John Woodall's Medicine Chest Ingredients: 1 2 3 4 <<First
John Woodall's Medicine Chest Ingredients, Page 7
The Medicines in Woodall's Medicine Chest- Bottom Right
The image below contains hotlinks for each named medicine that will take you to the part of the page that explains what the medicine was for according to Woodall and how it was concocted. Where Woodall doesn't explain a medicine, I have used information from other period authors. However, the focus is on Woodall's prescriptions.
Bottom Layer of John Woodall's Medicine Chest, Right, from the surgions mate (1639)'
Woodall's Medicine Chest: Aqua cœlestis.
Matheolus, Creator of this Concoction
(Aqua Celestis)
Rx: "Take of Cinnamon an ounce, Ginger half an ounce, white, red and yellow Sanders, of each six drams; Cloves, Galanga, Nutmegs, of each two drams and an half; Mace, Cubebs [Piper cubeba], of each one dram; both sorts of Cardamoms, Nigella seeds, of each three drams; Zeedoary [Curcuma zedoaria] half an ounce, seeds of Anise, sweet Fennel, wild Parsnips, Bazil [basil], of each a dram and an half; roots of Angelica, Avens [Geum], Calamus, Aromaticus, Liquorice, Valerian the less, the Leaves of Clary [Salvia sclarea or clary sage], Time [Thyme] , Marjoram, of each two drams; the Flowers of red Roses, Sage and Rosemary, Betony, Stæchas [probably Lavandula stoechas], Bugloss, Borrage, or each one dram and an half: Citron peels three drams: Let the things be bruised that are to be bruised, and infused fifteen days in 12 pints of the best spirit of wine, in a glass bottle well stopped, and then let it be distilled in Balnea Mariæ [a double boiler] according to Art. Adding to the distilled water, Powders of Diambra, Diamoschu dulce, Aromaticum, Rosatum, Diamargariton frigidum, Diarbodon Abbatis, Powder Electuartie de Gemmis, of each 3 drams [these are all compound concoctions which would take a paragraph each to explain]; yellow Sanders bruised 2 drams; Musk, Ambergreese, of each a Scruple tied up in a fine rag, clear Julep of Roses a pound, shake them well together, stopping the glass close with wax and parchment, till it grow clear, to be kept for your use."1
Uses: "Matheolus [Matheolus Perusinus, 15th century professor of medicine] in his Commentaries upon [Pedanius] Dioscorides [1st century Roman physician] setteth downe this excellent water, as a principall Antidote or preservative against all poysons, or poysoned or infectious aires whatsoever, so that either received into the body, or but onely smelled unto, it helpeth very much against infections, and that it doth also very admirably restore againe one fallen either of the dead paulsie [Parkinson's disease] or falling sicknesse [epilepsy], and is also good either in the collicke or any gripings of the guts, as also in any the weaknesses of the stomacke, and against any colde fluxes of the guts or belly, mixed with some two spoonefuls in a glister [clyster - enema], and hath many more especiall good uses and vertues there set downe, which for brevity I must passe over."2
1 Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 89; 2 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 54-5
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Aq: rosar: damask
Photo: Jvad Yousefi
Damask Rose
(Aqua Rosarum Damask) {Damascene roses1}
Rx: "Rose Water, distilled from the petals of the Rosa damascene vel centifolia; or it may be made from otto of roses."2
Uses: "Dammaske Rose-water doth refrigerate and comfort the heart, is good against swounding [fainting] and causeth sleepe."3
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 James Rennie, A New Supplement to the Pharmacopoeias, p. 33; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 59
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Ol. amigd: amarar:
Photo: Ahmed-Najib Biabani Ibrahimkhel
Almonds
(Oleum Amigdalarum Amarus - Oil of Bitter Almonds)
Rx: "It is made like oyl of sweet Almonds, but that you need not blanch them, nor have such a care of heat, in pressing out the Oyl. "1 (His explanation of how to make oil of sweet almonds: "Take of sweet Almonds not corrupted, as many as you will, cast the shells away, and blanch them, beat them in a stone mortar; beat them in double Vessels, and press out the Oyl without heat."2)
Uses: "Oyle of bitter Almonds doth open obstructions discusseth [breaks up] winde and vapours: but chiefly it healeth deafnesse, the hissing and paine of the eares, lenifieth [softens] the hardnesse of the sinewes: and maketh the face and hands faire &c."3
1,2 Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 212; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 74
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Ol. amigd: dulcium.
