The epilogue to the five papers lately past betwixt the two physicians Dr. O. and Dr. E. containing some remarks, pleasant and profitable, concerning that debate, and the usefulness of vomiting and purging in fevers / by And. Brown, M.D.

The epilogue to the five papers lately past betwixt the two physicians Dr. O. and Dr. E. containing some remarks, pleasant and profitable, concerning that debate, and the usefulness of vomiting and purging in fevers / by And. Brown, M.D.

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THE EPILOGUE, &c. OR, Some Remarks on the late Debate about the Usefulness of VOMITING in FEVERS. &c.

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THE EPILOGUE, &c. OR, Some Remarks on the late Debate about the Usefulness of VOMITING in FEVERS. &c.

THO I have been much solicited, to shew my Opinion, about the Debate betwixt the two Physicians, concerning Vomiting in Fevers, in regard of its Affinity with the Practise of Purging in Fevers, which was mantain'd by me some years agoe, and violently oppos'd by a certain Club of Physicians; I yet delay'd to give my Sentiments therein, until I should see whether the Learn'd Colledge of Physicians would interpose therein, and what would be their Decision and Suffrage: For the Eyes of all Men were upon them, expecting that they [Page] would do something in it, whose Province it is, either to compesce or determine such Differences among their own Members, that the World might receive Satisfaction in these Controversies, which concern our Lives and Health; But whether they consider not that it belongs to them, or that they know not what to do therein, I am ignorant: For there is neither any thing done that way, nor intended so far as I can learn: Thus in the great Concern of Life and Health, every one is left to his own Capricious Opinion, at Hap-hazard, to take up with what he pleases, without being beholden to them for Light and Di [...]ection in such important and intricat Concerns, what to sollow or what not: As whether or not a Patient that has been made Vomit only with Whey, may be said to have been vomited by a Physician, and the Direction ought to be found upon the Apothecarie's File; and whether a Vomiter being given by a Physician in a Fever, and the Apothecarie's File refer'd to; One would think it had rather been an Antimonial Vomit, than a Vomit of Whey. And whether after twice Vomiting of a Patient [Page] with Whey, and purging him with two lenient Potions, and two Clysters, may one Ounce of Vomiting Wine, with three drams of Syrup of Buckthorn be given the 9th day of a Fever? Or whether there be alwayes as much hazard in Plentiful Purging, as Bystanders apprehend, who never were acquainted with the Purging Method in Fevers? And whether or not by the vain Fears of Friends and By-standers, a Faithful and Expert Physician may be blunder'd, and a good Method disgrac'd? And whether dallying and triffling with a Fever, tho less exceptionable, be not more dangerous, and often of more fatal consequence, than Plentiful Purging? And whither upon any extravagant Purging, the Quieting Medicine being a ready Remedy, since in the controverted Case it was not given till the Ordinary's return to the Patient; May it be thought there was no need of it before that time?

These I take to be the most material Points in this Debate, which seems to be handled with a little more Heat and Humour, than is consistent either with the Import of the Matter, or Dignity of the [Page] Members of so Judicious a Society, who would be expected to treat all their Matters, and seek to advance the Improvement of Medicine, in Candor, Amity, and Peace.

Now, if I may lawfully interpose my Sentiments in these Matters, since the same has such Relation to the Debate about Purging in Fevers, wherein the rest of the Physicians being concerned either as immediat Actors, Inciters, or Connivers, so exercised me▪ that there passed betwixt us no fewer than eight Pieces in Print: Which terminat in another Sub-division of the Colledge it self, whereby they are now split into two halfs▪ and parties, into Guelphs and Gibellins, which Rent still continuing, has of late broken out into this new Debate, whereupon there has passed five Peeces.

However others may think of all this, my humble Opinion in the first place is, That this last Contest has made so plain, profitable, and pleasant a Discovery, that it may attone for the Scandal of all the former Divisions, Animosities, and Ruptures: O blessed Breach, and happy and fortunat Rent! that has brought forth so much Light to Medicine, that does so far approve of the [Page] Usefulness of Purging in Fevers, as to allow of Vomiting therein also, as may be seen in the Papers on both sides; And as ex malis moribus oriuntur bonae leges, Ill manners beget good Laws; So we may see Debates, Divisions, and Differences may bring profitable Things to Light, which would have been otherwise hid: As Sampson kill'd more Philistines at his Death, than in all his Life; So it may be hop'd that this Division and Debate may occasion the killing of more Fevers than their Concord either ever did, or in appearance would have done. And as the best Antidote for the Venom of the Viper is the Viper's flesh, so it is hop'd this wound may prove the true Cure of the virulent opposition this way of treating of Fevers has formerly met with.

