Abhomeron Abynzohar & Colliget Auerroys (Medical Compendium)

Turnips sharpen vision and illuminate the eyes of the aged. See 41. u./ below tri. 7. s. 18.

[it] is found to be heavier, and gross humors arise from it. And because it is bread, the more it lingers, the more it hardens; and its indigestions multiply, and as dryness increases, for this reason dry humors are generated from it. Wherefore I forbid eating it. ¶ And they say that eating fresh meat immediately after its slaughter is very good and beneficial. However, meat that comes from animals having tough flesh, such as turtledoves, cranes, and wild ducks, and such like, should be eaten after their slaughter: 13 hours in winter, and 7 hours in summer. ¶ And if I were to declare this, our discourse would be prolonged too much, and for this reason I intend to abbreviate it, so as to serve the requested good of the King. ¶ And they say also that fruits which have astringency, not exceeding [a certain measure], such as pomegranates, are beneficial to be consumed after food for those whose food is corrupted in the stomach by a smoky corruption, or by corruption like the odor of rotten eggs. Those, however, in whom food turns sour in the stomach must entirely beware of such things. Sweet pomegranates, however, do not harm them. ¶ The King’s experimenter says of things that: all that have strong astringency, such as the Pontic nature, as they are dry, gross, and hard terrestrial things, generate pain of the stomach, although in these a certain strengthening of the stomach might be found. Which do not benefit the stomach if they have strong astringency, but [only if] temperate, such as roses and the like. However, those having a gross, dry, terrestrial substance, if they are well decocted, harm the stomach less, except for beans, in which decoction does not remove the harm. ¶ And physicians say, and experience testifies to this, that eating scallions with the decoction of eryngo every morning on an empty stomach preserves one from pleurisy. ¶ And I remember that my father, of good memory, told me that those who have a loose bowel are not very prone to pleurisy. This he told me, and I learned many other good things from him, and from that time until I compiled this book, I have known [it] by experiment. ¶ Experience testifies that the emerald strengthens the stomach, and is beneficial for apoplexy if suspended by the neck, and if held in the mouth, it strengthens the teeth and the stomach. ¶ And to gaze firmly and acutely into the eyes of a wild ass preserves vision and is beneficial for the descent of water to the eyes; and in this is a miraculous property, and a divine gift for the preservation of the health of the eyes, and this is so without doubt.

capture the hares in the month of tamarisk

¶ It is certain and approved that eating the heads of hares, as many as can be found, is beneficial for the trembling of limbs. And I have already known by experience that they help greatly with the privation of the movements of the limbs, and of their senses; and this, some of the ancients have hardly mentioned. ¶ Physicians have said that drinking with vessels made from the wood of the tamarisk is beneficial against the sickness of the spleen and against other bad accidents arising in the spleen. ¶ And again I have known by experience that drinking a decoction of mastic preserves against the sickness of the stomach of the King. ¶ And they say again that drinking a decoction of melon seeds preserves and prevents the generation of stone in the kidneys. ¶ And if the instrument with which alchol, that is, powders for the eyes, is placed in the eyes, has been made of pure gold, it strengthens vision. ¶ And to place a coin of pure gold after its washing in the [vessel] for cooking grants strength to the cooking and will help the whole body. ¶ And to wash the eyes many times with rose water preserves them from the generation of bleariness; and to moisten them daily with rose water, [and to wipe them] until the body is clean of superfluities, strengthens vision.

Revelation according to the holy [unclear] concerning vines

¶ And I have already suffered in my eyes from strong vomiting, which abounded in me, and I incurred the dilation of the pupil in both eyes, for which I feared greatly. And there appeared to me in a dream a good one among the physicians of the eyes, who commanded me that I should put rose water or rose syrup into my eyes many times. And then I was studying in the science of medicine, but not yet experienced in it. And having recited this to my father, he said to me, while I was thinking after an hour, "Rise and do that which was commanded to you in the dream." And I did it immediately, and it benefited me greatly. And I have not ceased to act in this [manner] until I compiled this book. ¶ Also, I have long been experienced that cloves, pulverized and subtly sifted and sprinkled upon the top of the head at night in winter, prevent the descent of humidity and moisture of the brain to the nose. And the same [is true] for mace, if they are able to prepare it; and peppermint and the bark of the citron are said to do the same thing. ¶ Although peppermint is less effective than cloves in this case, likewise the bark

