He knew it no more than a Hog knows how to Fiddle.

 

ELECTUARIES

Antidotus Analeptica, or, Elecuarium Resumptivum - Fernelius.

Take of Red Roses and Liquoris of each two drams and five grains; Gum Arabic and Tragacanth, of each two drachms and two scruples; Sanders White and Red, of each four scruples; juice of Liquoris, White Starch; the seeds of White Poppies, Purslain, Lettuce, Endive, of each three drachms; of the Four Greater Cold Seeds, the seeds of Quinces, Mallows, Cotton, Violets, Pine Nuts, fresh Fistick Nuts*, Sweet Almonds, pulp of Sebestens, of each two drachms; Cloves, Spodium, Cinnamon, of each one drachm; Saffron five grains; Penidies, half an ounce.

* Pistacia.

Let all of them, being beaten into powder, be made into a soft electuary with three times their weight in Syrup of Violets.

Besides the inverting of the order, which is a matter of nothing, here is Zedoary, Ginger and Styrax Calamitis, of each two drachms, left quite out by the College or, as I am of opinion, rather by the transcriber, which is an easy thing - together with the want of a careful corrector - to be done. I weigh not the vapouring of the printer at the latter end of the Book, being confident if anything were left out, he knew it no more than a hog knows how to fiddle. 

It restores consumptions and hectic fevers, strength lost; it nourishes much, and restores radical moisture, opens the pores, resists choler, takes away coughs, quenches thirst and resists fevers. 

For the quantity to be taken at a time, I hold it needless to trouble the Reader; you may take an ounce in a day, by a drachm at a time if you please. You shall sooner hurt your purse by it than your body. 

Confectio Alkermes - Mesue.

Take of the juice of sweet-scented Apples*, sweet Rose Water, of each a pound and a half, in which infuse the space of twenty four hours raw silk, four ounces. Strain it out strongly, and to the former juices add the juice of the berries of Kermes brought over to us, a pound, Sugar, two pounds. 

* Pippins or Pemains.

Boil it to the thickness of Honey, then - it being removed from the fire - whilst it is yet hot add to it half an ounce of Anbergris, cut very small, which being well-melted put in these following things beaten into powder: choice Cinnamon, wood of Aloes of the best, Lapis Lazuli burnt in a crucible - then beaten into powder and washed first of all in common water, then in Rose or Borrage Water, and that very often, drying of it, and washing of it again, and let this be so often repeated till the water remain clear after the washing - of each six drachms; Pearls prepared, three drachms; leaves of Gold, of the best Musk, of each one drachm.

Make them all up into an electuary according to art.

Questionless, this is a great cordial and a mighty strengthener of the heart and spirit vital, a restorer of such as are in consumptions, a resister of pestilences and poison, a great relief to languishing nature. It is given with success in fevers, but give not too much of it at a time lest it prove too hot for the body, and too heavy for the purse.

You may mix ten grains of it with other convenient cordials. 

Electuary of Bay Leaves - Rhasis. 

Take of dried Rue ten drachms; the seeds of Bishop's Weed, Cumin, Lavage, Origanum, Nigella, Caraway, Carrots, Parsley, of Bitter Almonds, Pepper Black and Long, Horse Mint, Calamus, Arromaticus, Bay Berries, Castorium, of each two drachms; Saegapenum, half an ounce; Oppanax, three drachms; Clarified Honey, one pound and a half.

The things which are to be bruised being bruised, let them all be made into an electuary according to art, the gums being dissolved in wine and added to it. 

It is exceedingy good either in the cholic or iliac passion, or any other disease of the bowels coming of cold or wind. It generally eases pains in the bowels. 

You may give a drachm in the morning fasting, or half an ounce in a clyster, according as the disease is.