AMicus Plato, Amicus Socrates, sed magis Amica Veritas. Plato is a friend, & Socrates a friend, but Trueth ought to be the chiefest friend to all true Phi­losophers, much more Chri­stians. I set foorth of late a short Caueat, concerning empoisoned Amulets, or Plague-cakes (as they are called) moued there­unto, as by many other reasons, so especially, be­cause I greatly feared, that through an vnsound and idle persuasion of their force, other more rati­onall and effectuall remedies were neglected. An ancient and graue Physician, whom I reuerence for diuers good respects, hath stood vp, and pleaded their cause. I amno Pythagorean; Nullius addictus iurare in verba magistri. I would not willingly pinne my iudgement vpon any mans sleeue, be he neuer so graue and learned, vnlesse I be drawen by good [Page 2] and sound reason. Humanum est errare. Therfore re­maining yet vnsatisfied, I haue thought good, not in any contentious humor, but in desire the trueth may be sifted out, and my selfe resolued and better instructed (if I erre) to consider of them somewhat more largely; That if they be found so noble and Catholike a Medicine as some esteeme them, they may be still retained, and imbraced in our bosoms; and if vpon examination they prooue suspicious, dangerous and hurtfull, they may be cashered and abandoned. First therefore, because Opinion and Name preuaile much to forestall the Market, and wholly possesse mens mindes with preiudice, lea­uing no one roome for reason, I will be silent a while, and you shall heare one of the most learned, wise, and famous Physicians of Europe (I meane Ho­ratius Augenius) very learnedly, ingenuously, iu­dicially, grauely and honestly (after his maner) vt­tering his mind of this point in Question. Whom I produce the rather, because it is intimated, that Italian Physicians (which Countrey without que­stion breedeth many excellent men in that faculty) haue these Amulets in high and rare estimation. Heare therefore what Augenius without exception one of the greatest Masters in Physicke that Italie nourisheth at this day (if he be yet aliue) speaketh to this purpose Lib. 3. de Peste cap. 27. De sublimato, Arsenico Cristallino, & Puluere Bufonis. I haue read in the writings of some Empericks, that the powder of a Toad, Arsenicke, or Sublimat, if they be worne vpon the region of the heart, so as they touch the skin, do maruellously preserue men from [Page 3] the Plague. And they esteeme this as a great se­cret; and as I vnderstand haue drawen some rich persons to be of their opinion. I who do not easily beleeue euery thing which I reade or heare, doe greatly doubt of the force and nature of those poi­sons, and do assuredly persuade my selfe, that they can neuer produce any such effect. And that I may lay open my opinion, we must know that Experi­ence (especially in such kinds) is perillous: for since the action of the Physician is performed vpon so noble a Subiect as the body of Man, the nature and force of euery vnknowen medicine is with great iudgement to be examined & searched out: and the Rule of Examination is to cōsider whether Reason approue and persuade it, or disclaime and reiect it. If Reason allow and persuade it, thou maiest boldly vse it without scruple; but if Reason gainsay it, no medicine is to be vsed, vnlesse thou be assured of the operation thereof, by the long experience of men of singular iudgement. I say long experience; for we must not trust one, two, or three experi­ments: but very many are to be diligently conside­red and wisely gathered, that the right habit of ex­perience may be attained, which may deserue the commendation of all men, because it is one of the instruments (as we haue sayd elsewhere) by whose meanes and helpe, Remedies are inuented. We must likewise marke well, that our experience take her originall from a man worthy to be credited, of great iudgement, wise, knowing well how to di­stinguish from what cause the successe proceedeth, whether from the medicine, the temperament of [Page 4] the body, the time of the yeere, chance, or other infinite respects. It falleth out dayly, that we see many effects, which haue a farre different cause from that the common people dreame of. Now to applie those things that haue beene spoken, to our purpose, I affirme confidently, that such a medicine of poisons applied outwardly to the body, hath no manifest, probable or demonstratiue reason, where­by we may be persuaded that they haue so mira­culous efficacie against the Plague. They will say, that by similitude of substance there is attraction of the venim from the heart, to the outward part, by the attractiue vertue of the poison. But this can not so much profit, as euidently hurt. Let vs grant, that the venimous facultie of the poison penetrateth to the heart, I pray you what effect will it produce there? It can not draw the venom to it: for there is none, because he whom we will preserue is yet sound. If therefore, the heart be disposed to receiue the venimous infection of the aire, what shall hin­der the force of the outward poison, that it may not infect the heart and other principall parts, and if it be once entred into the heart, what shall let the di­stribution of it by the Arteries into all the bodie? O great miracle, and neuer yet heard of, that a ve­nimous facultie should flow into the heart, wander thorow the Arteries, & not finding his looked for friend, should go out againe without any offence offered to the parts whereby he passed. Besides, if the attractiue facultie be inuenimed, what reason can be giuen, the heart should not be continually offended by the poison thereof. It is euident, thar [Page 5] the heart is the principall obiect of poisons: how then shall it be touched by a venimous qualitie, and not endure wrong? Touching their experience, I cannot yet giue credit to it. I desire to see these things often tried, with good successe, to haue ma­ny testimonies of Physicians of great iudgement, before I can beleeue them. But let vs come to those that are infected, and haue the poison actually sei­zed on their heart. It may be they may doe them good. None at all. For attraction proceedeth from the stronger power, which draweth to it that which is weaker. Let then some man tell me how he can be sure, that the poison of the Plague shall not draw to it the venim of the outward medecine; and why the poison thereof may not be stronger and greater than the other. Besides, the matter of the Plague is not properly poison but by similitude, and therefore cannot be drawen by another poi­son. But me thinke I heare one answer to all my arguments, that the effect is performed, though the cause be vnknowen because it is secret. This is the miserable refuge of al empericks, wherby they may easily wind out of any doubt, and absolue the most intricate Question of our Art without much adoe. But I abhorre this from my heart; not because I al­low no secret causes, which I grant, but because I thinke it a notorious fault, redounding greatly to the reproch of our Art, if we run still to hidden cau­ses, when manifest reason may easily end the con­trouersie. How will they demonstrate that poi­sons haue this effect? By experience. But what ex­perience can they shew worthy to receiue this cre­dit? [Page 6] And where are the Physicians of note and lear­ning, which approue them? You haue heard my opinion, reseruing to others their better iudge­ment.

