Physick is not to be presumed upon by Dunces, lest they meet with their Matches and Overmatches, too.

 

Pills.

Pills in Greek are called καταπότιο, in Latin Pilulae, which signifies 'little balls', because they are made up in such a form that they may be the better swallowed down, by reason of the offensiveness of their taste.

They were first invented for the purging of the head (however physicians have since ordered the business), because the matter there offending is not so soon taken away by any other physick. 

Such as have Scammony, otherwise called Diagrydium, in them, or Colocynthis, work strongly, and must be taken in the morning, and the body well regulated after them, keeping your chamber and a good fire. I shall instruct you in the dose as I come to them. Such as have neither Colocynthis nor Diagrydium may best be taken in the evening; neither need you keep the house for them. 

Pilulae Alephanginae, or Aromatical Pills - Mesue.

Take of Cinnamon, Cloves, Cardomoms, Nutmegs, Mace, Calamus, Aromaticus, Carpobalsamum, or the seeds of Angelica, Schoenanth, wood of Aloes, Yellow Sanders, Red Roses, dried Wormwood, of each half an ounce.

Let these being grossly bruised be infused twenty-four hours in four pints of water, then boil them over a gentle fire till the third part be consumed. Strain them, and in liquor dissolve a pound of Aloes; then having drawn off the water, either in hot ashes or a bath add to it Myrrh and Mastic, of each half an ounce; Saffron, two drams; syrup of Wormwood, so much as is sufficient to make it up into a mass.

This receipt differs much from that which Mesue left to posterity, but some question whether Renodaeus or the College either can amend the receipts of Mesue. The chief alterations are Mastic, Asarabacca roots and Indian Spikenard, of each an ounce, are totally left out; besides, all the Simples till you come to the Wormwood are set down but half so much in quantity as Mesue prescribed them. Some other small alterations are also in most of the quantities. But I must return to my scope. 

It cleanses both stomachs and brain of gross and putrified humours, and sets the senses free when they are thereby troubled; it cleanses the brain offended by ill humours, wind etc., helps vertigo and headaches, and strengthens the brain exceedingly, helps concoction and strengthens the stomach. 

I have often made experience of it upon my own body, and always with good success in such occasions, and therefore give me leave to commend it to my countrymen for a wholesome cleansing medicine, strengthening, in no ways violent. One dram taken at night going to bed will work gently next day; if the party be weak, you may give less, if strong, more. If you take but half a drachm, you may go abroad the next day; but if you rake a dram, you may keep the house, there can be no harm in that. 

Aloe Rosata - Hier. Fabr. ab Aquap.

Take of clear Aloes Succotrina in powder, four ounces; the juice of Damask Roses clarified, four pound.

Mix them together, and digest them in the sun or else in a bath, till all the moisture is drawn away; then, infuse it again in so much juice, and evaporate away the moisture again. Do so four times, then keep the mass to be made into pills (by mass always understand the composition brought into such a thickness that you may easily with your fingers make it into pills).

It is a gallant gentle purger of choler, frees the stomach from superfluous humours, opens stoppings, and other infirmities of the body proceeding from choler or phlegm as yellow jaundice, etc. 

Take a scruple or half a drachm at night going to bed; you may walk abroad, for it will hardly work till next day in the afternoon. 

Pills of Washed Aloes - August.

Take Aloes washed with the juice, or Damask Roses, an ounce; Agrick trochiscated, three drachms; Mastic, two drams; species Diamoscu Dulce, half a drachm; syrup of Damask Roses, so much as is sufficient to make it into a mass according to art. 

It purges both brain, stomach, bowels and eyes of putrified humours, and also strengthens them. 

Use these as the former. 

Pilulae Assaireth - Avicenna.

Take of species Hiera Picra Galeni, an ounce; Mastic, Citron, Myrobalans, of each half an ounce; Aloes, two ounces; the syrup of Stoechas, as much as is sufficient.

Make of them a mass according to art.

It purges choler and phlegm. 

Pills of Bdellium - Mesue.

Take of Bdellium, ten drachms; Myrobalans, Bellericks, Emblicks and Blacks, of each five drachms; flakes of Iron, Leek seeds, of each three drams; Chonculae Veneris burnt (a kind of seashell to be had at the apothecaries), Coral burnt, Amber, of each a dram and a half; Pearls, half an ounce.

