Compleat Surgeon/Compositions

The Balsam of Arcæus.
Take two Pounds of the Suet of a He-Goat, Venice Turpentine and Gum Elemi, a Pound and a half of each; and of Hogs-Lard one Pound. After the Gum Elemi, being cut into small Pieces, hath been melted over a very gentle Fire, add to it the Turpentine, Goats-Suet, and Swines-Grease; and when all these Ingredients are well dissolv'd, strain the Liquor thro' a new Linnen-Cloth, to separate the Scum and Dregs from it; then let the whole Mass cool, and the Balsam is made.

This Balsam serves to incarnate and consolidate all sorts of Wounds and Ulcers: It is likewise us'd in Fractures and Dislocations of the Bones; as also to cure the Contusions and Wounds of the Nerves.

The Balsam of Spain.
Take pure Wheat, the Roots of Valerian and Carduus Benedictus, of each one Ounce, and beat 'em well in a Mortar with a Pint of White-Wine; strain the whole Composition into an Earthen Vessel Leaded, having a narrow Mouth; stop up the Vessel, and set it upon hot Embers during twenty four Hours: Then add six Ounces, of St. John's Wort; set the whole Mass in Balneo Mariæ, till the Wine be consum'd and let it be strain'd and squeez'd. Afterward add two Ounces of Frankincense well pulveriz'd, with eight Ounces of Venice Turpentine, mixing 'em together over a gentle Fire, and the Balsam will be made.

This is the Balsam which was always us'd by Hieronymus Fabritius ab Aguapendente, a noted Italian Surgeon, and is excellent for all kinds of Wounds, even for the Nervous, which (as it is avouch'd by some Persons) may be cur'd by it within the space of twenty four Hours. But the Wound must be at first wash'd with good White-Wine cold, and afterward anointed with this Balsam well heated. If the Wound be deep, it may be syringed with the same Balsam very hot, and the sides of it anointed when drawn together. Then a Bolster steep'd in the Balsam is to be apply'd to the Part, and upon that another Bolster soakt in the Lees of Wine; as also over this last another drie Bolster.

The Green Balsam.
Take Linseed-Oil and that of Olives, of each one Pint; one Ounce of Oil of Bays; two Ounces of Venice Turpentine, half an Ounce of the destill'd Oil of Juniper-Berries, three Drams of Verdegrease, two Drams of Sucotrin Aloes, two Drams and a half of White Vitriol, and one of the Oil of Cloves.

Having made choice of the best Olive and Linseed-Oil well purify'd and mingl'd together in a Skillet or Pan over a very gentle Fire, let the Turpentine and Oil of Bays be incorporated in it; then having taken off the Pan from the Fire, and left the Liquor to be well cool'd, let it be intermixt by little and little with the Verdegrease, the White Vitriol, and the Sucotrin Aloes beaten to fine Powder: Afterward the destill'd Oils of Cloves and Juniper-Berries being added, and the whole Composition well mingl'd together, the Balsam will be entirely compounded according to Art.

This is the Balsam that hath been so much talkt of at Paris, and which many Quack-Salvers, pretending to the Art of Physick and Surgery, keep as a great Secret. Indeed it is very good for all sorts of Wounds, whether they be made by the Sword, or other Iron Weapons, or by Gun-shot. But it wou'd be requisite at first to wash the Wound with warm Wine, then to anoint it with this Balsam very hot, and to apply Bolsters that have been steept in it, as also a large Bolster over the other, dipt in some Styptick Liquor. This Balsam mundifies, incarnates, and cicatrizes Wounds; being likewise good against the Bitings of venomous Beasts, and fistulous and malignant Ulcers.

Samaritan Balsam.
Take an equal quantity of common Oil and good Wine; boil 'em together in a glaz'd Earthen Vessel, till the Wine be wholly consum'd, and the Balsam will be made. I have produc'd this Balsam in particular, by reason of its simplicity, and in regard that it may be readily prepar'd at all times. It serves to mundifie and consolidate simple Wounds more especially those that are recent.

