IT was your Honours pleasure, to ask my judgement concerning Tunbridge-waters, because I oft recom­mend my Patients to them; which in my opinion are not Inferior in Medicinal Virtues to any Spaw of that kind: For by their Effects, which is an Demonstratis à posteriori. after-demonstration; they are impregnated with a Chalcanteous or Vi­triolate Juice; which, with its Sulphureous Particles irritates and moves the Belly to Blackish Excreti­on, and by frequent Drinking thereof, it Blackneth the Tongue, because this member being of a Spongy Substance imbibes some Sooty Sulphureous Minims into its Porosity, occasioning this Tincture.

Through its more subtiler piercing Chalchantous Spirits, it provokes Ʋrine in a plentiful manner.

To these is admixt some Ferrugineous Juice, which con­tains a great deal of the Volatile Salt, which is it that is dissolv'd in the Chalybeat-Wine, now so much in Vogue amongst Physitians.

His Aquis ferrum inesse videtur in principiis solutis unde earum vis Chalybeata intimius Sanguine permiscetur & poten­tius morbis expugnat quam ferrum quocunque demum artificio nobilitatum, Dr. Sydenham. These Waters seem to contain Iron in its unconcrete and seminal Principles, whereupon their Chalybeat Virtue is more intirely mix'd with the Blood, and more [Page 2]powerfully attaques Diseases, then Iron prepar'd to the best ad­vantage can; Dr. Sydenham.

Mars in its self confists chiefly, of Salt, Sulphur, and Earth: It has very little of Spirit and Water, and Particles of the former Elements, especially the Sulphureous and Saline in the mixt are combin'd together with Earth, remain wholly fix'd; but being loosed and divided from each other (as in these Wa­ters) have a very efficacious Energy; Dr. Willis de Chaly­beatis.

In them Galles shaven, or Oake-leaves added; or by pouring to them some infusion of Tea made in Water, they'l become of an Atropurpureous Colour; to which in-Stilling some drops of Spirit of Vitriol, or pouring thereunto some Sherry, becomes clear again and Redintegrats its Pristine Colour. On the Surface of these Waters, there's a Grey-Filme in a Morning; they have a Roughness in the Mouth, with 'em no Arsenical Vapors are intermix'd, but void of all noxious quality, are Limpid and Salutiferous. many do daily receive Benefit by the use of 'em: Wherefore by Syndrome Phaino­menoon. the concurrence of these appearances they have the Characteristick of a good and wholesom Spaw.

As for their Virtues and Properties in Physick, I believe if there be any such Remedy in Being as a Panpharmacon, or Ʋniversal Remedy, 'tis here: For even as Soap put to Foul Linnen with Water, Purgeth and Cleanseth all Filth, and maketh them to become White again; so these Waters with their Saponary and Detersive Quality clean all the whole Microcosm or Body of man from all Feculency and Im­purities. Vid. the first Region by Black Seige; the second by Ʋrine, the third by Transpiration, sending forth from the Center to the Circumference many Sooty and Fetid Effluviums, which in some, colour their Shirt Blackish, [Page 3] Harum enim substantia liquida notannda quantitas per intimos viscerum recessus pre­terfluens, peccantes & in pro­priis cuniculis stagnantes suc­cos egregie everrit morbo­rumque causam averruncet, Materiam tartaream & visco­sam dissoluunt: Hepatis quo­que & renum calidam in tem­periem corrigunt. An observable quantity of this Li­quid Substance, gliding through the Inner Passages of the Bowels, brushes off the Peccant Humours that stagnate in their proper Channels, and root out the Cause and Origen of Dis­eases: The Acidulae also dissolve Tar­tarous and Viscous Matter, and cor­rect the hot Indisposition of Liver and Kidnies: See the Author Fredericus Lossius in Conciliis Medicis.

Wherefore the use of these Waters have deservedly gain'd a great esteem and reputation in Curing many Chronick and Rebellious Diseases, which are accounted the shame of Phy­sitians; for they Cure even to a Miracle, such as are quite given over by Doctors, they may well be nam'd Aquae Vitae, or Waters of Life, because they restore men to Life, and make them live twice: Quia vita priori posse frui est bis vivere. Be­cause to enjoy their former Health is to live again, for Sickness and Neu­trality of Health, as the Greeks say, is but [...], To live without Life; wherefore Non est vivere sed bene valere Vita Martial. Life is not only to live and breath, but also to have perfect Health; and that is got here by Drinking.