And who would not rejoice to see such clear Light arise in Our Horizon of Medicine, as to behold the Credit and Authority of the Sagacious Dr: Sydenham, avouched and mantained, and his Judgement and Candor in his Writtings fully asserted by both Parties: And especially his method of Treating Fevers by purging, which had been too long and too much opposed by many [Page] in this place, to the unspeakable loss of Medicine, and Detriment of Mankind.

And tho Dr. Sydenham in his last work, his Schedula monitoria, only appoints purging in Fevers, and does not go the length of Vomiting. Those disputants seem so far to approve thereof, that both of them allow of giving Vomits, in some cases also; for which the Authority's brought by the One, seem to be needless, since it is not denied by the other party; But since these Authorities may make the Reader apprehend that the Purging in Fevers, is no new Method and Practice: and that it was in use before Dr. Sydenhams time. It is to be remarked, that Purging and Vomiting in Fevers, were used only now & then before his time, and as some Indications did Require, but were not used generally, or in great and dangerous Fevers, because the Commotion oft times raised by the Operation of the Purgative or Vomitive, did frequently Exasperat the Fever, which made the Physician often times Repent his use thereof; And so Purging and Vomiting, was wholly laid aside with us, and the Cure Commited to Cooling ptisans, Emulsions, Clysters, Cordial,[Page]Iuleps, &c. And that oft times with as litle Reason as Success: For the Disease going to a Crisis, the Patients Life was alwayes in hazard, because in every Crisis, Nature stands as it were Hovering and In suspense, as it were with an equal Ballance, indifferent to Life or Death, which may be casten as with a grain, and he that suffers the Disease to go to a Crisis, does just as if he would throw the Dice upon his Patients Life: Whereas Dr: Sydenham considered that the Evacuation of the Morbifick Matter, did profitably intercept the Crisis, and was the thing indicated and required in the Cure of Fevers, and that it could be done by Purging & that any Commotion raised by the Operation of the Purge might be Commodiously allayed, by giving the Paregorick, Pacisick, or Quieting Medicine, and thus the Morbifique matter, might be Evacuated, and a Hazardous Crisis, profitably prevented, without any Superveeuing Commotion, or the Exasperating the Fever, whereby the Patient had the direct Benefit of the Purging, without the accidental and Noxious effect thereof.

And as there are two wayes of these Fevers, [Page] so there are two several wayes of practising of this Method, for sometime these Fevers are more Slow, Long, and Chronical in their Motion and progress; And sometimes they are more Rapid, quick and Peracute, and come quickly to an end either to Health or Death; In the Slow and Long Fever. Gentle Purges Repeated at intervals are most Convenient, and there the quieting Medicine is Scarce needed: but in the quick and Peracute Fevers, sharpe Purges and Vomiters which work speedily, must without delay be given: For the Slow and Lenitive Method, in a Peracute and quick Fever, never stops its Course nor obviats its Carrier: And as this seems most reasonable and suitable to Experience, so it is very conform to the Practise of an Eminent Author Dr. Panthot President of the Colledge at Lions, who in a Book lately emitted by him, shews that as the frequent use of Cordials, in Fevers is very hurtful, because moving the Humours with a fretful Agitation, they Drive them to the head. So he used only Bleeding and frequent Purgatives with a Laxative Ptisan taken several times a day, without delaying Purging, as Hippocrates teaches, to the end of the Fever: [Page] And if Dosings, Ravings, Convulsions or any other Frightful Symptoms did arise, then instantly, and without Hesitation, he appoints Emetique Wine to be given, than which he knows not a better Remedy. And there is an Abstract of his Book to be seen in the Miscellany Letters of the works of the Learned Emitted at London May 1695.

Now as to the controverted case betwixt the two Disputants. If, Dr: O: when he came to the Patient, who was treated before only with gentle Purgatives, and found him under any pressing Symptoms, and the Fever growing, I humbly suppose he did not amiss, to give Emetique Wine, and in such a dose as the Patient cou'd bear. And to say the truth▪ the doses of Emetique Wine are very various, according to the Disposition of Patients, and their Easiness to be moved, some taking two ounces for a dose, and other only two drams.