Photo: Ahmed-Najib Biabani Ibrahimkhel
Almonds
Oleum Amigdalarum Dulcium [Oil of Bitter Almonds]
Rx: "Take of sweet Almonds not corrupted, as many as you will, cast the shells away, and blanch them, beat them in a stone mortar; beat them in double Vessels, and press out the Oyl without heat."2
Uses: "Oyle of sweet Almonds doth lenifie [soften] the roughnesse of the brest and throat, as also the hardnesse & drines [dryness] of the joints, is good against the consumption of the lungs [tuberculosis], it is also of good use to bee drunke in the hecticke fevers [hectic fever - recurring fever accompanied with sweating, chills and facial flushing]: it stayeth the cough, asswageth the heat of urine, healeth ulcers by injection: is very good in Colica Iliaca Passio to be drunke, and to be administred in glisters [clysters - enemas]."3
1 Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 212; 2 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 74
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oleum Vitrioli
Artist: Peter Schmidt
Recovery of Vitroil (1580)
{Sulphuric Acid1}
Rx: "The weak and strong Spirit of Vitriol, also the Colcothar Vitriol, first calcined, is to be distilled in earthen vessels for three days without intermission, in a reverberatory head; the liquor drove off being distilled over again in a glass retort with a sand heat, the weak spirit will ascend, the strong remaining behind, which is usually, though improperly, called oil of vitriol. What remains in the earthen vessels after the first distillation, is called the cocothar of vitriol."1
Uses: "Oyle of Vitriole is exceeding hot and colde, mixed in waters, decoctions, sirupes or conserves, maketh them in taste tart or sowerish, and in colour purple like, delighting them that are sicke of feavers, freeth obstructions, recreateth the bowels: and is very effectuall in the pestilence, falling sicknesse [epilepsy], palsie and stopping of urine".2
1 Dispensatory of the Royal College of Physicians, p. 146-7; 2 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 74
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oleum Spicæ.
Photo: Javier Martin - Lavandula Latifolia
(Oil of Spike) {Foreign Lavender Oil1}
Rx: "Let the greater Spike, or latifolious Lavender, be macerated [softened] in white odorate wine, distilled through an Alembick [alchemical still], and then its oleous liquor segregated from its watry, and kept."2
Uses: "Oyle of Spicke doth calefie, attenuate, discusse, and is very profitable to them that have the gowt proceeding of a colde cause, or to comfort any member benumbed, also it is good against the falling sicknesse [epilepsy] and convulsions, the temples and nape of the necke, yea, and the whole head to be annoynted therewith is very profitable."3
Jean de Renou notes, "This Oyl is seldome used alone, but often mixed with other, especially Topical Medicaments; as the Vigonian salve; and is adhibited [applied] to many more uses, besides Medicinal ones."4
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 Jean de Renou, A Medicinal Dispensatory, p. 684; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 76; 4 de Renou, ibid.
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Causticke liquid.
Wood Ashes
(Lixivium Forte) {Sodium Hydroxide1}
Rx: Jacques Guillemeau gives a procedure for making "goode Lixivye, onlye of Oacken ashes, or of Ashes of Vinebranches, whe[n] as the same is wel sodde[n] with potashes [potassium carbonate], and of Beanestrawe, addinge therunto a little unslissed [unslaked] lime [calcium oxide], whereof we may make verye excellent good Cautereyes."2
Woodall gives more detail on how to prepare what he uses in his book. "The causticke stone if you boile it to a just consistence and having put it out, being yet warme, smooth it over with an iron splatter, then with a knife cut it into pieces, you shall have it ready to make incision after your owne will, for any causticke laid on an Aposteme may spread further and broader then thy will to the damage of the Patient, but this kinde of causticke you may hold in your hand wrapped in some cloute [small piece of thick lint] or piece of plaster spread, and so you may rule it at your owne desire, and yet it marketh greater spread with lesse paine then the other."3
Uses: "This is to be understood Capitall lees, a very necessarie medicine to be at hand in the Surgeons chest, to molifie the liquid or white causticke when it groweth dry, and also if need be by decoction per se to make up a lapis infernalis as some tearme it, or a hard causticke stone: the liquid causticke is made only of unslaked lime and strong Capitall lees by decoction together to the thicknesse of an unguent, and when occasion of application thereof is, lay on the griefe a minium [red lead] or some other cleaving Emplaster with a hole cut therein, so bigge as there shall be occasion to make an orifice, and thicke spread the white causticke thereon, & let it remaine thereon at the least two houres, having a care so to defend the same that it doe not spread."4
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 Jacques Guillemeau, The French Chirurgerie, p. 42; 3,4 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 63
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Syrupus Rosarum
Photo: Jvad Yousefi - Damask Rose
{Syrup of Rose Petals1}
Rx: This is the recipe for Syrup of Roses, Solutive: "Take Spring water boiling hot four pound, Damask Rose leaves fresh, as many as the water will contain, let them remain twelve hours in Infusion, and close stopped; then press them out and put in fresh Rose leaves, do so nine times [God rejoyceth in odd numbers quoth one of their Patriarchs, I should have said a Poet] in the same Liquor, increasing the quantity of Roses as the Liquor encreaseth, which will be almost by the third part every time. Take six parts of this Liquor, and with four parts of white Sugar, boyl it to a Syrup according to art."2
Uses: Woodall identifies two syrups of roses. Which one is in the chest here is not clear.
