This Composition is very unpalatable, but excellently adapted to the Intention of an Hysteric, in which Cases it is used with Success. It is very forcing upon the Uterus, and therefore given to promote Delivery, and forward the proper Cleansings afterwards; as also to open Menstrual Obstructions, and in abundance of other Female Complaints. It is also good against Convulsions in Children, and of service in all nervous Complaints in either Sex.
It may not be amiss to observe here, that the oily Parts of the Ingredients will often render the Water foul and milky. If therefore the Distiller desires to have it fine and transparent, the Receiver must be removed as soon as the Liquor at the Worm appears the least turbid, which will be long before the Faints begin to rise. The Water, however, is not the worse for being milky, with regard to its Medicinal Virtue. Some, when the Liquor is milky, throw in a little burnt Allum to fine it; but this should never be done, because it spoils the Medicine.
CHAP. XXVII.
Of compound Baum Water, commonly called Eau de Carmes.
This has its Name (Eau de Carmes) from the Carmelite Friars who were the Inventors of it. The great Profit accruing to these Fathers, from the Sale of this Cordial, induced them to keep the Method of making it a Secret; but notwithstanding all their Care the Secret has at last been discovered, and the following is the Method by which they prepare it.
Recipe for two Gallons of Eau de Carmes.
Take of the fresh Leaves of Baum four Pounds; of the yellow Peel, or Rind of Lemons, two Pounds; of Nutmegs and Coriander-seeds of each one Pound; of Cloves, Cinnamon, and Angelica-root, of each Half a Pound. Pound the Leaves, bruise the other Ingredients, and put them with two Gallons of fine Proof Spirit into a large Glass Alembic (the Figure of which with its Head is represented on the Plate, Fig. 7.) stop the Mouth, and place it in a Bath-Heat to digest two or three Days. Then open the Mouth of the Alembic, and add a Gallon of Baum Water, and shake the whole well together. After this place the Alembic in Balneum Mariæ, and distil till the Ingredients are almost dry; and preserve the Water thus obtained in Bottles well stopped.
This Water has been long famous both at London and Paris, and carried thence to most Parts of Europe. It is a very elegant Cordial, and very extraordinary Virtues are attributed to it; for it is esteemed very efficacious not only in Lowness of Spirits, but even in Apoplexies; and is greatly commended in Cases of the Gout in the Stomach.
CHAP. XXVIII.
Of Ladies Water.
This Water has its Name from its Dearness, being much fitter for the Closet than to be sold in a Shop; but as it is an excellent Cordial, I could not omit giving it a Place here.