I Hope Nobody is so Simple to eat Plasters.

 

Plasters.

I hope nobody is so simple to eat plasters. 

The general way, then, of application is to the grieved place. You may melt them in any earthen dish, and so spread them upon a cloth or white leather.

A Plaster of Ammoniacum.

Take of Ammoniacum, an ounce; Ointment of Marshmallows and Meliot Plaster, of each half an ounce; Bran or (as we in Sussex call it) Cheezel of Corn well sifted, an ounce; the powder of Briony and Orris roots, of each half an ounce; the fat of Ducks, Geese and Hens, of each three drachms; Bdellium, Galbanum, of each three drams and a half; Per-rosin, Wax, of each five ounces; Oil of Orris, Turpentine, of each an ounce and a half.

Let the fats and oil boil with a sufficient quantity of mussilage of Lin and Fenugreek seeds. That it may be brought to the due form of a plaster, add the Wax and Turpentine, afterwards the Ointment of Marshmallows and Meliot Plaster, then the gums dissolved in vinegar, and lastly the powders and Per-rosin in powder. Mix them all well together and make it into a plaster according to art. 

By 'plaster', always understand not a plaster spread upon a cloth, but a roll made to spread such a one withal. 

It softens and assuages hard swellings, and scatters the humours offending; applied to the side, it softens the hardness of the spleen, and assuages pains thence arising. 

Album Coctum de Cerussa - Ulms. 

Take of Ceruss ground into very fine powder, Yellow Wax, Oil of Olives, of equal parts. The Ceruss being put into a brass pan, let the Oil be added by degrees; set it over a gentle fire, stir it continually till they be incorporated, then put in the Wax thin scraped. Neither put it in altogether at one time, neither let it boil till it be all melted; then, boil it all according to art till it begin to look black, and be of a just thickness. 

It helps burns, dry scabs and hot ulcers, and in general whatever sores abound with moisture.

A Plaster of Bayberries - Mesue.

Take of Bayberries, two ounces; Frankincense, Mastic, Myrrh, of each an ounce; Turpentine, an ounce; clarified Honey, so much as is sufficient to make it into a plaster according to art.

It is an excellent plaster to ease any pains coming of cold or wind in any part of the body, whether stomach, liver, belly, reins or bladder. It is an excellent remedy for the cholic, and wind in the bowels. 

Emplastrum Barbarum Magnum - Galen. 

Take of dry Pitch (Stone Pitch, sure enough), eight ounces; Per-rosin, five pound, four ounces; Bitumin Judaicum or else Mummy, four pound; Oil, a pound and a half; Vert de Greece, Litharge, Ceruss, of each three ounces; Frankincense, half a pound; Roche Alum not burnt, an ounce and a half; Roche Alum burnt, four ounces; Opopanax, Scales of Brass, Galbanum, of each twelve drachms; Aloes, Popopanax, Myrrh, of each half an ounce; juice of Mandrakes, or else the bark of the roots of them dried, six drachms; Vinegar, five pound.

Let the Litharge, Ceruss and Oil be boiled to the thickness of Honey, the Pitch melted and incorporated with the powder of the Bitumen, then the other things added and boiled according to art till the Vinegar be consumed, and the composition brought to a due thickness. 

It helps the bitings of men and beasts, eases the inflammations of wounds, and helps infirmities of the joints, and gouts in the beginning.

A Plaster of Betony - Ander.

Take of green Betony, Burnet, Agrimony*, Sage, Pennyroyal, Yarrow, Comfry the Greater, Clary, of each six ounces; 

[In the original, this is 'Arimo-Sage'; consultation of the Latin Pharmacopoeia makes it clear this is a printing error, however. PSY]

Frankincense, Mastic, of each three drachms; Orris, Round Birthwort, of each six drams; White Wax, Turpentine, of each eight ounces; Gum Elmni, two ounces; Per-rosin, six ounces; Venice Turpentine (I know no other Oil of Fir Tree), two ounces; White Wine, three pound.

Let the herbs, being bruised, be boiled in the Wine, strained, and all the rest being added to the decoction, boil it to a plaster according to art. 

It is a gallant plaster to unite the skull when it is cracked, to draw out peices of broken bones, and cover the bones with flesh. It draws filth from the bottom of deep ulcers, restores flesh lost, cleanses, digests, and dries. 

Emplastrum Saesaris.