And considering that upon any exorbitant effect of the Purgative or Vomitive, the Pacifique or Quieting Medicine is instantly to be given▪ and in regard in this case, it was not given till the Ordinaries return, we may construct in Charity that there was no need [Page] there obefore, and the Bystanders and Friends their apprehensions and fears about the patient might be groundless, they never having seen any in a Fever treated so, for the Purging method in Fevers had always been Disguised and couched by Physicians; and the Bystanders keept always in ignorance about it, (As witness somes calling the effect of a Purgative quietly given, a Natural looseness which would carry off the Disease,) & if these Fears were improven by any upon sinistrous designs, they could not do a more wicked thing, that being the way to fright timorous People from the use of this profitable practise of purging in Fevers. And both Reason and Experience will shew to these that are acquainted with this way of Cure, that theres more Danger oft times in the neglect of plentiful Evacuations, than by the use of them, But as 'tis not good to overact a Cure, so it is not safe to Dally and triffle away time, which is sometimes very Precious, Occasio praeceps, Oportunity Slips and Medio Tutissimus ibis, the midle way is the Safest, But in my humble opinion a Patient that survived so great and so Plentiful Evacuations, would not probably have [Page] been cured without pretty considerable ones, and some more they Dalling and Triffling or Couching and Dissembling the method. But since our Disputants seem to be agreed about the substantials of this way of treating Fevers by Purging and Vomiting, Pray let them not squable about the Circumstantials, and let them strive to out do on another in Effectual and Speedy Curing, without either overacting the Method, or shooting short of it: And I can tell them from Experience, that its hard to be believed, how great Evacuations in many cases are not only tolerable, but also required in the Cure of Fevers, which we may the more freely venture upon, having the Quieting Medicine alwayes at hand, to check any Exorbitancy that way.

But by the by, it may be observed how pretty Divertising it is, notwithstanding the great Opposition made to this way of curing Fevers, to behold the Reception it now has, and to see persons at such Variance, yet substantially agree in this Practice, which is indeed no small Argument for it, like the Iews and Christians, who both agree to the Authority of the Old [Page] Testament: And if we narrowly observe several Physicians Practice, we will see some may be catched stealing into this Practise, and some too Cavalierly marching into it, some like Firrets and Moles working under Ground, and some frolicking and vapouring it.

As it has been the Fate of all new discoveries, and Discoverers, to meet with opposition, and Contradiction, witness the opposition made to the Circulation of the Blood, and the Cure of Agues by the Iesuits Bark, no wonder this improvement of thus treating Fevers, should meet with the same Lot, especially when it Receded so much from the common Road, which treated them only with Cooling Ptisans, Emulsions, Clysters, Cordial Iuleps, &c. But when ever such improvments come to take place, Physicians either Jugle or Labour to Disguise them, or with more Resolution than Reason, strives who shall be fore-most therein, and extend them farthest, as was done with the Iesuits Bark, which was not only rashly used in all continual Fevers, but by some most Proposterously, to the Cure of most Diseases.

[Page] I hope then it will not be unpleasing, that I offer my humble Sentiments, in Relation to the Solution of this Moral Phaenomenon, these strange appearances of the Actions of Men, in their Opposing, Shifting, or Streaching things at this Rate, to the great Detriment of Medicine in particular, and of Mankind in general.

In regard new Discoveries in Medicine appear not at first to every one so plain and clear, as to silence Contradiction, they are sure to meet with opposition from the weak and less Perspicacious, and with Quible and Cavil from a Spirit of Detraction in Elder Physicians, who are Jealous that new improvment Derogate from them, or their Experience, or that they are in hazard thereby to be reduced to the same level with younger Physicians, and be put to go to School again to learn a new, and with all they abominate any thing that may be in hazard to convict their former practise of Error or mistake; Tho such an error seems Venial untill the occasion of delivery from it appear, but the Mischief is, that the pride of Self-seeking Men is such, that before they will Acknowledge the least Bleemish or Infirmity [Page] they will run the hazard of being the greatest Criminals Under Covert, not only by the Mischief they do by their own Contempt of such Practical Improvments but by their Example and Authority, drawing many younger Physicians after them, some following them out of Reverence, and others out of Fear.

But for the more full clearing this Matter, it would be considered, That as all Men may be divided into these four sorts, so Physicians are likewise divisible into as many kinds—The first sort are of these who have a great Stock of Sense and Learning; And withal, no less Ingenuity and Candor. The second sort are these who have much Ingenuity and Honesty, but little Sense and Learning. The third sort are these who have much Sense, &c. but little Candor and Ingenuity. The fourth are these who have little Learning and Sense, and as little Ingenuity and Candor.

For the first sort, as they will quickly discern, take up, and follow new Improvements, they will as readily own, maintain, and endeavour to propagate them.

For the second sort, tho they be long in [Page] discovering such Improvements, yet their Honesty makes them Modest and Doubtful, & keeps them from opposing them, waiting until their weakness comprehend them.

For the third sort, tho they quickly discern such Improvements, yet for By respects, and Sinister Ends, they are shy in falling in with them, or if they do it, they Iugle and Dissemble the Use of them, and labour to disguise them, in so much, that by their hidden and reserved following them, they are so straitned, that they never come to any Perfection in them.

For the fourth sort, as they are slow in taking them up, so they are long in owning them, after they take them up, and as they are the most constant, so they are the most violent Opposers of them, and always until it be a Scandal so to do, their Judgement taking as much time to be Convinced, as their Honesty to be engaged to own or Defend them.

