Note 78 — Chapter XIII
Reading edition
Salt of Mans Skull. The skull of a dead man, calcine it, and extract the Salts as that of Tartar. It is a real cure for the Falling-Sickness, Vertigo, Lethargy, Numbness, and all capital diseases, in which it is a wonderful prevalent.—Compendium of Physick (Salmon), London, 1671.
It is to be feared that this has obtained a place in medicine, more from a whimsical Philosophy, than any other account.... A dead Man's Hand. This is supposed, from some superstitious Conceits amongst Common People, to be of great Efficacy in dispersing scrophulous Tumours. The part, forsooth, is to be rubbed with the dead Hand for some time. And Report furnishes us with many Instances of Cures done hereby; some of which may not improbably be true, both as the Imagination in the Patient contributes much to such Efficacies, and because the Sensation which stroaking in that manner gives, is somewhat surprizing, and occasions a shuddering Chilness upon the Part touched; which may in many cases put the Fibres in such Contractions, as to loosen, shake off, and dislodge the obstructed matter; in which consists the Cure.—English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.
Mummy. This is the Flesh of Carcases which have been embalm'd. But altho it yet retains a place in medicinal catalogues, it is quite out of vse in Prescription.—English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.