After what manner PURGATION is performed in the BODY.

It was the Opinion of the Ancients; and so continued by many at this time; that Purgatives operate (electivè) by attracting this or that Humor peculiarly; and that by their different for­mal Propriety and specific Qualities, they do attract (Sym­patheticè) a different Humor or Matter: Some Water, others Cho­ler; some draw out Phlegm, others Melancholy. Thus Hippo­crates and Galen taught; from which Judgment, diversity of Purging Medicines have been contrived, to fit several Constitu­tions (as they suppose.) Some Bodies abounding with Choler, others with Phlegm, &c. Therefore it was thought reasonable, that Purging Medicines should be divers: And from hence the reputed Purgatives have been distinguished and distributed into several Classes: Phlegmagoga, Cholagoga, Melanagoga, Hydragoga All which will appear but an Accumulation of Errours. Dato uno absurdo; multa exinde consequuntur.

Contrary to this Opinion; Paracelsus, Joubertus, and others, have asserted; Purging Medicines to operate (per Antipathiam) in a hostile manner; that they do prosecute, expel and drive out noxious Humors, as having Enmity therewith, and performing after the manner of Alexipharmacals.

But neither of these Opinions will stand good upon Examination and strict Enquiry; as having no sound Foundation to support either of them; but involved with many Difficulties, as not ra­tionally to be maintained: Notwithstanding, upon such supposed Truths; pretended Purgative Operations hath been designed and grounded thereon, to the Prejudice of Millions of People: For, if manifest Evacuation were but procured, by the common injurious Means; it always passed currently for Purgation; not being able to discern and distinguish, between Evacuating promiscuously, and Purging.

The two former Opinions being set aside; I shall produce a third, more rational, and clearer from Intanglements.

Purgation being an Operation, imitating Nature in her ordinary daily course; setting forth the Causes, and Order of natural Eva­cuations; illustrates and declares the Manner of Purgation artifi­cially procured by Medicine.

Food received into the Stomach, is there digested by Fermen­tation, into a Chyle or Juice; then sent out into the Guts: where the Alimentary Part thereof, is conveyed by proper Vessels, for the use and supply of the Body: The excrementitious and un­serviceable Part, is carried down for expulsion. The motion for conveyance out of the Stomach, is performed by Fibers con­tracting and compressing that Bag; the lower Orifice of the Sto­mach then opens, and transmits into the Guts; where also the Fibers of the Intestines contracting, do cause a vermicular motion, protruding the Contents from Part to Part, until the Faces arrive at the Fundament for excretion. Thus much only in short, which at large might be set forth, if necessary.

In like manner Purgation is performed (but more vigorously, and oftner evacuating) which is a Repetition of doing Nature's Work, to perfect by Medical Assistance, what could not be done without such Help. A Purgative Medicine being received into the Sto­mach, causeth a Fermentation there; raising up indigested Re­licts, and subsiding depraved Matter, cleaving to the corrugated Tunicles of the Ventricle; and puts it upon motion to be sent downwards into the Guts; there to be distributed as afore­said.

But this is not All; Purgation extends yet farther: For, the Stomach being the Center of the Life, where the Regimen of the Body is more eminently managed; this principle Part; or rather the Principle of Human Nature, being there affected with the Purgative; causeth the whole Body to be drawn into Consent and Co-operation; by Ʋnity and Identity, of the ubiquitary vital Principle: So that this depurating Fermentation is promoted by the Life, in all the Veins and Arteries; some Branches whereof, having their Insertions into the cavity of the Guts; impure and useless Matter is brought from all Parts, to be discharged into the Kennel, or Sink of the Body, and sent forth by that commom Outlet, the Fundament. Thus the whole Mass of Bloud, is de­fecated and cleared, from heterogeneous Admixture, by Purga­tion; after this manner performed, and not by Attraction, as com­monly supposed.

The Regimen of the Life, is not always necessitated and ob­liged to visible Organs; but acts sometimes influentially, without visible corporeal Mediums; and therefore in the Oeconomy of Human Nature, many Actions are performed at distance, without the connexion of Tubes or Vessels for conveyance. But our tradi­tional [Page 7]Learning gives no such Information; and therefore extra­ordinary Enquiries have been made in Anatomy (where it is not to be found) that they may render an Account of such internal Operations; as they can give no Reason for otherwise.

Thus they would have the World believe; that by an exact Knowledge in Anatomy; satisfactory Accounts may be given, for all the preternatural Phoenomena, and Defections of Human Nature: And how Medicine is transmitted, to operate upon every Part of the Body. But herein they are more industrious for ena­bling themselves to talk finely; than to design curing successfully: Or give the true Account of Diseases; and how curing is perfor­med in the Body: Forgetting, or neglecting this Axiom; Na­tura est Morborum Medicatrix: (And sometimes Morborum Fa­ctrix) which caused a Reproof from an intelligent Observator, for their over-Curiosity and expence of Time in Dissections. Suf­ficiebat namque pro Anatome; situm, colligationem, & usus Partium: Non autem tota vita Cadaverum Lani [...]nam, ad minimae venae ductus inveniendos, exercuisse. Joan. Van Helmont.

The denominating Principal Part of Human Nature (the Regent vital Spirit, that makes, mends, and maintains Bodies) hath not been regarded and enquired into as ought; being the Efficient and Rector of all Human Actions; internal and external; both in the state of Health, and Sickness. But they think themselves con­cern'd, no farther than Humors, and Organs; and by them to set forth a full Account of Humanity, and morbous Alterations; as also the manner of Curing.

Purgative Fermentation begun in the Stomach, is promoted through the Body; not by Consent of Parts, and Communica­tion by Vessels of Conveyance, as vulgarly so accounted: But (per Identitatem Medii) by Continuity and Unity of the Life; spreading and residing in every Part of the Body. From whence it is; that the Life being touched in the Center, with a fermenting Purgative Virtue; is also affected likewise, to the Confines of vital Government. But the common Learning does not acknow­ledge, and teach any Communication or Conveyance; but by visible Ductures and Conduits, transmitting from Part to Part.

That this may not seem strange; but probable and practi­cable, for Nature (the Life) to operate after such a secret man­ner; take these following Examples as parallel, to confirm the Verity thereof. The first an Operation artificially procured by Medicament, for Purification: The latter, meerly natural [Page 8]and spontaneous by Aliment, for Refection and Restaura­tion.

1. A Sudorifick Medicine being received into the Stomach; the virtue thereof is diffused sometimes in an hour, or two; and affects the whole Body; causing a moist Transpiration in every Part: And this must be by Irradiation, not by a long passage of Circulation, through visible Ductures of Conveyance: For, it cannot rationally be supposed, that in so short space of Time; the Medicine can be carried materially into every Part of the Body; but is virtually conveyed, by influencial Power of the vital regent Principle; residing in the Stomach, (there eminenter) and praesiding over all the Faculties. And to perform this Ope­ration, there needs no Vessels of Conveyance out; because the whole Body is prompt and ready, for such a vaporous Trans­mission: Totum corpus est perspirabile.

2. When a Person is faint and feeble by too long fasting; Meat and Drink, then received into the Stomach; enlivens and strengthens all Parts immediately (long before the Food can be distributed through the Body) and only by refreshing the Life in the Center: Such radiant Influence streams from thence, as to af­fect the whole Body. So Purgative Virtue is diffused, and com­municated from the Stomach; causing a fermentative motion in the Veins and Arteries; arriving therein much shorter Time, than with common Conveyance by the known Vessels; which would be long and tedious to expect.

Hence it does appear, how Purgative Fermentation is raised, and extended at distance influent ially, by conduct and co-opera­ration of the Life; without visible Ductures: But the feculent Matter separated for Excretion, is exported manifestly by Vessels.

