This Diſeaſe as it wandred about in ſeveral parts of the World, hath changed its name almoſt in every Country where it appeared; but why this malady ſhould not retain and owne a conſtant name, but paſs under ſeveral appellations, the reaſons may be:Heteronymiae ratio. 1. Firſt, The ſcandal of the Diſeaſe, that no Nation is willing to owne it, for the place of its birth and original deſcent; but quit themſelves and lay the imputation upon another Country; hence it is called by the French, the Neapolitan Diſeaſe, as taking its riſe, or being firſt known in Europe at the Siege of Naples; the Italians return it back again, and call it the French Malady, and in England it is commonly known by the French Pox, as being firſt tranſported hither from France: in the Low Countries it commonly goes by the name of the Spaniſh Pox, being brought by the Spaniſh Souldiery into the Netherlands; but the Spaniards to quit themſelves from the original extract of this evil, call it Paturſa, or the Indian Diſeaſe; as having brought it over with them from Weſt India, in that Voyage Columbus made about the year 1492. to diſcover the Weſtern parts of the World.

Secondly, Ratio. 2. The various opinions among Writers concerning the nature and riſe of this Diſeaſe, hath cauſed it thereby to be known by ſeveral names, anſwering ſuch their Conceptions: Fracaſtorius calls it Syphilis, ſome pudendagra, becauſe commonly ſeated in the privities; others mentagra, and ſome call it the great Pox to diſtinguiſh it from Variolae the ſmall Pox, but Fernelius terms it Lues Venerea from the uſual procuring cauſe, which appellation we retain chiefly through the progreſs of this diſcourſe; and although there are other Diſeaſes ariſing from Venus by exceſs or defect thereof; yet this exceeding all the reſt in cruelty and pertinacy, may well carry the title from the reſt, and be ſtiled eminenter, the Venereal Lues.

ABout the original deſcent of this malady, Writers do much differ and vary in their opinions: ſome would have it a new Diſeaſe, others plead for its Antiquity; ſome would have it to take its riſe from this Nation and Country, others from another Region: that you may be acquainted with the ſeveral perſwaſions of learned grave Authors touching this matter; I ſhall give you ſome brief account of their different judgments in this point, worth your obſervation, and then abſtract my own determination, from the moſt valid reaſons and probability of truth.

Some will have this Diſeaſe to take its riſe at the French Camp before Naples, in the year 1494. and till then was not known: others will have the Weſt-India to be its native place, where it is endemical; and that Columbus his Souldiers at their return from diſcovering the Weſtern World, brought it thence into Spain; who upon their arrival were diſpatched away to Naples (being then beſieged by the French) did propagate this venereous evil amongſt the Italian / Women; and that they ſpread it amongſt the French, in whoſe Army it raged very fiercely. The French returning home brought it into their own Country, and from thence it came into England; wherefore in England it is called the French Pox: the French not willing to owne this foul Diſeaſe, call it the Neapolitan and Spaniſh Pox: the Spaniard to free himſelf from the ſcandal, call it the Indian Pox.

Sebaſt. Aquilanus a Galeniſt, Sebaſt. Aquilanus. Tract. de morb. gallic. (that lived under Ludovicus Marqueſs and Biſhop of Mantua, about the year 1508.) contends for the Antiquity of this Diſeaſe in a Treatiſe de morbo gallico, of this Venereal Malady; but will have it the ſame with the Elephantiaſis, the Leproſie; which is a Diſeaſe of great Antiquity: and this he endeavours to prove from a parity of ſymptoms that attend the one and the other; and compares Galens deſcription of the Elephantiaſis with this Venereal Lues.

Some will have this Diſeaſe to be intemperiem, and define it thereby as the eſſence and quiddity of this Lues; but thoſe that conſent herein do alſo differ about the intemperature, and cannot agree what the intemperate quality is, or combination of qualities.

Some ſay it is hot and dry; others ſay it is cold and dry; ſome will have it to be hot and moiſt others cold and moiſt; and if theſe four qualities could admit of more conjunctions, and Partnerſhips, we ſhould have more variety of opinions; but the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 are ſtinted here, unleſs they will aſſert contradictions.

Maſſa a Venetian Phyſician,Nicol. Maſſae opinio. who writ of this Diſeaſe not long after it raged ſo in Italy; he defines the nature of this evil to be cold and ſomewhat dry. As for cold, we find for the moſt part the contrary, Rejicitur. and the concomitant effects to carry with them ſignals of heat: as acrimony and ſharpneſs of Urine, inflammations, dolorous Ʋlcers, &c. and whereas pain is a molt frequent ſymptom attending this Diſeaſe, ſo a preternatural heat moſt commonly is the conſequent of pain.

Diſcovering ſymptoms and Characters of the ſecond Claſſis, Claſſis ſignorum. are ſuch as more apparently owne the Pox for their Parent, and they pronounce it confirmed and radicated in the body; and of this ſort are virulent Gonorrhaea's (commonly called the running of the Reins) being a green, yellowiſh, or other diſcoloured matter iſſuring from the privities, and in men is more apparent; but in women it paſſeth with them commonly for the whites (except when there is great pain, inflammation, or tumor accompanying) which deluſion makes them the longer to neglect their Cure; and very often the Phyſician is deceived and takes it for the fluor muliebris, truſting to the Womans relation.

But if there be no ſuch contaminated ſpermatic Flux, then the venemous contagion is more diffuſive and ſpreading into ſeveral parts of the body, finds out other places to bud forth and vent it ſelf. Sometimes it mounts up to the head and face, there breaking forth into ſcurfy pimples, puſtuls, or ſcabs; and ſometime they ſpread all over the body. Others have not theſe extuberant eruptions, but their ſkin only beſpotted with ſmall, red, or yellowiſh ſpots; intimating the maſs of bloud to be tainted and impure.

Venereous buboes or great hard •• ellings in the groin appears in ſome, when the contagion is lodged within, and iſſues not forth by a Gonorrhaea.

Pains now are more ſharp, eſpecially towards night and in bed; afflicting the head, ſhoulders, arms, or ſhins, which cauſeth them to have reſtleſs tormenting nights, hence appears the hollow eyes, and the thin, pale, ſhrunk viſage, for want of natural reſt and quiet repoſe.

Some are afflicted with painful malign tumors in the fundament, like the blind haemorrhoids, and the common attending extuberances there.

Shedding of the hair oftentimes accompanies this Diſeaſe (when confirmed) of the head, beard, or eye-brows; and is a certain ſign if puſtuls or ſcabs, do appear alſo.

Sometimes chaps or clifts in the hands or ſoles of the feet, without a manifeſt cauſe.

Warts or other excreſcences in or about the privities, do confirm judgment of this Lues.

Diſtillation of rheum and hoarſeneſs, with a relaxed pendulous Ʋvula, cauſing difficulty of ſwallowing, is a common confiding ſymptom.

Tumors, ſoarneſs, and Ulcers about the genitalls, do atteſt the confirmation of this foul Diſeaſe. Nor is it to be expected that all theſe ſymptoms ſhould concur and appear together in one perſon, in regard of the different nature of the virulency, and manner of invaſion of this Lues; but ſome or other of them are ſufficient, (reflecting upon preceding cauſes) to pronounce the Diſeaſe confirmed.

An inveterate Pox carries ſome, more or leſs,Claſſis ſignorum. of theſe grand ſymptoms, denoting this mallady to be antique, more contumacious and deplorable.

A Conſumptive leanneſs and flaccidity or looſeneſs of fleſh throughout the body; with a hectic or habitual febril heat commonly adjoined.

Nodes or hard bunches upon the head, arms, legs, or other parts.

Hoarſeneſs, ſnufling, ſpeaking hollow, and through the noſe.

Deafneſs or ringing noiſe in the ears; and falling out of the teeth.

Eroſion of the palate, and ſinking of the noſe, ſtinking breath, ſtrong ſaedid Ʋrine, pocky tettars here and there.

Depaſcent ſordid Ulcers, in the mouth, kidneys, bladder, ſecrets, or other parts; ſometimes Fiſtulous, gangrenous, or cancerous.

Caries or rottenneſs of the bones in this or that part.

Theſe and ſuch like, many more ruinous effects of this cruel malady, poor mortals are liable to be ſtigmatized and tortured with; if not prevented by a prudent care and efficacious Medicines, to check and eradicate this ſpreading evil before it arrives to its full growth and monſtrous height, ſcarce then to be dealt with, but often contemns the medical art and moſt approved remedies.

TOuching the ſubject or Part principally affected, where this grand malady keeps its Court and fixes more eminently, as the place of chief reſidence or head quarters; Phyſicians do not conſent and agree herein: the reaſons of this difference may be gathered out of their ſeveral opinions, as they ſtand recorded in their works: and that we may the better eſtabliſh and illuſtrate the truth of our own aſſertions concerning this matter, we ſhall briefly run over and diſcuſs ſome of the chiefeſt opinions that have been promoted by eminent men in this Profeſſion.

