CHAP. I. A Summary Account of the Pox. Its Names. Which most proper. French Pox and Lues Venerea dis­allow'd. Aloys. Luisinas noted. Anti-venereal Medicaments what. The Pox not an Epidemic Disease, against Leonicenus, Fracastorius and Massa. Not a New and Ex­traordinary Disease. Shown to be Sporadic here, and Endemial in the W. Indies.

THis Calamitous Disease has many Names, some whereof we pass by, as being phantastic [Page 2]and affected; or barbarous and blasphemous. The most apt Names are Morbus Indicus, Hispanicus vel Neapolitanus: but the most usual is the French Pox. For most Nations in Europe commonly use that Ap­pellation. And Leo Africanus (De­scrip. Afric. lib. 1.) assures us, 'tis so called in many parts of Africa, as at Tunis in Barbary, and in Ae­gypt, as also in Syria in Asia: & that the Mahometans usual. Imprecati­on is, Te Morbus malè perdat Galli­cus. But methinks, 'tis pity to affix the Title on the French and rob the Italians of that Honour; because 'twas first brought from the Indies by Columbus an Italian, and at Na­ples first shew'd it self to Christen­dome, and at this day is more com­mon in Italy than in any other Country in Europe, as is generally attested by Italian Physicians them­selves. But especially because some Italians seem to glory in it. Hier­Mercurialis [Page 3]an Italian Physician (cap. 2. de Morbo Gallico) sayes, Ideo laus est Italorum ut abundent hoe morbo, quia indulgent Veneri & utuntur passim mulieribus infectis, ut non mirum sit esse peculiarem morbum nostrarum plagarum. And they tell us, That since the Pox has been so familiar with them, it has done them a double Kindness; for,

1. It has in good part freed them from the Plague, for since the Pox came among them, they are seldom troubled with the Test, whereas in former Ages 'twas far more fierce and frequent than it has been since.

2. They observe that since they had the Pox, the Leprosy has almost left them, so that now eve­ry Lazaretto in Italy is filled with Neapolitans.

Some others in complement to the French forbear the Vulgar Name, and call it Lues Venerea. But though their Civility deserves Commenda­tion, [Page 4]yet this Denomination can­not be allow'd. For Lues, as Isi­dorus observes (Orig. lib. 4. cap. 6.) is the Plague or a Pestilential and Epidemic Disease. And as Festus sayes, Lues est diluens usque ad nihil, tractum à Graeco [...]. So in the judgment of all who under­stand the Propriety of Words, Lues denotes an Epidemic or Pestilential Disease, proceeding from a Com­mon Cause, and killing the greater part of those who receive Infecti­on. But the Pox is not an Epide­mic but Sporadic Disease; 'tis not received from any common Infe­ction in the Air, but by Contact of infected Bodies. Again, Lues, or the Pest, destroyes the greater part of the Infected: but most of those who have the Pox live, and may be cur'd. And lastly, Lues is an Acute Disease, but the Pox is Chro­nic. 2. Nor can it properly be term'd Venerea. For that signifies [Page 5]a Disease received by the use of Venery. But this Disease is not al­wayes got by Venus: for Children get it by sucking Infectious Nur­ses; and Nurses often receive it from infected Infants. And most Physicians tell us 'tis to be got by profuse kissing of women who have Pockie Ʋlcers in their Mouths: as also by lying in the sheets wherein Neapolitans have sweat. That therefore's an unsufferable Capri­chio in Aloysius Luisinus, who calls his Collection of Authors who have writ of the Pox [...], as if [...] or Venus and the Pox were one and the same Identic thing. I wish Dr. H. would consider the Title of his Book, Ve­nus unmaskt. Those also fall into the same Errour, who call their Medicines against the Pox Anti-ve­nereal Remedies. For an Antivene­real Medicine, according to the true import of the word, is that [Page 6]which is given to luxurious persons to repress the furious desires of Ve­nus: as those Aque Castitatis so often mentioned in Authors, but especially when they treat of Furor Ʋterinus. Also Anti-venereal may signify those Magic Compositions used by Sorcerers to disable marry'd Persons from Venus.

Physicians differ about the Origin of the Pox: for, 1. Some hold it to be an Epidemic Disease, and by consequence to proceed from a Common cause: and of this Opini­on is Leonicenus, Fracastorius, Nic. Massa and some others. But yet these men differ about this Common Cause; for some hold it to be a ma­lign Influence deriv'd from a Con­junction of Saturn, Mars and Ve­nus, &c. And this is the Opinion of Massa in his Book of the Pox. But Leonicenus will have it to be a great Inundation of Tyber in P. A­lexanders time, which drowned the [Page 7]greatest part of Rome, and corrupt­ed the Air: from whence he ima­gines the Pox to have had its first Beginning. And this he endea­vours to confirm by telling us, that in P. Pelagius's time Tyber over­flow'd his banks, and upon that Inundation presently ensu'd the Pest and a strange ill-natur'd Scab or Manginess, which the Physicians of that age could not cure. And he sayes the like happen'd in P. Bo­nif. 4th's dayes also.

Here two things are to be re­marqu'd: 1. That 'tis probable the Favourers of this Opinion first cal­led the Pox Lues Ven. supposing it a General Epidemic Disease proceed­ing from a Common Cause. 2. That these men were of opinion it would in time senescere, decay, and be quite antiquated, as other Epidemic Di­stempers are.

But the Reasons offered by Fra­cast. and his Partizans have not at [Page 8]all satisfy'd the world, or convin­ced us that 'tis Epidemic, or, that it will in future Ages abandon these parts of the World. For, 1. We have no Reason to believe it Epidemic, or, to proceed from a Common Cause, as the pernicious Influence of Stars, or Corruption of Air; because Diseases proceed­ing from such Causes never conti­nue long, but when the bad Influ­ence is at an End, and the Air freed from that adventitious venemous quality, they end also: But the Pox has continued some Ages, and with as much fierceness as ever. Nor, 2. have we any Grounds to believe (as some endeavour to per­swade us) that the Pox does de­cline, and by degrees abate of its former Fury: for our daily Obser­vation tells us the contrary, and that 'tis to the full as fierce and formida­ble as ever.