Ad has aquas medici postquam aegros magna & sump­tuoso medicamentorum appa­ratu longo tempoae defati­garunt cum vident res sibi ex voto non succedere, miseros relegant; tanquam ad sacram anchoram sunt enim efficacis­simum & potentissimum reme­dium ad profligandos gravis­stmos morbos a Deo concessum, si dextra manu porrigantur quod Poeta exprimit his ver­sibus. Physitians when they have tyr'd their miserable afflicted Patients with tedious and Chargeable courses of Physick (finding all ways else unsuc­cessful) at last send 'em to these Wa­ters, which they lay hold of, as a Sacred Anchor, for they are the most Efficacious and Powerful Remedy [Page 4]against the greatest and most Inve­terate Diseases; by the appointment of Almighty God, provided they are made use of in a due and right manner; which the Poet ex­presses in these words.

But if you take 'em in the left hand, or by the wrong handle, they cause thousands of Diseases, and hasten even death it self. Fredericus Lossius in Conciliis de morbis Hypochondriacis.

Etenim massae Sanguineae Effatae & Languescenti vola­tile quoddam fermentorum, seu calcaria subdit, à quo exci­tantur & quasi eriguntur spi­ritus antea jacentes & suo pon­dere pressi: Sanguinem vigo­rat ejusque vim [...] redintegrant: Nam quoties Chalybeata in chlorosi seu fe­bre alba vel amatoria propi­nantur pulsus de repente ma­jor fit & celeror: Exte­riora corporis incalescunt, fa­cies non amplius pallida & morti concolor, sed vivida cernitur & Sanguine purpu­rata, Fredericus Lossius. Chalybeats Cure not so much by opening Obstructions of the Viscera, as by depressing the Exaltations of Sulphur and fixt Salts, and by Volati­lizing the Blood much Depauperated and made Effete as in Cachectick Bodies: For they communicate a Volatile sort of Ferment; as a Spur to the Effete and Languid Masse of Blood, by which the Spirits that before lay gasping as it were, and press'd down with their own weight, are excited and made more lively; by Invigorating the Blood, and renwing the Ferment; For as soon as Chalybeat [Page 5]Medicines are made use of in the Green-sickness, the Pulse be­comes suddenly greater and quicker: The External parts of the Body grow hot, the Face no longer Pale and Dead-colour'd, but fresh and Purpled with Blood it self.

Betwixt the Ferment of the Stomach and Chalybeats, there's a mutual conflict, as appears by the Nidorolent Bel­ches, and Eructations after taking 'em, as if one had eaten hard Fryed Eggs: In this re-action Chalybeats undergo a dissolution within the Viscera of Concoction, and the active Particles, both Sulphureous and Saline display themselves and mixing with the Nutritive Juice, are carried into the Blood which they Inactuate.

Chalybeat-Waters by their many and divers Seminary Principles with which they are embryonated, are very powerful and efficacious in curing of many and divers Di­seases, tho' they be of a contrary Nature and Disposition; for they serve not only as a Bridle, but also as a Spur: Yet I would not advise them to be drunk indifferently by all Constitutions and Sexes, without the Advice of a Physi­cian, who by his Prudent Conduct and management, weigh­ing all [...] Indications, Contra-indications, and Co-indications according to Dis­cretion, may obviate all Symptoms that may survene, and thereby render them more useful, and effectual; the Pota­tion of Waters thus Circumstantiated, may deserve to be called the most powerful Hand of God; and keep their Reputation untainted: But without this Caution, they may prove a Sword in a Mad-Mans hand, and not at all Auxiliary, but pernicious and hurtful: Hence comes the saying, Pessimum mortis sed op­timam vitae instrumenturs. That Steel is the worst In­strument of Death, and best of Life: Wherefore our Learned and well Ex­perienc'd Doctors now adays abbreviate the tedious and va­rious [Page 6] Theraupeutick method of Physick, and in lieu of it pre­scribe their Patients only a Chalybeat course to satisfie all in­tentions, judging it to be instar omnium, or equivalent to all other prescriptions, Ʋt hujus veluti panacaee usus caetera possit excusare Medicamenta. and as a Lear­ned Physitian was wont to say, As true as Steel.

The Sanative Virtues and Energies of those Waters are beyond any Polypharmacon prescription imaginable, being very prevalent against frequent Giddiness and Scotomia, Passions of the Heart, and Fainting of Spirits, with a fear and dread as it were of present Death. In Hypochondriacal and Hysterick Fits, by supressing the Anathymiasis of ill Va­pours, and hindering Damps to exhale to the Head and Heart, no Remedy more effectual. In Scurvy which is an Endemick Disease, it is an Appropriate and Specifick Re­medy, by correcting the deprav'd Ferments and Dulcifying the Blood: In Hemorrhagies taken with Advice, it is of great strength and force: In both Obstructions and over­flowing of the Terms also, an excellent Remedy: Its good against all Obstructions of Liver, Spleen, and Mesentery; Leucophlegmatia, Febris Alba, Seu Amatoria, or Green­sickness, Stone, Gravel: Nay, it Cures Hydrophobia, or the Disease call'd the Fear of Water, commonly contracted by the Bite of a Mad-Dog methodically Drank.