Some there are that aſſign the head to be the ſeat of this Diſeaſe, being induced thereto from ſome apparent ſymptoms that commonly afflicts this part; as pains, puſtuls, ſcabs, ſhedding of the hair, diſtillations, noiſe in the ears, &c. Which laſt was ſo contumacious, that Falopius an eminent Phyſician profeſſeth that no ſymptom belonging to this Diſeaſe was more difficult and troubleſom to him than this. Ego non habeo ſymptoma, Gab. Fallop. tract. de morb. gallic. Cap. 11. quod magis hoc me cruciet, & teſtor ignorantiam meam, nunquam potui ejus certam invenire ablationem, ſuperavi aliquando vel hoc, vel illo decocto, ſed certè non habeo proprium medicamentum, are his own words. Notwithſtanding this Author does not comply with thoſe that would have the head to be the principal part affected; for although the head be notably afflicted in ſome perſons, yet it is not always ſo; and ſometimes the head is free from any impreſſion of this Diſeaſe, when other parts are not a little ſtigmatized with the manifeſt Characters of this Lues. Therefore we muſt ſeek out ſome other part that may rightly be ſtiled proprium ſubjectum, the conſtant place of reſidence, or chief ſeat of its abode.

Others by a parallel argument with the former, (as Leonicenus, Gaſper Torella, Rondeletius, and others) would prove the frontier, or exterior parts of the body, to be the chief ſeat; being thus perſwaded from the defaedations of the skin that frequently are conſpicious on perſons contaminated with this Diſeaſe: as ſpots, puſtuls, tettars, ſcabs, Ʋlcers, that erupt upon the ſuperficies of the body.

And upon this error Torrella (Phyſician to Pope Alexander the ſixth) grounds his definition of this Lues in theſe words.Gaſp. Tor. tract. de Pudendagra. Eſt defaedatio univerſalis cutis corporis cum dolore & excoriatione modica. As if this Diſeaſe were ſeated only upon the ſuperficies of the body, and did not reſide in the inward parts; which is againſt all reaſon: for, the juices of the body being firſt tainted and alienated from their balſamic natural good ſtate, cauſe thoſe eruptions and external appearance: and to make this Diſeaſe to be only or chiefly a defaedation of the skin, when oftentimes the intrinſic parts are more injured corrupted and putrid, is againſt common experience to affirm. And although I do not deny, but that this infections Lues may be caught by external contact only (as the common itch may be taken) and goes no deaper than the ſurface of the body, rarely; yet moſt commonly thoſe external Characters that flouriſh the ſkin, are the pullulations and bloſſoms that put forth and ſpring from a radix that hath a deep inſertion, and is profoundly planted in the body.

Guliel. Rondelet. lib. de morb. gallico.And Rondeletius (then Chancellour and Regius Profeſſor at Monpelier) runs upon the ſame rock, in defining this. Lues to be an evil diſtemper of external parts. For although the external parts be ſometimes disfigured and branded with this foul Diſeaſe, yet it is not always ſo; and then for the moſt part erupting from within: therefore the exterior parts are ill aſſigned to be ſubjectum morbi, and the definition to point thither only or chiefly.

Herc. Saxon. de Lue Ven. Cap. 3. Hercules Saxonia will have the ſubject of this Diſeaſe to vary according to the progreſs thereof; and aſſigns the natural ſpirits for its place of reſidence in the beginning of this evil; but the excrementitious humours to be the chief ſeat in the increment; and the alimentary humours, in the ſtate and vigour of this malady.

Some ſtand for the genitals to be the chief ſeat and part primarily affected; becauſe moſt commonly this Lues makes its ingreſs and invaſion here, and preſently ſtamps manifeſt impreſſions of its contagious nature upon theſe parts: as dyſury, gonorrhaea, inflammation, tumor, Ʋlcers, &c. which gradually coming on, gives notice and plainly declares that this ſubtle enemy hath made entrace, is planted and ſeated here as the chief place where to exerciſe and appear in its ſevere malign power and grandeur.

Notwithſtanding the major party and more eminent men (as Fallopius, Maſſa, Tomitanus, Braſſauolus, Mercatus, Montanus, Foreſtus, Sennertus, &c.) give in their ſuffrages for the Liver to be the principal ſeat of the Venereal Lues, and this part carries it from the reſt by many Votes.

Maſſa (a Venetian Phyſician) aſſigns theſe two reaſons for his opinion: firſt, that the Liver is membrum generativum maſſae humoralis, the fountain from whence ariſeth all the humors of the body: ſecondly, that from thence nutrition and the natural faculties are derived. But theſe Hypotheſes on which his opinion is grounded, are found to be erroneous from the new Doctrine of circulation, and exploded by moſt in theſe times: and therefore our Author arguing exfalsò ſuppoſitis we need not anſwer further to the arguments offered.

Fallopius upon the ſame error gives in his verdict for the Liver.

Tomitanus does the like.

Mercati argumentum lib. de morb. gallic. Cap. 1. Mercatus alſo (the learned Spaniard) being biaſſed with that doctrine, urgeth the ſame argument; and moreover adds, that the venom of this Lues by a peculiar propenſion to, and ſympathy of parts, does fly to the Liver and infect there: as an opthalmy, or ſore eye, does hurt a ſound eye: or a phthiſis of the Lungs, is apt to ſet a tabid impreſſion upon the Lungs of another, by intimate and near approaches; ſo the Venereal virulency diſchargeth it ſelf upon the Liver; particularly and eſpecially, from the mutuation and conſent of parts.

But notwithſtanding this Author be grave and ſolid in his Writings, yet I cannot admit of his reaſons to prove what he contends for.Arguitur. And although I grant that an opthalmy or phthiſis may ſend forth injurious miaſms and dart upon the like parts to infeſt them with the ſame Diſeaſe; yet here he begs the queſtion, and ſuppoſeth a conceſſion, that the Liver is always tainted in this Diſeaſe, which I altogether deny, where then is the ſympathy of parts; and although we concede and do admit that the Liver is vitiated in ſome perſons; yet then I do not allow that the Liver does more infect another Liver than any other part; nor are the effluviums carried to another Liver ſympathically, or antipathically, but promiſcuouſly are tranſmitted and received into another body by this or that other part, where the paſſage or pores are patent, or otherwiſe infirm and liable to be tainted. Beſides, the compariſon will not hold, nor is there that parity of reaſon between Liver and Liver, as between eye and eyes, or lung and lungs, for a tranſmiſſion, communication, and reception. As for the eyes, they act and react upon one another by Viſion directly (and have no power upon any other part) darting and working eminently upon each other (which might be illuſtrated amply) and by this means many ſtrange effects are wrought; otherwiſe they have no power; nor could one eye infect or hurt another, but by gazing long or often, and fixing upon each other. But from liver to liver there is no ſuch direct paſſage, no ſuch correſpondence between them, nor operation upon each other, nor is their any probability for it. And as for a phthiſis why that ſhould be infectious to the lungs of another, there is good reaſon for it; becauſe the corrupt breath going out of the phthiſical perſon, is drawn in and received by another (in their near approaches) and coming into the aſpera arteria of the ſound perſon, is by that canale immediately conveighed through various ramifications into the whole parenchyma of the Lungs, which being totally pervious, and of a ſpongious ſubſtance, is very ſuſceptible and obnoxious to alterations from the quality of inſpired air. And having imbibed phthiſical corruptive miaſms in the breath, may lodge and ſix there, changing the natural tone of the lungs into a tabid and corruptive ſtate; but from liver to liver, there is no ſuch ſpeedy conveyance, no ſuch capacity to receive, nor aptitude to act upon each other.

Sennert. ſententia. Sennertus being guided by his Predeceſſors, aſſerts much what to the ſame purpoſe, that the Venereal virulency being inimical to nutrition, does more peculiarly aim at and offend the natural faculty; which natural power he takes for granted and unqueſtionable to be ſeated in the liver; and therefore concludes that to be the part primarily affected, from whence as the Fountain all ill ſymptoms of the other parts, do iſſue from, and are fed from thence. Thus ſuppoſing the liver to be officina ſanguificationis; and in this Diſeaſe the bloud being commonly much tainted and corrupted, it was thought very rational that this muſt proceed from the impurity of the Fountain: but the liver now being diſcharged from the ſupream office of ſanguification, upon latter and more exact inquiries, and is not found to be membrum principale 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , as formerly hath been aſſerted and maintained; the opinions depending thence fall to the ground.

And further we have to ſay; that the liver is not always the ſeat of this evil (according to the opinion of ſome) nor that it is for the moſt part their primariò reſident (according to the ſenſe of others) is further cleared from the diſcourſe following.

Diſeaſes in reſpect of their ſcituation and reſidence may be divided into two parts: Firſt, ſuch as claim a peculiar part of the body to abide in for their proper ſtation, and where they exerciſe their power eminently; and are particular defects and aberrations of thoſe faculties and parts, from whence commonly they have a proper denomination, or ſome adjunct pointing at the part affected; as Pleuriſies, Colicks, Cephalalgyes, dyſenteries, iliaca paſſio, peripneumonia's &c. Secondly, there are others of a larger extent and erratic power, that are not confined to any particular part, but challenge the whole body for their ſubject, and appear here or there, or chiefly here and remiſly there, without reſtraint variouſly and are unlimited: and ſuch are contagious Diſeaſes of the higheſt rank, venenate, peſtilential, and virulent; which ſeize ſometimes here and ſometimes there, and ſpread variouſly in the body; and this, from the primitive cauſes and manner of invaſion; from the different nature of the malignity, and from the different propriety of bodies tainted; all which being multifarious, makes gr ••• difference as to the ſpreading and appearing of Diſeaſes in this or that part more eminently, though the whole body be ſubjectum morbi; that is, every part liable, and no part conſtantly the chief ſeat of reſidence.