And I may say of these two last Sorts, if they shall also be Cursed with any considerable Degree of Credit or Reputation, to plague the World, and to hinder the Good of Mankind, by the propagation of such an [Page] Improvement as this. (for Fortune never bestows her Gifts so blindly as upon Physicians) When ever such come to discern and follow it, unless they be past feeling, and have their Consciences wholly Seered, they will be affected with a Torture and Remorse, proportionable to their guilt, and their accession to so many Deaths, as has been caused thorow their contempt of this Method, and that not only within the Verge of their own practice, but also within the Sphere of Activity of their Credit and Authority, which may perhaps be no small precinct to some, it being very plain that he that neglects the right way to cure his Patient, while it is in the power of Art to help him, is as guilty as he that directly maletreats him unto death.

And there is no Physician who rightly understands the import, weight, and intricacy of his Employment, and the great Charge lying on him to be accomplisht therein, so far as is possible for Study, Enquiry and Search to go, who will leave any stone unturned, to find out a more effectual cure of Fevers, than that which has been commonly used, by Bleeding, Cooling [Page]Ptisans, Emulsions, Clysters, Cordial Iuleps, &c. which every Apothecarys Boy can by Rote tell, as perfectly as the Physician himself; And which can be made evident to do more hurt than good, beside the loss of time spent upon such triffling.

Now if every Physician would be pleased to Examine himself, and consider what his behaviour has been, in Relation to this Improvement, he may thereby know what place he may take in the foresaid Scale, for according to his Approbation or Opposition of this Improvement, his Iugling, Shuffling or Plain dealing therein, he must necessarly be ranked; But all Men may see, what place our two Disputants have, who notwithstanding of their Animosity and difference, do both in their practice and Writings, own and maintain Dr. Sydenham and his Writings, wherein he delivers this way of Treating Fevers, and they being of two different parties, Guelphs and Gibellins, we may also guess at the Sentiments of their Respective Associats.

So it is hoped now, no Physician in this place will any longer Bogle or Scar at this way of Treating▪ Fevers or Shuffle [Page]Iugle, or Dissemble it, to the scandal of their Profession, the straitning of themselves, and the marring of their own and others accomplishment in this practice, For I am certainly informed, that the Apothecaries begin to practise it, with the greatest Freedom and Success; And One of them told me, that he has not only seen many others cured that way, but that also he himself was Cured of a most desperate Fever, by Purging: And that he was happily treated that way, by the Joint Advice of the Physicians who waited on him, and that at that time few Physicians approved of, or publickly owned that way.

And tho as both our Disputants remark, Dr Sydenham in his last work, the Monitory Schedule, only says, This Method is preferable to all others in very many kinds of Fevers, yet thereafter he told to my self, and to several others, that he doubted not, but it would agree with all continual Fevers, tho he did not think fit, to publish all that he thought of it, because it might derogat from some of his former Writings, and he judged it would never be left off, when once it came in use, because he doubted [Page] not but it would be alwayes more succesful than any other way, and thorow all constitutions of years, and as he had practised it several years before the last Edition of the Schedula 1687; so I have practised it with the greatest success ever since, being 12 years: and a Cure that has holden so many years, it is not to be doubted but it will hold good alwayes, tho in difficult and dangerous Cases, it requires great Care, Diligence and Caution, and Dexterity therein, can only be acquired by exact Attention and Consideration, and due Experience; and this may be a Reason why some Physicians are unwilling to take up with it, as being averse to give the Attendance sometimes requisite in this Cure, and these who want Experience therein, can only bungle at it, and know not how to go thorow with it; For in difficult and dangerous Cases, like the Management of a Ship in a Storm, where the Master must not only always be at the Helm, but also be well acquainted with the way he ought to take; So it requires not only the Physician to be close at his Post, but likewise to be no Stranger to the Way he ought to take. And [Page] especially in the Fevers that reign at this time, which are most part Quick and peracute, and cut off in a few dayes persons of impure Bodies: And as I have used this Method by Vomiting and Purging in many, and most successfully, at this time, so I have had lately considerable Experience thereof in my own Family, Wherein Four of my Children, and Ten Servants had the Fever, and blessed be GOD, all are Recovered; By repeated Vomiting, with Antimonial Vomits, and frequent Purgings; Except two Servants, the one having gotten a great Stress at work, who bragging of his strength, did contend with his Neighbour at the Mowing of Hay, and presently sickned, and died the sixth day, and whom I saw not till the day before he dyed, and found him in such a condition, that I could not give him either Vomite or Purge; and the other was his Neighbour who strove with him, being a Man of a most Impure and Emaciate Body, who had endured want and Stress before he came to my Service, and who got not all was necessary, because he had not the occasion of due Attendance, all my Servants being sick at the time, And [Page] as both my Children and Servants that recovered, were Vomited several times with Antimonial Vomits, besides frequent Purging▪ so it was astonishing to consider the quantity & Corruption & Virulency of the Matter Vomited up by them, and as I have in this matter sincerely told the Truth, which is also for the most part nottour in the place: So every one may judge how Malitious the Reports industriously spread abroad of me, Are, Viz. That seven of my Servants are lately Dead in Fevers, under this Cure, Whereas tho I have kept Servants near these Thirty years, Except these two, I had never any before that Dyed in my Service, tho the Fever has several times before been in my Family, and among my Servants and Children, I hope the Reader will not think this Digression altogether impertinent, or out of Vanity, since it is both for my own Just and Necessary Vindication, and the defence of this profitable Practice.