"Syrupus Rosarum Simplex.
Sirupe of Roses simple doth quench thirst, especially in fevers, mittigateth [reduces] their heate, refrigerateth the stomacke, and liver being very hot."3
"Syrupus Rosarum Solutinarum.
Sirupe of Roses solutive is used as a gentle and safe purge both to old and young when they are molested either with burning or pestilent fevers, or any hot distemperature in the body."4
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 224; 3,4 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 79
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Balsamum artific.
Photo: Wiki User Lemone
(Oleum Hyperconis)
Rx: "Venice Turpentine, {1 pound}. Oyle of Bayes, that is perfect without mixture, {4 ounces}. Galbanum, {3 ounces}. Gum Arabic, {4 ounces}. Olibanum Mirrha elect, Gum Hederae, of each, {4 ounces}. Lignum Aloes, Galingal, Cloves, Consolida minore, Cinamon, Nutmegs, Zedoaria, Ginger, Diptamnum album, of each, {1 ounce}. Muske of Levant, Ambergriece of each one Drachme. Beat all those aforesaid things together, and put them into a Retort of Glasse well luted, and put thereto {6 pounds} of Rectified Aqua vitae without fleame, and so let it stand {9} dayes, and then distill it by sand, and there will come forth a white water mixed with Oyle, and so keep thy fire small, untill there come forth a blackish Oyle, then change thy Receiver, and sett hereto another, and increase thy fire untill all the spirits bee come forth, then separate the Oyle from the black water, and keep them by themselves and the like shall yee doe by the first water. The first water that is white, is called Aqua del Balsamo, and the Oyle separated from that is called Oleum del Balsamo. The second water that is black is called Mater Balsami, and the Oyle separated from that water, is called Balsamo artificiato, which would be kept as a precious Jewel."1
Uses: " It is best to be used in wounds as hot as the Patient can endure it, and for the first time rather hotter. It is a sure medicine for all venomous wounds, all bitings of madde dogges, or of venomous wormes, very hot applied, and the parts about anointed therewith warme, remembring in all venomous griefes a Cordiall is also requisite. In my owne practice it is almost all the unctuous medicine I ever use for the curing of wounds and contusions, and I never repented my selfe of the use thereof. In piercing wounds and stabs it is a medicine a Surgion may well rely on, it will not disgrace him. It is very comfortable medicine against all paines, aches, and witherings of the outward limes proceeding of cold causes, using it warme with good frication [friction], and a plaster of Burgundy pitch spread on lether and applied thereon, or rather Empla: Stipticum Paracelsi."2
1 Leonardo Fioravanti, An exact collection of the choicest and more rare experiments and secrets in physick and chyrurgery, p. 65; 2 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 71
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oximel.
Photo: Emmanuel Boutet - Honey
(Oximel Simple)
Rx: "Take of the best Honey four pound, clean water and white Wine Vinegar, of each 3 pound, boil them in an earthen Vessel, taking the scum off with a wooden scummer, till it come to the consistence of a Syrup."1
Uses: "Oximell simple is in great use for the cure of inflammations of the lungs, and throte: helpeth expectoration [of phlegm] and easie breathing, cutteth and attenuateth thicke and slimie humors, purgeth the entralls without trouble, and is good both in cold and hot affections."2
2 Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 129; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 79
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Acetum Rosarum
Photo: Wiki User Yellow Cat - Red Roses
(Vinegar of Roses)
Rx: "Take of red Rose buds gathered in a dry time, the whites cut off, dried in the shade three or four days, one pound, Vinegar eight Sextaries, set them in the Sun forty days, then strain out the Roses; and repeat the infusion with fresh ones."1 Woodall has a different recipe, telling his readers "vineger of Roses is or ought to bee vineger of wine first, and then by the infusion of red rose leaves elect therein it is the more fragrant and cordiall, so that it is the better to aromatize the stomacke"2.