In this latter rank we muſt place the Venereal malady; whoſe virulency being received into the body, or quartering upon the frontiers; does not commonly ſtop at the part firſt infected, but as other Venoms, does creep into the more intimate receſſes, and taints other parts of the body. Secondly, no part of the body is exempt and ſecure, but liable to the infection, either by communication and tranſmiſſion from other parts affected; or by the firſt ſeizure and attacque. Sometimes the mouth lets it into the body by kiſſing; ſometimes the breaſt receives it firſt by ſuckling a pocky Child; others are firſt ſeized and clapt in the genitals; and ſome take it by Bed Cloths, Garments, or ſuch like, and the contagion enters the pores in divers parts, and the body liable on all ſides; and being thus let in, does then circulate with the bloud, and perambulate divers regions of the body; and ſuch parts as are moſt infirm and leſs able to ſtand in their integrity, this virulency invades and makes impreſſions (propter inequale robur partium & imparem reſiſtentiam) ſometimes upon the brain and nerves; ſometimes the lungs, and begets pocky aſthmaes, phthiſes; ſometimes the kidneys, neck of the bladder, throat, groin, &c. Planting Ʋlcers there, and ſometimes the liver goes not free; but this part eſcapes as oft as the reſt, which hath plainly appeared upon frequent diſſections after Death, that the liver hath evaded ſound when other parts have been waſted and rotten. And therefore we conclude, this Venereal Diſeaſe hath no ſetled abode, but is vagrant; and it is uncertain where this virulency will pitch and ſeat it ſelf; nor is there any place of conſtant reſidence: which might more at large be proved, but for brevity ſake I paſs on, as thinking what hath been ſaid, may give ſufficient ſatisfaction.

But it is otherwiſe when this Diſeaſe is adventitious after the birth, (excepting the caſe of an infant infected by an unſound Nurſe) for then the Venereal virulency ſeizeth and ſaſtens upon one part of the body more eſpecially, which commonly makes the firſt complaint and diſcovers the evil, at leaſt gives cauſe for inquiry what is the matter, of ſuch alteration and unwonted ſymptoms.

Lues Ven. per coitum. Contracta:If this Contagion be taken by impure copulation, the Man or the Woman being infected does by that act and intimate congreſs, give it to the other that was ſound: and then the privy parts (moſt frequently) makes the firſt diſcovery, by ſharpneſs and heat of Ʋrine, &c. eſpecially if either were afflicted in the genitals; but if otherwiſe the virulency of this malady faſtens upon other parts of the body, does then lurk longer before any alteration be perceived, but in time does bud forth and ſhew it ſelf, cauſing indiſpoſition, pain in the head or other parts, and proceeds gradually (if not corrected) to diſplay thoſe ſymptoms as we have enumerated in the preceding Chapter, where the diagnoſticks of this Lues is ſet down: nor does this venom keep its ſtation and abide in the part that firſt received it, but commonly aliorum venenorum more, perambulates and penetrates through the body, perverting the craſes of other parts, and alienating them from the rectitude of their offices and duty; from whence by time the whole oeconomy is out of frame, and the alimentary juices of the body impure and ſtained move or leſs, pro virulentiae natura & conditione corporis. For the manner how Contagion in copulation is contracted, take this account from Sennertus, which ſhall ſuffice.Sennert. Pract. Lib. vi. Par. 4. Cap. 4. Et quidem viri à foeminis infectis hoc malum contrahunt, quia in venere propter ſpirituum concurſum & per motum utero calefacto, vapores ex malignis humoribus in utero elevantur, qui à membro virili rarae conſtitutionis abſorbentur & in venas recipiuntur. Vir verò infectus ſanam mulierem inficere poteſt, vel per membrum virile, ſi id infectum & exulceratum habeat, vel per ſemen, et ſi membrum virile ulceratum non ſit, vel utroq que modo. Quanquam enim ſemen in viris non ſemper planè corruptum eſt, cum videamus multos viros infec • os hac Luc generare; alteratum tamen & infectum eſt, unde non ſolùm ſoboles hanc luem contrahit, ſed & ſoemina infici poteſt. And thus moſt frequently this Lues is communicated in venereous acts, eſpecially if the genitals of either Sex be ulcerated, ſcabby, or foul.

Per oſculum.But if this contagion be received by kiſſing ot the lips only; as when the perſon infecting hath a ſcabby lip or ſore mouth; then the genetals do eſcape, and the perſon infected is branded in the mouth or lips: therefore it is a hazardous cuſtom of ſaluting all ſtrangers, and to drink after ſuch ſore mouths is dangerous: and although ſome go free that have made ſuch adventures, and have not been prejudiced thereby; yet others have paid for it, and may warn the reſt to be cautious.

Per ſudorem & tranſpirationem.Sometimes this Contagion is comminicated by ſweat, or a vaporous tranſpiration from bodies to their Bed-fellows, when no copulation or kiſſing hath preceded: as between Man and Man, or Woman with Woman lying together; yet are they lyable to be infected after this manner; and then it is uncertain where this virulency does enter, and what parts will firſt be ſtigmatiſed and complain.

Per lectum & veſtimenta.The caſe is much what the ſame when this lurking Venom is received from Bed-Cloths and Garments. Tis doubtful what part is moſt ready to attract, receive and imbibe the latent pocky miaſms, that are lodged there, when all parts are equally expoſed; but ſometimes they ſeize here, and ſometimes there.

Per lactationem.By ſucking, and ſuckling of Children this Lues is often caught: ſometimes the Child gives it the Nurſe, and then the breaſt makes the firſt complaint: and ſometimes the pocky Nurſe infects the Infant, and then it is not certain where the virulency will breakout and appear; for being diffuſed throughout the body and radicated in the conſtitution of the Child by the tainted milk; 'Tis doubtful what part will make the firſt diſcovery. But ſooner or later, here or there, it will ſhew it ſelf; and then perhaps may puzle good judgments to determine what's the matter. Therefore Children ought very cautiouſly to be put out to nurſing, ſince the venereal taint is become ſuch a popular evil. And Nurſes likewiſe may beware what Children they receive; eſpecially if the Child have a ſore mouth, it may prove a pocky thruſh, and then ſhe earns her wages very dearly.

Whether this Lues be antique or of late ſtanding?

What parts are invaded, and where the chief place of reſidence?

How this Contagion was contracted, by impure copulation or otherwiſe?

Whether this Lues be hereditary, or adventitious?

Whether the ſymptoms be mild, and gentle; or fierce, raging and ſpreading?

Whether the venereal taint be radicated in the conſtitution; or ſome extern parts only ſeized?

Whether this Contagion be only floating in the humours and juices of the body; or any the ſolid and carnous parts be alſo waſted

Whether the perſon infected, be old or young?

Whether male or female?

Whether they have undergone any former courſe of Phyſick for the ſame?

Whether the Perſon be ſtrong, fleſhy, and luſty; or weak, hectical, and Conſumptive?

Whether formerly infected, and ſuppoſed to be cured; or it be the firſt taint and ſurpriſe?

Braſſavolus obſerves no indication for bleeding but plethory; Anton. muſa Braſſavol. and then regards no contra-Indication; but all Caſes alike with him.

Botallus is very free in bleeding for this Diſeaſe;Leonard. Botall. and commends (a ſtrange invention of his own) a vein to be opened in the genital of Man, in caſe that part be ulcerated: Vena colis ulceri proxima aperienda eſt, vel ſanguiſuga affigenda, quo putridus ſanguis ulcus nutriens hoc ingenio educatur, are his own words: wherein we may ſee the ridiculous conceptions and aims that ſome men have had in the deſign of healing; and how ignorant they were in the true knowledge of Diſeaſes and the work of nature, to help her ſelf.

Tomitanus thinks bleeding very neceſſary,Bernard. Tomitan. and to be performed according to Galens rules in his Book de curandi ratione per ſanguinis miſſionem and that (he ſays) is chiefly by opening the baſilica Vein; and this is all his arguments and advice for phlebotomy in the Cure of this Lues.

Ferrerius commends bleeding in this Diſeaſe for plethorick bodies;Auger. Ferrer. and for ſuch whoſe Puſtuls, Tumors, and Ʋlcers, do tend towards inflammation, and is nice in chuſing this or that vein to be opened, as the ſuperior or inferior parts are affected: and this to no purpoſe, ſince the circulation is found out and approved. Herein we may ſee how errors are planted upon one another, and how little of the old doctrine will ſtand, when it comes to be examined by latter inventions, and more certain approved truths.

Mercatus is for bleeding in the beginning of this Diſeaſe,Ludovic. Mercat. for theſe reaſons: to abate plenitude; ſecondly, that the purgatives which ought to be violent, may have a fiercer paſſage; and thirdly, that the Liver may be diſcharged of a great part of bloud contained there, leſt it ſhould be diſperſed, and infect other parts of the body.

To this Author I anſwer in ſhort: firſt, ſupponat quod non eſt ſupponendum: he ſuppoſeth always a plethory, which oftentimes is not in theſe Caſes; therefore not to be pleaded as a general indication. Secondly, violent purgatives are not neceſſary in any Caſe, therefore not in this: for, let purgatives be ſuppoſed to work electivè, fermentativè, or per antipathiam; yet moderate and gentle purgation is leſs injurious to nature, and more advantagious for the purpoſe intended, than forcing nature to a violent expulſion, where no ſeparation can be made, but good and bad is hurried away together. As for his third reaſon; that does depend upon two errors: firſt, that the Liver is ſedes Morbi which we have proved the contrary: ſecondly, that the Liver is officina ſanguificationis; which ancient opinion is now exploded by moſt Modern Phyſicians, that I need not add more than what hath been ſaid by others. And laſtly, he ſuppoſeth the bloud to be ſtagnant in the Liver, which is contrary to the doctrine of circulation, and therefore not to be admitted as a good Plea.