From this Doctrine you may understand; that the World hath been deceived in the great Business of Purgation: For, Practisers not having a right Notion thereof in the manner of Performance in the Body; they could not well adapt a Purgative Medicine for the true Execution of that Operation: And Failure therein, hath given great Delays and Disappointments, in the Practice of Physick: Forasmuch as true Purgation contributes mainly in the cure of all Diseases, arising from, or depending upon depraved humoral Matter; and gives the deepest stroak, in eradicating the Seminaries thereof.

By what means True PURGATION is to be Effected.

Since it is manifest, that Purgation operates by Fermentation to produce Purification: Then we are to enquire, what Properties a Medicine is to be endowed with, that really and effectually can perform that Work.

The primitive Professors having no Guide to direct, nor Foot­steps to trace and follow; but making the first Attempts in de­signing Purgation; did venture upon divers Experiments; and what raised a Disturbance in the Body, forcing Nature to expel downwards and evacuate; was then noted for a Purgative. The Ancients, as Hippocrates, Galen, &c. coming after the first Pro­jectors: They revised those rough inartificial Exemplars; and produced something better: And Modern Practisers have made some Amendments; but fall short of compleating true Purgative Medicines: That we can only say; the latter Inventions are not so bad as the first; or what they were a Thousand Years ago; but not what they ought to be now.

If a placid and benign Fermentation, is praevious; the direct and only way to design Purgation, which is Purification: Then no Medicine composed of virulent, or malign Ingredients; is a proper and fit Instrument to perform that Work: Nor is it rea­sonable to expect so good an Effect, should be wrought by such bad Means. We may from hence conclude; that all those Purga­tives (so called) which in their Nature have malign injurious Qualities to Human Bodies; are improper and mistaken to pro­duce such an Operation as Purging; which is Purifying.

Now we are to examine, the common reputed Purgatives; so much esteemed, and so often used, by Practisers in this Age; that we may see how far they answer the Title given: Whether they be innocent, wholesom, and harmless; as true Purgatives ought: Or otherwise; affecting the Body with their ill Qualities, and operating by stimulating and noxious Impressions upon the Life.

In the Number of common reputed Purgatives, are: Euphorbium, Scammony, Colloquintida, Hellebore, Elaterium, Jallap, Briony, Gutta Gamandrae, Turbith, Sena, &c. many others: Wherein there are degrees of Badness; some not so mischievous as others are: But none to be called wholesom and purely good; but what hath some [Page 10]ill Quality injurious to Human Nature: And are not what true Purgatives ought to be; which I shall prove,

• 1. By the manner of their Operations.
• 2. By their Effects.
• 3. By the Account given of them, from Authentic Writers, An­cient and Modern.

The Operation of common Purgatives, is usually attended with Ʋneasiness, Dullness, and Lassitude; nauseating, or vomiting; grinding or griping Pains; exhausting Evacuations and Excoria­tions; raking, and sometimes racking the Bowels: Some of these at least; and sometimes all of these, are concomitant Symptoms: Which do manifest their discordant, and malign Properties; ini­mical and destructive to Human Nature.

Few there are that have been used to Physick; but can attest some Part hereof, by their own Experience: And some of them, will tell dreadful Stories; how they have been abused by purging Phy­sick.

Secondly: The ill Effects wrought from virulent Impressions of the common reputed Purgatives, that pervert the Digestions, and vitiate the Blood: They do not appear presently, but some Time after; and then not suspected, from whence or what Cause, such Alterations do come: For, after the irksom Operation is over; the next Day, perhaps, the Patient Sufferer is more at ease; and then begins to have a good Opinion of his Purge (when the Storm is over) and says it has done him good. And I can tell how much good that is: The Body being unloaded thereby; and probably some of the morbific Matter complained of, may be carried out, (if it lie in the way ready for Passage;) and this makes a mitiga­tion of former Pains, and at present the Patient is better. And this is the best of it, that can be told: Which happens but some­times: As when the diseased Person is strong and able to bear bad Medicines; and the cause of Complaint not so considerable, as to require much Physick.

But if the Disease be great; radicated and stubborn to yield; that there is need of repeated, and often Purgations: Then, and in such Cases; the common Purges, do shew their Hostility to Human Nature; leaving the Characters of their Malignity be­hind them. Such as are so engaged into a Course of Physick; change their former Countenance, for pale, thin Chaps: Strength wears [Page 11]away, and feeble Legs are the effects of that kind of Purging. So it is with the stronger fort; that are able to walk about, when their Disease makes a Cessation.

And if you count the Number of those that receive no Benefit; but are rather worse; you will find them to be many: As when the Patient is Sick and weak; that wants a true Purgative, a Medicine extraordinary good; or no good to be done otherwise: Then in such cases, the common Purges sets the Sick and Feeble forward, towards their long Home. But such as do recover (by good Pro­vidence) from Sickness, and seemingly are well; and have escaped the evil of bad Purgatives at present: Yet all the mischief is not past; there comes an after Reckoning to account for: The Relicks and Impressions of your virulent Purges, hath laid the Foundation of another Disease, which you will hear of in a little time; and you cannot imagine how it should come.

Most People have this Apprehension, that Purging Physick is next to Poyson; and therefore if it does not work, they are dreadfully a­fraid; and well they may: But if it does operate; then they think all is well enough: but not so safe as they think: For tho' there be Evacuation sufficient, as to the number of Stools; yet the Taint impressed upon the Body, both continent and contained; and also upon the Life, to alienate and infect the Regent Spirit: There must be a Depravation from thence; the effects whereof will not be smothered; though the cause you do not imagine, when those effects do appear, a good while after: For, although some part of the Purgative Venom, comes away by Stool the Day of Pur­gation; yet there is a Remainder that infects the Bloud, and will produce various ill effects, in divers parts of the Body.

That it does mix with the Bloud, and by that vehicle is carried into all parts of the Body: I find a late Author of the same Opini­on; where he saith,

‘Extra dubium ponatur, Medicamenti Purgantis corpuscula quae­dam in sanguinem admitti, perque totum ejus liquorem diffundi.D. Willis.’ And soon after these words do follow: ‘Quippe ne­cesse erit quasdam Cathartici particulas, succo nutricio permistas, per vasa lactea obrepere. Idem.’

Now since it is so; that the Purgative Venom commixeth with the Bloud, and therewith runs through the whole Body; how care­ful, and fearful ought People to be in the matter of Purgation: But when the ill effects of former Purgatives do bud forth, they have no other Remedy, but to the same, and such like Purges a­gain: [Page 12]They know not how to get better; they are such as the Shop's are furnish'd with; and such as are Prescribed to the Shops, upon all occasions. What do you think will be the end of such Ac­cumulation of Errours? or how soon the end may come?

Here by the way, I must Remark, and set down this injurious Repetition, for one eminent cause, of Man's infirm diseased Na­ture; and consequently hath contributed much, to the Abbrevia­tion of Life; and the Off-spring in Ages to come, will degenerate yet more, and be of shorter Duration; being descended from such depraved Progenitors.

Is it reasonable to suppose, that one virulent Medicine; should rase out the Impressions of another, that went before? If the A­xioms be true; Natura est Morborum Medicatrix: We cannot in Reason think, that Nature will, or can work with such bad Tools: Purification cannot be effected, by depraving and corrupting Me­dicines.

And the fore-named Author; giving an Account of Purgation; yields in a great measure, to this censure of Purgatives: ‘Nec enim de nihilo est quod vulgus adeo pertimescat, si quando Medice­men minus operetur; ne virulentia exinde contracta, & derelicta, post quam diu in corpore delituit, tandem aliquando affectus malig­nos produceret: a tali namque occasione, interdum pathemata quasi leprosa excitantur. D. Willis.’ ‘It is not without cause, that People are afraid, when their Purge works not sufficiently; least the virulency thence contracted, and remaining in the Body; at some time or other (tandem aliquando) should produce malig­nant Affects: from such an occasion sometimes Leprous Maladies do appear.’