2. Some others affirm the Pox to [Page 9]be a New and Extraordinary Dis­ease, sent by Heaven as a punish­ment to the extravagant Lusts of Mankind. And these men are so far from believing as the others, viz. That it does decline and abate of its former fury, and will in time abandon these parts, that on the contrary they think it advanced to a higher Degree of Malignity, and attended with crueller Symptoms than 'twas in the beginning. Ru­dius not only thinks it will conti­nue to the end of the world, but fears that in a matter of 80 years 'twill infect all Mankind. Et for­sitan, quod Deus avertat, 80. aut pau­lo plurium annorum spacio omnem hu­manam progeniem invasura. (de Morb. occ. & ven. lib. 5. cap. 11.) And a certain London Physician has asserted that all this Nation has a Touch of the Pox and Scurvy.

3. The Third Opinion is of those wo affirm the Pox with us to [Page 10]be a Sporadic Disease receiv'd only by contact of infectious bodies: but in some part of the West Indies 'tis Topic and Endemial engender'd by bad diet, bad water and un­wholesom Air, as the Leprosy in Egypt, Great Spleens and the Scur­vy in Holland. This Opinion of all others seems truest, as I have fully demonstrated in my Treatise of the Pox. The first Opinion is already confuted, the Second is also false: for the Pox is not a New and Ex­traordinary Disease sent by Divine Justice; for 'twas brought into Christendome from the West Indies by Columbus and the Spaniards, and propagated by Contagion and In­fection, as is notoriously known and attested by all. Nor is it now more fierce than 'twas in the begin­ning, but continues still the very same. The Ground of this Mis­take I conceive to be this: These men did not take a full and com­prehensive [Page 11]view of the Pox, as 'tis in the several parts of the World, but only consider'd it as it now shows it self in some Northern cold Country. For the Pox does notably differ according to the temper and quality of the Country. In the Torrid Zone 'tis mild and gentle, so also in Barbary, Egypt, and among the Asiatique Turks 'tis not outra­gious. But in Spain and Italy 'tis more cruel. So the farther North­ward you go, the more fierce you'l find it: for in Germany, Holland and Great-Britain it handles the Patient more roughly than in Italy, Spain or France. And the Danes, the Swedes and the Russians will in­form you that it deals more rudely with them than with us or the Hollander. The Disease in it self without doubt is just as it was in the beginnnig, but if the Hollander finds his Pox not accompanied with such mild Symptoms as the Spanish [Page 12]or Italian Physicians mention, let him not think there's any Alterati­on made in the Disease; but let him impute it wholly to the diffe­rence of Climates, and to the cold, foggy Air of that humid Region. In like manner those who embrace the first opinion, viz. that it does decline and abate of its former fury, ought to consider, that now Phy­sicians have found out an Expedite Way to cure it, and abate its Sym­ptoms; but at first they had no certain Remedies, but let it run on to its height. And, besides, the French Army before Naples feeding upon unwholesome diet, the Infe­ction met with Bodies full of ill hu­mours and strangely disorder'd: All which might encrease the Disease, and raise its malignity to an higher degree in that Army at that time, than 'twas in other places where their Bodies were not so dis­pos'd. So that still the Disease is [Page 13]the same, and as furious as ever: but now 'tis checkt and kept under, and formerly 'twas not.

CHAP. II. The Author commiserates the conditi­on of Incontinent Persons, and re­solves to help them to the utmost. He declares his modest Intentions, his Charity, and the Causes of publi­shing this Treatise.

THE very name POX, sounds terrible to English Ears, and makes an Impression of Horrour upon us. For this aggregative Evil is like [...]'s Box, out of which all other Diseases and Mis­chiefs issue. When a man is at­taqu'd with the Pox, he has not one single Disease alone, but a Legion of Maladies presently after seize his miserable Body; viz. Gonorrhoeas, [Page 14]Buboes, Chancres, Caruncles, Stran­guries, stoppages of Ʋrine, Chironi­an and Telephian Ʋlcers, Fistulas, ill-natur'd Scabs, Tetters, Erosion and Rottenness of Bones, Loss of hair, Falling of Noses, consuming of the Palat of the Mouth, Loss of Speech, Deafness, Blindness, terrible racking Night-pains, Invincible Head-ach, loss of Sculls, Falling-sicknesses, Con­vulsions, Apoplexies, dangerous Catarrhs and Defluxions of Rheum, whence ensue perillous Asthmas, spitting of Bloud, Consumptions. He­ctick Feavers, wonderful Extenua­tion of Body, Gummosities, Nodes, and Tophaceous Excrescencies. These, and an hundred more are the dire Companions of the Pox. And who can but wonder, that misera­ble man should be so desperately hardy, and so absorpt in Sensuality, as for one moment of vanishing pleasure, to involve himself in such an Abyss of lasting Miseries? But, [Page 15]when I consider the Imperious and charming Power of a Good Face, the bewitching Artifices of Wo­men, and Man's natural Propen­sion to Venus, the [...] and rapid violence of his Passion, it draws me from Admiration to Commiserati­on. For we are all [...], subject to the same Passions, to the same Propensions and Inclinations of Nature. That man said excel­lent well in the Comedy, Homo sum, humani à me nihil alienum puto. For though some have that Fortitude not to be hurri'd along with this brutish Passion; yet are they not to insult over others, who have more of Passion, and less of Prudence than themselves. For Greenness of years, and Vehemen­cy of the Temptation, though be­fore God they avail the Delinquent nothing at all; yet ought they to merit Compassion from us, who have been our selves too often as­saulted [Page 16]by these impetuous Moti­ons tumultuantis Nature. It was therefore Commiseration that caus'd me to spend so many good hours and years in studying to holp these miserable Persons. Formerly I did believe that all those, who had once felt the fury of this Disease, would afterwards be more wary; but I was deceiv'd, and my constant Ob­servations have now satisfied me to the contrary. For many do so in­dulge this brutish Passion, that as soon as they are out of the Physi­cian's Hands, they run presently into the Arms and Embraces of infe­cted Courtizans. Nay, too fre­quently we find, that whilst they are under Cure, they secretly conti­nue the same Courses.