of the citron is proven to be less effective than mace. ¶ Likewise, it is said that the habitual union of the spine with washed olive oil preserves a man from becoming bent in old age. ¶ Likewise, almond oil is proven to contribute much to this. ¶ And some also affirm that sesame oil is able to do this same thing, but I say that almond oil is far more valuable for this than the aforesaid, for the reason that it is found to be of a more subtle substance, having in itself a little astringency. ¶ And you ought to know that astringent and subtle [medicines] are beneficial for all the principal members; wherefore, do not cease to place them in their medicines at all. ¶ And they say also that it is proven that eating the brains of sparrows and the marrow of males excites coitus. And turnips, if they are eaten cooked, whether with meats or without, do this same thing. And it is discovered by experiment that eating turnips has the power to sharpen and subtilize vision. ¶ And they also say that eating parsnips, cooked or raw, has the power to promote coitus. And the broth of red chickpeas is also said to do the same thing. And it is certain and proven that eating pigeon squabs—not very large nor small, not yet able to walk or fly—miraculously stirs up coitus. ¶ And they assert also that eating wild pigeons is a medicine for the relaxation of all the limbs, that is, of the whole body; this is for those who have [trouble] behind their legs and feet, and it is beneficial for the privation of the senses and the movement of the limbs, and their trembling, and for whom the loss of speech occurs. ¶ And they also say that smelling the breath of pigeons—and that which is resolved from their nostrils without their bodies from vapors, while staying in the chambers or their caverns near the places where they dwell and return—provided that one does not receive the odor of their dung, especially in summer, is beneficial for all the things mentioned above. ¶ And they say that washing the anus many times with lukewarm fresh water prevents hemorrhoids from occurring. ¶ And they say also that eating hazelnuts and walnuts with dried figs exists as a theriac against small poisons; and garlic is found to be stronger in this. ¶ And they say also that wearing the skins of hares strengthens all the limbs of the old and the young. And the skins of lambs are proven to be beneficial for children. ¶ And it is said and proven that smelling the breath of cats has the power to resume the radical moisture of the lungs and the whole body. ¶ And they say also that to accustom oneself to vinegar in one’s drinks and foods prevents the arrival of putrid fevers. And pepper is also proven to have the power to do this. ¶ And they say that eating stale and old meats is a cause of sicknesses. ¶ And they say also that among foods, fish are most harmful to the elderly. And they say that drinking sugar with cold water removes thirst. ¶ And they say that if one takes the silk of marine wool and hangs a serpent with it, it suffocates it; and if one hangs it around one’s neck, it provides security against quinsy. Otherwise, the worm of the marine silk, with which a viper has been strangled, if it is hung over one who suffers from quinsy, will heal [him]. ¶ And they also say that to frequent the cephalic vein is to prevent the onset of head or brain [ailments]. ¶ And [to frequent] the median vein is to recreate the body. ¶ And they say that to frequent the drinking of thermal water is a security against the penetration of the senses and the movement of the limbs. ¶ And they say that if one has seen nettles [and happens] to eat them, with meats or without, one will be secure that sand will not be generated in one’s kidneys. ¶ And it is said that eating radishes or cabbages removes the hoarseness of the voice. And they say that eating roasted quinces after food has the power to generate happiness and to remove laziness. ¶ And they say that eating the barks of the citron strengthens the heart and all the principal members; and their seeds have [the power] to remove the sharpness of poisons. ¶ And they say also that to take the barks of small snails in drink and food is beneficial against small poisons. ¶ And they say that drinking a decoction of scerchanus, which is called silix in Latin, has the power to expel scurvy [or worms] from the intestines, and long roundworms. ¶ And they say that almuri made from sourdough or barley with vinegar prevents the generation of worms in the belly of the [sufferer]. ¶ And it is also proven that to place a small drop of mustard oil in the ear of one not hearing, from time to time, will liberate the patient by the will of God. ¶ And it is known that eating peaches, although they have many harms, has the power to remove the foulness of the mouth proceeding from the vice of the stomach; and no other help is known in them. ¶ And eryngo is said to exercise a little [power]. ¶ And it is proven that to enter a bath of lukewarm oil heals all pains.

4. Summary: that which is said concerning the stone, etc.
Add that the odor is valuable and restores the heart from passion.
Another summary is placed there: and ... in Christ
and ...