An exact enquiry into, and cure of the acute diseases of infants by Walter Harris ; Englished by W.C. M.S., with a preface in vindication of the work. — De morbis acutis infantum. English

An exact enquiry into, and cure of the acute diseases of infants by Walter Harris ; Englished by W.C. M.S., with a preface in vindication of the work. — De morbis acutis infantum. English

Table of contents

Title page

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, Margaret Countess of Roxburgh, &c.

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.

THE CONTENTS.

An Exact ENQUIRY Into, and Cure of the Acute Diseases OF INFANTS.

Observation I.

Observation II.

Observation III.

Observation IV.

Observation V.

Observation VI.

Observation VII.

Observation VIII.

Observation IX.

Observation X.

Observation XI.

§

§

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An Exact ENQUIRY Into, and Cure of the Acute Diseases OF INFANTS.

By Walter Harris, M. D.

Englished by W.C. M.S. With a Preface in Vindication of the Work.

LONDON, Printed for Sam. Clement at the White Swan in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1693.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, Margaret Countess of Roxburgh, &c.

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MADAM,

THere's none I can so safely come unto for Shelter to my first Labours as Your self, in whose Nature, Justice and Equity, are so firmly established, that your [Page] Name prefixed to this Book, is not only able to defend it from Calumny, but also to cover a great many Faults may be found in it.

If I should declare my Obligations to lay this Work at your Feet, this Epistle would swell to a greater Bulk than the Book it self: For who could enumerate all your Endowments, or my own particular Ties in less space? Who can sufficiently declare that profuseness of Nature, who, ordinarily, giveth some Excellency to one, some to another, but has Concentrated all in You: Who did ever see Nobility such a debonaire Countenance, such exact and divine proportion of Body, Politeness of Mind, and Pleasantness in Conversation, so blended and mixed in a Creature? [Page] so that I'm at a stand, whether I should say, That they are the Attendants of your Birth, or much rather, since they are not to be found in your Equals, I could almost think that Nobility and Riches are but the Earnest of the Reward of so great Vertues. Madam, I am hardly restrain'd from breaking in upon Them, but I fear I should wander in this vast Field and inextricable Labyrinth. Wherefore, I do truly value my self, that I have resisted so great a Temptation, in not launching out into this Ocean, in improving the Subject before me in Panegyrick. Yet I cannot so entirely moderate my Passion, but I must say, That the great Prudence whereby you have managed and improved That Estate, in the Minority of your most Noble [Page] Son, is a most plain Declaration of the most of the other Vertues.

But that I may not offend against your Modesty, I must keep off, and tell you in short, That this Dedication is the Basket of Flowers the poor Man presenteth his Rich Neighbour with. Yet, worthless things receive a value, when they are made the Offerings of Respect, Esteem, and Gratitude: These I have in the highest degree for You; so that if they can add a Price to what they go along with, proportionable to their own Greatness, I can with confidence brag, I here make your Ladyship the greatest Present you ever received. This I am sure, I am under the greatest obligation to seek all occasions to acknowledge; and I [Page] should be most Ungrateful, if I did not lay hold on this Opportunity, to testify to the World, how much I am obliged to be,

MADAM,

Your Ladyships most humble, and most obedient Servant, WILLIAM COCKBURN.

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.

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Reader,

I Here present you with a Translatition of the best, if not the first and only Book yet extant upon the Subject; which, however rational, is rejected by a great many, otherways Learned, Physitians, as Empyrical. Neither, is that strange Humour of decrying what we do not use, stayed there; but the malice of some has led them into a great many Personal Reflections upon the Learned Author himself, as a most unlearned Innovator. This imputation [Page] of Novelty, is a terrible Charge amongst those who judge of Mens Heads, as they do of their Perukes, by the fashion; and can allow none to be right, but the receiv'd Doctrines. Truth scarce yet carried it by Vote any where, at its first appearance; new Opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason, but because they are not already common; and its Detectors disclaimed against, as the greatest Enemies of Mankind. This way of Calumniating is no newer than the World it self: This has been the Fate of such as have deserved best in all Ages, and never more evident than in the last; for, tho' there have been a great many things discovered in it, so essential and necessary for the use of Medicine, that it may be a wonder how it had subsisted before that time; yet, were not the English Oracles, Harvey, viz. Willis, Lower, Sydenham, &c. freed from the Scourge of an unruly Tongue, and Pens dipt in blackest Satyr. So, we may the less admire that Libels, as unjust, are brought against this first, tho' most exact Essay of curing Infants Diseases.

[Page]As the Trial and Examination of Truth, and not any Antick Fashion, must give it price, though it be not yet current by the Publick Stamp: So shall this Treatise be found intirely rational, if they will but adjust it to their own Rule. For are not there here, Causes Procatartick, Antecedent, and Immediate described from the surest Considerations? Has not he begun with Reflections upon the first Motion in the Ovum, and observed the Nature and Constitution of its very Spring? Neither has he left in disguise, but clearly demonstrated, what external Injuries they can sustain; yea, he hath most accuratly enquired into the Nature of their Fabrick and Body it self, and hath deduced all the Maladies that can be subsequent thereupon, from the most solid and firm Principles of the best Philosophy.

And, therefore, that Calumny is most malicious, when they traduce him as a Rejecter of the use of Philosophy, h. e. best informed Reason, in Medicine; and that he should teach how to become Physitians by practising. This indeed, is the way of some impudent Murtherers; [Page] yet all that he says, is, That Practice is the Standard of our right Reasonings, while, in the mean time, he doth very well know it to be simply impossible, that one just Observation can be made, when the understanding is not sufficiently polished by necessary Philosophy; Experience being very deceitful. So when in several places of his Book, he doth inveigh against, and declare the uselesness of that, which was ordinarily brought for the Introducing, and handing in, of Medicine; he doth positively speak of those which are fitted to the frisking Spirits of Young Men, but which never had place but in the Brains of their Inventers.

Yea, he doth almost in plain Terms assort, what that is he thinketh absolutely requisite for polishing and preparing the Minds of Men, for becoming faithful observers of the Effects of Natural Operations? by the several Appeals he doth make, through the whole book, unto Experiment. As if he had most plainly declared the great use of the Experimental Philosophy for explaining Phaenomena's in Medicine; which, methinks, should be no hard task to prove, [Page] if the Ingenious and immortal Mr. Boyl had loft any thing debatable upon this subject, and the world were not utterly satisfied of the great advances Philosophy hath made in that School more than in any other.

Whatever be the truth of this: It is most certain that the contrivers of these fanciful Philosophies have got their Ʋnderstanding and knowledge this way, whatever be the dress they have put theirs into. This might most easily be demonstrated from the great use Aristotle made of the Works of his Ancestors, especially of those of Ocellus Lucanus, though he handed them down unto Posterity as his own. So, he and his Followers in this Reformation, fixing their Thoughts only on Words, and the end of their Contemplations and Reasonings, about little more than Sounds; the result of all, was nothing but Noise and wrangling about Sounds, without convincing or bettering a Man's Ʋnderstanding: Which the Ingenious and most Famous Des Cartes has exercised in great measure and stoutly asserted our liberty in Disquisition, against that Tyrant of Men's [Page] Minds; for which no Generation shall ever mention him without due Praise.

Yet, his Followers have very much endeavoured to bring the World back into that Slavery and Bondage, their Master had but lately freed it from; whilst they set up a clear Deduction of all Truths from their Masters Principle; as if all that boundless Extent were the natural and undoubted Possession of their Ʋnderstandings, wherein there is nothing exempted from its Decision, or that escapes its Comprehension. They do not remember how much their Master was, and they are, obliged to Experimental Philosophy. His Meditations are a new dress of the most Learned Lord Verulam, his Novum Organum; being his Dubitation is to be read in the 31st. Aphor. of that Book, where he saith, That a Redress is to be made from the first Foundations; because, as he saith in the distribution of that Work, there is a twofold fault of our Senses, they, sc. either altogether forsake, or deceive us: for there are a great many things, which our Senses, &c. His Prejudices were before that time termed Idols, [Page] by the Learned Bacon; and the Advice of fixing upon some general Truth, by which we may more clearly make Disquisition into her more retired Recesses, given by that most ingenious Gentleman; who, tho well knowing the Infinity of such Maxims, upon the ground of Assent, at first hearing and understanding the Terms; yet could never suspect that any could carry the Matter so high, as to fix upon any one as the first; neither is the Proof of Existence, because of Thought, at all such; except we also know the necessity and relation of Thinking, and Being, which he perhaps had cleared, if he had not been afraid of falling into that other general Truth and innate Idea (if there be any such) that it is impossible for the same thing to be, and not to be.

This, then, being the whole Life and Spring of his Meditations; we may most justly say, That they are nothing else but Sir Francis Bacon reviv'd. And that his natural Philosophy is nothing but a dexterous Application of his ingenious Principles to the common and observed Operations of Nature, will be most clear; if we do recollect, where, in the [Page] Fourth Book of his Principles of Philosophy, being now destitute and run out in his own Learning, he doth ingenuously confess, That he can assert nothing positively of these Phaenomena's not having had sufficient Trial and Experiment. And as the Ancients did cast such things as they could not explain by their beloved Four Qualities, into that vast Catalogue of such as are Occult; so the ingenious Des Cartes did dispatch a great many Difficulties with his as unconceivable Dispositions and certain ways of Doing. Neither has Aristotle and his Followers been more diligent in suppressing those Ancient Philosophers, that, as the most Learned Lord Verulam saith in the 282 p. of his 3d. Book, about the encrease of Sciences, After the fashion of the Ottoman Family, they thought they could not safely Reign, unless their Brethren were Assassinated; than the Followers of that Famous Man to suppress, contrary perhaps to their Master's first Design, every way of explaining Phaenomena's but their own.

[Page]This Contagion stoppeth not here, but has diffused it self so much into Medicine, that now, there can be no Learned Physitian, but who doth reason his Diseases from these three Principles, h. e. from the different Efforts and Operations of the Matter of the first, Globules of the second, and that of the third Element. But whether my most Learned Author has just reason to subscribe to those, or keep by his own Philosophy, shall appear from the following Considerations: As,

1. From this useless and general way of explaining Phaenomena's, wherein there's nothing to be found but empty Sounds, and most abstract Notions. They call all Diseases a Confused or ill mixture of the Humours, which in the main is true; but how to settle the different kinds of Diseases, is somewhat hard; and their Cause an obstruction of Pores, and so (with them) must always be thrust out by Diaphoretick and Sweating Medicines: And so there is never any use for cooling and temperate Medicaments, these silly and naughty parts of the Creation, which are ordain'd without any Design, [Page] and are of no use to Man, as the standard of our Religion would inform us: So either there must be no such thing in nature as these Remedies, or the Scriptures do cheat us, when they inform us, That all on this Earth was created for the use of Man. Yea, it might much be doubted (that I may pursue their fancy) whither the parts of Matter, arrested by Pores of a different Figure; these Causes of Obstructions, are to be driven. Surely, not outward, lest they produce a too great extension of Fibres, and so communicate Irregular Motions unto their beloved Glandula, and so, create some grievous Perception in the Soul, h. e. Pain. Neither inward, being they have not yet seen the necessity for these Wedges, to force their Return, which, else, they could easily have supplied us with. But to the purpose:

2. From the bad Success their greatest Authors have had in practice, not to name any, being it is well known to any that have been in their Country; yea, whatever Parade they make in their Theory, their Practice is nothing different from that of the Ancients; and [Page] their Prescriptions are most implicitely transcribed, yea sometime when they do flatly oppose those Views they established from their Theory.

3. From the small Progress Physick has made under its Conquest. For what Advances have they made merely, or for the most part, by their Philosophy? Is not the spacious Field of the Materia Medica the same, for them, as it was left by Dioscorides and Bauhinus; though the Rise and Beginning of this Philosophy has been in a time when the great Secrets in Anatomy have been disclosed; which some, most ridiculously apply to the great Advantages that have accrued to the World by this; as if it had been the Clew of Ariadne, that led into the vast Labyrinth of Anatomy, and of a great many more that did then appear, by the diligent scrutiny of Men at that time.

So that he may say of Medicine, considering its growth under the Cartesian, or other fanciful Philosophy, what the Learned Verulam said, upon another occasion, of the Mechanicks in his days, That they were come to a greater heighth in the Shops, where Men were [Page]Armed with Tools, than they had come in the Schools of Mathematicians. That Medicine has made better advances in the School of Hippocrates than in all the rest; and it may justly have the Character, being the Consequences are as dismal, that the most Famous Bacon giveth of the Peripatetick Philosophy.

I might demonstrate here, for further Defence, the great Advantages Physick hath, being treated after this manner, and so run through all the past Ages until History should give us no more help; if the treating of this particular would not swell this Preface into a big Volume.

I shall not for-estall you with any Collection of the most considerable Remarks of this Book, lest I should be obliged to range it into this Epistle; and a very little patience will be able to conquer them all.

And now having answered, at as great length as this place will allow, the several Cavils that have been brought against this Book: 'Tis now fallen to my own share, that I give some account [Page] of my self in this Translation, and that I who have been Vindicating another, may need some excuse for my self. Truly, this pitiful Humour of excusing is large worse than the fault, and maketh a Man become unpardonable for doing any thing, they are sensible doth need Vindication, when at the same time they may leave undone, that which they make Apology for. Yet, that I may not flatter my self that I can escape Censure more than better Writers, and my most Learned Author; I shall declare my Design, that, at least, they may not be utterly unmannerly, and give us the lie in Things I positively over.

And. 1. 'Tis no affectation to be in Print, which no Man, that would keep free of Publick Malice, doth desire; beside how mean a thing it is to be a Translator, though a work only suitable to my Years.

All my Ambition is, that I have catch'd held of this occasion, to defend Truth, [Page] and my Learned Author from unjust Calumnies.

I have put it in an English Dress, not only that the rude and unlearned may see in this Mirrour (my Author's Book) what the Art of Physick is, and how unfit it is to be practised by the Ignorant and unskilful, who presumptuously venture on the Lives of others; and turn Mountebanks with a few Receipts, without the least considering the most profound Principles of this Art; or searching into the Nature of Diseases their several Motions, and different Symptoms. But especially, that Women and Illiterate People, with whom these Physicians have interposed their Scandalizing Authority, may be taught, from the solid Reasonings and the Answerableness to the Standard he hath set up, to be more afraid of such, as of Hogboblins, as do most endeavour the preservation of their and their Infants health, by the Methods of the most Famous and Learned Sydenham, and of my Author, put in practice as the different Exigences, which are only known to the Skilful, do require.

[Page]But, also, the Learned may be remembred that the World had very much advanced in knowledge, if the endeavours of ingenious and industrious Men had not been much cumbred with the Learned, but Frivolous use of uncouth, affected, or unintelligible Terms, introduced into Sciences, and there made an Art of, to that degree, that the Art of Medicine, has not been able to endure a satisfying Tryal, until the diligent Labours of some late Authors have broke in upon this Sanctuary of Vanity and Ignorance.

So I hope our thus discovering this and other parts of Physick in the Language of every Gossip it so far from putting edged Tools into the Hands of Children, and teaching Men to play too much with their own and others Healths, that it may be a way to put a stop to the Infinite Mischiefs and frequent Murthers that are daily committed.

Only, now, I must make Apology to my Author, though unacquainted, [Page] for making use of his Book upon that Design; to whom only I can answer, that it is the fittest, upon many accounts, for so Publick a Service. And as he, in the close of this Book, leaveth allways to others the same power of judging he assumed to himself: so I hope he doth not, either, restrict this Maxim in doing; for I take him to be so candid and just a Man, that he doth nothing in Publick but what he allowes in others; and, therefore, I presume, he cannot be dissatisfied, being he did travel in the same kind of Labour, h. e. he Translated Monsieur de Bleyny de la verole, upon the same Design, I do his de morbis. &c.

THE CONTENTS.

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THat the things that make for a more certain Cure of Infants were, before, wanting amongst Physitians. page 2.

But it is easier than is commonly believed. p. 3.

That is proved by an Agurment taken from the difference of Ages and Constitutions. p. 4.

There is but one cause of all Infants Diseases. p. 5.

What that is. ibid.

By what infallible Signs the Diagnostick of these Diseases is to be enquired into. p. 7.

What was the seeming uncertainty of the Diagnostick. p. 8.

The foregoing Cause of these Diseases. p. 10.

How much the Health of the Infant dependeth upon the Mother. p. 11.

Other Causes of Infants Diseases are recounted. 15.

Cold, viz. very easily catch'd. ibid.

The faulty Milk of the Nurse. p. 17.