Now that I haue stayed your stomacks with this honest, graue, and iudiciall speech of Father Auge­nius that great and learned Italian Physician, who (if I be thought too light) may well weigh in the ballance with any one man whosoeuer he be, giue me leaue briefly to examine the reasons that are produced to proue, that these Amulets do no hurt: secondly, that they do good.

The first Argument, if it be not altogether im­pertinent, must thus be reduced to forme:

There is vse of poisons in Physicke: therefore impoisoned Amulets of Arsenicke or such like, may be safely vsed by men in health, to preserue them from the Plague without hurt.

The proposition is somewhat largely stood vp­on, which was neuer to my knowledge called into question by any man of iudgement, and the conse­quence which should haue beene proued, left alto­gether vntouched.

Physicke consisteth of diuers parts. That may be of vse in the Hygieine the preseruing part, which hath no place in the Therapeuticall. And there be many things of speciall vertue in the Therapeutice, which if a man should practise vpon sound bodies to preserue their health, he might well be sent to Anticyrae to purge with Hellebore his vnsound braine. A sturdie horse requires a rough rider. Du­ro Nodo durus Cuncus. In magnis & [...] Morbis, [Page 7] vbi ager necessariòex morbo periclitatur anceps potius Remedium tentandum quàm nullum. Vrimus secamus. In such cases Physicians are inforced to vse Euphorbium, Opi­um, and Paracelsus his deceitfull Laudanum, and that sometimes in large quantitie: which yet no wise man will prescribe to his Patients to preserue them in health. There is therefore vtterly no con­sequence in this, that because there may be some­times in some diseases vse of Deleteries in the The­rapentice, therefore they may be safely vsed as Pre­seruatiues to maintaine health. For in such cases they are opposed against the disease to fight with it as an Enemy, and so by their colluctation Nature sometime saueth herselfe, as when by the fighting of two dogges, a Man sometime escapeth without hurt or wound.

In the Curatime part of Physicke, there is a ne­cessarie vse of the Saw, and of both potentiall and actuall fire. Secamus, vrimus. And yet by your leaue a Man in health will hardly be persuaded to such Preseruatiues.

Before I leaue this argument, I will by your pa­tience point at some defects in the proofe of the proposition. Arsenicke, Orpiment, Toads and Adders, are acknowledged ranke and deadly poi­sons in the highest degree. This is true concerning the Minerals which consist of similar parts. But touching Toads and Adders, it cannot be verified, that they be absolutely and generally poisons. For these haue their venome, Incertis, & determinatis Partibus: in certaine and determinate parts, not vni­uersally diffused thorow the whole bodie. Tou­ching [Page 8] Adders or Vipers it is euident that their Poi­son lodgeth onely in the head, (specially the teeth and taile. Their flesh (which onely is receiued) in­to that noble Medicine (which thereof hath his name, and is called Triacle) is so farre from being a poison, that it is a present Antidote against the poi­son of the other parts. And this will not seeme strange if we dare credit Iacobus Ferrarius, a learned Physician of Mantua, who in his booke De Theria­ca lately set foorth, reporteth that he hath seene mens hands besprinkled with the blood of Vipers, without any farther offence than a little itching for a short time. And I haue beene informed by men yet liuing in our owne Country, that they haue seene of our adders after their teeth haue beene pul­led out, handled in mens hands, and caried in their bare bosoms familiarly without hurt. The like is to be verified of the Scorpion, who carieth his venom in his taile. And therefore when they would di­spatch themselues, they turne vp their taile toward their backe, and there shooting their stings kill themselues. And this they doe when they are so pursued as they see no way to escape, making by that meanes a speedy riddance of themselues. Nei­ther could they die so speedily of so small wound, if the instrument inflicting the same were not vene­mous, since they will endure farre greater wounds, without danger of life. Therefore it is euident, that there is in the taile of the Scorpion a poison contra­ry to the life and temperament of the Scorpion. The poison of the Spanish flies called Cantharides, is esteemed to reside in the head, wings, and legs, [Page 9] and the body very medicinable. So the poison of a madde dogge lodgeth onely in his fome. The poison of Asps in their egges: of the Leopard in the gall or choler onely: of the venemous Mouse in the vrine: the Tortoise in the outward skinne. But to returne to Adders or Vipers, incomparable, Galen in his 11. booke of the faculty of simple me­dicines, and in his booke De opt. Secta cap. 12. telleth of certaine persons who being desperately disea­sed, by the vse of wine, whereinto whole adders had by chance fallen, not onely receaued no ma­ner of hurt, but happily thereby recouered their health. There is therefore so great vertue in the flesh of vipers to resist malignity, that the venome of the externall parts seemeth by the force thereof altogether drowned and subdued. It followeth not therefore, because there is poison in the viper, ther­fore his whole subiect is a strong poison. For so a man might conclude, that the whole body of some men is poison, because there is in their spettle and teeth a venemous quality, as I my selfe with others haue seene euidently by a man in London, who be­ing bitten by another lightly in the hand, was so impoisoned, that the whole hand rotted, and the party thereof shortly died. I maruell therefore that a man of note for experience & iudgement, would open such a gappe to the vulgar sort, to loath and contemne Physicke and Physicians, (whereunto they are prone inough of themselues) as to affirme that one of their most noble and famous medicines hath a strong poison, his Basis and principall In­gredient. Galen in his booke De Ther. ad Pis. saith, [Page 10] that the fat of the Crocodill laid vpon the wound, helpeth those that are bitten by the Crocodill. The biting of the venemous Mouse, is healed by the Mouse brused, and laid vpon the place. After the same maner, they that are smitten by the Viper, are helped if you bruise the Viper and apply her to the wound. The body of the Scorpion laide vpon the part, healeth hir poison. Dioscor. lib. 6. cap. 44. E alia quam plurima animalia sua curant maleficia. Yet the fatte of the Crocodill, the body of the Scorpion, or venemous Mouse, are not receaued into the composition of the Treacle, but doe onely helpe their owne poisons. We must therefore ob­serue, that nature hath not onely giuen venemous parts to these creatures, but others which are alex­eterys to their owne poison. Secus (ait quidam) omnia illa, ad vnum maleficium edidisset, ac de venenis sollicita, remediorum fuisset oblita Otherwise she should haue framed them wholy to euill and hurt, and being carefull of poisons, should haue beene forgetfull of remedies. Natura autem vt in superfluis non abundat, sic non deficit in necessarijs. Nature as she abounds not in superfluities, so she is not defectiue in neces­saries. Now these alexetery parts (as I may call them) are of two sorts: Some haue an ingenit pro­pertie of curing their owne poisons, without admi­stion of other things, as the fatte of the Crocodill and the Scorpion whereof our Marchants that trauell to Constantinople haue good experience. Other haue an ingenit and mixed faculty, as the body of the Viper, which without other alexeterys being laid on the wound, cureth hir owne poison: [Page 11] and with commistion of other Antidots, extingui­sheth in a maner all poisons: Galen explicateth this twofold faculty, Lib. de Ther. ad Pis. cap. 4. where hauing said that the head and taile of the Vipers are to be cut off, he addeth: And maruell not that these parts being taken away, the rest of the mem­bers doe make the Antidot more effectuall, by the ingenit and admixed faculty of helping, which is in their flesh. After he calleth their faculty ingenit, and admixed: For as by their ingenit faculty they cure their owne poison, so by their admixed pro­perty, Potentissimum efficiunt Alexipharmacum. He that would be farther satisfied, let him peruse the booke of Galen, and he shall not thinke his labour lost. Your sweet kernels in bitter shels, precious Diamonds in course stones, and Pearles in base oysters, might serue well to illustrate this which hath beene already prooued, that there are cer­taine liuing Creatures which haue some parts very hurtfull, or of no or little vse, and others very com­modious and beneficiall to the life and health of mankind: but maketh nothing at all for your Arse­nicke, who is a minerall and consisteth of similar parts. The sweet kernell is of a different tempera­ment to the bitter shell, the precious Diamond of a more excellent substance then the course stone, or Oyster wherein he is found. The flesh or sides of Vipers is of a differing temperament from the teeth and head, wherein onely resideth the poison. But in your Arsenicke you can shew me no part, be it neuer so small, which is not Arsenicke, and that is a strong and ranke Poison, you may seeke a good [Page 12] while heere, before you finde either Kernell, Dia­mond or Pearle. This is no newes to them who haue any the least insight in Philosophy: who know right well that in the body of man, there be Orga­nical parts much differing in temperament and na­ture: and that euery least parcell or portion of a similar part is of the same nature and substance. Your cures wrought by the fume of Orpmint and outward applying of Arsenicke, make nothing to our purpose: for it hath beene shewed, that there is vse of many things in the healing part of Physicke, which haue no place in the preseruing part. And yet Doctors will perhaps make doubt of them, and be twise well aduised before they draw them into practise in hope to worke such miracles as is repor­ted by them. It is well knowen that your dried Toad hath failed in that maruellous effect attribu­ted to him.

