibly, ’till he comes to fkim the Waters where the Chace is given 5 in palling he takes the little Fifh in its Flight along the Water, either with his Bill or his Talons, and fometimes both together. The Male carries a great red Comb, like that of the Cock, not upon his Head, but under the Throat ; and this Comb does not appear but in the old ones. The Females have none, but they have Feathers that are whiter, efpecially under the Belly. As the Herons in Europe have Heronries, which are certain remote Corners of Woods, to which they retire, as Places of Refuge, where they meet, rooft, preferve themfelves, and multi- ply ; fo thefe Birds, for a long Time, made a little Ifland, near Guaduloupa , their Habitation;, where all of that Species thereabout come to rooft at Nights, and build their Nefts in the proper Seafon. This little Ifland was called the Ife of Frigats , and bears the Name to this Day,, though the Birds have left the Place ; for in the Years 1643 and 1644, feveral People chafed them fo feverely, that they were forced to aban- don the Ifl.e. The Reverend Father Du Tertre , Apoftolica! Miffionary in the Antilles , moved by the large Commendations given to the Oil drawn from thefe Creatures, by Means of two or three Peo- ple, took more than an Hundred of them in lefs than two Hours Time. They furprized the large ones upon the Branches, or in their Nefts ; and as they rife with a great deal of Trouble to take Wing, it was an eafy Matter to beat them down with long Sticks. There was not one of thofe, fays this Author, that flew away, but at taking Wing vomited two or three Fifh, as big as Her- rings, half wafted: He believes they difeharged themfelves in order to fly away with the more Eafe. The Oil or Fat of thefe Creatures is a fovereign Remedy for Sciatica Pains, and for all others proceeding from a cold Caufe. It is hdd in great Efteem throughout all the Indies , as a pre- cious Medicine. [The Oil fo much commended here, isobtained from a large Bird, called the Man of IVar Bird., common in many of the American Ifiands, but has never been of fame enough among us to get into ufe, or make it worth any one’s while to import it.] 21. Of Birds Nefls. T HE Birds Nefts which the People Pomrt»- of Siam have brought into France for rnany 4° General Hijlory of DRUGS. Book I. many \ ears, are nothing but an Excrement or Foam of the Mouth, of certain Birds called King’s Fifhers , which are very common in France , efpe- ciaily in Normandy. The King Fibers of France frequent the Sea Coaft, Rivers, and watry Places ; they are of the Size of a Swallow, or of a Quail ; their Feathers and their Bills are of various Colours, as green, red, and blue ; and they have a great many feveral Names ; as the Alcyon Martin, the Martin-Fifher, the Martlet, the Bird of St. Mar- tin ', &c. Thefe Animals ufually build their Neils among Reeds, or upon Rocks. The Indian King- ly :fhers, efpecially thofe about the Kingdom of Camba , when they are going to breed, throw out of their Bills a white Froth, with which they build a Neil, of the Bignefs and Shape of a Cup, where they lay their Eggs, and hatch their young ones: Thefe Neils are of a white Colour, tending tovellow, and of a hard dry Confiilence ; the Taile being infipid, and almoil like that of Vermicelli. The Cbinefe are fuch Lovers of thefe Birds Neils, that it is almoil incredible what Quantities are fent to Pequin , the Capital of China. They are ufually valued at fifty Talers the hundred, which is about fix hundred Livres, or fifty Pounds of our Money. They ailign mighty Virtues to this Neil; as that it nourifhes extremely, be- ing boiled in Water with a Fowl and Ginger; they reckon it very good for curing Pains at the Stomach, and for reiloring thofe that are in a languiihing Condition. Thefe Neils were for- merly little known ; and it was believed that they were made of the Froth of the Sea; but fincc the People of Siam have brought them us, they are become very common. There are, befidcs, other Parts belonging to Birds, which we fell, and have a confiderable Trade in; as Quills, Pencils, and Down from the Swans, Geefe, and other Fowl, which arc brought us from Gafccigny , Normandy , isf c. as alfo the Swallow Stones, which are little Stones ufed like thefe taken out of Cray-Fiih ; and to take out any Filth or Dirt that falls into the Eyes. [The Chinefe Birds Neils are the Neils of the Indian Swallow, the Hirundo Maritima. Adi. Phil. Lond. N* 28 ). Hirundo Sine?i/is,Nido Edulo Bontii. Will. Orn. 15. Hirundo Chinenjis. Bont. 66. The Neils are of the Bignefs of aGoofe’s Egg, roundiih and pellucid, of a Subilance refembling Gum Tra- gacanth or Icthyocolla. They are found on the Rocks upon the Coafls of China and Japan. When mixed in Broth or warm Milk, they fwell and make a thick Soup, much eilcemed in the Eajl, as a Reilorative, and Provocative to Venery, as well as an excellent Food. The Swallow Stones are the Lapis Chclidcnius. I Form. MuJ. 72. Bufonites minor Cajlanei Jvbfufci colons. Luid.Lith. p. 70. Teeth of the Lupus Pifcis, Woodw. Att. 2.27. They are about the Bignefs of a fmall Pea, and faid to be found in the Sto- machs of young Swallows, but are really dug out of the Earth in the Ifle of Alalta , and are the Teeth of a Fiih buried there. They are hung about the Arms or Necks of Children, as a Remedy for the Epilepfy/J 22. Of Cantharides. T HE Cantharides are Flies which the Pomet . Peafants about Paris bring us, and which they find in great Plenty upon Ajh-Trees, Rofe-Bujhes , and on the Blades of Corn. The Wings of thefe Flies are of a fine ihining Green to look upon, becaufe of their blue Colour mixed with a gold yellow ; but the whole is venomous, and of a foetid Smell. They have a large Sort in Italy, but they are of no Ufe. Chufe fuch as are new, dry, and whole, without being crumbled to Powder. The Ufe of Cantharides , at this Day, is chiefly ex- ternal ; but there are fome Countries where they are frequently given inwardly, by fuch as underfland how to prevent their dangerous Effedls. They are of very great Service to the Apothecary, not only for the Bliilering Plaifter, that is always ready com- pounded by them, but to ufe frefh upon all Occafions where they are required. They kill the Cantharides with the hot Fumes of the fharpeft Vinegar, enclofing them in an earthen Veflel, having its Mouth covered with a fine thin Cloth ; after- wards they dry them, and putting them up in' wooden Boxes, they keep them for the Space of two or three Years. Thefe Cantharides , tho’ rarely preferibed inwardly, are very efficacious in the Hands of a wife Phyfician who knows how to corredl them, and make them fpecifical, in a Gonorrhaa , Suppreffion of Urine, Ulcers of the Bladder, Stone, Gravel, &c. They are moll frequently adminiftered in a Tinclure mixed with Spirit of Wine, Camphire, (Ac. But to promote the Expulfion of Urine, nothing can be more fafe than the anointing the Perinaum , or lower Part of the Belly, and the Region of the Navel, with the Oil, wherein Cantharides have been boiled. Some at this Time ufe all the Parts of the Can- tharides promifeuoufly ; but the Head, Wings, and Legs, are to be call away. If a Bliftering Plaif- ter made of them be applied to a tender delicate Body, or upon fine fkined Women, it will caufe a Strangury, or Scalding, and Heat of Urine, which is eafily remedied by drinking of Milk, Barley-Water, or Emulfions of Almonds, or the cold Seeds. The volatile Salt of the Cantharides is Book I. Of A N I *5 one of the mod powerful Diureticks that is to be met with in the World ; lb that fome Authors affirm it is able to break or diflolve the Stone. It is fo pungent and biting, that it is apt to raife little Blitters upon the Tongue, when tailed ; fo that it is not to be taken alone, but in fome fmooth oily Sub- ftance, or other proper Vehicle : Dofe from one Grain to three. TheTintflure is more gentle, and lefs hazardous than the Cantharides themfelves. [Spani/h Flies, as they are commonly called, are the Cantharides, Mcuff. Inf. 144. Canthari- des Dicfeoridis. Char It. Ex. 47. Cantharides vul- gar es ojjicii.arum. Raii Inf. 10 1. Their princi- pal Ufe is in bliflering Plaillers, but there are fome who give them inwardly with great Succefs ; one of the fir ft of thefe was Dr. Groenveldt, a Dutch Phvfician, who pradlifed in London , and after a fuccefsful Ufe of them for many Years, was be- nevolent enough to communicate what he had learnt of them to the World, in a Book entitled De tuto Cantharidum Ufu interne, in which he gave the Method by which he alwa s prevented their ill Effects. The Thanks he received for this were, the being thrown into a Prifon. However, there have not been wanting, both at that Time and ever fince, Perfons of Judgment, who have had Courage enough to try and reap the Advantage of the Dilcoverics he paid fo feverely for communi- cating.] 23. Of Bees. Pernet. t ~T" HE Bees, or Honey- Flies, are little Ji Infedls, the Nature and Conduit of which is no lefs wonderful, than their Labour is ne- ceffary and ufeful, fince they furnilh us with Ploney and Wax; both which are very confiderable Com- modities. But as I never kept Bees myfelf, I have been obliged to have Recourfe to a Friend, who communicated to me what, by many Years Ex- perience, he had obferved concerning them, that I might compare it with what had been faid by others upon that Subject. Some Naturalifts will have it, that the Origin of Bees comes from the dead Lion and the Ox ; and that inftead of Worms that ufually breed in the Bodies of other Animals, the Bees generate in the Bodies of thefe Creatures. This Extraition appears to me to be very wide of Truth, from an Experiment made by a certain Perfon of what Vir- gil fays in his fourth Bueolick, which he found altogether faife. The Fait is related in a little Traci fuppefed to be writ by a Country Clergyman, who fays thus : “ Virgil appeared to me to be an Author of “ Solidity eneuah to ground a probable Opinion Vol.II. M A L S. 4 j “ upon, and whofe Credit was fufficicnt to in- ** duce me to make a Trial, which I unluckily “ did, and thought I had poifoned die whole Vil- “ lage ; for I caufed to be ftrangled a young “ Bull, Bina cornua ferens, giving him a thoufand “ Strokes with a Cudgel as he was dying, which c ‘ was more than I could warrant from the Poet : “ for his Burial, I took the bruifed Members, cC with the two Horns, and put them into a great “ wooden Tub, with four little Windows open to “ the four Quarters of the Wind, in order, as e ‘ Virgil fays, to produce Thoufands of Bees. “ The King is faid to be bred from the Brain, the “ working Bees from the Stomach, and the Drones “ from the Guts: the King makes War upon “ his neighbouring States, both by Sea and Land ; “ he marfhalshis Army in Batta'lia-, he rewards cc his Captains, and Generals ; he punifhes the “ Cowards with Death, and makes the Rogues “ and Defcrters run the Gandet ; befides a Thou- “ fand old Womens Tales, which leveral People “ relate, and believe to this Day. But inftead “ of the Swarms of Bees , which I expeited from “ the Body of this Animal, there were Thoufands “ of Maggots produced, with an infufFerable “ Stench, that I thought would have infected all “ the Neighbourhood : And the Stink was fo great, “ that all the Country fancied they were threatened “ with the Plague.” You may fee from hence how faife common Opinions are. And as I am not a ca- pable Judge, I fhall content myfelf to make fome Obfervations, founded upon Experience, as you will find in the following Relations ; and thofe who defire to be inftructed further, muft conlult the Left Authors who have writ upon this Subject. Obfervations upon Bees, according to an Account delivered me by an umderftanding Perfon. The Production of Bees , at firft, is, that they breed from a Kind of little white Germen or Sperm, that is pofited at the Bottom of the fmall Holes or Sockets, that make up the Honey-Comb, which the Bees make in their Hives, and which they begin at the End of the Hive. This Sperm, affifted by the natural Heat of the Bees, encreafes and becomes a Kind of white Maggot, which at the beginning of its Formation, has no Refemblance of die Bee, but in a Month’s Time it becomes like one, but of the fame Colour with the Maggot, and after continuing fo a little while, it grows darker coloured, and comes out of the Socket. The Bees generate from Fe- bruary to the End of Oflober, if the Hive be in good Condition : they fwarm in May and June j but the May Swarms are more valued, becaufe .G they 42 General Hiftory of D R U G S. Book I. they are Wronger than thofe that are later ; be- caufe the Seafon is more favourable, and the Heat more temperate ; whereas the Swarms of June cannot be fo fuccefsful, by reafon they are ufually attacked with too much Heat and Drynefs at firft ; fo that they can neither fupply themfelves fuffici- ently with Provifions for their prefent Occafions, nor lay up Stores for Winter. How the Bees work their Honey. This I have obferved with particular Care and extraordinary Application, having fpent a great deal of Time, watching the Hives every Hour of the Day, to fatisfy my Curiofity in feeing the Bees work, having provided them Glafs Hives for the Purpofe. Towards the End of the Winter, as foon as it is gentle Weather, and the Air begins to free itfelf of the great Coldnefs ; in the Month of Feb > uary , the Bees venture out of their Hives, range the Fields, and bring home Wax of diffe- rent Colours ; as white, yellow, Lemon coloured or red, which flicks, like little Lentils, on the hinder Parts of their Thighs ; and which, when entered into the Hives, they induflrioufly quit themfelves of, and form with it their Holes or Lodgments, which they compofe of fix Sides, thinner and finer than Talc, and almofl as trans- parent It is obfervable, that the fame Hollows, or Sockets, are the Places wherein they depofit their Sperm, whence are generated the other Bees, and which are filled with Honey, as they become empty by the Production of the young Bees which they enclofc. They colled their Honey-Comb, or Wax, from all Sorts of Flowers, as the Rofe, the Orange, the Peafe Bloom, and the Daify Flowers. They bring, befide the commonWax, a purp'ifh kind firmer than the yellow, and ferving them to flop the Holes and Cracks about their Hives : this Wax is of a flrong Smell, and very different from the common Kind. Of the Manner how the Bees gather their Ho- ney , and the mojt proper Times to take it. The befl Seafon of the Year for the Bees to ga- ther their Honey, is towards the latter End of April and in May, at which Times they go out by break of Day, when the Air is gentle and fe- rene, and gather the Dew, which is more plentiful and common at that Time than any other of the Y ear : They return as quick as they can into their Hives, to difeharge into the Holes affigned them, the Honey-Dew they have gathered from the Sim- ples of the Field, and which they have fucked into their Bodies, and throw it up again, as Pigeons do their Food wherewith they feed their Young: And when they have filled a Hole or Socket with this Honey, they clofe and feal it up with a fmall Piece of W ax, to prevent it from flowing out again. Towards the End of June and July, when the Dews are not fo plentiful as during the Months of April and May, it happens flill there are fome dewy Mornings in which the Bees are not lefs in- duflrious than at other Times, to make their Harvefl : and likewife it falls out fometimes that the Fruits of the Earth, as the Corn and the like, are damaged by certain cold drizzling Rains, which are however favourable for the Bees, giving them further time to make their Harvefl. It is obfervable, that when they fwarm, and that the young ones which compofe the Swarm are come out of the Hive, they make as it were a Cloud of Flies in the Air, that looks black, and is formed, as they march out, into Squadrons and Battalions, like an Army. They follow clofe their Leader, or the Principal amongft them, who is much longer than the others, and whofe Wings are much Ihorter, and who is of a redefifh Colour. When they lofe their Leader, they be- come Vagabonds, and this is a ceitain Lofs to the Proprietor. When the Swarm are got out, they ufually affemble together, and lodge upon fome Ihady Branch, rather than in any other Place ; and being there clofely knit, it is then proper to hive them, for fear they Ihould defert ; for fhould they flay long till the Sun fhines upon them, they will then feparate and fly away. When they are hived it is proper to fet them in the Shade from the Heat of the Sun, which might melt their new Wax. It is alfo to be obferved, that the Bees Wax, for three Years together, is very plentifully pro- ductive in breeding of the Bees ; and that the Age of the Honey-Comb is very eafy to be known by its Colour; for the firfl Year it is whitifh, the the fecond it is yellow, and the third brown; but when older it turns black, is barren, and with- out ProduHion, and then the Bees ceafe to make Honey, and breed any more Swarms. I have Hives made of two Pieces, in Form of a Barrel, or Sugar Loaf, cut in the Middle ; fo that I need not deflroy the Bees ; and I take the Ho- ney of thefe Hives from Year to Year, by lifting up one Year one Part, and the following Year another, according as they are found full, and inflead of thofe that are full of Honey I put empty ones. One very remarkable Thing is this, that Bees delight much near Water, and watry Places, ufing • a great deal of it in aflifling them to make Honey. I have 'been informed of this by feveral of my Friends, and particularly by an Officer of the King, who having Bees in a Garden at Argen- Book I. Of A N I teuil, where there was a Fifh-Pond, the Bees uled to go, and come conftantly to take up Wa- ter to carry to their Hives ; upon which I alked him, what he thought of it ? And he told me, that it was a Thing he had always obferved fince he kept Bees . Care muft be taken not to have any Space or open Hole in the Top or Bottom of the Hive; for in July and Augujl a kind of Butterflies breed and enter the Hives, and engender large, fhort, hard Maggots, which make a kind of Webs like thofe of Spiders, which joining the Combs together, produce a Heat, fo that in two or three Days the Bees will be gone, and quite forfake it, after hav- ing pillaged it. Thefe Maggots, tbo’ but few at firft, will multiply fo, that in lefs than five or fix Days they will not leave one Ounce of the Honey- Comb behind, but inftead of it leave their Eggs ; which together with the Webs that are formed, fill up the Whole of the Hive. It is further obfervable, that amongft the Bees there are Drones which will not go into the Fields at all ; or if they do, which is not but from Noon till about four a-Clock, they bring nothing Home with them, but on the contrary eat the Honey made by others ; and the induftrious Bees kill the Drones, which are much larger and blacker than the ethers, and have rio Stings; but when you prefs their Tails thefe appear two little Horns like tranfparent Skins, which are yellow at the End. In Poland and Mufccvy the Bees make their Hives in the Trunks of old Trees, and afford Plenty of Honey, on which the Peafants almofl live, with- out any Afliftance, which is contrary to the Na- ture of ours. Upon this, Munjler and Guy on re- late a furprizing Thing : A certain .Peafant falling into one of thefe Trees where the Bees made Ho- ney, in a large Foreft in Mufcovy , as he was fearching for the Honey-Comb, and not being able to get out becaufe the Hollow of the Tree was too deep and wide, a Bear providentially coming to this Place to feek for Honey, the Pea- fant immediately catched the Bear by the Paw, and was drawn out from the certain Danger he was in of perifhing in the Tree. Apis , or the Bee, is a Sort of Fly that Lemery. makes Honey and Wax, and is fuppofed to take its Name from being a Fly with- out Feet, which is not fo in Fa£t, for it has Feet, but carries them clofe to its Belly. It has four Wings ; the Tongue is long, which it carries ufu- ally out of the Mouth ; it has fmall Teeth, and the Sting cleaves to the Belly. The Antients pre- tended, that the Bee was generated from the Lion or the Bull ; but the vain Trials feveral have made are fufficient to confute fuch a Notion, as M A L S. 43 being no other than die Fancy of the Poet. In- deed we read in the Holy Scripture, that Samfon found in the Carcafs of a Lion, that had been killed fome Days before, a Swarm of Bees and Honey ; but they were never generated from the Flefh of the Lion. The Origin of them is certainly the fame as that of other Flies, but only their Produflion is flower ; yet from the white Maggot they be- come a perfect Bee in a Month’s Time. The large Bee , which they call the King, becaufe of the others that attend and follow him, is a Male Bee that is capable of impregnating a great many Females, after the fame Manner as one Bull docs all the Cows of a Village. This Bee is much larger than the reft, but he has fhorter Wings. His Colour is reddifh, inftead of being brown, as all the others are. The Bee fucks the V irtue of the Flowers; and receives it into her Pouch or Throat, from whence fhe difgorges it into the Hive, in order to work it up to Honey ; fhe car- ries alfo the Wax flicking, to her Thighs. The whole Infedft yields a great; deal of volatile Salt and Oil. They are proper, being dried, to make the Hair grow. Being reduced to Powder, and mixed with Oil of Lizards, they make a kind of Liniment wherewith they rub the Head. The effential Salt of them is fo volatile, that it is diffi- cult to keep it in a dry Form. It is a moft fubtile and penetrating Thing, and one of the moft power- ful of Diureticks and Diaphoreticks. 24. Of Honey. W E have three Kinds of Honey in Pomcl, France brought from feveral Parts, viz. IVhite Honey % which is made without Fire, which fome call Air gin Honey , as well becaufe it flows of itfelf, without preffing, as becaufe it is made from the firft Year’s Honey-Comb. The fecond fort is made of all kinds of Honey-Combs put together (after being well cleanfed) into a Bag, from whence by the help of prefling there flows a white Honey, but very different from the former; not only becaufe it is not of fo fine a white, but becaufe the Tafte is not fo agreeable. The third is the Yellow Honey , which is made from the Combs put over the Fire in a Kettle, w'ith a little Water, and then put into Bags, and fqueezed. The Yellow Honey is more or lefs fine, according to the De- gree of Heat it receives ; for if it be too much heated, inftead of being a fine Yellow, it will be brown, and of an ill Smell. They fay like- wife, that the Honey is more or lefs beautiful and good, according to the Quantity of Water which is ufed to heat it. G 2 The 44 General Hi/lory of DRUGS. Book I. The fineft and moft cfteemed Honey , is that of Languedoc , which is white ; efpecially that of Cor- biere , a little Borough about three Leagues beyond Narbonne, which is the Place from whence comes the whiteft and pureft Honey , commonly called Narbonne Honey , tho 1 falfly fo ; for at Narbonne they do not know what you mean by Narbonne Honey , but are very well acquainted with that of Corbiere : the Name has been given to it, becaufe Narbonne is a great City, and much better known th an Corbiere , which is but a fmall Place. This true Honey, to have its proper Qualities, ought to be new, thick, candied, and entirely like Su- gar-Royal, of a fweet piquant Tafte, and a little aromatick. Next after this is that of other Parts of Languedoc and Provence , but very much diffe- rent and inferior to that of Corbiere ; not only becaufe it is never fo white, but becaufe it is not fo pleafant to the Tafte or Smell, and has not the Rofemary Smell of the other, unlefs it is given it by Artifice. The third and laft Sort is the white Honey about Paris , of the Country for twenty or thirty Leagues round, which gives it the Name of Country Honey ; this is met with fometimes fo good, that, except in Smell, it is fcarce inferior to that of Corbiere ; that the Nar- bonne Honey mud excel in thefe, may be readily granted, becaufe the Tafte and Scent of Honey proceeds from the Plenty and Goodnefs of the Flowers with which the Bees are fed. And as Languedoc and Provence are warm Countries, and confequently full of aromatical Herbs and Flowers, as Thyme, Rofemary, Stcechas, iP c. therefore the H my is better, and of a more pleafant Smell, and more bought up, efpecially to make pe£toral Ptifans of, which is its chief Ufe ; the Country Honey being principally employed in the great Compofitions, and to eat in Lent. As to the yellow Honey , the beft that comes to Paris , and the moft fet by, is that of Champagne , which to be good, fhoud befrefhor new, of a good Body, of a golden Yellow, the moft candied, and leaft full of Wax that may be; the Fault other- wife proceeds from the ill making of it ; but the true Champagne is of much the beft Sale, and of more Virtue than all the Honeys brought from feveral other Parts, as Tourain , Picardy , and efpecially Normandy, which is ill-fcented, reddifh, and of a very bad Sale, tho’ it is more purgative than that of other Parts. This Honey is very eafiiy known, both by the Colour and Smell; and likewife becaufe it ufually comes in Stone Pots, fitch as Butter comes in from Normandy. This Honey, tho’ not fo fine as the others, is yet very proper for the Apothecaries to make Honey tf Rojes, Violets, or the like. There are feveral i other Ends this Honey ferves for; as to diftil into a Water, Spirit, or Oil, which are reckoned pro- per to make the Hair grow, and to take out Marks, Spots, or Freckles in' the Face. Some likewife affign to the Spirit of Honey, well rectified,, the Power of difi'olving Gold or Lead. Mel, or Honey, is a compounded Body Lemery. of divers Parts of Flowers, which the Bee extracts, and receives into her Stomach to carry to the Hive , where the difgorges herfelf, and fills her Cell which file has made in the Honey- Comb before for that Purpofe. There are two Sorts of Honey in general ; one white, and the other yellow : T he w hite is made of the firft Year’s Stock, without Fire or Preffing, which is called Virgin Honey ; and die fecond is prefted from the Wax, with Force, and by the Addi- tion of Heat. The white Honey is finer, and more pleafant for the Palate, and confequently better for internal Ufes. The yellow ha3 a little more Acrimony than the white, and therefore is more laxative, and externally a good De- terfive. Raw Honey is apt to gripe and fwell the Belly, but being clarified, it opens, cleanfes, nou- rifhes, and reftores in Confumptions ; is pedforal, diuretick, and one of the belt Opthalmicks in. the World. The feveral Preparations made of Honey, and commonly fold, are, Clarified Honey ; the Spirit, Oil, and Water, the Tin&ure, and Vinegar, with Mead, Metheglin, and Hydromeh Clarified Honey is made with the Whites of Eggs; the Water, by putting Honey into a large Glafs, or earthen Body, and diftilling in Sand with a gentle Heat, until acid Drops begin to come ; then ceafe the Fire, and keep the W ater for Ufe. To make the Spirit and Oil, take what remains in the Re- tort aforegoing, and put it into an earthen one, or glafs one coated ; but let it be fo large, that two thirds of it may be empty : Place your Re- tort in a reverberatory Furnace, with a large Re- ceiver, luting the Juncture; begin the Diftilla- tion with a fmall Fire, for about three Hours, to warm the Retort; then increafe it by little and little, fo will the Spirits come forth, with a little black Oil, and fill the Receiver with Clouds ; con- tinue the Fire till all is come over, then feparate the Spirit from the black ftinking Oil by Filtra- tion ; the Spirit will be in a pretty Quantity, tire Oil little and inconfiderable. The Spirit of Honey is an excellent Aperitive, cools the violent Heat of Fevers, quenches Thirft, and ftrengthens the Stomach, and may be put into Juleps, to give them a pleafing Acidity. It may be rectified by diftilling it in a glafs Cucurbit in Sand. What afeends firft is Flegm ; that which lifts laft is the ftrongeft Book I. Of AN ftrongeft of all, and is ufed to cleanfe old Ulcers, as the Oil is to fcale rotten Bones. Tincture of Honey is made of pure Virgin Honey, mixed with walhed Sand or Bone-Afhes, whereon is thrown the belt rectified Spirit of Honey ; then let them ftand in Digeftion in a Cucurbit, having a flat Bottom, till the Spirit is tinged of a golden Colour, which decant, pour- ing new Spirit upon the Faeces, fo long till it will be no longer tinged ; mix the tinged Spirits toge- ther, and abftradt in Balneo Maries, till only a third Part remains, which is the Tindlure, and one of the nobleft Medicines for inveterate Coughs, Phthificks, and Catarrhs, f om a Quarter of a Spoonful to a whole one. Mead is com- pofed of one Part of Honey to eight Parts of Water, well boiled, and worked up with Yeft Blood-warm, or clarified with the Whites of Eggs, Shells and all : Some add Aromaticks ; as Cloves, Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Lemon-Peel, and Ginger ; others Alteratives, as Thyme, Marjoram, Mint, Balm, Rofemary, Cowflip, &c. fome Diureticks, as Sweet-Briar, Eryngo, Tamarifk, iffc. and fo every Perfon makes it to his Fancy, whether for medicinal Ufes, or other Purpofes. Metheglin is made of one Part Honey, and four Parts Water ; to which may be added. Balm, Sage, Mint, Rofe- mary, Thyme, Bay-Leaves, Angelica, Savoury, Roman Wormwood, Geranium Mofchatum,. Ori- ganum, Nutmegs, Mace, Clov es, Cinnamon, Gin- ger, or the like, in the boiling of the Liquor ; and in tunning of it up, fome add black Currants, others Raifins of the Sun. To make Hydromel , take of the beft Honey eight Pounds ; Raifins four Pounds ; Tamarinds half a Pound ; fifteen Quarts of Water; boil all fo long till an Egg will fwim on the Top ; let the Faces fettle ; then decant the dear Liquor into a Cafk, adding to every five Pounds four Ounces of Spirit of Wine rectified ; let it ftand fix Months, and then drink of it as you pleafe. All the Preparations of Honey are pectoral and diuretick. 25. 0/ Bees- Wax. Pomet. T)ESIDES the different forts of Ho- U neys, and the Ufes made of them, we have a great Trade in yellow and white I Van. The firft fort is made from the Preffing cf the Honey-Comb over a, Fire, with a fufficient Quan- tity of Water; and when all is d'.fldlved, they ftrain it through a Cloth ; this done, they melt it, and feum off the Drofs and Froth, and afterwards caft it into Cakes. Some Perfons, to refine the Wax, ufe Roman , or fome other Vitriol; but for my own Part, the beft Secret I know of, is to pu- rify it well by melting. I M A L S. 45 That which we call IVax, is, in its natural State, the Honey-Comb which contains the Honey in the Hive. Poland, Barbary , Bretagne, and feveral Parts of France, furnifh us with a great deal of yellow IVax ; but that of Dantziek, Bretagne, and Champagne is reckoned the beft ; but it is of no Confequence what Place it comes from, fo it be pure and of a good Kind. Chufe fuch as is of a high yellow Colour, a good Smell, eafy to break, and that does not ftick to the Teeth ; and take care that it be the fame on the Infide as the Out- fide ; and, when in large Cakes, as that from Dantziek , that there be no Water, Stones, or Earth in the Middle, or that it be not mixed with Refin, white Frankincenfe, or Pitch, or coloured with Turmerick or Roucoie. The Ufe of yellow Wax is confiderable for feveral forts of Works; as Tapers, Candles, and other Wax- works. It is of great Ufe in Medi- cine; for it ferves to give a Body to Ointments and Plaifters ; and likewife to make Sealing-wax for great and lefs Deeds. Some will have it, that yellow Wax has no Virtue in Phyfick. But by the Retort there is made with Wax, mixed with Earth, Bole, or Oak-afties, a white thick Oil, like" Butter, which is called Butter of Wax, which ought to be white, and have the Smell of Wax. Of this Butter, together with Bole, Chalk, or the like, in Powder, by means of a Glafs Retort on a Sand- fire, they draw a clear white Oil, like Water, that is of an agreeable and pleafant Smell. The Butter and Oil of Wax are much valued for the Cure of Chilblains, efpecially thofe that are apt to chop, and other Maladies of the like Nature. That which remains in the Bags, after the Wax is ftrained'out, is nothing elfe but the dead Bees and other Filth : It is ufed by the Farriers. We meet with, befides this, in the Hives, a kind of red Wax, called Virgin IVax, or Propolis , which is that the Bees ufe to flop up the Chinks or Holes of the Hives, to hinder the cold Air from entring. And therefore the more Cracks or Holes there are about a filive, the. more Propolis will be found there. This was once much ufed, but at prefent is hardly known in the Shops, though it is very good in nervous Cafes. Of White Wax. The White Wax is made out of the yellow,, cut by a certain Engine into fmall Flakes, . and. then bleached in the Sun, by which it will become very white. It is then caft into round Cakes, fome thicker, fome thinner. That is the beft" which fmells well,, and chews hard, not being; mixed 46 General Hiflory of D R U G S. Book I. mixed with Sheeps Suet, and is withal of a clear Colour, without any Call of Yellownefs. The bell, and moll proper to turn white, is the yellow Wax of Bretagne , which when it is well made, as that ufually is of Chateau Gontier , eight Leagues from Anglers , which partes for the beft Sort in France , will be pure, white, clear, tranfparent, in thick Cakes, that, when broken betwixt the Teeth, does not flick, neither has any ill Tafte or Scent. It is With this fine Wax we make the fineft Works; as Tapers, Wax-Candles, Flambeaux, Figures, and other Curiofities in Wax. And we reckon, after the Chateau Gontier Wax , the fecond Sort is that of Anglers ; the third that of Mans ; the fourth that of Holland , which is generally brought in great Cakes of fou£ or five hundred Weight; and the firft Sort is that we call the Dutch Wax Royal ; the fifth is that of Amboife ; the fixth of Chaumont near Troyes ; the feventh and the world is that of Rouen , becaufe of the great Addition of Suet they put in, and it is better or worfe according to the Quantity of Suet that is mixed with it. [ White Wax is emollient and lefs refolvent than the yellow ; becaufe the Dews have wafhed away a great Part of its Salts.] Of the foft Red and Green Wax. The foft Red Wax is made of White Wax melt- ed with Turpentine that is wafhed, and then co- loured with Vermilion or Alkanet. This Wax ought to be of a good Confidence, a fine Red, and well made. The chief Ufe of this, as well as the Green, is for the Lawyers to feal Writs and Deeds with. The Green Wax is made the fame Way, only Verdigrife is ufed inftead of Vermilion. Of the Black Indian Wax. In feveral Parts of the Indies , as well Eajl as Wejl , they have little Bees, which hive, or make their Nells in the Hollows of certain Trees; the Figure of which is in the Plate of Bees. Thefe Bees depofit their Honey in little Cells of black Wax, which are of the Size and Shape of Pigeons Eggs : The • Honey is very peafant, and of an Amber Colour. The Indians ufe this Wax to make Tapers of, and gather from the Tree the Balfam called Tolu , in Veflels made of it. Some Authors fay, that there is an Animal like a Cat, that is black, which the Indians call Hierat , or the Honey-Beaft, which climbs the Trees, and eats all the Honey ; and that which is furprizing is, that this Animal draws out the Honey-Comb with his Paw, and docs no Damage to the Bees ; and the Bees do not hurt him, becaufe they have no Stings like ours. This Wax was formerly much ufed in Spain , and a little in France ; but at prefent we know not what it is, being one of the fcarceft Drugs we have. All the Kinds of Wax are na- turally compofed of Oil, volatile Salt, and Flegm, without Earth ; being emollient, refolutive, and proper for Ointments, Cerecloths, and Plaifters. [The Bee, like all other living Creatures, is produced from a Male and Female of the fame Species. There are in every Hive three Sorts of them,theMules, or common Bees ; and the Drones which are the Males, and have no Sting; and the Females, or Queens, commonly but one in a Swarm, in which are perhaps a hundred Drones, and ten thoufand common Bees. The Queen will, in one Summer, give Birth to eight thoufand young ones. As to the Honey, notwithftanding that the White is generally preferred, the Yellow is beft in Medicine, as it is not fo apt to candy, and is more fpirituous. It is penetrating and deterging, and therefore good in all Obftrudlions from vifeid Humours, but not proper in thin hot Habits. Many Au- thors relate that Honey has been found in Places where there were no Bees ; but as they never talk of its being formed into a Mafs, or lodged in Combs, in all Probability they only mean a Honey- Dew, which is indeed what the Bees make their Honey from. The Chymical Preparations of Wax are but little ufed, but more than half the Ointments and Plaifters of the Shops owe their Confiftence to it.] 2 6. Of Ambergrife. A Mbcrgrife is the deareft and moft va- Pomet. luable Commodity wc have in France , and die leaft underftood, its Nature and Origin being the moft contefted ; if I fhould relate what Authors have faid upon this Subject, it would make a Volume of itfelf. But to reproach no body, and not to repeat what fo many Authors have faid, I Ihall affirm, that Ambergrife , which we have brought us from feveral Parts, and chiefly Lifbon , is nothing elfe but a Mafs of Honey- Combs that fall from the Rocks into the Sea, or are torn oft' by the Waves of die Sea, the Vio- lence of the Winds, or otherwife. Thefe Honey- Combs being in the Sea, whether by a Property of the Sea-Water, or by the Virtue of the Sun Beams, are rendered liquid, and floating upon the Water, as they are often found. Many Perfons will be furprized at what I ad- vance, that Ambergrife , whofe Nature hath been hitherto Jook I. Of A N I hitherto fo little known, comes from nothing but Bees Wax, which I could not have affirmed, if a Friend of mine had not allured me, he had feen a Piece that was one half Ambergrife , and the other half Wax; and to confirm what I fay, Mr. De Monconys , Lieutenant-General of Lyons , at Page 7 r, of his Voyages , affirms that he was informed in England , that Ambergrife was nothing but Honey -Combs the Bees make u-pon the large Rocks, which are on the Sea-fide in the Indies , which heated by the Sun, loofen and fall into the Sea, and by its Agitation are brought to Per- fection ; and that having broken a large Piece of Ambergrife , which was not yet perfectly con- coifted, he found in the Middle of its Subftance, the Honey-Comb and the Honey , both together : And for further Confirmation of this, we may add, that when the Ambergrife is dilTolved in Spirit of Wine tartarized, there remains at laft a Subftance entirely like Honey. Ambergrife there- fore appears to be no other than the Production of the Honey-Comb, by the large Malles it is fometimes found in, not indeed of three Hundred Weight, as fome have writ, but however of thirty or forty Pounds. Mr. Tavernier , amongft other Things on this Subject, fays, that in the Year 16^.6, or 1647, a Zealander , that was of one of the belt Families of Aliddleburg y who was Governor for the Dutch Eajl-lndia Company in the Ifie of St. Maurice , which is on the Eaft of Madasafcar , found on the Shore a Piece of Ambergrife forty-two Pounds Weight, which he fent to the Company; but, as fuch Perfons have ever fome Enemies, and the Piece appearing as if fomething had been taken from it on one Side, the Commander was accufed of having taken half, of which however he juftified himfelf at Batavia. As to the Choice of Ambergrife , which fome have called by the Name of Oriental Ambra, let it be in fine Pieces, of a greyilh Colour on the Out- fide, marked with little black Spots within, of a fweet pleafant Smell ; and meddle not with that which is foft, fat, mufty within and without, and which is full of Dirt and Filth, that is got when the Amber gtife was liquid, or before -it gained its Solidity. The belt Trial of it is a DiiTolution in Spirit of Wine; for that which is pureft, and leaves the leaft Faces y is the beft. The FiCiiticus is known by the Smell as well as Colour ; the Materials of which it is made, appearing either too black or too white : they are commonly Mulk, Civet, Aloes Wood, Storax, Labdanum , Goat’s Blood dried, (Ac. Ambergrife , befides its Ufe for the Perfumers by reafon of its excellent Scent, is a very good M A L S. /fj Medicine to warm the Stomach, and prevent the Caufe of the Gout from attacking the vital Parts ; it refrefhes the Animal Spirits by its volatile Sul- phur, ftrengthens the debilitated Parts, andreftores in Confumptions. As Ambergrife is a very dear Commodity, thofe who buy Quantities of it, muft take great Care that there be no Mixtures in it, or that it be not counterfeited. The Finenefs of the Subftance of this Drug, is the Reafon that it is never expofed to the Violence of the Fire, but only diftolved in Spirit of Wine, or Spirit of Roi'es, or fome fuch like Mertjlruum to prepare it, exalt its Smell, and feparate it from its earthy Parts : And this is called by the Name of Tindlurt or Efface of Atnbergrife. Of EfTence of Ambergrife. Effence of Ambergrife , ufed by the Confectioners, Perfumers, Diftillers, and others, may be made after thefe feveral Ways : To make Mr. Char a s’ s Eftence, take choice Ambergrife, two Drachms ; Sugar-candy, two Drachms ; Spirit of Wine, four Ounces ; ardent Spirit of Rofes, half an Ounce ; put them into a Glafs Matrafs, with a blind Head, luted in the Junctures, fet in the Heat of the Sun, Horfe-Dung, or Sand ; diffolve and make a Tinc- ture ; decant the clear, and keep it for Ufe in a Glafs clofe ftopt : The Dofe internally is three Drops in Cinnamon-Water, or any reftorative Liquor. Another Eftence is made thus : Take Ambergrife , and white Sugar-candy, in Powder, cf each two Drachms ; Mufk one Draehm ; Oil of Cinnamon, Citrons, Oranges, Rofes, Lavender, of each two or three Drops ; mix and beat it up into a Pafte, and diflolve it over a gentle Heat, in Spirit of Wine, in a Belt Head ; or you may make it with Ambergrife alone, in Spirit of Wine tar- tarized, digefting in a Sand Heat, or Horfe-Dung, for fome Time. The Way to make any odoriferous Thing yield its Scent, is by opening the Body of it (which done, the Smell exerts and diffufes itfelf immediately) in fuch Vehicles as have Power either to diftolve the feparated Particles, or extract their Sulphur or Tincture. Ambergrife is opened by grinding it firft with Sugar-candy, then with Oil of Ben : It is alfo opened by grinding it with the Yolk of an Egg, and feveral other Ways Ambergrife , in its natural State, fcarcely affords any Scent at all ; but if it be opened, and excited by Solution, with a convenient Proportion of Odours and volatile Sulphur, fuch as that of Civet , it prefently yields a fweet and pleafant Flavour. For Example: Take ten Grains of Ambergrife , and three of Civet ; beat them together in a Mortar, and the Amber- 48 General Hijlory grifc will prefently melt ; upon which, put two or three Drops of Juice of Lemons, fo will you have a Perfume of an admirable Sweetnefs. There is hefides the Ambergrife we commonly fell, a white Kind which is ufed in the Delicacies at the Tables of Perfons of Quality; as alfo a black Kind like Liquid Labdanum , which is faid to have been thrown out of the Stomachs of Fifh that had kept it there fome Time ; this is ufed by the Perfumers, becaufe it has an agreeable Smell, and is cheap. All the Kinds are found on the Sea Shores, parti- cularly thofe of the Archipelago , becaufe of the fre- quent Earthquakes that Part of the W orld is fub- jeCt to, which diflodge all the Combs the Bees make on the Rocks at the Sea Side. Ambra-gr ifca, feu Ambra Cineritia , Lemcry. or Ambergrife , is a valuable Commodity. It is very ary, and almoft as hard as a Stone, light, opaque, greyilh, and feented : It is found in Pieces of different Bignefs, floating upon the Water in feveral Parts of the Ocean, as to- wards the Coafts of Mufcovy and Rujjia , and par- ticularly in the maritime Parts of the Indian Seas. There was a Piece of a prodigious Size, that was faid in the Year 1694 to be carried into Ireland , that weighed 182 Pounds. The Naturalijls have differed much in their Opinions concerning the Production of Ambergrife, ’till of late it feems to be univerfally agreed, that it is made from the Honey- Combs that fall into the Sea from the Rocks, where the Bees had formed their Neffs ; and this is confirmed by Experience, becaufe feveral Per- fons have feen Pieces that have been one half Am- ber grife^ and the other nothing but the plain Honey- Comb : And others again have met with large Pieces of Ambergrife , where, in breaking of it, they have found in the Middle the Ploney-Comb and the Honey too. Chufe fuch as is clean, well dried, light, and fpotted within with little black Spots, of a fweet pleafant Smell ; but avoid the moiff, foft, and foul Ambergrife , as being good for nothing : It is called Ambra Cineritia , as being of an afh Colour. It ffrengthens the Brain, the Heart, and the Stomach ; procures Alacrity, and makes the Spirits gay, provokes Luff, and is a good Antidote againft Poifon or Infection in Men ; but raifes the Vapours in Women, therefore let them avoid it. We meet fometimes, amongft the Druggiffs, with a white Ambergrife , which differs from the other not only in Colour, for it is nothing fo ftrong, nor half fo good. There alfo is a black Ambergrife , but it is good for no- thing in Phyfick, and but of very little Ufc for the Perfumers. [ Ambergrife is the Ambra, Aldr. Muf. Met. 430. Succinum grifeum, Ambragrifeavulgo , Char, of DRUGS. Book I. Fojf 15. Ambragrifea , Mont. Ex. 12. There have been a Multitude of different Opinions about the Production of this precious Perfume; but the true Account of it is, that it is a foft Bitumen, oozing out of the Bottom of the Sea, and after- wards hardening. It frequently contains fmall Stones, Pieces of Shells, and the Beak Mouths of Fifh of the Calamary Kind, which have been miftaken for the Beaks of Birds. It picks up thefe while foft at the Bottom of the Sea. Ambergrife was unknown to the antient Greeks , for no Author mentions it before Aetius. It is an excellent Cephalick and Cordial, enlivens the Spirits; and is very effectual in Faintings, and all other Aft'eCHons of the Head and Nerves, and among the Eaftern People is greatly efteemed as a Provocative.] 27. Of the Viper. ' I ' H E Viper is a Kind of Serpent that Pomet. is very common in feveral Parts of France , but chiefly in Poiftou, from whence almoft all the Vipers come that we fell at Paris. Thefe Animals were terrible or frightful to ail the World heretofore, but they are very familiar to us at pre- fent ; inafmuch that there are very few People of Quality in Places where they are to be had, but what make Ufe of them as good Diet, and a fpeci- fical Remedy againft feveral forts of Difeafes. This may be feen in Mr. Charas’s Treatife of them, wherein he has produced all that can be faid on that SubjeCt ; to which the Reader may have Re- courfe at his Pleafure. I fhall content myfelf in directing him to chufe the largeft, livelieft Vipers , and fuch as are newly taken ; and to take Care that they are put into temperate Places, becaufe extraordinary Cold or Heat is hurtful to them : They ought likewife to be careful when they re- ceive any frelh Vipers , to take them out of the Boxes they are brought in, and to take from them the dead ones, if there are any, as fometimes it happens ; and to put them into a Tub with Bran or Mofs ; not that it ferves them to feed upon, as fome fancy, becaufe thefe Creatures never eat after they are taken; and notwithftanding this, they will continue alive fix Months. It is likewife to be obferved, that they are to be taken either by the End of the Tail, or elfe with a Pair of Tongs ; becaufe this Animal, when he finds himfelf fqueezed, bites whatever he meets with ; and the Biting of the Viper being very dangerous and even mortal, is the Reafon why the Takers of them ought to be very cautious. The Keepers of them ought to be fo likewife, left by Mifchance they fnould efcape and get into any Houfe, which would be very 'P/ate j S . Book I. very dangerous, eipecially where there are Chil- dren. We have a great many dried Vipers brought from Pointers , which ought to be heavy, large, long, well dried, and the frcfheft killed that can be got; for in a little Time after they are dead, the Worms will eat them in fuch a Manner, that nothing will be left but the Skeleton. You ought to be careful likewife, that every Bundle or Parcel of Vipers, which is ufually a Dozen, have the Hearts and Livers along with them, thefe being the moft noble Parts of the Animal, and weigh three Ounces and a half; and fometimes, but very rarely, four Ounces ; and take Care they be not fuch as have died of themfelves, which you may eafily difcern, by their extraordinary Blacknefs. Some will fay, that there are Snakes fold for Vipers ; but this I cannot affirm, having never known it to be done at Painters. There is, befides, a great deal of Vipers Powder fold; but thofe that buy it fhould take fpecial Care, becaufe there is nothing more liable to be adulterated. The Hearts and Livers, reduced to Powder, and fifted through a fine Silk Sieve, is what fome call Bczoar Animal , pretending that this Powder, thus made, has the lame Virtues with the Oriental Bezoar , treated of before. They bring us alfo from Pointers , the volatile and fixed Salt of Vipers , the Fat, andj^he black Oil that is made by the Retort, whofe Virtues and Preparations you have thusdcfcribed by Mr. Chat as. Take Vipers , all their Parts very well dried, cut them into fmall Pieces, with which fill a large Retort of Earth, or Glafs well coated ; fill it al- moft quite up to the Top, fix to it aver)' large Receiver, luting the Junctures well, place it on a naked Fire, in a clofe Reverberatory Furnace, with its Dome ; lhut up the Regiller of the Dome, and the Door of the Fire-place, make a gentle Fire in the Cinder-place, which keep on Foot for two Hours, only to heat the Retort and Furnace ; then removing the Fire into its Place, keep it in the fame Heat for two Hours longer ; at the End whereof encreafe the Fire one Degree, giving a little Air to the Regifter of the Dome, continu- ing it fo for two Hours more ; and encreafe the Fire to the third Degree for the fame Time ; after which fet the Regifter of the Dome quite open, encreafing the Fire to tire highcft Degree, which continue fo long till nothing comes out of the Re- tort, and that all the Vapours in the Receiver be converted into Salt or Liquor ; then ceafe the Fire, and the Veflels being cold, unlute the Receiver, and diftolve the Salt in the Liquor, or Spirit. To rectify it, put all this diftilled Matter into a Glafs Matrafs, with a long Neck ; place it in a Vol. II. 49 Sand Heat, cover it with its Head, and join to it a fmall Receiver, luting well the Joints, and give it a gentle Heat, fo will the volatile Salt afccnd, white and cryftalline, to the Top of the Head, which take and put up into a Glafs Bottle, ftopr ping it very clofe. Continue the Rectification, feparating and keeping apart the Spirit, which is the remaining Part of the volatile Salt, diflolvcd in fome Flegtn, and the Oil ; and caule all die volatile Salt, and oily Parts, to afcend, calling away that w'hich lies at the Bottom of the Ma- trafs, as a Thing of no Ufe. This volatile Salt of Vipers is reckoned an An- tidote agai.nft Poifons, and a perfect Cure for the Biting of the Viper , or any other Kind of Serpent, or venomous Creature : It is alfo prevalent againft: the Meafies, Small-Pox, Plague, or Peftilence. It refills Putrefaction in the higheft Degree, becomes fpecifical in intermitting Fevers, chiefly the Quar- tan ; and there is fcarce a Medicine known in the World more able to purify the Mafs of Blood, and give it its natural Fluidity; whence it does fuch confiderable Feats in chronick Cafes; as Scurvies, Eryftpela' s. Scald Heads, and ftrumous Breakings- out; caufing the foul impure Hu- mours to perfpire through the Pores of the Skin. It is alfo one of the moft powerful Remedies in Na- ture for Gout, Rheumatifm, and Venereal Relicks ; for it opens, penetrates, attenuates, and is fudori- fick ; fo that it drives out any corrupted or malig- nant Humours, through the Habit of the Body ; it diflolves coagulated Blood, removes Inflammations, prevents Apofthumes, and cures Pleurifies. This Salt is very aperitive, and opens ObftruCtions both of the Head and other Parts ; and relieves all Difeafes of the Brain and Nerves ; as Palfies, Convulfions, Vapours, Fits of the Mother, and the like; fo that both for external and internal Ufes, there is fcarcely found a more univerfal Medicine. All other Preparations of Vipers , as Powders, fixed Salts, Tinctures, Decoctions, Broths, Jellies, Wines, ElTences, Troches, Elixirs, Extracts, compared with the volatile Salt, are nothing, for in that is to be found the Sum of all that is in the Viper: The Oil is fo foetid, that it cannot be taken inwardly ; outwardly it may be ufed to finell to, and to touch the Noftrils with in Va- pours and Fits ; but if it be made into an Elixir, with Spirit of Nitre, and Spirit of Wine tar- tarized, it is a moft fragrant Medicine, chears the Spirits, fupprefles Vapours, and invigorates Nature to a Miracle. Le Febure teaches us how to fix this volatile Salt, which is done by Acids, viz. with well re- ctified Spirit of Salt, dropping it upon it, diftblved in its own Flegm, : till the Effervefcency and Strife H ceafcs. Of ANIMALS. 5® General Hijlory of DRUGS. Book I. ceafes, by which the volatile Salt is united to the Acid : Now though there be no great Need of this, yet it may be of fome Ufe to watry Stomachs; and though the Tafte and Shape of this Salt, thus fixed,, much refembles Bay Salt, it is quite another Thing in its Effedls. This is evident by mixing it with double its Weight of Salt of Tartar, and fubliming in proper Veffels; for then the volatile Salt will afcend with its firll Force, Strength, and Virtue. Vipera , or the Viper , is a kind of Lemery. Serpent, which comes alive out of the Belly of its Parent, and not from an Egg, as the other Kinds do. It is about as long as one’s Arm, and two Inches thick ; fometimes bigger, and fometimes lefs, but never arrives at the Size of the large Snake, though in outward Appearance they are very like them. They are covered with a fmooth Skin, a little fcaly, on the Backfide of feveral Colours as in Waves, foft and vifcous underneath, and of very clofe Pores. The Jaws are fet on both Sides with little Teeth, like the Snakes; but befides thefe little Teeth, there is on each Side a kind of a T ulk, or a long, fharp, cutting Tooth, that is fometimes forked. In the Jaw is a Bladder, full of a yellowifn Li- quid; the Tongue is long and cloven, which it darts out with great Violence ; being provoked, it looks like a Firebrand, which proceeds from the quick Motion or Agitation of the Spirits. This Tongue was fuppofed to be venomous, but it con- tains no manner of Harm in it : The Eyes are very fmall. The Vipers breed in wild ft.:ny Places in Dauphiny and Poiftou : They live, being at Liberty, on Rats, Frogs, Worms, and feveral other Infedls ; but when taken and confined, they will live about a Year, without any other Sub- fiftence but the Air they receive by the little Holes made in the T ubs or Chefts wherein they are kept : The Reafon why they live fo long without eating, is, becaufe the Pores of the Skin are fo clofely con- tracted, that they emit but very little Spirits or Effluvia. They take the Vipers in Spring Time, or Au- tumn, becaufe they are then fatter, and more active than in any other Seafon : The Peafants take them with little wooden Tongs made for that Purpofe, and carry them in Bags to the Apothecaries. They are much more fprightly and gay when they are in the Field, than after they are taken, becaufe they then draw themfelves up into a narrower Compals, and contract their Pores. Thefe differ from other Serpents, not only as to the two Teeth that are in their Jaws, but likewife by a different Con- nection of their Vertebra , which hinders them, when they are taken by the Tail, from twilling and turning about the Arm or the Tongs, as the Snake does. The Viper bites with his long Teeth, and Ihoots into the Wound a Spirit, or very volatile acid Liquor, which infinuates into the Veffels, coagu- lates, by little and little, the Blood, and interrupts the Circulation ; from whence flows Death, if not prevented. This Effeft has a great deal of Ana- logy with that which happens upon bringing, through Curiofity, fome acid Liquor into^ the Veins of a Dog, or other Creature; for in a fhort Time he fal's into Convulfions and dies. The Accidents which attend thofe who have had the Misfortune to be bit by a Vifer y are firfl: of all, that they grow pale, and then turn bluifh, as the Blood is more or lefs tinged in the Veins and Arteries. In the fecond Place, they become rcfllefs, melancholy, and fleepy ; the Pulfe inter- mitting, becaufe the Courfe of die Spirits being intercepted by the Coagulum that is made in the Veffels, the Blood cannot circulate but with Dif- ficulty. In the third Place, they are chilly or cold, have Inclinations to vomit, and convulfive Mo- tions ; becaufe the faline and acid Particles which are introduced into the Blood, and which are pungent, prick or irritate the internal Coats of the Vein# and Arteries. And laftly, they die, be- caufe the Bl°°d growing fharper, and coagulating Bill more 1m d more, the Paflage of the Spirits is entirely flopped, and there can be no Circulation, without which they cannot live. The Remedies againfl the Biting of Vipers arc external and internal. The external are, the fpeedy binding of the Part wounded, if poffible, making the Ligature tight, in order to hinder the Poifon from fpreading further; but if the Part that is bit cannot be bound, you ought inftantly to ap- ply upon it the Head of the Viper that did the Mifchief, after being bruifed, or elfe that of ano- ther Viper ; otherwife, to heat a Knife, or fome Piece of flat Iron red-hot, and hold it near the Wound as hot as the Patient is able to bear it; or to burn upon the Wound a little Gun-powder ; or elfe fcarify, and apply T reacle with Garlick and Sal Armoniack bruifed together. Thefe external Remedies open the Pores of the W ound, and make the envenomed Spirits flow; but it ought to be obferved, that thefe forts of Medi- cines fhould be ufed upon the Spot where the Biting is made ; for if there be Time given to the Poifon to enter into the Veffels of the Body, before Ap- plication, all will be ufelefs, becaufe the Poifon returns no more to the Wound. But though ex- ternal Remedies ought not to be negledled upon this Occafion, they are what bring but little Re- lief, in Comparifon of thofe Things that may be I given Book I. Of A N given inwardly; for the Venom of the Viper being very' fubtil, it pafies inftantly into the Blood, and therefore the Patient mull; take fuch Medicines as have Power to break the Points of the Acids, dif- folve the Blood, and other coagulated Humours, excite or promote the Circulation, and pufh for- ward by Perfpiration and Urine whatever Poifon of the Viper may remain. The volatile Salts of Animals are efficacious for thefe Intentions, becaufe they are alcaline, very volatile, ratifying, fudorifick, and aperitive That cf Vipers is preferable to all others, becaufe it is the moft fubtil ; but inftead of that, we may ufe the volatile Salt of Harts-horn , that of Urine, or human Skull. Ver.ice-Treacle is very proper, if old, to relieve this Malady, becaufe it is compofed of Ingredients chiefly attenuating and rarifying ; but when it is new we cannot ufe it with Succefs, becaufe the Opium, which has not yet been rarified by Fermentation, will fix the Poifon, and rather thicken the Humours, than rarify and difeharge them. The largefl Vipers , and fuch as are well fed, ought to be chofen, and fuch as are caught in Spring-time or Autumn, when they are in the beft Condition. The Trunk of the Viper, feparated from the Skin and the Entrails, is adminiftered againft Poifons, to purify the Blood in the Small- Pox, intermitting and malignant Fevers, boiled in Broths, or taken in Powder, from eight Grains to two Scruples, or a Drachm. The Fat of the Vi- per is fudorifick, refolutive, and anodyne, taken interna ly or externally; the Dofe from one Drop to fix. The Liver and Heart of the Viper being dried and powdered, are called Bezoar- Animal, and are reckoned the moft powerful Part of the Viper. The Gall is fudorifick ; the Dofe being one or two Drops. The Word Vipera comes from Vi, Force, and par ere, to bring forth ; the Antients believed that the Female Vipers , in the Pleafure of Coition, eat oft' the Head of the Male ; and that the young ones, to revenge the Death of the Father, ripped open the Belly of the Mother ; but the Word Vipera feems rather to be derived from viva, alive, and par ere to bring forth, which is as much as to fay, the kind of Serpent that is brought forth alive, becaufe all the other Kinds are produced from Eggs. 28. Of Treacle, commonly called Venicc- ' " Treacle. Porne£. m npREACLE is a Compofition of certain choice Drugs, prepared, powdered, and reduced into an Opiat or liquid Electuary, with Honey. Treacle takes its Name I M A L S. 51 from the Viper, which the Greeks call Therion, or Thy r ion ; and it was compounded by Androma chus the Father, a Native of Candia, and firft Phyfician to Nero. The Venetians , of late Years, have g6t the Reputation of being thought the only People who have the true Way of preparing the Treacle', but befide them at prefent the Apothecaries of Montpellier make fuch vaft Quantities of it, that one may fee Multitudes of their Treacle Barrels ; and among them they have reduced it to fo low a Price, that a Pound of good Honey will fell for more than the fame Weight of this pretended Treacle. If I was to publifti the Frauds that are committed in preparing this Antidote, I am fa- tisfied the Magiftrates would prefently put a Stop to the Abufe, both as to that which is fold about at Markets and Fairs, as what is fold at Paris for fixteen or eighteen Pence a Pound. Though, notwithftanding it is fold at fuch a low Price, thofe who deal in it get confiderably, becaufe what they fell is nothing but the worft Honey, into which is incorporated a Parcel of rotten worm-eaten Roots and Drugs, that are no better than the Sweepings of Shops ; to promote or recommend the Sale of this, they cover the Pots with a printed Paper, whereon are two Vipers that compofe a Circle, crowned with a Fleur-de-Lis, which contains this Title, Fine Venice Treacle, though it is made at Orleans or Paris. As to that of Montpellier , I have feen it often made there, with all the Exadlnefs that can be ; but what is fent to the Fairs for common Sale, they mix with large Quantities of boiled Honey, being obliged to fell it at about eighteen Pence a Pound ; though that which is true ftands them in above forty Pence a Pound. The Treacle Makers are called by the honeft Apothecaries, to ridicule them, Muftard-Makers. As to the Treacle made at Venice , I can fay nothing to it, not knowing direddy how they make it ; but as to what is made at Paris, by Meffieurs Cbaras , Geojfry , faff on, Bolduc , and Rouviere, I have feen it prepared with all the Care imaginable. And I can affirm, for a certain Truth, that there was a large Quantity thereof made in March 1688, without fubftituting any one Thing for another, and with the fineft and beft Drugs that were ever feen, being defigned for a Mafter-Piece, or Trial of Skill; but as we are not immortal, and that thofe who fell this may be capable of knowing the true Compofition, and of making it themfelves aright, in order to prevent Abufes, I Ihall here give you the true Receipt ; which I would not have done, if Mr. Charas, who has writ a particular Treatife of Treacle, had mentioned the Names of the Drugs in French : his Book is entitled, The Natural H 2 Hijlory Book I. General HiJlZrj of DRUGS. Hiftory of Animals , Plants , and Minerals , that make up the Compofition of Andromachus’s Trea- cle. Andromachus’s T 'reacle. Take Troches of Squills, fix Ounces ; Troches of "Vipers and Hedycroy, Long Pepper, Opium prepared, of each three Ounces ; red Rofes, Flo- rentine Orrice, Juice of Liquorice, wild Na- vew Seed, Tops of Scordium, Balfam of Judaa , fine Cinnamon, and Troches of Agarick, of each one Ounce and an half ; Myrrh, Arabian Cojlus , Saffron, Cajfta Lignea , Indian Spikenard, Flowers of Camels Hay, Olibanum in Tears, White and Black Pepper, Dittany of Crete , Tops of white Horehound, fine Rhapontick, Arabian Stcechas , Macedonian Parfiey Seed, Mountain Ca- lamint, Turpentine of Cyprus , Cinquefoil-Root, Ginger, of each fix Drachms ; Poley Mountain, Ground Pine, Storax in the Tear, Spicknel, true Amomum , Valerian, Celtick Spikenard, fealed Earth, Germander, Indian Leaf, calcined Roman Vitriol, Gentian Root, Gum Arabick, Juice of Hypocifiis, Fruit of the Balfam-Tree, Anifeed, Fennil-Seed, common Cardamum , Marfilian Hart- wort, Treacle-Muftard, Flowers of St. John's Wort, Seeds of Bifhop’s Weed, Gum Sagapen in Tears, of each four Drachms ; Cajlor, long Birth- wort, Candy Carrots, Jews Pitch, Flowers of the leffer Centaury, Opopanax , and Galbanum , of each two Drachms ; choice Honey three times the Weight of all ; Spanijh Wine as much as to give the due Confiftence. To make the Troches of Squills. Take Pulp of baked Squills, twelve Ounces ; Flower of the bitter Vetch, fix Ounces ; beat them into a Mafs, and form them into Troches. Troches of Vipers are made of the Flefh boiled in Water with Dill and Salt, and cleanfed from the Bone, eight Ounces ; Crumbs of Bread dried and fifted, two Ounces. According to Mr. Charas they are made up of Dittany Root inftead of Bread Crumbs. For Troches of Hedycroy , take yellow Sanders, Herb-Maftick, Marjoram, Afarabacca, of each two Drachms ; Camels Hay, Calamus Aromali- cus , the great Valerian, Aloes Wood, true Bal- fam, Cinnamon, Arabian Cojlus , of each three Drachrns ; Myrrh, Saffron, Indian Leaf, Spike- nard, Caffia Lignea , of each fix Drachms ; true Amomum, one Ounce and an half ; Maf- fick in Tears, a Drachm ; Spanijh Wine enough to form into a Mafs. The Way of making all thefe Troches is to be met with in mod Difpen- fatorieSy efpecially thofe of Paris , Bauderony Cha- rasy and others, The Grand Treacle reformed by Monfieur d’ A quin, the King's Phyfician. Take dried Vipers, with the Hearts and Livers, twenty four Ounces ; Troches of Squills, Extract of Opium, of each twelve Ounces; Roots of Con- trayervny Virginia Snake Root, Angelica , the great Valerian Spignel, Gentian, Birthwort, Cojlus , In- dian and Celtick Spikenard, Cinnamon, Oil of Nutmegs byExpreffion, Saffron, Dittanyof Crete, Indian Leaf, W ater Germander, Mountain Cala- mint, Poley Mountain, Ground Pine, Flowers of St. John's Wort, and the leffer Centaury, Ara- bian Stcechas, Amomum , final! Cardaniums, Mace- donia?} Parfley-Seed, Bifhop's- Weed, Marfilian Hart-wort, and Myrrh, of each eight Ounces; Refill of Storax, Opopanax, Gum Sagapen and Cajlor, of each four Ounces ; a mellaginous Extradt of Juniper- Berries, feventy-two Pounds ; Malm fey Wine, one Quart. This Prefcription of Treacle has been better received than that of Andromachus, of later Y ears, by Reafon of the vaft Number of Ingredients, and the little Virtue that molt of them have, which was the Reafon why Mr. d'Aquin expunged what was fuperfluous, and added other Things more ne- ceflary; the Defcription of which Additions he gave to Mr. Charas to infert in his Royal Galeni- cal Pharmacopoeia. As to the Virtues of Treacle, I fhall not infift on thatTopick, becaufe there are feveral Authors who have treated of them ; befides the feveral printed Papers difperfed with it, that come from Venice or Montpellier , that explain the Ufe of it. In feveral Difpenfataries we meet with a third Sort of Treacle, called the Diateffarcn , becaufe it is compounded of four Drugs, which are the Gentian, round Birthwort, Bay-Berries, and Myrrh, all reduced into Powder, and made up with Honey, and Extract of Juniper, into an E!e£tuary. This Treacle, tho’ of a fmall Price, is not wanting in good Qualities, being very ufe- ful for all Sorts of Cattle. Some People call it the Poor's Treacle , or German Treacle. [And with the Addition, of Ivory Shavings, in equal Quantity to the reft, it is what is commonly fold under the Name of Diapente ; this is much ufed by the Farriers, who chule to buy it in the Powder, not mixt into an Ele&uary.] Along with this Medicine, we have brought from Montpellier a Treacle- Water, called fo, be- caufe Treacle is the Bafis of it, and by Reafon its Virtues, in fome Meafure, are like it. The Montpellier Treacle-Water of Bauderon make thus ; Take fine Treacle, three Ounces ; Roots of Tor- mentil, Angelica , Vipers Grafs, Dittany of Crete , Book I. 0/ A N I and Saflafras, of each two Ounces ; Bole, one Ounce ; Juniper-Berries, Citron-Seeds, Carduus Rencdiclus , Sorrel, and Purflane-Seed, of each half an Ounce; Betony, Marygold, Balm, Wa- ter Germander, Borrage, and Buglofs, of each one Handful ; fine Cinnamon and Mace, of each two Drachms ; Vinegar of Rofes, made of White- Wine, two Pounds ; Juice of Citron and Ver- juice, of each fix Ounces : Chufe and prepare all your Drugs according to Bauderon s Difpenfa- tory; and from thence, by a Glafs Alembick, you may draw a clearWater, of a ftrong Smell of Treacle, having the fame Virtues with it : But the fmall Power there is in Vinegar, Juice of Ci- trons, and Verjuice, to dilTblve andraife the Virtue of the Aromaticks in Diftillation, made the Sieur d: Beley in lay aiide this Prel'cription, and follow that which Mr. C'oaras has given us in his Difpen- fatory, Page 1030, which will appear much more reafonable. Mr. Charas’s Treacle-IVater. Take Roots of Gentian , Angelica, Majler-wort , Valerian , and Contrayerva , of each two Ounces ; Citron and Orange-Peel, not candied, but dry, fine Cinnamon, Cloves, and Juniper-Berries, of each one Ounce ; Water Germander, and St. Johns Wort Flowers, of each one Handful : Spirit of Wine, Walnut and Carduus Water, of each one Quart; fine Treacle, four Ounces ; you draw from thence a very odoriferous Water, more ef- ficacious, and better to keep than the former. It is very proper to refill all Poifons, and prevent Infections. The Dofe is from one Drachm to four, in a convenient Liquor. Likewife it is given fometimes alone, in a fmall Quantity. Mr. Char as fays, that there is a Treacle- Water made, by diffolving of Treacle in equal Parts of Spirit of Wine, and Vinegar diftilled. They alfo make Treacle- Vinegar fometimes only by dilfolving it in ftrong Vinegar, which is ufed againft the In- fection of the Air, to wafh the Hands, Temples, and Noftrils with. When the Roman Orvietan was firft known in France,we had it from Rome , and fome other Parts of Italy, as Orviette , from whence it takes its Name ; but fince that the Sieur Contugi came to Paris , and, under Pretence of the King’s Per- miftion, took upon him the whole Management of this Medicine, the Druggifts have left off to trade in it, either thro’ Fear, or becaufe the De- mand for it was not confiderable. But they after- wards underftood, that when the King gave his Authority to the Sieur Contugi , to fell and trade in Orvietan at Paris , he did not intend to ex- M A L S. 5J elude the Druggifts or Apothecaries at Paris from making it, as has been declared by an Arreji , left he fhould deprive France of a Remedy fo valuable and neceflary to the Publick : As notwithftand- ing all the Care the Sieur Contugi could poffibly take to make it in its greateft Perfecftion, he never could make it fo good as that of Italy, be- caufe the Ingredients, which are very numerous, have notfo great Virtues in France as in Italy, where the Heat of the Climate more exalts the Virtues of Simples than with us. Orvietan. Take Roots of Vipers Grafs, Carline Thiftle, Mafter-wort, Angelica, Biftore, Bii thwort, Con- trayerva, white Dittany, Galingal, Gentian, fmall Arabian Coftus, true Acorus, Macedonian Parlley- Seed, Leaves of Sage, Rolemary, Goats Rue, Carduus Benedifius , Dittany of Crete, Bay and Juniper Berries, of each one Ounce ; Cinnamon and Cloves, of each half an Ounce ; dried Vipers with their Hearts and Livers ; old Treacle, of each four Ounces ; white defpumated Honey, eight Pounds to make it into a Body. By confulting^of Bate’s Pharmacopoeia , you may fee how far this Recipe differs from that which he fays Sir Robert Talbot communicated to him, and which we may fuppofe he brought from France. Of Mithridate. Take choice Myrrh, Saffron, white Agarick, Ginger, fine Cinnamon, Indian Spikenard, Frank- incenfe, and Thlafpi, or Treacle Muftard-Seed, of each ten Drachms ; Marfilian Hartwort, Bal- fam of Judcea , Camels Hay, Arabian Stare has, Cojlus , Galbanum , Cyprus Turpentine, Long Pepper, Caflor , Juice of Hypocijlis, Storax in T ears, Opopanax, and Indian Leaves, of each one Ounce ; Cajfia Lignea, Poley Mountain, White Pepper, Water Germander, wild Carrots, Fruit of the Balfam-Tree, Troches of Cephi and Bdel- lium, of each feven Drachms ; Celtick Spikenard, Gum Arabick, Macedonian Parlley, Opium, the leffer Cardamum , Fennel, Gentian, red Rofes, and Dittany of Crete , of each five Drachms; Ani- feed, Afarum , the true Acorus, great Valerian Or- rice, and Gum Sapagenum, of each three Drachms ; Spignel, Acacia , the Sea-Skink, and St. John's Wort Seed, of each two Drachms and an half ; Spanijh Wine, a fufficient Quantity ; fine Honey, the Weight of all the Ingredients except the Wine ; and make all into an JEle&uary. 54 General Hijlory of DRUGS. Book I. Of Troches of Ciphi. Take fat Raifins, Cyprus Turpentine, each three Ounces ; choice Myrrh, Camels Hay, each an Ounce and half ; fine Cinnamon, half an Ounce ; Calamus Aromaticus , three Drachms ; Bdellium , Spikenard, Cajfia Lignea, Cyperus , Juniper-Berries, Aloes Wood, each two Drachms and a half; Saf- fron, a Drachm ; fine Honey, Spanijf) Wine, enough to make them into Troches. The Way of compounding Mithridate differs nothing from that of Treacle; and as to thefe Troches, the D i fpen f atari es of Bauderon and Charas (hew us the Manner of preparing them. [In regard to all thefe Compofition% as they have properly no Bufinefs in a Work of this Na- ture, I fhall not add to the Length of this Chap- ter, by faying any thing farther about them, efpe- cially as we have now a new Difpenfatory , in which they are all very greatly reformed and amended J 29. Of the Sea-Skink. Pomet. H E Sea-Skink is an amphibious Ani- mal, pretty much like a fmall Lizard. It is about half a Foot long, and an Inch in Dia- meter, having a Iharp Nofe, covered with Scales. It has two little piercing Eyes, and a Mouth di- vided to the Place where the Earsfhould be feated, had this Creature any. It has a great many little white and red Teeth, and goes upon four Feet, little more than an Inch high, which are very like thofe of an Ape. Its Body is covered with little round Scales, different from thofe of the Head, which are long and large. They are greyifh, in- clining to brown upon the Back, and of a Silver grey under the Belly. The Body of this Animal grows ftill fmaller to the End of the Tail, like the Viper’s. There are a great many of thefe little Skinks to be found in the Nile in Egypt , from whence they are brought us by the Way of Mar fellies, only the Entrails are taken out, and the fmall End of the Tail is cut off. Chufe fucli as are the big- g’ft, longeft, heavieft, moft dry and entire, and leaft worm-eaten, to which they are very fubjedf. They are reckoned proper to reftore Warmth in old Age, and Decays of Nature, to encreafe the Semen Virile , and are one of the Ingredients of Mithridate. The Reverend Father Du Per ire fays, that he faw not only in Guadoloupa , but likewife in other of the American Ifles, the true Skinks , altogether like thofe brought from /Egypt. They are, he fays, a fort of Lizard , by the inhabitants of Guadoloupa called Mab/uia, and in fome other Ifles, the Land Pike. Thefe Skinks are more flefhy than other Lizards, the Tail is thicker, and the Legs and Feet are fo fhort, that they creep upon the Ground. Their Skins are covered with an infinite Number of little Scales, like thofe of Snakes, but of a yellow Colour, filvered, and {Lining, as if rubbed with Oil. Their Flefh is good againft Poifon, and the Wounds of envenomed Arrows. Scincus Marinas, or the Skink , is a little Lem ry. amphibious Animal, refembling a fmall Lizard, or rather a little Crocodile , as long as one’s Hand, fometimes thicker than an Inch, covered with little Scales of a Silver Colour, efpecially under the Belly, having brown Streaks crofs the Back ; the Head is oblong, and thicker over the Jaws than the Neck ; the Eyes very little ; the Nofe {harper than that of the Lizard , covered with Scales as the reft of the Body is ; the Mouth is cut in very deep, fet with a great many little white Teeth. Some Authors call it Crocodilus Minor, or the little Crocodile. It is bred in the Nile, and feveral other Parts of /Egypt, and feeds upon aro- matical Flowers It never grows bigger than as we have it brought to us. They open the Belly and take out the Entrails, then fill it with Poley, or fome other dried aromatical Herbs, in or- der to preferve it. This Creature affords a great deal of volatile Salt and Oil. Some People prefer the Kidneys before the reft of the Body ; but there is no Difference in the Virtue of any of them. [The Skink is the Scincus, feu Crocodilus Per- rejlris, Raii Syn. Anim. 271. Scincus quemet Cro- codilum Perrejlrem vocant. Gefn. De Quad. /Egyp. 24 Scincus Marinas. Mont. Ex. 6. It is brought to us dried from /Egypt, but is never ufed except as an Ingredient in fome offici- nal Compofitions ] 26. Of Silk- worms. T HE Silk-worms are little Infedts, Pomct. whofe Origin is altogether furprifing, as well as the various Shapes and Changes they un- dergo. Several Authors have writ of them ; and amongftthe reft Mr. Ifnard, in a little Treatife of his, at the 254th Page, gives this Account of their Original. ** At the Time when the Mulberry- “ Leaves are ready to gather, which fhould be five “ Days after their Budding, in the Beginning of “ the Spring, they take a Cow, which isalmoft at “ Calving, and feed her wholly with Mulberry- “ Leaves, without giving her any Thing elfe to “ eat of Herbs, Hay, or the like, till (he has “ calved ; and this they continue for eight Days “ longer j Book I. longer ; after which they let the Cow and Calf “ both feed upon this fome Days together, with- c< out anv other Mixture, as before : They kill “ the Calf after it has been filled or fatiated with “ the Mulberry-Leaves and the Cow’s Milk ; then “ chop it to Pieces to the very Feet, and with- tC out throwing any thing away, put all together, “ the Fiefh, Blood, Bones, Skin, and Guts, into ** a wooden Trough, and fet it a-top of the “ Hcufe in a Granary, or Garret, till it is cor- “ rupted ; and from this will proceed little Worms, “ which they lay in Mulberry-Leaves, to raife “ them afterwards, juft as they do thofe which “ are produced from the Eggs ; and thefe Silk- “ worms are abundantly more fruitful than thofe “ from the Eggs ; fo that thofe who deal confi- “ derably in them, never fail every ten or twelve “ Years to raife them this Way.” There are fo many Particulars relating to the Management and Breeding of thefe little Creatures, that it would be troublefome to dwell upon this Subjeft ; befides, it has no relation to my pre- fent Purpofe ; and fince Mr. Ifnard has writ an entire Book upon it, I fhall refer thofe to it who would know further. Thefe little Animals fupply us with a Commodity fo valuable, that formerly thofe only of the beft Quality were clothed with it. There are feveral Colours of Silk ; as white, yellow', and the like: Thefe different Silks are found in little Balls of the Size and Shape of a Pigeon’s Egg ; and by the means of warm Water, and certain IVindles , they w’ind them into Skains, and then dye them of what Colour they pleafe. I fhall not detain you with a Defcription of all the different Silks that we have brought us from feveral Parts, contenting myfelf only to fay, that what is ufed in Phyfick is the Natural ; that is to fay, the Ball, -or what is wound up naturally, and without paffing thro’ hot Water, to which the Antients gave the Name of Raw-Si!k ; or rough as it comes from the Silk-worm. This Silk, after it is reduced to Powder, which is not very eafy to do, is brought into feveral Compofitions, as Confeftions q{ Alkermes, Hyacinth , &c. They ufe likewife Silk dyed fcarlet, to give toWomen inChild-bed, inftead of Alkermes. Several Authors fay, that Silk has the Virtue of making the Heart pleafant, and the Spirits brifk, and to cleanfe the Blood. Thofe who ufe the Ball»of Silk ought to take care, be- fore they reduce it into Powder, to cut it afunder, and take away the Worm that is within, fome- times frefh, and fometimes rotten, with the firft Skin that wraps it about, as not fit to be taken in- wardly ; and thofe w'ho would have the beft, ufe nothing except the Silk that is wound off, becaufe the relt is nothing but Drols, or Refufe Stuff. It 55 may be reduced to Powder, by cutting it very fi ne, fo that it will pafs thro’ a Sieve ; for to beat it, will be a tedious Work; befides it will lofe h alf. As to the Confections of Alkermes and Hya- cinth, the fcarlet Silk ought to be preferred to all other, tho’ almoft all Authors recommend the Raw-Silk, which is that which is white, or of a Gold Colour, and which has not been dyed. There are feveral other Reptiles which we fell, as the Leeches which are found in Ponds and Ditches, and which the Surgeons apply to feveral Parts of the Body, and chiefly thofe where Cup- ping-Glaffes cannot be eafily fixed. There are feveral Sorts of Leeches; the beft of which are the fmaller kind, which have finall Heads, reddifli Bellies, with Streaks upon the Back, that are of a Gold Colour. They are to be met with in clear running Water. Throw away the veno- mous Sort, which have thick Heads, and are of a green Colour, that fhine like Glow-worms, and are ftreaked with blue, and found in muddy Waters ; for inftead of relieving the Patient, they will caufe Inflammations, Apofthumes, Fevers, and' malignant Ulcers that are fometimes incurable. To keep thefe Leeches, put them into clean Wa- ter, that muft be renewed from Time to Time, to which fome will add Sand and Earth. We fell, befides thefe, the Powder, voIatileSalt, and Oil of Toads, as well as the Stone that is found in the Head of the large and old ones, to which the Antients attributed great Virtues ; and Mr. Charas treats of it very largely, in his Chy- mical Difpenfatory , Page 794 ; to -which thofe W'ho defire to know further may have Recourfe. There are fome who rank the Toad-Stone among the precious Stones, not only becaufe it is fcarce to be met with, but becaufe it is endowed with fo many excellent Virtues, being proper to refill all Sorts of Poifon. The white is the moil valued,, tho’ thofe which are of another Colour, are en- dowed with no lefs Virtues : They frequently im- pofe upon the Buyer, inftead of the Toad-Stone, a little round or longifh Stone, that is found in feveral Parts of Europe. W e fell likewife volatile Salt, Oil, and Pow- der of Millepedes, or Hog-Lice, to w'hich Mr. Charas afligns great Virtues: The Powder is given with Succefs in Nephritick Cholicks, Re- tentions of Urine, the Jaundice, Difeafes of the Eyes, and all Obftruftions. Mr. Charas attributes alfo great Virtues to the volatile Salt of Canthari- des, Earth-Worms, and Ants; as may be feen in his Chymical Pharmacopoeia . We fell likewife the Oils of Scorpions, Ample and compound, which we have readymade from Provence and Languedoc , and for which we have a better Price than for thofe made. Of A N I M A L S. s6 General Hijlory of DRUGS. Book I. made by the Apothecaries at Paris ; and which, without Difpute, are much better, becaufe the Scorpions are moft frequent in thofe Provinces. And the other Ingredients have alfo more Virtue there, from the W armth of the Climate. The fiift or fimple Oil of Scorpions is only made of Scorpions and Oil of bitter Almonds : The Compound is that of Matthiolus , which is made of the following Drugs, viz. of Scorpions, old Oil Olive, the Flowers, Leaves, and Seed of St. John's Wort, Germander, Mountain Calamint, Carduus Benediftus, Water Germander, lefTer Centaury, Vervain, Dittany of Crete , Zedoary, White Dittany, Gentian, Tormentil, round Birth- wort, Storax , Benjamin, Juniper-Berries, Nigella Seed, fine Cinnamon, Calamus Aromaticus , long Cyperus , white Sanders, Rhubarb, Myrrh, Aloes, Indian Nard, Saffron, Treacle, Mithridate, and White Wine j the Quantities of thefe Ingredients you will find in Matthiolus' s fixth Boole ofPoifons; or in Bauderon , or Charas's Difpenfatory , whereto thofe who defire to make it may have Recourfe. 