Dissolve (not infuse, as the College prescribe) the Bdellium in juice of Leeks, and with so much syrup of juice of Leeks as is sufficient; make it into a mass according to art. 

Both this and the former are seldom used, and therefore are hardly to be had.

Pills of Eupatorium - Mesue.

Take of Citron, Myrobalans, the juice of Eupatorium, that is Ageratum (Maudlin), of the juice of Wormwood, of each three drams; Rhubarb, three drachms and a half; Mastic, one dram; Saffron, half a drachm; of the best Aloes, five drachms; syrup of the juice of Endive, as much as is sufficient to make it up into a mass, into which form according to art. 

Having compared this receipt of Mesue, with reason I find it a gallant gentle purge and strengthening, fitted for such dobies as are much weakened by diseases of choler. The author appropriates it to such as have tertian agues, the yellow jaundice, obstructions or stoppings of the liver.

Half a drachm taken at night going to bed, will work with an ordinary body the next day by noon. 

The truth is, I was before sparing in relating the doses of most purging physicks, because they are to be regulated according to the strength of the patient, etc. Physick is not to be presumed upon by dunces, lest they meet with their matches and overmatches, too. The directions at the beginning are sufficient to instruct anybody that has any wit, and is fitting to give physick to themselves or others.

Pilulae de Hieracum Apparico, from the Augustan Physicians - Mesue.

Take of Galens' species Hiera Picra, Agrick trochiscated, of each half an ounce; of the best Aloes, an ounce; Honey Roses, as much as is sufficient to make it into a mass according to art. 

I refer you to species Hiera Picra Galeni and to Agrick in the Simples for the virtues of them.

Pilulae Imperialis - Fernelius.

Take of the best Aloes, two ounces; choice Rhubarb, an ounce and a half; Agrick trochiscated; the leaves of Senna, of each an ounce; Cinnamon, three drachms; Ginger, two drachms; Nutmegs, Cloves, Spikenard, Mastic, of each one drachm. 

With syrup of Violets, make it into a mass according to art. 

It cleanses the body of mixed humours, and strengthens the stomach exceedingly, as also the bowels, liver and natural spirit. It is good for cold natures, and cheers the spirits. 

The dose is a scruple or half a dram, taken at night; in the morning, drink a draught of warm posset drink, and then you may go about your business. Both these and such like pills as these 'tis your best way to take them many nights together, for they are proper for such infirmities as cannot be carried away at once. Observe this rule in all such pills as are to be taken at night. 

Mastic Pills - Fernelius.

Take of Mastic, two ounces; Aloes, four ounces; Agrick trochified, species Hiera Simplicis Galeni, of each one ounce and a half. Bring them into a mass with Malaga Wine according to art. 

They purge very gently, but strengthen much both head, brain, eyes, belly and reins. 

Both dose and order is the same with the former. 

Pestilential Pills - Russus.

Take of the best Aloes, two ounces; choice Myrrh and Saffron, of each one ounce. With syrup of the juice of Lemons make them into a mass.

A scruple of these taken at night going to bed is a notable preservative in pestilential times. 

Stomach Pills - Mesue.

Take of Aloes, six drachms; Mastic, Red Roses, of each two drachms. With syrup of Wormwood so much as is sufficient to make it into a mass according to art. 

They cleanse and strengthen the stomach; they cleanse but gently, strengthen much, help digestion. Take them as the former. 

Pilulae de Succino - Andreas, Auris.

Take of White Amber, Mastic, of each two drachms; Aloes, five drachms; Agrick, a drachm; syrup of Wormwood, so much as is sufficient to make it into a mass according to art. 

It amends the evil state of a woman's body, strengthens conception, and takes away what hinders it; it gently purges choler and phlegm, and leaves a binding strengthening quality behind it. 

Take them as Imperial Pills. 

Pilulae of Rhubarb - Mesue.

Take of choice Rhubarb, three drachms; Citrons, Myrobalans, Trochisci Diarhodon, of each three drachms and a half; juice of Liquoris and juice of Wormwood, Mastic, of each one dram; the seeds of Smallage and Fennel, of each half a dram; species Hiera Picra Simp. Galeni, ten drams.

With juice of Fennel not clarified (and why not clarified, can they give but a piece of a reason for it; I am deceived if Mesue appoint not Fennel water) and Honey, so much as is sufficient, make it into a mass.

It purges choler, opens obstructions of the liver, helps the yellow jaundice and dropsies in the beginning, strengthens the stomach and lungs. 

