[Tabacco]

THE DESTINCT and seuerall opinions of the late , and best Phisitions that haue written of the nature of TABACCO : Gathered togither for the better assurance , and confirmation of the diuers natures and qualities therof .

IT is an especial note , which I haue obserued in all mine authors , that in respect of curing wounds , cuts , or other harmes ( almost whatsoeuer ) and in which this hearbe is of vertue to heale , whilest it is yet greene , that the same naturall operations in it then ▪ the verie same are to be had in it , when it is now dried , according as the Indians of Trinidade vse , in laying it in the shadow , and where no wind or sunne come to draw out the power or vertue in exhalations .

Indeed it would seeme somewhat much for any man to say , that if the drying of it were acording to the care of them , who here with vs make it their trade to gaine by , that we might attribute so much power to it , being dried after such a maner : but surely I cannot thinke , but that comming from those poore people , where couetousnesse hath not taught the childe to cut his fathers throat for gaine , or to dissemble with any for profit , we may esteeme it either as good as the greene , or at least as that greene which growes heere in our clime , which reason persuades vs is vnapt to bring fo●th the hearbe in hir naturall heat and vertue being so hote , and our soile so cold .

Another thing I haue much wondered at , wherefore diuers hauing discourst so largely vpon the applying it to vlcers , burninges , wounds , & such like , they haue not longer stayed vppon the reportes which they might make of receiuing it in pipes , as we now vse , vnlesse it be for this , ( and indeede I iudge it one of the chiefe causes ) that time and experience , which both corrects old and brings forth new things , either had not discouered to those writers the maner of receiuing it as we now vse it , or if they did vse it , yet it had been so little time in practise , as they had not seene those conclusions wrought wrought by it which we haue , and to say truth , who hath long known it an vsuall thing in this part of the world , to drinke Tabacco ? and yet who is he that euer knew it longest and can iustly say , that this or that discommoditie is come to him by it , vnlesse drinking it extreamly , he hath changed the good into a bad effect , since euerie extreme vertue is a vice : and then who will either deeme Tabacco worse since he hath abused it , or not iudge him ill deseruing so good a benefite , that knowes not how to make his profite , hauing so easie a meanes as a moderate receipt .

And by this meanes I doubt not but some hath both done themselues wrong , wronged vs , and done other iniurie , who ( if they had not heard of some whom vnrespectiue drincking had harmed ) would happily haue been soone drawen to vse it for their health , who now remaining feared with examples , shunne it as an inconuenience , which els they had entertained as a publicke good .

But heere I would not that anie man should thinke I arrogate to my selfe any title of perfection in phisick ; far be it from my thoughts that I should interest my selfe vnworthily in that , which by no right I can claime : but Salua reuere●●ia , I presume that no man wil impute it as an error to me , that I shuld speak generally in some respects ; my experience shall not detract from their studies , and let no man take offence , that since I speake of my selfe what I haue tried on my selfe , they may thinke I go about to impriuiledge their knowledge of that respect which belongs vnto them . I w●i●e not as willing to expose myself to the rude censure of any , i● I thought it would doe anie man more wrong in particular , than it would doe good to 〈…〉 generall , I protest I would not be found a man that would doe wrong : who entertaines my labours is not beholding to me , but to him that commands me to doe what I haue done , and to him will I attribute all respect and merit .

But to proceed , before I come to mine authors , you shal haue the opinion of a yonger Dr. who loues and hath made as farre trials of drinking Tabacco as any man that is found : who doubts ( saith he ) but hauing leaues of Tabacco brought from the Indians , and purposelie dried in the shadow , where the working of the sunne nor any otherheat may draw o●t the life and power which is found in it , seing that that power and vertue which it groweth with , retyres it selfe into the leafe , and as the Parace●sians and Chimists say , is to be distilled and fetcht out by fire ; who is so fond as to thinke , that when there is no other means for it to turne into water , or to receiue compositions , but that the thing being as it were breathed by the fire into a mans body , should not conuay it selfe in a most subtile and pearcing substance , into the distinct parts of our bodies , and not almost worke the same effects in a man , which a lightening doth in a corrupt ayre , clensing and purifieng it from all stenches and bad vapours ? and from hence it is , that a stincking breath , proceeding not from any great or dangerous infection , is ( by drinking Tabacco fasting in the morning ) clensed away ▪ but it is to be ●oted , that in this case we are to receiue it in good quantity down , so that it force to cough , and either fetch the corruption off the stomacke , which engenders it , or at least wise drieth it vp , and so takes away the cause .