Uses: Woodall explains the Acetum Rosarum is used "to refresh nature weakened, and against the fainting and great weakenesse of the spirits, wherein the tincture of roses hath a great vertue comfortative."3
2 Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 104; 2,3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 64
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Aqua Absinthii
Photo: H. Zell
- Artemisia Absinthium
{Wormwood Water1}
Rx: "Take Common and Roman Wormwood, of each a pound; Sage, Mints, Bawm, of each two handfuls; the Roots of Galanga[l], Ginger, Calamus and Aromaticus, Elecampane, of each three drams; Liquorice an ounce, Raisins of the Sun stoned three ounces, Anniseeds and sweet Fennel seeds, of each three drams: Cinnamon Cloves, Nutmegs, of each two drams; Cardamoms Cubebs of each one dram. Let the things be cut that are to be cut, and the things be bruised that are to be bruised, all of them infused in twenty four pints of Spanish Wine, for twenty four hours, then distilled in an Alembick [alchemical still] [alchemical still], adding two ounces of white Sugar to every pint of distilled water. Let the first pint be called the Spirit of Wormwood, the greater Composition."2
Uses: "No water whatsoever more gratefull to the stomacke, then is Worme-wood Water truly composed, for it is as balsam thereto. It consumeth and breaketh winde mightily, killeth the wormes, whereunto our nation are subject in the East Indies, hindereth vomiting, provoketh appetite, is very good against paines in the head proceeding of a colde cause, and is very cordiall."3
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 88-9; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 57
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Aqua Rosarum rub.
Photo: Jvad Yousefi - Damask Rose
(Aqua Rosarum)
Rx: "Rose Water, distilled from the petals of the Rosa damascene vel centifolia' or it may be made from otto of roses."1
Uses: "Red Rose water doth refrigerate, binde and corroborate the vitall and animall faculties: benefitteth the head, easeth the pained eares and eyes, and doth good in Inflammations, and is profitable in medicines against Dissentery."2
1 James Rennie, A New Supplement to the Pharmacopoeias, p. 33; 2 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 59
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oleum Liliorum
Photo: Stan Shebs - Lilium Candidum
{Lilies1}
Rx: "Of mature Oyl {2 pounds} of the flowers of Lillies detracted [removed] from their yellow filaments {1/2 pound or 7.5 ounces} macerate [soften by soaking], and insolate them [expose them to sunlight]; and by iterating maceration and insolation, let the Oyl be made as before described."2
Uses: "Oyle of Lillies doth moderately warme & resolve [remove], asswageth paine, mollifieth [softens] hard tumours, dothe much mitigate [lessen] the violence of diseases, and is very effectuall against paines of the breast and stomacke, and allayeth the inordinate heate of the reynes [kidneys] and bladder."3
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 Jean de Renou, A Medicinal Dispensatory, p. 652; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 70
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oleum Limoniorum
Photo: Andre Karwath - Lemons
Rx: "Lemon-peel. Consists of an interior layer, which is without taste, and not easily digested, and an exterior, which is aromatic, warm, and bitterish, containing a volatile essential oil, which is obtained by rubbing the rind on lump sugar, or by distillation. The latter, however, is inferior, in consequence of the empyreuma [the smell and taste associated with burning it], which can seldom be avoided in the process."1
Uses: Woodall has this in his chest, but he doesn't ever mention its use in his book. James Rennie explains that "Medicinally it is used, combined with water, as a refrigerant in fevers, and as an antiseptic in sea-scurvy and scarlatina maligna [severe scarlet fever]."2
1 James Rennie, A New Supplement to the Pharmacopoeias, p. 218
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Mel Rosarum
Photo: Wiki User Yellow Cat - Red Roses
{Rose Honey1}
Rx: "Take of red Roses quite open two pound, the best Honey six pound, set them in the Sun according to art."2
Uses: "Hony of Roses strengtheneth and clenseth the stomacke: purgeth clammie humors, helpeth concoction with the temperate heate thereof, alaieth and stoppeth hot fluxes [flows], the Phlegmon of the mouth, gums and jawes, is singular good with oile of Roses for wounds in the head, and these two with aqua vitæ [brandy] are very good to cure wounds in joints, where the joint water gleteeth out [discharges]."3
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 129; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 79-80
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oleum Chamomili.