Take of Bistort roots, Cyperus Nuts, Red Roses, the three sorts of Sanders, Mint, Coriander seeds, of each three drams; Mastic, half an ounce; Hypocistis, Acacia, Dragon's Blood, Terra Lemnia, Bole Armenick, Red Corral, of each two drams; Turpentine washed in Plantain Water, four ounces; Oil of Roses, twelve ounces; the juice of Houseleek, Plantain and Orpine, of each an ounce; Yellow Wax, a pound and a half.

Let the Hypocistis and Acacia be dissolved with the juices, and boiled to a due height; then, add the rest, and make them into a plaster according to art.

It is of a fine cool, binding, strengthening nature, excellent good to repel hot rheums or vapours that ascend up to the head, the hair being shaved off and it applied to the crown. 

Emplastrum Catagmaticum - Vigo.

Take of the juice of Marshmallow roots, six ounces; the bark of the root of Ash Tree and the leaves of the tree, the roots of Comfry the Greater and Lesser with the leaves and all, of each two ounces; Myrtle Berries, an ounce and a half; the leaves of Willow, the tops of St John's Wort, of each a handful and a half.

The things to be bruised being bruised, let them boil together in Red Wine and Water smiths quench their iron, of each two pound, till half be consumed; strain it, and add Oil of Myrtles, Roses and Omphacine, of each a pound and a half; Goat's suet melted, eight ounces; Litharge of Gold and Silver, Red Lead, of each four ounces; Yellow Wax, a pound; Colophonia, half a pound.

Let them boil again to the consumption of the decoction, then add towards the end Myrrh, Frankincense, Mastic, of each half an ounce; clear Turpentine, two ounces; Bole Armenick, Earth of Lemnos, of each an ounce. Stir them together till they are boiled enough to be made into a plaster according to art. 

Catagmaticum - Renodaeus.

Take of the roots of Comfry the Less, and Marshmallows, Mistletoe of Oak, of each two ounces; Plantain, Chamaepitys, St. John's Wort, of each a handful. 

Boil them in equal parts of Red Wine and Water wherein smiths quench their iron, till half be consumed; strain it, and to the decoction add mussilage of Quince seeds extracted in decoction of Tripes (I know not what better word to give 'Omazum' than Tripes or Chitterlings), Oil of Mastic and Roses, of each four ounces; Virgin Wax, a pound; Litharge of Gold, two ounces; Turpentine, three ounces; Balaustins, Roses, Myrtles, Acacia, of each half an ounce; Mummy, the seeds of Tutsan, Colophonia, Mastic, Amber, of each six drachms; Ship Pitch, an ounce and a half; Bole Armenick, a fine Flour, Frankincense, of each twelve drachms; Dragon's Blood, two ounces.

Let the water and mussilage be boiled together till the moisture be consumed, then put in the Oil, then the Wax, afterwards the Litharge, which being boiled, united, stirred and removed from the fire, let first the Turpentine be added, the the powders. So let all of them be mixed, stirred, and brought into the form of an emplaster according to art.

Both this and the former are of a binding nature.

Emplastrum Cephalicum.

Take of clear Rosin, two ounces; Black Pitch, one ounce, Ladanum, half an ounce; Myrrh, Mastic, of each a drachm and a half; Juniper Gum, two drams; the flour of Beans and Orobus, of each half an ounce; Nigella, three drachms; Nutmegs, two drachms; Pigeon's Dung, two ounces.

Let the Myrrh be dissolved in Malaga Wine, and the rest, being mixed in a hot mortar, let them be made into a plaster according to art. 

If you would have it stronger, add of the powders of Euphorbium, Pellitory of Spain, and Black Pepper, of each two scruples.

It is proper to strengthen the brain and repel such vapours as annoy it, and those powders being added, it dries up the superfluous moisture thereof, and eases the eyes of hot scalding vapours that annoy them. 

Emplastrum Ceroma, or Ceroneum - Nich. Alex.

Take of Pitch scraped from a Ship that has been a long time at sea, Yellow Wax, of each seven drachms; Sagapenum, six drachms; Ammoniacum, Turpentine, Colophonia, Saffron, of each four drachms; Aloes, Olibanum, Myrrh, of each three drachms; Styrax, Calamitis, Mastic, Opopanax, Galbanum, Alum, the seeds of Fenugreek, of each two drachms; the settlings or faeces of liquid Styrax, Bdellium, of each one drachm; Litharge, half a dram.

It is of a gentle emollient nature, prevails against stoppings of the stomach coming of cold, hardness of the spleen, coldness of the liver and matrix. 

A Plaster of Hemlock with Ammoniacum.