Yea I hope I might be also allowed to say something now also by the by, about other Calumnies and Slanders raised, and Propogate against me about the cure of [Page] the Gout, Especially by a certain Person [...]ho keeps a Publick-house, and whom I [...]erved most diligently, without any other Grarification, but Slander & Back-biting, for the Errors committed most unreasonably by the Patient, and which slanders some Physicians also take pleasure to Trumpet abroad, tho many other Gentlemen may from their Experience testify the help I have given them in that Disease, if they please; And the Balsome I use, therein is the same with that used at London, & aproven by [...]0 Members of the Colledge of Physicians there▪ as has been frequently mentioned in the Gazette; But of this enough at this time: Another time if there be any more Reason for it, may do as well, and verbum Sapienti sat est, a word is enough to a wise Man.

But to return to the purpose, it is further to be remarked that as Persons of impure Bodys and abounding with vitious humours are most subject to these Epidemical Fevers, so they are in most peril thereby, wherefore all such Persons would be admonished, that by the Advice an able Physician, in such an Epidemical time, they would make [Page] use of fit means for Prevention, whereby th [...] may either escape the Fever, or if they be seised, it may thereby prove more Benigne and easily curable, and among all the remedys for Prevention, as well as for cure, I know none more effectual as is mentioned in the Letter insert in Dr. Os. last peice than Antimonial Vomits, which notwithstanding the fear some People have of them, may be so ordered, that they will work with as much security and ease, as a Purgative Medicine, and such Vomits not only prepare, and open the way, for the more effectual operation of Purges, But also one Vomit has more effect, than two Purges; which is of considerable advantage in Peracute and quick Fevers, which still require a speedy remedy by Evacuation, and no alteratives or Correctors of vitious Humors, can so suddenly restore, and alter such a corrupt mass of Humors, as are usually evacuat in Fevers by such Vomits.

Now considering this whole matter, the Opposition this practise has met with, and progress it has made, (the full and clear History whereof, may perhaps hereafter be published for satisfaction of the curious,) it [Page] is humbly proposed and referred to the serious consideration, of all Physicians, whether or not they ought to be very wary and tender in their behaviour, about the Discoveries, Inventions and Experiences of others, and whether or not they rather ought, to inquire, ponder, and Modestly be informed about them, than be rashly driven by a spirit of Pride, Humour and Caprice, to run them down by all their power, and all Younger Physicians especially, would be exhorted to beware whom they take for Patrons and Examples, for ex quovis ligno non fit Mercurius, the best Stock of Natural Sense and Learning being little enough for a Foundation to make a competent Physician; and without it, tho they grow old in practise, they will never acquire true Skil and Real Experience in this difficult, intricate, and important Art, and Fame, and Reputation more rarely accompanyes real Merit in this Faculty and Function, than in any other whatsoever. The Vulgar upon whose noise Fame depends, being more competent Iudges in any thing, than in the intrigues of this hidden Art.

If some younger Physicians shall be pleased [Page] here to enquire, since they have not Experience themselves, and that they must lean to the Experience of Others, how shall they discern the Men of Real Experience, true Skil and Merit; and distinguish them from Men of meer Vogue and Fame: For the Satisfaction of such, and as a mean to prevent their being initiated in the Errors and Mistakes of Others, which being once taken up, are not easily forgone. I hope I may be allowed to make a little Digression to admonish them, that they ought to be very cautious how they are led by the Dictates and Sentiments of these three or four sorts, whatever Vogue and Reputation they have. The first are these, who by driwing the Trade of Commeradship, Good Fellowship, and Bon-Companionrie have gotten many Familiars and Acquaintance▪ who will cry them up for great Physicians, for all know how generally acceptable such Conversation is, and what a Noise so many Mouths well tun'd up this way make.