Moreover these Waters are endowed with an admirable and Powerful Faculty in rendring those who Drink of them Fruitful and Prolifick; by reason of their Spirituous Ferment they Enliven, Invigorat and Actuate the whole Masse of Blood, the nobler parts of the Body and Spirits thereof. Likewise reduce them from a Saline or Sulphureous Dyscrasie, and sometimes from both, to a sweet Balsamick, Spirituous, and Sanguineous Temperament, Actiones sequuntur tem­peramentum corporis. which naturally incites and inspires men and [Page 7]Women to Amorous Emotions and Titillations, being previous Dispositions, enabling them to Procreation: This may be the Aitiology of this product in some sense.

Venus comes from the Salt Sea through many Crannies, Interstices, Pores of the Earth, and dangerous Precipices foaming to meet her beloved Mars in the Bowels of the Earth: whom she no sooner embraces, but she is Impreg­nated and big with a Valliant Hero, in the Bed of Honour with no insipid delight: From thence soon after this Con­gression, she rises Tryumphing in our Hemisphere at Tun­bridge, generously imparting and distributing this Impreg­native Faculty to her Votaries, Omne bonum sui communita­tivum. in or­der to preserve and perpetuate Man­kind.

So Passionate was he for a married Venus: To these Lines I may annex a Poetical Hypothesis, de aquis Chalibeatis, or Chalibeat-waters made by a Learned and Ingenious Man, alluding to the preceding Discourse.

Notwithstanding all these Encomiums of the Waters, yet some are of opinion they are not proper in some kind of Maladies: As in a Rheumatism, nor in Hectick Feavers, or Consumptions: First, by reason of the ill success they are wont to have in using these Waters. Secondly, Because in them the parts are much weak'ned, and Nature cannot throw off the Glut of Waters sent into the Blood: In Rheumatick Persons the Nervous Juice degenerates from its Crasis, and inclines to a sharpish Nature, and is wont to be perverted by the fluid Salts of the Spaw-Waters: As Doctor Willis well observes, As for Hecticks, they are com­monly of a fine texture of Body, much Distempered with Heat, Driness, and Costiveness; all which Symptoms are rather increased by Chalybeats, than abated: Wherefore the Learned Dr. Willis in his Chapter of Chalybeats, says, That Steel is not proper in very Hot and Spiritous Blood, nor where the the Bowels are of a hot Temperament: Neither are these Waters good, but rather hurtful to those who are in perfect Health, according to Hippocrates sentiment; who says, Medicamenta non conveniunt sanis: Medicaments are not convenient for Sound and Healthy Persons. Moreover, they are Judged not proper for Women with Child: Because whatever provokes Ʋrine, as these Waters do, provokes also the Terms, and whatever provokes 'em in Women, causes Miscarriage; therefore not fit for them in this cir­cumstance.

Old and Antient Persons are not to be too bold in drin­king these Waters, because their Ferments and Natural [Page 10]Faculties are much debilitated by decay of Nature, and not sufficient to exert their Function in distributing these Waters, which if remaining in their Body, and being not carried off, Suffocates the Vital Flames of the Heart and Arteries: Wine therefore for 'em is most convenient. Deus enim Vinum hominibus quasi auxilium adversus se­nectutis austeritatem pharma cum largitus est, ut revivis­cere videantur, & maestitiae oblivio capiat: at (que) ipse ani­mi habitus mollise duro factus ut ferrum Igni impositum, tractabilior fiat unde Vinum a non nullis lac senum nomi­natur. Lossius. For God has given Wine as a Physick-help against the Moross Austerity of Age, that by the moderate use thereof, Old Men may in a manner renew their Lives, and forget their Aches; even the habit of the Mind from a hard­ned condition, is become soft; as Iron by the help of Fire is made more tractable; where­upon Wine is call'd, Lac senum, the Old Mans Milk.

