en remit, and let nature have some
rest. The most gentle purges to begin with, are [4255]senna, cassia,
epithyme, myrabolanea, catholicon: if these prevail not, we may proceed to
stronger, as the confection of hamech, pil. Indae, fumitoriae, de
assaieret, of lapis armenus and lazuli, diasena. Or if pills be too dry;
[4256]some prescribe both hellebores in the last place, amongst the rest
Aretus, [4257]"because this disease will resist a gentle medicine."
Laurentius and Hercules de Saxonia would have antimony tried last, "if the
[4258]party be strong, and it warily given." [4259]Trincavelius prefers
hierologodium, to whom Francis Alexander in his _Apol. rad. 5._ subscribes,
a very good medicine they account it. But Crato in a counsel of his, for
the duke of Bavaria's chancellor, wholly rejects it.

I find a vast chaos of medicines, a confusion of receipts and magistrals,
amongst writers, appropriated to this disease; some of the chiefest I will
rehearse. [4260]To be seasick first is very good at seasonable times.
Helleborismus Matthioli, with which he vaunts and boasts he did so many
several cures, [4261]"I never gave it" (saith he), "but after once or
twice, by the help of God, they were happily cured." The manner of making
it he sets down at large in his third book of Epist. to George Hankshius a
physician. Walter Bruel, and Heurnius, make mention of it with great
approbation; so doth Sckenkius in his memorable cures, and experimental
medicines, _cen. 6. obser. 37._ That famous Helleborisme of Montanus, which
he so often repeats in his consultations and counsels, as _28. pro. melan.
sacerdote, et consil. 148. pro hypochondriaco_, and cracks, [4262] "to be a
most sovereign remedy for all melancholy persons, which he hath often given
without offence, and found by long experience and observations to be such."

Quercetan prefers a syrup of hellebore in his _Spagirica Pharmac._ and
Hellebore's extract _cap. 5._ of his invention likewise ("a most safe
medicine and not unfit to be given children") before all remedies
whatsoever. [4263]

Paracelsus, in his book of black hellebore, admits this medicine, but as it
is prepared by him. [4264]"It is most certain" (saith he) "that the virtue
of this herb is great, and admirable in effect, and little differing from
balm itself; and he that knows well how to make use of it, hath more art
than all their books contain, or all the doctors in Germany can show."

Aelianus Montaltus in hi