To the aſſertors of Phlebotomy in general, I ſay; this Diſeaſe being conſidered in its own nature, does not require bleeding: for, this Venereal taint is either in the maſs of bloud, or out of the bloud: if the bloud be infected and vitiated thereby, promiſcuous evacuation does not purify, only abates the quantity, and the malign venom remains equally proportionable to the remainder, and as prevalent; ſo that this is no depurating remedy: but I ſhall wave further illuſtration hereof, becauſe elſe where I have been large,Tract. of the Scurvy 4th. edition p. 177. oppoſing Dr. Willis upon this point, though in another Diſeaſe; that Author aſſerting phlebotomy to be the greateſt depurative antiſcorbutick remedy. And if the contaminating virulency be not yet communicated to the bloud, but remains in other parts, to what purpoſe then is phlebotomy, ſince that evacuation carries out nothing of the malign matter lodged in thoſe parts: So that in either Caſe it does appear to common reaſon, that the Venereal Lues per ſe, and in ſua natura, abſtractly conſidered, does not indicate bleeding.

As for complicated affects, and peculiar adjunct Caſes ſupervening the Pox, and bringing with them an additional denomination of a Diſeaſe as Pleuriſy, Angina, &c. If they challenge phlebotomy, it is performed upon their particular ſcore, and not for this Lues, which in it ſelf does not require bleeding; but by reaſon of ſome other circumſtances attending.

And whereas ſome urge the neceſſity of Phlebotomy, becauſe antivenereal remedies are hot and dry, therefore the conſtitution is to be cooled, that thoſe Medicaments may more ſafely be uſed; I think this hath not the force of a good argument: for in the higheſt and moſt intenſe Feavors, diaphoretick and hot Medicines are moſt ſafely uſed and with beſt ſucceſs, which I have proved elſe where againſt Juleping, Tract. of the Scurvy 4th. edition pag. 197, 198. &c. that common irrational, and fatal practice, yet continued amongſt the famed Profeſſors of this Age. If hot Medicines then be not injurious in the greateſt Feavers, we ſhall not need to fear them in this Diſeaſe; therefore phlebotomy may be laid aſide upon that account alſo, and hot Medicines may be adminiſtred without bleeding, as ſafely as with it. But in caſe there be a repletion or over-charge of bloud, the Veſſells turgid or extended, this carries the beſt face of an indication to countenance phlebotomy; other Caſes condemn it as needleſs or noxious.

And this is the chief of this Authors Practice for this Lues: I muſt confeſs this was but an odd kind of method, and as ſtrange Medicines; but he being one of the firſt practiſers upon this Diſeaſe and had no guide, you muſt excuſe him. As for the ſpecificks made uſe of now in our times, he mentions not in the leaſt; I ſuppoſe they were not talked of in thoſe days, nor come into uſe.

Gaſper Torrel alſo being one of the primitive Italian Practiſers,Gaſpar. Torrell. regimen curat. and a more exact Writer than the former; we ſhall take a view of his Medicines appointed for this Diſeaſe. After phlebotomy was performed, if humors were aduſt he gave ſyrup of fumiterry mixt with endive and ſcabioſe water, for a digeſtive, or this ſyrup following.

R. ſuccor. endiviae, lactucae, boraginis, Syrup. digeſt. bugloſs. fumiter. & lupulor. depuratorrum ana ℥iiij. aq. emulſionis ſem. Communium, flor. & ſem. portulacae lib. ij. miſceatur illa emulſio cum ſuccis praedictis, & bulliant in eis violae, roſae, epithimum & pruna damaſcena quantum ſufficit & coletur, & in colatura ponantur Zucchari lib. ij. & ſyrupizetur & acetoſetur. (the Authors own words) After this, digeſtion being made, he proceeds to evacuation, which was performed with Electuar. ſucc. roſar. or with diaprunes or diaſena mixt with ſcabioſ. or fumiterry water,Potiones purgant. or their juice: he alſo commends Pil. de fumoterrae, and de lapid. lazuli. But if the peccant matter be a ſalt phlegm, then he appoints this digeſtive.

R. rad. apii, faenicul, petroſel. polipod, endiviae & bugloſs. ana ℥ij. camaedrios, calamenti ana M. 1. decoquantur in ſufficienti quantitate aquar. fumoter. lupul. & ſcabioſ. ad Conſump. medietat. & in colatur. Ponantur ſucci fumiterr. ſcabioſ. lapacii acut. depurat, ana ℥iiij. & fiat ſyr. acetoſus cum Zuccharo. The matter being digeſted, was to be evacuated by diaphaenicon and diacatholicon in ſcabios and fumiterry Waters. Other digeſtives for this purpoſe he ſets down which I paſs by; but I muſt not omit a ſyrup which he magnifies at a high rate: Syrupus mirabilis & expertus cum quo (ſays the Author) innumerabiles non ſolum curavi, verum etiam preſervavi ab omnibus defaedationibus cutaneis & doloribus panniculorum, lacertorum & nervorum.

Syrup Mirabilis R. ſucci bugloſs. lib. ij. ſucci endiviae & lupulor. borag. faenicul. & apii ana ℥iiij. depuratis ſuccis infundantur in cis ſenae ℥ſs. polipod. ʒij. ſem. aniſi ʒij. turbit. ʒj. Cinnamom ʒſs. & ſtent. ibi per diem. Deinde bulliant ad conſumptionem medietatis. This was his wonderful Syrup, which I fear will not do wonders now. But when the matter was melancholy, and aduſt, then he appoints this digeſtive.

Syrupus digeſt. R. rad. borag. bugloſs. polipod, cort. rad. cappar. median. cort. tamariſci ana ℥ij. cuſ • utae, camaedrios, camepitheos, ſcabioſ. ana M. 1. follicul. ſenae, epithimi, roſar. violar. ana ℥ſs. ſucci & cum Zucchar, f. ſyrupus. The matter being digeſted with this; was afterwards to be evacuated with diacatholicon and diaſena, or with Pills de fumiterr. or de lapide lazuli, or pillul. Indae, or Electuar. Indum.

For reſolution, evaporation, and exſiccation of the matter which nature hath protruded and brought to the circumference or extern parts of the body, he appoints baths and unguents. And here he commends balneum aq. maris, Balnea. baln. ſulphureum, aut aluminoſum. Alſo artificial Baths ex decoctione rad. Cucumeris aſinin. folior. oleandri, lapacii acut. celedon. lupinor. ſcabioſ. & decoctio juſquiami eſt mirabilis.

For a dry ſcabby pudendagra, this Ointment he appoints. Ʋnguent. R. ol. roſ. butyr. ana ℥j. ſucci fumiterr. plantag. ebuli vel ſambuci ana ℥ſs. fac. aliquantulum bullire, dein adde terebenth. lot. & parum ſulph. vivi.

But if the matter of theſe eruptions be hot and ſharp, then this Ointment is to be uſed. Ʋnguent. R. ol. violat. butyr. lot. ana ℥j. argent. vin. extinct. ʒj. ſucci plantag. ℥iij. litargir. alb. ʒj. miſce. But our Author was miſtaken here, for theſe ingredients will not come into the form of an unguent: he never ſaw this Medicine made, and perhaps never uſed it, but thinks it a good contrivance to commend to the World at a venture, (as Authors uſe to do.) And if I would be critical, and undertake to note all the abſurdities, incongruities, and ſtrange deſignment of Medicines as I paſs along, it would prove a long piece of work, to ſet it forth clearly as it ought; elſe my exceptions and diſlikes will be lookt upon as carping and detracting: but at preſent you muſt expect only a bare narrative of their practice, and a brief account.

For a cruſty Ʋlcer ariſing from ſalt phlegm he appoints this unguent. R. calcis multoties lot. exſiccat. & pulveriſat ſubtil. ℥iij. ſucci ſiclae aut caulis q. ſ. incorporentur, deinde ſupermitte ol. roſ. liquefact. cum modica cera & f. unguentum.

For mitigation of pains in a hot cauſe, he commends theſe anodynes: an embrocation of warm milk: alſo ol. violat. roſat. vel nenuphar. mixt. cum pingued. porci recent. vitel. ovi & album. cum pauco ſale. Alſo he commends this unguent for the ſame purpoſe: Ʋnguent anodyn. R. pingued. pulli & anatis recentium, butyri recent, adipis porci recent. cerae alb. ana ℥j. ol. camomil. aneth. amygdal. dul. ana ℥ſs. mucilag. altheae, ſem. lini & fenigr. ana ℥ij. miſce & f. unguent. Some (he ſays) do apply Sheeps Lungs warm to the parts pained; or a Hen, Pigeon, or Dogs Whelp, cut down the middle and laid warm to the place. And after the pain is removed he adviſeth the part to be bathed with Alum Water.

For the Cure of virulent Ulcers (he ſaith) it is to be effected; by proſecuting theſe four intentions: the firſt is purgation or clenſing the body; the ſecond is a diaetetick regimen; the third is exſiccation of the virulent matter; the fourth is incarnation and conſolidation. The two firſt we have ſpoken of: to anſwer the third, he propoſeth Wine made ſtiptic ex decoctione aluminis, cort. thuris, nuc. cupreſſi, cyperi, ſabinae, To waſh the Ulcer: but this Medicine following he commends above all the reſt, and ſays it is mirabiliter exſiccans.