The method which is to be observed in drinking these Waters, is as followeth: First, To drink for three or four days every Morning, Epsom or North-Hall Waters, to Purge the Body and prepare it in order to Tunbridge: For unless the first passages are cleansed, Medicines designed for any other use, will be depraved by the filth residing in them. These Purging-Waters may be drunk to three or four Pints, either raw or boyl'd, and altered with Milk. This being done, drink of Tunbridge, walking gently to the Fountain-Head. Nam dulcius & utilius ex Fonte bibuntur: delatae enim ex propriis Fontibus fieri non potest quin amittant vivificos illos Spiritus inquo (que) omnis vivamenti vis consistit, quos nullo postea labore restitui po­test Bacchius de thermis. For Waters are more pleasant and profitable ta­ken at the Fountain-Head: Whence once removed, they lose their Vivific Spirits, in which all Virtue does re­side: which afterward no diligence can recover.

For being impregnated with a Spiritous and volatile Ex­halations, they easily lose their Virtue by the Avolation of [Page 11] Fugitive Parts being carried at a distance: That they are embodied with such subtile parts, you may experience it sensibly by putting a Bottle half full of them, about Sun­rising to your eyes; and from thence you'll perceive such Emanation of Efluviums to come Analogous to those of Orange-peel when squeez'd, as will stimulate and irritate the tender Tunicles of your Eyes: This I have by Tradition from a Physician, who for many years frequen­ted Tunbrige, and made great scrutiny into the Nature and Idiosyncrasia of these Waters; yet this I know, that Chalybeat-waters in long deportation; or being some space of time out of the Fountain, will not tinge with Galls or Oaken leaves, at least not so intense as before: whence I deduce that, in carriage to some distance, or being long our of the Fountain, they are dive­sted of their Martial, and conse­quently Medicinal Power. Ʋnum quod (que) quo magis elongatur a principio eò ma­gis languescit.

They are to be drunk gradually, and with leasure, not in great draughts, with little or no intermission, because they are chiefly prescrib'd to purifie and keep in its due Crasis the Blood and Nervous Juice, to open Obstructions, and strengthen the Tone of the Nervous Plexus: Now this they effect, by insinuating Subtile and Active Particles of different State and Origine, into the Morbifick Minera, conquering and subduing Saline and Irritative Particles residing in the Blood, and carrying some forth as Priso­ners, by Ʋrine. [...] This Mutual Con­test betwixt the Combatants of Cha­lybeats and their Antagonist, cannot be expected to be at an end in haste, or in short space of time, but after ma­ny Attacks and several Collisions, and as I may say, bro­ken Pates: But precipitate drinking destroys all these in­tentions, and leaves no time for alteration, assimulation, [Page 12]or Mortification of Particles of diffe­rent Nature and Figure; Where­fore it's better to [...] Festina lente Hippes, omne nimium Naturae inimicum quod vero paulatim fit, tutum est pre­sertim si ab uno ad aliud pro­grediatur. hasten slowly, and drink 'em leasurely, with due inter­vals.

Moreover, great draughts are ge­nerally held Pernicious, Destructive, and rather oppres­sing than alleviating Nature: And considering these Wa­ters are not Virtuated so much by their quantity as quality inherent in them, the Body participates more of the latter frequently drinking a little, than by powering in, a vast and stupendious quantity at one time, like Tricongius Me­diolanensis, who drunk three Gallons at one draught, and from thence took his Name.

The compass of time wherein the Waters are usually drunk, is an hour, or an hour and a half, walking be­twixt whiles moderately, Ad Ruborem, sed non ad Sudorem. till you look red, but not sweat, least you divert 'em from the Ʋrinary passage to the Periphery of the Body, (for the same matter goeth by Sweat as by Ʋrine) and cause too great an Effervescency in the Blood.

The measure of time to continue the drinking of these Waters for good effect, is commonly a Month, or six Weeks: But by the Authority of Claudinus, and many other Doctors, we may continue a Steel course for the space of a Year: Why not a Fortiori, or much more, the use of these Waters with as much safety and benefit, they being the most perfect course of Steel; because here the Elements of Steel are in un-concrete and seminal Principles, and display themselves, as (I before mentioned out of Dr. Sydenham.) Supposing in this Administation, there be respect had to the Patients strength, Disease, Euphory, [Page 13]or well-bearing; Temperament of the Air, and other Circumstances.

They are to be taken, gradually increasing and lessen­ing; the Dose at the beginning, and before their end of the whole space of time appointed for the taking of them. As in reference to the number of Glasses. In my Judge­ment, you may make it either odd or even: Tho' some Phylosophers who are of Opinion, that all things are com­posed of number, prefer the odd before the other, and attribute to it a great Efficacy and Perfection, especially in matters of Physick: Wherefore it is that many Doctors prescribe always an odd Pill, an odd Draught or Drop to be taken by their Patients. For the perfection thereof, they alledge these following Numbers. As Seven Planets, Seven Wonders of the World; Numero Deus impore gaudet.Nine Muses; God is Three and One, with many other Examples, which for brevity I supersede; and let them abound in their own Sense.

