Cornelius Shilander his Chirurgerie.
Containing A briefe Methode for the curing of Woundes and Vlcers.
With An easie maner of drawing Oyle out of Wound— Hearbes, Turpentine, Guiacum and Waxe.
Translated out of Latin into English, and published for the benefite of all those that are studious in the Arte.
By S. Hobbes.
Imprinted at London by R. Iohnes for Cutbert Burbie, and are to be solde at his shop, at the Royall Exchange. 1596.
To the Reader.
HEre hast thou gentle Reader, a briefe and compendious methode of Chirurgerie, compiled by a most excellent Doctor, in maner of a Dialogue, wherein thou maist learne with ease the curation both of VVoundes and Vlcers, the vertue and operation of diuers Hearbes, with their preparations for Oyle, with extracting of diuers Oyles, most necessarie and profitable for all true and faithfull professors in the Art of Chirurgery. And although it was not meant at the first, to be published vnto the view of the world, but only for mine owne priuate practise; yet when I remembred that saying of Cicero, that we are not onlie borne to profite our selues, but our countrie, parentes, and friends. I therefore thought it good to publish it for the benefite of euerie one that is desirous of the Arte. And the rather mooued thereunto, because I see manie that are professors, and allowed in their practise, and yet are scarse able to define of a simple Wound of which sort the worlde is too full, and poore patientes buy their practise at too deere a price: But I leaue them to bee more carefull both in studie and practise. And shal request thee (gentle Reader) that whereas this booke is not altogether without imperfections and blemishes, yet if thou curteouslie and friendlie accept of it at this time, it may cause the same hereafter for thy further commoditie to be scoured, and better amended.
A briefe and easie Practise of Chirurgery of Cornelius Shilander.
The first Lecture. Of the Definition of Chirurgerie, and the operation of a Chirurgian.
GOe to Chirurgian, tell me what is Chirurgerie?
Chirurgerie is a right orderly taking away of affectes besides Nature, by incision or setting together, and also a healing of Woundes and Vlcers.
Right: but why say you by incision and ioyning togither.
In this Arte, there are two partes, Synthesis and Analysis: that is, Composition, and Resolution. By Composition Limmes disioynted are setled into their former seate. But by Analysis or Resolution thinges that were ioyned are diuided as commeth to passe in Apostumes and ruptured or bursten Bones.
I perceiue you doe briefly touch the two principall partes of Chirurgerie: but further, how doth the Chirurgian cure or heale, where Nature of Hipocrates is said to bee the Physition or healer of diseases:
That commeth to passe in a diuerse kind of cause: For Nature alone is the efficient cause of curing, and the Chirurgian is the ministring or keeping cause, for he ministreth Medicines: and to the end Nature may better accomplish her operation, he preserueth her from the iniurie or hurt of the aire.
I know Appollo watereth, but Nature it is that giues the encrease: But what is this Methodicall or right orderlie taking away, whereof you make mention?
That first we digest the matter of the Woundes or Vlcers: And secondarilie, that we mundifie or cleanse the same being digested or concocted.
Wherefore, I pray you?
Because it behooueth to Medicine to mooue thinges that are ripe or concocted: not also the rawe and vndigested, as it is contained in the Aphorisme.
How shal we at length euacuate or voyd out the matter digested?
By Vnguents or Emplaisters on the more declining or lower part: For those thinges that you must drawe foorth, ought to be deriued or drawne whether they shal seeme most chieflie to encline.
Is this then the perfect method of Chirurgians?
Not at all: but of each ones own Method, we shall speak in their proper Lectures.
The second Lecture. Of the Difference of Woundes, and of their curing.
WHat is a Wound?
¶¶¶A Wound is a Solution of the continuitie, bloudy and fresh or new, viz. latelie made.
What is the cause of the solution of continuitie?
Incision or cutting, which is made with a sword, knife, or such like weapon. Sometimes contusion or bruising, which is made by things blunt, as is a stone, club, timber, &c. And also perforation, boaring or thrusting, which is done with weapons, as a Dart, Launce, or other like sharp pointed thing.
Is not the methode of curing all these alike.
Yes trulie.
I pray you shew it.
The wound being offered to cure, the blood is not forthwith to be stopped, but suffered to issue foorth by little and little, till the boyling heat of the blood caused of anger, or some great trouble of mind, be quieted or calmed.
[Page]Thinke you then that the vntimely stopping of the blood may breed annoyance?
Yes marie: for by Wounds are things hurtfull purged out, euen in a maner, as by Phlebotomy or cutting of a vain.
In the meane time whiles the blood issueth out from the wounded person, what must be giuen him being angred or sorely mooued.
Those thinges that are woont to quench the hotnesse and Ebulation of the bloud, such as are accustomed of the Physitions to be prescribed.
And what is that?
The Gumme of Elennium decocted in Rhennish wine.
Trulie that Gumme is marueillous, for it digesteth, mundifieth, and incarnates, and that specially in wounds of the head.
So it is that in manie green Wounds, Chirurgians are found that vse this alone, to whome all things succeed according to their desire.
I pray you let me heare the composition of Emplastrum Sticticum, as you make it.
It is compounded in this maner.
-
Empl. Sticticum.Recip. Ol. Oliuarum. ℥. vj.
- Cera. ℥. j. s̄.
- Quib. liquefactis. ℥ ij.
- Adde Liturgirii. ℥ ij.
- [Page] Amoniaci. An. ℥ s̄.
- Bdellii. An. ℥ s̄.
- Galbani. An. ʒ ij.
- Opoponacis. An. ʒ ij.
- Aristolochi rot. An. ʒ ij.
- Calaminaris. An. ʒ ij.
- Mirrhae. An. ʒ ij.
- Thuris. An. ʒ ij.
- Ol. Laurinii.. ʒ ij.
- Resina abietis. ℥ j.
Let them be boyled to a Consistance, But note, the Amoniac. Bdell. Galbanum, and Oppon. being brayed, ought first to be steiped in Vinigre for a naturall day, and after being dissolued at a soft fire, must be strain'd out.
Very well: That Emplast. (so God loue mee) is marueilous both for all Woundes and Vlcers.
Without doubt it is most effectual: But note, the wound is to be dressed euery day twise: to wit, the twelfth hower after the applying.
Why so?
The vertue thereof vanisheth away, if it sticke any longer to the Wound.
How shall we incarnate the Wound?
By the only applying of this Emplaster, the effect wherof is woonderfull, as well in incarnating, as in digesting and in mundifying.
The third Lecture Of stitching of the lippes of Woundes.
IS stitching in wounds vnprofitable then.
If the lippes may by Emplasters be vnited, it is vnprofitable, if not it is profitable.
Geue the reason therefore.
A Chirurgian should bee a follower or Contersector of Nature, but he followes not Nature, while hee stitcheth together the vtter surface with a thredded needle: Note. for shee beginneth her glewing or ioyning of partes together at the inner partes, and so proceedeth leasurerly, till she be come to the extremitie or outmost part of the wound.
Is not this manner of curing obserued of our greene-wound Chirurgians?
No indeed: for they stitch together the vtter parts, and leaue a concauitie or hollow place, wherein the bloud contained is corrupted, for one Wound they make ten: wherupon if any of the Sinewes be hurt with the needle, good God, what griefe and what bitter paine ensueth.
Cure they not rightly then?
They cure rightly in sooth: but it would more prosperously succeed, if they vsed sticeicke plaisters.
I would faine heare of you their methode in curing.
Being called to a person that is hurt, they by and by with a thred draw together the lippes of the Wounde, an Orifice left beneath, whereby excrements may be purged: the white of an Egge beaten they take, on a light stuffe, they put it on, leauing it so for a day naturall.
Right: For this stops the fluxe of bloud, asswageth the paine, and keepeth backe Apostemation and Inflammation: But these matters finished, doth all the cause want perill?