Photo: Wiki User Kallerna
Camomile Matricaria Recutita
{Camomile1}
Rx: "Is procured by distillation from the flowers, and, when recent, is of a fine blue colour, but becomes yellow if long kept."2
Uses: "Oyle of Chamemill resolveth moderately [removes things] and calefieth [warms], is good for the collicke, [bladder] stone, wearinesse, by anointing the parts greeved, and for aches, and fevers in all other things other with the former. It is also very convenient in Glisters [clysters - enemas] for all gripings and tortions [pains] of the gutts, and yeeldeth great comfort to the intrailes by the good odour and warmth thereof."3
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A;1 James Rennie, A New Supplement to the Pharmacopoeias, p. 279-80; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 70
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oleum Rosarum
Photo: Wiki User Yellow Cat - Red Roses
Rx: "Of common Oyl washed {4 pounds} fresh Rose-leaves {1.5 pounds} infusion of Roses {1 pound} put them into a close vessel well covered; insolate them [put them in sunlight] for seven days; then boyl them in a strong vessel on a gentle fire for half an hour: afterwards let the flowers be expressed, new put in; and this repeated three times; at last, what Oyl is pressed out, preserve for use."1
Uses: "Oyle of Roses, is anodine [soothing], and doth refrigerate and corroborate, and therefore is good against hot diseases, as Erysriphilas [red skin - St. Anthony's Fire]. Also with Mel Rosarum it is a good Balme for new wounds of the head, and else where; and hath divers other worthy uses in Chirurgery."2
1 Jean de Renou, A Medicinal Dispensatory, p. 650; 2 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 69
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Aqua Angelica
Blessed Thistle - Cnicus Benedictus
(Water of Blessed Thistle)
Rx: "Anglica eight ounces, of Carduus Benedictus six ounces, of Bawm and Sage, of each four ounces, Anglica seeds six ounces, sweet Fennel seeds nine ounces. Let the Herbs be dried and the seed be grosly bruised, to which add of the Species called Aromaticum Rosatum and of the Species called Diamoscha Dulce, of each an ounce and an half; infuse them 2 days in thirty two pints of Spanish wine, then distil them with a gentle fire, and with every pound mix two ounces of Sugar dissolved in Rose water.
Let the three first pound be called by the name of Spirit, the rest by the name of water."1
Uses: "Angelica water may serve well in stead of Trekell or Mithridate, for a preservative against the plague or any infectious aires, for there is no one thing more commended by ancient and moderne writers, in that kinde, then Angelica is, nor of more experiences, and is also very stomachicall and cordiall, and being truely made will retaine his strength and vertues forty yeeres and more."2
1 Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 89; 2 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 57-8
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Aqua Plantag.
Photo: H. Zell - Plantago Major (Plantain)
(Aqua Plantain) {Plantain1}
Rx: "From the herb when in flower; vulnerary."2 Elsewhere the author notes that this is a distilled water and in "respect to medicines, no great care is usually judged necessary, the herb just as collected, without any separation of decayed parts, or accidental mixture of dirt or other substance, is added to the water, distilled in a short-necked wide still as quickly as possible, and spirit of wine {2 drams}, or even more, added to each pint."3
Uses: "Plantane water is astringent [draws together] and sanative [healing], good to them that are in a consumption of the lungs [tuberculosis], in a dropsie [edemas], or that have the bloudy flixe [bloody flux], against the quartane ague [fevers], and cureth the ulcers of the reines [kidneys], bladder, and excoriations [abrasions] of the passage of the yard [penis], and being drunk, helpeth against ardent urine, or the sharpnesse of the water."4
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 Samuel Frederick Gray, A Supplement to the Pharmacopeia, p. 308; 3 Gray, p. 304; 4 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 60
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oleum Terebint.
Photo: Wiki User Antramir - Collecting Turpentine
(Oleum Terebinthina {Turpentine1}
Rx: "Take of Venice Turpentine as much as you will, put it into an Alembick [alchemical still] with four time its weight in common water, still it with a convenient fire, and draw off a white thin Oly like water, the Colophonia [translucent resin] will remain in the bottom of the Vessels, and this Oyl may be drawn into a Bath, more aptly from burning in a Glass."2
Uses: "Oyle of Terebentine is taken inwardly for shortnesse of breath, the tysicke [cough], against the [bladder] stone, the collicke colde and windy affections of the brest: it is outwardly used for to heale sinewes wounded, or troubled with any intemperature, also to fill ulcers with flesh, and knit them up leaving no siccatrize [cicatrize - heals with a scar] in them."3
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 256; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 76
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Ol. Lumbricorum.