For the head-ache , proceeding of any cold or winde ▪ experienc● hath confirmed examples enow , and our owne reasons , if we wanted examples , might be sufficiently strong to persuade vs , that nothing should be more soueraigne .

Who but entends to watch extraordinarily , I could wish he had but seene some of the same effects which it hath wrought in diuers that would neuer credit it , till they had made triall , onely drinking a pipe full at any time when we find our selues drowsy & would wake .

Who hath euer found a more soueraign remedy against coughs , rheume in the stomacke , head , and eyes ? from whence it will fetch the humor in so strange quantity , as in some is admirable .

There is a certaine kinde of people that speak nothing but ridles , they dwell vnder the hot clime of the still yeard , they are somwhat nosie , and very rich in diuers white and red excrements , called Alebuttons , I could wish that some of them had the wit after a certaine kind of merry assembling , called the Drunkards round , to allay that same distemperat vapour of pure Rhenish , with a draught or two of this Tabacco . There is a reason if they could hit on it , that would persuade wise men , that after they haue been in the land of Tanquam , a little of this downeward , 〈◊〉 fetch vp that same that makes them so mad in the brains , and I doubt not but some honest remembrancer or other , will put it into their heads that haunt those prouinces , to vse this receipt when they intend good fellowship , and would hold out .

But for any direction or order of receiuing it , I will not take away from men of art so much right , as to say directly , you must vse this or that course that which I haue seen most vsed & bringing forth best effect , is to receiue it in the morning fasting ; for commonly men which vse it not idely , find that at that time it doth them most ease . And I would not that any should receiue it at any time but when he finds himselfe not well disposed , or beeing well , suspects either that he hath surfaited , or something which he hath in his stomack , may make him ill .

I haue found it very excellent and soueraigne ▪ beeing tired and weary with iournying too far , but in this the quantety works the experiment , for as a little causeth wakefulnesse , so it beeing taken ouermuch , as sixe or seauen pipes full , it will procure a most profound sleepe ; and I haue found it taken away that wearisomnesse in one night , which I haue thought would not haue left me in many daies : and this I put in excecution , to try how that was ▪ true that a Spaniard writes of the Indians , who reporteth , that after their trauels and labours , they will drincke vnmeasurably of Tabacco , which ( after they had slept ) tooke away all wearinesse of body , and makes them as prompt and apt to businesse , as if they had been many daies without doing any thing , and surely I found it very neare the truth , for the next day , I did perceiue my wearinesse almost vtterly gone , although not quite , which perhaps might be for want of custome , or because my sicknesse before was apt to make me feele that longer than I should haue done beeing well .

But that I may vse mine opinion , which I will not confirme by any precise comparison , I thinke that those writers which haue so effectually written of the nature of Tabacco , by outward applications both knew the secreat effects of the greene leafe , applying it to wounds , and of the dried leafe receiuing it by pipes : but hearing of so strange a maner of receiuing it , as phisicke was neuer guilty to the vnderstanding of , they thought it meet to preserue in a perpetuall concealment among themselues , least being knowne to the world , the inhabilitie of other hearbs and deuises being discouered , and this made knowne , it might turne to the common detrement and hurt of their Art ; for in reason , why should any man lay open willingly , or suffer another to enter into the secret conceipts and internetie of our knowledge , when such internetie might make it either les prised , or cause a publique cause to receiue a generall disesteeme for a particular occasion . And I doubt not but if an idle Tabacconist , and a hot Phisition were met without a moderator , it would proue a hard question in their naturall reasons , whether hee that first deuised this secret of drinking Tabacco , being a phisition himselfe , ( as sur●ly I thing he was ) was worthy to be accompted a good or an euill person , since he ( it is likely ) for his owne priuat commodity , did make that knowne to many , by the which many haue receiued more losse of gold in generall , than any of them did receiue good , to whom he did first impart it .

