A Balsamic Mixture.
Take Balsam of Capive half an ounce; dissolve it in the Yolks of 2 Eggs, and add white Sryrup 2 ounces; white Wine 8 ounces; at last strain it.
Copayba I know, by great Experience, to be a most noble Medicament, and had I the placing of it, it should stand in the fore front of the very best Balsams. But because its not commonly known so well as it deserves, I shall not grudge a little Pains in setting forth, and briefly explaining some of its Properties.
It hath a bitter, hot Terebinthine Taste, very penetrating and durable in the Mouth, and though it seems to be of the Turpentine Class, yet it gives not the Violent smell to Urine, but imbues it with a manifest bitter Taste, and wonderfully takes off the muriatic Saltness of it, and of the Serum of the Blood, and of Saliva.
It impresseth a Balsamic character on the Mass of Blood cures it scorbutic, rancid, and putredinous Cachexy. Is prevalent (both externally and internally) against Ulcers, the Palsy, Gout, Weakness and Pains of the Back, as also Fluor Albus and Gonorrhaea.
It in a wonderful manner deterges the Reins, Ureters and. Bladder, when obstructed with Sand, Mucous or Pus; strengthens them when relaxed, and heals them when ulcerated.
It provokes Urine, extinguishes its Heat, and cleanses off its bloody, soul and purulent Contents, more effectually, than any thing I ever yet met with. A Patient of mine (now living) who voided meer Chyle instead of Urine, and not one drop of Water with it, and had great Pains and Weakness, was restor'd to perfect Health and Soundness by the use of this Medicine.
It may very justly be accounted the best of all Thoracics: Deterges the Bronchia and Vesicles, recovers the Tone of the Lungs, heals their Breaches, and (as I have thought) even dissolves the Tubercula cruda, for I have seen, where this Balsam alone, hath (beyond all Expectation) perfectly cur'd dry, deep Coughs, that appeared horribly dangerous, and manifestly threatned a Consumption. And I have more than once, cured with it Coughing up of Blood and Pus in frightful quantities. At this very time of writing, I have a poor Workman, that is an eminent Instance of it.
And notwithstanding it is intensly Bitter, and manifestly Hot, yet (which is an admirable Advantage of it) I have found it mighty agreeable to Hectic Persons, and rather abates, than augments their Heats, as one might fear it would. The reason of which is, I suppose, because it so powerfully subdues Saltness and Acrimony, and obliterates putredinous Inquinations.
If it be given 2 or 3 drams, in the form of a white Potion, it purges like Turpentine.
Some cry it up for a Diarrhea and Dysentery; but of these Virtues, I know not much yet by Experience.
But to conclude, this Mixture cannot be accus'd of any Inconvenience, except you'l blame it (forsooth) because though its an honest benign Medicine, yet its not very complaisant to the Palate.
Let a spoonful be given every Night and Morn daily, for a long time together. If it loosen the Belly more then you desire, either lessen the Dose, or now and then at times omit it.
Thomas Fuller
Pharmacopeia Extemporanea 1710