2. Ointments are vulgarly known to be kept in pots, and will last above a year, some above two years.
CHAPTER XI.
Of Plaisters.
1. The Greeks made their plaisters of divers simples, and put metals into the most of them, if not all; for having reduced their metals into powder, they mixed them with that fatty substance whereof the rest of the plaister consisted, whilst it was thus hot, continually stirring it up and down, lest it should sink to the bottom; so they continually stirred it till it was stiff; then they made it up in rolls, which when they needed for use, they could melt by the fire again.
2. The Arabians made up theirs with oil and fat, which needed not so long boiling.
3. The Greeks emplaisters consisted of these ingredients, metals, stones, divers sorts of earth, feces, juices, liquors, seeds, roots, herbs, excrements of creatures, wax, rosin, gums.
CHAPTER XII.
Of Poultices.
1. Poultices are those kind of things which the Latins call Cataplasmata, and our learned fellows, that if they can read English, that’s all, call them Cataplasms, because ’tis a crabbed word few understand; it is indeed a very fine kind of medicine to ripen sores.