Take of Hemlock, four handfuls; Ammoniacum, half a pound. Infuse them in sharp Vinegar eight days, then boil them till the Ammoniacum be dissolved, then strain out the liquor strongly. Afterwards, let it boil again a while, then with Wax and Sweet Almonds, make it into a plaster according to art. 

I suppose it was invented to itigate the extreme pains, and allay the inflammations of wounds, for which it is very good. 

Emplastrum de Crusta Panis.

Take of Mastic, Mint, Spodium, Red Coral, all the three sorts of Sanders, of each one dram; a Crust of Bread toasted and infused in Rosewater for half an hour, two ounces; Oil of Mastic, and Quinces, of each an ounce; Wax, two ounces; Liquid Styrax, Ladanum, of each three drachms; Barley Meal, so much as is sufficient to make it into an emplaster according to art. 

I shall commend this for as gallant a plaster to strengthen the brain as any is in the Dispensatory, the hair being shaved off and it applied to the crown. Also, being applied to the stomach, it strengthens it, helps digestion, stays vomiting and putrifaction of the meat there. 

Montagnara was the author of it, not the College.

Emplastrum de Cymina.

Take of Cumin seeds, Bay Berries, of each one pound; Per-rosin, two pound; Common Rosin, three pound; Oil of Dill, half a pound; Wax, a pound. Make a plaster of them according to art. 

I am of opinion here is not oil enough to make it into a plaster. They that make of it know better than I; I judge but by reason, they know by experience. 

It assuages swellings, takes away old aches coming of bruises, and applied to the belly is an excellent remedy for the wind cholic.

Diachylon Simplex - Mesue.

Take of mussilage of Fenugreek seed, Linseed and Marshmallow roots, of each one pound; Old Oil, three pound; Litharge, one pound and a half. 

Let the Litharge be ground very fine, and boiled with the Oil over a gentle fire. Let it cool a little; afterwards, put in the mussilages, mix them and boil them to their just thickness according to art. 

It is an exceeding good remedy for all swellings without pain; it softens hardness of the liver and spleen. It is very gentle, like the author of it, Mesue, very moderate and harmless, and may be therefore neglected by the phantastical surgeons of our age. 

Diachylon Ireatum.

Add  an ounce of powder of Orris to every pound of Diachylon Simplex.

Diachylon Magnum - Mesue.

Take of Litharge of Gold very finely ground, one pound; Oil of Orris, Dill and Chamomel, of each eight ounces; mussilage of Marshmallow roots, Linseeds, Fenugreek seeds, Raisins of the Sun, fat Figs, Ising Glass (Isinglass, a type of fish-based gelatin. PSY), the juice of Orris, and Squills, Oesypus or Oil of Sheep's Feet, of each twelve drams and a half; Turpentine, three ounces; Per-rosin, Yellow Wax, of each two ounces. 

Make them into a plaster according to art. 

It dissolves hardness and inflammations. 

Diachylon Magnum cum Gummi - Renodaeus.

Take of Bdellium, Sagapenum, Ammoniacum, of each an ounce. Being dissolved in White Wine, let them be added to the mass of Diacylon Magnum, being first strained and boiled to the thickness of Honey, so it will be a Diacylon with Gums.

This is the best to dissolve hard swellings of all the three.

Diachylon Compound, or a Plaster of Mussilages - Mesue.

Take of the Mussilages of Marshmallow roots, Linseeds, Fenugreek seeds, the middle barks of Elm, of each four ounces and a half; Oil of Chamomel, Lilies and Dill, of each one ounce and a half; Ammoniacum, Galbanum, Opopanax, Sagapenum, of each half an ounce; New Wax, twenty ounces; Turpentine, two ounces; Saffron, two drams. 

Let the gums be dissolved in Wine, and make of them a plaster according to art. 

It ripens swellings and breaks them, and cleanses them when they are broken.

Diapalma, or Diacalciteos - Galen.

Take of old Hog's Grease cleansed from the skins, two pound; old Oil, Litharge of Silver ground very small, of each three pound; Chalcitis burnt, or else White Vitriol burnt and beaten into powder, four ounces.

It is made in this manner: first, let the Litharge boil with the oil and grease a long time, continually stirring it with the branch of a Palm or other tree of a binding nature, as Oak, Box or Medlar which is new cut, that so the spatula may be mixed with the plaster, cutting off the top and the rind even to the wood itself. The mixture being thus made thick by boiling and stirring, and removed from the fire, put in White Copperas for want of true Chalcitis in powder, and so make it into a laudable mass for an emplaster. 