Take them as Pilulae Imperiales.

Pilulae ex Tribus - Fernelius.

Take of Mastic, two ounces; Aloes, four ounces; Agrick trochiscated, species Hiera Simplex, of each an ounce and a half; choice Rhubarb, two ounces; Cinnamon, half an ounce. With syrup of Chicory, make it into a mass according to art. 

View the Simples. It may be in searching for this you may meet with something else may do you good. 

Pills of Agrick - Mesue.

Take of Agrick, three drachms; Orris roots, Matic, Horehound, of each a drachm; Turbith, five drachms; Species Hiera Picra Galeni, half an ounce; Colocunthis, Sarcocolla, of each two drachms; Myrrh, one dram; Sapa, so much as is sufficient to make it into a mass.

It was invented to cleanse the breast and lungs of phlegm. It works pretty tithly, therefore requires a good headpiece to direct it.

Agregartive Pills, or Policressae - Mesue.

Take of Citron, Myrobalans, of the best Rhubarb, of each half an ounce; juice of Eupatorim (Maudlin) and of Wormwood made thick, of each two drams; Diagrydium, five drachms; Myrobalans, Chebs, and Indian, Agrick, Colocynthis, Polypodium, of each two drachms; Turbith, Aloes, of each six drachms; Mastic, Roses, Sal. Gem. Epithimum, Annis Seeds, Ginger, of each one dram. With syrup of Damask Roses so much as is sufficient, make it up into a mass according to art. 

It purges the head of choler, phlegm and melancholy, and that stoutly. It is good against quotidian agues, and faults in the stomach and liver.

Yet because it is well corrected, if you take but half a drachm at a time, and keep yourself warm, I suppose you may take it without danger.

Pilulae Arabica - Nicholaus.

Take of the best Aloes, four ounces; Briony roots, Myrobalans, Citrons, Chebs, Indian Bellerick, and Emblick, Mastic, Diagrydium, Asarabacca, Roses, of each an ounce; Castorium, three drachms; Saffron, one drachm. With syrup of Wormwood make it into a mass according to art.

It helps such women as are not sufficiently purged in their labour, helps to bring away what careless midwives have left behind; purges the head, helps headache, megrim, vertigo, and purges the stomach of vicious humours. Besides, authors say it preserves the sight and hearing, and preserves the mind in vigour, and causes joyfulness, driving away melancholy.

'Tis like it may, but have a care you take not too much of it; a scruple is enough to take to take at a time, or half a dram if the body be strong. Take it in the morning about four of the clock (if you can); keep yourself warm by the fire, and order yourself as after other purges. 

Pilulae Arthriticae - Nich.

Take of Hermodactils, Turbith, Agrick, of each half an ounce; Cassia, Lignea, Indian spikenard, Cloves, Xylonalsamum or wood of Aloes, Carpobalsamum or Cubebs, Mace, Galanga, Ginger, Mastic, Assafoetida, the seeds of Annis, Fennel, Saxifrage, Sparagus, Bruscus, Roses, Gromwell, Sal. Gem, of each two drams; Scammony, an ounce; of the best Aloes, the weight of them all; juice of Ghamepitys made thick with Sugar, so much as is sufficient to make it into a mass. 

As I remember, the author appoints but a dram of Scammony, which is but the eighth part of an ounce, and then will the receipt be pretty moderate, whereas now it is too, too violent. I know well enough it is the opinion of doctors that Aloes retards the violent working of Scammony; I could never find it, and I am the worst in the world to pin my faith upon another man's sleeve, and I would as willingly trust my life in the hands of a wild bear as in the hands of that monster called TRADITION.

If but a dram of Scammony be put in, then may a man safely (if not too much weakened) take a dram of it at a time, about four in the morning, ordering yourself as in the former; but made up as the College prescribes, I durst not take them myself, therefore will I not prescribe them to others.

It helps the gout and all other pains in the joints, comforts and strengthens both brain and stomach, and consumes diseases whose original comes of phlegm.

Pilulae Auriae - Nicholaus.

Take of Aloes, Diagrydium, of each five drams; Red Roses, the seeds of Smallage, of each two drachms and a half; Annis and Fennel seeds, of each one dram and a half; Mastic, Saffron, Troches, Alhandal, of each one dram. Being all beaten, let them be made into a mass with Honey of Roses according to art. 

They are held to purge the head, to quicken the senses, especially the sight, and expel wind from the bowels, but works something harshly. 