Ʋnguent mirabiliter exſiccans. R. litharg. aur. vel argent. valde pulveriſat. cum aceto & ol. roſat. viciſſim imbibatur. ſcil. una vice cum aceto & alia cum oleo; & hoc toties fiat donec albeſcat; deinde ſumantur antimon. aeris uſt. balauſt. rad. celidon. gallar. ſang. dracon. aluminis, climiae argent. ana ſextam partem ejus quod ſumptum eſt de litargirio albificato, & omnia incorporentur diu cum piſtillo, poſtquam fuerint bene praeparata. I give it you exactly from the Copy, therefore lay no faults upon my ſcore.

For an incarnative Medicine he gives you this.Pulvis incarnat. R. thuris ʒij. ſang. dracon. ℥ſs. calcis vivae ℥vj. miſce. f. pul. ſubtilis. He ſets not down the manner how it ſhould be uſed. But I cannot ſuppoſe otherwiſe than that it ſhould be ſtrawed upon the Ulcer. And then it will make notable work.

But if the Ʋlcer be ſordid and very foul, then he appoints abſterſive Medicines to be uſed; whereof this is one. Ʋnguent ad ulcera ſordida. R. galban. ammoniac. reſin. Terebinth. picis naval. ſevi. vaccin. ol. antiq. & cerae ana part. aequal. & diſſolvantur gummae in aceto, deinde omnia liquefiant ad ignem, & conficiatur unguentum. For this purpoſe alſo he approves of unguent apoſtolor. and aegyptiac.

For putrid Ulcers in this Diſeaſe, he appoints this: Ʋnguent ad ulcera putrida. R. Ceruſae lot. aceti ana ℥j. plumbi uſt ℥iiij. litargir. ℥ij. myrrhae ℥j. mellis roſat. ℥ij. ol. roſ. ℥v. vitell. ovor. numero ſex. cerae q. ſ. miſce f. unguent. Many more Medicines he hath ſet down to anſwer his intentions of Cure, but I have choſe only one example for each, that you may gueſs by that what the reſt are. One thing more of his I cannot omit and that is a notable piece of ſkill for an Ʋlcer in the Privities, which I ſhall not undertake to tranſlate; but his own language will beſt become the invention. Infectus & ulceratus in virga, quanto citius poterit, faciat ſibi ſugi locum ul • eratum ab aliqua vili perſona, exeterius ſemper exprimendo; aut parum per ſcarificetur, aut deſuper apponatur parum de ſapone molli cum calce, aut gallus ſive columbus in culo deplumatus & excoriatus, ſic vivus loco ulcerato ſaepius apponatur. Which being done, the Patient was to take a dram of old Treacle in four Ounces of Sorrel Water, hot; and after ſix hours the Ulcer muſt be anointed with theriac. antiq. and in radice virgae (ſays our Author) a repercuſſive of bole armeniac was to be laid on. The Morning following he appointed this potion. R. theriacae de citro, limoniatae, ſmaragdorum, ana ℈ij. aquar. bugloſſi acetoſ. & ſublimationis roriſmarini. ana ℥j. miſce. And this potion was to be continued for ſeven days. And this was part of the practice of Gaſp. Torrellus, no leſs a man than Phyſician to his Holineſs Pope Alexander the Sixth. I refer the Reader to his own judgment, upon the matter delivered: and my obſervation from thence is what may plainly be noted in our times alſo, that mundus vult decipi: I perceive that the beſt Phyſicians do not always get the beſt preferments: that it is good fortune and great Friends, not excelling abilities in this faculty, that placeth them in the Courts of Emperours, Kings, and Princes; and great men are cheated in their opinion and choice of Phyſicians, as ſoon as the inferiour people. And now I paſs on to ſhew you the Practice of another Italian Phyſician of great repute, that came after Torrell.

Anton. Muſae Braſſavol. praxis ad morb. gal. Muſa Braſſavolus begins his Cure of the Venereal Lues thus: Firſt he gives this Clyſter. R. maluae; violar. altheae, mercurial. ana M. 1. coq. in aq. ſ. a. recip. hujus decoct. lib. 1. ol. violac. ℥iiij. Caſſiae extr. ℥j. ſalis com. ʒij. miſce. After this Clyſter phlebotomy came in, if the Patient was adjudged ſanguine and plethoric; and then a pound of bloud was let out, if ſtrength would bear that exhauſtion. Then this potion was given ſyr. capill. ven. endiviae ana ℥j. infuſ. ſenae ℥iiij. miſce. But if the Patient was of a choleric temper, then the potion was ſyrup. of violets, endive, and the infuſion of ſena: but if of a phlegmatic temper; then ſyr. of Hyſſop, and Maiden hair, was added to the infuſion: but if of a melancholy temperament; then ſyr. of epithimum and fumiterry was added; but the infuſion of ſena was never to be omitted: becauſe ſena unum ex his eſt, quae ſupra alia omnia affectui gallico adverſari videtur, ſays our Author: but believe him that will.

After theſe lenitive preparing potions were taken nine or ten times; then he gave ſtronger purgatives: of pil. cocheae, aureae and de lapide lazuli; with other purgative Medicines, as likely as thoſe. After this courſe of Medicines, he puts the queſtion whether the Patient be ſound: ſi hic videatur ſanitati reſtitutus, bene illi erit; hoc autem videbitur per unius menſis, vel duorum ſpatium: if after a month or two the Patient had ſuch great fortune to be well; then only he was delivered up to Pillulae Alexandri ut frequenter expurgetur. But if he were not yet Cured; then a long purging apozem was appointed of above twenty ingredients boiled in Fumiterry Water; and ſix Ounces of this was to be taken for twenty days together: (this courſe of Phyſick would ſcare one as bad as the Pox) after this he queries if the Patient be Cured; if ſo, nihil aliud agendum ſupereſt. But if otherwiſe, then he was turn'd over to the decoction of lignum Indicum. And our Author ſays he was the firſt that practiſed with this decoction at Ferrara (a noted City in Italy) in the year 1525. at which time the Phyſicians of the place derided him for it. This decoction was to be taken for 27. or 30. days. And this was made either with Wine or with Water. From the firſt day to the ninth, the Patients dyet was leſſened every day. And then he muſt be contented with three Ounces of Bread at Dinner, and two at Supper, with an Ounce of Coriander Comfits or as much raiſins at Dinner, and half an Ounce at Supper. And for nine days he was to continue this 〈…〉 dyet. After which he was to enlarge every day until he came to his accuſtomed quantity of eating. And every other day during the decoction, a Clyſter was given; ſuppoſing the decoction to be ſimple: but ſometimes this decoction was compounded, and this addition put to it. R. ſenae ℥iiij. polipod. ℥jſs. flor. borag. bugloſs. roſar. violar. ana ℥j. gingib. cinnam. ana ʒj. infund. in praedic. decoc. Which was then made of Water. But in the year 1535. when Braſſavolus returned from Rome he began to make the decoction with Wine, and this too was either ſimple, or compound as the former.

Other ways there were invented at that time ſays our Author, for the Cure of this Diſeaſe; as by ſuffumigation, and by Ʋnction. The firſt was performed thus:Modus curandi per ſuffumigia. The Patient was ſtript naked, and placed upon a ſtool, a hole being made in the ſeat thereof: under which the fume was put; and over the Patient a covering was put which reached to the ground, to keep in the fume and apply all over to the Patients body. But his head was to be out of the covering, (for fear of ſuffocation) and was wrapt cloſe about the neck. The ingredients for the ſuffuming was this. R. cinnab. ℥ijſs. thuris, ſtyracis ana ℥j. f pul. The Patients remained in this fume until ſweat began to come, and then they were put to Bed, well covered to ſweat there for an hour; after that Cloaths were taken of by degrees, the Patients wip'd with warm linen, and after a while they eat and drank for refreſhment. And this was performed thus every day for eight or ten days together.

And our Author ſays, that ſome Phyſicians did ſuffumigate their Patients, with their heads under the covering (which muſt needs be very dangerous) and he ſaw one thus uſed, that fell down dead. But this way of Cure at the beſt contrivance, is bad enough: and this Author confeſſeth that fewer were Cured by this means, than by other remedies; and this did often miſs in the deſired effect. And becauſe our Author had a good mind to proſecute this way of Cure, he excogitated a ſuffumigation of wholſomer and not dangerous ingredients; which was this:

R. hyſſop. ſalviae ivae, roriſmarin, lauri, roſ. rub. puleg. calamint. cartham. card. bened. amaraci, artemiſiae, rutae, polii montan. millefol. calend. ana M. 1. aniſor. amidis, faenicul. gingib. ſelidis, amomi, carvi, cumini ana ʒij. miſce f. pul, and this was to be ſtrewed upon the Coals, and put under the ſtool as before. And this (ſays he) did provoke ſweat and mitigate the Diſeaſe; but not wholly take it away.

Having noted the chief things our Author mentions upon this way of Cure by ſuffumigation. I come now to relate ſomething of his Cure by Ʋnction, and becauſe Mercurial Cerecloths and Emplaiſters are affine, or of the ſame nature with the unguent, we muſt give you ſome account of them alſo, as this Author practiſed in thoſe days.Cerat. mercurial. The Cere-cloth was this. R. pingued. ſuis ℥xij. argent. vivi ℥viij. ſtyracis, Theriac. an ℥j. miſce & cum cera & reſina pini f. ceratum. And this was ſpread upon linen , and laid on, from the knees downward ſo to continue for the ſpace of 8. or 9. days. And ſometimes the Cere-cloath was applyed to all the joints, both of Legs and Arms, and were changed every three days, (three times) and a new one were laid on. And every Morning he gave ℈j. Pil. Alexandri, to carry the Flux of humors downward, but our Author ſays theſe were an uncertain way of Cure; and for one that recovered, ten failed under this means, and were deceived in their expectation. Wherefore he deſerted this way.

