CULPEPERS School of Physick; OR The English Apothecary.

WHat can be more pleasant to thee, then the enjoying of Medicines for cure of thine Infirmities, out of thy Native Soyl, and Countrey, thy Field, thy Orchard, thy Garden? And what more profitable [...]nto thee, then thereby to avoid the infinite Charges rising upon the use of strange and for­eign Medicines, whereby not onely thy sub­ [...]ance is wasted, but thy health oft-times greatly [...]paired? This is then that Truth which I com­ [...]end unto thee. As England aboundeth plenti­ [...]lly with all things necessary for thy mainte­ [...]ance of life, and preservation of health, so need­eth [Page 4] it not, partly through Natures instinct, part­ly by the industry of men, sufficiency of Medicine to cure the sicknesses and infirmities, whereunto our Nation is subject: which my opinion and judgement, considering the use and custom hath long been to place greatest value in strange Me­dicines, and the practice of the most doth ratifie the same, I know must needs seem strange unto thee, but read, consider, and then judge, and at the least let me enterchange my pains with thy attentive weighing of that which thou shalt read, prejudice set aside: and that a way may be made for the plainer handling of this matter, I briefly define a Remedy, a Medicine, a Disease after this sort, as followeth. First beginning with a remedy which I call the work of the Physician, whereby health may be repaired. Physick is an art which taketh charge of the health of man, preserving and maintaining it present by the right use o [...] meat, drink, and exercise, with other such helps o [...] nature: and restoring the same decayed, by di [...]t medicine, help of hand, or surgery, instrument severally used, or by joynt force applyed. Which three are Physick instruments, whereby the actio [...] of curing is performed, which action I call a remedy. And the second of these instruments, namel [...] a Medicine, I define an adversary force of som [...] natural thing, equally matching the proper o [...] next cause of the disease. Of which Medicine herbs, trees, stones, minerals, and mettals, earth waters, and all fruits, are matter onely, and n [...] the very Medicines themselves: for as Physick self is an art, and the action artificial, and not [Page 5] nature, so are the instruments of the same action artificial and not natural. And as nature afford­eth not to us of our own work, either garments, or houses, or any kind of instrument, but onely the matter whereof such instruments may be made, leaving with us an industry rightly to frame them, and wisdom to use them: so, no more [...]is Lettis, Poppy, Rhewbarb, or Scammony a me­dicine, then an Oak, a Table or Ship; or a Quarry of Stones, an House. Moreover, all medicines stan­ding in a kind of relation to the disease, which by means of the Patients age, sex, time of the year, custom, and such like occasions, greatly vary; no Nature which alwayes keepeth constant in her own kinde, can therefore either be a Medicine, or properly bear the name thereof: which I wish to be noted, lest it be thought that Simples and such other natural things were Medicines, because commonly they carry the names of them. And thus much shall be sufficient to have said of the nature of a Medicine. Now a Disease (which re­maineth last to be defined) is such a state of the body as thereby it is unabled to perform aptly the actions thereto belonging, or those actions which the Soul doth accomplish by the instru­ment of the Body. Thus much briefly concern­ [...]ng the explication of the tearms, wherein this [...]ruth is propounded. Now the reasons, whereby both I am moved to be of this judgement, and [...]m so hardy as to propound it to others to be received, whereof the first riseth from the Chri­stian Doctrine of Gods Providence, which as it serveth greatly to establish the chiefe points [Page 6] of Physophy, so being drawn, and more particu­larly applied to the maintenance of mans life, carrieth with it as a sufficient provision for main­tenance and preservation of health, a like furni­ture, and as answerable to the necessity of the Patient, health being decayed. I will not stand to intreat of Providence, being well known to Christians, and being a truth in Divinity, and Christianity, cannot be false in Philosophy. Al­though the best of the Ancient Philosophers and Poets have alwayes kept it as a sure ground, who as they serve little to establish us, having a surer foundation, yet may they justly condemne the Atheist of this Age, who so far hath quenched those remnants of the light of the first Creation, that all things seem to him Fortune and Chance. There is no Nation under Heaven so poor and destitute, but it hath of the own Countrey soyl sufficient to content Nature with, of Food and Apparel; which as they be two pillars of life, so from them are taken the means of preservation of Health, which as to Beasts are applied by na­tural instinct, so are they used of man by reason, the temperer of appetite and affection. This provision of sustenance is most agreeable with the goodness of the Creator, who as he is Au­thour of being to the Creature, so faileth he not to maintain and preserve the same Creature the whole term of the being thereof: and because the necessity of the Creature is perpetual, his wis­dom hath also foreseen, and provided a perpe­tual supply of such sustenance, as is fit for that Nature which standeth in need thereof: and be­cause [Page 7] the need is not once for all, but parted in­to times, varying, according to the divers dispo­sition and nature of that for which this provision is made, he hath also so bestowed his goodness in this point, that at all times to all things, ne­cessary sustenance should not be to seek; and this extended not to men onely, but even to bruit beasts, and all things which require nourishment. The end of this Provision is the preservation of the Creature, which Nature most carefully stu­dieth (if it might be perpetual and eternal) there­to to bring it, the goodness of the Creator, will have nothing wanting, his wisdom will have it wait upon the necessity of the Creature: where­fore as the Earth is called the Mother of all things, not because it bringeth them forth onely, but yieldeth them perpetual nourishment, so is the Countrey of all people to them named, the Parent of all parents. Then by Natures law, all things being abundantly ministred unto us for the preservation of Health at home in our own Fields, Pastures, Rivers, &c. how can the Wis­dom of God, and his Goodness, stand with the absence of Medicines and Remedies necessary for the recovery of Health, the need being as urgent of the one, as of the other: and so as great an occasion of practice of the same Goodness and Wisdom in the one as in the other? which being most plain and evident, it followeth necessarily, that the Medicine should be as ready for the sick, as meat and drink for the hungry and thirsty: which except it be appplied by the native Coun­trey, cannot be else performed. It is known to [Page 8] such as have skill in nature, what wonderful care she hath of the smallest creatures, not onely gi­ving to every part of them a careful discharge of sundry duties, as of attraction, retention, con­coction, expulsion of excrements, distribution, and such like, but also to the whole creature, a knowledge of Medicine to help themselves, if haply diseases annoy them; neither out of In­dia, nor Arabia, but from their very haunt: which being not denied to them, much more is granted to us, in so much as (the work of Nature being most excellent in man) she is more vigilant over mankinde, then over other creatures, as by the shape thereof most plainly appeareth. The Swallow cureth her dim eyes with Celendine: the Weasel knoweth well the vertue of Herb­grace: the Dove the Vervine: the Dog dis­chargeth his maw with a kinde of Grass: the Spider is triacle to the Monkey: the Hippopo­tamus dischargeth the abundance of his blood by opening a Vein: and Ibes is said to have shewed the use of the Glyster: and too long it were to reckon up all the Medicines which the Beasts are known to use by Natures direction onely, and those not so far fetched as our Drugs, but familiar with them, and taken from the place of their Food: it being very probable, she hath bestowed this gift even upon all, one having in­terest in Natures care as well as another. By this then may we gather, if Nature fail not the very beasts in this behalf, neither sendeth them to borrow afar off, much more is that performed unto us the Lords of all the Creatures, and for [Page 9] whose use all things were created: except we be thought less subject to diseases then they, wherein we be so little priviledged, that no crea­ture in that respect is so frail as we, and those most subject to infirmities, which are governed and dieted by us. So that we of all creatures, have greatest need of Natures liberal hand in this behalf. For be it for the most part, we are more healthful then sickly, and so have greater use of the means of keeping Health, then of re­storing, yet hardly can a man say which of them is more necessary to be ready and prest at hand, the danger of Diseases being alwayes immi­nent, although Diseases themselves be not al­wayes present. Now, if to any the reason seem weak from that which should be to inferre a be­ing thereof; we are to understand in the Works of God, whatsoever should be, is: he being a Workman of an absolute power and cunning. But saith one, The East and West Indies, Ara­bia, Barbary, the Red-sea, are the Mines, as it were, and the Fountains of Medicines; and Spain, Portugal, and Venice, the Vents of such things; and Navigation the means to obtaine them. It cannot be denied, but those Coun­treys yield many strange things, whereof we take use with great delight, and Navigation serveth greatly for communicating of Commodities, and enterchange of Merchandize: but how far, and of what Commodities? Verily of such, as if our delicacy would give us leave, we might very well spare, being things rather of super­fluous pleasure, then necessary reliefs, and ser­ving [Page 10] rather for a certain pomp, then for mainte­nance of life: and which without great work­ing of the wits, might be proved to bring more harm to our Countrey men, then commodity; both in respect of the diversity of complexion of our bodies from those of strange Nations to whom they properly belong, the corruption of their outlandish Wares, the selling of one thing for another, and the withholding from us the best of choice. But of this hereafter. Moreover, Navigation being of a later invention then the necessity of Medicine, neither practised of many Nations at this day, cannot supply this want; or if men began then first to be diseased, when they began to finde wayes in the Sea to those far Countreys, doth it not greatly detract from that Providence whereby all things are guided, to lay the recovery of mans health upon the ad­ventures of Merchants? and the Disease being in the one part of the world, to have the Medi­cine in the other: yea, as far distant as the East is from the West, and the Life and Death of a man to stand upon a halfpenny weight of Scam­mony, or a dram or twain of Rhewbard. Nay, which is yet more absurd, that the health of so many Christian Nations should hang upon the courtesie of those Heathen and barbarous Nati­ons, to whom nothing is more odious, then the very name of Christianity; and who of malice do withhold from us such Medicines as they know most for our use. Whereupon the Turk denieth unto the Christians at this day, the Terra Lemnia, a Medicine to be preferred before the [Page 11] chief of those we perswade our selves to enjoy. The corruption of their Drugs, is it not so great, that in the light of all knowledge, scarce one is able to discern the right Bolus Armena, from the Ocre of Apulia; or to discover the adulte­rating of Ambergreece, and Musk, with a num­ber of other corruptions, which have gotten strength by custome of errour? Thamarinds are counterfeited with Prunes, Scammony with the milk of Spurge, Manna with Suger and the leaves of Sene, Aspalathum with the inward part of the root of an Olive-tree, Frankincense with Rosin, Bdellium and Sarcocalla with gums: for Bolus Armena is sold a Red earth out of A­pulia, for Malabathrum a leaf of a Lemon or Orange, for Turpeth some other root dipped at both ends in gum; which be as like in vertue to the Simples whereof they bear the visard and mask, as Chalk to Cheese, according to the Pro­verb. And greatly thou art deceived, to think our Navigations store us with ancient Medicines, wherewith Physick in old time hath been fur­nished: for at this day neither is Balm known unto us, neither is Xylobalsamum, nor Cardo­momum, nor Amomum, neither Costus, neither Calamus odoratus, Aspalathus, Agallocum, Nar­capthum, with the most of the noble ancient Me­dicines: so that Navigation hath not at any time supplied this want unto us, and how it should hereafter I know not, except Galen take pains again to sail into Cyprus, into Palestine, and Lemnos, to gather and make choice with his own hands. For what hope is there to be had of the [Page 12] Provision made by Merchants? who buy to sell onely, and thereof to reap gain; and by reason they be unlearned, if they would be faithful, yet must they fail greatly in this point, and then must we use such Medicines as we can come by, and the Patient recover such health as he may. For the most part, these Drugs come out of Spain or Portugal, either fetched of us, or brought of them; yet neither of them ever hath born name of yield of the best Simples, so that if they be of those Countreys, then they are not such as they should be: if Spain and Portugal fetch them elsewhere, then lieth the assurance upon their credit. Or let me know how they discern the Coriander of Ethiopia, the black Helleborus of Cyrene, the Amomum of Scy­thia, the Myrrha Troglodytica, the Opium of Apulia, (which are counted the best) from the same growing in other places, which never car­ried name of commendation for such Simples. The Coloquintida growing alone upon the plant is much suspected of good Physicians, the Squilla that hath no fellows, is thought to savour of a venemous nature, likewise the Thymelea. Now when these are gathered to the Merchants hand, who shall tell him how they grow, or who shall enquire but the Philosopher, that knoweth what may come thereby to these Simples? Neither is the danger less in the manner of laying them up, and keeping them over long: besides, the just time of gathering being either over-passed, or prevented, greatly diminisheth the vertue of the Medicines. As the use of Euphorbium is perilous [Page 13] before it be a year old, and after three years, it is nothing worth. So Agarick gathered before it be ripe, or kept past two years, becommeth unwholesom. And as the Peony root is to be gathered in the wane of the Moon, and the Cray-fish to be taken after the rising of the Dog­star, the Sun entring into Leo, so are there many other, which if they miss their due time of ga­thering, fail greatly in their vertues. To these corruptions moreover may be added the wash­ing of the Sea, the long journeys they are brought, whereby it should seem, nature had de­nied unto us the use of them, as to whom they were not of her yielded, with such difficulty, and as it were, by constraint, they come to us. Then if the best of ancient Simples be partly unknown and wanting, partly adulterated, partly by age and other means spent before they come to our use, what shall we say to our Compounds and Mixtures, which rise of these Simples? Can the temper mend them? or a quid pro quo, as they call them, serve the turn? No verily, not our turns, to whom the substitute Medicines, as I may call them, were not appointed, being in great part as hard to come by, as the Medicines whose substitutes they are, and as much unknown unto us. As for Agallicum, Calamus odoratus, for Amomum, Acorus, for Castorum, Bilphum, for Crocamagmo, Agallocus, with a number of the same sort, which these few leaves of Paper will not admit. Neither is it to be thought these Lieutenant Medicines serve at all turns in the place of the right Medicines, for so should Gin­ger [Page 14] serve the turn of Folefoot to purge by Vo­mit, which it cannot, no more then curds of Cow milk can soften and supple like butter, or the dung of the Stock-dove, purge like Euphor­bium; or the Dock-root draw phlegme from the Head like Pellitory; which Galen notwith­standing maketh substitutes of these Medicines which have such operation. I conclude therefore, seeing Navigation cannot afford us either the Simples, which we seem to need, and those which it doth, both corrupt and counterfeit in the greatest part; we have neither to crave thereof in this point aid, much less to trust thereunto. Now the Simples being but (for the most part) bastard Ware, how can the Compounds that amount of the same be other then counterfeit? Whereupon as Cardanus saith in his Method of Curing; The wise Magistrates of Venice have of­tentimes forbidden the making of Triacle and Mithridatum, because the Simples could not be had, whereby they should be compounded. Which if Venice, the greatest Mart in this part of the World of such Wares, cannot a vouch, what can we hope for from other places? That a man would marvel to see the great store of them in all shops of Apothecaries under the names of Triacle and Mithridatum of Androma­chus; and it being required in Triacle before it be used, it should have a time, as it were of mel­lowing, which of Galen in his Book of Triacle to Piso, is extended to twelve years: and of Pau­lus Aegineta in his seventh Book, by seven years, for those that are bitten or stung of venemous [Page 15] beasts, or have drunk poison, or are infected with the pestilence, and in other diseases, from [...]en years till it be twenty of age. I marvel what assurance we have of the age of this Triacle, which is ordinary in use; or if we have none, how we dare use it at adventure, knowing by age the vertue thereof hath no small alteration. I would these inconveniences were the smallest, which I have but briefly, and as it were, for a taste run over, yet were even they sufficient to stay our overhasty use of such strange Merchan­dize, and to move us to betake us to those we know, both in the Blade, and in the Seed, in the Root, and in the Fruit; and know the Air, the Hill, the Valley, the Meadow where they grow. But this trust upon, Out-landish Medicines have much more nearly touched us then so. If a man would say by his overhasty embracing, whatso­ever strange Nations do as it were, purge over unto us, we drink divers times rank Poison in­stead of wholesom Medicine, I think it would justly move us to be advised, and not to pass over the enquiry of a reason, why such a one should think so, being one whose vocation tend­eth to the charge of the health of mens bodies. The right Hermodactiles are commended for excellent Medicines against all Pains in the Joynts; as the Gout, the Schyatica, and such like, from which they purge gross Phlegme. Doronicum Romanum, hath great commenda­tion for comforting the Heart, expelling Poison, against the Cough, for avoiding of Humours which overcharge the Chest; which are great [Page 16] vertues doubtless in them both. Now if they [...] the shops, as they bear the name of these Medicines, so carried not with them instead of thes [...] vertues dangerous poison, then should I hav [...] less cause to exhort our Nation to be take the [...] to their Gardens and Fields, and to leave th [...] Banks of Nilus, and the Fens of India. Th [...] common Hermodactils being a kinde of poyson▪ called Ephemerum, so named, because with such swiftness it chargeth and overchargeth our vita [...] spirits, that it killeth him that hath taken it i [...] one day. The other commonly called Doroti­cum Romanum, and used for an especial Cordi­al, so that it hath place in the electuary of pre­cious Stones, in the electuary of Amber, in the cordial Powder; this Doronicum, I say, calle [...] of Mathiolus, Demoniacum, that is to say, Di­velish, noting thereby the vertues thereof, is no baser poison, then a very kinde of Aconitum, by Mathiolus experience, which he confesseth him­self (before having been abused by the common error) first to have learned of Jacobus Antonius Cortusus, a man very skilful in the nature of Simples, which Jacobus taught him the experi­ence, by giving it to dogs, which it killeth. Now if by reason no such danger happeneth to us, by the use of them, they seeming not so dangerous; we are to understand they be given in small quan­tity, and mixed with divers remedies against poison, the good Providence of God providing so, that otherwise they should not be ministred, as in the purging Electuary of Diacnicis, Hermo­dactils are bridled with Cinamon, and the pow­der [Page 17] of Diatragatanthum frigidum, where indeed [...]t hath somewhat too large scope, being better [...]empered in Benedicta, with Cloves, Parsley­ [...]eed, Galanga, and Mace, and in the Pills of Her­ [...]odactils with Aloe, Mirobalans, Bdellium, the [...]eed of Herbgrace, which have force against poi­ [...]on, the which small quantity of them being [...]ndled and dulled with other Medicines, especi­ [...]lly such a resist the force of poisons, is not deadly [...]nto us although great hurt thereof must needs [...]nsue. I have stood the longer upon this point [...]f strange Medicines, in answering the suppy by Navigation, the rather, because it seemeth most [...]o make against us in the maintenance of our [...]ome Medicines, and breedeth as it were a loath­ [...]omness of those blessings of God, which we daily [...]ay at commandment enjoy: But hitherto hath [...]nely been shewed the corruptions and counter­ [...]eting of forreign Medicines which belongeth to [...]ertain onely, and not to all; (although those [...]ertain be the chief, and of greatest price) and [...]hat being foreseen, the provision out of strange [...]nd far distant Nations, may seem well to stand [...]ith that Providence we speak of: and except [...]hey be in respect of their strangeness hurtfull [...]r unprofitable unto us, the skill of Sailing be­ [...]g a means to present them at our need, Na­ [...]ures care should seem no whit to be blemished. [...]he reasons which I have before alledged, I [...]ave to the indifferent Reader, to consider of, [...]nd because I am so far urged, I easily stick [...]ot to hold, that we receive no small hurt [...]om all all the kindes of strange Medicines, [Page 18] whereof I yield these few reasons which fol­low.