The second Sort are, These who are High flowne or bigotted to a Party, either in Religion or State, and these who make more than an Ordinary Semblance and shew [Page] of Probity, whether Real, or Affected only I will not determine, but the Opinion of a Goodman, a Man of Probity or Integrity, tho they also know him to be a very weak man, goes a great way with the Vulgar to make a good Physician; especially the Vulgar of the Respective Parties they are of.

The third Sort are, These interested in some great Families, as having been Domesticks, &c. Or otherwise concerned therein, and who thereby come to Reputation, Great Persons being called Gods, no wonder they aim at Creation, and the making Men out of Nothing, and in no Faculty such an Exploit as this seems so easie, as in Physick. There is also a fourth sort, that by a Gentile meen screw themselves into Peoples Liking and Familiarity▪ or by a Facetious Conversation, by making Sports, and by telling little quirck knacks and Mimical-Stories, to divert whereby they gain the Opinion of being thought Witty and fine Men, while there is nothing solid or profitable to be found in their Conversation; but since the most part are more delighted with shows or with vain and froathy Discourse, than with what is serious, solid, and useful, and that Fame Buoyes up gliter things, letting the weightier fall to [Page] the bottom, no wonder such be easily carr [...] ed on the Wings of the Wind.

But to insist too much upon such things may be rather constructed an Invective against the Elder, than an Admonitio [...] to younger Physicians. Certain yet it is the profession must be fallen into a strange Declination and Deliquium, which makes it so much Depretiated, and Vilipended, that not only weak Physicians, but any either He or She, without Exception, come to be Trusted in the most Intricat and important concern of our Lives and Health, and that with, or before the most Accomplished Physician, yea, and without any other Qualification, but an impudent pretending to understand the thing▪ which is impossible for them to Comprehend, Whereas there is no thinking person, that makes a due Reflection upon the Intricary, difficulty and Danger, attending Medicinal Practice, that will think it so easy a thing, to have true Experience therein, tho every on Braggs of their Experience. Experience being a Faculty or Power acquired by constant and serious Observation, whereby the Physician is able rightly to Father the given Phenomena, or Visible effects upon their propper, [Page] [...]o hidden Causes. And felix qui potuit [...]erum Cognoscere causas, the linke betwixt Cause and Effect, lyes often too deep for Vulgar Eyes to discover it. And Consequently there is no Iudicious Person but must Confess, that there is none Capable of any competent degree of Skil, or true Experience in this Art, who is not endued with the most Extraordinary Enduements of Mind, a most Penetrating Wit, an enlarged and most Comprehensive Genius, Capable to Reach, View, & Ponder the State and Concurrence of all Circumstances of things and their Productive Capacities, relating to Experience in Practice, a ready Wite to Canvasse, and Examine, and a Solid and Sure Wit, to make Happy-hits, and he that is Pregnant in Medicine, where ever he shal turn his Eyes, whatever Object he Surveys, or subject, he shall bend his Mind upon, by his Pregnancy of Spirit, he will be Capable of making therein the like clear Discoveries and Iust Hits. Solid and Sound Reasoning, makes Solid and Sound Acting; Those that Clinsh and Quible, that Wrangle and Cavil in their Reasonings, as all Weak-headed People do, are apt to do so in Action and Practice, [Page] about whatever Subject they medle. A great General, Politician or Lawyer would upon Application that way make a Good Physician and vice versa, a Qualified Physician, had he followed any of these Studys, would have been Exquisite therein; And as we may give the preheminence for difficulty and Intricacy to Physick, beyond all other Studys, so it is clear that Physick may be allowed to need the greatest Pregnancy of Wit and Iudgment of any other Studys, and whereever the Young Physician sees not these in the Physician he followes; It is in vain for him to expect their Real Accomplishment, True Skil, or Experience.

The Physician not only being a Moderator of the secret works, and of the hid intrigues of Nature, but is also put upon the rack and hard task of Governing and Disciplinating Peoples Humours, prejudices, and Caprices, and has often more difficulty to graple with these, than with the diseases of the body, yea not only the Patients, but the Friends and By-standers by their mistakes and prejudices must give him needless Work and trouble; But in this part of the Employment, the best Physician [Page] is oft outdone by the Weakest, who is more successfull herein, than the ablest, Quia Aquila non captat Muscas, the Eagle never catcheth Gnats, he that is taken up with, and most Conversant in, the Difficultys and Misterys of that Art, and has his mind in sublime, to him, it is tedious to stoop to the Servile Trivial and mean-work of crouching to every Caprice and lying at Catch upon Peoples Humors, or waiting and Watching the Tides and turns thereof; And this Studying and Serving Peoples Humours, has to the Scandal of the Profession, made some Physicians forego the Study of Nature, and take themselves to the Study and Exercise of Politick complaisance, and Sycophantish Humouring Persons: not finding the true study▪ and practise of Physick, able to recommend them, and so instead of following Medicinal Prudence, to treat Diseases with due Circumspection, Caution and Art, they follow a kind of Bastard prudence, or rather Artifice and Cunning, to Cajole the Humours, and strike in with the Fansies and Whimzies of Weak persons, and Young Physicians would be admonished that they follow not the Example of such.