Their over soon eating Flesh. p. 20.

The imprudent allowance of drinking Spirituous Liquors. p. 21.

With whom Wine doth best agree, and whom it most injureth. p. 22.

[Page]All the Causes of Infants Diseases do always concentrate in one that is more immediate. 24

All the Symptoms have their Rise from a prevailing Acid. p. 30.

That Hipp. did take his Indications of Cure from defeating the second, and not the first Qualities. p. 34.

The Prognostick p. 37.

The Cure. p. 39.

What's the Foundation we should chiefly lay for the curing Infants Diseases. p. 41.

The Designs of Cure are twofold. p. 42.

The first is, to prepare the Acid aright. p. 47.

That the Preparation of Humours of old, was of no use, and without any design. ibid.

Why so many antient Physitians have neglected Purging in Fevers. p. 48.

That the Concoction is better advanced by Purging than any other way. ibid.

The Preparing Medicaments are enumerated. p. 51.

Why the Volatile Spirits are not reckon'd amongst such as do Prepare. p. 53.

Why the foregoing Medicines are amongst the best Anodynes. p. 54.

That the ignorance of their Vertues is the reason that That Vertue of these Medicaments was altogether unknown to Physitians. p. 55.

By what the Knowledge of Physitians is to be measured. p. 56.

Forms and Ʋses of preparing Medicaments. p. 57.

Forms of gentle Purgatives are described. p. 62.

The deserved Commendation of Rhubarb, above all other Purgatives. p. 64.

In what esteem we should have Aloes. p. 65.

[Page]Some things out of Hipp. that oppose us, and are against Purging in Fevers. p. 68.

An Answer. p. 69 and 70.

The Fatal Mistake of some Physitians that over-thwartly prescribe Purging. p. 71.

Concerning the Blooding of Children. p. 72.

The Vertues of Testaceous Medicaments. p. 73.

What are meant here by such. p. 75.

The extravagant giving of Opiats, hath been introduced through the ignorance of their use. ib.

That Narcoticks are neither necessary nor safe for Infants. p. 77.

The danger of all Warm Medicaments and Cordials in the cure of these tender Ones, is observed. p. 78.

Whether the using Testaceous Medicaments doth produce Obstructions. p. 79.

What my Opinion is about the Crissis. p. 80.

What is to be determin'd concerning the use of Precipitating Medicaments. p. 82.

How very gentle Fevers do frequently become such as are called Malignant. p. 84.

The constant Practice amongst the Turks in curing the Plague. p. 86.

The Notion of Malignity is refelled. p. 87.

What Sudorificks, and in how much they, are of use. p. 88.

An account of the Fever that was Epidemick last year. p. 89.

Of the difficult breeding of Teeth of Infants, and its Cure. p. 91.

The Cure of Thrushes. p. 94.

How a Flux is to be cured. p. 96.

And their Vomiting. p. 98.

[Page]What are the Specificks for their Gripes. p. 99

What are best in Convulsions. p. 100.

The Specificks of the Ancients against Convulsions, have not those Virtues they ascribed to them. p. 101.

An Example of a Girl seized with most severe Convulsions, and recovered by things of no value. p. 102.

Some things about the Small Pox and Measles of Infants. p. 105.

An Argument taken from the Nature of the Small Pox, against the custom of too warm Traitment. p. 106.

Examples of sundry Infants cured of their Fevers by this my Method. p. 109.

A remarkable Instance of the Hurt of Aloeticks, in the Fevers of these Young Ones. p. 125

The cure of a Boy almost destroyed by an abundance of Worms. p. 129

The description of a Black Mineral, and its comparison with the common Preparation. p. 130

An Objestion against the fore-going Method. 133

The Reply. ib.

What my thoughts are concorning Chymistry. 134

The excellency of the Works of Nature in relation with those of Art. p. 137

The Conclusion. p. 138

An Exact ENQUIRY Into, and Cure of the Acute Diseases OF INFANTS.

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WHEN but last Summer I had discoursed the most skilful and accomplished Physician, Mr. Sydenham about the frequent Success I have had in the Cure of the most dangerous Diseases of Infants:

That very Learned Man did seriously inquire what method I did take in so lame (that I may say no more) and so defective an Affair, of which the most [Page] famed Physicians have had so small knowledge. Before him, then, did I most willingly expose that way, which of all pleased me most, and which he, after tryal, did not only not disprove, but confirming it by his own experience, and declaring it most useful to others, did most earnestly desire me, to recommend it to the World. By the persuasion then of so Learned a Man, I take my Pen, and to my power, do consult the Health of my Country.

I know in how unfrequented, and unknown a Path I am to walk, since Children, and especially sick Infants offer nothing for a clear Diagnostick, but what we can collect from their moaning Complaints, & their uncertain Idiom of frowardness; wherefore, very many Physicians of the best Vogue, have often declared to my self, what unwilling Visits they made to Sick, but especially New born Children; hoping little from these Notices for the unridling of their Maladies. No doubt, we should as diligently inquire after a perfect Cure of Childrens Diseases, as of any other thing that may seem wanting in Medicine; [Page] neither do rich men, who do desire, or would preserve the Health of the Heirs of their vast Properties and Possessions, trust much to this; but all Parents who with an invincible Affection, do as eagerly maintain the Health of their Young ones as their own. Wherefore, if I shall give some small light, which advanced by the polished wit of other men, that may render this rude and imperfect Work more absolute and exact, I shall not repent me of my Undertaking, but shall take it in very good part.

Who therefore will diligently ponder the Symptoms of the Youngest Infants, which are most evident, or whoever shall seriously reflect upon their delicate Constitution, and most simple Diet, shall find this not so difficult a Task, as he formerly conceived. For I do not doubt to assert the Diseases of that Age generally to be but very few, and only to differ in degree; yea, that the Cure of Infants is far more easie and safe, than that of Men and Women.

As of all Ages, that of old People is with very much ado changed to better, [Page] because of the dryness and hardness, and almost flinty temper of all their Solid Parts; so without doubt, the Younger, because of their delicate and mucilaginous Tenderness, are apt to receive any alteration imaginable. For these Parts of an Old Man are dry and wither'd, which in Infants are most humid, viz. their Bones, Membranes, Ligaments, Arteries, Veins, Nerves, and the very musculous Flesh: Sith that even the Bones of Infants may be more properly termed Cartilages; and now being they do abound with so much natural and acquired moisture, that their Bodies are perfectly soft and flexible, that temperament and constitution is very justly said to be the most humid.

And as the constitution of Children is most humid, so I dare not to pronounce all their Diseases to be of one kind, and to be produced from one and the same cause; and that the Maladies of the however different parts of the Body, whether they be the uppermost or nethermost, as the Stomach, Intestines, Lungs, Head or Nerves, are [Page] variously and most affected, are of the same Nature, under divers and sundry Names.

In which assertion, that I may not seem rashly to maintain a Paradox, you may hear Hippocrates himself in his Book of Winds or Vapours, speaking of one and the same Universal Cause of Diseases. [...], &c. The Rise of all Diseases is one and the same. The place only maketh the difference. VVherefore, Diseases seem to have nothing of Relation, because of the diversity of their places; when, tho, there is but one Species, and the same Cause of all Diseases.

Wherefore, if we shall consider the nature of the Moisture of Children, we shall not find it possible to degenerate into any defect or putridness, but that which is acid. For with whatsoever Disease they are affected, however named by the Authors; seldom or never could I find wanting Excrements of a very sour smell, and an abundance of tart and acid Belchings, especially in the beginning. But also, almost all Liquors that do tend to putrefaction, [Page] do naturally contract an acor or sharpness. Yea, Milk it self, the proper Food of that tender Age, if keeped for some time, becometh sour, and doth, coagulate upon the Fire, without the addition of any other Acid. Moreover, all the Symptoms of Childrens Diseases do justly reckon their beginning from an Acid.

With all which, let us consider the weak temperament and the infirm constitution of their Blood, so that the Spirits that lodge therein, have not yet attained so great mastery as to discharge their Functions and Offices, or to settle by their own Force or Activity, any Irregular Motions of the Humours proceeding from any inward or external Cause. For that Vital Liquor, as Stum, before it be duly fermented, doth easily contract a preternatural Acor and Tartness; tho it may easily be redressed by timeous and artificial Help.

By an Infant I do not only in a more strict sense understand, with Galen, a Child of one, two or three months, but in a larger (as commonly) a Child [Page] more advanced in Age, even to four Years; from which to 14 he is a Boy. And being confirmed by multiplyed experience, and Reason it self suggesting no less, I do firmly assert, that the younger the sick Child or Boy is, that his cure is so much the more easie. For any Impression whether good or bad, is sooner received by a soft than a hard Body; though it be more lasting, if once it be impressed upon the hard: So Children, do easily fall into Diseases, and are very easily restored to their Health, if they be not ignorantly and unskilfully treated.

The Diagnostick of Childrens Diseases, cannot so much be collected from their own Relation, neither from the touching of their Pulse, or from a more curious Tryal of their Urine, as from the Answers of the Nurses and Women that are their constant Attendants. The Women know, if they have been troubled with Loathings, and Vomitings, and how long; whether the Food or Milk that was cast up, was curdled; whether untimeous Weeping, Watching, and Disquiet, [Page] give any Notices of Colick Pains; whether they be affected with acid Belchings, or the Hick up, or a Cough doth appear; whether their Belly hath kept a due course, and if their Excrements be white, green, or filled with Bile. They know, if their Infants have had extraordinary drouth, and so be Feverish, or if their mouths be full of Thrushes, which do much trouble their Sucking. Being enquired, they can inform you, if epileptick Spasms have seized their ender Bodies, with the several Concomitants of time and severity, or whether their present Sickness be treisted with their breeding of Teeth; or lastly, whether any thing considerable, whether that be a swelling of their Belly, or of any other part, either Wheels or Pushes, or the Jaundice, or Rose do appear. The other Symptoms, methinks, do more belong and appertain to subtil Speculation than Practice.

But the frequent Complaint of an uncertain Diagnostick, has more its rise from the preposterous and useless [Page] way of curing, than from any want of Symptoms. For under this Mask and Vail Physicians do willingly cloak and conceal their Ignorance and Mistakes. Neither can I conceive upon what account Almighty God who governeth and provideth for all things, who disposeth of every thing in so good order, and who hath given to the very Beasts, and to Insects, of all these the most vile, an innate and sufficient sagacity for preserving themselves; should restrain his bounty from communicating it self in that manner to the Children of Men.

But the Pulses of Children are naturally, or upon every little Alteration do become so swift and frequent, that they always seem somewhat Feverish. Moreover, they are for the most part, so chagreen and froward, that not keeping their Wrest one moment in the same posture, do not suffer their Pulse to be touched. Lastly, there are so many things that do accelerate or otherways change their Pulses, that Sentiments taken thence [Page] should prove very uncertain, if no altogether false.

Their Urine, when in perfect Health, is most thick; so that any too curious Person, unacquainted with this, could pronounce them labouring under some grievous Distemper, though at that minute, they do enjoy most prosperous Health. The Urine of Infants is always mixed with their Excrements in their Cloaths, so that it doth rather serve for the scalding and excoriating of their Thighs, than for the profound and deep enquiry of the Diviner.

But that we may the better search into their Diseases, we must not entirely neglect the Notices that may be gotten from the foregoing or procatarctick Cause; which are to be taken from the consideration of the Disposition of their Parents about the time of Conception; or from the Reflections upon that Nourishment which was then transmitted into them, either by the Navel, Pores of the Flesh, or of the Skin, which are then most patent, while they are in the Womb, [Page] and but yet beginning to be, and exist.

It cannot be denyed that there are such diseases as are derived from one or both of the Parents unto their Children: Who can doubt, but that the Gout, Epilepsie, Stone, Consumption, &c. Have descended from Father to Son, when whole Families of the same Blood have ended their lives in the same kind of Disease. The prolifick Seed doth so firmly communicate to the Foetus a disposition to Diseases, which is so natural, and groweth so much with their years, that it cannot be rooted out with any pains or industry. And I think that hereditary Diseases are never more frequently communicated, than from the Mother in the time of her big Belly. For Teeming Women are obnoxious to a thousand Faults and Errors in their Diet; they are exposed to a thousand Accidents, with which either being affrighted or otherways wronged, do derive indelible and uneffaceable Injuries upon their Children. For how absurd are the longings of Women [Page] with Child! One cheweth Coals, another Lime, a third Ashes, and each with the greatest pleasure; one eateth raw Fleshes, the other crude Fishes; yea the Appetite of some hath been so depraved, that it could not be satisfyed but by some Callous and solid part from the Body of Man. Moreover, it is daily most obvoius, how great the force of their Fancy and Imagination is? How great Monsters it hath produced! and what taches of all kinds it hath communicated to Infants. And now, if I should resolve to scartle together, from all hands, the wonderful accounts and Histories of Teeming Women, or in plain English, if under a pretence of vast Learning, I should give out my self for a great Reader, I have here a very fair opportunity of digressing and expatiating into a very large Field, however beside the purpose; but I choose rather to prosecute my design, and endeavour Brevity, than by idle circumlocutions, and the vain and empty Citations of Authors, to boast of learning falsely [Page] so called: Always esteeming that Man more learned, who can produce something that is true, from his own knowledge and Experience, than him, who being very well acquainted with the Tables and Registers of Books, can collect and quote, upon occasions, the Opinions and Sentiments of Authors, quibling and contending among themselves.

Those Mothers who are most subject to these depraved Appetites, do impress and communicate unto their Children such diseases as can only be cured by time And poor Women whose best Divertisement and only Antidote against Melancholy, is hard labour and constant working, whose Food is most slender and simple, are seldomest essayed and proved with these depravations. But above all, such as are Hysterick (with whom we may justly reckon a great part of your delicate Women, who spend the most of their time in Dressing and Decking, and do languish and decay with idleness, whose lazy and torpid Blood waxeth Acid and Tart, after the [Page] same manner that standing Waters do corrupt) do most certainly Communicate to their Infants such Dispositions to Diseases with their first life. Being an ill Raven (as the Proverb is) an ill Egg.

Amongst the rest of the Creatures the innate goodness of the Kind, is most surely derived upon their young, partly because of their simple Dyet, and partly, but more especially, because the Male sacredly observing the Laws of Nature, never copulateth with his Female, when his instinct (however informed) inditeth her teeming. But Man (whose lofty Reason hath taught him to despise the Brutes) almost more salacious than a Buck-Goat, not knowing how to restrain and bridle his Lust, importuneth his Mate from her first Conceiving until the hour of Birth. Hence it is that strong and Healthy Men do so frequently beget weak and valetudinary Children. This is the Reason why Old Men having overpassed (by the benign favour and help of Nature) the Stage and Period [Page] of their immoderate Embraces, do beget of their Decayed and Barren Seed, more plump and healthy Children than the strongest and most keen Youth.

Thus having considered the procatarctick cause of their Diseases, which do mostly depend upon the condition of the Parents whilst they are begotten; especially of the Mother, in the time of her Big Belly: We will now come nigher, and inquire into the more immediate Causes of their Maladies, which may be reduced to these four Articles.

1. To their catching Cold.

2. To the too thick Milk of the Nurse.

3. To their over soon eating Fleshes.

And 4. To the mad and imprudent fondness of Mothers, and many Nurses who do often permit their Infants to sip up Wine and other strong and Spirituous Liquors.

And, 1. Cold, especially from the night Air, to which they are most subject, doth very often make [Page] way for these Fevers, with which Infants are so frequently affected. Sith that they come naked from the Womb, not being cloathed by Nature as all other creatures are; Reason or, rather, Nature, destitute of her own help, doth instantly suggest the necessity of wrapping them up into warm Cloaths. Moreover, the mutability of the Air, and the continual vicissitudes of Heat and Cold, do plainly advertise us, how great our care should be in the warding off its Injuries. For the more tender and delicate the Temperament and Constitution of any, even of the most adult is, the more are they subject unto impresses and inconveniences from the Air. But the strength and constitution of Infants are of all the most tender and infirm; and unless there be great care taken for warm and convenient, not fine, splendid and sumptuous Cloaths especially for such as are descended of honest Parents, they cannot long eschew these Diseases, which are the ordinary attendants and consequents of night [Page] Air. Yea, an exact care for convenient Apparel (whatever some strong men may deny) is so absolutely neessary for every age, that ordinarily the most weak and valetudinary People (for as much as I could ever observe) do live longer, than the most robust and strong Men; which can be attributed to nothing else, than the great care of the one, and supine negligence of the other for convenient and warm Cloathing.