Unguentum Althææ.
Take of the Roots of Althæa or Marsh-Mallows, six Ounces, the Seeds of Line, and Fenugreek, and Squills, of each four Ounces; of yellow Wax one Pound; Colophony and Rosin, of each one Pound; Venice Turpentine, Galbanum, and Gum Hederæ pulveriz'd, two Ounces of each. The Marsh-Mallow-Roots being newly gather'd, are to be well wash'd and slic'd, as well as the Squills. After they have been put into a Copper-Pan or Skillet, tinn'd over on the inside, together with the Seeds of Line and Fenugreek, and a Gallon of fair Water pour'd upon 'em, the whole Mass is to be macerated during twenty four Hours, over a very gentle Fire, stirring the Ingredients from time to time with a Wooden Spatula: Thus they are to be boil'd slowly, often reiterating the stirring, till the Mucilages are sufficiently thicken'd; then, after having well squeez'd and strain'd 'em thro' a strong and very close Cloth, and mingl'd 'em with the prepar'd Oil, they are to be boil'd together again over a very gentle Fire, till the Superfluous Moisture of the Mucilages be wholly consum'd: Afterward having strain'd the Oil again, the yellow Wax, Colophony, and Rosin cut into small pieces, are to be melted in it; and if any Dregs appear at the bottom of the Pan, when the whole Mass is dissolv'd, it is to be strain'd a-new, or at least the pure Liquor must be separated from the gross or impure by Inclination, whilst it is as yet very hot: The Ointment is to be stirr'd about with a Wooden Pestle; and when it begins to grow thick, you may add the Turpentine, the Galbanum purify'd and thicken'd, and the Gum Hederæ beaten to fine Powder, all which Ingredients were before incorporated together. Then the Ointment is to be continually stirr'd, till it be altogether grown cold.

This Ointment serves to moisten, mollifie, and heat gently; it also allayes the Pains of the Side, and softens Tumours, particularly the Parotides. It may be us'd either alone, or with other Ointments or Oils.

The mundificative Ointment of Smallage.
Take three handfuls of Smallage-Leaves; with Ground-Ivy, great Wormwood, great Centory, Germander, Sage, St. John's-Wort, Plantain, Milfoil or Yarrow, Perewinkle, the greater Comfrey, the lesser Comfrey, Betony, Honey-suckle, Fluellin, Vervein, Knot-Grass, Adders-Tongue, and Burnet, of every one of these Plants two handfuls; a Gallon of common Oil, white Pitch, Mutton-Suet, yellow Wax, and Turpentine, of each two Pounds.

Bruise all these Herbs in a Marble-Mortar; let the Wax, white Pitch, and Mutton-Suet cut into pieces, as also the Turpentine be melted in the Oil, in a Copper-Pan lin'd with Tin, over a moderate Fire; put the bruis'd Herbs in it, and cause the whole Mass to simmer together very slowly, stirring it about from time to time with a Wooden Spatula. As soon as it shall be perceiv'd that the Oil of the Herbs is almost quite consum'd, the whole Composition is to be strain'd, and strongly squeez'd. Then after having let the Ointment cool, to draw off all the Dregs and Moisture, it is to be dissolv'd over a very gentle Fire; and after having left it a little while to cool again and thicken, you may add thereto Myrrh, Aloes, Florence Orris, and round Birth-Wort pulveriz'd very fine. When all these Ingredients are by this means well incorporated, the Ointment will be brought to perfection.

This Ointment is of singular Use to cleanse Ulcers; as also to mundifie, cicatrize, and consolidate all sorts of Wounds.

The black or suppurative Ointment.
Take a Quart of common Oil, white and yellow Wax, Mutton-Suet that lies near the Kidneys, pure Rosin, Ship-Pitch, Venice Turpentine, of each half a Pound; and of Mastick beaten to fine Powder, two Ounces; let all that is capable of being dissolv'd, be liquify'd in the Oil; and add the Powder of Mastick to make an Ointment.