But of all other the words following sound very strangely and harsh in my eares. I know not how they can be perpetually opposite to mans nature, nay if that be a true and sufficient definition of poison. At no time to agree with nature, I see not how these things may simply be called poisons, that at sometimes and in some cases agree with nature aswell as a man would wish. Here is strange doctrine and new learning indeed, for our Philosophers and Physicians. You see not how Arsenicke and such like poisons can be perpe­tually opposite to nature. Then giue me leaue since I learned Logicke since your time, to shew how I haue conceiued of these matters. The very name of poison or venom implieth (in my conceit) an abso­lute [Page 13] contrariety and hostility vnto Nature. And Warre is not more aduerse & contrary to Peace, vertue to vice, blacke to white, then poison is abso­lutely, perpetually & irreconcilably opposed vnto nature. This wil more cleerly appeere if we peruse the definitions of poisons set downe by the best & most acute and sound Philosophers & Physicians.

Mercurialis in his first booke of Poisons, cap. 5. following Gallen and other Philosophers, defineth poison according to the common notion and ap­prehensions of men, to be such a thing as killeth men and beasts irrecouerably, the cause being vn­knowen. Auicen (not so properly) calleth it a Me­decine contrary to mans nature. Galen lib. 3. de Temp. calleth that an Aliment which is subdued by Nature, and that Poison which subdueth and vanquisheth Nature. Himselfe defineth it thus: Poison is a mixed substance, enemy to the heart, and corrupter of humane nature. Fernelius the French Galen lib. de Abt. Rer. Caus. defineth poison to be, not that which alwayes killeth or opposeth the heart the fountaine of life, but whatsoeuer by his whole substance and secret force doth either extinguish or notably offend the substance of the faculties or their functions.

Physicians consider and contemplat a threefold difference of Subiects in their reference and relati­on to humane Nature: The first sort are called Ali­ments, the second Medicaments, the third and last Deleteries or Poisons. Aliments all are such things as haue a substance like and familiar vnto ours, con­taining a certaine benigne and wholsome heat and [Page 14] spirit, whereby the heat and spirits of our bodies are cherished and supported, and a matter passing by alteration into the matter of our bodies nouri­shing and increasing the substance of them. Dele­teries are such as in their whole substance, directly and as it were ex Diametro, are opposed to Ali­ments. For as they are in a neere familiaritie and affinitie leagued and linked to our Nature; so these are altogether enemies and pernitious vnto her, which being vsed do not onely affect vs with their first and second qualities, but in their whole kinde do corrupt whatsoeuer they touch in our bodies, and putrifying the substance thereof, turne it into their owne kinde and Similitude. Therefore Ali­ments and Deleteries are in their whole kinde and substance extremely contrary one to the other. In the middle ranke betwixt these two extremes pur­ging Medicines haue their place; which neither as nutriments may be conuerted into our substance, neither as Deleteries altogether corrupt and con­sume the same. These doe partly agree and partly disagree with Nature, so as they neither ouercome her nor can be ouercome by her. Therefore Na­ture thrusteth them out of doores as seditious and turbulent guests, suffering them onely to carry with them bagge and baggage, I meane that hu­mor which she may well spare, and hath most a­greement and affinitie with them. Now if Poison be contrary to Nature, if it subdue and ouercome Nature, if it be an enemy to the heart, and a cor­rupter of Nature, if it be in his whole kind and sub­stance opposed to Aliments, Natures food, as Aui­cen, [Page 15] Galen Mercurial, and Fernelius, the Lights and fathers of Physicke and Philosophy haue determi­ned, I hope we shall salue Galens credit wel enough: and Galens description of Poison will stand as true and sufficient, That Poison is that which at no time agreeth with Nature. How then shall we answer this argument? If it it be a true definition of Poison at no time to agree with nature, then you must put out Arsenicke, Orpmint with others mo out of the cense and order of Poisons, which sometimes and in some cases agree with Nature as well as a man would wish. How is this proued? Thus. All those things which do cure any Disease, agree with Nature as well as a man would wish. Arsenicke, Orpmint doe cure some Diseases, as Vlcers and such like; therefore they a­gree with Nature as well as may be.