'This Oil is one of the moft difficult Compofitions in Pharmacy, becaufe of the different Mixtures, and the Difficulty of getting the Scorpions alive from Provence or Languedoc. Bombyx , five Vermis lanifcius, the Lemery. Silk-worm , is a Kind of Caterpillar, or a Worm as long and thick as one’s little Finger, divided from one Part to another in a Sort of Rings ; having under them ufually four- teen Feet, fix in the fore Part, which are very fmall, and eight on the hinder Part, which begin after the third Ring : The two laft are much larger than the reft ; the Shape of them is ugly to look upon ; their Subftance very moift and vifeous. They are clothed with a very thin tender Skin, eafy to break, and of a brown or whitifh Colour, with fome Spots. The Silk-ivorm is produced in the Spring, from a little round Egg, that is like a Poppy-Seed ; is fed with Mulberry-Leaves frefh gathered; for if they are decayed, they kill the Silk-worms. When they are grown to their full Size they eat no longer, but fpue out of their Mouths a kind of thick, gluey, or vifeous Slaver or Foam, which they ftretch, extend, and work to a Silk Web, and then wind into a Clue , that is fometimes white, and fometimes yellowifti, and in this the Animal is wrapped, and lies feveral Days, ftill working till it dies; but if you do not in time throw this Clue into Water to draw off the Silk, it will quit this thick Clothing, pierce thro’ the Clue , and arife a fine, white, gaudy, aCtive Butterfly ; and if you leave after this Man- ner a Number of them, you will have a diverting Sight, to fee the Male and Female Butterflies careffing, and making Love ; from whence, af- terwards, you have Eggs. The Silkworms yield Abundance of Flegm and Oil, but little volatile Salt. They are reckoned very good to cure a Vertigo , if after they are dried and powdered you apply the Powder upon the Head, being firft fhaved. The Silk upon the Clue, before it is caft into the Water, is called Sericum crudum , or Raw-Silk. It ought to be cut afunder to uncover the Worm within it. This yields a little Flegm, a good deal of Oil, but very little volatile Salt and Earth. It is thought proper to recruit the Spirits, and purify the Blood, being taken in Powder. Some People hold, that if you feed a Calf with Mulberry Leaves, then kill and cut it to Pieces, and expofe it to the Air, upon a Houfe, it will produce Silk-worms ; but this Thought wants Confirmation. In the Parts where they trade in Silk, as Savoy , Languedoc , and Provence , they put their Si lk- worms in Cham- bers, where they are difpofed in Repofitories or Niches, where they make their Clues ; good Quantities of which they preferve on purpofe to have Eggs, and they throw the reft into warm Water, wherein the Worms die. [The Silk-worm is the Bombyx , Aldrov. Dt Inf. 278. Jonf De Infe£l. 114. Its Origin is from the Eggs of a Female Butterfly, as all the other Caterpillars have theirs. Mr. Ifnard’s Ac- count of their Production, is much fuch another Story, as Virgil's of the Bees, for unlefs the Silk- worm Butterfly would lay its Eggs in putrified Flelh, which it is moft certain fhe never does, it is altogether impolfible young Silk-worms fhould ever be found there. The Raw-Silk was once in efteem as a Cordial and Sudorifick, but at pre- fent is never heard of in the Shops. The Toad is the Bufo t Jonf. De £htad. 131. Bufo five Rubeta , Raii Syn. An. 252. Rana Ru- beta turn Palujhis turn Perrefris , Geft. Dc £hiad, 54. The dried Toad is a good Medicine in Dropfies, being a powerful Diuretick taken in Powder from two Scruples to a Drachm. What is commonly called the Toad-Stone, and generally believed to be taken out of the Head of the Toad, is a fmall Subftance of various Co- lours, fometimes brown, fometimes black, fome- times greenifh, and fometimes of a dufky green and whitifh-brown marble together, concave on one Side, and convex on the other. Thefe Stones, as they are called, are not taken out of the Toads Head, but are the Dentes Mo- lares of the Sea Wolf, the Lupus Marinus Schon- feldii. Jonf. Tab. 4.7. Lupus Marinus nojlras et Schon- feldii. Raii Icth. 1 30. They have been formerly fuppofed good in peftilential Difeafes, and Antidotes againft Book I. Of A N I againft all Kinds of Poifons, but are wholly neg- lected in the prefent Practice. Millepedes are the Ajelli Millepedes et On'tfci of the Shops, the Afelius Hindus major. Rail Hi ft. Inf. 42. O nix us five Afelius. Aldrov. de Inf. 632. Of thefe there are many Preparations, but the belt Way of taking them is certainly the fwallowing them alive, and the next to that their Fxpreffion made with Wine. The Scorpion is the Scorpio , fonf. de Inf 95. Scorpius , Rail Hijl. Inf 9. It is an Animal fomething refembling a Crab, but fmal er, it hv.s eight Legs, and is of a black or dufky brown Colour, the Oil is much in Efteem as a Remedy againft the Creatures Poifon, which it may indeed eafily be, by its own Virtues, whether it receive any thing from the Scorpion or not. The Afhes of them, when burnt, are alfo commended in the Stone and Gravel, butfeldom ufed.] 31. Of the Whale. Pomet. 'T' H E Whale is the large ft of all Fifh, A it is found in the Northern and North-Weft Seas. The Skeleton of one was fhewn at Paris 1658, whofe Skull was between fixteen and feventeen Feet long, weighing four thoufand fix hundred Pounds ; the Jaws ten P'eet wide, and fourteen Feet long, weighing each eleven hun- dred Pounds. The Fins, which looked like Hands, twelve Feet long, and weighing each fix hundred Pounds. The Ribs twelve Feet and a half long, each weighing fourfeore Pounds. The Joints of the Back, from the Head to the End of the Tail, forty five Feet long ; the firft Joints weighing fifty Pounds each, and the others lefs, according as they come nearer the End. I fhall not trouble myfelf to give an Account of all that relates to this Animal, or the Manner of taking it, becaufe feveral Authors have treated of it ; but I fhall only fay, that 1 there are two Sorts of Whales ; the one is called Cachalot , which differs from that which 1 ; called the IVbale , in that the Mouth of the Ca- chalot is furnilhed with little flat Teeth, without a Beard or Whifkers, which is contrary to that which commonly bears the Name of the Whale , which has nothing but Whifkers. Thefe Whifkers are what we call Whale-love. It is from the Fat of thefe Animals, that they draw UToale Oil , which is a very great Commodity, efpccially in Times of Peace, by reafon of the great Ufe they have for it in Fiance , as well for Burning, as feveral other Ufes, wherein it is very necefiary. We have two Sorts of Whale Oil come to Paris , the beft of which is, that which we call Oil of the Great Bay, which is by the French made of the Fat immedi- Vol. II. IVI A L S. ^y ately after it is taken from the Whale ; whence it comes that the French Oils do not finell fo ill as thofe made in Holland , becaufe the Dutch do not make their Oils from the Fat fo foon as it is drawn from the Whale , but bring it into Holland to be melted ; wherefore we ought to prefer the French Oils to thofe of Holland , which are eafily known, becaufe the Dutch are red and flunking, and yet are clear. The great Quantities we have of Whale Oil, come from the Northern Sea, efpecially Green- land, , from whence the Hollanders are fupplied, be- caufe the greatefl: Number of Whales are found there. • Of Sperma Ceti. The Spenna Ceti , according both to the An- tients and Moderns, and which, tho’ improperly, is called fo at this Day, is the Brain of a Sort of Whale called by the Bifcayians Byarls , and by the People of St. John de Luce . , Cachalot. This Animal is named by fome, the Male Whale, and in Latin , Orca ; it is about twenty five Feet long, and twelve Feet high ; each of the Teeth weigh a Pound, and are very ufeful for feveral Sorts of Works: Thefe Creatures are very common at Cape Flnifterre , on the Coaft of Galicia , and in Norway. In the Year 1688, there was one taken by a Spanijh Ship, that carried it to St. Sebajlian’ s, from the Head of which w r ere taken twenty four Barrels of Brain, and from the Body ninety fix Barrels of Fat : They ought to be un- deceived who believe that Sperma Ceti is any thing elfe but the Brain of the Cachalot ; and I can af- firm this with Certainty, not only having feen this prepared, but having prepared it myfelf, in the following Manner. This Sperma Ceti is ufually prepared at Bayonne , and St. John De Lux ; and this Work is fo rare in France , that there are but a few Perfons at the latter Place, who know how to prepare it. Thofe who perform this, take the Brain, and melt it over a gentle Fire ; then they caff it into Moulds like thofe wherein they refine Sugar ; and after it is cooled and drained from the Oil, they melt it again, and proceed after the fame Manner, till it is well purified and very white ; then, with a Knife made for the Purpofe, they cut it into Scales or Flakes, juft fo as it appears when brought to us. As this Commodity is of fome Confequence, by Reafon of its Price, I muff tell you, you ought to chufe fuch as is in fine white Flakes or Scales, that are clear and tranfparent, of the true natural Smell ; and take Care that it be not augmented with white Wax, as it happens but too often, which is eafy to diftinguilh, as well from the Smell of the Wax, as becaufe it Everythin, and of a more unpolifhed I white. 5 8 General Hi/lory of D R U G S. Book I. white. Likewife carefully obferve, that it be what is made of the Brain of the Whale, becaufe that which is made of the Fat, is very apt to turn yellow, and this is the Reafon we fometimes meet with Sperma Ceti that immediately turns yellow on being expofed to the Air; we have no Commodity which is fo fenfible of the Air as this, which is the Reafon why it ought to be carefully kept in Glafles, or in Barrels, clofe flopped from the En- trance of any Air, left this Drug turn yellow. It diflolves eafily in undtuous Liquors, and is there- fore a common Ingredient in Pomatums, and other fuch Compofitions. Women in Child-bed take of it, to a Spoonful, to remove After-pains, and affift their Cleanfings ; and it is an excellent Remedy in Bruifes, Inflammations, Pleurifics, or the like, taken with Syrup of Violets, Oil of fweet Almonds, &c. Balana, five Ceta , five Cetus , or the Lemery. Whale , is a vaft Fifh bred in the Northern Seas, whereof there are many Kinds. From the Flefh of this they make the Whale or Train Oil ; and from the Brain of a Sort of Male Whale, which they call the Orca , Byaris, or Ca- chalot , is made what we call Sperma Ceti. The Fifh is common along the Coaft of Galicia in Spain. When the Brain is feparated from the Head, they melt it with a gentle Fire, and call it into Moulds to cool ; then theyfeparate the Oil, and fo repeat the Work till the Matter is clear and white ; after. which they divide it into Scales or Flakes for Sale. This was called Sperma Ceti , becaufc the Antients believed that it was the Sperm of the Whale that floated on the Sea. Se- veral Moderns have rejected this Opinion, but would eftablifh another which is as foreign from the Truth as the former. They fay that the Sper- ma Ceti is a Sea Bitumen , or a kind of Sea Froth, that is driven by the W aves to and fro. It is aftonifhing that the Origin of this has been a Se- cret fo long; for it is not above two and twenty Years, ftnee it was known that this was drawn from the Head of the Whale. The Sperma Ceti is refolutive and mollifying. They ufe it in Po- matums to foften and fmooth the Skin ; in Oint- ments or Liniments, to diflblve the Hardnefs of the Breafts : In Injections of the Womb, to foften the fame; and it is given inwardly, to correCt the Acrimony of Humours in the Breaft or Belly. The Dofe from half a Scruple to two Scruples. [The common Whale from which we have the Train Oil , and Whale-bone, is the Balana vul- garis. Aid. de Pifc. 688. Balana vulgaris eden- tula dorfo non pinnato. Raii Syn. Pifc. 6. Balana major laminas in fuptriore maxilla habeas bipen- nis , Fiflula carens. Sib. Phal, 27. Balana vulgo diEla, five Myficetus Arijlotelis Alufculus, Piinii , Gefn. de Aquat. 114. It is common in the Northern Seas. The Train Oil is made from its Fat, and the Whale-bone, as ft is called, is found in its Mouth in Lamina of a horny Subftance. The Sperma Ceti Whale is the Balana macroce- phala qua binas t ant um pinna s later ales ha bet. Sib. Phal. 1 2. Balana major inferior e tantum maxilla dentata macrocephala bipennis. Raii Syn. Pifc. 15. It is principally caught in the Greenland and Iceland Seas. What we call Sperma Ceti ufed to be prepared from a natural fat Subftance, found in the Ven- tricles of the Brain, the Diploe of the Cranium and circumjacent Parts of this Fifh ; fometimes by fimple Meltings as deferibed by our Author, and fometimes by boiling in a ftrong Lixivium , till all the Humidity being evaporated, a white fo- lid Matter, like Soap, remained ; this being cleanfed from the coarfeOil, and Salts of the Lixivium , by re- peated Meltings and Wafhings, they divided with Knives, into Lamina , as we fee it. But of late, they have found a Way of making it out of any fort of Oil ] 32. Of the Fifh-Glue, or Ifinglafs. HAT which we call Fijh-Glue, or IfnglaJ's , the Latins, Gluten Al- Pomet. kanac , the Gieek , Ichthyocolla , and the Arabs , Alcana , is the mucilaginous Part of a Fifh, whofe Back is full of little white Scales that are prickly and ranged in Order, commonly found in the Mufcovy Seas ; which is the Reafon that almoft all the Ifinglafs we have from Holland , is brought thither from Archangel , where is kept a famous yearly Fair. Several who have writ of this Fifli whereof they make the Ifinglafs , and among others, Rondelet, have faid that it has no Bone, which is the Reafon why it is called the Fifh with- out Bones. They have pretended alfo, that it has no Prickles, which is very wide of the Truth, becaufe the Back of it is fo well furnifhed with them, that there is not any Fifh, how ftrong fo- ever, will dare to bite it ; the Scales, though they are fmall, are very fharp, as reprefented in the Cut, which I had engraved from the Original which I have in my Hands. The Antients ima- gined, that it was of the cetaceous Kind, that is to fay, that it refembled in Nature and Bulk, tire Whale or Dolphin, becaufe the Head is very thick, heavy, and large, the Mouth very long and open, and that there grows to the Upper Jaw a certain long Excrefcence, hanging down like a Beard. As to the Flefh, it is fweet and gluey, and confequently of little Relifh, if it be not halted fome Time before it is eat. 2 As I Book J. As to the Manlier of making the Ifnglafe , the finewy Parts of the Fifh are boiled in Water, till all of them be diflolved that will diflolve ; then the gluey Liquor is {trained, and fet to cool. Be- ing cold, the Fat is carefully taken oft', and the Liquor itfelf is boiled to a juft Confiftency, then cut into Pieces, and made into a Twift, bent in Form of a Crcfcent, as commonly fold, then hung upon a String, and carefully dried. That which is cleareft and whiteft is heft ; and which being boiled in Water and Milk, will almoftall diflolve. It is chiefly made in Mufcovy ; and that which is called the Patriarch Sort, which is four fquare, very thin and whitc-^a^noft tranfparent, is the choiceft ; the next is die Cza? T s Sort, which is the large Horfe-ftioe, or twifted Kind, that is in thin Rags, and clear ; a meaner Sort is that which is yellow and brown within ; and that in fquare Books or Cakes, is the worft of all. The Ufe of Ifmglafs k very common in France , but not in Phyfick; for I believe, befides what is ufcd in making the Diachylon Plaifter, that all the Apothecaries in Paris fcarce ufe a Pound in the Year: But it ferves the Wine-Merchants and Vintners, who ufe it to fine their Wines, for which formerly they were blamed, though with- out Reafon. For it is a very great Error that has been received, that Ifmglafs was a poifonous Drug, w'hen nothing is fo certain as that it has no ill Quality whatfeever ; but the Fifh from whence it is made is one of the principal Foods of Mufcovy , the Jelly being very wholefome ; the Flefh of the Back of this Fifh taftes like Veal, and is very nou- rifhing ; the Belly eats like Pork, being very fweet and good. Ifmglafs is of a healing and {Length- ening Property ; ufed in Broth and Jellies, it {Lengthens the Back, flops a Dyfentery and con- tinued Purging. It is good in Gonorrhoea'' s, and the Fluor albus. Being of an alcalious Nature, it ahfords Acids, and eafes the moft inveterate Pains of the Stomach. The necefiary Ufes to which this is put, are in feveral Sorts of Silk Works, to give a Luftre to Ribbons and other Silks, and to whiten Gauzes. It is a principal Ingredient in the counterfeit Oriental Pearl. We have from Eng- land , Holland , and other Parts, a fort of Ifmglafs f)!ded in little Books, that is of fmall Ufe in France , becaufe it is very hard to diflolve, and never white. Some Perfons have allured me, that it was made of the Remainder of that which is made in little Wreaths ; and others will have it, that it comes from the mucilaginous Parts of a Fifh fome Authors call Silurus , or Sturio , the Sturgeon , which it a very fcarce Fifh in France. It is fome- times to be met with in our Rivers ; but becaufe of its Rarity, and its being excellent Meat, thofe 59 who find them fell them for three Or four Hundred Livres. Ichthyocolla , Ifmglafs, or Fijh-Glue, is a Pafte or Glue made of the Skin, Lemery. Fins, Tail, Entrails, Sinews, and other mucilaginous Parts of a great Sea-Fifh, called Hufo, or Exojfts , from being without Bones, that is tv/enty-four Feet long, and weighs four Hundred W eight. It is ufually met with in the Seas about Mufcovy, in Hungary, and other Parts of the Da- nube. They make the Ifmglafs by cutting all theft Parts o{ the Fifh in Pieces, which they fteep in hot Water, and then let it boil over a gentle Fire till it is diflolved, and reduced into a Jelly. They fpread this upon Inftruments made for the Purpofc, that it may dry, and be made into a Kind of Parchment. When it is almoft dry, they ufu- ally roll it up into Wreaths of different Shapes and Sizes. The Dutch furnlfh us with almoft all we ufe. [The Ifmglafs Fifh is the Idihyocolia. Rond. De Pijc. 2. 177. Rail Itlhiogr. 244. Hufo Iclhyocolla. Schrod. 5. 329. It is caught in the Danube , Polga, and other great Rivers ; but it is to be ohftrved, that Ifmglafs is not made from this Fiflbt only, great Quantities of it being alfo boiled from the Hufo Germanorum ; a Fifh very different from this, though generally confounded with it. The Ifmglafs is urfqueftionably the beft, as well as moft fafe, and innocent thing ufed in purifying Wines ; and in Medicine it is admirable in all Dif- orders that arife from too thin and {harp a State of the Fluids.] 33. Of the Narwal, or Sea Unicorn. L 1 H E Narwal , fo called by the I fan- P onset. dsrs , and by fome others, Rhoar , by us the Sea Unicorn, is a large Fifh, which fome reckon to be a Sort of Whale ; it is found plenti- fully in the Northern Seas, efpecially along the Coaft of Iceland and Greenland. This Sea-Mon- fter carries at the End of his Nofe a white weighty Horn, that is fmooth, and of a fpiral Figure. It is of different Sizes and Weight, as may be feeu in the Cabinets of the Curious ; as that of Mr. Morin, Phyfician to the late Mademoifelle de Guife, which I have feen and handled, and which is re- prefented in the Figure. And Mr. Charas told me, he had one longer and thicker than that in the T reafury of St. Denis. They arc the Pieces of this Horn, that we fell at Paris, as they do elfc- where, for the true Unicorn’s Horn, to which fome People affign large Virtues, which I fhall neither authorize nor contradict, having never had fuflicient Experience of it. I 2 There Of A N I M A L S. 6o General Hijlory of DRUGS. Book I. There is another Fife befides, that they give the Name of the Sea Unicorn to, which is met with in different Parts of the World. Mr. Dumantel fays he faw a prodigious one, in an Ifle near St. Domingo , in the Year 1644. This Unicorn , fays he, purfued a fmaller Fifh with that Violence, that he threw himfelf out of the Depth of Water neceffary to fwim in, and ran himfelf upon a great Bed of Sand, where half of his Body being un- covered, he could not recover himfelf to get into the Deep again, and by that means the Inhabitants of the ifland took him. This Fifli was about eighteen Foot long, and of the Thicknefs of an Hogfhead. About the Middle he had fix great Fins, that at the Ends were like Oars ; two of them were placed inftead of Ears, and the other four along the Belly, at equal Diftance, being of a Vermillion Colour; and all the Body was co- vered with large Scales, as big as a Crown Piece, which were of a Blue, that appeared to be fpangled with Silver. Near the Neck the Scales were brownifii, more compact: and clofe, and made a fort of Collar; the Scales under the Belly were yellow : The Tail was forked, the Head a little thicker than that of a Horfe, and almoft of the fame Shape ; it was covered with a hard brown Skin. And as the Unicorn has a Horn on the Forehead, this Sea Unicorn has one perfectly fine, nine Feet and an half long, that ftands directly on his. It is exa£Uy ftraight, and grows taper from the Front of the Head, or Bafis of the Horn, to the Tip, where it is fo (harp, that with Force it will drive through the hardeft Body. The thick End was about fixteen Inches Circumference ; and from hence to about two thirds of this won- derful Horn, it was faftiioned like the Screw of a Piefs, or rather waved in Form of a twifled Co- lumn, faving that the Furrows were ftill leffened until they became altogether fmooth about four f eet two Inches from its Original. The Bottom was covered with an afh-coloured Skin, that had on it a little fhort Hair as foft as Velvet, of a Fillemot Colour, but underneath was as white as Ivory. As to the other Part that appeared alto- gether bare, it was naturally fmooth, and of a ihining black, marked with fome fine white and yellow Streaks, and fo hard, that a good File could fcarcely touch it. The Creature had no Ears e- reCled, but two great Gills, asother Fife ; the Eyes being of the Size of an Hen’s Egg. The Apple of the Eye was of a Sky-blue, enamelled with Y ellow, and furrounded with a Vermillion Circle, that was fucceeded by another very clear one, that feone like Cryftal. The Mouth, like that of the Horfe, was cljft and fet with feveral Teeth ; thofe before being fharp ; and the others in the Jaws behind large, and raifed with little Bunches. The Tongue was of a proportionable Length and Thicknefs, which was covered with a rough red Skin. This prodigious Fifh had, befides, upon its Head, a kind of Crown raifed above the reft of the Skin two Inches or thereabouts, made in an oval Form, and ending in a Point. Above three Hundred People of the Ifle eat plentifully of the Flefh of it, and found it very delicate. It was larded with a white Fat ; and being boiled, it parted into Flakes like Cod Fifh, but had a much more favory Tafte. The Head and Horn of this Fifli were pre- ferved fome Time in that Ifland, but being after- wards made a Prefent to a curious Perfon, the Ship in which he was bringing them over was loft, and in it this precious Rarity. We ought to undeceive thofe who believe that what we nctw call the Unicorn’s Horn , the Latins , Unicornis , and the Greeks , Manoceros^ is the Horn of a Land Animal, whereof mention is made in the Old Tejlament , fince it is nothing elfe but the Horn of the Naruial , which, as to the Choice of it, ought to be the whiteft, largeft, and heavieft. Some Time ago thefe Horns were fo rare, that Mr. Racq y a Phyfician at Florence , faid that a German Merchant fold one of them to a Pope for 4500 Livres, which is very much different from what they are at prefent, fince we can buy the very fineft at a much eafier rate. ' Narwal , Rhoar, or the Sea Unicorn , is a very large Fifh, that carries upon his Fernery. Front a Horn of five or fix Feet long, that is heavy, white, fmooth, and twifted, being of a fpiral Figure, and hollow within, very like Ivory. He carries this for his Defence, and with it will attack the biggeft Whales. This Horn affords a great deal of volatile Salt and Oil ; is cordial, fudorifick, and proper to refill Infe&ions,. and cure Epilepfies. T he Dofe is from half a Scruple to two Scruples. They wear it alfo in Amulets hung about the Neck, to preferve them from infectious Air. Thofe who keep thefe for Curiofities, have the Horn entire, and chufe the longeft and molt weighty. [The Nanva! and Unicorn's Horn I have al- ready fpoken of in the Chapter of the Unicorn. As to this other Kind, I am afraid Mr. Du- mantel's Story is too ftrange to be true, no Author of any Credit having ever feen or mentioned any fuch Fife.] 34. Of the Sea- Horfe. '"p HERE is in the Rivers Nile and Pomet- Niger , and others of Africa , an Ani- mal fi V ' ^,...4WVvx* . - -i— * - •* : S - <■ ;. . I. • : r/atct, Book I. Of ANIMALS. 6 r mal that has Corns Refemblance to an Ox, which I thought proper to give you the Hlftorv of, upon Account of the Teeth which we fell. This Animal has nothing, of the Likenefs of a Horfe ; hut as to his Size rather looks like an Ox, and his Legs are like the Bear's. He is about thirteen Feet Ions:, and four Feet and an half broad ; and three Feet and an half high from the Belly, which is rather flat than round ; the Legs are three Feet about, and each Foot is a Foot broad, the Head is two Feet and an half in Breadth, three Feet long, nine Feet about, and looks very thick in refpeCt of the reft of the Body; the Mouth is a Foot wide, the Nofe is fleihy, and turns up ; die Eyes are finall ; the Ears little and fhort, not above three Inches long; the Hoofs are cleft into four Parts, and the Tail is like that of a Hog; the Noftrils are winding, and about two Inches and an half deep, the Muzzle has fome Refemblance to that of the Lion or Cat, and is hairy, though there is no Hair upon the reft of the Body. It has fixteen Teeth in the Under-jaw ; and the two which are at the End are half a Foot long, and two Inches and an half broad, and half a Foot thick ; on each Side one may all'o fee feven Grinders that are Ihort, but thick ; it has alfo as many in the Up- per-jaw, which it moves as the Crocodile : Its Teeth are as hard as a Flint Stone. The Antients believed that this Animal emitted Fire when he ground his Teedi one againft the other. The /Ethiopians , and odier People of Africa , eat the Flefh of them ; and they are an amphibi- ous Creature, living both on the Land and in the Water. Father Vandenbrock fays he faw four Sea Horfes feeding in the Country of Lavango , during his Journey to Angola , which were like huge Buf- falo’s ; their Skins were very Chining ; their Heads like a Mare’s; their Ears fhort, and their Noftrils large ; having two Tufhes in their Mouths like the Boar’s. Of all the Parts of this Animal, there is nothing ufed in Fran.e but the Teeth, with which, by reafon of their Whitcnefs and Hardnefs, they make artificial Teeth for People who have loft them. Though Matt i lus fays, that the Aft.es of the Hippopotamus , or Sea-FIorle, incorporated with Tar, or other fat Body, will make the Hair grow. The Tooth worn, or a Ring made thereof, helps the Hemorrhoid;, and eafeth the Tooth-ach. A Ring made of the Pizzle, and worn, is faid to cure the Cramp. And the Tellicles have the Vir- tue of Cajior. Hippopotamus , or the Sea- Horfe , is a Lcmery. four-footed Animal, as big as an Ox. The Head is very thick, refembling omre that of a Calf than a Horfe; the Mouth is a Foot long, and the Jaws fet with flrong hard Teeth, that will ftrike Fire like a Flint with Steel, and are very proper to make artificial Teeth with. Thefe Creatures delight to live in the large Rivers within Land, that they may enjoy both Land and Water, feeding upon Filh, Flefh, Plants, Pulfe, and even Men, Women, and Children, if they can meet with them. The Skin is fo thick, that it is able to defend from all man- mer of external Violence, no Bullet or Spear be- ing able to pierce it ; the Afhes whereof take away Spots from the Skin ; and the Fat, applied- to the Pulfe or Stomach, relieves againft Fits o? the Ague, and is emollient and nervous. [The Quadruped, called the Sea- Horfe, is the Hippopotamus, 'Jonf. De Quad. 67. Rati Synopf. Animal. 123. Mont. Ex. 5. The Tefticles and Teeth of this Creature have had many Virtues aferibed to them, but are never ufed at prefent. The other Sea-Horfe, as it is called, which is often kept by the Druggifts, and hung up as a Curiofity in the Shops of Country Apothecaries ; and which our Author has figured in the fame Plate with the former, though he has given no Account of it,’ is the Hippocampus , Rond. De Pifc. 2. 1 14. Rail Iclhiogr. 157. Bellon. De Aquatil. 446. It is an odd fhaped little Fifh, caught in the Mediterranean. It is the Afhes of this, and not of the Hippopotamus , which Diofcorides re- commends, mixed with Tar, to make the Hair grow. It has alfo been faid to be a Remedy for the Bite of a mad Dog, but at prefent it is never ufed. J 35. Of the Sea-Cow. A C CA Marina , Manati , or the Sea- Pomet, Cost), according to the Relation of Father Du Ter ire , is a Fifh altogether unknown in Europe. It is fometimes from fifteen to fixteen Feet long, and feven or eight F'cet about ; it has the Muzzle of an Ox, and the Eyes of a Dog. The Sight is very weak, and it has no Ears, but hr their ftead two little Holes, whereinto one could fcarcely put a Finger ; by thefe Holes it hears fo exquifitely, that the Weaknefs of the Sight is fufficiently fupplied by the Quicknefs of the Hear- ing. Under the Belly, next the Head, are two little Feet in form of Hands, having each four fhort Fingers and Nails, and therefore it was by the Spaniards called Manati , which is to fay, the Fifh with Hands. From the Navel it grows lefs and lefs, till it forms the Tail, which is in the Shape of a Baker’s Peel. It is a Foot and an half broad, five or fix Inches thick, clothed with the fame Skin as the Body, and entirely made up of Fat and Nerves. This Fifh has no Scales like other 62 Central Hi/lory of DRUGS. Book I. other Filh, but is covered with a Skin thicker than that of an Ox ; the Hide is of a very brown Slate Colour, like that of the Sea-Wolf. The f lefh tafles like Veal, but it is a great deal finer, and covered, in feveral Parts, with three or four lingers thick of Fat, of which they make Lard, as they do of Hog’s. r I his is excellent, and feveral People melt it and caft it into Cakes, which they eat with Bread inftead of Butter. The blefh ot this Animal being faked, lofes much of its Tafte, and becomes as dry as Wood ; but I believe that mull be attributed to the Salt of the Country, which is very corrofive They find in the Head of this Animal four Stones, two large ones, and two fmall ones, to which they allign the Property of diflolving the Stone in the Blad- der, and bringing away of Gravel from the Kid- neys; but I cannot approve this Practice, fince this Medicine is too emetick, and adts upon the Stomach with too much Violence. The Food of this Fifh is a fmall Herb that grows in the Sea, which it feeds upon as the Ox does on thofe of the F ield ; and after having glutted itfelf with eating, it hunts out for the frefh Water up the Rivers, where it drinks plentifully twice a Day. After having eat and drank its Fill, it lies fleeping, with the Snout or Muzzle half out of Water, whereby it is difeovered at a good Diftance by the Fifhermen, who prefently fet about to take it after die following Manner : Three or four Men, or fometimes more, take a little Canoe , which is a fmall Boat, all of a Piece, hollowed out of a Tree, in Shape of a Shallop: The Rower is upon the Stern of the Canoe , where he fo manages the Flat of his Oar, moving it in the Water, as not only to diredt the Canoe , but to move it forwards fo fwift, as if carried by a Sail before the Wind. The Spear-man, which is he that ftrikes the Beaff, ftands upright on a little Plank, at the Head of the Canoe , holding the Spear in his Hand, which is a Sort of Pike ; at the End of which is fixed a Harping-Iron, or Javelin. The third fits in the Middle of the Boat, to manage the Line or Cable, that is tied to the Harping-Iron, to draw when the Beaff is ffruck; they all keep per- fect Silence, becaufe this Creature hears fo ex- quiiitely, that a Word, or the lead: Noife of the Water dafhing againft the Boat, is enough to awake her, and put her to Flight, and difappoint the Fifhermen of their Hopes. It is diverting to fee how the Spear-man trembles, as it were, for fear the Prize fhould efcape, and fancies the Rower, or Steerfman, does not employ half his Strength, though he does whatever he can with his Hands, and keeps his Eye fixed on the Spear, by the End of which the Spear-man points out the Trad! he muff keep, to come at the Place where the Fifh lies faff afleep. When the Canoe is within three or four Paces of it, the Spear-man gives a Stroke with all his Strength, and darts the Iron at leaf! half a Feet into the Flefh; the Shaft falls upon the Water, whilff the Iron Head remains flicking in the Breaff, which is now half taken. When this Animal perceives herfelf fo violently ffruck, fhe muffers up all her Strength, and makes ufe of it to efcape ; fhe bounds like a Horfe broke loole, cuts the Waves, as an Eagle does the Air, and makes the Sea foam, covering it with white all the Way through which fhe pafTes, believing the while file is efcaping from her Enemy, whom not- withffanding, file carries along with her; infomuch that one would take the Spear-man for Neptune drawn in Triumph by a Sea Monffer. In fhort, after having thus, for fome time, drawn her De- ffrudtion after her, and loft a great Share of Blood, her Strength fails her ; and being as it were brought to Bay, fhe is forced to flop fhort to take a little Reft ; though fhe no fooner lies by, but the Spear- man, to bring himfelf nearer, draws the Line, and makes a fecond Stroke with more Violence than the former, at which fhe is able to make but flen- der Efforts, and in a little Time is reduced to an Extremity, and then the Fifhermen eafily enough drag her a-fhore at the firft little Illand they come at, where they put her into the Canoe , if big enough to hold her. The Female of this Species has two young ones at once, and has under her Belly two Teats which they fuck ; the young al- ways follow the Dam fo clofely, that when they catch her they are alfo fine of them. The Flefh of this Animal makes a confiderable Part of the Food of the Inhabitants of thofe Countries: They carry feveral Ship-Loads of it every Year from the Terra firma , and the neighbouring Ifies ; and as well at Guadaloupa , St. Chrijhphcr's, Martinico , as other adjacent Iflands, they fell a Pound of it for a Pound and a halt of Tobacco. The Stone taken from this Animal has many medicinal Ufes afiigned to it, and was a Thing un- known to the Antients. It is a whitifh Stone, or rather a Bone taken out of the Head that is white and hard ; fometimes like a Tooth, and fomewhat refembling the wbiteft Ivory, but much harder. It is a fixed Alcali, abforbs Acids, eafes the Pain of the Stomach, cures Heart-burnings and the Cho- lick ; is good againft Stone and Gravel, and to expel Urine. 'Fhe Powder is made by Leviga- tion, and is given frem a Scruple to a Drachm. The Calx is made by calcining it either alone, or with Sulphur and Nitre. Dofe from half a Drachm to a Drachm, in any appropriate Li- quor. Manati - • * Jff# • ' ' -m* ' ' * . - - V&A-.Ss. Book I. O/ANIMAL S. 63 Manat l , vel l acca~ Alarina , the *SVa- as Gold, excellent for frying withal, and all forts Lcmerj. Cow, is a large Fifh of America, of fifteen of Sauces, efpecially when new ; for when old it is or Jixteen Feet long, almoft round, fit for nothing but Lamps. The Flefh of the TV- being five or fix Feet Diameter, of a frightful toife is fo full of vital Spirits, that being cut in Figure. The Head is like a Calf s, but the Snout Pieces over Flight, it will ftir the next Day. is more meagre, and the Chin thicker ; the Eyes I believed a Tong Time that the Tortoifes of thefe are fma;:, and require a great Light, for the Sight Parts had three Hearts; for from the upper Part of is very weak ; the Ears are nothing but two little the Heart, which is as large a Man’s/ proceeds a Holes, though the Hearing is very fine. The large arterial Trunk, to which are joined two Sx;n is ufed to make Shoes of ; the Fat or Lard, other, as it were. Hearts, on eace Side one. about hefides that the Inhabitants eat it for Butter, is a good Emollient, and difcufiing Unguent. The Stones taken out of the Plead, which are of two different Sizes, are reckoned emetick ; though they 2re given inwardly in Powder, to twelve Grains and upwards, for nephritick Pains, and Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder. [The Sea-Cow is the Manati Indorumf Aid. De Fife . 728. Manati Phoces Genuf. Cluf. Evot. 132. Manati fat Caeca Alarina. Raii Syn. An. 193. It is an amphibious Creature, and feeds on Vegetables. The Stone of the Head, as it is called, is the Os Peirofum , which has been greatly commended, but it is at prefent. never ufed. J 3 6. Of the three Kinds of Tortoifes, viz. Eke Frank or True Tortoife, the Kaou- anne, or Great-headed Tortoife, and the Caret, or Leaf Tortoife. Pomet. Gp H E Figure which I have given of A the Tortoife is fo exadl, fays the Re- verend Father Du Tertre , that it would be lofing of Time to give any Defcription of its Shape ; and I fhall think it fufficient to deferibe what is peculiar to thofe of the Ifles, and what diftinguiflies them from the European Sort. We may fay in general of Jthe three Sorts of Tortoifes , that they are dull, heavy, ftupid Animals, and almoft with- out Brains; for in all the Head, which is as big as a Calf’s, there is not found above the Bignefs of a fmall Bean of Brain : Their Sight is excellent ; their Bulk fo large, that the Shell they carry on their Backs is fometimes five Feet long, and four broad : Their Flefh, particularly that of the Frank Tortoife , is fo like that of an Ox, that a Piece of Tortoife compared with a Piece of Beef, cannot be diftinguifhed but by the Colour of the Fat, which is of a yellowilh green. There are of thefe Tortoifes , which taken from the Bone yield half a Barrel of Provifion, without taking in the Head, the Neck, the Feet, the Tail, the Guts, and the Eggs, which are fufficient to feed thirty Men. Befides which, they make from the fuperfiuous Fat, fifteen or twenty Pots of Oil, which is as yellow the Size of an Hen’s Egg, and of the fame Shape and Subftance with the former; though I have fince changed my Opinion, and believe firmly that they are nothing but the Ears of the Heart ; yet be that as it will, ’tis certain that when rightly difplayed upon a Table, it makes the Refemblance of a Fleur-dc-Lis, which may be reckoned a good Omen of the future Succefs of the French Colo- nies in America , fince the Providence of God,, which does nothing in vain, has planted, as it were, the Fleur-de-Lis in the Heart of this Animal, as- the Hieroglyphick of this Country. Of the Kaouanne, the Loggerhead, or Great- headed Tortoife. This differs from the true Tortoife , In that the Head is much larger, in Proportion to the Body, than that of other Tortoifes ; it is more mifehievous than the other Kinds, and defends itfelf with its Mouth and Feet when they are about to take or turn it : And though it is much the largeft of the three Sorts, it is notwithstanding the lead: efieemed, be- caufe the Flefh is black, of a Sea-Smell, and an ill Tafte. Thofe who fifh for it mix it with the true Tortoife to get a Price for it, but it communi- cates its ill Tafte to it. The Oil made from it is acrid, and fpoils the Sauces with which it is mixed, and is only ufed when the other cannot be had : However, it is not altogether ufelefs, becaufe it ferves to burn in Lamps. Sometime after the Shell of this Kind of Tcr- toife is taken off, when the Cartilages begin to rot, there fly oft' from it eight Flakes much larger than thofe of the Caret, but thinner and marbled with black and v/hite. They are ufed in fome Kinds of Work, and if they were thicker, would vye with the Caret Shell. Of the Caret, or Small Tortoife. The Caret is the lead: of all the three Kinds of Tortoifes. The Flefh of it is not fo good as that of the Frank Tortoife , but is a great deal better than that of the Kaouanne ; the Oil drawn from it is excellent for Weaknefs of the Nerves, Scia- tica 64 o General Hijlory of D R U G S. Book I. tica Pains, and all cold Defluxions. I know Per- sons who have found it very ufeful for Difeafes of the Kidneys, caufed by over-ftraining, &c. but that which makes it particularly valuable, is the Shell upon its Back, that is worth ten Shillings a Pound. What they take of this from the Caret confifts of thirteen Leaves or Plates, eight of which are flat, the other five hollow or bending ; of the flat there are four large ones, which are a Foot long, and feven Inches broad. The fine Caret Tortoife Shell ought to be thick, clear, Iranfparcnt, of the Colour of Antimony, and marbled brown and white. There are of them that bear fix Pounds of Flakes of this Shell upon their B..cks ; they make Combs and other fine Works of them, that are very beautiful and va- luable. The Way of raifing the Flakes from the large Shell, which is properly the Tortoije' s Houfe, is by making, when all the Flefli is taken out, a Fire underneath ; and as foon as the Heat affedls the Flakes, they are eafily raifed with the Point of a Knife. Teftudo , the Shell- Fiji), or Tortoife , Lemery. is an aquatick four-footed Animal, that is very ugly in all its Limbs, but covered with a fine large Shell, fmooth, hard, bony, oval, and marbled, or ftained with feveral Colours. This Creature may be reckoned amphibious, living upon Land and in the Water. There are dif- ferent Sizes of them ; but t’nofe in America are often met with of five Feet long, and four Feet broad ; their Flefh is good Food, and has the Tafte of Beef, and yields a yellow Oil, very proper for the Lamp. The Europeans ufe the Tortoife Flefh in their Kitchens as good Meat. They abound with a great deal of volatile Salt and Oil, are pro- per for Difeafes of the Breafl, and Confumptions ; and are very reftorative being eaten in Subftance, or elfe the Broth of the Flefh. The Blood dried, is efteemed in epileptick Fits; the Dofe being from twelve Grains to a Drachm. The Way of Fifing for the Tortoife. There are three Ways of Tortoife Pome’. Fifhing, viz. in coupling Time, with the Spear, and when they come afhore. The Tortiifes begin to couple in March , and con- tinue it till the Middle of May. I fhall not take Notice of all the Circumftances that relate to this ; it will fuffice to fay, that it is done on the Water, jo that they are eafily difeovered ; ar.d they are no fooner perceived, than two or three People throw themfelves prefcntly into a Canoe , make towards them, and come at them with Lafe. They flip a Noofc around their Neck, or one of their Feet; or, having no Line, they lay hold of them with their Hand, by the Neck, where it is uncovered by the Shell ; fometimes they take both of them together, but moft commonly the Female efcapes, and the Males at that Time are very lean and hard Meat, but the Females very good. The Spear for the Tortoife is much of the fame Sort as that for the Sea-Cow , only inflead of the barbed Iron, a Piece of fquare Iron of about half a Finger’s Length, and very fharp, is fattened to the Top of the Spear, to which is tied a Line ; the Spear being thrown at the Back of the Tortoife , the Iron Head is ftruck half Way into the Shell, which being of a hard bony Subftance, it flicks as firm as if fixed in a folid Oak. The Tortoife perceiving himfelf ftruck, makes the fame Struggle to get loofe as the Sea-Cow, and the Spear-man ufes the fame Diligence to take him. Some fay that the Force abates prcportionably to the Blood that is loft ; but they are ignorant that the Tortoife does not lofe a Drop of Blood at the Place where it is wounded, ’till the Iron is taken out. The Time of taking the Tortoife upon Land is from April to Auguft ; for at that Time the Tor- toife perceives the Inconvenience of its Bulk by its own Weight and great Quantity of Eggs, which are fometimes above two Thoufand, and being forced by a natural Neceflity, fhe quits the Sea, during Night, and comes to find out upon the Shore a proper Place to lay her Burthen in, or at leafl fome Part of it; and having found out one convenient for this Purpofe, which is always a Heap of Sand, fhe contents herfelf that Night, in only taking a View of the Place, and retires gently into the Sea again, leaving the Bufinefs to be done the Night following, or very fpeedily; all the Day fne feeds upon the Plants growing on the Rocks in the Sea, without being far diftant from the Place where flue is to lay her Burthen. The Sun being upon the Declenfion, they may he fecn drawing near to Land, and watching here and there, as if they miftrufted an Ambufcade : And as their Sight is very piercing, if they per- ceive any Body on the Shore, they will feek out for another Place wherein they have more Confi- dence ; but if they fee no Body, they come afhore when it is dark. After having obferved all Sides with great Diligence, they begin to work and dig in the Sand with their fore Feet, making a round Hole of a Foot broad, and a b oot and a half deep ; which being made, they lay therein two or three Hundred Eggs, as big and round as a Tennis-Ball. The Egg-Shells arc foft as wetted Parchment; the White will not boil hard at all, though the Yellow hardens eafily. The Toitoije remains above an Hour in laying her Eggs; and during that Time a Coach •y-a/ • 7 y-0-c" ('/ ■ Book I. Of A N I M A L S. 6^ Coach might drive over her Body, and the not different- Colours, and conftantly fpotted on the ftir from the Place. Having difcharged her Bur- Back with fmall Stars; they are alfo much lefs, which then without Interruption, fhe covers the Hole fo is the Reafon why thefe Skins are very little ufed' dexteroufly, and throws the Sand about every at Paris, and indeed fcarce any where but in where fo naturally again, that it is extremely dif- Auvergne. Thofe two Kinds of Skins are ficult to find the Eggs : That being done, fhe leaves them, and returns to the Sea, The Eggs are hatched in the Sand in about forty Days Time ; at the End of which the little Tortoifes , being as big as young Quails, make firait to the Sea, without being {hewn the W ay. Thofe that are taken by the Way, they fry whole, and fo they are delicious Meat. [The Kinds of Tortoife of which any Part is ufed in Medicine, are the Land Tortoife. Tejludo terrejiris vulgaris Raii Synopf An. 243. Tejludo terrejlris Jonf. de Jhiad. 144. Aldrov . de Quad. Ovip. 705. The Blood of this kind is efteemed good in Hedlics and Epilepfies. 2. The Turtle, or Sea Tortoife, Tejludo marina vulgaris Raii Syn. Anim. 254. Tejludo marina Aid. de Quad. Ov. 712. Jonf de Quad. 147. The Gall of this Species is efteemed good in Dif- temperatures of the Eyes, and the dried Penis in the Stone. And, 3. The Frefti- water Tortoife. Tejudo aquarum didcium et lutaria. Raii Syn. An. 254. Teftuda aqua dulcis et lutaria. Aldrov. de Quad. Ov. 710. Jonf. de Quad. 146. The Blood and Gall of this are faid to poifefs the V irtues of the former, but none of them are much ufed with us.J 37. Of the Sea-Dog. Pomet. '"p H E Sea-Dog is a pretty large Fifti, that is found in feveral Parts, but efpecially about Spain , and at Bayonne. Of all the Parts of this Fifti, we deal in none but the Skin, which we fell, becaufe of the great Service it is of to the Workers in Wood, as Turners, & c. being very proper to polifh withal. The true Dog-Skins, to be fine, ought to be large and broad, of a rough Grain, not too large nor too fmall, and fupplied with Ears and Fins. The Brain of this Fifti dried is very aperitive and good in the Gravel, and for Women at the Time of their Delivery ; the Dofe is from a Scruple to a Drachm in White Wine. We have befides, from the Lower Normandy , the Skin of a Fifti that is very like the Sea-Dog, and which they call Douceite , or Roufette, the Spotted- Fijh, which fome Workmen ufe inftead of the Dog-Skin, tho’ there is a good deal of Dif- ference, becaufe the Dog-Skin is very rough, and the Roufette very little fo; and befides, the Dog- Skin is always brown, and the Roufettes are of ‘Vol. II. alio ferviceable to other Tradefmen, as Sheath and Cafe-Makers. We fell likewife another Fifli- Skin, which has no othe Ufe in France, England, and other Parts, than to make Knife Handles of. Mijlelus, or Galeus Iccvis, is a Kind of Sea-Dog , which the Italians call Lemery. Pefce Columho ; it is a Fifti that weighs above twenty Pounds ; it is covered with a Skin that has no Scales, that is foft to the Touch, and of a whitifh Colour ; it has no Teeth, but the Jaws are rough, and it feeds upon Fifti. The Fat is refolutive and emollient. There is another kind of Dog-Fifh, which is called Galeus AJerius, five Mufelus Stellaris , or the Star Dog-Fifo , that is like rhe former, only for the Spots upon it that are in the Form of Stars. The Virtues and Ufesof it are the fame with the other. This Fifti is called Mijlelus, as if you fhould fay, Mus Jlellatus , becaufe this Fifti, in its* Colour, fomewhat refembles that of a Moufe or Rat, and every one of the Species are fpangled with Stars. [The Sea-Dog, or Hound-Fifti, is the Cam's ma- rinus aut Galeus. Schonef Wh. 29. Galeus acanthias fiveSpinax. Raii Idthiogr. 56. Aldrov. dePifc. 399. The other kind, or Starry Dog-Fifh, is the Catulus major vulgaris. Raii Ish. 6 2. Canicula Arijlotelis Rondeletio Aldr. L. 3. cap. 34. Their Skins are ufed by Artificers in different Kinds of Work, but I know of no Ufe that was ever made of either of them in Medicine.] 38. Of the Tunny-Fifh. '"p HE Tunny, which the Latins call Pomet . -*■ Thunnus , is a pretty large, heavy, big-bellied Fifti, which is plentiful in the Medi- terranean, efpecially about Provence, and at Nice , from whence comes what we fell. There are like- wife a great many of them upon the Coaft of Spain. The Time of fifhing for the Tunny is in September and October ; and there are fo many things peculiar therein, that it is by the Fifhers generally fhewn to Strangers. Thefe two Months are the Time when the Tunny runs from the grand Ocean into the Mediterranean, towards the Levant , as the Anchovies do. When the Month of September comes, they caft into the Sea large Nets made of Rufh Cords, which they call Madragues, whicli are divided as it were into feveral Partitions, of which the firft is larger than K the 66 General Hijlory the others ; fo that the Tunnies entring the larger firff, do not return till the Net is full, which it is in a fmall Time, where the Fifhery is good, as well from the Plenty of the Fifh, as becaufe when one Tunny is gone in, the reft follow in a Flock like Sheep. The Net being taken out of the Sea, the Fifh die, not being able to live out of the Water; then they hang them up in the Air, open them, take out their Entrails, and take off the Head ; and having cut them in Pieces, broil them on large Gridirons, and fry them in Oil Olive ; and after having feafoned them with Salt, Pepper, and Cloves, and fome Bay Leaves, they put them into little Barrels, thus drefled, and ready to eat with frefh Oil Olive, and a little Vinegar, to tranfport into feveral Parts. We have two forts brought to Paris , which have no other Difference but that fome have the Back Bone taken out, and for that Reafon are called boned Tunny , and are ufually put up in little white Wood Barrels, broad at the Bottom, and narrow at Top; that which has the Bones left in it is in little round Barrels. Chufe both forts new, firm, well done in good Oil, and the Flefh white like Veal. Its Ufe is very common in Europe and feveral other Parts of the World ; as well becaufe it is always ready to eat, as becaufe it is of an ex- cellent Tafte, like Veal. They commonly catch with the Tunny another Fifh, which the Provin- cials call bnperadro , or Emperor , and Sea Hogs are alfo feen there ; they are always two and two together ; but as they are accuftomed to leap out of the Water, they get out of the Nets and fuffer not themfelves to be taken ; it is wonderful to fee how they leap both together in one Moment, and fall again into the Sea at once, as if they were tied together. Thunnus, vel Thynnus , or the Tunny , Lemery. is alarge, heavy, big-bellied Fifh, which is found plentifully in the Mediterranean Sea, in Provence , ltaly,zr\A Spain. Itiscoveredwithlarge, fmooth, ftraight Scales, and eats Sea Wrack, and other fort of maritime Food. The Flefh is firm, very good to eat, being of a VealTafte, butisfalted to prepare and keep it for T ranfportation, when it is called Tunny. It is very nourifhing, and of good Tuice, and yields a great deal of volatile Salt. It is reckoned proper to refill Poifon, againft the Bite of a Viper, Cfc. being eat, and applied outwardly. This Fifh is called Thunnus , from the Greek Word SJfif, to be carried with Impetuofity, becaufe this Fifh moves fo fwiftly. [The Tunny , or Spanijh Mackarel, is the Thyn- nus feu Thunnus Raii Ifthiogr. 167. Thunnus Aldr. de Pifc. 1 12. Orcynus Rond. dePifc. 1. 249. It is a good Food, ami is much commended againft of DRUGS. Book I. venomous Bites, but I am afraid is but a feeble Remedy in Cafes of fuch ConfequenceJ 39. Of Anchovies. B Elides the Tunny, we fell Anchovies , Pomet. that come from the fame Parts as the Tunny-, and we have confiderable Trade with them ; we chufe the leaft and neweft, white with- out, and red within, that are firm, and have round Backs, becaufe they pretend that the large and flat ones are Pilchers. When the Barrels are opened, the Pickle ought to be well tailed, and of a good Smell. Anchovies are taken in feveral Parts, as in the River of Genoa , in Catalonia , at Nice, Antibes, St. Tropez, and other Places in Provence. They are taken mofl commonly in the Night, and al- ways in May, June , and July , which are the three Months in the Year that they come from the grand Ocean into the Mediterranean to go to the Levant. When they fifh for the Anchovies, and would take a Quantity, they light a Fire upon an Iron Grate at the Poop of the Ship, to the end that the little Fifh following the Light, may be the eafier taken ; but that which is very remarkable in this Fifhing, is, that the Anchovies that are taken by means of the Fire, are not fo good, or fo firm, nor will they keep fo well, as thofe which are taken without it. The Fifhery being done, they tear from the Head the Gills, and other fuperfluous Garbage ; and this is the Difference betwixt them and the Pilchers, where they are left in ; andnot, as Mr. Furetiere fays, be- caufe of the Gall, which he, in his Book, takes no- tice of to be in their Heads. As to the manner of ordering them, they do nothing but range them in little Barrels of different Weight and Sizes, not weighing above five or fix and twenty Pounds, in which they put a due Quantity of Salt with the Anchovies. We fometimes, but very rarely, have dried Pilchers, prepared the fame Way as red Herrings • but die little Confumption there is of them gives no Encouragement to the Dealers to make any Demands for them. Being at Roy an, a little Town of Xaintogne, where there are a great many Pilchers, feveral Fifhermen af- fured me, that thefe Fifh never fwarm but in Shoals, and that under theCondudl of a King, or Captain, like the Bees. Apua, five Aploya , or the Anchovie, is a little Sea Fifh, as thick and long as one’s Lemery. Finger, having a thick Head. The Eyes are broad and black ; the Body of a filver white, and reddifh within, and the Back round. They do not fvvim but in Companies, and cling fall •• ' : . - - . ' - . . • . * . . ■ - fftty; Outarg0y or Potargo , is the Spawn of a Fifh, which the People of Provence call the Mullet, very frequent in the Mediterra- nean. The beft is that which comes from Tunis in Barbary. It is likewife made at Martcgue , eight Leagues from Marfcilles. The reddeft is mod valued. They eat it on Faft-Days with Oil Olive and Lemon. There is alfo a Stone found in the Head of this Fifh, which is aperitive, and good for the Stone, theDofe is from half a Scruple to two Scruples. The Caviere , or Cavial, which we have, comes from Italy , is made in feveral Parts of the Levant from the Spawn of a Fifh, which fome have af- fured me was the Sturgeon , which I fhall not afiert to be fo, not knowing it pofitively. I fhall only fay this, that they eat a great deal of it in Italy, and but little in France , it not being fo well known, no more than the Boutargo , efpecially at Paris. Mu gil, CepbaluSy or the Mullet, Lemcry. whereof Boutargo is made, is a Sea and River Fifh, which has a great Head, from whence it is called Ccphalus , which figni- fies a Head ; the Muzzle is thick and fhort, the Body oblong, covered with Scales. They find a Stone in its Head, which is called Echinus , or SpbondiluSy becaufe it is fet with Prickles. This Fifh is common in the Mediterranean ; it fwims with an extraordinary Swiftnefs, and gives fome Diflurbance to the Fifhermen. It is good Meat, and yields Abundance of Oil and Phlegm, with fome little volatile and fixed Salt. The Ventricle being dried and reduced to Powder, is proper to flop Vomiting, and ftrengthen the Stomach : This Stone found in the Head is very aperitive, and proper to difiolve the Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder. The Dofe is from half a Scruple to two Scruples. The Spawn of the Fifh ferves to make Boutarg of, which is ufually eat on Faft-Days. [The Mullety the Spawn of which which makes Boutargo , is the Mugil. Raii I fib. 214. Cephalus Rond, de Pifc. 1. 260. Caviere is the Spawn of the Sturgeon , Sturio Aid. de Pifc. 517. Sturio five Silurus. Salv. de Aq. 1 13. prepared with Salt, Vinegar, £s)V. and is more properly a Food than a Medicine.] 4 5. Of the Shark. 'T' HIS Fifh is called by the Spaniards Pomet. A Pbyburon, by the Dutch Hayc , and by the French , Requiem , becaufe it devours Men, and fo is the Occafion that Dirges are fung over them: It is in Shape very like the Sea-Dog , or Hound-fijh deferibed before. He is one of the moft gluttonous Animals in the World; nothing comes amifs to him ; tho’ it be a Log of W ood he will fwallow it, provided it be but greafy, for he fwallows without chewing. He is furious and bold, and will throw himfelf to the Shore, and remain almoft on the dry Land, that he may have the Opportunity of catching the Paffengers. Some- times he will bite at the very Oars with his fharp Teeth, for Rage and Madnefs that he cannot get at the Men which are in the Boat. There is found in his Head two or three Spoonfuls of Brain that is as white as Snow, which being dried, reduced to Powder, and taken in white Wine, is excellent for the Gravel. The Reverend Father du Tertre has made a long Difcourfe of this Animal, to which the Reader may have Recourfe. Some have given the Name of Tiberon to this Animal, and others that of the Fifh with two hundred Teeth ; and he is fo furious, that with one Bite he will fnap off the Thigh of a Man Befides thefe Animals, and Parts of them where- of I have treated, we fell, tho’ very rarely, the Bone of the Shark's Head, as alfo thofe of the Crocodile, Carp, Perch, CA. with the Jaws of the Pike; and, in Fiance , the Druggifts are per- mitted to fell all Sorts of Salt-Fifh, either Whole- fale or Re tale. Carcharias, Canis Marinus , orthe Sea- Lemery. Dog, is an American F'ifh, that grows to a large Size, fo as to be two Ton Weight. It is long and thick, covered with a rough Skin. The Head is very great, and like a Dog’s ; the Mouth long and broad, furnifhed with Abundance of triangular Teeth, that are hard and fharp. The Eyes are large and round, the Body cartilaginous, the Tail about Book I. Of ANIMALS. about a Foot and a half long, and forked ; the Fins are great, it fwims in the deep Sea, but fome- times enters into the Mouths of the Rivers to purfue its Prey ; it lives on Fifh and Flefh, but is very eager after that of Man. Jobnfon relates, that he found in one of thefe Sea-Dogs a whole Man. They are of feveral Sizes. Their Flefh is eat, but it is not good. The Skin is of great Ufe to feveral Artifts. The Head contains in it two or three Ounces of Grain, that is very white. The Teeth are ufed to rub Children’s Gums with, to make their Teeth cut. [The Shark is the Cams Carcharias. Aid. De Pifc. 383. Cards Car charts feu Lamia Rati l£ib. 4j. Cants Arijloteli five Car char is Jonf de Pifc. 13. The petrified Teeth of this Fifh are what are called GloJJ'opetra , they are hung by the good Women about Childrens Necks, in Imagination that they affift them in the Time of cutting their Teeth. They are alio laid to be cordial, alexi- pharmick, and fudorifick taken inwardly, but I believe few have tried them.] 46. Of Pearl. Pomet. 'THE Pearls are little round Bodies, A or rough and round ifh, that are found both in the Eaftern and Weftern Seas. There are feveral forts of them, which are more or lefs valued, according as they are large, round, and of a fine Water, and according the Place from whence they are taken, as the following Ac- count from Mr. Tavernier , who in his Travels has made a curious Enquiry after them, will fhew. Thefe Pearls are found, fays he, both in the Eaft and Weftern Oceans. And though I have never been in America , yet as well for the Reader’s Satif- faclion, as that nothing may be omitted, I fhall relate all the Parts where the Pearl Fifhings are, beginning with thofe of the Eaft. Firft of all, there is Pearl Fifhing about the Ifle of Bahren in die Gulph of Perfa. This belongs to the King of Perfa , and therein is a good Fortrefs that enter- tains a Garrifon of three Hundred Men. The Water which they drink in this Ifland, and that -of the Coaft of Perfa , is like fait Water, and of an ill Tafte, and what none but thofe of the Country are able to drink. As for Strangers, if they will have frefh Water, they muft pay for it ; being only to be had a League or two off, by put- ting to Sea five or fix Perfons in a little Vcfiel, and drawing Water with a Bottle from the Bottom of the Sea, where for about two or three Foot at the Bottom of the Water is fv/eet, and pleafant to drink. When they that dive to the Bottom of the Jfiea to draw up this Water have filled the Veffel, and flopped it ciofe, they give a Pull to a fmallCord, which is tied to one of thofe in the Boat, which is the Signal to his Comrades to pull him up. During the Time that the Portuguefe were pof- feffed of Ormus and Mafcate , every Veffel that went out to fifh, was obliged to take from them a Paffpcrt, that coft fifteen Abaffs , and they kept always feveral Brigantines to fink fuch as refufed. But fince that the Arabs have retaken Mafcate , and that the Pcrtuguefe have no Forces upon the Gulph , every Man that fifties, pays only to the King of Perfa five Abaffs , whether he has Succefs in his Fifliery, or catches nothing at all. The Merchant a'fo gives fome fmall Matter to the King out of every thoufand Oyfters. The fecond Fifliery of Pearls is oppofite to Bahren , on the Coaft of Arabia Faelix, near the City of Catifa , which belongs to a Prince of the Arabs, with all the Country thereabouts. All the Pearls taken in thofe Parts are moftly fold in the Indies ; becaufe the Indians are not fo difficult to be pleafed as we, and will take the rough as well as the round. They likewife ; c^rry fome to Balfara. Thofe that go into Perfa and Mufcovy are fold at Bander-CongOy two Days Journey from Ormus. In all the Places I have named, and other Places of Afa, they admire, ^he Pearl that is upon the yellow Water, more than the white, becaufe they fay the Pearly with that Water, retains its Livelinefs, and will not fade ; but that the white will not laft above thirty Years without lofing its lively Colour ; and not only the Heat of the Country, but the Sweat of the Perfon that wears them, will difcolour them with an ugly yellow. Before I leave the Gulph of Ormus , I muft beg leave to give an Account of that admirable Pearly which the Prince of the Arabs had, who took Mafcate from the Portugufey who took then the Name of Imenecl, Piince of Mafcate, but was called before that, Aceph Aen Aliy Prince of Nor- envae. It is no other than a petty Province, but the beft of all the Arabia Faelix. There grows every thing that is neceffary for human Life, but particularly thefineft Fruits, and efpecially Grapes, whereof they may make excellent Wine. This Prince had the fineft Pearl that was in the World not for its Size, for it weighed not above twelve Carats, or its perfe£l Roundnels; but becaufe it was fo clear and tranfparent, that you might al- moft fee clearly through it. As the Gulph over- againft Ormus was not above twelve Leagues over from the Happy Arabia to the Coaft of Ftrfa , and the Arabs were at Peace with the Perfansy the Prince of Mafcate came to pay a Vifit to the Kan of Ormus, who treated him very magnificently, and invited to his Entertainment, the Fnglijh and Duuhy ni General Hijtory of DRUGS. Book L Dutch , and feveral other Europeans , of which Number I was one. When Dinner was over, the Prince took this Pearl from a little Purfe that hung about his Neck, and fhewed it to the Kan and all the Company. The Kan would have bought it, for a Prefent to the King of Perfia , and offered him to two Thoufand Tomens, but it would not do. Since that, I palfed the Sea with a Banian Merchant, which the Great Mogul had fent to that Prince to offer him Forty Thoufand Crowns for that Pearl , which he would not take. This Story lets us fee as to what relates to Jewels ; thofe which are fine are not always brought into Eu- rope , but rather carried out of Europe in Afia ; be- caufe in all thofe Parts, they fet a great Price upon precious Stones and Pearls that are of an ex- traordinary Beauty, except in China and Japan, where they do not mind them at all. The next Place, in the Eaftern Parts where there is a Fifhery of Pearls , is in the Sea that beats upon a large Town, called Manor , in the Ifle of Ceylon. Thefe are the fineft for their Water, and their Roundnefs, of all the other Fifheries, but there are rarely any found that ex- ceed three or four Carats Weight. There are, moreover, upon the Coaft of Japan , Pearls of a very fine Water, and very large, but uneven or rough ; but they never fifh for them, becaufe, as I have been faying, the Japoneze do not value Jewels. Although the Pearls which are found at Bahren and Catifa are a little upon the yellow, they will yield as good a Price as thofe of Manor, as I have obferved ; and throughout all the Eaft, they allow they are then come to their full Ma- turity, and will never change Colour. I come now to the Weftern Fifheries, which are all in the great Gulph of Mexico, along the Coaft of New Spain , and they are five in Num- ber, lying in Order, from the Eaft to the Weft, as follows. The firft is along the Ifle of Cuba, which is not above three Leagues about, and five, or thereabouts, diftant from the Terra firtna. It is in fix Degrees and a half of Northern Latitude, and one Hundred and fixty Leagues from St. Do- mingo, in the Ifle called Hifipaniola. This is a very barren Soil, and wants every Thing, efpecially Water, which the Inhabitants are obliged to fetch from the Terra firma. This Ifland is famous in the Wejl-Indies , becaufe it is the Place where there is the greateft Fifhery of Pearls , though the largeft of them, exceed not five Carats Weight. The fecond Fifhery is in the Ifle of Margarit, that is to fay, the Ifle of Pearls, a League from Cuba, which it very far furpafles in Bignefs. It produces every Thing neceffary for Life, only that it wants Water as well as Cuba , and they are forced to bring it from the River Cumana , near New Cadiz. This Fifhery does not yield the moft Plenty of all the Five that are in America , but is efteemed the Chief, becaufe the Pearls which are found here excel the other in Goodnefs, as well for their Water as their Bignefs. One of thefe laft, which I have had in my Pofteffion, be- ing fhaped like a Pear, and of a fine Water, weighed fifty five Carats, and I fold it to Cha Ejt Kan, Uncle to the Great Mogul. Several Perfons are fiirprized, and wonder why we fhould carry Pearls out of Europe into the Eajl-Indies, where they have fo many : But they fhould take Notice that in their Fifheries of the Eaft, they do not meet with fuch large ones as in the Weft; adding to this, that all the Kings and great Lords of Ajia, will give a greater Price than thofe in Europe, not only for Pearls, but all forts of Jewels, that have any Thing excellent in them, except Diamonds. The third Fifhery is at Comogota, pretty near the Terra firma. The fourth is at Rio de la Blacha, along the fame Coaft. The fifth and laft is at St. Martha' s, about fixty Leagues from Rio de la Hacha. All thefe three Fifheries produce pretty large Pearl, but for the moft Part they are ill fhaped, or irregular, and of a black or leaden Water. As for the Scotch Pearl, and thofe found in one of the Rivers of Bavaria , though there have been Necklaces of them valued at a Thou- fand Crowns and upwards, yet they are not to be equalized with the oriental or occidental Pearl. Of later Years there has been a Fifhery difeovered in a certain Part of the Coaft of Japan, and I have feen fome of the Pearl which the Dutch have brought from thence, that have been of a fine Water, and large, but irregular. Before I finifh this Chapter, I will give you a Remark worth Confideration, in Relation to Pearls , and the Difference of their Waters; fome being very white, fome inclining to yellow, and others upon the black, which are, as it were, of a leaden Colour. As to thefe laft, they are met with no where but in America, and their Colour comes from the Nature of the Soil, which is fuller of Mud than that of the Eaftern Parts. In the Return of the Cargo which the Sieur du Jardin, the famous Jeweller, had in the Spanijh Galleons , there were fix Pearls, perfe&ly round, but as black as Jet, and which, one with another, weighed twelve Carats each. He gave me thefe, among other Things, to carry to the Eajt-Indies, and fee if I could dif- pofe of them ; but I brought them back again, and could meet with no Body that would look upon them. As to the Pearls which are inclined to yellow, that comes from hence, that the Fifher- men felling the Oyfters in Heaps, and the Mer- chant Book T. Of A N I chant flaying fometimes fourteen or fifteen Days before they open, to take out the Pearl ; fome of thel'e Oyiters, during this Time, lofe their Li- quor, which wafles and flinks, and the Pearl be- comes yellow from the Infection ; which is fo true, that in all the Oyfters that keep their Li- quor, or Water in them, the Pearls are always white ; but they wait till the Oyfters open of themfelves ; becaufe if they fhould open them by Force, as we do ours here, they would endanger the damaging and fplitting the Pearl. The Oyfters of the S Heights of Manor, open naturally . five or fix Days fooner than thofe of the Gulph of Perfia , becaule the Heat is much greater there, which is in tire tenth Degree of Northern Latitude, than in tire Ifle of Bahren, which is in the twenty- feventh ; and therefore among tire Pearls that conre from Manor , there are but few yellow ones. In fhort, the People of all the Eaftern Countries are much of our Minds, in relation to Wlrite- nefs; for I have always made it my Obferva- tion, that they love the whiteft Pearl , the whiteft Diamonds, tire whiteft Bread, and the faireft Wo- men. Margarita ’, Uniones, vel Perlee , Pearls , Lemery. are little Stones almoft round, oval, or fhaped like Pears, compaeft, hard, fmooth, white, firming, and of different Sizes, which are formed in certain Oyfters, whofe Shells are ,of different Bignefs: But there fome of them met with that are three or four Times as big as the Rouen Oyjlers. They fiftr for thefe Pearl Oyfters in the Eaftern and Weftern Ocean, as you may fee at Length in Mr. Tavernier s Travels. The Antients called thefe Pearls Uniones , becaufe they believed there never was but one in an Oyfter ; but they were deceived, for we fometimes find feven in a Shell. They are bred from a vifeous, or faline, glutinous Humour, that is condenfed and petrified in feveral Parts of the Fifh. Inftead of a particular Part being affign’d for the Generation of Pearl , they breed indifferently in all the Parts of the Oyfter, but are moft commonly found in the largeft and beft fhaped Oyfters rather than in others ; thefe Oyfters are as good to eat as the common Sort. Sometimes we meet with Pearl in Mufcles, and other Shell Fifh, as well as in Oyfters. All Pearl is efteemed cordial, proper againft Infection, to recruit and reftore loft Spirits ; but their chief Virtue is to deftroy Acids, as other Alcalies do, and likewile to correct the Acrimony of the Stomach. Pearl is likewife good againft a canine Appetite, a Flux of the Belly, the Hemor- rhage, Gfc. The Dofe from fix or ten Grains to 2. Drachm. Voi. II. M A L S, 73 47. The Manner of the Pearl breeding in the Oyfter. T Know, that on the Authority of fir- Pomet t A veral antient Authors, that were not well informed in the Nature of Things, it is com- monly believed that Pearl is bred from the Dew of Heaven, and that there is never above one in .1 Shell ; but Experience has let us fee the contra- ry: For as to tire firft, the 0 )fter never flits from the Bottom of the Sea, where the Dew can never come ; and as to the other, it is certain that there are found from fix to feven Pearls in a fingle Oyfter ; for I have one in my Hands, where there are ten Pearls , that were in the Courfe of Forma- tion. It is true, they are not all of the fame Size, for they breed in the Oyfter juft as Eggs in the Belly of the Hen ; for as the largeft Egg advances firft to be excluded, the leaft flay behind, till they have acquired their Bignefs ; fo the largeft Pearl advances firft, and the other lefs, not having at- tained to their Perfection, remain under the Oyfter at the Bottom, till they are grown to the Size that Nature has appointed for them ; but we cannot fay there is a Pearl in every Oyfter, for there are feveral opened in which there are none at all. The Pearl-Fifhing in the Eajl-lndies is twice a Year; the firft is in Alar eh and April, and the fecond in Augujl and September ; and the Sale of them is from June to November. The Peopl* are fo poor, and live fo miferably along the Coaft on the Perfian Gulph, that they muft ftarve but for this Fifhery, for they have neither Bread nor Rice, and eat nothing but Dates and Salt- Filh ; and they muft go twenty Leagues in the Country before they can meet with a Plant. The more Rain there falls in a Year, the better the Pearl-Fifhing is. Many have imagined, that the deeper in Water the Oyfter is found, the Pearl therein is the whiter, becaufe the Water is not fo hot, and the Sun finds greater Refiftance to get fo the Bottom ; but that is only a groundlefs Fancy. They fifti from four to twelve Fathom deep ; and this Fifhery is upon the Banks, where there arc fometimes Two hundred Barks, or little Vcflels, at a Time, in moft of which there is not above one Diver, or two at moft. Thefe Boats go off' every Day from the Coaft before the Sun rifes, with a Land-Breeze, which lafts till ten a Clock in the Morning, and in the Afternoon they return with the Sea-Breeze, that conftantly, about eleven or twelve at Noon, fuc- ceeds the other. The Banks upon which they fifh, are five or fix Leagues out at Sea, and when they come there, they fifh thus for the O) fters : L They 74 General Hijlory of DRUGS. Book I, They tie a Cord under the Arms of thofe that dive,' of which thofe that remain in the Boat take hold of the End. They tie to the great Toe a Stone of eighteen or twenty Pounds, of whicl thofe that are in the Boat take hold aKo by a Cord. They have befides a Net made like a Sack whofe Mouth is made round like a Urcle* that it may keep open, and this Net is tied Tke tho reft. Then the Diver goes down into the oca, and as foon as he is at the Bottom, where he is quickly by the Weight of the Stone, he nimbly Sn esftie Stone, which thofe in the Boat draw up again. As long as the Diver can hold hi Breath, he put the Oyfters into the Net, and when he finds he can hold no longer pulls the Cord that is tied under his Arms ^ t hat e Signal that he would come up, and thofe that . in° the Boat draw him up as qu.ck ^poffible Thofe at Manor are more expert at fifhmg, and flay longer in the Water than the Fifltermen of Bahren and Catifa , for they put nothing in their Nofes or Ears to keep out the Water, as the> do in the Gulph of Perfta. . , After they have drawn up the Diver into the Boat, they take about half a Quarter of an Hour s Time to empty the Net of the Oyfters. In the mean while the Diver recovers his Breath, and then returns to the Bottom of the Sea, as bcfoie , whiclThe does feveral Times for ten or tweDe Hours tpgether, and then returns to Lane . concludefnis Difcourfe of Pearl we ought to ob- ferve, that throughout Europe they fell by the C - rat which is four Grains, as well as that of the Diamond Weight ; but in Afta they ule feveral Weights. In Perfia they weigh Pearls by the Abas, and an Abas is an Eighth lefs than our Carat. In ‘the Indies , efpecially in the Great tries, and in the Kingdoms of Gokonda and Vtfa pour, they weigh by the Ratis, and that is alfo an Eighth lefs than the Carat. ft, was formerly the Place where the peat Trade of Afia lay for Diamonds, Reo.es, bapph.rs, , Tnna7es and other precious Stones. All t Miners and Merchants came here to fell whatever v - as fine from the Mines, (Ac. Here alfo was the creat Commerce of Pearls from ad Parts of Afta, % a lfo of thofe from America. As for Africa, this Sort ofTraffick is unknown to them, becaufe the Women there are contented with Pjeccs of rtvifal or feme Grains of falfe Coral, Giafs Beads, or yellow Amber, to make Necklaces and Bracelets of As to the Pearl we ufually fed, U A ? £C d Pearl, which is for medicinal Lfrs, be- In. proper to reduce into Powder by the Mortar or'Mu'ler, it ought to be white, clear, transparent, a,d true Oriental, rejefting all ether Kurds, efpe- ciallv the Scotch or Brujfels Pearl, being nothing but an artificial or counterfeit Sort. The Ule or Pearl is to put in Potions, or other Cordial Com- pofitions. The Ladies of Quality ufe the fine ground Powder of it, to give a Luftre and Beauty to the Face. They make of it hkewife, with Acids (Ac. a Magiftery and Salt, to which they attribute large Virtues; befides other imaginary Preparations ; as the Arcanum of Pearl, the Flowers, Spirits, Efienccs, Tin&ures, and the like, to pick Fools Pockets ; but the beft and only ufcful Preparation of it, is the Powder well levi- ^ t Pearls are a morbid Excrefcence from the Shells they are found in, of a ftony Subftance, and confifting of feveral Strata , like the Bezoar and other Animal Stones, and have no other Vir- tues however extolled than thofe of the Shell they are bred in. , , , The Scotch Pearls are found in the common Oyfter, and are often as big as a fmall Pea, and fometimes, though feldom, larget. , The oriental and occidental Pearls, of which the former are moft efteemed, and of thofe, efpecially thofe of Ormus, are found in the Concha Margarififera plerifque Berber is f lt G ul f Indis difta. Lift. Hft. and in Oyfters and Mufcles, of many Kinds.] W 48. Of Mother of Pearl. E bring to Paris great greyifh Shells Pomct. » » that are rough and uneven on the Outfide, and of a white, inclining a little to oe grecnifh within, which they call, though impro- perly, by the Name of Mother of Pearl ; not becaufe the Pearl is bred in them, as a great many People believe, but becaufe they are on the Inlide of the Colour and Water of oriental Pearl, as they are alfo without, when they are prepared with Aqua Forth. Thefo Shells ferve for feveral Sorts of fine Works : And as they are alkaline and ap- proach to the Virtues of Pearl, a great many People preferve and grind them into Powder after which they form them into Troches, and fed them foi prepared Pearl. The Mater Perlarum or A acre ae Perks, in Englijh, Mother of Pearl, is a Lemery. kind of Oyfter, of which there are fe- vend Sorts that are within of the Co.our am Beauty of the oriental Pearl. I have preferred by me one of thefe Shells that weighs feventeen Ounces, and is as broad as both my Hands. Chufc the whitell, and of the beft Luftre. I hey make of thefe Shells Snuff-Boxes, and a great many other toe polilbed Works, tlut are neat, taooth. Book I. and very agreeable to the Eye. And likewife grind it to Powder on a Porphyry, and it is ufed by the Women amongft their Pomatums, for a Fuau to beautify the Face. . [The Mother of Pearl is the Concha Margari- tlfera , Mont. Ex. 6. Be lion. Aq. 202. Concha Mater Unionum , Rond. Aq. 2. 