It is a very drying, binding plaster, profitable in green wounds to hinder putrifaction, as also in pestilential sores after they are broken and ruptures, as also in burnings and scaldings. 

Emplastrum Diaphoenicon Calidum - Mesue.

Take of Wax, two ounces; Oil of Roses and Spikenard, of each four ounces. Melt them together, then take of dry Dates, by number forty; White Bread, an ounce. Steep them in Wine, two days, then take of the pulp of Quinces boiled in Red Wine, an ounce. Bruise it, and mix it with the former, then add these things that follow, beaten into fine powder; take of Mastic, Frankincense, Roman Wormwood, of each two drachms and a half; wood of Aloes, Mace, Myrrh, Aloes washed, Spikenard, Acacia, Gallia Mischata, Trochisci Ramich, Calamus Aromaticus, of each a drachm; Ladanum, two drams.

Mix them together, and make them into a plaster according to art.

It strengthens the stomach and liver exceedingly, helps fluxes.

Diaphoenicon Frigidum - Mesue.

Take of ripe Dates boiled in austere Wine, five ounces; White Bread, an ounce; the flesh of Quinces boiled in the austere Wine, an ounce and a half; Styrax, Calamitis, Mastic, Ladanum, Acacia, the juice of four Grapes, Red Roses, Yellow Sanders, Trochisci Ramich, Myrrh, wood of Aloes, of each half an ounce; Wax, four ounces; Turpentine washed with Rosewater, an ounce and a half; Oil of Roses, ten ounces; austere Wine, so much as is sufficient.

Make it into a plaster according to art. 

It strengthens the belly and liver, helps concoction in those parts, and distribution of humours, stays vomiting and fluxes.

Emplastrum Divinum - Nich.

Take of Loadstone, four ounces; Ammoniacum, three ounces and three drachms; Bdellium, two ounces; Glabanum, Myrrh, of each ten drachms; Opopanax, Mastic, Long Birthwort, Vert de Greece, of each one ounce; Litharge, a pound and a half; Common Oil, a pound and a half; New Wax, eight ounces.

Mix them according to art. First, let the Litharge be stirred with the Oil a long time, then boiled to a thickness, then let the Wax be added; that being melted, let it be taken from the fire, and put in the gums dissolved either in Wine or Vinegar, boiled and strained, then the powder of the Mastic, Myrrh, Frankincense, Birthwort and Loadstone, last of all the Vert de Greece, lest that being too much boiled make the plaster black.Thus make it into a plaster according to art.

It is of a cleansing nature, exceeding good against malignant ulcers. It consumes corruption, engenders new flesh, and brings them to a scar.

Emplastrum de Gummi Elemni.

Take of Gum Elemni, three ounces; Per-rosin, pure Wax, Ammoniacum, of each two ounces; Turpentine, three ounces and a half; Malaga Wine, so much as is sufficient. 

Boil the rest to the consumption of the Wine, then add the Ammoniacum dissolved in Vinegar.

The operation is the same with Linimentum Arceus before mentioned. 

Emplastrum Gracia Dei - Nicholaus.

Take of Turpentine, half a pound; Rosin, a pound; White Wax, four ounces; Mastic, an ounce; fresh Betony, Vervain and Burnet, of each a handful. 

Let the herbs being bruised be sufficiently boiled in White Wine, the liquor pressed out, in which let the Wax and Rosin be boiled to the consumption of the liquor; being taken from the fire, let the Turpentine be mixed with it, lastly the Mastic in powder, and so make of them a plaster according to art. 

It is excellent good in wounds and green ulcers, for it keeps back inflammations, cleanses and joins wounds, fills up ulcers with flesh.

Emplastrum Griseum of Lapis Calaminaris.

Take of Lapis Calaminaris, an ounce; Litharge, two ounces; Ceruss, half an ounce; Tutty, a drachm; Turpentine, six drachms; White Wax, an ounce and a half; Stag's Suet, two ounces; Frankincense, five drachms; Mastic, three drachms; Myrrh, two drams; Camphire, a drachm and a half; Wax and Stag's Suet, so much as is sufficient to make it into a plaster according to art.

I wonder of thirty-four physicians, the compilers of this Book, not one of them could see Stag's Suet was set down twice; would not a sober man think they minded much what they were about?

It dries, skins and fills ulcers.

Emplastrum ad Hirniam - Fernel.