The lame legge of the proposition hath beene in some sort already pointed at, and the extreme lim­ping and halting thereof will easily appeare to him that hath but halfe an eye in Philosophy or Phy­sicke, at the first glimpse. For many Philosophers hold it as a Principle (though not so soundly) that all Medicaments or Curers do Vim aliquam inferre Naturae. They that are more sound and iudiciall make three Orders & Ranks of Medecines, which (though some apply to purgers) may be verified of all in generall. The first Order is of those which they call Benigne and blessed medicines, because they are very familiar and friendly to Nature, per­forming their operation without any the least of­fence of her. Others are called Indifferent or mo­derate,2 because they worke though somewhat [Page 16] more strongly, yet without offering any singular or 3 notable wrong vnto Nature. The third and last, are termed Violent, churlish or rough-hewen, be­cause they in their operation doe forcibly vellicat, offend and violat her.

Now if you will haue Arsenicke a Medicament, you must needs set him in one of these three ranks. In the first or second I am well assured you will not place him. It remaineth then that he must be ran­ged in the last band of sturdy and boisterous Com­panions, who are ywis no great friends vnto Na­ture. In this order are Scammony, Hellebore, Eu­phorbium, who though they haue their vse, and the woorst of them be more tollerable then Arse­nicke, yet was it neuer (as I suppose) pronounced of them by any man of iudgement, that They agree with nature as well as a man would wish. The saw, the burning iron or actuall causticke do cure some dis­eases, yet how abhorrent these things are to nature, all men doe know. We must not thinke that all those things who by vanquishing and subduing their enemie the disease, doe giue reliefe and ease to nature, are therefore in themselues and their pro­per essence agreeable and friendly vnto Nature. Ellebor, Scammony &c. (of whom before) who in their owne essence being hot and fiery, are apt to inflame the body, and to kindle a fire or feuer where none was before, yet in a body stuffed with choler, melancholy, and such ill humors, doe by carying away with them the fuell which gaue nourishment to the fire, do by accident relieue nature, put out the fire, and cure the disease. Two or three Flemish [Page 17] draughts of cold water haue somtimes cured a bur­ning feauer, by quenching the flame: And yet A­rius the Grammarian was killed by Thessalus by one onely draught: and cold water agreeth so well with most mens Natures, that they had rather powre it into their shooes then their stomacks.

In the next place we are instructed how to pre­uent or cure the blisterings and vlcerations procu­red by these plague cakes. This is all one as if a man should first breake his fellowes head, and then giue him a plaister. Onely one means is mentioned to preuent this inconuenience, which is, the taking away of the cakes, or rather (as I would counsell) the vtter reiecting thereof, which I cannot mislike. Otherwise your lapping of him in thicker stuffe, your putting linnen betwixt him & the brest, your annointing the place with oile, as they giue more than suspition of his churlish and malignant pro­perty, aduerse and pernitious vnto nature, who see­meth to be in best case when he is farthest from her, and to delight nothing in his neighbourhood, so they will be found poore helpes, and weake meanes to encounter his strong poison, and maliti­ousnesse.

As for the question which is moued; Whether to haue such things appeare, be not rather a benefit than an harme. I take it to be out of all question, that to raise blisters and vlcerations, in so noble a place, so neere to the heart the fountaine of life, by so vene­mous a subiect as Arsenicke, cannot be any way be­neficiall, but euery way offensiue and noisome. For first what learned Physician hath euer counselled [Page 18] Vesicatorys to be applied in that Region so neere vnto the most principall Part. Next, what reason is there of any such Euacuation, when we labour to preserue them that are sound. And if they be tain­ted with any venemous matter, how shall we be perswaded that Arsenicke will by blisters expell the same, and not rather ioine hand in hand with it to ouerthrow Nature, hauing by them entrance and accesse: especially if we consider the old Maxime, Simile simili additum fit magis simile. Besides the best learned who haue receiued these Amulets, hold that Arsenick by a similitude of substāce doth draw the poison of the plague vnto it selfe, and not expell it, which must be done by an Antipathy and con­trariety: for that Arsenicke should strengthen Na­ture and helpe her to expell it, since it is an vn­doubted and deadly enemy to Nature, is improba­ble if not insensible.

As no man doth affirme that all blisteres are poi­sons because of that effect, and therefore you might haue spared labour in proouing that which is not denied, so it is euident that diuers poisons doe pro­duce that effect, and therefore are the more dange­rously applied neere any principall part, because heereby they doe open as it were a doore or win­dow to conuey into the body their infecting noi­some spirits. The cause why Garlicke & Mustarddo blister the outward skinne, and yet taken inwardly, haue no such operation, is (as I suppose) because their heat is an agent being applied to the outmost skinne, which is a cold and membranous part, and so hauing no resistance doth rarifie and dissolue his [Page 19] continuity. But taken inwardly, they are Patients, the inward heat subduing them, and scattering their spirits, so as they can not vnite to performe that action. But Arsenicke is of a farre other Na­ture, whose pestilent heat will not be commanded by Nature, whether he be outwardly or inwardly vsed, but doth subdue and extinguish naturall heat. And this I take (vnder correction) to be the soluti­on of this your Proplem.