33. Concha Mater Unionum dicta, free Mar gar itif era, Bonan. 93. 11. n. x. It is one of the many Shells in which Pearls 2re found. It is as good an Alkali as the rell of the fame Clafs, and though not often preferibed, is very often ufed, being generally a Succedaneum for die true Pearl.'] 49. Of the Shell of the Sea Snail, called Concha Venerea. Pjjnet. \\f HAT we call the Porcelain , or Sea ' ’ Snail Shell, and the Latins, Concha Venerea , is the little white Shell diat is brought from feveral Parts of the Eajl and IVefl- Indie*, hung in Strings in the Nature of Beads, and brought to us in Bunches ; fo that in a Parcel where there are feveral of thefe Bunches,. there are more than a Thoufand of thefe little Shells. The Siamois, Arovargues , and the People of New Spain , ufe thefe little Shells as we do Money here. T hey ■are ufed in Powder with us as Pearl ; chufe the leaft and the whiteft. There are feveral Sorts of them deferibed by fohnjlon, but we have only given the Figure of one, which is the Kind kept by the Druggifts. It was once an Opinion, that the fine China Ware was made of thefe Shells, £sV. but it is now known to be made of an Earth j though •the Manner of Painting it, and other Particulars, are yet a Secret. Concha Venerea, Porcelaine, or Puce - Lemery. lage , is a little Sea Snail Shell, fomethirrg larger than a Pine Kernel, longifh, white, and fmooth, which is brought us from the Indies, ftrung feveral together like Beads. They ferve the Natives there lor Money. They make a better white than Pearl, and are ufed in Paint for the Face. Befides which, they are alcaline, and a good Sweetner of the Blood, but are not much ufed in Phyfiek. [The Porcelaine, cr Money Shell, is the Concha Venerea , Conchula Cytheriaca, Mont. Exot. 6. Venerea in Mari Siculo et Tareniino frequens, uli vulgo vocatur Porcelletta. Bonan. 145. n. 251. It is an Alkali, like the reft of the Teffaceous Kind, but never ufed in Medicine.] 50. Of the Dentalium, or Dog Tooth-fhell. Pomet . T H E true Dog Tooth-Jhell , or Denta- Hum, not Dantalis, as it is com- 5 75 monly called, is a kind of Pipe of about three Inches long, thick at one End, and fmall at the other, made like a Dog’s Tooth, of a greenilh fhining White, adorned with ftraight Lines that go from one End to the other. It is hollow, and light, of the Size of a Quill at the thick End, and fmaller by Degrees, to the other End. This true ‘Tooth-Jhell is fo rare, that it was never rightly deferibed by any one ; and if it were not that Mr. Tournefort has given me one, the Figure of which is engraved in Plate 86, I fhould have been obliged to pafs it over in filence, and fay, with Schroder and others, that it was that fmall hollow Pipe of feveral Colours, which is very commonly found on the Sea Side, and fold in the Shops for the true Dentalium , and which the Apo- thecaries improperly ufe as fuch in feveral Galenical Compofitions. Several likewife ufe a Bone from the Head of a Sea Fifh for the true Tooth-Jhell. As to the Virtues of this, it is an Alcali, to be ufed as other teffaceous Powders. [The Looth-Jhell is the Dentalium , Mont. Exot. 6. Dentale Icevum, album, altera extremitate ru~ fejeens, Lijl. Hijl. Conch. 4. Sect. 1 1, n. 2. Tu- bulus Dcntalis lavis, Lang. Meth. Tejl. 5. It is found in the Britijh Seas, and is of an oblong, fiender, cylindrical Shape, fomething crooked, and open at both Ends. It has been made an In- gredient in many Compofitions, but is very little ufed at prefent.] 51. Of the Antalium, or Entaglia. '"pHE true Antalium is as little known Pomet. A as the former, fince the Apotheca- ries conftantly, for tht true Antalium, ufe a hollow Pipe, of different Colours and Sizes, not exceed- ing, however, that of a large Quill. Thefe Pipes are found at the Bottom of the Sea, and upon Rocks, fometimes feparate, and fometimes feve- ral of them together ; they ferve for feveral little Sea-Worms to creep into. And feveral Authors, efpeciall y Rondelet, ;an eminent Phyfician of Mont- pelier, calls thefe Pipes, Tubili Marini. I fhall not flop here to relate the long Difcourfe of Re~ nou in his Book, but affirm, according to Mr. Tournefort , who is a Man of the greateft Perfpi- cuity, as well in Plants as Shells, that Europe has bred thefe many Years, that the true Antalium is another fort cf Pipe, which grows likewife at the Bottom of the Sea. This Pipe is about an Inch and a half long, and the Bignefs of a large Quill at the thick End, and that of a little Quill at the other. It is hollow and thick at one End, and flender at the other. As to the Colour it is always L 2 white, O/ANIMALS; ^ 5 General Hijiory of white, but differently fo, being found of a greemfh white, and a more unpolifhed white, &c. As to the Choice of thefe two Pipes, there is no other than to take the true ; for the Virtue of the Anta- lium is nothing different from that of the Dent ahum , they being both Alcalies and Diiers. [The Entaglia is the Ehtallmm , Char It. Ex. 03. Tub ulus dcntalis Jlratus , Lang. Mcth. Teft.Tubulus out Sipbimcuhts mans. Bonan, 91. It is like tne Tooth-fliell, but longer and thicker, of a greenii Colour, and ftriated. It is brought to us from the Ea ft- Indies , and pofleffes the Virtues of the former, and other teftaceous Subftances, but is very little ufed.] DRUGS. Book t. c 2, Of the Umbilicus Marinus. Pomet. WJ HAT the Latins calls Umbilicus W Marinus , i. e. Sea- Navel, is the Covering of a Sea Snail, that is very common in the Mediterranean , which Rondelet ca s oc. ea calata. This Lid is tied to one End of the * dh, and when it retires into its Shell it draws after it the Lid or Covering, which touts the Mouth of the Shell fo exaftly, that the Sea-Water cannot enter. Rondelet informs us, with good Reafon, that the true Umbilicus Marinus is a Shell very differen t From this Covering, which he defcnbes in the 3811 and 30th Chapters of the fame Book ; but Cuftom has decided this Controverfy in Favour of his Co- vering, which muff be ufed when the Umbilicus Marinus is prefcribed: It is of different Sizes. ' That which is mod frequently feen is not much broader than a Farthing, and of about the i hick- nefs of a Crown-Piece. It has its Denomination from the Similitude it bears to that Part, of which it bears the Name. It is flat on one Side and convex on the other, and of different Colours, the flat Side being fometimes whitilh, but commonly of a mottled brown, and the convex Side, white with a Mixture of yellowifh or reddiih. Some inftead of this, tho’ it is not very Scarce, me the Shell of a Sea-Snail called Nenta, bt which Mr. Tournefort gives the following Account. The Hiftory of the Nerita is very confufcd in both antic, it and modern Authors. But that which Rondelet takes for the Delian Nenta, is a kind of Sea-Snail that is found in the Mediterranean, and which the Waves caff upon the Sands m tne fame Places with the Solen. Thefe Snails are as big as the Land-Snails, and pretty like them in ehape ; hut they are much thicker, fmoother, and ufually redder within : Outwardly they are met with of different Colours. Rondelet fays, that the Sort he fpeaks of are marked or fpotted with BlacIaJ. virgatus et fubcesruleus, and Solen famina uni - color. L 'tjler. H. Conch. 9. 412. The calcined Shell is faid to be a good Diurctick, but is nc\ er ufed at prefent.] BOOK BOOK II. Of fossils. PREFACE. r j n A u Ward FoFil even Thin* that is found in the Bowels of the Earth-, as 1 Z d ‘ rJ \ i ll i Mmt Mien's Bftumeni Stones, and Earths. As my Deftgn is to begin W Mm k I tall ft 1 biiXZat b the Word Metal, / mean a Body that is with Metals, _ / JhalL Ji j j ’ f h e j te ^ u t jj e Fire, is dufttle, and hard of a Subflfceahke m all, Is Parts . that may bg » J Bitumcns> Earths, md V> * Tfm t tZ hZ’fW ^"Is j-Zldijpt,, concerning the Number of Metals*- fame will have them to be nine, others feven, and others fix-, thofe whomae &L Friday ; JW* VrelTfTrefrt^d to thl Chaper of Mercury, and begtn here with Gold, •which is the chief of all Metals. i. Of Gold. O L D is the moft perfect of all Metals, which has occafioned its being called the King of Metals , the moft precious, the heavieft, and moft malleable, and of a Alining yellow Colour. Gold is brought from many Parts cf thi World, but it comes in the largcft Quanti- ties from the Mines of Caravana in Peru , and of Valdivia in Chili , where it is fo common, that it has been ufed for the fame Purpofes as Pewter, Brafs, or Iron are here; and though this is the richeft Country for Gold of any that has come to our Knowledge, yet the Inhabitants are very poor, by reafon of the Dearnefs of all Provifions. 1 here are feveral other Places where Gold is found ; but the -reateft Quantity comes from Peru , becaufe there it is moft frequently found, and is refined with the leaft Trouble and Expence. Africa, Afia, and Europe produce Gold of four different Sorts. The firft is in Bits of different Sizes, which is fo fine and foft, that you may make an Impreffion upon it with a Seal, as if it were upon Wax. This natural Gold is called Virgin Gold. The fecond is in Grains. The third in Ore. The fourth in Sand. Thefe three laft Sorts are generally found after great Rains, in thofe Places through which the Torrents of Water have part; and even in the Bottom of Risers, efpecially fuch as have run through Mines of Gold ; as thofe of Datzin and Diguvira in Africa , where there are Negroes who make it their whole Em- ployment to l'each for it in the Bottom of the Rivers. We have Gold brought from feveral Parts, as Peru in tbe V/ef -Indies, Hungary, and Germany, but the laft is the worft of all. The Choice of Gold is to have it of as fine a Colour, and as pure as may be. I he greateft Part of the Gold we have in France, comes from P eru, whence it is brought in Wedges or Ingots to Cadiz , by tbe Spanilh Galleons. The Company in France bring from Senega a Gold which they call En Aunllet This is wrought by the Savages, which they feten from the Kingdom of Galan, which is near that of Tombut. The Dutch likewife bring Gold from Sumatra, and other Places of the haft- Indies, to- gether with their Peppers, and other Commodities of thofe Countries. There is yet another Sort of Gold, which is that of the Alchyrnijls , of which I (hall fay nothing becaufe I have no Knowledge of Book II. Of M E of it, leaving it to thofe who chufe to amufe them- felves, and feek the Ruin of their Families, in an Operation that does not feem to have much Pof- fibflity in it. By the Means of Chymiftry, they extra# from Gold many Things that are ufeful for human Life. The firft Preparation of Gold is the refining of it, which is done after four Man- ners ; to wit, the firft by Antimony, which is the beft; the fecond by the Cupel ; the third by Aqua Regia-, the fourth by the Cement. They call that which is refined by Lead, and Allies deprived of their Salt, or Bones burnt, Coppel Gold , which is that the Gold-beaters ufe to make Ltaf Gold cf. That which is refined by Aqua Regia , is called Gold by Departure , or Precipitation. Laftly, That which is called Gold by Cement , is that which is re- fined by the Means of a Pafte compofed of Brick, common Salt, Sal Ammoniack , Sal Gem , and Urine. There is a filth Refinement of Gold by Mercury ; but as thefe Matters are too long to be here parti- cularly deferibed, I lhall refer the Reader to the feveral Books of Chymiftry which treat thereof. Regulus of Gold. The Regulus of Gold is Gold refined by Anti- mony, and afterwards thrown into a Brafs Mortar, warmed and greafed in the fame manner as that into which is thrown the Regulus of Antimony. This Operation is feldom ufed becaufe of the Charge, and is feldom done but by fuch as have the Curiofity of having Gold that is extremely fine. Leaf Gold. What we call Leaf Gold is that which is re- fined by the Cupel, and then by the Help of a cer- tain Kind of Skins, or Beafts Bladders (which the French Workmen call Baudrucce) is by Hammer- ing reduced to Leaves extremely light and thin. It is a furprizing Thing to think that a Gold- beater can reduce an Ounce of Gold into i6co Leaves, each of which lhall contain feven and thirty Lines fquarc. And Monfieur Furetiere fays, that they can reduce Gold into one hundred and fifty-nine thoufand ninety two Times its fuperficial Size; and the Wire-drawers into fix hundred and fifty one thoufand five hundred and ninety l imes. There are five Sorts of Leaf Gold amongft the Gold-beaters of Paris : The fineft and moft dura- ble is that which is fold to the Sworu-Cutlers, wherewith they work their gilt and flowered Blades. The fecond is that which they k to Smiths and Armourers to gild their Iron and Wea- pons. The third is that which is ufed in gilding of Books. The fourth is ufed by Gilders of TALS. 7g Wood, and Painters. The fifth is that ufed in Phyfick, which the Apothecaries put into feveral of their Powders and Confections, as well for the Virtue of it, as for Ornament. They grind thefe Leaves of Gold, or the Clip- pings of them, which they call Brakieola, with Virgin Honey, and then put them into Mufcle- fhells ; and this they call Gold in Powder, or in the Shell. This Gold, fo prepared, is ufed for Painting in Miniature. Aurum Fulminans, or Crocus of Gold. The Aurum Fulminans , or Crocus Auri , is Gold in Pile-duft diflolved in Aqua Regia , and preci- pitated into a brown Powder by Oil of Tartar per Deliquium poured upon the Diflolution. This Powder dried has much more Force, and takes Fire fooner than Gun-powder. This Preparation of Gold is a Sudorifick very proper in the Small- Pox, given from two Grains to fix. It is likewise good to ftop Vomiting, and fupprefs the too vi- gorous Operation of mercurial Medicines. Amalgamation of Gold, or Gold- Powder. The Powder, or ground Gold, is made by- calcining Gold with Mercury and Sal Ammoniack % this is called Gold in Powder , or amalgamated, and is ufed by the Gilders, becaufe it fpreads eafily. There are fome who omit Sal Ammoniack in their reducing Gold to Powder, and only make ufe of Mercury. There are feveral other Preparations of Geld ; as Tinctures, Extracts, and the pre- tended Aurum Potabile. But fince they are not received by the World, I lhall only fay what ail all agree in, that the greateft Property of Gold is to give all Sorts of Perfections and Conveniences to him that is Mafter of it. Gold , in Latin , Aurum, Sol, Rex Ale- tall, rum, is the moftfolid, weighty, com- L, emery. pact, and precious of all Metals. It is generated in many Alines in different Parts of the World ; but the greateft Quantity is brought in Bars or Ingots from Peru to Cadiz by the Galleons of Spain. There is Gold likewife found in A fa, Africa , and Europe , fometimes in a Mafs, which is called Virgin-Gold, fometimes in Grains, fome- times in Ore, fometimes in Duft or Spangles. The firft is called Virgin-Gold , becaufe it comes pure out of the Mine, without any further need of Preparation, and is fo foft as to receive the Im- preflion of a Sea!, and is found in greater and lefi'er Pieces. The fecond is in Grains, but not fo fine as the firft, '1 he 8o General Hijlory of D R U G S, Book II. The third is a Gold mixed with other Metals, and the Marcafite or Mineral Stone, which are formed together as a Stone, cal'ed Gold Ore. The fourth is a Gold inDuft, or Spangles mixed with Sand. The three laft Sorts of Gold are generally found at the Bottom of Rivers, after great Rains and Tor- rents of Water, and the Negroes either dive for or wafh them out of the Sands. Gold is refined feveral Ways ; by the Cupel, by Departure, by Cementation, and by Antimony. ’1 he refining of Gold by the Cupel and Depar- ture, is done after the fame Manner as that of Sil- ver, of which hereafter. Gold is refined by Cementation in the following Manner: They make a hard Pafte with Sal Gem, and Sal Ammoniack , Chalk, and Urine. This Pafte 'is laid with Gold, Jlratum fuper Jlraiwn , in a Cru- cible, which is placed in a Furnace, and a large Fire beiag made about it, the Matter is left to calcine for ten or twelve Hours, that fo the Salts may penetrate the Foulnefs of the Gold, and throw it .off in Scoria ; and fo the Crucible being taken oft from the Fire, the Gold will be found fepa- rated from the Scoria. Gold is refined by Antimony after this manner : They weigh the Quantity of Gold they would re- fine, and make it red-hot in a Crucible, by a ft ron g Fire, and then throw in four Times the Quantity of Antimony in Powder ; foon after which the Gold will melt, for Antimony is full of a faline Sulphur, which not only very much augments the Heat, but, piercing into the Metal, divides the Parts very fpeedily : Then the impure or grofs Matters that were in the Gold is fwallowed up by the Antimony, to which they readily join them- felves, and fo feparate into Scoria , of which the more volatile Parts are diflipated into Smoke. They leave this Matter in the midft of a great Fire, till it fends forth Sparkles, and then they pour it into an Iron Mortar warmed and greafed, beating it about till the Regains fall to the Bottom. When all is cold, they empty the Mortar, and with a Ham- mer feparate the Regulus from the Scoria. They Weigh this Regains, and put it into a Crucible over a ftrong fire, to be melted a fecond Time; then, by little and little, they throwin three times as much Salt Petre to purify the Gold from any of the An- timony that may happen to remain. They con- tinue a very violent Fire about the Crucible till the Fumes are gone off, and the Gold remains in f ufion clear and neat: Then they turn it into a Mortar as before.; and, when it is cold, they fepa- rate the Scoria that are found underneath it ; then they walh it, and wipe it with a Cloth. This Re- gulus of Gold is as fine as poffibly can be ; and this Way of refining is preferable to all others, when they would cleanfe Gold exactly from other Metals. The Cupel will cleanfe Gold very well from Marcafitcs , and even from fuch Metals as are called imperfect, but not from Silver. This Me- tal is fo bound up and joined with Gold, that Re- courfe muft be had to the Departure before it is poffible to feparate them. Though the Departure feparates Gold from Silver; yet when the Geld is precipitated, it gene- rally carries with it fome Portion of the Silver. The Cementation often leaves the Gold undif- charged of fome Particles of other Metals, and the Salts entring into the Gold, difi'olve a little of it. But Antimony is a Devourer, which fpares no other Metal but Gold ; yea it will oftentimes gnaw off fome little Portion of it, and by that Means create fome Difpleafure to the Refiner. The Degrees of the Finenefs of Gold are called Carats : A Carat of Gold is of the Weight of a Scruple, and by confequence twenty four Carats make an Ounce. Gold that is entirely fine, is called Gold of twenty four Carats ; becaufe if you put an Ounce of fuch Gold to the Proof, it will not be dimi- niftied : But if an Ounce of Gold will wafte a Scruple in the Proof, it is Gold of twenty-three Carats ; if it wafte two Scruples, it is Gold of twenty-two Carats, and fo of the reft. But many Refiners believe that there is no Gold of twenty- four Carats; for let them refine it never fo well, there will ftill remain fome light Portion of Silver. Gold eafily mixes and unites with Qiiickfilver, and this is what is called Amalgama of Gold. To make it, they put Gold cut into very minute Pieces into a Crucible, leaving it to be red-hot ; to this they put eight times as much Quickfilver, ftirring it with a fmall Iron Rod, and when they find it in- corporated, they caft it into an earthen Veflel full of Water, where it cools and remains foft as Dough. They wafh it feveral Times to take away the Blacknefs, they then feparate the fuper- fluous Mercury, that is not well united to it, by putting it into a Cloth, and prelfing it gently with the Fingers. They throw a great deal of Quick- filver upon Gold, that it may charge itfelf with it as much as poflible ; for the more Mercury enters into the Amalgama, the fofter it will be, and the more pliable ; but Gold can receive no more than a certain Quantity, becaufe when its Pores are once full, the reft that is added is ufelefs. The Amalgama of Gold is ufed by the Gilders, becaufe it is eafily fpread over the Work prepared for it. Gold, when refined, will be extended by the Hammer more than any other Metal. The Gold- beaters Book II. Of M E Beaters reduce it into very thin Leaves, which they put into little Books. Thefe Leaves of Gold are ufed for Gilding. They are ufed likewife in com- pounding of Medicines, and are preferable to all other Preparations of this Metal ; not only becaufe they are eafily mixed, but becaufe they appear like Spangles, which beautify and fet off the Com- pofition. As Gold is the moft weighty, the moft compad, firm, and beautiful of all Metals, fo it has likewife beenefteemed the moft perfect; and a numerous Se£t of Philofophers, called Alchymifts, have thought that the Production of Gold was the principal Defign of Nature in all Mines ; and that it had been ob- ftructed from its due Courfe by fome Accident, when it produced other Metals. But this Opinion is not approved by all ; and one may very reafon- ably believe that Iron, Lead, Copper, and other Metals, that are called imperfeCt, have the Per- fection which they ought to have, according to their own Nature, as well as Gold. This Senti- ment of the Alchymifts has led them into another Chain of Reafonings, which are not more juft than the former : They believe that they can per- fect the imperfeCt Metals, byfupplying the Failure of Nature, and confequently that they can make Gold. It is this Operation, which they call the Great Work, or the Search of the Philofophical Stone. To arrive at which, fome of them make a Mixture of thefe Metals with fome Matters proper to refine them, and calcine them a long Time in a ftrong Fire, to arrive at their Perfec- tion, as if Nature had wanted Heat to produce them. Other put Metals into a Digeftion upon the Fire, in faline and piercing Liquors, fo to draw out the Mercury, which they fay is a Matter difpofed to be reduced into Gold. Others feek for a Seed of Gold in Gold itfelf, and believe they fhall find it there, as they do the Seed of a Vegetable in a Vegetable, and that of an Animal in an Animal. To accomplifh this, they endeavour to open Gold by Diffolvents ; and they put it to digeft by the Fire of a Lamp, or the Heat of the Sun, or that of Smoke, or Fume, or fome other Degree of Heat, always equal, which ap- proaches neareft to that which Nature makes ufe of. Others look for the Seed of Gold in the Mine- rals, as in Antimony, where they pretend there is a Sulphur and a Mercury like to that of Gold. Others hope to find it in Vegetables, as in Honey, Manna, Rofa Solis , and Rofcmary ; and others in Animals, as in the Spittle, the Blood, the Brain, the Heart, and the Excrements. Others imagine they can catch the Seed of Gold, by fixing the Rays of the Sun after a certain Man- VOL. II. T A L S. 81 ner; for they look upon it as a thing incon- teftable, that the Sun is Gold melted in the Cen- ter of the World, and that it is cupelled by the h ire of the Stars that furround it ; and that the Rays which it cafts, and that ftiine on all SiJcs of it, are the Sparkles which rife from it after the fame Manner that they do in refining Gold by the Cupel. I fhould enlarge too much, if I would here re- peat all the Fancies of the Alchymifts, and tl e Manners of Working, which they have invented to arrive at the Perfection of their Defigns. They havefpared neither Time, Pains, Watching, Care, nor Money; and a great many of them having fpent the better Part of their Life in this Labour, have fo exhaufted their Spirits, their Healths, ar.d their Pockets, that they have fallen into a deep Melancholy, Madnefs, incurable Dileafes, and a moft miferable Poverty. But the ill Succefs of thefe Alchymifts has not hindered other Perfons from entering the fame Lifts ; the Hopes with which they flatter themfelves, that they fhall find the Means of making Gold does fo far prepoffefs their Minds, that they become in- capable of thinking ferioufly of any other thing than what may contribute to the grand Work. They think no body reafons fo well as the Alchymifts. They treat all People that do not come up to their Sentiments as Infidels, and they affume to them- felves, exdufive of all others, the Name of the true Philofophers, .or the Philofophers, by way of Excellence. If they fpeak, it is by Monofyllables; if they explain themfelves, it is in fuch obfeure Terms, and heightened Expreflion, that very often they do not underftand themfelves. If they write, it is that it may not be comprehended. If they work, it is with Myftery, giving fublime Names to all the Ingredients they make ufe of. Gold is by them called the Sun ; Silver, the Moon ; Tin, Jupiter; Lead, Saturn; Sal Armoniack, the folar Salt, or the Mercurial Salt of the Philofophers ; Nitre is Cerberus, or the infernal Salt ; the Spi- rit of Nitre, the Blood of the Salamander ; An- timony, the Wolf, or the Root of the Metals, or Proteus ; and fo of the reft. Their Preparations are all philofophical ; and even the Bricks of which they build theirFurnaces participate of that Quality. Befides, thefe Gentlemen look upon themfelves to be far above all other Perfons. They think they are the Depofitaries of the richeft Secrets of Nature. They explain every thing to their own Advantage ; and, according to their own Preju- dices, they call themfelves the Holy Nation, and the eledb People. King Solomon, according to their Opinion, was of the Se much die lefs difpofed to bedigefted and diftributed into the Veffels of the Body ; Iron, Mercury, and the other Metals, which are called imperfedt, are much more tractable, for we put them into a Way of penetrating through the whole Body, and pro- ducing confiderable Effedts: What is Perfedtion with the Workman, is often an Imperfedtion with the Phyfician; and we make better Ufe of the mixt Bodies, whofe Principles are naturally rarified and dift'olvable, than of thofe, which through too much Firmnefs are rendered, as it were, incorrup- tible. [To what has been already obferved, it may be added, that Gold is often found in Orpiment, in a kind of Pyrites, of an afhy purplilh Colour, and hid in the Ores of other Metals, efpeciaily Silver. Gold, in all common Fires remains fixed, and even when expofed to the Focus of the ftrongeft: Burning-Glafs, fuffers that Heat a great while be- fore it begins to evaporate : it never contracts Ruft, and is only diffoluble in Aqua Regia, but may be calcined by common Sulphur if fet on Fire and flaming. The Analyfis or Refolution of this Me- tal, has hitherto been attempted without Succefs ; its Sulphur and Earth are fo ftrictly united as not to be feparable by the common Powers of Fire, and before the Burning-Glafs entire Parcels of it fly off, without any apparent Refolution into its Principles. The Ufe of Gold in Phyfick was unknown to the antient Greeks ; the Arabians firft gave it in- wardly, imagining it mull have great Virtues, but in all Probability it has really none, and the prefent Practice knows it in no other Intention, than the gilding Pills and Bolufes.] 2. Of Marcafites. I TNDER the Name of Marcafite, ac- Pomet, cording to Monfieur Morin, Doctor of Phyfick of Montpellier , is to be underftood a metallick Mineral, which is loaded with Sulphur and Earth. This in the Fire fwallows up the metallick Matter which gets loofe, and the Sul- phur carries up with it Parts which being more fubtil, mercurial, and lefs fixed, are evaporated i M 2 fo 84 Goner at Hijlory of DRUGS. Book II. fo that there remains nothing but a Body, Which is vitrified and ufelefs. Altho’ from this imperfect Mineral, no Me- tal can be drawn by Fufion, whatever elfe be mixed with it to promote the Separation, yet it is much fearched into by all true Chymifts, and preferred to thofe from which Metals may be ex- t railed, which fome improperly call Marcafites ; and it is with juft Reafon, for the Principles not being yet well united, it is the lefs difficult to fe- parate them, and confequently to determine and multiply them by their Operations. They who work in Mines throw thefe Subftances by, and feparate them from the Ore, which is fo much the better, by how much the lefs Earth and Sulphur there is in it. It is eafy to conceive, that each Metal has its proper Marcafite ; which is, as it were, its Seed or Bud ; and the more it ferments, and the nearer it approaches to a metallick Perfection, the farther it recedes from the Nature of a Marcafite. It muft neverthelefs be obferved, that we fell commonly but three Sorts of Marcafite , which are thofe of Gold, of Silver, and of Copper. That of Gold is ufually a little round Ball, very weighty, and difficult to break. That of Silver is almoft of the fame Make, but is not fo high coloured. That of Copper is either round or long, and oftentimes irregular, and of the Large- nefs of a Tennis Ball. This Marcafite is very hard, but if you leave it in a moift Place, the Moifture will penetrate it, and turn it all to Vi- triol, and fo it comes to nothing. When you break in Pieces thefe Marcafites of Copper, they are of a yellow Gold Colour, and radiated like a Sort of Sun. Thefe are the Defcriptions of the Marcafites we commonly fell, but for thofe of Iron, Tin, and Lead, I cannot, to this Day, learn pofitively what they are. There are fome who affirm pofitively that the Load-Stone is the Marcafite of Iron ; the Bifmuth, or natural Tin- Glafs, that of Tin ; and the Mineral Zink, or Spelter, that of Lead. And there are others who fay that Tin and Lead are the fame thing, and differ only in Colour, grounding themfelves upon this, that the Antients called 'I'in White Lead, and Lead Black Lead, fo that there cannot be- long to them two Sorts of Marcafites ; and my Sentiments muft concur with theirs ; feeing it has not been poffible for me to find any natural Bif- muth or T in Glafs, as I (hall fhew hereafter. It is remarkably, that tho’ I fay we fell but three Sorts of Marcafites , yet there are very few large Druggifts Shops where there are not found feveral other Sorts, as the fquare, the flat, the grey, the black, the yellow, and the like. And this happens, becaufe they give the Name of Marcafite to every thing they do not know, and take to be Mineral ; and the Buyer, not knowing what it is, any more than he that fells it, it often happens, that they who work it are deceived, and lofe their Labour. I have by me a white Marcafite , full of Veins of Gold, which was brought from the I/les, and was affirmed to me to be true Gold Ore. The Marcafite , is a metallick Mineral, of which there arc feveral kinds ; for all Lemery. Stones which contain more or lefs of a Me- talare called by this Name. But three Sorts are more principally intended by the Word Marcafite j that of Gold, that of Silver, and that of Copper. The two firft are in little Balls, of the Bignefs of a Nut, almoft round, weighty, brown ifh with- out, but of different Colours within ; for one has the Colour of Gold, the other of Silver, but both bright and fhining. The Marcafite of Copper is as large as a little Apple, round or oblong, brown without, yellow and cryftalline within, bright, fparkling, and eafy to be broken. The Marcafites are taken out of the Mines. They contain a great deal of Sulphur and vitriolick Salt, efpecially that of Copper. [The Marcafites of the Arabians , were the va- rious kinds of the Pyrites , and fince their Times various imperfect Ores have been known in the Shops, under the Name of Marcafites., with the Addition of that of the Metal they were fuppofed to belong to, but what is now kept there, under the Name of Marcafite , without any Addition, is Bifmuth or Tin-Glafs, of which we fhall treat hereafter.J 3. 0/ Silver. / LVE R, which the Spaniards of Peru Poinet. call Plata , is the beft and moft perfect Metal next to Gold. It is white, hard, extenfi- ble, and very agreeble to the Sight. It is alfo called Luna , becaufe of its bright white Colour, and the Influences it was fuppofed to receive from that Planet. The moft famous Mines for Silver are thofe of Rio de la Plata , that is the River of Silver , and of Poiof, in Peru , which were dis- covered in the Year 1545. TheEnclofure which bounds the Extent of them, is called Potofi , which is a Mountain fituated in a flat Champain, rifing in the Form of a Sugar-Loaf, above a League in Circuit below, and a Quarter of a League on the Top. The Silver coming out of the Mine is re- fined with Mercury, or Quickfilver ; and there have been fome Y ears in which they have taken out of Book II. Of M E of thefe Mines three hundred thoufand Weight of Silver, pure and neat; for the refining which they made ufe of fix or feven hundred thoufand Weight of Quickfilver ; for the more they refine it with Quickfilver, the better it is. There are feveral other Silver Mines in the Indies , in Europe, and even in France. Silver is of itfelf a very pure Metal, and efpe- cially when it has been well refined, the Chymifts perform feveral Operations upon it ; the firft of which is its Purification. Purification of Silver by the Cupel. Silver purified by the Cupel, is Silver which is put into melted Lead, and by means of the Fire, and a certain Quality inherent in it, the Lead works upon the Silver as the White of an Egg does upon Sugar, feparating all its Drofs when it is well refined. They granulate it after the Man- ner that we fee it, which, if it be Proof, ought to be well refined, white, and very fhining. This fort of Silver is made ufe of in feveral of the fol- lowing Chymical Operations. Of the Cryfials of Silver, or the Vitriol of Luna. They extract the Cryfials of Silver from cupelled Silver diflolved in Spirit of Nitre, when the Moif- ture is almoft evaporated, they take out the Cry- ftals, which being applied to the Flefh, make an Efchar , as the Lapis infernalis. Of the Lapis Infernalis, or the Silver Cauftick. The Infernal Stone is fo called, becaufe of its burning Quality, and its black Colour. It is made of cupelled Silver diflolved in Spirit of Nitre, after- wards perfected by the Fire, and poured into a Mould, warmed and greafed on the Infide, where growing cold it coagulates, and becomes a Stone of the fame Shape that the Mould has given it. This Stone ought to be made choice of in little Pieces of a Finger’s Length, dry and folid, of a brown Colour, approaching to that of Iron, which will neither burn the Fingers nor Paper, unlefs moiftened, and does not melt, when expofed to the Air, without Difficulty, but will immediately burn any Place that is moiftened as foon as it is laid upon it ; which are the true Marks of the Infernal Stone , when rightly prepared with the cupelled Silver. You ought to rejebl that which is green, and turns the Paper it is wrapt in of that Colour, that grows wet, and is eafiiy diflolved in T A L S. $5 the Air, becaufe it is made with Copper. Some ufe the common Plate Silver, or die Burnings of old Silver Lace, but the Stone they make is not fo good as the other. This Stone is much ufed by Surgeons to burn and confumedead and fuperfluous Flefh ; but fpecialCare muft be taken not to touch the found Flefh, becaufe the Stone will not fail to burn it, and caufe an Extremity of Pain, efpeci- ally if the Place be wet. The Lapis Infernalis has the Property of ftain- ing Marble, and entering into it ; fo that upon fawing the Marble, the fame Figure fhall appear within that was on the Outfide, and will never wear out. You work with it as if it were a Crayon, and the Colour it makes is black. Of the Tindlure of Silver. The Tincture of Silver is a Diflolution of Silver in Spirit of Nitre, which they precipitate by means of a Solution of Salt ; then they put this Silver Calx into Spirit of Wine acuated with volatile Salt of Tartar, and volatile Salt of Urine, and thence draw a beautiful, celeftial, blue Tindture, very much recommended againft the Epilepfy, the Palfy, Apoplexy, and the other Difeafes of the Brain. The Dofe is from fix to fifteen or fixteen Drops. Silver , in Latin Argentum , or Luna , Lemery. is a Metal very compabt, weighty, hard, white, fmooth, and fhining, very extenfible by the Hammer ; and refilling the Cupel. It is taken from feveral Mines in Europe , but the greateft Quantity comes from America, and efpecially from Le Riode la Plata , in Peru, where it is often found intermixed with fmall white cryftalline Stones, and with Gold, Copper, or Lead. Being taken out of the Mine, it is refined with Quickfilver, and then tranfported. They who would render it as fine as poffible, re- fine it by the Cupel, and by Departure, in the following Manner : They make the Cupel red-hot in the Fire, and they put four or five Times as much Lead as Silver to cupel it; they let the Lead melt, and extend itfelf, fo that one Part of it, in a little Time, enters into, and fills the Pores of the Cu- pel ; they call the Silver into the midft of the Cu- pel, where it is not long before it melts ; they blow the Fire till it is fo ftrong, that the Flame encompafies the whole Matter ; then all the Im- purities unite with the Lead, becaufe that Metal being fulp’nureous, it cleaves to and embraces the grofs Bodies better than the Silver. The Fire drives the impure Mixture to the Circumference, in the fame manner as Scum, or Scoria, and the Silver remains fine and clean in the Middle. They know 86 General Hflory of DRUGS. Book II know that the Refinement is perfected, when no more Fume aiifes ; then they pour the Silver into a Mould, to let it cool, and this they call Silver of the Cupel. The Scoria of Silver, mixed with Lead, make the Litharge, of which I fhall treat hereafter. Thefe Scoria confift of the Parts of fome other Metals, or the Marcafites which were mixed with the Silver when it is taken out of the Mine. It is to be noted, that Silver, being thrown into melted Lead, runs fooner into a Fufion, than if it were put alone to melt in a Crucible, becaufe the fulphureous Parts of Lead contribute to the fpeedy Fufion of Metals. This Purification of Silver clears it from all other Metals but Gold, which likewife refills the Cupel, fo that one cannot be altogether afiured that this Silver of the Cupel is entirely Silver ; there- fore if one would feparate it from any little Quantity of Gold that may be in it, Recourfe muft be had to another Operation, called the Departure , and this is the Manner of Proceeding. They melt together in a Crucible by a ftrong Fire, three Parts of Silver, and one Part of Gold : They throw this Mixture, when melted, by little and little, into cold Water, where it coagulates into Grains ; they throw away the Water, and dry thefe Grains, and then put them to diflolve in two or three Times as much /lqua Fortis ; the Silver is diflolved, and the Gold is precipitated to the Bottom of the Vefiels, becaufe it cannot be penetrated by this DifTolvent. It is to be remarked, that in this Operation they mix Gold with the Silver, that if the Silver (hould contain any fmall Quantity of Gold, it might be drawn precipitated along with that which was added. This precipitated Gold is called Gold by Departure , and they can»eafily turn it into an Ingot, by melting it in a Crucible 'over the Fire, with a little Borax, and pouring it into a Mould. This Difiblution of the Silver is thrown into an earthen Veflel, in which there is a great deal of Water, and a Plate of Copper, where it is left for five or fix Hours, or till all the Silver is pre- cipitated, and flicks to the Copper Plate, and then they gather it together and dry it ; and it is this they call the Precipitate of Silver, and fome- times the Calx of Silver. The Water in which this Precipitation was made, becomes blue, be- caufe of lome Portion of Copper diflolved in it, and is called the Second Water ; it is ufed to de- terge, and to eat proud Flefh, being applied out- wardly. Silver alfo may be precipitated, by mixing Salt Water in the Difiblution ; for the Sea Salt will produce the fame Effect as the Parts of the Cop- per, that is to fay, by pufhing rudely againft the Points of the Aqua fortis , which hold up the Par- ticles of the Silver, it will break them, and make them let go their Hold, fo that the Silver having nothing to fupport it, will, by its own Weight, fall to the Bottom. The Silver, fo precipitated, is call into an Ingot, by melting it in a Crucible, with a little Salt- Petre, and afterwards pouring it into a Mould. This Silver is the finell of all, and of twelve Penny-Weight, if it has fo much ; but there is always fome little Allay of Copper to be found in Silver, let it be never fo well refined. That which is called Carat in Gold, is a Penny- Weight in Silver ; fo an Ounce of very fine Silver is of twenty Penny-Weight, or twenty- four Scruples, which make twenty-four Times twenty Grains. This Ounce of Silver fhould not be diminifhed by the Proofs ; but ifit lofe a Scruple by the Cupel, the Silver is but of nineteen Penny- weight fixteen Grains ; if it lofes two Scruples, it is feventeen Penny-Weight twelve Grains ; but they do not exprefs themfelves by twenty Penny- Weight in Silver, as they do by twenty-four Ca- rats in Gold ; for they double two Pence in Silver, and fay Silver of twelve Penny-Weight, to ex- prefs Silver of the utmoft Purity ; Silver of eleven Penny- Weight and an half, Silver of eleven Penny-Weight, to denote the Degrees of its Fine- nefs, and fo of the reft. Plate Silver contains one Part Copper to twenty-four Parts Silver ; and Silver of the Cupel has but one Quarter Part Copper, to twenty-four Parts of Silver. They beat the pureft Silver, and reduce it into very fine and thin Leaves, which we make ufe of in Medicine. One may likewife ufe the Precipi- tate of Silver inftead of thefe Leaves. Silver is proper for thofe who have ufed too great a Quantity of Quickfilver, either by Fric- tions, or taken inwardly, for it binds or amal- gamates itfelf with it in the Body, and depriving it of its Weight, takes away its Virtue. It may be taken from four Grains to a Scruple, and a larger Dofe may be given without Fear of any Danger. It is pretended by feveral Authors to be an infallible Medicine for Difeafes of the Head and Brain ; but Experience ftiews us, that it is of no Ufe in fuch Cafes. The Aftrologers and the Alchymifts call it Luna , becaufe they imagine this Metal to be of the fame Matter as the Moon, and that it receives continual Influences from her for its Nourifhment. [Silver, as found in the Mines, is diftinguifhed into native, and rude ; the native is that which is found pure in the Mine, either in Fifiures of Rocks Book II. Of M E Rocks or Stones, or mixed with Sand or Earth with- out Stones. This is feen in many various Forms, in fmall oblong Veins, fimbriated, infmall Filaments Kke Hairs, granulated, in the Form of Branches of Trees and in large Maffes. Rude Silver is that which is found in Ores and mull be refined by Fire : The Silver Ores are in fome Mines red, which is cccafioned by their being mixed with Arfenick, in fome of a Lead Colour, which is ow- ing to the Sulphur contained in them, inotherBlack, Purple, Afti coloured, tfc. according to the diffe- rent Subftances they are mixed with- it is alfo found in Gold, Copper, Tin, and Lead Ores in different Quantities. Almoft all the Lead Mines in England contain more or lefs Silver, but the richeft are thofe in Cardiganjhire in Wales. Silver is eafily feparated from Lead, as obferved by our Authors, but the extracting it from the Peruvian and Mexican Ores L much more difficult, becaufe the Ores are hard, and mixed with vitriolick, arfe- nical, or other Subftances, which carry off' with them a confiderable Quantity of Silver, or burn it to Scoria with themfelves. Silver is harder, and lefsdu&ile than Gold. Its fpecifick Gravity to that of Gold is a little lefs than as five to nine, fo that it is lighter than Lead ; it never contra&s Ruff, and is diffoluble by Aqua fortis , and not by Aqua regia. It is not deftroyed by Lead, but being long expofed to a ftror.g Fire with Antimony, is fomething dimi- nifhed by the fulphureous Parts of that Metal. When expofed to the Focus of a great Burning- Glafs, it flies all off in Smoak but very flowly, and does not vitrify, as many other Metals do ; the Solution of pure Silver is limpid, and its Cryf- tals are of no Colour, but if it contains any Copper the Tindture is greenilh or blueifti, the Tafte of the Cryftals is intenfely better. Silver made to mix with common Salt, melts into a femi-deapha- nous Mafs refembling Horn ; this is called Luna cornea , and it is very difficult to reduce it to Silver again, becaufe being volatile, if it be expofed to a ftrong Fire it flies almoft all off in Vapour. Notwitbftanding all that has been faid by the Ara- bians , and fince them by the Chymifts, in Praife of the medicinal Virtues of Silver, it is yet a very great Queftion whether it really has any or not, and the principal Ufe made of it in the Shops, is in the Leaf to cover Pills and Bolufes, inftead of Leaf Gold, which is fo often adulterated, that many fear to ufe it. It is alfo to be obferved, that all the blue Tindlures of Silver, fo highly com- mended by the Chymifts, are not Tindlures of Silver but of the Copper contained in Silver ; and therefore very unfit for internal Ufe, for a true T A L S. 87 Tindture of Silver mull be altogether colourlefs, like Water.] 4. Of Iron, or Mars. T RON, which the Chymifts call Mars, Pomct. A becaufe of the Influences they pretend it receives from that Planet, is a Metal thehardeft, drieft, and moft difficult to melt of all others. It is compofed of an Earth, a Salt, and a Sulphur, ill digefted, and ill united, which makes it fubjedt toRuft. There are Mines of Iron in Spain, Ger- many , Sweden, and England. The beft in Franc t are thofe of Champaigne , Lorain , and Normandy. There are fome in Burgundy , Berry, and other Places. An Iron Mine is fometimes found within an Inch of the Surface, fometimes one, two, three, four, five, or fix Feet deep. The Ore is found in different Manners, fometimes in Pieces, and fometimes in Sand. I fhall not difeourfe here of finding out Mines by the Jugglers with a Rod of Hazel, becaufe Monfieur the Abbot de Vallemont has lately written a very exadt Treatife about it. The Manner of taking Iron from the Ore , and making it into cajl Iron , and commonly called Sow-Metal. After the Ore is taken from the Mine, they wafh it in a running W ater, to feparate the Earth from it, and then carry it into large Furnaces, where cover- ing it withCoals, Flint-Stones, and Potters Clay, or Earth, by the means of two large Pair of Bellows wrought by a Water-Mill, it melts like Lead ; and after feumming from it a Drofs, which when cold becomes likeGlafs, they ftay the Bellows, and with an Iron Bar open a Hole which is in the Bottom of the Furnace, and im- mediately there comes out as it were a Stream of Fire, which runs into Holes made in the Nature of Moulds, of fix, feven, or to ten Feet Jong, and a Foot broad. The Iron, thus thrown into thefe Moulds, is what the Smiths call Sow-Metal, or call: Iron. It is to be remarked, that when they would make Cannon-Bullets, Mortars, Weights, Backs of Chimneys, or other Works, of this Sow- Metal, or caft Iron, they take up the running Metal in great Iron Ladles, and put it into Moulds made in deep Sand, or elfe of caft Iron. It is alfo to be obferved, that the finer the Work is to be, the longer is the Metal to remain in Fufion ; for the Matter continues but twelve Flours for the coarfer Works, and fifteen or eight- teen Hours for the other. The caft Iron of France cannot be touched by the F.le, as that of Ge>- inanj Book II. 88 General Htjlory of many and other Places, but muft be polifhed with Mafons Duft, or Emery. Of Iron in Bar , and other Kinds-. When they would reduce this Metal into fine Iron, they take one of thefe Lumps of Sow- Metal, and carry it to a Sort of Forge, on a Level with the Earth, in the Middle of which is a Hole, into which the Matter flows as it melts. They melt the Metal by the Means of Charcoal, and two great Pair of Bellows, which are moved by Water. As this Matter melts, the Refiner ftirs it with an Iron Bar ; and the more vigoroufly the Matter is ftirred, the more kindly will the Iron be, and be better qualified. After it is well ftirred, they carry the Matter, when a little hardened, with large Tongs, to an Anvil, where, with a great Hammer, they beat it, to force out of it the Earth or other foreign Matter that might have remained in it ; and then the Iron is made, and will endure the Filing. When they would reduce it to Bars, or any other Fafliion, they take this Mafs, which the Workmen call the Piece , and carry it to another Forge, and by the Help of Charcoal, and two Pair of Bellows wrought by two Men, they make it red hot, and then carry it to the Anvil, and with a wooden Ham- mer, with Iron at the End of it, they make it as long and as thin as the Hammerer pleafes. There is one Thing remarkable, that is of no fmall Con- fequence, which is, that feeing the Hammerer can reduce but half this Piece into Bar, becaufe he muft hold it faft by the other Part, he therefore, with us, to cool it the fooner, that he may go to work upon the other Part, throws it into Water ; and this is the Caufe that the French Iron is brittle : But this might be eafily remedied, by letting it cool of itfelf. It may be objected, that it is not altogether the quenching it in the Water that makes it fo brittle, but it proceeds oftentimes from the Mineral, or from its not being well ftirred. I do not difagree to this, but there is a Proverb which fays, III to 111 can never he good j this is the Manner of making Iron into Bars. Of Iron in the Gad, and of Iron Wire. Iron in the Gad, or Rod Iron , is made from Iron in the Bar, which has been heated in a Kind of Furnace, and by Steel Mills cut into the Shape and Figure we fee it in. The Iron Wire is made of the Rods drawn through little Holes, after the Manner that they make Wax-Candles : They be- gin with the largeft Hole, and finifh by the little one, ftill diminilhing the Size of it. i DRUGS. Of Iron Plates, and of Black and White Iron, or Tin, as it is called with us. The Iron Plates are made of Bars heated, and made thin with Hammering. There are two Sorts of Plates, the great and fmall. They make the Black Iron by beating the Plate with fmaller Ham- mers : But befides this, in Germany they make a white Iron of which they make feveral Utenfils. This is a foft Iron reduced into thin Plates, and afterwards covered with Tin, in which Operation it is faid they ufe Aqua fortis. There is white Iron made at Neven ; but that of Germany is molt efteemed, becaufe it is more white and brighter, and will not ruft as the other. Of Steel. Steel is only Iron purified and made harder, by means of plunging it in cold Water after heating it in Furnaces with the Horns and Hoofs of Ani- mals. The volatile Salts of which are fuppofed to penetrate the Subftance of Iron, and turn it into Steel, which is finer or coarfer according to the Number of Times this Operation has been repeated. The fineft Steel, which is that of Ker- nent , is alfo fuppofed in a great Meafure to owe its Excellence to certain Drugs with which the Water it is plunged into, is impregnated, as will be related hereafter. The beft Steel is that which comes from Ger- many, and is called Steel of Kernent , from a Vil- lage in Gerenany , called Kernent , where the beft Steel is made. This Sort is called Steel of a double Mark , and is ufed in making fuch In- ftruments as are extremely fine } as Lancets, and other ChiruTglcal Inftruments, Razors, Graving Tools, Gfc. The fecond fort is that they call Rofe Steel , becaufe when it is broken there appears fomething in it like a little Rofe, of a Partridge- Eye Colour, and befides, the Calks that they come in are marked with a Rofe. This Steel is in little Bars, from one Foot to two Feet long, and half an Inch thick. There are likewife fe- veral fofter Sorts of Steel which are but the Re- fufe of the Rofe Steel , which fome call Steel of the fingle Mark. We have likewife Steel from Hungary , Italy , and Piedmont. There are alfo feveral Sorts made in France , as thofe of Vienne , of Rive in Dauphine , or Clamecy in Auvergn , and of St. Difier in Champagne ; it is likewife made at Never s, and at la Charite j and this they call Common Steel. But of all the Sorts of Steel in Europe , there is none that comes near to that of Kernent for Good- nefs, Book II. Of M E nefs, becaufe amongft the hundred and fifty Iron Mines that the Germans are pofTefled of, there are none fo proper for the making fine Steel as thofe of Kernent , and there are, befide, no People but thofe of that Place, who exactly know the juft Quantity of Arfenick, Tar, Orpiment, Sublimate, Antimony, white Copperas, and other Drugs, of which to compofe the Water to dip it in : And this, in few Words, is the Reafon why no fine Steel is made but in Germany , and that many Perfons ruin themfelves by endeavouring to coun- terfeit it. As to the tempering of common Steel, they make ufe of nothing but common W ater. There was formerly a Steel came from Damaf- cus , and was very good ; and if we will believe Mr. Furetiere , the Temper of it was made by the Impreffions of the Air, when a Horfeman riding full Speed held it in his Hand and brandifhed it in the Air. He alfo fays, they wetted it by means of a wet Goat-Skin drawing its Edge over it as if they would cut the Skin. Good Steel ought to be brittle, of a fine Grain, and as white as it can be made. The Chymifts make feveral Preparations of it, of which hereafter. As for the Filings of Steel, they are of Ufe in Phyfick, the beft are thofe of Needles j its Proof is by putting it upon a lighted Candle ; that which burns by halves, and puts out the Candle, is mixed with the Filings of Iron. Of the aperitive Saffron of Mars, or the Crocus Martis. The Crocus Martis , which is called aperitive, is a Preparation of Iron or Steel, which is made after three Manners: the Firjl, by expofing Plates of Iron to the Dew. The Second is by fprinkling the Filings of Iron with Rain Water, or Water mixed with Honey ; from whence, after fome Time, you {hall have a Ruft of a brown Colour. Thefe Preparations of Iron or Mars are very long in making, but very good for the Dileafes here- after mentioned. But as thefe two Sorts, as I have faid, require much Time, and have but a bad Colour, they chufe rather a third Way, which is to take a Piece of Steel, and heat it in a Smith’s Forge, and then applying to it a Roll of Sulphur, melt it down, and reduce it into a Pow- der, and fo melted, put it into a Crucible, together with more Sulphur, and reduce it by the Fire of a reverberatory Furnace, into a Powder of a beauti- ful red Colour : Others ufe the Filing of Iron in- ftead of Steel. The aperitive Saffron of Mars is commonly called Crocus Martis aperitivus , or aperiens , and is an excellent Remedy for the Dropfy, and to Vol. II. T A L S. 89 cure the Green-Sicknels. The Dofe is from ten Grains to forty, in fome Ele&uary, Conferve, or Lozenge, or, as Mr. L emery fays, with fome Pur- gatives. Of the afiringent Saffron of Mars. The aftringent Saffron of Mars , called Crocus Martis ajlringens , is one of the former Prepara- tions of Alars wafhed feveral Times with Vine- gar, and afterwards put into a Crucible, and by a ftrong Calcination of five or fix Hours, reduced to a reddifti Powder, but not fo beautiful as that above. The Ufe of this Crocus is to flop Blood when voided, either above or below. It is taken in a like Dofe as the former, in Medicines proper for the Malady. The Ancients have given both of thefe, as well as many other things, the Name of Crocus , or Saffron , from their reddifti Colours. Of the Salt or Vitriol of Mars. There are two Sorts of Salt of Mars or Iron , but the beft is that which is made by putting Oil of Vitriol and Spirit of Wine in an Iron Pan, and when it has ftaid there three Weeks or a Month, you will find at the Bottom a greyifti Salt, which you muft dry, and then preferve it carefully. The other Salt of Mars is made by putting the Filings of Steel into diftilled Vinegar, proceeding in the fame Manner as you would make Salt of Saturn y as (hall be fhewn hereafter. The firft Salt of Mars is an excellent Remedy againft Obftrudtions. The Dofe is from four to twelve Grains in any Liquor proper for the Diftemper. As for the Choice of it, the whiteft and drieft is the beft. Of the Oil of Mars. Oil of Mars.) or Iron, as it is improperly called, is a Salt of Iron refolved into Liquor in a Cellar. Some People uie this Oil as the Salt, with thi* Difference, that they give it in a larger Dofe. Of the Cryftals of Mars. Cryjlals of Mars are made by putting the Filings of Steel in Water, and putting upon it a good Spirit of Vitriol, and by putting it in a Cellar jthey draw thence Cryjlals of a greenifli Colour ; which being dried, are made Ufe of to the fame Pur- pofes as the Salt or the Oil, but they muft be given in lefler Quantities, becaufe of their great Acri- mony. Some Perfons pretend, that by a Retort they can draw a Spirit of Vitriol from thefe Cryf- N tats: 9° General Hijlory tab: But as this Spirit muft be very weak, I would not advife any body to trouble themfelves about it. Of the Tin&ure, or Syrup of Mars with Tartar. They draw from the Ruft or Filings of Iron, by the Help of Tartar and boiling Water, a blackifh Tindture ; which after having been evaporated and reduced to the Confiftence of a Syt up , is what they call Tinfiure, or Syrup of Mars ; others caufe almoft all the Moifture to evaporate, and fo make that which we call the thick Tinfture , or the Ex- tradt of Mars. They attribute to thefe Tindtures the Property of being very good Aperitives; their Dofes are different, for the thicker the Tindtures are, the lefs of them muft be taken ; the ordinary Dofe is from a Drachm to half an Ounce. Of the Tindture, or aftringent Syrup 0/Mars. They likewife draw from the Ruft of Iron, with the Lees of Wine, or the Juice of Quinces, or any other aftringent Juice, a Tinfture , Syrup, or Extract, to which they attribute a binding Qua- lity. The Dofe of thefe Extracts is likewife ac- cording to their Thicknefs, but the common one is from ten Grains to half a Drachm in fome aftrin- gent Liquor. Of Mars Diaphoretick. Mars Diaphoretick is made of the Ruft of Iron mixed with an equal Quantity of Sal Armoniack, by a fubliming Vefiel : they draw thence Flowers which theydiflolve in Water, and then precipitate them by pouring upon the Difl'olution the Oil of Tartar per deliquium. They dry this Powder, which being dried is what they call Mars Dia- phoretick, altho’ the diaphoretick Virtue, which it jpay have got from the Sal Armoniack is not very great, becaufe it is almoft all cariied away by the Water. Iron, in. Latin called Ferrum or Mars , Lemery. becaufe the Aftrologers pretend that this Metal receives Influences from the Pla- net of that Name, is a Metal very hard, dry, and the moft difficult to melt of all others. It is natu- rally compofed of a vitriolick Salt, Sulphur, and Earth, very ill digefted, and bound together, which makes it ruft fo eaftly. There are feveral Mines of it in Europe, and efpecially in France , in Cham- pagne, Lorrain , Normandy, Burgundy, and Berry. They take it up fometimes in a Mttrtafttt, that is of of DRUGS. Book II. the Bignefs of Pig Nuts, and of the fame Colour, ftreaked with fhining Metalline Veins, fometimes in Sand. 1 hey wafh this Marcaftte to get the Dirt from it, then they put it into great Furnaces made on Purpofe ; they cover it with Charcoal, Flints, and Potters Clay, and by means of a very violent Fire, blown by huge Bellows, they put it into a Fufton ; they feum thence a Matter that is as it were vitrified, refembling Enamel ; then they let it . run into Moulds, for great Wedges, about ten beet long, and a Foot thick. This is called by the French, Grteufe, commonly, Sow-Metal. The Ruft of Iron, is Iron penetrated and rarified by the Moifture of the Air, which the Latins call Ferrugo-, it is aperitive by Urine, and aftringent by the Belly, proper for all lllncfs caufed by Ob- ftructions, and to ftop Loofenefs. Iron, made red-hot in the Fire, and feveral rimes quenched in Water, renders the Water aftringent and proper for Difeafes of the Belly. 7 he W aters of a Smith’s Forge retaining fome faline and vitriolick Particles of the Iron, are aftrin- gent by the Belly, and aperitive by Urine. Steel is Iron rendered more hard, more coiri- pa£I, more fine, and polifhed, by Calcination and dipping it in Water. To do this, they lay Iron, and the Hoofs of Animals, Stratum fuper Stratum, in a Furnace made on Purpofe, near the Mines : they put Fire to it, and when the Metal is foftened and almoft melted, they dip it in cold Water, that fo the Pores which were opened by the Force of the Fire, may immediately be fhut up ; and they oftentimes repeat the Calcination and the Dipping. The Hoofs of Animals, burnt in the Fire, pro- duce two Effedts : The firft is, that they diffipate the moft volatile, the moft faline, and the moft rarified Particles of the Metal. The fecond is. That a Portion of the volatile Salt which thefe Hoofs do naturally contain, is introduced into the Pores of the Metal. Now this Salt being rendered an Alcali by the Calcination, it abforbs and deftroys the Points of the vitriolick Salt, and the Acid which remained in the Iron ; fo that the Motion of this Salt being relaxed, the Metal does no longer rarify itfelf fo much, which may contribute to give a good Quality to the Steel ; but the prin- cipal one that it gains, comes from the Water it is dipt in, which is made on Purpofe. They make Steel in many Places of France, Italy , Piedmont, and Hungary ; but the beft is made in Germany, at a Fown called Kerncnt . Steel ought to be brittle, of a fine Grain, and white. The Filings of Steel are proper to remove Ob- ftrudlions, for the Jaundice, and for Difeafes of the Spleen. 7'he Dofe is from a Scruple to a Drachm. Water, Book II. Of M E Water, in which red-hot Steel has been quenched, called Chalibeate Water, is an Aftringent. It is remarkable, that in Iron there ftiould be two fuch very differing and oppofite Qualities, as of Drying and Moiftening, Opening and Ob- ftru&ing, Aftringing and Relaxing. Thefe Qua- lities are thought to be owing to the mixed Tex- ture of the Body ; the relaxing Quality, to the frdine and more volatile Part; the Aftringent, to the Earthy, and that which is more fixed. The Salt of Iron is made in the following Man- ner. Take Oil of Vitriol, or of Sulphur per Cam- panum , two Pounds ; Water, two Gallons ; mix them well in a well-glazed earthen Jar, by dropping the Oil into the Water, and ftirring it well with a wooden Rod; put into this Mixture, of Filings of Iron two Pounds or more, ftirring it for half an Hour, then let it fettle ; decant off the clear Water, filter, and put it into a Frying-Pan, which over a Charcoal Fire evaporate to Drinefs, and fo there will remain a pure white Salt at the Bottom. This Salt cures and opens the worft Obftrudtions in the Womb or Bowels; it fometimes purges, and may be given to half a Scruple in a Glafs of Wine alone, or fweetened with Syrup of Violets. After the Filings of Iron are turned into Ruft, and a Tindture extracted from thence, the Faces are a Kind of Crocus made without Fire, which are drying and binding, good againft Fluxes, Bloody Flux, Gonorrhoeas, Whites in Women, (Ac. They dry up Ulcers and Wounds, flop all Fluxes of Blood, the Flux of the Terms and Hemorrhoids; they ftrengthen the Liver, dry up the Water in Drop- fies, and running Ulcers in the Legs. Given from a Scruple to half a Drachm, in a proper Ve- hicle, every Night going to Bed. The Copperas, or Vitriol of Iron, is made in great Quantities by a cementatory Calcination, then perfedled by Diflolution, Evaporation, and Cryftallization. . Not only the Salt of Iron, but the Tindlures, are faid to open Obftrudtions of the Reins, cure Ulcers in the Reins and Bladder, help the Cholick, Weaknefs of Stomach, or Want of Appetite ; it gives eafe in the Gout, and other Pains of the Joints, both by inward taking, and outward Ap- plication. The Ruft or Vitriol of Iron, and mixed with Vi- negar, applied, is good againft Tetters, Ringworms, Scabs, and running Sores, or Breakings-out, though of many Years Continuance, efpecially if a little Roch Alum be mixed with it ; it alfo takes away the St. Anthony's Fire , or any other Idler Heats and Inflammations. [No Metal is fo neceffary for die Ufes of Life as fron, and by the Goodnefs of the Crca- TALS; 9l tor, none is found fo plentifully in almoft every Country. It is dug out of the Earth in very different Forms, in fome Mines it is found pure, either granulated or in Lumps ; in others it is met with in a heavy Stone of a dark yellow or reddilh Colour, or in a heavy yellowilh or reddifli Earth. Some Ores yield the Metal contained in them only by breaking, and a few Hours Fufion, others require a great deal of Labour to feparate it, and the Addition of Lime, Marie, or Stones, to facilitate the Fufion. The fpecifick Gravity of Iron to that of Gold, is as three to feven, or thereabout ; it is diflolvable by all ftrong Acids, and when expofed to the Focus of a ftrong Burning-Glafs on a Tile prefently melts, and then becomes a brittle half vitrified Subftance, but if laid on a Piece of Charcoal in the fame Fo- cus, it melts and flies all off in Sparkles. It conf fts of a bituminous inflammable Principle, a vitriolick Salt, and a vitriolick vitrifiable Earth. This Earth united with any inflammable Subftance by Fire, will become Iron, which accordingly is feen in burning inflammable Bodies, in the Alhes of which Iron difeovers itfelf to the Magnet, tho’ no Signs of Iron are before difcoverable in thefe Subftances, even when reduced to the fineft Powder. That the vitriolick Salt is likewife in confiderable Quantity, is evident from the Solubility of Iron in Ample Water, from the Tafte of the Water in which Iron had been in Part diffolved, and from the Heat which Filings of -Iron conceive on often fprinkling with Water, which arifes from the Ac- tion of thefe Salts on the metallick Earth. For medicinal Ufes Iron is preferable to Steel ; the Ample Powder of the Filings is by many faid to be better in many Cafes than any Preparation of it ; the Salt, which is alfo much ufed, we make by putting warm Water acidulated with Spirit of Vi- triol on the Filings of Iron, and after a warm In- fulionof twenty-four Hours, filtritating the Liquor and evaporating it to a Pellicle, and fetting it in a cool Place, where it yields us a Salt in beautiful green Cryftals.’J 5. Of Quickfilver. 