Take of Galls, Cypress Nuts, Pomegranate Peel, Balaustins, Acacia, the seeds of Plantain, Fleawort (Psyllium) and Watercress, Acorn Cups, Beans roasted, Long and Round Birthwort, Myrtle Berries, of each half an ounce.

Let all these, being powdered, be steeped four days in Rose Vinegar, then dried. Then take Comfry the Greater and Lesser, Horsetail, Woad, Cetrach, Osmond Royal, Fern, of each an ounce; Frankincense, Myrrh, Aloes, Mastic, Mummy, of each two ounces; Bole Armenick washed in Vinegar, Lapis Calaminaris prepared, Litharge of Gold, Dragon's Blood, of each three ounces; Ship Pitch, two pound; Turpentine, six ounces, or so much as is sufficient to make it into a plaster according to art. 

The plaster is very binding and knitting, appropriated to ruptures or burstness, as the title of it specifies. It strengthens the reins and womb, stays abortion or miscarriage in women; it consolidates wounds, and helps all diseases coming of cold and moisture. If you mix a little Diapalma with it, it will stick the better. 

Emplastrum Histericum - Nichol.
Praep. according to Renod.

Take of Bistort roots a pound; wood of Aloes, Yellow Sanders, Nutmegs, Barberry kernels; Anthera, of each one ounce; Cinnamon, Cloves, Schoenanthus, Chamomel flowers, of each an ounce; Frankincense, Mastic, Alipta, Moschata, Gallia Moschata, Styrax, Calamitis, of each a drachm; of the best Musk, half a dram; Wax, a pound and a half; Turpentine, half a pound; Oleum Moschelinum, four ounces; Ladanum, four pound; Ship Pitch, three pound.

Let the Wax and Pitch be melted, the Ladanum and Turpentine added to them, then the Styrax, and last of all the rest, being beaten into powder, and so made into a plaster according to art.

I know not justly what they mean by that word 'Anthera' in the receipt, unless they mean the hairy threads in the middle of the Rose, which usually country people call (though falsely) Rose seeds. 

As I take it, apothecaries call them by an apish name Anthera Rosarum, of the Greek words, ανθαταν σοτειων, the flowers of Roses. But indeed the ancients as Galen etc. gave the word Anthera to many compound medicines that had no Roses at all in them. But I cannot stand to dispute the story here. 

The plaster being applied to the navel is a means to withstand the fits of the mother in such women as are subject to them.

Emplastrum de Janua, or of Betony - Nicholaus.

Take of the juices of Betony, Plantain and Smallage, of each a pound; Wax, Pitch, Rosin, Turpentine, of each half a pound. 

Boil the Wax and Rosin in the juices with a gentle fire, continually stirring them till the juices be consumed; then, add the Turpentine and Pitch, continually stirring it till it be brought to the consistence of a plaster according to art. 

I take Mesue indeed to be the author of it (or else I am mistaken); it matters not much which. It is a gallant plaster for pains in the head, and to recruit an addle brain, helps green wounds, ceases inflammations, strengthens the liver. 

A Plaster of Mastic - Renod.

Take of Mastic, three ounces; Bole Armenick washed in Red Wine, an ounce and a half; Red Roses, six drachms; Ivory, Red Coral, of each half an ounce; Turpentine, two ounces; Wax, Oil of Myrtles, of each half a pound.

Make of them a plaster according to art by adding Colophonia, or else Tacamahaca, Ladanum, of each two ounces. 

It is a binding plaster, strengthens the stomach.

A Plaster of Meliot - Mesue.

Take of Meliot flowers, six ounces; Chamomel flowers, Fenugreek seed, Marshmallow roots, Bay Berries, Marjoram, tops of Wormwood, of each three drachms; Smallage seed, Cardamoms, Orris, Cyperuss, Spikenard, Cassia, Lignea, the seeds of Bishop's Weed, of each a drachm and a half; Ammoniacum, ten drachms; Styrax, Calamitis, Bdellium, of each five drams; Turpentine, an ounce and half; fat Figs, by number twelve; Goat's Suet, Rosin, of each two ounces and a half; Wax, six ounces; Oil of Marforam and Spikenard, of each so much as is sufficient.

Then, take of fresh Meliot, Chamomel, of each so much as is sufficient, boil it in a quart of water till half be consumed; then, having strained it, the things to be beaten being beaten into very fine powder, the roots and Figs boiled and pulped, and added to the decoction. Let them boil, always stirring them that they burn not, then the oils, Turpentine, Wax, Suet and Rosin being melted together and the gums dissolved in Vinegar. Make all into am emplaster according to art. 