An Earthworm
(Oleum Lumbricorum) {Earthworms1}
Rx: "'Take Earth-Worms well cleansed {1/2 pound} Oile of Olives {2 pounds} White Wine {1/2 pound} Boil together till the Wine is evaporated, and the Worms are become crispy, and then strain out the Oil for use.'"2
Uses: "Oyle of Earth-wormes helpeth the aches of the joynts in any part of the body, and doth strengthen and comfort well the sinewes weakned and pained, and against convulsions and cramps: and it is also a good Balme for sinowes wounded."3
John Quincy adds some more interesting uses and details for this curious medicine. "This comes to us for a penetrating and anodyne [pain relieving] Medicine, and is therefore recommended in Athritick Pains, in Cramps, old Aches, Numbness, Palsies, and rickets: but they who trust [too] much to it in those cases, will be disappointed. Indeed these things which we rejects as ineffectual in those obstinate Cases, may possibly have their use in subordination to other Means of more efficacy; therefore here we would be understood only, that they are by no means to be depended upon alone."4
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 John Quincy, The Dispensatory of the Royal College of Physicians in London, p. 448-9; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 70; 4 Quincy, p. 449
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oleum Scorpionum.
Photo: Jimmy Kreislauf
A Scorpion - Euscorpius Flavicaudis
Rx: "'This is made only by digesting thirty Scorpions forty days in Oil of Almonds {2 pounds}'"1
Uses: "Oyle of Scorpions is of speciall use to breake the stone in the reines [kidneys] and bladder, and [Johannes] Manardus [16th century Italian physician] commendeth it both in the pestilence, all contagion, & fevers, but cheefely in expelling poyson. And it is also good to asswage the paines of the backe proceeding by distempered kidneyes."2
John Quincy doesn't think much of this medicine, basically dismissing it. "Some antient Authors laid great stress upon this Medicine, and contriv'd many elaborate and troublesome Preparations and Compositions of it; particularly Mesue [8th/9th Assyrian physician Yuhanna ibn Masawaih] and Mathilus [Matheolus Perusinus, 15th century professor of medicine], some of whose Prescriptions [Johann] Zwelfer [16th century German physician and apothecary] gives in the Augustan Dispensatory: but they are such utter strangers in our Practice, as not to justify our taking up any room with them here; as also is the Oil of Vipers, and many others of the same Tribe."3
1 John Quincy, The Dispensatory of the Royal College of Physicians in London, p. 448-9; 2 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 73; 3 Quincy, p. 449
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Syrupus Absinthii.
Photo: H. Zell
Artemisia Absinthium
Rx: "Take of the clarified Juice of common Wormwood, and clarified Sugar, of each four pound; make it into a Syrup according to art."1
Uses: "Sirupe of wormewood is sayd to corroborate the stomacke, helpe concoction [digestion], cause an appetite, discusse wind, open the veines, and move urine, kill worms &c."2 Nicholas Culpeper notes that the reason for make ingredients such as wormwood into syrup is that they are "pleasanter and fitter for delicate stomach, when they are made into Syrups."3
1 Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 108; 2 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 78; 3 Culpeper, ibid.
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Diamoron.
Photo: B. Navez - Mulberries
- Morus Alba
(Diamoron Simplex) {Mulberry Syrup1}
Rx: "Juice of domestic mulberries {5 pounds} Honey {1 pound}. Clarify the juice by cooking to proper consistency with honey."2
Uses: "Diamoron simplex not unlike Mell rosarum is profitable in Gargarismes [gargles], against the eating ulcers of the mouth as aforesaid, and cutteth away fleme [phlegm], and clenseth the mouth and throte, and by reason of the pleasing taste thereof is the more comfortable to the diseases."3 Johann Horstius adds, "It is wholesome at the beginning of inflammations, its strength is increased with the addition of repellants and astringents [medicines that draw together] such as Alumen, Omphacium, Rhus, Rosæ, Balustia, Malicorium, Cyntinus Galle immature, Hypocistidus and Lentisci succus."4 While Woodall calls the taste pleasing, apothecary James Rennie dourly notes that its' "colour recommends it more than its flavor."5
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 Johann Daniel Horstius, Pharmacopeoia Galeno-Chemica, Catholica, p. 270; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 80; 4 Horstius, ibid.; 5 James Rennie, A New Supplement to the Pharmacopoeias, p. 427
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oleum Sambuci:
Photo: Graham Horn - Elder Flowers
{Elder Flowers1}
Rx: "Oil of Elder-Flowers is made by boiling one part of elder-flowers in two parts of olive oil, till the flowers are crisp, when the whole is to be pressed, and put aside to clear."2
Uses: "Oyle of Elder flowers doth lenifie and purge the skin, is good for the obstructions of the Liver, helpful for the joynts and nerves pained, the parts greeved being anointed therewith: it procureth stooles by Glisters [clysters - enemas] used, healeth the yellow jaundice, amendeth belly ach, and easeth the griping paines thereof."3
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 224; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 72
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oleum Anethi.