Our English Bodies, through the nature of the Region, our kinde of dyet and nourishment, our custome of life, are greatly divers from those of strange Nations, whereby ariseth great va­riety of humors and excrements in our bodies, from theirs; and so the causes of Diseases rising upon breach of diet, (the diet being of another sort) must needs be unlike, whereupon although their humors be in kinde, and in a generality agreeable to ours, as Blood, Choler, Phlegme, Melancholy, and such like, yet rising upon other matter then the same in us, and otherwise fra­med by a far other state of body, by reason of a diverse kinde of life, the Medicines which help them must needs hurt us, not finding the like cause to drive with: and this no doubt is the cause, why we are not able to bear such dose o [...] quantity of their Medicines, as those Nations are, to whom they be native. Besides they work [...] in our Bodies after a far more unkinde manne [...] then they report them to do in theirs; nay, they destroy us, and help them, which is an argu­ment to me, that every Medicine hath a relation to the Diseases of the inhabitant, which if it b [...] profitable to strangers, yet doth it by a con­straint and not half so kindly. The Greeks, a [...] it may appear by Dioscorides in his fourth Book and Chapter one hundred fifty and two, treating of Scammony, are able to bear a greater quantity, yea double then we, of Scammony, whic [...] is an ordinary purger with us. Who saith, thirt [...] [Page 19] grains thereof may be given with twenty of black Heleborus, and sixty of Aloe to make a just purgation, and of Scammony alone sixty grains. Now common experience teacheth us the great odds betwixt Scammony raw, as they call it, and the same corrected, which we name Dacrydium, both in vehemency of purging, and tormenting the body: yet hardly dare we pass above twenty grains of the same, and this mixed with Cordials and stomach Medicines. More­over, their slender correcting of it, doth argue it to be far less noisom to them then to us, who correct it onely, or at the least, are contented with the correction thereof by a little Salt and and Pepper, or a little Ginger: who for the plenty of excellent Simples, which we both want and know not, and for their skill in the nature of those we correct with, might as well have qualified it as we; who first wash it in Rose-wa­ter, wherein Cytrea Myrobalanus, Spike, and Cinamon have been boiled: in which also we let it steep four and twenty hours, then dry it, then mix it again with oyl of sweet Almonds, and some Goom for Tragacantha, and last of all bake it in a Quince, covered round with paste. Who hath not horror of the torments which both the Hellebores brings to the body? yet saith Paulus Aegineta in his seventh Book, and fourth Chapter, The black Helleborus purgeth yellow Choler from the whole body, without pain: which canndt be verified of our bodies, howsoever it be in theirs; and therefore we fear to minister the Powder thereof in any sort, but [Page 20] the steeping onely of the barks of the roots, from twenty grains to sixty, they being bold to take a whole dram thereof in substance, which is more then treble the quantity, for one dose. These strange workings of these forreign Drugs in our Bodies, and a more gentle and kinde work­ing in theirs, doth it not manifestly declare unto us, that they were not created for us? do they not force us oftentimes with peril of our lives to give them over? that the Pati­ent knoweth not divers times, whether he should stand rather to the courtesie of his Disease, then of his Potion? There is a Simple which hath not many years been in use, brought out of India, and highly commended, called Mechoaca, it purgeth gently, say they, without vexing or grieving the body, without anoying the stomach greatly, and ceaseth purging at your pleasure, with a little supping. These be great vertues doubtless, and I wish we could finde them in Mechoaca: for Experience the touchstone hath bewrayed it in our bodies, to be of a far other operation; it tormenteth the body, it annoyeth the stomach much, neither doth a supping stay the vehemency of purging, and this have I part­ly by mine own experience found in Mechoaca, and partly by the experience of my friends, who upon the use thereof have much complain­ed of these accidents. That juyce, or rather milk of Poppy, which is brought out of Asia, named Opium, it is not unknown to all the World, what a marvellous force it hath in be­numming the sense of Feeling, and utterly extin­guishing [Page 21] the natural Heat of the body, so that we fear to give thereof into the body above the weight of two grains, and those corrected with Saffron, Castorium, and such like, lest it cast the Patient into such a deep sleep, as he needeth the trump of the Archangel to awake him. Now, the same Opium being taken of the Turks, Moors, and Persians, bringeth to their wearied and over-travelled bodies, a marvellous recrea­tion, in such sort, as they ordinarily use it there­fore as a present remedy, not in the quantity of two grains or twenty, but even an whole ounce or twain at once: And Hollerius in his Scholia upon his Chapter of Phrensey, saith, That Ron­delet a learned Physician, and the French Kings Professor at Montpellier, reported unto him, that he had seen a Spaniard take thereof into his body half an ounce at one time, without hurt. Wherefore if the difference of our bodies from those of strange Nations be so great, that the thing which helpeth them, destroyeth us; that [...]ureth them without annoyance, doth vehement­ [...]y torment us; I would wish us to be better advi­sed, then to be so ready to embrace them, as [...]o contemn in comparison of them, the Medi­ [...]ines which receive, as it were, a taming, and [...]re broken unto us by our own soil: neither art [...]hou here to look, the Wisdom of the Physician should consider the variety and divers disposi­tions of the Bodies by Age, Complexion, Re­gion, Sex, &c. and thereafter to temper these Medicines, and so to avoid the dangers; for [...]he question is not of the manner of using these [Page 22] things, for then should such consideration have place, but even of the very nature, which no man­ner of use can alter. Yet are these Simples most excellent creatures of God, made for the use of men, but not for all men; and although we may receive help from them, by a certain generall community that our bodies have with those of Arabia, Barbary, and the rest; yet no doubt, as I have shewed in a few, so we receive by the use of them so much the less good by them, as we most differ from them, and that which wanteth of the performance of good to us, must needs turn us to much harm, the unhelping part, (as I may call it) always working, and so ever harm­ing. Neither do I see why the Medicines of In­dia or Egypt should be laid upon us, more then the Indian or Egyptian diet; which is to eat Ly­zards, Dragons, and Crocodiles: for if the pro­per Medicine doth alwayes regard his proper ad­versary, which causeth the disease (as no doubt it should do) then there being a great difference betwixt our humors and theirs, as much in a ma­ner as is betwixt the flesh of a Crocodile and of a tender Capon; our medicines which are to fit us, must needs be of another kinde then theirs, which in our bodies not finding such humors and excrements, as that strange diet doth ingender, must needs seize upon the very substance of our bodies, to have somewhat to work on: which painful working especially of the purgers, cau­seth the common saying amongst the people, to the great discredit of our Art: There is not a purgation, but it hath a smack of poison. Truth [Page 23] it is, no purgation can work without natures an­noyance, being in part a prick of nature to avoid her excrements: but when she is so provoked that she sweateth cold sweats, that she giveth over, that the patient soundeth not by the ex­cess of purging onely, but for the most part through the evil quality of the medicine, it is surely an argument, it wanted his proper sub­ject to work in. If needs we will take unto us the practice of such strange Medicines, (I call them Medicines according to the common phrase, else properly be they matter onely it were to be desired (which in part is performed) that such Medicines as be so perillous, might be planted in our natural countrey, that through the familiarity of our soil, they might first grow into acquaintance with us, before we entertain them, not into our bosomes, but into our hearts, and chamber them with our vital spirits. And as it is said of the tree Persea, which in Persia being poison, translated into Egypt, becometh whole­some, bearing fruit to be eaten, and good for the stomach: so those natures receiving such miti­gation of our soil, might in time better fit us then they do, which as it cannot alter their na­ture, being impossible to be done by change of place, so doubtless might it purge away that evil quality which annoyeth us, and seemeth ra­ther to be an evil complexion, and as it were a cacochimy and disease of the thing, then any ne­cessary propriety belonging to the nature. This which hath been said of Persia, is also to be seen in other Simples, which in other places are poi­son, [Page 24] and kill with the very shadow, yet brought into England, and planted with us, clean change that venomous quality. Ugh called Taxus, of Dioscorides is said to be so dangerous, and of such venomous nature, that in Navar the very sha­dow thereof poisoneth him that sleepeth under it: and Aegenita saith, being taken inward, it strangleth, and swiftly killeth. This Taxus not­withstanding, being so perillous in other places, our English soil hath so reformed, that boldly our children do eat of the fruit thereof without danger: the like may be verified of our Hem­lock, which although it be to be numbred among the poisoning Herbs, yet it is far behinde that which groweth in Candy, or Megara, or Cili­cia, scarce to be accounted poison, in compari­son of that in those Countreys. Now if thou shalt think (gentle Reader) as the change of a Region altereth some qualities, so all, and there­by empaireth the vertue of the Medicine; thou mayest easily be deceived. For as they depend not one upon another, so may the one be well without the other, though by one common form they seem to be linked together to make one na­ture. Rhewbarb is known to have two qualities, one contrary to another, of purging the body, and stopping: yet by steeping may the one be separated from the other, the purging vertue being drawn out by steeping, and the stopping still remaining in the substance steeped: so like­wise may the noisom quality of the Medicine be eschewed, the wholesome and medicinable vertue notwithstanding, being in full force, yea [Page 25] greater retained, I say greater, insomuch as the hurtful quality would hinder the operation of the healthful, which being freed and unyoked from the other, doth far better accomplish his work. Of all kindes of Honey that of Greece, and namely of Attica and Hible are most com­mended, the next price is given to the Honey of Spain and Navar: yet it is certainly known by experience, that the English Honey is most agreeable to our English Bodies, and greater quantity thereof may be taken, with less an­noyance, yea, none at all to those which are not of too hot a temper: the other kindes being more fiery, more apt to engender Choler, and to inflame the blood, and more unfit to loose the body. Whereby we may evidently see, that Nature useth not one shoe for every foot, but either ministreth a divers commodity in kinde, or else by the Countrey, Air, and Soil, doth so temper it, that greater use may be there­of to the inhabitant of the same Countrey. By this then which hitherto hath been said, it is manifest we receive great hurt by the use of strange Medicines, and not upon reason onely, but from plain experience, even with hurt to our own bodies, which as it is the greatest price of knowledge, so therefore ought we the more to set thereby, and more carefully to seek to avoid the danger. Again, it is evident, that the planting of strange Simples frameth them more to our use. Wherefore as there be many excellent Gardens in England, especially in Lon­don, replenished with store of strange and out­landish [Page 26] Simples, it were to be wished such en­deavours were of others followed, that so we might acquaint us better with these strangers, and by Ʋsu capio make them our own. But what soils will brook all things? it is true, yet no doubt of those that it will brook, which I dare say are four or five hundred; this frugality of nature toward us as it is thought, might bear a greater show, and more safely use them, espe­cially the purgers, which carry with them great­est anoyance. Now if it be objected, the force of outlandish Simples are thereby more feeble, as we finde the Organ of Candy surpassing ours in strength, I mean the same kinde with that of Candy planted in the Gardens, which may be said also of other strange Herbs planted by us. It cannot be denied but they are so, neither can the strange Simples in all points be equal with his kinde, keeping his Native soil; yet is the difference scarce half a degree under, or if it were a degree full out, what reason were it to fetch that one degree with much peril, and charge, as far as Candy, Spain, or Venice, or from another world: whereas a little increase of the quantity of the thing, would easily supply that want, though I mention not the gain of fresh­ness of the same, which maketh no small recom­pence of wanting in the force: neither is the nature or vertue of a Medicine to be esteemed by taste or smell, neither by the force it hath against the disease, the nature of a medicine lying in an equal matching of the cause of the disease, which if it overmatch, so far off it is from the praise [Page 27] of an wholesome medicine, that it becommeth [...] cause of a contrary disease; wherefore the [...]ommendation of a medicine lieth not in force, [...]t in such force. And therefore the counsel of [...]he best Physicians is, if the disease will bear any delay, as the most do, rather to apply a medicine of weaker force, then at once with a vehement [...]one, to shake the frame of Nature. And the weaker medicine being weak, either in respect of the nature of the Simple, or the small quantity, they counsel rather to use that kinde of curing, which is by the feebler medicine in kinde, then by reason of the under quantity. For what skil­ful Physician would cure a small distemper of heat, and as it were in the first degree, with a small quantity of Opium, or Mandrake, or Hen­bane, being cold in the fourth degree, rather then with the just quantity of Endive, or Succo­ry, or diminish a small excess of humors, with an under quantity of Coloquintida or Scammony, rather then with the just quantity of a feebler medicine? Wherefore upon good reason they conclude it to be far safer for the Patient, to cure with contraries of feebler force, either often re­peated, or