No indeed: Howbeit if the same happens without pricking of the Sinew, if Feuers, Spasmes, or other accidentes doe not spring of vntimely stopping the blood, the chiefe part of the labour is taken away.
I beleeue verilie hee that hath well begun hath halfe done: but how proceed you the next day after?
The next day, they gentlie annoint the wound it selfe with a feather, dipt in Gum Elenium, and then they lay on Basilicon Magistrale, described of Iohn de Vigo.
The Gum of Elenium Mathiolus saith is a most excellent medicine in the fracture of the Cranium or Braine pan, which like fire, not onlie conglutinateth, but also mundifieth and is incarnatiue.
Also the Vnguent Basilicon Magistrale, artificiallie spread, hath a woonderfull vertue digestestiue, with mundifying and asswaging paine, so that amongst all other Vnguents it deserueth the prize.
Doth it so: I pray you then giue vs the description of it.
- Recip. Ol. Ros. ℥ iij.
-
Vnguent. Basilicon. Magistral.Ol. Mastichs. ℥ j.
- Pinguid. Vituli, An. ℥ ij.
- Et Poreines An. ℥ ij.
- Foli. Plantag, an. p. j.
- Foli. Periclym, an. p. j.
- Foli. Betonice, an. p. j.
- Foli. Pimpinel, an. p. j.
- Foli. Pilosel. an. p. j.
- Foli. & Anthos. an. p. j.
A Ciath is a measure of wine contayning ℥ j. ʒ vj ℈ j. of oyle ℥ j s̄, of honey ℥ ij s̄.Let them all be beaten together, and boyled with a Ciath of Wine to the consumption: and to the straining thereof, adde of
- Gum Elenium, ℥ s̄.
- Resinae piri, ℥ s̄.
- Liturgiri Auri, ℥ j.
- & Argenti, ℥ j.
- Minii, ℥ v.
Let them boyle againe till they get a blacke cullour, and let there be added,
- Refinae Abietis, ℥ ij.
- Cera alb. [...]. s.
And let there be made a soft Cerote.
But what if Inflamation come in the meane season!
What then? afterward they haue wherewith they may take the same away.
What is that?
A defensiue with Oyle of Roses alone, or Oyle of Roses with Bole Armoniak, or of Vinigre, with a double potion or quantitie of water.
The fourth Lecture. Of contused Woundes, and the methode of curing them.
IN Woundes comming of Contusion or bruising, is the way of proceeding all one and the same?
Not altogether: for least any filth of stone or Wood sticke in them, they are first to be washed with cenuenient liquor.
With what liquor.
With the decoction of Wine, of Mirrhe, and then further, the way of curing is all one with the former, the lippes ioyned together, the Wound is to bee emplastred with the white of an Egge: the next day after, it is gentlie to bee annoynted with the Eum of Elenium. And thereupon Basilicon Magistrale is to be applyed, as we haue said.
What if contusion or bruising chanceth without a wound?
Take the White of an Egge vehemently beaten with [Page] Oyle of Mirtle, and with the powder of the same. An. ℥ j. on a light stuffe moystned in Vinigre and Water, and squised in the hand: take them and applie them to the part infected, and by Gods grace it will vinish away.
What if the Contusion doth continue?
Vse often the same medicine, and you shall attaine your desire: I vse Waxe dissolued only, and it falles out well.
The fift Lecture. Of deepe woundes by thrusting in.
BY what method are Woundes cured wherein weapons thrust doe sticke still.
Before all thinges the weapons are to bee drawne out, and if to the deepnesse of the Wound there fal out a straight Orific. the Wound must be enlarged, and the cure begun, as is said, with Gum Elenium and Basilicon Magistrale.
What if the Wound may not be enlarged?
Then we vse a lotion of Wine, Mirrhe, and salte boyled which iniected with a Syring, purgeth out the corrupt matter, but the member ought to be placed downward, to the end it may the more easilie issue out.
I vnderstand: but how may you drawe out weapons, [Page] that are hoooked or forked, without endamaging the vaines and Artiers.
Drawing forth is by drawing to, that belongeth to weapons of round and long making, or is done by thrusting from or pushing further: by this meanes weapons with barbed heades are drawne out, for when they cannot bee drawne backe, they must needs be thrust out on the contrarie side.
What if they may not be thrust out?
The Wound then must suddenly be made wider: For in cases to make delay is nothing safe, or we must vse an hollow and round instrument, which may containe in it selfe the foresaid barbes deuided afore from the flesh.
All things deuised wittily ynough: But if the weapons sticke in the bones, how must a man worke.
Let the place be opened with a three cornered incision, and let the Tripan be so set to, that in the compasse of the Arrowe the bone it selfe may be bored with deepe boaring: For most easilie then with instrumentes they with the bone together will be plucked out.
Truelie I confesse this to bee true, so the Weapon be not in some more noble part of the bodie: But if by reason of the Vaines, and Artiers, and Sinewes, the Wound may not be enlarged, or Tripan vsed, what should be done then?
In this & their like, a man must proceed with disgestiues [Page] Resolutiues & Attractiues, I will perswade no man to beleeue this, except hee haue seen it by experiēce or he must vse charming words, whereby without much businesse all kinde of weapons are with two fingers drawne out of the wound.
Doe you beleeue that.
I would not beleeue it, vnlesse I had seene it.
The sixt Lecture. Of Woundes of the Sinewes, and the easie Methode of curing them.
GOd graunt that with so few wordes you may determine touching the pricking of Sinewes, or Wounds of the sinewes, to the which Crampes, Feuers, and such like, not without perill of the Patients do ensue.
I will dispatch in few wordes if you please.
It pleaseth me marueillous well.
The bloud after it hath moderatelie issued out of the Wound, as is aboue said, must be stayed, either by stitching, with the application of an Egge, or Sticticke Emplaster: An Orific. left in the lower part, by which way the excrements may be purged out.
T'is true in all such cures that offereth it selfe first.
After that, a Defensiue is to be laid on the higher part of the wound, of Oyle of Roses, and Mirtle, An. ℥ j. Oyle of Cammomill, ℥ s̄. Bole Armoniack, ℥ j. & Cera quod satis est.
These also are common with other Wou [...]s.
The day next following wee shall annoint the lippes of the wounde with Resin of Firre, putting thereupon the emplaster Stictick, or the Emplaster described of Vigo, in the chapter of the woundes of the Sinewes.
That disgesteth passing well, asswageth paine, and with an attractiue force cleanseth the wound it selfe.
If in such maner of wounds there be great boyling out of impure superfluities with paine, the opening of Vaines, and appeasing of the paine, are also needfull.
Is any thing more to be done?
The due situation of the member is no lesse necessarie, for if the hurte hath hapned in the vpper part of the hand or finger: a table is to be framed, that the Member may be left spread or stretcht out: But if in the lower part, let the hand be halfe clenched and drawn together a little, for so the Sinewes shall the more easily cleaue togither or close.
Giue vs Vigoes Emplaster in prickings of the Nerues.
- Recip. Ol. Rosarum an. ℥ j
- Violarum, an. ℥ j
-
Chammomil,
Emplastrū pro punctura Neruotum.an. ℥ j
- Sepi Vitulini. ℥ iij.
- Anpung. Porc. ℥ j.
- Pinguid. Gall. an. ℥ s̄
- Medul. crur. vittul. an. ℥ s̄
- Limbricor. loto in vino, ℥ j.
- Butyri recentis, ʒ vj.
- Mucilag. Altheum. l s̄.
[Page]Let them boyle at a s [...]ft fire to the consumption of the Mucilage. Adde to the straining,
- Litargiri aur. an. ʒ x.
- & Argent. an. ʒ x.
- Minii. ʒ iij.
- Cum Cera sufficienti.
