INTRODUCTION. %l} 



CHAP. III. 



Concerning the various methods of preparing 

 simples for present use. 



T T IERE is no form of medicines sent from 

 the apothecary, which may not be prepared 

 from the herbs of our own growth in the same 

 manner as from foreign drugs. Electuaries may 

 be made with the powders of these barks,, roots, 

 and seeds, with conserves of flowers, and of the 

 tops of fresh herbs ; and syrups, made from their 

 juices and infusions ; the manner of making 

 which is very simple, and shall be subjoined to 

 tins chapter, that all mav be understood be- 

 fore we enter on the book itself: and in the same 

 manner their boluses may be made, which are only 

 some of these powders mixed up with syrup: and 

 their draughts and juleps, which are made from 

 the distilled water.; of these herbs, with spirit, or 

 without these syrups being- added ; and the tinc- 

 tures of the roots and barks ; the method of 

 making which shall be also annexed in a familiar 

 maimer. 



But beside these several forms of giving them, 

 there are others much more simple, easy, and 

 ready, and these are generally more efficacious. 

 1 shall arrange these under three kinds, juices, in- 

 fusions, and decoctions. These are the forms of 

 giving the medicines most frequently mentioned 

 in the course of the work, and there is less trouble 

 in them than in the others. They are not in- 

 deed contrived for shew, nor would they answer 

 the purpose of the apothecary, for his profits 

 would be small upon them ; but when the design 