Deum contestor, I call the Eter­nal and Immortal God to witness, whem I dore and serve, and who is conscious to all my Thoughts and Secrets, that I have not publish'd [Page 17]this Treatise with any design or de­sire to indulge or countenance in­continent persons in their Lusts and detestable Lives; but merely for the Good of their Persons, for the Safety and Security of the Sober part of Mankind, and for the Honour of the English Nation.

1. I have publish'd this Defen­sive Method for the Good of the De­banchée himself. His Vices & his In­continency I hate, but his Person I pity and love. Nor can this Ex­pedient justly be thought any En­couragement to him, to go on in his Debauchery; for we see with our eyes, that notwithstanding the Pox is such a fierce and formi­dable Evil, and the very Endemial and Topique disease of Bawdy-Hou­ses, yet the Greatness of the Dan­ger, and the Commonness of the Disease do not at all deter men from such Courses and Company, but still they rush into most mani­fest [Page 18]danger, brutishly preferring one hours Contentment before Health, Life and Heaven it self. Moreover, if we reflect upon for­mer Ages (before Columbus's Voy­ages to the Indies) when this Dis­case was unknown to these parts of the world, we shall find that men were then far more continent than now; then Debauchery was not at such height. But since the Pox has invaded Europe, and attaqu'd Bawdy-Houses, and been the fami­liar Companion of Courtizans, they are wonderfully increas'd, and far more frequented than formerly; Nitimur in vetitum. The more we are restrain'd, the more impe­tuously we rush on. This Hurri­cane by its rapid violence, drives miserable Mortals into these For­nices & Cryptae, where they are sure to be stung by these [...], i. e. Courtizans ten times more ve­nemous than the Serpents of Ly­bia. [Page 19]What shall we do in this case? you'l say, Let 'em go on and perish in their wickedness. This is indeed a most compendious way of refor­ming Mankind, to cut off the Offen­ders. But we find not that God, or any good Prince ever made use of this rough way. Apage Carnifi­ces! Away with these uncharita­ble Persons! and let us discharge our Duty, and endeavour to pre­serve their Bodies from the Fury of this Pest, leaving their better part to the Care and Prudence of Good Divines.

2. This Treatise is design'd for the Safety and Security of the So­ber Part of Mankind. How many chast Matrous, tender Infants, inno­cent Nurses, are ruin'd by this Disease? When I sadly reflect upon the miserable Condition of some virtuous Women: how pro­foundly debauch'd some Husbands are: and, how frequently the Pox [Page 20]is made use of as a ready Expedient to dispatch Wives, and send 'em to another World; I lament the Mi­sery of those Women, and detest the execrable Villany of those Hus­bands. It is therefore for the Safe­zy of these sober Persons, and to pre­vent those Hellish Practices that I have set forth this [...]. These innocent Matrons, conver­sing only with sober company, are utterly unacquainted with the Signs and Symptoms of the Pox. Hence when unkind Husbands give them the Running of the Reins, they innocently believe it nothing but the Whites, and so let the Dis­ease run on. So also they imagine those racking Night-pains of the Pox, to be the Effects of the Scurvy on­ly, (so apt is this Nation and Age to reduce all Diseases to the Scur­vy.) This Ignorance of the Dis­ease, as also the ingenit and natural Modesty of that Sex, are too often [Page 21]the Causes why the business is de­ferr'd, and the Disease conceal'd, untill 'tis so rooted in the Body beyond a possibility of Cure. And so these miserable persons are hur­ri'd out or this World by a filthy Disease. I dare confidently avouch it, that one half of Infected Persints are Innoce [...]t [...]: and further; that where one debauch'd person dies of the Pox, five of the sober part of Mankind die of the some Disease: & the Reason is, because the Deban­chéé is confident, and discovers his Disease, and in time gets help. But the other not being skill'd in the business, let it run to its height, before they understand what it is: and when they do understand it, such is their invincible Shamefae' d­ness, that they choose rather to en­dure its utmost Fury, than to dis­cover themselves attainted with so scandalous a Malady. Add also those miserable Infants, who bring [Page 22]a Congenit or Connatural Pox into the World with them; and also those Innocent Babes who get it from wicked Nurses, whose Cryes, Tears, and piteous Moans, deserve some regard. All which, I say, being duely consider'd, are enough to move any heart (unless flinty) to commiseration and pity. This Treatise therefore is chiefly design'd for the benefit of sober Mankind, viz. chast Matrons, tender Infants, and innocent Nurses, and not for Bawds and Courtizans. For I heartily wish such damn'd Prosti­tutes, who make Leachery a Trade, may either perish of the Pox, or be so just to themselves, and kind to Mankind, to end their cursed lives with an Halter. The End there­fore and Scope of this present Un­dertaking, is, not to remove the Pox from Bawdy-houses and Cour­tizans, but from Marriage-beds [Page 23]and Cradies, from innocent and un­deserving Persons.

