The book of degrees, part 4 of 5

CHAP. III.

NOw follows an Example In Laxatives: Those things which provoke to Vomit, are thus described: Take of white Ellebor, one drachm: Cinnamon and Nutmegs, of each half a drachm: the juyee of Thebaicum, one scruple: This description shews both the Weight and the Nature of Vomitives, which do also purge by stool on this manner: Take of Vomitives one part, of Comfortatives as much; of Thebaicum-juyce, a third part of the Laxative simples; then order and digest them according to the manner of confection, & administer them according to the proportion of their giftedness: Or do on this wise: Take of Mithridate, and Rob de Kibes, of each half a drachm; the juyce of Poppy, one scruple: Precipate one drachm, make them into a form: Or on this wise. Take of Cataputia, Tythimal, Ellebor, of each one scruple: of Annise, […]en[…]el, Crocus Martis, and Terra Sigiliata, of each 15. Granes: the juyce of Thebaicum, of Poppy, and of Henbave, of each seven Grains, dispose them into a form: But if the Vomitives do not operate by stool, (alias but if they operate by stool, and not as Vomitives) such as are Rubarb, Colloquintida, and others of that kind; t[…]ke those which are the most efficacious Laxatives, and that consist in the third Degree; join them to Confortatives, and to a sixteenth part of Narcoticks; on this wise. Take of Scammony one Drachme, Species of Gems and Diamoscus, of each half a Drachm, of Opium half a scruple; Mix them to a form. The like is to be judged of Rhubarb, and the rest. Furthermore, if they reach to the second Degree, adde a twelfth part of Narcoticks, as 'tis customary to do in Turbith, and Hermodactil[…], and the rest of that kind: But if they are of the first Degree, then alter nothing, but so conjoin them with Confortatives, so as advisedly to consider whether or no thouwouldst have them cold or hot; Prepare them with the Confortatives, after this manner.

Take of Diagridium, Agarick, and Sowbred, of each one scruple; of Red Corrals one Drachme; of Opium one Scruple: Or else thus. Take of Vomitives and Laxatives together, yet so as that their own weight may be preserved on both sides; and so double the Receipt, then mix it to a form.

CHAP. IV.

INCarnatives, (whether before or after Purgation) the Receipts are described according to the Physicall art and knowledge on this wise: First of all place each of them in the first Degree; If therefore the Disease be transmuted from the first degree into the second; from the third into the fourth, do accordingly. In the jaundice, Take of Locusta's one Drachme, of Centaurie 2 Drachmes of Resibolae, alias, Rebisolae, three Drachmes: Mix them according to the Prescription of Experience with the addition of Wine; then administer it by way of a Potion Now, if by such a Receipt the Patient be not cured, then seek into the second, third or fourth degree, and according to the manner of my Prescription describe thou the Receipt.

Therefore, there are three things to be considered of, in the Composition of Receipts, viz. the Specifick of the Plannets, as Latus[…]i, that is, Mouseare: Then the Elementated things of Nature, as Centaury, and finally, Narcoticks as Resibolae, Opium. Moreover, although Centaury doth more fully operate then the Elementated things; yet notwithstanding experience requires this: But whereas the weight doth not agree with the Rule in the present Receipt; the cause of it is the now spoken of Experience, which composeth the Receipt from its own nature, and not from the Rules: So likewise in Feavers, Take of Nectar one Drachme, of Crab[…] half a Drachme: of the juyce of Thebaicum one scruple: But such as do follow the Rules, have the same Proportion with the former description, which consists of six Parts or more: But I would rather have Experience, then that bare painting of such mens writings as study Rules only.

CHAP. V.

IN the falling sickness, where the Receipt hath need of a Composition in the third degree; there a Compound hath no place, but a Simple onely is to be administred; as by the spirit of Vitriol and others of that kind. In the first degree, the Receipt is to be described according to the prescription of the first degree, according to this advise. In the Palsey, Comfortatives are to be administred by themselves, as Aquavitae, the Essence of Lavender Aurum Potabile, the Liquor of Gems, and others of that kind: so in the fourth degree is the Rule to be observed. Moreover, if there happens a twofold need or use of Medicine, viz. within the skin, and without it, as in the Palsey, then administer also duplicatly to the Paralitick, and contracted, Inwardly; according to the aforesaid manner; but outwardly, a Balsom, according to Experience, even as the manner of administration is. But those things which are made for a Balsom, take on this manner: First of all, take onely those things which are of the Planets, and do not look after either Elementary or Narcotick things: As in Contractures the highest Experiment is the specifieum of Serpentina, then also the fatness which is extracted out of Ebony, men, Turpentine, Oile of Nuts, Oils of Guaieum, and others of that kind. Now by this account there are innumerable things which follow Experience, and not the rules; For those kinds of Diseases are better to be healed by such things as are sound out by long and daily use, then by Canonical Receits.