If there fall Rain, then the Waters are not seasonable, because they'l be too much diluted and weak'ned; but a little wet does no harm, but rather good, because it washes the Salt in the Crannies and Interstices of the Earth into the Fountain and more intensly impreg­nates them. Virtue unita fortior se ipsa dispersa.

To correct the Crudities and Rawness of the Waters, and to acelerate their passing: Carroway Confects, and such like Candied Seeds masticated, are very good, and much commended, taken betwixt whiles: Likewise a Glass of small White Wine is a pro­per Vehicle; and for all those who are innur'd to Tobbacco Nulla salutifero praestantior herba Tobacco. Interpone tuis interdum poca­la fumis. nothing bet­ter than a Pipe of it for this effect, [Page 14]taken btwixt whiles. To those to whom it's offensive ta­ken alone, may add thereunto some Tea leaves or Catechu, to qualifie the ingratefulness thereof, and render it in-of­fensive taken Pipe-wise. This warms the Stomach with­out mixing any Heterogeneous Body with the Waters, that may obstruct their distribution and passing, for it rarefies the Pores and Meatus in order thereunto.

It's observed that in some, the Waters being drunk at the Fountain Head; either by the inclemency of the Weather, or indisposition of the Patient, will not easily pass, but remain too long in the Body, to their great pre­judice and detriment: To these Persons my advice is, to drink 'em in their warm Bed, without sleeping, (which hin­ders all Evacuation) for as I said before, the gentle heat of Bed dilates the passage, and consequently the distribu­tion of the VVaters is much facilitated.

The Regimen which is observed in Eating and Drinking at those VVaters, is as followeth. First, Eschew all gross and obstructive Meats, as Pork, Beef, Duck, Pudding, Sawsages, all Fry'd Victuals, as Eggs, Collops of Bacon, most sorts of Fish, and Sallets: All Souced and Pickled Meats, as Anchovy, Cucumbers, &c. refrain from Milk, and all Milk-Meats: Eat no Roots, or any sort of Fruit, let your Meat be of easy Digestion and Nutritive, as the Greeks say, [...]. Keep no days of Fast or Abstinance during this time, if I may advise you as a Phy­sician, and not as a Casuist, lest I encroach upon anothers Province, tractent fabrilia fabri, every one in his own Sphere.

Fast three or four hours after the waters, and if at Din­ner you have an esurine Appetite, take care not to eat too much, because the quantity of waters you drunk, has re­lax'd and distended your Stomach, therefore little eating [Page 15]is best according to the Latine Proverb, qui multum edere optat parum commedat, he that desires to eat much, must eat little: Avoid variety of Meats, but if you indulge your self to several sorts, let the easier of digestion pre­cede the grosser, and not be Post-poned as the Greeks ad­vise us, [...].

Let your Drink be clear, well fermented, not stale, nor sower, not thick, nor muddy, not heating, nor cooling, but temperate; all Ale is prohibited, because thick and muddy.—

Begin your Meals with a Glass of White Wine; Incipe cum Liquido: ficco si­nire memento Schola salerni­tana. Ʋt vites paenam de potibu [...] incipe caenam. I recommend Aniou Wine beyond others, because it's small, clear, light, very diuretick, and of a singular virtue against the Stone or Gravel, and all Obstructions of the Mesentery: Yet tho' you begin with Liquids, nevertheless be advised to conclude with Solids: by this means you first wash and fortifie your Stomach, and at last close the Orifice thereof, that no Fumes or Vapours arise to disturb your Head: The French, who are esteemed a Wise Nation, are always observed boucher la Bottle, to stop the Bottle, least nothing exhale; so likewise they close their Stomach with some Desair or Sweet-Meat after, eating for the same intent.

All Excesses and Debauchery with late sitting up at Nights, is pernicious and destructive during this time, for [Page 16]many reasons which I here omit, because every one may experience it easily in himself, after such Nocturnal Locu­bration; therefore, bibas ut vivas, sed non vivas ut bibas: drink to live, but not live to drink.

To change your Linnen often will be convenient, if not necessary while you drink these VVaters, because many Sooty fetid Sulphureous Steems come from 'em, which render your Shirt black, and some other Particles obstruct the Pores of your Body, and make them impervious, and hinder insensible transpiration; which is an evacuation far greater and more considerable, than any manifest or sensible one, either by Seige or Ʋrine, according to Sancto­rius de Sanctorio in his Medicina Statica.