Half a dram is the utmost dose; keep the fire, take them in the morning and sleep after them, they will work before noon. 

Pilulae Cochiae - Rhasis.

Take of Species Hiera Picra Galeni, ten drachms; Colocynthi, three drachms and one scruple; Diagrydium, two drams and a half; Turbith, Stoechas, of each five drachms; syrup of Stoechas, so much as is sufficient to make it into a mass.

Gesner and Matth. de Grad put in only two scruples and a half of Diagrydium, belike because they would not have it work so violently, but Mesue, Rhasis and Nicholaus, Mirepsus prescribe two drams and a half, as herein the Dispensatory; only Mesue appoints it to be made up with syrup of Wormwood. 

This and the next to it are to be used as the former. 

Pilulae Cochiae with Hellebore.

Take of the powder of the pills before prescribed, the powder of the bark of the roots of Black Hellebore, an ounce; make it into a mass with syrup of Stoechas according to art. 

The former purges the head of phlegm, and therefore is fit for lethargies; this is of melancholy, and is therefore fit for mad people if melancholy be the cause. 

Pilulae Foetida Majores - Mesue. 

Take of Sagapenum, Amoniacum, Oppopanax, Bdellium, Colocynthis, the seeds of Wild Rue or Garden Rue dried, Aloes, Epithimum, of each five drams; Turbith, half an ounce; Scammony, three drachms; Spurge prepared, Hermodactils, of each two drachms; Ginger, a dram and a half; Cinnamon, Spikenard of India, Saffron, Castorium, of each one drachm; Euphorbium, two scruples. Dissolve the gums in juice of Leeks, and make them into a mass with syrup made with the juice of Leeks and Sugar, according to art. 

They purge gross and raw phlegm, and diseases thereof arising, gouts of all sorts, pains in the backbone and other joints. It is good against leprosies, and other such like infirmities of the skin.

I fancy not the receipt much. 

Pills of Fumitory - Avicenna.

Take of Myrobalans, Citrons, Chebs, and Indian, Diagrydium, of each five drams; Aloes, seven drachms. Let all of them being bruised be thrice moistened with juice of Fumitory and thrice suffered to dry, then brought into a mass with syrup of Fumitory. 

It purges melancholy from the liver and spleen, sharp, choleric and addust humours, salt phlegm, and therefore helps scabs and itch.

Take but half a dram at a time in the morning. 

Pills of Hermodactils the Greater - Mesue.

Take of Sagapenum, six drachms; Opopanax, three drachms. Dissolve them in a sufficient quantity of the juice of Coleworts warmed, and strain them through a convenient linen rag, then boil them a little; then, take of Hermodactils, Aloes, Citron, Myrobalans, Turbith, Colocynthis, sofy Bdellium, of each six drachms; Castorium, Sarcocollo, Euphorbium, the seed either of Wild or Garden Rue, and of Smallage, of each three drams; Saffron, a drachm and a half. With syrup of the juice of Coleworts made with Honey make it into a mass according to art. 

They are good against the gout and other cold afflictions of the joints. These are more moderate by half than Pilulae Foetidae, and appropriated to the same diseases. 

You may take a dram in the morning, if age and strength agree; if not, take less, and keep your body warm by the fire, now and then walking about the chamber.

Pilulae Indae - Mesue out of Haly.

Take of Indian Myrobalans, Black Hellebore, Polypodium of the Oak, of each five drams; Epithimum, Stoechas, of each six drachms; Agrick, Lapis Lazuli often washed, Troches Alhandel, Dal. Ind., of each half an ounce; juice of Maudlin made thick, Indian Spikenard, of each two drams; Cloves, one drachm; Species Hiera Picra Simplex Galeni, twelve drams. With syrup of the juice of Smallage make it into a mass according to art.

It wonderfully prevails against afflictions coming of melancholy, cancers which are not ulcerated, leprosy, evils of the mind coming of melancholy as sadness, fear etc., quartan agues, jaundice, pains and infirmities of the spleen. 

I advise to take but half a dram, or a scruple at a time, and take it often, for melancholy infirmities are not easily removed upon a sudden. Take it in the morning, and keep the house.

Pills of Lapis Lazuli - Mesue.

Take of Lapis Lazuli oftentimes washed, five drachms; Epithimum, Polypodium, Agrick, of each an ounce; Scammony, Black Hellebore, Sal. Indi., of each two drams and a half; Cloves, Annis seeds, of each half an ounce; Hiera Picra Galeni, fifteen drams. With syrup of Succory make it into a mass according to art. 