2. The too thick Milk of the Nurse. For if she be a lover of Wine or any other strong and spirituous Liquors, her Milk is so warm'd and on a sudden inflamed, that fire it self only passeth her Breasts, for her sucking Infant; but if she more wantonly entertain the untimely embraces of her Husband, her monthly Visits are renewed by their Coppulating, and so her Milk Corrupteth and groweth soure and the matter for the Milk being otherwise diverted; the Milk it self doth gradually diminish, and the lean Child for some time [Page] troubled with unconvenient Food, is so often killed.

Lastly, If she be hysterick h. e. of a more tender and delicate Constitution, however Chaste and sober she may be, yet her Milk doth degenerate and Naturally turneth thick. In how great danger then are Sucking Infants! upon how Inconstant and Slippery a plan doth the Health of these Innocent Children Sist! It's this, and some other Causes, which I shall just now recount, that are the frequent occasions why we hear so often the sound of the Passing Bells of the Villages about London, for some one Child that is undeservedly Atoning and Expiating the faults and mistakes of its Nurse; and now ending it [...] scarce well begun Life, having met with some unchast Intemperate or froward, and dishonest Nurse.

But also from the foregoing Causes doth depend, a remark which a Divine of very good Credit and intire Fame, Rector of the Parish of Haies, twelve miles from London, did make, when he told me with great [Page] Grief, how his Parish which is very large, and of great extent, well Peopled, and seated in a most pleasant and wholsom Air was upon his coming to that place filled with Sucking Infants; yet in the space of one year he was assistant at the burying of them all (if you do except two, and his own only Son; whom, being yet very weak, he did not unadvisedly commit unto my Care, from his Birth.) Yea, he was witness that same Year to the Interring of the same Number which had been twice supplyed in a City, perhaps amongst the greatest in the World, yet brought to an untimely end by the fault of the Mercenary Nurses.

Moreover, the thickness of Milk, whatever be its cause, cannot but produce a great many inconveniences of sundry kinds; being that the Bodies of Infants, should, of all, be the most fluid, and these smallest conduits which are ordained for transmitting of the Chyle, should always be kept open: and lastly, being that this most unnatural thickness of Food is most opposite [Page] to that most fluid Constitution of Infants, and doth give occasion to all kinds of Obstructions in the first Passages.

3. To their over soon eating, if not more properly, devouring and swallowing down, of fleshes. For it's most admirable that Mothers are not in a fear of killing their Infants, with so disagreeing and improper Food; whom, though they love so excessively, that they seem mad in that passion. For who could seriously think that flesh, so solid and compact a substance, can be at all agreeable with these tender Infants, who as yet have got no teeth, at least not strong and firm enough, for the chewing of fleshes. What man of the least judgment can assert the Riot and excess of the most manly and robust Age any way convenient with one, that is so tender, and most simple, and whose strength is most infirm.

It's certain, that convenient Diet is not to be neglected in any part of our time, but because the Temperament and Constitution of Young Ones do th [...] [Page] so easily sustain Injuries upon that score; neither have they force enough to ward off Diseases from that hand: therefore there should be greater care taken for the preventing these errours and mistakes. For a cropful of fleshes too early and untimely devoured, is a most fruitful mother of Crudities, which are almost inseparable from this gormandizing Age. Crude and indigested food doth necessarily produce that corruption of humours; from which not only worms are bred, but also these various, most grievous, and most irregular Symptoms, whereby Infants are wasted and do decay, do proceed and have their rise.

By the way, I must observe, that the Crudities of Infants are, over and above, daily encreased and accumulated because that almost all Nurses do repose their Infants for sleep presently after Meat of whatever kind.

4. To their sipping up of Wine and other strong and spirituous Liquors imprudently permitted and allowed. And this cause, as the former, [Page] is only referrible to the foolish indulgency of Mothers. Doubtless, they do suppose, that these things, which they reckon good and pleasant to themselves, and which do free their hearts from care, cannot be disagreeing with their Infants. As if forsooth one Shoe were fitting for every Foot! Truly, these very good Women do not consider, how hard and firm their Hides, and how soft and tender the thin Skin of these young ones are; they do not remember that one man's Meat (as people speak) is another's Poyson. Lastly, they entirely forget how their craving Appetite is scarcely quieted with the strongest Meats, and how hardly their Infants do digest Milk and Panado.

But the nigher that any come to Old Age the more do Wines become agreeable with them. Being, the languishing Heat of Old Men doth want a supply from volatile Spirits, which may be had in great abundance from Wine, both for the encrease, as also for the preservation of their natural Warmth. Wherefore Wine [Page] is most hurtful and inconvenient for the Nature and Constitution of Infants, being it is the most different and remote from that of old men; for their very weak Nerves are most easily destroyed with it, and their tender Bodies are either colliquated by degrees, or suddenly cast into Fevers with the subtile flame and heat of Wine.

There are some who would allow Wine to Infants, because of their untimely eating of flesh. For that they think, that Wine, even in that Age, doth much advance and further the Concoction and Fermentation of Crudities, to which, no doubt, these young Ravens are very subject. But I shall not so much here debate, whether one mistake should cure another, or both be eschewed, as I shall offer to the impartial consideration of any man, who may compare the Children of poorer People who have a simple and sober Diet, and those of the rich who have all things in plenty and excess.

Truly, all kinds of Wine and spirituous Liquors more liberally [Page] drunk, do not only destroy the natural Ferment of the Stomach of Children, debauch the Appetite, burn up its Coats and wrinkle them as Parchment over much dried by the fire; but also (which is most considerable in this case) do exceedingly injure the Nervous Coat, by which all the Nerves of the Body are weakned and the Animal Spirits driven into confusion. The Wine which of all least wrongeth that tender Age, is that which is White; in as much as it was reputed cold by the Ancients, though not absolutely so, but in respect of all other Wines, whether they be red, yellow or of a Fallow colour. Yet Galen strictly discharged Children the use of every Wine.

All the Causes antecedent or mediate of Children's Diseases, however many they really are, or be supposed, may justly be resolved into this one immediate cause, scil. a very active and prevailing Acid.

The History, then, of the more grievous Diseases, wherewith Infants [Page] are mostly affected, is, as followeth.

Their stomach whatever be the first Cause, is always affected with an Acid Distemper, whence, their Aliment is reduced, not into that homogeneous Substance of Chyle, but into a Posset. This inequal condition of the Chyle and Nourishment, begot likewise from too much Acidity, doth chiefly produce Loathing, Vomiting and sour Belchings. But if this Distemper be protracted, and of greater continuance, they turn pale by degrees, and their discolour'd Face is tinged with somewhat of a yellow or green Colour. Then doth their Belly swell with Wind, and Flatulent Eruptions are carried upward. In the mean while one or two red pustles (a most certain sign of too much Acidity) do appear upon their skin, upon some upper part of their body, sometimes, sc. upon both cheeks sometimes upon their chin, sometimes upon their Fore-head, or upon their Neck, though sometimes lower, and the Infant becometh daily worse. But he also breatheth high, and that with a kind [Page] of shoring; with which symptom he is always affected (especially if the Child be plump) when his Disease has got into the Category of such as are Acute.

Moreover, he is often troubled with a flight, dry Cough, though sometimes it is strangling and suffocative: with a dry Cough, because of the sharpness and Acrimony of the Humours that continually prickle the most sensible Branches of the Wind-pipe; but the choaking doth proceed from the abundance of Serous and Watry Humours, that so fill up and burthen the small Vesicles of the lungs, that it cannot be cast off and discharged. But also, they being endued with a great debility and weakness of Nerves, and a superlative softness and delicacy of Constitution, they are not able to subsist with that violent trouble of Coughing, but do succumb under that unnatural and excessive motion of their Breast, and their face is blackish as that of strangled people.

But, if this coagulated or posseted Food, doth fall from their stomach [Page] into the Intestines (as frequently it doth) then Gripes or Colick-pains, greenish Excrements, and very often, most dangerous Flixes do ensue. And while this Tragedy is in acting in the lower Ventricle, these great Pains must be attended with more Dramatists, and therefore, do introduce Fevers, which, it not kindly entertain'd and dexterously managed do cut short the days of a great many Infants; or if the pains being not so violent, but, perhaps, surrendring to whatsoever an unskilful Cure, yet doth it terminate into a Bigg belly, the most convenient thing in Nature for producing the Rickets or Kings-evil. A certain sort of tremulous Mucilage or Gelly (the immediate Origine of Worms) which is sometimes whitish, though sometimes of a grey and yellow Colour mixed with Green, is naturally, but oftner by Medicaments dexterously and skilfully administred, purged off with the Excrements. They often rub their Nose, not only when they are troubled with Worms (as Women commonly beleive) [Page] but in every Fever which hath its rise from a corruption of Humours; for any sharp Humours carried upward, do affect the thin and sensible Membranes of the Nostrils, either of young or old, in Acute or Chronick Diseases. The afore-mentioned Gripes do continually produce watching, disquiet and moaning, which the Nurse doth as often endeavour to allay, by giving it her Breast, that there may be some short delay or Truce struck up, for her troublesome business and employ. But if the Nurse be oppressed with Poverty at home, and therefore be sometimes forced to leave her Infant discharging his Complaints in the senseless Air; or being merely mercenary (as most ordinarily she is) and not compassionating her weeping Infant, it is frequently troubled with some one kind of rupture for many years. Moreover, its Milk or Food (while these Pains do continue) never duly digesting but turning Acid, is posseted, so by little and little it becometh Feverish; his drougth is intended, his Joynts turn [Page] flaccid, and so the tender Infant groweth daily weak and infirm. Upon the close of all this sickness, Convulsive motions and Spasms do seize upon the Members of the Feeble Infant; and when there is no more force and strength in their Nerves for actuating the Muscles of the Heart, and protruding the Blood (by the Laws of Circulation) into the Arteries, doth cast up the White of its Eyes to the Heavens, the proper Seat of unviolated Innocency, and endeth untimely its short life, before it hath understood the miseries of living.

If they become sick about the time of their breeding Teeth; they are affected with a great many of the foregoing Symptoms, and Thrushes; Ulcers of the Mouth, of a firy hotness (a sort of white Scurf) which do often begin immediately after their Birth, and before the growing of their Teeth, though now and then later, yet about this time do most prevail, and do sometimes so blister their Mouth, that being overspread, and every where Ulcerated, it cannot let in the beloved [Page] Breasts themselves, nor a Spoon without the greatest trouble and aversation.

Further, the Mouths of Infants are very often so hurt and wounded with Thrushes, that they cannot weep nor let Tears fall from their Eyes for some days; altho' they be tormented with exceeding tenderness and intense heat of Mouth, with a great many other sicknesses that are the ordinary Attendants of Fevers. And therefore I account that change from their being dumb unto their echoing the House with Cries a very good sign.

Boys of greater Age tainted with Feverish Symptoms; do for the most part complain of their head; which pain is no Disease of it self, but sympathetick and derived from the Stomach and lower parts of the Body.

That all these and the like Symptoms do immediately proceed from the posseting and thickness of their Food, especially being greater than can be at all agreeable with the Constitution and Nature of Infants, whose Canals [Page] and Passages should necessarily be most fluid; and that this posseting is oftner produced from some degrees of Acidity than any other cause, is most evident from our Senses themselves and the way of Cure (which is excellently effectuated by such things as obtund Acidity, and deoppilate or dissolve Coagulations.)

The frequent Vomiting of that thick Gelly, and that viscid and coagulated Phlegm somewhat green, when the sickness has advanced; and their breath which hath a very sour smell, are things most evident to our senses.

That the green Colour of their Excrements is meerly from Acidity mixed with Bile, will be most evident to any who take pleasure in changing of colours into green with Vinegar and Acid Spirits. Moreover, the smell of their green Excrements being always designed Acid by the very Nurses, doth clearly demonstrate the same.

The excessive Gripes and pains in their Belly and Paleness of Face do confirm the abundance of Acidity; for [Page] so soon as they are troubled with these Pains, they turn pale, though never so high colour'd before they were affected with this Distemper; except that sometimes their Cheeks are possessed with a pleasant blush, which doth easily evanish into the wonted paleness.

En passant, I shall observe that I do by no means hunt or sue for the honour (if there be any such) of being the Author of a new Hypothesis; neither think I my self obliged, if I have either excogitated or established one, to collect all sorts of arguments (as is customary) though against my inclination, for gaining credit to the foresaid Hypothesis. Being, the chief thing in Medicine, and which can only be serviceable to the health of mankind, is such a knowledge of Diseases as is both founded upon, and confirmed by Experience and Practice. For the other ways of explaining Phenomena's however learn'd and subtile they may be thought, do rather make a shew of an acute Sophister, or Philosopher, improperly so called, or very [Page] often of a most ready wit; but shall never proclaim him a truely skilled Physician, and a Man excelling in his own Trade. For all these gay speculations, which are so admir [...]d (as Poetical Flashes) by the frisking Spirits of young Men, are seldom or never to be found but in the Brain and Fancy of their Inventor; and are never so often contrived as by those, who are the most unsuccessful Practitioners. But the solid and genuine Ideas of Diseases are never to be acquired, or their truth justly to be judged or approved of, but by practice it self.

I know how obnoxious, and perhaps not undeservedly, this my Notion of an Acid, which I suppose to prevail in the most remarkable Diseases of Children is to the Censure of diligent considerers Yet neither shall I too stifly, debate whether all the signs of Acidity, which subtile Men free of business and given to quibling an strife can remember, do quadrate and exactly agree with that Notion of an Acid, which I maintain does so much abound in the Stomachs of Infants. [Page] My expectation shall be a abundantly satisfied (albeit take no great pains in polishing and displaying that Notion) if I shall be so happy as at length to demonstrate a more effectual and a more certain Method of Curing than hath been hitherto in use, and which I freely leave to the determination of such, as shall try the truth of my assertions.

Nevertheless, I shall not pass over what Hippocrates, without all peradventure, chief of all Physicians, doth declare at large, in his book concerning the old Medicine, about the Causes of Diseases: that, viz. he may more throughly demonstrate that all Diseases have not their rise from the first, but second Qualities. His words then are these: [...], &c. They (for the most famous of the Old Physicians) did not think that man was either injured with what is dry, or moist, hot or cold, and that he had no want of any of those. But they esteemed that most apt to injure which was most potent in its kind, and was above the[Page]Constitution of Man, so that Nature could not overcome it, and this they endeavour'd to extirpate and remove. But the thing that is sweetest is the most potent amongst things that are sweet, the bitterest amongst bitters, the sourest amongst things that are sour, and that of every thing, which is in the highest degree. For they did clearly see that these things were in Man, and that it was these that did most annoy him. For there is in man both Bitter, and Salt, and Sweet, and Acid, and Austere, and Insipid, and a great many more which have different Faculties according to their strength and abundance: And that they are neither perceived, nor do they offend any Man, when they are duly mixed and adjusted amongst themselves: But so soon as any of them are separated or do appear apart, then are they conspicuous and do trouble and harm Man. For all these meats, which▪ being eaten, do not agree with us, and do destroy our health, are either Bitter and not well mixed, on Salt or Acid, or some other way intemperate and excessive; and therefore do create trouble[Page]and disorder in the Body. And thereafter [...]. For it is not as it is Hot, that it hath so great power, but as it is Austere and Insipid or othereways doth more or less participate of the foregoing Qualities. Again, [...]: men are not Feverish meerly because of Heat, neither is it alone the cause of the Disease; for Bitter and Hot, and Hot and Acid, and Salt and Hot, and a great many more are one and the same; and again, Cold joyn'd with other Powers, &c.

From these words, and a great many to the same sense fully explained in the afore-mentioned Book, it is most evident, that our heavenly Old Man, that Star of the first magnitude, hath ratified, that these second Qualities, sc. Acidity, Bitterness, Saltness, and the like, are to be considered, as the chief Causes of Diseases. And therefore I do not doubt to add, that it most naturally followeth, that the Cure should mainly be carried on, not so much by destroying Heat with Cold, as by obtunding and blunting [Page] the Acidity, altering the Bitter, allaying the Salt, by inciding tough Humours, and rendring more compact such as are thin, by mitigating those that are harsh, and lastly, by opening the obstructed passages of the Body, and freeing them of their Stuffing.

But perhaps, it may be necessary, that I do premise something in the place of a Prognostick (as is usual) before we do attempt their Cure.