in a greater quantity applied, then with a main force of a medicine of equal strength at once to expel the disease, Nature abhorring all vehement and sudden either emptying or [...]l­ling, heating or cooling, or any other kinde of sudden alteration, which being grounded upon good reason, the delaying of the force of strange medicines by our soil, serveth greatly for the commendation both of planting them with us, [Page 28] and of the Medicines themselves planted. The Simple still keeping within the compass of the matter of a Medicine, neither being so diminish­ed, but that by increase of the quantity, it may match with the disease, which no man with reason can deny. Now, if the greatness of the quantity happily procure loathsomness to the Patient by extraction, that inconvenience may easily be avoided: by which means a pound may be brought to an ounce, an ounce to a dram, and a dram to a few grains, to please the Pa­tient with. Such of strange Medicines as will not brook our Climate, thereby declare the evill disposition they have to cure the infirmity of our bodies. Every Medicine is as it were a mean betwixt nourishments and poysons, excepting those Medicines which are applyed outwardly, which may both be of nourishments and poy­sons. In this mean betwixt these extreams, there is such a scope and breadth, that some Me­ [...]ines incline to the one, and some to the other. Now the best are such as rather incline to nou­rishments then poisons, which as they do fight against the Disease, so have they a certain to­ken and pledge of greement betwixt our bo­dies and theirs: whereby they acknowledge us for friends, and not common enemies with the disease: the other Medicines which have no such token and earnest, being apt, as well to destroy us, as to take away the Disease, and so joyn fellowship with rank poisons. Then our na­tive Soil being by the Ordinance of GOD the fittest to yield us nourishment, from which [Page 29] [...]ur Cattel and Fruits have a nutritive or nou­ [...]ishing juice, which render the same again to [...]s, what can we think of those Medicines, to [...]hom our soil hath not a drop of juice to yield [...]to, and giveth no entertainment. Verily [...]e are both to learn thereby, that nature doth [...]urnish us other wayes, and also greatly to sus­ [...]ect them to be of an extream kinde of Medi­ [...]ines, the Spices onely excepted, and such as are [...]aid to be sympathetical to certain parts of our [...]odies, which notwithstanding, less serve that [...]seth more strange and forreign they be. What should I speak of the unmeasurable charge and [...]ost these strange Medicines put us unto? In my opinion if it were but that, we might be stirred up to this, or such like consideration: Hath God so dispensed his blessings, that a Me­dicine to cure the Jaundies, or the Green Sick­ness, or the Rheum, or such like, should cost [...]ore oftentimes then one quarter of the sub­stance that the Patient is worth? And the pro­vision of a whole year, whereof Wife and Children, and the whole Family should with things necessary be maintained in health, be wasted upon the curing of a Palsie, or a Chol­ [...]ick, or a swimming of the brain, or any other disease whatsoever? Is Physick onely made for [...]ich men, and not as well for the poorer sort? doth it onely wait upon Princes Palaces, and never stoop to the Cottage of the poor? doth it onely receive gifts of the King, and never thanks and prayers from him that hath but thanks and prayers to bestow? or doth the Lords [Page 30] goodness pass over them of low degree? Hath he respect of persons? Yea, hath God given to the Beast a remedy out of his own food and pa­sture (as it is most certainly known) with a skill to use it, and hath he set a Journey as far as from the Sun-rising to the going down, as it were a wall of Brass, and the fiery sword of a Cherubim to keep us from the attaining of Salves for our Sores? Justly may we thus complain, especially those of the poorer sort. And if Physick (as it is indeed) be an Art common to all kinde of men, all sorts of nations, all estates and conditions of men; I would know why the means also of per­forming the actions belonging to the same Art, should not be as common? And if it be ordinary to all Nations to fetch their Medicines far, let me know why, as we cease not to travel for to store us with outlandish Drugs, we carry not thither also our Countrey Medicines for change; or they of those Nations give not the like Ad­venture for ours? but they are contented with their own store, and so ought we with ours. If it be not ordinary, why should it be more extra­ordinary to one then to another. The most of our Apothecary Ware is bought from the most vile and barbarous Nations of the world, and al­most all from the professed enemies of the Son of God: shall we say, the Lord hath not care, or setteth more store by them then by his own people? that he so furnisheth them, and leaveth us destitute? or shall we rather condemn the va­nity of our own mindes, who unsatiably desire strange things, little regarding, or rather loath­ing [Page 31] that which is always at commandment? But God (saith one) hath not bestowed all things upon all Nations, but hath left something to be supplied by the Commodities wherewith one Nation aboundeth, and another wanteth; that thereupon mutual duties arising, the society of men might be upholden. Which objection, if it carried with it what things they were, and of what kinde, that one Nation supplieth to an­other, and what sort of Commodities they be that one Nation needeth the help of another in, a more direct answer might be made then other­wise I may hit upon: but I guess it is neither of Water, nor Fire, nor yet of Air, nor of any thing necessary for maintenance of life, other­wise should the Native Countrey of each one be rather a stepdame to us then a natural mother; but it is of those things onely which with health­ful and lusty Bodies we might be without, if custome had not too much prevailed with us. And to go no further then to the use of Wine in England, in many respects it greatly hurteth us, yet our ordinary use thereof, hath given us such a longing thereafter, that we think if we should want it, many of our dayes were thereby abrid­ged; whereby notwithstanding Rhewms are mightily increased, the Sinews feebled, the natu­ral Moisture and Heat of the body overhastily wasted, and swift old Age brought upon us, with an infinite number of discommodites besides. Which the Nations finding where we have it; do so delay it, that rather they seem to drink wined Water, then watered Wine, except the aged, or [Page 32] such as are feeble stomached. And divers Nati­ons which may have of the best, because they would be sure to banish the use of it, count it sacriledge to taste it: as the Turks at this day, who use instead thereof a distilled water of Rice steeped in Milk, thereby supplying the use of Wine. Neither do we finde this discommo­dity of Wine by the abuse of drunkenness or surfeting onely, but even keeping within the three cups that Eubolus powreth out to wise men: whereof the first is of health and nou­rishment: the second of mirth, and joy of heart: and the third of sleep, so that a draught or twain doth marvellously distemper our bo­dies: which inconvenience we finde not by our ordinary drink; yea, though it be stronger then wine. If I should compare our Mede with the best Wine, and the Metheglin of the Welchmen with Malmsie, I could take great ar­guments from the nature of Honey to prove it. Especially being tempered with certain whole­some Herbs, which have vertue to strengthen the parts of the body. And by experience it is known, that Honey mixed with water, turneth in time to a wholesome liquor, in taste much like to Wine. Whereupon Pena in his Chapter of Honey, folio 22. doubteth not to affirm, that the Mede of the Polonians and Muscovites, and the Metheglin of the Welchmen, are more wholesome and pleasant, then many of the best kindes of Wines, he himself being a French man, and therefore in his judgement less partial. Wherefore to conclude this argument, [Page 33] seeing, Wine (which is the glory of strange Merchandise) is but an hurtful superfluity, the rest must needs be far other then necessaries. But Medicines being such, as without which our health and life runneth into infinite perils, by causes inward and outward, through breach of Diet, unwholesomness of Meat, Wounds, Bi­tings of venemous Beasts, Infections of the Air, and such like, it followeth necessarily, that they be not such as God would have one Nation gratifie another with; which if they were, greater reason were it to charge the neighbour Nations therewith, that thereby their mindes, might with performance of such mutual duties, so necessary, be in streighter amity and peace linked, who cease not, for the enlarging of li­mits, to vex one another, rather then the Na­tions so far distant, who have neither fellowship of love, nor quarel of hatred equal with the Borderers. Neither would I be so taken, as though I knew not at sometimes, that one Na­ [...]ion hath need of another, even in things ne­cessary; as the supply made by Joseph to his [...]ather Jacob, and other Nations out of the store of Egypt; but the controversie is of an ordina­ [...]y course, which the Lord useth in bestowing his [...]lessings, wherewith he doth fully satisfie [...]he need of all Nations with things necessary, [...]aving when he punisheth with Famine or [...]ant of Victuals, which is extraordinary in re­ [...]pect of his accustomed course of preserving his [...]eatures. Now, if the strange Medicines (for he most part hot) should seem rather in the [Page 34] whole kinde, then by reason of abundance su­perfluous to them, and so more fit for us, being of a colder temper: we are to consider, the use of them is manifold to the inhabitants, and not onely to warne them, as the Ethyopians called Troglodites, although they be parched with ve­hement heat of the Sun, are said to live with Pepper, not to correct the distemper of the [...] Bodies, which would rather increase it then di­minish, but to correct their evil Waters, and waterish Fruits, wherewith they in part do live Again, we are to understand, that the disease which is most agreeable with Age, Sex, Regi­on, Custome, Complexion, is alwayes most dan­gerous, as ingendred by an exceeding vehemen [...] of the cause, whereto Nature hath yielded, an [...] so requireth a like vehement Medicine: where­fore if the Arabian, the Indian, the Spaniard fall into cold diseases, or such as follow cold no marvel though Nature hath ministred unto them plenty of strong Wines and Spices, whi [...] the Northren Nations need not. Who as th [...] be more apt to fall into such diseases then the [...] their temper thereto agreeing, the Air and R [...] gion furthering the same, so are they not ther [...] of so dangerously sick, as they of the So [...] Countries, and therefore require not so for [...] able a Medicine. But I minde not to stand [...] shew the use which foreign Nations have of th [...] Commodities, let them see to it. Hitherto h [...] been shewed, both that they be hurtful unto [...] and that it is not absurd for hot Regions to [...] bound with hot Simples, the use of them be [...] [Page 35] divers, both in respect of curing their Bodies, and other uses without the compass of Physick. These be the reasons which move me to suspect the use of strange Drugs, and drive me to think, that Nature hath better provided for us; and as the Indian, Arabian, Spaniard, have their Indish, Arabian, and Spanish Medicines, so also the Germane hath his, the French man his, and the English man his own proper, belonging to each of them. I know, gentle Reader, nothing doth more hinder the accepting of truth divers times, (especially with such as see with other mens eyes) then the person of him who first propoun­deth the matter, being taken rather to be an o­pinion of one, then an undoubted truth to be cherished of all, as who have interest therein. Wherefore that such might be satisfied, I will adde to my former reasons, taken from the Na­ture of the thing, the authority of moe Doctors then one, who agreeing with this which I hold, may be a means, to draw the gentle Reader the more seriously to consider of this matter, and truth may take some strength thereby, and win the more credit. Pliny in his four and twenty Book of his History, and first Chapter, hath this Sentence, thus much in English: Nature would that such onely should be Medicines, that is to say, which easily might be come by of the com­mon people; easie to be found out, without charge, taken from the things whereby we live; but in process of time, the craft of men, and sleights of their wits, found out these shops of strange drugs, in which a sale of mens lives is [Page 36] offered, whereupon confectious, and infinite mixtures began to be extolled. India and Ara­bia a man would think he were in them, and for a little gall or small ulcer, a medicine must be fetched from the Red Sea: whereas every day the poorest do sup with true medicines. And in his two and twenty Book, and four and twenty Chapter, We do not meddle (saith he) with the medicines taken from the merchandise of In­dia and Arabia, or of the New World, they are not fit for medicines and remedies: they grow too far off, they are not for us, no, not for the Nations where they grow, else would they not sell them away. If we shall needs use them (saith he) let them be bought for sweet perfumes, and sweet oyles, and dainties, or to serve superstition, because when we pray, we burn Frankencense and Costus. And thus much out of Pliny, whose judgement, as it is ancient, of a thousand years, so is it of him, who most di­ligently sought out the mysteries of nature, and published them for the use of posterity. Now if haply it be objected, that Pliny might well veri­fie that of Italy, which England cannot performe, we must understand, that Pliny reasoneth from nature, which serveth for all nations of the world as well as for Italy, and directeth his Pen, not onely against the medicines strange to Italy, but even against all that are far fetched and dearly bought, as appeareth plainly by his words. To this sentence of Pliny, I will adde the judge­ment of two Physicians of late time, lest Pliny being no Physician, should be thought an un­sufficient [Page 37] testimony. Fuchsius in his first Book of compounding of Medicines, and seventy six Chapter, thus agreeth with Pliny. If we were not so carried away with the admiration of strange things, and were not fools (saith he) who had rather use medicines fetched from strange and far countries, (contemning our native medi­cines) then such as grow in our gardens: we might make honey serve in stead of Manna. But with the exceeding cost and charge which those medi­cines put us unto, we are worthily punished for our folly. Loe, here two witnesses, the one a great Philosopher, and the other both a Philo­sopher and a Physician, comparable with the best of late dayes.