Let a Cerote be made, adding in the end of the seething Resina Abietis, ʒ x. Masticis, ℥ s̄. and let them boyle againe once about.
The seuenth Lecture. Of Woundes of the Head, and the particular cure of them.
MVst nothing peculiar be obserued in Woundes of the head.
If it be without hurt of the Skull, wee Emplaster it with the White of an Egge, and the next day doe annoynt the lippes (as is said afore) with applying the plaster of Gum Elenium, or of Betonie,
What if the Skull be broken?
If that be done without solution of the flesh, so that inwardly there be no rough sharpnesse of the bones, we vse resoluing and drying medicines, wherby the moysture of blood between the skul & Dura mater may be resolued & dried vp.
Not without cause verily: for blood poured or issued out of the vessels, as the vaines at length putrifieth, and corrodeth or fretteth the nigher parts, therfore of dissoluing it, consideration must first be had, but wherwith is that brought to passe.
[Page]With Emplasters that we apply to the head shauen, or pouders which we giue them to drinke with waters proper for that purpose.
And what maner Emplaster is that?
It is an Emplaster of Vigo, which is compounded thus
- Recip. Furfuris exsiccati &
-
Triturati.
l s̄.
A plaister to dissolue congealed blood
- Farina Fabarum. ℥ viij.
- Rosarum & Mirtilorum. An. ℥ j.
- Cammomill. & Mileloti, an. M. j.
- Stecados. Squinanti, An. p. j.
- Coriandri. Anissi. an ʒ. vi.
- Betonica. Periclemini,
- Anethi, An. M. s̄.
- Absinthi. M. ij.
All these being brayed with branne and sope sufficient, and a small quantity of sweet smelling wine: Let them boile to thicknesse, adding in the end of the seething,
- Olei Chamomeli, An. ℥ ij s̄.
- Anethi, Rosarum. An. ℥ ij s̄.
- Myrthini. An. ℥ ij s̄.
- Croci, ʒ j.
- Cera alb. ℥ ij.
Let them boyle againe a gallop, and be stirred with a stick while it shalbe warme: adde therto Calami Aromatici ʒ x.
Declare now the pouder that hath the power to dissolue the inward congeled clods of blood.
-
Recip. Rheabarb. electi. ʒ ij.
A powder to dissolue congealed blood
- Mumiae. Syncer, ʒ s̄.
- Lacce Rubr. Sperm. Ceti. An. ʒ j.
- Boli Armen. an. ʒ s̄
- Ter. sigill. an. ʒ s̄
- Radic. Hirundinaria, ʒ iij.
[Page]Make a fine pouder, and let it be giuen with Aqua Tilia.
Must we not vse the Tripan then sometimes.
Yes vse it, but in two cases only.
What I pray you?
While the pricking of Dura mater. by the Asperities of the skull is felt, or while a peece of the bone stickes between the skull and Dura mater. For wheras these may not be concocted by the ayde neither of Nature, nor of medicine, the administring of the Tripan is requisite.
When must it be Tripaned?
Sometimes the first day, sometimes the second, and sometimes the third, according as the accidentes are grieuous or light.
You say true: But the Skull opened, what harme shall the Dura mater. suffer of the iniurie of the aire.
That this may be auoyded, we apply the Tripan in an hot place, closed vpon euery side, and the Asperities or sharp pricking scalles so soone as may be we take away. Then hot honey of Ros. poured in, with Cotten we fill the emptie place and liue thereupon put, we stop vp the wound, and in the end with the Vnguent of Gum Elenium, and Emplaster of Betonie thereon set, we heale the griefe.
What, is the cure finished so?
Doubtlesse so that the Ligature be daylie renewed, and due order of diet obserued, the member being saued from Flegmon or inflammatios of blood.
The eight Lecture. Of Woundes piercing the breast.
TOuching Wounds of the breast what thinke you?
In this the way of curing is like the former, so as they pierce not.
No: I speake of piercing Woundes.
These are dangerous, yet if they admit or abide cure this way it shall be done: Let the wounded partie lie groueling on the bed, to the end by little and little may issue from the region of the stomacke to the outer partes, such superfluous stuffe as ought to be expelled, neither is the bloud forthwith to be stopped, so as the fluxe be not too great.
What then afterwards?
A fine Flamula dipped in Gum of Elenium, or the Resin of Firre, with a little of the marrow of a Calfe, and Cumfry rootes is to be put in, and the white of an Egge is to be laid thereon, (as we said before) or the Stictick Plaister described of vs.
What if the blood be not well purged out of the breast?
To dissolue the same, vse our powder that we described before of,
- Rheabarb, ʒ ij.
- [...] [Page] Mumia, ʒ s̄
- Lacca Rubre, ana ʒ j
- Spermatis Ceti. ana ʒ j
- Boli Armeni. an. ʒ s̄
- Terra sigillat an. ʒ s̄
With Aqua Tilia, for in this case it claimes the prerogatiue to it selfe.
But what if the wound cannot be consolidated, or closed with these remedies?
We shall then vse decoctions of Wound hearbes, which consolidateth.
Describe vs such a decoction, that in a perillous case we may succour hurt persons.
- Recip. Consolida maior, An. M. j
-
A Decoction consolidatiue& Mediae, An. M. j
- Sanicula, An. M. j
- Betonica, An. M. j
- Ophioglossi, An. M. s̄
- Agrimoniae, An. M. s̄
- Rhabarbari, ℥ s̄
- Mumia sincere, ʒ ij
- Spermatis Ceti ʒ j
Let it be sod in wine in a double vessel wel stopt, whereof let the diseased drinke a Ciath morning and euening.
Well said: besides conglutination, it also dissolueth congealed blood, but what if the cough troubles the partie?
The cure therof here we omit, it suffiseth here briefly to haue cōprehended Chirurgicall administrations alone, other things are also needful ofttimes, as bloodletting, purging, & other matters which shuld be sought for of the Pharmacenticke or curatiue part.
The ninth Lecture Of Woundes of the Intestines and bellie.
NOw of the Wounds of the Intestines and bellie.
The cure of Wounds of the bellie without hurt of the Intestines or guttes is easie, for their way of curing is al one with the former.
How doe ye know the Guttes to be wounded?
For that the ordure doth often void out, and the guttes strent out with the Calle.
The guttes hurt, is there any hope of health?
If a small Gut be hurt, or if through the back part of the Gut commeth, where the store of sinewes is, it is deadly: but if the great guttes be wounded, because they consist of fleshy substance, a man must hope well of the wounded person.
How do you know whether the small or great guttes be hurt?
Of the place, for the small guttes are set aboue the Nauill, and the greater guttes beneath.
With what method then are the wounds of the guttes to be cured?
Let the Guttes first washed with wine of Mirrhe, bee brought into their vsuall place, and being first stitched with a thred, that stitch that Skinners vse, let the portion of the Calle fallen out, on what part of the bellie it is, bee made equall in a sound place: Let it be bound with some thred for that purpose, then let it be cut off half a fingers breadth from the knot, and being seared close with a hot glowing iron, and so set in again, part of the thred left out: then let the Mirach and Peritonium be also bound together.
How ought that to be done?
In the first stitching let the Mirac with Peritonium be thrust through with the needle: on the other part the Mirac alone. In the third stitch let the Mirac also be stitcht alone. In the fourth stitch the Mirac and Peritonium. In the sixt the Mirac alone, and that by enterchangeable course ought to be done, somtimes by bath, and sometimes by the one.
Is it so? what after that?
The white of an Egge, without putting in of any Tent, is to be applyed, for the thred hanging out supplyeth the turn thereof.
What must be done the day following?
It is to be annointed with the Resin of Firre, or Gum of Elenium, with the applying of Vnguentum Basilicon Magistrale, and sometimes a wound decoction is to be vsed.
The tenth Lecture. Of Wound-Hearbes, and maner of extracting oyles out of the same Hearbes.
