Volume 1

The farrier's dispensatory. In three parts. Containing first, a description of the medicinal simples commonly made use of in the diseases of horses ... Secondly, the preparations of simples, vegetable, animal, and mineral ... Thirdly, a number of useful compositions and receipts suited to the cure of all diseases. To which is also added, a compleat index of all the medicines contained in the book ... with a table of diseases pointing to the remedies proper in each malady / [W. Gibson].

  • Gibson, W. (William), 1680?-1750.
Date:
M.DCC.XXXIV
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The farrier's dispensatory. In three parts. Containing first, a description of the medicinal simples commonly made use of in the diseases of horses ... Secondly, the preparations of simples, vegetable, animal, and mineral ... Thirdly, a number of useful compositions and receipts suited to the cure of all diseases. To which is also added, a compleat index of all the medicines contained in the book ... with a table of diseases pointing to the remedies proper in each malady / [W. Gibson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The Farriers THfpenfatory. Parti. Under this Sedtion are contained Roots, Herbs, Leaves, Flowers, Seeds, Fruits, Gums, and harden’d Juices, na¬ tural Balfoms, Woods, and Barks. But before we proceed to their particular Defcriptions, we fhall premife fome few general Hints concerning their gathering and keeping. And fird, as to Roots. Thefe are bell taken up in the Begin¬ ning of the Spring, before the Leaves ihoot forth. Herbs are at their bed: when they begin to dower, and Ihould be gather’d when there is neither Rain nor Dew upon them, and ought to be dried in the Shade. Some may be kept much longer than others, but whenever, any of them begin to lofe their frefh Colour, they are then no better than ill-got Hay, and fhould therefore be rejected as ufelefs. Mod Herbs yield more of their Virtues in Decodlion and Didil- lation when dry, than when they are frefh gathered, becaufe the phlegmatickParts which intangle their medicinal Virtues are eva¬ porated bv drying. Flowers and Seeds fhould in like Manner be gathered when there is neither Rain nor Dew upon them; but as Herbs are dried bed in the Shade, thefe ought always to be fpread out, and dried in the Sun, for the quicker they dry the better they preferve their Scent, and Colour. They ought always to be kept in a dry Place, and if they feem to grow dampifh, they mud a,gain be laid in the Sun, Thefe alfo loofe their Virtues, with their Scent and Colour. Mod Fruits are bed when they are full ripe ; but thofe whole Efficacy depends on the Rough- nefs of their Juices, as Sloes, Quinces, Sec. are chiedy of Ufe before they are quite ripe. Woods and Barks fhould alfo be carefully dried, and afterwards kept in a dry Place. Thefe may be preferved good a confiderable T ime; but the frefher they are, the more efficacious. Gums and hardened Juices are mod of them a foreign Produdt, and may be kept a confiderable Time. Thofe are the bed and fitted for Ufe that have the lead Mixture and Drofs. Of