During the time you drink these Waters, it's necessary to take some gentle Medicine every fourth or fifth Night going to Bed, or in a Morning early, drinking these Wa­ters thereupon after the Physick hath begun to work.—Here Aloetick Medicine is held offensive, by reason it con­sists of Acrimonious and Lixivial parts, apt to heat and corrode the Viscera: But this is easily solv'd, if to the Aloe­tick Physick you mix some Resinous or Balsamick Substance which may lenifie, mitigate hebetat and obtunde the fiery Alkaly's of Aloes: And with this correction, or preparation, it is not only rendred less hurtful, but particularly an ap­propriat Medicine to be taken with these Waters: My usual Pill is ♃ Massae Pilul Ruffi ℈i. resinae Jalap gr. iij. Balsam peru q. s. f. Pilulae iij. sumendae hora somni, super­bibenao mane aquas predictas ad lbiiij. plus minusue: Many Doctors give Diacassia cum Manna to an Ounce over-night, which is a good Eccoprotick, fit for all Ages and Constitu­tions, and leave no ill Diathesis in the Viscera: Another rare Eccoprotick and Ecphractick Remedy is highly commended with these Waters, which is Tin­ctura [Page 17]Cathartica, an Ounce of which, or an Ounce and a half given in the first Glass Purgeth cito tutò jucunde, soon, safe, and pleasantly: For no violent Catharticks are proper with these Waters, for fear of agitating and irritating Nature too much, and making an ill impression on the Blood and Viscera: I know some, who in lieu of Physick will take in the first Glass to Purge them, a spoonful of common Salt with very good success, but this Remedy is not proper for all Constitutions.

Those who are obnoxious to Stone or Gravel, and fre­quent these Waters: My advice is, that the Night prece­dent drinking 'em, they take an emollient Glister, and in the Morning an hour or two before the Waters, to swallow four or five Pills of Venice or Chios Turpenthine.

Likewise in the first Glass to take an Ounce of Syrup of Marsh-Mallows; or let them take the bigness of a Bean of Lucatellus Balsom or Turpenthine Pills, especially if there be any Excoriation in the Kidneys or Bladder, every Night going to Bed. with an Ounce of the said Syrup in the first Glass every Morning, and an Emollient Glister every third, or fourth Night; because by these means the pas­sages are lubricated, and the distribution of the Waters rendred more easy.

Hypochondriacal Persons may take in the first Glass a spoonful or two of the Syrup of Steel, or a Dram of Cre­mor Tartar in Powder; and so likewise in all other Di­stempers, to mix Specificks with Chalybeats, is the Opinion of Dr. Willis, de morbis Hypochondriacis, and many other Learned Physicians, for in so doing, they associate their Operation against the Malady.

Now as to the Animi pathemata, or Passions of the Mind: Those who drink these Waters, must be Facetious, Merry, Cheerful, Gay, Jovial, free from Melancholly, [Page 18]Jealosy, Suspicion, Discontent, Pee­vishness, &c. Edaces animi curae solici utdines, tristitiae maerores at (que) ejus generis & farinae alia ani­mi pathemata abigenda. because such Passions as these corrode both Soul and Body: impede the benefit they may reap by the Waters; nay in lieu of Health, they may catch their Death; so great is the Sympathy betwixt Body and Soul in their disorder.

[...]: Non Sine animo corpus nec sine corpore animus bene valere potest: The Mind without the Body, nor the Body without the Mind cannot be well.— What a Catastrophe have Passions of the Mind with fear and apprehension of Death? (which of all terrible things is the most terrible) made in condemn'd Persons Bodys in few days; insomuch that those who were before Condemnation, Young, Vigorous, Intrepid, Magnanimous, &c. were afterwards Metamorphoz'd in­to Old, Effete, Pusilanimous, Decay'd Bodys with Gray Hair and Hippocratical Faces, which is the Vissage of a Dying Man, after being wasted away with long Sickness. We experimentally see that Women impart their Marks of fancy, even to the Child they carry in their Womb: It's observ'd that Physicians prepossess their Patients with hopes of Cure, to the end that the effect of Imagination may supply the defect of their Physick: A Doctor being asked the Question, why he could not cure his Mother in Law, as well as his Father? He wittily reply'd, That his Mother in Law, had not the same confidence, or rather fancy for him, as his Father had, otherwise the Cure would be ef­fected: So great you see is the Influence of the Fancy, or Imagitation on the Body of Man.