Well , be he what he will , or what he was , I doubt not but he did a more good deed than hee was aduised of , and therfore deserues in mine opinion to be otherwise requited than according to the quality of his deserts , which if it may be thought infinite in respect of himselfe , then let not him want his due , for it were sin that since so few men deserue well , any of them should cease to good workes , because they want that respect in which their worth may interest them .

And thus farre for drinking of Tabacco , which is more vulgarly receiued with vs now than euer , and although it seems that the Indians vse to take this Tabacco in other maner of pipes than we , yet I thinke we shall not need to thinke our earthen or ●●●ier pipes more vnapt than those which the Indians make of Palme leaues and such like .

I could stand longer to persuade the world of some wonders that I haue seen effected with one draught of excellent Tabacco , but some that are as hard of beleefe as he that persuaded himselfe a man could not breake his necke with a fall from Paules , if he fell vpon feather beds , I will omit to the oportunity of their owne experience , which I my selfe once trie● vpon one that would in kindnesse face me downe that there was no force in such an idle smoke ; but of this I could tell you a long story , and I could make you beleeue he was ready to bewRAY himselfe , and rent his buttons , and breake his points , if not for anger , yet for some thing else that made him afraid of a worse matter .

But to conclude , I will limit no man to any prescript order of drinking Tabacco , nor wish that any should vse it , but as they finde themselues cold in their stomacke , rheumaticke , or hauing the headache , or for diuers other such necessarie occasions , for I see not how such vnmeasurable drinking should not both harme them that drink it , and wrong others by robbing the world of so singular a treasure as this . I could therefore wish it were a penal law , that whosoeuer should abuse it by vnmeasurable and needlesse drinking , should forfait at the pleasure of his Excelsitude , from three times vpward , so much as he hath wasted-toward the maintenance of Tabacco in the treasury , and by this means I feare not , but we should make that our singular profit , which we now turne to our disprofit and harme , and that wee should not remaine in that great want of good Tabacco which wee haue done of a long time together , but that hoarding Apothicaries might be glad to abate their prises of their mingle mangle which forsooth they will not sell , vnder vnreasonable rate , when there is scarse good to be got , although that which they haue be as bad at the best , as the worst of but indi●●erent good , when good may be bought .

That which may be said more I refer to the conceit of them that hold it in her due price , for my selfe in few , I thinke that there is nothing that harmes a man inwardly from his girdle vpward ▪ but may be taken away with a moderate vse of Tabacco , and in those parts consist the chiefe reasons of our health , for the stomacke and head being cleare and void of euill humors , commonly the whole body is the better .

And I will expose the censure herof to many , who I know would proue as aduerse to me in any matter , wherof I should desire their opinon , as to their enemies ▪ yet let them say , that can say most to enuy against it , happely some one as wise as a woodcocke will raise his flight on his becke , and crie fie , fie , how it stincks , smell you it not ? or tell me he will hire an Irish man to chimney-sweep my stomacke , ( for woodcocks are a wise kinde of wild fooles ) but can such fooles , fellowes I meane , tell any discommodity it hath brought , I speake it with an vpright feare to God , I thinke man hath not known an excellenter preseruatiue against the late dangerous infection , than this , and if any one who made vse of it in good order , hath died of the infection , I am truely resolued , that for that one which died , it hath saued threescore , whose esteeme hereof beeing lesse than the merit it selfe , haue preserued themselues by extraordinarily receiuing it amongst company , not for any affection or hope they haue had to fortefie themselues against so dangerous an incident , but by meere power of the hearbe ; how many then shall I thinke haue been saued , who knowing in good order to make their profitable vse therof , haue serued their necessity , and saued their liues ?