[Page] Thus as Vulgar opinion Error and mistake as given occasion to the Deradence and De [...]y of Medicine: So these vices ought not [...]o be obtruded on the Art of Physick, being thus brought thereinto, Neither let the uncertointy or Conjecturalness thereof, be objected, since it is thus also made a great deal more so: than otherwise it would have been, Neither are the Differences and Disagreement among Physitians to the Disparagement of true Medicine, seeing vulgar errors, &c. has given too much occasion for these also.

Tho Physick of its own nature has no more Uncertainly or Conjecturalues than these other noble and usefull Proffessions of War, Law, Politicks, Navigation: in all which the event can be no more predicted or ascertained than in Physick, and all that the Artist is Accomptable for, being the Rational and Prudent conduct, that nothing be Overdone or Undone, that was Possible to have been done; or that Art and Skil could suggest, nevertheless through the many Diversions & discouragments Physitians ly under, from Vulgar Prejudice Errors and Mistaks, the practiss thereof is made a great deal more [Page] both Uncertain and Uusuccessful then otherwise it would be. And for the Debates and Differences among Physitians, when they break the bonds of Charity and Humanity, they are only the faults of Men not of the Art, but when they are only in opinion, they are no more than whats incident to all other Professions, that are versant about particular Events, and pertinent debaits are a token of great industry and of a laudable Emulation. And when Mens Wits are all of one Size, their Penetration and Comprehension of the same Reach, and their Iudgment of the same vigour, then may we expect their Opinions shall Iump; And I doubt if the 15 Lords of Session are always Unanimous in there Votes & Decisions or if the Councel of state, or a Council of War are all of one Mind, & yet no body takes occasion from that to disparage there procedure.

And for the most part, these Differences and Debates among Physitians, proceed from the Pride, Self-conceit and Envy of some Physitians, whom Vulgar Opinion has mounted upon a Higher pinacle of fame, and Reputation, than their true worth and Merit, can Maintain and Suport, and whose [Page] Real Weaknes & Emptynes chaffes & rages to see any worthy thing done in Physick but in dependance upon them fearing they may be overtoped by others whom their Eminence used to look down upon, whereas the Ab▪ Candid and Honest Physician, will soon discern and Cordialy welcome what is worthy in Medicine, from whomsoever it chanceth to come, but that which he thinks Futile & Trivial will nothing move him, nor will he ever make it the Ball of Contention, as some have most unmercifully done, by my sincere, tho weak Endeavours for the Advancement of Medicine. But Thanks be to GOD, who favouring my honest purposes, has helped me to weather out so many storms raised against me, for my plain Dealing about some Dismal Sinister and Self-seeking Designs, and some dangerous Vulgar Errors Prejudices and Caprices, such being of mischievous Consequence in Medicine, more than in any other Profession, as they are in Publick Societies, and Governments more than in private Cases.

And tho the evil Spirit that raged against me, be not yet quite subdued and Conquered, yet I hope the Edge thereof is considerably [Page] blunted; Providence having brough [...] about some considerable things to disc [...]ver my Innocency, and the Folly and Wicked ness of these Secret Works, hatcheed so much in the dark to controul my Endeavours, that they can now scarce find a Father to own them, every one denying thei [...] Accession to the Lybels printed on th [...] Subject, and shifting them from one to another, except one poor Creature, who, cal [...] ing himself a Stripling aged 27 Summer did most unhappily put his Name to h [...] Elaborat six days Work: But this Striplin [...] reckoning his Age by the Summers, as th [...] Horses Age uses to be reckoned by th [...] Grass, must needs be a Kin to that Animal, and it is no wonder, than if a Young Colt, has been more fool-hardy than the Rest.

Whoever shall narrowly view how thing [...] often go in the World, may be in a Horror to think that in many Cases there is no Convincing Men, that they are in the wrong Way, without the most lamentable and woful Experiences, & that so man [...] Deaths, so much Destruction and irreparabl [...] Ruine, is sometimes needfull to open Men [...] Eyes, and the dearest bought Experienc [...] [Page] to cure their Blindness, and that ov [...] Belly of Somes Zealous and constant Endeavours, to convince them of their Mistakes and Errors, as may be eminently seen i [...] this Case, and I fear it be not the on [...] Case.