He owns Purgatives to be virulent; which virulency, if it comes not out, but lodgeth in the Body, it produceth mischief: And I cannot see how it should be otherwise: For if it be true as this Author affirms; that some part of the Medicine is carried by the Bloud all over the Body; it is not like to come out again presently; not that Day of Operation; The Venom then lies a breeding; and will bring forth in time. So that, when you Purge; you must take another to fetch out the virulency of the former: But if the second be no better than the first; you must then take a third Dose: And so you may Purge all the Year long at that rate of Purging, and be never the better, but much worse hereafter.

After this manner, there will be no end of Purging; but there may be an end of the Patient. If it be so, and I think it is plain­ly [Page 13]so; Then such pretended Purgations, is but Tinkerly Doings-Physitians and Pothecaries are very honest Men; but Physick cheats all the World.

It is plain from the Words of the foregoing Author; what O­pinion he had of the common reputed Purgatives: Yet being ur­ged to use them, for want of better, and more safe; he also did comply, with what his Judgment had condemned: As his Purga­tive Exemplars following do declare; and also his Prescripts in Practice upon several Diseases, in his Works extant.

And other Men of repute in this Faculty, are of the same Sen­timent in this matter; and have acknowledged as much: But for (à Salvo Judicio) to excuse themselves from persisting in known Errour; and to render the common Purgatives tolerably useful; until wholsomer, and safer be found out: They tell you of Cor­rectives, invented to subdue the Venom; to curb and tame the ex­travagant molesting Qualities of the Purgatives; that they shall perform the Office of Purging, and not disgust or molest you in the Operation.

True, part of this may be; and the Purgatives still what they ought not to be. Perhaps the Patient does not find present Incon­venience or Disturbance: But that does not prove the Innocency and Wholsomness of the corrected Purgatives; and yet most com­monly it is otherwise, and the Operation unpleasant. Injurious and unwholsom Diet does not shew its ill effects presently: You eat and drink with Pleasure, and perceive no Hurt; but you will find it afterwards; perhaps a good while after: And so it is with bad Medicines, such as stand in need of Correctives.

Now this Question ariseth; whether the Correction given to vi­rulent Purgatives, be due Correction, or only a Palliation? Whe­ther your Correction does rase out, and extinguish the Venom; as to make the Concrete purely innocent and wholsom? I believe not so.

You may possibly correct, or smother some extravagant Quality more eminent, and apparently noxious to Human Bodies; but you do not change the whole Nature thereof, which is Malign and Hostile. If you correct the smell of a T— with Musk and Civet; that the offensive scent thereof is not perceived; yet it is a T— still; an impure Excrement.

So you may correct some of the first, or second Qualities of the Purgatives, that are not sufferable in the Operation: But being malign (tota substantia) in their whole Nature; the Correctives are not sufficient security to save harmless, from future Damage. [Page 14]You may allay, and blunt the edge of some fierce Punging, or Lan­cinating Property, and make the Operation more placid, and pain­less; but there may be other injurious Qualities, which are dor­mant at present; and may produce ill effects, some Weeks, or Months after. If you knock out one Tooth; there are more left that will bite, and do hurt.

After this manner you may eat a Toad, and have a correcting Antidote, that it shall not poyson you. But I don't like such Food, that wants so much Correction; Nor such Physick: For when you think all the danger is past; there may be mischief breeding. So that you cannot say you are secure; though at present you are seemingly well.

Some that are dextrous in Poysoning; can give that which does not soon discover its venomous Nature to hurt you: But after some Time, it will operate upon you sensibly, and by Degrees; continu­ing to tabefie the Body, and so infest the Life; that you shall dwindle away, and know not what was the cause.

Some Poysons are Mortal, and kill presently: others not so Mortal, but very hurtful; acting slowly and gradually: Disguised under the Name of some common Disease; producing different effects. Some cause Dulness, Melancholly, and Stupidity: others provoke Laughter, Lust, or Fury: and some cause Convulsions, Dysenteries, Inflammations, &c.

Some Poysons more peculiarly and immediately affect the Heart; others seize the Brain; some invade the Liver; others the Lungs: some hurt the Bladder, as Cantharides: others dart their Venom chiefly upon the Genitals, and disable either Sex, causing Barren­ness. All which is confirmed by Authors of Repute.

I shall not point at the Parts of the Body, particularly this or that Purgative, shall more especially injure: But we may conclude it will fall somewhere; and you must take it for your Pains, as it falls out

Your Correction sometimes is before Composition; and then you do something to meliorate, at least mitigate: yet, after you have done all you can; 'tis but (minus malum) not so bad as it was; and that's the best that can be said. But who is the Supervising Corrector, in these weighty Matters; that require much Care, and Skill? The Doctor he referrs all, and trusts the Apothecary; the Apothecary trusts the Boys: Then the Patient he must Trust in God; for there is no Trust in Man.

He that Purgeth with Medicine, that requires so much Correction, and is not Operator himself; He also deserves Correcting Reproof.

But more often, the Correctives are added in composition: And such are not properly so called; but are only Palliatives: For, being thrust into the Croud of Ingredients, they do not expunge or rase out the Venom of Purgatives; but only enable Nature to bear the Assaults; to resist and expel downwards, for to free her self by Evacuation. And such palliating Correctives are the Aromatics and Cardiacs; that are associated with the malign Purgatives; that the Patient shall not be so sensible of the mischievous Properties of the Medicine in the Operation; and for a quick and expeditious Expulsion.

By this same Art of Sophistication; an ingenious Cook will prepare you a Mess of Pottage, made with tainted unwholesom Flesh; corrected with a high Season of well-savour'd Herbs, Oni­ons and Spices, and such-like Correctives. The Broth may be pleasing enough to the Palate, and nothing ill discernable: But you may judge they cannot produce wholesom Nourishment. And so adulterate Wines are made palatable and pleasant in the drinking; but the ill Effects come after. And thus it is, with virulent Pur­gative Medicines.

I think it unreasonable, that the Work of Purgation, which is cleansing and purifying; should be intended and attempted to be wrought, by such means as stain, vitiate, and defile the Body; if not expelled and cast out. And all this hath arised from a Mistake; supposing every thing that causeth Evacuation, does perform the Office of Purgation: But that's a grand Error; which hath intro­duced so many virulent Productions of Nature (designed for other Uses) to be reputed and established, in the Classes of Pur­gatives.

In the Works extant of our Predecessors; that have been Phy­sicians to Emperors, Kings, and Princes, I find their Practice hath been managed by such injurious Purgatives, (very likely it is so now:) And we may reasonably conclude; that those grea­test Men of the World; had their Share, and their Fate; in such mischievous Drugs: For, had their Physicians known better; they would have been more benign to Mankind, than to have concealed them; and recommend that which is worse to Pub­lick Use.

If the Topping Men of Government he so served; How are their Fleets, and Armies provided for? Bad enough I know; and too bad. The Soldiers, and the Sea-men, they have Physick, such as it is; and that must serve. But how can it be otherwise? since [Page 16]the Inspection, and Care is committed to them, that know no better: And therefore all is approved very well.