Now to come to the second forme of receiuing this hearbe , I haue made choice of three especiall men which write most at large , namely , Charles Stephen , and Iohn Liebault , two Frenchmen , & Aegidius Eurartus : There is likewise Monardes , a Spaniard , who hath written very largely of it , but because he is already translated into English , I will referre that which he hath very large to his owne volume . One cause ( notwithstanding ) makes me to take an occasion to leaue him , and that is , for that hee is a Spaniard of Siuill , and yet is found to haue gathered some reasons which he hath out of other Authors , and yet reports himselfe to haue been conuersant with the Indians , from whence me thinkes he might well 〈◊〉 brought confi●●●tions enough ▪ to which he 〈◊〉 been an eye witnesse , to confirme that which he sees almost the great● part of one world to be already conf●●med .

But that you shall not need to seeke farre for him ▪ that which he hath , he hath it for the most par● to this effect , and thus he prescribes vs our order of receiuing it .

The greene leaues ( he saith ) being put into the hot embers , and applied to any place euen with the embers , are singular against all aches , opulations in the stomacke , swelling pains of the stone , the mothe● , wormes gnawing in the belly and guts , carbuncles , and all euils that come of cold causes . And in wounds either on man or beast in the whole cour●● of his direction he presents no other rule but the meere infusion of the ●uic● of Tabacco , beeing brused or stamped , and afterward the wound wrapt vp in a leafe likewise somewhat brused . Now for our two Frenchmen , I will write that more at large which they haue of it , which thus followes .

The diuersitie of names giuen to this hearbe .

THis hearbe with the French hath been most knowne by the name of Nicotiana : the first occasion was , that ( as the Greekes , Romans , & others , trauailing to India or other places , wher they found plants , vnknowne cities , or lands , they vsually gaue them their owne names , to remaine in memory to posterity that such an one had done his common wealth that seruice ) so Monsieur Nicot a French man , Embassadour to the king of Portugall , sending this hearbe first into France gaue it his name .

Others that by tradition haue noted the means from whence they receiued this , haue called it Queene mother hearbe , for that when Monsieur Nicot had sent it commended to her , she first planted it .

Others haue surnamed it of the great Prior , for that such an one receiuing this hearbe from Lisbone , & hauing first planted it in France , afterward experienst the diuerse vertues & singular natures which he found in it , making it knowne to the world , how much excellent it was : the common people finding it most vsed by him , and nowhere to be found but in his garden , could giue it no distinct title , but would that it should be caled his hearbe .

Others there want not which cal it Petum Masculine , and yet farre differing in quality and effect , from that the Portugals and Spaniards haue called Petum Feminine , but howsoeuer or wheresoeuer this hath receiued that name , it shall suffice that we remember it to haue been most knowne among the french , by some one of these three names , though now perhaps vse and better knowledge hath made it knowne vnto them , as vnto vs , by the name of Tabacco . But to proceed .

This Monsieur Nicot , being of the councell of the French king , and by him sent of Embassage to the king of Portugall , whilst he yet was lieger there , wold make often resort to see in the records of that country , what diuersity of matter , strange accidents , or other matter of note might best fit the memory of a man of his estate ▪ among other he found that at such a time this Tabacco had been sent as a present ( worthy the gratefullest acceptaunce ) from Florida thither , who happily desirous to trie of what trueth a thing of such miracle might be , was by a gentleman ( keeper of the Records ) presented with a root therof , which he presently planted in his garden , intending to try if the fame of the thing were no greater than the thing it selfe , which soone he found , by an aduenture which happened ere he thought of it , for before himselfe had made triall herof to the particular ●se of any , it fortuned that a boy which had long time been wearilie tormented and greeued with a dangerous infection or sore , commonly called , Noli me tangere , had gotten some one leafe of this hearbe , and thinking nothing could make his sore worse than it was , applied it to his face , where the sore had eaten away the flesh most pitifullie , and almost rotted his nosthrils , and other partes which it wrought on , ( as the nature of such a Canker is ) hauing thus applied the hearbe some few times , report was made to the Embassadour how good effect it had wrought , herevpon Monsieur Nicot , caused the childe after he had been with him eight or tenne daies , to be sent to the kings Phisition to haue his counsell , if he saw it needfull , or at the least to iudge and see what good this Tab●cco had wrought in so dangerous a sore . The kings Phisition ( yet all Phisiti●ions will not doe so ) immediatlie refused to take the child into his hand to cure , although happily he might haue had much mony for a little paine : but tould the Embassadour that the force of the disease and poyson was alreadie destroied by the applying of this Tabacco , and so it was indeed , for within very short time , the patient recouered and became very sound and perfectly healed of his sore .

