4K. Arthritic



These are Medicines appropriated to the Joints.

Aphorisms on Arthritics, collected by Culpeper, (Composita, 1656):
  • The joints are most infested with Capital diseases, and therefore cured with Cepahlic Medicines.
  • The reason is soon given, which is, because they are of a nervous quality.
  • Those things are appropriated to the Joints, which have a drying and heating quality, with a certain light adstriction.
  • Yet take notice of this, that because the Joints are more remote from the Center, they require stronger medicines than the Brain does.
  • As to what belongs to pains in the Joints, this is the manner of proceeding. Pain is either taken away, or asswaged, but its true cure is by taking away what causes it.
  • Yet sometimes so great is its fury, that we must give Anodynes, before we can meddle with the cause, and that especially when it causes heat, influxion of blood or inflammations.
  • Besides, the Mediicnes which take away the cause of pain are very hot, and therefore to be forborn in such cases.
  • Also the manner of easing pains, is twofold, for if you regard the pain itself, use Anodynes, if the heat, use Refrigeratives [cooling medicines].
  • Also take notice of thus much, that Phlegm [Damp] compacted in the joints, when it is teased a little, causes pain and influxion.
  • Such medicines as take away the cause of such pain, are strong cutters and drawers, which neither agree with Choler or Blood [constitutions].
  • When you perceive that there is attraction and discussion enough made, so that the pain is ceased, and the cause of it taken away, use adstrictions [astringent medicines] to strengthen the Joints, that they may not easily excite more defluxions [of Damp].

Warming Arthritic Medicines

                       Garlic
                       Radish
                       Pennyroyal
                       Balm
                       Bdellium
                       Gum Ammoniac
                       Sagapen
                       Storax
                       Rue
                       Centaury
                       Germander
                       Elecampane
                       Coltsfoot
                       Oregano
                       Cyperus rotundus
                       Guaiacum
                       Madder
                       Squill
                       Colchicum
                       Sulphur

Mustard
Leek
Calamint
Rosemary
Myrrh
Galbanum
Opopanax
Turpentine
Sage
St. John’s wort
Ground Pine
Calamus
Cowslip
Watercress
Costus
Sassafras
Asarum
Cyclamen
Castoreum
Saltpeter

Warming Arthritic Compounds

                       Honey Water
                       Oxymel of Squill
                       Confect. of Anacardium
                       Pills for Arthritis (Nicholas)
                       Oil of Foxes

Oxycroceum
Bezoardic of Viper
Diambra
Pills of Colchicum (Mesue)
Oil of Vipers
Cooling Arthritics

                       Rose
                       Chicory
                       Willow leaf
                       Elder flower
                       Houseleek
                       Barley
                       Armenian (Red) Earth
                       Comfrey
                       Rose water
                       Black Nightshade
                       Henbane leaf
                       Camphor

Sandalwood
Lettuce
Wintergreen
Dwarf Elder
Psyllium
Myrtle
Red Coral burnt
Soloman’s Seal
Vinegar
Hemlock leaf torrefied
Opium
Cooling Arthritic Compounds

                       Barley Water
                       Electuary of Seven Things
                       Oxycratum

Syrup of Lemon
Arthritic Wine
Oil of Earthworms

Western Classification

2. Secondary Faculties
a. Aperients
b. Attenuaters
c. Inciding Medicines
d. Attenuaters of Congealed Blood
e. Lenitive
f. Purifying
g. Cleansing
h. Carminatives
i. Antispasmodics
j. Rarefying
k. Resolvent
l. Emollients
m. Drawing
n. Repellents
o. Astringent
p. Hemostatic
q. Anodyne
r. Narcotics & Hypnotics
s. Strengthening
t. Glutinate
u. Suppuratives
v. Expel Pus
w. Sarcotics
x. Incarnative
y. Corrosive
z. Cicatrizing
3. Tertiary Faculties
a. Sudorifics and Diaphoretics
b. Febrifuge and Antipyretic
c. Alexipharmic
d. Cordials and Cardiacs
e. Diuretics
f. Lithontriptic
g. Emmenagogue
h. Lactagogue
i. Aphrodisiacs
j. Increase Semen
k. Expectorant
l. Anti-tussive
m. Arthritic Medicines
n. Vulnerary
o. Emetics
p. Masticatories & Sternutatories
q. Anthelmintic
4. According to Part
a. Cephalic
b. Opthalmic
c. Cardiac
d. Pectoral
e. Stomachic
f. Splenetic
g. Hepatic
h. Nephritics
i. Uterine
j. Nervine
k. Arthritic