Whereas in the words following you affirme that it is manifest both by Experience and Reason, that things outwardly applied, haue action, and work into the Body by cōmunicating their spiritu­all qualities, to the Spirits of our Bodies, by meanes of the warmth that openeth our Pores, and ratify­ing the subtill parts of the medicine, is the cause of a reciprocall action and passion; and hereupon in­ferre that it may seeme strange that Arsenicke and such like strong Poisons, hauing so strong poison­ing Spirits, should not poison our Spirits whereso­euer they meet, you acknowledge that these are strange works and woonders in Nature: First, that such poisonfull spirits should mingle with our Spi­rits, and not offend them: Secondly, that they should strengthen them & helpe them to expell in­fection. These indeed are strange effects, & there­fore if we be readier to wonder at them than to be­leeue thē hastily, I hope you will pardon vs. But let vs heare how you satisfie vs, & vnlose this Gordian knot. First therefore, you set downe this Maxime or Principle: Arsenicke and Orpmint are no wayes poisonfull or hurtfull to Nature, but by their corrosiuenes, [Page 20] or fretting qualities: otherwise, they are as good both Preseruatiues and Curers, as any other most in vse: and therefore so long as they are kept from corroding or fret­ting, they can do no harme, but may do much good in that kinde which they do respect: that is to say, in all Arseni­call Diseases, as the Plague, the Plurisie, Noli me tan­gere, Cankers, and Fistulas.

If Arsenicke be a strong Poison (as you acknow­ledge) and Poisons be (as hath beene shewed) To­to Genere & Substantia Naturae contraria. The deadly Foes, and irreconcilable Enemies to Na­ture, then your Principle and Ground must needs shake, and will prooue no good Foundation to build vpon, which maketh it onely hurtfull to Na­ture by his corrosiuenesse or fretting qualitie. If to be offensiue to Nature by excesse in some qualitie or other be sufficient to proue and make a Poison, then are Scammony, Turbith, Colocynthis, &c. Poisons, and not Medicaments; for these all offend Nature in qualitie. You must therefore either make these Poisons with many moe, to consort with Arsenicke: and then we shall haue good store of Poisons. For all such things as are in the 4 De­gree of cold or heat, must be put into this ranke; or els bring backe Arsnicke from the cense of Poisons into the Classe of Medicaments: for which I sup­pose you will haue small warrant. These indeed by reason of their excesse in qualitie, are sayd propè ac­cedere ad venena, and are called Maligna, or Venena­ta; but Venena Poisons they can not properly be called or accounted [...]ction & passion, according to Arist. 1. de Gen. 50. 51. Fit inter contraria qua sub vno, [Page 21] eodem (que) Genere comprehenduntur. Therefore an A­gent according to qualities, shall affect the quali­ties of the Body, but an Agent in the whole sub­stance altereth the substance of our Body. Now it is manifest, that Arsenicke doth not onely worke vpon the Qualities, but that he corrupteth the very temperament and substance of the Body.

If you meane by Arsenicall Diseases, such mala­dies whose Curer and specificall Antidot is Arse­nicke, then are we beholding greatly to you, who haue found out an appropriat Alexetery for the Plague, whereunto the greatest and most profound Philosophers and Physicians could neuer attaine. For it is generally confessed by all, That the speci­ficall Antidot of the Pest is yet vnknowen. Thuci­dides sayth, That that Malady did Superare Huma­nas vires, or rather Humanam imbecilitatem. And the learned Masters of our Profession with one voice proclaime that forasmuch as the speciall wea­pon to kill that Monster is not yet found out, we must Pugnare contra illam Beluam communibus praesi­dijs & remedijs aliorum Venenorum. But I rather sup­pose you call those Diseases Arsenicall, because they haue in them a malignant, poisonfull, and per­nitious venim, resembling the poison of Arsenicke. How then shall Arsenicke be their Curer, when all Diseases are cured by their contraries? vnlesse you will maintaine that dotage of Paracelsus (for so I must needs call it) against Galen, That Diseases are cured per similia, by their like. And then, if the Body be emptie, exhaust and extenuat, we must exhaust and emptie it more, and not restore and repaire it. [Page 22] If it be too ful and plethoricke, we must fill it more, and not euacuat, if it be stopped and obstructed, then we must ramme and stuffe it vp more, and not de obstruct and open: if it be too hoat, we must lay on more wood, and not put out the Fire either by taking away the fuell or quenching the flame. If there be Solutio continui, we must not vnite, but dis­ioyne the parts, & sic in cateris. If I thought that this vncouth and vnscholarlike Paradox would be mainteined, it were easie for me to make the Point as plaine as the Kings high-way. But I muse much how the Plurisie commeth into the Tribe of these Arsenicall Diseases, vnlesse you put an addition to him, and call him a Pestilentiall Plurisie.

The way whereby these Poisons are metamor­phosed into as good if not better Preseruatiues and Curers as any most in vse, is to keepe them (as you say) from fretting and corroding. And that this may be done, you prooue by example of the Quacksaluers in Germany, who first drinking sallet oyle, and after taking great quantities of these poi­sons, are preserued from harme and danger. That Sallet oile, butter, or any other vnctuous things are good against poisons, it will be readily granted. But that they should be of such force and efficacy as to secure a man that should take after them great quantities of Arsenicke, you shall giue me leaue to doubt. And I thinke I shal haue mo fellowes, then there be Mountebanks in Germany, or Curtesans in Venice. For why should we not thinke that there is as much vertue in Treacle, Mithridate, and those other Antidots which they take after those Poi­sons, [Page 23] at the least, as in Sallet oile. And yet I hold not them sufficient to match and master these Poi­sons. Neither is it like that Mathiolus had any such inward familiarity with Mountebanks,Mathiolus telleth of another fraud or iugling tricke farre more probable. lib. 6. co­ment. in Diosc. pre­fat. as that they would acquant him with the secrets and mysteries of their Art, which they conceale, Tanquam sacra Eleusinia. But suppose he was tolde this by some odde Quacksaluer or other, and that he was so cre­dulous to beleeue it, shall we build the conclusions of our Art vpon the credit of a iugling Mounte­banke, or will any man be so madde that is compos mentis, vpon the Mountebanks word to try the Ex­periment, & arming himselfe with a good draught or two of Sallet oile, afterward deuour great quan­tities of Arsenicke.

