880 
THE COMPLETE HERBAL 
moisture, that so they may perform their 
proper functions. 
Yet although the members be strength- 
ened by drying medicines, they have not- 
withstanding their own proper moisture in 
them, which ought to be conserved, and not 
destroyed, for without it they cannot con- 
sist: If then this moisture be consumed by 
using, or rather over use of drying medi- 
cines, the members can neither be nour- 
ished, nor yet perform their proper actions. 
Such medicines as are dry in the third 
degree, being unadvisedly given, hinder 
the parts of the body they are appropriated 
to, of their nourishment, and by that means 
brings them into consumption. 
Besides, There is a certain moisture in 
the body of man, which is called radical 
moisture, which being taken away, the parts 
must needs die, seeing natural heat and life 
also consists in it, and this may be done by 
too frequent use of medicines dry in the 
fourth degree: And it may be this was the 
reason of Galen’s writing, that things dry 
in the fourth degree, must of necessity 
burn; which is an effect of heat, and not of 
dryness, unless by burning, Galen means 
consuming the radical moisture. 
The use then of drying medicines, is only 
to such bodies, and parts of the body, as 
abound with moisture, in which observe 
these rules. 
1. If the moisture be not extreme, let 
not the medicine be extremely drying. 
2. Let it be proper to the part of the 
body afflicted, for if the liver be afflicted 
by moisture, and you go about to dry the 
brain or heart, you may sooner kill than 
cure. 
Thus have we briefly spoken of the first 
qualities of medicines, and in the general 
only, and but briefly, because we shall 
_ always touch upon them in the exposition 
of the other qualities, in which you must 
SECTION II. 
Of the appropriation of Medicines to the 
several parts of the body. 
That the qualities and use of these medi- 
cines may be found out, and understood 
by every one, and so my country reap the 
benefit of my labour, they shall find them 
presented to their view in this order. 
Medicines appropriated. 
1. To the head. 
To the breast and lungs 
To the heart. 
To the stomach. 
To the liver. 
To the spleen. 
To the reins and bladder. 
To the womb. 
To the joints. 
Se a 
——————— 
CHAPTER I. 
Of Medicines appropriated to the head. 
By [head] is usually understood all that 
part of the body which is between the top 
of the crown, and the uppermost joint of 
the neck, yet are those medicines properly 
called Cephalical, which are appropriated 
to the brain, not to the eyes, ears, nor 
teeth ; neither are those medicines which are 
proper to the ears, proper also to the eyes, 
therefore (my intent being to write as plain 
as I can) I shall subdivide this chapter into — 
these parts. 
Medicines appropriated. 
1. To the brain. 
2. To the eyes 
3. To the mouth, and nostrils. 
4. To the ears. 
5. To the teeth. 
For what medicines are appropriated to 
an unruly tongue, is not i in my power at © 
—— 
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