30325The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
Medicines for Long Life.
THe Art of Phyſick, which we now have, looks no further commonly than to Conſerva-
11To the
tenth Ar-
ticle. tion of Health and Cure of Diſeaſes: As for thoſe things which tend properly to
Long Life, there is but ſlight mention, and by the way onely. Notwith ſtanding we will
propound thoſe Medicines which are notable in this kind, I mean, thoſe which are Cordials.
For it is conſonant to reaſon, that thoſe things which being taken in Cures do defend and
fortifie the Heart, or, more truly, the Spirits, against Poyſons and Diſeaſes, being tranſ-
ferred with judgment and choice into Diet, ſhould have a good effect, in ſome ſort, towards
the Prolonging of Life. This we will do, not heaping them promiſcuouſly together, (as
the manner is) but ſelecting the beſt.
11To the
tenth Ar-
ticle. tion of Health and Cure of Diſeaſes: As for thoſe things which tend properly to
Long Life, there is but ſlight mention, and by the way onely. Notwith ſtanding we will
propound thoſe Medicines which are notable in this kind, I mean, thoſe which are Cordials.
For it is conſonant to reaſon, that thoſe things which being taken in Cures do defend and
fortifie the Heart, or, more truly, the Spirits, against Poyſons and Diſeaſes, being tranſ-
ferred with judgment and choice into Diet, ſhould have a good effect, in ſome ſort, towards
the Prolonging of Life. This we will do, not heaping them promiſcuouſly together, (as
the manner is) but ſelecting the beſt.
Gold is given in three forms;
either in that which they call Aurum potabile, or in
221. Wine wherein Gold hath been quenched, or in Gold in the subſtance, ſuch as are Leaf
gold, and the Filings of Gold. As for Aurum potabile, it is uſed to be given in deſpe-
rate or dangerous diſeaſes, and that not without good ſucceſs. But we ſuppofe that
the Spirits of the Salt, by which the Gold is diſſolved, do rather miniſter that vertue
which is found in it, than the Gold it ſelf; though this ſecret be wholly ſuppreſſed.
Now if the body of Gold could be opened with theſe Corroſive waters, or by theſe
Corroſive waters (ſo the venomous quality were wanting) well waſhed, we conceive
it would be no unprofitable Medicine.
221. Wine wherein Gold hath been quenched, or in Gold in the subſtance, ſuch as are Leaf
gold, and the Filings of Gold. As for Aurum potabile, it is uſed to be given in deſpe-
rate or dangerous diſeaſes, and that not without good ſucceſs. But we ſuppofe that
the Spirits of the Salt, by which the Gold is diſſolved, do rather miniſter that vertue
which is found in it, than the Gold it ſelf; though this ſecret be wholly ſuppreſſed.
Now if the body of Gold could be opened with theſe Corroſive waters, or by theſe
Corroſive waters (ſo the venomous quality were wanting) well waſhed, we conceive
it would be no unprofitable Medicine.
Pearls are taken either in a fine Powder, or in a certain Maſs, or Diſſolution by the
332. juice of ſour and new Limons; and they are given ſometimes in Aromatical Confecti-
ons, ſometimes in Liquor. The Pearl, nodoubt, hath ſome affinity with the Shell in
which it groweth, and may be of the ſame quality with the Shels of Cra-fijhes.
332. juice of ſour and new Limons; and they are given ſometimes in Aromatical Confecti-
ons, ſometimes in Liquor. The Pearl, nodoubt, hath ſome affinity with the Shell in
which it groweth, and may be of the ſame quality with the Shels of Cra-fijhes.
Amongſt the transparent precious Stones, two onely are accounted Cordial, the Eme-
443. rauld and the Jacinth, which are given under the ſame forms that the Pearls are; ſave
only that the diſſolutions of them, as far as we know, are not in uſe. But we ſuſpect
theſe Glaſſie Jewels, leſt they ſhould be cutting.
443. rauld and the Jacinth, which are given under the ſame forms that the Pearls are; ſave
only that the diſſolutions of them, as far as we know, are not in uſe. But we ſuſpect
theſe Glaſſie Jewels, leſt they ſhould be cutting.
Of theſe which we have mentioned, how far and in what manner they are helpful, ſhall
be ſpoken hereafter.
be ſpoken hereafter.
Bezoar-Stone is of approved vertue for refreſhing the Spirits, and procuring a gen
554. tle Sweat. As for the Vnicorn’s Horn, it hath loſt the credit with us; yet ſo, as it
may keep rank with Hart’s Horn, and the Bone in the heart of a Hart, and Ivory,
and ſuch like.
554. tle Sweat. As for the Vnicorn’s Horn, it hath loſt the credit with us; yet ſo, as it
may keep rank with Hart’s Horn, and the Bone in the heart of a Hart, and Ivory,
and ſuch like.
Amber-griece is one of the beſt to appeaſe and comfort the Spirits.
665.
Hereafter follow the names only of the Simple Cordials, ſeeing their Vertues are ſuf-
ficiently known.
77 ficiently known.
Hot. # Hot. # Cold. # Cold.
Saffron. # Clove-Gilly-flowers. # Nitre. # Fuice of ſweet
Folium Indum. # Orenge flowers. # Roſes. Violets. # Orenges.
Lignum Aloes. # Roſemary. # Strawberry- \\ Leaves. # Fuice of Pearmains.
Citron Pill or \\ Rind. # Mint. # # Borage.
# Betony. # Straw-berries. # Bugloſs.
Balm # Carduus Benedi- \\ Etus. # Fuice of ſweet \\ Limons. # Burnet. Sanders.
Baſil. # # Limons. # Camphire.
Seeing our ſpeecb now is of thoſe things which may be transferred into Diet, all hot
Waters and Chymieal Oiles, (which, as a certain Trifler ſaith, are under the Planet
Mars, and have a furious and deſtructive force) as alſo all hot and biting Spices are
to be rejected, and a Conſideration to be had, how waters and Liquors may be made of
the former Simples: not thoſe phlegmatick diſtilled Waters, nor again thoſe burning Waters
of spirits of Wine; but ſuch as may be more temperate, and yet lively, and ſending forth
a benign Vapour.
Waters and Chymieal Oiles, (which, as a certain Trifler ſaith, are under the Planet
Mars, and have a furious and deſtructive force) as alſo all hot and biting Spices are
to be rejected, and a Conſideration to be had, how waters and Liquors may be made of
the former Simples: not thoſe phlegmatick diſtilled Waters, nor again thoſe burning Waters
of spirits of Wine; but ſuch as may be more temperate, and yet lively, and ſending forth
a benign Vapour.
I make ſome queſtion touching the frequent letting of Bloud, whether it conduceth
886. to long life nor no; and I am rather in the opinion that it doth, if it be turned into a
habit, and other things be well diſpoſed: for it letteth out the old Juice of the body,
and bringeth in new.
886. to long life nor no; and I am rather in the opinion that it doth, if it be turned into a
habit, and other things be well diſpoſed: for it letteth out the old Juice of the body,
and bringeth in new.
zoom in
zoom out
zoom area
full page
page width
set mark
remove mark
get reference
digilib