It mollifies the hardness of the stomach, liver, spleen, bowels and other parts of the body. It wonderfully assuages pain, and eases hypochondriac melancholy, and the rickets.

Emplasrum de Minio Compositum - Vigo. 

Take of Oil of Roses, a pound and a half; Oil of Myrtles, Unguentum Populeon, of each four ounces; Hen's Grease, two ounces; the Suet of a Weather and a Heifer, of each half a pound; Hog's Grease, seven pounds; Litharge of Gold and Silver, of each three ounces and a half; Ceruss, four ounces; Red Lead, three ounces; Turpentine, ten ounces; Wax, so much as is sufficient to make it into a plaster tending to blackness according to art.

It potently cures wounds, old and malignant ulcers.

Another Plaster of Red Lead Simple - London.

Take of Red Lead, nine ounces; Oil of Red Roses, a pound and a half; White Wine Vinegar, six ounces.

Boil them to the perfect consistence of a plaster. 

Also, it is prepared without Vinegar in this manner: take of Red Lead, one pound, Oil of Roses, a pound and a half; Wax, half a pound. Make it into a plaster according to art. 

It is a fine cooling, healing plaster.

Emplastrum Isis Epigoni - Galen.

Take of Yellow Wax, a hundred drams; Turpentine, two hundred drachms; Scales of Copper, Vert de Greece, Round Birthwort, Frankincense, Sal Armeniack, Ammoniacum, Burnt Brass, of each eight drachms; Burnt Alum, six drachms; Aloes, Myrrh, Galburnum, of each an ounce and a half; Old Oil, one pound; Sharp Vinegar, so much as is sufficient.

Let the metals be dissolved in the sun with Vinegar, then put in those following things that may be melted, last of all the powders, and make them all into an emplaster.

Galen appropriates it to the head, and ulcers there. I know no reason but why it may as well serve for other parts of the body.

A Plaster of Mastic - Nich. Alex.

Take of Mastic, Ship Pitch, Sagapenum, Wax, of each six drachms; Ammoniacum, Turpentine, Colophonia, Saffron, Aloes, Frankincense, Myrrh, of each three drachms; Opopanax, Galbanum, Styrax, Calamitis, Alum (Rondeletius appoints, and we for him), Bitumen, Fenugreek, of each two drachms; the faeces of Liquid Styrax, Bdellium, Litharge, of each half a drachm.

Let the Litharge, being beaten into powder, be boiled in a sufficient quantity of Water; then, add the Pitch, which being melted, add the Wax and Ammoniacum. Afterwards, let the Sagapenum, Opopanax and Glabanum be put in, then the Styrax and faeces being mixed with the Turpentine; last of all, the Colophonia, Mastic, Frankincense, Bdellium, Alum, Myrrh and Fenugreek in powder. Let them be made into a plaster.

It strengthens the stomach, and helps digestion. 

Emplastrum Metroproptoticon.

Take of Mastic, an ounce and a half; pure Galburnum dissolved in Red Wine and strained, six drachms; Cypress, Turpentine, two drachms; Cypress Nuts, Galls, of each a drachm and a half; Oil of Nutmegs by expression, a dram; Musk, two grains and a half.

Let the Mastic, Pitch, Galbanum and Turpentine be lightly beaten in a hot mortar with a hot pestle; in the end, add the Oil of Nutmegs, then the powders sprinkled in by degrees, then the Musk dissolved upon a marble with a little Oil of Mastic. Mix them together exactly, and make of them an emplaster.

It was invented (as I suppose) to comfort and strengthen the retentive faculty in the stomach and belly, and therefore stays looseness and vomiting, and helps the fits of the mother.

Emplastrum Nigrum - August.
Called in High Dutch Stichpflaster.

Take of Colophonia, Rosin, Ship Pitch, White Wax, Roman Vitriol, Ceruss, Olibanum, Myrrh, of each eight ounces; Oil of Roses, seven ounces; Oil if Juniper Berries, three ounces; Oil of Eggs, two ounces; Oil of Spike, one ounce; White Vitriol, Red Coral, Mummy, of each two ounces; Earth of Lemnos, Mastic, Dragon's Blood, of each an ounce; the Fat of a Heron, one ounce; the Fat of Timullus (a kind of fish), three ounces; Loadstone prepared, two ounces; Earthworms prepared, Camphire, of each one ounce.

Make them into a plaster according to art.

It is very good (say they) in green wounds and pricks.

Emplastrum Nervinum - Vigo.

