400 A Treatise on 
Take of Hypociftis gj. red Coral, fealed Earth, 
and Blood-Stone prepared, a 9j. Syrup of 
Ground -Ivy §j. Plantain and Purflain- Water, 
a §iij. Make a Mixture to be taken by Spoon- 
fuls. 
Take Hypociftis and German Acacia, a jj. 
Conferve of Rofes and of Hips, a 3 ij. Syrup 
of Barberries q. f. Mix them for four Dofes, 
and give one every fourth Hour, to ftrength- 
en the Stomach, and to ftop a Loofenefs, af- 
ter due Preparatives. 
Artic. VII. Of Japan Earth. 
Catechu , and improperly, Terra Japonica , Off. is 
an indurated, gum mo-re finous Juice, externally of 
a reddifh Colour tending to Black, internally of a 
brownifh Red. It has an aftringent Tafte, at ftrft 
bitterifh, afterwards fomething fweet and agreeable, 
and is void of Smell. There are two Sorts : The 
one is more pure, which ealily melts in the Mouth : 
The other is coarfer and drofty, having often a 
Mixture of Earth, Gravel, Stones, and other he- 
terogenous Subftances. The firft is more fcarce, 
but is accounted better, and ought to be made 
Choice of when it can be met with. It is brought 
from Malabar , Surat , Pegu, and other Coafts of 
the Indies. It is improperly called Japan Earth, 
fince it is not found in Japan , unlefs brought thi- 
ther from other Countries. 
The Merchants, deceived by the Drinefs and 
Friability of this Drug, have believed it to be an 
Earth : But at this Time no one doubts but that it 
is a vegetable Juice ♦, fince it eafily diffolves in Wa- 
ter, and no Earth is feparated from it by Percola- 
tion. It likewife takes Flame, and burns away in 
the Fire, leaving few A fties, From the various 
Accounts 