I do assert; and not without good Reason and Experience; that Curing may be managed, without virulent Purgatives, or loathsom nasty Physick; and that much more pleasing to Patients, and more hopeful in Effect: But Dogs-Tird, Horse-Dung, Piss, and many such sordid Inventions; I don't like, nor use: But they that know no better, must make use of such. Because some in their neces­sity have been constrained to use such, for Help in their Extremity, (not knowing what was more wholesom and pleasing to Nature) and casual Success hath hapned thereupon: This is set down in Receipt-Books, and noted for specific Remedies in such Cases; as if nothing else could do it; at least, nothing so well. As if there were not Physick sufficient in the wholesom Stores of Nature, to perform all necessary Operations in Curing; but we must seek a­mong the Venoms, and Excrements of Animals, to fetch it from thence, for internal Medicine; tho' unwholesom, or loathsom and disgustful.

Thirdly; From the Censure, Cautions, and Corrections of the evil Qualities, of reputed Purgatives; by Physicians of Note, that have used them in former Ages; and also by such, as do con­tinue the use of them at this Time.

Scammony is a Purgative most frequently used; and is in most of the purging Medicines, both Electuaries and Pills of the Shops. The Ancients, and among them Aegineta and Mesue; sets down Five great Faults in Scammony, which Fritagius rehearseth, and concludes; ‘Scammonium nunquam esse exhibendum, quin sit Corre­ctum; nisi Animas negotiari, & Christianam charitatem abjicere decretum sit. Auror. Med. lib. 2. cap. 13.’ And therefore great Cautions, and Inventions are used, to correct the virulent and ma­lign Qualities of this Drug: And about these Corrections, there are different Opinions among Physicians, how rightly and best to be done; which I forbear to recite.

Turbith, another Purgative much used; hath its Faults too: Tres inesse noxas in Turpetho ferunt sapientes, says Fritagius. Which I forbear to set down for brevity sake. And that this hath had a bad Name in the World, the old Verse doth witness: ‘Nolo damnosum Turbith, mea Viscera turbet.’ [Page 17]And because it nauseates and offends the Stomach; some will have the Word Turbith, derived à turbando; says Fallopius. But cor­rectves must help all these Faults: And therefore it is put into se­veral of the Shop-Compositions; as a good Ingredient.

Coloquintida is a Purgative very often used; an Ingredient in many of the common purging Medicines. The virulence and vio­lence thereof is noted by m [...]ny Authors. Fallopius he saith, Est medi­camentum periculosum, nisi maxima adhibeatur custodia. And Solenan­der, in the the last of his Counsels, calls Coloquintida (Poma Dia­boli) the Devil's Apples. Mesue gives it the Name of fel terrae, & mors Plantarum: Because it kills the Plants that grow near it.

Freitagius reckons up the evil Qualities of this Drug. Obser­vatione constat, ventriculo, jecori, & cordi admodum nocere; hoc malignitate sua oppugnare, omniaque viscera mirifice disturbare; Stomachum valde concutere, ejusque & Intestinorum parietes vellicare, arrodere & eradere; vasorum & vinarum oscula reserare, &c. p. 336. Since it is manifestly so; then they consult how to master this Devil, that he shall not do so much mischief: Some will fetter him after this manner; others think it more secure, another way.

Scammony, Turbith, and Coloquintida; these three famous Drugs are in use: Being in divers Compositions of the Shop-Medicines; both in the Electuaries, and Pills.

As Benedicta Laxativa; Diacharthamum; de Citro solutivum; Con­fectio Hamech; Hiera Logadii, &c. Pilulae Aggregativae; Pil.Cochiae; Pil. Foetidae; Pil. de lapide Lazuli; Pil. ex Duobue; Pil. Rudii, where is more of Art: But after all the Labour by Trituration, In­fusion, and Distillation, it is but a rude Medicine; not a true Pur­gaive. Who can bring a clean thing, out of an unclean? Nil dat, quod non habet.

These Inventions surpass my Understanding, and every one else; to give a rational Account of the Designs thereof.

There is much to be said upon the Examination of these Com­positions (if it were my Business now) and I could allow Time to enquire into the Reasons of their several Associations of Ingre­dients; and to note their incongruous and superfluous Additions: Which proceed from Imbecillity of Judgment, to compose a re­gular true Medicine; or else designed to amuse the World, in compounding and confounding Ingredients, good and bad together discordantly.

Such farraginous Mixtures caused Helmont's Dislike and Com­plaint: ‘Commiseror in Officinis tot Simplicium connexiones, & con­fusas miscellaneas, proditrices ignorantiae & incertitudinis: sperant enim Scholae, Si non juvet unum, alterum juvaturum: sicque multa associant invicem. Van Helm. Pharmacopolium.’ And in the same Page, these Words do follow: ‘Ʋndiquaque enim pro suo Nummo decipitur Aeger; tam scilieet fide ac fraude Seplasiae, quam jureju­rando Doctoratus.’

Esula is the genus of Tithymals, comprising under that Name se­veral sorts: Bad is the best. Esula minor is accounted the safest, and most in use; supposed to purge watery Humors: But it must be corrected; else it will do great hurt. Quod Cordi, Epati, Ven­triculo, Visceribusque noxia vim alioquin inferret maximum; Inte­stina raderet, nobiles interiorum partes inflammaret, Venarum ora reseraret, Febres excitaret, Sperma exsiccando consumeret, poten­tiamque Aphrodisiam extingueret. Freitag. pag. 414. A foul Ac­count of this noble Purger: One of the Ingredients of these Me­dicines. Pilulae Mechoacanae; Pil. Foetidae; and Electuar. Benedict. Laxativa; that blessed Electuary: (A fair Title to a foul Me­dicine.) But how oft it comes into the Recipes, I cannot say.

Euphorbium, a condensate Juice; supposed to purge Phlegm, and watery Humors; is commended and used against Apoplexies, Palsies, soporiferous Diseases, Convulsions, Tremors, Dropsies, and Gout. These are great Diseases; and therefore it was thought, they must have Medicines extraordinary, (but let them be extra­ordinary good then) not extraordinary dangerous, as this Eu­phorbium is; more likely to make a Disease than to cure one: And therefore it is cautiously to be dealt with, and so advised. ‘Cir­cumspectè per omnia ejus usus est ineundus; quod Fauces inflammet, interiora vellicet, urat & arrodat, Stomachum & Epar mirificè la­cessat; adeò ut sudorem frigidum, summam Cordis angustiam, & de­mum syncopen concitet, &c. Freitag. auror. Med. pag. 341.’

Now you see what a hopeful Account is given of this Purgative, But for a Mitigation, and to bridle the Fury of this Drug; there are several ways proposed for Correction, according to the diffe­rent Judgments of Physicians. Mesue, Avicen, Serapio, Manar­dus, Quercetan, and others. But I intend never to use it inter­nally; and therefore shall not examine the Corrections, which is best: For I think it best not to meddle with it internally. But it may be used outwardly in Epipastic Plasters, to raise Blisters; as [Page 19]it is so used sometimes. But I find it an Ingredient in Pil. Foetidae; and de Hermodactilis: Probably it comes sometimes into the Re­cipes; for I meet with a Correction of it in the Pharmacopoeia Lon­dinensis; and for external Application, there needs no Corre­ction.

I might proceed on, and go through the whole Catalogue of re­puted Purgatives; after this manner to shew their Virulency; or Insufficiency to perform the Work of Purgation, by such ill Qua­lities they are pregnant with: But that would be tedious to exa­mine all of them, singly by their Names, and recite the Censure that is given of them, by Physicians that have used them: I shall therefore give the Character of them in the gross; according to the Sentiment of some Authors.

Van Helmont giving Judgment upon Medicines, hath these Words: ‘Laxativa peculiariter sensi operari duntaxat, propter la­tens intus sibi venenum.’ That the common Purgatives operate as Venoms. And soon after he adds: ‘Sensi ideò Laxativa putrefacere vitales Succos.’ That they putrefie the vital Liquors. Potestas Medicaminum, pag. 383.