The third witness with Pliny and Fuchsius, is, Martino Rulandus, to whom the students of Phy­sick owe much for his Medicina practica, and o­ther works. This Rulandus in his Preface to Me­dicina practica, hath these words; thus in English: We have simple medicines (easily had, homely, of our own countrey of Germany, to be bought with little money or none at all) ready (saith he) and intreated of in writing, by which onely all kindes of diseases are certainly and undoubtedly cured, oftentimes better and much more easily (be­lieve reason and experience, saith he) (and that with no hurt or danger) then with the long compounds of the Apothecaries, which are costly, evil gathered, without knowledge of the Physician, oftentimes unperfectly mixed, and unskilfully confused, and as unskilfully boyled; oftentimes putrified, and by age of force [Page 38] wasted, slovenly and with great negligence con­fected. In which words Rulandus briefly hath comprehended, in a manner, all the discommo­dities of strange Medicines. These testimonies I rather have alleadged, gentle Reader, that thou mayest know this my opinion, is not mine onely, and new sprung up from the leasure of a Student, who might easily be overtaken with a speculation, which never could be shewen in use and practice, but hath with it the voice of autho­rity, and suffrages of excellent Philosophers and Physicians, although they have not of purpose, and in a set Treatise handled this Argument, as thou sees: which, notwithstanding, containeth indeed the matter of a great Volume. Hither­to hath been shewed the great inconveniences and dangers which rise of the use of strange Me­dicines, by reason, by experience, by authority of Phisolophers and Physicians. If my reason be evil gathered, the experience false, the autho­rity not authentical, what have I lost thereby? A few hours meditation, and a few lines writing, or my credit impaired, will some say. If my credit could either buy such vertues to strange Medicines, as they carry the name, or purge the shops of counterfeit stuff, or redeem the harms they have done, I would verily esteem as much of the change, as he which made exchange of Brass for Gold. Although I ween it be a pro­priety to mans weakness unavoidable of any to erre, and therefore if obstinacy be not therewith coupled, alwayes found pardon. But if my Ar­guments rise from the causes and effects of these [Page 39] foreigners, and causes and effects of our bodies, which are of all Arguments the most forceable to establish, or overthrow any thing to be de­cided by reason, and the authorities such, as justly exception cannot be taken against: blame me not (gentle Reader) though I be carried in­to this perswasion my self, and of a love and zeal to benefit thee, have published that which I have conceived of this Argument. If I be de­ceived in my judgement of strange Drugs, (which I wish with all my heart I were) these reasons, the woful experience, the authority of such men have induced me. Which if all may be answered, that which seemed more then doubt­ful before, shall by this Controversie shine most clear; and truth as it were wrought with the fire of reason, receive greater strength and per­fection.