And truly, the Prognostick, in my Opinion, doth rather depend upon the method of Cure it self, as that is right, or wrong; as also upon the Behaviour of the Nurse, whether sc. she over-much studieth her own fancy, and be the only wise (which, alas! is a most sad consideration) or whether, she be obedient, and doth faithfully perform and execute what is commanded her, than from the Diseases of Infants and Children. For their Fevers are very slight, neither doth their feverish Heat so much burn, as it is more properly a certain degree and advancement of Heat; except when too too curious Art [Page] which trusteth to, and relyeth over much upon these fiery and spirituous Cordials, is most unluckily brought in to their Assistance.

Corpulent and fat Infants troubled with Defluxions, and having an open Mould, are most subject to the Rickets, Chin-Cough, Kings-Evil, and almost incurable Thrushes.

Lean and Scraggy Children are, of all, the most tender and very subject to the worst Fevers, h. e. to such as are hottest and most in censed, and most inimical to the Nervous Kind.

Children which are born by Hysterick, tender and valetudinary Mothers, which delight much in, and do continually devour unripe Fruits, and Sallads while they are with Child; or at that time do long after such things as are Sour and Austere; or by those who are Belly-Gods, and meer Slaves to their Stomach; and lastly, have their Appetite depraved from whatever Causes: These, I say, do with great difficulty amend of any great Disease.

[Page]Children that keep open in their Belly, have their Health better than such as are constipate.

The Spring and Summer are the best times for curing of Fevers; but the Harvest and Winter are not so.

From the middle of July to the middle of September, these epidemick Gripes of Infants are so common, (being the annual Heat of the Season, doth entirely exhaust their strength) that more Infants, affected with these, do die in one month, than in other three that are more gentle.

Convulsions, or at least starting of their Nerves, coming upon Children weakned by some one Disease, or somewhat burn'd up with not Medicaments, do bring, all their miseries and troubles, wherewith they are tormented, unto an end.

But as to what may appertain to the Cure of Infants Diseases, none of these Authors (for as much as I know) who have ordinarily published Volumes about those, and a great many more things that belong to the curing of Diseases, do seem to have accurately [Page] enough inquired into it. Truly, they have not neglected to describe very diligently a great many Diseases, to rehearse learnedly their Causes and to deliver as well their Diagnostick as Prognostick Signs. They have all trod the same path, and the more Modern (for the most part) have most implicitely and without further examination embraced the Assertions of their Predecessors.

Sylvius de le Boe has wrote the best Treatise of any that ever I did read on the Diseases of Infants, for he did valiantly maintain an Acid to be their true and general Cause, yet he, partly because of his great kindness for some very Volatile Chymical Preparations, and therefore over warm and spirituous, and partly because of his almost constant use of Opiates, which he ordered for the youngest Infants (so that he was characteriz'd and distinguished by the name of the Opiate Doctor) did shake, if not totally destroy by his Practice, what he had in a great deal, must learnedly established in his Theory.

[Page]If we therefore, do desire to lay any sure Foundation for the curing of Infants Diseases; we should chiefly eye their natural tenderness and weakness. And we should make such a choice of Medicaments as may be most convenient for these tender ones. For the more gentle and safe these Remedies are which we administer, the event shall the more certainly answer our expectation. And truly, the use of great and generous Medicaments (commonly so call'd) hath never any place in the curing the Diseases of Infants. What avails the continual burning of Fires, for the extracting the Powers and strength of Minerals, when their Bodies are so easily altered? Prithee, what natural Harmony can there be betwixt th' almost impenetrable hardness of Metals and the waxy Softness of the Constitution of Infants? Or how can their weak Ap [...]tite, that's scarce able to digest their Milk and Panado that slender [...]ood, endure the burning Heat and Caustick Faculty of these most deleterious and inflaming Medicaments? [Page] Truly, even as their food is most simple, so, in all reason, ought their Medicaments to be: not much recedeing from their Natural State, and very free of too too laborious Art.

Being, then, that Acidity is the chief cause of all these Diseases wherewith this tender age is affected, the whole Artifice of the Cure is hinged upon the defeating of the Acid. Truly, there might a good deal of mi [...] be raised before the Eyes of Novices▪ that the truth might not be disclosed to the sedulous Inquirers. But to be ingenuous, and if it be lawful to speak truth, and that we may not lose our Cost and Pains, whatever things o [...] most immediately eliminate the Acid these are they that promote the Cure and whatever serve not that design, do more or less torment and trouble th [...] tender Bodies of these Infants.

But the right management and traitment of the Acid, is stayed [...] on these two Views and Intentions First se [...] That the Acid may be made fit, and prepared to be cast out of the Body. 2. That the Acid thus [Page] prepared, be eliminated with convenient and proper Medicaments. The one, without the other can never make a perfect Cure, but when joyned, are not only able to defeat Acute Diseases, but do much allay the dispositions to Diseases of greater continuance.

The purging of Young Children in the heighth and vigour of Acute Diseases at first view doth seem most difficult and full of hazard. But the certain advantage from the following method is Apology sufficient, after Tryal.

It's true, the Purging of people of full age in continued Fevers did make a shew both of danger and boldness to Novices and th' unexperienced. Notwithstanding, its event and happy success is much approved and made out by the late trials of the most skilled Physicians. But the incomparable and unparallel [...] Vanquisher of Fevers of all kinds, the most famous Practitioner Mr. Sydenham was the first that did ever communicate the benefits and advantages of Purging even in Fevers themselves; [Page] who designedly did expose in his Monitory Schedule, that was Printed three years ago, his Method for staving off and driving away that Epidemick Fever, which so much rageth at this time. And therefore, he has merited so much by this, as I think, no Age (so long as the art of Medicine shall flourish) can pass by his Name in silence: Who likewise did not doubt to detect with a sublime and Masculine Spirit the hurtful and deadly mischief of Diaphoreticks over-thwartly and perversly used not only in Forreign Countries, but amongst our selves. He hath inculcated before, in his Works Printed long ago, the great use of Purgatives for the Bastard Inflammation of the Lungs (a Disease very rise and frequent amongst us) and a great many more; and, in the Postscript, added to the end of all his Works he did place the cure of that which he called the Winter Fever entirely in Purging. Truly the ardent Affection of that Man, now almost seventy, and being most sickly and valetudinary, [Page] for the publick good, could not be hindred or interrupted by approaching Death; why at length he should not Communicate his most compleat and exact Observations upon this matter, in that golden Schedule.

But that Purging (though it be not enroll'd amongst the secrets of Curing, neither is accounted among the Wonders of Chymy) is amongst the best helps that the fruitful inventions of Curious Men have at any time discovered; I am induced to believe chiefly upon this account: Because, none can be in perfect health, at least, not abide therein for any time, who hate not Evacuations by their belly once a day: Which natural evacuation is no less necessary for the maintaining and the preservation of Health, than our daily food for the nourishing of our Body. For [...] way of living doth but as much require, that the best and most succulent part of our food, be carried by the Lacteal Veins for nourishment to our Body, as that the worst and [Page] grosser part (which too long retain'd, doth cast forth hurtful, yea venemous, scents) be by Nature or Art cast out by the common Privy of the Body. Truly, Purging hath most justly acquired to it self that Reputation and Renown, that in common discount it alone hath the very ample and honourable name of Physick.

It hath been my constant custom, these last seven Years to enjoyn Purging in the Fevers of Children and the youngest Infants, according to the prescript of that commended Method, altho; I did set it at nought for these People of full Age: And neither can I express how much it did answer my expectation and design.

Wherefore, when at first I did seriously read th' afore mentioned [...]chedule, I had as great joy and gladness of Spirit, as if I had received some signal favour from God. Therefore, I was easily perswaded most succesfully to try that method of Purging of People of full Age, who had found before the most desired event of it in the Feavers of young ones.

[Page]But the first Indication in the Cure of the Fevers of Infants, is to prepare the Acid aright. And it shall become most evident, that Acids must of necessity be prepared, before they can be purged off with advantage, if we will but a little consider the nature of an Acid: If viz. we shall reflect upon its great power of Coagulating and Posseting; if, as the general cause of Obstructions, which do arise from it; if the natural tendency of all Liquors, if you do except the most Spirituous, into an Acid; if the great trouble that Physicians meet with in the Curing of these people, whose Bodies do abound with Acidity; and, above all, if we shall consider those Gripes which attend the purging of these Bodies, that abound with Acidity, without preparation.

I know that this saying, Preparation of humours, may be read amongst [...] great many Authors. And their design was, that the ensuing Purgative might have the better event. They did intend to attenuate gross humors, mitigate hot ones, to open the Obstructed [Page] Passages, or to force these by Diaphoreticks through the Pores of the Skin. But they mustered up against these, I know not what great train of Syrups, Simple distill'd Waters and a great many such trifles, which were of no use for the designed preparing or altering of the Body. And the time which should have been spent, in subjugating the acute Disease, was squander'd away in idleness, and ignorance, if not worse.

But, I think, this whatever preparation had its rise, from that common, but not throughly understood Aphorisme of Hippocrates §. 1. N. 12. Things Concocted, not Crude, are to be medicated. And I do believe▪ that the continual wresting of this great Canon into Senses very strange and forreign to the purpose, is the Cause, why so many famous Physicians in the by-past Ages have so little dreamed of the benefit and advantage of purging in continued Fevers. For indeed the first beginnings of Fevers (and especially after the sick persons are confin'd to a warm Bed) [Page] do very often give most evident signs, of Crudity; the assistant Physicians, however happy Practitioners they be upon other occasions, for the most part do instantly betake themselves to Diaphoreticks as their only refuge, and they are as much affrightned at the very naming and mentioning of Purging, as the Foolish Nurses.

Neither am I ignorant, that some Authors have had long Disputes about Purging in Feavers, as almost in all other Diseases; but if I may speak my mind in few words, they have rather designed, with many words, to fill up volumes, to amuse the Minds of their Readers, and to shew their great Learning, than ei the to illustrate or determine the Truth. Sydenham the great Ornament and Blazing Star of this Age, having a more than ordinary Masculine Spirit, and a most sublime Understanding, hath made good, h. e. hath more fully compleated by his Practice and manifold Reasonings that Affair, in which the other Authors have truly cheated and couzen'd the World.

[Page]The preparation of Humours by Alexipharmacks and Sudorificks in Fevers, did more further their Crudity, than Concoction. Truly, if at any rate they must be said to prepare, yet no other thing, but an untimely Death, while they do most certainly procure Frenzies, Convulsions, and a great many most deplorable Symptoms, by forcing up these Crudities from the lowest parts of the Body into the Head.

If in the beginning of Feavers (whether they be Essential or Symptomatick) we shall delay, and put off till to morrow, these necessary Evacuations in the expectation of the lingring Concoction, how soon doth that too irrrevocable and golden opportunity pass away? The only time, wherein the beginning of the ensuing Cure was to be made, wherein there was sufficient strength, and in which alone there can be advantage by Evacuations, yet is spent in the Administration of Cordials and the vain and uncertain trial of the [Page] Fever-vanquishing Medicaments of the Chymists; and the Patient just now strong, endeth his days furious and mad. Moreover, I assert, that notwithstanding the blind prejudice of men, Evacuations duly made, do more reduce crude Urine to their desired Concoction, and the Patient unto his Health, than any thing yet known to man.

The preparation then (of which I speak, is not to be essayed with sweating Medicaments, properly so called, h. e. such as warm the Body, which upon no account are agreeable with tender Infants, or Children, but on the contrary, are most hurtful. Sith, the most temperate things shall most securely absorbe the prevailing Acidity, by little and little they mitigate Ebullitions, and become the most safe and powerful Anodynes. These are Crabs Eyes and Claws, Oyster shells, of Wilks, Cuttle-bone, Egg-shells, Chalk, Coral, Coraline, Pearls, the Mother of Pearls, both the Bezoars, burn'd Harts-horn, [Page] burn'd Ivory, the Bone of a Hart's-heart, the Shavings of Hart-horn, of the Unicorn's-horn, Bole Armenick, sealed Earth, Blood-stone, &c. Among the Compounds, the Powder of Crabs Claws compounded, the Goack-stone, and the Powders for making the Confection of Hyacinth, take place.

Before all, I must observe, lest the most necessary liberality of Physicians toward the poor should be interrupted, that these precious Medicaments brought from afar out of the Indies (for as much as I could observe) have no more pleasant and benign effect, than those of a lesser value, and which the wise Providence of God hath abundantly supplyed for the manifold uses of mankind.

And therefore I cannot recommend the Magisteries of any precious Stone, however they be praised by a great many. Surely, they have changed their, whatever, native Power, into such as is very Foreign. And which, [Page] before were most convenient for absorbing the Acid, but being now neither sweet nor sour, are only made useless by too curious Art.

Of design, have I not mention'd the boasting Accounts of Volatile Salts, whether they be Spirituous or Oleous, not of the Bezoard Mineral, lunar or solar; nor of the Spirit of Sal-armoniack or Hart's-horn; yet the use of these Spirits is not to be intirely laid aside, even for these young ones: Because, they do excellently absorb Acidity, but are most dexterously to be administred, because of the great Heat that attendeth them. Upon this score, your lixivial Salts, the hot Cordial Waters, as the Compound-Paeony-Water, the Plague-Water, Aqua Coelestis, Mirabilis, the strong Cinnamon-Water, and the like, do fall much short of their wonted Fame, unless they be mixed with others, that are more temperate, in so very small a Quantity, that their burning Heat doth become altogether unperceptible to the Taste. For these [Page] Medicaments that overheat the Body; whatever be their Fame or Inestimable Value, though they should most impudently promise immortality it self; yet will they easily consume the Bodies of young ones, and by degrees disperse their natural Heat, or turn it to that which is Feaverish, and lastly become as useless for that tender Age, as Milk and Panadoe, for quieting the craving Stomach of a Ploughman. For which Reasons, Galen did most straitly bar Children from the use of his Treacle, however justly prepar'd, which tho' he so highly esteemed, that he thought it an All-heal and Universal Remedy.

That the foregoing temperate Powders do absorbe Acidity, is a thing so well known, that it doth need no proof. And that they are the most safe, most certain and never-failing Anodynes in the Gripes of Children, shall be evinced by giving them in a more liberal than the ordinary Dose, h. e. in a sufficient quantity for attaining the designed [Page] end. Moreover, I do boldly assert, that the mentioned Powders dexterously administred, do, with the same certainty that we know that the effects of Rhubarb are purgative, allay and assuage all the Pain, and Disquiet of Infants from whatever Cause, except there be no hope lest from whatever Remedies, because of some great Defect of the chief parts.

If in any violent Inflammation, we should let six Ounces of Blood, and if twenty, at least, were requisite, why should we accuse Blood-letting as useless in that Disease, when the too spare Administration of that Remedy is only to be blamed. Likewise, if one or two Ounces of the foregoing Powders, were requisite for the allaying of these paint, wherewith Infants are affected, what great success could we expect from the imperfect use of one or two Drams, when at the same time, in Ounce is necessary? An exact knowledge of Medicaments is the slenderest, if not the meanest accomplishment of a good and skilful Physitian.

[Page]The right use of Medicaments for satisfying the designs of curing, the adjusting both the kind and quantity of Medicaments to the particular Constitution of the Patient, from a quaint Reflection upon the nature of the present Disease; the exquisite knowledg of the Constitution, especially of people of full Age, h. e. whether it be Sanguine or Melancholick; and whether the Feaver doth mostly affect the Blood, or whether Spirits be wanting and their strength weakned by that bustle and trouble; and lastly, the right knowledge of appointing Diet, are all more requisite to make a good Physician, than the most numerous Provision of Medicinal Receipts, whence ever Collected. And if that be not true, the Apothecary being most Learned in Receipts will easily excel the most Learned Physician, and his pratling Servant be equal to his Master; and also a Nurse, or at least, the babling and Cup. Gossip Women being enriched with Books [Page] of Receipts preserved from Generations, shall carry the Prize and Glory from the most Learned Physitian and the Apothecary, howsoever conversant in the Prescriptions of Physitians.

But that we may to our purpose, I use to help an Infant of a Year old, that is feaverish or tormented with Gripes (as it is for the most part) with these sorts of Medicaments.

℞ of the compound Powder of Crabs-Claws, of Pearls prepared, of each ʒi. mix all, and make a Powder to be divided into six equal parts.

Or ℞ of the Oriental Bezoard, of Pearls prepar'd, of Crabs-Eyes prepar'd, an. ʒss. of the Species for the Confection of Hyacinth ℈i. make a Powder to be divided after the fame manner.

Or ℞. of the simple Powder of Crabs-Claws, ʒi. of Crabs Eyes prepared ℈ij. of Cocheneal viij. gr. mix all, and make a fine Powder to be [Page] divided into six Doses. Let him take one instantly, let it be reiterated (if necessity doth require it) two hours after, and henceforth every 4th. hour, for the first two days, unless that Sleep intervene. Let the Powders be given in a spoonful of the following Julep, drinking another After all.