And another Author, whose Writings are well known, and esteemed in this Kingdom and abroad, saith: ‘Porro alia Cathar­tica, uti Jalapium, Colocynthis, Elaterium, & quaedam Mercurii praepa­ratu, particulis acrioribus & non raro septicis constant; quae propterea ab Intestinis suscepta, indeque sanguini transmissa, Massam ejus in­signiter fundunt, & in serositatem valde praecipitant; imo interdum quasi venenant, & Crasin ejus corumpunt. Dr. Willis de Purg. pag. 71.’

This is muchwhat to the same purpose, as the foregoing Author determined of Purgatives. And a little after (pag. 72.) relating how two Children were killed with a Mercurial Pouder, by an Em­pyrick at Oxford: ‘Nec tantum à mercurialibus, sed ab aliis inter­dum Catharticis, è vegetabilium familia de sumptis, Massa sangui­nea it a depravatur, ut non nisi longo tempore restitui aut renovari possit.’ Not only mercurial, but vegetable Purgatives, sometimes do so deprave the Mass of Blood; that it will be a long time be­fore it can be restored. Dr. Willis.

Then he confirms what Helmont had said of the common Purga­tives, in these Words: ‘Adeo non immeritò prorsus Calumniatur Hel­montius dicens Pharmaca Cathartica non semper, aut solummodo humores in corpore prius existentes educere; sed potentiâ sua cor­ruptiva, depravatos efficere. Idem, ibidem.’

Now what do you think of the common Purges; made with half a douzen, or half a score, of such Ingredients as have been discoursed on? Magis à Remedio, quam ab ipso Morbo timendum sit. If you like'em, much good may do you; but I do not, and never shall; because I know better things.

You may see now, (if you have Eyes and Understanding) what Effects are to be expected from such Purgatives; how apt they are to deprave, instead of purifying the vital Juices, for reducing an ill habit of Body to a sound state: And 'tis the Judgment of the Learned; but they have a learned way of Correction; that they shall not do so much Hurt, as otherwise they would.

There is another Help found out; and that is the cause why Physicians send so many to the Waters: To rinse out, and fetch off the Stains, and virulent Impressions of counterfeit Purgatives. I should like the Waters well enough; if they would operate, and perform the Intention in a lesser Quantity: But to pour down two or three Quarts in a Forenoon; to charge and chill the Body with so much; tho' some do bear it pretty well; yet others receive Prejudice, instead of a Benefit. He that is Master of a wholesom Purgative, will do better Service, than all the Wa­ters in England.

Purgative, is a promising good Name; which invites, and makes the pretended Purgatives go down the better. They are such as the World hath been used to; and the People take them; because others have taken them before: They know no better, and therefore these are the best, and they must try their Fate with them. They are such as Tradition hath handed down from Age to Age; to the present Time; and Custom hath made them familiar: They are recommended (sometimes discomended) and appointed by the Learned in vogue; and therefore they are wil­lingly, and readily received, as if they were sent by Divine Ap­pointment, to heal the Infirmities of human frail Nature.

But all this is, no convincing Argument; to prove their suffi­ciency and fitness, for the important Work of Purgation; Errour is as old as Time it self; but such false Substitutes, will wear out of Date, and out of Ʋse; when better shall appear manifestly and convincingly; as by comparing these pretended and fallacious; with what is purifying and truly purgative, as followeth.

Having shewed negatively, what true Purgatives are not; by examining and setting forth the malign Nature of common repu­ted Purgatives: In their Operations; in their Corrections; by their [Page 21] Effects; by the Judgment and Censure, of Ancient and Modern Physicians.

I come now to assert positively; and set down the Qualifications of a true Purgative Medicine; that performs the Office of Pur­gation, according to the Intent, and Meaning of that Operation, in due Manner, and also in Effects.

A Medicine adapted truly Purgative, is endowed with these emi­nent and excellent Properties.

• 1. Balsamic, wholesom and harmless in all the Ingredients.
• 2. Fermentative, to separate and depurate; wherein is compri­sed Aperitive and Abstersive Faculties.
• 3. Lenitive and Placid in Operation.
• 4. Catholic and Comprehensive; as adapt and applicable to all Cases, requiring Purgative Energy

First: A true Purgative wants no Correction, as being whole­som, and innocent in all the Parts of Composition: That's a Medicine amicable and pleasing to Nature. And if no good can be done, (as in Cases irremediable, and past hope) it will do no hurt; but give you the Satisfaction of a Tryal. And in Diseases obstinate, and difficult to be removed; requiring a Method, and Medicines of a different Operation to be assistant; then the Pur­gative performs only a Part; but necessarily conducing to the Cure; and without this probably no perfect Cure. But where there is a capacity to receive Relief; you may be bold in the re­peated use thereof, for obtaining the desired Effect.

But if it wants this wholesom Qualification, it cannot be a true purifying Purgative: And that Defect, makes a great Abatement in Virtue; or Frustration of the Intention.

Secondly: A true Purgative acts by a benign and placid fermen­tative Operation; which is diffusive through the Body; opening and searching into all Parts; separating that which is bad, to be brought down, and sent away by the Intestines; leaving that which is good, to support and maintain the Body: Does not contami­nate, nor drain out the alimentary Juices; from whence Allevia­tion does follow, and natural Strength preserved.

And every Evacuation, that is not performed after this manner; cannot rightly be called Purgation; nor in Reason can you expect the good Effects otherwise: For, true Purgation is not a promis­cuous [Page 22]Evacuation; an emptying of the Guts only; of a draining of the Body by force, without distinction of Matter: But sepa­rating all useless, superfluous, and degenerate Humors; that the vital Liquors may be preserved pure.

Thirdly: A true Purging Medicine, operates gradually and gently; takes Time to search out, and fetch out the morbific Matter. Moderate and gentle Evacuation, is one sign of a true Purgative: But you do not deserve a good Medicine; if you will not allow Time sufficient for the Operation.

A good wholesom Medicine is working secretly within the Body, all the Intervals of Evacuation; collecting impure Matter toge­ther out of divers Parts; and in due time sends it forth calmly without disturbance: For if it do not work moderately and deli­berately, it cannot perform the Office of true Purgation: This is an Operation of Time, and no hurrying Business.

Many People are for a Purge that works quick and often; and are very impatient if it operates little, and slowly: They must have a galloping Purge; one of the virulent and worser sort; such they like best. It is not the many Stools, that makes Purging so advantageous in Curing; but Matter offending collected in a few Stools; is that which makes Evacuation helpful and successful.

If you spurr Nature, with a stimulating venemous Purgative, out of her own gentle Pace; you must not expect Purgation (which is Purification) from such rough, rude, hasty Proceedings: You have then but a promiscuous Evacuation; good and bad together; and that may be more injurious, than beneficial.

A Placid and Moderate Evacuation, proceeds from wholesom Pur­gatives: But when they are venemous, and disgustful; Nature can­not suffer them to abide long in the Body; but labours vigorously to expel in great haste: And that's one sign of a bad Medicine; not a true Purgative.

Fourthly: A true Purgative Medicine, so qualified as before re­lated; is also Catholic and Comprehensive, in the Classis of Purgation.

Purgation is a Catholic and Comprehensive Operation; required and useful in all Cases, and Diseases: Either singly, and to perform alone; or is premitted, and leads foremost in a Method: Or is used intermittingly in the Course; or else comes in at the latter end, to carry off the Relicts of a Disease; and is so used as necessa­ry, in the most malignant Cases, Small Pox and Pestilential Fevers.

If Purgation be so efficacious and extensive; as requisite in all Diseases; then a Purgative and Depurative Medicine, that per­forms [Page 23]forms this Office well and truly; deserves the Title of Catholic, for being serviceable and useful in all Cases. But although Purga­tion may be granted such a Latidude of Operation: yet Ʋniversality of a single Medicine, few there are, can allow of that; and are more ready to deride, than approve of such an Expedient; for the Learned in Physick never taught them so: And they say, there is no such thing in Nature.