This Ointment searches and opens all sorts of Impostumes, as well as Carbuncles, and Pestilential and Venereal Bubo's. The use of the same Ointment is also to be continu'd after the opening of the Abcesses, till their perfect Cure be compleated.

Unguentum Rosatum.
Take Bore's-Grease well purify'd, and often wash'd, and Red Roses newly pickt, of each four Pounds, with the like quantity of White Roses.

The thin Membrane or Skin which lies upon the Bores-Grease, being taken away, it is to be cut into small pieces, well wash'd in fair Water, and melted in a glaz'd Earthen-Pot over a very gentle Fire; the first Grease that is dissolv'd is to be strain'd thro' a Cloth, well wash'd, and mixt with the same quantity of thick Rose-Buds well bruis'd. Then the whole Mass is to be put into a glaz'd Earthen-Pot with a narrow Mouth; the Pot is to be well stopt, and set during six Hours in Water, which is between luke-warm and boiling hot. Afterward it is to be boil'd an Hour, strain'd and strongly squeez'd. In the mean while four Pounds of White Roses newly blown are to be taken, well bruis'd, and mingl'd with the former Composition, the Pot being cover'd, which is likewise set for the space of six Hours in Water, between luke-warm and boiling hot: Then the Liquor is to be strain'd and strongly squeez'd. Lastly, after the Ointment hath been cool'd, and separated from its Fæces or Dregs, it may be kept for use.

If it be desir'd to give a Rose-Colour to this Ointment, it wou'd be requisite a quarter of an Hour before it be strain'd the last time, to throw into it two or three Ounces of Orcanet, which is to be stirr'd into the Ointment. If it be thought fit to retain the White Colour, and to produce the smell of Roses, it may be done with Damask-Roses without Orcanet. If you are desirous to give it the Consistence of a Liniment, you may add Oil of sweet Almonds to the quantity of a sixth part of its weight.

This Ointment is a very good Remedy against all manner of external Inflammations, particularly against Phlegmons, Erysipelas's, and Tetters; as also against the Head-ach and Hæmorrhoids or Piles.

Unguentum Album, aut de Cerussa.
Take three Pints of Oil of Roses, nine Ounces of white Wax, one Pound of Venice Ceruse or white Lead, and a Dram and a half of Camphire.

The Ceruse being pulveriz'd by rubbing the pieces upon the Cloath of a Hair-Sieve turn'd upside-down; the Powder is to be receiv'd on a Sheet of Paper laid underneath, and to be often wash'd with Water in a great Earthen-Pan, stirring it about with a Wooden Spatula, and pouring off the Water by Inclination as soon as the Powder is sunk to the Bottom. When the Water of these Washings grows insipid, the last Lotion is to be made with Rose-Water, leaving it for the space of five or six Hours, which being expir'd, it is to be pour'd off by Inclination, and the Ceruse must be dry'd in the Shade, cover'd with Paper. Then the broken Wax and prepar'd Oil is to put into a glaz'd Earthen-Pot, and the Pot into the boiling Bath. As soon as the Wax is melted, the Pot may be taken out of the Bath, and the dissolv'd Liquor stirr'd with a Wooden Pestle till it begins to grow thick. Afterward the pulveriz'd Ceruse is to be infus'd, and the Ointment stirr'd about till it be almost cold. If you shall think fit to add Camphire, let it be dissolv'd in a little Oil, and incorporated with the Ointment when it is cold. The Whites of Eggs may be also well mixt with the Ointment, by stirring it about, to make an exact union of the several Ingredients.

This Ointment is good for Burns, Erysipelas's, the Itch, and many Distempers of the Skin; it allayes the Itchings and intemperature of Ulcers; it dissipates the Chafings and Redness that happen in the Bodies of Infants; It is of great efficacy in the healing of Contusions, and it serves to consolidate and cool light Wounds.

Unguentum Ægyptiacum.
Take eleven Ounces of Verdegrease, fourteen Ounces of strong Vinegar, and twenty eight Ounces of good Honey.

