APIS. 



In like manner, wax may be possessed of various qualities. In- 

 [, wax may, of itself, modify the action of honey. For example, 



writer can eat freely of honey mixed naturally with the comb, 

 lOut any discomfort, whilst strained honey, as a rule, produces 

 apings and pain. 



The importance of honey and wax in the therapy of former times 

 town by Mouffet, whose summary carries such a fund of references 



of quaint applications, as to lead us to present his article entire, 

 hese will be perceived the origin of the Pharmacopeial prepara- 

 s, past and present, of both wax and honey, such as honey of roses, 

 Lted honey, etc. 



THE MEDICAL VIRTUES OF HONEY (MOUFFET). 



As for the medicinal and physical virtues of honey; it causeth heat, 

 nseth sores and ulcers excellently, wears them away, and removes them 

 'hat part of the body soever gathered: as Galen, ' Avicen, Celsus, and 

 y have observed. It perfectly cureth the disease which causeth the 

 of the head or the beard^ to come off by the roots, called the Foxes 

 and other filthy ulcers of the head. — Pliny. To regain hair lost by 

 disease aforesaid, and for long (Agnes) it is very effectual, if the pait 

 nointed with it raw as it is; or with the honey-comb newly drained or 

 tied. — Galen. But above and beyond all, the oil of honey distilled doth 

 :t it. The water that droppeth from the honey, doth excellently cleanse 

 skin, provoke urine, extinguish the burning heat of fevers, open 'the 

 ructions of the bowels, quench thirst. The chalk or salt of it, as it is 

 11 corrosives, the least painful, so it is m.ost energetical and operative, 

 therefore is very much commended by Chemics and Surgeons for to 

 that kernel or tumor of flesh which groweth upon the yard. But how 

 y, and how ample virtues that quintessence of honey (as they call it) 

 attained against the strength of all diseases whatsoever, is excel- 

 ly described by Isaacus Belga, the predecessor of Paracelsus. Nay 

 lOUt doubt, if wild honey and raw was able to prolong the life of 

 locrates, Pollio, John the Baptist, in a word, of the Pythagoreans, and 

 leans (as aforementioned), how much more will it do being refined, 

 heightened to the highest degree of nutrition? The Epicureans who 

 : the best way they could to provide for their health and their pleasure, 

 always upon Ambrosia, as Tzetzes reports, which did consist of a 

 h part of honey; as if they meant by the use of it, to stave off all pains 

 griefs, and live free from all diseases and maladies. It doth'wonder- 

 ' help the ulcers in the ears if it be poured warm into them, and espe- 

 y if an ill scent be joined with them. Moreover in their hissing, noises, 

 mmations, Galen commands to- instill Attick Honey, butter, oil of 

 es, and as much warm water Marcellus Empyricus used to infuse into 

 ear that was pained. The same also very much commends honey min- 

 or kneaded with the ordure of a young infant, to cure the dullness 

 le sight, and the white spots in the eye. V'egetius by this means cures 

 watery eyes or dropping of the eyes caused by rheume or distillation, 

 t of all, a little below the eye he draws blood and anoints them with 

 purest honey till it be whole. But yet care must be had (as Columella 

 well hints) that as often as the eyes are anointed with honey, they 

 )esmeared round about with melted pitch and oil, lest the wasps and 

 infest and hurt them. Hear also what Marcellus saith touching the 

 ring up of the eyes, and he prescribes this: The honey pure and neat 

 rein the bees are dead, let that drop into the eyes; or honey mixed 

 the ashes of the heads of bees, makes the eyes very clear. And 

 n, mingle Attick honey with the first ordure the infant makes, together 

 the milk of the nurse; and with that anoint the eyes that are so dull 

 tever the cause of it be; but first of all you must bind the patient to 



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