Take of Oil of Chamomel and Roses, of each two ounces; Oil of Mastic, Linseed and Turpentine, of each one ounce and a half; Boiled Turpentine, four ounces; the Suet of a Gelded Calf (by all means) and a He-Goat, of each two ounces and a half; the herbs of Rosemary, Betony and Horsetail, Centuary the Less, of each one handful; Earthworms washed in Wine and cleansed, three ounces; the leaves and seeds of St John's Wort, of each a handful; Mastic in powder, Gum Elemni, of each ten drachms; Madder roots, ten drams; Ship Pitch, Rosin, of each an ounce and a half; Litharge of Gold and Silver, of each two ounces and a half; Red Lead, two ounces; Galbanum, Sagapenum, Ammoniacum, of each three drachms.

Let the herbs, roots and worms be boiled in a pint and a half of Wine till half be consumed, then pressed out. In the liquors boil the oil, suets, Litharge of Red Lead, till the Wine be consumed, then add the gums dissolved in Wine; afterwards, the Turpentine, Rosin, Pitch and Matic, and make them a plaster according to art. 

It strengthens the brain and nerves.

Emplastrum Oxycroceum - Nich.

Take of Saffrom, Ship Pitch, Colophonia, Wax, of each four ounces; Turpentine, Galbanum, Ammoniacum, Myrrh, Olibanum, Mastic, of each an ounce and three drachms.

Let this be the manner of making of it: let the Wax, Colophonia and Turpentine be melted together; then, taking it from the fire, add the Pitch, then the Galbanum, Ammoniacum, Frankincense and Myrrh dissolved in Vinegar; afterwards, the Mastic, then the Saffron in powder well moistened in Vinegar, and so make them into a plaster according to art.

It is of a notable softening, discussing quality, helps broken bones, and any parts molested with cold, old aches, stiffness of the limbs bu reason of wounds, ulcers, fractures or dislocations, and dissipates cold swellings. 

Vigonis Oxycroceum (in quo nil croci) Prestantius.
In plain English thus: Vigo his more excellent plaster of Vinegar and Saffron, in which there is no Saffron.

Take of Oil of Myrtles and Roses Omphacine, of each a pound and a half; juice of Marshmallow roots, two pound; the roots and leaves of Ash Tree and Comfry the Lesser, the leaves of Myrtle, of each a handful. 

Let all of them, being bruised, be boiled a little in Red Wine, even till half be consumed, with Myrrh and Frankincense, of each half an ounce. Strain it strongly, and add to the decoction Goat's Suet, half a pound; Turpentine, two ounces; Mastic, one ounce; boil them again with the oils to the consumption of the decoction. Strain it, and then add Litharge of Gold and Silver, of each three ounces; Bole Armenick, Earth of Lemnos, of each two ounces; Red Lead, ten drachms. Boil it with a gentle fire, always stirring it, and with a sufficient quantity of Wax make it into a plaster according to art. 

Surely the College quoted this receipt (which might more properly be called Vigo his Nonsense) for apothecaries to laugh at, not to make, the way of making it up being almost as childish as the title.

It dries and binds.

Emplastrum de Ranis - Vigo.

Take of Oil of Chamomel, Dill, Spikenard, Lilies, of each two ounces; Oil of Saffron (see page . . . the college send you to page 13, and if you look there, there is no such thing as Oil of Saffron); Hog's Grease, a pound; the Fat of a Calf, half a pound; Euphorbium, five drachms; Frankincense, ten drams; Oil of Bay, an ounce and a half; Viper's Fat, or for want of it, take a Snake's, two ounces and a half; Live Frogs, by number six; Earthworms washed in Wine, three ounces and a half; the juice of the roots of Wall Wort and Elicampane, of each two ounces; Schoenanth, Stoechas, Mugwort, of each a handful; Wine a quart, Litharge of Gold, a pound; Turpentine, two ounces; Yellow Wax, so much as is sufficient; Liquid Styrax, an ounce and a half; Quicksilver killed either with fasting, spittle or juice of Lemons, four ounces.

This is the manner of making it: let the Frogs, Worms and herbs with their juices, the oils of Dill, Chamomel, Lilies, Grease and Suet be boiled in a pound and a half of Wine; strain it, then add the Litharge, Wax, four ounces, and the remainder of the Wine, then boil it till all the Wine be consumed and it stick not to your fingers; then, add the Oil of Bay, Saffron and Spike, and the fat; afterward, the Euphorbium and Frankincense; last of all, the Quicksilver, well mixed with the Liquid Styrax and Turpentine. Stir them together till they be incorporated; take heed you put not in the Quicksilver while the mass is too hot. lest it fly out.