Let the Verdegrease be put into a Copper-Pan or Skillet over a very gentle Fire; then bruise it with a Wooden Pestle; work it well in the Vinegar, and strain the whole thro' a Hair-Sieve. If a little Verdegrease remains on the Sieve, it is to be put again into the Skillet bruis'd and beaten small therein, as before, with a Portion of the same Vinegar, straining it thro' the Sieve, till the unprofitable drossy parts of the Copper be only left. Afterward this Liquor is to be boil'd over a gentle Fire, with the Honey, stirring it about from time to time till it hath acquir'd the Consistence of a softish Ointment, and a very red Colour.

This Ointment consumes putrify'd Flesh, and the Superfluities of Ulcers and Wounds.

Unguentum Basilicon, or Royal Ointment.
Take yellow Wax, Mutton-Suet, Rosin, Ship-Pitch, and Venice Turpentine, one Pound of each; with five Pints of common Oil.

Cut the Suet, Rosin, and black Pitch into small Pieces, and let 'em be melted together, with the Oil, in a Copper-Pan over a very moderate Fire; then after having strain'd the Liquor thro' a thick Cloth, let it be incorporated with the Turpentine, and the Ointment will be made.

It promotes Suppuration, and cicatrizes Wounds when the purulent Matter is drawn forth. It is often laid alone upon the Bolsters, and sometimes mixt with the Yolks of Eggs, Turpentine, and other Ointments, or with Oils and Plaisters.

A cooling Cerate.
Take a Pint of Oil of Roses, and three Ounces of white Wax.

Let the whole Composition be put into a glaz'd Earthen-Pot, and the Pot set in Balneo Mariæ, till the Wax be well dissolv'd in the Oil: Then take the Vessel out of the Bath, and stir the Ointment with a Wooden Pestle till it be cool'd; add two Ounces of Water, and stir it about with the Pestle till it be imbib'd by the Cerate; let as much more Water be infus'd, and again the same quantity, till the Cerate becomes very white, and hath been well soakt with fresh Water. Afterward all the Water is to be pour'd off by Inclination, and separated as much as is possible from the Cerate, which may then be kept for use; but some Surgeons cause an Ounce of Vinegar to be mingl'd with it.

This Cerate is usually laid outwardly upon all Parts that stand in need of cooling, and asswages the Pains of the Hæmorrhoids or Piles. It is also good for Chaps, sore Nipples, and other ill Accidents that happen in the Breast; and is us'd for Burns either alone, or mixt with other Ointments. Whensoever it is necessary to apply Desiccatives and Astringents to any Part, this Cerate may be mingl'd with Unguentum de Cerussa.

An Ointment for Burns.
Take a Pound of Bores-Grease, two Pints of White-Wine, the Leaves of the greater Sage, Ground- and Wall-Ivy, Sweet Marjoram, or the Greater House-Leek, of each two handfuls.

Let the whole Mass be boil'd over a gentle Fire, and having afterward strain'd and squeez'd it, let the Ointment so made be kept for use.