'T* HAT which we call £>uickfilver, crude and running Mercury, Hydrargyrie, liquid Silver, the Proteus of Nature, the fugitive Salt, or the mineral Spirit, is, according to Mr. Char as , a metallick, or mineral Liquor, of a volatile Nature, found in the Mines, and compofed, as is believed, of a white fulphureous Earth, and of its own proper internal Mercury. Some Authors, and Mr. Claras amongft the reft, fay, that Mercury »s not to be placed in die Rank of Metals : they N 2 ' have 92 General Hi/tory of D R U G S. Book II have given it the Name of a Semi Metal, becaufe it is neither hard nor malleable as the true Metals are, yet it eafily unites itfelf to any other Metal, efpecially to Gold, to which it often ferves as an Intermediate to join it to other Metals. Its Co- lour of Silver, and the Difpofition it has to Mo- tion, is the Reafon why they call it Quickfilver ; from the fame Colour, and its Fluidity, it is named Hydrargyrum , that is to fay, watry Silver, or vvat.tf Silver. They call it Mercury from the Analogy which it is fuppofed to bear to the Planet of the fame Name, or becaufe of the Variety of the Shapes it can take, fuitable to what the Hea- thens reprefented of that Deity. It is likewife for the fame Reafon, and the Diverfity of Colours that may be given it, that it is named Proteus ; and from its Fluidity and Volatility, it is called the Fugitive Salt. Quickfilver is found in the Mines after different Manners, fometimes inclofed in its own Mineral, and fometimes as fluid as we fee it ; and this be- caufe it is found fo naturally, fome have given the Name of Virgin Mercury ; they find it fometimes amongft Earth and Stones, and very often embo- died in a natural Cinnabar, as we fhall fee hereafter. They who take Quickfilver from its Ore, make life of great Iron Retorts to feparate it from its Mineral, or the other hard Bodies with which it is joined, and by the Means of Fire and frefh Water, into which it falls, they render it fluid, fo as we commonly have it. The Ore of the Mercury is fo like Antimony of Poidlou, that if it were not for the Rays or Streaks, which are fomewhat whiter, there is no Body that could find the Difference ; when it is found running or liquid in the Ground, the Slaves who take it up have no- thing to do but make it run through Chamois Lea- ther to cleanfe it from its Impurities. There are but few Places in Europe from whence they take Quickfilver, which are Hungary and Spain, and the Mines of Frioli which belong to the Venetians. The Quickfilver Mines are fo deep, that I have been informed it is a Work of five Hours to def- cend into them. The Frioli Quickfilver is brought into France by Way of Marjeilies , that of Hun- gary is carried to Vienna in Au/lria , and from thence to Holland , from whence we have it. That of Spain is tranfported to Peru , to ferve to purify their Gold and Silver, as I have obferved before. The Spanijls Quickfilver was once common enough in France ; this Quickfilver being put upon Silver a little heated, had the Property of gilding the Superficies, and of giving the Silver a very fine Gold Colour; this rich Quality, according to fome Alchymifts, which in Reality is nothing, and the Difficulty there is of having it at prefent, becaufe the King of Spain has exprefly prohibited theTranf- portation of it into other Countries, has made it fo fcarce as it is at prefent, as well as the natural Cinnabar. Some modern Authors have faid, that there is Quickfilver found in the Indies , Poland ' Germany , and even in France ; which perhaps may be true : But notwithstanding all the Pains I have taken, I could never difeover the Truth of it. It is true indeed, that a Mine of Cinnabar was lately found in Normandy , between St. Lo and Charenion , near a Place called Le Foffe Rouge ; but the great Charges of it obliged them to flop it up again. It is an Obfervation of Mr. Lemery’s, that Quickfilver is ufually found under Mountains covered with white Stones, which are as brittle as Chalk. The Plants which grow upon thefe Moun- tains feem greener and larger than elfewhere, but the Trees which are near the Quickfilver Mine, rarely produce Fruits or Flowers, and their Leaves come out later than in other Places. One of the Signs that difeover a Mine of Quick- filver, is when in the Month of April or May there come thick Miffs or Vapours out of one particular Place, which cannot rife far in the Air becaufe of their Weight : It is to fuch a Place that they go to look for this Metal, and efpecially if by chance it is fituated oppofite to the North Wind, for then they think the Mine will prove the heft. They likewife find a great deal of Water about thefe Mines, which it is neceffary to draw off at the Foot of tire Mountain, before you can come to work them. Chufe fuch Quickfilver as is white^ running, clean, of a lively and beautiful Water, and rejedf that, which being put intoany Copper Vcfllls, fuch as Scales of a Balance, or others, appears like Lead ; that is to fay, when its Colour is brown, and it leaves Tails or Trains behind it, as if it were roapy, or flicks to the Hands when you handle it ; which is of no finall Confequence, be- caufe the greatefi: Part of the Quickfilver that is confumed, is made Ufe of by Looking- glafs-Makers, Goldfmiths, Burnifhers, Gilders, and others ; and if by Mifchance or Roguery, in fuch a Parcel of Quickfilver, as is ufed at one boiling, there fhould be one Pound of Lead, it would fpoil all their Works. Befides the Qualities before-mentioned, which ought to be in Quickfilver, one may prove it by putting a little of it in a Silver Spoon, and letting it evaporate over the Fire ; if there remains a yellow Spot, it is a Mark that it is natural ; if it leaves a black one, it is a Sign that it is mixed with Lead or Tin. Quickfilver is a Matter fo very weighty, that Mr. De Fureticre fays, that a folid Foot of Mercury weighs nine hundred forty feven Pound, and that a cubical Foot of the Seine Water Book IJ, Of M E Water weighs but feventy Pound ; that is to fay, a VefTel which will hold thirty five Pints of the Water of the River Seine, according to the Paris Meafure, will contain nine hundred forty feven Pounds of Quickfilver. As Quickfilver is fo ex- tremely weighty, fo it is no lefs ftrong ; fince a fifty Pound Weight of Iron being put upon a Bouillon of Quickfilver, which, as it comes from Holland , is generally a hundred and threefcore or fourfeore Pounds, it fhall no more fink in it than if it were an Ounce, which I could never have believed, unlefs I myfelf had feen it. As to the Properties of Quickfilver, they are fo great, that they exceed Imagination ; fome Perfons pretend, that a Drachm Weight of Quickfilver has the fame Effect as any greater Quantity whatever ; and that if they preferibe it in large Dofes, as they do fometimes, efpeciallyin the Miferere, or Twilling of the Guts, it is only that it may pafs the fafter, and difentangle the Bowels. It is likewife a fur- prizing thing, that into whatfoever Shape you me- tamorphofe Mercury', you may make it return to its firft State of Nature, and that with a very fmall Diminution. B or ri chius, a Danijh Chymift, fays, in his Book of Chymiftry, that having operated upon fome Mercury for a Twelvemonth together, and having reduced it into feveral Forms, it took its own Shape again in the Fire, at laft, by the Means of a little Salt of Tartar. The great Confumption of Quickfilver, efpeciallyin France , is the Reafon why the Dutch have railed it two Stivers of their Money in the Pound, which is three Sous , or three Pence of ours. And fince they have, for a long l ime, engrafted that Merchan- dize, it is not fold there under fix and thirty Sous the Pound. I fhall not here recount the feveral Virtues that are attributed to this Metal, becaufe feveral Authors have treated of them, nor decide the Controverfy, whether it be cold or hot ; but I mufl fay this, that it is fo cold, externally, that it is impoffible to hold one’s Hand in a Quantity of Quickfilver for the Space of a Quarter of an Hour. It is wrong to think, as feme modern Au- thors have written, that the Dutch turn Mercury into Cinnabar, totranfport it into other Places, and that for thefe three following Reafons : Firji, Be- caufe Quickfilver iseafily tranfported inSheepSkins, put into Barrels, and filled up with Straw or Shav- ings. The fecond is, that if we were obliged to re- vive Cinnabar into Mercury, we could not afford it at the Price we do : And all the Mercury that is reduced in Holland into Cinnabar, is ufed in France and other Places as Cinnabar, at lead there are only fome very curious People, who refolve to have their Mercury pure and neat, who give themfelves the Trouble to revive it. In tire third Place, when T A L S. 93 the Dutch have a Mind to make their Quickfilver portable, they fix it very eafily, and nut it into all forts of Veffels, even into Paper, and fend it to them who have the Secret to make it run again without any Charges. Quickjilver , called in Latin Hydrar- Lemtry. gyrus, Mercurius, Argentum Vivum, and by theChymifts Azoci, is a Metal, or Semi Metal, fluid, running, of theColourof Silver, very weighty, and yet volatile, penetrating, uniting, and amalga- mating itfelf with Gold and Silver. It is found in fc- veral Mines in Europe, as in Hungary, and in Spain ; and there is one Mine difeovered about forty Years fince in Normandy. As Mercury is a very fluid Body, fo it is more difficult to be taken up than other Metals, for it infinuates itfelf into Earths, and into the Clefts of Stones, fo that you often lofe the Sight of it when you think you are juft going to take it up. People are forced to go very deep in the Ground to find it, and the Men cannot work very many Y ears at it before they have the Palfy ; fo that few are em- ployed in it but Criminals condemned to Punifh- ment. The Quickfilver is not always taken out of the Mine neat and running, but it is generally mixed with Earth, or reduced into a natural Cinnabar by fome Portion of Sulphur that it had met with. That which has but a little Earth with it may be feparated by making it pafs through Leather ; but when it has a great deal of Earth, or other Im- purities, it muft be put into Iron Retorts placed upon a Furnace, to which they fit a Recipient full of Water, and blow the Fire under the Re- tort till it becomes fierce, and makes the Mercury diftil into the Water. Iron Retorts are the moft preferable on this Occafion, becaufe the Quickfil- ver endeavouring to get to this Metal, feparates itfelf the more willingly from the Earth, and is the more difpofed to be rarified and pufhed on by the Fire. One is not always allured of the Purity of the Mercury that is fold by the Merchant, for it may be vitiated by fome Mixture which was made in the Mine, and could not be feparated by the Lea- ther ; or by the Addition of Lead, or fome other Metal or Mineral, that the Sophifticators may have put into it : it is therefore neceftary to purify it be- fore you ufe it. The Method of the Ancients to purify their Mer- cury, and, as theyfaid, at the fame Time to correct its cold Quality, which they faid it had in the fourth Degree, was by mixing it in a Stone Mor- tar, with Salt and Sage in Powder, and beating this Mixture for an Hour together with a wooden Peftle, and afterwards ftraining it through a Skin ; 94 General Hijtory of D R U G S. Book If. by this Means they rendered it clear and beautiful : But they had only taken off a fuperficial Impurity which was of no Confequence, which the Quick- filver by rolling about contracted in the Veffcls of Leather or Earth it was kept or tranfported in : If there were any Metal or metallick Matter in the Quickfilver, it would pafs with it through the Pores of the Skin, and that could make no Sepa-. ration of it; as for the pretended cold Quality of the Mercury, that could not be corrected by this Preparation, and in fhort the Metal continued in much the fame Condition as before. The fure Means of having Quickfilver as pure as it is poflible, is to revive it from Cinnabar after the following Manner : Mix together two equal Parts of Powder of Cinnabar, and Filings of Iron, and fill about a half, or two thirds of a Retort with them, place it on a reverberating Furnace, and fit to it aGlafs Recipient full of Water, without luting the Joints; encreafe the Fire to the fourth Degree, you will find the Quickfilver diftil and fall to the Bottom of the Recipient ; keep it on the Fire till no more will rife, and you will have got thirteen Ounces of running Mercury, from one Pound of Cinnabar ; walh it, and having dried it with Linen Cloths, ftrain it through Leather. We may be fecure that this Mercury is pure, becaufe if any Portipn of Metal or Mineral had been mixed in the Mine with the Quickfilver, of which the Cinnabar was made, it would have remained at the Bottom of the Veffel, and would not have been able to rife with the Mercury and the Sulphur ; and if after the Sublimation any ftrange Body had been mingled with the Cinnabar, this Impurity, of what Nature foever, would be feparated by the Revivification or Diftillation that I have been fpeaking of. The Recipient muff be filled with Water, that the Mercury which afcends in a Vapour from the Retort, may by the Coldnefs thereof, be con- denfed into a Liquor; but the joining of the Re- cipient with the Retort, muff not be luted, becaufe that in the Diftillation there always arifes a great Quantity of Sulphur from the Cinnabar, which would mix itfelf with the Mercury, if it could not find a Place to get out at, and would reduce it to a Sort of grey Pafte, fo that it would be neceffary to diftil it a fecond Time. The Iron, upon this Occafion, ferve as an Al- kali to feparate the Acids of the Sulphur, which held the Mercury in the Cinnabar ; and this Mer- cury being difengaged from its Bonds, comes into a Condition of being rarified and pufhed on by the Fire. Quick Lime produces the fame Effedt as the Iron, but then there rauft be thrice the Quan- tity. The Fluidity of the.Mercury proceeds from this, that the infenfible Particles, of which it is natu- rally compofed, are all fpherical or round ; for their Figure rendering them uncapable of hooking one into the other, they roll about continually. The fame Reafon explains why this Metal, though it be fo heavy, (hould eafily be volatilized by the Fire ; for its round Parts being alw r ays difunited, and having no Tie of one to the other, are all fevc- rally light, and in a proper Condition to be pufhed forward, and elevated by the Fire. That which makes the Solidity and Firmnefs of other Metals is, that their infenfible Particles having divers Fi- gures, are fo hooked, bound, and exacfly united one to the other, that the Fire has no Power to feparate them, fo as to let them be elevated. Quickfilver is a Remedy for the Miferere, in which the Patient fwallows a Pound or more : It is voided by Stool, without any Alteration. They ufe crude Mercury to kill the Worms, they boil it in Water, and then give the Patient the Dcco&ion to drink, which muft have taken but a very fmall Imprefiion let it have boiled never fo long ; for the Metal is found to be of the fame Weight, and the Deco£tion has no other Colour, Tafte, or Smell than common boiling Water ; and yet it does not fail of producing a good Effe that it is as much as to fay, Vifttando lnteriora Terra. ’, Reel if - caralo Invent es Occulium Lapidem , VeramMedicinam. The true Roman Vitriol is much fought for at prefent, both becaufe of its Scarcity, as well as becaufe it is the moft proper for the making a white Powder, which they call the Sympathetic k Powder , which is only Roman Vitriol expofed to the Air and the great Heat during the Dog-days for a confiderable Time. When it becomes ex- tremely white by the Calcination which the Sun has given it, it is made ufe of for Wounds, and to flop Blood. Some mix Gum Tragacanth with it. They bring us likewife from Italy another Vitriol , which comes near the Colour of the Roman , only it is greener, and in lefter Pieces, and is what we call Vitriol , or Copperas of Pifa , and is made ufe of by the Dyers. The third Vitriol is of a martial Nature, and as it is more common, is alfo cheaper ; this is the EngUJh Vitriol , or common Copperas : It is much ufed by Dyers, Hatters, and others, who have occafion* for a black Colour ; and they fay that that which makes the Copperas dye black, is be- caufe the Stone it is prepared from participates of the Iron ; others will have it, that it is becaufe they who make it throw old Iron into the Liquor. The neceftary Qualities in right Englijh Cop- peras is, that it be dry, of a clear tranfparent Green, with as few fmall and whitifh Pieces as poffible. Of Book II. Of M E Of the Cyprian or Hungarian Vitriol. This Vitriol has its Name from the Places from whence it Is brought ; it is of a Sky-blue, and in large Cryftals. Notwithftanding all the Pains I have taken to difcover what the Vitriol of Cyprus , which we fell, might be, I have not been able to learn it. The Sentiments of Authors differ ex- ceedingly about it, fome fay it is a Cryftallization made of a blue Water which is found in Copper Mines. A Perfon of Worth and Honefty has affirmed to me, that the Vitriol of Cyprus was made of Rofe Copper diffolved in the Spirit of Vitriol , and afterwards cryftallized. Another has told me, that it was made of German Copperas ; but not knowing which Part to take amongft the three, I fhall only fay, that it partakes of Copper, and that two Sorts of it are brought to us from Cyprus ; one in large Pieces, which we call the Company’s Vitriol, becaufe the Merchants trading to the Indies bring it to us ; the other cut into Bits on Purpofe, with Points like Diamonds, to make it look more beautiful, and promote the Sale. The Vitriol of Cyprus or Hungary is to be chofen of a fine fky-coloured Blue, efpecially when brok- en ; for being a Commodity eafily to be pene- trated by the Air, it will come to be of a whitifh grey on the Outfide, which does not at all dimi- nifh its Goodnefs, but renders it not fo faleable to the Eye ; and a Sign that it is the Superficies only that is damaged, is this, that by putting it to the Tongue, upon the Approach of the leaft Moifture, it will come to its Colour. Some Perfons have aflured me, that fo piercing a Spirit is drawn from the Vitriol of Cyprus , that it will break any Glafs Veflel of whatsoever Thicknefs ; and yet though fo piercing, being mixed with an equal Quantity of W'ater, it is a fovereign Remedy for confo- lidating all green Wounds, and flopping of Blood ; which is probable enough, becaufe we have no Drug more aftrir.gent, or that flops Blood better than the Vitriol of Cyprus. This Vitriol is much ufed by feveral Artifts. Some Perfons carry it about them for Blotches in their Face. This, as well as the Roman , is ufed for the fym- pathetick Powder. Of German Vitriol, or Copperas. The German Copperas is a Vitriol of a bluifh Green, clear and tranfparent, which is made and cryftallized at Gojfelar in Saxony, whence it is that this Vitriol is called Gojfelar, or Saxon Vitriol. The largeft Pieces, cleareft, and moft tranfparent, are to be chofen, and the drieft that can be. The German Vitriol is of much ufe in Medi- cine, as being that from whence the Chymifts T A L S, i jy draw moft of their Preparations, as fhall be fhewn hereafter. It is alfo this Kind which is ufed in making Jqua fort is. It is likewife ufed by the Dyers. This may be ufed for flopping Blood in Cafe of Neceffity, inftead of the Vitriol of Cyprus , but it has not fo much Efficacy. Of White Vitriol. The TVbite Vitriol which we fetch from Ger- many, is the Copperas of Gojfelar, beforementioned, calcined to Yv hitenefs, and afterwards put into Water and filtred, and reduced to Salt j and when it begins to coaggulate, the Germans make it into Lumps of forty or fifty Pound Weight, of the Shape we fee them in. It is therefore an Abufe put upon us by a modern Author, who would make us believe that the white Copperas is found near Fountains, and is the moft purified of all from any metallick Subftance. This Copperas ought to be pretty hard, white, and of the neareft Relemblance to fine white Sugar that can be. Care muft be taken to keep it from the Air, for when that gets to it, it becomes yellow and unfaleable. This Copperas is of fome Ufe in Phyfick : Peo- ple put it into Rofe or Plantain Water, with Orice and Succotrine Aloes, to cure Difeafes of the Eyes. Painters ufe it, when calcined, to put in their Colours that they may dry ; but Farriers ufe the greateft Quantities of it. By Help of the Spirit of Vitriol they draw Cryftals from this white Copperas, which are what we call Gilla Vitrioli , or emetick Vitriol, becaufe being taken from twelve Grains to a Drachm in Broth, or other Liquor, it gives an eafy Vomit. An aperitive Mineral Water may be made by diflolving ten Grains of this Gilla Vitrioli in ten Pints of River Water. Of the Spirit, Salt, and Oil of Vitriol. They draw from the German or Er.glijh Vi- triol, calcined to a Whitenefs, by means of Fire and a Retort, a Phlegm, a Spirit, and an Oil; but becaufe the Operation is long and troutilefome, I fhould not advife any one to concern themfelves with it : Befides, the Spirit and Oil of Vitriol, which we Apothecaries and Chymifts in France maxe, is not near fo good, nor can be afforded fo cheap as thofc brought from England and Holland his muft be taken Notice of, that what we call Oil of Vitriol, is only a Spirit well rectified Iro.u its Phlegm, and not an Oil ; for Oils are fat Sub- ftances, and will fv/im on Water, but the Oil of Vitriol is not fuch, but eaiily intermixes with watry Liqu rs. "I 'hat which is called Spirit of Vitriol is the Liquor which comes immediate: , afit: i - Phlegm 1 1 8 General Hijtory which, if right, ought to be as clear as W ater, of a Tafte fomething ftiarp, and being put upon white. Paper, and held to the Fire, become black. They ufe this Spirit of Vitriol very commonly in Phyfick for Cooling, and upon other Occafions. The Spirit of Vitriol, well cleaned of its Phlegm, is what we improperly call Oil of Vitriol ; it ought to be of a dark Colour, of fo piercing and cauftick a Tafle, that it is impoffible to endure it upon the Tongue. They are in the wrong who think that acid Spirits need not be ftopt, becaufe they pre- tend that they do not evaporate, which is true ; but this Spirit being throughly diverted of its Phlegm, if you leave it in a Bottle unftopped, the Air gets into it, increafes its Bulk and Weight, and at laft becomes as infipid as Water. The Oil of Vitriol is very cor rofive, and there- fore made ufe of to diflolve Metals : It is taken inwardly for the fame Diftempers as the Spirit, but muft be ufed in leffer Quantities, becaufe it has greater Strength in it. Spirit of Vitriol Ihould be bought of fuch Perfons as one can truft, becaufe there are fome who make Spirit of Vitriol, by mixing Aqua fortis with Water, which they are able to afford at a cheap Rate ; and this Spirit of Vitriol, made with Aqua fortis , is called the Philo- fopbick Spirit of Vitriol , of which you muft care- fully beware. As to the Water and Phlegm of Vitriol, which I mentioned before, it is of no Ufe becaufe it is infipid, yet fome People wafh their Eyes with it. Monfieur Lemery fays, that you muft ufe Englijh Vitriol, or Copperas, for the forementioned Ope- rations, becaufe it is not of fuch Acrimony as the German : However all they who work with Vi- triol make ufe of the German ; but I leave the De- cifion of this Point to them that have more Ex- perience in it than I have. That which remains in the Retort, after Diftillation, is a reddifli Earth which the Chymifts call the Caput Mortuum of Vitriol, artificial Colcotbar , or rubified Vitriol. One may draw a Salt out of it by the Means of Water and Fire, which is what they call Salt *of Vitriol , and is made ufe of as G ilia Vitrioli , only not to be taken in fuch large Dofes. The Salt of Vitriol ought to be white, and faithfully prepared ; it is a common Deceit to fell the Gilla Vitriolic or green Vitriol calcined to a Whitenefs, for the Salt of Vitriol. The Colcotbar has fome little Ufe in Medicine, forafmuch as fome People employ it inftead of Cbalcitis , becaufe it is cheaper, and has the fame Qualities. Some Apothecaries put Colcotbar into their Diapalma , as well to make it red, as to hu- mour the Surgeons, who are pleafed that the Publick do. not know that it is nothing but Dia- f D R U G S. Book II. palma ; and to difguife it the better, they call the Plaifter by the Name of Diacbalcitcos. They make with the Colcotbar , burnt Alum, Sugar-candy, Urine, and Rofe-water, a very aftrin- gent Water, and proper for flopping of Blood, as Monfieur Lemery has obferved, to whom the Rea- der may have Recourfe. There is alfo another ftyptick W ater of Monfieur Favour, deferibed by Monfieur Cbaras. It is to be obferved, that the Colcotbar is im- properly called Calcantbum , becaufe the Word Calcanthum fignihes nothing elfe but Vitriol. Vitriol is a mineral Salt drawn, as Salt- petre, by Lotion, by Filtration, by Eva- Lemery. poration and Cryftallization, from a Sort of Marcafite, called Pyrites or Fire-Stone, of which I fhall fpeak in its Place. It is found in the Mines in feveral Parts of Europe, as in Italy and Germany : There are fome Sorts alfo found about Paris. This Foflil or Mineral, confifts of an acid Salt, Earth, Iron, and Copper. The diftinguifhing Mark of Vitriol confifts in the black Colour, which it communicates to an Infufion of Galls. That it is an acid Salt appears plainly, not only by its being chymically analized (for a great many cavil, that an acid Spirit may be produced by the Violence and Force of the Fire) but alfo from the bright red Colour that a Solution of Vitriol im- parts to blue Paper. The Earth of Vitriol pre- cipitates or falls to the Bottom of the Crucible, when the Solution of fixed Nitre is poured upon a Solution of Vitriol. As to Iron and Cop- per, it is not to be doubted that they are con- tained in Vitriol ; for by pouring the Spirit of Salt, or Vitriol, upon the Filings of Iron, an excellent Vitriol of Mars or Iron is made, and by placing Plates of Iron or Copper in a Crucible, with fome common Brimftone interfperfed, a Vitriol is pro- duced by the Help of Fire : Wherefore it is very probable that the Vitriol of Alars, or Iron, and the Vitriol of Verms, or Copper, are bred in the Bowels of the Earth, from the acid Juices or Li- quors corroding the Copper. White Vitriol , vulgarly called Eye Copperas, is a Mineral Vitriolick Salt, found in the Earth near unto Fountains, and the mod of all depurated from a metallick Mixture ; or it is made by dif- folving the Roman or dark Green Vitriol in Water, and then boiling it till all the Water is evaporated, and the Vitriol turned into large white Lumps like Sugar, which being expofed to the Air, turn out- wardly of a reddifh or yellowifh Colour. It is the leaft acrid of any of the Vitriols. It is to be chofen in large white Lumps, pure and clean, refembling Loaf Sugar, of a fweet Tafte, Book II. Of M E Tafte, aftringent, accompanied with an Acrimony. It contains abundance of Phlegm and acid Salt, a little Sulphur like common Sulphur, and fome Earth. The white natural Vitriol needs no Manner of Preparation, being of great Ufe and Force in a Loofenefs and Bloody Flux, and frequently ufed for that Purpofe in Camps and Hofpitals. The other White Vitriol is thus purified : Take White Vitriol, what Quantity you pleafe, diilove it in Phlegm of Vitriol, or in Rain Water; then fil- trate, evaporate, and fet it to cryftallize. This is that which is called Gilla Vitrioli , and Gilla Theo- pbrajii. It heats, deficcates, aftringes, or conftipates, yet excites Vomiting. It powerfully extricates tough Phlegm out of the Ventricle, by its emetick Force, yet may be given to Children. It kills Worms, and ftrengthens the Stomach and Brain, and is good againft: Convulfions and Epilepfies ; it cleanfes and ftrengthens the Womb, and is ufed in Injections againft a Gonorrhoea , and the Whites in Women, a Drachm thereof being mixed with a Pint of Spring Water, and fo ufed with a Syringe. Inwardly, as a Vomit, it is an excellent Remedy againft Fevers ; Dofe from twelve Grains to a Grachm in Broth, or other Liquor. It cleanfes the Stomach from all Impurities, eafes the Head- ach, ftops Fluxes, and is good againft Quotidian and Tertian Agues. There are two Things obfervable in Regard to this Gilla Vitrioli , Firji, That in making it all the Liquor may be evaporated away without any Cryftallization, fo the Gilla will remain at the Bottom in a white Powder. Next, that after taking this Vomit, the Sick fometirnes voids by Stool a black Matter, like Ink ; becaufe it often happens that fome Part of the Gilla defcending into the Guts, meets with a ftyptick Matter, al- moft of the fame Nature as Galls, which caufes that Blacknefs. The fympathetick Powder is white Vitriol opened and prepared ; it ought to be placed upon a Stone, fo as to receive the Beams of the Sun re- fiexively, from a large Burning-glafs, by which it will be fooner done than by any Furnace what- foever, and the calcined Powder is to be kept in a Glafc clofe ftopt for Ufe. It is ufed in the mag- netick Cure of Wounds. Diflblved in Water, and ufed outwardly, it dries, binds, and heats much, and has the Virtue of the Gilla. The Aqua S/yptica Compoftta , or the Compound Styptick Water, is made of this Vitriol, and other Ingredients in the following Manner. Take pu- rifTed white Vitriol, Roch Alum, of each an Ounce ; Sacckarum Saturni , half an Ounce ; Spring Water, two Quarts ; mix and dtffolve over T A L S. rig a gentle Heat, digcft clofe ftopt ten Days ; decant the clear, filtrate, and keep it for Ufe. This is an eafy Preparation, and of few and fimple Ingre- dients, but of no mean Ufe. It is a good In- jection (Univerfals being firft premifed) againft the Whites in Women, and the Gonorrhoea in Men, though of never fo long {landing, and poffibly may do more in two, three, or four Days Time, being injeCted, than all other Medicines could do in as many Years : It flops Bleeding in any Part, heals Ulcers, and infallibly cures all Sorts of Tet- ters, Ringworms, Scabs, Scurf, Morphevv, and in- veterate Herpes in any Part of the Body, if daily waftied therewith, two or three Times a Day, for half an Hour at a Time, and as hot as can be en- dured; injected as a Clyfter, it kills the Worms called Afcarides. There are feveral Sorts of Green Vitriol, as the German or Hungarian Vitriol, the Englijh Vitriol, and the Roman Vitriol. As for the Green Hungarian Vitriol, the Native is found in Mines like Copper. The Factitious is made of the Marcafite, called Pyrites or the Fire- Stone, with or without Additions of Copper, and is brought to us from Dantzick , out of Germany , Hungary , Gfc. The belt is the greenifh, and of that, that which participates more of Copper than of Iron, which rubbed on a Knife, colours it red ; that which is fubceruleous, pale, aquofe, and moiftens the Hands, is not fo good. The Factitious is that which is made either of Water coming from vitrrolick Springs, evaporated and cryftallized, or elfe made from vitriolickMar- cafites, the Pyrites, or Fire-Stone (with Additions of Copper) which is found in Grounds abounding with metallick Seeds, and inclined naturally to the Generation of Sulphur. It is known by burning, for it yields a fulphureous Fume, not unlike Brimftone. This powdered and expofed to the Air, yields on its Superficies a little white and fharp Salt melting in the Mouth, at firft fweetilh, then ending in a vitriolick Harfhnefs. From this Powder Vitriol is thus extracted ; it is diflblved in Rain Water, by boiling in a flow Heat, then fil- trated, evaporated, and cryftallized ; fo you have an excellent greenilh Vitriol. , Out of any of thefe three Kinds of greenifh Vitriols, all the great and famed Medicines are made. It goes fometirnes by the Name of Dant- zick Vitriol; it may be purified after the fame Manner as the white, and the Gilla of it has all the Virtues as the other, but is much ftronger, and ought to be given with Caution and Difcretion, and only to ftrong Perfons ; and if given to the Sick, they ought to be provoked to vomit, left it fhould ulcerate the Tunicles of the Stomach and Bowels. The 120 General Htjlory of DRUGS. Book II. The fympathetick Powder is much better to be made with this than with white Vitriol, as being much more powerful to all the fame Intentions of curing Wounds, and the like : And as to the Com- pound Styptick Water of white Vitriol, the fame may be done with the Hungarian , only the Pro- portion of it mull be fomething lefs. It is fuperior in Virtue, and may do Wonders, if in a wife Man's Hand ; but for vulgar Ufe the former is better, becaufe it may be trufled with Perfons that are lefs fkilful, and there will be no Danger of their doing Mifchief with it. The Styptick Water of Monfieur Favour is made after this Manner : Take of Vitriol twenty- five Pounds, diflolve it in fair Water, ftrain it through a coarfe Cloth, boil it in a Copper Veflel for a Quarter of an Hour ; remove it from the Fire, and put to it immediately half a Pound of Spirit of Vinegar to caufe the earthy Parts to fet- tle; let it ftand twelve or fourteen Hours, that the Terra may precipitate, then decant the clear Liquor. This Terra or Precipitate wafh well, dulcify, and dry over hot Embers ; of which take eight Ounces, put it into a Glafs Retort, upon which pour Spirit of Vitriol, well rectified from its Phlegm, eight Ounces ; diftil with a gradual Fire, foft at firft, and at length very violent, continuing it fo till nothing more will come. Take the Caput Mortuum , reduce it to Powder, and with Alcohol, or tartarized Spirit of Wine, enough to cover it five Inches over, in a Matrafs well luted. Set it in a foft Heat to digeft for twenty-four Hours, till the Spirit of Wine becomes very red; filtre it hot, and draw off the Spirit in a Glafs Alembick, fo you have at the Bottom a whitifh Powder: Take of this Powder one Ounce; Rain Water four Ounces, digeft in the Sun for fome Days, then filtre aed keep it for Ufe : But the fame Perfon, in making the fame Water, did fome- times put double the above limited Quantity of Spirit of Vitriol, and then only drying the Caput Mortuum in a Crucible till it became yellowifh, he to two Ounces of it put only three Ounces of Rain Water; digefted them together for fome Hours, then filtrated, and kept the Liquor clofe ftopt for Ufe, as an extraordinary Remedy againft all Hemorrhages, or violent Fluxes of Blood. To conclude, the German or Dantzick Vitriol is in green Cryftals, inclining to a blue, of an aftrin- gent acrid Tafte; it participates of Copper, and is that which is ufed to make Aqua fortis. The Engl'tjh Copperas is in Cryftals of a dark green Colour, of a fweet aftringent Tafte, coming near to that of white Vitriol: It participates of Iron, and does not make it change its Colour. It is more than half of it Phlegm, a great deal of acrid Salt, Sulphur, and Earth. One may draw from this Vitriol a very good Spirit of Vitriol by Diftillation, as I have (hewn in my Book of Chy- miftry. This Vitriol is made in England , upon the River of Thames , from vaft Quantities of the Marcafite Pyrites , or Fire-Stone, with the Addition of old Iron. Of this Copperas, with Galls, or any other aftringent Vegetables, you may make Ink, and the Black for Dyers; yet fome think that the Vitriol of Copper is better, becaufe that Experience teaches the Refiners that Aqua fortis made with Copperas, or Vitriol of Iron, will carry its Foul- nefs through all their mediate Solutions. Dark Green, or Roman Vitriol, vulgarly called Common Green Copperas , is prepared about Rome in Campania , being extradled out of Clots or Lumps, of an Afh-colour inclining to black, like Potters Clay ; which being expofed to the Air, gradually heat and ferment, and being diflolved fome Days after in fair Water, they yield this Sort of Vitriol, but from the frefti Clots no Vitriol can be obtain- ed. The Roman Vitriol is alfo prepared in fome Parts of the Kingdom of Naples ; it is of a paler Green than the German Vitriol , but almoft of the fame ftyptick Tafte. The blue Vitriol, or celeftial Stone, is called Cyprian , or Hungarian Vitriol, becaufe it is brought to us from thofe Countries. It is in Cryftals of a very fine fky-coloured Blue* It is not certainly known after what Manner it is made ; fome think it is extracted by the Evaporation and Cry- ftallization of the blue Water that is found in the Copper Mines : Others fay it is an artificial Ope- ration, performed by a Diftolution of Copper, in a weak Spirit of Vitriol, evaporated and cryftal- lized. However it be, it participates much of the Copper, which gives it the blue Colour. It is acrid and fomething Cauftick ; it comes in great and lefler Pieces ; the little ones are pointed like Diamonds. It contains much acrid Salt, or a cor- rofive Acid of Sulphur, but lefs Phlegm and Earth than other Vitriols. The artificial Vitriol of Venus is made by taking little thin Pieces of Brafs, about the Big- nefs of a Shilling ; firft put a Layer of Sulphur, then a Layer of Pieces, filling a Pot full, Stratum fuper Stratum , and calcine in a Furnace for two or three Hours ; or calcine firft the Copper by it- fe If, and then beating the Calx to Powder, calcine it again, having firft mixed with every Pound of Calx fix Ounces of Sulphur, ftirring it continually as it burns, that it may not ftick to the Pan, and become black. Powder the Calx again, and cal- cine and repeat it three Times, till the Calx be- comes very red. Take of this red Calx in Powder i one 12 1 Of M E T A L S. Book II. cne Pound ; fair Water fix Pounds ; boil them to- gether for about four Hours ; let it cool and fettle ; decant the clear fapphirine Liquor, and filtrate it after it has ftood about two Days. The remain- ing Copper calcine, as before, with Sulphur three Ounces ; and with Water in like Manner draw the TinCture. This Procefs of calcining, boiling, fettling, and filtrating is to be done fix or feven Times, till with the Water you have extracted the whole fiipphirine, azure, or blue TinCture out of the Copper. Thefe blue filtrated Liquors put together, in a large earthen Bell, in a Sand Heat, not violent; evaporate the Water till a Pellicle arife, which being then put into a cold and moift Place for a Night, will {hoot into Crvftals like great Gems. Glauber extracts the TinCture from calcined Copper, with Spirit of Sal Armoniack , by frequent Ignition and Extinction, and in an Hour’s Space extradls a blue Colour ; which being fet to cryftallize in a cold Place, {hoots into mod elegant blue Vitriol. Beguinus does it with Spirit of Vi- negar ; but then the Vitriol will be of an obfcure green Colour. The native blue Stone is good againft Dif- eafes of the Eyes, taking away Films, Clouds, Pearls, (Ac. Rheums, Rednefs, Inflammation, and Blood-{hot, if you take the Stone and put it into a little Spring or Well Water for about two Mi- nutes Time, and then take the Water with a Linen Rag to wafh the Eyes, and drop two or three Drops into them at Bed-time. It cureth any running Sore, or Ulcer, or inveterate Fijlula y Tetters, Ringworms, Scurf, &c. but for thefe lat- ter Difeafes the Stone ought to lie in Water for a Quarter of an Hour. It alfo helps the Canker in the Mouth, by rubbing the Place with the Stone, and waflhing the Mouth with the Water. The factitious blue Stone is given from two or three Grains, to twelve or fifteen, in proper Li- quors, againft Difeafes of the Head, Stomach, and Parts of Generation. It is often ufed in InjeCtions in proper Vehicles, one Drachm to one Pound of Liquor, for all Sores, Ulcers, Scabs, Itch, Tetters, or any other cutaneous Difeafe. Inwardly it kills the Worms. It may be given in a fmall Dofe againft Difeafes of the Stomach and Brain. It {Lengthens the Brain againft a growing Epilepfy. It is alfo a Specifick to cleanfe the Womb ; and it is held as a great Secret, to diflolve a little of it in Water, againft the burning and intemperate Heat of the fpermatick Vefle's, and fo to ufe it for In- jeCtions : For as this Vitriol poffeffes a large Por- tion of the Sulphur of Venus , which is able to ap- peafe the Irritation of thofe Parts, fo alfo it pro- duces rare and eminent EffeCts, by virtue of its deterfive and refrigerative Salt. Vot. II. T he red Vitriol, colled Caleanihum , is a Vitriol that has been naturally calcined in the Mines by fubterraneous Eire, or artificially by ordinary Fire. That which is found naturally in the Mine, is called Cbalcitis, becaufe it is taken from Copper Mines. It is a brownifh red Stone, which is brought to us from Sweden and Germany. It rs rare, and we have fcarce enough of it to ufe in our V -nice Treacle , of which it is one of the Ingredi- ents. That is beft which is of a reddifh brown, of the Tafte of Vitriol, and eafily diflolved in Water. The Colcothar , calcined by the common Fire, is of a pleafant Red. The beft is that which re- mains in the Retorts after the Diftillation of the Spirit and Oil of Vitriol. Both the one and the other Colcothar contain a great deal of metallick Earth. Vitriol is chymically analized after the follow- ing Manner : Fill a Glafs Matrafs, or Cucurbit, up to the middle with Vitriol powdered ; then clapping on the Head, fitting the Receiver, and luting the Joints, diftil it with a Sand Heat, that the Ros , or Phlegm of the Vitriol, being of a ftrong {harp Tafte, may be drawn off; then take oft' what remains in the Matrafs, bruife or powder it, and throw into a Retort, increafing the Fire gradually three or four Days, and you will obtain a Spirit and an Oil : And, laftly, from the Caput Mortuum of the Vitriol diffolved, an Earth and Salt is obtained. The Ros or Phlegm of Vitriol is preferibed by the Chymifts from one Drachm to two, and is mightily commended by them for its Virtues, be- ing diuretick, vulnerary, anodyne, and good to {Lengthen the Bowels. 1 he Spirit of Vitriol provokes Urine, excites an Appetite, and allays the burning Heat of Fe- vers, being given in a Cup full of cold Water, to a grateful Sharpnefs. This Spirit may be fweetened, digefting it with the rectified Spirit of Wine; and then it may be ufed in Difeafes of the Gums, and cutaneous Diftempers. The Salt of Vitriol is endued with an emetick Faculty. It may be given from half a Drachm to two Drachms. The Colcothar , or red Earth, out of which the Salt was extracted, is effectually ufed in a Loofc- nefs, Bloody Flux, Hemorrhages, and Wounds. The fpiritous Parts of Vitriol may be eafily again recovered, if you expofe the Caput Mor- tuum for fome Time to the open Air, keepin?; it from Rain ; fo that by Diftillation you may obtain another Spirit : But this Spirit is a great deal fweeter and weaker than the common. Paracelfus corrects the Spirit of Vitriol by R pouring 122 General Hijlory of D R U G S. Book II. pouring it upon the Caput Mortuum , and then ciftilling it nine Times over, every Time pouring on more frelh Spirit; and taking it out of the Alembick, he put it into a Retort, and diftils it over again with as much Spirit of Wine as is fuf- ficient to make it into a Pafte. This he highly commends in an Epilepfy, or Falling Sicknefs. [Vitriols are either natural or fictitious ; the former are found in Cryftals, or Stria, flicking to the Roofs and Sides of Mines ; the latter are obtained by various Arts from Wafers, Earths, Stones, vitriolick Veins of mineral Ores, and par- ticularly from the Pyrites: the molt ufual Ways of obtaining them are by Fermentation, Coition, and Cryftallization. In Galea’s Time, blue Vitriol was made in Cyprus by the Sun’s exhaling vitrio- iick Waters ; and the fame Kind is now made in Hungary , by boiling and evaporating a Water of that kind ; and the green Vitriol of Germany is, at this Time, made by a Method not much different. It is alfo made in fome Places by Ablutions of an alb-coloured Earth, fpotted with Specks of a Ruft of Iron Colour; and others of a Verdigrife Co- lour, with a ftrong fulphureous Smell, an unplea- lant acerb Tafte. This Vitriol is therefore com- pofed of a Mixture of Iron and Copper, and ac- cordingly its Colour is between blue and green. The other common Vitriols of the Shops are, i . The blue Vitriol , the Vitriolum Caruleum , Charlt. Foff. II. Vitriolum Cyprinum Caruleum , JVorm. 25. Chal- canthum Cyprinum , Aid. Muf. Met. 329. This is brought to us from Cyprus and the Eaf -Indies, and is made from Copper, or Coppery Waters, by Solution and Cryftallization. 2. The green Vitriol, or common Copperas, is the Vitriolum Viride, Charlt. FoJJ'. 11. Calcanthum Viride fafiitium, Atramenium Sutorium Ojfcinarum, Schw. 273. Atramentutn Viride durum folide eoRum. 13. This is made in England , principally at Rotherhithe and Deptford , from a ferrugineous Kind of Pyrites, common on the Eaftern Shores of Sheppey Ifland, and in other Places, with a Mixture of rufty Pieces of old Iron by Codlion and Cryftallization. The Copperas Stones are heavy, denfe, and of a darker or paler Colour on the Outfule ; but their inner Surface is marked with Lines or Spangles of a Gold or Silver Co- lour. They are infipid to the Tafte, and by lying long in the open Air, acquire an inteftine Fermen- tation, and fall fpontaneoufly to Pieces. 3. The IV hit e Vitriol of the Shops, is the Vitrio- lum Candidum , Charlt. Fojf. n. Calcanthum Can- dulum. Aid. MuJ. Met. 339. Atramentum Album durum Fojfile, Kentm. 13. It is an Error to think that this is a Preparation of any of the other Vi- triols, foi it is found in proper Mines like a downy Efflorefcence, which is diffolved in Water, is boiled to Evaporation, and formed into Cakes. It is alfo fometimes found in the Mine in fmall tranfparent Pieces like Cryftal. This is ufed as an Emetick, and in Difeafes of the Eyes.] Of the medicinal Stone of Crollius. The Stone of Crollius is made of Eng- Pomet. lifts Copperas, white Vitriol, Allum, white Pot-alhes, or Natrum of JEgypt, common Salt, Salt of Tartar, Salt of Wormwood, Salt of Mug- wort, Salt of Succory, Salt of Plantain, Salt of Arfmart, white Lead, Bole Armoniack, Myrrh, Frankincenfe, and Vinegar of Rofes. Of all thefe in proper Quantities, as they are fet down in Crol- lius, Pag. 442. by the means of Fire, is made a red Stone, endued with very excellent Properties, which would be too long to be dcfcribed in this Place : But as this Stone is of great Confequence, both becaufe it cofts a great deal of Money, and becaufe few Perfons have the true Knowledge of it, the greateft Part of the Apothecaries fubftitute in the Room of it the medicinal Stone defcribed by Monfieur Charas, becaufe they can afford it cheaper than they who fell the true Stone of Crol- lius ; this latter being made of Drugs of a much lower Price, as Ihall be Ihewn hereafter. Of the other medicinal Stone. Monfieur Charas , in the Page 104 1 Pomet. of his Pharmacopoeia , defcribes a medi- cinal Stone compofed of the Vitriol of Cyprus , Salt of Nitre, white Lead, Allum, Bole Armo- niack, Sandiver, Sal Armoniack, and common Vi- negar ; fo that one may fee by thefe two Defcrip- tions, that there is a great deal of Difference be- twixt this Stone and that of Crollius : And that more of this is likely to be fold for its Cheapnels than of the other. Of the Lapis Mirabilis. The Lapis Mirabilis is fo called be- Pomet . caufe of its great Properties ; above all for the Cure of Webs, and other Difeafes that happen to the Eyes of Horfes. This Stone is made by putting into an earthern Pot white Copperas, Alum, Bole-Armoniack, Li- tharge, and common Water,, as Monfieur S alley f el has remarked in his Book, Pag. 86. to which they that have Occafion may have recourfe, as well to know the Dofe, as thofe excellent Qualities by which it obtained fuch a Name. Thefe, and many other medicinal Stones, have been Book II. Of M E been once in great Repute, but are now never prefcribcd or made. 21. Of the Pyrites, or Fire Stone. / T A H E Pyrites , or Fire-Stone , is a Sort of Mar- cafite, of which they make their Copperas’s or Vitriols. This Marcalite is weighty, of a Moufe Colour, full of little, yellow, fhining Spots. There is a great Quantity of this Fire-Stone in France , efpecialiy at Paffy near Paris. It is no Impropriety to call the Vitriols Cop- peras’s, becaufe the Word Copperas is derived from Cuprum , Copper. Pyrites is a Sort of Marcafite, or Lemcry. hard Stone, heavy, which fends forth Sparks of Fire upon ftriking it with Iron, of a grey Colour, interfperfed with little, yellow, fliining Streaks : This Kind is found in the Copper Mines in Italy, from whence they draw the Roman Vitriol. To get the Vitriol out of this Stone, it is ne- ceflary to expofe it to the Air for feveral Months together, that fo the Acid getting infenfibly into the Pores, may rarefy its Parts, and render its Salt more diflolvable. By Time it is converted in a Manner to a Calx, from whence they extra# the Vitriol, by wafhing it feveral Times with Water, and making Evaporations and Cry {fall izations as are neceflary, as they do in the making of Salt- petre. The Pyrites is deterfive, aftringent, deficcative, digeftive, refolutive, applied outwardly. [Pyrila, or Marcafites, are of various Kinds, found in almoft all Mines and Pits, and partaking of various Metals, Salts, and Sulphurs ; according to the Quantities of which that are contained in them they vary in Shape, Colour, Size, and Weight. It would be not only tedious, but improper to enter into a long Detail of them here, as none of them are now ever ufed in Medicine in their natural State.] 22. Of Lead Ore. Pomet. T E AD is a livid, terreftrial, heavy Metal, charged with Sulphur, natural- ly foft and malleable, very like Tin, but inferior in Goodnefs. The Chymifts call it Saturn , be- caufe of die Influences they fuppofc it receives from that Planet. We have three Sorts of Lead Ore that differ one from the other, only according to the Digeftion they have received in the Bowels of the Earth. I he firft, that is to fay, that which lias received the lcaft Heat, and by Confcquence is molt weighty, is that T A L S. 123 which has the Name of common Lead Ore , and this is what is made into the Lumps called Pigs. I his Lead Ore is a weighty Mineral, eafy to break to Powder, and difficult to melt: it is taken out of the Mine in Pieces of different Bigncfs ; fometimes clean and neat ; fometimes mixt with Stones, refembling a certain Sort of Marble. This Lead Ore being broken, parts into fhining Flakes, of a white enclining to black, very like the Shoots of Antimony. T he Englijh melt this Lead, and afterwards caff: it into Moulds of the Shape we fee the Pigs in. The Lead Ore is of no other Ufe in France but for the Potters, who make ufe of it, having firft re- duced it to Powder, to varnifh the earthen VefTels of a green Colour with it. Although this Merchandize be of no great Confequence, yet great Care muft be taken con- cerning it ; for if there fhould chance to be any other Metal in it, as there is found to be too often, it will fpoil all the Potters Ware, to the great Trouble of him that fold the Commodity; for this Reafon you fhould never fell it to the Potters, without fhewing it them Piece by Piece, and taking a Note under their Hand, that they are fa- tisfied, to avoid further Trouble. This Lead Ore , to have the requifite Qualities, ought to be in large Pieces, heavy, with fine fhin- ing Scales, fat, that is to fay, foft in handling, in a word, the moft approaching to Bifmuth that it can poffibly ; reje# that* which is full of Stones and Dirt, or Gravel, as good for nothing, as well as that which is mixt with the Lead Ore of the fecond Sort that I am going to fpeak of. The fecond Sort is a Lead Ore lefs weighty and much harder than that beforementioned, and being broken is of a Moufe Colour, of a coarfer Grain, fmooth without, in fome Meafure refembling the black Lead ; which fhews that it has not received Heat enough to be converted into the black Lead Ore. This is to be entirely rejedled, as being of no Ufe : And fome of this is often found in the firft Sort, which is what caufes fo much Trouble to the Workmen, becaufe they can no more melt it by the Fife than they can do Marble, and it fpoils all their Work. However, I muft take notice, that fome Alchymifts enquire after it to draw their Lead out of it ; for they pretend that the Lead drawn from it is more du#ile and clofe than com- mon Lead is found to be. Others will have it, that there is fome Silver in it, which I leave other Perfons to try ; but as it is feldom ufed, I fhould not advife any Perfon to furnifh hiinfelf with any Store of it. The third Sort of Lead Ore is very much ufed, and is that we call Black Lead , or Crayon , becaufe R 2 the 124 General Hijiory of DRUGS. Book II. the moft perfect. It ferves to make Pencils to dc- f’gn withal. The Antients gave it the Name of Plumbago, and of Sea Lead, becaufe they thought it was taken from the Bottom of the Sea. Fo- reigners call it Poielot. We have at Paris two Sorts of Black Lead, to wit, the fine and the common. The Fine, to be perfect, and in good Condition, flrould not be heavy, of a black (Fining Silver Colour, not too bard nor too foft, eafy to be cut, and, when di- vided, compact: in the Infide, and not gritty; of a fine clofe Grain, in moderate Pieces, rather long, proper to cut ; that which is fit to make the long Pencils is mod efteemed. Lead of thefc Qualities wants for no Price, the Merchant may have what he pleafes, being much fought for by Architects and other Perfons for drawing. This Sort of Lead comes generally from England ; but as for the common, it is brought from Holland , and is of no great Ufe. Monfieur Morin , Phyfician and Mineralid, has allured me that there were a great many Lead Mines in France , efpecially in Auvergne , from whence we might have thefe three Sorts of Lead ; and this may be relied upon, he being a Perfon that would not affirm an Untruth. Of Lead in Pigs. What they call Lead in Pigs, is the common Lead Ore, melted and purified from the Stone and ether Impurities ; which being well refined, by (humming, and throwing Suet or other Greafe into it, is cad into Moulds to make Pigs of different Sizes. The Lead fo refined, to have its due Requifites, Ihouid be foft, that is to fay, cafy to cut, pliant, •Hid the mod white and (Fining that can be. The different Ufes that are made of Lead, 2s well in Icveral Trades, as in chymical Operations, is the Reafon of fo large a Confumption as there is of it, as well in Europe as other Parts of the World. Of Lead in Powderi The fird Preparation that is made of Lead,, is the reducing it to Powder; not in the manner feme Apothecaries ufe to reduce it, by rafping it, and beating it in a Mortar ; nor as feme Authors teach, by pouring it, when melted, into a round wooden Box chalked, within, and fo (baking it to Powder; for this is a troublefome tedious Way, and tire Quantity obtained by it is fo little, that it is not w'orth while ; but by melting Lead in an Earthen or Iren Veffel, and when it is- melted, by throwing into it the Dud of beaten Charcoal, dirring it about; And in this Manner you may fooner reduce into Powder a thoufand Weight of Lead, than one Ounce in a Mortar. To clean the Lead, that is, to feparate the Coal from it, you have nothing to do but to wafh it in Water, and dry it. Lead in Powder is very little ufed but by the Potters, who ufe it as Lead Ore for glazing their Earthern Ware. Lead in Powder, efpecially that which is in a Powder almod impalpable, has fome Ufe in Me- dicine, becaufe it is an Ingredient in fome Oint- ments, as the Po/npbolyx and others. They who refine Lead , and make Mufquet Bullets, or final! Shot, fend us their Scum, which we fell to the Potters, and call Scum , or Lead Ajhes. Of Burnt Lead. Burnt Lead, which the Laiir.s call Plumbum Tjjlurn, is Plates of Pig Lead put into a Pot with Sulphur, and by the Fire the Lead is reduced to a brown Powder. Burnt Lead has fome Ufe in Medicine, becaufe it dries, and is an Ingredient in fome Ointments and Plaifters. As to its Choice, there is no more to be faid than that it be clean and well burnt. Some wafh it, to feparate the Impurities, or the Sulphur that remains in it. Of Red Lead. The Red Lead, which we call Minium, is Lead Ore pulverized, calcined, and reduced to fuch a red Powder as we fee it. It is wrong to think that the Red Lead, which is brought from England , is made of the Pig Lead ; the Cheapnefs of it (hews it to be otherwife, and that it is made from the Lead Ore as it comes from the Mine ; befides. Pig Lead will never come to that Rednefs as Lead Ore, whatever Fire you give to it. Minium ought to be chofen for its high Colour, the fined Powder, and the cleaned that can be ; and Care mud be taken that it has not been walhed, which will be known by its whitifh Co- lour, and the little Lumps that are commonly in it. One may draw Mercury from Minium with Lime or File-Dud, but it is in fo fmall Quantity, that it is fcarce worth fpeaking of. The Red Lead is of fome Ufe in Medicine, be- caufe it is drying, and gives a Body to fome Oint- ments and Flaiders. Painters ufe it as well for painting- red, as to mix with other Colours, to make them dry. Potters ufe a great deal to glaze their Ware of a reddifh Colour, and there are feveral other Tradefmen that have Occafion for it.. Minium Book 11 Of M E T A L S. Minium is the Lead Ore pulverized, Lemery. and made red by a long Calcination over the Fire : this is brought from Eng- land , whereof that of the highed Colour ought to be chofen. It is adringent and deficcative, being ufcd in Plaifkrs and Ointments. They likewife ufe it in Painting, and to varnifh Pots of a red Colour. It is called Minium from the Word Mina , becaufe it is made of the Lead as it comes from the Mine. Of Cerufe. Pstr.et. Cerufe , or Calx of Lead, is only Lead reduced to a Calx by means of Vinegar, the Vapour of which it is made to receive, and afterwards ground with Water, and put into Moulds, and fo made up into little Cakes, which they dry, and put into blue Paper, as we find them. This Cerufe , fo prepared, is that which cne may truly call the Calx of Lead, and not that which we fell at prefent, that comes from Hol- land or England , it being almod all common Chalk, as I am going to relate. The true Cerufe is that which we call the Vene- tian, becaufe the Venetians were the fird that made it ; but as it is extremely dear, we have little but the other Sort, which comes from Holland , becaufe the Painters efteem it as much as the Ve- netian , but they are very much in the wrong ; for the Dutch Cerufe ground with Oil or Water, is a W hite of no long Duration, becaufe of the Chalk that is in it, which does not happen to the true V metian Cerufe , which is only the White Lead ground ; fo that if one had the true Venetian Ce- rufe , there would be no need of grinding White Lead, and confequently the Dangers would be avoided that Perfons meet with by grinding it, which often occaficns feveral Difeafes, and fome- times Death itfelf. If they who have Occafion for Cerufe to ufe in Medicine, or to make Salt of Saturn , would ufe the true Venetian Cerufe , they would find their Ope- rations more perfect : And inftead of taking the Cerufe in Cake, they might take the White Lead ground, and make it ferve all their Purpofes; ‘but then it mud be bought of honed Perfons, for none but they who ground it can anfwer for it : How- ever, the true White Lead is extremely white, foft,. and friable. It is to be remarked, that the Hollanders , to make their Cerufe , ufe only the Dull that comes in bruifing their White Lead ; and as this Dull could not fupply fo great a Quantity of Cetufe as^ k ufed in France , and other Countries, and they could not afford it fo cheap as it is always fold. they mix a fort of Marie or white Chalk with it. As for that which comes from England , it is fiill worfe than that from Holland , becaufe they mix more of that Chalk with it, and it is not of fo good a Colour. They who grind the White Lead to make Cerufe of it, have Water-Mills, and afterwards they caft it in little Moulds to form it into Cakes. To have its proper Qualities, it Ihould be extremely white, foft, friable, and dry, and the leaft broken or mixed with little Dull that can be, efpecially if it be for Sale. You Ihould reject that which has not a good Body, but cracks in handling it, which proceeds from its be- ing put up before it was we'l dried, or having been, damaged by fome wet coming to it. Cerufe, or Cerufe , is a Lead that is penetrated, rarefied, and half diflolved Lemay. by the Vapour of Vinegar, and reduced into a very white Subltance that is heavy and fri- able. When you would make this Cerufe, the Lead is to be beat into fine thin Plates, which are fufpended or hung over earthen Pots, in which they have put Vinegar; and when the Pots are full of this Lead, they place it in a proper Heat, fo that the Vinegar may, by its Fume or Vapour,, have Power to penetrate and attenuate infenfibly the Matter. After this has remained about a Month in the Heat, they open the Mouth of the Pot, and find all the Plates of Lead reduced into a white brittle Subdance, which they call White Lead, and break thefe Plates into Pieces, which are ufed by the Painters. This White Lead is ground upon a Porphyry, with a little Water, and made into a Pade or Cakes, which being dried, are fit for Tranfportation. The Workmen, in this Commodity, chufe to put it up in blue Paper rather than any other, in order to make the Cerufe look whiter ; the bed, the pured, and whited, is brought from Venice. That which comes from England and Holland, is mixed with a kind of Chalk or Marie. Of Sandyx, or Red Cerufe. The Sandyx is nothing but Cerufe red- Pomet, dened over a gentle Fire; but this San- dyx or Red Cerufe, is little ufed, as it is only a kind of Minium. Some Moderns have writ that Minium, ..ox Red Lead, was made of Cerufe turned red upon the Fire : But there is nothing more falfe, and they only write by Hear-fay, as is caly to prove : Forafmuch as the Cerufe comes from Holland , and the Minium or Red Lead from Eng- land ; and befides, the Cerufe is always dearer titan the Minium. Of 126 General Hijlory of Of Mafticot. Pomct. There are three Sorts of Maflicot that are brought from Holland , to wit, the White, the Yellow, and the Gold-coloured. T hefe different Colours arife from nothing but the different Degrees of the Fire they give the Powder of W hite Lead, of which they are made. Though the fuff Sort, which is that which has fuftained the leaft Degree of Fire, is called White, yet it is not of a true white Colour, but of a whitifh Yel- low. The fecond is yellow, and endures a ftronger Degree : and the third of a Gold Colour, and has fuftained more Fire than the former; and they might make a fourth, by calcining it till be- comes red, which makes it a true Sandyx. As to the Choice of them, they ought to be heavy, in an impalpable Powder, of a high Colour ; they are only (erviceable for the Painters ; though Lcmery fays they are deficcative and ufeful, mixed in Plai- fters or Ointments. Of Natural and Artificial Litharge. The Natural Litharge , which the Ancients called by the Name of Molybdeena, is a Kind of metallick or mineral Body, in Crufts or Flakes, of the Thicknefs and Figure of White Lead, of a reddifh Colour, eafy to break, which is found in the Lead Mines. But as this Litharge is known to very few People, and is fcarce to be met with, the Artificial Litharge only is ufed, which is im- properly called Gold or Silver Litharge , becaufe the Ancients, and after them the Moderns, pre- tend that this Litharge was got from the Lead that had ferved to purify or refine Gold and Silver ; which is far from T ruth, fince all the Litharge we have now from Poland , England , or other Parts, as Germany , Sweden , and Denmark , is from the Lead made ufe of in refining Copper. Neverthe- lefs, I do not deny but that thofe who refine Gold and Silver make Litharge ; but that is not what is fold, becaufe the Refiners melt theirs into Lead again to ferve anew, and to recover the Gold or Silver that was carried off with it. Our Litharge , therefore, ought not to be called Litharge of Gold or Silver, but plainly Litharge. They ought alfo to be undeceived, who believe, according to what fome Moderns have writ, that Litharge is the Fume of Lead evaporated in the. refining of Gold and Silver, and that it is like Soot, and flicks to the Chimney : So alfo thcfe fhould be undeceived •who believe that there is any Difference in the Litharges from their Colours, fince thofe are only occafioned by the Force or Violence of the Fire. DRUGS. Book II. The Dantzici Litharge is to be preferred before the Englijb ; fo likewife that which is fmalleft, moft calcined, and of a lively Colour, that will eafily diffolve in any unffuous Liquor, in which it is ufually employed. This Commodity is much ufed in France , as well by Potters to glaze their Earthen Wares, Dyers, Painters, and others, as by Apothecaries, who make it the Bafis of moft Part of their Plaifters and Ointments. Lithargyrus , five Lithargyrium , or Litharge , is a Lead tinged with the Im- Lemery. purities of Copper, and reduced into the Form of Drofs, or metallick Scum, by Calci- cination. This is made upon the Purification of Copper in Poland , Sweden , and Denmark. There are two Sorts, one called Lythargyrium Auri , feu Chryfitis , or Litharge of Gold ; the other Lythar- gyrium Argentic or Litharge of Silver. The Dif- ference of Colours makes no Difference in the Virtue of them. There is likewife a Litharge made in Refining Gold or Silver by the Cupel, but it is but in fmall Quantities, though like the other. All the Sorts are deficcative, cooling, de- terfive, and give a Confiftence to feveral Plaifters, for they diffolve in boiling with Oil and fatty Bo- dies. Of Salt, or Sugar of Lead. The Salt, or Sugar of Lead , is made Pomct. of White Lead, or the true Venetian Cerufe , infufed in diftilled Vinegar, then filtrated, evaporated, and reduced into a light Mafs, that is white and cryftallized, of a fweet fugary Tafte, yet neverthelefs very difagreeable. The greateft Part of thofe who make Salt of Lead, do it with Dutch Cerufe , fuch as we fell, for which Reafon they can fell it nothing near fo cheap as that made of Venetian Cerufe ; becaufe, as I faid before, the Dutch is mixed with Chalk, which will yield no Salt; fome make it of Lead in Powder, Minium , or Litharge ; none of w hich will afford fo much Salt, and confequently what is made that way cannot be fold fo cheap. Chufe that which is of the Tafte aforefaid, white, in little Shoots, or fhining Cryftals, and as light as may be, which when diffolved in Plantain Water, will look like Whey ; which Trial will anfwer two Purpofes, the one to know the Goodnefs of the Salt of Lead,- and the other that of the Plantain Water. Its Ufe is to cool, being given internally, or ufed ex- ternally. It is reckoned proper to ftop the Flux of the Belly, and for fore Throats, taken from three to four Grains in Plantain Water. Moft of thofe who make this Medicine make it heavy and greyifti coloured, which proceeds from its not be-. Book IT. Of ME ing well purified, or that it was not made with good Vinegar. For to make the Salt fine and light, it ought to be purified at leall four Times. Of Balfam, or Oil of Lead. Balfam , or Oil of Lead , is made of the Salt difTolved in Oil of T urpentine ; others put Salt of Lead in a Cellar to run into a Liquor. The firfl Balfam or Oil ought to be preferred to the other, in that it is proper to cleanfe and cicatrize Ulcers, and becaufe it is more capable of refilling Putre- fadlion. Others make Oil of Lead, and Burn- ing Spirit of Lead, which they make by filling two Parts of a Retort with Salt of Lead, and by the Means of Fire, drawing thence a Spirit that burns like Brandy. But this Oil is not fo ftrong as that made with Oil of Turpentine, it ferves to cleanfe the Eyes, efpecially of Horfes and other Beads. Spirit of Lead is an excellent Remedy to refill the Putrefadlion of Humours. Of Magiftery of Lead. Magijlery of Lead is made of good Salt of Lead diflolved in diflilled Vinegar mixed with common Water; and by the Aifillance of Oil of Tartar per Deliquium , precipitated into a white Powder, which after it is walhed and dried, is very ufeful to cure Tetters and Ringworms, being mixed with Pomatum. The Vinegar and Water impregnated with the Salt before the Precipitation, if put into Water, make alfo a Sort of Virgins Milk, that is good to allay Inflammations, and care Pimples in the Face. Of Vinegar of Lead. The Vinegar of Lead is a diflilled Vinegar, •wherein have been digelled Cerufe and other Pre- parations of Lead. It is made ufe of to cure Tet- ters, or being well incorporated with Oil of Rofes, to make a kind of Ointment, called Butter of Lead. [Lead is got from different Ores, fome mix- ed with a black, yellow, or afh-coloured Earth, fome full of Spangles, others of a red or white rocky Stone, in which the Ihining Lead is feen *n fquare Cheques, and in others of white, red, cr green Spars. Lead Ore almoft always con- tains fome fmall Quantity of Silver. There are Lead Mines in Spain , Italy , Germany , and France ; but the richeft in Europe are in Eng- land^ where they feparate the Metal from the Ore by flratifying it with Charcoal, which, when lighted, melts the Metal, which immediately runs I T A L S. 127 out. The fpecifick Gravity of Lead is to that of Gold as three to five. Expofed to the Focus of a Burning-glafs, it melts, emits copious Fumes, and then turns to an afh-coloured Calx, which foon turns yellow, then red, and foon afterwards melts into a Saffron-coloured, very fluid Liquor, which afterwards foon vanifhes in Smoak ; but if it be removed before it evaporates, it hardens into a red or yellowifh Mafs like Orpiment, confifling of thin Lamines pellucid like Talc. If this be put in the Focus again on a Piece of Charcoal, it re- covers the Form of Lead , but if a bit of pure Lead be put on a Charcoal in the Focus, it melts, and is diffipated in Smoak, no Glafs remaining. Lead therefore is compofed of a verifiable Earth of the talcous Kind, and a fulphureous Principle, not much in Quantity, nor intimately mixed with it. It never contracts Rufl, and is foluble in Acids or Oily Subfiances. In Calcination it gains in Weight, fo that an hundred Pounds of Lead will yield an hundred and ten Pounds of Minium , but if that be again reduced to Lead , it will not weigh near an hundred. Minium , Majlicot, and the Calx of Lead, are prepared by the fame Operation, only differing in degree : To make them, melt Lead in an unglazed earthen Veffel over a Charcoal. Fire, it will after fome time turn to a greyifh Powder ; this is the Calx of Lead -, continue the Fire, and this Powder foon afterwards becomes yellow, then it is Mafti- cot ; calcine this in a very ftrong Fire, and it be- comes red, and is then Minium, or red Lead. And this Minium is better and purer than that made at the Mines of the unpurified Ore. The Molybdana, or Plumbago , is a Subfiance of the Litharge Kind, flicking to the Furnaces where Silver and Gold are pdrified by Lead-, the Upper Part of it is like the common Litharge ; the Lower, of an afhy Subfiance ; and the Middle, a Mixture of both the others. Its Virtues are the fame with thofe of the Litharge, but it is feldorn. kept in the Shops. Black Lead is the Nigrica Fabrilis , Cbarlt. Foff. 2. Majfa Nigra ad Pnigitem referenda , IVorm. 5. It is rather an Earth than a Metal : It is found in Pieces of various Shape and Bignefs. The befl Kind of it is that found i n England, about Kefwiek in Cumberland The IVeJl- Indian alfo is fine. The Spanijb is the next to this, but is more brittle : That of the Eajl-Indies is the worfl of all. Be- fide its great Ufe to Artificers, it is in Medicine drying, cooling, and repellant. The Preparations of Lead are very great. Me- dicines, but thofe intended for internal Ufe mull not be meddled with, but by thofe who have Judg- ment.] x Of 128 General WJlory of DRUGS. Book II. Of Natural or Mineral Zinck. It is not with Zinck as with Tin-glafs ; foraf- much as it is not only probable, but certain, that there is a Natural Zinck which the Germans call Beauter , and the Flemings , Speauter , we Spelter. The Mineral Zinck , is found in great Quantities in the Mines of Gojfelar in Saxony ; it is at pre- fent very fcarce in Franc e, for which Reafon it is much enquired for by fome People. This Metal appears to be a kind of Lead Ore, except that it is harder, whiter, and more brilliant. Some Peo- ple have allured me, that the Zinck we fell in great fquare Cakes is Mineral Zinck, that after it has been fined, is thrown into Moulds of the Figure we have it; which I can eafily believe, having found it impoffible to make it of Lead, Arfenick, Tartar, and Salt-petre, as Mr. Char as has di- rected. Zinck , which fome improperly call the Female Antimony, ought to be white, in fine Flakes, the leaft lharp, and the molt difficult to break that can be : For the more it endures the Fire, and the finer and larger the Flakes are, the more it is valued by the Workmen that ufe it, efpecially the Founders. The Zinck at this Time is much in Ufe, for the Pewterers have found it more proper to cleanfe their Pewter, than Pin-Duft and Refin. It is wrong to believe that Zinck is mixt with Pewter to encreafe its Weight ; for unto a Fount of five or fix hundred Pounds of it, they put but one Pound of Zinck ; and which is wonderful, the Zinck has the Quality of purifying and whitening the Pewter, and acting upon it as Lead does upon Gold, Silver, or Copper. This Zinck is ufed to give Copper the Colour of Gold, efpecially when mixed with Turmerick; and works upon Copper as Arfenick does, that turns it of a Silver Colour ; or the Lapis Calamincris, that makes it ycllowifh ; or, laftly, as Hungarian Vitriol, that turns Iron into a Copper Colour, as hath been obferved in the Philofopbical Tranfaflions of the Royal So- ciety at London. [Zinck, called Z inchum, Zinilhum , and Mar- cafita Pallida, by Schroder, is a metallick, fulphure- ous, heavy Subftance, refembling Lead in Colour, fufible and duCtile to a certain Degree, very hard to break, inflammable, and volatile. It fcems to have been quite unknown to the Antients ; and even the Moderns knew very little of its Nature and Origin, till Mr. Stahl explained it, in his Metal- lurgia. It is extracted from the Lapis Calami- naris , and from the Lead Ore of the Mines of Gojfelar, which Ore is very hard to melt, though it appears rich and fhining. Three Subftances are feparated from it, Lead , Zinck , and a kind of Cadmia Fornacea , which, melted with Copper, makes a Bath Metal, or Prince’s Metal, fo called from Prince Rupert, who is faid to have invent- ed it. But the fineft Metal of this Kind is made of Zinck and Copper melted together. In the melting this Gojfelar Ore, the Lead remains at the Bottom of the Furnace, and the Zinck and Cadmia ftick to the Sides. The Cadmia is to be long expofed to the Air before it is fit for Ufe ; and the Zinck is purified by careful Meltings, and call into Moulds.] [ «9 ] BOOK III. Of MINERALS. PREFACE. By Mineral, in its general Signification , is underfiood, whatfoever Subfidnces have any Re- lation to Mines , or are increafed in , or have pajfed through them. A Mineral is defined by fome in a fir i Her Senfe to be , a fixed and fclid Body , produced by Exhalations and Va- pours , inclofed in the Bowels of the Earth , as Meteors are formed in the Regions of the Air i and others will have it to be a tender Subfiance , produced in the Earth by Coaggu- lation , and increafed by the external Addition of fenfible Particles, and which oftentimes is the Matter that in Procefs of Time commences Metal ; I fhall comprehend , under the Name of Mineral, every Thing that is of a metallic k Nature, and which differs only from Metals , in not being malleable as Antimony, or capable of Fufion , as the Loadftone, iPc. and fhall begin with Antimony, which comes nearefi the Nature of Metals , and differs from them only in not being duftile. i. Of Antimony. M R. Furetiere fays. Antimony is a Mineral that comes very near the Nature of Me- tals ; and fome are of Opinion it contains all the Principles of them, as it is found near all Sorts of metallick Mines, more efpecially near thofe of Silver and Lead ; that it contains a double Mineral Sulphur, the one Metallick, approaching the Purity and Colour of Gold, the other earthy and combuftible, not unlike common Sulphur ; a fuliginous, footy, ill-digefted Mercury, partaking of the Nature of Lead ; and fomewhat of a ter- rene fixt Salt. The fame Author obferves alfo, that the Ufe of Antimony, unlefs in the Com- pofition of Paints, was wholly unknown till about the twelfth Age ; but then a certain Monk, Bafilius Valentinus by Name, publifhed a Book, intitled, Currus Antimonii Triumphalis , wherein he under- takes to affirm, that it is a Remedy againft all Sorts of Difeafes. Three hundred Years after, Para- celfus brought it into Vogue ; but then in the Year 1566 the Ufe of it was condemned by A£t of Parliament; and one Befnier , a Phyfician, in 1609, tranfgreffing it, was excluded the Faculty. In the Year 1637 Antimony was again received by publick Authority amongft the Number of purging Remedies ; and in 1650 the A£t made in 1566 Vo u II. was repealed. Anno 1637 the Faculty caufed it to be inferted among the purging Medicines in their Antidotarium , printed that Year, herein fol- lowing the Opinion of Matthiolus ; and, in fhort, on the 29th of March, 1668, it had the Sanction of publick Authority, by which Graduates had a Liberty of making ufe of it, but with a Prohi- bition to all others, unlefs by their Advice. It ac- quired the Name of Antimony , according to the Opinion of fome, from a German Monk, the afore- faid Valentine, who, in his Search after the Philo- fophers Stone, was wont to make much Ufe of it for the more ready fluxing his Metals ; and throw- ing a Parcel of it to fome Swine, he obferved that they had eaten it, and were thereby purged very violently, but afterwards grew the fatter upon it; which made him harbour an Opinion, that the fame fort of Cathartick, exhibited to thofe of his own Fraternity, might do them much Service ; but his Experiment fucceeded fo ill, that every one who took it died. This therefore was the Reafon of this Mineral being called Antimony, as being de- ftru&ive of the Monks. Of Natural or Mineral Antimony. Antimony is taken from the Mine in Malles of different Bignefs, refembling Lead Ore, but with this Difference, that is both lighter and harder. S And 130 General Hijlory of D R U G S. Book III. And by Reafon of this Similitude, fome call it Black Lead, or Marcafite of Lead ; others, the Wolf or Saturn of the Philofophers, becaufe it devours and confumes all Metals whatever. Gold only excepted. It is alfo called Proteus , from the Diverfity of Colours it affumes by means of the Fire ; but its more ordinary Appellation is Mineral Antimony , and it is called by the more underftand- ing. Crude Antimony , as never having fuftained the Fire. Heretofore Hungary was the only Place for Mines of Antimony , but now we have none from thence fince the Difcovery of thofe in Prance. The beft and fineft Antimony is that of the Mines of Poiftou and Bretagne. Mineral Antimony is fometimes met with pure, and fometimes loaded with a Sort of Stone, which the Mineralifts call Spar. There is fome full of Stria, like fo many Needles; and fome in a Cake of a greyilh Black. This is of very little ufe in Medicine, unlefs it be purified by melting, as will be feen hereafter. The Chymifts ufe it indeed for their particular Preparations. The pureft Mineral Antimony is to be chofen, fuch as is as free as poffible from all Sorts of Stone or Spar. It matters not from whence it comes, provided it be good ; though there are thofe that pretend the Antimony of Auvergne to abound rnoft with Sulphur. Some Gentlemen of the Retinue of the Am- baffadors of Siam have brought home confiderable Quantities of a Mineral Antimony , but no Expe- riments have yet been made of it. This Antimony is white, and full of fmall Needles ; and as far as I can judge, altogether proper for the fame Pur- pofes as the Mineral Antimony of France. As for that of Hungary, I can fay nothing of it, having never feen any of it. Of cafl or melted Antimony. Melted Antimony is what we improperly call Crude Antimony , becaufe it has undergone the Fire to reduce it into Cakes and Needles, after the Manner as we fee : It is brought from the Places beforementioned. T o mclt\ Mineral Antimony, the Mineralifts take two earthen Pots, one whereof they fill wdth the Mineral in Powder, the other they place empty in the Midft of a ftrong Fire, laying a Sort of an Iron Skimmer upon it, upon which they put the Pot cf Powder turned upfide down ; then encompaffing both the Pots with Fire, the Antimony will melt, and pafs through the Hole: of the Iron Plate, and fall into the empty Pot underneath, and form itfelf into a Cake, as it is fent to us. The Iron Plate with Holes, put between the two Pots, ferves to keep back the Stone or Spar that is found commonly with the Mineral Anti- mony. When the Antimony is melted, they take the Pot off the Fire, and when cold, break it, and take out the Antimony, which then may be conve- niently fent whither they pleafe. Formerly there was to be met with in France the Hungarian Antimony in Cakes or Loaves of three or four Pounds Weight, interwoven with fmall Needles running a-crofs each other, of a golden yellowifti Colour, and at Bottom white, in- clining towards that of Silver. This Antimony was found in the Mines of the Mountains belonging to Prejburg, the Capital of the Lower Hungary , where it was melted, and made into the Figure we had it in : But this is now fo fcarce, that it is next to an Impoflibility to find any of it. Thofe who have worked upon this Sort of Antimony, have af- fured me, that it was much fitter to yield whatever is to be obtained from Antimony than that of France ; and withal, that from every Pound of it they could obtain two Ounces of Quickfilver, bet- ter than that of Spain. In France we have feveral Sorts of Antimony, which differ only according as they are better or worfe purified and melted. And the next beft: to that of Hungary is what we have brought from Saumur in Anjou , whither it is fent purified from Poi£tou. The, Antimony of Poiftou ought be in fine beau- tiful Needles, long, large, white, fparkling, light, and eafily broken, and with as little half-melted Antimony as may be, which refembles the Drofs of Iron, which is commonly found at the Top of the Cakes in Scoria, and is called the Top of Anti- mony. This Defeat, however, is feldom found in the Antimony of PoiCtou, by Reafon that the Peo- ple there are well verfed in refining or melting it : And this is the Sort of Antimony that fhould be ufed in all the following Operations, becaufe it abounds lefs with Sulphur, and affords more of the Regulus. We have alfo had, for fome Time paft, an Anti- mony from Bretagne , in fmall Nredles, very pure, and perfectly fit for the fame Purpofes as that of PoiSiou. A third Sort is that we have from Au- vergne, which, in one word, is good for nothing, being very hard, full of Drofs, and in fmall Needles, of a tawny Blue, which makes it evident that it is not half purified, nor diverted of its fetid and malign Sulphur, which gives abundance of Trou- ble and Difficulty to thofe who work upon it. Befides the great Number of chymicnl Medi- cines which are made of, or drawn from Anti- mony, abundance of Artificers ufe it to promote the melting of Metals, and to make the Regains, efpecially Book III. efpecially in England , whither we fend a great deal to put in their Pewter, to make it the harder, whiter, and more founding. But I obferve, never- thelefs, that of late Years the Englijh do not make fo much ufe of it, becaufe inftead of the Regulus of Antimony, they ufe Bifmutb now. The Letter- Founders for Printing ufe Antimony , to render their Lead the more durable and hard. Antimony , powder- ed, and boiled in a Ptifan with Sarfiaparilla, Guaia- eum , (Ac. is a certain Cure for the fecret Difeafe. And how much foever this Drug has been con- demned and out of ufe in Times paft, it is alto- gether as much in Vogue now. When you make ufe of it, break it in fmall Pieces, or reduce it into a grofe Powder, and put it into a Linen Rag, to be boiled with other Things. Some give the Powder inftead of the Liver of Antimony to their Horfes, and fay it has the fame Effe£t. I fhall not lofe Time here to enter into a Dif- quiiition, whether there be Male and Female Antimony , as many Authors affirm, as alfo that the Male is the coarfer, more fandy, fcaely, and light, and confequently lefs efficacious than the Female, which is more ponderous, bright-coloured, and more brittle ; for I have dealt a great deal in Anti- mony, and never knew any other Difference but what arofe from its Purification. When it is good, it may ferve alike to all Purpofes ; fo that I do not fee how there can be two Sorts of it. Antimonium, five Stibium, or Anti- Lem ery. meny, is a Mineral approaching very near to a Metal. It is heavy, fhining, and in Cryftals, {hooting like Needles, of a blackilh Colour : It is found near the Mines of Metals in feveral Parts of Europe-, as Hungary , Tranfyl- vania, Britany, PoiSiou, and Auvergne. They get it in Pieces bigger or lefs, full of little hard Stones or Pebbles, which the Workmen call Gangue. They take the cleareft, or that which has the leaft of the Gangue in it when they make ufe of it ; for feveral prefer the Mineral Antimony be- fore that which is caft and purified. To purify or refin Antimony, they melt it over the Fire in Pots or Crucibles, in order to feparate the Gangue or Drofs ; which cooling, they caft it into Cakes, as it appears when brought to us : this we ufually, though improperly, call Crude Anti- mony, notwithstanding it has paft the Fire. Hun- garian Antimony was formerly brought into France in little Cakes, full of fmall Shoots like Needles, fticking interchangeably one with the other, fbining and inclinable to white, like Silver Ore. But fince this Mineral has been dilcovered in France , we have none comes from Hungary , whence it is become very fcarce. The Antimony we ordina- rily ufe, is brought from Foictou , which you ought to chufe neat, in fine, long, brilliant Shoots, eafv to break. It is naturally compofed of a great deal of Sulphur, like common Sulphur, and of a kind of a Regulus like a Metal. Of the Regulus of Antimony. The ordinary or common Regulus of Antimony f without Iron, is made of Antimony, Salt-petre, and Tartar, melted together, and caft into a fmall Mortar greafed, and fo by knocking the Sides of it with a Hammer, the Regulus is made to fall to the Bottom ; which, if it be good, ought to be white, in beautiful Scales, and like Bifmutb. If the Regulus fhould not prove good at the firft Opera- tion, it may be melted and purified again with a little Salt-petre. The oftener it is melted, the more will it decreale, but the better will it alfo be. • Of this Regulus are made the Cups and Pills, and other chymical Operations, as fhall be feen hereafter. It is a ftrong Emetick and Cathartick, taken from four Grains to fix. Ofi Regulus of Antimony with Mars or Iron. The Regulus of Antimony with Mars , is made of Antimony, Salt-petre, and Points of Horfe-nails, or fmall Nails melted together ; which by means of the Fire, and proceeding after the Manner as in the preceding Operation, is reduced into a Re- gulus. This Regulus, if good, is much like the other, but withal ought to have a Sort of Star upon the Top. I {hall not think it worth my while to re- count the many fabulous Stories of the Antients concerning this Star, and the Caufe of it, but fhall only take Notice, that it appears finer or worfc, according to the Degree of Fire the Regulus has undergone. Of this Regulus are made the Cups, (Ac. which give a purging or emetick Quality to Wine that is let to ftand in them fome time ; but you ought to be cautioned to throw away the three or four firft Wines you make with the Cups, left they fhould produce fome ill Accident. Whereas mod People who have Occafion for the Goblets or Cups of the Regulus , find difficulty to come by them, let them apply to a Founder, and they may have what Sorts and Sizes they will, at a cheap Rate, without troubling themfelves with Moulds, as feveral have done to their Labour and Coft, who have at laft been obliged to give over the Attempt, not being able to make one Cup without a Hole, or fome other Defect.. You may S 2 alfo Of M I N E R A L S. 132 General Hijtory of DRUGS. Book III alfo get thefe fame Founders to make you the per- petual Pills, or you may eafily make them your- felf with a Mufket-ball Mould. The Pills ferve for thofe that have the Twilling of the Guts, or Miferere mei , fo called. When they are returned from out of the Body, it is but walhing and cleaning them again, and they will ferve as oft as you pleafe ; which gives them the Name of Perpetual. They may alfo be infilled, as well as the Regulus , in Wine, cold, for the Space of twelve Hours ; which is afterwards a good Me- dicine for ftrong Conftitutions. Of Glafs of Antimony. The Glafs of Antimony , is an Antimony fepa- rated from its Sulphurs, which are a deadly Poi- fon ; and for that Reafon ought the Operation to be performed in a Chimney, to avoid the Exha- lations : It is afterwards to be melted in a Cruci- ble, and call upon a hot Marble, to make in the Manner we fee it, and as it comes to us from Holland. It is an Operation I cannot advife any one to un- dertake, not only upon Account of the great Dif- ficulty and Hazard attending it, but alfo becaufe we cannot make it turn to that Advantage as the Hutch do. Chufe the Glafs of Antimony flat, of a bright Red, and tranfparent, having as few fmall, thick, black, and grey Pieces in it as poflible. I am told the Hollanders mix half broken Glals in melting it, to difcharge its black Colour the better, and to make itfo fine coloured as we fee it; but the Truth of the Fa£l I know not. Inftead of throwing it upon Marble, one may put it in a Founder’s Mould, and fo make Goblets or Cups of it; but this is a Work only for the Curious, there being no Demand for them. This Glafs of Antimony ferves for a Vomit, taken from two to fix Grains. Apothecaries make the emetick Wine with it. Of the Liver of Antimony. The Liver of Antimony , improperly called Crocus Metallorum , is made of Antimony and common Salt-petre, mixed and incorporated well together, and by means of lighted Charcoal reduced into a Stone, after the Manner as- we have it.. This Liver of Antimony ought to be chofen in fine fhining Pieces, fmooth, brittle, and when bruifed or pulverized, of a reddifh Saffron Colour, which is the Reafon of its being called the Crocus or Saffron of Metals ; but in Pieces it ought to be Liver-coloured, from whence alfo comes the 'Name of Hepar , or Liver of Antimony . This Liver is a Sort of Cathol'tcon for Horfes; more efpecially to purge and put them in Cafe, if taken from one Ounce to two in wet Bran, as Mr. Soylefel directs, in the Book called The Com- pleat Farrier : It is of fome Ufe in Medicine, but fo little, it is hardly worth fpeaking of ; but on the contrary it is much ufed for Horfes, as well under the Names above, as under that of the Imperial Powder. This Operation, which feems the eafieft in the World, is notwithftanding very difficult to be per- formed with Succefs, more efpecially if one has not. good Antimony and good Salt-petre, or if it be filled with Salt, which but too frequently happens: Thofe that undertake this Operation, muff dry the Salt-petre, and make choice of the Antimony of Poi£iou , not of that of Auvergne , as well becaufe it is very full of Sulphur, as becaufe it is not fo well, cleanfed as the former ; and after they been ex- pofed fome Time, mixed together, to the open Air, put a fufficient Quantity into a Mortar, or Iron Pot, placed in a Chimney ; and upon Applica- tion of the Fire, a great Noife, which the Chymifts call a Detonation , will happen ; and when that is over, and the Veffel cold, the Matter muff be fepa- rated from its Drofs or Scum, which is white, and the Bottom will be a Stone, fuch as I have de- fcribed. Note, You had not bell make ufe of a Bell Metal Mortar, for fear of breaking, which fometimes happens ; or be apprehenfive of Fire. For, on the contrary, this Operation is the bell Thing imaginable for fweeping a Chimney ; but obferve to put a Cloth before the Chimney, and to get far enough off for fear of the Vapours, and that you do not perform it in any publick Place. It is an Operation of a very capricious and uncer- tain Nature ; for I have feen a great Quantity of Salt-petre and Antimony mixed and prepared to- gether, that has made a very fine Compofition : And again, when one has proceeded after the fame Manner, in all Particulars, the Refult has been lefs beautiful, and fometimes it has altogether mif- carried. Thofe therefore that have Occafion for it in Powder, muff take Care that it be of a fine Red, and not the Powder of fuch as fticks to the Tops or Sides of die Veffel, which is in fmall, thin, brown Scales ; or fuch as has been fpcilt, which is often powdered notwithftanding, and fo fold, and this is the Reafon fome fell it fo much cheaper than others. 