CHAP. VI.

IN Incarnatives both Experience and Rules are to be observed on this manner: Diligently and exactly inquire whatsoever is of the Planers, and withall in what degree it accords with the Incarnatives; then the order of making the Composition, as the following Receit in the Fractures of Bones doth demonstrate.

Take of Comfry, Aristolochia-Rotunda, Serpentina: of each one pound. Moreover, although besides this, there are infinite ways mentioned for the healing the fractures of the Bones, yet notwithstanding, whatsoever is here adhibited, besides what hath been said, doth hinder and impead the present order of Healing: Nor do I judge it sit silently to pass over in this place, the various and many kinds of Consolidaes, as also the known things of the Serpentina's, and those that are unknown; & therefore they shall not be rchearsed by me, because they do nothing at all impead the Weight, but are referred unto the same, according to the prescription and Rule, without respect of either Heat or Cold, which do corrupt and mar the description of the Receipt: But in Wounds observe the following way of composition. First of all, Collect into one whatever are of the Planets and Wounds, each according to Experience, thus: Whatsoever is of a Crude Balsom, bring to an Oile by extraction, and that too, in an equal Weight, without any addition, either of Heat or Cold, so that thou maist abide, or depend on Specificks alone: thus Gums must be dealt withall in Emplasters, or Apostolick Vnguents, and let them be, (alias, unless as far forth as they be) a sixth part with reference to the other species, and the rest, five parts be of species, & the body of these things hath four weights: But as to a Vulnerary drink, 'tis referred unto Weights, according to Experience, and that too, more intensly, or more remisly, on this wise: Take of Pyrola two handfuls, Pervinca Diapensia ana. one handful; Agrimonia, one handful and a half: Now if any thing shall be more excellent, forsake others, and cleave to them. Lastly, although there are many things which are desired in this place concerning the Receits for Wounds, yet without Experience, which is the Mother of Receipts, they cannot be comprehended in a Rule.

CHAP. VII.

IN the description of Receipts for Aposthumes, you must first of all observe, that those things which we have mentioned in the former Chapter amongst the Receipts for Wounds, are not to be here at all admitted: But besides those things which are of the Planets, the Elementary are also to be considered, that both of them may agree: Besides, the Receits being so disposed, nothing of those things which putrefie, or do purge and leanse in the place, or locally are to be added thereto: […]f which sort are Maturatives, and Laxatives; But the order and nature of this Receipt is thus, that Gums, Incarnatives, and finally such things as are of the Plannets, are to be digested into the under written weight, viz. there must be one part of Gums, of Intarnatives three, and of those things that are Planetary, the other two, thus. Take of the Gums Bdellium, Ammoniacum, Galbanum, Opoponax, of each two Drachms: of Franckinunse, Myrrh, Mastich, Mummie, Aristolochia-rotunda, Aloes Epatica, ana. half an Ounce: Flos Aeris, Cinnaber, Ceruse, Camphire, of each half an Ounce: All these bring into one body in Litharge boild, or Minium, or only wax, with an admixtion of Colophonie: And after this manner digest or order the Emplasters of common Vleers, and Aposteme. Lastly, that the aforesaid things may have the form of an Emplaster; take both wax and Turpentine, and that according to experience.

CHAP. VIII.

IN Aestiomena'es, or Cancorous Vlcers, as the Serpige, N[…] limetangere, and others of that kind, there are three ways of Composing Receipts, to be observed: The first proceeds from the virtue of the Plannets, and heals all Vlcers without the addition of any other thing. Such as is Brassatella.