That the corroding Qualitie of Arsenicke, may be cleane taken away, you shall pardon me if I be­leeue not your Chynists, if they doe (as you say) affirme it neuer so confidently. We haue an home­ly and true saying, The Diuell will be the Diuell whether you bake roste, seeth, or broile him, or howsoeuer you handle him. Naturam expellas &c: So Arsenicke so long as he remaineth Arsenicke, (vnlesse you destroy his Nature, and then the case is altered, He is no more He) will vndoubtedly shew of what house he commeth by corrodings and corrupting. Neither doe your instances of Aron roots, or the gall of an oxe prooue the con­trary. For we must remember that there be two kindes of Qualities, the one common or as some call them accidentall; the other specificall and for­mall. The Qualities which are common or acci­dentall, [Page 24] may be remooued from their Subiects. But those that are specificall, cannot be separated, Sine interitu subiecti. As in a man to be hoat, cold, moist, dry, may be absent or present with him: but to be risibilis or irascibilis, can in no wise be separated from him so long as he is a man. The burning Qua­litie of Aron roots is accidentall and common, and therefore remooueable. But the corroding or poi­soning Quality of Arsenicke (for these you make al one) is by all learned Physicions held specifical and essentiall. For else how should it be Toto genere, & substantia Deleterium. Concerning your Oxe Gall, whose bitternesse you say you haue remooued, I say onely this: If it be Gall, then it is bitter, if it be not bitter, then it is not Gall. If a man put three gal­lons of water to three spoonefull of wine, and draw­ing out a glasse full, make his friend drinke thereof, affirming it to be wine, he will be ready to say, that were it not for the name of wine, he had as leaue drinke water. Such mixture must haue their name of the Praedominant. And I suppose that hee that should taste your sweetned Gall, would call it gal­led sugar, and not sugred gall, as one did a cuppe of drinke mixed by his friend, yet not to the liking of his stomacke, wined water, and not watred wine.

Whereas you thinke it absurd, that there should not be as sure away to correct the poisoning quality of Arsenicke by minerall meanes, as there is means to correct the offending qualities, of Scammony, Agaricke, Hellebor, &c. by vegetables, me thinkes your speech is very harsh and vncouth, both for the phrase & sense. For mine own part I neuer heard or [Page 25] read of the correcting of poisons, but onely of Me­dicines offending in quality, of which sort are those which you haue reckoned, whose offensiue quality being retunded, they are vsed without danger, and to the benefit and comfort of mankind. But as for Arsenicke or such like poisons, being as hath beene often prooued Toto genere deleteria, the infest and mortall enemies of Nature, you may as soone make an Aethiopian white with washing, as make them friendly and comfortable to our bodies by cor­recting, vnlesse by correcting you meane destroy­ing of their Nature and substance altogether, by reducing them to a Caput mortuum, as you cal them, and that is a strange kinde of correcting: or else they produce such effect by accident, intending no such matter any more, then Iasons enemy did, who by his sword cured his Aposteme, which the Phy­sicions could not heale.

All this while you haue endeuored to prooue that these Amulets may be worne without harme, which how you haue performed, Aliorum sit Iudi­cium. Now you will shew how they doe good.

Your opinion concerning the maner how they doe good, you set downe in these words. I assure my selfe that there is in these Minerals which the Al­chymists call their spirits, good store of gold, or to speake a little plainer, of the spirits of gold, and from thence in my opinion it hath that incredible and admirable operation in preseruing our spiritis from infection.

This (as I suppose) will be an incredible and ad­mirable opinion vnto our Philosophers & Physici­ans, who may turne ouer a good number of books, [Page 27] before they find any mention of such a far-fetched and dearely bought conceit. There are three seue­rall opinions concerning this matter. The first is, that by wearing these Amulets, the heart is inured and accustomed vnto poison, and so by this famili­arity learneth to contemne it. Concerning this conceit I will say nothing my selfe, but you shall heare what Crato that most learned Germaine, and Emperiall Physicion speaketh to it, Epist. ad Mo­nanium.

Touching the bagges of Arsenicke, I finde no other reason for them woorth mentioning, saue that thereby the heart is accustomed vnto poison. But how weake and dangerous a reason this is, and that a man carefull of a good conscience ought not to trust to it, you easily discerne. Therefore though you should produce sixe hundred Authors which allow them, you shall not perswade me to vse or approoue them. I can tell you, since you vrge me, vpon my owne knowledge that Creckouius was so weakened and exulcerated in the brest by them, that he threw away the bagge with great indigna­tion in the castle of Grauestem. I could say the like of others. That which followeth in Crato is worth the reading, but I must make haste.

The second opinion is that of Antonius Firmanus, who saith that Arsenicke by similitude of substance draweth to it the venemous and contagious Se­minaries of the Plague, and by that meanes preser­ueth him that weareth it. This opinion the Dis­courser at large would seeme to follow in his En­glish Treatise of the Pestilence, lately set foorth, [Page 27] wherin he alloweth & commendeth the vse of these Amulets because by a similitude one venome draweth another as Arsenicke doth, who voideth the poison of the Plague insensibly. Quod venenum & corpore attrahat, & tota forma & ratione caliditatis. This Antipathy in Arsenicke experience doth allow, &c.

Marke how Clarke-like he reasoneth. First he saith that Arsenicke draweth the venome by simili­tude of forme, & ratione caliditatis. Then in the ve­ry next words, either forgetting what he had saide before, or notvnderstanding, what he was about to say, he attributeth this effect to an Antipathy or contrariety. But I will stand no longer about him, but leaue him to his wandring Muses: Ne quem non inuenio vsquam esse putem nusquam. Yet one thing by the way would not be ouerpassed, that whereas he would be reputed a great Linguist, he hath in the Epistle to the Reader inserted onely two Greek words, and the last seemeth not to be vnderstood, and for the first a meane scholler in Mulcasters schoole, will easily tell him that it is neither good Greeke nor yet true Latine, but Caco ethen scribendi indeed.

Concerning the opinion it is not true, that eueryvenome is like to Arsenicke, neither that euery poison is like in substance and Nature with another poison: neither can all contagious se­minaries be like to Arsenicke, since they are not of the same violence, Analogie, or similitude one with another, as might be easily shewed some infecting onely Cattle, others Fishes, others men. What then if the poison of the Plague be not [Page 28] like in Nature with Arsenicke: what if it be like in Nature but stronger and hoater then Arsenicke. Surely then it must draw the poison of Arsenicke, vnto it into the body, and double the euill.