WHat are the Hearbes whereof Wound drinkes are at this day compounded?
- Pyrola sanicula.
- Phioglossum consolida.
- Maior, media, &
- Minor Regalis.
- Saracenica, Limonium.
- Mumia, Spcrma ceti,
- Vinca, prouinca Serpentina.
- Centaurea, Hypericon,
- Betonica, Aristolochia,
- Persicaria, Balsamina,
- Herba carpentaria.
- Flos S. Iacob, Millifolium.
- Perfoliata Prunella.
- Numularia saluia. Cum aliis.
Giue vs some composition of these.
- Recip. Pyrola. M. ij.
- Ciclaminis, an. M j
- Saniculae, an. M j
- Alchimilla. M. s̄
Let them seeth in Rhennish Wine, according to Ante. And of the same (being strained) let the hurt person drinke thereof morning and euening.
[Page]While we vse these decoctions must nothing bee bound vpon the Wound?
Yes mary: the hearbs sodden are strayned, and with a little salt are applyed to the Wound.
Are there other potions otherwise compounded?
There are many: for of these simples each man at his own discretion may deuise himself decoctions, which he may vse with great successe.
You expresse all things so brieflie and plainlie, that nothing can be more. But there are others which in steed of these decoctions, do exstract Oyles out of the sayd Simples. Tell I pray you how that may be done.
Diuers men worke diuerslie: but I will brieflie declare vnto you, that which herein is easie to done. They that extract Oyles out of flowers, doe first drie the Flowers in the winde, and after they are dryed: In each pound of Oyle of Oliues they put v. handfull of flowers therein mixed togither in a Stillitorie well stopt for two naturall dayes, are digested in Balneo Neptuni with a soft fire: namely, in the first degree. After these daies they take it out of the vessell and straine it, and if it cannot quite be strained, they wring it out with a presse, as we were wont to doe while we presse Oyle out of Almonds.
At this first steiping of the Flowers in the Balneum, will the Oyle be perfect, or must this steiping be renewed?
It must needs be renewed, but with other Flowers dried in the winde, for these must againe be steiped in the Oyle, [Page] strained and pressed out, for two dayes space, and beē put (as afore) in Balneum Neptuni, not aboue the first degree of heate, and then be prest out and strained.
Doth this second infusion of flowers suffise then?
It suffiseth not: it must be repeated the lhird time in the same maner altogether as we haue spoken of. But after the second day, the oyle that is prest out must be set in a glasse Bodie well stopt, and in a Balneo Neptuni more hot, where it must remaine so long till the dregs be seperate from the Oyle, and the Oyle appeare cleare.
So thy Neptune loue me, thou vtterest all those matters with an easie method, that if Peracelsus had performed the same, in good sooth there would be manie, who leauing the grosse bodies, would compose their medicinces of Oyles and Spirittes of the Bodies.
You say true: but the Oyle whereof we haue remembred is not perfect yet, vnles also another working be added
Of what manner I pray you?
This Oyle purged from his dregges, the Flegme: that is, the watery moisture, which when it is seuered, it ought to be reserued in a glasse, and in a cold place, that also must bee done with the help of Neptune.
How say you? in a cold place: It should be placed in the sun rather, whose heat is said to be vitall.
Away with that, that must be done in no wise, for so the oyle should get a rank sauour: contrariwise, if it be put in a colde place, it will be most fragrant, & wil breath forth the sent of the flowers steipt therein.
Are Oyles then in like sort composed out of Herbs?
I indeed: but that they must first of all be bruised together, and be chopt very small, and therfore who so vnderstandeth that hath gone before, shall easily extract Oyles out of Hearbes and Rootes.
Verie well: there resteth nothing but that Chirurgians so do make their Oyles that they helpe the wounded, for so shall they purchase themselues a name, and exercise this Arte with honour.
The eleuenth Lecture. Of the maner of compounding of the spirite of Turpentine.
WHat thinke you of the spirite of Turpentine, is it not of greater power then the Oyles of the aforesaid Hearbes?
Yes surely, it is of miraculous facultie. So that if anie man had the true Spirite, it were no hard matter for him to cure all sortes of Woundes in very short time.
Think you then the true Oyle thereof is seldom found?
Very many boste that they haue it, but hetherto I haue found no man, whole Oile was not corrupt of Vulcan or the fyre.
But Alchimists there are, that dream of nothing but Oyle.
I feare me, they loose their Oyle and their time and labour, for Vulcan vseth their Furnace ouer hot, meet rather to mollifie yron, then to these kind of naturall workes.
But tell me, I pray you, how you distil Oyle out of Turpentine, which is the most excellent medicin against wounds For I couet to heare, if you it remember those things you haue learned.
I will verilie shew you, and that most gladly; They that distill oyle out of Turpentine, doe first mingle vi. l. of Turpentine with iij. cuppes of water in a brazen vessell, or a brazen Cucurbita with a crooked Limbeck. And before the Distillation they besmeare the ioyntes with Lutum sapientiae, to let expiration or breathing out: Which done, they distill with a slowe or soft fire: and immediately the Spirite with the water by drop-meale runneth out of the Limbecke into the Vial set vnderneath, and after that they see nothing more distilled by the help of Vulcan, they open the Cucurbita, and doe let the Turpentine coole.
What then afterward?
After that the Turpentine is cooled, they take it out of the Cucurbita, and they repeat the same afresh with vi. l. of Turpentine, and iij. cups of water: And doe distil it as afore, and that so often, vntill they haue such store of Spirits as they wished.
What auaileth it, or what vse haue the Spirits mixt with the water?
None, and therefore they ought to bee seperate from the water, that any may know their naturall force.
[Page]How great store of Spirits doe come foorth in distillation of vj. l. of Tupentine and three cuppes of water.
A pound with one third part of a pound, more or lesse according as the Turpentine is pure or impure.
You haue all at your fingers endes, and nothing is hid from you: proceed wee then to the composition of Oyle of Turpentine.
The tvvelfth Lecture. Of the maner of distilling Oyle of Turpentine.
GO to now, in what sort is Oyle of Turpentine made
We take viij. l. or ix. l. of this Turpentine from whence the Spirits are seuered, and in the vessel spoken of euen now, wee continually stirre it with a Splattor whiles it melteth through the heat of Vulcan, vntill all the water be vapoured out and doth no more ascend.
Be there no signes whereby we know that the Turpentine hath boyled ynough before distillation?
There are verily: while in boyling it is hard no more to knack, it is a most certaine signe that all the water is consumed.
What is to be done after that?
The Li [...]eck is to be set in by and by, and the ioyntes [Page] well to be luted with Luto sapient.
Whereof is this Lutum sapient. composed?
There are sundry compositions for sundry operations, but here it suffiseth to take clay, with meale and whites of Egges.
After that the ioyntes are luted with Lutum sapient, as they tearme it, how must we proceed further?
First, I reduce Vulcan to the first degree of heat, for being more vehement, it hindereth our operations.
When Vulcan is so fitted to your intention, doe you goe on to distill without delay?
Yes mary: and within an houre and a halfe the distillation will be finished. Howbeit, least the time deceiue you, somtime you must let it worke so long, vntill that which distilleth shall appeare greene: for tha is the signe of perfect operation. and that no more Oyle remaines in the body of the Turpentine.
All well done: Our Vulcan graunt that much profite to the commoditie of the Weale publike you may procure your selfe thereby, and that your Ople may be of so greate efficacie in healing woundes, that with it alone you may cure all whatsoeuer.
❧ The Practise of Cornelius Shilander touching Vlcers. THE SECOND PART.
The first Lecture Concerning Humours and Qualities whereof Vlcers haue their originall.
GOe to, tell what is an Vlcer.