Curandi modus per unctionem.But he rather approves of the V;nction, for which purpoſe this was much in uſe then: R. axung. ſuill. neque recent. neque antiq. lib. j. butyri recent. ℥iij. Theriacae quae ſit in decimo anno ℥jſs. mitridati ℥j. argent. vivi ℥ijſs. cinnab. ℥ſs. lythargir. aur. ſalis com. ana ℥j. maſticles colophon. ana ℥v. ol. laurin. q. ſ. miſce f. unguent. Several other mercurial Ointments there were, but this is as good as any of the reſt; and this ſhall ſuffice at preſent. About the Ʋnction practicers did then differ: ſome anointed from the knee downward, and from the elbow downward; and that twice a day: but Braſſavolus anointed but once a day, in the Mornings; from the hip downwards, and from the ſhoulders to the fingers ends, rubbing it in before the fire: and this he did for nine days together every Morning; and then alſo he gave Pil. Alexand. ʒj. every day during the uſe of the unguent; which ſometimes was continued to the tenth or twelfth day, if good ſigns did not appear before. After the Ointment uſed, they were put to bed, covered warm to procure ſweat; and after three hours they roſe and eat. When their mouths began to be ſore, they uſed this gargariſm: R. hord. fol. plantag. myrtill. aq. font. q. ſ. f. decoctio; Gargariſmus. to this was added mel. roſar. and ſometimes a little Alum: but if they did not ſalivate well and freely, then this they gargled with. R. caricar puſſular. ſebeſlen. an • ℥ſs. bulliant in aq. poſtea adde mell. roſat. f. gargar.

The day after the laſt Ʋnction (our Author ſays) he cauſed them to be waſhed, their Arms and Legs in white Wine, wherein Roſes had boiled; and the day after that, they went into a Bath, made thus:

R. ſalviae, Balneum. menthae, roſmar. roſ. rub. flor. Chamomelli ſtaecados, melilot. fol. lauri, rutae puleg. Calament. hyſſop. arte miſ. abſinth. ivae. ana M. iij. miſce bulliant in ſufficienti quant. aq. This being put into a convenient tub; they went in and bathed to clenſe the ſkin from the Ʋnction. And I muſt acquaint vou alſo, that during the time of Unction this lineament was uſed to defend the heart. R. ol. de citrangulis ℥iij. boli armen. ſigillat. ana ʒj. Theriacae ℥ſs. miſce. With which the region of the heart was annointed; and after this a Cordial Epithema was applyed, of theſe ingredients.

R. aq. roſar. citrangulor. Epithema. meliſſae ana ℥iij. galliae moſchat. cort. citrior. ana ℥ſs. caryophill. cinnam. ana ʒij. aceti ℥j. vini cretici ℥ij. muſci, ambracani ana gr. ij. croci gr. vi. miſce. A Cloth way dipt in this, and applyed to the region of the heart.

Before Dinner and Supper, he gave his Patients the quantity of a Haſel Nut of this Cordial Electuary.Electuar. Cardias. R. Zuccari roſat. boraginat. ana ℥ij. laetificant. Almanſor. diamuſci dul. ana ℥jſs. theriacae mag. ʒj. boli armen. terrae ſigillat. ana ℈j. miſce & cum ſyr. de cort. citri f. Electuar.

And if Patients be very weak, he adviſeth to give this following reſtaurative. R. pulpae capon. vel phaſianor. ℥vj. nucleor. pineor. piſtach. amygdal. dul. ana ℥iij. cinnam. gingib. garyophil. ana ʒj. muſci gr. ij. ambracani gr. iij. miſce cum Zucchar. q. ſ. & fiant morſelli. Each weighing half an Ounce; one of which was to be taken every Morning before Dinner, and alſo one before Supper.

And now I have given you the heads and chief matter of Muſa Braſſavolus his practice in the Cure of this Diſeaſe. I might here have ſhewed you the Medicines and methods of other Italians, as Montanus, Fallopius, and others; but I paſs on to the practice of other Countries.

To perform the fourth intention, his Medicines are of two ſorts; for the poor, and for the rich; the Poor Medicines we ſhall paſs by; that for people of ability is this: R. flor. borag. bugloſs. violar. epithymiana ℈ſs. mirabolanor. citrin. & nigror. ſenae ana ʒj. polipod. quercin ʒſs. bulliant in aq. bugloſs. & ſcabioſ. ana q ſ f. decoctio ſ. a. de qua recipe ℥iij. infund. rheubarb elect. ʒj. ſpicae gr. iij agarici trochiſcat. ℈ij. ſtent per octo horas in infuſione, tandem fiat expreſſio, cui addantur, Electuar. de Caſſia ʒvj. electuar. Indi confec. hamech ana ʒjſs. miſce f. potio; to be taken in the Morning early (juſt ſuch brave Medicines as theſe we have recorded upon the Files in Apothecaries Shops) after the Medicine had operated,Difficile eſt ſatyram non ſcribere. a lenitive of four Ounces of Chicken broth ſweetned with Sugar, was to be taken, or as much Barly Water, with an Ounce of Sugar in it, to waſh down the relicts of the Medicine: but I doubt this would not quicken the Patients Stomach for Dinner.

To effect the fifth intention, bathing was appointed with this decoction. R. fumiterr. lapat. acut. biſmal. Camomill. melilot. roſ. violar. q. ſ. coq. in aq. com. f. balneum. When they began to ſweat, this Medicine was to be taken. R. rad. diptani, beton. ana ℥j. altheae enulae, ſcabioſ. fumiter. lupulor. lapat. ana lib. ſs. torment. j. incidantur minutim, & ponantur in lib. iiij. vini malvatici ad remolliendum, per diem & noctem unam; poſtea adatur thiriacae veteris xii. aut xi. annor. ℥jſs. ponatur ad alimbic. & deſtilletur aqua (I write after my Copy) and this Medicine he thus extolls. Obtinet in hoc morbo principatum inter intrinſecus juvantia. Of this three Ounces muſt be given at a time in two Ounces of Balm Water.

To ſatisfie the ſixth intention, our Author propoſeth that himſelf practiſed; and recommends laetificans Gal. electuar. Gentilis, with this Elogium; clarificant mirabiliter ſpiritus & ſanguinem; & reſtaurant confortando omnia nutritiva membra. And theſe ſuper-excellent Medicaments were to be taken thus. R. de altero eorum ℥j. Zucchar. violat. bugloſſat. ana ℥jſs. ſem. citri ℥ſs. ſmaragd. ℈j. & cum ſyr. de pomis f. mixtura. Of this the Patient is to drink a ſpoonful four hours before Dinner, and after it a little while Wine mixt with Balm or Roſe Water. for this intention alſo were prepared and uſed ſacculi & epithemata cordialia; and becauſe ſometimes their mouths were Ulcerated and tender, a Paſta regalis was prepared for them after this manner. R. carn. capon. bene coct. ℥vi. carn. perdicum coct. ℥iij. paſſular. fiſticor. amygdal. mundat. pinear. collect. in aq. tepid. ana ℥ij. pul. diatrag. acanth. frig. cinnam. elect. ana ʒij. Zucchar. finiſſimi in aq. flor. violar. q. ſ. f. paſta. Paſta regalis. Of this our Author appoints cochlear unum to be taken an hour before Dinner. Excellent contrivances!

The ſeventh and laſt intention conſiſt of many parts, and applies variouſly to ſeveral purpoſes: firſt to allay and mitigate pains, a frequent attendant upon this Diſeaſe; for which this Electuary invented by Dom. de Raggoſa, is commended as an approved remedy:Electuar. ad ſedand. dolorem. R. Juniperi, piper. long. aniſi ana ℈j. ambrae ℈ſs. pulp. caſſiae ℥ij. turbith, euphorb. ana ʒiij. hermodact. ℥j. Zucchar. roſat. ℥jſs. cinnam. ʒj. coagul. haedi ʒjſs. miſce in forma electuarii. And this to aſſwage pains is mirabiliter rabiliter valens; the doſe a dram or two; then our Author comments upon every ingredient of the Medicine, ſhewing their propriety and fitneſs for this purpoſe; ſo learnedly, that you would never forget him, if you underſtand the intrigue and ſophiſtry of Phyſick. After this you are to uſe an Unguent; for a hot cauſe this: Ʋnguent anodyn. R. pingued. pulli & anatis, butyri, adipis porci recent. cerae alb. ana ℥ſs. ol. camomill. aneth. amygdal. dul. ana ℥ſs. mucil • g. altheae & ſem. lini & faenigr. ana ℥ij. miſce f. unguent. with which the parts pained are to be anointed: but if a cold cauſe; then this:Aliud. R. ſucci rad. urticae, ebuli, herb. gatia dei ana lib. ſs. axung. catti, urſae, vulpis aut porcin. ℥vij. cerae ℥iiij. miſce f. unguent.

For Puſtuls this Unguent was uſed.Pro Puſtulis. R. reſinae mundae. ℥iij. ceruſſae ʒvj. alumin. uſt. argent. viv. extinct. litargir. ana ʒij. thuris alb. ℥j. cum ol. com. f. unguent.