The third and last opinion is, that Arsenicke doth by a certaine secret Antipathy or contrariety op­pugne, vanquish and expell the poison of the Plague. This hath of all other the most probability and ground of reason, but it hath place onely then when the seminaries of the Pestilence are contrarie to the poison of Arsenicke; for then the two poi­sons may warre and skirmish one with the other in such sort as they both spending their forces and ri­gor, ech against the other, and so dying in that col­luctation and combat, the party by accident may escape with his life. And in this case peraduenture there might be some trueth in that obseruation which Philippus Ingrasias, Fallopius and Massa, learned men, and woorthy of good credit, haue made. And in this case some suppose that might be true which Ausonius Gallus reporteth of a leud huswife in these verses.

And yet the discreet and prudent Physician wil not heereupon counsell the wearing of Arsenicke to cure the Plague. For in poisons opposing Nature in their whole substance, there is no Artificiall or rationall method as Galen teacheth Meth. 13. cap. 6. and the Physician cannot discerne but by euent vn­to what poison, or Analogie of poison Arsenicke is opposit. The sympathys or antipathys of poisons together with the forces and secret insults of con­tagious seminaries, are vnknowen to the Physici­an. The idiosygcrasye, or particular Natures (as Galen calleth them, are vnknowen, & (for ought we can see) incomprehensible vnto humane imbecilli­tie, Gal. 3. Meth. cap. 7. And if the Degree, Nature, and facultie of that poison be not to be easily di­scerned, which proceedeth of corruption of hu­mors in our bodies, much lesse is that hidden ma­liciousnesse of these Minerals which is farre more subtile, secret, and vnsearchable. First therefore there must be a poison in the body: next that poi­son must be contrary to Arsenicke: thirdly it must be of equall force, else if he suruiue and be of force after he hath subdued his enemie, he may doe a shrewd turne when al is done. We conclude there­fore that it is rash and temerarious counsell, to vse a Medicine, which if it finde not an enemy to strug­gle with, will easily speed and kill the party. Better it is to follow Galens aduise, who in his booke De Simp. writing against Zenocrates, would haue a Phy­sician neuer to vse any Medicine which may be [Page 30] preiudiciall or hurtfull to the health or life of man­kinde.

As for the fourth opinion, your golden Conceit that this maruellous operation should be wrought by the spirits of Gold in Arsenicke, I suppose there is farre lesse likelihood or probability therein, than in the golden dreame of the Philosophers stone, whereinto many haue fallen being rich, and awa­ked out of the same starke beggars.

First, how should we imagine, that the Gold or golden spirits which are fancied to be in Arsenicke should more preuaile in preseruing Nature, than the Arsenicall spirits (whose Quantity must needs be farre greater) in violating and corrupting her. Secondly, if this woonderfull worke of preseruati­on proceed from gold and his spirits, being in so small quantitie (as they must needs be if they be at all) in a little lumpe of Arsenicke; why doe you not rather counsell men to weare about their necks, vp­on the Region of the heart a double Ducate or a plate of Golde, seeing therein must needs be grea­ter quantity of spirits, more neerely and firmely vnited then in Arsenicke? Beside this might be done without all danger and great securitie, the Arsenicall spirits (which are so ill neighbors) being remoued. I know right well that gold is of great vertue. Auri sacra fames quid non mortalia cogis Pectora?

One saith truely, that there was no fort inexpug­nable, Ad quod Asmus auro [...] possit ascendere. It is a cunning locke which a golden key will not open. But yet among all the vertues and effects of [Page 31] Gold (which are manifold) I neuer heard that rec­koned, that it should preserue the wearerers thereof from Plague and Poison.

Whereas you send vs to the Refiners of Mettals to be satisfied in this point, I can assure you that one of the skilfullest workemen and best practised in that kinde about London being demanded, What Golde he thought to be in Arsenicke, made this answere: That there was as much Golde in Arse­nicke as in a Rat. And this he affirmed to be not only his iudgement, but the conclusion of the cun­ningest workemasters in Minerals about the City.

As for Paracelsus to whom in the next place you referre vs, I would be loath Bonas hor as tam malè collocare, though I haue mispent some time in my dayes, and it may be about him: of whose writings I may say the cleane contrary, that Socrates did of Heraclitus booke. Those things (sayd he, being de­manded what he thought of it) which I vnderstand are very excellent, and therefore I suppose the rest which I vnderstand not to be answerable to them: For I can say, that such things in Paracelsus which I vnderstand, are exceeding friuolous, absurd and ri­diculous, and therefore I suppose the greater part (if not all the rest included in his barbarous Riddles) to be sutable and agreeable with them. But because you stile him absolutely the most learned Chynicall wri­ter and worker that euer wrote, and I may perhaps be deemed partiall, you shall heare the iudgement of that graue, learned and most iudiciall Physician Crato concerning him, with whom I concurre in that point, Epist. ad Theod. Zuingerum. Ep. Med. a [Page 32] Scoltzim ep. 137. where hauing purged himselfe of a false calumniation, that he should be an enemy to Chymicall Preparations, he annexeth these words: Insaniam verò Paracelsicam qui summos in Arte Med. Magistros, imò Artem ipsam Med. propter Arcana sua (vt appellant) contemnit, & nouam nobise fumis Me­dicinam fabricat, at (que) discentes a bonis Authoribus ad Fornaces ablegat, omnem deni (que) Seculi nostri Excellen­tiam deijcere studet, vt sua Medicamenta extollat, nun­quam probani. Artem enim ipsam Hippocratis & do­ctrina methodicae Galeni, acceptam ferre, vt eruditum Medicum oportet; ita Paracelsica somnia, tot verborum falsitatis iuolueris tecta & tam monstrosis nominibus variata, fugere virum bonum decet.