The Plaister of Diapalma.
Take three Pounds of prepar'd Litharge of Gold, three Pints of common Oil, two Pounds of Hogs-Lard, a Quart of the Decoction of Palm-Tree or Oak-Tops; four Ounces of Vitriol calcin'd till it become red, and steept in the said Decoction. Having bruis'd or cut very small two handfuls of Palm-Tree or Oak-Tops, let 'em be boil'd slowly in three Quarts of Water till about half be consum'd; and after the whole Mass hath been well squeez'd, the strain'd Decoction is to be preserv'd. In the mean time the Litharge is to be pounded in a great Brass Mortar, and diluted with two or three Quarts of clear Water; but it will be requisite readily to pour out into another Vessel the muddy Water which is impregnated with the more subtil part of the Litharge, whilst the thicker remains at the bottom of the Mortar; whereupon this part of the Litharge will sink to the bottom of the Water, and the Litharge remaining in the Mortar is to be pounded again. Then having diluted it in the Water of the first Lotion, or in some other fresh Water, the muddy Liquor is to be pour'd by Inclination upon the subtil Litharge that remain'd in the bottom of the Vessel: Afterward you may continue to pound the Litharge, to bruise it in the Water, to pour it off by Inclination, and to let the Powder settle, till there be left only at the bottom a certain impure part of the Litharge, capable of being pulveriz'd, and rais'd amidst the Water. As soon as the Lotions are well settl'd, and care hath been taken to separate by Inclination the Water which swims over the Powder of Litharge; this Powder is to be dry'd, and having weigh'd out the appointed Quantity, it is to be put as yet cold into a Copper-Pan lin'd with Tin, and stirr'd about to mingle it with the Oil, Lard, and Decoction of Palm-Tree-Tops. When these Ingredients have been well incorporated together, a good Charcoal Fire must be kindl'd in a Furnace, over which they are to be boil'd, stirring 'em continually with a great Wooden Spatula, and constantly maintaining an equal Degree of Heat during the whole time of their boiling. At last you may add the rubify'd Vitriol dissolv'd in a Portion of the Liquor that hath been reserv'd, if you wou'd have the Plaister tinctur'd with a red Colour; or else white Vitriol melted in the same Decoction, if it shall be thought fit to retain the Whiteness of the Plaister, which may be form'd into Rolls, and wrapt up with Paper.

This Plaister is us'd for the cure of Wounds, Ulcers, Tumours, Burns, Contusions, Fractures, and Chilblains, and is also laid upon the Cauteries. If you mingle with it the third or fourth part of its weight of some convenient Oil, it will attain to the Consistence of a Cerate; and this is that which is call'd Dissolved Diapalma or Cerate of Diapalma.

The Plaister of simple Diachylum.
Take of Marsh-Mallow-Roots peel'd, three Drams; the Seeds of Line and Fenugreek, of each four Ounces; three Quarts of Spring-Water; two Quarts of common Oil, and two Pounds of Litharge of Gold.

Let the Mucilages of Marsh-Mallow-Roots, and of the Seeds of Line and Fenugreek be taken, as hath been shewn in the making of Unguentum Althææ, and let the Litharge be prepar'd after the same manner as for the Plaister of Diapalma. Having at first well mixt the Oil with the Litharge in a large Copper-Vessel or Pan, Tinn'd on the inside, being wide at the top, and tapering like a Cone toward the bottom, as also having afterward added and well incorporated the Mucilages, a moderate Charcoal Fire is to be kindl'd in a Furnace, upon which the Vessel is to be set, and the whole Mass is to be stirr'd about incessantly with a Wooden Spatula; and as fast as is possible. A gentle Fire is to be maintain'd, and the Boiling and Agitation to be continu'd, till it be perceiv'd that the Plaister begins to sink in the Pan; then the Heat of the Fire must be diminish'd one half at the least; and it will be requisite only to cause an Evaporation by little and little, of the Superfluous Moisture that might remain in the plaister, which being consum'd, it will be sufficiently boil'd, having attain'd to its due Consistence and Whiteness.

This Plaister softens and dissolves hard Swellings, and even the Scirrhous Tumours of the Liver and Bowels; such are the Scrophulous or King's-Evil Tumours, the old remains of Abcesses, &c.

The Plaister of Andreas Crucius.
Take two Ounces of Rosin; four Ounces of Gum Elemi, Venice Turpentine and Oil of Bays, of each two Ounces.

After having beat in pieces the Rosin and Gum Elemi, they are to be melted together over a very gentle Fire, and then may be added the Turpentine and Oil of Bays. When the whole Mass hath been by this means well incorporated, it must be strain'd thro' a Cloth, to separate it from the Dregs. The Plaister being afterward cool'd, is to be made up in Rolls, and kept for use.

This Plaister is proper for Wounds of the Breast: It also mundifies and consolidates all sorts of Wounds and Ulcers, dissipates Contusions, strengthens the Parts in Fractures and Dislocations, and causeth the Serous Humours to pass away by Transpiration.