1 have obferved, that the true Crude Anti- mony , or that immediately from the Mine, without having been melted, makes the Crocus Metallorum much better than the common Kind. Thofe that would have Crocus Metallorum , fit to be taken inwardly, mult make it with equal Parts Book III. Parts of Antimony , and refined Salt-petre, and then reduce it to a fubtil Powder, and wafh it many Times in warm Water, as well to free it from any remaining Salt-petre, as to make it a little more emetick. The more emetick you would have it, the more Salt-petre mud be ufed ; but it eonfiderably diminifhes the Quantity, and makes it a great deal the dearer ; though this ought to be no Confideration, fince, in fmall Quantities as it is ufually demanded, it is fold at fuch a Rate, that it amply rewards the Labour and Expence. One may give what Colour one pleafes to the Imperial Powder, or Liver of Antimony , according to the Preparation, or according to the Salt-petre that is made ufe of ; which if it be of the ordinary Sort, will make it a little darker, or upon the Li- ver Colour, more than if it was of the beft and fineft Salt-petre ; and if you add decrepitated Salt, that is, fuch as has been dried and half calcined, till it has done Crackling, it will be a fine Red, inclining to that of Opal, and therefore it has ob- tained the Name of Magnefta Opalina , or the Ruby of Antimony. Some make ufe of the white Drofs, as well alone, as to draw from it a Salt, or fixed Salt-petre with Water, which is a very good Medicine for Horfes j Crocus Metallorum , both wafhed and unwafhed, is ufed in making the emetick Wine, which is done by putting the Crocus , or Liver of Antimony, in White Wine, and infufing of it for twenty four Hours. Of Diaphoretick Antimony. Antimony Diaphoretick , or the Calx of Antimony , is the Antimony of Poittou , and fineft Salt-petre incorporated together, made into a Powder by the Means of Fire and warm Water; which, before it is quite dry, is formed into fmall Cakes, and fo dried and kept for Ufe. This Medicine is fome- times ufed in malign Fevers, wherefore fome pre- fcribe it in the Plague, and other contagious Dif- eafes, it being a Sudorifick, and an Expeller of the Virus ; though there are others very diffident of its Qualities, fuppofing it to have no manner of Virtue, but to be only a Sort of Chalk ; which I will not pretend to judge of, but leave it to the Phyficians to do it. One mull be careful that other Things are not fubftituted for it, as Cerufe , and the like, which ought to be avoided, and may make one careful to buy it only of faithful honeft Men ; for 1 know no certain Proof of it, unlefs it be that genuine Diaphoretick Antimony ought to be ex- tremely white, foft, brittle, and wholly .void of all Tafte or Smell, being perfectly infipid. Some in- genious Men have allured me, that the Quality r 33 of this Medicine is quite altered by keeping: For whereas, when newly made, it is Diaphoretick, it becomes Emetick when old ; but this is what I have not experienced ; but be it how it will, the new ought always to be preferred. , Two Sorts of Salt may be drawn from Lotions made of it ; but confidering the fmall Quantity that is to be obtained, I cannot advife any one to trouble himfelf about it. Of the Flowers of Antimony. The Flowers of Antimony are made in Pots put upon one another, called Aludels , being a Vapour raifed from Antimony by the Force of Fire, and found in the Pots in white Powder, which may be gathered with a Feather. Note , If you make ufe of an earthen Retort inftead of Aludels, you will have the Flowers red. The Flowers of Antimony are a powerful Vomit, good againft the Epilepfy and intermitting Fevers, the Dofe is from two to fix Grains j and of the red, being more emetick, from two to four, taken with any Sort of Conferve, or in Broth. And I cannot but obferve, by the bye, that a Man ought not to deal in chymical Medicines, without Ad- vice of a faithful and experienced Phyfician ; Em- piricks killing with them more than the Sword. How effectual foever a chymical Preparation may be, aptly and duly taken, it may be altogether as- pernicious unfeafonably prefcribed. Of the Butter and Cinnabar of Antimony. The Butter and Cinnabar of Antimony arife from the fame Matter, the Degrees of Fire only making the Difference : The Matter is a Mixture of Antimony and corrofive Sublimate put into a Retort. That which comes over firft is a tranf- parent Oil, next an Oil as thick as Wax, which being well wrought, is like white Sugar-candy ; and the third Matter produced by the Violence and Force of the Fire, is a reddifh Subftance in fmall Needles, pretty much refembling native Cinna- bar , from whence it has its Name. This Butter of Antimony is a ftrong Cauftick, but its principal Ufe is to make the Angelick. Powder, as will be feen hereafter ; the Cinnabar is fudorifick, wherefore it is made ufe of fome- times in the Small Pox, from fix to fifteen Grains. The beft Butter of Antimony is very white, and perfectly like to white Sugar-candy ; it ought to be as dry as poftible, and for that Reafon Ihould- be kept in a Bottle well flopped. The Cinnabar ought to be chofen in little Pieces, red, and as full as poftible of thofe Stria y or Of MINERALS. General Hijtory cf D R U G S. Book III. or little Needles; that which is blackifh is to be rejected. Of the Powder of Algarot* or Mercurius Vitas. The Powder of Algarct , or the Emetick or An- gelick Powder, fo called, is a white Powder made with Butter of Antimony diflolved and thrown into warm Water, and feveral Times wafhed, and then dried, and fo kept in a Glafs Vial for Ufe. This Powder is a very ftrong Purge both up- wards and downwards ; the Dole from two to eight Grains, in Broth, or any other Liquor. This Powder ought to be very white, and made with the Icy Oil or Butter of Antimony ; which is made of the Regulus , as we (hall fee hereafter ; for when the Emetick Powder is made with the Butter which was made of Crude Antimony , it is by no means fo white as when with that which was made of the Regulus. Of Bezoar Mineral. Bczoar Mineral is made of Butter of Antimony, prepared with Spirit of Nitre, and reduced into a white Powder, to which are attributed the fame Virtues as to the Diaphoretick Antimony, and which therefore is by many ufed for it ; but this we ought be aware of ; its Dole is from fix to twenty Grains. Of the Icy Oil of Antimony. The Icy Oil of Antimony is made of the Regu- lus of Antimony , and Sublimate corrofive ; which, bv means of the Fire, are reduced into an Oil, of the Confiftence of that we fpoke of before. When the Oil is come over, if you encreafe the Fire, and take away the Recipient, and put another in its Place with cold Water in it, you will have a very good and beautiful running Mercury. This Oil is very corrofive, and ferves to confume fungous Flefh ; it is of this Oil you ought to make the Powder of Algarot and Bezoar Mineral. Of the Cau (lick Oil of Antimony. The Corrofive Oil of Antimony is made with Powder of Antimony, Spirit of Salt, and Corro- ' five Oil of Vitriol ; out of all which, by the means of Fire, is drawn a whitifh Liquor, to be kept for Occafion ; it is of ufe in carious Bones, being a ftrong Efcharotick ; alfo for Gangrenes, and to deterge old Ulcers. This Liquor is not, properly fpeaking, an Oil, not being at all fat. One may alfo draw another Liquor from Antimony, with Sugar-candy. Of the Tinfture of Antimony. The TinSlure of Antimony is made of Salt of Tartar and Antimony, melted together; from which, with Spirit of Wine, is drawn a red Tintture , efteemed a very good Antifcorbutick ; as alfo to be good againft hyfterick Vapours in Women, the fcorbutick Itch, and many other Difeafes; Dofe from four to twenty Drops. Of the Magiftery and Precipitate of An- timony. This Precipitate is made of a very fine Powder of Antimony and Aqua regia mixed together, and afterwards thrown into an earthen Pan of Water, the Powder found at the Bottom is to be dulcified by walking, and is properly the Sulphur of Anti- mony, being inflammable, like common Sulphur : Its Ufe is in Apopledfick and Paralytick Cafes ; Dofe from two to twelve Grains in fome conve- nient Vehicle. Belides this Sulphur of Antimony, there is moreover another called the Golden Sulphur of Antimony , which is made of the Scoria, or Drofs of the common Regulus of Antimony , without Mars ; from which, being boiled in Water, fil- trated and precipitated with Vinegar, you will have a red Powder, which, when dried, ferves to pro- voke to vomiting ; the Dofe whereof is from four to fix Grains in Broth or Pills. Let it not feem ftrange that I enlarge not more upon the Chymical Procefles, fince they are not the Druggift’s Bufi--- nefs ; and Meflieurs Charas, Glacer , and Limery , have fo amply treated of them already. [ Antimony is the of Diofcorides ; the rsrqxfmo * of Hippocrates ; the Lapis Spuma Can- dida nitentijque non tamen tranfucentis of Pliny ; and the Ailmad or Alamad of the Arabians. Anti- monium , Char It. Foff'. 49. Worm. 125. Stibium , Fabr. 27. It is of different Kinds ; fome is dug up with the Appearance of polilhed Iron or Lead, but brittle and mixed with white cryftalline Stones; fome is compofed of fine fhining Lines like Needles, fometiroes placed in regular Ranks, fometimes without any Order, and this is what is called Male Antimony ; fome is difpofed in thin broad Plates, or Lamina , called Female Antimony ; fome is a Congeries of finall Lead-coloured Rods ; this is got from a tender white Stone, and eafily melting in the Fire like Sulphur, which enters its Compofition in great Quantities. Antimony, of this Kind, is found in feveral Parts of Italy ; fome is marked with Saffron-coloured, or reddifh Spots, as the Hun- garian Cook Ilf. Of MIN garian Antimony, which is mightily efteemed by the Chymifts. Antimony is thus frequently found in a particular Ore, but often alfo it is mixed with other Metals, and hence it has its Name from am pLc*, an Enemy to being alone. Ores of Antimony are found in many Countries ; the Glebes are dug out of tire Earth, mixed with a ftony Matter. Antimony , when made into a Regulus , and cal- cined in the Sun, may be feparated from almoft all its Sulphur, and turn to an Afh-coloured true vitrifiable Calx, which melted by a ftrong Fire, be- comes a Hyacinth-coloured Glafs ; and if any ful- phureous Subftance be added to this Glafs while in Infufion, it prefently recovers its Rcguline Form and Splendor. Antimony contains fo much Sulphur, that an acid Liquor may be extracted from it no- thing different from Spirit of Sulphur. From thefe, and many other Oblervations, it is evident, that Antimony confifts of a fulphureous Acid, of a bitu- minous, inflammable Part, and of a vitrifiable, metallick Earth. The Regu.'us is diffolved by Aqua regia , but is only calcined by the other Dif- folvents of Metals. Antimony difiolves and de- ftroys all other Metals, except Gold, when melted with them, but melted with that, it confumes all the other Metals which were mixed with it, and the Gold comes out brighter and finer than be- fore. What our Author means by its being ufed as a Fucus or Cofmetick, is, that among the Antients it was ufed to dye the Eyebrows and Eyelafhes black, as by Queen Jezabel in the Scriptures, and the Hebrew Women in general, who were reproved for it by the Prophets. Crude Antimony may be fafely taken inwardly in large Dofes ; but its Preparations, by means of Chymiftry, are almoft all of them rough, and very violent. They have been much in Efteem, but at prefent the Cinnabar is almoft the only one in Ufe, except for Horfes. If any one is in Danger from an over Dofe of any of the other Preparations, Spirit of Vitriol, or Oleum Sulphuris per Campanam , is a much fafer and more expeditious Thing to check the Vomit- ing, (Ac. than Opium.'] 2. Of the Load-Stone. Pornet. np H E Load-Stone , according to Au- thors, is a black Mineral Stone, and is endued with furprifing Qualities ; fuch as di- recting its Poles towards the North and South, at- tracting Iron or Steel, and communicating its Vir- tue to them by the Touch. It is found in almoft all Sorts of Mines, more efpecially in thofe of Copper and Iron, of whofe Nature it participates. E R A L S. j 3; Good Lcad-Stone is very folid, not porous nor very heavy, and of an homogeneous Subftancc ; of the Colour of Iron, or a Ihining Black, and fome- times of a grey or obfeure Blue, inclining to Red. 1 he Virtue which the Load-Stone communicates to Steel, is loft when the Figure of it is altered, whether it be with a Hammer or one’s Fingers, as may be feen with a ftraight Needle if bent, or a crooked one if ftraightened, after it has been touch- ed, as Father Grimaldi affirms in his Phyftcks, The Lcad-Stone that attracts Iron very forcibly, is called a generous or noble Stone. The Way of keeping it is in a dry Place, wrapped in Scarlet Cloth, or rather to preferVe its Virtue, to arm it, and hang it up by its Equator , with a Cat-gut, that it may have its free Tendency. If it chance to fall, it lofes its Strength for awhile : Its Poles are found by applying to it Pieces of a common Needle ; for the two Places where the Needles remain ftrait, are the two Poles. It is faid this Stone, taken in- wardly, intoxicates and renders ftupid ; and that its Antidote, or Counter-Poifon, is Gold or Eme- rald Stone. Matthiolus tells us, that red Bronze Metal, melted with fome of this Stone, becomes as white as Silver, after the fame Manner as Copper does of a golden Colour, with Lapis Calaminaris. Pliny fays. Dinocrates the Alexandrian had begun to vault the Temple of Alfinoe with Load-Stone, in order to have his own Statue, which was made all of Iron, fufpended in the Air. The fame Thing has been affirmed of Mahomet’s Temple, but thefe Accounts are altogether fabulous. It is called in Latin , Magnes , from a Shepherd named Magnes, that happened to difeover it upon Mount Ida, by hitting upon it with the Iron of his Sheep- crook, according to Nicander. It is alfo called. Lapis Lydius , or Heraclius, becaufe found in He- raclea, a City of Magnefta, which belongs to Lydia : In French it has the Name of U Aimant, from its Love or Attraction of Iron. It is beiides called Lapis Hercules , becaufe it directs to find out the Ways, over which Hercules, by Antiquity was faid to be the prefiding Divinity : And laftly, Sidc- ritis, from its Adhefion to Iron, which the Greeks call Siderts. Befide, the forementioned Load-Stone, the Ab- bot de Vailemont, in his Treatife, tells us of another Kind, which was found upon the 1 op of Chartres Steeple, in the Year 1691, and which he had ex- perienced to attraCt Iron, and to direCt its Poles North and South, and to have the fame Decli- nation as the ordinary Load-Stone. It w r ere to be w'ifhcd therefore, that this Kind could be oftener met with, and it ought to be fought after amongft the Ruins cf old Buildings, it certainly having very extraordinary EffeCts. Mr. de Vailemont has fbewn me 136 General Hijlory of DRUGS. Book III. me one of them of a furprifing Excellency and orce, in attracting Iron of a great Weight. I would willingly enlarge upon this Sort of Load- Stone, were it more common, but it is very fcarce ; and fince the King has had one pre- fented to him, it is fought after with great Dili- gence, to adorn the Cabinets of the Virtuofi : However, I refer the Curious to Mr. Vallemont’s aforefaid Treatije , who has obliged thePublick with the Defcription of this Load-Stone, and explained how it was formed by Nature in the aforefaid Place. There is a third Sort, but very rare alfo, which is what we call White Calamite, or the White Load- Stone. There is moreover, a fourth Sort, very frequent and common amongft us, being no better than a fort of Drofs of Iron, but this is what is commonly fold, becaufe the true black EEthiopick one, by Reafon of its great Excellency, is fcarce, and we cannot fhift without it, efpecially thofe that go to Sea, becaufe it always tends towards the North, and fhews the Pilots where they are. The White Magnet alfo, being of great Virtue, is much fought after, but feldom met with ; and in its Place there is commonly fold a worthlefs Sort of Marie, or white Earth, which is found flicking to the common Load-Stone ; but this is eafily diftin- guifhed from the true White Load-Stone, which is of a fort of greyifh White, ponderous, and attracts Iron as forcibly as the black one of Ethiopia , which that which is fold for it will not do; befides this, its Cheapnefs fufficiently argues its being fpu- rious. We therefore are obliged to content our- felves with fuch as are brought from divers Places, particular from Auvergne , which we can hardly get ten Groats a Pound for ; much lefs could we be able to fell them at the Price of genuine Stones, which feme have been glad to purchafe for their Weight in Gold ; but though we find much Fault with what we fell, it does not follow but there are fome good, though in Truth you will fcarcely meet with above ten amongft a Thoufand. However, thofe among ours that can raife fmall Needles, or make the Filing of Iron move upon a Plate, by only palling the Stone along underneath, without touching it, or have Force enough to make Steel- Duft flick to them, when thrown upon them, may ferve for any medicinal Ufe, and for the Emplaj- trum Divinum, which is their chief Ufe therein. Magnes , Lapis Heraclius , Lapis Si- Lcmery. deritis , Lapis Nauticus , or the Load- Stone , is a compact, hard, Mineral Stone, pretty heavy, and of a black or brown Co- lour, or obfeure blue, which is found in Iron or Copper Mines. The bell is found in India and ALthiopia-, but it is likewife brought from Italy, Sweden , and Germany ; It has a great many excel- lent Properties, both for Travellers and Artifts, which are too tedious to relate. The mod va- luable Magnet is that which attracts the greateft Weight of Iron. I have feen a Load-Stone no bigger then a common Apple that would attract and fufpend a Bar of Iron that weighed twenty- two Pounds. This Stone was fold for an hundred Piftoles. They make the Load-Store one of the Ingre- dients in the Compofition of Plaifters appropriated to Wounds that are made with a Sword, where they think fome Pieces may be left behind ; for they believe that the Load-Stone which is in the Plaifler, attracts and draws the Iron out of the Wound, though the Virtue in the Load-Stone there can never produce this Effect: For firft of all, being powdered finely, as it ought to be, it lofes all its Force of Attraction : And, fecondly, being mixed in the Plaifler, though its Virtue fhould remain, it would not have Power to act, being confined by the Vifcidity of the Gums and Refins. There is a white Load-Stone, but it is very fcarce ; it ought to be of a greyifh White, heavy, and attractive. All thefe Stones are aftrin- gent, and flop Blood, outwardly applied. [The Load- Stone is the Magnes , Aldr. Muf. Mel. 553. Worm. 62. Char It. Fo[f. 62. Lapis Magnes , Matth. 1384. the xiGo? and* 'HfaxAiwTis of the Greeks ; the Magnetis of Avi- cenna ; and the Calamita of Rhazes. It is alfo called Lapis Lydius, but this Name ought to be avoided, becaufe it is common to the Load-Stone, and to what we call the Touch-Stone, by which the Truth of Gold and Silver are tried : They both received this Name from their common Country ; but thefe two Significations of the La- pis Lydius are to be carefully diftinguifhed, the two Stones being very different from each other. The Load-Stone is found in many Countries of Europe , particularly in Iron Mines; but the befl are brought from /Ethiopia and the Eajl-Indies. It is undoubtedly a kind of Iron Ore ; for in fome Places of Germany they actually extract Iron from it ; and when expofed to the Focus of a great Burning-glafs, it manifeftly difeovers Iron. It is not ufed inwardly in Phyfick ; though Galen fays it has the fame Virtues as the Blood- Stone, and alfo fome purgative Quality, for which he recommends it in Dropfies; and Diofcorides preferibes it to evacuate grofs melancholick Hu- mours. Externally it is drying, aftringent, and confolidating, and is an Ingredient in fome Plaif- ters. The White Load- St one is the Magnes Albus , Afont. Ex. 13. Magnes Candidas, Kentm. 14. Aldr. Met. 560. From both thefe we ought to diftinguifh the Book in. Q/* MINERAL S. die Mcgnes of Thnphrajlus , which was, as. he f.tv: white, and fhining like Silver, not hard, hut eafily turned into Veffels, neither did it attract Iron. It had its Name, as the Load-Stone , from Magnefia , a Town in Lydia. This was, in all Probability, a kind of native Litharge, and was that kind of Magnes faid to be poifonous ; whence from con- founding this with the true Load-Stone, that was alfo, in afterTimes, accounted a Poifon.J 3. 0 / Natural Cadtr.ia, or Calamine- Stone. Pomet. DM IA, Calamine- Stone, or. Lapis Calaminaris, is a Mineral, whereof there are two Sorts, the Grey and the Red. The firft is not unlike grey Bole, only it is harder ; it is found in Germany and England, near the Lead Mines, and alfo near Liege, The fecond Sort. is a Stone of a reddifh Colour, interlaced with white, hard, heavy Veins, full of round hard Grains, of the Bignelsof Pepper. Thefe Stones are found in great Plenty in Berry , near Bourge and Sanmur, where there are whole Quar- ries of them, and one may have what Quantity one will for the Digging. They may be had alfo in many other Places ; but fince thofe'of Berry are as good as any, it is not worth our while to have them brought from more diftant Places. "" This Stone is of fome Ufe in Medicine, as it is aftringent and deficcative ; it is alfo an Ingre- dient in fome Galenical Compofitions, for all which Ufes, it ought to be prepared upon a Porphyry, and made into Cakes, with Rofe-water, and is, prepared, what the Apothecaries called Lapis Cala- minaris. As for the firft Sort, how genuine foever, it is of very fmall Ufe in Phyfick ; its chiefeft being to turn red Copper into yellow, which is called Leton, or Brafs. Cadtnia , in Arabick Clinia , vel Chili- Lemery. mia, in Engliflt Cady, is a Mineral Sub- ftance, whereof there are two general Kinds, one natural, and the other artificial ; the natural is metallick as Cobalt, or not metallick as Lapis Calaminaris : The artificial is a kind of Scoria, which is feparated from the Metals in the Founders Works, as are the Pompholyx,Tutty, &c. [Calaminaris-Stone is the Cadtnia FoJJilis , alias Lapis Calaminaris, Worm. 128. Char It. Foff. 5 1 . Cadtnia FoJJilis , Aldr. Muf. Met. 256. Caclmia Lapis Calc. Muf. 460. The Name Caclmia has been applied to feveral Things ; Dicfccrides un- derftood by it, the Recrements of Brafs in the Furnace ; Galen applied it to thefe, and alfo to another native Subftance found in the Ifiand of Cy- prus, which he calls dibohs, or ftony ; and Pliny, Vol. II. J 37 Lefides the factitious Cadtr.ia of thefe Authors, mentions another by the Name of Lapis MroJ'us , which he fays was an Ore out of which Copper was made ; which was, perhaps, the fame with the Cadtnia Lapidoja of Galen. The Dealers in Me- tals, and from them others, have alfo called by the Name of Cadtnia, theStone, which is the Subject of this Chapter, the Lapis Calaminaris ufed in mak- ing Copper into Brafs ; and the Germans have given the fame Name to Cobalt : Therefore Agricola and the other more modern. Writers diftinguifti three Kinds of Cadtnia ; the Metallick, the Foil'll, and that of the Furnaces. I he metallick Caclmia is a folTil Subftance, con- taining fome Portion of Copper or Silver, or both, and is of two Kinds ; the Cyprian, which is alfo found in Afta and Italy , and is a Copper Ore ; and probably is what Galen means, though he do.s not mention that Copper was obtained from it ; and the German, or Cobalt, a metallick Subftance, from which are prepared Arfenick, Zajfira, and the Encaujlutn Cteruleum. The foil'll Cadtnia is the Lapis Calaminaris, the SubjeCt of this Chapter. It is a foflil Subftance . a middle Confiftence between Stone and Earth, and of different Colours, as whitilh, yellowilh, or rcddilh. Tliefe are all found in many Parts of England , and that of the laft Colour is ufually full of fmall fer- rugineous Globules, and is found in great Quan- tities in France ; the others are dug in Germany , near Aix la Cbapelle. They feem to partake of Iron Ore, as moft of them are attracted by the Load- Stone, and are the proper Ores of Zink. This was probably unknown to the antient Greeks, or at leaft not ufed in Phyfick, fince it is not men- tioned either by Diofcoridcs or Galen. It is now much ufed in drying Ointments. The Cadtnia of the Furnaces is the Tutty de- feribed already in its Place.] 4. Of the Hasmatitis, or Blood-Stone. npH E Lapis Hacmatitis, or Blood-Stone, Pomet , A is a Mineral of a reddifh Colour, hard, ponderous, with long pointed Needles, very dangerous to fuch as are pricked by them. This Stone is brought us from many Places, there not being any Iron Mines wherein it is not found. Chufe thofe Stones that are of the higheft Co- lour, with fine Stria, or Needles, and as much like Cinnabar as may be. This Mineral has fome Ufe in Medicine ; as it is aftringent, deficcative, and good to ftop Bleed- ings, ufed externally, or given inwardly in fine Powder ; the Dofe is from four Grains to a T Drachm. 138 General Hi/lory of DRUGS. Book III. Drachm. Mr. Charas obferves, in his Pharma- copoeia Chymia , Page 823, that if you drive it over the Helm , in a Retort, with Sal Arrnoniack, you may draw Flowers of the Colour and Smell of Saffron, which are what they call the Fiores Aro- matici Philofophorum : And moreover you may make with it a chalybeate acid Spirit; and with Spirit of Wine, a Tindture and Flowers ; both which have great Virtues, according to the afore- mentioned Author, to whom I refer you. It is faid this Stone has a fovereign Virtue to flop Blood, from whence it derives its Name of Lapis Hezmatitis , or the Blood-Stone. This Stone, being powdered, as the Load-Stone , enters the Compofition of fome Galcnick Medi- cines : Alfo thofe that work in Metals, or in quell of the Philofop!>ers Stone , make ufe of it. Goldfmiths, and thofe that gild, ufe it too, to pclifh their Work, whether it be upon Silver, Copper, Iron, Wood, or whatever. There is alfo another Sort of Blood-Stone called the Bed Crayon , ufed by fuch as defign and draw Sketches : it is like that of Spain , with this Dif- ference, that it does not appear fo fparkling with Needles, but dull and unpolilhed, like Earth. This kind is brought us from England , and there are two different Sorts of it; the one good, W’hich is pretty tender, foft, and eafy to faw or cut into Crayons ; but the other, not worth any Thing, hard and gravelly, and will not admit of cutting. Hcematitis , Lapis Sanguineus , or the Le?nery. Blood-Stone , is a hard, folid, heavy Stone, participating of Iron, difpofed like Needles, of a reddifh brown Colour, but be- coming red as Blood, as it is reduced to Powder ; they take it from the Iron Mines. The beft and moft efteemed is that of Spain, which is clear, heavy, hard, and folid, in fine Shoots, of a reddifh brown Colour, with Streaks that are blackifh with- out, and refembling Cinnabar within ; it is very aftringent and drying, flops Blood, and is given internally, as well as ufed externally, in fine Pow- der; the Dofe from fifteen Grains to a Drachm. There is another Sort of Blood-Stone brought from England, called the Bajlard FLamatitis ; it. differs from the former in that it neither fhoots into Needles, nor is fo hard : Chufe fuch as is of a brownifh red, weighty, folid, and finooth; it is aftringent, and is called Heematitis from odaci. Blood, becaufe being powdered, it is of the Co- lour of Blood, and flops Bleeding. [ Blood-Stone is the Heematitis, Charlt. FoJJ~. 27. ll' crm. 64. Lapis Heematitis , Math. 1381. ?u' 9 o? eipari mi of the Greeks', and the Sedencgi, or Sa- danegi of the Arabians. It is an Iron Ore ; and in Bohemia they extra£l an excellent Iron from it: It is often found in Iron Mines in a diftindl Ore, but there are always found near it, wherever it is, red Earth and red Stones ; it is dug up in Germany, Italy, and Spain , but the laft is the beft. Pliny diftinguifhes five Kinds of it, according to the Countries it comes from, and its different Co- lour and Hardnefs ; and others divide them from their outward Appearance; fome are uneven and angular as thofe of Spain ; fome cluftered on the Surface like Bunches of Grapes, and therefore called Botryoides, as thofe brought from the Harts Forejl in Germany ; and others are formed in vari- ous Convolutions, like the Inteftines, or the outer Surface of the Brain : thefe are beautifully deli- neated by Aldrovandus and Imperati. The Green Blood-Stone , or Heliotrope , is the Heliotropius, Worm. 94. Lapis Porraceus guttatim , punftulatim, vel jibratim fanguineus, Hcliotropium diftns. Cup. Hat. Cath. Sup. 50. It is a very beautiful green Stone, marked with red, and is faid. to poflefs the fame V irtues w'ith the other. What our Author, and fome others, mention as another kind of Blood-Stone, ufed for Crayons, is an Earth v/ell known in England, under the Name of Red Oaker, Ruddle, or Marking-Stone. It is the Rubrica Fabrilis, Calc. Muf. 134. Rubrica, Charlt. Fojf. 2. Worm. 4. Rubrica Fabrilis mollis, Kentm. 8. This is fometimes brought to a paler Co- lour with the Addition of Chalk, then worked up into Cakes, and fold under the Name of Bole Ar- menick ; and in fmaller round Pieces, marked with fome Impreflion, under that of Terra Sigillata Ru-' bra. There is alfo another harder Kind of this, the Rubrica Fabrilis Dura of Kentman ; Rubrica Laminata of Charlton and Wormius , which is ufed by the Turners, and mull be wetted before it will mark.] 5. O/Spanilh Emery, and the other Emeries. ME R.Y of Spain is a Marcafite, Pomet. or ftony Mineral, with fmall Veins of Gold running through it, which is found in the Goid Mines of Peru, and elfcwhere : It is of much Account amongft thofe that feck the Philofophcrs Stone, becaufe of the golden Veins that adorn it ; and it is at this Day fo valuable and fcarce, that thofe that have any of it may fell it for its Weight in Gold ; the King of Spain has forbid- den the Exportation of it out of his Kingdom, which is the Reafon it is fo very fcarce to be found. This Emery is of little or no Ufe in Phyfick, though Mr. Demeuve fays it is of a corrofive and cauftick Quality. There are, befides this, two other Sorts of Emery, Book III. Emery, one whereof is reddi/h, and fount! in Cop- per Mines, as well in Sweden as other Places, and is what fome fell for Emery of Spain , but it is eafily diftinguifhable from it, being more rough, folid, and hard, of a fine red Colour, and not veined with Gold. The third Sort is that which is commonly ufed by Armourers, Cutlers, and, in fhort, by all thofe that work upon Iron or Steel, there being nothing that polifhes like pounded Emery. It is alfo ufed in polilhing Steel, Looking-glafles, feveral forts of Stones, and upon a great many other Occafions in the mechanick Way. The common Emery is brought to us from fe- veral Countries where there are Iron Mines, and likewife from England ; and there are none but the Englijh that trouble themfelves about the powder- ing or grinding it in Mills which ferve only for this Purpofe, or to grind Stones of a like Nature ; for this ordinary or common Emery is fo hard, that whoever would pretend to powder, or beat it in a Mortar, would be apt to make Holes in the Mor- tar: And as this Mineral is made much ufe of, efpecially in Powder, that ought to be chofen which is in fine Powder, pure and clean ; if in Stone, let it be as bright- coloured, and as free as you can from other Stones. Emery cuts Glafs as the Diamond does, but makes no Impreffions upon Diamonds as it does upon other precious Stones. It is faid, if melted with Lead and Iron, it encreafes their Weight, and hardens and makes them become red ; which I have not experimented. Some alfo mix Emery with the foft pale Madagafcar Gold, but it mu ft be that of the fecond Sort, which comes from the Copper Mines. It is made ufe of alfo to cut and divide Marble. They affirm likewife that it becomes an impalpa- ble Powder, if put into Brandy or Spirit of Wine, which I cannot vouch for, having never tried it; that which falls from the Lapidaries Mills, and looks no better than Mud, is by fome made up into Balls, and fold to feveral People under the Appellation of the Putty of Emery. Smyris Lapis , or Emery , is a kind of Lemery. Marcafite, or very hard Stone, whereof there are three Sorts ; the firft and moft efteemed is called Spanijh Emery , becaufe it is found in the Gold and Silver Mines of Peru , and feveral other Parts of New Spain ; it is reddifh, mixed with Streaks of Gold and Silver. This Kind of Emery is very fcarce, for becaufe of the Gold contained in it, the King of Spain has for- bid the Tranfportation of it. The Second is fmooth, and red, but has nothing of Gold or Silver ! 39 in it ; it is found in the Copper Mines. The Third is common Emery, whofe Colour is blackilh ; it is got in the Iron Mines ; they powder or grind it in England, by certain Mills made for that Purpofe, which they coulJ not do in Mortars, becaufe ot tne great Hardnefs of this Stone. This powdered Emery is ufed to poiifh or clean Arms, Knives, Looking-glafles, id c. You muft chufe that which is in the fined Powder, pure and clean. All thefe Stones are made ufe of to cut and poiifh precious Stones, Glafs, and Marble, and arc of no Impor- tance in Phyfick, except only that they may ferve to clean the I eeth. \\ hat falls from the Lapi- daries, in working with this, they dry and call Putty of Emery. [ Emery is the Smyris and Smerillus of the Shops, Smiris, IVonn. 65. Aid Muf. Met. 653. Char It. F°Jf. 2 7. The of the Greeks ; the Smergium of Scrapion ; and the Sumbagedi of the Arabians. It is a ferrugineous, heavy, metallic*: Sub ft.’ nee, of the Iron Ore kind. The common Eimry is blackilh, and found in many Parts of Ewo'ae\ efpecially in an Ifland on the Coaft of Tufccnr, , and in Guernfey, in the Britijh Channel. It is re- commended by Diofccrides and Galen as a Den- tifrice ; but it corrodes the Teeth too much, and infenfibly wears them away. The Spanijh Emery is greatly in Eftcem with the Searchers for the Philosophers Stone : they ex- tradl a Tin&ure from it with Spirit of Sea Salt, with which they fay they can fix Mercury in an b - ftant, and call this Subftance Miraculous Precipitate, fancying they fnall, by means of it, at length at tain to the true Art of making Gold.] 5. Of the Magnefia. A GN/ILES, Magnefia , Magne, or Pcmet . Manganefe, is a Mineral pretty near approaching to Antimony, only it is fofter, and brittle, like Free-Stone, and made up of fliining Sparkles inftead of Stria. There are two Sorts of Magnefia, the Grey and the Black ; the former is very fcarce, and fo not much in ufe, but the black is very much ufed, as well by Enamellers, as Potters and Glafs-makers, who purify and whiten their Glafs, by putting in a fmall Quantity of it ; whereas, fhould they add too much, it would be of a blue or purple Colour. We have it from many Places in Piedmont , where it is found in the Mines in Pieces of dif- ferent Figure and Bigncfs ; as to the Choice of it, let it be as brittle, as fparkling, but as little load- ed, or other extraneous Bodies as may be. Monficur Furetiere is very much miflaken in 1' 2 affirming Of M I N E R A L S. .140 General Hijlory of affirming Magnefia to be the fame Thing as Sa- fre and Pcrigueur , both which I am going to treat of, and firft of Pcrigueur. [Magnefia is the Sapo Vitri Merr. Pin. 214. ManganeJ'e , Schwenk. Not. in Boer. Chym. 140. It is a foffil, metallick Subftance, found in Germany , Italy , Piedmont , and near Mendip Hills in Eng- land ; and wherever the Miners find it, they con- clude there is Iron Ore near; it is ufed in Glafs- making, and to colour earthen Veffels of a purplifh Black, but is of no ufe in Medicine.] 7. Of Perigueur, or Perigord-Stone. Vy, hard, and difficult to be reduced into Powder. Enamellers and Potters make ufe of it. There needs no other Choice about it than to fee that it be pure, and clean from Impurities ; for if there be any other Mineral mixed among it, it would fpoil all the Works it is employed in; therefore they that fell it to the Workmen, muft take the fame Care as they do in Lead Ore. The Pcrigueur which we fell at Paris is brought us from Daupbiny and England. Lapis Petracorius, Perigord , or Peri- Lemery. gueux , is a kind of Marcafite or hard Stone, that is heavy and folid, black as Coal, difficult to reduce to Powder. It is met with in feveral Mines of Dcupbiny, and in Eng- land, from whence it is brought us in Pieces of dif- ferent Sizes ; the Enamellers and Potters ufe it : You ought to chufe it pure and neat; it is deter- five and aftringent. [This is the Lapis Petracorius , Dal. 34. It is a foffil Subftance, feeming to contain feme Particles of Iron, and ufed by the Earthen Ware-workers ; but never heard of in Medicine.] 8. Of Safre, or ZafFre. Pcmet. Q./ FRE, or Zafre, is a Mineral of a bluifh or Partridge-eye Colour, which the Englijb , Dutch , and Hamburgers , bring us from the Eafl- Indies, and efpecially from Surat. Moft of the Srfre we have is in a grey Powder, like Allies, from which it fo little differs in Ap- pearance, that we are forced to confult the Work- men, who ufe it, to know, by Trials, whether it is what.it ought to be. There are, however, two Sorts of Safre , the fine and the common ; the former is in a bluifh or cineriti'ous Stone, the latter in Powder; and very often fo bad, that it is hardly good for any thing, and being fo very weighty muff heeds be mixed DRUGS. Book III. with fome flony Subftance, the other being much lighter. Safre is much ufed by Delft Ware and Glafs- makers, to give a blue Colour to both Sorts of Ware: It is alfo with Safre that they colour cal- cined Pewter, in order to make the falfe Stone, which I have noted in the Chapter of Enamels : And laftly, with Safre it is that the azure, Colour of Glafs is produced, as is before obferved, and of which is made the counterfeit Sapphire. Sapkre, Safre , Zafre , or Sapphire , is a Mineral whereof there are two Kinds ; Lemery. one called Fine Sapphire, and the other common : The fine Sapphire is a pretty foft Stone, of a bluifh Colour ; the common Sapphire is a greyifh heavy Powder ; both forts come from India. The fine Sapphire is ufed to give a blue Colour to Enamel, to Earthen Ware, and Glafs ; they like- wife colour counterfeit Sapphires with it, whence it takes its Name. [Z afer is a Preparation of Cobalt (to be treated of hereafter) which is thoroughly calcined, then made into a fine Powder, and mixed with three Times its Quantity of powdered Flint-Stones ; then put into large T ubs, and moiftened with a little Water, where, in a fhort Time, it becomes a folid firm Mafs, and is called Zajfra : It is ufed by the Potters, Glafsmen, t£c. but not in Medicine.] 9. Of Rufma. U S MA is a fort of Mineral, in Co- Pomet. lour and Figure refembling the Drofs of Iron, found in great Plenty in Galatia. This Mineral is in fuch Vogue amongft the Turks to take off Hair, that the Grand Signior has an In- come of 30,000 Ducats per Annum arifing from it. This Depilatory is very little ufed in France , but I am fure if it was better known, it would be preferred to Lime and Orpiment upon that Oc- cafion, it being ftronger and more efficacious, and the Ufe of it attended with no fort cf Danger. Rufma is a Mineral that is like the Drofs of Iron, both in Colour and Fi- Lemery. gure ; there is abundance of it in Gala- tia : It is a Depilatory very much ufed by the Turks. [The Rufma , or Reufnia of the Turks, has been taken, by fome Authors, to be Orpiment ; but it is much more probably the Scry, as I have already obferved at the End of the Chapter of Chalcitis. ] 10. Of Orpiment. R PINE, or Orpiment, is a Mine- Pomet. ^ ral commonly found amongft Copper Mines ; compofed of a great Quantity of Sulphur, apd Book III. Of MINERALS. and a corrofive Salt, in Stones of a different Big- nefs. Colour, and Figure ; fome being of a golden, other of a reddifh, and fome of a greenifh Yel- low, and fome almoft quite red ; which proceeds from the different Degrees of Heat in the Bowels of the Earth where it is formed. The Mines of Copper in which this Orpiment is found are ne- ver without fome little Gold ; and for that Reafon thofe that worked in them do not fail to make Separation of it after the ordinary Method. The yellow Orpine is found of different Colours ; wherefore it is that the Dutch and Englifn fend it to us in fuch variety of Forms and Figures ; but the beft and moft valuable is in thick Pieces, and in hanafome bright Scales, gilt as it were with Gold, and which eafily exfoliate, that is to fay, which without much ado are feparated and divided into thin Latnina, or Scales, glittering like Gold. A fecond kind of good yellow Orpine , is, that which is half yellow, half red ; or elfe full of red- difh Veins : That which is in fmall Stones, and of a greenifh yellow, is utterly to be rejected, be- ing nothing but mere Earth ; as alfo that which is in Powder. Orpiment is of fome Ufe in Medicine, being an Ingredient in fome Ointments and Plaifters. It is alfo made much ufe of by Perfons of feveral Pro- feffions, efpecially at Rouen, to dye their Wood yellow, of which they make Combs, and fell them for Box. Farriers ufe it upon feveral Occafions ; as alfo Painters, when it is ground. It is one of the greateft Poifons we have, therefore we ought .to take care to whom we fell it. It is the reddifh natural Orpiment , which ought to be denominated the Sandarach of the Greeks , and not the following, as meft Authors have writ- ten ; for the red factitious Orpine is made of this, as I am going to make appear. Of Red Orpine, or Ratfbane. Red Orpine , which is ordinarily called red A> fenick , as Air. Morin , a Phyfician of the Fa- culty of Montpellier , has allured me, is made of the yellow Orpiment , as it is drawn out of the Alines, by heating it in the Fire till it has acquired a red Colour ; and afterwards putting it into a Crucible with Hemp-feed Oil, or Sailad Oil, or Nut Oil, evaporating tire Oil; and then add.ng more, and proceeding after the fame manner, till the Orpiment becomes vitrified, and fit to be catt into Aloulds, and fo made of the form of a Cake, and reduced to a Stone, as we fee it. This Procefs feeming very feafible, I was willing to attempt it, but could not fuccecd in it ; for tire Orpiment } Lnttead of red, became cal- cined and white, altogether like Plaifter : But though I could not do it, yet I will not fay the Thing cannot be done ; Air. Morin being a Alan of too much Honour to affirm a thing he did not certainly know to be true. However this be, Orpine, or red Arfcnick , ought to be cirofen in thick heavy Pieces, and as high-coloured as poffible. Red Orpine is but little made ufe of, except when ground into a fillamot Colour by Painters. \_Orpiment is the Auripigmcntum luteurn , Aldr. Muf. Alet. 333. Arfenicum crocev.m, Auripigmen- tum , Char It. Eojf. It is the A^auuui of Galen ; of Diofcorides ; the Narueth of Sera pi on ; and the Zarnich asfar of the Arabians. It is an Arfenical Juice, or, as fome affirm, a kind of Gold' Ore. It lies in fquammous foliacious Glebes, like the Lapis fpccularis, and is of three Kinds, yellow, reddifh, and greenifh ; thefe are all three found in the Veins of Gold, Silver, and Copper Mines. Orpiment is foluble in Oil, and inflammable, emitting a thin Flame with a great deal ofSmoak, fmelling of Sulphur and Gar- lick, which, if colledled, forms yellowifh Flowers like Sulphur, and a blood-coloured Mafs remains behind, by fome called - red Orpiment or Realgar. If the Orpiment be kept a long time on the lire, the whole Adafs fublimcs into a beautiful red Sub- ftance like a Ruby, leaving only a little Earth be- hind. The firft Fumes which come from this will turn Copper white and brittle. Orpiment , there- fore, confifts of the fame Parts as common Sul- phur, with fome mineral Particles mixed among them. The common Orpiment, reddened by Fire, as I have already obferved, is by fome called red Or- piment ; but the genuine red Orpiment is the Arfeni- cum rubrum Sandaracha vulgo diSlum , Char It. Fcff. 13. Sandaracha nativa , Kentm. 18. Arfenicum rubrum , Rifigallum , Sandaracha Greccorum, Mont. Ex. 13. and the Realgar, Lcfegall , and Zarnich- Achmer of the Arabians. It is a Foffil of the fame Nature with Orpiment , and feemingly only diffe- rent in Colour. It is brought from China , catt into Figures of Pagods : It is no lefs dangerous than Orpiment ; and though both of them have been recommended by old Phyficians, and are at prefent taken inwardly in the Eajl-Indie :, yet nobody ought to think of giving them here : For the AVine infufed in Cups of Realgar, which is a common Medicine there, has been attended with very fatal Confequences here ; fo great is the Dif- ference in the human Body in different Ciimates; even the external Ufe of it here is not abfolutcly fafe, and, as Chy miftry has furnilhed us with much better Cathereticks, ought to be wholly Fid afide.j Of 142 General ITtJlory of DRUGS. Book III. ii. Of natural white Arfenick. Pomet. \\T HITE natural Arfenick is a Mi- neral, pretty much refembling.the common or factitious white Arfenick , only it is whiter and more refplendent, and not fo fealy. This Mineral, or natural white Arfenick, is found in Copper Mines ; and when Miners meet with it, it is a certain Indication to them that Copper is near. It is found generally in the Interfitia be- tween the true Spar and Clay, and fometimes it is met with in feparate Pieces amongft the dry Clay. This Arfenick is very little known, and little ufed. Of the white factitious Arfenick. Though I have taken fome pains to difeover what the white Arfenick that we fell is, yet it has not been in my Power to inform myfelf ; fo that I am forced to reft myfelf contented, and to fay, with others, that it is a Compofition of Orpiment and common Salt fublimed together; which does not ftand to Reafon, fmee, if it were fo, I do not fee how the Dutch could poffibly fell it at the Price they do. But not knowing what to determine in this Matter, I will only remark, that it ought to be chofen in thick Pieces, white within and with- out. Moft of what we have from Holland is white, and rough without, and if you break it, tranfparent like unto Glafs within, which gave occaiion to the Antients to call it Cryftalline Arfc- nick , which is in mighty requeft at this Day with fome, but by others undervalued and rejected, fome valuing the rough, and others the cryftalline. Arfenick is of fome fmall Ufe in Phyii'ck, to perform feme Operations, as {hall be feen here- after; but chiefly made ufe of by Dyers, and in the Country to deftroy the Rats and other Ver- min. Of the Regulus of Arfenick. Regulus of Arfenick is made of Arfenick , Pot- afhes, and Soap, put into a Crucible, and by the Flame of a Lamp melted and caft into a great Mortar : It is much milder than the Arfenick it- felf. If the Drofs of this Regulus is boiled in Wa- ter, and the Liquor filtrated, by throwing Vine- gar into it, a yellow Powder will be precipitated, which is called the Sulphur of Arfenick , and acts with more Violence than the very Arfenick itfelf. Of caufick or corrofve Arfenick. Corrofive Arfenick is made of Arfenick , Salt- petre, and Sulphur, put into a Mortar and fet on fire, as in preparing Crocus metallorum. When the Noife, or Detonation is over, and the Whole is fufnciently burnt and grown cold, the Mafs is to be pulverifed, and put a-new into a Crucible to be calcined. If you would have this cauftick Arfenick in Liquor, it is but placing it in a Cellar for a few Days, and it becomes an Oil per Deli- quium. One may draw alfo a Butter or corrofive Oil of Arfenick with Sublimate. This Oil, or Butter of Arfenick , is a very ftrong Cauftick, and there- fore very proper for making an Efcar. But as all Preparations of Arfenick have a pernicious Qua- lity, they are to be ufed with great Caution, and not without the Advice of fome fkilful Perfon. Calcined Arfenick may be fublimed with Sea Salt decrepitated ; and with this, as fome do af- firm, they counterfeit the Venetian Sublimate, which is what we call Smyrna Sublimate ; but not being certain of this, I cannot avouch it for Truth, as I before hinted, when treating of Sublimate Corrofive. Of the Arfenical Load-Stone. The Arfenical Magnet is made of Poiflou Anti- mony, Sulphur, and cryftalline Arfenick , powder- ed together, and put into a proper Veflel that will bear the Fire, and the Whole may become one tranfparent Mafs, fuch as the arfenical Magnet ought to be. It is faid this Preparation is a gentle Cauftick, and performs its Office with great Eafe. It is an Ingredient in the magnetick Plaifter of Angelus de Sala, deferibed in Treatifes of Pharmacy by ma- ny Authors, fuch as M. Charas, &c. Arfenicum , five Arrenicum , or Arfe- nick , is a Mineral that is weighty, fliin- Lemery. ing, brittle, fulphureous, and cauftick, of which there are three Kinds ; one yellow, one red, and one white; the firft is called in Latin , Auripigmentum , or Orpiment ; this is a yellow fiiining Stone, taken from the Copper Mines, in Pieces of different Shapes and Sizes. There are feveral Sorts, that are diftinguiflied by their Co- lours ; for one is of a refplendent gold Colour, the other of a paler yellow ; the beatifulleft and moft valued is in large Pieces, of a golden fhining yellow. 'They eafily feparate, by little thin Scales that glitter like Gold. The reddifh yellow Orpi- ment receives its Colour from the fubterranean Fires that calcine it : The Orpin and the Realgal both are ufed by the Painters, after being finely ground on a Porphyry. The fecond fort of Arfenick is called Sanclara- cha Grevcorum , Realgal , Reifgaiy Ref gal urn ^ or Red Book IIT. of M I N Red Or pit/lent. Of this Arfenick there are two Kinds, the one natural, and the other artificial ; the natural is that which is calcined in the Mine by the lubterranean Fires; the artificial, which is more common, being calcined by the ordinary Fire. \ ou ought to chufe the Realgal that is in largeft, heavieft Pieces, ftiining, and of the high- eft Colour : It ferves die Painters. This Name of Sandaracha is given to red Orpine , bccaufe of the Refem'olance it has in Colour with Minium or Read Lead. The third fort of Arfenick is called white Arfe- nick, or fimple Arjenick , by way of Excellence, as being the ftrongeft of all. This is a Mineral in large Pieces that are hard, heavy, brittle, very white, fnining, or cryftallized without and within. There is the natural and the artificial : The na- tural is found in Copper Mines, but is fcarce ; the artificial is made with equal Parts of Orpiment, and common Salt mixed and fublimed together. All the Kinds of Arfenick are corrofive Poifons ; but the moft active and dangerous is the white. It does not ufually work violently till half an Hour after it is taken ; becaufe the Salts that make the Corrofion are locked up, and naturally fettered in the Sulphurs, which makes it lomeTime before they are at Liberty, when they produce great Pains, In- flammations in the Guts, violent Vomitings, Con- vulfions, Reftleflhefs, a general Lofs of Strength, and at laft Death, if not prevented. The Reme- dies proper on this Occafion, are, melted Fat, Oil, Butter, &c. in order to fheath the Points of the cauftick Salts ; and to evacuate upward and down- ward; then Milk being taken in good Quantities, fweetens and corrects the Acrimony of the Poifon. [Arfenick, properly fo called, is a Subftance ex- tracted from Cobalt, an Ore found in Saxony and Bohemia, and other Places ; to be deferibed here- after. There are three Kinds of Arfenick ; the white, the yellow, and the red : To make them, the Cobalt is put into a calcining, reverberating Furnace; when the Flame has fet it on Fire, it emits a blue Flame, and a copious thick Smoak with it, which is received upon the Cieling of the Furnace; and thence conveyed into a large Fun- nel, made of Boards of a hundred Ells in length ; feme of it goes out at the End of this Funnel ; but the trreater Part fticks to the Infide of it, in the Form of a whitifh Soot, which is taken out ‘about once in fix Months, and ferves to make all the three Kinds of Arfenick. The white or cry- ftalline Arfenick is made, by fubliming this Soot in Iron Veflels, into an opake Subftance, fome- times (Lining within like the Encaujlum Album, and fometimes ftreaked with red or cryftalline Veins. E R A L S. 1 he yellow Arfenick is made by fubliming the fame Soot with a tenth Part of common Sulphur ; the fublimed Mafs is yellow, like common Sul- phur, folid, fhining, not altogether opake, cafily broken, but not apt to crumble into Powder. It is diftinguifhable from Orpiment, by not taking 1 ire when thrown upon burning Coals, as Orpi- ment readily does. And red Arfenick is made of the fame Soot and Sulphur, mixed with a Imall Quantity of a me- tallic k Subftance, called the Spuma of Copper, file fublimed Mafs is lolid, opake, and of a cin- nabarine Colour. The firft of thefe is the common Ratfbane, or white Arfenick ; the Arfenicum Album, Ind. Med. 15. Arfenicum fattitium Album, Aldr. Muf Met. 354. Arfenicum Album feu Cryjlallinum, Scbrod. 3. 498. The fecond, or yellow Arfenick , the Arfe- nicum fafiiiium fiavum, Aldr. Muf. Met. 358. Arfenicum citrinum feu fiavum , Scbrod. 3. 498. And the laft, or red Arfenick ; the Arfenicum ru- brurn faEhtium Ojficinarum, IVood. Ait. 2. P. 1. p. 50. All thefe kinds of Arfenick are very powerful Poifons, and ought never to be thought of as in- ternal Medicines, though fome have been fo daiing to preferibe them. They confift of an acrid Salt, and a kind of mercurial or metallick Subftance, which difeovers itfelf when they are diftillcd in a Retort with any fat Subftance ; for, with a ftrong Fire, the Arfenick will be raifed into the Neck of the Veflel, in a metallick Form like Antimony. The arfenical Magnet is the beft Preparation of Ratfbane for external Ufe ; it has that Name from its fuppofed Power of attracting poifonous or other morbifick Matter, from the Centre of the Body to the Surface. It is a powerful Ripener, and has been fometimes ufed with Succefs in Ve- nereal Buboes.] 12. Of Sal Gem. Pomet. qAL Gem is a natural Salt, fo called ^ from its Ciearnefs and Tranfparency,. like unto a precious Stone, which the Latins call Gemma. This Salt is found naturally in the Bowels of the Earth, in feveral Parts of E;.ro[ f, princi- pally in Poland and Catalonia. And fince I have not mjfelf been upon the Spot where it is, to confirm the Truth of what I fay, it may not be amifs to let you fee what Dr. Pcrou, of the Faculty of Montpellier , has written to me upon the Oc- cafion, who fays. That he was in Poland in the Month of March 167a, with his Eminence Car- dinal Janfon, who having the Curiofity to take a View of the Salt-pits of IVillifca , near Cracow , had 144 Central ITifiory of had a mind to go down into them, which he did on a kind of Litter made for that Purpofe, at- tended by divers of his Servants, with Flambeaux in their Hands. Being come to the Bottom, which was very deep; he was received by the fubterranean Inhabitants, who live there with their whole Families, but look extremely pale, and was prefented by them with Beads and Crucifixes ; which Dr. Perou afterwards examining by his Tafte, found to be made of a Salt, and to have the fame Tafte as that which the Druggifls call Sal Gemmes. The Cardinal had further Curiofity, and was conducted to the Workmen, who with ChifTels and Hammers get this fame Salt out of the Rocks, as they do Stones out of a Quarry. There were two Sorts of Salt in thefe Mines, and in the fame Veins; the one finer, being more pellucid and tranfparent, which thefe Beads, &c. were made of, and which they feparate from the other; which the Poles , and other Northern People, ufe in their Kitchens, and for their Tables. On fee- ing this, Dr. Perou was able to determine con- cerning the Pieces of Workmanfhip that his Emi- nence had prefented him, that they were made of the pureft true Sal Gem, fold by the Druggifts, ufed by the beft Dyers. As to the Salt of Cata- lonia , hear what Mr. Pour ne fort, who has been upon the Spot, fays alfo in a Letter to me. “ There arc four Sorts of Salt in the Mountains of Cardona, a pretty confiderable City in Catalonia. The firft, and moft common, is a fulfil Salt, white, and pretty much refembling Sea Salt, only not granu- lated, but cut out in large Pieces, as we do rough Stones in our Quarries. The fecond is a Salt of an Iron Grey, or Slate Colour, which differs only from the former, in that it has a little blackifh Earth mixed with it. The third is a red Salt, nearly of the Colour of Conferve of Rofes, and differs from the others, in having a Mixture of Bole, or a kind of Rufl: of Iron in it. The fourth is the pureft of all, and indeed the true Sal Gem, as tranfparent and bright as Rock Cryftal. Thefe feveral Sorts of Salts lie in Strata, or Beds, in this Mountain, and are very proper for any Ufes of Life, and en- ter or penetrate into Flefh, better than Sea Salt, being not fo fixed, and approaching nearer the Nature -of Salt-petre. Sal Gem is eafily wrought into what Figures you pleafe ; and accordingly little Boxes, Beads, and Croffes, and other the like Things are made of it. But nothing conies up to the Beauty of a certain Cavern in this Mountain, which is adorned on all b ides with moft admirable Congelations of this Salt. The People hereabouts affirm, that this Salt grows in its refpedtive Abodes, and the Holes that DRUGS.- ' Book III. you empty fill again after fome Time ; but this wants Confirmation.” Of the feveral Sorts of Sal Gem which I have fpoken of, we deal in none but the beft, that is, in thick Pieces, is eafily broken, clear, and tranfparent, and fit for the Dyers Ufe. It is very obfervable of this Salt, that it grows red-hot, like Iron, in the Fire, and crackles there but very little, though on the other Hand it eafily dilfolves, being expofed to the Air ; yet it may be deanfed from Dirt, by wafhing and drying it again immediately, without Injury. It is brought us from many Places, but in greateft Quantities from Poland. Mr. Furetiere and other Authors fay it comes from the E of -Indies ; and that there is a Kingdom called Danzat, which Sig- nifies with them a Country of Salt, which affords yearly a Loading for fix hundred Camels, which in / Ethiopia is as ready Money. I do not think it worth while to wafte Time in controverting what Pliny and others have obferved concerning this Salt, when they tell us, that in Charros , a Town of Arabia, Houfes are built of it ; and Water is ufed inftead of Mortar to bind the Salt Stones ; or that the Sea derives its Sal tnefs therefrom, &c. But I muft not here forbear to relate, that there are fuch Vegetations of Salt produced in the Mine, that Mr. Pournefort has a Vegetation of foffil Salt as white as Sugar, almoft two Feet high, like a Shrub, growing out of a Root ; which, without all Doubt, is one of the greateft Curiofities in all Europe. Sal Ge?nmeum, Sal Fojfile, ox Sal Gem, is a Mineral, white' and cryftalline Salt, Lemery. which grows in Form of Stone, or a Rock, in feveral Mountains in Catalonia, Poland, Perfta, and the Indies . This Salt being broken, is fhining and tranfparent as Cryftal. They fay that certain People of the Indies, which inhabit the Countries where it is met with, but rarely, build tranfparent Houfes with Sal Ge?n, which they work like Stone. The Tafte of Sal Gem is like that of Sea Salt, but a little more penetrating ; they ufe it with their Meat. Out of the Salt Waters of their Springs and Pits, in the Francbe Comte and Lor- rain, they make a Sal Gem ; they evaporate thefe W aters to make the Salt which they ufe in thofe Countries as we do Sea-falt. There is made by Diftillation, of Sal Gem an acid Spirit, altogether like Spirit of common Salt. Sal Gem is incifive, attenuating, penetrating, refolving, aperitive, laxa- tive, proper in the Cholick, and to open Obftruc- tions : They fubftitute in Compofitions Sal Gem, for Indian Salt, called Sal lndum , which fome be- lieve to be a kind of Mineral Salt, and others Su- gar. Book III. Of M I N [Sal Gem is the Sal Gemmeus , Aldr. Muf. Met. 301 . Sal FoJJilis, qui et Sal Gemma in Of} 7 - cinis dicitur , TVorm. 20 . Sal FoJJilis pellucidus pan- nonicus , qui dicitur in Officinis Sal Gemma , Kentm. g. It is of feveral Colours, white, grey, yellowifli, reddifh, and pellucid like Cryftal ; which laft is the moll pure, and ought to be efteemed the true Sal Gem , and only ufed in Medicine. It refembles Cryftal both in Colour and Brightnefs : There are huge Rocks of it in Poland , Hungary , Lithuania, and other Places ; its Virtues are much the fame with thofe of Sea Salt.] 13. Of Sea- fait. Pomet. QA L Marine , or Sea-falt , is aCryftalli- zation made of Sea Water, perform- ed by the Sun, and reduced into Grains of a Cu- bick Figure, as Monfieur Des Cartes has made ap- pear. As to its Origin, fome will have it to pro- ceed from the abovementioned Foffil Salt, or Sal Gemma ; but fince I cannot decide this Affair, it may not be amifs to tranfcribe here what Mon- fieur Lemery has written concerning it, p. 345. Sea-falt is made at Rochelle in the Salt Marlhes, which ought to lie a little lower than the Sea, and to be of a Clay Mould to retain the Salt Water that is drawn off into them ; fo that all Places that are contiguous to the Sea, are not fit for the Purpofe. When the Seafon begins to be hot, which ufual- ly happens in the Month of May, the Water that has lain in the Marlhes to preferve them in the Winter, muft be drained off ; then the Sluices or Cams are to be opened, to let in what Quantity of Salt Water you pleafe, which muft be contrived to pafs through many different Channels, where it is purified and becomes hot ; then it is conveyed into plain level Places, in order for the Salt to cream. This Salt does not Ihoot throughly, but during the exceffive Heats, the Sun evaporating fome Part of the Humidity, and the Breezes from the Sea, which happen after the Heats, by their Coolnefs condenfing and cryftallizing the Salt. But if it fliould chance to rain during this Pro- cefs, only two Hours, there would be no making Salt again in fifteen Days Time, becaufe the Marlh muft be made clean, and all the old Water taken out, and other let in, in its Place. Befides the aforefaid Sea-falt , there is the White Salt of Normandy, which they make with Water out of a fort of Mud or Sand that the Sea throws up in the Summer, and upon which the Sun has Ihone fome Time; and when the Water is fuffi- ciently impregnated with the Salt, that it will dif- folve no more, which is found by the Swimming of Vol. II. an Egg in it (for every Body knows that Water can be charged but with a determinative Quantity of Salt or Sugar) then the Water is to be ftrained through Straw ; and when it is very clear, to be put on the Fire, and boiled till it comes to a Skin, and afterwards put into Baficets to reduce it to what we fee it. The more this Salt is wrought, the whiter, pleafanter, and better Quality it is of ; its conftant Softnefs is befides very peculiar to it, as well as its growing the more infipid the longer it is kept. There are ftiil other forts of Salt in France, as that of Lorrain , which is made with fait Water caft upon hot Plates of Iron; that of Franche Compte , and many more, which I for- bear to fpeak of, not having any Commerce in diem. Of the Purification of Sea-falc. To purify Salt, it muft be diffolved in Water, and the Diffolution filtrated through Paper ; then the Humidity is to be evaporated in an Earthen Pan, and fo there will remain a very white Salt; but it will be purer and better, if inftead of evaporating all the Humidity, Part is left, and it be fet to cryftal- lize in a cool Place ; for then at the bottom of the Veffel will be found the fineft Salt, which may be feparated from its Moifture and dried ; then ought Part of the fait Liquor to be evaporated again, and having put the Veffel into a Cellar, let it cryftallize again ; thus muft you continue to evaporate and cryftallize, till at laft all the Humidity be eva- porated, becaufe it will not fhoot into Cryftals any more ; the Salt that is behind being filled with an oleaginous or bituminous Matter that hinders Cryftallization. If you would make the Salt up into Loaves, like to thofe of Sugar, it muft be put into Moulds when it is a little more evaporated than to a Skin, and after it has lain a little to coagulate and ftiffen, it muft be put into a Stove to dry it perfectly. This Salt, well purified, differs not in Appearance from double refined Loaf-fugar. Decrepitated Salt is a Sea-falt calcined by the Fire, which ferves for many Purpofes. Of Spirit of Salt. Spirit of Salt is an Amber-coloured Liquor drawn from dry Sea-falt, by the Afliftance of dried Potters Earth, a Retort, and Fire. The beft Spi- rit of Salt we have comes generally from England y and if it is good it muft be void of Phlegm, and faithfully and carefully prepared, of a fine yellow Amber Colour, and of a very acid and pungent Tafte. I fhall not fpend Time, at prefent, to rim through all the Particularities and different forts of U Spirit I4 6 General Hijory of DRUGS. Book lit. Spirit of Salt ; Monfieur Lemery hath done it at large already : Only I muft obferve of Spirit of Salty that that which is right and good is much in ufe in many Cafes, as in Hernia’s, Apoplexies, Scurvy of the Teeth, Gums, &c. The way of taking it, is by a few Drops in Water, or any other V ehicle, ad gratum acorem ; for cleanfing the Teeth, mix it with clarified Honey of Rofes. Thofe that would have a dulcified Spirit of Salt, to be taken in a greater Quantity, may make it accord- ing to Bafil Valentiney by mixing Spirit of Wine and Spirit of Salt, equal parts, and digefting them together in a Sand-heat for three Days. i Sal Marinuniy Sal Commune y or Sea Lemery. Salty is a Salt they make from the Sea Water by Evaporation and Cryftalliza- tion. I believe that the Origin or Rife of that Salt comes from Sal Gem, and feveral Reafons con- firm me in this Opinion. The firft is, that Sea-falt is altogether like Sal Gem y or that Salt made from the Springs in the Franche Comptiy the Pits of Lor- rainy and feveral fait Lakes in Italy and Germany whence Salt comes, as all the World knows. The fecond is, that there is no Salt whereof there is fuch Plenty as of the Sal Gem : It fills not only in Europe abundance of Mountains of a great and vaft extent, but it is found in almoft all the Mines in ■Egypt and the Indies ; and there is no doubt but it is at the bottom of Sea, as well as the Earth we live upon, where we meet with Mountains, Rocks, and Mines, full of Sal Gem. The third is, that the Naturalifts have at all Times obferved, that the Waters which pafs through the Mines of Sal Gemy and are loaded with the Salts, flow by an Infinity of Channels into the Sea. The fourth is, that the Sea-falt muft neceflarily be made in the Land ; for if but a little verfed in Chymiftry, one may know that fixed Salt compofed of an acid Earth, as the Sea-falt is, could never be perfected in the Sea Water; it wants the Earth to imbody the acid Liquor, otherwife it would always remain a fluid Salt, and never become fo- lid. If we make a chymical Analyfis of Sea-falt, one may draw from thence a great deal of acid Liquor, which being feparated from the Earth, can never gain again its Confiftence of Salt. This Argument being clear and demonftrative, it is likewife plain, that the Sea-falt muft receive its Elaboration in the Earth before it is conveyed in- to the Sea : And as v/e fee no Salt fo plentiful in the Earth as Sal Gem, we may well believe it is that which gives a Saltnefs to the Sea ; befides, the Salt which we now take from the Sea is entirely like it in Tafte, in Quality, and in Principles. But I fhall propofe fome Objections made againft this ; They fay, that it is difficult to conceive that the Sea, which is fo large, and of fo prodigious an Extent, fhould receive all its Saltnefs from Sal Gem ; for though there is great Quantities of this Salt in the bowels of the Earth, there does not appear enough to fait fo much Water. To anfwer this Objection, I fay, that the Dif- ficulty we apprehend of the Sal Gem's being fuffi- cient to fait the Sea, proceeds from this, that we do not fee the Quantity of Salt Mines, as we do the Extenfion of the Sea Water : But if we con- fider that the Earth is full of Sal Gem, or the like, in millions of Places, and that it difeharges itfelf into the Sea perpetually ; there is no doubt but we may have room to comprehend that the Earth, in all its Parts, contains Salt enough in it to make the Sea Salt. Another Objection they bring is, that according to my Argument the Sea ought every Day to en- creafe in Saltnefs, fince it perpetually receives frefh Salt, which cannot be difpofed of otherwife. I anfwer, that we cannot perceive any Augmenta- tion of the Sea’s Saltnefs ; for if there be a great deal of Salt that is brought into it, there is like- wife a great Confumption by Evaporation and the Motion of the Waves, that are driven with fuch Rapidity and Violence, that they volatilize a great Share of Salt that is received in Vapour, as may be fenfibly perceived by the fait Air We breathe in, when upon the Sea, and which contributes much, with the Agitation of the Ship, towards the Pro- vocation to Vomiting. This Salt is driven by the Winds upon the Shore, where it is ufeful to make the Land fertile ; and by a perpetual Circulation it is brought to the Sea again. In Normandy they make Sea-falt by evaporating Sea Water over the Fire in great leaden Caul- drons to a Drynefs ; there remains a white Salt that is lefs piquant and lefs fait than that of Ro- chelley becaufe of the Evaporation, and perhaps occafioned from fome Particles of Lead that are diflblved in it, which have blunted its Points. This kind of Salt lofes its Strength as it encreafes in Age. There is a Salt prepared by Cryftallization at Brouage and Rochelle , befides feveral other Parts of the Country where there dre Salt Lakes. The Rochelle Salt is grey, becaufe of a little Earth that it carries along with it ; it is neverthelefs more pe- netrating, and falter than the white Normandy Salt, which is made -by Evaporation; but it is not fo piquant as Sal Gem , becaufe of the violent Motion of the Sea Waves, which blunts its finer Points. It may be rendered white as Sugar, by diflolving in Water, filtrating the Diflolution, and evaporating to a Drynefs : But as in this Purification we feparate it from a great deal of Earth, which made it weaker. Book III. weaker, it does not by this Means encreafe its Strength ; but on the contrary it is lefs biting, be- caufe that the Fire has carried off, or blunted feveral of its more fubtile Points. Sea-falt contains a great deal of Acid, a fmall Quantity of Sulphur and Earth. It is incifive, penetrating, deficcative, ap- eritive, refolutive. It is ufed in Apoplexies and Convulfions 3 they mixed it in Baths and Suppofi- tories, and being applied hot behind the Neck, it rarefies and diffipates Catarrhs. [Alimentary Salt is made by the Evaporation of theW ater of the Sea, or Salt Springs, Fountains, & c. and is of different Colours and Degrees of Purity, according to the different Methods ufed in making ti. The acid Spirit drawn from it by a Retort, is, with proper Additions, the only diffolvent of Gold, and it alfo diffolves Tin, but will not touch Silver, or Lead. If this Spirit , when very pure, be fa- turated with Salt of Tartar, it concretes into a Subftance refembling common Sea-falt in Tafte, and in the cubical Figure of its Cryftals ; whence it appears that Sea-falt is an Acid perfectly fa- turated with an alcaline Salt. The Spirit is in great Efteem for promoting the Secretion of Urine, preventing the Stone, curing Dropfies, al- laying Thirft in Fevers, and conquering the Ma- lignity of the Juices in the Scurvy; its Dofe is from three to fifteen Drops.] 