It has the same effects against melancholy with the former, but stronger, and in my opinion worse for ordinary constitutions. 

Pilulae Lucis Majores - Mesue.

Take of Roses, Violets, Wormwood, Colocynthis, Turbith, Cubebs, Calamus, Aromaticus, Nutmegs, Indian Spikenard, epithimum, Carpobalsamum or instead thereof Cardomoms, Xylobalsamum or wood of Aloes, the seeds of Sefeli or Hartwort, Rue, Annis, Fennel and Smallage, Schoenathus, Mastic, Asarabacca roots, Cloves, Cinnamon, Cassia, Lignea, Saffron, Mace, of each two drachms; Myrobalans, Citrons, Chebuls, Indian, Bellerick and Emblick, Rhubarb, of each half an ounce; Agrick, Senna, of each five drachms; Eyebright, six drachms; Aloes, Succotrina, the weight of them all. With syrup of the juice of Fennel make it into a mass according to art. 

It purges mixed humours from the head, and clears it of such excrements as hunder the sight.

You may take a dram in the morning; keep yourself warm and within doors, you shall find them strengthen the brain and visive virtue. If your body be weak, take less. 

Pills of Mechoacan - Renodaeus.

Take of Mechoacan, half an ounce; Turbith, three drams; the leaves of Thymelae (Spurge Flax) steeped in vinegar and dried, the seeds of Dwarf Elder or Wall Wort, Agrick trochiscated, of each two drams; the roots of Spurge prepared, Mastic, of each one dram and a half; Mace, Cinnamon, Sal. Gem., of each two scruples. Beat them all into powder, and with syrup of Orris roots make it into a mass for pills according to art.

They purge phlegm very violently. If the disease be desperate, you may take half a drachm (or a scruple if your body be weak, keeping the house), else I would advise you to let them alone. 

Pilulae Ruddii.

Take of Colocynthis, six drachms; of the best Agrick, Diagrydium, Black Hellebore, Turbith, of each four drams; Aloes Succotrina, one ounce; Species Diarhodan Abbatis, half an ounce. Let all be beaten (the Species excepted) and but grossly neither, and infused in the sun (it must be close stopped, else the composition will not be worth a louse at the eight days' end) in the best Aqua Vitae, so much that it may overtop the powders the breadth of eight fingers, then infuse the Diarhoden Abbatis in Aqua Vitae in like manner for four days, then strain them strongly and mix both these liquors together (being almost all cast away), and put them in a glass alembick, and by distillation draw off the moisture till the substance at the bottom be left of a thickness to make pills. 

As this is the dearest, so in my opinion it is most excellent in operation of all the pills in the Dispensatory, being of a quick searching nature. It cleanses both head and body of choler, phlegm and melancholy. 

It must not be taken in any great quantity. Half a dram is sufficient for the strongest body; let the weaker take but a scruple, and the weakest less. Keep your chamber; they work very speedily, being of a penetrating nature.

In the former edition, I left out those words (fere abjecta) as wondering what the College meant to prescribe a receipt with such curiosity, and then bid the apothecaries cast it almost all away; and indeed, I was then somewhat curbed in time. But since I conceive their fere abjecta should have been foece abjecta, cast away the dross. 

Where I pray was the College's care and the Printer's vapouring?

Pilulae sine quibus esse nola - Nich.

Take of washed Aloes, fourteen drams; Myrobalans, Citrons, Vebukks, Emblicks, Bellericks, and Indian, Rhubarb, Mastic, Wormwood, Red Roses, Violets, Senna, Agrick, Dodder, of each one dram; Diagrydiam, six drachms and a half. With syrup of the juice of Fennel made with Honey, make it into a mass according to art. 

It purges phlegm, choler and melancholy from the head, makes the sight and hearing good, and gives ease to a burdened brain.

Pilulae sine quibus esse nolo, in English, pills without which I will not be; but unless they worked more gently, I had rather let them alone than take them. 

Pills of Spurge - Fernelius.

Take of the bark of the roots of Spurge the Less, steeped twenty-four hours in vinegar and juice of Purslain, two drachms; grains of Palma Christi torrefied (a kind of Spurge, three of the seeds of which some authors - and they good ones, too - say will give a man a sufficient purge), by number forty; Citron, Myrobalans, one drachm and a half; Germander, Chamepitys, Spikenard, Cinnamon, of each two scruples. Being beaten into fine powder with an ounce of Gum Tragacanth dissolved in Rosewater and syrup of Roses, so much as is sufficient, let it be made into a mass. 

