Foreign Vegetables. 169 
Nerves, fometimes vellicating them with too much 
Violence ; opens the Veins, bringing away Blood 
in the Stools, and corrodes the Inteftines with 
grievous Pains of the Belly. Hence fome would 
perfuade us to banilh it entirely from the Shops, 
as a moft pernicious Drug : But from thefe Simon 
Paulli difients, and accufes them of being over 
timorous ; becaufe (fays he) many eminent Phyfi- 
cians, following the Practice of the Ancients, have 
ufed it with good Succefs in ftubborn Cafes. And 
indeed ftrong Catharticks like this are moft power- 
ful Remedies •, but provided always, that they be 
given in a proper Time and Manner. Wherefore 
Symphorianus Campegius advifes young Phyficians 
not to meddle with Colocynth, permitting the Ufe 
of it only to older Pradtitioners. Both the anci- 
ent and modern Greeks , as well as the Arabians , 
have tried feveral Ways to corredt it ♦, as by rubbing 
the Pulp in a Mortar to an Alcohol or extremely 
fine Powder •, or by mixing it with Gum Traga- 
canth, Arabick, Maftich, and other glutinous and 
aftringent Subftances. But Dodonaus rejedls thefe 
Methods, as prejudicial ; who fuppofes Colocynth 
may be corredted by joining other Purgatives with 
it. Some to moderate its Force make Choice of 
acid Liquors *, fome alkaline Salts, Fermentation, 
or Putrefadtion : Some again make an Extradt of 
it with Spirit of Wine, and others with Water. But 
after all, fmce this Drug is given not only to pro- 
mote a gentle Evacuation, but oftentimes to work 
powerfully, thofe Preparations which weaken too 
much its cathartick Force are altogether ufelefs, 
and ought therefore to be rejected ; and fuch Cor- 
redtions only, in my Opinion, are to be received, 
as are capable of extending its Subftance •, left, the 
grofter Particles, adhering to the Membranes of 
the Inteftines, fhould too violently irritate, inflame, 
1 ox 