The second is, of those things which are prepared by Medicines that make an Eschar: The third is made out of the Medicaments of Precipitate. The Receipt for the making of an Eschar, is thus described: Take of the Escharmaking Medicines, one part: Of the Water of Brassatella four parts, use that same water. Another is thus: Take a sixteenth part of Precipitates, and mix it with the Vnguent or Emplaster Apostolorum, and administer it. Although these things stand thus, yet are they nothing else but a Mercurial Stame (or Representation) of those things which Experience clearly shews, & tis that, viz. Experience, which I would have you highly esteem of, that so you may perfectly know the proper and native force of every thing, and desist from your own present Experience, which is very barren and lean, yea none at all in comparison of him, who like the Lacedimonian Apollo, hath four Eares.

THE SIXTH BOOKE.

CHAP. I.

BVt in the description of the Doses, or Guiftednesses; besides those things which we have treated in in the five former Books, as far as concerns the Complexions, and consequently the Ares it self, that universal thing, is to be known, which is to be approved of by the nature, viz. of that thing, the charge whereof the Phisitian takes upon him; for this alone, as is even occularly proved, ought to be considered in the doser or Giftednesses. First of all therefore, you are to observe, that every Guiftedness, doth (according to its property and true Ares) consist either in hot or cold; where also you are to know in the preparing of Receipts, that, as with relation to the Dose, or Endowment, neither moist nor dry is to be considered: For, as in the beginning I have demonstrated that there are but two Camplexions only: So also there are but two Guiftednesses onely: For whosoever shall well know, the degree of heat or cold, he also shall not at all be ignorant, that to it, not onely the dry and moist thereof are joined, but also the dry-resolved, & the moist-coagulated.

Besides, thou must likewise know, that in hot and dry there is not at all either an Arcanum or Aniadus; For as much also as there is no Disease riseth up that requires onely one of these: The sum or chief thing is in hot and cold; for that Diathesis, or disposition, bears rule either in hot or cold; & this is the alone Inclination of, or thing requisite unto, every Disease, viz. that onely either of the two be observed by the Physitian, be it either hot, or be it cold, but every degree is the Dosis of its Disease. Therefore also from the degree must the guifted-property be taken, the which may be understood by a Comparison of the fire, which hath but one onely degree, and yet that degree is abundantly sufficient of it self alone, to consume its contrary: and this now is according to heat.

In like sort, all Ice hath one degree, sufficient to make a member cold, and that is according to cold. In like manner, every Disease hath its degree, neither more nor less; even thus also is there a guifted-property against every Disease. After the same manner, Pepper and Castor have their endowments related to Pepperine and Gastorean Diseases, as I may so speak: But there's another Disease which requires its dose from the fire. Sperniola, and Camphire, have one degree, and the Diseases which relate to the Persian fire, do possess the same degree: Thence it comes to pass that Sperniola and Camphire, are the Doses of the same. Again, you are to know, that the things of nature are not so […]like graduated as Diseases are, as in relation to the Dose or Guiftedness, but each thing hath its degree equal to its Disease: and this is the degree of Doses.

CHAP. II.

MOreover, because there's but one degree onely, not is any thing (as well in heat as cold) of an higher Gradation then another, 'tis therefore assuredly, a chief thing to find our the Dose Equality: But in the things of Nature, and in Diseases, the degree of both of them is to be one and the same: Nor indeed is any Disease so bad, but the degree of the Medicine thereof is higher: For no Disease can be made (or chance to be) worser, unless it be in teference to the Nobility of Nature.

But now for contriving or administring the Dose in these Diseases, the power or abounding-quality is to be considered of on both sides: From hence therefore take the dose. The power or copiousness of the Disease will also abundantly shew thee the copiousness or plentifulness of the Dose. 'Tis therefore behoveful for a Physician to know what, and how much Weight the Disease is loaden withall; for so much Weight of Medicine doth the dose likewise require; and therefore you are to observe that the Weight is to be administred, and not the degree, for herein is placed the chief foundation or rule of finding out every Dose. This now must proceed from out of the number, and not out of the body of those things, therefore the first or chiefest thing is this, viz. that the Ares of the Microcosm cures it self, and not the administred Medicines: For as soon as ever the Disease shall be brought to equallity, it doth presently follow that Nature her self cures what is contrary unto her: Therefore you are to know, that every Dose is not to be used beyond that aforesaid number that is taken from the Disease: For there are 24. Lots contained in Nature her self, in which number the Medicine it self must likewise be taken, that so it may attain and reach to each Number: The same is to be taken out of the Anatomy of Nature: For (as I may so say) there are herein 24. Minutes of Diseases, so are there twenty four Lots in Medicines; and therefore by those twenty four Minutes, and so many Lots, must every Physician know how to administer his Medicines, that so he may bring in an equal Number (on both sides) into the Microcosme; this done, the virtue of Nature is such, as to cure the sick: Therefore 'tis worthy observation, how that it very often happens, that very many (though their Disease be dead or extinct) are neverthelese, as yet, much like to those that are sickly, and that for this reason, because the virtue or power of Nature it self, agrees not as 'twere, in a universal Harmony, and therefore cannot exhibit or perform the Office of a Physician: from the defect whereof, and not from the Disease it self, doth death befall.