I could say if I would and prove it too, that the ounce of Gum Tragacanth so dissolved is enough to make six times so much into a mass, but because the receipt (in my eyes) seems more fitting for a horse than for a man, I leave it.

Pills of Euphorbium - Mesue.

Take of Euphorbium, Colocynthis, Agrick, Bdellium, Sagapenum, of each two drams; Aloes, five drams. With syrup made of the juice of Leeks, make it into a mass. 

The pills are exceeding good for dropsies, pains in the loins, and gouts coming of a moist cause. Take not above half a drachm at a time, and keep the house. 

Pills of  Opopanax - Mesue.

Take of Opopanax, Sagapenum, Hermodactils, Bdellium, Amoniacum, Colocynthis, of each five drachms; Saffron, Castrorium, Myrrh, Ginger, Black and Long Pepper, Cassia, Lignea, Myrobalans, Citrons, Bellericks and Emblicks, of each one dram; Scammony, two drachms; Turbith, half an ounce; Aloes, twelve drachms. The gums being infused in Colewort water, make them into a mass with syrup of the juice of Coleworts. 

It helps tremblings, palsies, gouts of all sorts; cleanses the joints, and is helpful for such as are troubled with cold afflictions of the nerves. 

It works violently; take but half a drachm at a time, and stir not abroad. 

Pilulae Turpeti Auriae - Mesue.

Take of the best Turbith, sixteen drams; Aloes, an ounce and a half; Citron, Myrobalans, ten drachms; Red Roses, Mastic, of each six drachms; Saffron, three drams. Beat them into powder, and with syrup of Wormwood, make it into a mass.

They purge choler and phlegm, and that with as much gentleness as can be desired; also, they strengthen the stomach and liver, and help digestion.

Take a scruple or half a drachm, according as your body and the season of the year is, at night you may follow your business next day.

Pilulae de Cynoglosso - Fernelius.

Take of Myrrh, six drachms; Olibanum, five drachms; Opium, the seeds of Henbane, the roots of Hound's Tongue dry, of each half an ounce; Saffron, Castorium, of each a dram and a half. With syrup of Stoechas, make it into a mass according to art. 

It stays hot rheums that fall down upon the lungs; therefore, is good in Ptisicks, also it mitigates pain. 

A scruple is enough to take at a time going to bed, and too much if your body be weak.

Have a care of opiates, for fear they make you sleep your last. 

Laudanum.

Take of Thebane of Opium extracted in Spirit of Wine, one ounce; Saffron extracted in like manner, a drachm and a half; Castorium, one drachm. Then, let them all be taken with the tincture of half an ounce of the Species of Diambra new made in Spirit of Wine, adding (for pleasantness' sake) Ambergris and Musk, of each six grains; Oil of Nutmegs, ten drops. Then evaporate away the moisture in a warm bath, and leave the mass for use. 

It was invented (and a gallant invention it is) to mitigate violent pains, stop the fumes that trouble the brain in fevers (but beware of opiates in the beginning of fevers) to provoke sleep. 

Take not above two grains of it at a time going to bed; if that provoke not sleep, the next night you may make bold with three. 

Have a care here you be too busy with such medicines, lest you make a man sleep till Doomsday.

Pilulae Scribonii.

Take of liquid Styrax, Frankincense, Myrrh, juice of Liquoris, Opium, of each equal parts. Make them into a mass for pills with a sufficient quantity of syrup of Poppies according to art. 

They help such as are troubled with defluxion of rheum, coughs, and provoke sleep to such as cannot sleep for coughing. 

Half a scruple is enough to take at a time if the body be weak; if strong, they may make bold with a little more. 

I desire the ignorant to be very cautious in taking opiates. I confess it was the urgent importunity of friends moved me to set down the doses; they may do wise men very much good, and therefore I consented. If the people will be mad and do themselves mischief, I can but warn them of it. I can do no more. 

I have now done with pills. Only take notice that such as have Diagrydium (otherwise called Scammony) in them work violently, and are to be taken early in the morning with discretion, and administered with due consideration; the others work more gently, so that you may take a scruple of them at night going to bed, and follow your employments next day without danger.