The Decoction called Sacrum.
Take Virginia Snake Root powder'd 6 drams; boil it in Water 1 pint to half a pint; strain and reserve the Liquor by it self: boil the remaining root in a pint more of Water to half a pint as before (adding when it is near boiled enough, Cochineal half a scruple;) strain it, and having mixed together both the Liquors, dissolve in it Venice Treacle half an ounce; Hony 1 ounce; and then strain it once more for use.
Here I present you with a most desirable Alexipharmack, second to none, for it inspires as 'twere, the Blood and Juices flowing in the Vessels and Viscera with a new Ferment; and by moving them gently, and keeping them in an equable uniform mixture, frees them from Coagulation and Putrefaction. By the same kindly Agitation it dissipates the Poison Particles that began to gather in tumultuous Clusters, and hinders their coming to Maturation; and then so occupies, animates and confirms the Blood and Spirits, as to defend them from taking the Venemous Impression: Or if the pestilent Miasme hath already Infected the Blood, it snatcheth it away from its hold with a powerful Hand, and throws it out by Diaphoresis.
Its use is very great in Fevers, Mali moris, where the Blood and Spirits want Encouragement; particularly, I have known it eminently available in a Symptomatick Diarrhea: Howbeit, I have seen where it has caused a loose Stool or two ( even as sometimes also the Cortex will do) add to this its a most noble Stomachic, Histeric and Authelminthic.
Since Dr. Sydenham hath set a-Foot the cold Regimen in the Small Pox, Measles, &c. for which all Posterity is bound to celebrate his Memory with Honour and Gratitude: Some Physicians (who distinguish not well) have carried it on too far, and disallow'd of all hot things in all Cases. And upon this Account it hath been objected to me, that this Decoction is so hot, that 'twill Fire the Blood. Now I am sometimes of a Judge in this Matter, having used it freely for many Years; and I profess, I never yet found any such ill Effect of it; and I must believe that these Objectors are not Experimentally acquainted with it, and have not been very Conversant in the management of such Malignant Fevers, as are not Inflammatory, but Depressing.
Its Dose is 2 or 3 Spoonfuls every Hour, or seldomer as the present State of the Fever requires.
Thomas Fuller
Pharmacopeia Extemporanea 1710