3. I have publish'd this Defensive Method for the Good and Hontour of this Nation. The Pox is a Re­proach to Mankind it self, and in­fected Persons may justly be rank'd among the [...], or Ve­nemous Animals. For, what Ser­pents in: the Desarts of Africa ejacu­late more filthy Venom than Pocky Men and Women? This dire Ve­nom of the Pox transcends that of Vipers and Adders, and is far more extensive of its malice. That kills Creatures of a different kind only, this poysons those of its own species; and when Men and Women by the Impulse of Venus come together, they poyson one another. In some hot Countries, almost the moyety of Mankind is infected with this disgraceful Malady. And who can but be mightily concern'd to see one half of Mankind come in [Page 24]the number of pernicious Animals, and Creatures that ejaculate poyson? If you enter into a serious (I am sure 'twill be a sad) Consideration, and attentively remarque what footing the French Pox has got up­on English Ground: what huge Multitudes of Pocky Patients come every year under Healing Hands; you'l quickly grant that this Expe­dient is very seasonable, and that there's an absolute Necessity of pro­posing some Defensives to repress the Fury and farther spreading of this diffusive Evil. A multitude of Lawyers is an Argument of ma­ny Law-suits. And if we argue from this Topic, we may easily con­clude the Pox to be prodigiously spread in this City. For, setting learned Physicians aside; you'l find an incredible multitude of Persons who live (and some very splendid­ly too) chiefly upon the Cure of this Disease. The numerous mul­titudes [Page 25]of Surgeons, Chymists, Pra­ctising Apothecaries, Mountebancks, Empiriques, Tooth-drawers and Ignoramusses who deal in the Pox, upon a sober Inquiry have been found to amount to near one thousand and five hundred. And if so many Persons live upon the Pox, judge how many thousands suffer by the contagion of that spreading Disease. It will therefore be a generous and Heroio Ʋnderta­king to endeavour by some bealing Advice to help this Nation, and re­press and check the enormous spreading of this popular Distemper. And that person who shall well perform it, will truely merit to be esteem'd, a Benefactor to Mankind. I have broken the Ice, and made a good Ouverture, let others follow my Example, facile est inventis ad­dere.

CHAP. III. A Search into the Causes, why Phy­sicians bitherto have not endeavou­red the Prevention and Extinction of the Pox. Three Reasons as­sign'd, viz. Pride, Covetousness, and Ignorance. The Author re­monstrates the great Inconvenien­cies and Hazards he voluntarily thrusts himself upon for the pub­lique Good, and for the Honour and Safety of the English Na­tion.

IT's now almost two Hundred years, since the French Army at Naples was first infected with the Pox. I cannot but greatly admire that all the Physitians in the world have sate still; and let it run on thus long, and done nothing in the Defensive Way, towards its Preven­tion [Page 27]or Extinction. They have in­deed writ whole Volums and Trea­tises how to cure it, but they have not set forth in Vulgar Languages any Defensive Methods to prevent the Infection or farther spreading of that abominable Disease. They have not propos'd any Expedient to root it out from the Européan part of Mankind. Certainly it is a far more excellent piece of skill, to preserve Mankind from Diseases, than to cure him when infected. And surely all Christian Physicians ought to have joyn'd their Forces, and bent their, best Endeavours to have quell'd so formidable and fu­rious an Enemy, and, which so insolently menaces Mankind with Ruine and Destruction. But, [...], not one word of this. None have yet instructed Mankind in this weighty Affair. There is, I con­fess, a matter of a dozen among the many Authours who have [Page 28]writ of this Disease, that have laid down Defensive Methods against the Pox; but their Discourses are in Latin, and add rest to Physicians onely, so that the generality can receive no benefit by them, unless translated and adapted to their Ca­pacities. But what is the Cause of this Silence in a matter of such im­portant Concern? I have made search into the Business, and I find the Reasons chiefly to be these.

1. Most of the Eminent Physi­cians of this City and Nation have always look'd upon this Difease as a thing below them; and so not at all concern'd themselves either with its Cure or Prevention, but wholly remitted the business to others of an inferior Class.

2. Those others who have stu­died the Disease, have been so great Gainers by it, that in stead of endeavouring its Prevention or Extinction, they have with'd its [Page 29] increase and farther Propagation' so greedy is Mankind of Profit! These men have carri'd it fair to the World, and craftily difguiz'd their Avarice with the specious pre­tence of Conscience, alledging that the Discovery of ways of Preven­tion might be an Incentive to Lust. Whereas they have been Eye-wit­nesses of the contrary, and have daily seen, that the Greatness of the Dunger, and Commonness of the Disease have not at all deterr'd men, or kept them within the Bounds of Continency.

3. Illiterate Surgeons, Empiriques, & Mountebanks, who pretend to this Cure, being persons ignorant in the very Rudiments of Physick, con­ceive the thing to be impostible; and so never attempt any thing in the Prophylactique Way. These poor Hearts consult Vulcan more than Apollo; they spend their time in Laboratories among Furnaces [Page 30]and Crucibles, where they pite­ously torture themselves, and the poor Minerals, to extort and draw forth Elixirs, Quintessences, Spi­rits, &c. and vainly promise to themselves and others the effecting of Wonders. But they are so far from performing any solid Cure, and especially in the Pox, that they either murther the poor Patient with their malignant Medicines of Antimony and Quick-silver; or so affix the disease to him, that 'tis af­terwards impossible to be remov'd. That was a notable Saying of a Gentleman, who had been guilty of this Imprudence, in addressing to Illiterate Surgeons for help in this Case: I carried, sayes he, a Clap to the Surgeon, and he gave me the Box for it. For these men have an Excellent Faculty that way; for in driving in Buboes, and unwary suppressing Gonorrhoeas, they usual­ly bring a slight superficiary Clap to [Page 31]a Grand Pox. And when they meet with a Confirm'd Pox, by their dan­gerous Medicines and preposterous handling the Patient, they com­monly exasperate the Malady, wea­ken the sick person, and in the end make his Disease desperate and in­curable.

These therefore I conceive to be the Causes, why none have stood up to vindicate Mankind from this reproachful Disease; why none have made it their business to endeavour the Prevention and Extinction of this pernicious Evil. The Physici­ans of prime Note have been too fine-finger'd to meddle with this foul Disease. The others who have studied the Case, have forborn to set forth any Prophylactique Me­thod, because they have not studi­ed the Publique Good, but their own private Interest. And lastly, the rabble of ignorant Surgeons, Empiriques, and Mountebanks, have not [Page 32]help't Mankind in this important Affair, because the Enterprise is too heavy for their weak shoul­ders.