This is not the first time, the Learned have been mistaken: I am not guided by all what they say; but sometimes by my own Reason, and Experience herein: And therefore I do assert, (against any traditional, false-bottom'd Learning) That a true Purgative, and Purifying Medicine; performs that Office in all Persons and Cases. But this is against the Physicians Interest; and therefore they will not have it so; that the Design of Adaptation to different Constitutions, might pass unquestioned. I have much to say upon this Intrigue, if I would ravel into it, and examine the Politicks thereof: But let it pass.

This Practice, of appropriating Purges to Constitutions; was rational enough, and then necessary; when Purgatives were supposed to operate (electivè) by attracting peculiarly this, or that different Humor, luxuriant and infesting several Bodies: But now the Case is alter'd; and Purgatives are acknowledged to ope­rate (fermentativè) by Fermentation; thereby to separate and cast off any Humor abounding, or degenerate Matter.

True Purgative Fermentation, does not respect and level at this, or that particular Humor; but separates all superfluous and dege­nerate Matter; makes it ready for Protrusion, and Exclusion. Quali quisquis Humore abundaverit; talis evacuatur. Now elective Purgation is out of Doors; fermentative Purification comes in; as a more generous, general, and comprehensive Operation.

I meet with an Author concurring herein, and asserting muchwhat to this purpose. Nec quidem Philosophum, aut quempiam [...], & ratione utentem decet asserere, Pharmaca ulla propter sub­stantiae similitudinem, aut virtutes nescio quas specificas, in deter­minatum quemvis humorem agere, cumque sineerum & peculiarem foras educere. Dr. Willis de Purg. p. 70.

Although this Author did not intend by those Words, to prove what I now drive at; yet they are useful for my Purpose, and confirming what I have asserted; touching Ʋniversality of a single Medicine in Purgative Operation: For, if no Purging Medicine acts peculiarly upon; or selects and draws out any Humor from [Page 24]the rest; but only raiseth a Fermentation, and excites Nature thereby to separate, depurate, and exclude what is peccant and disturbing: Then that Medicine which doth procure, such a Fer­mentation benignly and placidly; performs the Work of Purgation, to all Intents and Purposes, in divers Persons, and various Cases.

From hence you may understand; there is no necessity of for­ming Purgative Medicines to Constitutions, and different Diseases; but that a true Purgative is Catholic, and advantagiously useful in all Cases whatever, requiring such an Operation: Yet I do allow that such a general Medicine, of that Latitude and Comprehen­sion; may be specificated, as pointing and aiming at, more directly and specially.

When; how oft; and in what Cases, Pur­gative Operation ought to be used.

There are two principal Occasions requiring Purgation: One is Preservative, or Preventive; the other Curative.

Preservation from Diseases is very requisite: As when any Per­son finds some unwonted Alteration, or Indisposition; 'tis a good Time then, to use preventing means: For, it is much better, and safer to prevent Sickness; than to delay until it seize you. Aegriùs ejicitur, quam non admittitur hostis.

All that we receive into the Body, is not fit to be retained; but Part of our Food, is transmuted, and assimilated as useful to maintain the Body: And Part is rejected, separated, and cast forth, as excrementitious and useless; by Stool, by urinary Du­ctures, by the Pores, and other Emunctories. When Nature keeps this course duly; and being able to perform this daily Work steadily and constantly; there will be no need of Purging: But from Intemperance; improper and injurious Food; vitious or evil Customs; Debility of Nature, and Casualties: The Order, and due Execution of Bodily Functions is thereby subverted; from whence Relicts, or degenerate Matter, remains and infects several Parts of the Body; which ought timely to be evacuated and discharged; or else Sickness and Diseases will arise from thence variously; ac­cording to the Nature of the humoral Matter tainting the Blood, and Condition of the Part, where it infects, or affects; idiopathi­cally, or sympathically. Venienti occurrite Morbo.

But most commonly this Caution, and Advice of Prevention, is put off, and neglected: The Prosecution of Pleasure, or Profit; will not give Time for this necessary Work of preventive Purga­tion: But they suffer afterwards for their Folly. Sickness sur­prizeth; and then they are forced into Physick; but now per­haps a great deal will not do; what a little might have done before.

All Bodies contract a Foulness within; some more, some less: Some are strong, and bear it out longer; others weaker of Na­ture, and the sooner fall into Sickness; or disposed thereto by the different Formation, and natural Condition of Body: Therefore to purge and purifie with a wholesome true Purgative Medicine; is the best Preventive to keep off Diseases; to preserve the Body sound, in a healthful and vigorous state. But if your Purges be of the common Sort, virulent and unwholesom; that imitate and counterfeit the Office of Purging, but performs it not: I cannot say, they are true Preservatives of Health; nor may you ex­pect the laudable Effects of purgative Operation, from such feigned, deceitful Medicines.

For prevention, most People commonly chuse the Spring, or Au­tumn, to purge and cleanse their Bodies; and they do well, and wisely therein: But if any Alteration should come, in the Inter­vals of those Seasons; you may safely purge with a true purifying Medicine, at any Time of the Year; and with more safety pro­bably than to forbear, and deferr it until Spring, or Fall: For, though your Indisposition be but small at first, and may pass off; yet you know not what it may prove, and how it may encrease: But let it prove how it will; you commit no Errour, in taking a wholesom cleanser, be it Frost, or Dog-Days; only order your self, as those different Times do require: In Winter a warm Room; in Summer be moderate in motion, that may not cause Sweat; and then purgative Operation, will be kindly and bene­ficial, at any Time of the Year.

The Caution that was given by the Ancients, to forbear purging in the Dog-Days; does not concern us in this Latitude we live in; much different from the Heat of that Climate where they lived, Canis non mordet in Anglia.

For the Time of Day, most sit for Purging Medicines to be given; he Founders of this Art, appointed the Morning, as most con­venient: And considering what rough sort of Purges they gave, that would not lye long in the Body, but fall to working soon; that [Page 26]Time was most proper: But a Purgative, that lyes eight or ten Hours quiet, before it operates; the Morning is not convenient: Because the Medicine will put you by the due Time for Sleep; and will be working, when you should be at Rest the Night follow­ing: And therefore the Hour of the Day is to be fixed, as best suting with the Nature of the Medicine.

The Catholic Medicine I appoint to be taken at Night going to Bed; because it hinders not, but rather procures quiet Sleep; being wholesom and amicable to Nature, placid and gentle in se­cret Operation: And makes no Evacuation, until next Morning; perhaps near Noon, with some costive Bodies. But if your pre­tended Purge be of the common virulent sort; the sooner it comes out, the better; for such Purgatives ought not to lye in the Body all Night.

Having shewed how proper and convenient Purging is, for pre­vention of Diseases; making signs of their Approach by some Alteration or Indisposition of Body: We are next to consider, and determine of Purgation, how it may be advantagious, when Diseases are apparently seated, and actually molesting, or threat­ning. And now you are to be directed by Indications, suggesting and declaring when to Purge.

Ill Humors indicate and prompt Purgation; (nemine contradi­cente) so agreed of all sides: And such depraved ill Humors, by a general Consent also; are adjudged the Causes of most Diseases; and fomenting or aggravating all the rest. But notwithstanding; the Rules of Art offers Contraindications, to barr the use of Pur­gation, at certain Times, and under some disagreeing Circum­stances: So that Purgation comes in necessarily to all, as a Catho­lic and General Remedy, only with this difference; That the Times convenient, for that Operation in every Disease, may duly be distinguished.

