8(J2 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. ^ [aNNO 1687- 



orbits are elliptical, and that after long periods comets may return again. But 

 such ellipses are, by reason of the immense distance of the foci, and smallness 

 of the latus rectum, in the parts near the sun where comets appear, not easily 

 distinguished from the curve of the parabola : as is proved by the example 

 produced. 



The whole book is interspersed with lemmas of general use in geometry, and 

 several new methods applied, which are well worth the considering ; and it 

 may be justly said, that so many and so valuable philosophical truths, as are 

 herein discovered and put past dispute, were never yet owing to the capacity 

 and industry of any one man whatever. 



A Receipt* to cure Mad Dogs, or Men or Beasts bitten by Mad Dogs. Com- 

 municated to the Royal Society. By Sir Robert Gourdon, N° 187, p. 298. 



Take agrimony roots, primrose roots, dragon roots, single peony roots, the 

 leaves of box, of each a handful ; the star of the earth two handfuls ; the black 

 of crabs' claws prepared, Venice treacle, of each one ounce ; all these are to be 

 beaten and bruised together, and boiled in about a gallon of milk, till the half 

 be boiled away ; then put it into a bottle, unstrained, and give about 3 or 4 

 spoonfuls of it at a time, to the dog or beast, three mornings together before 

 new and full moon. It will be necessary, the day before administering the 

 medicine, to take away a little blood. Some of these roots and herbs being 

 difficult to be got in the winter, they may be gathered in their season, and 

 being dried and well powdered, may be given, mixed with the crabs' claws and 

 Venice treacle, with sallet oil or butter, and it will do as well. 



For men or women bitten by mad dogs ; take the same ingredients in the 

 same quantities, and the roots and herbs being bruised altogether, with the 

 crabs' claws and Venice treacle ; let them be infused warm in two quarts of 

 strong white wine, for at least 12 hours. This being strained, the party bitten 

 is to take about a quarter of a pint evening and morning, three days before the 

 new and full moon ; it may be sweetened, either with sugar or some cordial 

 syrup. 



N. B. The plant in this receipt called star of the earth, and which is the 

 chief ingredient, is known among the botanists, by the name of sesamoides 

 salamantica Parkinsoni, sive lychnis viscosa flore muscoso, Casp. Bauhini; in 

 English, Spanish catch-fly. It grows plentifully about Thetford, and about tha 

 mills near Newmarket. 



* This receipt, it is to be feared, would be of little arail in cases of canine madness. Other op- 

 portunities will occur of offering some remarks on this subject. 