14. Of Nitre, or Salt-petre. Pcmet. C>AL T-PE TRE , which the Chymifts ^ call the Dragon , Cerberus , or the In- fernal Salt , is an artificial or factitious Salt, drawn from feveral forts of Materials, as from old Stones, whence it has its Name 5 from Earth, from Afhes, and alfo from Pigeons Dung. I fhall not de- fcribe here the many different Ways of making Salt-petre, feeing they are largely defcribed in the Franfaclions of the Royal Society at London ; and alfo becaufe it is eafy to fee it made in very many Places in France , and efpecially at the Royal Ar- fenal at Paris , where it is made in great Quan- tities, and where they divide it into half a Do- zen Sorts, according as it is more or lefs purified ; but the fineft and beft is what will hardlv dHTolve in Water, which they fend in Cafks to the Fron- tiers 3 and this Salt-petre may be kept almoft in any Place without Lois or Decay, but is not ex- pofed to Sale. Befides the Salt-petre of feveral forts made in Europe , we have it brought in large Quanties from the EaJl-IndieSy fometimes rough and unpolifhed, and at other Times as well purified and refined as any whatever. There are moreover other forts of *47 natural Salt-petre, as that which is found flicking to Rocks and old Walls, in fmall white Cryftals, and is what the Antients called Aphronitrum. Salt- petre is made alfo in /Egypt, with the Nile Water, after the fame Manner as common Salt is made with us at Broiiage or Rochelle ; and this Salt-petre, made of the Water of the River Nile , is that which was fo common in France , about fixty Years ago, and which ufed to be fold at a cheap Rate to theWhitefters, to blanch or whiten Linen, under the Name of White Pot-Ajhcs, Alkali , Na- trum, or Anatrum. There is nothing that has more perplexed the Antients, as well as Moderns, than the Natrum of /Egypt, and that even whilft it was the com- moneft Thing in the World ; for at Parts alone, there was confirmed of it more than 2,000,000 Pounds yearly, without reckoning what the Tanners made ufe of to fait their Skins and Hides, which was the Reafon it was prohibited af- terwards ; and fince is become fo fcarce, that at prefent it is worth its Weight in Silver, and is pro- hibited to be fold by Merchants under large Penal- ties. Some will have this Natrum of /Egypt to have been a natural Borax , or a Salt drawn na- turally out of the Earth in grey hard Pieces ; fome, that it was the volatile Salt and Froth of Glafs- metal taken from the Pots and Furnaces of Glafs Founders, and that it is either grey, white, brown, or bluifh, altogether unfit for Vitrification, and fit for nothing but to throw to Sheep or Pigeons ; but nothing can be more wide of Truth than this, fince the true Salt of Glals is ftill fo common a- mong us, that it is fold not above a Groat, or five Pence a Pound, and never given to any fort of Cattle or Beads ; but ufed chiefly by Potters, and Dutch- Ware-makers, to prepare the Sand where- with they whiten and varnifti their Works. And Light and Darknefs are not more contrary than thefe two Things ; for the Salt of Glafs is in Cakes or Stones, extremely heavy like Marble, contracting no Moifture by the Air 3 whereas the /. Egyptian Natrum is a white Salt in great cryftal weighty Malles, fait and naufeous to the Tafte ; and befides, eafily diffolving into Liquor, when ex- pofed to the Air, and is of fome Ufe too in Medi- cine, being an Ingredient of the Lap. Crolii. As for thefe laft mentioned kinds of Salt-petre, we have but very little of them, and confequcntly make ufe of the artificial or factitious, which ought to be made choice of good and well-worked, ac- cording to what Degree or Quality it is of; but however, let it be always dry, and as void as pof- fible of Salt. The common fort, when good, mull be as white, dry, and free from Salt as may be 3 the refined alfo, the whiter, drier, and more U 2 beautiful. Of MINERALS. 148 General Hi/lory of DRUGS. Book III. beautiful, long, and large Cryftals it is in, the better and more valuable it is. The Ufe of Salt-petre is very confiderable, as well upon account of the great Quantities employ- ed in making Gun-powder, as that abundance of Artificers make ufe of it, and that divers chymi- cal Preparations are made thereof. This great Confumption is the Reafon why the Sale of it is forbidden in France to Grocers and others ; and that thofe in and about Paris that ufe any of it, are forced (under pain of Confifcation and a Fine) to buy it at the Arfenal ; and even then are not to ufe it to the Purpofes of feafoning Meat, or the like, though it be proper enough for that End, as Mr. Lemery affures us. Nitrum , Sal Nitrum , Sal Petra, Lemery. Salt-petre or Nitre , is a Mineral Salt, partly volatile, and partly fixed, which they make from Stones and Earth upon old Walls, Buildings, and the Urine of feveral Animals, which has lain a long time on Cellar Floors, or on the Stones ; this Salt being formed by the Acid of the Air, which after it has penetrated and rarefied the Stones or Earth, is thus fixed and imbodied. Salt-petre is feparated by Difiolution, Filtration, and Coagulation ; they powder grofly the Stones and Earth that have lain a long time in the Air, or which are taken from old Buildings ; theyfteep this in a great deal of hot Water, in order to difi'olve the Salt ; they throw this Infufion upon Allies to make a Lixivium or Lye ; they pafs and re-pafs the fame Liquor feveral times upon the Allies ; then being clear, they evaporate three or four Parts of the Humidity over a Fire ; then they fet the Liquor to cool and cryftallize, taking the Cryftals off to dry, and then evaporate almoft all the Moifture away, and cool again as before. They then take off the Salt-petre that contains a great deal of lixiviate Salt, and which is almoft like Sea-falt, only that the lixiviate Salt being Al- cali, it changes its Nature, becaufe the Pores are filled by the Acid of the Salt-petre.. The Salt- petre made by this firlt Purification is called Com- mon Salt-petre ; the laft fort of which ought not to be mixed with the firft, becaufe it is almoft fixed, and confequently not fo good.. They purify common Salt-petre by diffolving it in the Water, filtring the Diffolution, and eva- porating W ater over the Fire, till there appear a Imall Scum upon it ; then leaving it to cool, with- out ftirring, there will fhoot fine, long, white, clear, tranfparent Cryftals ; pour off, by Inclina- tion, the Water that fwims upon it, and take out the Cryftals to dry, evaporating again part of the remaining Water, and leave it to cool; new Cry- ftals will be formed, which dry as before ; and, in Ihort, evaporate the reft of the Liquor, till you find nothing at the Bottom but a little Salt, like Sea-falt. Repeat feveral times the Purification of your Salt-petre after the fame Manner, and every time feparate fome of the fixed Salt. The more it v is purified, the finer, larger, more ftiining, and ' tranfparent are the Cryftals, freed from the fixed Salt, and difficult to melt. There is likewife a natural Salt-petre, flicking againft Walls and Rocks in little Cryftals, which is preferable to common Salt-petre, and which the Antients called Apbro-Nitrum. The ordinary Salt-petre ought to be chofen well purified, in long Cryftals, as hath been faid, cooling upon the Tongue, and that calls out a great Flame, when thrown upon hot Coals. It is aperitive, re- folutive, abates Thirft, provokes Urine, refills Pu- trefaction, allays the Heat of the Blood, drives forth tbe Stone from the Kidney or Bladder. The Dofe is from half a Scruple to a Drachm. Of melted Salt-petre, or Salt of Nitre. What is called Sal Nitri is a purified Panel* or refined Salt-petre melted by the Fire, and [reduced into Cakes of three or four Fingers Thicknefs. The Salt of Nitre , made after this manner, is very little in ufe, but inftead of it, a Preparation called Cryflal Mineral , which is made by calling a little of the Flowers of Brimftone upon fome of the afore-mentioned melted Salt-petre , is very much in ufe. Sal Nitri , or Salt-petre , is fixed with Charcoal, and faid, when fixed, to have the fame Proper- ties as Salt of Tartar, and that a red TinCture of it may be drawn with Spirit of Wine, like that of Sal Tar tar i . Of Spirit of Nitre. From any of the forts of Salt-petre, by means of dried Potters Clay, a Retort, and Fire, is drawn a Spirit extremely ftrong and violent. Spirit of Nitre , when good, is as clear as Rock Water, and fends forth Fumes continually, if the Bottle is unftopt. Some rafcally People fell Aqua fortis inftead of it, therefore Care mull be taken about it ; but it is eafily diftihguifhed from Spirit of Nitre by what I have faid, and by the low Price they fell it at; whereas true Spirit of Nitre cannot be afforded under eight Shillings the Pound, or upwards. We have but little Spirit of Nitre now from Holland , either through the fmall Occafion- we have Book III. have of it, or rather through the Covetoufnefs of Workmen, that will not afford it, but chufe to make ufe of Aqua forth inftead of it ; whereby their Manufactures are neither fo good nor fo well wrought. Spirit of Nitre , being a ftrong Corrofive, is very feldom ufed internally in its natural State, but is dulcified, or foftened, by adding as much Spirit of Wine to it ; and this is obfervable in this Mixture, that though it requires Heat, it wants no Fire to make it ; for as foon as thofe two Spi- rits come together, there arifes as great an Ebul- lition and Bubbling, as if they were upon a good F»re. In performing this Operation, Care muft be taken to avoid the Fumes and Vapours, which are very hurtful and offenfive. When this Mix- ture is become clear, it may be taken a few Drops of it in any proper V ehicle, and is faid to be very good in flatulent and nephritick Cholicks. Sal Armoniack diffolved in this Spirit makes the Aqua Regia , or Royal Water, fo called from its Capa- city of dilfolving Gold, the King of Metals. Of Aqua fortis. Aqua fortis is a Spirit drawn from Salt-petre, and German or Englijh Vitriol calcined to White- nefs, by means of fome dried Earth or Clay, a Retort, and Fire. Aqua fortis , fo Called from its Strength, though it be not fo violent as Spirit of Nitre, is very much in ufe with a great many forts of Workmen, fuch as Coiners, Mint-men, Goldfmiths, Engravers, Cutlers, and abundance of others, as well as by thofe who dye in grain. The beffc Aqua fortis we have comes from Hol- land ; not but that it can be made as good in France ; but that it may be fold a little the cheaper, it is not above half deflegmated with us, and con- fequently not above half fo ftrong as it fhould be. With Aqua fortis Water and Clippings or File- ings of Copper, is made what they call the Aqua fecunda : It is a Water, of a blue Colour, which Farriers make ufe of ; they alfo ufe that which the Workers in Silver make ; or, to have it a readier way, they buy Phlegm of Vitriol, or Spi- rit of Vitriol, that is made of Aqua fortis , and give them the Name of Aqua Jecunda. There is no fear of counterfeiting Aqua fortis , or felling any other Spirit for it, there being none that can be afforded at a lower Price. So that when this Water has no Phlegm in it, to be fure it is good and genuine. Of Cryftal Mineral. Cryflal Mineral, which fome call Sal Anodynum, or Miner alts Lapis, and commonly Sal Prunella , is 149 a refined Salt-petre melted in a clean Iron Pot, throwing a fmall matter of Flowers of Sulphur in- to it. When it is thus in Fufion, the Salt-petre being thoroughly melted, and the Sulphur confu- med, let it ftand a-while, and then take off the Scum with an Iron Spoon, and pour out the Salt- petre into an Iron Skillet or Porringer, to make it thin, after the Manner as we fee it. We fend to Holland for our beft and whiteft Cryflal Mineral ; but it being in little thick Cakes, we have but fmall Sale or Demand for it, fince it is only fit to be fold by Weight, and to thofe that make ufe of it themfelves. Cryflal Mineral ought to be chofen very white, new made, and thin ; and when it is to be retail- ed, let it be as dry as you can. That which is made with purified Salt-petre, is to be preferred to that which is made with the common or ordi- nary Salt-petre ; and this is eafily known by its Whitenefs, and its keeping well. It is a Miftake to believe, as an Author of late obferves, that thofe who hawk Cryflal Mineral about the Streets, make it up with Alum ; for it is impollible to make Alum and Salt-petre unite, the Alum be- coming immediately a Scum when it is thrown into the Salt-petre, as it does with Sugar, though it is pretended to be made ufe of to whiten that : So that thofe that make Cryflal Mineral for Cheap- nefs, only ufe the common Salt-petre ; for it is but melting it twice, and it will be as white as the other, and the only Difference will be in keep- ing; but afhort time Ihews it, which they to their Coft know that buy of thofe Strollers. Care muft be taken not to wrap it in Paper, which being porous attrafts Humidity, and moiftens the Cry- stal Mineral, and renders it unfaleable. By the Experience I have had, the beft Affurance you can have that it is good, will be to make it yourfelf. Cryflal Mineral is very much in ufe in Phyfick ; it has acquired the Name of Sal Prunella, it is faid, from its fpecifick Quality of curing Inflam- mations of the Throat, and the Quinfey, which fome call Pruna, or Prunella ; and, according to others, from the effential Salt which is drawn from the Prunelle, or Sloe , refembling Cryflal Mineral ; or becaufe it is much made ufe of in inflamma- tory Fevers, compared to a Fire-coal, which the Latins call Pruna ; or, laftly, and that moft pro- bably, becaufe the Germans gave it, in making, the Figure of a Plumb. Of Sal Polychrcftum. The Sal Polychreflum, fo called from its many and great Virtues, is made of the fineft Salt-petre and Holland Sulphur powdered together, and by means Of M I N E R A L S. 1 50 General Hijlory of D R U G S. Book III. means of a gentle Fire wrought into a very white light Salt. This way of making it is very different from that of all Authors who have treated of it, who recommend a Crucible made red-hot by keeping a Fire about it for three or four Hours. I will not fay this Procefs is not good ; but the Impoffi- bility there is of felling it when it is heavy, and of divers Colours, is the Reafon why it cannot be difpofed of when made thus : And I believe my Method will be preferred, fince with two or three lighted Charcoals, and in the fpace of one Hour, a Salt may be made both white, bright, and well qualified ; alfo more faleable, and that cofts lefs. And fince I difapprove the Ways of making the Sal Polychrejlum hitherto ufed, it will not be amifs to declare the manner of fucceeding beft in it. Take therefore equal Parts of Sulphur and fine Salt-petre, and having heated a Crucible, not gla- zed in the Infide, and placed it upon five or fix lighted Charcoals, fo that the bottom be red-hot, throw into it a Spoonful of the Mixture of Salt- petre and Sulphur ; and when the Detonation is over, and the Sulphur and Salt-petre are fufficient- 3 y burnt, another Spoonful in like manner muft be thrown in, and fo till all is calcined ; then take the Pot off the Fire, and after it is cool break it, and therein you will find a Sal Polychrejlum , both white, light, and very faleable. And what I fay Hands to Reafon, fince this Salt cannot be made heavy, and in a Mafs, but by the great Violence and Strength of the Fire. They that would be Hill more curious, and would have a Sal Polychre- jlum purer and more beautiful, that is to fay, cry- ifallized, let them difiolve it in Water ; and after having filtrated, and evaporated to a Pellicle, it muft be put in a Cellar, or fome other cool Place, to Ihoot intoCryftals; which, when dried, ought to be in finall Plates, moderately thick and brilliant, or fhining like Diamonds, and of a clear White, and folid, that is, hard to break ; for that which is eafily reduced to Powder, is not well made. This Sal Polychrejlum cryftallizcd, is preferable to the firft fort, how well foever made, being free from that ungrateful Tafte and evil Quality which the Sulphur, that is infeparable from the other by any other means, gives it. In felling of this Salt there are great Cheats and Abufcs committed ; inftead of it, many who trade in it, expofe to fale only the Salt-petre it- felf melted and caft into a Mafs : But it is eafy to difeover the Impqfture, for as much as the true Sal Pclycrejl neither cracks nor flafhes in the Fire, but will become red-hot ; whereas the Counterfeit fames and crackles as Salt-petre itfelf, and is alfo to be known by its exceeding Whitenefs, and the cheap Rate it is fold at. Sal Polycrejl , as it comes out of the Crucible, or cryftallized, was fome Years fince much in vogue in Phyfick ; but at prefent being out of fafhion (as there is a Mode in Medicine, as well as in every thing befides) is now feldom made ufe of, lofing, as it were, its Virtue with the Opinion of the World. To fay the Truth, thofe of our Nation love no- thing but what is new. This Salt has had the Appellation of fufible Sul- phur or fixed Nitre given it, as Penotus deferibes at large, and which lfiews it to be no new Com- pofition, fince it has been known a long time by the Name of Fixed Nitre. It is aperitive, provokes Urine, and is good in Obftrucftions of the Liv.er, Spleen, and Mefentery ; the Dofe is from a Drachm to two Drachms. Of the Antifebrifick Sale. The Sal Antifebrilis , , or Salt againft Fevers, is made of the fineft Salt-petre, Flowers of Sulphur, and diftilled Urine, all mixed together, proceeding after the Manner dire&ed in Treadles of Chy- miftry, whither the Reader may have Recourfe. This Antifebrifick Salt is efteemed an excellent Remedy for Fevers, taken at the Beginning of the Fit, or upon the Return of it, from eight Grains to half a Drachm in any agreeable Vehicle. Of Nitre Vitriolated. Vitriolated Nitre is made of Salt of Nitre dif- folved in Spirit of Vitriol ; to which are attributed the fame Qualities as to the vitriolated Tartar. It ought to be white, light, and in fmail Stria; or Needles, like Sal Saturni. There is alfo a fort of Butter prepared of Nitre, by the means of Tartar; the Procefs whereof may be feen in Monfieur Char a s’ s Chymiftry, p. 853. [The Nitre or Natrum of the Antients was en- tirely different from ours ; and in all probability, our Salt-petre was wholly unknown to them, as their Nitre is at this Time almoft unknown to us. The Nitre of the Antients was an acrid alka- line Salt, found in Egypt and other Places, which made an Effervefcence with Acids, was ufed in cleanfing Cloaths, and making Glafs, as alfo in Baths and Walhes : It is evident that this was very different from our Salt-petre, and it is now in a manner unknown among us, though the Antients ufed it very much, both in Medicine and the com- mon Occafions of Life ; and even at this Time in the Fields of the Leffer Afia , near Smyrna and Book III. ' Of M I N Ephefus , the Earth rifes of itfelf in the Spring and Autumn into frnall Hillocks like Mole-hills ; from which the Inhabitants prepare a Lye for walhing of Cloaths, and make a Soap from the Salt they get from it. The Nitre of the Moderns, or Salt-petre, N/VraTW, Aldr. Muf. Met. 321. Worm. 21. Sal Nitrum , Sal Petree, Mont. Ex. 8. is a white cryftalline Subftance, of an acrid bitter Tafte, with a certain Senfation of Cold, which concretes into long, fmall, and equally thick prifmatick Cryftals of fix Sides, the outermoft of which end in Points like Pyra- mids. It is eafily foluble in Water, and melts by Fire without Deflagration. It is brought to us principally from the Eajl-Indies , and is procured from Earth that has imbibed the Urine or Dung of Animals; and may be made artificially, by mix- ing Earth with Pidgeons or other Dung. It is alfo fometimes found naturally on old Walls, Gfc. not much expofed to Wet. All Salt-petre contains fome Quantity of a kind of Sea-falt originally ; and in the getting Salt-petre from the Earth that con- tains it, when they have boiled it in Water they let the clear Liquor Hand to be quite cold before they fet it to cryftallize for the Salt-petre ; and in the Veflels it has flood to cool in, which they call Settling Tubs, they find a Salt of the Sea-falt kind flicking to the Sides and Bottom ; this they keep by itfelf, and call it Salt-petre-falt ; and the Li- quor, poured off into other Veflels called Shooting Trays, affords, by Cryftallization, the Salt-petre. 15. Of Natural Borace. '"pHE Natural Borace, or Tincar , to which the An- tients are fuppofed to have given the Name of Chryfocolla , is a Mineral Salt of the figure of the com- mon Sal Gem , found in the Bov/els of the Earth in many Places of Perfia ; and at the bottom of a T or- rent, among the Mountains of Purbeth , in the Coun- try cf Radzioribron , that reaches to the Confines of the White Tartar/. When this Mineral is taken out of the Earth, it is expofed to the Air, that it may contract a fort of fat reddifh Rufl, which nourifhes and preferves it from being calcined, as it were by the Influence of the Weather ; and when it is as it ought to be, the Perfians carry it for the molt Part to a Palace called Amadabat , from whence the Englifh , Dutch , and we, have it ; and this is what we call Natural Borace , or the unpolilhed, rough, or fat Borace , which fome Workmen em- ploy for the fame Ufes as they do the refined. We have another fort of Natural Borace brought us, which differs only from the former, in that it is a little drier, and of a grey Colour, which pro- ceeds only from its having been longer expofed E R A L S. r^r to the Air, whereby the reddifh fat Subflance, wherewith it is covered, becomes dry, and iike Englifh Copperas that has lain a great while above Ground. Thofe that have Occafion for one fort or the other of this Natural Borace , rnufl take care that it be not mixed with Stones, or other fuch Refufe, as it frequently happens to be. The Venetians and Dutch make that which they fend us under the Appellation of Refined Borace. The Antients were not out when they faid there was a greenilh Natural Borace , no more chan Agri- cola, who rightly enough obferves, that he had feen a foflil Nitre, folid and hard, like a Stone, of which the Venetian Borace was made: But the fame Author is very much miftaken, when he lays, that then no Borace was in ufe but the fa£litious or artificial, made of the Urine of Boys that drank Wine ; Brafs Rufl, and fometimes Nitre beaten together in a Bell-metal Mortarto tire Confiftence of an Ointment; which is far from Truth, fince the Borace he means, and which we now fell, is- only the fat Borace refined and Ihot into Cryftals- Borax, Chryfocolla, Capijlrum Anri, Auricolla, or Gold Flux Powder, is a Lemcry. Mineral Salt that has the Colour and Tranfparency of Sal Gem, but a great deal more Pungency; it is found in certain Mines of Perfia, and feveral other Places: When they take it from the Earth, they expofe it to the Air, where it be- comes greafy and reddilh on its Superficies. This is that which is called Fat Borace. This Fat co- vers the Salts, that they cannot be penetrated and diflolved, or melted by the Air. There is like- wife found a grey or greenilh Borace, which Co- lours proceed from the various Impreffions, that the Air being hotter or colder makes upon the Salt, by opening it more or lefs. The Venetians and Dutch purify or refine their Borace as they do other Salts, by diflolving in Wa- ter, filtrating the Diflolution, leaving it afterwards to evaporate, and fetting it to cryftallize. They bring us this Borace under the Name of Borace refined. Chufe your Borace in fine white Pieces, neat, cryllallized, and tranfparent. One may, by refining, feparate from Borace a vitriolick Matter, which gives it a great deal of Sharpnefs; for which Reafon the refined Borace is much fofter than the natural, and ought to be preferred in Medicine : It is incifive and penetrating, proper to open the Obftrudlions of the Glands of the Me- fentery, and diflolve the Schirrus of the Liver and Spleen ; the Dofe is from foualGraiiis to twenty. They alfo ufe it externally to confume the Excres- cences of Elelh. They may draw a Spirit from Borace like that of Alum, by a very llrong Eire ; it is aperitive, and very like Spirit of Salt : It is called 1 52 General Htjtory of DRUGS. Book III, ailed Chryfocolla , Gluten Aurl , Capijlrum Auri , end yfzzrz colla , becaufe the Goldfmiths ufe it to aux and folder Gold with. Of Refined Borace. Pomet. As Natural Borace is found of dif- ferent Colours, fometimes greenifh, and other whiles yellowifh, ; the Venetians , who were the firft that brought Borace into Vogue, find- ing it could not be well made ufe of with its na- tural Fatnefs and Un&uofity, confidered of a way of purifying of it, by diflolving it in Water; then filtrating and cryftallizing it, in order to which they made ufe of Cotton Matches, upon which the Borace is cryftallized, after the fame Manner as Sugar- candy or Verdigrife on Sticks or Splinters of Wood. As for others that do not ufe Cotton, they re- duce the Borace into little Stones of the Form and Figure of the Tag of a Lace, or Point; but as this fort of Borace had a greenifh Call, the Dutch have taken it to Talk, and made it whiter and more vendible, and reduced it into larger Pieces, which is what we fell at this Day. Borace , whether it be the Venetian , or that of Holland , ought to be chofen clear and tranfparent, of Tafte almoll infipid, taking Care that it be not mixed with Englijh Alum, which is difficult enough to difcover, if the Alum has been foaked in Water, and then expofed a few Days to the Air, to give it the natural rough Appearance of Borace ; but this Cheat may be eafily found out, if you will put it to the Tell : For, firft, it will by no means folder Metals ; nor, being put upon light- ed Charcoal, will it fwell and heave like Borace. Refined Borace is much in Ufe by a great many forts of Workmen, and ferves as well to folder, as to melt and dilfolve Metals: Some ufe it alfo in Fuchs’ s. It is of fome Ufe too in Medicine, as it is incifive and penetrating, proper to open Ob- ftruclions of the Liver, Spleen, and Mefentery, and to promote the Mcnjes ; the Dofe is from five Grains to twenty. \_Borace is the Borax , Char It. Fojf. g. Dougl. Ind. 18. Nit run faftitium, Arabice Borax , Worm. a 1. Nitrum unde’ Borax excoquitur, Aldr. Muf. Met. 324. Both the native and refined are common in the Shops ; the native is brought to us in Pieces about the Bignefs of a Walnut, foul and earthy, and of a dark green Colour, and greafy. It is had from Perfia and other Places, where, in Copper Mines, they find a greenilh turbid Water, which they evaporate to a proper Confidence, and afterwards make to a Pafte, with the Slime and Mud of the Springs it runs from, and fome Quantity of Animal Fat. This Pafte they bury for fome Months in the Earth, after which, opening the Pits, they find the Water concreted into knobby Subftances, which dug out of the Pits, with the fat Earth about them, are the Native Borax. The Refined Borax , which is what we moll commonly fell, is the native Kind purified by a Lixivium of Quicklime. We formerly had it from Venice-, but now the Trade of refining it is almoft entirely in the Hands of the Dutch. This is the Borax of the Shops at prefent ; but it is evident, that it is very different from the Chry - focolla of Diofcorides and Galen , which was a green metallick Subftance, found fometimes like aloofe Sand, and fometimes adhering to other me- talline Matters, and was a kind of native Verdi- grife, not foluble in Water, which, taken inwardly, always proved Emetick, and fometimes poifonous. They had alfo, befide this native Cbryfocolla , two factitious Kinds, the Herbacea and Santerina: The Herbacea was made of the native Chryfocalla , bruifed, calcined, and macerated in Vinegar, tinged with Luteola , or Dyers Weed ; and the Sante- rina , of Cyprian Verdigrife and Urine, with the Addition of Nitre. Thefe, it is plain, muff: alfo be very different from our Borax ; but whether the Linear of the Arabians differs from it or not, is not eafy to determine, as none of it comes to our Hands. Our Borax is a fixed alcaline Salt, fomething of the Nature of Salt of Tartar ; but differing from it in this, that it unites with Acids without Tu- mult. It yields nothing in Diftillation but an in- fipid Phlegm : A Solution of it turns Syrup of Violets green ; and a Solution of corrofive Sub- limate to a Saffron Colour.] 1 6. Of Alum. L JJM is a foffil Salt drawn from Pomet. Stones of different Bignefs and Co- lour, in feveral Parts of Europe, efpecially in Italy , England, and in France. After Alum Stone is taken out of its Bed or Quarry, as you take other Stones, it is burnt in a Kiln made on Purpofe as you do for Lime, or the like ; and when it is cal- cined, its Salt, which is the Alum, is drawn out with Water, proceeding after the fame Manner as in making Salt-petre. A certain Perfon in the World, in the Prefence of a Man of Worth, maintained, that Urine was made ufe of inftead of Water in drawing this Salt; but fince his Autho- rity is not fufficient to make him credited, I chufe rather to reft fatisfied with what Matthiolus , upon Diofcorides , has written of it, who having been an Eye-witnefs of the FaCl, has given us an ample Defcri- Book HI. of MINERALS. Defcription of it in his Book, Page? 22- to which my Reader may have Recourfe. We commonly fell fix forts of Alum, to wit, the Plumous Alum, or Earth Flax ; the Reman , Englijh , Liege , Burnt Alum, and the Sugar Alum. As for the Round, Liquid, and Black Alum I know hothing of them. Of Plumous Alum. Fernet. Plumous Alutn is a Mineral found in the Negropont , which fome will have to be the Stone which the Antients called Lapis Ami- antus ; but as I am not fure of the Thing, I will content myfelf to fay, that the Plumous Alum which we. fell, is a fort of thready Stone, of divers Colours, but moil commonly of a greeniih white, in Figure pretty much refembling Venice Talc , ex- cepting only that it is not fo green nor ihining j and inftead of parting into Scales, this rifes in white foft Threads or Filaments, like the Feathers of a Quill, from whence comes its Name ; and accordingly moil Part of the Plumous or Feather Alum one meets with, is almoft ever in fmall Fi- bres, and but little in Stone, proper to fpin and make the perpetual Matches. This Plumous Alum , to which fome have given the Name of that of Sicily , is of very little Ufe in Medicine, and at prefent it is almoft of no Ufe, fince the Secret of drawing it out into Threads, or fpinning it, has been loft. The Cloth made with this fort of Alum when dirty, to be made clean, needed only to be thrown into the Fire, and it would come out thence as white as Snow. And with this fort of Cloth did the antient Romans preferve the Afhes of their Emperors, and feparate them from thofe of the aromatick Wood, wherewith their Bodies were burnt. Some People, at this Day, alfomake ufe of this Plume Alum , inftead of Cotton, to make Matches; and to that End it ought to be in long Wicks, and as foft as poffible. This Alum is a ftrong Corrofive, or Efcharotick ; for what Part foever of the Body it touches, it caufes Whelks and Biifters, and a moft intolerable Pruri- tus or Itch, which is to be appeafed only, that I know of, by anointing the Part with Oil of Olives. Befides this Plume Alutn , we begin to fell a certain Stone Mineral, ponderous, white, woolly, and, in a word, wholly like to Plumous Alum , and incom- buftihle alfo, wherefore it has obtained the Name of Ajbefos, which in Greek fignifies incombuftible ; and by Corruption we call it vulgarly Albejles. This Stone is found in many Places in France, more efpecially in the County of Foyx in Gafcoign , where there are Quarries out of which Stones of a furprizing Magnitude are taken, and from which Voi, II. Cotton Threads may he drawn fit to make Cloth, and to endure whitening or cleanfing in the Fire, like that of heather Alum already fpoken of. And befides this, there are found in France (particularly about the Pyrenees in the Valley of Campan, near the Stone Quarries, about three Leagues from Gtippa) certain Plants about two Feet high, which have Stalks all as it were filvcred over, their Leaves like thofe of a Nettle, excepting only that they are white underneath, of a dark green at Top, and refembling Shagreen. This white Stalk fteeped in W ater, like Hemp, may be run into a long and round fort of Flax or l ow, of which good Cloth may be made, that will refill the Fire like Plumous Alum , only it will not whiten fo well. And it is to be remarked, that when this Flax is put into the Fire, it immediately grows red, but black if applied to a Candle. Perhaps what I fay may not eafily meet with Credit; but fince I have fome of it in my Pofleflion to fhew to thofe who would not believe, and the Perfon who has col- lected it is ftill in Being, and a Man of Repu- tation and Fidelity, I thought it might not beamifs to advertife the Publick, that Plumous Alum , and what we call the Afbefos , are not the only Drugs in Nature capable of enduring or refilling the Fire. This incombuftible Plant might be called Af~ bejlos , and the Tow that comes of it lncombujlible Flax , being long, large, and foft, like Flax. A lumen Plumeurn, five A lumen SciJJile, or Feathered Alum , is a kind of ftringy Lemery. Talc, like the Feathers of a Quill, whence they call it Feathered Alum. It is very foft to the Touch, of a white, greeniih, Ihining Co- lour, is produced in the Mines of Negropont. It will neither flame nor confume in the Fire. Some Alchymifts ule it for Wicks in their Lamps; it is called SciJJile, becaufe it is eafy to break and divide. Of Alum of Rome. Roman Alutn , which we alfo call Alum Pomet. of Civita Vecchia , becaufe great Quanti- ties are made in the Neighbourhood of that City, is a Stone Alum of a middle Size, red without, and within, clear and tranfparent, and of a difagreeablc ftyptick Tafte. This Alum is of a reddilh Co- lour ; the Mine from whence it is drawn being of the fame. Chufe the Roman Alum that is reddilh through- out, in the Infide as well as the Outfide, becaufe there are fome who colour the Englijh and Liege Alum of a dark Red, but the Cheat is eafily dif- covered ; for if you find it not as red within as without, it is a Sign it is counterfeited. It ought to be as free of fmall or broken Pieces as poflible ; X which 154 General Hi ft or y of D R U G S. Book III. which yet is no Difadvantage to thofe who ufe it, provided the Alum be pure and genuine, but only to fuch as retail it. Roman Alum is much in Ufe with Dyers, Tan- ners, and thofe that make counterfeit Pearl, but it ought to be very good for all of them. Of Englifh Alum. Englijh Alum , to which the Antients have given the Name of Roch or Rock Alum, White and Glafs Alum, is an Alum clear and tranfparent as Cry- ftal, which is fent us from England in Pieces of different Figure and Bignefs ; fince fometimes it is to be met with in Lumps as big as a Man’s Body, fometimes clear and white as Cryftal, and at other Times blackifh and moift : In fine, the Glafs Alum is more or lefs beautiful, according as it has been more or lefs purified. As this Alum is much made ufe of by feveral forts of Trades, particularly by Mint-men or Coin- ers, and Dyers ; as alfo for many Preparations in Phyfick, Care ought to be taken in the Choice of it, that it be white, clear, and tranfparent, as dry and as free from any fort of Filth as may be : Alfo Care muff be had that it be not Liege or Meniere Alum, which is greafier and fatter than - that of England , and not fo fit for Dyers Ufe, and which they never make ufe of but for want of the true Englijh. We had not long fince a greenifh fort of Alum, like Salt-petre, drawn from a Stone taken out of the Mines in the Neighbourhood of Soif- fons in Picardy i but as this Alum is of no Ac- count, as well by reafon of its ill Looks, as becaufe we continue ignorant of its Virtues, I fhall fay no more concerning it. From the Englijh Alum is diftilled a clear and acid Water, which we call Alum Water, and which is ufed as an Ophthal- mick. After the Phlegm comes over an acid Spirit, ufeful in Fevers, whether continual or in- termitting •, and alfo good againft fmall Ulcers or Excoriations in the Mouth, from four to eight Drops; that which remains in the Veflel being a light white Subftance or Mafs, is what we call Burnt Alum: But as this Water and Spirit of Alum are in little Requeft, thofe that have Occa- fion for Burnt Alum do not trouble themfelves about diftilling, but only put Englifh Alum into a Pot, which they place in the midft of a good Fire ; and when the Alum is become very light and white, they take it out and keep it for Ufe.. Calcined or Burnt Alum ought to be light and friable, that is, eafily reduced to Powder ; fo that Care muff be taken that it be not fuch as has been paffed through a Silk Searce or Sieve, which is put into a Bag tied clofe, to make it into Stones. 2 or Lumps ; but this Cheat is eafily difcovered, the counterfeit Alum being heavy, extremely white, more like Paint or Plaifter than any thing elfe, and of a ftyptick Tafte. True Burnt Alum is efteemed a very good Ef- charotick to eat away proud luxuriant Flefh. Per- fons of Diftindtion commonly wear it in little Bags under their Armpits and their Feet, to prevent fweating, but then it ought to be extremely fine. Of Saccharine, or Sugar-like Alum. Saccharine Alum , becaufe it refembles Sugar, is made of Englijh Alum, Rofe-water, and Whites, of Eggs, boiled together till it is ftiff ; and this Alum fo boiled , and reduced into a Pafte, what Figure or Form you pleafe may be given to it; and when it is cold, it becomes as liaid as a Stone. Some make this Sugar Alum enter into the Compofition of their Fuchs’ s. There are, moreover, other forts of Alum, namely, that white tranfparent Stone, in every par- ticular almoft like Rock Cryftal, to which the Name of Scayolle Alum is given ; the Lapis Specu- laris , which is found in the Quarries of Pajfy , and which, after it is calcined, is of a very beautiful White. Not long fince, great Quantities of this were found in the clayey Earth of Pajfy. Others make ufe of another fort, which we call Gip or Plaifer. Pot-afhes alfo have obtained the Name of Aluinen catinum , as is obferved in its Place. Some fay the Name of Alum is derived from the Latin Lumen , which fignifies Light. Alumen , or Alum , is an acid mineral Salt, made from a kind of Stones of Lemery, different Sizes and Colours, which are found in the Quarries of France , Italy, and Eng- land. They calcine this Stone, and then make Alum of it by Solutions, Filtrations, and Coagu- lations, as they make Salt-petre. There arc feve- ral forts of it, as Roman Alum , Roch Alum , and Sugar Alum. The Roman Alum , or that of C'vvita Vecchia r called Alumen Romanum , is a Salt in Stones of a moderate fize, that are reddifh within, of an acid ftyptick Tafte ; they ufe it outwardly for flopping of Blood, and. inwardly in.Gargarifms for Inflam- mations of the Throat, and to clean the Teeth; they dry it or calcine it upon the Fire to free it from its Phlegm, then it is called Burnt Alum • This is an Efcharotick, and ferves to eat away proud Flefh, diffolve Excrefcences, and open Ul- cers and Shankers. Roch Alum , White or Englijh Alum , called Alu- men Rupeum % or Rock Alum , is a Salt in large great Lumps Book III. Of M I N Lumps, that are clear, white, and tranfparent as Cryftal, which is brought from England. This Alum has the Virtues of the former, but is not fo ftrong : The Dyers, Uc. ufe it. The Alum called Alurnen Saccharinum , or Sugar Alum , is a Com- pofition made with Roch Alum, Whites of Eggs, and Role-water, boded together to the Confidence of aPafte, and formed, While Mot, into little Cakes like Sugar-cakes, whence it takes its Name. Alu- men Catinum, or Dijh Alum , becaufe it is made in a Platter or Difh, is what we call Pot-ajhes , or the Ajhes of Kali calcined, or fome other Afhes, or Alkali Salt made from Vegetables. They call it Catinum , becaufe they ufed to dry it in a Plate or Difh. \_Alum is a Salt either natural or artificial ; the na- tural Alum of the Antients was either liquid or folid* Of the liquid, there are two Kinds mentioned by the Antients, one pure, and the other impure. The firft was very common, and was a fmooth milky Sub- ftance, always moift ; the other rough and foul. The folid they diftinguifhed according to its Figure into fiffile and round : The filfile was either in Form of a compact uniform Glebe, or divided into Filaments; the round of a more loofe Texture, with the Appearance of Bubbles upon it, or full of Holes like a Spunge ; or elfe confifting of Strata , loofely laid on one another. The articificial or factitious Alums are diftin- guilhed by the Countries where they are made. They were wholly unknown to the Antients, though with us they are the only kinds in Ufe. The kinds of Alum, kept at prefent in the Shops, «re three. 1. The Common Alum, Alurnen rupeum candi- dum et pellucidum , Aid. Muf. Met. 324. Alurnen rupeum five Chryflallinum, Ind. Med. 7. This is pro- cured with us from a Species of Stone or Ore burnt, and afterwards boiled with the Addition of Urine and Kali, or other Sea Plants. It is got in other Places by the Evaporation of Mineral Waters; and in fome others is found in natural Veins in the Earth. 2. The Roch Alum, the Alurnen Romanum fivt rubrum , Ind. Med. 7. Alurnen Rupeum feu Rccbcz , ERALS. 155 Charlt. Faff. g. Alurnen Rocha, If 'cm. 23. This is like the former, but reddilh ; and is brought to us from Italy and Smyrna. It is made as we make the common Alum, by burning the Alum Stones, and boiling them ; but without the Additions of Urine, £ tfc. 3. I he Plumofe Alum, Alurnen plumeum feu TricbiteSj Schrod. 3. 477. Alurnen Plumes quod Scifile Latinis, Aldr. Muf. Met. 331. This is light, and compofed of Filaments; it is foluble in Water, and melts in the Fire ; therefore is evi- dently different from the AJbeJlos, with- which it has for many Ages been confounded by a Number of Authors. Alum is a powerful Aftringent and Drier ; the natural Alums have a weak Smell of Aqua forth ; the factitious have little or no Smell. A Solution of Alum curdles Milk, turns an Infufion of Galls turbid and whitifh ; concretes with Salt of Tartar into a white Coagulum , without any fcnfible Heat or Smoke ; and when the Mixture is made with Englijh Alum, an urinous Smell is perceived from the Urine ufed in its Cryftallization. Alum , by a chymical Analyfis, yields an acid Spirit, like that of Vitriol, but not ftrong, nor in any great Quantity ; for the aftringent Earth, that is the Bafis of Alum , retains the acid Salt fo firm- ly, that the Fire cannot feparate them ; and the Refduum of the Diftillation will cryftallize into Alum again, if diftolved in Water. Hence it is evident, that Alum confifts of an acid Salt of the Vitriolick kind, and an aftringent Earth very clofely united together. The Afbejlus, or Earth Flax , is the Amianthus five Ajlefus, Ind. Med. 8. Lapis Amianthus , Matth. 1387. Laid. 118. It is remarkable for bearing the Fire unhurt ; but is never ufed in Me- dicine. As to the vegetable Ajlefus of our Author, I judge him to be a Man of great Veracity, there- fore cannot think he would propagate a Fallhood knowingly : But I fuppofe he was impofed on by the Perfon who pretended to have gathered what he gave him from a Plant.] X 2 BOOK [ > 56 ] BOOK IV. Of BITUMENS. PREFACE. The Word Bitumen properly Signifies a fat , fulphureous , inflammable Matter, which is found of different Colours and Confifience , either within the Earth, or upon it, or fwim - ming upon the Face of the Waters. Of thefe we have fever al Sorts, fome hard, others foft , and fome liquid, like Oil. The hard Bitumens that we fell , are the Yellow Amber, Black Amber, or Jet; Jews Pitch, natural and artificial ; Pit Coal, Kennal Coal, or Black Stone, and Sulphur. The foft Sorts are Naphtha, the Bitumen of Colao, of Syrnam, and Copal Bitumen. The liquid are Naphtha of Italy, and the Petroleum, or Rock Oil. Of all which hereafter in their Turns. i. Of Amber. Pomet. \ MBER, to which the Antients /A have given the Name of Succinum, or Carabe, is a Bitumen of dif- ferent Colours, being either white or yellow. This Bitumen is liquid when it is in its natural Place of Production ; but as it comes from thence, it hardens, and becomes fuch as we fee: And as it pafles from its Recefles in the Earth, in a State of Fluidity, fwimming upon the Waters, it is apt to carry with it what is in its Way ; which is the Reafon we find many extraneous Bodies in our Amber } alfo not hardening all at once, but by De- grees, a great many Infeds flick to it, and there die. Moft of the Yellow Amber we have is found upon the Banks of certain fmall Rivers, running into the Baltick Sea, in the Ducal Pruffia. It is alfo found upon the Sands, which have been caft up by the "Winds, and is a Commodity which brings no inconfiderable Profit to the King of Pruffia, for he raifes above 20,000 Crowns per Annum from thofe Places where it is found, over and above the great Charge they are at in fccuring and preferving it from others ; fo that it necef- farily follows, that tins Yellow Amber yields a yearly Rent of more than 100,000 Livres. What I fay may, perhaps, feem ftrange to thofe who do not know the great Ufe there is of Amber in China, and amongft the Savages , as well as in Europe j but the greateft Confumption of it is in Aufiria, Germany, in Poland , and in the Neigh* bourhood of Venice ; and the Venetians were the firft that brought it into fuch a Vogue and Fafhion thereabout, there being few People in Lombardy, or all along the Po, but wear Amber Necklaces, believing they keep them from Quinfies, and other ill EffeCts of the Neck and Throat, to which they are very fubjeCt, by Reafon of the bad Waters they are forced to drink in thofe Parts : Hiftory. alfo informs us, that the Romans made fuch Ac- count of it, that Nero caufed great Quantities of it to be imported ; but no where is Amber more efteemed and valued than in Poland and the Lower Hungary , a pretty handfome Piece, without Fault or Flaw, being there as valuable, and preferred even to Gold j fuch Lovers and Admirers of this Commodity are they. As for France, it is by no means fo much in Efteem there, though it was not many Years ago that all People of Quality and Fafhion wore Necklaces of it > but at prefent it is become fo vulgar, that none but Servants make ufe of it. Befides the great Ufe of Yellow Amber for Trinkets, ide. it is of Ufe in Medicine, not only to powder, but to draw a TinCture, a Spirit, vo- latile Salt, and an Oil, from, and to make a Var- nifh with Spirit of Wine. Amber ought to he clear and tranfparent, capa- ble of attracting Straws, whence comes its Name of Carabe, which in the Perfian Language fignifies draw Straw. When it is defigned for any Piece of Workmanfhip, or to powder, it fhould be white j Book IV. Of B I T U M E N S. white ; but when it is to undergo the Fire, it matters not of what Colour it be, provided it is genuine Amber ; for there are a great many that fell the Copal of America for it, but it is eafily diftin- guilhed from it, the Copal being in Pieces of the Bignels and Figure of Gum Araback, and the true Carabe ordinarily in great Lumps, and alio mod commonly in a fort of Film or Skin, which ferves as a kind of Matrix for it; and then again Amber burnt at the Candle fends forth an exceed- ing ftrong Smell ; and moreover, as hath been noted, will attract Straw, which Copal will not do. Some have allured me that Yellow Amber is counterfeited with Turpentine and Cotton, or with Yolks of Eggs and Gum Araback : But as this fort of falfe Amber would be worth little or nothing, I cannot conceive how any one need fear its being adulterated with thofe Things. Amber is powdered upon a Porphyry, and re- duced into Cakes, which are of fome Ufe in Phy- fick, particularly to reftrain Spitting of Blood, and to Hop Dyfenteries and other Lalks ; Dofe from ten to thirty-fix Grains in any appropriate Vehicle. Alfo from Powder of Amber , with Spirit of Wine, is drawn a yellow Tincture, endowed with a great many good Qualities, efpecially in apopleCtick and epileptick Fits, and paralytick Cafes, taken from ten Drops to a Drachm in any agreeable Liquor r Some dilfolve pure fine Camphire in this TinClure to make what Monfieur Soleyfel calls the Flaming Balfam , and recommends for Wounds, Bruiles, or cold Humours in Horle or Man, which may be feen deferibed in his Book, Page 274. Karabe, Succinum , Elefirum , Ambra Lemery. Citrina , or Yellow Amber , is a hard Mat- ter, like a Stone, yellow, citrine or white, of a fine, fhining, tranfparent Colour, that is brought from the Ducal Pnijjia in Pieces of dif- ferent Shapes and Sizes : This Amber is thrown by* the Waves of the Baltic k Sea up the Rivers of Pruljia , efpecially by certain Winds. They like- wife find both the liquid and folid on the Banks of ieveral little Rivers, and upon the Brooks that are about the fame Sea ; that which is liquid, hardens in a little Time, and becomes folid as the other. Opinions are divided upon the Nature and Ori- gin of Amber. The Antients believed that it was a Mixture of Gum and Refill that flowed from Poplars, Pines, or Firs, which being confufedly carried by the Winds into the Baliick Sea , incor- porated with the Salt, and was elaborated or worked up, and then thrown by the Waves upon the Banks of the Rivers. This Notion i3 rejeCc- cd by the modern Authors, who have all writ that Succinum , or Amber, is a Bitumen or Juice of the Earth, which the Sea has raifed up, and the Waves thrown afhorc about the Ducal Pruffia, where it is formed, and hardens after the Manner we fee it in. I myfelf followed this laft Opinion in my Book of Chymiftry : But as I have been convinced fince by fevcral Circumftances, I have changed my Opinion, and found that the Thoughts of the An- tients, on this Subject, were preferable to thofe of the Moderns: For firft of all. Travellers know that about the Baltick Sea , on the Coaft of Sweden, there grow abundance of Poplars, Pines, and Firs, from which there flows in Summer a great Quan- tity of Gum and Refin, which is partly blown into the Sea by the Winds. In the next Place, the Subfiance, the Colour, and the Tranfparency of that refinous Gum, rc- femble much thofe of Amber-, for we have Gum Copal brought us that flows from Poplars, in the Antilles Ifes, and has no other Elaboration than what it receives from the Torrent of the Water in tire Rivers, from whence they fake it, as has been faid in its proper Place ; and it is fo like Ka- rate, that thofe who know it not well may eafily be deceived ; from whence it is called, Falfe or Counterfeit Karabe. A?nber indeed is fomething harder, of a higher Colour, more tranfparent and refplendent than Gum Copal , but thefe Perfections come from the Salt that is mixed in it, a long Fer- mentation and Working it meets with in the Sea, befides the Mixture of the Pine Refin with the Refin of Poplar, (A c. In the third Place, the Prin- ciples that are drawn from the true Karabe by Chymiftry, are likewife thofe that are taken from Gum Copal. Chufe your Amber in fine, large, hard Pieces, clear and tranfparent, that will attraft or draw to itfelf Straws, and feveral other little light Bodies, when the Amber is rubbed in your Hand, or other- wife, and applied near the fame. The white Ka- rabe is preferable to the yellow, but the Difference is not confiderable : They ufe both forts to make Necklaces, Bracelets, and little Cabinets, with feveral other Nick-nacks that are carried into Perfia, China , and Turkey , where the Natives efteem them as great Rarities. They likewife make Amber Necklaces in Aujhia , Germany , in Venice , and fometimes in France. In Pieces of Amber there are fometimes found Spangles, Leaves of Trees, or little Infe&s; as Spiders, Ants, Flies, Gfc. This Circumftance has given Occafion to Naturalifts to enquire how thefe little Bodies become inclofed in the Amber ; and it appears to me that the Difficulty is ealy to refolve, fince from the Opinions given, touching the Na- ture of Amber , it has been thought neccflary to admit that the Subftance of it was fome time li- quid or foft before it hardened - } that during that Tims. General Hi/lory of DRUGS. Book IV. Time, thefe fmall Bodies adhered to it, as to Glue, and were wrapped up in it, or rather were cover- ed and enclofed therein by the Addition of frefh Matter of the fame kind ; fo that when the Whole was hardened, thefe little Bodies remained wholly embalmed, as we now fee them. The Karabe contains in it a great deal of Oil and volatile acid Salt; it flops the Flux of the Bel- ly, Hemorrhage, and Gonorrhoea , and refifls Poi- fon : The Dofe is from ten Grains to half a Drachm ; they likewife burn it over the Fire to receive the Fume of it, which checks the Violence of Rheum from the Head, and Catarrhs. Karabe is a Pt.rflan Name that fignifies draw Straw ; and they have given this Name to Amber , becaufe it attracts Straws, efpecially when it has been a little rubbed in the Hand. The Rcafon of that Effedl proceeds from this, that the fubtil and infenfible Particles of the Matter having been put into motion with fome kind of Heat that follows the Fridtion, they emit on all Sides their Effluvia , and fcatter them in the Air within their Circumference ; but as they loie their Motion according to the Diflance they are from their Center, they become fo much weaker, and are on all Sides repelled by the Air ; and in their Return they flick, by their Vifcofity, to a Straw, or any other light Body they meet with in their way, and drag it along with them. The fame EfFedt happens to feveral other Sub- fiances, which are rubbed after the fame manner, as Wax, Suet, and divers Gums. 'Phis is called Succinum , from Succus, becaufe it is fuppofed to be the J uice of the Poplar, or of the Earth. Of the Spirit and Oil of Amber. Pomel. From Amber grofly powdered, put into a Glafs or Earthen Retort, may be drawn a reddifh Spirit, and greenifh fetid Oil. The Spirit of Amber is efleemed an excellent Aperitive or Deobflruent, and very good againfl the Scurvy, taken in any Liquor, from ten to twenty-four Drops. As for the Oil, it is chiefly in ufe to allay and drive down Vapours, being put upon Silk or Cotton, and rubbing the Wrifls, or Pulfe, or Nofe there- with. If you would have this Oil of a fine clear reddifh Colour, you have nothing to do but to mix with it a little Earth or Sand, and to diflil it again. Thofe that would have a volatile Salt, or Spirit , or Oil of Amber , may perform all the three Ope- rations very well with a Glafs Retort and a Sand- heat. As for the volatile Salt, if you find it not good and fine enough, you need only put it in- to a fmall Vial or Glafs Bottle, and fublime it upon a gentle Fire, taking care to keep it well ftopt ; for this is a ticklifh Commodity, that will evaporate and lofe itfelf in the Air, and that which you will find in the Retort, is of a fine fhining Black, refembling the Bitumen of Judaa , or Jews Pitch. [ Amber is the Succinum , Worm. 31. Charlt. Foff. 14. Aid. Muf. Met. 403, itfc. It were almoft an endlefs Work to recount the various miftakcn Opinions about the Origin of Amber , but the true Account of it is, That it is a bituminous mineral Juice, formed in the Bowels of the Earth, liquid at firft, but afterwards concreted into a hard ftony Subftance ; for in feveral Parts of France , efpeci- ally in Provence , it is dug out of the Mountains, as likewife in Italy and Sicily ; but all this is of the dark and leaft valuable kind ; the beft is found in Pruffla , where it is of two kinds, one dug out of the Earth, and the other found on the Sea- fhores, which is of the fame nature with the for- mer. Hartman , who has wrote an accurate Hiftory of Amber , is of opinion, that all Pruffla and Pome- rania Hand upon a Bed of it, becaufe it is always met with there, in digging Pits, in great Quanti- ties, and fometimes very near the Surface of the Earth. The chief Amber Mines are near the Sea- coaft of Pruffla ; and from the Shore where they are fituated, a Hill rifes, made up of a cortical Subftance like the Barks of Trees, piled one on another ; under this is found a Stratum of a kind of foftil Wood, which Hartman believes to be the Matrix of Amber , becaufe a great Quantity of it is contained in the Veins of this Wood ; and wherever Amber is found by digging, this Sub- ftance is always found. The Amber which is gathered on the Sea-fhores comes from the fucciniferous Hills, beat to pieces by the ftormy Sea, and wafhed on the Beech. As for the Choice of Amber , it fhould be ac- cording to the Ufe it is for ; if it be to make the Oil the Yellow is propereft, becaufe it contains mod ; the White has lefs Oil, and therefore is to be chofen, if wanted, for the volatile Salt ; the Brown is loaded with Earth, therefore not to be ufed on any Occafion but in want of the others.] 2. Of the Black Amber, or Jet. ^■fET, which, with good Reafon, may Pomet. J be called Succinum Nigrum , or Black Briber , is alfo a fort of Bitumen , found in the lowels of the Earth ; it is a fulphureous Foffil, r ery hard, and of a gliftcring or fhining Black, ound in feveral Places of Europe , as well in Ger- many and Sweden , as in Ireland ; as alfo in France , ictween St. Beaume and Toulon ; and in Ireland it s fo common, that as you go along you may fee Veins Book IV. O/BITUME N S. Veins of it running through the Stones and Rocks. Some Authors are of opinion, that Jet is the Yel- low Amber diverted of its Oil, drawn out by the fubterranean Fires, and that from thence proceed Naphtha and Petroleum ; which does not feem very repugnant to good Fenle. Jet is of a like Ufe with Yellow Amber for Or- naments and Decoration ; but in Medicine it is only made ufe of for its Oil, which l'erves for the fame Purpofes as that of the other. As to the Choice of it, it is fufficient to be of a Alining Black, as the Proverb befpeaks it. G agates, in French, Gejl , Jays, or Lemery. Jayct , and in Englijh , Jet , is a bitu- minous Stone, that is hard, black, and fmooth, found in feveral Parts of Europe , as Ger- many, Sweden, Provence, and Ireland, in the Stone Quarries amongft the Rocks ; it yields a good deal of Oil, and a little volatile penetrating Salt. Some People are of opinion that Jet is an Am- ber whofe volatile Parts have been feparated by the fubterranean Fires, and become what we call Petroleum. Chufe fuch as is neat, hard, and of a fine ftiining Black ; it difeufles, is emollient, ex- pels Wind, and allays Vapours. The Dofe from a Scruple to a Drachm. The Name comes from Gaga, a River and City of Lycia , from whence Jet is fometimes brought. [ Jet is the Lapis G agates, Charlt. Fojf. 14. Gagatcs, Worm. 31. Aldr. Muf. Met. 4.18. It is a cruftaceous and almoft ftony foflil Subftance, much like the Cannal Coal in Appearance, but differing from it, in that it has a bituminous Smell, is harder, and burns almoft like Pitch, fending out a thick black Smoke. It had its Name, Gagates, from Gage or Gagis, a Town in Lycia , from which it ufed to be brought, but is now too com- mon to need fending fo far for.] Of Jews Pitch. Pamet. T H E Jews Pitch, or Afphaltum, is a Bitumen , folid, brittle, and black, frmething refembling black Pitch, inflammable and fulphureous, found fwimming upon the Waters of the Lake where heretofore flood the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, called the Dead Sea, or La- ms Afphaltitcs (from whence alfo it has its Name of Afphaltum) die Word Afphaltites fignifies the Lake of Arturance, being fo very ftrong, that every thing almoft fwims that is thrown into it; and it is called Mare Moctuum , or the Dead Sea, becaufe no Fifh or other Beaft can live in it, through the extreme Saltnefs, Bitternefs, and noyfome Smell of its Waters ; but, in Recompence, there are great Quantities of this Bitumen found floating thereup- on like Greafe or Fat, of which die Coaftcrs, who are Arabs, make very confiderable Advantage ; it being what they ufed to lay upon and befmear their Ships and Boats with, as the Northern Nations do with common Pitch ; And one Thing is very re- markable, that when this Lake is very full of this Bitumen, there aril'es fuch a Stench in the Air, that the Inhabitants thereabout are neceflitated to gather it and put it afhore; and fo noyfome at that Time is the Smell, that all Birds that fly over it fall down dead ; and this is the Reafon why the People in the neighbouring Places are fo fhort lived. I he Bitumen of Judcea, or Afphaltum , fo much refombles the beft black Stockholm Pitch, that were it not for the ftrong Smell of Pitch, and that it is not fo hard as the Afphaltum , no one could diftin- guifh the one from the other. The principal Ufe of this Bitumen is to make the fine fhining Blacks of China : It is alfo of fome Ufe in Medicine, for that it enters the Compofition of the Venice Treacle, for which Purpofe it needs no other Preparation than to be true or genuine, that is to fay, of amoft beautiful, fhining, polifhed Black, reflecting the Image of the Sun, and of no manner of Smell : See that it be not adulterated, or mixed with Black Pitch, which is what is called the Artificial or Factitious Piffafphaltum ; it is no difficult matter to difeover this artificial Bitumen, being of a very bafe Black, and a ftrong Smell. It is a Miftake to believe, as fome Authors do, particularly Monfieur Furitiere, that we have no Bitumen of Judcea brought us now-a-days ; and that the Apothecaries, inftead of it, fell a Compo- fition which they make of Pitch and the Oil of Petre-, a thing that does not ftand to Reafon, nor can I conceive Apothecaries to be fuch Knaves and Fools to do any fuch thing, fince the true Bitu- men is reafonable enough in its Price : So that it would have been better for thefe Scriblers, and all fuch as have undertaken to write of Drugs without underftanding them well, to have been filent; for they have made, and ftill do make, horrid Blunders about quid pro quo, or in fubfti- tuting fuccedaneous Drugs or Medicines ; which is a Matter that much concerns the King and Com- monwealth. Bitumen Judaicum, Bitumen Babylo- lonicurn, Afphaltus, is a folid, brittle, Lemery , black Matter, refembling Black Pitch , that is fulphureous and inflammable, and in burn- ing fends forth a ftrong difagreeable Smell : It is found fwimming upon the Surface of the Lake, or Afphaltite Sea, otherwife called the Dead Sea , where flood fome time the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This Bitumen is cart up from time to time, in the Nature of liquid Pitch, from the Earth ioo General Hijlory of DRUGS. Book IV* that lies under this Sea, and being thrown upon the Water, it fwims like other fatty Bodies, and is condenfed by little and little through the Heat of the Sun and the Salt that is in it. The Inhabitants of the Country are conftrained to take it from thence and carry it afhore, not only becaufe it brings them Profit, but alfo be- caufe the Lake being too much loaded with this Bitumen , yields a {linking and malignant Smell, which fpoils the Air, affedls their Health, and fhortens their Days : The Birds that fly a-crofs it fall down dead ; and it is called the Dead Sea , be- caufe of the Stench, Bitternefs, and exceflive Salt- nefs of it ; fo that neither Fifh or any other Crea- ture can live upon it. The Arabs ufe this Bitu- men of Judcea to pitch their Ships as we do com- mon Pitch, and there was a great deal of it em- ployed in the Embalming of the Antients. Chufe fuch as is clean, of a fine fhining Black, folid, and harder than Pitch, having no Smell but when it is held to the Fire ; take Care it be not mixed with Pitch, which may be known by the Smell : They ufe this to make your fine fhining Blacks of China. It yields a good deal of Sulphur, partly exalted with volatile Salt and a little Earth ; it fortifies, and refills Putrefaction, refolves, atte- nuates, and cleanfes cicatrized Wounds, and is ufed externally and internally. It is iuppofed that the Word Bitumen comes from the Greek Word irlrvc, which fignifies a. Pine, and which has been changed by Corruption, the re being altered into a 0, from whence they pro- nounced it Bitumen , inflead of Pitumen : This Etymology is taken from the Opinions of the An- tients, that the Bitumen of Judaa was a Pitch that flowed from Pines, and feveral other Trees about the Lake of Sodom : So were the Jews of that Opinion before : The Prophet Efdras , fpeak- ing of Sodom and Gomorrah , fays, that the Earth is founded upon Pitch and Heaps of Afhes. [Jews Pitch is the Bitumen Judaicum , IVorm. 31. Char It. Fojf. 14. Bitumen nigrum crajfum , Kentm. 21. Bitumen Judaicum ajphaltum, Mont. Ex. 12. It is a Bitumen formed in the Bowels of the Earth : It is found in many Places ; but the heft is that fwim- nring on th c Dead Sea : And there is no queflion of its being thrown up into it by the Earth, fince all the Hills there about are full of it, and Pieces of two Feet length are dug up black as Jet, and hard enough to bear polifhing like Marble. Her- man alio found of it on an Ifland near the Cape of Good Hope. Diof corides direcls us to make Choice of that which flrines like Purple, and to rejedt what is black, as foul, and of no value. How far his Di- rections agree with what we now receive of it, is not eafy to fay, for it is always quite black, but when broken, and held to the Light, is of a red-* difh or Saffron Colour. It is at prefent very fel- dom feen in the Shops, and we are obliged to ufe the Pijjafphaltum in its Place ; but not the arti- ficial Pijfafphalium, which is made of common Pitch, Gfc. but a genuine, mineral, bituminous Subfiance, named by our Author in the Chapter of Naphtha hereafter, called F0JJ1I Pitch, the Pijfaf- phaltos Nativum, Schrod. 4. 20 3 . Pijjafphaltum, IVorm. Muf. 30. Charlt. Fojf. 141. This is found in the Campania of Rome , oozing through the Crannies of the Rocks like Tar; as alfo in Au- vergne in France , and about Epidaurus in Morea+ where it is wafhed from the Mountains by the Rivers, and formed into black hard Glebes. Its Virtues are the fame with thofe of the former, and it is what is almoll conftantly fold in its Place.] 4. Of Pit Coal. rpARTH, or Pit Coal, is a fort of ftony Pomet. ^ Bitumen ; it is chiefly ufed by Farriers and other forts of Smiths to heat their Iron. That of England is efteemed the beft, though there are fome that fay ours of Auvergne comes very little behind it ; it is made a great Traflick, being a Commodity much ufed in France ; the beft is pre- tended to be that which is moft void of Sulphur, and confequently that which will keep longeft in the Fire. Some will have it that this Stone Coal is the Refult of Petroleum made in the Bowels of the Earth, which is probable enough, fince out of it may be drawn an Oil altogether like the Oil of Petre. It is called in Greek, Lithanthrax ; in Latin , Carbo Petr re, or Carbo Fcffilis ; Lemefy. and in Englifo, Coal ; and is diftinguiflied into Sea Coal , and Pit Coal, only upon the Ac- count of that which is generally carried by Sea ; all Coal being, properly fpeaking, Pit Coal ; it is chiefly found in England, Scotland, Ireland, Ger * many, & ’c. and is an impure Sulphur, mixed with many grofs and earthy Parts, and a vola-c tile Salt, being ftrong, friable, and black: In Diftillation it yields an acid Spirit, reddifh Oil, black Balfam, and volatile Salt, like Amber; as is but too well known to the Chymifts of this Age, who adulterate with it moft of the Preparations of their Shops, that are either chargeable or trouble- fome and tedious in the Operation. The Virtues of this are in a lower Degree like thofe of Amber, as well internally as externally applied. [ Coal is the Lithanthrax, Merf. Pin. Carbo Foffilis five Lithanthrax, IVorm. 31. It is drying and detergent, and is much oitener ufed in Me- dicine Book IV. Of B I T U M E N S. 161 dicine than the Phyfician imagines. Lemery has juftly obferved the villainous Tricks played within in Adulterations by the Chymifls ; and thofe of our Nation are not at all inferior to the French in Inventions of that kind.] 5. Of Terra Ampelites, or Kennel Coal. Pomet. CT’ERRA Ampelites, or Kennel Coal , is a dry Bitumen , impregnated with Sul- phur, that eafily fplits into Scales, and is reduced to Powder ; it is found in the Entrails of the Earth in many Places of France. We have two forts of it, the one foft, the other hard, which comes from near Alenfon , in the Province of Maine ; the Property of the Quarry whence it is taken be- longs to a Curate of a Parifh, who makes Seven or Eight hundred Livres per Annum of it. The Quarry is forty or fifty Feet deep; and though this is a Merchandize of low Price, yet they make a good Trade of it; there hardly being any Arti- ficers in Stone or Wood, but what make ufe of it more or lefs. That which is good mull be lately taken from the Mine, for when it is {tale and old, it refolves into a Powder, and becomes a Salt- petre ; it ought to be light, neither too foft nor too hard. Some have given it the Name of Vine Earth , becaufe it kills or drives away the Worms from the Vines. Alfo it is called Pharmacitis , becaufe it is ufed in Medicines. Ampelitis , five Pharmacitis , the Black Lemery. Stone, or medicinal Earth, is a very bi- tuminous Stone, black as Jet, fplitting into Scales, and is eafily reduced to Powder. They get it from a Quarry near Alenfon in France i There are two forts of it, one foft and the other h^rd ; it affords Abundance of Sulphur and Salt ; it is^roper to kill Worms, applied to the Belly, and to dye the Hair black. Some ufe it to deftroy Vermin at the Vine Roots. [ Carnal or Kennel Coal , is the Lapis Ampelitis Galena , Charlt. Foff. 14. Succinum Nigrum , Schwenk , Cut. Foff. 394. Terra Ampelitis, Worm. 31. Terra Ampelitis Jive Pharmacitis , qua medici utuntur , Kevtm. 3. It is a Detergent, and good in malignant Ulcers, but not much ufed in Medicine ; near the Places where it is dug in England , they turn it into Toj's, (Ac. which are beautiful, and bear a very fine Polifh.] 6. Of Sulphur Vivum, or Native Sulphur. Pomet. ^ZJLPHUR Vive is a bituminous Earth or Clay eafily inflammable, that in burning emits a fulphureous Smell ; it is brought us from Sicily , Italy , and other Places. As to the Vo l. II. Choice of Live Sulphur, fo called becaufe it is fold and made ufe of juft as it comes out of the Earth, let it be tender or foft, friable, eafy to be broken, fmooth, fliining without as well as within, and of a fort of Moule Dun, or Grey, as free from Gravel and Duft as poffible. This fort of Sulphur is in Ufe for fome particu- lar Operations, and certain Galenical Compofitions, and pretty much ufed by Vintners, who mix it with Sugar, Anis, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, (Ac. to fweeten and preferve their Vefi'els; Apothecaries alfo ufe it to correct Scammony by the Fume of it. 7. Of Mineral Sulphur. TJLPHU R Mineral is a hard earthy Bitumen , of a yellow Colour, and bright enough, of a foetid fulphureous Smell, eafy to be melted or burnt, and is more or lefs beautiful, as it is more or lefs mixt with Impurities it meets with in the Mine. This Mineral Sulphur comes from Mount Ve- fuvius ; as to the Choice of it, though indeed it is made but very little Ufe of, let it be in hand- fome Lumps, of a golden Yellow, bright and fhining, and as little as may be mixed with Earth or other Filth. Its Ufes and Qualities are no other than like thofe of the common factitious Brimftone that is made of this, which We are going to fpeak of un- der the next Head. Of Sulphur in Rolls, or Common Brim- ftone. The common factitious Sulphur or Pomet. Brimjlone , is made of yellow Mineral Sulphur melted, and by tire Afliftance of right Train Oil and Moulds, caft into the Form in which we fee it. This Sulphur is more or lefs beautiful, and en- dowed with good Qualities, according the Degree of its Purification, and the Places where it is made ; for that of Holland is much better, and more beautiful than that of Venice , or that of Mar fellies, the three Places whence it comes, and where it is made : The Gentlemen of the Royal Arfenal, indeed, manufacture gfeat Quantities, but they make ufe of it all themfelves. In your Choice of this factitious Sulphur, or Brimftone, take fuch as comes from Holland , in large thick Rolls, of a golden Yellow, light, eafy to break, and being held clofe, or grafped in the Hand, and applied to the Ear, crackles and makes a Noife, and at length breaks to Pieces, and being broken, appears as it were in Cryftals, which are Y the 1 62 General Hijtory of DRUGS. Book IV. the true Marks of that of Holland and Venice ; none of which are to be found in the Marfeilles Sulphur, it being little better than a grey fort of Earth of late; however, fince we could have none from Holland , they have learnt the Art of well- working it there ; and I think it has been our own Fault that we have fuffered other Nations fo long to run away with the Profit of refining it as it ought to be. The Reafon has been, that no Mer- chants have undertaken to write of it, or enquire into the Manner of doing it ; only a few Phyfi- cians, and fome Apothecaries and others that have travelled, but underftood nothing of the Myflery of Trade, have fet Pen to Paper concerning it, who acquit themfelves but indifferently, when they tell us that ordinary Sulphur in Rolls, or com- mon Brimftone, is made of Sulphur Vive ; for that would be to turn Pewter into Lead, fince the latter, though natural, is more valuable, that is, will fell dearer than the former, notwithftand- ing it be wrought; however, I would not be thought to difcourage Authors, few Books being fo ill written, but may contribute, in fome Mea- fure, to the Advancement of Knowledge ; only in general it may be faid, that the Subject one is going to treat of, ought to be underftood before we begin to write. There are feveral other artificial Sulphurs, as I have already taken Notice, proceeding only from the different Preparations of different Countries ; as the ordinary Sulphur of Marfeilles is in fmall Rolls, and the green Sulphur of the fame Place, both in large and fmall Rolls, which fort is efteemed the beft for Diftillation, as fhall be ftiewn here- after. There are a great many other natural Sulphurs, befides the two forts we ordinarily make ufe of, but they are not very common with us, becaufe they come from a great Way off 1 , and we have them not in large Quantities. The firfl: and mod defirable is that of ^uit- to , of a golden Colour, and an Amber Figure, found in great Abundance near the Gold Mines. A fecond fort is that of Nicaragua , which is in a yellowifh grey Mafs, altogether like that which was found, fome Years fince, in that Bank of Earth which was levelled by St. Martin s Gate in Paris. A third fort is of Switzerland , refembling that of Quitto ; and many more there are which I fhall forbear to mention, there being no Demand for them. The Ufe of Sulphur in Rolls, or common Brim- flone, is well known to all, and that it is one of the chief Ingredients of Gunpowder ; for which Reafon, thole that fell great Quantities of it to the Arfenal , for that Purpofe, ought to difcover it when it is faulty, that what is made of it may not fall fhort of Expedlation. This Sulphur is ufed too in whitening Gauzes, Stockings, (Ac. for no- thing blanches any Thing of Woollen like the Fume or Vapours of Sulphur. It is alfo of confiderable Ufe in Medicine, as well in many Prefcripts, as to perform a great many Operations in Chymiftry, as will be feen hereafter. It is befides a Specifick in the Itch; but'Care ought to be ufed, for it now and then produces very ill Symptoms. Sulphur or Brimjlone , is brought to us from the Caribhee Iflands of the WeJl- Lcmery. Indies , and is found alfo in Italy, Bohe- mia, Sicilia , and Melos , being generated of the Fat and Refin of the Earth, filled with an acid and vitriolick Spirit. It is twofold, viz. Natural and Artificial. The Roll Sulphur is the latter ; but if you would make right Oil of Sulphur, you muff chufe the Natural, or Sulphur Vivurn ; but if that cannot be .got, you muff; make ufe of the other, which yet you are to try, whether it eafily inflames and burns conftantly; if not, it is not good, but is impure and adulterated with Refin, and fuch like Matters, whereby it becomes harder to kindle, and is eafily extinguilhed, being Cabal- line Sulphur. It is a noble Mineral even before Preparation, and is generally appropriated to the Bread and Lungs, and to cure all Difeafes which difturb the fame ; it kills Worms, opens, cuts, refills Putre- faction and Poifon, provokes Sweat, and is given in Coughs, Colds, Phthificks, Wheelings, Short- nefs of Breath, (fc. Outwardly applied it refolves all hard Tumours, cures corroding Tetters, Scabs, Itch, Scurf, Morphew, & c. dries up old Sores and Ulcers. Though this being finely ground, is fometimes ufed internally, yet the blowers are more commonly ufed, as being a Sulphur opened and purified from all Filth, whereby it is fitter for all internal as well as external Ufes. Of Flowers of Sulphur. Flowers of Sulphur are prepared of Sul- Pomet. phur burned in Pots made for the Pur- pofe, and fo reduced into Flowers as we fee. The bell and moll beautiful Flower of Sulphur comes from Holland-, but of late, fince it has been made at Marfeilles , Roan , and Paris , we have lit- tle thence. The true Holland's Flowers of Sul- phur were wont to be brought us in Cakes that were light, foft, friable, and rather white than yel- low; but through Avarice and the prefent Wars, there Book IV. 0/ BIT there is no fuch now ; and the beft that we have at prefent is from Alarfeilles , which, though very good, does not come near that I have mentioned of Holland. ; it ought to be in an extraordinary fine impalpable Powder, of a bright Yellow, and of an agreeable Tafte. The third fort is that of Roan. This ufually is of a whitifh Yellow, made up of Sulphur raifed by a violent Fire, and Meal or Wheat Flower, or fine powdered Starch, added to it, which is all a Cheat. In like Manner is that which is generally hawked about, made of the Powder of Holland Sul- phur beaten, and palled through a very fine Taf- lety or Silk Searce ; but the Cheat is eafily d ifco- vered by the low Price this fpurious Stuff is fold at. Upon the whole, Holland’s Flowers of Sulphur are preferable to any other ; next to them thole of Mar fellies ; and thefe are the only two that ought to be given internally. The true Flowers of Sulphur are natural Bal- fam for the Lungs, and endowed with fo many good Qualities, that it would be endlefs to recount them all. Flower of Sulphur is alfo made after another Manner, to wit, by adding to it fixed Salt-petre, or Sal Polychrejlum , which is the Method we ufe to make it white ; but there being little Demand for this fort, it is feldom made, though it be a very good Medicine, and more agreeable to take than the abovementioned. To make Flowers of Sulphur, take Lemery. Sulphur grofly powdered, half a Pound ; put it into a Glafs Body, or Cucurbit ; place it in a fmall open Fire, and cover it with ano- ther Glafs Body, or earthen Cucurbit ; turn the bottom. upwards, fo as that the Neck of the lower may enter into the Neck of the upper ; change the upper Cucurbit every half Hour, fitting ano- ther in its Place ; adding likewife, new or frelh Sulphur ; the elevated Flowers fweep together with a Hare’s Foot, and continue to do thus fo long till you have what you defire. Thefe Flowers are good againft Difeafes of the Lungs ; Dofe ten or twelve Grains in any fit Syrup, Pulp, or Elecftuary ; outwardly you may mix them with Hog’s Lard, for Scurf, Tetters, and the Itch; but be cautious of ufing it to Infants, efpecially anoint not any where upon the T runk of the Body, and efpecially the Belly. If your Sulphur be fublimed with Sal Po'ychreft , you will have white Flowers. Of Salt of Sulphur. Pcmet. The Salt of Sulphur is. made feveral Ways, but the beft and eafieft is accord- ing to Monfieur Char ads Pharmacopoeia , p. 887. OMENS. 