(855)
after some time of exudation and insolation. The like whereof may be tried upon the Male peony, and other Plants of greatest fame and vertue; as well for Gums, Colours, Odors, &c. as for famous Juices. Mr. Evelyn can acquaint you of a Receipt, which he had in Italy, as a Specifick against Feavers from the Tappings of the Elme. I hear as much praise from the Oak, for stopping the Flux of Bloud by the way of Urine, whether it proceeds from the imbecility of Nature, or from the defects in the Bladder, Reins, or other inward passages, Some say as much for the juice of the Alder (though the Dwarf-Alder hath the highest praise) to cure or stop the Dropsie. And perhaps this large Natural Limbec, where it may be had, may sometimes prove more effectual, than our little, Artificial, and more troublesome Distillations. And the Congeniality of the Sun in his alternative visits, and the assiduous intercourse of the free Air, with the Spirit of the Plant yet living and growing, may have a more effectual influence for a Specific vertue, than we are apt to imagine, Though we cannot see nor hear the Lungs of Vegetables beating, yet we may sometimes smell their Breath strong enough, both to please and offend exceedingly; as in Savin, Firrs, Cypress, Elder, Rosemary, Mirtles, and generally in all Blossomers. And some that cannot be smelt by us, may yet have a very wholsome breath. One Experiment I will here bestow on you. When both my hands were manacled for many years (and sometimes my Armes also) with deep corroding Teaters; to the blush of my many friendly Physitians, and in despight of many of the best Medicines and Purgations, all was suddenly heal'd, and hath so continued these 20 years, by the application of the Gum of Plum-trees dissolved in Vinegar. I must not forget to add, that I applyed Vine-leaves, and sometimes open'd Raisins to draw a moisture from those Teaters some few dayes before I used the Gum.
Dr. T. is of opinion, that Sap alwayes rises, and never properly descends, having onely a kind of subsiding or recidivation, which he saith he cannot call a Circulation, nor resemble to the motion of Liquors in Pellican; but rather to the sinking of Liquors in an Alembec, whilst the thinner parts are forced over the helm; yet somewhat imitating the motion of