Aqua ad fiſtulas & ulcera maligna.For Fiſtula's and malign Ulcers this. R. ſucc. ſalviae ℥ſs. ſucc. celidon. ℥j. ſucc. aſſodillor, ℥ij. ſucci agrimon: ℥iij. ſublimat. ʒij. ſalis armoniac. & commun. ana ʒiij. flor. aeris, alumin. roch. ana ʒjſs. aq. vitae ʒx. bulliant ſimul ad conſump. medietat. ſuccor. then it is fit for uſe. Which Water ſays our Author. Omnem fiſtulam interficit.

For hard nodes or gums cauſed by the Pox, appearing on the Forehaed, Shins, Arms, or other parts; this Unguent was thought moſt proper. R. mucilag. ſem. lini, altheae ana ʒij. ol. de ſpica, amygdalar, camomill. ana ℥ſs. butyri ℥j. pingued. urſi. ℥ſs. gum. arab. tragacanth. ana ʒj. cum cera f. unguent. this is emollient and reſolutive. And thus much is ſufficient to let you underſtand the ſeveral ways and means uſed againſt this Diſeaſe, by eminent Phyſicians in Germany.

To the ſame intent and purpoſe he hath deſigned and commends this diſtillation.Aqua ſtillat. pro conterendis reliquiis. R. theriac. antiq. lib. ſs. rad. elenii, caudae equin. ana ℥iiij. ciclaminis ℥iij. card. hened. cardiacae, ſalviae ana M. 1. ivae arthetic. M. jſs. rad. ebuli & lilior. ana ℥ſs. pimpinell. eupator. fumar. aceto ſ. beton. ſcabioſ. ana p. ij. capill. ven. flor. cordial. ana p. 1. lig. guajac. & cort. ejuſd. macerat. per diem in lib. iiij. hydromelitis ana lib. 1. ponantur omnia in vaſe vitreo & deſtillentur; the doſe of this is from ℥iij. to ℥iiij. And that aq. Cardiaca before mentioned, which our Author affirms mirum in modum exſtirpare reliquias hujus mali, may be made uſe of here for the purpoſe in hand, which is his advice.

And that you may not want variety of Medicines, and various forms of Medicines he commends theſe Pills alſo for eradication:Pilulae ad reliquias conterendas. and they are made ex ſucco marrubii aut ſalviae, & Pul. ſpartae parill. & fol. ſennae. And if the Patient be ſtrong, the Powder may be admixed with ſuccus ebuli, or ireos cum modica conſerva borag. aut violar. But theſe will not make up into Pills; our Authors ſpeculations in Pharmacy did deceive him; I wiſh it were but once ſo.

For the robuſt and courſer ſort of people peritus & prudens medicus (he ſays) may give theſe. R. pul. praecipitati macerat. biduo in aquis refrigerantibus ac rurſus in cardiacis ℈j. pul. electuar. tria ſantalor. ℥ſs. rhubarb. elect. ʒj. mithridat. opt. conſer. bugloſs. pul. roſar. maſtycis ana ℈ſs. ſubigantur ſimul cum mucag. tragacanth. extr. in aq. roſar. f. maſſa. The doſe is a ſcruple made into three Pills, but before the taking of them the Patient muſt drink a draught of fat broth made with Veal, Chicken, Sorrel, and Purſlane.

More Medicine this Author propoſeth to proſecute this deſign with ad reliquias conterendas, but theſe being as good as the reſt, ſhall ſuffice for all. And now I have run through, and ſhewed you the beſt of Mercatus his practice againſt this Lues; which you may account as the beſt that Spain affords: he being the moſt eminent and approved Phyſician of that Nation. I come now to give you an account of the Practice uſed in France for this Diſeaſe.

FOR exemplars of the French Practice in this Diſeaſe, we ſhall apply firſt to Rondeletius, ſometime Regius Profeſſor at the Univerſity of Montpelier; a Phyſician of note in the World, by his writings not only upon this Lues, but alſo concerning divers other ſubjects in Phyſick: from him we ſhall collect a methodical courſe of Medicines moſt eſteemed by him; which may be accounted the beſt Galenic practice then uſed in France.

In the beginning of this Diſeaſe,Gulielm. Rondelet. praxis. and the body plethorick, or very ſanguine he proceeds thus. Firſt, he gives a minorative potion. R. ſyr. roſ. ſolut. ℥ij. decoctionis mercurial. ℥iij. miſce, or inſtead of this, Caſſi • cum cathol. in forma boli, the next day he appoints the Patient to bleed if no common contra. indication prohibite; to which he adds pains of the head and joints to interdict alſo. The quantity of bloud to be let out is ℥iij. or ℥iiij. the firſt day;Sanguinis miſſio. but the day after ℥vj. or ℥vij. more; and he ſays that this Lues is to be cured ut laſſitudo, in which laſſitude Galen iterates ſanguimiſſion ad animi uſ que deliquium. But our Author is ſomething more moderate than his Maſter, and proceeds no farther than quantum vires ferre poterunt. After this he inſtitutes purgation, and that muſt be large or frequent, with Apozems and compound Syrups to carry off ſerous and phlegmatick humors; ſuch as Syr. de fumar. comp. and de epithymo, and they were to be given in Whey, or decoction of Mercury and Borrage, or this Syrup.

R. cichor. endiviae, Syrupus. ſcariol. lupul. fumiterr. acetoſ. capil. ven. ana M. 1. braſſicae marin. M. ſs. (at ſi ſicca fuerit ponatur ad ℥iij.) prunor. ſebeſten. paſſul. ficuum ana par. 20. aniſi ʒiij. ſem: cartham. polipod. querc. ana ℥iij. ſenae orient. ℥iiij. ſi braſſica ſit, ſin minus lib. ſs. flor. bugloſs. borag. ana p. 1. anthos & chamaemil. ana p. ſs. ſacchar. q ſ. ſ. Syrupus, which was to be continued for five days, and after the uſe of this Syrup, a ſtronger purgative was to be given, which he calls medicamentum eradicativum, and that muſt be made up of Confec. Hamech, è ſucco roſar, or electuar. diacartham.

The body being thus purged ſufficiently, he applies to the materia conjuncta, which is in the habit of the body, to evacuate that; and if the Diſeaſe have any reſidence in the head, then he commends maſticatories: if in the joints, then cupping with ſcarifications (O egregious) if in the fleſhy parts, then ſweating makes the beſt evacuation: and this he procures either by external or internal means: his external, are Baths, Balnea. Stoves, Ʋnguents, and Emplaſters.

Baths than exſiccate and digeſt without aſtriction may cure by continued uſe for a conſiderable time. Where there is pains and Ulcers; Mercurial Baths he commends: for Ulcers and Scabs; nitrous Baths: but aluminous, for pains of the joints. Stoves, he ſays, may cure a ſlight Pox by their long uſe. Mercurial Emplaſters perform after the ſame manner as Unguents; but more by inſenſible tranſpiration and drying then by ſweat, (ſays our Author) for which purpoſe he appoints this: R. maſſ. emplaſt. de melilot. vel oxycrocei lib. ſs. argent. viv. ℥ij. malaxenter cum terebinth. & ol. laurin. vel irino vel rutac. & reducantur ad formam cerati. which was to be laid upon ſuch parts of the bod as the caſe required.

The Mercurial Unguents for this Diſeaſe he appoints thus: Ʋnguent. R. axung. porci non ſalit. nec liquefact. lib. 1. ol. chamaemel. & irin. ana ℥iij. terebinth. & reſinae ana ℥ij. cerae parum, argent. viv. extinct. in ſucco limon. ℥iij. miſce f. unguent. with this the extream parts, joints, emunctories and Spine were anointed once or twice a day, in a warm room.

But if Ulcers or Puſtuls appear upon the body, then he commends this as moſt proper.Linimentum. R. axung. porci lib. 1. butyri recent. terebinth. lot. in aq. vitae ana ℥ij. reſinae & unguenti ana ℥ • ij. argent. vivi ℥v. thuris, maſtichis iridis ana ʒiij. virid. aeris ʒij. ol. irini & laurini ana ℥iij. lithargiri aur. ℥j. miſce f. linimentum.

But if Herpes and Scabs appear apon the ſuperficies of the body, then he adviſeth to this:Linimentum. R. ſucci lapatii acuti & limon. ana ℥ij. ol. laurin. ℥j. ol. tartar. ℥ſs. unguent. martiat. ℥jſs. argent. vivi, ℥v. ceruſae lot. in aq. vitae ℥j reſinae & terebinth. ana ℥iij. f. linimentum ſ. a. This is to be uſed as the former: and after ſome time ſtrong dryers may be added to the liniment, as Alumen, Sulphur, Chalcitis; but not at firſt, leſt they conſtringing the ſkin do impede ſweating. Unction is to be continued until there be a looſeneſs of the belly, or the breath begins to ſtink; then (ſays he) 'tis a certain ſign the phlegm is inflamed; then give over Unction and change linnen.

Internal Medicines appointed and commended, are decoctions and deſtillations: the decoctions were various; ſome only conſiſted of guajac and Water, to this ſome added purgatives, either Senna, or Agaric, Turbith, Coloquintida, or others; but our Author does not approve of purging and ſweating inredients in one Medicine, being of contrary operations: yet he ſets down this as very efficatious. R. raſur. lig. guajac. lib. 1. cort. ejuſd. ℥iij. agar. ℥j. ſennae orient. lib. 1. aloes quar. j. f. decoctio in lib. vi. aq. bugloſs. & tantundem aq. abſinth. ad conſumptionem quartae partis. Of which ℥iiij. was to be taken Morning and Evening.