℞ of the Alexiterious Milk water ℥iv. of Black Cherry Water, ℥ii. of the Compound Paeony-Water, of Plague-Water ana ʒii. of Pearled Sugar ℥ss. mix all, and make a Julep.

Or ℞ of Penny Royal Water, of the alexiterious Milk-water, ana ℥iij. of the Syrup of Clove Gilly flowers ʒvi. M.

Of ℞ of Sweet Almods, freed from their Husks, in number X. Contuse them in a Marble Mortar, pouring upon them by degrees, of Barley water, of the Alexiterious milk water, ana lib.ss. strain it, and to the colature, add of weak Cinnamon-water ʒvi. of white Sugar ℥ss. M and make an emulsion.

Sometimes I use Juleps full of Pearls (omitting every thing else) ordering [Page] the Glass to be well shaken before they are poured out.

℞ of black Cherry Water ℥iv. of the whole Citron ℥ij. Mirabills, of Pearls prepar'd ana ʒii. of white Sugar ℥ss. M. and make a Julep; of which let him have three spoonfuls as before.

But if the Infant be troubled with a Cough, the mentioned Powders are to be taken more sparingly; in lieu of which, he may take half a spoonful of a thin Lohoch or Electuary.

℞ of Corallin pulveris'd of the simple Powder of Crabs Claws ana ʒiss. of the Syrup of Maiden-hair, of the Syrup of Althaea ana ℥i. of the Syrup of the Balsam of Tolu ℥ss. of the water of wild Poppy Flowers ℥ss. for diluting all; M. Bole Armenick is most appositely mix'd amongst these, because, it doth most powerfully stop the Defluctions that fall down upon the Lungs. The Juice of Penny-royal, in which when warmed, there is Sugar-candy dissolved, is amongst the best of Remedies. [Page] The Oyl of sweet Almonds, is also very proper, if it doth agree with the taste of the Infant. Likewise vive Sulphur, or the Flowers of Brimstone (having a wonderful virtue in drying, penetrating, and discussing Humours stuff'd up in any part of the Body) mixed with such things as absorbe Acidity, are very useful for gross and phlegmatick Constitutions. Neither hath Sulphur any hurtful or deleterious Faculty (as Crato and some other Learned Men did unjustly suspect) but is of a most preservative and expulsory Virtue, which is most opposite to Corruption of Humours.

The frequency of the Administration of these Powders cannot be determin'd, but are to be reiterated accordingly as the Symptoms are more gentle or violent. This only I shall resume, that all the Pains, Disquiet, and Watchings of Infants, are as certainly assuaged with testaceous Medicaments, as the Pains and Watchings of older people are eased and allayed by Narcoticks.

[Page]But here, any who hath but the least smack of Physick may object, that the giving of these Powders is no new thing. To whom I only do reply, that indeed, the foolish, spare and niggardly use of these Medicaments, hath been known too long, and to too too many; but that never any did inculcate either so reiterated, or so great Doses of them, nor yet the ensuing necessity of purging. There's a known Story (and any man may draw the parallel with ours) of a certain merry Man, who when he had boastingly defyed the Bystanders, to fix an Egg upon either of its ends, neither any of them, after a great deal of Trial, could see through, or unriddle the Mystery, he himself, breaking a little both ends of the Egg, in a trice removed all their Astonishment, and at the same time made them break forth into laughter. For when it was known, it did become most easy to the whole Company.

[Page]I order them to be purged upon the third day, after I am called, unless the Small-Pox, Measles or Scarlet Feaver do appear, and Infants of one Year after this manner.

℞ of the Syrup of Cichory with Rhubarb ʒii. of the best Rhubarb in Powder, gr. xv. or ℈i. of the Alexiterious Milk-water, ʒi. or of small Cinnamon Water, gut. xxx. to dilute all. M.

Or ℞ of the Syrup of Purging Thorn ʒiss. or ʒii. of the Powder Diasenna gr. viii. M.

℞ of the Countess of Warwicks Powder, as it's describ'd in the last Edition of the London Dispensatory, in the rest under the name of the Cornachine Powder, gr. vi. Let him have it in a spoonful of black Cherry Water, sweetned with a litlet Sugar.

℞ of sweet Almonds, No. iij. Contuse them in a Marble Mortar, pouring upon them by degrees ℥i. of Barley, or of any other simple Water. Dissolve in the Colature ʒiii. or ℥ss. of the best Manna. M. and make a purging Emulsion.

[Page]℞ of len [...]tive Electuary ʒii. or iij. dissolve it in ℥i. of the alexitetions Milk Water.

For irregular Symptoms arising from a great corruption of Humours, I do very much use gr. vi. of the black Mineral afterward described, or gr. iv. of sweetned ☿ with as much of the Flowers of Brimstone mixed together in a Glass Mortar, and given at Night in some pleasant Syrup, purging the next day.

If the sick Infant be three or four years old, or hath passed the hazard of breeding Teeth, and especially if there be any considerable suspicion of Worms or Putrefaction of Humours for some time contracted, there is nothing better than a Bole of that Powder last mentioned, and it may be made with Marmalade of Quinces, or confected Orange Peel, pulpod through a Hair-Scarce.

These kind of Boles do very much avail for those, who are ordinarily constipate in their Belly, and are not easily purged; in as much as they do prepare, so that the Purgative [Page] which is ordered the next day, hath a better and easier Operation.

I do sometimes also order the following Plaister, or the like, to be applyed upon the Navel.

℞ of the best Aloes from Socotr [...] ʒi. of the leaves of Savine, of the tops of the lesser Centaury, of the Flowers of Chamomile made into a Powder ana ℈i. of Venice Turpentine as much as is sufficient to make all into a Plaister. Spread a little of the Plaister de Cymino upon its Margine, that it may stick faster to that place.

Of all Purgatives there are none more innocent, and that are more agreeing with Infants, that the well known and very much used Rhubarb, which pleasantly and safely doth remove the Subject matter of the Feavers of these tender ones, which doth easily purge and strengthen their Stomach and whole Body loaden'd and oppressed with vitious Humours, and which, upon that account, doth best agree with Infants, Boys, teeming Women, old People and such [Page] as are weak through any Disease. Truly, Rhubarb doth more justly merit the Title of a Hiera or sacred Medicament, than Aloes, so exceedingly commended by the Ancients and more Modern, which has got the first place, and kept for the Basis of all the Shop Pills; which indeed doth sometimes deserve very great Praise, upon the account of its remarkable bitterness, yet it doth not unjustly undergo some Tache and Dishonour, because of its Acrimony, Sharpness, and its excessive Heat, which it doth communicate to the Body.

A Powder like the former is, after the operation of some gentle Purgative, to be given at night; and thereafter are to be reiterated three or four times, at a convenient season, for two days more; and upon the third the Purgative is to be given, the quantity of which may, now, be known by the operation of the former.

These things being done aright, the most grievous Symptoms do ordinarily disappear; or at least, are [Page] so much allayed, that the Patient, who was just now in great danger, is exeemed from the least suspition, by better Health.

The same method (under whatever Form) of preparing and purging off the Humours, may be taken with Children of more years, only Doses and Quantities of Medicaments are to be discreetly changed.

You must observe, that the first Purge we give to Children in Feavers, be not only gentle, but also of a lesser Dose than usual; and that sometimes, in case of a bound Belly, a very mild Clyster made of ℥iv. of Cows Milk sweetned with Sugar, and to which is added a little Salt, is to be injected on the night that immediately precedeth the first Purgative.

Moreover, if the Purgative shall prove too weak, it may be sharpned with ℈i. or two of the Crystal [...]o Tartar, dissolved in some spoonfuls of weak Oat-broth, or the like.

But you must especially take care, that you only use pure and well-prepar'd [Page] Crystal of Tartar, and not that which is adulterated, and is commonly sold, and which is little better than crude Tartar it self.

If any great Sickness doth betake an Infant that is fat, plump, and of a very moist Constitution, which easily doth degenerate into an Acid (and especially in Winter) so that the sour Corruption cannot entirely be defeated by twice Purging after the foregoing manner; then, you must persist in the same method, until the Sickness doth quite evanish: But that the space of one or two days must be allowed for the taking of these Powders, that alter Acidity.

Neither could I ever observe any inconveniency or bad consequence attend so frequent Purging; but the strength that was formerly lost, did seem to be renewed.

Only, you must beware, that in the purging of Infants, upon no occasion whatever, you give any Purgative that may master its strength.

Wherefore, I cannot pass by what Hippocrates, the greatest master of [Page] Physick, doth learnedly declare, in his Book about Purging Medicines; but not so well understood. Whoever, then, are seized with strong Fevers, are not to be purged until the Fever doth remit. If otherwise, yet not within fourteen days. For their Flesh and Stomachs, being they are hot, do receive the Medicament, and are not purged; the Feaver encreaseth, their Colour is ruined, and they have a sort of Kings-Evil. For when the Bile is chafed and put in motion, the sick Person will neither sup nor drink, but loaths every thing, and very often dieth. But, if he survive that time, and his Fever doth remit together with the operation of the Purgative, he recovereth. Wherefore, we ought not to give purging Medicines in violent Fevers. But if any do want them, you may give an infusion by Clyster, as often as you list. For in that, there is less hazard.

We may observe from these word of our Master: 1. That he doth speak concerning the Fevers of those of full Age, which are usually great [Page] and most ardent, but are not to be ununderstood of those of Infants and Children, which are naturally gentle, and not so easily inflam'd. 2. That the purging Medicines in his time were most violent, strong and poysonous, an Elaterium, Colocynth, Hellebor, and the like, but the great part of our Lenitives that are most gentle, yea most temperate, if some of them be not actualy cold, were as unknown to the wise men of that Age, as the Antipodes, the new world, or lastly the art of printing. 3. That Hippocrates doth speak of Feavers in their natural state and condition, and as they are left to themselves, even as his Descriptions of epidemick Diseases truly and accurately contain it; neither must he be understood, after what manner the art of the following, especially of the present Ages (however things present be ill spoken of by the Envious) being promoted and made more perfect (which our Posterity, if I be not in a huge mistake, will most thankfully bring into remembrance) at length hath taught, how to prepare aright, [Page] that they may be purged off, and very much allay or totally to overcome their Fury, by liberally blooding such, as are of full Age, upon the day that precedeth the Purging. 4. You must consider that Hippocrates doth teach in this place, that if he who is affected with a Fever hath taken a purgative, and, perhaps, doth escape the hazard of that day; shall instantly, h.e. at that same very time be restored to his Health. Which I have often observed to be true, and that Feaverish Boys have shaken off all the Symptoms of their Feavers, after the first Purgative hath ended its operation, but especially in the spring time or Summer.

These things then being premised. I say that Hippocrates did judge aright of the deadly effects of Purging Medicaments, as those of his Age, being very strong, were unskilfully given in hot Fevers, not having let blood before hand: But, we take a soone [...] and more secure method for the recovering them to health, if blood be liberally let of those of full Age, and [Page] especially if they be of a Sanguine or robust constitution, upon the day that preceedeth the purging; or if the bodies of young ones be prepared with testaceous Medicaments and such as do blunt the Acid, that the chief cause of the Feaver may the better be utterly purged off, than can be, by whatever Cordials or Diaphoreticks.

But the true and chief reason, why purging in Acute Diseases hath been so ill thought of, by very learned Physitians, seement to me (quietly and under thumb) to be this: because viz. they did drive, as people speak, the plough before the Oxen, h.e. they did purge before blooding, or at least having no thought of it, where it was most requisite, did rashly give some one of the strongest Purgatives.

Albeit, that any notable Translation of the subject matter of the Fever [...]nto the Lungs, and Chin-coughs, [...]o advise Blood-letting for the youngest Infants, yet it is most evident; that it is not a Remedy naturally convenient [Page] for them, neither is it more contradictory and unfitting for this most tender, then decrepit Old Age. And therefore its help is not to be invoked for all the Diseases of Infants, except in the Chin-coughs, or any other Coughs that do attend and are concomitants of Fevers that do suddenly begin; and unless for grievous contusions, which do sometime occur. For it is not supposible that Infants being nourished with thin and slender Food, should be affected with a true Plethory, however florid they be They do all abound with Humidity, which is easily changed into a Praeternatural Acid, the cause of all their Diseases. Neither can I be made believe that blood-letting can alter and correct an humid Constitution, especially when it hath already degenerated into Acidity.

There are some who, through a [...] obstinate itch of contradicting, o [...] blame and accuse the use of Blood-letting even for people of full Age. And these are the Through-followers and [Page] Disciples of peaceable Helmont, that most trusty Friend of the Old Medicine; these happy and fortunate Heirs to so great Secrets, of which neither Physick or the Common-Wealth have been worthy. It's they, viz. who have succeeded to a not common sort of Chymistry, unknown to all skilled Physicians, but which produceth wonderful Effects to these Philosophers by the fire.

All testaceous Medicaments do wonderfully dry, and, therefore, are very proper for the curing of these Diseases which proceed from too much Humidity, and for these Constitutions which so much abound with it. But the Constitution of boys is most humid, because it is of all the most delicate and soft. But they are also somewhat adstringent, which is lost by burning, yet thereby do they assume a good deal of Acrimony and Hotness, which are most evident in Quick-lime, and a great many more Chymical Medicaments. But they do also most power, fully blunt and defeat Acidity, which as naturally attendeth the corruption [Page] of Aqueous Humidity, as Heat doth Fire. Moreover, testaceous Medicaments do not at all warm their tender bodies; which consideration doth easily induce me top prefer them to all other in the cure of Infants Diseases.

But there are other things for which I recommend the use of Testaceous Medicaments for Children. Their Stomach is endued with a devouring and insatiable sort of Ferment, which delicate and liquid Food cannot still & quiet for any time: Being it must be blunted with Butter which swimmeth long upon the upper Orifice of the Stomach, or be nourished with Panado or Pudding, which are not easily cast out of the Ventricle. And I have frequently observed sick children feeble and dull, only because they were nourished with too thin and liquid Food. Wherefore, testaceous Medicaments are, upon many Accounts, very agreeable with the Nature and Constitution of Children; neither doth doth that change or alteration made by them, in the Stomach, wear off so soon as that which is made by Liquid Medicines.

[Page]That I may say nothing of very many Fowls, which, when drooping by a Pica or depraved Appetite, have been recovered by Sand cast amongst, and swallowed down with their Food, as the Poultrey-women do very well know.

By testaceous Medicines, I do not only mean strictly those made of Shells, but Coral also, Corallin, both the Bezoars, and the like, which are known to absorbe Acidity, and are of the same nature, although they be quite of another Origine.

These Medicaments have been much used by Physicians, but their use, as adjusted to Children's Constitutions, was either altogether unknown, or was of very small help and advantage. For their too too spare Dose, wag truly the cause, why Physicians, in the Watchings and Pains of Infants, fled from these sure and safe Remedies, unto Opiats, which are by far the more dangerous, if not hurtful and diametrically opposite to their Nature and Constitution.

[Page]And I cannot but relate, how I was once mocked by a very famous Physician upon this account: When viz. at my desire he was called for assisting in the cure of a Noble Child, the Heir of very great Possessions, who was ordinarily entrusted to my care, and at that time was sick of a most dangerous Feaver, and when, he proposing a Narcotick instantly to be given, unexpectedly found me refractory to his design; You, said he, if so you be resolved, do seem to practise after a way that's obsolet and out of fashion; to whom I replyed; That I did not, neither would I ever practise for Children as is now the custom. Being, I do as surely, yea more certainly (unless I be entirely deceived) and, at least, more safely allay all their Gripes, lessen their Watchings, and asswage their Pains, by the fore-going Medicaments, than any can do (however they esteem Narcoticks) by these kind of Remedies, given with the greatest hazard of their life.

[Page]I know no such mad admirers of Opiats that ever recommended their use for the weakest Constitutions; though some, even in this case, have covertly tryed their strength, Remembering, perhaps, the proverb, that dead Men tell no Tales. But being the Pulse of Infants is of all the most weak, their Constitution naturally the most tender, and their strength very infirm, I cannot conceive, why any should make choice of uncertain and dangerous Medicaments for the curing of Infants Diseases, when safer, yea the most safe may be as easily purchased.

This also I shall add, that scarce any of their Maladies however tormenting, did require the least tasting of Narcoticks, properly so called, ever since I had sufficient knowledge of the most anodyne, yea so poriferous power, for Infants, of these testaceous Medicaments; providing, they be given in quantity sufficient for attaining the Design.