Afterward , that triall might be made what nature it had in working in other kinde of sores , it fortuned that the Embassadors cooke had most pitifully ●ut his hand , with one of those great chopping knifes they vse to cut or shread meat withall , who almost despairing of helpe , shewed vnto the steward of the house how sorely he was hurt , and how much he ●eared the danger of the blow : the Steward forthwith counceld him to take of Tabacco , and to apply it to the hurt , which after he had done halfe a dosen times , he found his hand very whole and perfectly well , in so much that within few daies the qualitie and nature of this hearbe was very famous in the kinges court , and became as much desired as it was wondered at : and yet that a confirmation herof might be had , A gentleman of good accoumpt who was long time knowne to haue had an vlcer on his legge , for the space of two yeares , desired that the Embassadour would be pleased to bestow some leaues of Tabacco on him ( for he did intend after the triall of much surgery , to see if beyond hope any helpe might be found in this hearbe for an incurable euill ) who gaue him of it , and willed him to apply it 〈◊〉 fir●● 〈…〉 the greene leaues , and their ●o bruise them that the iuice may come forth , and so to apply it to the place infected , which hauing done by the space of nine or tenne daies , he was cured by this , which happely had cost his purse largely , and might haue been to his infinit paine , had he not found this remedie , which cost but little , and redeemed health , with the smallest trauaile that euer Phisicke found ou● .

And yet further , to a gentlewoman that had a dart rotten in her face , and was past all cure & care of Surgery , the Embassadour caused to be applied this hearbe , not presuming it were able to heale her ( that had no hope left her of better than that which she endured ) but desirous to see if it were possible to be healed with Tabacco , which neither Art nor Phisicke could preuaile with : hoping that at the least if it did no good , yet it could doe no ill ; and see , he had not applyed this a fortnight , but the gentlewoman was restored to her health , and the sore became perfectly healed , for which so good hap , the poore gentlewoman would often repaire to the Embassadour , yeelding him infinite thankes for his happy endeuour that turned to so good end .

There was likewise a Captaine , whose sonne had that mortall and almost incurable desease which we call the Kinges euill , ( because thought to be cured by none but the Princes themselues ) he often resorted to the Embassador , bringing with him his sonne , to whome Monsieur Nicot ministred this 〈◊〉 , ( ordered as before ) and it wa● not long ere he as the rest was made sound and well , without that euer any thing else was ministred vnto him than Tabacco .

The fame and esteeme of Tabacco beeing come into so great request among those of the kinges court , the Embassadour grew with great diligence and regard to note the vertues therof , and as it were to fore-tell vnto himselfe some great woonder of strange import , ( such commonly men conceiue when their hopes exceeding ordinarie bounds , affect that , that happely they finde effected , beyond the common course of conceipt ) and it was euen about that time , when Monsieur Nico● hauing receiued newes that the Lady Monteg●y , a germaine borne , did perish , and as it were went after her death to her graue , sorely vexed with an vlcer ingendred of the perilous and hellish sore which we before spake of , and call Noli me tangere ; and that at the same instant the Countesse of Ruffe hauing her face perished with a dart , ( the like whereof we had also before ) and she hauing now long time had the counsell and often aduises of the best Phisitions that France could affoord , which you may thinke a Ladie of such high esteeme would trie to the highest straine ere she would die , if Phisick might saue her , and that be had for any mony ; but when those had left her , and she remained alone left to her last fortune , she vsed of this hearbe , and was cured ; for it was not long after that king Frances the second , as likewise the queen mother , had receiued roots hereof , which came commended to them from Lisbone , with the man●r how to vse and apply it to the sicke .

