CHAP. XXVI.Of Compound Bryony Water.
Thewhite Bryony-root, from whence this Water takes its Name, is one of the largest Roots we are acquainted with. It is of an oblong Shape, and is frequently met with of the Thickness of a Man’s Arm, sometimes of twice or three times that Bigness. Its Texture is somewhat lax and spungy; considerably heavy, but so soft that the thickest Pieces are easily cut through with one Stroke of a Knife: It is very juicy, and is externally of a brownish or yellowish white Colour, and of a pure white within: It is of a disagreeable Smell, and an acrid and nauseous Taste.
Take of the Roots of Bryony four Pounds; wild Valerian-root one Pound; of Penny-royal and Rue, of each two Pounds; of the Flowers of Fever-few, and Tops of Savin, of each four Ounces; of the Rind of fresh Orange-peel, and Lovage-seeds,of each Half a Pound: Cut or bruise these Ingredients and infuse them in eleven Gallons of Proof Spirit, and two Gallons of Water, and draw off ten Gallons with a gentle Heat.
Or,
Take of fresh Bryony-root four Pounds; of the Leaves of Rue and Mugwort, of each four Pounds; of the Tops of Savin six Handfuls; of Fever-few, Catmint and Penny-royal, of each four Handfuls; of Orange-peel eight Ounces; of Myrrh four Ounces; ofRussiaCastor, two Ounces; Proof Spirit eleven Gallons, Water two Gallons. Digest, and distil as before.
This Composition is very unpalatable, but excellently adapted to the Intention of an Hysteric, in which Cases it is used with Success. It is very forcing upon the Uterus, and therefore given to promote Delivery, and forward the proper Cleansings afterwards; as also to open Menstrual Obstructions, and in abundance of other Female Complaints. It is also good against Convulsions in Children, and of service in all nervous Complaints in either Sex.
It may not be amiss to observe here, that the oily Parts of the Ingredients will often render the Water foul and milky. If therefore the Distiller desires to have it fineand transparent, the Receiver must be removed as soon as the Liquor at the Worm appears the least turbid, which will be long before the Faints begin to rise. The Water, however, is not the worse for being milky, with regard to its Medicinal Virtue. Some, when the Liquor is milky, throw in a little burnt Allum to fine it; but this should never be done, because it spoils the Medicine.