He that takes upon him to be an At [...], because he takes on him the Office or a Preacher to the World, according to the Opinion of some, he ought to have these 3 Qualifications. First, The Courage of a Souldier, to encounter and combate Ignorance, Errors, and Caprices, these obstinat Enemies of all Vertue, Iustice and Truth. The 2d. The Sense and Solidity of a Statesman, that he cumber not the World with any thing Trivial or unworthy. The 3d. The Sincerity and Integrity of a Dying Man, that he impose nothing false, or sophisticate in point of Fact or Reasoning. And how my Performances in this, and my former Essays, have answered these Qualifications; I must submit to my Readers, who seing they are not all alike capable, to the weakest sort of them I crave Liberry to propose these following Considerations, before they give [...]heir Sentence, as first, That they would be [Page] pleased to consider the strange Schock of [...] and Universal Opposition, I have had the small assistance of any Man, as [...] my first Book, predict and expect. [...]dly. What estimate and value may be upon my Subject, which is a more [...]tual way of treating these Formidable [...]uers, which are a Terror to many Persons [...]d Families, and which now seems to have [...]rage of the most decerning part of [...] here.

But for the third Qualification, since it's [...]ot so obvious to Men, I Bless GOD I have [...] clear Conscience that I never told any [...]hing but Truth in the Commendation, & instances of the Success of this way of treating Fevers, and even from my very Heart and Soul, and that by innumerable and repeated Instances, and Experiences these 12 Years confirmed.

Now in the next place, it is but Reason [...]le I should whisper my Enemies in the [...]r how many of these Qua [...]ications they [...]n make good to Vindicate their Be [...]omming Authors, for I fear if their Read [...]rs lay aside the Cavilling and quibling [...]he Bitter and Malitious Invectives and [Page] Slanders, there will be litle left [...] Books, either Good or ill.

I shall only give the Reader one of thei [...] mildest Bourds, because they thought i [...] Master-peice of Wit, and it is in the end [...] their Dialogue thus, that they would no allow me to come into the Rank of Authors, with the Infamous Tartaretus, who wrote de modo Cacandi, because, say they, with a Perverted Authority, Mihi ex pejori luto finxit proecordia Titan, but whoever will take the Pains, to view the whole of the Treatment in this matter will, surely see it was not the Itch of Writing took these Men, it has been the Scab, the Leprosie, and Botch of Writing, or rather Scribling and Blotting that seized them; Such Blunders against any Man, tho only Verbal are Scandalous enough. But if for well doing they are Divellish, as being not only the brandeing the Innocent but Truth and Righteousness it self [...] But Committed to Print, they fix Eternally and [...]elibly the Blackest stain on the Auth [...] and Abettors, both in the Eyes of [...] and Man, unless it be wip'd off, as I pray it may be, by their sincere and [Page] hearty Repentence. But let them kno [...] is no true Repentance without a Pr [...] Amendment, and endeavour [...] [...] of the Damnage they ha [...] [...]one the thing, not me, I mean.

‘Non tollitur peccatum nisi restituatur ablatum.’

FINIS.

§

§

[Page]

THE EPILOGUE TO The Five Papers Lately past betwixt the Two PHYSICIANS Dr. O. and Dr. E.

Containing some Remarks, Pleasant and Profitable, concerning that Debate, And the Usefulness of VOMITING and PURGING in FEVERS.

By AND. BROWN, M. D.

Victrix causa Diis placuit, sed victa Catoni▪

EDINBURGH, Printed by John Reid, Anno DOM. 1699▪

Advertisement.

THE Vindicatory Schedule concerning the new cure of [...] vers, &c.

De Febribus continuis Tentamen Theoretica-Practicum. &c. both shewing the Nature and Cure of Fevers, by the Author of this Epilogue; Sold by Iohn Vallance Book-seller near the Cross, Edinburgh.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

The epilogue to the five papers lately past betwixt the two physicians Dr. O. and Dr. E. containing some remarks, pleasant and profitable, concerning that debate, and the usefulness of vomiting and purging in fevers / by And. Brown, M.D.

Brown, Andrew, M.D.

Edition statement

1699

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2004-05 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A29736

ID [STC]

Wing B5007

ID [STC]

ESTC R33269

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

13117705

ID [OCLC]

ocm 13117705

ID [VID]

97772

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Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A29736)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 97772)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1545:6)

Source

— The epilogue to the five papers lately past betwixt the two physicians Dr. O. and Dr. E. containing some remarks, pleasant and profitable, concerning that debate, and the usefulness of vomiting and purging in fevers / by And. Brown, M.D., Brown, Andrew, M.D..

Extent

40 p.

Printed by John Reid ...,. Edinburgh :: 1699.. ("Dr. O." and "Dr. E." refer to Charles Oliphant and Sir Edward Eizat.) (Imperfect: pages cropped, stained, taped, torn, with loss of print.) (Reproduction of original in the British Library.)

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