Page 27 - Book of quintessence
P. 27

you use of the herb that is called morsus galline rubri [stinging red
chickweed] be put in his nostrils when he begins to suffer the access of
the quartan, he shall be whole, with the grace of God.

     Ninth medicine. The medicine to heal the fever continual. All
philosophers say that the fever continual is engendered of putrefaction of
blood and of corruption of humours in it. Therefore the cure thereof is to
purge blood and to put away the corruption of it, and the humours
uneven to make even, the nature lost to restore, and so restored to keep.
Forsooth all these things works our quintessence. And therefore it cures
perfectly the fever continual, and though burning water casts out from
blood watery humours and corrupt, yet take it not in this cure, because
though burning water be seven times distilled, yet it is not fully purified
from his burning heat, and the four elements, but such our quintessence
is not hot, nor moist, cold nor dry, as be the four elements, therefore it
heals perfectly the continual fever, namely with commixt ion of the
quintessence of gold and pearl. And if you will strengthen your
medicine, then put in your quintessence a little quantity of the pith or
pulp of cassia fistulae, or else the juice of the herb mercurial. And if it so
be that other humours abound too much with blood, then take those
laxatives that kindly will purge them, as common books of physic
declare.

     The tenth medicine to cure the fever tercian, the which is caused of
putrefaction, or red choler too much abounding. To cure this sickness
take our quintessence, or else fine burning water, but the first is better,
and put therein a little of rhubarb or of some other laxative that purges
red choler, and a great quantity of water of endive. And use this medicine
at morning and evening, and the patient shall be healed without doubt.

     The eleventh medicine is for to heal the fever quotidian, the which is
caused of putrefaction of phlegm too abounding. And this phlegm is cold
and moist. Our quintessence (and in his absence take good burning
water) has strength and virtue to consume the rotten watery inordinate
and too much cold humidity. Therefore take our quintessence or burning
water and put therein a little of Euphorbia, Turbith, or Sambucy, or some
other thing that purges phlegm, and use it morning and evening, and the
patient shall be healed.

     The twelfth medicine for to cure the fever ague, and the lunatic man

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