2lJ
THE
eighth book
O F
Natural Magick:
D
Of Physical Experiments*
The Proem b.
I Intended to pass by theft following Experiments in *P hyp because I have everywhere
mentioned them in my History os Plants ; and we have not omitted any thing, that wascertatn and secret in them that we knew , unless tt be such things as could not be broughtinto that rank. And though other things shall be described in my Boos of C Dtstillations ,yet that this place of Physics be not left empty , I changed my optmon , and have set downsome os them here,
Chap. I.
Of Medicines which cause sleep.
Hat we may in order set down those Experiments, of which weintend to Jpeak, we will begin with those Diseases which hap-pen in the Head ; and first, with Sleep : for Soporiferous Rc-ceits are very reqnifite to be placed amongst these Arcana, andare of very great esteem amongst Physicians, who by Sleepare wont ro rheir rheir Patients of vain : and not of less . a-
intend to speak, we will begin with those Diseases which hap
m-^st Captains and Genera!s,when they practice Srratagemes
upon their Enemies. Soporiferous Medicines do consist for
upon their Enemies. Soporiferous Medicines do consist forthe most part of cold and moist things. Plutarch in Simpos.
faith, That Sleep is caused by cold ; and therefore Dormitives have a cooling quality*We will teach, first, bow
7o cause Sleep with Mandrake.
Vioscortdes faith, That men will presently fall asleep in the very same posture where-in they dri^k Mandrake, losing all their senses for three or four hours after ; andthai Physicians do use it, when they would burn or cut off a member* And skilfulmen affirm , Thar Minduke growing by a Vine, will transmit its Soporifercu- qua-lity into it; so that tho'e that who drink the Wine that is made thereof, shall moreeasily and readily fall asleep. Here we will relate the pleasant stories os the Man-drake out of Authors of Stratagems, funius Frominus reports, That Hannibal beingsent by the Charthagenians, against some Rebels in Africa z and knowing they werea diction greedy of Wine, mixed a great quantity of Mandrake with his Wines;the quality of which, is between poyfonous and sleepy i then beginning a light Skir-mish, he retired on purpose ; and in the middle of the Night, counterfeited a flighr,leaving sonic Baggage in his Camp, and all the infected Wine. Now when thoseBarbarians had took hisCamp, and for joy, had liberally tasted of that treacherousWine 5 he returned, took and stew them all,as they lay dead as it were before. Po-Itnaus the same. And Ctsar sailing towards Nicomcdia, was taken about Malea bysome CisicUn Pirates ; and when they demanded a great Ransome for bis Liberty,he promised them double what they asked. They arrived at Miletum: the people
Hh
catue