2. Cancer Ale.
Take guaiacum 4 ounces; Sassaphras, roots of Sarsaparil, Sharp-pointed Docks, Filipendula, Hounds-tongue, and Walnut-tree rind, each 2 ounces; Herb Robert, Arch-angel, each 4 handfuls; Millipedes 1 pint, dispense for 4 gallons.
This may profitably be prescribed for Scrophulous people also; especially such as are of a coldish constitution.
I have a thousand times observed (faith Sylvius) that mild alteratives are used to much more advantage just before, after, or at meals, than at any other times: For so the virtue of medicine kindly mingles with, and insinuates it self into, not only the saliva in the stomach; but also all the Humours that flow together into the right ventricle of the heart, and all the arteries, and veins; and by that means the desired emendation and correction of them, is the sooner and more easily and happily performed.
Thomas Fuller
Pharmacopeia Extemporanea 1710