I alone am the Singular Person that stand up, to help the unfortu­nate Debauchée, to defend and se­cure the Sober part of Mankind, Ve­nerable Matrons, Innocent Nurses, and tender Infants from the fury of the Pox; to vindicate the Honour of this Nation, and draw a consi­derable part thereof from among the venemons and pernicious Beasts. Neither am I ignorant of the grand Inconveniencies and dangers which by this Charitable Design I shall voluntarily draw upon my own head. For

1. Some peevish and restless Spi­rits will open their venemous mouths, and endeavour to misre­present the Causes and Ends of this present Undertaking.

2. In discovering this Prophyla­ctique [Page 33]Method, I shall draw upon my self the Envy of some Physici­ans; the high displeasure of Sur­geous, and the Hatred of Emperiques, and Mountebanks. And indeed not without some Cause: for in taking the Pox away from this Na­tion, I shall rob these men of the best Flower in their Garden. Hine ille lachrymae!

3. The setting forth this Expedi­ent to root out the Pox, is such a strange piece of Sulf-denyal, and so infinitely repugnant to my own Profit and Interest, that many will condemn me for it, as much want­ing to my own Good. For, I, who for almost this twenty years, have had considerable Practice in the Cure of this Disease, now to issue out a Treatise to prevent and root out the Pox, what is it but to lay the Ax to the root of the Tree, and cut off all hopes of any further Pro­fit? It is so, I confess: but here­in [Page 34]I have had regard only to the publique Good, to the honour and fifety of Mankind, and not at all to my own Interest. Gentlemen, I have ever look'd upon the Practice of Physick, not as a Sordid, but Sacred thing; and have always hated those base Spirits, who pre­fer the heaping up of Riches, be­fore the welfare of Mankind. Those pedantique Reservs and Conceal­ments of Knowledge become Empi­riques and not rational Physicians, who ought generously to mind the publique Concern of a Nation, and not their own Interest only.

Gentlemen, these are the Incon­veniences I shall voluntarily draw upon my own head, by my charita­ble design to contribute to the pub­lique Good, and to help you in this Affair.

CHAP. IV. The Author demonstrates the Possibili­ty and Facility of his Defensive Method from Reason and Experi­ence, and also from the Practice, Authority and Testimonies of di­verse great and renown'd Physi­cians.

BEcause for almost 200 years the World has sate still, and not attempted any thing in the Prophy­lactique Way, nor any ways en­deavour'd to root out the Pox; the greatest part of Mankind have therefore concluded the thing Im­possible, and do now crroneously believe that the Pox cannot be prevented by any Art whatsoever. But, for the Honour and Safety of Mankind, I shall in this presont Dis­course undeceive these misbelieving [Page 36]persons, and fully demonstrate from Reason and Experience, and also from the Practice, Authority and Testimonies of some great Physici­ans, that 'tis possible to prevent the Pox, and that this way of Prevention is Easie, Effectual, and Cer­stain.

I prove the Possibility of this Defensive Method thus. All Physici­ans in treating of the Prophylactique way to secure the Body from Poy­sons, and cure [...], the dangerous Bites and Wounds of Serpents and other venemous Ani­mals, commonly propose two things, 1. To fortifie the whole body, or that part onely which is most obnoxious to danger, and make it impassible. Or, 2. by To­pique Remedies to draw forth the Venom, before it has made any con­siderable impression upon the body. Now Reason and Experience tell us, that this is to be perform'd [Page 37]in the venemous Bites, Wounds, and Impresses of the greatest and fiercest of Poysons. For example, the Bite of a mad Dog is easily ca­red, and the great impendent dan­ger of Hydrophobia most certainly prevented. The Bite also and Wound of the Viper, Asp, Seps, Dryinus, &c. may, and have fre­quently been cur'd, and all danger prevented by Topique, and Inter­nal Remedies. Hence then I ar­gue; If the fierce venom of these Beasts (some whereof kill in few hours) may be prevented by Inter­nal Theriacal Medicines fortifying Nature, and thrusting forth the Poyson, and also by apt Topique Applications, drawing the Venom from the part affected: then cer­tainly the Pox also may be preven­ted by Proper Remedies and Appli­cations. For, 1. the above mentio­ned Poysons are far more fierce and quick in operation than that [Page 38]the Pox. And 2. they bring more dangerous Symptoms, because they direct their malice chiefly against the Heart, and so quickly destroy the whole Oeconomy of Nature. But the Venom of the Pox is more dull and sluggish, and at first seizes the Glans onely, and continues there some hours, before it makes any farther Progress, or diffuses its malignity to any other part. 3. Why may not the Pox be pre­vented, or remov'd when 'tis su­perficiary, and in the Genital parts onely? For the Remedies prescri­bed in the following Chapters, are the very same that are us'd to an In­ward Pox, when t'is fix'd and rooted in the body, and certainly any Rational man will grant, that those Remedies which are able to overcome an old confirm'd Pox, where the Venom has taken deep rooting in the body, and is as it were naturaliz'd; the same may [Page 39]also with greater facility remove a superficiary Impress of Venom and Malignity. The Decoction of Guaiacum is a known Antidote against the Pox; so also is a Suffi­ment of Cinnabaris. And if Guaia­oum, Cinnabaris, &c. can cure an Inveterate Pox, who can deny that the first Rudiments and Pri­mordia of the Pox may be remov'd by the same?

Let then these Sophisters, who envy Man's Honour, Safety and Security, either give us some solid and satisfactory Reason, why this Venom of the Pox, when 'tis seated in the outward parts onely, may not be expell'd by internal Anti­dotes, and drawn forth by Topique Applications, as well as other Poy­sons, which are of a far more fierce and malignant nature. Or, in case they cannot give any such Reason as I am sure they cannot) then let 'em yield up the Cause, and confess [Page 40]the Possibility of this Defensive Me­thod.