An Vlcer is a solution of the contiuitie, matterie and festering, but more properlie in Latin containing Pus & sanies: For in an Vlcer is a thin matter, tearmed Sanies, and a thicke, which is called Sordis or Pus.
And what is the beginning of this maladie?
The Minerall of impurities, which by their saltishnesse, sharpnesse, sweetnesse, sowrnesse, doeth corrode the skinne, through which, as an Emunctorie or cleansing place it is expelled.
Come they not then of Bloud, Choller, Melancholie, or Flegme.
Not so, for these parts of the bodie framed by Nature, that are authors of no euill, but only do couet what is good and perfect.
You say well that they are partes: but the hot and colde qualities of these parts are the causes of Vlcers. Note.
Nay verily: these qualities are only the effects of impurities: for Choller, doth not because it is hot, erode or fret the members, otherwise it should so do alwayes, sith it is at no time not hot, but because the impuritie of Choller preuaileth in sharpnesse, which imprinteth in the members an heat vnnaturall.
What is it then that doth worke?
Euen that which is saltish, bitter, tart and sweet: these are such as haue some force, as saith Hippocrates, which while they exceed in a man, they bring foorth effects besides Nature, the hotnesses, coldnesses, drinesses, and moystnesses are of no effecacie.
What here I hetherto, it hath bene beleeued that Vlcers proceeded from the distemper of humors or elements.
I confesse indeed that it is commonly saide, but this distemper hath wrought great mischiefe to Philosophie, and bewitched the eyes of manie, who supposing to haue caught the Kernell, got the rindes and shales.
Are there not then foure humours in man?
[Page]Yes in sooth, there are, yea, and many more.
How many therefore?
So many as be sortes of cullours: there is an humour white, dunne, yellowe, blacke, redde, greene, blew, purple, &c.
Then you seeme to deride the fourefolde differences of humours?
Why not deride it?
Why not deride it? Ti's a point of rashnesse to hold opinion one iote against the Philosophers decrees.
Not at all: Plato is my friend, so is Aristotle: but the trueth is more my friend.
Did the Philosophers erre then in the quaternitie of Elements, and their mixture?
I, indeed.
How so?
It is repugnant to holie Scriptures, which is the true Philosophie: God (saith Moses) shope man of the mold of the earth: that is, of water and earth mixt together.
Doeth that then come to passe without the admixtion of aire and fire.
Who doubts it? Aristotles aire is found no where, and Fire is an accident, and not a substance.
Tush man, whats that you say?
It's easie to be conceiued, if one knoweth that a fire-cole which we cal Fire, differeth from a dead cole, as they terme it, not on fire only accidētally, like as yron glowing hot, from that which is colde and glowes not. Bodies also are resolued into water and earth alone, For the vapor and exhallation ascend, and the grosse earth, abides in the botome of the Cucurbita.
Trulie spoken indeed: but it is the part of Philosophers to consider those things: For a Chirurgian it is ynough to know Choller, Flegme, Bloud, and Melancholie, with their heating and cooling qualities,
It is not to the end a man may haue the nature of an Vlcer throughlie knowne, because a man is compounded only of water and earth, and with them alone is nourished, it is behoofull to know the differences of earths and waters, for according to the diuersities of these, diuers Vlcers spring in man.
Vnfold to vs the originall beginnings of Vlcers, for I vnderstand not how that commeth.
We feed on bread, hearbes and flesh, we drinke water, Ale, or Beere, and wine. It is certaine that in these watery or earthy, impurities, lurke that which for their vnlikenes of Nature cannot be altered into our bodies: Whiles therfore the pure cannot by the benefite of Nature bee seuered from the impure, Note. there is made an interchangeable commixture of both. Mallowes with Nettles, and Arsnick with Violettes is mingled, which tempered of mutuall mixture so long, doe remit or slake their egrenesse, till they shall be seuered.
What?
This earthie or watery impuritie, free from the mixture of purity is exalted by reason of its saltishnes, sharpnes sweetnesse, or sowrnesse corrodeth the flesh and skin, and breedeth calidities, humidities, and other accidents.
Very well: but if Vlcers bee ingendred of water and earth, how becomes their difference so manifold?
Because the difference of earthes and waters is manifold: for the water and earth of the Nettle is one, of Arsnicke another, of Pepper another, and so of the rest: of which some are saltish corrasiue, other some are sharp pricking. &c.
Is water with earth then the Genus or generall thing from which Vlcers are deriued, and in which they are contayned?
Assuredly, and nothing more rrue, though it be against the common opinion of Philosophers.
You vtter Paradoxes, written of none, so farre as I know.
I acknowledge thē to be Paradoxes, but such as ought of none not be allowed, euen as Tartar lies in sweet wine in forme resolued, which in processe of time is congealed, or as it were, Note. curded, and cleaues to the vessels sides. So in man are found impurities, which in digested times being congealed or festered, do breed in the flesh Vlcers agreable to their Nature.
A faire Similie.
The second Lecture. Of the Methode to be kept in Vlcers.
PRoceed we now to the methode to be kept in Vlcers?
Heer like as in wounds we proceed with disgestiues and Mundificatiues.
What kind of methode is this then?
The purging and due maner of diet being let passe, which must be sought of the curatine and dietarie parte: First, we shall digest the matter, till Pus appears equally white: then we shall mundifie the matter sufficiently concocted, Exsiccatiues that may drie vp the humiditie in the Vlcer not neglected. These doings finished, Nature her selfe will procreate flesh, and bring Vlcers to consolidation, so that by the Chirurgian she be rightly kept from the iniury of the ayre: that is, be bound with Emplasters that may preserue her.
You say well: for the Chirurgian is Natures Gardien or keeper, but when any Vlcer is offered to cure, shall wee forthwith digest the matter?
Yes: so it be simple: that is, so as no Paine, or Flegmon, or Tuwer, or Apostume, or Callositie, or Fluxe of bloud or corruption of the bone be ioyned withal: otherwise while it is compoundes, the said accidents are first away to bee taken, then after, a man may proceed further by the methode wee haue declared.
By what meanes may these be remooued quite?
Dolour or paine by medicines, Anodinae asswaging it, Flegmon by the vnguent of Rosh, Callousnes and corruption of the bone by Cantiers, after Vigo: Flure of bloud by Croco Martis, Tumor, or swelling by Vnguentum Agrippinum, with Oyle of Tartor: of Apostume we shall speake hereafter.
In how manie differences are Vlces found?
In manifold: for so many Vlcers there be, as be diuersities of impurities: and impurities either haue the action and propertie of Arsnick, and become pestilent Vlcers, with mightie inflamation, or haue the propertie of Alom, and become corrosiue, or haue the Nettles propertie, and become sharp & biting: or haue the property of Popie and Mandrag or of other vegitables and Mineralles, and become Vlcers: which for the diuersitie of impurities, do alot to themselues diuers names.
Assuredly your speeches are far more probable then theirs that ascribe all these matters to Choller, melancholie or Flegme, and that wil raeher borrow these names from the vtter tokens, that is, from the cullors, then from the inward properties.
The third Lecture. Of Remedies that are vsed in the curation of Vlcers.
HItherto you haue spoken of the general methode, nowe declare with what remedies Vlcers are cured.
Commonly after digestiod we vse Vnguentum Egyptiacum, which in euery filthy, putrified, virulent, A methode for curing Vlcers. and hollow Vlcers, by experience we haue learned to bee of verie greate force. rolling it on with Vnguent. de Mynio, Basilicon, or de Lytargiro.
Were it not better to vse Praecipitat. so much magnified of Vigo?
I must approue also the vse of this powder wel prepared: for it mundifieth Vlceration without paines, it correcteth the malignitie, it maketh the subtill matter grosse, and bringeth it to good digestion.
I pray you giue vs the description of Vnguentum Egiptiacum.
- Recip. Aqua Plantag. Vini Granatorum.
- Mellis Licii. Ana. ℥ ij.