Photo: Forest and Kim Starr
Dill - Anethum Graveolens
{Oil of Dill1}
Rx: "Of common Oyl {2 pounds} flowers of Chamomile, or tops of Dill {1 pound} of the decoction of the same {half pound} mingle them, and insolate them [put them in the sun] for seven days, and boyl them till the watry part be evaporated; let this be repeated three or four times, and afterwards kept for use."2
Uses: "Oyle of Dill is anodine [soothing] and laxative, it concocteth [combines] crude tumors, causeth sleepe, mittigateth the head-ach, refresheth the wearied members, strengthneth the sinewes, discusseth winde, profitable for convulsions, and asswageth aches, easeth paines, and hath many other good uses."3
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2John Quincy, The Dispensatory of the Royal College of Physicians in London, p. 654; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 69
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Aqua Lymoniorum.
Photo: Andre Karwath - Lemons
(Aqua Limoniorum) {Lemon Cordial1}
Rx: "Take of the outer yellow Rind of fresh Seville Oranges four Ounces, of Water as much, as is sufficient to prevent burning. Distill of a Gallon."2 Although this is the recipe for Orange Water, herbalist Robert James explains that "a Water was directed to be distill'd in the same Manner from Lemon Peel, which was, I presume, left out, because it loses its Flavour sooner than that of Oranges."3
Uses: "This is the tincture and chiefe essence drawne by spirit of wine from the rindes of Limons, which is a great Restorative to mans nature, and a precious Cordiall, which not onely aromatizeth the stomacke, but much strengthneth the feebled Spirits, and is as an healing balsam to all the inward parts of the body, and doth open obstructions and breake the winde in the stomacke exceedingly."4
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2,3 Robert James, Pharmacopoeia Universalis, p. 633; 4 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 56
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Aqua Cardui bened:
Blessed Thistle - Cnicus Benedictus
(Aqua Cardui Benedicti) {Blessed Thistle1}
Rx: "Carduus Water. Aq. cardui benedict. Leaves [of the plant] 8 pounds to the gallon [of water]".2
Uses: "Carduus Benedictus Water, doth ease the paine of the head, confirmeth the memory, cureth a Quartane [recurring fever], provoketh sweat, and comforteth vitall Spirits."3 Physician Jean de Renou adds a number of uses for this water, advising that it "roborates [strengthens] the heart and vital parts, moves sudour [sweat], resists poisons, conduces against pestilential diseases, mitigates [eases] the dolours of the Reins and sides, kills Worms, and prevails against the bitings of Serpents."4
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 Samuel Frederick Gray, A Supplement to the Pharmacopeia, p. 305; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 53; 4 Jean de Renou, A Medicinal Dispensatory, p. 332
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oleum Petreoli.
Photo: Wiki User PetrS
Natural Oil Seep at Korna, Slovakia
Rx: "Petreol is the work and effect of natures hand, not of the Apothecaries; for he onely collects it, or buys, keeps and uses it when collected: for Nature confects it in the bowels of the Earth, and it eructates out of the clefts of Rocks; whence it is calle Petreol, or Rock-Oyl. It is to be had in those Regions where Bitumen is, whereunto it is related: for Bitumen is either dense or liquid; the dense, is as it were the fatness of the earth, which swims upon the water, and by agitation of the winds, is cast upon the shore, and there concretes, and becomes tenacious and dense."1
Uses: "Oyle of Peter is hot and dry, and by the tenuity [thinness] of the essence thereof doth penetrate and digest all excrementall matter, it is used with profit for the falling sicknes [epilepsy], palsie, giddinesse of the head, and is good for many other griefes arising from cold causes."2
1 Jean de Renou, A Medicinal Dispensatory, p. 673; 2 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 73
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oleum Succini.