Thus much touching the unableness of strange merchandise to perform unto us sufficiency, yea any measure of medicines as belonging unto us properly, and the discommodities of them. Now if strange medicines serve not our turns, and all medicines be either strange or home-born, it must needs follow, that the home medicines are most naturall and kinde to us, except a man would say, all medicines bring harm unto us which is not of the nature of a medicine, being an instrument of performing remedies unto us, or if it were so, yet have we this by experience, that strange medicines do more annoy us then strangers, yea destroy us, and restore them: wherefore home medicines, and of our Countrey [Page 40] yield, of equity must necessarily perform the same to us, which their medicines do to them. Else I would know, why we should be inferiour unto them, or one Nation more priviledged that way then another, the need being common, and the providence of God all one; yea, such as rather then remedy should need the chariot of the Sun to fetch it from one end of the world to the other, or be so far to seek as our common Druggs are, he hath linked the remedy in many things, so straitly to the cause of our hurt, that even the self same which harmed us, carrieth with it amends. As the Scorpion rubbed upon his stinging, cureth the same. Likewise the Rany divided, and applyed hot to the wound, cureth her venemous biting, and so the Pastina­ca marina, as it bringeth most dangerous hurt, it refuseth not (being thereto applied) to mini­ster remedy. Which practise of nature might ve­rily move us to think, her meaning is not to send us either into Arabia or India for aid for our griefs, but thereby to commend her care unto us, and give occasion of praising Gods providence, and stirring us up to make diligent search into our own provision, and to make better trial, then we are wont of the same. Wherein the great liberality of GOD appeareth in such large measure, that rather superfluity, then sparing may be noted herein: in that both one simple nature carrieth with it the vertue of many medicines, and many simples, remedies against such diseases as we might be thought like never to be subject unto, and such things as in respect [Page 41] of their nature might seem vile unto us, afford us (being skilfully applied) most sovereign medi­cine: whereof for a taste I give two or three ex­amples; Milke is either to be considered in all the parts together, or them severed. All kinde of Milke boiled, especially burned with stones taken from the sea-shore, helpeth all inward ulcers, chiefly of the jawes, the lungs, the guts, the bladder, and the kidneys; it is good against the itch and wheals, and it helpeth bloody flixes. New Milke is good against frettings made with poisons received inward: as of Cantharides and such like: it is profitably gargled against swel­lings and frettings in the jaws. The whay of Milk is good to purge the body, especially of such as be melancholike, and disposed to the falling sickness, leprosie, and breaking out with scabs. The cheesie part of it, as curds, fresh without salt, softneth the belly; which pressed and broiled stayeth the laxe. Cheese laid on, helpeth the inflamation of the eyes. The butter of Milke drunk, softneth the belly, and serveth against poison for want of oil, rubbed upon their gums with honey helpeth the toothing of children, and cureth the itching of their gums and sores of their mouthes. It helpeth such as are bitten of the serpent called Aspis. The soot of butter is very effectual against watering eyes, and swiftly skin­neth sores. Thus thou seest, Reader, what trea­sure is hid in Milke, (even an excrement) being used both whole and in parts. That which I have said of Milke, belongeth also to most of creatures, which both all serve for medicine and [Page 42] each of them for sundry purposes: whereby natures endeavour to furnish us with all help of medicine may evidently appear; yea, most of all, when she seemeth to be so jealous over our health, that she provideth against Drysinus, against the Scorpion, the Viper, and Cerastes, and the most of venomous bitings of Serpents, wherewith notwithstanding we are not as other nations encumbred, and those not common me­dicines onely, but even proper unto them. As the venom of Drysinus is abated and utterly extinguished with the Trifolie, and with all kinde of mast, be it of the Beech or Oke, or of any kinde of tree that beareth Acorns. Pene­rial cureth the Scorpions sting. Against the bi­ting of a Viper, Garlike, Onions, and Leeks new gathered, are principal triacles wherewith also the venom of Cerastes is overmatched. Ergo, if Nature fail us not against the venome of strange [...]erpents, from which we be freed, by reason of the temper of our Region, repugnant to their nature, (all things being done in the actions of nature, in exquisite wisdom, and by a precise rule of Gods providence) much more are we furnished against the Diseases bred in our bowels. That which hath been said of venom­ous Beasts, may also be shewed in the cure of strange Diseases, wherein Nature seemeth to be as careful as in the other. The French pocks is an Indian Disease, and not known to this part of the world within this hundred years, before that voyage of Charles the Emperor, which he took against Naples, where being brought over with [Page 43] [...]he Spaniards which returned with Christopherus [...]olumbus, who first discovered the West Indies, [...] hath since infected the whole world. Now, his strange and Indian disease hath nature pro­ [...]ided remedy against, not onely out of India, [...]s the Gnaicum, and Salsa Parilla, but even out Europe as effectual: as the Smillax aspera, [...]herewith Fallopius saith, at Pisa he cured di­ [...]ers of the French Pocks. And La Reviere in [...]is French Apology, affirmeth the same to be [...]one with the essence of the Primrose and Cow­ [...]ip. The anointings with Mercury is known by [...]aily practices, what force they have against this most grievous Disease, which although some do mislike, because indiscreetly used, it is somewhat [...]angerous: yet Antonius Chalmetous, a skilfull Chyrurgeon, in the fifth Book of his Enchiridion [...]nd fifth Chapter, affirmeth, That therewith he [...]ath perfectly cured divers without danger, and [...]f it hath otherwise fallen out with some, that it hath rather proceeded of unskilful using, then [...]y the nature of Mercury. Now, gentle Rea­der, thou art to understand, the Pocks in India, being the same Disease with that we call the French Pocks, is there a gentle disease not much differing from the Scab, void of such grievous [...]ymptoms, as it bringeth to these quarters, cor­rupting, not onely the fleshy parts of our bo­dies, but even the very bones also. This testifi­eth Fallopius in his Book of the French Pocks. Yet needs not our Medicines crave the help of India for the cure thereof, no, not although it [...]age far more fiercely (as it doth) against us [Page 44] then against them: which being evident, let us consider how justly nature may be blamed to fail in the provision of medicines. Scarce would a man look for any great vertue of medicine in the Worms of the earth, being a creature so ab­ject; yet joyn they and glew together wounded sinnews; they cure Tertians, they help the pains of the ears, the Toothache, and the powder of them drunken, provoketh urine. The little ver­mine called Sowes, which being touched runne together round like a peese; who would think they cured the difficulty of making water, the Jaundies, the Quinsey? For which pur­poses they be of great force, and for to dis­charge stuffed Lungs, with tough and gross hu­mours, nothing may be compared. Likewise the Cornes of Horse legs called Lichenes, al­though they be base and vile excrements, yet help they such are taken with the Falling-sick­ness. The decoction of Frogs with Salt and But­ter, is a treacle against the bitings, stingings, and poisons of all Serpents; and the ashes of them burnt, stayeth the Flux of bloud being thereto applyed. These base creatures the rather I pro­pound, that being known, the treasures which na­ture hath hid and laid up in them, with such va­riety of vertues, we might the better esteeming of her benefits, and the blessings of our own countrey, both acknowledge them, accept them, and be more thankful unto God for them. The which base creatures, the viler they seem to be, the more commend they the goodness of the Creator, who would not the abjectest thing that [Page 45] is, should altogether be without, wherewith to serve, and do homage to his Lord and Master: which if these things afford us, what may we just­ly promise to our selves, and require of the rest, more excellent creatures? Let not the reason seem strange and weak to the Reader, who art a Christian, which is taken from the Provi­dence and Wisdom of GOD, to prove the sufficiency of his execution and performance of the same. For if Galen thought it rea­sonable, (as it is most reasonable,) to gather the Wisdom and Providence of the Creator by his work in the Creature, and maintenance there­of, which he, in the end of his Books of the use of Parts, calleth a point of Divinity, far to be preferred above the whole Art of Physick: much more reasonable is it for me, and the reason sounder which is drawn from that Divine Providence, to the practice thereof. And if Ga­len had that religion in him, being a Gentile, and groping onely in the mist of natural knowledge of God, could not satisfie himself with a Psalm or Hymn (as he himself calleth it) of seven­teen staves, every staff containing an whole Book (for thus he himself calleth his Books of the use of Parts) of the wisdom of the most wise God, esteeming that duty more acceptable unto him, then sacrifices of an hundreth Oxen, or the most costly perfumes and incense: Let it not be harsh in thine ears, gentle Reader, to hear now and then the goodness of our God, his Wisdom and Providence, to be both intreated of, and advanced of a Christian Physician, and [Page 46] to Christians, to whom the Son of righteousness hath shined, and scattered those mists of natu­ral darkness, and hath given the earnest of im­mortality. And be assured there is no truth in Philosophy, but may stand with, ye rather may rest, and be upholden of Christianity. But let us proceed. Julius Bassus, Nicerates, and Pe­tronius Niger, as saith Dioscorides, thought their countrey Medicines, and those which the native soyl yielded, most worthy to be exactly intreat­ed of them; belike, either thinking them suffi­cient for the inhabitants, or more agreeable with them. Which homely practice of the Na­tions where he travelled, Dioscorides confesseth to have been the matter whereof he compound­ed his golden Book of Medicines, which at this day remaineth a rich storehouse to all Physicians. Now then I would know why we should more be provided of Medicine against one disease, then another, of our countrey yield? Is it be­cause such diseases which require strange Medi­cines are more dangerous, or less? If more dangerous, then should the remedy for them be more at hand, then for other: if less, why are then the strange Medicines esteemed as most for­cible? And if we be less subject to such diseases as are cured with them, and so the absence of them may seem tollerable, why then are Tertian Agues chiefly cured with Thamarines and Rhewbarb? Whereof the one cometh out of India, and the other, for the most part, out of Barbary. Whatsoever nature is yielded to any Nation, it serveth either for nourishment or [Page 47] Medicines, or being neither nourishment or Me­dicine, is plain poyson. Now a subduction be­ing made of each of these, one from the other, what part shall we think will nourishments leave to Medicines? A far greater doubtless then they themselves be, and as they exceed nourish­ments, so greatly do they and beyond all com­parison exceed the poysons. Wherefore if the most of creatures in every Nation, be a fit mat­ter of Medicine, greatly no doubt are all Nati­ons stored with them: which store declareth, that as diseases partly rise of breach of Diet, and partly through poysons; so Nature would fur­nish us with Medicines in number answerable to the causes of both, which being not sufficient, argueth that Nature misseth of her purpose, having sufficiently declared her endeavour: but Nature alwayes bringeth her works to perfecti­on, except in case of Monsters, which are not ordinary. Wherefore her will, (she being an instinct of Gods) ever going with the execution thereof, must needs perform that to us, which he pretendeth in the variety. But that thou mayest (gentle Reader) have better hold and greater assurance of the sufficiency of thy Coun­trey Medicines, I will set down briefly, according to the variety and sorts of all diseases cured with medicine, Medicines taken from our native soyl answerable unto them, and effectual to cure them. And because Medicines have relation to diseases, I will first touch the diseases, and there­to joyn the Medicines. All diseases are either in the complexion, or frame of the body: such as [Page 48] are in the complexion are all cured by Medicine, which I named in the beginning of this Treatise, one of the instruments of Physick. Of disease [...] in the frame, these onely are cured with Medi­cines. Quantity superfluously increased, or di­minished: obstructions, over streightness, or over largeness of passages in the body. These are onely the diseases properly to be cured with medicine: other diseases which rise of these, ei­ther of their own accord, vanishing by the cure of these, or else to be cured by surgery, as evil figure and shape through want of proportional quantity, that being restored, the figure forth­with returneth, or if not, rather is to be cured with help of hand. And luxation of joynts, and evil coupling of parts, if they rise of distemper onely, that being taken away with medicines, returneth oftentimes with it, good situation of parts. Likewise, the situation perverteth through distemper, the complexion being re­stored, the other consequently do follow. Now, having declared in general the diseases which onely require medicine, that every disease may have his proper one, I will subdivide them more particularly, joyning to every disease that me­dicine which thereto belongeth. The diseases in the complexion, are either in all the parts of the temper thereof, or in one or twain. In the whole complexion are such as are ingendred of venemous causes: and those either ingendred in the body, or happening thereto outwardly; they which are ingendred with age in the body, are Cankers, Leprosies, Falling-sickness, Suffocati­on, [Page 49] of the matrix through Nature corrupted, Swounding, through corruption of Worms, in­gendred in the body, and these be the diseases of venemous causes bred in the body. Such as happen thereto by outward occasions, are either by poison taken into the body, or by outward [...]ouching procured, taken into the body; as the poison of Toads, Henbane, Nightshade, Hem­ [...]ock, Ratsbane, Quicksilver, and such Minerals; [...]nd last of all, infected Airs, causing Pestilence, [...]nd Carbuncles. Such as are outwardly procu­ [...]ed, are either without wounds or with wounds; without wounds, infection passing from one to [...]nother, as the French Poxs. With wounds, [...]enemous bitings, and stingings of beasts, as of [...]erpents and mad Dogs. And these are all the [...]iseases said to be in the whole temper of the [...]ody; which having first shewed to be suffici­ [...]ntly cured by home Medicines, in like manner [...]ill I prosecute the rest. And herein (gentle [...]eader) thou art not to look I should set down [...]ll Medicines, which our native soyl is known to [...]estow upon us for cure of these diseases, which [...]ould grow to an infinite Volume, I herein [...]eferring thee to the works of those, who of pur­ [...]ose have written of the nature of Simples, and [...]re Authors of Practice; but it shall I hope, suf­ [...]e for this purpose, to pick out amongst a great [...]any, those of choice for these diseases. And [...]st to begin with Cankers, which being not ex­ [...]cerated, but remaining humors, are cured (if [...]ith any medicine) by the juyce of Nightshade, [...]ll the sorts of Endive and Succory, with Agri­mony, [Page 50] with Saint Johns wort, wilde Clary, called Oculus Cstristi, the flesh of Snails boiled, Crayfishes, green Frogs; and to conclude, with all kinde of Metals and Minerals, and among them Lead, howsoever it be used, is most sove­reign. If it be exulcerated, then herein hav [...] the Minerals and Metals the chief place. To th [...] exulcerate Canker belongeth the Wolf (whic [...] is naught else, but a Canker exulcerated.) Th [...] Gangrene and Speacelus, are cured by the r [...] medies of the Canker and Wolf, the one bein [...] a degree of an Ulcer, in which the parts begin t [...] be mortified; the other, when they have no [...] lost life altogether. The Leprosie is an univers [...] Canker, and for outward medicines requireth n [...] other. Among the inward, Plantine, Wha [...] Hedgehogs dryed and drunk, help greatly. An [...] thus much for Cankers and Leprosies, which [...] they be diseases hard to be cured by any med [...] cine, so receive they as great help by these o [...] home medicines, as by any of strange [...] The Falling-sickness, if it be in such as are age and have been long diseased therewith, is a d [...] ease hardly, or not at all to be cured. But wh [...] it is curable, these medicines be compar [...] with the best: The root of the Missleto of [...] Oak, the runnet of an Hare, the Peony-ro [...] Enula Campana, the scalp of a Man, and A [...] hoof, Hyssop, the milt of an Horse, the Sto [...] which are found in the Mawes of the first [...] of Swallows, five leaved Grass, the juyce of t [...] Cowslip, the juyce of Horehound with Ho [...] All suffocations of the Matrix are cured [...] [Page 51] Plantine, Pennirial, Herbgrace, and by an infi­nite number of home medicines. Worms, and that infection is taken away by Coriander-seed, Colewort seed, Garlike, Wormwood, and in a manner with all bitter herbs, with the juyce of Purslane, with the filings of Stags-horn, little in­feriour in vertue to that, which is commonly ta­ken for the Unicorns horn, Peach leaves, Hyssop, Mints, Purslane seed. Thus much touching medicines against diseases, ingendred of vene­mous causes within the body. Now touching such as happen by outward occasions: and first of those that by mouth are taken into the bo­dy. Against which generally, it helpeth great­ [...]y to drink store of butter instead of oyl, with warm water, or the decoction of Flax seed, Fe­ [...]igreek, or Mallows, and thereupon a vomit, which done, Sothernwood, the root of Seahul­ver, the seed of Nep, the juyce of Horehound, the seed of wilde Rue, Walnuts, Turnips, Herb­grace, five leaved Grass, with an infinite num­ber of native medicines, expel the poison, and restore the Patient. More properly to the poison of Cantharides, belong Penerial; to Buprestis all kinde of Pears, and Womens Milk: to the Salamander, Chamepitis, [...] holy roots: to the worms of the Pine-tree, su [...] [...] [...]he poison of Cantharides: against the poison of the Toad, the roots of Reeds and Cyperus: against the Camelion, Radish roots, and Worm­wood: against Ephemerum, Asses milk, or Cows milk hot: against Dorycnium, Goat [...] milk, Asses milk, Cockles, and Crayfishes; [Page 52] against the poison of Aconitum, Organ, Herb­grace, Horehound, the decoction of Worm­wood. Against Chriander, Wormwood, salt broth made with a Goose or Hen, which expe [...] also the poison of Flewort: the Poison o [...] Hemlock is cured with Mints, Herbgrace, Net­tle-seed, Bay-leaves, which also cure the poison of Ugh, and Carpasus. The poison of that kinde of Crow-foot called Sardonia, is cured with drinking store of Mede, and Milk, Hen­bane with Nettle-seed, wilde Endive, Mustard-seed, and Rocket, Cerus, with Mede, hot Milk Peach-stones, with the decoction of Barley with the decoction of Mallows, Quicksilver, with store of Milk drunk: Mercury sublimed with Chrystal: Lime, Orpiment, Ratsbane, and such like, with the decoction of Flax-seed, and Milk with Mede. And to conclude th [...] point, there is no kinde of poison, but it findeth cure by our Countrey Medicines, without bor­rowing. Thus much for the cure of poison taken into the body by eating or drinking o [...] them. Pestilences are cured (if with any medi­cine) with Angelica, Carduus Benedictus, Ar [...] nike worn about the body, the root of Pimp [...] nel, of Tormentil, Herbgrace Setwal, Walnuts the powder of St. Johns-wort, Juniper-berries Verven. and the chief of all, the noble simpl [...] Water Germander, and the Duarfgentian. Fo [...] pestilent sores, and Carbunkles, Scabious, Osb [...] Lousestrife, and the Marigold: to the pestilent may be referred the small Pocks, and such like which agree in medicine also with the pestilence [Page 53] And thus much for the cure of poisons. Against bitings and stingings of venemous beasts, and poi­soned weapons, there are also both general and particular remedies. The general are these: the ashes of the cuttings of the Vine, and of the Fig-tree, with Lee, Leeks, Onions, Garlike, the Sea-water, Mustard-seed, Endive, Heath, the root of the Sea-Hulver, Bay-berries, Herbgrace, Dill, Sowse-bread, Fennel, Penerial, the runnet of an Hare, the Weasel; and these general. Particular are such as follow. Against the bitings of Pha­langium, the seed of Sothernwood, Aniseed, the seed of Trifoly, the fruit of Tamarisk. Against the Scolopendra: wild Rue, Thime, Calamint: a­gainst the Scorpion, Basil-seed: against the biting of a Viper, Adder, &c. Sothernwood, Bays, green Organ, the Bramble, the brains of an Hen, Cole­seed. Against the bitings of a mad Dog: Crow­garlike, the river Crab, Balm, an actual cautery, the liver of the mad dog broiled, the blood of a [...]og drunk. And thus much for the bitings and stingings of venemous beasts, which also serve a­gainst poisoned wounds, else to be cured with the medicine, which respecteth properly the poison, wherewith the weapon hath been infected. The [...]nfection without wound, is the French Pocks, whereof (sufficient having been said before) I will here say nothing. This then shall suffice to have written of the cure of all diseases rising of [...]enemous causes: (wherein if nature of her own [...]ccord, as it were, and in this great neglect of [...]ur Countrey and native medicines) hath shew­ [...]d her self so liberal, how large would she be, if [Page 54] with set purpose, and careful endeavour greater trial of things were had, and proof made by learned, and discreet men. Now follow the diseases which are by the excess, or defect of one or two parts of the temper, which are hot, cold, moist, and dry, simple or compounded, which if they be not procured by evil humours, then require they altering onely by contrary qualities. If by them: as Phegm, Choler, Me­lancholy, then are these humours first to be avoided, and diminished.