- Floris Acris, Aluis Rocsa, An. ʒ x.
Let all boyle to a Consistance.
Let me heare how in Vlcers these kinde of powders or Vnguents doe pierce to the inmost parts.
If mixed with Barbers Lie and Mel Rosarum, they be iniected with a Syring, as Vigo teacheth.
And what must be done after mundification?
Then we take of
- Aquar. Hordei. l j.
- Mel Rosarum, ℥ iij. Sarcolla, ʒ ij.
- Mirrha, Thuris, An. ʒ j
- Vini o doris, ℥ vj.
[Page]Let these be voyled to the consumption of the third part, it is good to comfort and incarnate the place.
What remedie is there for superfluous and proud flesh?
The powder of burnt Allome, setting on Splegiants, whereon they put the Emplasters.
Are all Vlcers then cured with these remedies?
No: there are certain inueterate Vlcers that are named Chirons or Telephis: Vlcers there are also of harder consolidation, representing the nature of Mercurie, which ought to be cured with other remedies.
With what remedies I pray you?
With Oyle of Mercurie, Oyle of Antimonie, or Oyle of Sulphur.
Let vs leaue these remedies to Alchumists, and shew vs those that we may prepare withou difficulty.
Most gladly: and if you be not content with one, I will giue you more.
- Recipe Serpentaria vtriusque. An. M. ij.
- Aristolocia acutae. an. l s̄.
- Consolida ponticae. an. l s̄.
Contundantur, & cum Terebinth. l i. & s̄. & Olei Oliuarum ℥ iiij. frat Vnguentum. With this Vnguent all affectes of the skin, euen Phagacdena it self is cured.
- Recip. Succi Chelidoni, l j▪
- Alocs Epat. ℥ ij.
- Mumia, ℥ j
- Viridis Aeris. ℥ j
- [Page] Almis Vsti. ℥ ij.
Terantur Subt. quae terenda sunt, & cum Succo digerantur in calore per dies octo. Post vlcera panis in co madefactis ligentur.
- Recip. Argenti viui, ℥ s̄.
- Mortif. ℥ s̄.
- Cerusa ℥ ij
- Euphorbie. ʒ ij.
- Saxiphragie, An. ʒ j
- Litargirii, An. ʒ j
- Sandalorum, An. ʒ j
- Anxvngia por. q. s,
- Recip. Virid. earis. ℥ s̄.
- Almis Vsti. ℥ ij
- Henrici rubei vt vocant. ʒ vj
- Terebinth. distil. l. j. misce.
- Recip. Salis Armoniaci, ℥ iij
- Salis communis. ℥ s̄.
Buliant in aqua, post adde gumi Attramentum ℥ iij. & liquescunt simul & indurietem excoquantur huius portiuncula in aqua dissoluatur qua Hulcus abluatur.
Are these most excellent remedies?
They are, and yet there are more excellent in account, which are not rashly to be published to all, for all kind of Vlcers may be cured with potions.
You are a marueillous Artsman: you will not communicate your secrets to others, that you may be rich your self I know.
Trulie you haue rightly aymed.
But I pray tell me what auaileth in the procuring of a Cycatrise?
Ad cicat. Pruocat.Let the place be first washed with the water of Plantin, Rosh, or Roch Alome, with a little Mel Rosarum: Afterwards vse of the medicine which is made ex Minii. ℥ j olei Rosarum & Mirthini, An, ℥ js̄. This is of Vigos description.
The fourth Lecture. Of the manner of curing Fistulaes.
NOw it remaineth that we intreat of Fistulaes.
It is so: know therefore that the Fistula is a deepe and hollow Vlcer, indurated with a strict and narrow Orific, Methodes ad Fistulas curandas. which requireth exercise or handy operation, and not the Physitions help.
Haue you any experiments against the Fistula?
Trulie I haue, and that good store.
Then teach me with what remedies this euill is taken away?
I will shew you what thinges are required of the Chirurgian, but know that such things as are deliuered of Vigo, belong to Physitions, and not so much to Chirurgians [Page] for, this businesse may be dispatched without incision.
Then what remedies must we vse?
Decoctions and reasonable diet, which take away the cause, whereof Fistulaes doe proceed, for I haue seene many well cured by these means only.
Ought there not any Emplaisters to be applyed?
Yes: Vnguent de Tutia, drawne on Leather, or on linnen cloath, which also must be often in the day wiped.
What Decoction, and what Diet shall it be which the Patient is to vse?
It is not heer to be spoken of, for these and such like are to be sought for in the other part of medicine, namely to such as belong to Phisicke and diet.
You still keepe your old custome, you conceale that which are said to be ignorant to the Logicians: but tell mee, may not the Fistula be cured by Topycall Remedie.
It may, as some affirme, but I haue no experience thereof.
What is your experience?
- Recip. Olei Martis,
- Ol. Vitrioli. an. ʒ j
- Olei Mercurii, ℈ j s̄.
Misce his Plinnaceoli infundantur, & post infusionem exsiccati, Fistula imponantur calositatem enim statim auferint.
[Page]I demaund not these Chimicall thinges, which arē not to be gotten without great cost, tell me some other.
- Recip. Oleii Laterini, ℥ iij.
- Olei Terebinth. l. s̄.
- Olei Gariophilorum. ℥ j s̄.
- Thuris Masticis. an. ℥ s̄
- Mirrha, an. ℥ s̄
- Mumia. ℥ iij.
Distillentur, & Oleum inde distillatum per siringam. quotidie bis iniiciatur, & cauicas vino vel aqua salis subinde eluatur.
Thy remedies are hard to be prepared.
Therfore those remedies are best to bee vsed, which in this euill are infallible.
The fift Lecture. Of Scabbes.
NOw sir, let vs to the Scabbes, what kind of remedies haue you against the same?
- Reci. Succi, Chelidonie, Fume terra
- Boraginis scabiosa,
- Lapacii acuta. an. ℥ iij
Cum feari aceti & Anxungia vetteri misceantur, with the which the part infected is to be annointed.
Be all kind of Scabbes to bee cured by this kind of remedie?
Yes trulie they are: vnlesse they proceed of the French Poxe, for those scabbes will not giue place to so light medicines.
What think you of Vnguents against scabbes, set down of Vigo in his Antidatorie?
For that they are compounded of Quicksiluer, they are not to be vsed, but reiected, for they are not applyed without hurt to such bodies wher they are vsed.
Doe you know any other Vnguent, which is not compounded of ioyces, which I may come by in the winter time
I doe;
- Recip. Butyri recentis.
- Anxungia, ℥ s̄.
- Litargirii, an. ʒ j
- Cesusa, an. ʒ j
- Zinziberis, ʒ j
- Sulphuris. ʒ s̄.
- Helebori nigri,
- Puluersat. ʒ iij
- Aceti, ℥ j s̄.
Misceantur & coquantur ad forinum Vngnent.
The sixt Lecture. Of burning with Fire, Oyle, Butter, &c.
HOw are those burnings cured, which commeth of fire, milke, Oyle, butter, and such like.
Butyri recentis, liquifacti calid. quantum sufficit, aqua [Page] infundatur & agitetur, donce niuis instar albescat & tandem aqua abiiciatur, & seruetur ad vsum in formam vnguent. With this lineamēt thou shal often annoint the part infected, and alwaies be carefull to keep the place moist with Butter, neither shall ye suffer the part infected to drie, before the heat be extinguished.
Haue you anie other like to this?
I haue: Recip. Corticis Tiliae interiores in aqua fontana macerentur, & fiat vnguentum. Let this be continually applyed vnto the burnt place: but if the place through burning be exulcerate, proceed according as we haue spoken before of Vlcers.
Trulie this method of yours is verie easie,
The seuenth Lecture. Of the preparation of the Oyle of Guiacum that is, of the holie wood.