Other experiences hereof were made by the lord of Iarwicke gouerner of Rochel , who in a solempne feast made open report at the queen mothers table , to M. Nicot how he had distilled this Tabacco with an ●ther little hearb or weed , which he found in the woods , and had therby cured one extreamlie pained with the dsease called Asmaticke , the nature of which disease is , to stop the passage of the wind , and make vs breath vneasily .

This hearbe in fourme much resembleth Consonde , and is of so neer a likenesse and resemblance , that you would iudge it to be the greater Consond .

The maine stalke of Tabacco groweth vpright , & big in proportion , his leaues are velueted , and are in growth bigger and larger at the stalke than towards the end of the leafe , resembling the plaine fourme of any other leafe not ragged , saue that you shall haue some leaues broader and larger than both your hands , and in length as much as three hands breadth .

Some you shall haue growing very high , somtimes to the heigth of nine or ten foote , yea somtimes a cubit , but that fortunes according to the ordering of it when it is sowne .

The leaues somtimes grow halfe a foot distant the one from the other , if it hath any great heigth .

The floure of the Tabacco is much like the floure of Niel , sometimes yellow , and somtimes of a carnation colour , and som●times in fourme like a bell .

And when it casteth the flower , it leaues the former proportion , and taketh the semblance of an apple , in which you may finde the seeds inclosed very small , appearing not much vnlike to Iusquiasm seedes , which are yellowish : but when they grow to be toward their full ripenesse , then they appeare more neare to a blacke . In those regions from whence we receiued first the knowledge hereof , Tabacco hath both floure , seed , and leafe , at one instant , but the reason is , those countries of the Indians are better and apter to bring forth sooner such hot hearbes than a cold climate . In the nine or tenth month it springeth very much at the foot , for then is the roote fastned into the ground with a great sort of very weake strings .

Who would make experiment of the greene leafe , to apply it to any vlcer , sore , or cut , shall in brusing of it finde a iuice thicke and slimie , but in the smell it is indifferentlie well sauoring , although such as haue no vse of the smell would iudge it strong and noisom , in tast it is somewhat biting , it is drie in the first degree , and whosoeuer would haue it good , should doe wel to sow it in the hottest and most fertill ground , for such it requireth .

The best place wherin it will most prosper and be naturally planted in our countries , is where the sunne shineth most , and if it be possible against some wall which may defend it from the North winde , which is an infinite enemy to this hearbe , and withall it were conuenient that no winde at all , beeing ouer rigourous , should come neere it , for the weakenesse of the stalke caused by the high growth of the hearbe , is such , that a small winde will blow it downe , vnlesse happily it be deeply rooted . If the weather be ouer drie , it will desire much watering . Cold kils this , and therefore all means are to be vsed against it .

Who would sow it , ought by the opinion of the best skild in Phisicke , to take this order , first take a dosen seeds of those which you finde inclosed in that part of the seede which resembleth the bell , and put them togither into one hole , about three inches deep in the ground , and the cause why you are to plant it deepe is because the seeds be very small and little , and might be choaked . If the weather be ouer drie , you shall doe well to water it fifteene daies together . It may be sowne in manner like the hearbe Laistich , whose seeds are mingled with earth or sand .

It will seeme long ere it appeare aboue ground , but that will be according to the nature of the ground , and yet euen then it will be longer than many other seedes , but immediatly as soone as you see it begin to spring , you shall couer it as much as you can conueniently , least that frosts , or cold , or tempestious raine , nip it away , or wash it downe ; and after conuenient time of growth , you shall take it vp by the roote , cutting vp the ground round about , so that there may none of the strings of the roote be broken , which to preuent , you may very wel wash away the earth with water , and then replant it again , neer some wal , within two or three foot , but if the ground be not good there , ( as commonly it may happen ) then prepare with apte manuring it .

For the time of sowing it in England I agree rather with Monardes than these two , who say it is best sowing it in the midst of Aprill , but I would rather hold it better to sow it in March , for the same occasion that Monardes writeth , howbeit Stephen and Liebault write that the Spaniards and Indians sow it after haruest .