163 whither the Reader may have Recourfe. This Salt is compofed of Salt-petre refined, and Spiiit of Sulphur, reduced by means of a Retort with a Sand Heat, into a white Mafs, which has many good Qualities ; or it may be made with the Sal Polychrejiy or otherwife, as may be feen in Abun- dance of chymical Books which treat of it. Salt of Sulphur is much in Ufe to temper and allay the Heat of Fevers ; the Dofe is not ad- jufted, but it is fufficient to give it in any common Drink to an agreeable Acidity. What Form one pleafes may be given to this Salt ; fome have it in a Mafs, others in Cryftals ; fome granulated, and others in Powder, or, finally, in Rolls; which laft is a curious Method, and known but by few. Of Magiftery, or Milk of Sulphur. The Magiftery , or Milk , as it is called, Pomet. of Sulphur , is made of the Flowers of Sulphur , and Salt of Tartar boiled in Water; ad- ding diftilled Vinegar to precipitate a Powder, which when dried will be white, and is efteemed very good for the Lungs, and for Afthmatick Per- fons. If half a Pound of Flowers of Sulphur Lemery. be mixed with a Pound and an half of Salt of Tartar, or Pot-a(hes, and be boiled in two Gallons of Water for fix or feven Hours, the Sul- phur will be all diffolved, and the Liquor become red : This filtred and mixed by little and little with Spirit of Vinegar, or fome other Acid, prefently becomes white like Milk. Let it ftand to fettle, and a white Powder will precipitate, which being edulcorated by five or fix Times wafhing in hot Water, and dried, is the Lac Sulphuric , which is better than the Flowers for all the Difeafes afore- named, given from fix Grains to fifteen. This is powerful againft all Manner of Catarrhs and Fluxes of Rheum from the Head that fall upon the Throats and Lungs ; for it confumes and dries up all ferous and watry Superfluities. Of Spirit of Sulphur. Spirit of Sulphur is a Liquor drawn Pomet. from the green Sulphur, by the Affiftance of Fire and certain Veffels, as Melfieurs Charas y Lemery , &c. teach us ; and as it is of different Colours, according as it is more or lefs diverted of its Phlegm, fo it has two different Names afligned it : That which is juft as it comes out of the Vef- fels is called Spirit of Sulphur, which when good ought to be as clear as Rock Water, and of an agreeable Acidity, and which put upon blue Paper, Y 2 will 164 General Hiflory of D R U G S. Book IV. will turn it red ; but the beft and fureft Proof is to deal with honeft Men for it. The fecond fort, to which improperly the Ap- pellation of Oil of Sulphur has been given, is the former feparated from its Phlegm or fuperfluous Humidity, and which has a bright Yellow, or golden Colour, and is fo very ftrong that it cannot be endured upon the Tongue. Some Hawkers counterfeit Spirit of Sulphur by a Mixture of Vinegar and Spirit, or rather Phlegm of Vitriol, or with Water, adding a few Drops of Aqua fortis, and fell it to abundance of People, efpecially to Vintners, who ufe a great Quantity of it upon fome Occafions. Great Virtues are attributed to the Spirit and Oil of Sulphur in Fevers and pulmonary Cafes efpecially. Not long fince it has been difcovered, that Spirit, or rather the Oil of Sulphur, is the only Thing to give Luftre to the Peridot , as will be feen where we treat of precious Stones ; and alfo to fix the Colour of the Everlafting Flowers, as we call them. Of Balfam of Sulphur. Balfam of Sulphur is made two Ways ; Firjl, with the green or exprefied Oil of Annifeed, and the beft Flowers of Sulphur, melted or diflolved to- gether ; which is called Balfam of Sulphur anni- fated, and has great Qualities afcribed to it, as will be feen hereafter. Monfieur Charas fays, in his Book, p. 470. that fome are of opinion this Balfam is in Quality but little behind the Natural Balfam , or Balm of Gi- lead, becaufe it heats and dries moderately, and refills Corruption or Putrefaction ; it therefore is a celebrated Medicine in peCtoral Cafes, being very beneficial in Coughs, Afthmas, Pleurifies, and Ulcers of the Lungs. It is good alfo again!! Weak- neffes and Indigellions of the Stomach, reftores the Appetite, expels Wind, eafes all forts of Cho- licks. It is faid to be good alfo againft the Plague, and all epidemical Difeafes, venereal EfFe&s, con- tinual or intermitting Fevers, and the Epilepfy. It may be taken internally, and from three to ten or twelve Drops ; and the Stomach or Navel may be anointed therewith in any Illnefs of the former Kinds, or in Cholicks, iffc. The diftilled or chymical Oil of Annifeed might be made ufe of for this Compofition, were it not that in the Operation it is apt to evaporate and fly off, do what you can, more than the green or exprefied Oil. The fecond Way or Method of making it, is with Oil of Walnuts cold drawn, and Flowers of Sulphur, mixed together, which, by the Afliftance of the Fire, is made into a Balfam very good to di- geft, difeufs, or refolve any crude Fluxion impacted in any Part of the Body, made ufe of by way of Unction : It is alfo the Bafis of Etnp. Sulphuric Some ufe Oil of Sweet Almonds, white Poppy Seed, or Turpentine, inftead of Oil of Walnuts, in the Compofition of this Balfam, in which every one may do as feems beft to him. Some again add to this Balfam, Myrrh, Aloes, Saffron, and the like. Befides the Sulphurs afore-mentioned, we have a fort of Earth or yellow Stone, which Mount ALt- na fends forth, called by us Naples Yellow, which Painters make ufe of ; but this fort of Earth is fcarce amongft us : The Marks of its Goodneft are, that it be fandy, and of as high a Colour as may be. This Eartb is nothing but a Sulphur har- dened by the Fire in the Bowels of the Earth, which makes it dry and brittle. You may make a Balfam of Sulphur in a fmall time, by taking to one Part Lemery. of Flowers of Sulphur four or five times as much good Oil of Turpentine, Oil Olive, or the like, and boiling them in a Pipkin, fo big, as it may be but half full, till the Flowers are perfectly diflolved into a blood-red Balfam; let the Fire be pretty quick, yet not too quick, and continually ftir it all the while it is making, till it is cold, other- wife the Flowers will be apt to coagulate into a Mafs, and fo you will have no Balfam. It is good againft Coughs, Colds, Afthmas, Confumptions, iffc. outwardly applied, and is taken inwardly from four Drops to twenty. [ Sulphur is of various Kinds; the general Di- ftinCtion is into Native and Fictitious, of both which Kinds there are a great Number of Species, differing in Colour, Texture, and, in the latter fort, Manner of Preparation. The different forts ufually kept in the Shops are four, the Sulphur Vive, the Pure Sulphur, the Ca- balline Sulphur, and the common Roll Brimftone. The native Sulphur, or Sulphur vive, is the Sulphur nativum , Schrod. 501. Sulphur nativum feu vivum, Charlt. Foff. 1 2. Sulphur fojfile feu vi- vum iff nativum , Worm. 26. This is of various Kinds, but what is commonly found in the Shops is either pellucid and yellow, brought from Peru , Switzerland, iffc. or opake, greenilh, yellowilh, or greyilh and like Clay, dug up near the burning Mountains and fulphureous Springs in many Places. This laft, though not fo pure or valuable, is the common kind fold in the Shops. The pure Sulphur is the Sulphur faflitium. Worm. 26. Aldr. Muf Met. 364. Charlt. Foff. 12. This alfo is of many Kinds, and prepared in ma- ny different Manners : In fome Places it is ob- tained Book IV. Of D I T U M E N S. tained by boiling fulphureous Waters, as at Buda in Hungary ; in others, by a kind of Sublimation from the fulphureous Earth, as in Italy and many other Places ; and in others, it is extracted from "a kind of Pyrites by the Help of Fire, as about Lieg e, Cfc. it is then melted and formed into Cakes, or elfe thrown into hollow Cylinders of Iron, rubbed over with Oil on the Infide, and fo formed into Rolls. This is the true factitious pure Sulphur to be ufed in Medicine, and is either yellow orgreenifti ; the laft is proper for many chymical Preparations, as containing the greatefi Quantity of vitriolick Salt. The Caballine or Horfe Sulphur , is the Sulphur CabaUinum fafhtium , Kent. 9. Sulphur nigrum Caballinum , Worm. 28. Charlt. Foff. 12. It is the the Foeces of the other Sulphurs, mixed with Steel Dull, or the Squammae that fly off from Iron in the hammering, and fometimes formed into Cakes without any Mixture at all. The laft fort, or common Roll Brimfione, is ufually a Mixture of Sulphur and common Refin, caff into Moulds. This is what is generally fold by Grocers and the petty Druggifis, but ought ne- ver to be ufed in Medicine.] 8. 0 / Naphtha, or the Slimy Bitumen. Pomet. Aphtha is a Bitumen or Slime, found •*“ * in many Places of Europe : The Name of Maltha was given firft to a fort of Bitu- men found near Comagene in Syria. Pliny tells us, that this Bitumen is fo glutinous, that it flicks to whatever it touches, from whence comes its Name of Maltha ; and accordingly he relates fome ftrange Stories of it, as that at the Siege of Samozata , which Lucullus undertook, it was of great Advan- tage to thofe in the T own ; for that as foon as it touched any of the Soldiers at whom they threw it, it fet them on fire in fuch fort as could not be extinguifhed without throwing Earth upon them, being of the Nature of other Bitumens , which the more you caff Water upon them, the more they blaze. There is another fort of Bitumen found near Ragufa , which has the Smell of, and ferves for the fame Purpofes as common Pitch, and therefore has the Name of Maltha , or Natural Pijfafphaltum, or Earth Pitch , bellowed upon it: But thefe two forts being unknown to us, and we having none of them in France , I fhall content myfelf to fpeak of that of Auvergne only. The Bitumen then of Auvergne is a fort of Pitch, of a difagreeable Smell , found between Cler- mont, Mcnt-ferron*, and Rion, in a Place called Pege-uells, where it is in fuch abundance, that it makes its way out of the Earth, and caufes a great deal of Uneafinefs to Paffengers, who when 2 they tread on it can hardly draw up their Feet, it is lb flicking, and who, by reafon thereof, are are often forced to leave their Shoes behind them. It is this famous Drug the HuckAers dry, anil then fell to ignorant Apothecaries, and othe:s, in- flead of the true Bitumen of 'Judtca , though it be eafily diflinguifhable from it by its firong Smell, whereas the true Judeea Bitumen is almofi without any Smell at all : It is from its foetid Smell, fome, as to Ajja Foetida , have given it the Name of Stcr- cus Diaboli , or Devil’ s-Dung. There are alfo many other forts of Bitumen, that come from the Bow- els of the Earth ; but we having no Commerce in them, as having none of them, I fhall not trouble myfelf to fpeak any thing about them. [What our Author has deferibed here under the Name of Naphtha, are feveral different Kinds of the PiJJafphaltum, which I have already mentioned in the Chapter of Bitumen Judaicutn : The true Naphtha is a more fluid Bitumen, and nearer ap- proaching the Nature of Petroleum, but not abfo- lutely the fame with it, as fome have judged ; it is the Naphtha Alba & Nigra, Kcemp. Amccn. Ex. 274. Napheha , Worm. 30. Aldrov. Muf. Met. 388. Pharmacu/n Meda quibufdam. It is not to be found in the Shops, but Hands recorded for its inflam- mable Qualities. The Maltha of the Antients was a Mixture of this, and an argillaceous Earth, which together made a kind of Cement, ufed as Mortar in Build- ing; and, according to Vitruvius , this was the Mortar ufed in building *he Walls of Babylon.'] 9. Of Naphtha of Italy. , T' H E Naphtha of Italy is an Oil of different Co- A lours, flowing principally from a Rock fituate in the Valley of Montfejlin, in the Dutchy of Mo- dena ; and this Oil has been known to us but a few Years fince, by the means of one Roque Foura , a Native and an Inhabitant of the Village called Prat , near Brianfon, in the Upper Dauphimf, of whom I bought the different forts of Naphtha that I have by me, and from whom I had the following Ac- count. The Italian or Montfejlin Naphtha, comes from a Rock which is upon a Mountain, whither it is conveyed by fubterranean Veins, and it is gather- ed in Oil of different Colours, by means of cer- tain Canals and Cauldrons which feparatc it : The Duke of Sara and Darce, and the Marquis of Arpia in Modena, to whom the aforefaid Rock be- longs, have caufed Trenches, and Copper Canals, or Pipes, to be made, which are purpofely placed to receive the Oil as it diflils from tbe Rock, by means of which it falls into the Cauldrons, from whence 1 66 General Hiftory oj DRUGS. Book IV. whence it is taken for Ufe. It is obfervable, that this Oil changes Colour according as it is nearer or farther off from the direft Light of the Sun ; fo that that which is of the funny Side is white, and clear as Water, and moft efteemed, that next to it clear and red like Wine, the next yellow, after- wards greeny and, in fhort, that which is at the other oppofite Side of the Rock, quite off from the Sun, is black. White Naphtha , which we commonly call Oil of P etrc , or white Rock Oil, becaufe of its Wfiite- nefs, Clearnefs, and Beauty, is immifcible with any Thing in the World befides, being lighter than whatfoever can be put to it, and confequent- ly it will be uppermoft ; its ftrong piercing Smell comes near that of Sulphur, which renders it ex- tremely volatile. It is eafy to catch Fire, which may ferve as a Precaution to thofe who fell it, to be as careful of it as of Gun-powder. The great Virtue of this Oil is the Reafon why I will not fay any Thing of it here, but rather re- fer my Reader to what the aforenamed Roque Foura has printed concerning it. As for the red, yellow, and green Naphtha , they are fo little in Ufe, that we do not fee any of them at all : And moreover, another Reafon for it may be, that the Italians mix them with the black Oil before they fend it to us ; and this makes the Oil of Petre , which we have thence, inftead of being black and thick, as it comes out of the Rock, to be red, tranfparent, and yellowifh, and moderately ful- phureous in its Smell. And as this Oil is pretty dear, fome counterfeit it, as will be feen in the next Chapter. Naphtha , P ijfafphaltum Naturale , is Lemery. a kind of foft or liquid Bitumen , of dif- ferent Colours, very inflammable, which is brought from feveral Parts ; as the Place where ar.tient Babylon flood, and about Ragufa ; like- wife from a certain Lake or Marlh of Samofata , and divers other Parts. But we have now no other Naphtha brought but what comes from France and Italy ; the laft of which is a fort of Petroleum , or clear Oil, that is fometimes white, fometimes red, fometimes yellow, fometimes green, and fometimes black. It flows from a Rock fituate on a Mountain near Montfejlin , in the Dutchy of Modena. The white is moft va- lued. The Bitumens called Naphtha are almoft all Sulphur or Oil mixed with fome acid and volatile Salt. They are inciflve, penetrating, deterflve, digeftive, vulnerary, and {Lengthening, and fo are prevalent againft Palfies, Weaknefs, and Relaxa- tion of the Nerves. Outwardly applied they re- lieve the Tooth- ach ; and difl'olved in a Turpen- tine, or vinous Clyfter, prevail againft Dyfentery and Diarrhcea. Petrofeum is by many ufed inftead thereof. [The Naphtha of Italy is a kind of Petroleum , the Petroleum favum, five Italicum, Ind. Med. go. It is particularly plentiful about Frumetto , where the Inhabitants dig Wells of thirty or forty Feet Depth, till the oily Spring is found, and there it is always mixed with Water. The Wells dug at • the Foot of the Hill, furnifh a large Quantity of very red Oil; thofe near the top a white, but in much fmaller Quantities, but which is moft efteemed, and is what they particularly call the Naphtha : There is alfo a Rock in the fame Coun- try, near the Apennine Mountains, where there is a conhderable Spring of Water which runs per- petually ; on which there fwims a yellow Oil of of this kind in very large Quantities, infomuch, that it is ufually gathered twice a Week by many Pounds at a Time.] io. Of the black Oil of Petre, or Oil of Gabian. T H E Petroleum , or black Oil of Ga- Pomet. A bian, is a liquid Bitumen , that comes from the Bowels of the Earth, and by fubterranean Channels is thrown upon the Waters of a fmall River, near a Village called Gabian , in the Bifhoprick of Bezier in Languedoc. Formerly this Oil was fo plentiful and common, that it was made but little Account of; for confiderable Quantities might be gathered of it daily : But now Mondays are only fet apart for that Purpofe ; and the Place where it is, is enclofed with a Wall, and guarded by a Man. And I have been told at Gabian , that the Bifhop makes a great Profit of it, which notwithftanding is not fo great as it was heretofore. This Oil ought to be of a middle Confidence, of a ftrong {linking Smell, and of Colour black. In the Choice of it, one muft fee that it be not Oil of Turpentine, thickened and coloured with black Pitch. The beft Way is to buy it of honeft reputable Merchants, that would not do an ill Thing, and fell one Thing for another, and not to expert it at an under Price. The black Oil of Petre of Italy , or of Gabian , is fomewhat in LTe in Phyfick, but chiefly em- ployed by Farriers, and thole that make artificial Fi re-works. There are moreover other forts of Oil of Petre , or Bitumens , found in many Parts of the World, as thofe of Colao, of Surinam, and Copal ; but iince we have none of them, nor any Trade or Dealing in them, I will not pretend to fay any Thing con- cerning them. Petroleum , Book IV. Of B I T Petrol urn, /rue Oleum Petreee , or Lemery. Rock OH, is a kind of Naphtha , or bituminous Liquor, that flows from the Clefts of feveral Rocks, Stones, and Quarries, in many Parts of Italy , Sicily , and Languedoc. It is brought of feveral Colours ; as black, red, white, and yellow. The black Petroleum , ufually brought . us from a Village in Languedoc , called Gabion, and from thence Oil of Gabion, is of a very un- pleafant Smell. All the Kinds of Petro'eum are incifive, penetrating, refolutive, attenuating, re- fill Poifon, dellroy Worms, expel Wind, (Lengthen the Nerves. Some Drops may be taken inwardly and outwardly, the Joints, Emunfiories, and Na- ve], may be rubbed with it. It is hot and dry, and of thin Parts, and is of admirable Ufe againft Aches and Pains, and all cold Diftempers of the Mufcles, Nerves, and Joints. It is prevalent againft Gout, Palftes, Cramps, Convulfions, Apoplexy, Megrim, and other cold Difeafes of the Head and Brain. Anointed upon the Region of the Abdomen, Bladder, Reins, Spleen, or Womb, it gives Eafe to all Pains and other Diforders of thofe Parts, difcufles Swellings, (Ac. It is faid to cure ulcerated Kibes and Chilblains, to help Bruifes, and heal old Sores ; and is of An- gular Ufe againft the Rheumatifm, or running Gout. Some fay that that which comes out of India is the beft and pleafanteft, and is thought to have all the Virtues of the Naphtha aforegoing. [Oil of Petre is the Bitumen Liquidum oleo fimile quod innatat lacubus , Kentm. 20. Petroleum , IVcrm. 30. Char It. Fofif. 14. Petroleum Rubrum five Gabianum , Ind. Med. 90. It is found in many Countries, particularly in Italy, as alfo in great Plenty in Britanny, near Beriers, where it flows, mixed with Water, from the Cracks of the Rocks. It eafily takes Fire, and is in many Places burned in Lamps, inftead of common Oil. In Medicine it is attenuant and refolvent, good in hyfterick Cafes, given inwardly .from ten to thirty Drops ; and in Palfies externally ufed as a Lini- ment. We have little of it genuine in England ; our Chymifts having learnt a Way of adulterating it with the Oil of the cheapeft of all Bitumens , the common Coal.] 1 1 . Of China, or Indian Ink. Pomet. S^HINA Ink is a hard folid Pafte, which, '- y according to fome Authors, the Chi- nefie make of a black bituminous Earth, which they powder, and with Gum Tragacanth form into a Pafte, which they after make into little Sticks, and having marked them with fome Chinefe Characters, they dry and fell them as we have U M E N S. i 6 t them. Others will maintain that it is made of a Black produced from the Smoak of Oil of Olives burnt ; but as it is impoffible I fhould be able to determine of which it is compofed, I will only remark, in die Choice of it, that the true genuine Ink of China is to be preferred to that of Hol- land, and is diftinguilhable from it, in that it is in fmall fquare Cakes of the Thicknefs and Length of one’s Finger, and of a very black jet Colour, whereas the Holland kind is in flat Lumps, and of a greyifh Black. China, or Indian Ink, ferves for Maps. In fhort, it is very ufeful for all fuch as mark or take Sketches in Black, being a portable Ink. [ Indian Ink is a nice Mixture of a peculiar fort of Lamp Black, made by the burning fat Pork, and mixing its Soot into a Pafte with the Solution of Gums.] 12. Of Gun-powder. /'■>!/ N-powder is a Compofition of Salt- Pomet. ^ petre, Sulphur, and Coal made with Willow, or any other light Wood, which by means of Vinegar, and a Sieve, or any other I11- ftrument full of Holes, is made into Corns big or little, or what Size you pleafe : But I will not en- large upon this, the Manner of making it being very well known ; and by the bye, I would not advife any Merchant to deal in this Commodity, whofe profefled Bufinefs it is not, it being too hazardous. Sal Pyrium, Sal Bombardicum, and Pulvis Pyrius , and Bombardicus , or Gun- Lemery. powder, was a thing wholly unknown to the antient Greeks and Arabians, and therefore they have no Name for it. It is made in many Parts of the World, but moft plentifully in France and England , and is compofed of Salt-petre, Sul- phur, and Wood-coal. You are to chufe good and pure Nitre, with fair and large Cryftals or Shootings : If it be not good, you muft purify it as we have before taught. 'I his purified Nitre put into a Kettle, which fet upon a Furnace with a moderate Fire, which gra- dually encreafe to fuch a Degree of Heat, till it be- gins to fmoak and evaporate, lofe its Humidity, and grow very white; keep continually ftirring it with a Wooden or Iron Ladle, whereby itsGreafi- nefs will be taken away ; then pour fo much Water into the Kettle as will cover the Nitre ; and when it is diflolved, and is brought to the Confiftence of thick Liquor, then with a wooden Stick or Ladle, keep continually ftirring it without any In- termiflion, till all its Humidity is again evaporated, and it be reduced to a moft dry white Meal. . You ought alfo to chufe the pureft and beft Sulphur i that which is in very great large Lumps, clear, 1 63 General Hijlory of D R U G S. Book IV, c lear, perfe&ly yellow, not very hard nor compact, but porous, nor too much Ihining, is the beft. If when it is fet on Fire, it freely burns all away, leaving little or no refident Matter, it is a Sign it is good. So alfo if you prefs it between two Iron Plates that are hot enough to make it run, if in running it appears yellow, and that which remains be of a reddilh Colour, you may conclude it ex- cellent, and fit for your Purpofe ; but if it be im- pure and foul. Powder-makers prepare it after this Manner. Melt your Sulphur in a large Iron Ladle or Pot, over a very gentle Fire of Coals well kindled, but not flaming, then fcum off all that which lifeth on the Top, and fwims upon the Sul- phur; prefently after take it from the Fire, and ftrain it through a double Linen Cloth, letting it pafs at leifure: fo will the {trained Sulphur be pure, which powder finely. You ought alfo to chufe Charcoal large, clear, free from Knots, well burnt, and cleaving ; but if you be where it is not to be had, you mull make it after this'Manner : Cut down your Wood when it is full of Sap, and is apt to peel, viz. in May or June , and chiefly Hazel, or Afh, or Juniper, &c. which cut into Lengths of two or three Feet long, of the Bignefs of ordinary Billets, taking away the Rind and fuperfluous Brances. Being very dry, make them into Bundles, and in a plain even Place, fit for that Purpofe, fet them upright one by another, and one upon another, cover them with Earth or Turf very clofe, leaving only fome few Vent-holes; then kindle the Fire, and when it is well lighted, and all in a red burning Heat, being reduced into burning Coals, flop up every Vent-hole for the Fire, clofe with moiftened Earth, fo that there be not the leaft Breathing-place. The Fire being thus extinguifhed, the Coals will be pure and whole, without any Afhes, and in twenty-four Hours after, you may take them out for Ufe. But for a prefent and fmall Occafion do thus: Cut the Wood into fmall Pieces, dry them well, put them into a large earthen Pot, co- ver it all over the Top well with Clay, then make a good Fire round tbe Pot, gentle at firft, but fo as it may be made red-hot ; covering it alfo all over with Fire, leaving it fo for the Space of an Hour or more in that ftrongeft Heat ; let the Pot cool of itfelf, and then take out the Coals for Ufe, which reduce into a fine Powder. Of thefe Ingredients the Country People in the Ukrain in Poland , and the Cojfacks , make it with their own Hands, thus: They put their Propor- tions of A litre, Sulphur , and Charcoal (being all in fine Powder) all together in an earthen Pot, upon which they put fair Water, then they boil it upon the Fire till all is evaporated, and the Matter be- comes thick like Pafte, and taking it from the Fire they make it yet drier in the Sun, or in a Stove, or the like, till it is fit to corn ; then they granu- late it by palling it through a Hair Sieve, making the Grains of what Bignefs they pleafe ; and this ferves their rural Occafions, as well as if it had been made by the moft fkilful Artift in the World. But in ord£r to the truly knowing and making of Gun-powder, it is fit that you Ihould firft know the Kinds thereof, and then the different Strength of each. The Kinds are threefold ; I. Cannon Powder ; II. Mufquet Powder ; III. Piftol Powder ; and of each of thefe there are two feveral Kinds, viz. a Jlronger and a weaker , all which Differences arife only from the various and differing Propor- tions of the above enumerated three Ingredients. The exadt Limitations of which we come now im- mediately to declare. Cannon. 1 Mufquet. Pijiol. Nitre Sulphur Coal 10. 0 2.5 2-5 10. 0 1.8 2.0 10,0 go 1.2 § 1-5 £ Nitre Sulphur Coal 10. 0 2.0 2.4 10. 0 i -5 1.8 10. 0 1.0 1.8 Weak. The Preparations declared , I. Cannon Powder $ I. The Stronger. To every ioo f. of Salt-petre there is Sulphur 25^. Charcoal 25ft). 2. The Weaker. To every iocffe- of Salt-petre, Sulphur 2offc. Charcoal 241b. II. Mujquet Powder. 1. Stronger. To Salt-petre ioolb. Sulphur i8Ib» Charcoal 2olt. 2. The Weaker . To Salt-petre ioolfc. Sulphur 15ft. Charcoal 1 8 It. III. Pijiol Powder. 1. The Stronger. To Salt-petre iooit. Sulphur 1 2lt. Charcoal 1 5 it. 2. The Weaker. To Salt-petre iooit. Sulphur iolt. Charcoal i8it. as in the Table annexed, which are the Numbers, and in the fame Proportion, but in leffer Quantities or Decimals. The Way of making it. All thefe Ingredients are to be finely powdered, and they are to be moiftened with fair Water or Vinegar, or Spirit of Wine, or Water and Spirit of Wine mixt toge- ther, or Urine, which is moft ufual ; then let all be well beaten together for the Space of twenty-four Hours at leaft, and then granulated after the fol- lowing Manner : You muft prepare a Sieve with a bottom of thick Parchment made full of round Holes, and the Book IV. the former beaten Mafs muft beforehand be moif- tened with the following Liquor. IJt Spirit of Wine f xx. Spirit of Wine Vinegary fxij. Spirit of Nitre , f iiij. Spirit of Sal Armoniack, | ij. Camphire , f j. dijfolved in Spirit of Wine , mix together for the Purpofe aferefaid. Or inftead thereof, if all thefe Things cannot be had, with this, Re Brandy , xl. Camphire §j. mix and dif- folve ; the Mals being made up into Balls as large as Eggs, put them into the Sieve, and with them a wooden Ball, fo moved up and down about the Sieve that it may break the Balls of Powder : make all pafs through the little Holes into Corns. But in making of vaft Quantities, to do it all by the Hand, would be a moft tedious and flavilh Work, and therefore Kings and the fupreme Rulers of Countries have provided Mills for that Purpofe, by Help of which they can do more in one Day than a Man can in an hundred. Ton may make Powder of various Colour 5, if you fo pleafe, but then you muft leave out the Charcoal, and put in as much for it of another Thing of the Colour you intend, which may be as apt to kindle or take Fire as Charcoal is ; but for real Service, whether for War or Hunting, (Ac. the black Powder is much to be preferred ; yet for Satif- fadtion Sake, we will give you the Directions for making White Powder. White Powder. Take Salt-petre , left. Sulphur , ftj. Saw-dujl of Elder , or the like Woody dried and powdered fine , It ij. mix and make Powder by the former Directions. Or thus: Rc Nitre ioit. Sulphurs It jft>. dried and finely powdered , Saw- dujl It ij. mix and make Powder. Or thus : Rc Ni- tre I oft. Sulphury itij. Rotten Wood dried and powdered Itij. Salt of Tartar , \ iij. mix and make Powdery to be kept clofe from the Air. This is alfo to be noted, that in making Pijlol Powdery if you would have it ftronger or more violent, you ought to ftir it up feveral Times while it is in the Mortar, and moiften it with Wa- ter diftilled from Orange or Lemon-peels in an Alembick, and then beat it for twenty-four Hours, as aforefaid. Moreover, you ought to know, that Powder, when it is corned, is of much greater Force and Power than when in Dull or Mcalj and from 169 hence it is concluded, that the larger Grains arc ftronger than the fmaller, and for that Reafon Cannon Powder is granulated larger than Muficet, and Mulket than Piftol ; and therefore being put into Ordnance, Mulkets, or Piftols, it ought not to be forced or beaten fo home or hard into the Piece, as to bruife the Grains, left it thereby lofe much of its Strength. To know the Goodnefs of Gun-powder. It is- tried three Ways, by Sight, by Touch, and by Fire. Firjl by Sight ; If it be too black, it is too moift, or has too much Charcoal in it ; fo alfo if rubbed upon white Paper, it blacks it more than good Powder does. If it be of a kind of Azure Colour, or a little obfeure, fornething bordering upon red, it is a Sign of good Powder. Secondly by Touching ; If in crulhing of it with your Fingers Ends the Grains eafily break and turn to Dull, without feeling hard, it has too much Coal in it. If in preffing under your Fingers upon a fmooth hard Board, fome Grains feel harder than the reft, or as it were dent your Fin- ger’s End, or very hardly yield to prefling, the Sul- phur is not well mixed with the Nitre, and the Powder naught. Thirdly by Burning ; Lay little Heaps of Powder, three Inches or more afunder upon white Paper, and fire one of them ; if it only fires and burns all away, and that fuddenly, almoft imperceptibly, without firing the others, and makes a fmall thun- dering Noife, and a white clear Smoak riling in the Air, almoft like a Circle, the Powder is very good : But if it leaves black Marks behind it, it has too much Coal in it, or is not well burnt. If it leaves a Greafinefs behind it, the Sulphur or Nitre are not well deanfed or ordered as they Ihould be. And if two or three Corn3 of Powder be laid upon a Paper an Inch afunder one from another, and you put Fire to one of them, and they all fire at once, leaving no Sign behind but a white fmoaky Colour in the Place, and the Paper not touched, the Powder is good ; fo alfo if fired in your Hand, and it burns it not; but if black Knots, which burn downwards in the Place where Proof was made, remain after firing, it is not ftrong enough, but wants Nitre. O/BITUMENS. VOL. II. z BOOK t 170 1 BOOK V. Of STONE S. PREFACE. J mean by the Word Stone, a folid and bard Body that will not melt in the Fire , or be extended under the Hammer , formed in the Earth by Courfe of Time , being a kind of Mineral. 1 fhall divide Stones, the Subject of this Book, into two ClaJJes ; to wit, into Precious and Common Stones. By precious Stones I underjland thofe that are dear, either becaufe they are fcarce, or that they come from far diflant Parts, and fuch as are very hard, fmall, and fparkling. And by the Common, I mean fuch as are of little Value : I fhall begin with the Hyacinth, or Jacinth, as being the finejl of all thofe we deal in, and of which we make the moft Ufe. And by the way, the Reader may be pleafed to take Notice, That I fhall only fpeak of fuch as we deal in, not meddling with the fine Stones the Jewellers and Lapidaries trade in. x. Of the Hyacinth, or Jacinth. Pomet. f | ^ H E Hyacinth that is ufed in Me- dicine, is a Stone of which there are three Kinds, to wit, the foft milky Hyacinth, which is a little Stone of the Size and Figure of a moderate Grain of Salt, very ten- der, and of the Colour of Milk, from whence it derives its Name. The Second is a reddifh Stone without and within, cut naturally like a Diamond Point, found very frequently in Poland , Bohemia, Silefia , and Italy : Some of this kind is often met with white mixed with yellow, red, or other Co- lours i but thefe different Sorts are not ufed by any, but fuch Apothecaries and Huckfters, as only confider the Cheapnefs, or do not know them from others ; they ought to be entirely rejected, being nothing but a fort of Sand ; as alfo another fort of falfe Hyacinths, that are little Stones about the Bignefs of a Pin’s Head, of a fhining red, that are very common in feveral Parts of France, but chiefly in Auvergne , which are what we call Jar- gons, or falfe Hyacinths : Wherefore thofe that would have the Jacinth for the Confection that bears its Name, and is after defcribed, mull ufe no ether than the milky Hyacinth, as being the true Oriental, and fit for medicinal Ufe : it requires no other Preparation than to be ground to an impal- jrable Powder. Of the Confe&ion of Hyacinth. The Confetlion of Hyacinth is a liquid and cor- dial EleCtuary made of Hyacinth, red Coral, Bole from the Levant, fealed Earth, of each four Ounces and a half ; Grains of Kermes, Dittany of Crete, Torment'd Root, Citron Seed, Saffron, Myrrh, Provins Rofes, Sanders, the Bone of a Stag’s Heart, Shavings of Harts-horn and Ivory, Sorrel, and Purflain Seed, of each ten Drachms and two Scruples ; of Sapphire, Emerald, Topaz, fine Pearl, raw Silk, Gold and Silver Leaf, of each five Drachms and a Scruple ; Mufk and Am- bergrife, of each two Scruples ; powder all the Drugs, and grind the Stones on a Porphyry, then make them into an EleCtuary with Syrup of Lemons. Thofe who defire to know further of it, let them confult Monfieurs Charas or Bauderon's Difpenfatories. The Confection of Hyacinth ought to be of a good Confiftence, frefh and faithfully prepared, of a reddifh Colour upon the Yellow : Thofe that prepare this Medicine ought not to put in Mufk and Ambergrife, except by the Direction of the Phyfician •, becaufe the greateft Part is ufed by the Women, and thofe Perfumes are very improper for that Sex, efpecially in any hyfterical Cafe. This ConfeCtion is much pre- feribed, becaufe of its good Qualities in fortifying the Heart, refitting of Poifon, & c. and it is of the fame Book V. 0/ ST fame Nature with Cbnfe&ion of Alkermes, being much ufed in the Liomois , Provence, and Langue- doc, where you meet with few People without a Pot of this Confefiion, or of Alhermes , or Treacle, about them, of which they take a fmall Quantity every Morning. The Dearnefs of this Medi- cine, and the Demand for it, is the Reafon that you have a thoufand Sophifticators of it, who do it fo grofly and fcandaloufly, that they afford you no better than Honey, Bole, Myrrh, and fome Leaf Copper for this Confection, and fometimes a little Baftard Saffron 5 therefore die beft Way is never to meddle with this except you have it from an honeft and reputable Dealer. Hyacinthus , five Lapis Hyacinthinus, Lemery. the Jacinth , is a precious Stone, of which there are a great many forts that differ in Size and Colour; for fome are as fmall as a Grain of Salt, of a white Colour, and this Kind is called the foft milky Hyacinth, which is the oriental ; others are as big as Peas, very hard, of a red Colour, inclining to the yellow, bright, and refplendent. The Oriental are to be pre- ferred to diofe of Silefia and Bohemia , they are known by their Bignefs, their Beauty, and their Hardnefs ; the Oriental exceed not the Size of a Pea, and are finer and more brilliant than the European kind. There are others much about the fame Size, of a yellowifh Colour, almoft like Amber; fome are white, partaking of red or yel- low, and feveral other Colours ; others are as fmall as Pins Heads, of a bright Red : This laft kind is found in feveral Parts of France, and particularly in Auvergne ; all the forts are very cordial and re- ftorative ; Dofe half a Scruple. [The Hyacinth, or Jacinth Stone, is the Hya- cinthus, Charlt. Fojf. 38. Mont. Ex. 14. Worm. 104. It is of various Colours ; as red, yellow, and whitifh ; the yellow are the leaft cfteemed of all. Many fuperftitious Virtues have been afcribed to this Stone, but at prefent it is in no Efteem. The Hyacinth of the Antients, according to Pliny's Account, was different from this of ours, as it was of a fhining Violet Colour, and like the Amethyft : But all the Shades we have in the Co- lour of the modern Hyacinths, are between red, pale, yellow, and white, without the leaff Tinge of blue.] Of the Topaz- {tone. Pomet. '"pHE Topazes that are ufed in Phy- fick are Stones of different Magni- tude, very heavy and tranfparent, altogether re- fcmbling the Mufcovy Glafs found in the Plaifter of Mont Martre: This Stone is found in the Eajl ONES. and Wef- Indies, Bohemia, and Germany. The Topaz needs no other Preparation for Medicine than to be ground with Rofe-water on a Marble like Hyacinth and other precious Stones. The true Topaz of the Antients, w'hich was afterwards called a Chryfolite, is a tranfparent Gem, of a pale green Colour, that feems to have fome Yellownefs, or a Gold Colour in it, very glorious ; fome will not have this to be pro- perly the Topaz, but rather the Chryfolite, or Mo- ther of the Emerald: It is reported to be good againft Hemorrhages, and all manner of Fluxes of Blood ; as likewife to ftop Bleeding. This Gem is fo hard that the File cannot touch it. It has been a Stone of great Efteem and Value, not only for its own Glory and Brightnefs, but for its fa- cred Ufe recorded in Scripture. It is fometimes counterfeited with double Cryftals or diaphanous Stones, with a proper green Foil interpofed, and being thus fet in Inclofures, with a like Foil un- derneath, the Cheat will be hard to difeover. Topazius, Chryfolithus, Chryfopatlus, the Topaz, is a tranfparent precious Lemery. Stone, of a greenilh Caft, mixed with a little Yellow, fhooting forth golden Rays. There are two forts of it, the oriental and occidental : The firft fort is harder, finer, and more valued. We have them brought from Arabia , /Ethiopia , and about the Red Sea. It is faid they grow among the Alabafter, and fome pretend them to be the Mother of the Emerald, becaufe thefe two Stones are fomething like one another in their Colour. The fecond fort are found in Bohemia, and are larger than the Eaftern kind, but not fo beautiful. [There are two kinds of the Topaz, the To- pazius and Chryfolithos , which are much con- founded among Authors. But the true Account of them is, that the Topazius of the Antients is what we, at this Time, call the Chryfolite-, and what they called Chryfolite, we now call the Topaz. The firft is the Topazius veterum, quem recentiorcs perperam vacant Chryfolithon , De Laet. 46. Chry- folithos Modernorum , Worm. 106. Topazius l e- terum, Boet. lop. This is what we now call the Chryfolite ; and what the Antients called the Tc- pafus, or Chryfopaftus. It is a Gem of a green Colour, but fainter than that of the Emerald, and mixed with a Yellownefs : The blended Rays of which two Colours in fome Lights give the whole a reddilh Colour. The fecond is the Topazius neotericorum veterum Chryfolithos, Worm. 1 06. Chryfolithos veterum, De Laet. 49. Mont. Exot. 14. Boet. 210. This is what we now call the Topaz ; but what the An- tients called the Chryfolite : it is a pellucid Gem Z 2 Of 172 General Hijlvry of DRUGS. Book V. of a fhinlng yellow Colour, and is of two kinds, the oriental, which is of the Colour of the pureft Gold, and very hard ; and the European, which is foft like Cryftal, and has often a greater or lefs Mix- ture of black in it. Both thefe Gems have had great Virtues a- fcribed to them, but they are now never ufed.j 3. Of Emeralds. Voonet. *"]P H E Emerald, is a greenifli Stone that is found in different Parts of the World ; as /Ethiopia, Egypt, Perfta, and both the Indies. The higheft prized, or mod valued Eme- ralds, are thofe called the Prime Emeralds , in that they are commonly pure and neat, that is to fay, of a fine beautiful Green, inclining to the Blue. There is fome Appearance that Emeralds are found in Iron Mines, becaufe I have fieen where the Iron has ftuck to them. It is by fome affirmed, that the Emerald takes its green Colour in the Mine, according to the Degree of its Perfections, as Fruits ripen upon the Trees; which I cannot confirm, having never feen the Truth of it. They ■are feldom found genuine with the Druggift, there- fore fhould be bought of the Lapidaries. Some Authors have made twelve Kinds of Eme- ralds, as the Scythian, the Bafirian , /Egyptian, Cyprian, Attick, Mthiopick, Medick , Calcedonian , Samian, Sicilian, Laconic , and Cyprian , or Chalco- fmaragdus-, to which of late has been added a thirteenth, called the Smaragdites , or Bajlard Eme- rald. This Stone has been of great Efteem, not only for its Glory, but the Ufe it was applied to, being fet in the Breaft-plate of Judgment. The Smaragdo-Prafnus , Smaragdites, or Ba- J lard Esnerald , is a tranfparent green Gem, of a mixed Beauty, between a Prajinus and an Eme- rald. Being compared with the Prafinus, 'it lias the Greennefs of Grafs, without Yellownefs ; but being compared with the Emerald , it has a yel- lowifh Greennefs, which is not in the Esnerald. It is feldom perfectly tranfparent, becaufe of fome Clouds in it, and is of two kinds ; firft, the Bohe- mian, which is almoft tranfparent ; and, fecondly, the American, which is but half tranfparent. This Stone is faid to be diuretick, expels Gravel, hin- ders the breeding of the Stone, and eafes Pains of the Kidneys, and the Gout. Smaragdus, Prnfmns, or the Emerald, Eemery. is a fine, green, precious Stone that is •diaphanous, fhining, refplendent, but anoderately hard. There are two kinds, one ori- ental, and the other occidental. The firft fort is iharder, finer, and more efteemed. It reprefents by its agreeable Colour and Pleafentnefs the Ver- dure of the Field, and fills the Eye with a fudden glaring Light : It is brought from the Ea/l-Jndies. The fecond fort may be diftinguifhed into two kinds, Peruvian and European-, the Peruvian fhews a very fine, pleafant, green Colour, but does not {hoot its Rays like the oriental, and is fome- times filled with little greenifli Clouds. Thefe are plentiful in Peru , and pretty large. The European fort is not fo hard or refplendent, and the leaft valued of all. They are found in Cy- prus, Great Britain, and feveral other Places. T he Weftern are generally much larger than thofe of the Eaft ; for they are fometimcs met with as big as the Palm of a Man’s Hand. Both kinds' are proper to ftop the Flux of the Belly, and Haemorrhages, to fweeten the too acrid Humours, being finely powdered, and taken inwardly ; the Dofe from fix Grains to half a Drachm. [The Emerald to be ufed in Medicine is the Smaragdus, Kentm. 47. De Laet. 33. Charlt. 38- It is of a glorious Green, but more brittle than any of the other Gems. If thrown upon a clear Fire, it emits a fine Flame, and totally lofes its Colour ; which is a Proof that its Colour depends on a Sulphur, which is feparable from it without deftroying its Subftance; for the Stone ftill re- mains hard and tranfparent, though Colourlefe like Cryftal.] 4. Of Saphirs. TT 7 E fell two forts of Fragments of Po/net , * * Saphirs, to wit, the red and the blackifh. They are of the Size of a Pin’s Head, extremely hard, and therefore difficult to bruife or pound. The red, which are ufually of the Colour of Wine, ought to be employed for phyfical Ufes ; for as to the blackifh Fragments of Saphirs they are rather like Ruft of Iron than a precious Stone, and turn the Confedlion of Hyacinth black when put into it. Some fubftitute in the Room of the red Fragments of oriental Saphirs, thofe little Stones, very common in Holland, that we call Fer- meilles, or fmall Granats , which beware of, though it is not difficult to diftinguilh them, becaufe the true Saphirs Fragments are of a very fine, clear, tranfparent Red ; which are contrary to the Gra- nats, that are of a very deep Red. Saphirus, vcl Sapphirus, or the Saphir, is a fine, precious, brilliant, diaphanous, Lemery. refplendent Stone, of which there are two forts, one called the Male, the other the Fe- male. The Males are of a pale blue, or a Water of the Diamond Luftre. Thefe laft are called white, or Water Saphirs ; they are Ids enquired after than the blue. The Female Sa- Book V. Of ST pkirs are of a deep blue ; thefe are more valuable, and efpecially fuch as come from the Eajl- Indies ; as Calecut, Pegu, Bifnagar , and Zeilan. They are found likewife in feveral Parts of the Weftern World, as on the Borders of Bohemia and Silefia -, but they are neither fo perfect nor fine as the Ori- ■ental. They ufe in Phyfick the Fragments or Pieces •which the Lapidaries cut off from the Saphirs , -which are much about the Size of large Pins Heads, reddifh or blackifh ; but the red are pre- ferred, becaufe the black are full of Iron Stone ; we may perceive they have fome Analogy to the Load-fton«s for they will be attracted hke Iron. There are a great many Virtues attributed to the Saphirs which they have not ; as the fortifying the Heart and other noble Parts, purifying the Blood, refifting of Poifon. Their true Properties are to flop Fluxes, fweeten the Blood, and dry up Ulcers of the Eyes. [The Saphir is the Lapis Saphirus , Matth. 1387. Saphirus , Aldr. Aluf. Met. 971. Kentm. 48. Charlt. Foff. 38. It is a very hard Gem, of a beautiful Sky-blue, which, as it is deeper or paler, makes the Diftinction of Male and Female Sa- phirs , as they are called. The Saphir comes neareft the Diamond in Splendor, Tranfparency, and Hardnefs ; and there is a kind of it wholly pale, which is fometimes made to pafs for a Dia- mond, but it is neither quite fo hard nor fo bril- liant. The finell Saphirs are the Oriental, which are brought principally from the Bland of Ceylon. The European are found in Silefia and Bohemia. The Saphir lofes its Colour like the Emerald in the Fire, and then looks very like a Diamond, j 5. Of the Ruby. Pomet. r T' H E Rubies are likewife little reddifh Stones that are brought us from the Eafl-Indies, and are of very little Ufe in Phyfick, for which Reafon I fhall fay nothing of them, nor of a great many others which we fometimes fell, the Names of which are fubjoined, referring the Reader to a Book, entitled. The P erf eft or Corn- pleat Jeweller , or, The Hiflory of precious | Stones, compofed by Anfelmus Boetius de Boot, Phyfician to the Emperor Rodolph the Second ; or to the Indian Mercury, made by Rofnel. The precious Stones v/e have, befides thofe mentioned before, are the Diamonds , tire Amethyjls of Auvergne and Cartagena, the Agats , the Berils, the Sardius , the Granais, the Malaquits, and feveral forts of Mar- ble, Florence Stones, (Ac. And as I have feen the raft Difference betwixt the Stones that we fell, and the fine Stones the Lapidaries ufe, I advife all thofe who would make the Confcclion of Hya- O N E S. cinth, to take rather the Chippings of the fine Stones, than fancy he can buy better at the Drug • gifts. I am, however, of the fame Opiuion with thofe who allow no other Virtue in all the precious Stones, than to abforb Acids. Rubinus , Carbunculus, Pyropus, An- thrax, the Ruby , or Carbuncle , is a fine, Lemery. diaphanous, precious Stone that is very hard, and refills the File. It is refplendcnt, and of a Colour as red as Blood, mixed with a little Tindture of blue. There are feveral kinds of it ; but the fineft, hardeft, and moll valuable, is that from Zeilan in the Indies. There arc fome like- wife in Gambaya and Bifnaga ; bat thefe arc not fo fine. There is affigned to the Ruby the Virtue of re- fifting Poifon, ftrengthening the Vitals, driving away Melancholy, relloring of loft Strength ; but we know by Experience it has no other Quality than that of an Alcali Powder, that fweetens the Sharpnefs of the Humours, and breaks their Points,, and confequently flops the Flux of the Belly; Dofe from half a Scruple to two Scruples. It is called Rubinus from its red Colour, and Carbuncu- lus from its Reflection, looking like a red-hot Coal of Fire. [The Ruby is the Carbunculus, fve Rubinus , Aldr. Muf. Met. 957. Rubinus verus, Boet. 144. Carbunculus , Kentm. 50. It is a pellucid Red Gem, extremely hard, found in greateft Perfection in the Bland of Ceylon. It is divided, on Account of its Degrees of Splendor, into four kinds, the Pyropus y Balafus, Rubicellus , and Spiualeus. But as thofe Dillinctions are of no Ufe in a Work of this kind, I fhall not enlarge on them. This, like the reft of the Gems, has had many great Virtues aferibed to it; but the prefent Opi- nion is, that they have no other than thofe of all alcaline Abforbents : however perhaps, it is too rafh a Cenfure, and our Stomach may acSl upon them, as Fire does, feparating their Sulphurs, in which their Colour confifts; and thofe Sulphurs may, for ought we know, be able, notwithftand- ing their fmall Quantity, to do great Things, as indeed it is a very idle Thing to jjuclge. ot the Force of a Medicine by its Quantity, the moft powerful of all generally acting in the finalleft.] 6. Of Lapis Lazuli, or the Azure Stone. np HE Assure Stone, which is conir Pamet. ^ monly called Lapis Lazuli, and . by fome Lapis Cyancus, and Lapis Stellatu-, i. a heavy Stone of a Sky-blue, fometimes full ol Rock Stone, and frequently ftrcakeu with Veins of-Loj per, which the AnUents, and fome Moderns, h«ive -thought 174 General Hijlory of DRUGS.’ Book V. thought to be Gold. The greateft Part of this Scone that we have, comes from Perfta and the Eaf -Indies ; fome affirm that it is ufually found in Gold Mines, and that it is a Marcafite of that Metal : However it is certain that this Stone is got out of Quarries, as other Stones are here, which is the Reafon we have it of all Sizes ; the Lapis Lazuli , to be perfect and fit for making the Ultra- marine , which is the chief Ufe it is put to, except the fine Works made of it, ought to be heavy, of a deep Blue, like fine Indigo, with as few Copper or fulphureous Veins as poffible, and take Care it be not rubbed with Oil Olive, in order to make it appear of a deeper Blue ; but the Cheat is not hard to difcover, becaufe it ought to be of as fine a Blue within as without j likewife refufe fuch as is full of Stones, and the pretended Veins of Gold ; for that, when it is burnt to make Ultra-marine , will ftink extremely, having a fulphureous Smell, which fhews that its Veins proceed not from Gold. There is an Error fome People are guilty of, in believing, as fome have pretended, that this Stone, when fine, will encreafe its W eight in the Fire : This is certain, that the finer this Stone is, it will lofe the Ids in the Fire ; and that there is fome of it that lofes fo little that it is not worth fpeaking of ; but let it be never fo good, it will always lofe fomething; fo far is it from being encreafed in Weight: You ought to put the Stone into the Fire to fee if it be good, for if fo, it will not change its Colour for being heated hot. The Choice of this Stone is quite other than has been defcribed by others, who fay, that that which is full of yellowifh or golden Veins ought to be molt valued ; which I maintain to be falfe, fince the more it is fo, the lefs it is efteemed, efpecially by thofe who ufe it to make Ultra-marine. You muft beware that it be not a greenilh Stone, very com- mon in France , which is found about Toulon ; or that it be not a counterfeit Stone, made up of Tin and Zaffre , as has been obferved in the Chapter of Enamels. This Stone is of fome Ufe in Medi- cine, becaufe it is put into feveral Galenical Com- pofitions, as Confection of Alkermts , tdc. There are Authors who attribute great Virtues to this Stone, and amongft others Monfieur Demeuve , to whom the Reader may have recourfe ; and there are feveral others who fay that Lapis Lazuli , and the Armenian Stone, are almoft alike, which will be found to be falfe, as you will fee in the next Chapter. Of Ultra-marine. Pomet. Ultra-marine is, properly fpeaking, a Precipitate made from Lapis Lazuli i fome fay it took its Name of Ultra-marine , from being made beyond the Seas ; the firft of the kind coming from Cyprus ; but others will have it that the Name was given it becaufe this Blue is much more beautiful than that of the Sea. A Friend of mine allured me that the firft Ultra-marine was made in England by one of the Eajl-India Com- pany there. You ought to chufe that which is of the higheft Colour, well ground, which is known by chewing of it betwixt the Teeth ; if it is gritty, it is a Sign that it is not well ground : And to dif- cover if it is genuine and not fophifticated, heat a little of it red-hot in a Crucible ; if its Colour is not changed, it is the true ; for if it is adulterated there will be black Spots in it: Its Ufe is for Paint- ing in Oil and Miniature. The manner of pre- paring Ultra-marine is defcribed in fo many Books, I thought it needlefs to repeat it here ; I fhall only fay, that thofe who prepare it make it into four forts, which proceeds from nothing elfe but the different Walhings of the Powder, whereof tire firft is abundantly more beautiful than the others. Lapis Lazuli^ Lapis Cyaneus, Lapis Caruleus , or the Azure Stone y is [of dif- Lemery. ferent Sizes and Figures, being opake, heavy, and of a blue Colour, intermixed with Streaks of Gold and Copper : It is found in Quar- ries in the Eajl- Indies, and in Perfia, and fome fay in the Gold Mines j its Ufe is chiefly to make Ultra-marine of, for which Purpofe chufe the cleaneft, weightieft, of the higheft Colour, and beft Blue ; it contains a great deal of Sulphur and Salt. To make Ultra-marine, they calcine this Stone, and grind it fine on a Porphyry, and mix it up in a Pafte made of fat Pitch, Wax, and Oil ; then they wafh this Pafte well to feparate the blue Part, which precipitates to the bottom in a very beautiful Powder ; they pour off the W ater lcilu re- ly, and dry this Powder, which is for the Painters Ufe. Lapis Lazuli prepared purges melancholy Humours, fortifies die Heart, and is ufed in the Confection of Alktrmes ; the Dofe from half a Scruple to a Drachm. There is found near Toulon in France , in Germany y and feveral other Parts of Europe y a falfe or Baftard Lapis Lazuli y that is greenilh and thicker, which is employed for com- mon Ufes. [The Azure Stone is the Lapis Lazuli, Worm. 65. Charlt. Foff. T.'j. Caruleus Lapis y Mattb. 1354. Lapis Cyaneus , five Lazuli y Aid. Muf. Met. 870. Caruleum Nativum y Wood.Att. T. ii. P. 1. p. 42. It is an opake hard Stone, of the Colour of the Saphir y with gold-coloured Specks and Veins, and is harder dian the Armenian Stone. It is found in Gold and Copper Mines, and is of two kinds, the Oriental, which is brought chiefly from Afa and 1 Book V. and Africa , and Hands the Fire without lofing its Colour. Of this the Ultra-marine is made ; and the Occidental, found in Germany and Italy , which lofes its Colour by Fire, or by Age, or many other Accidents, and in time turns green. The blue Colour of this Stone is owing to fome Particles of Copper it contains ; and in Medicine it is accord- ingly emetick and purgative. The Antients alfo acknowledged a ftyptick Virtue in it; for which Reafon they gave it a Place in the Confection of Alkerrnes, (Ac. And certain it is, that no ill Effect ever appeared from the taking that Medicine, while it was a conftant Ingredient in it. However, as it cannot well be fuppofed to add any thing to the Virtues of it, it is at prefent left out of it in the College Difpenfatory.j 7. Of the Armenian Stone. Pmet. 'T'HIS is a little Stone ufually of the Size of a Bullet, of a greenifh Blue without and within, adorned with fmall white glittering Sparks rifing beyond its Surface, like Spar, or fmall Diamond Sparks. They attribute great Virtues to this Stone, as that it is good to cure the Falling- Sicknefs , Melancholy , and the like. This Stone is ground and wafhed to free it from the Spar and little Sparkles, which look like Gold, though they are only Sand; and afterwards dried and brought to us by the Name of Powder Green , or V erditur ; which is ufed by the Painters, but more efpecially by thofe, who, to encreafe their Mountain Green, mix equal Parts of both together to make it come cheaper, that fo they may get more Money by it ; for which Reafon never buy any Mountain Green but of Perfons you can truft, and fuch as has the Marks I gave, when treating of it ; and when put upon Paper, ftains it not, but is like Sand, which is a Sign it is not mixed with Verditer. We fell feveral forts of Verditers , which have no other Difference but according to the Preparation given them ; the fineft fort ought to be very dry, fine, and Of a high Colour. Armenus Lapis , feu Lapis Armenis , Lemery. feu Melochites , the Armenian Stone , is of different Shapes and Sizes, but moft commonly round, uneven, rough, as big as a Nut, of a Mixture of Colours, blue, green, white, &c. It is brought from Armenia , whence it derives its Name ; but at prefent it is alfo found in Germany , as in the County of Tyrol-, it differs from Lapis Lazuli , in that it is not fo blue, but fuller of a drofly Stone and other Impurities ; and that this is taken from the Silver Mines, whereas the other is found in the Gold Mines. Chufe that which is of the deepeft Colour. They grind this Stone and *75 wafh it, to feparate tire finer Parts, or the Sand which fhines like Spangles of Gold; and when dried, they fell it by the Name of Verditer, for the Painters Ufe. This Armenian Stone, prepared, is de- terfive and deficcative, or drying, being outwardly applied ; and inwardly purges melancholy Hu- mours; it is good for the Epilepiy, (fc. the Dole from a Scruple to a Drachm. [The Armenian Stone is the Lapis Armenus, IVorm. 66. Charlt. Fof. 27. Armenium, Aldr. Muf. Met. 35 1 . Copper Ore of a Sky or pale blue Co- lour, IVoodward. This is principally found in Silver Mines. It is an opakc foft Subftance of the Lapis Lazuli kind, with gold-coloured Specks and Spots of green, bluifh, and black : It is of the fame Virtues with the Lapis Lazuli, as containing the fame Principles, but is more ftrongly purgative. The Painters make of it a very fine jBlue, with a greenifh Call.] 8 . Of Smalt, or Powder Blue. MALT is either a Compofition, or a Pomet. Stone pulverized, which we have from England and Rouen , whither it is brought by the Swedes , Hamburgers, and Danes: The greatett Part of this Smalt comes from Dantzick in Po- land, as well as feveral other Colours, with Zink and Tin-glafs; but this being a Trade known but to few People, thofe who deal in thefe Commo- dities directly from Dantzick, are able to fell cheaper than thofe who trade from Holland , Eng- land, or Roiien. After all the diligent Enquiries I could make, I have found it impofiible to find out what this Smalt is, fome alluring me that it was a Compofition made at Roiien ; but as thofe who made it kept it as a Secret, I never could difeover of what it was. It ought to be very fine, of a deep Colour, and as dry and like to Ultra-marine as poffible; its Ufe is for the Painters. Smalt, or Cinis Caruleus , is cither a powdered Stone, or elfe a Compofirion Lemery. of a blue Colour ; which is brought from Poland, and is ufed by Painters. [ Smalt is the Encaujium C.eruleum, ufed by the Painters, (sc. It is made of Cobalt, Pot-afhcs, and Flint-ftones, or Sand, melted together into a vitre- ous, opake, bluifh Mafs, and afterwards ground to Powder in Mills. The grcatcfl Quantity is made in Saxony and Germany : It is never ufed in Phy« fick.] 9. Of the Jafper. T HERE being various forts of Jafper s, Pomet. fuch as the Green, the Purple, Ceru- lean, Aurora, or Cryftal-likc, I fhail fpcak only of tint Of S T O N E S. \y(j General Hijlory oj DRUGS. Book V. that which is fold in the Shops, which is the green Jafper-, and if it had not been of fome fmall Ufe in Medicine, I fhould not have fpoken of it. Be- ing a very precious Commodity, it is very liable to be counterfeited in Glafs. Chufe fuch Pieces as are of a fine deep Green, fmooth, and (hining, full of red Spots, as if they were little Drops of Blood, and which can take no Impreffion from the Point of a Needle drawn upon them ; which is a Sign that they are truly Oriental. Some Peo- ple affirm, that the green Jafper is very proper to cure the Epilepfy, 2nd that it is a good Cordial. It is prepared as the Hyacinth and other precious Stones* Jafpis, the Jafper, is a fine, hard, Lemery. fmooth, refplendent, precious Stone, which differs little from the Agate , only that it is not fo hard and pure : There are a great many kinds of it, but the Oriental is the beft. It ought to be very hard, of a deep Green fpotted with red ; and it is of fome Ufe in Phyfick, ground fine upon a Porphyry. The prepared Pow- der is aftringent, proper to flop Blood and the Scour of the Guts. Great Virtues are affigned it in the Epilepfy, alfo to flrengthen the Stomach, and bring away the Stone in the Kidneys, &c. [The Jafper ufed in Medicine is the Jafpis , Boet. 250. De Laet. 79. Charlt. Faff. 32. It is an opake Stone, of a mixed Green, with Spots of Red like Blood : It is found in the Eajl- Indies, and is fuppofed to have the fame Virtues with the Corne- lian, which are, the flopping Haemorrhages, and re- medying the Effe£ls of Poifons ; but thefe are both fuppofed imaginary, and neither of the Stones ever now ufed in Medicine.] 10. Of the Jade Stone. Pomet. i T' H E Jade is a greenifh Stone, incli- -*■ nable to Grey, extremely hard, and very rare. This Stone is little ufed in Phyfick, but pretty much in feveral forts of Works that are very valuable, it being very difficult to cut. The Turks and Poles ufe a great deal of Jade to make Handles for their Knives, Sabres, Swords, and other Things, which .they adorn with Gold. The Ori- ental is the fineft Jade. Jade is a very hard Stone, of a green- Lemery. ifh grey Colour. The fineft comes from the Eajl-lndies. The Turks and Poles make feveral Ufes of them, and it is difficult to work becaufe of its exceftive Hardnefs. Some pretend, that applied to the Region of the Kid- neys, they are proper to bring away Stone and Gravel ; but I can give no Credit to fuch Reme- dies. [The Jade is the Lapis divinus, Boet . It is a Stone very like the Lapis Nephr'rticus , but extremely hard ; it is much ufed in fome Parts of the World for Toys, but has never, I believe, been given inwardly, though in common Ufe among die la- vage Indians as an Amulet.] 11 .Of the Nephritick Stone. T'HE Nephritick Stone is a grey ifh Pomet. Stone, with a little mixture of Blue in it, fo that it is ufually of a bluifh grey Colour, being fat and oily like Venetian Talck. This Stone is much valued by certain Perfbns for the Cure of the Gravel, which makes it fo fcarce, and fo much enquired after. It performs its Bufinefs by- hanging about the Thigh of thofe who are trou- bled with the Stone or Gravel in the Kidneys, from whence it is called the Nephritick Stone. The Dearnefs and Rarity of this Stone is the Reafon why fome fubftitute in its ftead a kind of green Marble of Italy , called Malaquitte , and cut and carve it like a Bird’s Head, becaufe the Antients believed that the true Nephritick Stone refembled a Bird’s Head, or the Beak of a Pcrroquet. The true Nephritick Stone comes from New Spain , and whoever would know further of it may read Mr. Worms, who has writ a large Defcription of it, too long to be inferted here. Lapis Nephriticus, or the Nephritick Stone, is of different Sizes, pretty hard, Lemery. opake, of a bluifh Grey or Afh-colour, but fometimes mixed with White, Yellow, or Black, and is not perfectly fmooth, becaufe it is undluous like Talck. It is found in New Spain , fometimes with the Jafper, and fometimes alone. Some reckon it among the kinds of Jafpers, ma- king no great Difference, but only that this is the harder : For the moft part they are found like Whet-ftones, in the Fields in great Lumps, fo big, that a Cup may be made of them. Carolina affords pretty large ones, about eight Inches long, three broad, and two thick ; and of an afh-colour- ed Green : They are likewife gathered in Bohemia , and feveral Parts of Spain-, but thefe are not fo much efteemed as what come from America. This Stone has the Property to eafe the Stone Cholick, to break the Stone in the Reins, and ex- pel Gravel by Urine, being hung about the Neck, Thigh, or Arm : Some preferibe it to be taken in- wardly, from four to fifteen Grains. Of latter Years there is brought into Ufe for the fame Dif- eafes, a brown, fmooth, fhining Stone, which they call, from its great Virtues, the Divine Stone-, this breaks the Stone in the Kidneys, and forces it away by Urine ; they tie it in their Clothes about the Back. [The Book V. [The Nephritick Stow is the Lapis Indicus Nephriticus, Aldr. Muf. Met. 706. Lapis Nephri- ticus, Mont. Ex. 14. Charit. Fojf. 33. Worm. 95. It is a Stone of many Colours, as, green, blue, yellovvifh, whitifli, and dulky brown, but always having more of the green than of any other Co- lour. It is found in America and fome Parts of Europe , and is fuppofed to have great Virtues, but is fcarce ever ufed at prefent. The Divine Stone , mentioned here by Lemcry , is the Jc.de mentioned in the laft Chapter ; and the Malaquite , often fubftituted for it, is the Mala- chites vel ATolochites , Worm. 263. De La It. 87. Malachites , Aldr. Muf. Met. 900. It is of the Jafper kind, and is found in Cyprus, Mijnitt/ani Tirol , but is never ufed in Medicine.] 12. Of Venetian Talck. Pcmet. f I ' HE Venetian Talck is a kind of green- '*■ ifh Stone, in Scales or Flakes, which though it feem fatty in the handling, is neverthe- lefs very dry and heavy ; the fineft is that which is found in the Quarries fituated near Venice , from whence it is called Venetian Talck ; it is found alfo plentifully in Germany , and about the Alps. The belt Talck is that which is in large, white, green- ifh, fhining Stones, that, being broken, fparkle like Silver Spangles, and which, being feparated in- to fmall Leaves, is white, clear, and tranfparent ; but take care that it be equally fine throughout ; for that which is in great Stones is very fubjecl to be bad, by reafon of a great many yellow or red- difh Veins that are found within, accompanied with a kind of Earth that fpoils the Sale of it. There is fome alfo which, inftead of being of a greenifti White, is of a reddifh Yellow; fo that we had better take that which is in moderate Pieces, which we may know at fight. Talck is much in regard with the Ladies of Quality, who ufe it for a Cofmetick ; and as it is exceeding difficult to reduce it into Powder, or even to calcine it, the way is now to grate it with a Fifh-fkin, and then to fearce it; fo ufing it as Occafion fhall require. Hence it is, that almoft none but fuch Talck as is in moderate Piece', of a Size fit to be held in the Hand, is now called for. Venetian Talck, while it is whole, is of a green i fit Colour ; but being broken, or divided into thin Scales, is white ; it is known from Englijh Talck by its Friability, its green Colour, and Fixednefs in the Fire : For fome- who have kept it forty or fifty Days in a Glafs-houfe Fire, have taken it out at the end of the Time, and found no Altera- tion in it, neither in refpeft of Resolution, Colour, or Weight, but it has come out abfolutely the fame thing as it went in. This Talck therefore Vol. II. >77 being of fo fixed a Nature, our Labour now nmft be to {hew how to open its Body, in order to maxe tnofc Preparations of it which we defire, at lead the noble W hite, which Ladies, with fo much Curiofity and Charges, feek after and purfuc. It it true, there arc a great many Men that boafl what Preparations and Secrets they have of Talck , but this we certainly know, that there is no liquid Subftance of it yet invented or known, made out of the fimple thing itfelf ; but fuch as is compounded by the mixture of fuch Salts as are able to penetrate the Stone ; fo invincible is the Fixednefs of the true Venetian Talck : Therefore to attempt to calcine it, without the Addition of fome piercing Salt, is \ anity ; but by the help of fome Salts, and acrid Spirits, a good Cofmetick may be made of it, to change and whiten the Skin. The Antients, and efpecially the Arabians, were fometime of opinion, that from Talck might be drawn a Remedy of fuch Efficacy, as ever to pre- ferve the Body in good Cafe ; for which Reafon they gave it the Name of Talck, as much as to fay, an equal Difpofition of Body, according to which it is in perfect Health : And from hence, undoubtedly, hath proceeded the vulgar Error con- cerning an Oil of Talck, which is fo much com- mended, and to which fuch extraordinary Virtues are attributed ; and fo prevalent hath this Error been, and ftill is at this Day, that whoever could find the Secret of getting an Oil from Talck, with- out the Addition of Salts or Acids, might be fure to fell it for its weight in Gold ; yea, I may ven- ture to fay, twenty times more. But fince, as I believe, the high Commendations and wonderful Virtues ufually aferibed to it, proceed only from a Suppofition that it can never be had, I {hall fay no more of it, but that fome Perfons, who flatter themfelves with a Belief that they have the Secret of making it, affirm that it is incomparably good for whitening the Skin, fmoothing the Face, and, in a word, to make old People renew their Youth. Some fay, if Venice Talck be heated red-hot, and put into an Iron Mortar almoft as hot, it may be beaten in a {mall time to a moft fine impalpable Powder, which being fearced, may be mixed with Unguents and Pomatum, and ufed as other Co f- meticks of the like kind. This Talck, thus pul- verized, may be ftrewed among Snail Shells, and left in a glazed Pipkin till they have fucked it all up ; then having bruifed all together, put the Mix- ture into a Glafs Cucurbit, covered with its Head, and diftil the whole Mafs, and you will have a Cofmetick Water, good to cleanfe and beautify the Skin with. We have another fort of Talck, brought us from Mufcovy and Perfta, which they call Red or Leaf A a Talck, Of $ TONE S. 1 78 General Hijlory Talck , becaufe it is of a reddifh Colour, and eafy to be divided into Leaves as thin as you pleafe. This Red or Leaf Talck is only ufed, fo far as I know, by the Monks and Nuns, who put it, in- ftead of Glafs, before their Pi&ures and Agnus’ s ; but they do not, as fome Authors affirm, employ to this Purpofe the Venetian Talck. This then, as I have faid, being the only Ufe of the Leaf Talck , we ought not to meddle with any but what is in large Leaves, and when fplit, or divided into very thin Pieces, is of a cryftalline Clearnefs and Trans- parency. There is not almoft a more curious Commodity in the World than Leaf Talck with the required Qualifications, forafmuch as it is very rare to be found : It is a thing fo very hard to un- derftand, that I would not advife any one to buy any but what is approved by thofe who work in it ; that which, being thick, is blackiih, and may be divided into Leaves extremely thin and trans- parent, is judged to be the beft. Talcum , or Talck , is a kind of Stone, Lemery. or a mineral Matter, that is fine, white, fmooth, foft to the Touch, fhining, and tranfparent, dividing into Leaves or Scales that will not burn : Some call it Stella Terra , becaufe it fhines like a Star : There are two kinds of it, one called Venetian Talck , and the other Mufcovy Talck 5 the Venetian fort is foft, fcaly, heavy, and appears greafy to the touch, though it is dry, of a Silver Colour, tending to green, fomething tranf- parent : Chufe the fineft white fhining Pieces, up- on the green Caft, that feparatc into little nice clear Leaves, or Flakes, that fhine like Pieces of Silver. When you would reduce this into Powder, rafp it with a Sea Dog’s Skin, or rather calcine it in a Crucible about a Quarter of an Hour ; then beat it in an Iron Mortar almoft red-hot, and fift it through a Sieve. It is ufed in Cofmetick Po- matums by the Ladies. The Mufcovy Talck is hard, fmooth, fhining, and foft to the Touch, dividing or breaking into thin Leaves, that are almoft as tranfparent as Glafs, and fometimes it is reddifh : This comes from the Quarries in Mufcovy and Perfia. Chufe the fineft and cleareft. It ferves them for Lanthorns, as we ufe Horn ; but the Talck is more commodious, for it is more tranfparent, and not fo fubjedt to burn. Talck is difficult to reduce to Afhes by the Fire, becaufe the Pores of it being fmall, the Parts of Fire flide through without making any Impreffion. I attempted to calcine both forts by a Burning- glafs : That of Venice was changed by the folar Fire into a grofier, yellowifh, opake Matter ; and that of Mufcovy into a light farine, being very fine white Powder. [ Talck is the Talcum, Aldr , Muf Met. 685. of D R U G S. Book V. Talcus fojfilis , Calc. Muf 458. Talcum alias Stella terra , Charlt. Foff. 24. It is a fhining fiffile Stone, eafily divided into thin Laminae looking like Silver Spangles : There are many Kinds of it, but the Greenifh or Venetian , the Talcum Viride , Mont. Ex. 14. is moft efteemed as a Cofmetick, which is the principal Ufe it ftands commended for. There is a more filvery kind, much efteemed by the Chymifb, and called Argyrolithos ; and a yel- lowifh, which they call the Solar Talck. They think by an Oil of thefe Talcks to turn Quickfilver into Silver; but they do not confider that what they call Oil of Talck is entirely the Product of other Subftances mixed with it. Tflle beft way to powder the Venetian Talck is, to heat it feveral times over in the Fire, and quench it in cold Water, then levigating it on a Por- phyry, it becomes a fine fhining white Powder, very fmooth to the Touch, and fit to mix in Po- matums. What our Authors call Leaf Talck is the Lapis Specularis, Kentm. 26. Worm. 56. Mont. Ex. 14. Glacics Maria feu Lapis Specularis, Koning. Lapis Maria Neater ids, Charlt. Foff. 23. It is brought from Spain , Mufcovy , f Ac. It is faid to be a good Medicine in Epilepfies, but its principal Ufe is in fmall Works, inftead of Glafs or Horn, for the preferving Microfcope Objects, Gfc.] 43. Of Brianfon Chalk. ^Tp H E Brian f on Chalk is a kind of Stone, or a A mineral Subftance, almoft like Venetian Talck,. but harder, and that does not fo readily fplit or feparate into Scales : There are two kinds of it, one white, and the other green ; they are found in the Quarries or Pits near Brianpon : They ferve to take Greafe Spots out of Clothes, and for Tay- lors to mark or fcore with. Chufe the neateft, fmootheft, green, and foft. [ French Chalk is the Morodhus Diofcoridis, Morodes Plinii. It is an Aftringent, is good in Haemorrhages, and is ufed with Succefs in Colly- riums for Ulcers of the Eyes.J 15. Of Spalt cr Spaad. PA LT or Spaad is a fcaly bright Stone, Pcmet. very like Parget Stone, except that this is whiter. They find abundance of thefe Stones in Germany, efpecially about Augsburg ; there are fome likewife in England , but not fo good. We fome- times fee Fragments of this Stone adherinapto and mixing with Frankincenfe, a Sign that it is found in the Places whence it comes. It fhould be in long brittle Scales, that may be eafily crumbled to Powder Book V. Of S T Powder with the Nail of one’s Thumb, which Cannot be done by that of England , being more hard. Spalt is ufed by feveral forts of Workmen, being faid to be good to affift the Founders in melting of their Metals; which I cannot affirm to be Fa Wood. Attempt, ii. P. I. p. 50. It is a ponder- ous, hard, foffil Subftance, not unlike Antimony , or kmc -i ©4 General Hijlory of D R G U S. Book V. fome kinds of the Pyrites , emitting a ftrong fuE phureous Smell when burnt, often containing Copper, and fometimes Silver. It is dug out of Mines in Saxony and Bohemia , and in England , in Mendip Hills , but there not very common. All the Kinds of Arfenick, as alfo Zajfera , and the Encaujlum Ceeruleum are obtained from it, as already mentioned in their refpedtive Places.] 