Page:Merret - A short view of the frauds and abuses committed by apothecaries.pdf/61

 Composition must be attributed) of white Hellebor Roots, and Oyl of Turpentine, whereto some add Salt of Tartar, which will puzzle the most knowing Naturalist to declare why these should be thus jumbled together; unless to obscure the Opium. 'Tis indeed a very cunning Composition, for by giving rest and ease it may easily decoy people into the use of them, though by long taking of them, diseases become far more uncurable then they are in their own Nature.

A third Universal Medicine was Hughes 's Powder, sold by him at 10s. the Grain, and 3l. 10s. the Dose, made doubtless of Gold and Quicksilver. The tast and weight of it manifestly discover the former to be an ingredient into it, and the effect, viz. Salivation proves the latter to be part of the compound. Besides I have made of these two dissolved, and digested in their peculiar Menstruums, in no long space of time, a Medicine that had the same effect with his, and in the same Dose; and having a View of his Cabinet left after his Death, containing a large quantity of the said Powder (being all he left behind him) there was found crude Gold, and Quicksilver in the same Cabinet. Now these three Notorious Universal Medicines were put to sale by most ignorant persons. Add hereunto the forementioned Mr. De-laun 's Pill, whereof I shall say nothing, being mentioned under the Name of the Pilulæ ex duobus, in the London Dispensatory, though some make them of the Extract of Coloquintida. The last of any Fame with us, were Dr. Goddard 's Drops, a good Medicine, but not so universal, and superlative as he would have made the World believe, and was nothing else but what some Physicians many years Rh