Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/171



S there are above 60 sorts of different druggs, which are ingredients of this no less difficult than famous and usefull Medicine, which was invented by Andromachus, Physitian to Nero, and as those drugs are subject to be sophisticated, and require different preparations, so there are few men, that are sufficiently skill'd to chuse aright all those ingredients, or dextrous and patient enough to prepare them well. The Author of this Book treats of this celebrated medicament, and not only teacheth the way of composing it, but intersperseth many not in considerable remarkes touching the nature and vertues of all the Druggs, which compose it.

He is of opinion, that commonly there are committed many faults in preparing the Ingredients, of which the Theriack is made up. E. g. When the Vipers are prepared, the custom is to whip them; thereby to make all the venom go to the head, which is cut off when they are sufficiently enraged. They also boile the flesh, thereby to draw forth what venemousness may yet rest therein, and their bones are cast away as useless. Whereas he saith, that it being by Experience evident, that all the venom of the Viper is in his Teeth and Jaws, that whipping is not only to no purpose, but also dangerous, in regard that the Spirits being chased and irritated may beget venom in the body, where was none. He asserts also, that the water, in which the viper-flesh is boyled, carryes away all the vertue; and that the bones that are thrown away are no less useful, than the flesh itself.