It is hot and drie in the second degree , and therfore fit vndoubtedly to purge and clense , by experience ( they affirme ) it hath healed Noli me tangere , so named because it resembleth I thinke a curst shrew that must not be toucht when shee is angry .

It hath healed the disease called the Wolfe , the Canker , the kings euill , all old sores , wounds , ●etters , broad biles , Apostumes , pricking of the fish called Viues , ( the nature of whose touch is to procure infinite bleeding euen to death ) and diuerse other diseases , which experience hath not yet brought to light .

These men affirme that who so hath the gout , and when the extreamitie of the paine beginneth , rubbeth the infected place with oyle Oliue , and afterwards apply warme leaues of Tabacco , shall find great ease .

Who taketh the leaues and seeths them in water , and maketh thereof a sirupe with sugar , and receiueth of it euerie morning to the quantitie of two ownces , shall finde how much power it hath to dissolue grosse humors , to ease the hard drawing of the breath , breake an old cough or fleume , & how it causeth dissolution of hard swellings in the body , if before the receipt heerof we receiue some vniuersall purge , and then the iuice of the leaues vnstop the kidney , and softneth the hardnesse by being onely applied vnto the region of the kidny : and in case we want of the leaues , the pouder mingled with any ointment proper to such an euill , is auailable . The same means auaileth in coldnesse of the stomacke , the bellie , the collique , and the inward partes , being applied to the Nauil .

They affirme that in France a man hauing a sore vlcer , or impostume , caused by the euil of naples , that we cal in English the French something , was immediatly cured therof .

It is a singular remedie against soundings , to receiue the smoke as we vse with pipes ; & that which is more strange than the world wold credit , the inhabitants of Florida often nourish themselues four or fiue daies together by the smoke , neither eating nor drinking any thing whatsoeuer , and this is most certainly confirmed by that which he writeth .

More than this writeth Liebault , that there are which distill water of the green leaues of Tabacco in a Limbecke of glasse , which water is no lesse singular in all effects , than the very iuice , helping all wounds , sores , and bruses , euen restoring to men which by some aduenture haue lost their nailes , new ones , by washing that part with the water destilled , and afterward wrapping them vp in fine linnen clothes , dipt in the water .

Some there are also who ( to speake like a Chimist ) doe distill oyle of Tabacco , per descensum , which oile , these authors ( agreing with the Paracelsians ) preferre before all other applications , either of leaues , iuice , or pouder , because the quintescences and extractions drawne out of the simples , are the subtill spirit , and haue the purest vertue and facultie of the substance from the which they are drawne .

They prescribe vnto vs this kinde of receipt , Take of the choisest and most substantial leaues of this Tabacco one pound , beat them in a morter of Marble , after take halfe a pound of sweet hogs grease , refind and clarified , without salt , and this being melted , ad to it the Tabacco , and set it ouer a soft fire to seeth deliberatly , vntill such time as you finde the waterish humour of the Tabacco vapoured away , and that the mingled substances retaine the fourme of a perfect ointment , this reserue for a singular and medicinable good .

Another is this , Take Rosel , new wax , and turpentine , of each three ounces , melt them togither , and then adde vnto them a pound of Tabacco prepared as before , mingle them togither , and after with a slow fire set them to incorporat , seething togither fiue or sixe howers , vntill the water of the Tabacco be cleane vapoured away , after this is done , straine it through a course linnen cloath , that may be very strong : afterward take halfe a pound of Venice Turpentine , and infuse it into these thinges beforesaid , without any more boyling of it , but stirring it continually vntill it be cold , afterwards preserue these as pretious ointments : touching their effects ; the first of these two is the better for sores , vlcers , carbuncles , tetters , and to dissolue , than the second , because Tabacco hath so much the more efficacy , by how much there are fewer commixions . The second is better than the first , to consolidate any wound , dissolue impostumes and swellings , & to appease their rage .

