Examination of Officinal Medicines

bitter substances for the affections of the heart are praised by everyone. Perhaps a portion of bile, which remains in the ducts of the liver, or perhaps the wormwood in which it is preserved, or the Myrrh mixed in during preparation according to the advice of Zwelfer Joannes Zwelfer (1618–1668), a prominent German physician and chemist known for his influential pharmacopoeia provides this effect, if indeed the liver of a wolf original: "epar lupi" has any value at all. Thus, they are accustomed to snatching away prey that would be envied by dogs and crows, and to redeeming from butchers, hunters, and executioners at an unworthy price that which would otherwise be entirely useless.

What prevents us from referring here to the blood of the Goat, the Stag, or the Donkey? To what purpose is the Rennet of the Hare and the Kid; the gall of fish, of the partridge, of the bull, and the rarer Gallstone of the ox? What need is there for the fat of dogs and the manes of horses amidst such a great multitude of better and less nauseating things? As if indeed, for dissolving blood clots, for inducing sweat, for calming the furies of maniacs or epileptic seizures and so forth, innumerable medicines—and indeed excellent, entirely blameless ones—were not available. Is this how we deserve the honors and dignity of gracious Physicians? When we comfort the wretched with stinking assistance. And although some benefit may occasionally redound to the sick from remedies of this kind, it does not yet follow that they ought to be administered; for what is permitted to a Quack original: "Medicastro," a derogatory term for an unskilled or pretender physician is not immediately becoming of a noble Physician, whose duty it is not only to cure the sick, but to cure them as quickly, safely, and even as pleasantly as possible, if indeed he wishes to uphold the name of a prudent man.

Does it not 5. conflict with the rules of decency for the pharmacy original: "pharmacopolium" to be adorned with Penises and Testicles original: "Priapis Testiculisque", things which no one otherwise touches without shame, nor even names. Yet, so that variety may delight, there is preserved the Penis of the Stag, another of the Whale, another of the Bull, another of the Fox; although far more pleasing foods may be found, such as soft-boiled eggs, snails, and oysters with highly savory jellies, which are able to increase the seed and temper sharp humors with their gluten—the very quality uniquely sought in these organs. But if, nevertheless, something of this sort must be prescribed from the Shop, it is only right to make up for the loss