[Page]But as no Opiats are to be approved of, for Infants Diseases, so neither can I recommend any liberal use of these hot Medicaments, however salutiferous and cordial they be in their Name. For the word Cordial hath been curiously and with abundance of artifice contrived for the soothing of all the Gay-women, for the taking of Country-women, who, very often, dwell far from skilful Physicians; for good Matrons who, with so great honour, use these Cordials for all Diseases in their Eleemosynary Practice; and lastly, for pleasing the ignorant upon all occasions. For who could expect any evil by the taking of a Cordial? Yet it may be a question amongst Learned Physicians, whether of those who have ended their days by a natural Death, more have truly died by Diseases or by these Cordials. It is most certain, that whatever things do encrease the Symptoms of the Disease, augment Drought, make the Tongue dry, or intend the Feverish Heat, are of all, least convenient [Page] for, and agreeing with that tender Age, that can give no resistance to any Injury that is offer'd unto it. And truly, I have always found sundry, that I say not deadly, mistakes attend that hot guiding of Infants, when I could never observe the least inconveniency from the frequent use of these temperate Medicaments.

But any may object, that Obstructions must of necessity be produced by the use of these hard and almost flinty Medicaments, and that these things should render their most tender Constitution, and the most small passages of their Body very subject thereunto.

But that we may the better obviate this Objection, you must remember, that the genuine Parent of all Obstructions is an Acid Distemper, which Infants do frequently contract from the coldness of the Air and the the tenderness of their Constitution, however delicate and pure their Food be. And therefore, whatever things [Page] do correct, mitigate or blunt this Acid Indisposition, or can dissolve Coagulations (all which, these do without the least addition of Heat) are most fit to remove Obstructions and the great Train of Symptoms, which proceed from that Cause.

Others perhaps will accuse me, that I do too easily pass by the most famous Doctrine of the Crisis; and that I may seem to forget the computation of critical Days, so nicely instituted by the Ancients, and much commended to this day, by such as admire only things that are past understanding. Therefore, I say, being the Crisis is only a sudden change in the Disease, either to Health or Death, it doth entirely depend, for as much as I can observe, upon the method of Cure (especially in these tender ones, of which we speak) and is hastned or produced by the industry or unskilfulness of Art. For, being he Cure is mainly stayed upon general Evacuations duly made, these Crudities which are [Page] the cause of Fevers, are sooner concocted than at any other time, part of the Morbifick Matter is immediately eliminated, and the rest exceeding the natural strength, giveth way to Medicaments dexterously administred. But, when the Humours are exagitated, and the Spirits driven to greater confusion by Diaphoreticks and Cordials so called, and the whole stress left upon Clysters, which never pass the gross Tripes in perfect strength, as the Concoction so the Crisis, is too late, if ever to be expected, after so learned and so solemn a Train of Medicines.

But lastly, a Crisis, methinks, is nothing else than the last effort of Nature, to evacuate with all its power the morbifick Matter by convenient Passages. And that hapneth very often with us by sweating, because of the Cross use of warm Guiding. Though very often by blooding at Nose, by Stool, by Vomit, and sometime by Ʋrine. All which, do sufficiently prove, that Nature her [Page] self, the best and wisest Physitian, did never design or endeavour any other way of judging Fevers, than by timely Evacuations.

There are many things variously written and maintained by Arguments in this Learned Age, concerning the use of Precipitating Medicaments in Physick, as that all Diseases wherewith man is affected, might easily be over-come, and cas [...] off, if we had a perfect knowledge of the proper and specifick Precipitating Medicine fitted to every Disease. But you must observe, that we are speaking of the Acute and Feaverish Distempers of Children, which do quickly determine of their life; and not of those that are lasting, which give greater delay to the Curer, and do more safely allow of a curious Tryal of the new Powers of things Again, Precipitation is the separation of the grosser parts, which by the strength of a dissolving Acid do hang imperceptible in any clea [...] Liquor untill they fall to the ground [Page] being freed of their Bonds, by the help of such things as defeat the Acid. Moreover, the Crudity, which we constantly see in Fevers, is, methinks, the genuine off-spring of prevailing Acidity; and the concoction a sign of its being defeated, and overcome by Nature. And therefore artificial Purging bringeth to the ground of the Body these Crudities which were carried upward, and seemeth more properly than all other Medicaments to precipitate, that at length they may be cast out by Urine or Stool. But also, whatever other kind of Medicaments (tho some airy metaphysical Brains, Philosophers, as they call themselves, do think quite otherwise) is endued with a Precipitating Faculty, yet scarce doth it, in any measure, produce that effect, but as it is Cathartick. For neither must it he thought that Precipitation can so easily be performed in a Body of divers parts, various Juices and Humours, and of so many Passages and Windings, as a Juggling Chymist, by pouring in Liquors of different [Page] sorts, doth wonderfully change their Colours, or so soon as he doth make his Precipitations, called Magisteries. Being, then, that Fevers do assault the vital and upper parts, and so leave no time for uncertain and dangerous Trials, it becometh [...] wise Physitian not only to appease and allay the subject matter of Fevers with fictitious and precipitating Medicines of no value, but with all speed to root it out, with such as are true and genuine, h. e. by timely Evacuations.

But being it has been, yea is, the custom of many famous Physitians, to hasten the defeat of Fevers by Sudorificks, it may much concern us to add something upon that subject.

So soon as they observe any person seized with an Epidemick Fever, immediately they dream of, I know not what sort of Malignity, and this they constantly strive to expel with very hot preserving and sweating Medicaments. In the mean while, the gentle, meek, and not at all unruly Fever, [Page] by the every cure is (if at all) rendred Malignant. For when the Serum, the common Vehicle for carrying the Blood through the Veins and Arteries, is consumed by untimely Sudorificks, it is no wonder that the grosser parts of the Blood are interrupted in their motion, and do a little Stagnate; and that thereby, the Pulse be weakned, and doth become unequal, surging, tremulous, crawling, and intermitting; and upon the same Account, the Urine be but little & very crude; and lastly, that Freckles, Purple Spots, and sometime Pestilential Blemishes, (the sundry degrees of a forming or formed Gangreen) the chief marks of Malignity do appear. And the constitution, which a little before, was endued with much moisture and a benign warmth, is now dried, burn'd up, and altogether parched, with the excessive heat of this warm guiding; so that thereby, there doth neither remain a sufficient quantity of Lympha, which is designed to bedew the parts, neither can the Blood, being now thick, and stagnating every [Page] where, flow or move longer through the Vessels to continue the course of Circulation for preserving Life.

But I shall only offer to the consideration of these, who will retain and are blindly in love with that unhappy notion of Malignity (considering that it is a word that safely cloaketh the deadly consequences of their daily ignorance) the common practice amongst the Turks, as I was informed by very honest Merchants, unlearned indeed, but truly rational, and most natural for the cure of the Plague it self, the greatest of all Malignant Fevers, by the Juice of Limons largely drunk in Broath, by constant eating confected Limon Peel, and by a Drink much used amontg hem, called Sherbet, and in plain English, by nothing else than a cool Diet; in as much as Mithridate, the Treacle of Andromachus, the Root of the Virginia Dragonwort, and the great Train of our hot Medicaments, are most luckily, all together unknown to, or in very small esteem with them. Neither then, [Page] is it any wonder that that the Plague (so terrible to an English Man) doth make no so great havock among them, as a gentle Fever in Learned Countries.

How silly and childish is it for Physitians to call Fevers Malignant, because smittle and contagious. For, if Contagion did necessarily indicate or prove the existence of Malignity, how evidently should we read the Itch, in the Category of Malign Diseases. In which, tho neither strength doth fail, is the Appetite lost, or the Urine or Pulse differ in any thing from these in healthy People; and lastly, in which the Animal and Natural Functions are intire. Surely, Diseases which have any great Inflammation, are not altogether free of Contagion; as the Plague it self, of which I speak, as the Small Pox, as the Measles, as the Chin-Cough of Infants, and other Diseases of that kind, which reckon their Being from intense Inflammation.

[Page]But as to what may be said of Sudorificks for Fevers. I do not deny, but that either natural or artificial Sweating may be of very great use in the beginning of Fevers, when the Pores of the Skin are only a closing, and when the sensible or insensible Perspiration are interrupted. But the Sudorificks you are to use, should be temperate, and not such as create inward Burning. Neither should they be dry or so spirituous as to add Fire to the Flame, but Liquid and Culinary, which may supply an abundance of matter for forcing out the Sweat, and may provoke it, not with its essential, but outward heat.

There is one thing very well worth our notice, neither at all beside the purpose, which I cannot pass by. That Fever, viz. which raged last year, and whose History I shall just now give in few words, was also called Malignant by some Physicians, who are very well known by their great use of Diaphoreticks.

[Page]A sort of Fever (with which whoever were effected, did mostly complain of slight pains which seized all their Joints by course, of a pain of their Head, especially of the fore-part, and lastly of a kind of Giddiness) was so Epidemick from the middle of May of this last year, for some weeks, that I did never observe any such, upon whatever account, or in any season of the Year. A great many whole Families were affected with that Fever at the same time, that scarce one of many could eschew that general Calamity. But the beginning of this so Epidemick Fever, did truly seem to me to have its Rise, from the changeableness of the season of that Year, the sensible Perspiration of the Body, being then stopped, and the Pores which were very open, being shut up on a sudden by the excessive Heat of some days hastily changed into Cold. This one thing we may observe, that never were there so many Sick at one time, and never so few died. All indeed, that were sick of this Fever [Page] did recover Health, as well by wrong as right ways of Curing, by Blood-letting, viz. by Purging, by Sudorificks, by all the Womens Cures, whether they were Culinary or Medicinal, by staying at home for some time, by going abroad, by riding or any other Exercise, in time of any trouble, and when free of all care, and lastly, by doing any thing, or not doing. But if any died in this most gentle Disease, they were young men of very hot Constitutions, and abus'd with these Spirituous Sudorificks. The only thing we may yet observe upon this Head, is, that we should fear, that the nature of this Fever which was so gentle and benign, and which was so easily defeated as well by improper as healthful Remedies, shall, perchance, have cruel and deadly effect: Truly, these Gay Women and Common Quacks, may expect in vain that desired Success from their Cordials, and I know not what sweating Medicines (when another season of the year shall be very opposite to their Cure, and any [Page] Feaver shall appear attended with very terrible Symptoms) they seem'd to have approved in a most gentle Fever and in the Spring, a time much favouring whatever ways of Curing.

Before we do bring some Examples of Cures performed by the benefits of my method, I will adjoyn some things that do belong to the most ordinary Symptoms of Infants; leaning to the curious, such as are commonly to be found among the Authors.

Among the many Diseases that do threaten sore the life of Infants, there is none that produceth so many grievous Symptoms as their laborious and difficult breeding of Teeth. The Sickness of nine months (which may more justly be thought the Source of innumerable Miseries, than the womb) doth not expose Mothers to greater hazard, than Breeding-Teeth doth their Off-spring. For, being the Gums of these tender Ones are frequently inflamed, after the same manner [Page] as the other parts of the Body of such as are of full Age (whence come these most ardent Fevers) because the Teeth cannot arise from their small holes, we need not wonder, that their tender Bodies are so disquieted with so many most grievous Feverish Symptoms. From the same Fountain do arise their Colick-pains, Watchings, Disquiet, Flux or Constipation of the Belly, their Green Vomit and Excrements, the Thrushes, Fevers, Convulsions, and the like; all which do easily yield and surrender to, almost, the same method (having always respect to their Age and the violence of the Symptoms) of allaying and contemperating the Acid, and afterward purging it off; except, that the Disease shall change its nature from one, which by its continuance, giveth time to the cure, into such as is Acute, be very complicat'd and hath takes sure footing in the best parts of the Body, that it cannot be cured; o [...] these Evils be twisted in, and bre [...] with the first Life of the miserable Infant.

[Page]There is a Twofold time, troublesome to Infants in the Breeding of Teeth: the first is, when the Tooth essayeth to break out of the Jawbone; and in which, the outward part of the Gum is circumscribed with a sort of white Circle without any Smelling. The other is, when the Tooth becometh bigger and larger continually swelleth the Gum, maketh Inflammation, and doth endeavour to break through with all its force. The Chyrurgeons do unskilfully cut the Gums of the Infant, in this first effort of breeding Teeth, as well as in the second, that, viz. the Teeth may more easily break through, so the Wound is promiscuously inflicted without any necessity, and very often with as little help, when upon the second occasion (which should be diligently observed) it is only requisite.

There is something else to the same purpose not unworthy our observing. That, viz. some Chyrurgions, when they are ordered to lay open the Swelling Gum, do it with a common [Page] Lancet; which hath ruined a great many. For being a Cicatrix is so easily induced upon a Wound made by this thin Instrument, neither doth there any hole abide, through which the Tooth may break, so this operation is altogether useless, and all other Remedies are neglected for the time. Physitians, therefore, should take care, that this Incision be made with a more convenient Instrument, whether that be a Pen knife, or any other, which riseth in the back like a Razor.

Being Thrushes do proceed from the sharp Vapour of that inward Flame, which doth fret and pinch the tender Skin of their mouth, even as the other inward parts of the Body; we should only make choice of these things that do most powerfully defeat and blunt this Acrimony. But Gargarisms and Medicines for washing the Mouth are of no use in this case. For Infants can, by no means, wash their Mouth, unless it may be thought to be done accidentally in the swallowing [Page] down; because every thing that's given them to wash with, must go further; yea, that every Humour which by Coughing, is cast into their Throat, immediately falleth into their Stomach, if it be not attended with Vomiting. Neither is that stuff, whereof Gargarisms are made, so intirely innocent, that they can safely be given to Children. It's certain, that these Thrushes (however they disturb or hinder their Sucking) shall be removed by Testaceous and gently purging Medicaments; neither do I see, why we should too learnedly use so great Art for the attaining of that Design, when fewer and more simple Remedies may have these most safe and excellent Effects.

But the reason, why the superfice of the mouth is so convenient for the producing of Thrushes, when no parts else of the Body are blistred, is, because the same Skin which cloatheth the mouth, is communicated by a continued Series by the Gullet unto the Stomach. Wherefore, these sharp [Page] Vapours, which do proceed from a preternatural Effervescency of the Body about the Hypochondres, are carried upward, as from a Caldron, by the vent of the mouth; and do very easily communicate their blemish to the membrane of that part. Therefore doth the delicate taste of the tongue so readily distinguish all relishes. Lastly, upon this account, are Physicians, by their looking upon the Tongue, able to judge of the prevailing temperament of the Body.

The Flux of Infants proceeding from a mixture of Humours falling down into the Intestines, or from a swelling of Bile with an Acid, which is in great abundance in that place, is neither to be arrested by Astringents properly so called, or Narcoticks. For Astringents, do cause a reflux of these sharp Humours upon the more noble parts; which doth cast such, as are of the most humid and fluid Constitution, into the greatest danger of their life. Narcoticks indeed do allay, for some time, the furios [Page] swelling of the Humours, that, as often, they may afterward break out, with greater force. Moreover, the delicate strength of these young Children, and which is much weakned by the Disease, is seldom able to endure the mighty operation of Opiats, but with the greatest hazard. But such Medicines as do appease that sharpness, the great spring of all their trouble, are given with greater safety, & are more agreeing with their Constitution. Though the use of Diascordium and the like, which do consist of both these sorts of Medicines, be in such cases (where there is no Fever) of very great use and advantage; yet it is well known, that these do not want their danger in the Fevers of Infants: and that Chalk, Corall, Pearls, and others of that kind which mitigate these unruly Humours, without the kindling of new heat, that at length they may be purged off with Rhubarb, are of wonderful use for the overcoming of these Symptoms, and bringing a more safe Relief.

[Page]It is most evident, that they are of as great use in Vomiting as Fluxes. For so long as that which is the trouble lodgeth in the Region of the Stomach, and Acidity doth most exert its power in the first Passages; these Medicines do impart what strength they have, pure and intire unto the Ventricle. Vomits, as the Salt of Vitriol, Vomiting wine, Emetick Tartar, &c. seem to some, by far, preferable to all other Medicines; but if considerations from their tender Age, and great feebleness have any place in giving of Vomits, and if the easie solution and purging off of Coagulations can be procured effectually enough, yea, more safely by things that offer no violence to Nature, and bring the like into no danger, than by Vomiting or Stupifying Medicines; truly a prudent Physician will abstain from, and abhor all such.