23. Of OfteocoIIa, or the Bone- Binder. Pomet. ' p H E Ojleocolla , or Bone-Binder , is a Tandy Stone, and porous like a Bone, whereof there are two Kinds; the one heavy, gravelly, uneven, and pretty round ; the other light and lefs ragged. The Ojleocolla is found in feveral Parts of Germany , where they call it Bcn- hru , but chiefly near Spires , Heibelberg, and D' Armjladt. They pretend that this Stone has the Power and Faculty of fetting a broken Bone when taken inwardly, as well as when applied to the Fradture. Befides all thefe forts of Stones already de- fcribed, we fell feveral other Kinds, fuch as the Afius Lapis , or Sarcophagus , the Serpentine and Blood-Stone, which is a fort of Marble full of lit- tle red Spots, from whence it takes the Name of Blood-Stone ; as alfo becaufe it is pretended that it flops Blood ; the Star-Stone , Rock-Cryjlal , Ala- bajler, the Small Pox-Stone , the AJlroites , OJlra- cites , Crofs-Stone , Cornu Ammonis , Glojfopetra , and the Rock and Madagafcar Cryjlals , and many others, whereof feveral Authors have treated at large. Ojleocolla , OJliocolla , OJleiles , Stele- chites , Morochtus , Holojleus , OJholithus , Lemery. Lapis fabulofus , Lapis ojfifragus , or the Bone-Binding Stone , is a fandy hollow Stone, of an Afh or whitifh Colour, having the Shape of a Bone, of different Sizes. Some are met with as big as one’s Arm. We have two forts of them ; one round, uneven, or rough, fandy, and heavy, the other fmoother and lighter ; it flicks to the Tongue, like Pumice-Stone. Both kinds are found in feveral Parts of Germany , as the Palati- nate and Saxony , where they grow in fandy Places. It is ufed to agglutinate and reftore in a little Time broken Bones, being applied upon the Part, and taken inwardly at the fame Time ; Dofe from half a Scruple to two Scruples. It is called Ojleocolla from Ojleon and Colla , which is as much as to fay Bone-Glue. [This is the Ojleocolla , Worm. 53. Char It. Fojf. 32. Ojleocollus Crujlaceus , Gefn. De Rar. Fojf. 30* Oftfragus Lap'iSy Boet. 416. It is a Spar of a mid- dle Confidence, between Earth and Stone, and is found in many Places. Befide the Virtues which its Name exprefles, it is efteemed a good Medicine in Fluxes of all kinds, particularly the Fluor Albus y but is feldom ufed. As to the other Stones, mentioned by our Authors, as they are never kept in the Shops, nor ufed in Medicine, I judge it will be but tedious to enter into a more particular Hiftory of them here.] BOOK 1 185 ] BOOK VI. Of EARTHS. PREFACE. In this Book are contained not only the Earths that are ofUfe in Medicine, hut likewife thofe which are fer vice able to Painters ; in a word, all thofe F off Is that are foft and apt to crumble , and for this Reafon have not been ranked among the Stones. I comprehend in this Book alfo whatever is made from Earths, and makes a Part of our Bufinefs. I have put into the Number of the Earths the Catecu, or Cachou, not becaufe of its Likenefs to an Earth, but that moft People will have it to be one , according to its Name, as will appear in the following Chapter. I. Of Cachou, Cafhevv, or Japan Earth. Cachou is a very bitter Drug, and of an un- pleafant Tafte when firft taken in the Moutn : It Pomet. ACHOXJ, according to Mr. Caen, Doctor of Phyfick, of the Faculty of Paris, fuitably to what was communicated to him by one of his Friends, is an Earth that is found in the Levant , where it is called Mafquiqui ; it is ufually met withal upon the higheft Mountains where the Cedars grow, un- der the Roots of which this Earth is found, which of itfelf is very hard, and in a Lump. To lofe nothing of this Earth, the Natives, called Algon- quains, gather it up, Sand and all together, and wet it with River Water, and make it into a Pafte, drying it in the Sun to the Hardnefs we fee it of. The Natives always carry it about them, and ufe it for the Pain of the Stomach : They alfo apply it outwardly, like an Ointment, upon the Region of the Stomach Though this Defcription of Cachou appears not very conformable to Truth, becaufe there is no Probability of its being an Earth ; yet as the Pcr- fon who gave this Defcri tion to Mr. Caen allured him that it was fo, and forafmuch as it is called in Latin, Terra Japonica, I was obliged to rank it in the Clafs of Earths, and leave it to thofe to de- termine what it is, who underflood more of it than I do : All I fhali fay is, that you ought to chufe Cachou of a tawny red without, and of a clear red within ; the brighteft and leaft burnt that can be. Vol. II. is ufual to reduce it into a fine Powder, and to mix it with Ambergrife; which, with the Mucikge of Gum Tragacanth, is made up into a Pafie, and formed into little Pellets, in Colour and Figure ha- ving the Refemblance of Moufe’s Dung i and the fmaller thefe Troches are made, the more valuaole are they. The Ufe of Cachou, whole or prepared, is to {Lengthen the Stomach, and to make the Breath fweet ; and, in fhort, it is one of the belt Drugs we have, and yet at this time the leaft ufed, fince the great Ufe of Tea and Coffee ; though Cachou is of much greater Virtues than either of them. As Cachou is very unpleafant to the Palate, efpe- cially when firft put into the Mouth, therefore fome People, befides the Ambergrife, mix Sugar with it. Other Accounts there are which make this Drug an infpifiated Juice of two vegetable Subftances, the Areca Nut, and the Bark of an Indian Tree, called by the Natives Catecu, with the Addition of Liquorice Root ar.d Lime Water ; and others, the firr.ple Juice of a Tree, thickened with ether Ve- getables in Powder ; others, that Calamus Aronui- ticus and ether Drugs are made Ingredients in it. The Differences in Colour which we obferve in this Drug may arife, either from its being made of different Species of the Areca, or from its ha- ving in it greater or leffer Proportion in it. B b It 1 86 General Hijlory It was unknown in Europe till Garzies ab Orta wrote of it ; and, in all probability, when it gets more into Ufe will prove a very fine Medicine.] Catechu , five Terra Japonica , is a fort Lemery. of dryed Pafte, hard, a little gummy, reddilh, having the Form and almoft the Hardnefs of a Stone ; of a bitter and auftere Tafte at the beginning, but leaving afterwards a foft and agreeable Impreffion in the Mouth. There are two forts of it ; the firft and moft common is compact, heavy, of a reddifh brown Colour, ftreaked with little whitifh Rays ; the fecond is more porous, lefs weighty, and paler than the firft. We are not fufficiently informed concerning the Nature of Ca~ chou , fome faying it is a Pafte prepared by the J a* panners with the Extraft of Areca, Calamus Aro- ma:icus. Liquorice , &c. mixed and hardened to- gether over the Fire : Others pretend, that it is made with the Juices of Areca , and the green Bark of a thorny Tree of Japan , called Catechu , and thickened together by Heat : Others, as fome Mo- derns maintain, that it is an Earth from the Le- vant , called Mafquiqui , [as defcribed by Pomet : ] But, after all, Cadsou does not appear to the Tafte to be any thing of an Earth, but rather a thick Juice; befides, there is drawn from it, by chy- mical Analyfs , a great deal of Oil and efl’ential Salt, like what is drawn from Plants. It is good to ftrengthen the Brain, Lungs, Stomach ; againft Catarrhs, and to corredt a ftinking Breath. [The Japan Earth , as it is called, is nothing more than the infpiffated Juice of the Areca Nut, defcribed in its proper Place, either fimple, or mixed with other vegetable Juices or Deccdbions; for we have two kinds of it common in the Shops. The fimple Juice we have from Pegu-, it is cleaner than the other, of a more aftringent Tafte, and melts upon the Tongue; it is commonly in fmaller Lumps, and compofed of a great number of thin Strata lying one clofe on another, blackifh on the outfide, and of a paler mixed Colour with- in. The Mixed is in large Lumps like Clods of Earth, it is brought from many different Parts of the Eaf -Indies ; and it is evident to the Tafte, that the feveral Parcels of it from different Places, contain different Juices or Decodtions mixed with the Areca Juice in a greater or lefi'er Proportion. The greateft Quantity we have of this is from Malabar , in which it is eafy to difeover two or three different Taftes; and a careful Diffblver. may often difeover two or three different Subftances in it, for the Facula it depofits are not wholly of the vegetable kind. I have often found, in the Paper I have filtred, a Solution of this kind of Terra Ja- torica through a Matter refembling burnt Hartf- of D R U G S. Book VL horn, which was probably the Calx of calcined Shells, which in fome Places is ufed ia making it. The different Taftes in the feveral Kinds of tire mixed Terra Japonica , have led People of fertile Imaginations to guefs different vegetable Subftances as the Ingredients; among others, i.alamus Aro- maticus , Liquorice , and the reft named by our Authors; but, the Truth is, we are wholly igno- rant what the Mixture ccnfifts of ; and, in all pro- bability, it may be of Drugs, of which not even the Names are known with us : It were, however, to be wifhed Apothecaries would only ufe the Sim- ple, as I can, upon long Experience, affirm ic to be more certain in its Effedls ; and, as in the other, we never are fure what we give, different Parcels of it containing different Ingredients.] 2. Of Sealed Earth. CT^Erra Sigillata , or Sealed Earth , is a Pomet. ■*- kind of white Bole , fometimes a little reddifh, that is moiftened with Water, and after- wards formed into little Cakes, roundifh, of. the bignefs of one’s Thumb, upon which are ftamped feveral Chara&ers. The Variety of Figures, Co- lours, and different Seals that are found upon the Terra Sigillata , makes me think that every one makes it up according to his Fancy ; and that it is nothing but a fat aftringent Earth, more or lefs coloured, reduced into fuch Cakes as are brought us. I fhall not flop here to relate all the fabulous or true Stories which the Antients have told con- cerning the Place whence this Earth comes, and the Ceremonies ufed when it is gathered, nor how the Grand Signior figns it with his own Seal, idc. but I fhall tell you, that the Earth that is moft ufed and efteemed, is that which is in little reddifh Cakes, the leaft fandy or gravelly, and the moft aftringent that you can get. It is much ufed in Medicine, becaufe of its aftringent Quality : It is alfo an Ingredient in the Venice Treacle , and needs no other Preparation than to be clean and have the above defcribed Qualifi- cations. As to the Earth of Len nos, it is the fame with the Sealed Earth, but in its natural State, without any Impreffion upon it. Terra Sigillata , Terra Lemnia , Sealed, or Lemnian Earth , is a kind of Bole, Lemery. or fatty, clayey Earth, that is dry, foft, and fryable ; fometimes yellowifh, whitifh, or red- difh; infipid and aftringent to the Tafte. They bring it fometimes into the Ifle of Lemnos, but it comes at prefent from Conflantinople , Germany , Bids, and feveral other Parts. It comes ordinary formed into little round Cakes about the thicknefs of one’s Thumb, Book VI. Of E A Thumb, roundifh on one Side, and flat on the other, by a Signet engraved with fome Arms or certain Devices that the Prince of the Country caufes to be put upon it ; and this is the Reafon why it is called Sealed Earth. That of the Anci- ents was yellow, and made into Cakes much fmal- ler than thefe at prefent are ; and had engraved upon them the Reprefentation of a Goat. Chufe your fealed Earth that is loft to the Touch, clayey, apt to crumble, and of a whitifh red Colour, that will cleave to the Tongue. They tinge or colour it fometime with Turmerick, or feme other £)rug, to make it come up to the Colour of the Ancients, which was the true Lem- nian Earth, and was taken from a Hill where no Plant grew. The Turks , who are the prefent Mafters of it, mix this with other Earths of the fame Nature ; and having kneaded them together with Water, make them up into little round Cakes, which they feal with the Grand Signior’s Signet to make it pay Duty. This Earth is a good Antidote againft Poifon, proper for Fluxes, He- morrhages, Gonorrhoea, Whites, and Vomiting. Dofe from half a Scruple to- two Scruples. It is outwardly ufed to flop Blood, dry up Wounds, and ftrengthen the Joints. [The true Lemnian Earth is yellowifh with Specks of brown, this is fometimes to be met with unfealed, and in its natural State ; the fealed ufed in the Shops is of two kinds, the white and the red, the red is moft efteemed, and is the Terra Lemnia rubra Worm, io Charlt. Fojf. 5. Terra figillata Turcica rubra. Mont. Ex. 14. It is a fat vifeid flippery Clay of a pale red Colour, it is brought to us in Cakes of about three Drachms weight, fealed, and is dug in the Ifland of Lemnos , and many Places in the Turkijh Dominions. The white is the Terra Lemnia figillita Alba Worm. 9. Charlt. Fojf. 5. Terra figillata Turcica Alba. Mont. Exot. 14. It is lefs fat and of a more aftringent Tafte than the other, and is dug only .in the Ifland of Lemnos ; but both this and the other are often counterfeited. Befide thefe there is alfo another kind. Great Virtues were always aferibed to thefe Earths, and a Number of idle Ceremonies ufed in the digging them. At prefent it is a matter of fome Ceremony ; for there is but one Day in the Year in which the Pits are opened for the digging them, and the Greek Priefts aflifl at the Ceremony, and rehearfe certain Forms of Prayer. They are good Medicines in Dyfenteries, Hae- morrhages, &c. if genuine, but are fo feldom found fo, that they are grown almoft entirely out of Ufe. There are belrde thefe a Multitude of R T H S. jy 7 other Sealed Earths common in the Shops, but they are moft of them Counterfeits, made up'D different Mixtures of Tobacco-Pipe Clay, an I red or in yellow Okcr.] 3. Of Fine Bole, or Bole Armoniack. T F we have feveral Sorts of fealed Earths, Pomet. A we have not lefs of Boles, whereof the moft efteemed is that which has its Name from the Levant , or Armenia , either bccaufe it formed / was brought from thofe Parts, or that thole who deal in it may make it fell the better ; but as l have never feen any of that, and what we now fell is found in feveral Parts of Fiance, I mull in- form you the beft is that we have from about Bids and Sautnur, or from Bourgogne , and which by of various Colours, as grey, red, and yellow. I he yellow is the moft valued, becaufe it pafies the readieft for the true Bcle of the Levant , and becaufe it fits the Gilders beft. As thefe Boles are the deareft, bccaufe of the Charge of tranfporting them to Paris from Bids and Saumur , we prefer that of Baville and other Places about Paris, bccaufe the Peafants bring it us at a cheaper Rate than v/e can buy the other. All thefe Jcinds of Bole to be good muft be ten- der, friable, foft in handling, not fandy, fliining, and aftringent to the Tafte, that is to fay, fuch as, when you put them to the Tongue or Lips, you cannot eafily get them off". They are very drying and aftringent, good againft Fluxes and Gleets, thicken thin Humours, refill Putrefadlion, and expel poifonous Bodies. They are likewife ufed in fpitting of Blood, bleeding Wounds ; and alfo to confolidate broken Bones, and ftrengthen weak Limbs. Bolus, or Bole, is a foft, brittle, red- dilh, or yellow Earth, which is brought Lcmery. us in Pieces of different Shapes and Sizes. The fineft comes from the Levant and Armenia , called Bolus Oricntalis, feu Bolus Armcna ; but all the Bole we have, which is in ufe amongft us at prefent, is brought from feveral Parts of France, and the beft is about Bids or Saumur. As there is found in the Quarries or Pits a great deal of coarfe or gravelly Bcle, they walh it to free it from the Gravel, then make it into a hard Pafle, which they form into fquare Sticks about a Finger long, which is called Bole in the Stick, and which is ufed externally. Bole is aftringent and ddiccativc, pro- per to Hop Loofenefs, Dyfentery, Spitting of Blood, to fweeten the Acids, being taken inwardly. There is alfo a great deal ufed externally to flop Blood, prevent Fluxion, and ftrengthen and con- B b 2 folidatc. 1 88 General Hijlory of DRUGS. Book VI, folidate. 'ftat which is called white Bole is an aftringent Marie, but not fo efficacious as the red Bole. [There are many different kinds of Bole men- tioned by different Authors, but the two in prin- cipal ufe at prefent are, the Bole Armenick , and Bole of Blois. The firft is the Bolus Armena orien- tal; s Mont. Ex. 13. Bolus Orient ali s Char It. FoJJ. ',5. Bolus feu terra Armenia Aldr. Muf. Met. 269. Bolus Armenius verus Kentm. 7. It is to be ob- ferved that the true Bole Armenick is almoft wholly unknown in the Shops. It is brought from Purky , and is of a Saffron Colour. What we fell under the Name of Bole Armoniack , is a kind of pale red Oker from Spain and Normandy , and what is much more common than that in the Shops of our petty Druggifts is a Mixture of Eng- lijh red Okcr and Pipe- makers Clay, formed into Cakes and dried. The Bole of Blois is the Bolus Blefenfts Ind. Med. 21. It is a fine Earth of a yellowilh red Co- lour in thin beautiful Strata, but is very feldom found genuine in the Shops, what is commonly fold by our Druggifts for it being only a red Oker and Pipe-makers Clay, like the common Bole Ar- mcnick , only with lefs Proportion of the Oker. The Bole mentioned by Galen was the fame with that of the later Greek and Arabian Authors, his being deferibed to be pale, and their’s of a Saffron Colour. The other Boles mentioned by Authors are 1 . the Bolus Bohcmica , the German Bole. 2. Bolus Gallica vulgaris , red French Bole. 3. Bolus Poccavienfis , the Franfylvania Bole. 4. Rubrica Syncpica , Earth of Sinope. Bolus Armena lutea , yellow Armenian Bole. 6. Bolus Candidas , white Bole. And 7. Bo- lus Armena Alba , white Armenian Earth. But none of thefe arc now ever preferibed, or kept in the Shops.] Of Oker. Pcmet. 'TP H E yellow and red Oker is one and the fame Thing, for- the natural Co- lour is yellow, and it is turned red by Means of a reverberating Furnace, in which they put it, to make it red by the Force of the Fire : The beft Mines of Oker in France , are in Berry ; and among the reft, one is at a Place called St. George , upon the Side of the River D Ucher , two Leagues from the City Vierooon in Berry , where they dig it out of the Earth, as they do Pit-Coal. 7 his Oker is found 150, or 200 Feet deep in the Earth, from four to eight Inches thick ; they find under this Oker a white Sand, like that of Calais , and atove the Ohir a yellow Clay good for nothing. There comes likewife a yellow Oker from Eng- land, which is browner than that of France , but not fo good, becaufe it is naturally drier; it comes from a ftony Earth which they are forced to grind in a Mill ; whereas that of Berry is natural, fat- ter, and works better in Oil ; fo that the Dutch cannot ufe the Eng l if Oker, but when they mix it with an equal Share of that which comes from Berry. Both Sorts are ufed by the Painters ; but that which is moft fet by, is that which is dry, foft, friable, of the higheft Colour, and leaft gravelly. There comes befide a Red Oker from England , which we commonly call Brown Red ; this is ufed by the Painters ; but that which is of a much deeper Colour is called Putty , and they employ it in polifhing of Glafs. Ochra, in Englijh Oker, is a Mafs of Earth that is dry, fat, will crumble, and Lemcry. is foft to the Touch, of a yellow or Gold Colour, that is taken from fome deep Pits in Berry. They calcine it in the Fire, ’till it gains a red Colour, and then it is called Red Oker ; both forts are ufed by the Painters ; they are refolutive, dry- ing, aftringent, being externally applied. [ Oker is a kind of Earth found in England , and many other Places. It is of two principal kinds, the yellow and the red, and both natural, and dug out of the Earth in great Plenty. Tho’ it is alfo true, as common Experience Ihews, that the yellow will become red in burning. The natural Red Oker , Ruddle, or Marking-ftone, is the Rubrica fabrilis Alerr. Rin. 218. Rubrica Charlt. Foff. 2. JVorm. 4. It is weighty, of a deep red, and of an aftringent Tafte, and is dug in Hercfordfbire, Flampfiire, and Lancajhire. It is drying and aftringent, but is feldom preferibed, tho’ very frequently ufed as a part of the common Bole as mentioned in the laft Chapter. [The yellow is the Ochra Aldr. Muf. Met. 255. Ochra FcJJilis feu nativa crocei ccloris Dougl.Ind.6jf . Ochra nativa feu ftl. Gofarienfbus Kentm. 8. It is of a ftrong yellow Colour, and aftringent Tafte, but is never ufed in Medicine.] 5. Of Terre Verte. E fell two forts of Green Earth, to wit, that of Verona, which is Pomet. brought from about Verona in Italy, whence it takes its Name, and the common Green. The Earth of Verona ought to be ftony, and as green as may be, and take care that it be not inlaid with Veins of Earth. The Book VI. Of E i The common Green ought alfo to be of the greeneft, and as near refembling that of Verona as you can get. Terra Viridis, in French , Terre Vcrte, Lemery. is a dry Earth, of a green Colour, which is brought from Verona in Italy, and is for the Painters Ufe. [Tiiis is an Earthy Subftance, impregnated with Copper, to which it owes its Colour. It is found in many Countries, particularly in England, about Godfcalp in Cumberland, adhering to the Sides of the great Copper Vein there, being brought by the Water which is perpetually trickling down the Sides. It is ufed by the Painters, but not in Medicine. The Sort commonly ufed by them is brought from the Pope’s Dominions, and is found in Mountains not far from Rome ; it is fomewhat un&uous, and adheres (lightly to the Tongue. It needs no far- ther Preparation for their Ufe than being powdered and ground with Oil, and makes the mod true and lading Green of any llmple Body they ufe.] 6. Of Cologn Earth. Pomet. S^Ologn Earth is an Earth altogether like that of Umber, excepting only that it is browner : This is of fome Ufe to the Painters. You mud chufe fuch as is tender, eafy to crumble, the cleaned, with as little Mixture of Dirt as poffible. 7. Of Umber. MB E R, fo called becaufe of its being ufed in drawing Shades, is brought to us from /Egypt, and other Places of the Levant , in Lumps of different Bignefs. In the Choice of this Earth, you ought to take that which is foft, in large Pieces of a brown Co- lour inclining to the red, for this is better than the grey. Its Ufe is for the Painters, and before it is ground it is ufual to burn it, as well for Painting in Oil as for the Glovers, which makes it become more reddidi ; the Fume of it ought to be avoided, as being dinking and oftenfive. 8. Of Tripoly. Pomet. /_ p H E Tripoly is of two kinds in France ; A the one they bring from Poligny near Renne, in the lower Bretagne ; the other from a Place called Menna near Rion in Auvergne. 1 hat of Bretagne is mod edeemed, and the bed, being more proper for Lapidaries , Goldfmitbs , Braziers , - R T H S. ,89 and all other V orkmen : It is taken fronu Moun tain at twenty or thirty Feet of Depth, and is found in Veins or Beds of about a Foot Thick- nefs : They carry it to Redon, where it is (hipped and tranfported to Nants. I nat ot Auvergne is not fo valuable, being not at all fit for the Ufe of Jewellers, Goldfmitbs, or Braziers, bccaufe it has not Subfiance ; it rifes into thin Leaves like Paper, when it is dry. It is only ufed for fcouring Houfhold Stuff, and is found almod in the very outer Surface of the Earth. ’Tis faid that Tripoly is a Stone that becomes light by Means of certain Veins of fulphurous Earth that have burnt under the Tripoly , and which gives it the Quality of whitening, polifiiing, and brightening the Copper. There are alfo Mines of Tripoly in Italy, and other Places ; but as this Commodity is of little Value and Confumption, it is not much fought after ; befides which we have it in France, and there is no Occafion to bring it from other Parts. Alana, in French Tripoly, is a light white Stone, tending a little to the Lemery. red, which they take from fcveral Mines of Bretagne , Auvergne , and Italy. ’Tis believed that the Lightnefs of this Stone proceeds from its being calcined by the fubterranean Fires. We have two forts in France j the firft, and the beft is that from a Mountain near Renne in Bre- tagne. It is found laid in Beds of about a Foot thick, and is ufed by the Lapidaries, (Ac. to whiten and polilh their Works. The fecond Sort is brought from Auvergne ; this divides itfclf into Flakes or Leaves, and is of no Ufe to the Lapi- daries or Braziers, but ferves to fcour Pots and Kettles, and other Utenfils belonging to the Kitchin : It is deterfive and drying applied out- wardly, but is not ufed in Medicine. [The Officinal Tripoli is the Tripoli's, Schrod. 320. Terra feu Gleba Alana. Call. Muf. 131. It is an earthy Subftance of an aftringent Tafte. It is of many Ufes among Workmen in different Trades, but is never heard of in Medicine, tho* fome have commended it as an Aftringent.] 9. Of Indian Red. , T~' H E Indian Red, or Perfian Earth , Pomet. is what we improperly call EngHJh Red ; it is a very dear Drug, efpecially fuch as is in little Pieces, moderately hard, and of a high Colour. This Red is ufed by none but the Shoe- * makers, who fteep it in the White of an Egg to colour Shoe-Heels with. We have befides thefe fevcral other Sorts of Earths as they come from the Pits 5 as Marie, that fome * Q6 General Hi ft or y i fome fell by the Name of White Bole , and many wafhed Earths 3 as Rouen White, that of Seve and Port Neuille, Champagne Chalk 5 there are alfo others which we know of, but fell none, as the S me it is, commonly called in England, Fuller’s Earth, which is a fat, fmooth, {ticking Earth that is heavy, fometimes blackifh. This is much ufed by the Clothiers in England ; and becaufe this Earth does almofl: the fame Thing as Soap, the Latins call it Terra Saponaria, or Soap Earth. As alfo the Mexican Earth, a very white Earth, which the People of Mexico make ufe of to whiten with, and in Medicine like Cerufe 3 likewife it Terves to polifh Silver. The Marg'a, which is a kind of white Stone very like Champagne Chalk. The Lithomarga , or Stenomarga, which is what we call Stone Pith, or Mineral . dgarick , or Moon Milk 5 this Stone is found in the Chinks or Apertures of the Rocks in feveral Parts of Germany 3 and different Names have been given to this Stone 3 it is very white and crumbling, and this Whitenefs comes from its being calcined by the Vapours which arife from Metals. There arc, beftdes, feveral other Sorts of Earths, as the Eretrian Earth, the Samian Earth , Chio, Selinuftan and Cimolian Earths, and Tobacco-pipe Clay 3 with many others, whereof feveral Authors make mention. As to the Preparation of Stones or Earths, that is dene ordinarily two Ways, that is to fay, by grinding on a Porphyry or Marble, in like Manner as Pearl, Hyacinth, Topazes, Emeralds, Sapphires, Corals, Loadftone, Lapis Calaminaris , 'Putty'', and the like, are ground. The fecond grinding in a Mortar with Water, in order to get the fine Powder, as we do Litharge, Cerufe, and Minium. The firfr, after they have been levigated, are made into Cakes with Rofe Water, and the others into Tablets with common Water. Terra Perftca, or Indian Red, is a Lemery. dry red Earth that is brought us in little Stones that are of a rhoderate Hardnefs. The Shoe-makers ufe them to dye Shoe-Heels red ; chufe the deeped coloured. Terra Sapona- ria, in French S me Clin, or Fuller's Earth, is a kind cf {lippery glutinous Earth, that is heavy, of 'a yellow or blackifli Colour, and does the fame Thing as Soap, whence it was called Soap Earth , er the Earth the Fullers ufe to fcour with. The Terra Sclinujia is a greafy or clayey Earth, that is very like that of Chio ; it is aftringent and refolu- livc, proper to take away Spots and Chops of the Skin, to foften Tumours of the Bread and Tefti- jf D R U G S. Book VI. cles, and to refolve. The Chio Earth is a kind of fealed Earth, or a fatty, dicky, adt-coloured Earth, that is brought from Chio : it is adringent, and removes Spots, Gfc. Terra Sarnia, or Samian Earth, is what comes from the Ifle of Samos, anti is of two kinds 5 one is foft, white, and crum- bling, that dicks to the Tongue when applied to it, and is very like Sealed Earth. Some People call it Collyrium, becaufe it ferves fometimes to ‘ relieve the Eyes 3 the other is crudy and hard, tho’ fomething un&uous 5 they call this Samius AJler, becaufe it is found in fhining Spangles, like Stars. Be Tides thefe, there is Marga , Lithomarga, Ste- nomarga, Medulla Saxorum, Agaricus Mineralis, Lac Luna, or Stone Pith, Mineral Agariek , or Moon Milk , which is a kind of foft, friable, pithy, very white Stone, refembling Chalk, which is found in the Clefts of Rocks in fome Parts of Germany ; it is deterfive, adringent, drying, con- folidating, didolves coagulated Blood, and may be ufed inwardly and outwardly. Mr. Pomet, at the End of his Chapter of the Fodil, Unicorns Elorn, obferves that there is fome of this Stone Pith found on the Side of the Signiory of Mofcau , belonging to the Elector of Saxony, and near Gironne in Catalonia 3 where the Inha- bitants chufe from among this Earth, after the Sun is down and has warmed it, little Balls like Meal, with which they make Bread, mixing it with fome true Flower, which has been confirmed by feveral other Naturalids. [The Perftan Earth is got in great Quantities in the Ifland of Ormuz in the Perftan Gulf, and Carried thence to Surat, Bengal, and other Parts of the Eajl Indies, where it is ufed in painting Houfes, Ships, &c. It is a red Oker, and we have in England an Earth of a brighter Red, and much preferable to it, found in the Fiflures a- mong Iron Ore in the Skrees in Cumberland and elfewhere.] The Earths afterwards mentioned by our Au- thors, and a Multitude of other Maries, Chalks, and Clays befide, hold their Places in the Cata- logues of Officinal Minerals of feveral Authors, but as they are fcarce ever preferibed, or kept in the Shops, it would be but tedious and unneceflary to give the Hiftory of each of them in this Place ; inftead therefore of fwelling the Book with that, I fhail add, in the few following Pages, a fhort Ac- count of fuch Drugs as are in Ufe among us, and are not mentioned by our Author, fome of which I fuppofe he omitted thro’ Forgetfulnefs, and others to have been only known fince the time he wrote.] APPENDIX t , 9 I ] APPENDIX T O POME T’s Hiftory of D RUGS. CHAP. I. Of Bitumens. Of Barbadoes Tar. A RB A DO E S Tar , as it is commonly, but improperly, called, is the Piffelaum Indicum Ojffic. Bitujnen Barbadenfe , Boerh. Chem. Pix Berbados, Boerh. Thefaur. Pharm. 108. It is of the Number of the liquid Bitumens, and is about the Confiftence of Tar, of a dufky reddilh black Colour, and ftrong bituminous, difagreeable Smell. It is brought to us from the Iilands of Barbadoes , Nevis , and St. Chrijlophers ; but ufed to be mod plentifully from the firft, whence it had its Name. It oozes out of the Earth in fmail Quantities in many Places, and is generally found in digging at about fifteen or twenty Feet from the Surface of the Earth, mixed with W ater ; but what we receive of it is in general not dug, but gathered from the Wa- ters, on which it fwims like the Afphaltum , and fume other Bitumens, having found its way into them by oozing from their Banks or Bottoms; this is preferred to what is dug, not only becaufe it is more eafilycome at, but becaufe it is cleaner, and of a better Smell ; the firft is owing to the walking it has in Storms, and the laft to the Ex- halation of fome of its fetid Oil by the Heat of the Sun. It is a coarfe unpleafant Medicine, but certainly an admirable Balfamick; and the common People, by whom it is much more ufed than by the Apo- thecaries, find it of great Efficacy in obftinate Coughs, and many Diforders of the Breaft, but they have fometimes found Mifchief enough by it, by not knowing the general Caution, of avoiding all Things of this Clafs in. Inflammatory Difpofi- tions. Externally, which was the firft Way it came into Ufe, it is a good Digeftive : and is a mighty Remedy with fome for Agues, tied about die Wrifts and Feet. Befide thefe Virtues, which indeed are more known and oftener experienced by the common People than by thofe who deal in it, it ferves our London Druggifts and wholefale Apothecaries in two different Capacities ; mixed with a fmail Quantity of Oil of Anifeed, it makes the famous Balfam of Chili , fo much talked of fome Years ago, and of which fome Perfons have yet a great Opinion ; and a fmail Quantity of it put into Oil of Turpentine, turns it into what they call and fell for Oil of Spike. As to the Choice of it; it ought to be clean, clear, and fluid, of a middle Colour between common Tar and Treacle, of a naufeous bitu- minous Tafte and difagreeable Smell. CHAP. ir. Of Oil of Earth. THE Oil of Earth , Oleum Terra OJfc. Lem. Ind 388. is a thin, fluid Bitumen, very in- flammable, of a naufeous Tafte, and fulphureous, penetrating, difagreeable Smell; it oozes out of Rocks on the Sides of Mountains in Afia , Perfa , and the Eaf -Indies, and is of two Kinds, the red, and the black, as it is called, though that truly is of a dulky purple Colour ; both kinds arc found in the fame Mountains, the dark-coloured near the Foot of the Mountain, and the red higher up. They have been brought to us from many difi'er- ent Parts of the Eaft- Indies, but are feldom ufed . or kept in the Shops at prefent, the Petroleum , of which they are alfo a kind, being generally fold in their Places. Authors, >92 A P P E Authors, however, are too hafty in affirming them to be the fame with Petroleum ; their having the fame Production is but an idle Reafon, and I have at this Time before me a fmall Quantity of the dark-coloured Oil, given me by a Perfon of Veracity, a Surgeon of an Eajl- India Ship, who catched it from a Rock himfelf in the Iiland of Sumatra , which is evidently different from all the Kinds of Petroleum I have yet feen, both in Tafte and Smell, in both which it evidently {hews that it contains a Sulphur not to be found in any of the other liquid Bitumens. Befide this natural Oleum Terra of the Indies , there is fometimes brought from thence a thick brownifh Oil, of a fat infipid Tafte, and without Smell, called alfo Oil of Earth ; this generally comes in earthen Veffels, and is feldom found in the Shops, but often carefully kept and much efteemed by Perfons who have been in the Eajl- Indies , and feen the Cures that have been attri- buted to it. It is a compound Oil, made princi- pally by the Chinefe , from certain medicated Earths crumbled to a kind of Powder, and boiled in an expreffed Oil made from the Fruit of one of the Cocoas. The natural Oleum Terra is in great Efteem with the Natives for all cutaneous Eruptions; they take it inwardly, about half a Dram for a Dofe ; and ufe it externally alfo as an Ointment to th£ Sores : They alfo give it to Children in Convul- ftons, and to their Women in Labour. With us it is fcarce ever feen or ufed. The faCtitious is their great Remedy againft the the Bites of envenomed Creatures, and their moft efteemed and general external Application in Tu- mours of all kinds. As to the Choice of thefc Oils, little need be faid, they are fo feldom to be met with genuine now ; however, the fulphureous Smell which is peculiar to the firft kind diftinguiftics it from all others. The other, if it were of common Sale, might be eafily counterfeited, but as it is only to be found in the Hands of thofe who have them- felves imported it, there is no great fear of its be- ing other than genuine. C H A P. III. Of Stones. Of Irifti Slate. R IS IT Slate is the Lapis Hihernicus Off:. Lapis fiffilis Hihernicus Ckarlt. Fojf. i 3. Ar- dcfia Hibcrnica , Tcgula Hihernica , hut. Med. 57. It is a heavy, fattifh, flaky Stone, left, and cf a bluiih or greyifh Black, of an aluminous and earthy N D 1 X. Tafte, and without Smell ; it is dug in many Places in England and Ireland , and we have it brought to the Shops in Glebes of different bigneffes. It is by fome faid to be a good Medicine in Intermittent Fevers, but its great Ufe is in Con- tufions and inward Injuries, in which Cafes the common People found great Benefit by it, and long ufed it before it was known in the Prefcriptions of Phyficians ; it has, however, of late been found to exceed almoft all Things in Haemorrhages of all kinds. As to its Choice little need be faid, as it is too cheap to be worth adulterating; the fofteft and fuch as feparates into Flakes the eafieft is the beft. One thing, indeed, I may add as a Caution, though I hope unneceffary, which is, to fee that there is not Cobalt accidentally mixed among it : It is a thing not likely to happen often, but as I have known two Inftances of it, and as it is a thing of very fatal Confequence if it does happen, I thought it well to mention it. The Defcription given al- ready of Cobalt in its proper Place, will fliew how to diftinguifh them, which indeed is very eafy were it only by the different Hardnefs ; and the Inftances I have known of it are ; the one, the Death of a poor Woman, who periftied within a few Hours after taking it, and had all the Symptoms of thofe who have been poifoned by Ratfbane; and the other, that among a Quantity I bought in the Year 1742, 1 found a fair Piece of Cobalt, of more than four Ounces weight, which I ftill have by me : This convinced me, that I had before gueffed right, in my Opinion of the Occafion of the Woman’s Death, and obliged me to throw away the Parcel of Lapis Hihernicus it was among, as I would advife every one to do wherever any of it is found, fmall Pieces of it being not eafdy difcoverable among the fmall Pieces of the other, and a very little of it being fufficient to produce fatal Confequcnces, as it is the ftrongeft of all Poifons. C H A P. IV. Of Vegetables. Of Moxa, or China Gout-Cotton. >*pIIE China Gout-C.otton , as it is called,' of Moxa of the Shops, is a thready Subftance, made of the fibrous Parts of the Leaves of China Mugwort. The Artemifa Chii.enjis , cujus Mol - lugo Moxa dicitur, Pin. Phytogr. Tab. 15. Hi ft. Ox. 3. 5. Artcmifta Orientalis, vulgaris facie , Act. Phi! of. Land. N° 276. Mijia Pattra. Malab. Moxa , Kempf. App. 27. It is of no other Ufe in Medicine than the laying a fmall Heap of it upon the 193 A P P E N the Foot, and burning it there, as a Remedy for the Gout. Its Virtues on this Account have been much celebrated, but there do not feem many at prefent who have any great Faith in the Accounts. D 1 X. CHAP. VII. Of Salcp. CHAP. V. Of Couhage, commonly called Cow- itch. S^OUHAGE, commonly called Cow-itch, is a downy or hairy Subftance, growing on the out-fide of the Pod of the Couhage or Stinging Kidney-bean of the Eajl- Indies ; the Phafcolus Zurattenfs fliqua hirfuta Couhage , di£la, Rai. Hift. i . 88 1 . Phafeolus filiqua hirfuta , Park. 1056. Phafeolus pruritum excitans hirfutie ftliquarum , Ger. En. 1215. Phafeolus Zurattenfis filiqua hir- futa pungente , Hifl. Ox. 269. The Pods of this Plant are fmaller, fhorter, and rounder, than thofe of the common Kidney-bean ; and the Hair that inverts them, plentiful, fhort, and of a fhining Brown : They are brought to us from the Eajl- Indies. The Down or Hair is of no Ufe but to play Tricks with, caufing a troublefome Itching where- ever it touches the Skin : The Beans taken out of the Pod, and reduced to Powder, are a common Medicine in Barbadoes for the Dropfy. CHAP. VI. Of Cafiumunar. QALEP, called alfo S,.leb, and Serap'tas in the Shops, is the Root ot the Orchis faemina pr,- cerior niajore fore , Town. Herb. Par. 508. which indeed feems to be no other than our common fe- male Orchis. The Orchis morio faemina , Park. 1347. C. B. Bin. 82. Cynoforchis morio faemina , Ger. 1 5 S. with the Advantages of a warmer Climate, in which it grows to a greater fize. It is a whitifh oblong Root, a little flatted and wrinkled in the drying, tough and hard to be powdered, of a Tafte fomewhut refembling Gum Tragacanth, and without Smell. It is brought to us from Turky and Per fa, and grows in the greateft abundance and perfection on the Mountains of Burfa near Confantinople. It is a great Reftorative, and is good in all De- cays ; it is alfo efteemed a Provocative and Reme- dy againft Barrennefs. The Turks have it jn great efteem ; their manner of taking it is boiled with Honey, Ambergrife, and Ginger, and drank hot in the manner of Chocolate. The general manner of ufing it here, is to put about a Tea-fpoonfull of the Powder of it into a Bafon of warm Water, which it turns into a Jelly. It is to be chofen firm, hard, and tough ; and the great Caution is, that it be neither worm- eaten nor mouldy. S^AS S XJMUNA R, called alfo Caffummuniar , Cafmunar , and Ryfagon or Rif agon, is the Root of the Zedoaria Radice lutea, Breyn. Prodr. 2. 105. Zerumbeth feu Zinziber rubrum fylveflre , Ternatenfe. Camel. Syll. 65. It is a tuberofe Root, of the Thicknefs of one’s Thumb, and covered with Protuberances like thofe of the Galangal ; of a dufky brown on the outfide, and a pale yellow within ; of a bitterilh aromatick Tafte, and agreeable Smell. It is brought to us by the Eaf -India Company from Bengal and China ; it is a noble Medicine, and found of great Ufe in all nervous Cafes, A- poplexies, Palfies, Vertigoes, and hyfterick and hypocondriac Affe&ions ; it is alfo carminative and aftringent. It is to be chofen in large Pieces, found, firm, and hard to powder ; of a bright yellow within, and of a piercing lively Smell, and aromatick Tafte. CHAP. VIII. Of Elatherian Bark. 'TP HE Elatherian Bark, called alfo the Indian Bark, and Cafcarilla, is the Cortex "Thuris nonnullis did! us vel Thymiama , Rai. Hijl. 2 1841. Schakarilla Chakarilla, Mont. Exot. 8. Elaterii vel Elatherii Cortex Thymiama, Schrod. 4. 166. Palo de Calenturas quibufdam Eleaterium , Lem. Ind. 203. It is a thin firm Bark, rolled up into hollow Quills, as they are called, like the Cortex Peruvi- ams, commonly in fmall Pieces of the thicknefs of Cinnamon, fmooth, atid of a dufky brownifh Colour ; for it is generally brought to us ftripped of its outer Rind, which is of a whitifh Grey, and rough. It is of a Iharp aromatick bitter Tafte, and an agreeable Smell, fomething like that of Amber. There have been various Conjectures about the Tree which produces it, fome believe it to be Cc the Vol. II. 194 A P P E the N tvrxeiipiij or Naj*ap 9 ov of Diofcorides , lib. i. c. 22. and Cafalpinus , Arrntus , Parkinfon , and Cafpar Bauhine , have all different Opinions about it, which of them, or whether either of them is in the right, is yet unknown. It is fometimes brought from th e Eaf -Indies', but we have it principally from Elatheria , one of the Bahama Iflands, whence it has its Name. It was firft taken notice of for an agreeable Oil which it yields by Diftillation, which was former- ly much ufed to put into Snuff, to give it an a- greeable Smell ; but it is now come into Ufe in- ternally, Mr. Stahl having ftrongly recommended it as an excellent Medicine in Diforders of the Lungs, and a good Stomachick. Apenus , a German Phyfician, has alfo written a Treatife about it, in which he praifes it in malignant Fevers, the Plague, Dyfenteries, and Weaknefs of the Intef- tines. It is to be chofen light, but firm, fmooth, and of a lively agreeable Smell, and as frefh as may be, for it lofes much in keeping. CHAP. IX. Of Elaterium. LATER IUM is the infpiflated Freculae of the Juice of the Wild Cucumber, the Cucu- mis Agref is, five Afinius, Park. 161. Cucumis E- laterium , Rivini Rupp. for. gen. 41. Cucumis Elaterium Qffcinarum , Bcerh. Ind. 77. It is ufually met with in fmall fiat whitifh Lumps or Cakes, dry, and eafily breaking between the Fingers ; of an acrid naufeous bitter Tafte, and ftrong difagreeable Smell when frefh made ; but that, as alfo indeed a great part of its Virtue, it lofes in keeping. What we have of it is brought from Spain and the fouthern Parts of France , where the Plant is very common. It is a very violent Purge and Vomit, and is now very foldom ufed ; the Dcfe is from two to four Grains. The lighteft, cleaneft, and frelheft is to be chofen. CHAP. X. Of Jamaica Pepper, or All-Spice. I ME NT A, ox Jamaica Pepper, is the dried unripe Fruit of the Myrius arborea foliisLau- rinis aromatica , Adi. Phil. 192. the Piper odor at urn Jamacenfe nofratibus , R. Hjh 2. 1507. Piper Cary ophy l latum. Piper Jamaicenfe , Mont. Exot. 9. I N D I X. Caryophyllus aromaticus Americanus Lauri acumina- ta folio frudtu orbiculari , Pluk. Aim. 88. It is an orbicular Fruit, with a dufkifh, rough, hard, umbilicated Rind, containing within it two black Kernels, of an aromatick Smell and Tafte approaching to that of Cloves, and partaking in fome degree of that of all the other Spices befide, which occafioned our calling it All-Spice. The Tree which produces it rifes to thirty or forty Foot high; the Leaves are like thofe of the Bay, and very aromatick; the Flowers ftand in Bunches, and are greenifh, and compofed of four Leaves bent backwards ; thefe are fucceeded by the Fruit, which the Negroes gather before it is ripe and dry it in the Sun ; they become wrinkled and brown in the drying, tho' they were fmooth and green while gathered. The Tree grows in hilly Places in the north Part of Jamaica. It is an admirable Aromatick, and its Oil, by Diftillation, is a very excellent one, and finks in Water like Oil of Cloves. CHAP. XI. Of the Root Nifi, or Ginfeng. S^ING-GING is a Plant to which Pomet. the Chinefe have given this Name be- caufe it has the Figure of a Man opening his Legs, for they call a Man Ging ; its Root has a good deal of Refemblance to the Mandrake Root, but that it is much fmaller, and its Leaves fhew very plainly that it belongs to another Clafs of Plants. Father Martin , indeed, who had feen nothing but theRoot, makes it a Species of the Mandrake, in the De- fcription he has given in his Atlas of China ; but the Reafon of his falling into that Error, was his not having feen the Leaves, as he himfelf fays. This Root becomes yellowifh in drying; it has neither Fibres nor Filaments adhering to it, by which to draw Nourifhment ; it has a number of fmall black Veins fcattered all over it, and looking like fo many Lines curioufly drawn on it with Ink ; when chewed it is difagreeable, its Tafte being a Sweetnefs mixed with Bitter. It greatly encreafes the vital Spirits, in a Dofe not larger than two Scruples ; in a fomething lar- ger Dofe, it recovers Strength to People who are weak, and gives an agreeable Warmth all over the Body. They ufe it after a Preparation in Bal- nea Maria , which gives it an agreeable aromatick Smell : Thofe who are of a hot and robuft Con- ftitution endanger their Lives if they take too large- ly of it, becaufe of the vaft Effervefcence it raifes in the Spirits; but it does even Miracles for the Weak A P P E Weak and Feeble, and thofe whom long Illnefs, or any other Accidents, often exhauft of their Strength. It reftores in fuch a manner Strength and Spirits to People who are dying, as to give Time for other Remedies to cure them, and in China is worth three times its Weight in Silver. The Siam Journal , fpeaking of the Root Niji or Ginfeng, fays it is a fmall Root which grows in China , in the Province of Houn-amfout-chouan , and that of Couli, and is not to be found in any other Part of the World : Its great Effe&s are the rectifying the Mafs of Blood, and giving Strength and Spirits to thofe who have loft them. The man- ner of taking it is this, they boil fome Water, and throw into it the Root cut into thin Slices, and then cover the Veflel and leave the G inf eng in In- fufion ; when the Water is but juft warm, they drink it alone ; this they do in the Morning fail- ing : The Gtnfeng they take out, and keep it to ufe again : At Night they boil more Water, but only half as much as they did before, and put the fame G inf eng in again, covering the Veflel as be- fore ; and when it is cold they drink it. After all this, they dry the Ginfeng in the Sun ; and if there is Occaflon it ferves them a third Time in- fufed in Wine. The Quantity of Ginfng put in is according to the Age of the Perfon it is for ; for Perfons from ten Years old to twenty, they ufe each Time the Quantity of half a Soang; and from thirty to fixty, feventy, or upwards, the Quantity of a Mayon •, and more than this they never take. CHAP. XII. Of Birds-Nefts. Pcmet. np H E S E Nejls are found principally in Cochin China ; they are excellent in Sauces, and good for the Health ; when they mix the Ginfeng with them, they take a Fowl whofe Flefh and Bones are black, they gut it and clean it care- fully ; then they take fome of thefe Nejls, which they foften withWater, and part into fmall Threads ; they then cut fome Ginfeng into fmall Pieces ; and mixing all together, put it into the Body of the Fowl ; they then fow up the Fundament, and put the Fowl, thus prepared, into a China Veflel, clofe covered, which is put into a Pot of Water, and fet on the Fire to boil : They keep this Pot of Water boiling, till the Fowl in the Veflel within is enough ; and after that, leave all together on the Remain- ders of the Fire all Night : In the Morning they H r> 1 X. , 9J take out the Fowl and eat it, Ginfeng , Nejls, and all, without either Salt or Vinegar; and when they have eat it up, they cover themfclves warm, and commonly get into a Sweat. Rice may be alfo eaten boiled in the fame manner in Water with the Birds-Nejls and Gin- /eng : This they eat at Day-break, and, if they can, fleep after it. CHAP. XIII. Of Sowbread. QO TVB READ, fo called becaufe Pomet . ^ Hogs are very fond of it, is a large; thick, round Root, of a dufky Colour without, and white within ; hung round with blackifli Fi- bres. It contains a great Quantity of Oil and ef- fential Salt. It grows in Woods and in watery Places. Chufe this Root new, and well fed : It is erne- tick, cathartick, and refolvent ; but is not much ufed except externally, or as an Ingredient in cer- tain Galenical Compofitions, as Ointments, Plat- fters, and others. Sowbread, called Cyclamen orbiculato folio interne purpurafcente by Tournefort , Lemery. and Cyclamen Autunmale vulgttre folio rotunda by Parkinfon, is a Plant whofe Leaves are roundilh, of a greenilh Brown, fpotted with White on the upper fide, and purplifh underneath. Hand- ing upon Pedicles ; among thefe there rife long tender Pedicles, which carry purple Flowers of an agreeable Smell ; when they are fallen, they are fuc- ceeded by fpherical membranaceous Fruits, which open in feveral Places, and contain angular Seeds. The Root of it, which is large and thick, is what is ufed in Medicine : It is incifive, detcr- five, attenuating, and aperient ; proper in the Stone and Obftruut to the Fire. It contains a grea-t Quantity of effential Salt and Oil. A P P E [This is the Gum, or rather Refin, of the Guai- acum T ree, deferibed in its proper Place : It flows either naturally from the Clefts and Cracks in the Bark, and is then in Tears or Angle diftinct Drops, or by Incifion, by which means it flows in much greater abundance, and is fuffered to run into large Cakes of an irregular Shape. It is a noble Medicine, but fo fubjedt to Adulteration, that there is fcarce any depending on it; that in Tears, however, is almoft always genuine.] * C H A P. XVI. Of the precious Boar-ftone of the Eaft- Indian JVild Boar, and the Malacca-done, or Porcupine- done of the Indies. Pomet T II E Boar or Hog-fone, which the Hol- A landers call Pedro de Pcrco , and which the Portuguefe , whofirft brought it into Europe, call Pedro de Vaffc , or Piedra de i'uerco , is a kind of Bezoar found in the Gall of the Wild Boars of the Eojl- Indies . This Stone is generally cf the bignefs of the Hazel-nut, or of the End of ones Finger, of different Figures and ThicknefTes; but its general Colour is that of the ‘Toulon Soap, that is, of a White with feme caff of Greenilh in it; and it is foft in hand ing. Thefe Stones, however fcarce, are yet to be found in the Collections of the Curious. The Scarcity of it is fo great, that in the largeft Sales of Eaji- India Drugs at Life on and Amjlcrdum , there are feldom above three or four of thefe Stones. The Indians call thefe Stones Majkeha de Sobo in their Language, and have a great Efteem for them on account of their Virtues againft Poifon ; and the Pe pie of the Kingdom of Malacca, where they are moftly found, prefer them to the true Oriental Btzoar , though among the other Indians , that is efteemed the beft Antidote in Nature. The Pedro de Porco is very fcarce among the Merchants of Holland, and much more fo among ours ; whether it be that it is fcarce in the Indies, or whether the Natives keep it among themfelves for their own Ufe, not only as a Prefervative a- gainft Poifons, but alfo as a fovereign Remedy againft the Difeafe they call Mordoxi , which they arefulject to from an irritated Gall, and which is as dangerous v/ith them as the Plague in Europe. When any of thefe Stones are brought into Holland, they fell there for three or four hundred Franks apiece, and fometiines more ; but the -wealthy Merchants moft frequently keep them in their own Hands 3 cither to make Prefents to People N D I X. K)7 of Quality, or to ufe themfelves. They arc ge- nerally fet in a round gold Box pierced full°of Holes, with a Chain of Gold faftened to it to hold it by upon Occafion. Th ;re are fome Families of Confequence in Holland who preferve this Stone, and have it from Father to Son for many Generations ; and it ferves all their Friends and Acquaintance when they ha\e Occafion. The principal Ufe of it among them is to cure Children in the Small-pox. Many other Virtues are alfo attributed to it, againft Fevers, and moft of the Womens Com- plaints. The Indians have that Confidence in it, that they think it is fufficient to touch it, to have Relief in all their lllneffes. Women with Child, however, are not to meddle with it for fear of Abortion. When this Stone is to be ufed, it is held a little while fufpended in a Glafs of Wine or Water, to which it communicates its Virtues, with fome de- gree of Bitternefs, not altogether difagrecable ; this is to be drank in the Morning falling, but may be taken at any Time on preiling Occa- fions. Befide the Pedro de Porco, there is another Stone, generally called the Malacca-flone or Indian Porcupii.e-jlone, becaufe it is almoft only in this Kingdom that they are found. Moft People con- found the Pedro de Porco with the Malacca-Jlone, becaufe of the great Refemblance they have to one another, which I am certain of by that which I have in my poffeffion, which only differs from the Pedro de Porcos in Bignefs, and in that it is fomething more fcaly, like the Bezoar and other fuch Stones. Thefe Stones are found, but very fcarcely, in the Gall, Stomach, and Head, of the Porcupines of die Pad- Indies. This, as well as the Pedro de Porco , is often made a Prefent to Great Perfons in the Kingdom of Malacca, as alfo to Foreign Princes and Am- baffadors. Garcias relates, that in his l ime the Viceroy of the King of Portugal in the Indies kept by him one of thefe Stones, which had been pre- fented him by the then King of Malacca : From which we may learn what Efteem thofe Nations had for this Stone. This is the firft kind of the Malacca-flone. There is alfo another, which Mr. Tavernier mentions, and which is found in the Head of the Porcupine : But as I have never feen one of thefe, I (hall forbear faying any thing farther about them. After the Oriental and Occidental Be- zoar, may be reckoned a third kind, Lcmery. called Bezoar Porci,fve Lapis Porcinus : It is taken from the Gall of the Wild Boar, in Malacca , 198 A P P E Malacca , and fomc other Parts of the Eaft Indies. It is commonly whitilh or greeniftl, but fometimes of other Colours ; about the bignefs of a Nut. The Indians have it in great Efteem in the Difeafe they call Mordoxi , as alfo in the Small-pox, Ma- lignant Fevers, Hyfterical AffeCUons, and Sup- pressions of the Menfes. [The Pedro de Porco and Malacca-Jlone are really but one and the fame Thing, and that not found in the Boar but in the Porcupine. The different Size and Colour of the Stone, and the miftaken and afterwards right Accounts of what Creature it was taken from, have occafioned the Error of making two different Stones of it. It is the Bezoar Hyjlricurn , Lapis Hyjfricis, Lapis MalaccnfiS) Lapis Porcinus , Mont . Ex. 5. Lapis feu Pila Hyjhicis , Ind. Med. 45. It is found in the Gall-bladder of the Porcupine in Malacca and other Parts of the Eajl-lndies, where that Creature grows to the bignefs of a Pig of eight Months old, and is called by the Natives Balatnamentinie, Hyjlrix. R. Syn. An. 206. Jonf. de §)uadrup. 119. Charlt. Ex. 19. The Stone, as it is called, is rather of the /Egagropilus than Bezoar kind, being neither fo hard, fo firm, nor fo heavy, as the true Bezoars , nor of the fame regular laminated Structure. Its Virtues, though fo highly extolled by the Natives and Merchants, and others who had them of them, are very much doubted by Men of Science : It is, however, of no great Confequence, whether they are real or ima- ginary, as it is too fcarce ever to come into Ufe in the Shops.] CHAP. XVII. Of the Serpent-ftone. Pomet. 'T' H E Serpeiitflone , which the Portuguefe call Cobra De Capello , is found in the Head of a Serpent fo called, becaufe he has on his Head a little Eminence in the form of a Hat. They fay there is no Remedy fo fovereign as this Stone againft the Bites of venomous Beafts, for if put upon the Wound, it faftens itfelf ftrongly on, and draws out the Poifon, of which, when it is full, it falls off again of itfelf, having no more Power to ftay on ; but if it be thrown into Milk, it dif- charges there the Poifon it had imbibed, and re- covers its former Virtues. Father Kircher fays, that it was a long time before he would believe this, though he found it affirmed by Authors of Credit as a certain Truth, but that he was at length convinced of it, by an Experiment which he himfelf made of it, in the Prefence of many Per- fons/on a Dog bitten by a Viper. N D I X. This Account is alfo confirmed, by a Relation fent to the Prince John Frederick Duke of Brunf- wick and Lunenburg , to whom all the Men of Learning in his Time fent Accounts of what new Difcoveries they made, not only becaufe he was curious, but becaufe he was a Mafter in moil of the Sciences. Tacbenius t in a Letter which he wrote from Venice on the 27 th of April 1688, ac- quaints that Prince, that defiring to make an Ex- periment in Tryal of the Virtues of one of thefe Stones which an Armenian had brought to Venice , he caufed a Dog to be bitten in the Leg by a Viper ; half an flour afterwards, when they per- ceived by the Howlings of the Creature, and the fwelling of the Limb, that the Poifon had fpread itfelf into the Veins, and caufed the Creature great Pain, the Count De Schlick , before whom the Ex- periment was made, applied the Armenian's Stone to the W ound, and immediately it fixed itfelf fo firmly on it, that there was no pulling it off : And upon this, the Creature ceafed his howling. The Stone remained fixed in this manner on the Wound two Houj-s, at the end of which Time it fell off of itfelf, and was put into fome Milk, which it impregnated fo ftrongly with the Poifon, that a Dog that drank of it died the Night fol- lowing. It was then placed again upon the Wound ; it faftened itfelf again as before, but remained on now only half an Hour, and then fell off : Being again put into more Milk, it communicated the Poifon to it alfo, but in a fmaller degree ; for at the Time of his writing that Letter, it was three Days fince another Dog had drank of that fecond Milk, and he was then living, and there appeared Hopes of his recovering entirely. It was, after taking out of the fecond Milk, applied a third Time to the Wound, but did not then faften itfelf at all, there being then no Poifon remaining in it. Mr. Tachenius adds, that the Stone was round, black, of the bignefs of a French Sol y but four times as thick ; and that the Armenian faid, it not only cured the Bitings of mad Dogs and venomous Beafts, but was alfo a fovereign Remedy againft the Plague. There are two kinds of the Serpent -flone , the one natural, the other factitious ; the natural Stone is found in the Head of a large Serpent very com- mon in Melinda. As I never have been able to get one of thefe natural Stones myfelf, I fhall here relate what Mr. Tavernier , the only Author I can find who has given a circumftantial Account of thefe Stones, has faid of them. “ There is a kind of Stone, fays he, which they “ call the Hat-Serpent-Stone •, this is a particular “ kind A P P E <{ kind of Serpent, which has in reality a kind of “ Hat or Hood hanging down behind his Head ; “ and it is behind this Hood that thefc Stones are 44 found, the leaft of which are of the bignefs of “ a Hen’s Egg. Thefe Stones are found in none “ of thefe Serpents that are lefs than two Foot “ long ; and if they encreafe in Bulk as the Crea- “ ture grows, there muft of neceflity be fome af “ an enormous Size ; for in Africa and Afia thefe “ Serpents are fometimes feen five and twenty <£ Feet long, as that was, the Skin of which is prefer ved at Batavia , which had fwallowed a * ‘ Girl of eighteen Years of age.” The fame Author obferves, that this Stone is hot hard, and that when ftruck againft another Stone, it throws off a kind of Slime, which be- ing motftened with a little Water, and drank by any one who has any kind of Poifon within him, has the Virtue of expelling it in a Moment: That thefe Stones are not to be had but by means of the Portuguefe Seamen or Soldiers who return from Mozambique. It is not of this Stone, however, that I intend to treat in the Remainder of this Chapter ; but of that which makes fo much Noife in the World, and of which fo many extraordi- nary Virtues are boafted, and which, though mod People imagine to be a natural Stone, is really factitious, as will be feen by the Sequel of this Chapter. Now I have fhewn the high Eftecm in which this Stone is held, and the different Sentiments of different People about it, I (hall add, that we are not to believe this Stone to be natural but facti- tious; and for the Proof of what I affirm, I fhall add here an Account of what it is compofed of, that thofe who are defirous of having it may make it themfelves, as I have done by feveral which I have now by me. l ake French Bezoar, one Ounce ; Powder of Toads and of theCrayfifh, prepared in the Month ©f June , of each half an Ounce ; of Seal’d Earth, prepared in a Deco&ion of Scorzonera and Con- trayerva Roots, one Ounce ; Mineral Unicorn, ©ne Ounce ; reduce all thefe to a fine Powder, and make them up into a Pafte with the Jelly of Vipers made with a DecoCtion of Contrayerva, Snakewood, or Virginian Snakeroot, and form it into Troches of the bignefc of a French Farthing, and of the fame thicknefs ; they may be made larger or fmaller at pleafure, but the Indians ge- nerally make them of about this fize. This then is the fo much renowned Serpent- fone. Befides the two Accounts already given of its Virtues, the following is what Mr. Tavernier has written of it. N D 1 X. m “ Finally I fhall fpeak of the Serpent -/lone, which “ is about the bignefs of a French Farthing, and “ fometimes of a fomewhat oval Shape, thick in “ in the Middle, and growing thinner towards the “ Edges. The Indians fay they are formed on the Heads of certain Serpents; but I am rather “ of opinion, that it is the Priefts of thefe Idola- “ ters who make them believe fo, and that the “ Stone, as they call it, is really a Compofition “ w'hich they make of fome Drugs. But be that “ as it will, the Stone has admirable Virtues in “ extracting the Poifon of venomous Bites: If the “ Part where the Bite is be not much torn, an “ Incifion muft be made in it, that it may bleed, “ and afterwards, when the Stone is applied to “ the Wound, it fattens itfelf on, and never drops “ off till it has imbibed all the Venom from the “ neighbouring Parts. To cleanfe it afterwards, “ they take Woman’s Milk, or in want of that, “ Cow’s Milk ; and after the Stone has been laid “ in it ten or twelve Hours, it takes in all the “ Venom the Stone had imbibed, and becomes “ of the Colour or the Matter of an Iinpoftume. “ Having one Day dined with the Archbifhop of “ Goa y he took me into his Cabinet of Curiofi- “ ties, where he had many curious Things ; and, “ among others, he fhewed me one of thefe “ Stones, and telling me its Virtues, added, that ‘ c it was but about three Days before, that he “ had feen the Experiment made with Succefs, “ one of the People who was with him in a Jour- “ ney having been bitten by a Serpent, and cured “ by it. I have bought feveral of them, and “ there are none but the Bramincs who fell them, “ which makes me believe they make them. There “ are two Ways of trying whether thefe Stones “ are good and not adulterated ; the firft is, to “ to put them in the Mouth, for if they are good, “ they immediately rife and fatten themfelves to “ the Palate ; the other is, to put them in a Vef- “ fel of Water, and immediately, if they are not “ adulterated, the Water begins to boil, little “ Bladders arifing from the Slone at the Bottom “ to the Surface of the Water.” The Serpent-Jionc , Lapis Serpentis in Latin , is a flat Stone, fometimes oval, Lemcry. but commonly roundifh, thick in the Middle and thinner at the Edges, foft, and of a blackilh Colour. Many Authors affirm, that it is found in the Head of a particular Species of Ser- pent ; but the more modern Opinion is, that it is a Compofition of feveral Drugs : But be that as it will, it is at prefent much efteemed in many Places. It is a Remedy againft the Poifon of venomous Bites, 200 A P P E Bites, faftening itfelf to the Wound by means of the Blood about it; and for that Rcafon, if there is no Blood about it from the Bite, it is neceffary to make an Incifion about it with a Lancet, and with the Blood that comes from that, the Stone will fix itfelf ; and as it is an Alkali and Abfor- bent, it naturally imbibes the Poifon from the Wound, on which the Pain ceafes. It falls off of itfelf when the Blood is dry, and furnifhes no more glutinous Matter to hold it on, and when it has imbibed the Acids of the Wound is encreafed an Weight. After wafhing it in Milk, it is ap- plied to the Wound again, where it faftens itfelf not fo firmly as before, becaufe there is lefs glu- tinous Matter to hold it, becaufe it is lefs alkaline, and becaufe there is lefs acid Matter in the Wound to hold it there. They continue wafhing and ap- plying it again to the Wound till it will not flick on any longer at all ; which is looked on as a Proof that all the Venom is drawn forth and the Perfon is cured. The Virtues and furprifing Effects of this Stone are attefted by thofe two great Naturalifls, Kirchcr and Mr. Boyle , who both affirm, that they have feen it tried. I wonder it has not yet been tried on the Bite of a mad Dog, to fee whether its Vir- tues would exert themfelves as powerfully in that as they are faid to do in bther venomous Bites. This Stone is alfo taken inwardly ; they ufe fuch fmall Pieces of-it thus as are not fit for the exter- nal Application. They infufe it in Water, and take it to refift Poifon. [There is a great Diverfity in the Opinions of the Learned about this Stone, as it is called, fome affirming it to be natural, others factitious ; fome affirming the Certainty of its EffeCts, others doubt- ing and denying them : But to fet all right, it is to be obferved, that there certainly is both a na- tural and a factitious kind of it, the natural is the Os Capitis of the Cobras de Capello Lufitanis didlus, Garc. Serpens Indicus coronaius dia demote feu con- fpicillo ir.fignitiA , R. Syn. An. 330. Vipera In- dica vittala gcflicularia. Cat. Mufi Ind. This is of a deep fhining Brown, and marked at certain Diftanccs with little Holes; and the factitious is made of calcined Bones and argillaceous Earth, and is firmer, heavier, and fmoother on the Out- ■fide ; hence it is not wonderful if the Defcriptions of Authors differ, who were perhaps defcribing different Things; or if the Experiments of fome fucceeded, and thofe of others did not; when fome made them with the natural Bone, and o- thers with the factitious. The factitious are of various Sizes, Shapes, and Colours, as fome of •them have been made by Perfons who never faw N D I X. one of the natural ones ; and others by thofe wild have fafhioned them exaCtly according to a natu- ral one, which they have kept as a Pattern. I remember to have once feen two of them in the Hands of a Perfon who traded in Rhubarb and fome other Drugs from the Eajl- Indies , the one of which was as big as a Wallnut, of a dufky Co- lour, and feemed an argillaceous or cretaceous Earth; and the other black and polilhed, which feemed made according to the niceft of all the Adulterations of it, of the Bone or Horns of fome Animal burnt to a Blacknefs. The true and natu- ral one I never yet faw.] CHAP. XVIII. Of the Foffil or Mineral Unicorn Horn. T T is not without Reafon that the Indians make this Stone an Ingredient in the Snake-Jlone be- fore treated of ; however, as it is a Drug fo little known, and of which fo few Authors have writ- ten, I (hall add here what Wormius has written of it, that Phyficians may know it, and bring it into Ufe. The Foffil Horn, called Ceratites by Gerner , Foffil Ivory by Clufus, Arabian Stone by Cifalpi- nus , by fome Petrified Elephants Tooth , and by others White Steinmark , has had all thefe Names given it by Authors, according to the various Forms it has in different Places appeared in. It has great Affinity to fome of the Kinds of Ofleocolla , and has therefore by fome been placed among the fofter Stones. It is a ffony Subftance, fometimes refembling a Horn in its Colour, Smoothnefs, and Shape ; fometimes harder, fometimes fofter, covered with an outer Cruft, which is yellowifh, black, or afti- coloured, and very hard, and filled within with a foft, white, light, friable Subftance, compact and without Pores, aftringent to the Tafte, and dry- ing, flicking firmly to the Tongue, and of an a- greeable Smell : It is found in Italy , and many Parts of Germany , Moravia , Silefia , and Saxony. Boetius gives this Account of the Matter and original Formation of it. “ I take, fays he, the “ productive Matter of thefe Horns to be a Marl “ of fome kind, which is difiolved in the Bowels “ of the Earth by fubterraneous petrifying Waters, “ and flows like Milk through the Cavities of the “ Earth, in which, if the adventitious Water be “ abforbed by the circumjacent Earth, or find “ Ways of running feparately off, the heavier and “ firmer Parts filling up thofe Cavities remain in “ them, and coalefce by degrees as the Humidity “ gets A P P E tc gets off, and takes the Form of a Stone or “ Horn, or only of a Marie, as before, according “ to the greater or leffer degree of petrifying “ Power the Water it was diflolved in, was cn- “ dued with. This is the Reafon why fome Pieces “ of it are found large and thick, others fmall and “ flender. But if this ladteous Humour does not “ fall into a Cavity of the Earth, but into fome “ Piece of Wood already deprived by Time of “ its own Juices, and infinuates itfelf into its light “ and porous Subftance, and there the more fluid tc Parts run off, and the marly remain behind, it “ makes an entire Change in the Wood, and af- “ fimulates all its Parts to its own Subftance; yet “ leaves it fo much of itfelf, that the Species of “ the Wood may fometimes be known, and its “ natural Odour yet remain in fome degree in it. “ What in this Syftem happens to Wood, may “ alfo happen to Ivory, or Stags Horns, or other 73- 165 37 Glue, v. 2. 88 *59 Balaujl, b. 6, f. 6. 1 1 6 67 Bifnage, b. 6, f. xi. 1 1 7 *95 Croci, b. 6, f. 3. 114 38 Croci Spurii , b. 6, f. 4. J1 5 Epithymi, b. 6, f. 4. 1 19 Herba Trinitatis, b. 6, f. 12, A 121 r 59 Nardi Celtici, b. 6, f. 1 1 . 120 *35 Rofarum , b. 6, f. 2. 113 >5 Rorifmarini , b. 6, f. 8. Il8 3i Safrani, b. 6, f. 5. I 15 3 2 Schoenanthi, b. 6, f. I. 1 12 75 Stoechadis, b. 6, f. 7. 11 7 45 Faeniculum , or the lefs Fennel, b. 1, f. -i 1. 8 86 Faniculum Petraum, or Rock Fennel, b. 1, f. 4. 4 ibid. Faenum Burgundiacum , or Burgundian Hay , b. 1, JI 9 f. 18. 13 75 Fol. Abrotani , b. 5. 99 41 Abfmthii , ibid. 191 Adianthi, b. 5, f. 7, 9 1 192 Agrimonia , b. 5. 99 ibid. Alcanet, b. 5. ibid. 95 Anil, b. 5. f. 5. 93 Fol. INDEX. Fol. Baftlici , Page Page 99 Gold in the Leaf, 79 Betonice , ibid. Powder , ibid. Calamint Mountain , ibid. Refined, ibid. Chanuzmcii, ibid. Regulus, ibid. Centaurii, ibid. Guajacum, b. 3, f. 8. 68 C:cutcc, ibid. Gums. Amber liquid , f. 54. 183 Cynogloffee, ibid. Ammoniacum, b. 8, f. 26. 190 Didtamni Cretici , f. i. 86 Arabick, b. 8, f. 6. 177 Helioiropii Tricocci , b. 5, f. 13. 94 Afa feetida , f. 22. j 87 Dyperici , b. 5. 99 Balm of Gilead, f. 44. 202 Ifatidis , b. 5, f. 11. 9 1 Balfam Capivy, f. 51. 205 Mari, b. 5, f. 3. . 8 7 Balfam of Meca, f. 47. 203 Mala bat hr i , b. 5, f. 4. ibid. Balfam New, f. 53. 206 Marrubii , 99 Balfam of Peru, f. 48. 204 Matricaria:, b.3. ibid. Balfam Tolu, f. 52. 205 Meliloti , ibid. Benjamin , f. 14. 181 Meliffeee, ibid. Carpo-balfam, f. 4^. 202 Alentha , ibid. Xylo-balfam, f. 4 6 . ibid Origani , ibid. Bdellium , f. 34. 196 Peti, b. 5, f. 14. 97 Camphire, f. 13. 179 Pclii Montani Alii , b. 5, f. 2. 86 Cancamum , f. 41. 199 Scabiofce, b. 5. . 99 Car anna, f. 33. J 95 Scordii , ibid. Colophony, f. 58. 209 b. 5, f 6. 89 Copal, 199 Soldamlla , b. 5, f. 8. 86 Dragon's Blood, f. 27, 28. 191 There, b. 5, f. 5. 88 Elemi, f. 30. 193 Thy mi, b. 5. 99 Englijh Gum, f. 9. 178 Frankincenje common, or 0/* the Pine- Tree, Euphorbium, f. 3 6 . 197 f. 50. 208 Galbanum, f. 23. 188 Frankincenfe , Male and Female b. 3, f. 37. 198 Gamboge, f. 5. 176 Fraxinella, b. 1. 45 Guaiacum, 196 Frigat Biid, v. 2. Fuller s Earth, v. 2. See Earth. 39 Ivy, Lac , f. 42. 194 200 Fujhck IVood, b. 3. G. 73 Manna , f. 1. 234. Manna of Frankincenfe , Myrrh Abyffine, f. 20. 172 198 185 Calingal Great, b. 2, f. H. . 37 Myrrh liquid , 186 Small, ibid. Mocha Frankincenfe , 198 Galls, b. 7, f. 78. Gamboge, b. 8, f. 5. 169 Olibanum , f. 37. ibid. 176 Opopanax , f. 25. 189 Gentian Root, b. 2, f. 20. 43 Pafliles , f. 18. *83 German Black , b. 7, f. 72. 164 Peru, 204 Copperas, b. 2, v. 2. Go/^. See Ga/a/. £/W/ Ga/J. See Ga/35 7 * J 3 2c6 *9 181 J 75 *83 182 M. Macedonian Par fiey Seed, b. 1, f. 3. Mahalep , or the Cherry, b. z. Madder Root , b. 2, f. 30. Magi fiery of Bifmulh. See Bifmuth. of Antimony See Aniimo % »4 5 ' Magncs, b. 3, v. 2. '39 Maiden-ha.r 1 , INDEX. Maiden-hairs, b. 5, f. 7. Page 9 1 Afr/?r of certain Birds , v. 2. Page 39 24 Malacca Stone, v. 2. 197 Nigella, Man' s Greafe, v. 2. 4 Nitre, b. 3, v. 2. T *47 148 Mandrake , Male or Female , b. 4, f. < 7> 8. 83 multed. Manganefe , 139 Spirit, ibid. Manna , b. 8, f. 1, 2. 172 Vitriolated , 149 128 of Brianfon , b. 8, f. 3. .175 Nutmeg, b. 7, f. 12. liquid, b. 8, f. 4. of Frankincenfe , b. 8, f. 39, ibid. 198 AW Vomica, b. 7, f. 25. 138 Marcafites, b. 2, v. 2. 83 O. Mars Diaphoretick, b. 2, v. 2. 89 OW, b. 7, f. 76. 167 cryjlallized , 89 v. 2. 188 in Tinfture or Syrup, ibid. 0/7 of Acorns, b. 7, f. 77. i6q AJlringent Syrup or Tinfiure , ibid. of Almonds, b. 7, f. 44. of Antimony. See Antimony . 148 Marum , b. 5, f. 3. 87 Majlerwort, b. 2, f. 19. 43 of Balm. See Balm. Majlick Wood, b. 3, f. 5. 66 of Bays, b. 7, f. 57. 158 in Tear, ibid. of Ben. See Ben. Majlicot, b. 2, V. 2 . 126 of Cinnamon. See Cinnamon. Medica legit ima, b. 1, f. 18. 13 of Citron. See Citron. Medicinal Stone. See Vitriol. of Earth, v. 2. 191 Mechoachan, b. 2, f. 6. 32 of Mars. See Iron. Mentha Hortcnfis Corymbifera, b. 2. 34 of Mercury. See Mercury. Mercurial Panacaa, 94 of Olives, b. 7, f. 53. 155 Precipitate , Green and Yellow , 95 of Petre or Gabian, v. 2. 166 Precipitate , White and Red, 96 of Sugar. See Sugar. Mercurius dulcis, b. 2, v. 2. 100 of Tartar , b. 7. 162 Vita, b. 3, v. 2. 101 of Turpentine , b. 8. 208 Mejlick Cochineal. See Cochineal . of Vitriol, 119 Meum , b. 2, f. 24. 46 Olibanum, b. 8, f. 37. 200 Millepedes, v. 2. 57 Olives, b. 7, f. 52. J 55 Millet Seed, b. 1. J 3 Opium, b. 9, f. 3. 213 Mithridate, v. 2. 53 Opobalfamum, b. 8, f. 45. 202 Mofs of Human Skull , v. 2. 5 Opontium Carnaffe, or Cochineal, b. I, f. 25* 17 Moxa, 192 Oranges, b. 7, f. 48. 150 Mummies , v. 2. 2 Orcanette Root. See Alkanet. Mufk Rat , - 36 Ornithogalum maritimum. See Squills. Mujk Cat or Goat, v. 2. 14 Orpiment , b. 3, v. 2. 140 Myrobalans Bellerick , f. 35, 140 Orrice Florentine, b. 2, f. 10. 3 6 Cbebulick, f. 34. » ibid. Orvietan , v. 2. 53 Citron, b. 7, f. 32. ibid. Oryza, or 72 W, b. 1, f. 1. *7 Emblick, f. 26. 141 Ojlrich, v. 2. 3 6 Indian , f. 33. ibid. Oyjler Pearl, v. 2. 7 i Myrtle Berries, b. 1. J 5 P. N. Palm Oil , b. 7, f. 23. 136 Naphtha , v. 2. 165 Panume Tree, b. 3, f. 4. 65 of Italy , 166 Panthers Bane, b. 2, f. 17. 4 i Navus , Navoiv Seed, b. J, f. 14. 1 1 Pareira Brava, b. 2. 40 Nardus Celtica , b. 6, f. 10. 120 Pajlills, 184 Narwal, v. 2. 59 Pearl, v. 2. 7 i Neapolitan Ointment , b. 2, V. 2. 95 Mother , 74 Nephritick Wood , b. 3, f. 4. 6 3 Pedicularis Herba, b. 1, f. 23. 15 Stone, 176 Pellitory Root, b. 2, f. 27. n 49 Peony, INDEX. Peony , b. 2. Pepper of America , f. 7. Black, f. 2. Long , f. 6. Long Black , f. 8. Guinea , f. 9. Phevet , f. 5. White , b. 7, f. I. Perigueur , b. 3, v. 2. Peruvian Bark , b. 4, f. 6. Petrofelinurn Macedonicum , b. I, f. 3, Pine Apple , b. 7, f. 49. Kernels Indian , b. 7, f. 39. Kernels White , b. 7, f. 40. Piflachia Nuts , b. 7, f. 42. Pitch , Pixacantha , or the Yellow Berry , b. 1, f. 21, iVfy Mountain , b. 5, f. 2. Polypody of the b. 7. Pomegranate Wild , b. 6, f. 6. Pompholyx , b. 2, v. 2. Pot-afhes , b. 5. f. 20. Prunes and Brunelles, b. 7, f. 74. Pumice Stone , v. 2. ByriteSy b. 2, v. 2. Qi Sheer cus Vulgaris , b. 7, f. 76^ £heich Grafs, b. 2. ffuickflver, b. 2, v. 2. R. Raiftns, b. 7, f. 60. -Raw, v. 2. Rape Seedy b. X, f. 15. Oily Ratjbane. See Arfenick. Refiny of Jalap, b. 2. Rhinoceros , V. 2. Rhubarb , b. 2, f. 4. Americany Baftardy Monks, Ponticky Rice y b. 1, f. 16. Ricinus Americanuty b. 7, f. 40. RiV. See Rock Goat, v. 2. R^y* of Jericho, v. 2. R^x of Province, &c. b. 6, f. 2. Rofewood, b. 3, f. 2. Rofemary, b. 6, f. 8. Roucoe , or Rocoe, b. 9, f. 8. VoL. II. Page 53 124 123 124 125 ibid. 124 122 140 8l 2 15 * 145 146 >47 208 15 86 168 116 109 104 166 181 I2 3 167 54 9 1 *59 29 1 1 ibid. 208 29 22 28 29 30 29 30 1 1 *43 34 196 **3 61 118 218 Rubia Tinflorum , b. 2, f. 30. Ruby , v. 2. Rufma, b. 3, v. 2. S. Saffron, b. 6, f 3. Bajlard, of Mars, or Crocus Martis. See Iron. of Mars AJlringent . See Iron. Sago , b. 1. Saint Lucy's Wood , b. 3. Sal Armoniack Natural, v. 2. Artificial, Purified, Spirit , V. 2. fixed Salt, Sal Gem, b. 3, y. 2. Polychrefl, b. 2, V. 2. Salfaparilla Root, b. 2 , f. 31. Salt Common, Petre, Petre melted , purified. Spirit, of Baum, b. 5. Ban, b. 5. of Carduus, b. 5. Centaury, Iron or Mars, b. 2, v. 2. Mugwort , Rofemary, Sage, Scurvy-grafs, the Sea, Succory , Vipers, v. 2. Wormwood , Sambarame Wood, b. 3. Sanders Wood, b. 3, f. 3. Sandyx. See Cerufe. Sandiver , b. 5. Santoline or Xantoline Seed, b. I , f. I. Sapphirs, b. 2. Saffafras Wood, b. 3, f. 7. Saxifraga, Saxifrage Seed, b. I . Scammony, b. 9, f. 1. of Smyrna, f. 2 . Scarlet Grain or Kermes Seed, b. r, f. 26. Schcenenth , b. 6. f. t. Sea Colewort or Sea Bindweed, Cow, v. 2. Crab, v. 2. v. 2. Hor^e, Page 51 *73 140 1 14 24 69 2 5 ibid. 26 ibid, ibid. *43 149 52 HS *47 146 *45 ibid. . 99 ibid, ibid, ibid. 83 ib?c2 ibid. ibid. *45 99 48 99 70 64 *05 1 172 68 6 212 ibid. 18 112 92 6l 69 65 60 Sea I N D E X. Sea Hog, v. 2. Mofs. See Coralline. Skink. See Si ink. Sebejienes , b. 7, f. 21. Semen Agni Cajli , b. r, f. 19. Ameos , Anifi. See Avignon. See Anife. Carui. See Carui. Cerafi fylvejl. Mahalep. See Mahalep, Chouan , b. 1, f. 2. Coriander , f. 13. Cumini , f. 10. Dauci Cretici, Sic. f. 6. Fcenugraci , f. 17. Fceniculi , f. 1 1 . Fceni Burgundiaci , b. 1, f. 18. Mo f chi, f. 24. f. 14. Napi dulcis, f. 15. Opontii , f. 15. Petofelini Macedonici , b. I s f. 3* Santonici, f. 1. Saxifrag'ue , b. 1, f. 9. Sefelios , b. 1. Stavifagriee , b. 1, f. 23. Thlafpios , b. 1, f. 6. &«<7, b. 5, f. 6. Serpent aria, Virginia Snake-root, b. 2. Serpent Stone, v. 2. Shagreen , v. 2. Shamoy, v. 2. Shark, v. 2. Sheep, v. 2. 5 A*// of the Snail, Siberia Wood of the Philippine IJles , b. 3. Silkworms, v. 2. Silver , b. 2, v. 2. by the Cupel!, Cryjlals , TinClure, Skink, Slate Irijh, Smalt, v. 2. Peruana, b. 2, f. 31. b. 7, f. 54. Solanum Mexicanum , &c. b. 2, f. 5 * £0/18 or Finger Shell, Sory, b. 2, v. 2. Sowbread, v. 2. Sot Metal. See /ran. S’/lfl//, v. 2. Specacuanha Root, b. 2j f* I. Spelter. See Z»»£. Page 67 134 *3 4 9 6 5 12 7 *3 16 10 1 1 16 6 3 *5 4 89 28 198 35 •34 70 29 75 70 54 84 . 8 s ibid. ibid. 54 192 *75 52 156 27 77 142 *95 */8 25 Sperma Ceti, v. 2. 57 Spignel Root, b. 2. f. 24. 46 Spicknard Wild, b. 2, f. 33. 52 Indian , b. 6, f. 10. 120 Spirit of Vitriol, b. 2, V. 2. 119 Spodium, v. 2. 109 Spunge, b. 5, f. 18. 102 Spurge, b. 2, f. 13. 39 Squills, f. 32. 103 and b. 5, f. 19. ibid. Starch or Amylum, b. 1. 12 S tavef acre or Staphfagria, b. I, f. 23. 15 Stccchas of Arabia, b. 6, f. 7. 117 Steel, b. 2, f. 2. 88 St or ax. Red, Cane, Liquid, f. 15, 1 6, 1 7. 183 Styptick Water, b. 2, v. 2. 120 of Mr. Faveur, ibid. Sublimate Corrofive , b. 2, v. 2. 100 Sweet, ibid. Sugar Cane, b. 2, v. 37. 56 made, b. 2, f. 34. 59 Royal, 58 Brown , ibid. Candy , ibid, of Barley , &c. • ibid. Plumbs, 59 Spirit and Oil, ibid, of Lead , b. 2, v. 2» 126 Sulphur, 161 Flowers, ibid. Salt , 1 62 1 63 Spirit, ibid. Balfam , ibid. Vive, 1 64 Mineral, 16 1 Sweet Hoof, v. 2. 76 T. Tacamahaca, f. 31. ^ 94 Talck, 177 Tamarinds, b. 7, f. 3 1. 1 39 Tamarijk, b. 3, f. 6. 67 Tar, b. 8, f. 57'. 209 Barbadoes , v. 2. 191 Tartar , b. 7, f. 61. J61 Chalibcated , 162 Cryjlals, 1 6 1 Dijlilled, 163 Emetic k, 162 Soluble Calib . ibid. iS/ijw, 163 Tincture, ibid. Vitriolate, ibid. Tartar I Tartar volatile Salty Tea, b. 5, f. 5. Terebinthina , b. 8, f. 55. Terra Ampelites, See Ampelites. Japonica. See Earth ‘Japan. Sigillata , Saponaria , Thapfta Turbith, b. 2. Black, Thlafpi or Treacle Mujlard, b. 1, f. 6. Thora, b. 2, f. 17. Thunder Stone, Thymclesa foliis Uni, b. 2, f. 14. Tiglia, Tin, b 2, v. 2. in Leaves, in Powder , Diaphoretic k, Tin-glafs Natural, Ordinary , • or Spelter, b. 2, v. 2. TinHure of Antimony. See Axtimony. of Silver . See Silver. Toad Stone, Tobacco , b. 5, f. 14. Toothpick Flower. See Bifnagues. Topaz Stone , v. 2. Tormentil Root, b. 2, f. 25. Tortoife, v. 2. Tragacanth Gum, f. 12. Treacle by D’ Aq ue^ v. 2.^ Water, Charas , Mujlard, called Thlafpi, b. 1, f. 6. Trefoil of Burgundy, b. 1, f. 18. Tripcly. See Earth. Troches Ciphi. See Venice Treacle. Tunny Fijh, v. 2. Turbith Mineral, b. 2. v. 2. Turick Gum, f. 7. Turmerick , b. 2, f. 12. Turnefol in Linen , Cotton , See. Turnefol in Pajle , See. b. 5. Turpentine , b. 8, f. 55. Turpethum, Turbith Root, b. 2, f. 7. Tutty , b. 2, v. 2. Tythymal. See Efula. V. Valerian Root, b. 2, f. 23. Vanilla's , b. 7, f. 16. Varnijh, b. 8, f. 59. N D E X. Page 164 88 208 187 185 .33 ibid. 4 41 179 39 *43 102 Venetian Talck, v. 2. Venice Treacle, v. 2. Veratrum fore fubviridi, or White f. 15. Verdigricc, b. 2, v. 2. Cryjlallized , of the Mountain, or Sea, Vermi chilli or Vermicelli, b. 1. Vermicular Gum, f. 8. V trmilian. See Cinnabar. Vernifh , Vipers , v. 2. Virgin Milk, b. 8, f. 19. Virginia Snake-root, b. 2, f. 2. 103 Vitriol, Englijh, ibid. Hungarian , ibid. of Luna, v. 2. 104 of Mars, 105 Roman, ibid. Ultra-marine, Umber, v. 2. Umbilicus Marinus,. 182 97 171 46 6 3 j 79 5 i 53 4 12 Unguis odoratus , Unicorn , v. 2. v. 2. v. 2. Vomiting Nut, b. 7, f. 25. Vulture , v. 2. W. IVax Indian , v. 2. and Green, Whale, v. 2. Cherry called Mahalep, b. 1 , f. 20. Wild or Bajlard Vine, b. 2. Willow Chajl, or Agnus Caujlus, b. I, f. iq. Winter Bark, b. 4. Winter Green, ' Woad, Worm Powder, or Worm Seed, b. 1, f. 1. Page *77 51 Hellebore, b. 2. 40 no 1 12 ibid. ri 180 210 48 184 2 7 J 3 “7 ibid. 118 ibid. 116 *74 189 76 76 199 200 59 136 3 * 65 94 178 37 *9 96 209 33 Berry , b. I, f. 21. ” 3 2. Y. 201 46 57 14 40 *3 79 92 95 x *4 45 132 210 Toffee , b. 3, v. 2. 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