CHAP. III.

BVt (to speak on of the 24. Minutes) you are to note, that in these Minutes the highest or chiefest Equality as well of Nature, as of the Disease, doth consist: and here observe, that a complexionated Disease doth divide it self, and doth partly descend, and also partly ascend from one, even to twenty four: and that not because 'tis onely one Disease, but as many as be the Diseases, so many different Minutes be there; the faculty also, or power of Complexions, doth contrariwise ascend from the supreamest, even to the twenty fourth: [alias, doth descend from the supreamest, to the lowest.] Hence therefore is such, and so much ignorance risen in the Physician, that he can't know the Disease in its Minutes, save onely by the Dose: Neither do we intend, or is it our meaning that any Disease consisting in the third or fourth Minute, can advance or encrease it self; but rather, this alone must be understood, that there are twenty four Lors out of which the Dosis doth proceed: As for example, In the Caducus, or Falling sickness, there are twenty four Minutes, the which do require even so many Lots; and yet notwithstanding, 'tis but one onely Disease, or species and kindes of that-same Disease, and therefore to find out the Dose, the Theorical part, can't exhibit or afford it you, but yet Experience can: For the Composed Dosis doth proceed from Nature, as 'twere Hereditarily, and must therefore be preserved and administred according to nature, and that according to the Dose of Experience. But now, seeing that this same thing must be referred to experience, you must in the first place understand whether or no the Anatomy of that Dose doth well or truly agree with the Anatomy of the disease; whence it follows, that in this 24th. Number, each disease affects or requires its own proper Dose, & to ascend even to an Equality: but beware that thou dost not transcend or exceed this Number; for verily 'tis the office both of the nature of the Microcosin, and also of the external Elements, (when they have an agreement, or are harmonious in the body) to assord and, cause Health: And that Conjunction is in like manner as Cinnaber, which is too too much graduated. Therefore in that kinde of Elementated exallation, they assord, or give their own exaltations to the virtue of the Microcosin: And so the first Grane, [alias, that which at first is but a Grane] passeth into a scruple, a drachm, and Lot, and some Granes amount unto a pound, some also into a greater quantity, viz. Into a Kist, and other some also, into talents.

CHAP. IV.

HItherto we have spoken of the virtue of a thing, and of Nature; but now the case is altered, if there shall be either a putrefaction, or superfluitie, or Syndenocha, the dose of which is ro be thus administred, For such like Syndenochaes must be prevented by Laxatives, and that on this wise, that every Laxative be accounted for Resolutive, and therefore must you take your doso from the Resolution, and not from the Laxation, or Laxative property: For if you shall take, or derive it from this, there will presently be sueh a change in a man, as can neverbe done by the other. Withal, 'tis expedient for ye who are Physicians, well to know or distinguish a Resolution presently, and at first sight, that so with your dose composed of this, ye may purge innocently, without any hurt; the which knowledge must be on this wise manifested, viz. What soever resolveth it self into a solid Water, consists of ten Grains: But whatsoever resolves it self into a perfect Resolution, consists of six Grains only. But if it abide together with the Material Substance, it contains onely three Grains. Moreover, that which in it self, before its resolution, passeth into Putrefaction, and from hence declines into a solid Vegetable Substance, challengeth to it self the forti[…]th Grain: But if it shall abide in Putrefaction, or else putrefie after the Animal Resolution, then it possesseth the Eighty third Grain: But that which abides in its Own Fssence, and conserves inseparably in it self, the Crude Substance of both Sex is extended, and reacheth even to an Ounce: And if it descend of the Matrix of the Aire, it obtains the double of the number: But if from the Matrix of the Water, then it gets it self the treble of that Number: If of the Fire, then the doso doth now come to half the Weight. Wherefore observe here, such things as are needful for Laxation, viz. Some dissolved things that proceed from things coagulated, do even purge in half the dose. So likewise is it with solid, to solid things: But some things do loosen from the propriety of another Resolution, as Manna purgeth by a virtue which it resolves every day thing by, and Siler doth the centuary. Now […] loosens from a conjunction or assinity Therefore 'tis to be noted from all these things, that a Purgation is nothing else then […]as 'twere) a certain Tincture, but yet void of any shew of colour, the which resolves even Minerals, and dissolves even Tartars, like as Anatomy in its parts demonstrates the same: Whereas therefore 'tis a certain Tincture, we are necessarily constrained to consider of, and to heed Resolution, and what it is that must be resolved, or what assumes the tincture of Resolution, and what things of the Resolutive Matter do necessarily appear in the Microcosm.