He tells you alſo that ſome practiſers give this. R. lig. guajac. lib. 1. rad. helen. beniovini, ſantal. omnium, ſenae orient. ana ℥ij. hermodac. ℥j. colocynth. ʒiij. f. infuſio, deinde decoctio. colatur. adde mellis lib. ij. f. ſyrupus clarif. & aromat. cum ℥ij. cinnam. ad dend. vini lib. ij.

The decoctions of China were then in uſe alſo for the Cure of this Diſeaſe, and were prepared thus.Decoct. Chinae. R. rad. Chinae in taleolas diviſ. ℥ij. aq. fontis lib. 12. infund. per horas 12. & decoq. ad conſumptionem tertiae partis. And this was given Morning and Evening to ſweat, the quantity of ſix Ounces, in bed.

After the ſame manner alſo, the decoction of ſulſaparilla was made and uſed, and no other account our Author gives of that.

The diſtillation commended which is chiefl • for pains of the head, if any remain after the general courſe of Medicines; is this.Deſtillatio p • o dol • r. Capitis. R. Theriac. antiq. lib. ſs. rad. elenii, chynae ana ℥iiij. cyclam. ℥vi. lig. guajac. & cort. ejuſd. macerat. per diem in vino alb. lib. ij. ponantur omnia in vaſe vitreo & deſtillentur, ſ. a. This was to be taken from ℥ij. to ℥iiij. but the times when, and how long to be continued is not ſet down. But in caſe after all this, if the pain ſhould not quite remove and vaniſh; then he adviſeth to this Emplaiſter.Emplaſt. ad idem. R. emplaſt. divini ℥iiij. ungent de vigo ℥iij. euphorb. ℥ſs. argent. vivi ℥ij. malaxentur cum ol. rutaceo & f. emplaſtrum; the head being firſt ſhaved this was to be laid on.

Mercurial ſuffumigations was alſo practiſed then in the Cure of this Diſeaſe,Suffumig. Mercurial. and our Author acknowledgeth himſelf to have uſed them; to take off pains and heal running Ulcers that are difficult, and to haſten conſolidation; and makes mention of a notable Cure he performed upon a Nobleman, who before was under Phyſicians and Chirurgeons for ſix Months at Lions, and could by no means be cured. Rondeletius ſays, he Cured him in four days, by this way of ſuffumigation; but this courſe he ſays, requires a ſtrong body to undergo it, becauſe it is dangerous.

But notwithſtanding he owns this way to be hazardous and fit only for ſtrong and very moiſt bodies; yet he undertakes to preſcribe a way how it may be accommodated ſafely, to the weaker ſort, who in vain have tryed other courſes, and that is this: the body being purged again and again; maſticatories are to be uſed for ſome days, if there be no Ulcer in the mouth; if there be, then errhina are to be put up the noſe; but of what he tells not (and tis no matter) after this the fume is to be uſed Morning and Evening thus;Suffumigandi modus opt. the Patient lying in Bed, the fuming matter is caſt upon hot Coals in a pot at the Bed ſide; from whence a Pipe or hollow inſtrument conveighs the ſmoak into the Bed; and if the Patient cannot endure the ſmoak, he ma lye with his head out, the Cloths being preſſed down cloſe about his neck. The time how long this is to be continued at once, or how often to be repeated is not appointed: only in general, pro viribus agrotantis & morbi contumacia, until ſalivation flow from the mouth.

The matter of theſe fumigations were varied as the caſe required: for allaying of pains this was thought appropriated: R. Cinnabrii ℥j. ſtyracis Calamit. nucis moſchat. ana ℥iij benioini ℥ſs. excipe terebinthina, Suffumig. pro doloribus ſedand. & fiant trochiſci ʒij. One of theſe Troches were caſt upon the coals at a time.

For Ʋlcers this was intended and uſed as moſt proper:Suffumig. ad Ʋlcera. R. Cinnabrii ℥j. beniovini, ſtyracis, myrrhae, olibani, opopanacis, ana ℥ſs. maſticis, macis, thuris, ana ℥ij. excipiantur terebinthina, & fiat ſuffumigium. And our Author ſays, that for Ulcers he added Sandaracha and Auripigmentum, and chiefly when there wer Ulcers of the Lungs, in the Noſe, or other internal parts. And ſometimes he added lapis pyrites, becauſe it dries Ulcers, and mollifies hardneſs; but in all theſe Suffumiges, Cinnabar was one ingredient, and the chief that did the buſineſs: and this was not the native Cinnabar, but factititious, prepared from Mercury or Argent vive and Sulphur. And this is the chief of what is delivered upon this way of Cure by Suffumigation, from Rondeletius, who concludes his practice with a great applauſe of Argent vive, as the beſt Antidote and grand remedy againſt the Pox, quia quomodocun que adminiſtretur, morbum curat; but I am not bound to believe the Traditions of Authors: thoſe whoſe faith is larger than their knowledge, may ſwallow all that is preſented, but the conſequents may be fatal and ſad.

And now I come to ſhew you the Practice of another famous Phyſician in France, that came after Rondeletius almoſt fifty years; from whom we may collect, what improvement was made in that time; what new inventions were found out for the Cure of this Lues; and what eſtabliſhment there was, or continuation of the former courſes of Phyſick.

Quercitan, though an Armenian by birth, yet travelling into France, did ſettle there and practiſe; and being diligent in ſtudy, and laborious in the Chymical preparation of Medicines, his name advanced; whereupon the Colledge of Phyſician at Paris caſt an envious eye upon him, and endeavoured to ſuppreſs and blaſt him, becauſe he did not concur with their old Galenick Doctrine, and jog on in the common beaten road of Practice; but was induſtrious to bring greater repute to the Art of Phyſick by Chymical and more refined preparation of Medicines, which they were altogether ignorant of: yet notwithſtanding their oppoſition and combination to defame and cruſh him, he became great in deſpight of their malicious detractions and plots, and was made one of the Kings Phyſicians (though I would not have you deceive your ſelf, to think that Kings have always the beſt Phyſicians to attend them, though this Profeſſor did well deſerve the preferment.)

Joſeph Quercitani Conſilium. Quercitan in his counſel for a venereal Patient, adviſeth to leave off the vulgar Methods of Phyſick, that began firſt with a Minorative of Caſſia and Rhubarb, or ſuch like, to cleanſe the firſt region of the body; alſo to forbear bleeding, that uſually followed the next day after the Minorative; and to lay aſide the preparative Apozems ex decoc. tormentil. polipod. acetoſ. oxi. lapath. gramin. aſparag. cichor. agrimon. ſcabioſ. chamaedr. lupuli, beton. ſem. card. bened. aniſi: citrii, flor. geniſt. calend. borag. bugloſſ. ſtaechad. &c. in which were diſſolved ſyr. conſervat. citrii, limon. de ſucco acetoſ. de pomis, &c. to prepare, digeſt, and alter the malignant and peccant humour. Alſo inſtead of purgation, which was performed by the Infuſions of Rhubarb, Sennae, Agarici, additis etiam Confecionibus Hamech, Tripher. Perſicae, Electuar. Ind. major, vel minor. &c. adapted to evacuate groſs, viſcous, aduſt, and malign humours, he ſubſtitutes in the room of all this a Guajacine Decoction as followeth.

R. raſ. cordis lig. Ind & raſ. cort. ejuſd. ana ℥iv. ſem. card. bened. ℥ſs. ulmariae M. j. flor. de hyper. p. ij. flor. roſmar. p. iij. ſantal. citrin. ℥ſs. aqua fumar. lupuli ana lib. 4. macerentur per 24 horas ad ignem lentum; Decoct. guajac. ſolut. dein coq. ad unius tertiae conſump. colat. clarificat. adde ſol. Sennae mundat. ℥iij. macerentur denuo ad ignem lentiſſim, per duos integros dies, tandem tranſcolentur per manicam Hippocrat. dulcorentur & aromatizentur cum ſufficienti quant. ſacchar. & cinnam.

He Appoints the Patient to take of this Decoction ℥iij. or ℥iv. in the morning three hours before dinner; and to continue it for fifteen or twenty days at leaſt. After this is done, he comes to the uſe of this ſpecifick Hydrotick, as he calls it.

After this, an Apozem was preſcribed, little differing from the former that was appointed on the 17. of May; and after that was taken, on the 4. of June another Apozem was appointed for four doſes, much what the ſame with that of May the 21. theſe were repeated and uſed to the 15. of June, and then he took theſe Pills. R. pil. Indar. ℈j. pil. de fumar. ℈j. diagrid. gr. i. cum ſyr. de fumoter. f. pil. iij. appointed to be taken after midnight.

Notwithſtanding this long troubleſom courſe of Medicines and repetitions of the ſame, our Author confeſſeth the Patient was not cured. For although the Ulcers did heal, yet they broke out in new places: the malignity was not eradicated with all this tedious doings: Wherefore they were driven to this refuge, that the Patient muſt undergo the Mercurial Unction: and it was ſo reſolved; but firſt he was to take this Potion. R. Confect. hamech ℥j. diſſol. cum ℥iij. decoct. com. addendo ſyr. de fumar. miſce. This was given in the morning, & egregiè purgabatur, ſays the ſtory: and the man muſt be egregiouſly ſtrong too, or elſe he could not hold out.