And here I shall not need to speak particularly to every Disease by their Names; but will take them in the gross; and consider them in their Nature, by which they are allied to each other; as having their Rise, and Dependance upon humoral Causes; and do therefore require Purgation. For, such as have Affinity and Al­liance in Causation; may have, and very fitly, the same Means for Curation: Since Purgatives do not attract (electivè) this or that Humor particularly; (as before proved) but by Fermentation, which operates generally and comprehensively, by separating all peccant Humors, in order for their exclusion.

Names of Diseases are different and various from Parts affe­cted, and Functions impeded; when humoral Causes are the same; and therefore the purgative Indication for Curing, will be the same also. Diseases being thus akin, by their humoral Causes ge­nerating and continuing; their Cures will not lie so far asunder; but may be yoaked together in their going off.

The People chatter as they are taught (by those who want teaching themselves) and are wheedled into a Belief; that every Disease which hath a particular Name, must also have as neces­sarily requiring; peculiar and different Medicines from all the rest: This Mistake, or Design; hath filled the World, and con­founded the People, with Thousands of superfluous, dubious, and sometimes dangerous Medicines. You are not therefore obliged to change your Medicines, that perform the general and princi­pal Operations, (Purgative or Sudorific) so oft as Diseases change their Names, yet retain their humoral Nature; which antece­dent Cause, fixing here or there; infesting this, or that part of the Body, gives occasion for a new Denomination, although ari­sing from the old perambulating peccant Matter.

I own that Diseases may so differ, as to require a different Me­thod; but notwithstanding they may have the same Medicines, pro­perly and fitly, though not in the same Order. Purgatives most commonly begins the Cure; Sudorifics follow, if requisite to be used: But when Diseases are malignant, peracute, and dangerous; then a Sudorific leads foremost.

Foulness of Body, and Obstructions; are the two general Indi­cations, prompting and pointing at Purgation: And therefore if you look through the Practice of Physick; let the Disease be in any Part of the Body; Purging is appointed most commonly, as one of the first and chiefest Remedies: And is oftner repeated, and more relied on, than any other Operation.

Ill Humors beget Obstructions: Therefore absterse, and eva­cuate the depraved Humors by Purgation; then you open Obstru­ctions, and purifie the Body with one Operation.

Since degenerate humoral Matter, injurious and unserviceable, is brought forth by purgative Fermentation; and most Diseases arise from, and have their Dependance upon such Causes (by Consent and Judgment of the Learned.) Then it follows necessarily; that a Medicine performing that Operation, well and truly; is servi­ceable and helpful in all those Diseases, caused by such degenerate [Page 28] Humors, and depraved Matter; let the Disease be called and di­stinguished, by what Name soever.

But here I would not be so understood; as if I laid the whole Stress of Curing in all Cases, upon Purgation; but to let you know the Efficacy, and Extensive Power of this Operation; being seaso­nably and duly used in all Diseases; and that in the most Cases, it is mostly, and advantagiously used, above any other Operation: Yet there is a Time to forbear, and fit Times when to prosecute with Purging.

And now we are to say somthing concerning Contraindications; that do forbid Purgation at some unfit Times; which require ano­ther Operation to be then used more properly: And this is called Method; whereby different Operations may come in seasonably and duly, not praeposterously and interfering.

The grand Question herein to be determined, is this: Will the peccant Matter conveniently go downwards by Purgation; or must it be sent away from all Parts by Transpiration? Diseases that have Malignity; as Small Pox, Measles, Malignant and Pe­stilential Fevers; when the Life is seized, and oppressed with such venemous, suffocating Matter: Then sudorific Operation is the chiefest, and most secure Help to rely on; for that disperseth the infectious Miasm, and throws off (per poros) on every side: And when Nature (the Life) is disentangled, and hath prevailed by such means; then a true purgative and purifying Medicine, comes seasonably afterwards, to perform the rest: And this is so neces­sary, to be well and sufficiently performed; else the Dregs and Impurities remaining behind, will produce other Diseases of very ill Consequence, as it hath often proved so to many; by neglect of sufficient and true Purgation, which is Purification: But when they have taken, two or three Purges, of the contaminating repu­ted Purgatives; they think all is then done, that ought to be; but that's a great Mistake, which will appear so, by the ill Effects that follow, some time after.

How oft Purgative Operation may be used: And how long to be continued.

For Satisfaction to these Demands; we are to make these two Inquiries: First, What Ability and Strength the Person is of [Page 29] Secondly, What Disease the Complaining labours under, or is inclined to, and endeavours prevention thereof.

If the Patient be weak, and worn down by Sickness; then give Intermission accordingly; a Day or two; and the Dose less than for others; that Nature may be refreshed by Respite; not im­paired, but enabled to proceed in the Operation, until the Body be sufficiently cleansed. Always supposing this to be done by a wholesom purifying Medicine; not the common reputed Purga­tives, that prey upon, and deprave the Body: But People vainly think, every Evacuation to be Purgation; which is a great Mistake.

Purgation is to be continued until the Symptoms complained of, do cease. (Si qualia oportet purgentur, & facilè ferant.) So long as the Patient bears the Operation well; Nature alleviated and finds Benefit; continue on (with due intermissions) to evacuate the hu­moral Cause, until the Body be cleansed and freed from the mor­bific Matter; that there be no Remainder to breed, and cause Re­lapse. Quae enim à Morbis relinquuntur, recidivas facere consueve­runt. Aphor.

But many People, when they find themselves something eased, and the worst is past; they desist from prosecuting; and leave Relicts behind, that procures a Return of the Disease, or some­thing else as bad. Thus to their Prejudice, the most leave off the purgative Operation too soon; before they have finished the Work of Cleansing and Purifying: Twice or thrice Purging, they think is sufficient; and are then weary, and unwilling to do more.

The cause of this Aversness is from hence; they have been used to the common virulent Purgatives, which are disgustful and irk­some; and therefore Nature hath Reluctance against them, and People take them for meer necessity, and with an Ill-will; accoun­ting all purging Medicines to be much what alike, and displeasing to Nature; but that's a great Mistake: For when they shall have the use of a true Purgative, that is wholesom, and easily perfor­ming the Operation; they will find so much difference then; that Purging will be no more offensive, or troublesom, than natural Stools.

And then you can hardly err in repeating it too often, or prose­cuting to long with that Operation: For true Purging, which is Purifying; does not debilitate, but roborate; and therefore Na­ture is well-pleased therewith, and receives such a Medicine freely; because she finds Relief thereby.

I have heard some say; they are afraid to Purge, because they are too weak; and Purging will make them weaker; and some­time it is the Opinion of their Physician: But I say otherwise; that none but those, who are incapable of Help, and not like to live, are unfit to Purge: Always provided, the Medicine be a true Purgative. But Horse-Physick, such as is commonly used; I confess is too rough and raking, for weak, tender Bodies; and that sort of Purging, makes them more feeble and worse. There­fore in such Cases (and wanting true Purgatives) Physicians endea­vour to raise up their weak Patients by Restauratives; Jellies, and nourishing Broths: Forgetting the Aphorism; Corpora impura quo plus nutriveris, eo magis laeseris. Foul Bodies the more you feed them with high Nourishment, the worse you make them.

According to the Greatness, and Obstinacy of a Disease; Pur­gation is to be repeated and continued.

They that purge for prevention, and are in a seeming indifferent state of Body; need not continue the Operation so long and so often; as others that are actually diseased, and such as have foul Bodies.