Neither do they only avail in all Fluxes, but for the Gripes of Infants, from whatever cause; for which, [Page] they are not only excellent, but Proper and Specifick, If there be any such; I do not think the Jesuits Bark (the best of all the Medicaments of this Age) more Specifick for Intermitting Fevers, neither Opium (that other famous Medicine) more properly to allay Watching and Pains, that these afore-mention'd Testaceous Medicines do the Gripes of Infants. For albeit, any curious person may perhaps find among th'almost innumerable Experiments that do happen, by so many Infirmities borrowed from Mothers, in the great variety of Constitutions, some single instance here and there, that may impugn my Hypothesis, yet, that is to be intirely attributed to the Constitution very much depraved, and not to any defect of the strength of the Medicine. It is most certain that the Barks it self, commended all the World over for a Specifick, is not altogether convenient for Asthmatick people either affected with an Intermitting or remitting Fever. Yet it is most deservedly esteemed the best of Specificks for Diseases of that [Page] kind, and especially for those of the first.

Yea, our Testaceous Medicines, to which if you add a little Castoreum, shall be found of more innocent Faculties, and to have greater force against Convulsions (or Epilepsies, very often improperly, so called) either from the decay of strength, or from the sharpness of the morbifick Matter, extimulating the Nerves (however they have hitherto been thought trifles, and of no value by some) than either the Antepileptick Waters which warm, very much, these tender ones, or the Volatile Spirits which, like fire, break through all the parts of their Body, and which very often do produce most ardent Heat from a very small beginning. For being, the inward coat of the Stomach is wholly Nervous, and, therefore, the fitter to transmit the vertue of the Food and Medicaments into the inward parts of the Body, and being, the Spirits of this, as these of the other parts of the Body are irritated, [Page] and set on irregular motions, I think it most necessary, that the cure be performed with these Remedies, which absorbe the Acrimony that offends the Nerves, and truly allay the tumult of the Spirits, and induce sleep without stupefaction, and not with such, as make greater Confusion and encrease that Heat which so much aboundeth.

Very many things esteem'd Specificks for Convulsions (whose Names I conceal, being they are most common in the mouths of all) have been commended as well by the greatest Authors, as the most famous Practitioners. Yet their Vertues (for as much as I could observe) did never answer my expectation. In the Convulsive Paroxysms of Infants, seeing they do constantly arise from the sharp Matter of the preceding Gripes, that doth vellicate the Nerves, those things which obtund, allay or blunt the Acid without any new heat or warm'th of Body, one those which carry off the Acidity, thus Defeated [Page] and despoiled of all its Angles, shall at length, after all other things tried in vain, be found only of sufficient force for vanquishing this formidable Symptom.

I had a great confirmation of this assertion, in the Daughter of James Lowry, a Girl scarce a year old, who was seized with the greatest, the most violent, and most frequent Convulsions that ever I did see, which had disquieted her Lips, Eyes, Joints, yea and all her Body with very small intermission for many days before I visited her. She was very pale and of a most formidable aspect, her Belly was constipate, and the little that was cast out was very green. She howled with a high voice, for as much as her strength seem'd to be cast down, so that she raised the compassion of the Neighbourhood. During all these Convulsions and Colick-pains, she scarce consumed a spoonful of Food, but was sustained by some sort of Cordial. I assisted and happily cured this miserable Infant with no other [Page] Medicaments, but some Ounces of Crabs-eyes, mixed with Crystal of Tartar. She was constrained to swallow down a scruple or more of this most simple powder, every hour, in Pennyroyal Water, or the like; after the frequent giving of them, she fell upon sleep, and had these Convulsions much lessened. I ordered a Clyster of sugared and salted Milk to be frequently injected; until at length, the Crystal of Tartar (which doth not only purge very gently, but is also, very aperient, if it be taken in sufficient quantity) had made way for it self down ward. By these few and no greater Train of Medicines, was this Infant, seemings devoted to Death, unexpectedly indeed, recovered to perfect Health. But I do not understand (that I may quietly say so) why we should further torment these tender Ones vexed with Convulsions, and destroyed with Watching and Disquiet, with Vesicatories applied to their Neck or other Parts, being that kind of remedy seemeth more proper and designed [Page] to rouze from stupefaction those that are affected with a Coma.

Why may not I add that, since I first used this commended method for the curing of Infants, at my first entry I have seen many seized with Convulsions, and some so weakn'd with them, that they had no strength to swallow down any kind of Medicament, but that I do not remember of any of these tender ones, that, being perfectly cured by the use of these Powders, ever suffered a Relapse.

The Small Pox and Maesles of Infants, being, very often, a gentle and calm effervescency of the Blood, they are not so sick, when neither the assistance of Physitians is desired, nor the great Skill of the Nurses, who think so well of themselves, is craved. But when the unruly force of the Blood doth justly require the help of the Physitian, the Testaceous Medicaments, so frequently spoken of, have the same effects with Children, that Narcoticks have with People of full Age. [Page] But these Volatile Spirits, which are, so much used, the Cordial Waters-Mithridate, the Treacle of Andromachus, and the rest of these hot Preserving and Diaphoretick Remedies, are chiefly to be eschewed, which are designed to thrust out, with more haste than good speed, these Pushes; but which instead of being Cordial and Expulsory, as is pretended, do very often change the naturally gentle Small Pox, into such as are more dangerous; and do move, disturb, and turn inward the Measles, otherwise easily disappearing from upon the Superfice of the Skin, introducing deadly Difficulties of breathing and thoaking Catarrhs; and lastly, they seem most designed to inflame the Blood, which is yet but moderately and slightly warmed.

Reflecting upon the nature of the Small Pox, I have frequently admired, how this hot kind of guiding hath so much prevailed, not only among the foolish Nurses, but Physitians, otherways, very learned; being this Disease is so very hot; and, being [Page] all Suppurating Medicines, properly so called, which are ordinarily applied to any one or more swelled parts of the Body, that tend to Suppuration, should be, by the general consent of all Physitians and Chyrurgeons, very temperate; as are the Roots of Marsh-mallows and Lillies, the Leaves of Mallows, Althaea, Bear-foot, the Meals of Lin-seed, Foenugreek-seed, Wheat; Butter, Fat, Oyl, the Yolk of an Egg, Mucilages, Marrow, and the like, which are not hot. For hot Remedies either taken inwardly or outwardly applied, are truly discussing and ratifying, and of a quite contrary nature to the former. Moreover, these do really disturb Nature in her work of Suppuration, and necessarily drive all into a strange confusion. Wherefore Testaceous Medicaments, whose strength and vertue is most temperate, which in their benign and gentle Nature are next to those that suppurate, which exceedingly resist the Universal Corruption of the Body; and, lastly, which neither interrupt the Animal or Natural Functions, or render them irregular; [Page] are of all the most eligible for the cure of the Small Pox.

I could maintain, at more length, this Cause, and so, extend the limits of this Work beyond measure. But I will not longer detain the Reader with Scholastick Impertinencies, which are altogether useless in Practice. I will not not hunt after an Umbrage and Shadow, of more than ordinary Learning by the specious Citations of Authors, cavilling among themselves; and lastly, I will not subtilly undermine the Opinions of other men, that I may triumph over their Ignorance, and that, upon any account, I may establish my own. For I know very well, how hard a task it is to enquire narrowly into the verity and truth of things. I know that he hath come nighest to the Truth of any thing, who shall be found to have erred least, however men do upon any trifling occasion let up their Crests, and assume a degree of perfect Knowledge in this or another Science, when Men can make no progress beyond the natural Limits of their [Page] Weakness and Frailty. And truly, the more knowing any Man is than another, the more humbly and submissively doth he demean himself. But there seemeth to me, to be a certain moderate comprehension of things, and bounded with the same proportion of Knowledge, diffused by degrees upon every Age, that, viz. none may unjustly upbraid the other of ignorance. Truly, we have lost, by the great changes of humane Affairs, very many things which might perpetuate the Memory of some former Age. Neither are there wanting in the present Age (whatever th'envious may deny) Discoveries that deserve the best Praises, which shall Nobilitate the Art of Physick, while an Art, and hand it down so refined, to be sacredly preserved by Posterity.

And now I shall give some Examples of Infants, cured by this our method; but not with that design that these my small and pitiful Endeavours should be preferred to all other more learned Methods; for I cannot determine what others of better Judgment [Page] may do. Thus only, I do send unto the World and for its use, such things as by my Experience, are found to be really true, or very near to the truth (leaving always to others the same power of judging we have assumed to our self) and which I doubt not, may be of great use to some.

Observation I.

A Very Noble Infant, th' Eldest Son of the most Illustrious Lord, Charles Marquess and Earl of Worcester (a Man of an Infinite quickness of Spirit, and very capable for the greatest Offices in the Kingdom, whom all the Changes and Vicissitudes of Humane Affairs could never divert from his singular Integrity) being of a very succulent and sanguine Habit of Body, but whose Nerves were very weak, and very often troubled with an Acute Fever; but its Matter did most especially derive it self into his Lungs. In the mean while, his Lordship was affected with a grievous [Page] difficulty of Breathing, which, especially, in his sleep, was most sensible to By-standers, A Paleness did seize his Beautiful Face, Drought especially, and violent and burning Heat of Skin, with Tumbling, and continual Disquiet, did oppress him.

I let him Blood somewhat largely from his Arm, and then most succesfully used that method which I have described, whereby the Fever, with all th'other Symptoms were defeated, and Health restored.

But the first time that I visited that Noble Infant, was upon the 14th. of June, 1685. when he was 14 months old. But he was much weakned by a Chin-Cough at that time, when he was first committed to my care; Doctor Short, a most Excellent Physitian, being call'd to my Assistance. And by our common Advice, were taken four Ounces of Blood from his Right Arm: Truly, I did propose, a more liberal use of Pearls, and such things, which allay too much Acidity; and in the mean while a spoonful of the Juice of Pennyroyal sweetned with [Page] Sugar Candy, to be given twice or thrice in one day, and every third day to be gently purged with Manna; to which method, as both the most safe, and as approved by me upon other occasions, this Gentleman, of singular Sincerity, and excelling not only in the knowledge of his Profession, but also in his good Humor, did easily assent. And so that most Noble Infant next Heir after his Father, to the most Splendid and August, next to the Royal, Family, of the Duke of Beaufort, recovered Health (as I did publickly foretell at that time) in ten days time, who, in the Opinion of the other most famous Physitian, seem'd not possible to be cured in the space of three Months.

Moreover (by the Blessing of God) I did restore to former Health, the same most Noble Infant, now five Years, old when sick of a continued Fever, and chiefly complaining of his Head and Belly by course, but next being tormented with most violent Gripes upon the Region of the Ilium (so that they were very like to the [Page] Iliack-Passion) with a very weak Pulse. But we must observe, that when this was changed from a most Acute and Continued, into a most safe Intermitting Fever; whose Paroxysm had not its beginning with shivering and cold (as ordinarily) but with a dry Cough, which lasted the whole Fit; and which recurred every day after Dinner; I resolved to try the Virtue of the Jesuites-Powder. But all its advantage was fleeting, and merely palliative, until some drops of Blood, forced from his Nose, by the strength of the Fever, and violence of the Cough, did encourage me, who before was a little Refractory (because his natural strength was much exhausted by the Disease) to take, at least six Ounces of Blood at his Arm; and to purge him next day. After which, a strengthning Julep, designed for carrying off the Remains of his Cough, did so perfectly cure that weak Infant, that daily he became more healthy, until he arrived at its Perfection, which he enjoyeth at this time.

[Page]

Observation II.

I Did treat after the same manner, the same Marquess his Daughter, Lady Elizabeth, a Girl eleven months old, being of a plump and thick Habit of Body, seized in the beginning of the Spring, but a very cold Season, with an Acute Fever, and a Cough almost Convulsive; and did reduce her to perfect Health in almost as short time (considering both Seasons of the Year;) I only added about the end some Drops of Sweet Elixir Proprietatis to these Powders.

Observation III.

THe only Son of the Earl of Pembroke (a Noble-Man not only well endued with the ancient Splendor of his Ancestors, but with all excellent Gifts of mind) being Seventeen Weeks old, was troubled, in the beginning of February, with [Page] Colick-Pains, Green Excrements, Thrushes, perpetual Disquiet, and startling of his Limbs. His Ears, from which a certain Humour (after the manner of Infants) did flow i [...] great abundance, were intirely dryed up. Yet, by the use of the mentioned Remedies, he recovered in the space of six days.

℞ of the compound Powder of Crabs Claws ℥i. of Pearls prepar'd ℈ii. of Sal-prunell. ℈i. M. and make a Powder to be divided in eight equal parts. Let him have one immediately in a spoonful of the following Julep, drinking another after all.

℞ of the Alexiteriqus Milk Water, ℥iv. of Pennyroyal Water, ℥ij. of the compound Poeony Water, ℥iij. of Pearled Sugar, ℥i. M. and make a Julep.

Two days after the Illustrious Infant had taken the prescribed Powders, for the allaying of his Pains, with their designed Success; I gave him the following solutive Syrup upon the third, by which he was gently purged, and put from the least suspition of Danger.

[Page]℞ of the Syrup of Cichory with Rhubarb, of purging Thorn ana ʒj. of the best Rhubarb in Powder, gr. [...]ij. of the Tincture of Saffron gut. x. M.

Thereafter, I continued him the next two days with the Powders, and I purged him upon the third as before. After all these, his Sickness did intirely vanish, the lurid and pale Colour of his Face became vivid and sprightly, and his Ears began to weep as before.

Observation IV.

THe most Honourable Lady Catherine, Daughter to the same most Illustrious Earl, being three years and a half in Age, was affected with a Lent Fever, which had most irregular Paroxysms, but she particularly complained of a grievous pain of her Head, an sometimes of her Belly. She had an aversion to all sort of Food, and was now and then so sleepy, that all the Family suspected her Disease to be the Small Pox; she was several [Page] times troubled with starting of her Nerves, and sometime with a dry Cough in her Sleep. I prescribed the following Medicaments.

℞ of the Alexiterious Milk Water ℥vj. of the Plague Water ℥ss. of prepar'd Pearls ʒj. of the simple Powder of Crab's Claws ʒij. of refined Sugar ℥ss. M. and make a Julep. Of which let her have three spoonfuls every fourth hour, carefully shaking the Glass before you pour it out.

℞ of Socotrine Aloes ʒi. of the tops of the lesser Centaury, of the Leaves of Savine dryed ana ʒss. of Burgundy-pitch ʒi. of Venice Turpentine, as much as is sufficient. Make a Plaister to be applyed upon her Navel.

The next day she continued the use of the Julep.

She had a Vesicatory applied underneath the nap of her Neck.

There was a Clyster of six Ounces of sugar'd and salted Milk injected, because she was constipate in her Belly.

[Page]℞ of the black Mineral, of sweetned Mercury, ana gr. vj. of Marmalade of Quinces ℈ij. Make a Bole to be given at Night.

The day after, she took this Purgative Syrup.

℞ of the Syrup of Purging Thorn ʒij. of the Countess of Warwick's Powder, gr. vj. of the best Rhubarb in Powder, gr. xij. of the Tincture of Saffron, gut. xx. of Black Cherry Water ʒj. M.

Half a Dram of the Crystal of Tartar was given her in a draught of Posset, to sharpen the Purgative.

That night she got four spoonfulls of the foregoing Julep at Bed-time.

The following Mixture was, upon the fourth and fifth day, in addition to the former Prescriptions, ordered to be licked up frequently.

℞ of Corallin ʒij. of the dried leaves of Mint in Powder ℈i. of the simple Powder of Crab's Claws ʒi. of the Syrup of the Balsam of Tolu, of Althaea ana ℥i. of Orange Water ℥ss. M.

[Page]The Bole prescribed before, was renewed upon the night preceding the sixth day; as also the purging Syrup the next morning by which this very Noble Lady did vomit up, about noon, a Worm of [...] span long. Upon which, she was freed of all her Maladies.

Observation V.

THE much Honoured and only Daughter of the most Serene Prince, James Duke of Ormond, scarce yet a year old, was much troubled with a loathing and desire to Vomit; as also she was much fretted with green Excrements, and therefore with Gripes. I did easily remove these Colick-pains with a powder of Pearls given from gr. viij to ℈ss in a spoonful of Mint-Water, thrice a day and did gently purge off the morb [...] sick Matter with gr. vi. or ℈ss of Rhubarb in a little of the Syrup of Cichory with Rubarb; by which her gre [...] Excrements got a better Colour▪ [Page] and, her Pains being removed, she enjoyed her days in great ease. And her Loathing and Vomiting, her Stomach being now corrected, did cease.

Observation VI.