Photo: Wiki User Anzi - Unpolished Amber
(Oil of Amber)
Rx: "Oil of Amber. Put a portion of amber into an alembic [alchemical still], so that from a sand-bath gradually heated, an acid liquor, an oil, and a salt contaminated by the oil may distil; then let the oil be distilled a second and a third time."1
Uses: "Oyle of Amber helpeth the paine in the head, resolution of the sinewes and falling evill [epilepsy], one drop or two taken with water of Betony or Lavender, or in faire water, it preserveth also from poyson, and mixed with parsly water or malmesie, is a singular remedy in discussing diseases of the reines [kidneys] and bladder, bringing foorth the [bladder] stone, and opening the passages of urine, it profitteth in the collicke & strangullion [inflammation and swelling in the throat]. A drop put into a little verbene water [made from the plant verbena], and so given to a woman in travel, it refresheth all the weake faculties of the body, consumeth humours, confirmeth and openeth the braine."2
1 James Rennie, A New Supplement to the Pharmacopoeias, p. 286; 2 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 77
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Oleum Absinthii.
Photo: H. Zell
Artemisia Absinthium
Rx: "Of common Oyl {5 pounds} Tops of Wormwood {2 pounds} Juyce of the same {1 pound, 4 ounces} mingle them, and macerate them [soften them in the oil], as before prescribed."1
Uses: "Oyle of wormewood dothe calefie [warm] and corroborate, especially the stomacke, raiseth an appetite, concocteth [combine] crude humours, dissipateth and disperseth winde, killeth wormes, and take away obstructions proceeding from a colde cause, the parts greeved being annoynted therewith, and likewise is is good in Glisters [clysters - enemas] for the like occasions."2
` Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 224; 2 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 73
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Aqua Cinamomi.
Photo: Wiki User Kenpei - Cinnamonum Camphora
{Cinnamon Water1}
Rx: "Take of bruised Cinnamon a pound and an half, Spanish Wine 2 pints. Infuse the Cinnamon in Wine 24 hours, then distil them in au Alembick [alchemical still]; draw out three pints of strong waters (and small as much as you think sufficient) sweeten it with sugar sufficient, so keep it for your use."2
Uses: "This Water doth comfort & strengthen the stomacke, the livor, the milt [spleen], the lungs, the heart, the braine and sinewes, sharpneth the sight, is good against venoms, as also the stingings and bitings of venomous beasts, helpeth a bad or evill favouring breath, is good against lothing of the stomacke, and where you desire to warme, to open, to attenuate [reduce the force of], digest or corroborate [combine], in all such cases this precious liquor excelleth, witnesse Joannes Jacobus Wikerus alledging Mathiolus, yea and divers other famous writers, and Experience it selfe."3
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 Nicholas Culpeper, A Pharmacopoeia Londeniis, p. 97; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 55
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Succus Lymoniorum.
Photo: Andre Karwath - Lemons
(Succus Limoniorum - Lemon Juice)
Uses: "Succus Limonum, or juyce of Limons expelling and refrigerating, cleareth the skin of morphew [blisters and blemishes], killeth handwormes [Sarcoptes scabiei - an itch-insect]; and is of speciall use to bridle the heate of melancholic: to helpe sharpe and contagious fevers: is good to cause a pleasant taste in potions &c. and cordialls. It being very cordiall of it selfe, and the most pretious helpe that ever was discovered against the Scurvy to bee drunke at all times; for it mightily openeth all obstructions, and refresheth and restoreth nature."1
Apothecary John Quincy notes, "The Lemon-Juice wonderfully astringes and hardens the Fibres in the Stomach, which makes it greatly assist it in Digestion: and there is hardly any one thing, which better enables it to retain its Food without any Regurgitation, after hearty eating."2
1 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 89; 1 John Quincy, The Dispensatory of the Royal College of Physicians in London, p. 209
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Woodall's Medicine Chest: Aqua Menthæ
Photo: Kham Tran - Mint Leaves
{Mint Water1}
Rx: "Green herb {8 pounds} to the gallon [of water]"2
Uses: "Aqua Mentha doth warme and strengthen the stomacke, liver, spleene or milt [spleen], helpeth concoction, stayeth vomit, and is very cordiall."3
1 Joan Druett, Rough Medicine, Appendix A; 2 Samuel Frederick Gray, A Supplement to the Pharmacopeia, p. 307; 3 John Woodall, the surgions mate, p. 58
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