CHAP. V.

NOw as to Relolline and Cheronian properties, they are to be understood thus: That which doth disorderly (by force) overcome the other part, according to the nature of the Iliaster thereof, must be onely a Relolline Iliaster, and therefore such a thing proceeds not from Equallity, but doth by force, get above Equallity. Nor doth this proceed from the nature or disposition of the Microcosme, but rather from the property of the Ares, from whence also the Iliaster is derived, which doth forcibly drive away the Disease, and that by the virtue of both Natures, the which you are to understand thus, viz. That here the twelve Granes are to be divided according to the number of the Dose. And now the sixth Grane is the beginning, or first; the other six Granes exhibit or resemble equallity: But now in the Cheronians, you must number from One, even to the Sixth; nor are you to proceed farther, forasmuch as the half part of this, viz. that part which is from six, even to twelve; for the Cheronian and Relolline property do assume or choose their middle in the sixth number, but yet each of them with their own proper Iliaster: Although such Doses may be brought above equallity, from the virtue of the individual Iliaster, the which is able (its like manner as a certain Crocus, or Saffron) to perfect its own operation.

CHAP. VI.

MOreover, as to what is requisite to be known concerning the Doses of Arcanae's, of essated and Essentificated things, of Specificks, and other such like, 'tis on this wise viz. The Dose must be taken out of the aforesaid Granet; and then 'tis convenient that there be added thereunto, an Essated, and an Essential, an Arcanum, together with a Specifick, of an equal virtue and Complexion, and that on this wise, viz. that the virtues of the Arcana'es, be (as 'twere) heaped up above the Equality of Diseases: For although according to the variety of the Species or Sorts, there be a peculiar and proper Dose or Guiftedness; yet notwithstanding the Dose is nothing of hindrance in that place. Therefore consider again what damage may ensue thereby; as for Example, if an Areanum shall have been powerfully administred, and some detriment should happen to arise hence-from, either in the Paroxism or fit, or in any other manner: or if a former old Disease should be stir'd up, or some other new Disease bud out, thou must not therefore presently ascribe it to the virtue or efficacy of the Arcanum, but rather consider well aforehand, the proprieties of that body in which such a like Arcanum is posited: for 'tis possible that in one Simple onely, composed by nature, there may lye hidden together both some excellent Arcanum: and also a most great poyson, and introducer of soone new or else of an old Disease: Wherein observe, in things composed by nature, that the Dose be kept and observed after this manner, least that it should implant a new poison, or some deadly seed into the body, as is manifestly evident in Misselte, which cureth the seventh Species of the Epilepsie: But on the other hand it also induceth another disease, viz. the Siphyta, or Phantastick disease, &c. of the first Species, or kind. But if the Dose in the Fallingsickness shall have been in the Arcanum. The Physician is furthermore to consider, that that Arcanum doth not exhibit any Dose, but the body it self which brings the first kind of the Siphyta doth it, but even that very body it self is anticipated or prevented by the Dose: So likewise is it in the Apoplectical and Lethargycal, when the liquor of Colcothar is taken according to the Arcanum of the Dose: and yet if the Microcosmical body shall not have been considered herein, then becomes it a most present poison of a new disease, viz. of Tartar: therefore in this Chapter we would have every Physician to be warned, that whatsoever kind of medicine he is about to administer, he often set this rule before his eies, and observe it very diligently, and not step a nails bredth awry.