Such as require altering, are cured by natures of contrary quality, not onely generally, but even answerable to all degrees of excess. And first to begin with hot diseases of the first de­gree, they are cured with such contraries as fol­low: Barley, sower Grapes, Roses, Violets, the Oak, Quinces, Damsins, Pellitory of the wall, Docks, Pears, Apples, Harts-horn, the flowers, and whole herb of Mallows: of the second degree, the water Lilly, Ducks meat, Knotgrasse, Vine leaves, the Bramble, Plantane, Cherries, Lead, Cerus, Barberies, Cowcumbers, Mellons, Gourds, Citrals, whites of Eggs, Med­lers, and Services. Of the third, Purslane, Housleek, Mandrake, Henbane. Of the fourth, Hemlock, Poppy. Thus much for hot dis­eases.

Medicines for cold diseases are these, ho [...] which follow. Of the first degree: Bugloss, Borage, Fumitory, Sage, Horse-hoof, Lycorice Maiden-hair, Butter, Lillies, Flax-seed, Marrow and Fat, Cammomile, Fenigreek, &c. O [...] [Page 55] the second: Dill dry, Mugwort Parsley, Saffron, Honey, Balm, Salt, &c. The third: Annise, Folefoot, Calamint, Commine, Fennel Hyssop, Mints, &c. The fourth: Garlick, Cresses, Mu­stard, Celandine the great.

For moist diseases these medicines are good: Of the first degree dry: Cabbage, Beats, Cam­momile, Fennel, Beans, Fenigreek, &c. Of the second: Dill, Mugwort, Shepheards-pouch, Dodder, Lintils, Honey, Rosemary. Of the third: Wormwood, Germarder, Hyssop, Juni­per, five-leaved Grass, Organ, Horehound, &c. Of the fourth, Garlick, Cresses, Mustard-seed, wilde Rue.

Dry diseases have these medicines: Bugloss, Mallows, Turnips, Endive, for the first degree. The second: Violets, water Lilly, Lettice, Purs­lane, &c. The third and fourth degrees, as these are evil supplied by strange simples, so are they recompensed by increase of quantities of moist in the two first degrees. And thus much touching medicines belonging to the cure of diseases in one part of the temper, which be­ing in two parts, and without humour, require either temperings the simple qualities aforesaid, in divers simples, or natures wherein such two do exceed, which because they be as plentiful as those I have before mentioned, and that here­of none makes doubt, I will not touch: If this double distemper rise of humour, as for the most part it doth, then is that humour to be diminished, or altogether to be voided out of the body, and then the distemper remaining to [Page 56] be altered. The humors are properly to be void­ed by purgation, otherwise there be diverse: as exercise, fastings, sweating, urine, and such like. But properly the vacuation of Phlegm, Choler, Melancholly, which are the causes of this double distemper, belonging to purging medicines, which purgations, as the greatest doubt is of natures provision in them, so they being sup­plied by our own Countrey Soil, the greatest part of this controversie may seem to be de­cided.

Purgations are either by vomit, or by stool: by vomit our native soil ministreth great choice, as very gently: The Radish roots with the seed, the Pepon root, and Nettle-seed, with more vehemency: Folefoot, leaf and root, the middle bark of the Walnut-tree, and the long blossoms thereof: and yet most vehemently, the seeds of Broom, and the flowers thereof: and these for vomit. By the stool, and first to purge choller: the flowers and leaves of the Peach-tree, Violet flowers and seeds, comparable with Rhewbarb, the great garden Dock, called the Munks, Rhew­barb, Damask-roses, wilde Saffron, the powder of Fetherfew, all the kinde of spurges, the root of the wild Cowcomber, the root of Briony, and Coloquintida. Melancholly is purged with Coloquintida, the Oak Fern, the juice of Man­drake, the flowers of Broom, Barefoot, and Antimony. Phlegm and water are purged with Coloquintida, the juice of Rhineberries, the gross bark of the Elm, the juice of the root of Walwort, of Elder, the garden Flowerdeluce [Page 57] root juiced. The dry leaves of Laurel, the Sea­withwinde, scurby weed.

These are a show of our English store of Purgers, which if they be too strong, then are they to be ministred in smaller quantity, mixed with those of feebler working: if too weak, then are they to be sharpned with quicker. If they of­fend any part, they are to be corrected, partly with cordials, and partly with medicines respe­cting such parts as they annoy. Which wants are not onely to be charged upon our Countrey me­dicines, seeing even the best of forreign purgers are to be touched with the same. As Scammony is corrected with Quinces, otherwise it troubleth the stomach with a griping and gnawing, it pur­geth over vehemently, it hurteth the liver, and is an enemy to the heart, and doth exulcerate where it passeth, and procureth dysenteries, that is to say, ulcers in the guts. Turpeth is corrected with Ginger, and long Pepper. Mastick with oil of sweet Almonds, and Sugar, else overthroweth it the stomach, troubleth, and overdrieth the body. Coloquintida with oil of sweet Almonds, Gum, Tragacanth, or Mastick, else troubleth it vehemently the whole body, procureth the bloody Flix, and miserably tormenteth the guts. So Agarick requireth to be steeped in wine with Ginger and Cloves, yet scarce abstaineth it from overthrowing the stomach. Cassia marreth the stomach, and requireth to be mixed there with stomach medicines. The excessive driness and binding of Rhewbarb, is corrected with some moistning syrup. Aloe requireth Mastick and [Page 58] Gum, Tragacanth, to mitigate the fretting thereof. Sene marreth the stomach, and either through windiness, or through vehemency of scouring tormenteth the body, and therefore needeth Ginger, Cinamon, or Spike, sweet Prunes, fat Broth, and Raisins. Hermodactiles offend the stomach, and cause winde, and re­quire Ginger, Cumine, or Spike: and to be short, there is no purger of strange drugs, which requireth not correction of great faults; which correction is taken from such medicines as re­spect those parts chiefly, which the purgation, doth annoy, whereof such is our store, that in all parts we be sufficiently armed therewith: but of these shall hereafter be spoken.