I have known it applied to the swelling in the throat called the King's Evil; but for my part, I fancy not the receipt, neither for that nor anything else. 

Emplastrum Sanctum - Andr. e Cruce.
A Holy Plaster composed by Andrew of the Gallows.

Take of Per-rosin, twelve ounces; Oil of Bay, Turpentine, of each two ounces; Gum Elemni, four ounces.

Let the Rosin and Gum be melted over the fire in a brass pan, stirring it with a brass instrument, then add the Oil of Bay and Turpentine, boil it a little, then put it in a linen bag; and that which drops through, keep it in a glazed pot for your use.

The virtues are the same with Arceus his Liniment. 

Sparadrapsum seu Tela - Gualt. de Renod.

Take of Oil of Roses, half a pound; Ram's Suet, four ounces; Wax, ten pounds; Litharge, Per-rosin, Frankincense, Mastic, of each two ounces; Bole Armenick, fine flour, of each an ounce. 

Boil the Oil, Suet and Litharge together till the Litharge be well incorporated. In which, being warm, you may dip your tents. 

Empastrum Stephaniaion.

Take of Ladanum, half an ounce; Styrax, Calamitis, Juniper Gum, of each two drachms; AMber, Cypress, Turpentine, of each one drachm; Red Coral, Mastic, of each half a dram; the flowers of Sage, Red Roses, Orris, Florentine, of each a scruple; Rosin washed in Rosewater, half an ounce.

Let the Rosin, Ladanum and Mastic, the Styrax, Juniper Gum and Turpentine, be lightly beaten with a hot pestle in a hot mortar according to art so long (putting in a little Red Wine the while) till you see them well incorporated, then put in the powders, and make them up, being well mixed, into an emplaster. 

Emplastrum sine Pari.

Take of Frankincense, Bdellium, Styrax, of each three drachms; Ammoniacum, Galbanum, of each one dram and a half; Ship Pitch, six drachms; the Marrow of a Stag, Fat of Hens and Geese, of each two drachms; Sulphur Vivum washed in Milk, Hermodactils in powder, of each a drachm and a half.

Let the gums be dissolved in White Wine (not in Vinegar, because that is inimical to the nerves), and with two parts of Oil of Roses complete and one part of Oil of Eggs and a little Oil of Turpentine, make it into a plaster according to art.

Sticticum - Paracelsus.

Take of Oil of Olives, six ounces; Wax, an ounce and a half; Litharge, four ounces and a half; Ammoniacum, Bdellium, of each half an ounce; Galbanum, Opopanax, Lapis Calaminaris, Oil of Bay, both sorts of Birthwort, Myrrh, Frankincense, of each two drachms; pure Turpentine, one ounce.

Let the Oil, Wax and Litharge be boiled together till it will not stick to your fingers; then, being removed from the fire, let it cool a little, adding the gums dissolved in White Wine Vinegar, which evaporate away by boiling. Then, strain them; last of all, add the powders, Turpentine and the Oil of Bay. Make them into an emplaster according to art. 

Both this and the former strengthen the nerves, draw out corruption, take away pains and aches, and restore strength to members that have lost it. 

The last is most effectual. 

A Plaster for the Stomach - Mesue.

Take of Wood of Aloes, Wormwood, Gum Arabic, Mastic, Cyperus, Costus, Ginger, of each half an ounce; Calamus, Aromaticus, Olibanum, Aloes, of each three drachms; Cloves, Mace, Cinnamon, Spikenard, Nutmegs, Gallia, Moschata, Schoenanthus, of each one drachm and a half.

With Rob of Quinces make it into an emplaster, and when you have spread it upon a cloth, perfume it with Wood of Aloes, and apply it to your stomach.

Another Plaster for the Stomach.

Take of Mint, Wormwood, Stoechas, Bay Leaves, of each one drachm; Marjoram, Red Roses, Yellow Sanders, of each two drachms; Calamus Aromaticus, Wood of Aloes, Lavender flowers, Nutmegs, Cubebs, Galanga, Long Pepper, Mace, of each a drachm; Mastic, three drachms; Cloves, two drachms and a half; Nard Oil, an ounce; Oil of Spike, one drachm; Rosin, Wax, of each four ounces; Ladanum, three ounces; Liquid Styrax, half an ounce. 

Make them into a plaster according to art.

Both this and the former strengthen the stomach exceedingly, help digestion, and stay vomiting.