The lesser writings of John Arderne / by D'Arcy Power.

  • D'Arcy Power
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The lesser writings of John Arderne / by D'Arcy Power. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Thefthorne beryes bee called ffyles. Veroles 1. pokkes. Mewyre de hay i. hoppes. Brere beryes. Botone de hay 1. hoppes. Swye i. soot. Sene 1. sape darbres. Brevere i. lynge. Ceneles 1. hawes. Cinus i. hawthorne. Noyaws 1. kernell. Of Applys and of other ffrut Arest de boyz i. qwynse. ffu geyre i. brakene. Sape & sapme 1. verres. Toile i. lynde. Bostons 1. halt. Bosue 1. brokeryggyd. Berblettz 1. whelkes. Rugoles 1. mazelys. Clowle 1. schepysscabbe. Egryme i. saxifrage. Papewort idem est secundum hibernicos. Morell petyt after fflaundres is called nasthath. Absinthum in frensch is called Aloygne & after flaundres Alsen. Comone malowes after fflaundres bee callyd pople. And Smalache is called Marche. Sewe i. Eldertre. Papewort in Irlond is called Dylle. The book of Simples begins with a consideration of the virtues and uses of Ebulus or Walwort. The lily is held in high esteem for promoting suppuration, or, as he calls it, “for ripening sores’. Gentian is used for the Same purposes as at present, ‘to abate the ache of the stomak... whoso useth it schall not have the Sciatyk, ne the Crampe, ne the cowghe, ne akynge in the nekke, ne dropeseye, ne syghyinge, ne sorowe of the breste.’ Then follows a disquisition on the salt fleum (eczema), which is treated by a mercurial ointment, the mercury being ‘ quenched with the spotell of a manne that is fastynge’. The discussion of salt fleum is followed by the treatment of “ gutta rosacea’ (acne of the face), for which a mercurial ointment is also recommended. ‘ And note wele after that this oyntment is anoynted one the face it schall not be wasschene ix dayes after, ffor trywly wasschynge letteth the operacion of mercurye and then hathe the mercurye but lytyll effect or none. And this anoynt- ynge may wele be renywed every other day. And when thou perceyvest that the skyne putteth out skalys it is the beste sygne of curacion.’ Grades in the medical profession. In speaking of Euphorbium Arderne clearly recognizes apothecaries as distinct from physicians, barbers, barber-surgeons, and surgeons, for he says ‘ Kuforbium is a gumme that potecaryes sellen’, and immediately before ‘ Agryppa is ane oyntment that potecaryes sellen and it is whyte of coloure ’. Palsy and the Falling Sickness are treated with caprifolium and castoreum. Treatment of facial paralysis. Facial paralysis is to be cured by a variety of remedies, and it is clear that Arderne had seen several patients affected with it. He says that it is a species of cramp ‘ corrupting the form and the figure of the face. It turneth the mouth of the manne or of the womanne downe to the ere in the manner of a ffyssche that is called a ffloundre’.... Of the prognosis ‘ Note wele yf the crokydnesse
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