THE only Daughter of that excellent Gentleman, Mr. Foot Onslow Esquire, at Kensington, a Member of the present Parliament, and descended of a very rich and flourishing Family in the County of Surrey, being six months old, was troubled for some time, with a dangerous and extraordinary Fever, such as some [...]all Malignant. Her Excrements were Green, the Colour of her Face very pale, and much like that of Lead. Thrushes did utterly hinder her Sucking; and some unusual Symptoms did very much threaten her Life. She did raise her Chin as high as possible, and did constantly cast back her head, that I, at my first seeing her, did suspect, there might be some Imposthume [Page] sticking to her Chaps, or some sudden stifling. I ordered fifteen Grains of the mentioned Powder to be given her at a time, according to the method before described. But as often as she took them, there did arise such a sensible Ebullition, as▪ never observed before in any Infant For all things turned so irregular and she seem'd to be in no less hazard, than may be expected by a total Suffocation. But it did truly resemble that ordinary boyling that is by the mixing of an Acid and Alkali in a Vessel. Moreover, this effervescency being over, she did run out in sweat on all parts. Yet neither was that Symptom at all diminished, or the rest, any way changed to better, after a great many Doses of the Powders, and the subsequent Purging. Therefore, a [...] length I gave her at night, of sweetned Mercury and flower of Brimstone ana gr. iv in a little of the Syrup of Clove-gilliflowers; and did reiterate the same things next morning for correcting or averting that great corruption [Page] of Humours. But she did vomit up a great deal of putrid, stinking Matter, variegated with Blood, and of as party Colours as a Rain-bow, not long after her taking the second Dose in the morning; after which she immediately became better, and those Powders, from which she was just now utterly averse, being given gain did profit her much, no Ebullition arising from their use. Thereafter also was she able to weep strongly and cry out. About this time, begun a Cough which was somewhat troublesom; but was soon defeated. So soon as these Trushes did disappear, as soon did the Fever evanish, her [...]risk Colour was restored and this infant, deservedly thought desperate by all, did suddenly recover her former Strength.

Observation VII.

THE only Son of Mt. Burton, Captain of an East-India Merchant [...]ip being but eight days old, was [Page] affected with Gripes, Green Excrements and continual Disquiet. Moreover, these Thrushes did so cover, as a white Scurf, the inner parts of his Lips and whole Mouth, that he was not able to lay it nigh, at least not to suck, his Nurse her Breasts. For him, then, did I prescribe after this manner.

℞ of Pearls prepared ℈ij. of the simple Powder of Crabs-claws ℈j. M. and make a Powder to be divided into eight Doses. Let him have one thrice a day, at a convenient season, in a spoonful of the following Julep.

℞ of the alexiterious Milk Water ℥ij. of Penniroyal water ℥j. of pearled sugar ʒiij. M.

On the first day, and thereafter, these Gripes were allayed, and calm sleep procured.

Upon the third he took the following Purging Syrup.

℞ of the Syrup of Cichory with Rhubarb ʒij. of the Powder of Rhubarb gr. vi. of Rose-water gut. xxx. M.

That same evening he got one of the fore going Powders.

[Page]Upon the fourth day he begun to suck, the Thrushes then disappearing, and his Excrements were not at all green. Notwithstanding he continued, all that, and the fifth day, in the use of the Powders.

Upon the sixth, he took the Purging Syrup with ℈ss. of the best Rhubarb in Powder, in place of the vi. grains he had taken before. After all which, he perfectly recovered.

Observation VIII.

THE Daughter of Mr. George Sclater (a Divine, well instructed in all kind of Learning, Rector of the Parish of Hayes near Bromely) being about ten months old, was affected with a most violent Flux, at the time of Breeding Teeth, that she was almost dead, and given over by all as desperate, because of her frequent Stools (which were green, and no fewer than 40 or 50 in one day, as her Parents inform'd me.) I gave her a scruple of the mentioned [Page] Powders, at least, every fourth hour; but oftener in the beginning, even until the Flux did much remit, the sharpness of the Bile was allayed, sleep also procured, and the former strength somewhat renewed. Upon the third day, I did drive out of the Body the Humours, so prepared, with Rhubark; which can never be sufficiently commended, which doth not only confirm the strength of the Weak Parts, but also doth remove and most pleasantly purge off Impurities. I continued in giving these Powders thrice every day until the third, upon which I did renew the same Purge. After these, she was perfectly cured.

Moreover, I shall add here: That as I do easily adjudge the Victory to Rhubarb, as a Purgative, of all, the most agreeing with Infants affected with Fevers or any other Sickness; so neither can there be any thing found that is naturally more unsafe and dangerous than Aloes, which is so much commended, and which is most hurtful (however Sacred its Preparation [Page] may be named) to such as are Feverish, both because of its intense Heat, and fretting faculty, which is most opposite to that tender Constitution. And I, if it were my Humour, could confirm the truth of this assertion, by a very incredible Account of a most Noble Infant scarce yet 4 years old, being affected with a Lent-fever, who, in the space of two days, was brought to that pass, especially by the use of Hiera Picra in a hot Vehicle as is customary, that the Taches of his Intestines suddenly made by it, which Anatomical Inspection did make known, did far exceed all belief. But this I do pass, remembring that we should speak nothing but well and honourably of those that are dead, so also concerning those that are alive.

Observation IX.

THE Daughter of a certain Gentleman, but four years old, was affected in the Summer of the Year 1687. with the most violent Fever [Page] that ever I did see upon any of that Age; her habit of Body was very lean, her drought insatiable, the Heat of her skin was sharper than any of these years, so that any that touched it, were scarce able to endure this inward burning for any time▪ In the mean while the Parotid Glands did torment her, and were a little swelled, her cheeks, for the most part, were very red; and she did decay in continual anguish and disquiet. It was evening when I did first see her in this condition. I did instantly order for her ʒss. of our Powders made a little Expulsory, to be renewed, a little after, in a spoonful of Penniroyal Water. The same thing were reiterated next Morning, but about two hours after her Mornings Draught, a good deal of blood did run from her Nose, and her whole Fore-head was livid and somewhat swoln with much Redness here and there, as she had been newly banged with cudgels: A round crimson colour'd spot of two inches breadth did appear under her left Temple; At which being Nothing [Page] discouraged, but thinking it a very good Omen, I did order her the use of those Powders that blunt Acidity for that day, only, they were made less expulsory, but upon the next, h e. upon the third, after I was called, I did not doubt to give her the Purging Powder, well sharpned with the Crystal of Tartar, altho her Fever, Heat, and Drought were nothing abated; by these she had five or six Stools. Lastly, this very day did her Fever evanish, by the evening she had no drought, and the Heat of her Skin was as temperate to the touch, as it is in her best health, so that the small Infant, aboute even, did cry out, How well am I now?

Observation X.

THE Daughter of Mr. Golton, a well born Gentleman, being a year old, of a Plump and very Fat Constitution, became Feverish in the month of November by Breeding-Teeth; [Page] her drought was Insatiable, her Face very pale, only there was somewhat of a Green mixed with the wanness, so often as, being to suck, she put her Mouth to the Brests, as often was she forced to give over, because of a violent Cough which did begin at that time; by which Symptom being advertised, I did suspect that her Ʋvula was swelled and inflam'd. Moreover, her mouth was very much hurt with Thrushes, that she could never be induced to open it unless she was some time forced, by stopping her nostrils, to breath, and by that means to receive Medicaments. Her Excrements were very green, and of a Sour smell, with continual tumbling, which did indicate that she was troubled with Colick-pains. Her breathing, when asleep, did strike the ears of the bystanders. Moreover she could not weep till, after a week, by the constant use of these Medicaments the sickness was much quelled, and the ordinary crying of Infants did return. All the symptoms did evidently remit after [Page] the operation of the Second Purgative; and by the third, the brisk Colour with a most pure white did by degrees return to her Face, her Eyes became lively, and at last she did enjoy most perfect health.

I shall add also an extraordinary example of a Chronick Disease, which is not much beside the purpose, neither altogether unuseful.

Observation XI.

ISaac Pope being thirteen years of age, was so pined away with a Consumption, by worms (as it proved) that he was much liker a Skeleton than a live Boy: His Face was like that of one raised from the Grave, his Eyes hollow; his Nose sharp, and his bones only covered with skin: By this Disease he became senseless, and altogether void of reason; and scarcely could his ratling joynts carry him from one end of the room to another with the swiftness of a Snail: All his Excrements, whether by Urine, or by [Page] Stool, fell involuntarily in the day time into his Breeches, and in the Night upon the bed; I gave him from 25 grains to ʒss. of my black Mineral, which I much use, Morning and Evening, purging him gently every fourth day. By which he voided a great many worms, and a little after became very plump.

But I shall not grudge to describe the preparation of my Black Mineral, because not to be found in any Author, that I know, and may be of very god Use.

℞ of Quicksilver four parts, of Flower of Brimstone three; stir all well in a glass mortar, until all the globules of the Mercury do utterly evanish and the mass be reduced to a grey Colour, which turneth very black after that 'tis kept some time.

The ordinary way of making the black Mineral is by mixing equal parts of Mercury and flower of Brimstone, and Burning, until a kind of useless Earth doth remain, after the Combustion, in ofrm of a Powder, [Page] which is but half the quantity of the Mass: whose genuine and natural vertue is lost by the fire, or if not, it cannot surely enough be determin'd what its strength is which may be said of a great many other Preparations made by Fire.

I prefer this way of preparing it, to all other, both because tho given in however so great a quantity, and however often, it never exciteth Salivation, which cannot be convenient for that tender Age, and is most formible to by-standers; as also, because it is made up after a simple and natural way, without any help from too too curious Art, which putteth no value upon any Medicaments, but such as have passed the Fire, that thereby they may become purer and more freed from their, I know not what, natural filth; when tho they are very often changed from their best state and their excellent natural Vertues, into such as are worse, more unsafe, and intirely new. But also the undaunted Volatility of Mercury which hath cost Chymists so [Page] much labour in Fixing it, is very easily subdued by the small work of the Pistil and Mortar.

I might adduce a great many more Examples, if I could discreetly incroach upon the patience of my Reader, by dwelling longer upon the same thing.

I might renew and deservedly approve of that good and old custom of easily preventing a great many Diseases of Infants and Children, by safe and known Remedies, which do much resist the corrupting of Humours, and were given every month. Seeing, viz. the most tender nature of Infants is most subject to all impressions, as well external as internal, and seeing Crudities and Indigestion do so abound with these tender ones, a prudent Physician should correct and amend these Dispositions and Diseases, which cannot be altogether removed in so delicate and weak a Constitution.

I could, at length, debate, whether it were safer that new-born Infaents should rashly be resigned, as is customary, to the care of a Hired Nurse, [Page] that Parents, viz. at the last may hear of the great hazard of their Infants, when they have already ended their innocent life through the carelesness and fault of Nurses, or whether they should rather be weaned when first born; whether mothers themselves should become nurses; or lastly, whether the nurse, when necessity doth require one, should be maintained at the Mother's Houses, and by their care be diligently kept up from the Embraces of her Husband.

But it is now high time to remove an Objection as well of some Physicians, which are happy Practitioners, as of all those who have most diligently enquired into the nature of simples for the use of Physick: they sc. will blame my Method as too simple, and not equipped with things commonly known, and much wanting that Variety of Prescriptions which is so very requisite for a learned Physician, and which often over aboundeth amongst Authors, yea, they will accuse me, that I am either altogether ignorant of, or have unjustly slighted, the Chymical Preparations [Page] long ago commended in the Works of almost all the Authors.

Let them, then, remember, that a Physitian is the Servant of Nature, and that Nature cureth Diseases. Let them complain, that they came naked into the World, that Nature is content with a few things, and that Art should imitate, or rather adumbrate Nature as much as is possible. They may know, that I think him, who prescribeth too long or too many Forms of Remedies, to offend through Ignorance or deceit.

And as to Chymistry, I do more endeavour to understand it, than to lay any great stress upon its Promises. I shall not mention hong long I lodged with the most Famous Lemery, the great Honour and Ornament of the Spagyrick Art, and of this Age (as to Chymistry) in his House at Paris. And if Physick not very much abounded with genuine and natural Ways of curing, when Chymistry not long ago pretended to the chief place in Medicine, I doubt it would have afterward swoln so much with Chymical Preparations.

[Page]For what end should Physitians have betaken themselves unto unknown, unsure, and most dangerous things, even those Sanctuaries of Ignorance; unless that some notable jealousie had arisen from things so well known, and tried by many? Surely they had not snatch'd so greedily at the Shadow, forsaking the substance, if no Charm had appeared in the trembling Light. But I would not rashly despise Chymistry as confined within the bounds of Pharmacy, neither would I have any to extol it un awares as diffused beyond the limits of Physick

It is very observable in how great Poverty, these great favourers of Chymical Preparations, and the zealous Enemies of the old way of curing (that I may say nothing of the comon Chymists & Quacks, who adulterate every thing, and make great promises without performance) if you except very few, do live, though they do not doubt to promise Golden Mountains (as people speak) to the too credulous, ignorant, and covetous. But though it be true, that Riches and Power are not given, [Page] to wise and knowing Men, and such as are best skilled in every Trade, conform to their Demerit; yet I think it most probable, that Their great Poverty hath most its rise from the hurt and great Bane of their Medicaments or famous secrets: & that a great many of them (because of their destructive partaking or incorporating with the Fire) are most unuseful for, if not altogether contrary to the Health of Mankind. For if for the most part, they were of any use for Men, or if their strength were answerable to their promises, altho they could not enrich this, or the other Chymist; yet, its most sedulous Artificers (even as an ordinary gain doth always attend the great part of all other careful Tradesmen, who make profession of any thing for public use) could not be so frequently frustrated, in their hopes of getting Riches. If I intended to advise my dearest Son, what method he should take to scrape together a great abundance, or, at least, a sufficient Portion of Money; by my perswasion he should be of great integrity of life, that he should [Page] circumveen no man deceitfully, neither that he should take pains in coyning Lyes, whatever kind of Life, or whatsoever sort of Trade he did designedly lead, for encreasing Riches. And I would no less inculcate to him, that this is, of all, the best way to live in miserable Poverty (however the cozenings of some Crafty Knaves, who have long practised falshood, may succeed for some time) not to perfidiously over-reach others, to tell lies for truth, and at any rate to act the part of a wicked Impostor, or unthrifty Man.

But that we may return to Chymical Preparations: I cannot but esteem the Works of Nature far more excellent than those of Art; yea, with Galen, that they are greater, and do exceed all Commendation; however, they be despised by some, and Nature her self accused as unactive by Epicurus. Wherefore, our most divine Old Man doth justly say, [...]. That Medicine is best practised according to the prescript of Nature.

But that we may come to a close, I would not have such, as do so much [Page] esteem and are delighted with the Art we speak of, still ignorant, that scarce any Chymical Preparations (as its true Sons, if there be any such, have often complained to my self) are to be sold at this time, which are not fictitious, and adulterated upon the base account of Gain.

Lastly, some may object, that Blood-letting can never be convenient for that tender Age, much less to become necessary upon some occasions.

I reply, that Blooding, even of the Youngest Infants, was appointed of old by the command of the Supream God, the Greatest Physitian, in the Decree of the Circumcision; that great Hemorrhagies did often attend it, and which were very difficultly stopped, unless by exquisite Remedies prepared for that end; and yet the Jewish Writers, which is very observable, did boldly aver, That not one Infant of a thousand was a-missing or died untimely, only because that Blood was let this way.

May the greatest and best God, from whom, as from an unexhaustible Fountain,[Page]every good and propitious thing doth flow, upon whose favour the happy Success of the Art of Physick, more than any other, doth continually depend, countenance with his wonted Goodness, these things which I have written with a sincere Mind, that they may tend to the Publick, which is always to be prefer'd to any private advantage.

FINIS.

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Title statement

An exact enquiry into, and cure of the acute diseases of infants by Walter Harris ; Englished by W.C. M.S., with a preface in vindication of the work.De morbis acutis infantum. English

Harris, Walter, 1647-1732.

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1693

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2009-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

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A45664

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Wing H883

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ESTC R21209

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62234

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— An exact enquiry into, and cure of the acute diseases of infants by Walter Harris ; Englished by W.C. M.S., with a preface in vindication of the work., De morbis acutis infantum. English, Harris, Walter, 1647-1732., Cockburn, W. (William), 1669-1739..

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[28], 139 p.

Printed for Sam. Clement ...,. London :: 1693.. (Dedication signed: William Cockburn.) (Translation of De morbis acutis infantum.) (Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.)

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Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.