But that this Defensive Method may be more fully confirm'd and establish'd, I shall in the next place shew, that it has been also the Sen­timent of several learned Physici­ans of this and the last Ages; who have in Latin publish'd Defensives, and shew'd how to prevent the Pox. 1. Gabriel Falloppius, that learned Physician, in his Book de Morbo Gall. cap. 89. sets down at large how to prevent the Pox, and attests upon Oath the Certainty and Infallibility of his Defensive Prescription. 2. Eu­stachius Rudius de morbis occultis & venen. lib. 5. cap 13. has excel­lently perform'd the same Under­taking. 3. Hercules Saxonia has done the like in his Treatise de Lue Venerea, cap. 16. 4. Roderi­cus à Fonseca, Tom. 1. Consultat. 35. out of Falloppius and Petroni­us, has discuss'd the Question, and [Page 41]seems propense to the Affirmative. 5. Julius Palmarius de Lue ven­lib. 1. c. 8. believ'd also that it was possible to fortify the body, and prevent the Pox. 6. Joannes Va­randaeus was of the same mind al­so, as is manifest from the method he sets down in 's Book de Lue Ve­nerea, and from those words, mi­rum est eos qui de Lue Venerea ha­ctenus scripserunt, nihil de Prophy­laxi ejus attigisse, sed omnes soli Therapiae incumbere. 7. Panarolus, a Roman Physician in 's book of Observations, has set down a Pro­phylacticon, to preserve Women from the Pox. These are all Phy­sicians of prime Note, and they did firmly believe the Possibility of the Thing, and have set forth Ways of Prevention. But in this one thing they fail'd, and were wanting to the Publique Good, viz. they did not publish their Defensives in Vul­gar Languages, (as I have done) but [Page 42]address'd their Discourses to Phy­sicians only. But in the ensuing Chapters I shall teach them to speak English, and, to their utmost, in­struct you in this. Important Af­fair.

CHAP. V. Some Practique Observations concern­ing the manner of receiving In­fection. What Persons are most apt to give and receive the Pox. The Author proposes his Expedi­ent, and Defensives; and shen's how to prevent the Pox by Bandage and Ligature, by Lotions, Deco­ctions and Suffiments.

HAving in the precedent Chap­ters declar'd the Causes and Reasons of this Undertaking, and demonstrated the Possibility of the thing; and also made a Search into [Page 43]the Causes why Physicians hither­to have not endeavour'd to root out this filthy Disease: I come now to the Grand Business, to discover this Prophylactique, and lay down this Expedient to root out the Pox. This Expedient consists of two things, the first whereof is, a laying down some Defensive Remedies to secure particular persons from receiving Infection from Pockie Women. The second is a Seclusion of infected Courtizans from Publique Con­verse, but yet so as this Seclusion may be commodious to this Nation, and also a design of Charity to the Pro­stitutes themselves. We shall dis­course of this Seclusion towards the end of this Treatise. But in the first place we will enquire after the Defensives, and lay them down in a plain, familiar, and intelligible Method; and also call in a dozen of the learnedst Physicians in Chri­stendom, to give their Sentiments [Page 44]in the Case; whose Judgments and Prescriptions will farther explicate, confirm, and enlarge the whole bu­siness.

But first we are to consider three things: First, what kind of Pocky Women are most dangerous and in­fectious, and when? Secondly, what men are most apt to receive Infection? and Thirdly, the Way or Manner how the Pox is imparted to the body.

1. What kind of Pockie Women are most dangerous? I answer, that young Women are more infe­ctious than Ancient: so also those who are of a spare, thin, cholerique Constitution of body, and also such as are of a sanguin, hot, and moist complexion; and lastly, those who have the Pox complicate with the Scurvy. The Reason is mani­fest: for young women are more hot and moist than old, and by con­sequence, the Venom in such bodies [Page 45]must needs be more diffusive of it self, than 'tis in an old, dry, and cold body. The Pox is very ma­lignant in a cholerique, hot, and dry Constitution; because by the great heat of the Body the Venom is calcin'd and advanc'd to a high degree of Malignity. In bodies which are sanguin, hot and moist, the Venom is active, spirituous, and quick, because Heat and Moi­sture increase Putrefaction and Cor­ruption of Humours; and being diffusive qualities, soon communi­cate and spread the Venom. And lastly, the Scurvy, in the judgment of all who have writ of it, is a ve­nemous contagious Disease, and something of kin to the Pox; so according to the Proverb, Vis uni­ta fortion, a combination of Venoms is most forcible. But of all Wo­men, she who is dull, sluggish, and of a phlegmatique, gross, cold Con­stitution is the least infectious: for [Page 46]such a woman, if she have no Go­norrhoea, nor Ʋlcers in the uterin Passage, does not very quickly com­municate the Pox, but many times the first that converses with her, receives no dammage at all; but the second, who comes upon her when her body is heated, and the Venom agitated and stirr'd, receives the Pox. A Gonorrhoea and Ʋlcers in the Ʋterin Passage may be guess'd at by the Lubricity and Moisture of those parts.

The other part of the Question is, When are Pockie Women most in­fectious? Answ. When the Ve­nom and Humours are most agita­ted and heated with Wine, Hearing Drinks, and burning Lust. For all these things heat the body, agitate the infectious Humours, and dif­fuse the Venom. But above all the most dangerous time to meddle with such women, is, when they have their Courses. For at that [Page 47]time Nature mightily endeavours to discharge all the Venom and im­purities of the whole Body that way, so that of necessity they must be exceeding pernicious at such times.