Now if any man think for want of Cassia, Manna, Sene, Rhewbarb, these humors cannot be voided, or not so well; let me then know how the Grecians wanted them, and yet found no lack, using onely Scammony, Helleborus, and Colocynthis, Aloes, and Agarick, for their chief purgations. The other being brought in of late in comparison, by the Arabians, who both in knowledge of Physick, and in the works thereof were far inferiour to the Grecians, to whom I say (I mean the ancient of them in Ga­lens time, and before) neither Manna, nor Cas­sia, nor Sene, nor Rhewbarb, nor Hermodacty­les were known, either at all, or at the utter­most for purgers: and as for Manna Fuchsius saith, that certain having been about the mount Libanus, made report that the inhabitants of that mountain having eaten their fill thereof, [Page 59] neither feel themselves any whit troubled there­with, nor their bodies loosed, but use it for an ordinary sustenance: whereby again appeareth a great diversity of working of strange medi­cines, according to the variety of Countreys. But what should we say of the nature of Pur­gers, it is doubtless one of the hardest points at this day in all natural Philosophy; neither minde I at this present to deal therein: but this may I say, as by preparation, one nature may accord­ing to the variety thereof receive divers, yea, contrary vertues, so seemeth it to me, that this vertue of purging may be procured to natures of themselves destitute thereof, by preparation. Divers, and in a manner all the mettals and mi­nerals being burnt and washed, give over their fretting nature: And Quicksilver (which of it self is not sublimed, or precipitated) becometh a vehement scouring medicine: so likewise An­timony, before it be turned into glass or oyl, is not known to purge the body, which being done, is greatly commended against the Drop­sie, the French Pox, Melancholly, and divers other diseases, which it cureth by purging: so that it seemeth art of preparation, as it maketh no nature, (that being a work of the universal nature) so may it not onely be a preparer, but even a maker of medicines, which medicines are not natures, as hath been before declared, but qualities in natures, even as health, and sickness are not of the nature of mans body, but even accidents thereto. Which being certain, let us then consider what an infinite variety of me­dicines [Page 60] would arise of things, the same being used not onely entire, but diversly prepared, and even corrupted: wherein the industry of Alchmistes, is verily greatly to be commend­ed, and far more excellent then the common Pharmacopolia, rather so to be called then Phar­macopoiya, by the skill whereof diverse Na­tures in one thing are so exactly severed, every one having a diverse operation. Now oft-times because the Humour to be purged is gross and tough, and so hardly yieldeth to the Me­dicine, or hath some other evil quality, where­with it might greatly hurt the parts, whereby it passeth; Nature not forgetting this point, hath as abundantly supplied such helps in this behalf, as need requireth: as for the preparing of Choler; Plantine, Roses, the Verjuice of the Grape, Endive, Succory, Sorrel, Sperage, &c. For Melancholly; Violets, Borage, Bugloss, Baulm, Fumitory, Doddar, Ceterach, or Fingerfearn, &c. For Phlegme; Fenel, Parsley, Betony, Nep, Pene­rial, Thime, Savory, Germander, &c. Of these I less stand upon, because the preparers of humors are least in controversie, although from hence may an argument be drawn, not lightly to be passed over, to prove the store of purgers, see­ing nature hath ministred sufficiency of prepa­rers, and as it were Harbingers to the purgers of Countrey yield. But I will draw to an end, and thus much shall suffice for this present purpose to have bin said of Medicines, belonging to the cure of all Diseases in the Complexion. The other kinde of Diseases are in the frame of the Body, [Page 61] and of those, if quantity be superfluously increa­sed, and that in the whole body, medicines which do vehemently waste, as those of the third de­gree hot, diminish the same. If in the part one­ly, medicines which we call eaters and fretters, dispatch the same: as Copperas, the ashes of Spurge, burnt Allom, Mercury sublimed and pre­cipitate, Verdigreece, burnt Salt, &c. If measure be diminished, and that without loss of substance, the glewing medicines bring cure: whereof our native soil is so stored, that for Wounds, the Sur­geons need neither send into Barbary, nor India: as Plantine, Hounds-tongue, the flowers and leafs of Willows, Yarrow, Carduus Benedictus, Betony, Scabious, Verven, Elm-leaves, Adders-tongue, Moon-wort, Herb-turpence, Selfheal; and these if the wounds be in the fleshy parts. If it be breaking of Bones, such are joyned with fine flower, the brain of a Dog, with Wool, and the white of an Egg, the Holilock-root, the moss of the Oke, Glew, Roses, Wormwood, &c. If there be loss of substance in the fleshy parts, either by wound, or ulcer, Incarnatives fail us not: as Bar­ley meal, Fenigreek-flower, Figbene-meal; and to be short, all such as be of the first degree hot and dry, without eagerness or fellness. Now the dis­eases in the straitness of Passages, or Obstructi­ons, if they arise of the humors aforesaid, and in those places whereto the medicine may conveni­ently come, then are they to be set free by pur­ging. If upon other causes, or in such pla­ces whereto the force of the medicines which purgeth cannot come, or hardly entereth, or [Page 62] of such causes as be no humours, but through some other strange matter, or by straitness of the vessels wherethrough the passage is, then are other remedies to be used, whereof we have great plenty, as softners, loosers, and such as en­large the pores of the body; of which sort are such as be not above the first degree hot, as Ca­momile, Lilies, new Butter, Swines-grease, Lin-seed, Fenigreek, Briony-root, all Marrows. Al­so Medicines which make the matter thin, or cut it, and divide it into sundry parts; of which sort are they of the second degree hot, to the third degree: as Dill, Pennerial, Savery, Organ, Thime, Marjoran, Saint-Johns wort, Worm-wood, &c. Now if the humour prepared be to be voided by place medicine, then Salt, Salt-water, Lye, Ashes, Allom, and Lime, take place; and if more vehemency be needful, Calamint, wilde Cresses, Treacle, Mustard, Garden Cresses, Mustard-seed, Nettles, Dragons, all the Spurges are to be numbred among the best: and if these serve not, the root of Crowfoot will make the supply. If the humour cannot be voided con­veniently, except it be altered into another mat­ter, of which sort is pent blood out of the veins, then are ripening medicines first to be ap­plied: as Butter, Wheat-flower, Sorel, Horse-hoof, Lilies, Marsh-mallows, Onions roasted; which are all singular ripeners. If the matter be tough and clammy, the scourers avoid that in­convenience: Endive, Succory, red Roses, Plan­tine, Housleek, Agrimony, Betony, Honey, Horehound, Wormwood, Baulm, Pimpernel, [Page 63] Watergermander, &c. Now if the matter which stoppeth be the stone, as in the Kidneys, or Blad­der, then are these Medicines most convenient for that use: Grummel-seed, Goats-blood, the juice of Mugwort, Seahulver-root, the stones found in the great Snails heads, Radish-roots, Saxifrage, &c. If any hard matter be in other parts, the softners, and wasters, and dissolvers are to be applied. Thus much touching the cure of Obstructions and strait Passages, which ac­cording to the variety of place where they light, cause sundry Diseases, or rather take to them sundry names: As in the Brain, the Apoplexy; in the bladder of Gall, the yellow Jaundies; in the Spleen, the black; in the Sinnews of moti­on, the Palsie or trembling; in the Lungs, Ast­hma, &c. Now if these Passages be too large, they are to be stopped and straitned with cool­ing and drying medicines; of which sort, in a manner, are all of sharp and sowre taste: as Vine leaves, the Bryer and Bramble, Barberries, Med­lers, and Services, Quinces, and such as are of themselves, or by mixture with liquor clammy; as Wheat-flower, Bean-flower, the white of an Egge, Plaister, washed Lime, Litharge, and Ce­ruse. Now moreover, because in all good cure, not onely the cause of the Diseases is to be op­pugned, but the part also to be strengthned, which must needs, partly by the cause of the dis­ease, and partly even by the conflict of the same cause with the medicine be feebled, that nothing be wanting unto us for the restoring of health, nature hath provided even speciall munition for [Page 64] every part of the body, that the whole furni­ture against all diseases might be compleat: As for the Head, Anniseeds, Folefoot, Betony, Ca­lamint, Eyebright, Lavander, Bayes, Marjoran, Piony, Sage, Rue, or Herbgrace, Lettice, the Leaves and Flowers of Water-lilies, Roses, Gar­den Nightshade. For the Lungs, Calamint, Dragons, Licorice, Enula campana, Hyssope, Linseed, Horehound, the Lungs of a Fox, Sca­bious, Water Germander, Barley, garden Poppy, Violets, Horsehoof. For the Heart, Bugloss, Bo­rage, Saffron, Baulm, Basil, Rosemary, Violets, the bone of a Stags heart, Roses. For the Stomach, Wormwood, Mints, Betony, Baulm, Mint, Quin­ces, Medlers, Sorrel, Purslane. For the Liver, Dartspine, or Chamepitys, Germander, Agri­mony, Fenel, Endive, Succory, Liverwort, Bar­baries. For the Spleen: Maidenhair, Sperage, Fingerfearn, Do [...]der, D [...]der of Thime, Hops, the bark of the Ash-tree. For the Kidneys, Seahulver, Grumel, Parsley, Kneholme, Saxi­frage, Mallowes, Plantine, Pellitory of the Wall. For the Womb, Mugwort, Penerial, Fetherfew, Savin, Walwort, Juniper. For the Joynts, Ca­momile, Saint-Johns wort, Organ, Rue, Mul­len, Primrose, and Cowslips, the less Centaury, and Chamepitys.