Let Paracelsus be esteemed by you and his fol­lowers a skilfull Chymicall writer and worker, vn­doubtedly he was neuer learned, neither will be e­uer so reputed among the learned. Giue him what place you please among Mechanicks or Empericks, if you will needs haue it so; for that is the highest Forme wherunto you can aduance him: but if you offer to set him on the Bench among the Sages and Senatours of Learning, you shall doe him wrong and your selfe to. Neither doe I yet denie but that he hath some things of good vse. And so had Thes­salus that olde Bragadochian of Galens time, and Fioronamus that notorious Empericke & Impostor of our time, who was banished Venice, but those, mixed with so much vanitie, pride and insolencie as marreth all. You shall finde it ordinary in illibe­rall and illettered Natures (if you marke it well) that hauing attained any little smattering know­ledge, [Page 33] small portion of riches, or meane degree of honour, they are farre more eleuated, and transpor­ted with high and ouerweening thoughts, than in­genuous and generous mindes of farre greater suffi­ciencie. I haue often maruelled how any man of wisedome and modestie, seeing the incredible inso­lencie and impudencie, the intollerable vanitie and follie, the ridiculous and childish crakings and van­tings of Paracelsus, should once commend him without nothing his contrary vices, and giuing him a dash with a blacke coale.

Touching Pistorius whom you onely produce as a Patron of your Amulets, though I haue little or no acquaintance with him, yet if ex vngue Leo­nem I must needs say, That his speeches sauour of too too much vanitie (if not follie and falsehood) and come very neere the Mountbanks phrase, who vse to set out their basest trash with el-long and bombasted termes, and craking and lying vaunts. First he affirmeth, That many Italian Physicians are of opinion, That there was neuer a more excellent thing granted to mortall men by God, to preserue them from the Plague. Secondly, That they call it a diuine Medi­cine inuented by God. Thirdly, that they take it vpon their oathes, That neuer any fell sicke that ware them. Haec dum recensentur satis super (que), confutantur.

You heard in the beginning,These are Italian Physicians of great name. what Father Auge­nius that learned and graue Italian Physician con­ceiued of them. And it is certaine, that Massaria a learned Reader of Padua hath learnedly and largely disputed against them. And sure I am that Gerar­dus Columba the great Physician of Messana disclai­meth [Page 34] them vtterly. But it is woorth noting, First that these Physicians who so highly commend these Amulets, are namelesse. Secondly, that they offer oath vpon the matter, fearing belike that their words would not be taken: whereas (if their credit were good) their bare words would passe as cur­rantly as their oaths. Lastly, their hyperbolicall cō ­mendations of a poore poisoned cake, seemeth to me the language of vaunting Quack-saluers, rather than of learned Physicians. As for his experiment in Zuricke Ann. 64. and in Basill, that he knew none die who wore them; who will beleeue him, since we haue more than sufficient experience, both heretofore and of late in London, Of the contrary. and you your selfe acknowledge the same, but holde it pitie to dero­gate from the credit of so noble and generall a Me­dicine, for a few particular Instances. How noble a Medicine it is, I hope hath appeared by this time. Sure I am that it is no rationall Medicine, and that the most learned Physicians, who haue hand­led the Argument of the Plague, do either directly oppugne it, as Augenius, Columba, Massaria, &c. or els passe it ouer in silence, as not woorthy to be na­med or mentioned with rationall and noble Anti­dots and Alexeteries (as Palmarius or rather Ferne­lius that worthy Light of Physicke (for that learned booke of the plague being the most Scholarlike, iudiciall and absolute in that kind, that I euer met with) is thought to be written by him, and set out by Palmarius his Scholar) or els if they mention it in the Tale after a great ranke of other rationall Medicines, they set this or the like brand in the [Page 35] forhead of it. Quidam Emperici, or Quidam (with­out naming them) Consulunt tabellam ex Arsenico. Certaine Empericks, or certaine (not woorthy to be named) counsell a table of Arsenicke, as Platerus Heurnius, &c.

To conclude since Physicke is the Art of hel­ping, healing, curing, I see not what we haue to doe with Poisons, vnlesse it be to giue councell of Precaution, and Preuention, or to relieue them, who by errour or malice haue medled with them. Me thinks it is wholesome and Fatherly counsell that Hippocrates giueth to all his Scholars, That they should alwayes propound vnto themselues these two ends: First, Ne noceant. Secondly, Vt pro­desse possint. First, That they be sure to do no hurt to their Patients. Secondly, That they endeuour to doe some good. As for those who leauing so great varietie of safe, wholesome and salutiferous Medecins, as God of his infinite bountie hath sto­red vs withall, will needs be still tampering with Poisons, and Deleteries, they seeme to me like the foolish flies, who forsake the sweet herbs and flow­ers to buzze about the candle, so long till their wings be singed, and themselues oft times burned with the Flame. I might giue instances heereof, but that I hasten to an end. It is not good medling with edge-tooles. Qui amat Periculum peribit in eo.

Thus I haue presumed to inquire somewhat more at large, concerning these Amulets non con­tentionis amore, sed veritatis indagandae studio: and that it may appeare that I am not of a seruile dispo­sition [Page 36] to relie vpon the opinion of any, be he neuer so learned, vnlesse it be vnderpropped with Lear­ning and Reason: the rather because I vnderstand that this Taske was expected at my hands. As for that learned & ancient Physitian (who hath taken vpon him their Defence and Patronage) I confesse that as I aimed not directly and particularly at him in my first writing against them (they being ordi­narily dispensed by many Chirurgians and Apo­thecaries in London, some of them being my kinde friends, so I doe now beare him no more grudge, malice, or enuie, then my selfe: though I haue beene of late discourteously and hardly intreated, reiected and shut out from conference. Which kinde of dealing, how it agreeth with the Rules of Christianity or liberall Profession, let indifferent men iudge. Who knoweth not that our greatest Diuines and best Lawyers do dissent one from an­other, in some one point or other of their Arts. Do they therfore breake off all societie, and proclaime open hostilitie one against another? God forbid. I haue read that Aristides and Pericles though they were at oddes, and iarred often in the Senate of Athens by reason of secret emulation, yet when they were to vndertake any publicke affaire or em­bassage, they did Simulates in finibus Patria deponere, eas (que) redeuntes resumere. So I could wish that Physi­tians should leaue their priuate grudges and dis­contentments at home in their owne houses, and not carie them abroad in their bosomes among their Patients, to the disgrace of their fellowes and [Page 37] publicke opprobrie [...], and slander of their Professi­on. As for me, I am neither too skilfull to learne, nor too old to erre: But desire to follow that councell of the Oratour. In sententia permaneto. Enimuero nisi alia vicerit melior. ⸫