LEt vs come I pray you to the Oyle of holy wood, which as it is said, hath a maruellous facultie in Vlcers.
I am content, for that cannot be omitted without great offence, which wee knowe to doe much good in a common weale.
Doe you suppose that this Oyle is the best Antidote to heale Vlcers?
This ought not to be doubted of any man, and chiefly to those Vlcers which haue their originall of the Spanish, or if you had rather, of the French Poxe.
Hitherto I had thought that that disease could not bee cured without Quicksiluer, which being by a certaine propertie begotten to himself, all men say it is a remedy in such a sicknesse.
That is least of all true: For the Oyle of holy wood is more effectuous, and hee is holpen more easily, so that it be well prepared of the Chimists, and the naturall collour not eqanged into a fierie, by reason of an immoderate heat.
And are there certain degrees of fire to be kept in distillation because we must not run hither and thither.
There are truly: for otherwise his nature that is distilled should be corrupted: for as all things are not hot in the same degrees, but either drie, cold, or moist, so likewise diuers degrees of fire are to be obserued in distillations, for that both the nature of the hearb, and the diuersities of the operation requireth it.
Trulie I would heare of you the whole matter, for it seemeth to me that no man ought to be ignorant of the work
You say true: but the handling hereof would require a great volume, if we should set it down according to the worthinesse thereof: heer it suffiseth vs to shewe in what degree the fire ought to be kept, whiles we draw the oyle out of the wood Guiacum, or holie wood.
Well sayd: For he which doth declare any thing particularlie, it is more easily vnderstood of the Reader, then he which doeth it generallie, especiallie in such varietie of distillations, and degrees thereof: Goe to therefore, tell mee how the Oyle of this wood is called holie, is it because of his efficacie.
Trulie it is: But the better to get this oyle it is needful to haue a large great retorte well luted with clay, called the Lute of wisdome, the Guiacum ought to be turned small, and in light peeces, and also a vessell of cold water must bee prouided, through which a brasen and hollow pipe must passe.
These things are easie to be done, but how must the rest of the worke be accomplished.
Then the retort must be filled with Guiacum, being smal cut almost to the necke.
And this is easie?
Being fild and luted (as we haue said) we set it in the furnace following. So that the necke of the Retort bee left out three handfulles emptie, and so to bee let into the pipe that passeth through the water.
I wold to God Paracelsus himself had declared his works with so easie a method: there would be found more Paracelsians than Galenists: but what followeth?
Both the Orifists and the neck of the retort with the pipe are to be luted with clay on both sides, the bredth of an inch, least the spirites breath out whiles it is distilling: For the Spirits, because they are deliuered from their bodies, doe easilie flie, therefore the vessels and all the chinkes ought to be well fenced with the Lute of wisedome.
These things haue no difficultie at all as I think.
Well said: it hath no difficultie, but the operation is somewhat harde, but if thou art desirous to practise, first make a furnace with a vessell full of cold water.
Verie well: but must it not haue in the top of the Furnace the forme of a Testicle?
It is true: Therfore after all things be finished acording to that order which we haue spoken of principally, it is to be wrought with a gentle fire, least that vessel hauing the forme of a testicle breake.
Must we then dispatch the businesse with a gentle fire?
No trulie: but you must increase the fire with degrees, that is to say, by litle and litle, vntil ye see the oyle and the water to distill into the receiuer.
How long shall the Oyle distill?
I know not that! but know this, when it can distill no more then leaue off working, for it is a token of no more moisture and spirits in the bodie of the Guyacum.
Is the Oyle of the Guyacum therefore distilled then?
It is truly: but yet doth it want other preparations.
What are they, I pray you?
First of all, that which is found in the Receyuer, both water and oyle, they must be afterwards seperated
How must they be seperated?
Because the Oyle doth pierce to the bottome, and is blacke like Pitch, the water must bee poured foorth by little and litle.
Doth this water containe in it any faculty?
Yea trulie: but we will omit it here, and wee will haue nothing but the Oyle it selfe.
But tell me, what must we doe with the Oyle seperated from the water?
The Oyle is to be put into another Cucurbita and a little water is to be poured vnto it:
What kind of head or receiuer must be put vnto it? one with a snowt or beake, as we haue spoken of, or any other
Euery kind of Limbecke is not conuenient for this work, therfore that is the most aptest, that which is called [Page] a Vapour, because it containeth in his vpper part colde water.
Wherefore is it so?
Because with the cooling of the head & snowt, the Oyle is kept downe, and so falleth into the bottom of the Cucurbita, from whence it ascendeth not:
How long shall we distill?
So long as you see any thing distill into the Receiuer.
What must we doe afterwards?
That which is in the receiuer you may reserue to your selfe if you wil, for the oyle lieth in the bottom of the Cucurbita:
How is the oyle taken out of the Cucurbita?
After the vessell is cooled, it must be opened, and the water which you find in the vessell must bee seperated from the oyle by a leasurely pouring out, least any of the Oyle passe therewith:
Is the oyle then perfect, being seperated from the water, doth it need no other preparation?
As yet it hath not his perfection: Moreouer, we haue need of another metamorphosis that we be not frustrat of hope:
I pray you what metamorphosis is this?
This Oyle which is seperated from the water, is to be put into a Cucurbita of glasse.
Must we then distill it a third time, I feare me least the distillation so many times repeated, will marre the nature of the Oyle:
Why should it marre it: Nay rather, feare least the Doues flie out from their open nests.
Must we then distill it in a brasen Instrument, on the which the Vapor is ouerluted?
We must haue another instrument, as I haue said, for the Oyle must runne into a glasse Cucurbita, or rather a Receiuer.
What afttrwards?
There must be also a glassen Limbecke luted ouer.
Well, one glasse in another aptly agreeing.
And this Cucurbita must bee set in a vessel of Sand, fit for the Lembick, in the first degree of heat.
Will it then distill?
Doe you aske whether it will distill: Yes truly, you shall see Oyle as red as bloud in the Receiuer, which is of such facultie that nothing can goe beyond it.
How long must we distil?
So long vntill no more wil come foorth.
Are the Fecis that are left in the bottome after distillation profitable?
They are truly: but they require to be mingled, and before mingling to be rectified in Horse-dung: of which matter, seeing the operation is somewhat difficult, I purpose not here to speake of it, let our Oyle suffise you, whose facultie, how great it is, experience shall tell you, for good marchandize needeth no praise.
The eighth Lecture. Of the maner to prepare Waxe before Distillation.
VVHat think you of the Oyle of Waxe, is there great difficultie in the preparing of it?
Do you not perceiue such difficulty as some suppose?
I pray you teach me how it is made of the chirurgiā.
Before all things the Waxe must be prepared, for this part being omitted as the chiefest, no oyle is drawn from the Waxe.
Therfore how must it be prepared?
Amongst all other preparations, this is one of the best: Four or fiue pounds of Virgin wax broken into sixe or seuen peces, must be put into the Cucurbita, to the which must be poured three pettes of Malmsey wine.
What afterwards?
The Vapor being ouerluted, and the fire so to be tempered least the waxe flow ouer, as it is a boyling.
In what degree of heat must it be then.
In the second: neuerthelesse, if you see a little of the Waxe togither with the wine in like maner to distill euer, you may not thinke therfore that you haue erred, for this Waxe after the Cucurbita it luted, may bee mingled againe.
The vessell being well fitted, how is the operation to be expected?
That must be done by the help of Vulcan, that the waxe with the wine may boyle in the Cucurbita.
What doth this Ebrilution profit: or whereunto serueth it?
It serueth that in the boyling, the spirit of the Wine with the waxe by little and little doth distill.
Ought this distillation to be often repeated?
Yea, often therfore, that the waxe may be wel prepared, after that we haue of this distilled wine one pynt, then we poure it againe vpon the waxe through a pipe from the one side: and least any should euaporate, we stop it close.