Thus have I (gentle Reader) briefly run over the Diseases cured by Medicine, having passed by those which either rise of these, as evil figure by immoderate excess, or defect of quantity, unequally increasing or wanting, or number, evil situation for want of good couplance [Page 65] through distemper, and such like, as also the compound of those which require (onely com­position excepted) the same medicines. Whereby evidently mayest thou see the goodness of God towards thee, in so plentifully furnishing thine own soil with such variety of medicines, which if it yield thee such plenty in this neglect, and loathing of our countrey remedies, what fruit were thou to look for, if diligence and pains were used? Verily, right well might we both avoid the dangers before declared, ease our selves of immoderate charge, and have better assurance of our medicines then we have: yea, very well satisfie our daintiness, even with strange simples, or finde out such as should not onely in vertues match with the spices of India, (which is a plain case) as Rosemary matcheth Cinna­mon; Basil, Cloves; Sage, the Nutmegs; Saf­fron, Ginger; Thime, Musk; Savery, the leaf called Malabathrum, but even in pleasantness of taste express the same. And as Avens doth most lively represent the taste of Cloves unto us, so likely is it, if search were made, and this enter­prise of examining and trying our native simples taken in hand by men of wisdom and understan­ding, we should no more be destitute of spices, then India or Arabia, although neither Indish, nor Arabick: and as the small jags of the roots of Avens fail little from Cloves in taste, so might we as likely finde that which were little inferi­our to Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmegs, and Mace; not onely in likeness of working, but even [Page 66] in similitude of nature: but I will refer this to that time, when either men shall be more care­ful for publique benefit then private gain, or suf­cient allowance bestowed of such men as should spend their dayes onely in searching out the vertues of natures, which at this time is greatly wanting, even as for all other professions of arts. Our English soil is greatly commended, as it justly deserveth, for temper of the air, and of such as have experience thereof, of strangers, and great masters of simples, for variety of excellent medicines carrieth great praise, who report they finde such simples in the valleys and woods of our North parts, as they finde in the tops of mountains in the South Countreys. So that cer­tain Gardens in England, especially in London, are able to afford great variety of medicines, even of forreigh simples to all diseases. And if the Dittany of Candy, the Cyprus-tree, the Nicotian out of India, Coloquintida, the Al­mond-tree, the Pomegranate-tree, will brook our soil, and flourish therein, as they do, we need not doubt, but certain and sufficient provision of all medicines, I mean all kindes, but not all of every kinde, which were unnecessary, neither can any Countrey challenge the same) might be made partly of a voluntary yield of the same, partly by planting, and sowing with just tem­per of the mould, and situation of the Plant, out of our own Countrey, both with less charge, and less danger, for all diseases. Now if it be demanded, why then both the practice [Page 67] is, and hath been hitherto otherwise? I will onely say thus much for answer, although much more might be said. The whole Art of Phy­sick hath been taken, partly from the Greeks, and partly from the Arabians, and as the pre­cepts of the Art, so likewise the meanes and in­struments, wherewith for the most part the precepts of the same Art are executed, which hath bred this errour in times past; now by a tradition received, that all duty of the Physici­an touching restoring health, is to be perfor­med by the same remedies not in kinde one­ly, but even specially, with those which the Grecian and Arabian Masters used, who wrote not for us, but for their Greeks and Arabikes, tempering their medicines to their states, although their rules be as common as reason to all nations. Galen saith in his first Book of preserving health, he giveth the rules thereof no more to Germanes, then to Boars and Bears, but to the Grecians, which declareth they respected their own Nation, both in rule and medicine, Who also the Ara­bians in the same point followed. Now we receiving the same medicines with the rule, must needs fall into the absurdities afore­said, much like to the evil Musician, which playeth onely upon the instrument, whereon his Master taught him, which if he assay upon another, committeth divers discords among other evill graces in Musick. But the wife and learned Physician, being furnished with [Page 68] other Arts more general then his own, whereto natural Philosophy most highly approacheth, being a knowledge of all natural things, not of Arabia, or India, or Greece, but universally find­eth in all countreys medicines for diseases, na­ture yielding sufficiency of contraries to all sorts of them, whereto the inhabitants are sub­ject; at the least in all quarters, which rise not of a blinde tradition, but from a certain knowledge of nature. This then I take to be the chief cause of this custom in using strange medicines, which ignorance of nature doth feed and nourish dai­ly. I blame none, neither tax I any man, and I dare say, there is not a learned Physician in this Land, who is not able to perform this point with English medicines, if they would take the matter in hand; whereto rather I exhort them, then instruct them, being a thing sufficiently known unto them. For it is not the Nutmeg, or the Mace that strengthneth the brain, and cureth cold diseases, and moist diseases thereof, but a drying and warming vertue, with a secret agreement which they have with the brain to preserve the same, which being found as suffici­ent in Sage, in Rosemary, in Betony, and such like, the Nutmeg, and the Mace, with such other spices for that turn may be discharged. The same may be said of all strange natures, which al­though we want, yet have we such as are suffi­ent to serve instead: for as every nation hath a peculiar condition of the same disease, so must the medicine also needs be of another sort; and [Page 69] as the medicine varieth, so why the matter of the same medicine should not also vary, I know not. The medicine varieth in respect of the com­plexion of the Patient, being other in one coun­trey, then in another, which medicines is, as it were, seated in nature, which hath many quali­ties besides that medicinable; which quality, if the medicine be good, must agree with the Patients complexion: if not, then hurteth it greatly. If it agreeth with the complexion of a Moor, an In­dian, or Spaniard, then must it needs disagree with ours; which disagreement and want, if it be patched up unto us by correctours, yet declareth the patching, that the medicine is rather by force constrained, then naturally yieldeth it self to the remedy, and so of it self unmeet. Wherefore as well the matter thereof is to be changed, as the medicine it self. And if those corrections need also correction, what then? I will not say that all simples need their correctours, although it be avouched of some, and such as carry great authority for their skill in Physick. Thus have I (gentle Reader) for thy benefit I hope made a way to the greater use of our home medicines, wherein if I have said freely my minde against strange drugs, thou mayest understand that otherwise the way were stopped to our English medicines; [...]nd blame me not, if I say as much for ours, as the strangers say for theirs. And if as yet by custom [...]t seem hard to alter the common course, let each practicer look to that, I set no laws to any; onely [...] crave liberty in this point, both pleasant and [Page 70] profitable to English men. Wherein I have ex­amples of excellent Philosophers and learned Physicians, neither broach I any idle conceits of my own. Of this minde is Plinius, Secundus, Fuchsius, Rulandus, Symphorianus, Campegius, Octavianus, Horatianus Physician to Valentinian the Emperour, that all Countreys have sufficient medicines for all diseases. I know much more might be said of this point, but this I thought sufficient.

Cardiaca Simplicia. OR A brief Account of some choice Simples, as are chiefly appropriated to the Heart.
Left unfinished by Nich. Culpeper.

BAum is of a cherishing nature, Sol. Leo. and wonder­fully resists passions of the Heart, faintings, [...]nd swoonings, it makes the man lightsome and [...]lithe, merry and chearful, it comforts and chears [...]he spirits, and takes away fears, cares and de­stracted thoughts arising from Melancholly, or [...]ddust Choller. It is hot and dry in the second degree, strengthens the inward parts exceeding­ [...]y, helps digestion, and opens obstructions of the Brain, it naturally preserves the vital Spirits, Heart, and Arteries from melancholly vapours, and is profitable in the bloody Flux, and a nota­ble meat for such as have the Gout; a sovereign Antidote for such as are poisoned by eating Mushromes: I suppose it took its name [Balm] from its sovereignty in curing Wounds.

Scordium, Jupiter. Leo. or Water-Germander is of a heat­ing, drying, and binding quality, and provokes both Urine, and the Tearms in Women, it is a great Antidote against poison, and helps the gnawing pains of the Stomach or Sides, com­ming either through cold, or obstructions; it stops the bloody Flux, easeth the Lungs of old Coughs, and rotten Phlegm; it keeps bodies from putrefaction, resisteth Pestilence, Small Pox, Meazles, faint spots, Purples; and some are of opinion, it withstands any Epidemical Disease whatsoever. It comforts, and strengthens the Heart exceedingly, and nothing better to kill Worms, whether in the Stomach or Belly, boil­ed in Vinegar, and the place bathed with it, help­eth the Gout.

Vipers Bugloss is a deadly enemy to poison, Venus. Le [...]. [Page 188] and poisonous Creatures, there grows enough of it about the Castle Walls at Lewis in Sussex, whosoever eats of it, shall not be hurt by vene­mous Beasts that day. Crollius in his Basilica Chymica will furnish you with enough such no­tions; it chears, and comforts the Heart, expels sadness, and causeless Melancholly, it allayes the heat of the Blood, and the fury of Agues, by cooling the spirits; it procures abundance of Milk in Nurses, especially the seed of it, it migh­tily easeth pains in the Back and Reins.

Jupiter. Sol.Burnet, is hot and dry in the second degree, and is a great friend not onely to the Heart and Liver, but also to the whole body of man, a lit­tle of it put in Wine, is not onely delightful to the taste, but also, wholesom for the body. It refresheth the heart, quickens the Spirits ex­ceedingly, driving away melancholly, and in­deed the opposition of the house of Saturn to Leo shews that the heart and vital Spirits are im­peached by nothing so much as by Melanchol­ly; it defends the body from all noysom va­pors, from ill Air and Pestilence; and indeed whatever defends from ill Air must needs de­fend from all Epidemical diseases, for it is the Planets corrupting the air, nor the A piece of Colledge nonsence in this time of Fluxes. Brewers corrupting their drink, that causeth Epidemical diseases. It is admirable good in fluxes, whether they be of blood or humors, whether they be internal or external, it stops the whites in wo­men, belching and vomiting, and is a very good wound Herb for all moist sores.

Venus. Taurus.Sorrel is cooling and binding, drying in the [Page 189] second degree, it opposeth the sting and venom of Scorpions so exceedingly, that a man can feel no hurt by them; It succors the heart, and blood, as also the Vital Spirits over-pressed with heat; whether you take the Root, Herb, or Seed, if any planet from Scorpious cause the malady, this is the cure. It resisteth putrefaction exceedingly in the blood, and restores weak decayed sto­machs, it stops fluxes and helps the immoderate flowing of the terms, it strengthens the Reins and Kidneyes and hinders the breeding of the Stone; neither is there a better remedy in the world for Scrophula, or the disease called the Kings evil, or any other disease in the neck or throat.

Violets, Venus. I can give but little reason if I were asked why I set Violets amongst the Cordials, unless I should plead tradition. All Physicians have reckoned Violets among the Cordial flow­ers; for my part I believe nothing less, they cool inflamations, be they internal or external, they are especially appropriated to inflamations in the neck and throat, fundaments and matrix falled down and inflamed; they cool the heat of the Reins, thereby resisting the Stone, and stop­ping miscarriages. Difficult labours in women thence arising, they are excellent in Feavers and Plurisies, and hot Rhumes and horseness of the throat.

Strawberries, Venus. I know no reason why I may not put in Strawberries here as well as either Violets or Sorrel, for neither of them are pro­per in this place, for the heart being the origi­nal [Page 190] of heat in the Microcosme, no cold thing is properly, or per se, appropriated to it. Strawber­ries are cold in the first degree, the fruit cold and moist temperate, the root dry and binding; in ge­neral they refresh the Spirits ready to faint for heat, they cool the liver and blood, abate the fury of Chollerick diseases, help Palpitation of the heart the yellow Jaundies, Inflamations, whether internal or external; they are excellent in sore mouths, sore throats. Ulcers in the pri­vitives, fasten loose teeth, Scabs, Itch, Tetters, and other Martial infirmities of the skin.

Jupiter. Leo.Borage and Bugloss, their natures being the same, I put them both together, they are hot and moist, and naturally appropriated to keep the vapors of melancholly from the heart, and bridle the unruly passions of the vital Spirit, which my Theory of Chyrurgery will mani­fest to you, they make the heart joyful and glad, cheerful and merry; it clarifies the blood exceedingly, opens obstructions of the Liver, and helps the yellow Jaundies, and by clarifying the blood, and removing the addust and sharp humors, there must needs be a gallant internal remedy for Scabs, Itch, Pimples, and other infir­mities thence arising. They help swoonings and passions of the heart, and restores such as are pined away either by Consumptions or any other lingring sickness.

Ros-Solis, Sundew, It is alwayes moist in hot weather, Sol. Cancer. yea the hotter the sun shines upon it, the moister are the leaves, thence it took its name. It is excellent good for hot salt Rhumes that di­still [Page 191] down upon the Lungs, Ulcers in the Lungs, coughs, shortness of breath, it comforts and strengthens the heart and stayes the fainting of the Spirits.

Angelica, Sol. Leo. heats and cherisheth the Heart and Spirits against poyson, and pestilence, ill Air and Vapors, Epidemical diseases; it strengthens old and cold stomachs, it easeth all pains coming of cold and wind, provided the body be not bound, Plurisies, diseases of the Lungs, Coughs Ptysicks, Chollick, Stone, Strangury, difficulty of Urine; it provokes the termes, expelleth the After-birth, it discuseth all inward tumors and windiness, obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, it takes away all crudities and indigestion of the stomach, and is a present remedy for Surfeits; the juyce cleanseth Ulcers well, the root is held to be stronger in operation then the leaves; the wild Angelica is that which we in Sussex call Kexweed, and is good in all the former premises, but not so effectual as the garden.

Rue is a mighty antidote against Poyson, Sol. Leo. by it Mithridates that renowned King of Pontus so fortified his body against Poyson, that he made it invincible; though some unworthy wretches in our age are not ashamed to say, he fortified his body against poyson by accustoming it to Poy­son; and when being vanquished by Pompey the great, and betrayed by his own Sonne, he would have Poysoned himself, but could not: a likely tale, as though if he had accustomed his body to hot Poysons, cold would not quickly have dispatched him, and the contrary: But to [Page 192] leave the grand lyars of the wor [...] the most of which, (the more is the pity) ar [...] schollars, and to come to our business. Rue is a counter-poy­son against dangerous medicines, ill Air, it pre­serves the whole body [...]n health being but in a very small quantity, taken every morning, it takes away lust, and is a [...] enemy to Venus; it is admirable in pains of the s [...]d [...]s, coughs, difficulty of breathing. Ptysicks, [...]sthma's, Inflamati­ons of the Lungs, sharpness of urine; it kills Worms and helps the Drop [...]e, and Warts in any part of the body, and is admirable against the bitings of venemous beasts.