Having gone through the several Stages of this Undertaking; if you look back and review the whole Matter treated; you may plainly perceive the great Mistakes, in the designing for, and managing of Purgation: Whereby much of the Benefit was lost, to those that wanted that Help, and had great Expectations from it. I was for some Years under the same Mistake; being led by Tradi­tion, and imposed upon by Authorities of the Men of great Name, and this Faculty; until satisfied otherwise, in the Preparation of Medicines, and proving their Operations: The only way to have a true Account of the Virtues, and vitious Properties of the Ma­teria Medica; and this gives the truest Light, into the Secrets of Curing; and leads the safest, and nearest ways to arrive at those desired Ends: For, without such Knowledge, all the rest is but a specious vain Pretension to Ability; and venturing upon Dan­gers, with bold blind Confidence.

I hear a great noise of Learning, and Learned Men; but I had rather meet with a true Learned Medicine, without exception; which as yet I have not; in all the Books I have searched; and I have turned over as many Leaves as other Men have done. Lear­ning sounds great; and indeed true Learning is greatly to be esteemed; for it is not so common, and easie to be found, as many do believe: But Errours, and fallacious Appearances; are more often to be met with; both in Men, and Books.

Twenty Years and upwards; I spent in wading through the vast extent of Physick-Learning; comparing the Sentiments of Aauthors; examining their Medicines, and proving the Practice: And twenty Years more, I have laboured to get out of that La­byrinth; because I do not like it; there's too much to be good; and I should be loth to venture my Life with him that knows no better. But if this great Bulk of Learning, were reform'd, and reduced to a fourth Part; the superfluous, and the false being cut off; it would be more readily intelligible, and much more truly serviceable: But as it now is; it serves Physicians and 'Pothecaries very well; the Hazards, and the Loss, falls upon the Patients.

The Great, and the Rich, have their Fate by Physick; for they are serv'd no better than the meaner sort; but sometimes worse; (I forbear to Name) yet it is commonly said; nothing more could be done, by Learning, and Learned Men: But if such mortal Cases, were inquired into; the Methods and Medi­cines examined; I wish there were not cause to say; that more dies by the Errours in Art, than by the Defects of Nature.

I take my measures of Censure; not only from the Misakes, and ill Management of Purgation; but also from the Deficiencies, and Falsities of other considerable Parts of this Learning; of very ill consequence in Practice.

'Tis much easier to blind and cheat the Work; than to do a Publick Good: For, when many Years have been spent, in elabo­rating a Medicine truly purgative and purifying, to perform the great Work of Purgation, as it ought to be done, (such as never came out of a Shop:) They boggle, are at a stand, and take time to consider, (but not all) that others may try first; and make Report: And herein they think themselves very wise and wary; though perhaps in the mean time, they suffer by the delay, and want thereof.

But virulent deceitful Purgatives; such Stuff as they have been used to, (Farriers Physick) that they can take with confidence, and swallow it down freely; when advised and administred in the Re­cipe-fashion; being accounted (by undiscerning mean Capacities) the Learned way of taking Physick: But I account, and well know, that novel Mode of Practice to be; unlearned, unsafe, and an unreasonable Innovation; for Reasons exhibited against it else­where, (The Practice of Physick Reformed, &c.) not yet answered; and probably never will; there is too much Truth to be opposed; [Page 32]and will abide the Attacks, of all the Learning, or Sophistry; that can be brought against the Validity of those Arguments.

Much good may do you, with your Learned way of taking Phy­sick. You may venture so as many have done, to their loss; but I never shall, because I know the Ʋncertainties, and Casualties there­in.

And here I might justly upbraid and deride the Paeople; as despe­rately self-will'd, praepossessed, charm'd, and Hag ridden by a Spe­ctrum, the Apparition of feigned Learning. Then let the Obsti­nate and Head-strong, dote on in a dark, and dangerous Way; since Information is vilified, and null'd by Incredulity, and the Vanity of their Imaginations.

But to wave the extravagant, and pernicious Mode of Practice, occurring in our Discourse; and return to the evil Matter in Pra­ctice; our present Subject. It seems very strange, and looks very ill; that the Operation of Purging; so efficacious in Preventing, and also in Curing Diseases; so oft repeated in Methods; so neces­sarily required; so many hundred Years used; by Millions of People; the Means designed, and appointed by the learned Heads in every Age: And yet the Medicines for this Purpose, are not to the Purpose; do not truly answer the Intention; but are fallacious and unfit to perform the Work.

The disgusting, contaminating, and tabifying Purges, that stand recorded, and recommended in Books; filed in the Shops; advised, and purchased at a good rate; appointed, and falsly ap­propriated to Constitutions, and Diseases: What's all this? but Shamming the World, and Shameing the Profession, when it is rightly understood: And will then appear a Blot upon the Learning, and a Blemish upon Learned Men: They have sought for Purga­tives, amongst the Venoms, where Purifying, and healing true Purgers are not to be found; deceiving themselves and others.

But the People deserve no better; because they discern no bet­ter; they don't distinguish Men nor Medicines. For virulent Sti­mulatives, is as acceptable to them; as Balsamic true Purgatives: Any sudden Invention, devised upon a bit of Paper (cut out for Shop-work) from the hands of a conjecturing Praescriber; is as good to them, or better; than a Medicine of deliberate, and ela­borate Designment; established by various Probations , and Ap­probations, from many Reforms and gradual Improvements, by Artists of great Industry. and Ingenuity in Pharmacy.

This I do know, experimentally and successfully; that Purgative Operation, may be effected (as ought to be) by Medicine, wholly consisting of what is amicable, purely wholesom, and sanative: For such is the Catholic Medicine; and like it in Design, and Model of Contrivance; or equivalent to it, in aperitive, abstersive, purifying Virtues; or commodious Properties, for ready use, portage, and duration: I never met with in all my reading, and search after what is extraordinary and rare. The World was never bless'd, with any thing so good, for the Purposes intended; that I can be in­form'd of: But this Help is hid from their Eyes; or barr'd from their Belief; that they should wander after mean and hurtful things.

I was dissatisfied with the common known Medicines extant in Pharmacopoeia's, and advised in practical Authors; thinking much better might be design'd, and wrought: Wherein I gave my self more Trouble than Profit; which Labour and Expence of Time, hath not been recompensed, and perhaps never will in my Days: But some Person, whom I know not as yet (such are my unhappy Circumstances) may reap what I have sown; and probably to their great Advantage: For this Product may endure, and be most acce­ptable to the Generations to come; and then esteemed, the choicest Flower in the Physick-Garden.

The Stress of Curing lies mostly; and often wholly, upon the Ex­cellency of Medicine; and Failure most frequently, is in the want therof. And were the Professors so fortunately possessed with wholesom true Medicines; exquisitely to perform the Operations, that Nature requires in order to Curing; (which are not many) they need not then spend so much Time, about disputable, uncer­tain Notions and Theorems; nor burden their Memory, with so great a System of Learning. For, the greatest Difficulties in Pra­ctice; are not the want of knowing what is to be done; as not having, and not truly knowing, wherewith to perform those ne­cessary Intentions that lie fair before them.

If the purging Medicines be not wholesom and purifying; but vi­tiating and evacuating promiscuously; as before proved: Then they do but palliate and mitigate; by taking away some of the old morbific Matter, and make new succeeding Matter: This is deceitful Purging; and causeth great suspicion upon the rest, that are set forth to perform other Operations requisite in Curing. But it is not my present Business, to examine the other Classes of the Materia Medica; how properly and truly they are regimented and associa­ted, [Page 34]to executed the Offices designed for, as by their Titles impor­ting: That, may require another Undertaking, and is a Work needful; because the Errours in forming of Medicines are not a few.

Some of this Matter, lay offensively upon my Thoughts; and now being discharged thereof, I am at ease; so fare you well, in the way you like best.

Here's Caution enough to the Wise and Considerate; and for those that are otherwise, and undiscerning; if much more were said, it would be but Labour lost.

London, 1696. in Grays-Inn-Lane, by Kings-Gate.