2. The second Thing to be consider'd, is, what men are most apt to receive Infection? I An­swer, Young people receive it far sooner than Ancient, so also those who are of a sanguin, hot, and moist constitution of body, but especially when they are [...] under the greatest [...] and most rapid Commotion of Lust. And lastly, those who have the Glans cover'd with the Praepuce. Now that this is so, is manifest from Ob­servation: and it's also attested and confirmed by that learned Physici­an Gabriel Falloppius, in's Book dè morbo Gallico, cap. 22. who gives this Reason of it, viz. the Glans, by reason 'tis constantly cover'd with [Page 48]the Praepuce, is most tender, soft, and susceptive of the [...] and venemous Impresses of the Pox: but on the contrary, when that part is bare and unco­ver'd, it becomes more firm, com­pact and hardned, and does not so easily admit the Venom. Hercules Saxonia; dè Lue Venerea, cap. 4. grants the thing to be true, but he thinks Falloppius mistaken in the cause: for he is of opinion, that 'tis not because the part is more soft and tender, but because the Ve­nom does insinuate between the Glans and Praepuce, and afterwards impart its malignity to the whole body. For my part, I believe these learned men are both in the right: for without doubt, as Fal­lappius asserts, when the Glans is perpetually cover'd, the skin must of necessity be more loose, thin and warm, and much easier admit the [Page 49]Venom than when 'tis otherwise. So also, according to Saxonia, the Venom does insinuate between the Glans and Praepuce, and more close­ly attaque the Patient. But of this we have discours'd more largely in our Treatise of the Pox.

3. The Way or Manner how the Infection of the Pox is communica­ted to the Body, is thus: when a Woman gets the Pox from a Man, the Infection is sometimes receiv'd from the Chancres on the Ge­nital, but most commonly from his infectious Sperm. When a Man receives it from a Woman, the Contagion insinuates into the Glans from the Ʋterin Passage, which commonly is full of Pockie Ʋlcers, or besmer'd with the virulent matter of a Gonorrhoea. These Ʋlcers emit a venemous sani­es, which infects that tender part call'd the glans. These impressi­ons of Venom remain some time [Page 50]upon the Glans onely, and after­wards (if let alone) insinuate in­to the humours and spirits, and so infect the whole body. You are also to understand, that a Woman may in Coition give the Pox to her Gallant, notwithstanding she has no Gonorrhoea, nor Ʋlcers in the Ʋterin Passage.

This being premis'd, we come now to the Defensive Method. And here it would be vain and fruitless to think to secure the body by In­ternal Antidotes only, and wholly neglect Topique Applications, seeing that the inward parts at first are entire and free, and the Venom lies only in the glans. We therefore [...] this Defensive Method are to propose two things. 1. To make the Genital part or member [...], firm and as it were im­passible. This has been attempted by Falloppius, and since by others, who to this purpose prescribe Sti­ptic [Page 51]Lotions, and Linnen Raggs impregnated with such decoctions, and apply them to the Glans in men, and to the Ʋterin Passage in women, both before and after Co­ition, as you shall see in the ensu­ing Chapters. 2. By Lotions, Fo­mentations, Attractives, Suffiments, &c. to draw forth the Venom whilst it is in the genital part only, before it get to the inter­nal parts. For this Venom, if com­par'd with that of other vene­mous beasts, is somewhat dull and sluggish, and for some hours moves not, but afterwards (if let alone) it gets into the bloud, and by a continuity of parts soon in­fects the whole body. You are therefore presently after Coition to make water, for that cleanses the inward part of the genital. Then use Bandage or strict ligature to that part of the Genital next the belly: for this Ligature compres­ses [Page 52]the Vessels, and hinders the circulation of the Blood and Hu­mours, and cousequently it hin­ders the Venom from insinuating with the blood into the inward parts. Then foment it with warm Ʋrine, or (which is much better) with white Wine as hot as can be in­dur'd. Wash all the members, but especially the Glans. Do so several times in the day, for two or three days together. Or, this Decocti­on: boyl Guaiacum, Chamaepitys, Germander, Horehound, Scordium, Ash-leaves and Keyes, Dictamnus Creticus, Gentian, &c. in white Wine, (if you add a little Praeci­pitate 'twill be far more efficaci­ous) and foment the Glans and whole Part with it often in a day. After the first day, take off the Li­gature. The Ligature is to be loosen'd when the Patient makes water, or when the Part erects it self and swells. After every bath­ing [Page 53]apply Pigeons or Whelps new­ly dissected and hot. Some com­mend a Liniment of Mithridate or Venice Treacle. For these things have great virtue to draw forth Ve­nom. You may also sweat four mornings together with an Apo­zeme of Guaiacum.

Here I conjure and charge all persons concern'd, not to be want­ing to their own good, nor to neglect these Remedies, or defer the time, but immediately after Venus to wash and mundify the parts with the aforesaid Lotions: and they may be confident of the Cure. But if they defer the time, and let the Venom get head, and take rooting in the body, the fault is their own, I have given them fair warning. Note also that none is to converse a whole night with an infectious woman, for in twelve hours time the venom may do much hurt, and insinuate into [Page 54]the inward parts beyond a possibi­lity of Extraction by Topique Ap­plications. Mundifie therefore the part, and wash off the poysonous matter with warm Ʋrine present­ly after the Act, then get the a­foresaid Remedies. Principiis ob­sta —

Sometimes after medling with infected Women, the Patient will feel an Itching in the Genital. In this case I advise you to use Fallop­pius's Suffiment describ'd in the next Chapter, or that of Varandae­us, set down in the eleventh Chap­ter of this Treatise. Take a little earthen Pot with some live coals in it, and put some of the Powder upon the coals, and place an artifi­cial Funnel over it, so as you may admit the smoke to the glans, or whole Part: be sure you do it dex­terously, that you admit not the cold Air to the part, nor the Smoke to the Patients Nose or Mouth, [Page 55]and when you have done, wrap it in warm Cotton. Do so three mor­nings together. This Suffiment is a potent Medicine, and to be admi­nister'd with discretion: put not too much powder upon the coals; neither are you to continue the O­peration too long. These Suffi­ments, if prudently us'd, are of admirable virtue to prevent the Pox.