Further you may make a singular Baulme , by cutting greene leaues of Tabacco and putting them into a glasse well stopt , if you set it a good time in hot water , or in the sunne , or buried in Ventre equino , by the space of fortie daies , and doubtlesse you shal finde so singular a baulme as shal not be lesse admirable ( say mine authours ) than that oile which is made by the Paracelsians for all kind of vses that shall be desired in a hearbe of that nature .

AeGidius Eurartus in his discourse De herba Panacaea , writeth , how a certaine woman had giuen her cat a very strong poyson , when the poore cat was now in that taking that she could not stand with dissinesse , and striued to void forth the poison in vaine , the woman remembring her selfe , found means to open her iawes , and making a little ball of brused Tabacco , mingled with butter , thrust it into hir mouth , and so swallowing it downe , within a short time shee cast vp all the poison and so was saued .

L●o 〈◊〉 wils that we should gather the leaues in the moneth of Iuly , and then bruse and distill them in a double Limbecke , with two spouts of glasse , and keepe this a yeare , for ( saith he ) this receiued to the quantitie of an ounce , for the increasing of health in a sicke stomacke , is most effectuall .

There is likewise a Salt and an Oile to be made of Tabacco , both of them more singular and effectuall for all diseases , than either the leaues , or iuice , or water , which the Paracelsians and Chimists generally agree in , because they will that in this oyle should be contained the true life and naturall vertue in greater substance and better qualitie than any of the other .

Iacobus Gohorius a Parisien , teacheth vs this maner of making of the Salt . First ( saith he ) calcine this Tabacco , and afterward dissolue it ; poure it into a pipkin , and let it vapour according to reason , this shal be singular for vlcers , and such like , and this is the maner of drawing salt out of all vegitable things , burne your hearbe first in the fire , ( yet some vse to drie it in the shadow ) but being euen burnt to ashes , you haue the more salt ; afterward taking a leaden vessell full of most pure cleare water , infuse these ashes , which being set to the fire , let it boile some quantitie , and then poure it into an other vessell , where receiuing it in a clean cloth , let it hang a while by the fire , that the water may drie it selfe cleane away , and not to haue any moisture remaining , and in this cloath being so drie , shall you find that Salt .

Another maner is this , take the hearbe being dried , and put it into a close pipkin , vnder which you shall make fire , vntil it be burnt into a fine white ashe , then let it boile in raine water , or distilled water , vntill the fourth part be consumed , then let it stand a while , and after poure it into an other vessell , which shall be full of pure and cleare water , and that which shall goe out of the pipkin , euaporat with a slow fire into a glas-bottle , and the Salt shal remaine in the bottome .

Leonardus Fier●nantus a famous Phisition of our time , writes that he tooke the roote and seed of Tabacco , and brused them togither , in a morter , the leaues waighed ( saith he ) foure poundes , afterward he went and laid them in Ventre equin● , by the space of thirtie daies , and to the end that it might not corrupt , he put in some Salt , with sixe ounces of Aqua vitae , then distilling it in Balneo Mariae , euen to the extraction of al the moistnesse , and to the end he might the better conserue it , he added so much oile of Sulpher that it euen smelt of it , and with this composition he serued his turne in sundry occasions : those which were troubled with agues he was wont to cure heereby , giuing them but one spoonfull at once , those which were wounded or otherwise hurt , if they did either drinke hereof , or bath their wounds in some quantity of it , not without great admiration , he vsed to to cure .

These be the opinions that be tearmed Receptiores of this plant , i. that be more receiued than the rest ; and these I haue deliuered therfore , not of mine owne ( otherwise than of mine owne collection ) but from the best Phisitions that haue written latest thereof : if therfore the natures of Tabacco , and the diuerse qualities it hath , be more confirmed than before , it is well , if not , it is neuer the worse , I meane it shall neuer the more nor disable nor derogate from it : this I say , because there be so many heads as there be bodies to beare them , & so many wits , and so many iudgements will follow ; some of knowledge , some of experience , some of fancie , some one way , some another , euery man according to his humor : well , the plant hath growen , the Phisition written , and the author of this worke hath gathered , who wisheth euery one his due , the planter , the writer , and the reader .

FINIS .