Likewise the effects of the Body are Communicated to the Mind: You see for Example, Valiant Heroick Mag­nanimous Souls by change of Tempreament of Body ei­ther [Page 19]ther by Disease or Old Age, become Timorous, Suspici­ous, Pusillanimous, Cowards. [Omnia tuta timent,] more like Statues than Men, of these Hippocrates says, Vidi mortuos ambulantes: I have seen dead Men walk, their Body is a Sepulcher to their Soul, and as the Greeks say, [...] which is, the Body is become [...] a Sepulcher: Cor­pus quod corrumpitur aggravat animam; a decay'd and cor­rupting Body is a Load and Burden to the Soul, and by its Impurities and Feculency is infected: In ficitur Terrae sor­dibus unda fluens.

Animus. Ad nullum consurgit opus

Wherefore the way to have mens sana [...]in corpore sano, or to be every way sound, is to leave pinching cares behind when you come to Tunbridge: Expatiat your Mind, and harken sometimes to the Charming Musick you have here, the choicest and best can be had: It's an Antidote against the Spleen.

For Melody gently soothing Nature, disposes and directs the Spirits into a Dancing, and observing regular motions: You see Musick by its Influence, forces sound and sober Men even against their own wills, or thinking of other things, to actions emulating the Tune heard: Willis de Convulsione à Tarantula.

[Page 20] Physicians, whom Almighty God has Created for the necessity, and use of Man-kind, and commands us to Honour, Ecclesiasticus cap. XXXVIII. vers. 1. & 2. [...] are here many Able, Worthy, and Eminent of that Pro­fession, who by their diligent Scrutiny into the Recesses of Nature, are come of late years to great Perfection and Knowledge of Physick here in England, far excelling those of former Ages, wherein Physick laboured under a dying Hippocratical Face; and in Cimerian Darkness: These Doctors are in this place ready to assist with their Learned Prescription and Wholsom Advice, according to the exigency of every one, in order to their Health, and Methodically drinking the Waters. — Many Learned Di­vines and Spiritual Guides are not here wanting, whom you may freely consult and make choice of according to your Inclination, in order to the good and safety of your Soul.

The Air, which to the Preservation of Man's Life, nothing's more necessary, as Phylosophers all agree, (and the derivation of the very word Air, from the Greek word [...] Spiro denotes the same, being Compos'd of two Vowels, Alpha and Omega, as Principium & finis Vitae, which is the beginning and end of Mans Life;) is here Clear, Serene, Lucid, void of any stinking Mephitis or Damps arising from Boggs or Fens, which may occasion Epidemical Distempers in the Blood, but to the contrary, the whole Ambient of the Horizon is fill'd with an inexhau­stable Series of Odoriferous and Fragrant Effluviums, in­cessantly exhaling from sweet scented Herbs and Plants that grow in these parts. The Air thus embodied, we perpe­tually inspire, which arise, and Analogically speaking, Spiritualize our Minds far beyond all Exotick either Natu­ral or Artificial Perfumes.

Moreover, at Tunbridge you find conference with Emi­nent and Famous Wits, which is the most Fruitful and Natural Exercise of the Mind; the use of which is more sweet than any other action of our Life: The Study of Books is a Languishing and Feeble motion in respect of it: For what is delivered Viva Voce, with a Lively Voice, makes a deeper Impression in the Mind, and consequently more advantagious than Reading: Sic variis animum studiis Tun­brigia mulcet ut vix absen­tes possis lugere Penates. Much more may be said of the vari­ous and manisold Benefits and Com­forts [Page 22]you may receive at Tunbridge, which I now super­sede, hoping these I mentioned, are Allurements strong enough to invite, if not a Magnetism to draw Men thither.

It's rare to Write any thing to that perfection, as to rescind the occasion of all objections from Cavillers: Wherefore what I have said of the Virtues of these Waters, would not be sufficient if I do not obviate also such Ob­jections as may raise Scruples in the minds of these who make use of them.

The First Objection is, That many soon after drinking of these Waters, died; and that others by the use of them, receive no benefit: Whence they infer these Waters to be Improper, Noxious, Lethiferous, and not fit to be drunk by Men.

As for the first Objection, I confess one may die soon after taking Waters, and so may he after taking any thing else: Not that the Waters duly prescribed, are occasion of Death, but through Irregularity, Disorder, or neglect of something that was to be done in order to the taking of them, Death may ensue; Nay Men may die immediately or soon after taking things indifferent in themselves, and void of any Medicinal or Alterative quality, as for example, after eating Bread and Butter, or drinking a Glass of Wine: It doth not therefore follow that this last thing they eat or drunk cause their Bane, and that no Man ought to eat or drink any more of this kind of Food.