What if the Waxe sticke vnto th pipe of the Limbecke?
It must be drawne forth by litle and litle otherwise the beak would be stopped vp.
What afterwards?
Secondarily, the distillation hereof ought to be renued, and eye pinte of the distilled wine (as before) must be poured in againe through a wide pipe, and worke it together twelue howres that there may be a certaine recipricall [Page] Distillation and powring foorth.
And what must we doe after twelue howers?
The distillation being repeated, you shal gather the spirit of the wine and waxe: this spirit you must reserue, for it must be mingled with the Oyle of Waxe, as afterward shall be taught.
Is the waxe then sufficiently prepated with these absolute things?
Not so: but after many distillations, the Cucurbita is to bee opened, and the Waxe must bee sepeeated from the Flegme to which it is mingled.
How must that be done I pray you?
Only pressing it downe with your handes.
You say well: for with pressing downe the waxe, the moysture is taken away.
Then this Waxe being seperated from his Flegme, must be put into the Cucurbita, from whence it was taken, and afterwards is to be molten at a gentle fire, and wrought with a Spatula so long till it ascende no more, and that there come no smoke from it, or hath no more froth vpon it.
Are these sure tokens wherby we may know that the waxe is sufficiently prepared.
Yea doubtlesse, and all these things are wel to be bept in memorie, the distillations & pouring foorth by course the pressing out of the Flegmes, the boyling and working of the Waxe, vntill we see these tokens now spoken of, but if all things be done as it ought to bee, we shall easily drawe out the Oile of Waxe.
The ninth Lecture. Of the maner of drawing oyle out of Wax being prepared▪
THe Waxe being sufficiently prepared, how afterwardes shall we distill the Oyle?
The Ware is to be made hot, and to be put into a large Retorte of Glasse well luted with tbat lute which is called Lutum Sapientiae, vnto whose necke a pype shal be aglutinated and so made to passe through a vessell of cold water.
How is that Lute made?
With clay, with Fullers hayre, with whites of Egges and sand.
After the Retort is luted, with his necke and pipe, what must we doe?
It must be placed in the furnace, begin your work first with a gentle fire, by the space of one whole houre.
And how must we proceed afterwards?
The fire must be encreased by degrees, vntill such time that all the substance be come foorth into the receiuer, which will be somewhat grosse, but neuerthelesse of most excellent efficacie.
Will not the oyle then be cleare after the order of Turpentine?
No, it will not: but it will be congealed: for to haue it cleare would require an often distillation, and cause the oyle to be of a more hotter operation and sharper.
Tell me the vertue of this oyle, and how it ought to be applyed?
It is most excellent in al wounds & Vlcers whatsoeuer, if it be rightly applyed, besides it may be ministred inwardly for diuers deseases, as occasion shal be offered.
Haue we now finished our discourse in euerie respect, as may be necessarie for a Chirurgian.
We haue for this time, vntil it please God to cause vs to meet againe.
I pray you then make a briefe repetition of such conferences as hath past between vs since our first meeting.
Most willingly: for it shal be most necessary for the refreshing of both our memories.
I thank you: I shal be a debtor vnto you for your courtesie.
In our first conference I defined vnto you what Chirurgery was, what was the operatiō of a chirurgian: The 2. of the differēce of wounds & thir curing: Thirdly, of the stitching of wounds Fourthly, of contused wounds: Of deep wounds: Of wounds of the sinewes: Of wounds of the head: Of wounds piercing the breast: Of wounds of the intestines and bellie: Of the drawing oyle out of hearbes: Of compounding the spirit of Turpentine: Of drawing the oyle out of Turpentine. Of Vlcers, Fistulaes and Scabs: Of the drawing Oyle out of Lignum fanctum, and of Waxe: Of all which, I haue briefly and simply discoursed of, according to that knowledge which God hath giuen me.
You haue satisfied me of al things that I can bethinke me worthy the asking, only I am to request you to set me downe some receipts, wherof you make good accompt, which may be as a supply for the breuitie we haue vsed in our conferences,
Indeed, in many places of our talk I omitted the rehearsal of diuers medicines, which of purpose I did to bring them in together at the end: which shal serue as an Antydotarie for you to resort vnto, when as occasion shal require.
Ad ignem persicam, and the Canker.
Rec. Vittiolei ℥ j. Amborum Gumi minorū, an. ℥ ij. Ocrae ℥s̄ Vini & Aceti, an. l j cocta calida (que) superligentur.
For the Fistula.
Recip. Aqua Galethini, ℥ iiij. Olei Vitellorum, Ouarum ℥ j Mumiae liquorum, ℥ vi. Fiat Oleum quo madidi panni superpoponantur.
An Emplaister for wounds.
Recip. Cerae Terebinthinae, Visci preparati, ana l j. Olei Lini, l iij. Litargiri preparati, Calaminaris prepar. ana l j. coquantur in emplastrum.
A powder for compound woundes.
Recip. Croci Martis, Veneris, atque Saturnia, ana ℥ s̄. Mercurii dulcis, ʒ s̄. Inde fiat puluis
Emplastrum.
Recip. Olei Oliuarum, l j. Masticis, Thuris, Mirrhe, Oppoponaci, Serapina, Storacis, Bdellii, ana ℥ j. Coquantur in formam: postmodum accipe Cerae l. j, Calami preparati, l s̄ coquantur [Page] in Cerotum, pinse manib. extrahendo cum Camphora in Oleo Anetino vel ex Verbasco.
Potio ad Fistulasj
Recip. Aquae de cornib. Cerui l j. Centaureae, Consolid. aurea, ana ℥ iij. Parthenionis, ℥ iiij s̄. His impone Reubarb, Mannae electae, Spermatis ceti, ana ℥ j. huius optime commoti singulis vicibus mane vesperique bibatur Coclear vinum, &c.
Emplastrum ad vulnera.
Recip. Litargitii, Mimii ana l s̄. Olei Oliuarum, l j. Cerae, l s̄ Reduc in emplastrum, postmodum accipe puluer. Aranciarum, Chelidoniae, Aristolochi rot. ana ℥ iij. & formetur emplastrum.
Balzamum.
Recipe Terebinth. claris. l ij, Olei Omphacini, l s̄. Gumii Elenii ℥ vj Resinae Pimae. Colophonie, ana ℥ iij, Mirrhae, aloes ep. Thuris, Sarcocoll. Mastic, Hannoniac. in vino dissoluto, ana ℥ j s̄. Garophilorum, Nucis muscat. Cucubarum. Cinamoni, ana ʒ iij. Sem. Hipericonis, Rubic. Tinctorum, Grani puri, ana ʒ x. Vernum Ter. lot. in vino ℥ viij. Vini Maluatici. l j s̄: Pul. puluersantur & impone Terebinth. Oleum & vinum cum alus in vitre a pro dies x. vel xij in Sole, & post distillentur in balneo.
Gargarismus prosquinantie.
Recipe Mellis rosacei ℥ iiij. Aristolochia rot. Pirolae, ana ℥ s̄. Aquarum de prinis, de prunella, ana ℥ vij. Fiat Gargarismus.
Cataplasm. pro squinatia.
Recip. Mucilaginis de Fenngreco, ℥ x, Cerusa, ℥ ij. Camphorae vitae, ℥ s̄ misce & siat Cataplasma.
Balsamum.
Recipe Mirrhae electae, Aloes hep. Spicenardi, Sanguis dtac. Thuris, Mumie, Oppoponacis, Bdellii, Carpobalsami, Sinamoni, Sarcocoll. Croci, Mastic, Gumi Arab. Stiracis liq, sing ℥ ij: Ladani elect. siue Castorii ℥ ij s̄. Moschi, ʒ s̄. miscetur Terebinth. Pondus omnium tritis a Lembico distillentur.