Emplastrum Divinum.
Take of Litharge of Gold prepar'd, one Pound and an half; three Pints of common Oil; one Quart of Spring-Water; six Ounces of prepar'd Load-Stone; Gum Ammoniack, Galbanum, Opoponax, and Bdellium, of each three Ounces; Myrrh, Olibanum, Mastick, Verdegrease, and round Birth-Wort, of every one of these an Ounce and an half; eight Ounces of Yellow Wax, and four Ounces of Turpentine.

Let the Gum Ammoniack, Galbanum, Bdellium, and Opopanax be dissolv'd in Vinegar, in a little Earthen Pipkin; strain 'em thro' a course Cloth, and let 'em be thicken'd by Evaporation, according to the Method before observ'd in other Plaisters: Then prepare the Load-Stone upon a Porphyry or Marble-Stone, and take care to bruise separately, the Olibanum, the Mastick, the Myrrh, the round Birth-Wort, and the Verdegrease, which is to be kept to be added at last. In the mean while, having incorporated cold the Oil with the Litharge, and mingl'd the Water with 'em, they are to be boil'd together over a very good Fire, stirring 'em incessantly, till the whole Composition hath aquir'd the Consistence of a somewhat solid Plaister, in which is to be dissolv'd the yellow Wax cut into small pieces. Afterward having taken off the Pan from the Fire, and left the Ingredients to be half cool'd, intermix the Gums, which have been already thicken'd and incorporated with the Turpentine; then the Load-Stone mingl'd with the Birth-Wort, Myrrh, Mastick, and Olibanum; and last of all the Verdegrease. Thus when all these Ingredients are well stirr'd and mixt together, the Plaister will be entirely compounded; so that it may be made up into Rolls, and preserv'd to be us'd upon necessary Occasions.

This Plaister is efficacious in curing of all kinds of Wounds, Ulcers, Tumours, and Contusions; for it mollifies, digestes, and brings to Suppuration such Matter as ought to be carry'd off this way. It also mundifies, cicatrizes, and entirely consolidates Wounds, &c.

Of Cataplasms or Pultisses.
Cataplasms are usually prepar'd to asswage Pain; as also to dissolve and dissipate recent Tumours, and are made thus:

Take four Ounces and a half of white Bread, one Pint of new Milk, three Yolks of Eggs, one Ounce of Oil of Roses, one Dram of Saffron, and two Drams of the Extract of Opium.

The Crum is to be taken out of the inside of a white Loaf newly drawn out of the Oven, and to be boil'd with the Milk in a Skillet over a little Fire, stirring it from time to time with a Spatula, till it be reduc'd to a thick Pap. After having taken the Vessel off from the Fire, the three Yolks of Eggs beaten are to be put into it, and the Dram of Saffron pulveriz'd; to these Ingredients may be added two Drams of the Extract of Opium somewhat liquid, if the Pain be great.

Here is another Cataplasm proper to mollifie and to bring to Suppuration when it is necessary.
Take White-Lilly-Roots, and Marsh-Mallow-Roots, of each four Ounces; the Leaves of common Mallows, Marsh-Mallows, Groundsel, Violet-Plants, Brank-Ursin, of every one of these Herbs one handful; the Meal of Line, Fenugreek, and Oil of Lillies, of each three Ounces.

The Roots when wash'd and slic'd, are to be boil'd in Water, and the Leaves being added some time after, the Boiling is to be continu'd till the whole Mass becomes perfectly tender and soft; at which time having strain'd the Decoction, beat the remaining gross Substance in a Stone-Mortar, with a Wooden Pestle, and pass the Pulp thro' a Hair-Sieve turn'd upside-down: Then let the Decoction and Pulp so strain'd be put into a Skillet, and having intermixt the Meal of Line, Fenugreek, and Oil of Lillies; let 'em be boil'd together over a gentle Fire, stirring about the Ingredients from time to time, till they be all sufficiently thicken'd. These two Cataplasms may serve as a Model for the making of many others.

Of Oils.
Oils are made either by Infusion or Expression.