Secondly, Some of those who drink Waters, may have a Malady of Cacoethes Nature, or of such a contumacy [Page 23]and so far radicated, that it illudes all Energie of Chalybeats or any sort of Physick. Non est in Medico semper, releuetur ut aeger nam Doctâ interdum plus valet orte malum ovidius. It does not follow therefore that this Martial Remedy is ineffectual in its self in order to cure other Maladies of a different Nature; by reason of the impregnable habit and rooting of some incurable Distempers: Non defa­manda praesidia quae aliis profuere Celsus. Remedies which have done others good, are not to be undervalued; Actiones activorum sunt in subjecto disposito. they exert their Operation according to the dispo­siton of the subject on which they work: The Sun for example with the same heat melts the Wax and hardens the Clay, Limus ut hic durescit & haec ut cera liquescit uno eodem (que) igne.— Virgilius, and by this reason that which is one Mans Meat, may prove anothers Poyson. So like­wise these Waters, if used with a Physicians Advice, and due consideration, prove Effectual and Salubrious: But taken without it, and by an indispos'd or unprepar'd Bo­dies, may be Noxious and sometimes Morti-ferous: Wherefore, since all things do not agree with all Per­sons; nay, nor the same thing always, or a long time with the same person, therefore the careful Observation and daily Advice of a Prudent Physician is here necessary, that by Indications taken from things that do good or hurt, the Method of Cure may be rightly ordered, and now and then changed. Willis, Capite de colico.

These Waters kill and expel all manner of Worms, in­gendered either in the Stomach, Intestines, Matrix, or in any other part of the Body.—Ryetius, in his Observa­tions of the Spaw-Waters, makes mention of a Woman, who laboured a long time with a Chronicki Distemper under the Doctors hands, without receiving any benefit [Page 24]by all their Prescriptions and Physick that she had taken; was at last advised to Chalybeat-Waters, and by drinkig of them with Method and Continuance, avoided seve­ral Worms of divers Shapes, Figure, and Longitude, and was perfectly Cured.

They are a Polychrest Remedy, serving for many uses and intentions; they both Loosen and Bind; Cool and make Hot; Dry and Moisten: Cure Distempers of divers State and Origen, nay, of contrary Natures and Disposi­tions, (as I said before.) Certainly a perfect Knowledge of their Idiosyncrasia and Properties wou'd reduce Physick to a narrower compass, and to Prescribe well the Stadium Chalybeatum, or Chalybeat course wou'd make the Study­ing of so many Volums of the parts of Physick unncessary, for by the help of these Waters, we prolong Mans life by a more facil and easier means than has hitherto been known, Veritas ex puteo exathlanda. Truth must be drawn out of a Well.

[Page 25]Ecce quam sint Naturae Omnipotentis Dei, prudentia & potestate ductae, admiranda opera quae Aquae istius limpidae at purae beneficio tot, tam (que) inter se contrarios morbos curat, id quod ars Medica sine Corporis noxä prestare ne­quit.— Ryetius in his Observations de Aquis Spadanis.

Behold the Wonderful Works of Nature, guided by the Prudence and Power of the Almighty God, that by the help of a limpid and clear Water, she cures manifold, nay con­trary and opposit Maladies, which the Art of Physick without great detriment to the Body, cannot do.

To accelerate and promote the passing of these Waters by Ʋrine, Ryetius advises some Drops of Spirit of Vitrol to be Instill'd into their Glasses of Water, for Acids being endowed with a Diuretick and Penetrative Faculty de­pose the Serum, and conveys it to the Reins, to be sent forth by the Ʋreters.

To promote Evacuation by Seige, he adviseth to mix some common Salt in Powder with the Waters, and a Dram to every Pint, more or less, proportionating the quantity to the bearing of the Patient. This gently expels the loose matter contain'd in the Ventricle and Intestines, Purgeth Viscous Phlegm adhering to their Tunicles and Bi­lous Humours from the Pancreatick passages: But it's not to be taken indifferently by all Persons.

Thus much for Chalybeats, to comply with Your Honours Solicitations, hoping this rude Essay upon a Baren Sub­ject, may be cultivated by other Phylosophers and Physi­cians better qualified to the benefit and advantage of Man­kind, especially to Your Honours Satisfaction and Well­fare; whom Almighty God the Everlasting Fountain and Source of Living Waters, preserve with long Life and Health in this World, and grant immarcescible Lawrels in that which is to come; which is the earnest and unfained desire of,