139105Century V.
there are Theriacel Herbs;
and that without vertue, from thoſe that fed in
the Valleys, where no ſuch Herbs are. Thus far I am of opinion, that as
ſteeped Wines and Beers are very Medici@al, and likewiſe Bread tempered
with divers powders; ſo of Meat alſo, (as Flesh, Fish, Milk, and Eggs) that
they may be made of great uſe for Medicine and Diet, if the Beaſt, Fowl,
or Fish, be fed with a ſpecial kinde of food, fit for the diſeaſe. It were a dan-
gerous thing alſo for ſecret empoyſonments. But whether it may be ap-
plied unto Plants, and Herbs, I doubt more, becauſe the nouriſhment of
them is a more common Juyce; which is hardly capable of any ſpecial
quality until the Plant do aſſimilate it.
the Valleys, where no ſuch Herbs are. Thus far I am of opinion, that as
ſteeped Wines and Beers are very Medici@al, and likewiſe Bread tempered
with divers powders; ſo of Meat alſo, (as Flesh, Fish, Milk, and Eggs) that
they may be made of great uſe for Medicine and Diet, if the Beaſt, Fowl,
or Fish, be fed with a ſpecial kinde of food, fit for the diſeaſe. It were a dan-
gerous thing alſo for ſecret empoyſonments. But whether it may be ap-
plied unto Plants, and Herbs, I doubt more, becauſe the nouriſhment of
them is a more common Juyce; which is hardly capable of any ſpecial
quality until the Plant do aſſimilate it.
But leſt our incredulity may prejudice any profitable operations in
11500. this kinde (eſpecially ſince many of the Ancients have ſet them down) we
think good briefly to p@opound the four Means, which they have deviſed of
making Plants Medicinable. The firſt is by ſlitting of the Root, and infuſing
into it the Medicine, as Hellebore, Opium, Scammomy, Triacle & c. and then
binding it up again. This ſeemeth to me the leaſt probable, becauſe the Root
draweth immediately from the Earth, and ſo the nouriſhment is the more
common and leſs qualified; and beſides, it is a long time in going up, ere
it come to the Fruit. The ſecond way is, to perforate the Body of the Tree,
and there to infuſe the Medicine, it hath the leſs way, and the leſs time to go
up. The third is, the ſteeping of the Seed or Kernel in ſome Liquor
wherein the Medicine is infuſed; which I have little opinion of, becauſe
the Seed (I doubt) will not draw the parts of the matter which have the
propriety; but it will be far the more likely, if you mingle the Medicine
with Dung, for that the Seed, naturally drawing the moiſture of the Dung,
may call in withal ſome of the propriety. The fourth is, the Watering of
the Plant oft, with an infuſion of the Medicine. This, in one reſpect may
have more force than the reſt, becauſe the Medication is oft renewed,
whereas the reſt are applied, but at one time; and therefore the vertue may
the ſooner vaniſh. But ſtill I doubt, that the Root is ſomewhat too ſtubborn
to receive thoſe fine Impreſſions; and beſides (as I have ſaid before) they
have a great Hill to go up. I judge therefore the likelieſt way to be the
perforation of the Body of the Tree, in ſeveral places, one above the other,
and the filling of the Holes with Dung mingled with the Medicine. And
the Watring of thoſe Lumps of Dung, with Squirts of an Infuſion of the
Medicine in dunged Water, once in three or four days.
11500. this kinde (eſpecially ſince many of the Ancients have ſet them down) we
think good briefly to p@opound the four Means, which they have deviſed of
making Plants Medicinable. The firſt is by ſlitting of the Root, and infuſing
into it the Medicine, as Hellebore, Opium, Scammomy, Triacle & c. and then
binding it up again. This ſeemeth to me the leaſt probable, becauſe the Root
draweth immediately from the Earth, and ſo the nouriſhment is the more
common and leſs qualified; and beſides, it is a long time in going up, ere
it come to the Fruit. The ſecond way is, to perforate the Body of the Tree,
and there to infuſe the Medicine, it hath the leſs way, and the leſs time to go
up. The third is, the ſteeping of the Seed or Kernel in ſome Liquor
wherein the Medicine is infuſed; which I have little opinion of, becauſe
the Seed (I doubt) will not draw the parts of the matter which have the
propriety; but it will be far the more likely, if you mingle the Medicine
with Dung, for that the Seed, naturally drawing the moiſture of the Dung,
may call in withal ſome of the propriety. The fourth is, the Watering of
the Plant oft, with an infuſion of the Medicine. This, in one reſpect may
have more force than the reſt, becauſe the Medication is oft renewed,
whereas the reſt are applied, but at one time; and therefore the vertue may
the ſooner vaniſh. But ſtill I doubt, that the Root is ſomewhat too ſtubborn
to receive thoſe fine Impreſſions; and beſides (as I have ſaid before) they
have a great Hill to go up. I judge therefore the likelieſt way to be the
perforation of the Body of the Tree, in ſeveral places, one above the other,
and the filling of the Holes with Dung mingled with the Medicine. And
the Watring of thoſe Lumps of Dung, with Squirts of an Infuſion of the
Medicine in dunged Water, once in three or four days.
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