Simple Oil of Roses made by Infusion.
Take two Pounds of Roses newly gather'd, and bruis'd in a Mortar; half a Pint of the Juice of Roses, and five Pints of common Oil: Let the whole Composition be put into a Earthen-Vessel, Leaded and well stopt, and then let it be expos'd to the Sun during forty Days. Afterward let it be boil'd in Balneo Mariæ; and having strain'd and squeez'd the Roses, let the Oil be kept for use.

Compound Oil of Roses made by Infusion.
Take a Pound of Red Roses newly gather'd, and pound 'em in a Mortar; as also four Ounces of the Juice of Red Roses, and two Quarts of common Oil. Let the whole Composition be put into an Earthen-Vessel Leaded, the Mouth of which is narrow, and well stopt; and then having expos'd it to the Sun during four Days, let it be set in Balneo Mariæ for an Hour, and then strain'd and squeez'd. Afterward let this Liquor be put into the same Vessel, adding to it the Juice of Roses, and Roses themselves, in the same quantity as before: Let the Vessel be stopt; let the Maceration, Boiling, Straining, and Expression be made in like manner as before; and let the same Operation be once more re-iterated: Then let your Oil be depurated, and preserv'd for use.

These Oils qualifie and disperse Defluctions of Humours, suppress Inflammations, mitigate the Head-ach and Deliriums, and provoke to sleep. They must be warm'd before the Parts are anointed with 'em, and they may be given inwardly against the Bloody-flux and Worms, the Dose being from half an Ounce to a whole Ounce. The Parts are also anointed with 'em in Fractures and Dislocations of the Bones, and Oxyrodins are made of 'em with an equal quantity of Vinegar of Roses.

Oil of Sweet Almonds made by Expression.
Take new Almonds that are fat and very dry, without their Shells, and having shaken 'em in a somewhat thick Sieve, to cause the Dust to fall off; let 'em be put into hot Water till their Skins become tender, so that they may be separated by squeezing 'em with the Fingers: Afterward having taken off the Skin, they must be wip'd with a white Linnen-Cloth, and spread upon it to be dry'd: Then they are to be put into a Stone-Mortar, and pounded with a Wooden-Pestle, till the Paste grows very thin, and begins to give Oil: This Paste is to be put into a little Linnen-Bag, new and strong, the Mouth of which hath been well ty'd; and the Bag is to be plac'd between two Platines of Tin, or of Wood lin'd on the inside with a Leaf of Tin, squeezing the whole Mass gently at first; but afterward very strongly, and leaving it for a long while in the Press, that the Oil may have time to run out.

This Oil mitigates the Nephritick Colicks, remedies the Retention of Urine, facilitates Child-birth, allayes the After-Pains in Women after their delivery, and the Gripes in young Infants: It is taken inwardly fasting from half an Ounce to two Ounces; and it is us'd in Liniments to asswage and mollifie. The Oils of common Wall-Nuts and Small-Nuts, may be also prepar'd after the same manner as that of Sweet-Almonds.

The Oil of Bayes.
Take as much as you please of Laurel or Bay-Berries, well cleans'd, perfectly ripe, and soundly bruis'd; let 'em be put into a Kettle, and boil'd with a sufficient quantity of Water during half an Hour; then strain and squeeze 'em strongly; let the Liquor cool, and scum off the Fat that swims upon the Water: Afterward pound the remaining Substance in a Mortar, and cause it to be boil'd again for half an Hour, with some of the first Water which was left, adding a little fresh; then strain and squeez it, as before, and take off the Oil that swims on the Top. But the first Oil is better than the second, and therefore ought to be kept separately. The Oils of Berries of Mastick, Myrtle, and other oleaginous Plants, may be extracted after the same manner.

The Oil of Bayes mollifies, attenuates, and is opening and discussive: It is very good against the Palsie, and the Shiverings or cold Fits of a feaver or Ague in anointing the Back; as also against Scabs, Tetters, &c.

The Oil of Eggs by Expression.
Take newly laid Eggs, and let 'em be harden'd in Water; then separate the Yolks, and put 'em into a Frying-pan over a gentle Coal-fire, stirring 'em about from time to time, and at last without discontinuing, till they grow reddish, and begin to yield their Oil: Then they are to be sprinkl'd with Spirit of Wine, and pour'd very hot into a little Linnen-Bag, which is to be ty'd, and set in a Press between two heated Platines; so that the Oil may be squeez'd out as readily as is possible.

This Oil mitigates the Pains of the Ears and Hæmorrhoids, cures Scabs and Ring-Worms or Tetters; as also Chaps and Clefts in the Breast, Hands, Feet, and Fundament; and is made use of in Burns, &c.

Of Collyrium's.
Collyrium's are Medicines prepar'd for the Diseases of the Eyes: The following is that of Lanfrancus.

Take a Pint of White-Wine, three Pints of Plantain-Water, three Pounds of Roses, two Drams of Orpiment, one Dram of Verdegrease; Myrrh and Aloes, of each two Scruples.

The Orpiment, Verdegrease, Myrrh, and Aloes are to be beaten to a fine Powder before they are intermixt with the Liquors. This Collyrium is not only good for the Eyes, but is also of use to make Injections into the Privy-Parts of Men and Women; but before the Injections are made, it ought to be sweeten'd with three or four times the quantity in weight of Rose, Plantain, or Morel-Water.

A dry Collyrium.
Take two Drams of Sugar-candy; prepar'd Tutty, Lizard's-Dung, of each one Dram; White Vitriol, Sucotrin Aloes, and Sal Saturni, of each half a Dram.

Let the whole Composition be reduc'd to a very fine Powder, and mixt together: Two or three Grains of this Powder may be blown at once into the Eye with a small Quill, Pipe of Straw, or Reed, as long as it is necessary; and the same Powder may also be steept in Ophthalmick Waters, to make a liquid Collyrium.

A Blue Collyrium.
Take a Pint of Water in which unslackt Lime has been quench'd, and a Dram of Sal Ammoniack pulveriz'd; mingle these Ingredients together in a Brass-Bason, and let 'em be infus'd during a whole Night; then filtrate the Liquor and keep it for use.

This Collyrium is one of the best Medicines that can be prepar'd for all manner of Diseases of the Eyes.

A Powder against Madness or Frenzy.
Take the Leaves of Rue, Vervein, the lesser Sage, Plantain, Polypody, common Wormwood, Mint, Mother-Wort, Balm, Betony, St. John's-Wort, and the lesser Centory; of every one an equal quantity.

These Plants must be gather'd in the Month of June, during the clear and serene Weather, and ty'd up in Nose-gays, or little Bundles; which are to be wrap'd up in Paper, and hung in the Air to be dry'd in the Shade. Afterward they are to be pounded in a great Brass-Mortar, and the Powder is to be sifted thro' a Silk-Sieve.

The Dose of this Powder is from two to three Drams, mingl'd with half a Dram of the Powder of Vipers, in half a Glass of good White-Wine every Morning fasting, for fifty one Days successively. It has an admirable effect, provided the wounded Person be not bit in the Head nor Face, and that the Wound has not been wash'd with Water.

Styptick-Water.
Take Colcothar or Red Vitriol that remains in the Retort after the Spirit has been drawn off, Burnt Allom, and Sugar-candy, of each thirty Grains; the Urine of a Young Person, and Rose-Water, of each half an Ounce; and two Ounces of Plantain-Water: Let the whole Mixture be stirr'd about for a long time, and then put into a Vial. But the Liquor must be pour'd off by Inclination when there shall be occasion to take any for use.

If a Bolster steept in this Water be laid upon an open Artery, and held close with the Hand, it will soon stop the Blood; a small Tent may be also soakt in it, and put up into the Nose for the same purpose. If it be taken inwardly, it stops the spitting of Blood, and the Dysentery or Bloody-Flux; as also the Hæmorrhoidal and Menstruous Fluxes; the Dose being from half a Dram to two Drams, in Knot-Grass-Water.