What has been already said is sufficient to prevent the Pox, and secure any person whatsoever. Yet that our Defensive Method may be compleat and full, I shall annex the Prescriptions of a dozen of the greatest Physicians of this and the last Ages.

CHAP. VI. Falloppius his Defensives to prevent the Pox. Of the Ʋse and Way of pre­paring his Medicinal Linnen. His two Suffiments of excellent virtue in this case.

FAlloppius de Morbo Gallico, cap. 89. layes down this Defensive Method, to preserve the body from Chancres and the Pox. Ego nihil fe­cisse videor, &c. I might seem, says be, to have done just nothing, un­less also I teach you a way, how, any person seeing a beautiful Siren, and conversing with her, although she be infected, may yet be secur'd from the Pox. I was always of Opinion, that there was some way to be us'd, to prevent Chancres and the Pox. But what is this way? [Page 57]I told you formerly, that these Chancres (or Ʋlcers on the Genital) were caus'd by little venemous bo­dies, imparted from the infectious woman, and being receiv'd into the porosities of the glans, cause an Eruption of Ʋlcers: therefore 'tis necessary, that after Venus we forthwith cleanse away this vene­mous matter from the Glans. But if it has insinuated into the Pores, notwithstanding we wash the parts with Wine, Ʋrine or Water, yet we cannot wash off the matter. And this frequently falls out in those, who have the glans tender, and co­ver'd with the praepuce. How therefore must we proceed? I ever believ'd that we might lay down some Remedy, which has power of its own nature to penetrate the skin, and disperse the malignant matter, or else to draw it forth, or dry it up, and overcome it. Therefore I have invented this en­suing [Page 58]Remedy. But because we must court these Courtizans, and win their Affections, it is not con­venient to carry Oyntments and Salves along with us; therefore I have found out the use of a fine lin­nen Rag, imbu'd and impregna­ted with a Medicinal virtue, which may conveniently be carri'd with us.— As oft therefore as any shall pollute himself with these Strum­pets, let him (if possibly he can) wash the Genital part: afterwards let him apply the Medicinal Rag, being cut and exactly proportion'd to cover the whole glans: let him, I say, after coition apply it to the glans, and cover it with the Prae­puce. If you fear Ʋlcers in the Ʋ ­rinary passage, put this Praeservative Linnen into that passage. I have experimented this Remedy in a thou­sand; and, I call the Immortal God to witness, that not one was infected. Observe also that any clean linnen [Page 59]has a great preservative virtue: also new soft Cotton, wrapt about the naked glans, after you have mun­dify'd it with detersive Washes, won­derfully preserves; when the Pa­tient takes off this Lint, let him look upon it, for he shall see it sa­nious, and discolour'd with a yel­lowish, pale, or blackish colour. Let the person always wrap this Linnen upon the Glans for four or five hours. The way of preparing this defensive Linnen is excellent, and is as follows.

Take Gentian, all three sorts of Birthwort of each a drachm, white and red Sanders, Wood of Aloes, of each two Scruples; red Coral, Spo­dium of Ivory, burnt Harts horn, of each half a drachm, Scordium, Sow­thistle, Betony, Seabious, Tormentil, of each one handful; Rose-leaves a handful and half, Guaiacum two ounces, Squama Aeris two drachms, Praecipitate prepar'd a drachm and [Page 60]of the best Muscadel of Creet one pint and half, waters of Sow-thistle and Scabious two pints. Take the Wine and the Water, and infuse the Guaiacum therein 24 hours: then add the other things, and let them boyl 'till half be consum'd. Then strain forth the Decoction. In this Decocti­on a pure linnen cloth is steep'd all night, and afterwards dry'd in the shade: this is perform'd three times; for we macerate it thrice, & dry it thrice. After that we cut it inpieces of a just proportion to involve the glans, & they are always to be kept in readines.— The same Author gives us another Description of this Preservative Lin­nen; and also further prosecutes the business.

Take round Birthworth, Gentian, white Dittany, of each two drachms, Scordium, Sow-thistle, Rue, of each an ounce and half; Wood of Aloes, all three sorts of Sanders, seeds of Ci­tron, of each a drachm, Rhubarb, Tor­mentil, [Page 61]St. Johns-wort, of each half a drachm, Mithridate two drachms, Guaiacum two: ounces, the best Mus­cadel, water of Sow-thistle, of each one pint and half. Let the wood be first steep'd a whole day in the water and wine: afterwards boyl it until the third part be wasted; then put in the other things, and let them be ma­cerated a day; after that boyl them until half be consum'd: then strain it out. Be careful that the vessel, wherein your Medicaments boyl, be well clos'd. It would be best if it were done in B. M. This being done, take the Linnen, and steep it in the Decoction three dayes: then dry it in the shade in a hot place; wet it and dry it again: do so three times, or oftner, if you please. This Linnen being well dry'd, keep it for use, wrap'd up in paper, or in Linnen. I might com­mend this Remedy much, but do you try it, your selves shall be wit­nesses of its virtue. But, if you are [Page 62]fearful, and desire a more potent remedy, and begin to feel an Itch­ing in the Genital, go home, and suffumigate the Praepuce with the ensuing Suffiment.

Take am carthen pot, in which put a live coal or two, sprinkle upon the coals this powder, and by degrees hold the genital part over the Smoke; afterwards take the prepar'd Linnen or clean Cotton and put it upon the glans, and the ve­nemous matter will be drawn from the Liver. The Powder is this.

Take powder of red Roses, Worm­wood, red Sanders, of each one scruple and a half, Benjamin, Camphire, Frankincense, Aloes, Myrrh, of each two Scruples, Cinnabaris one drachm and a half, Praecipitate one drachm. Mix them, and reduce them to a gross powder, With this we suffumigate the part, and prevent Ʋlcers in the glans.— If the Courtizan be so deeply infected that a stronger Re­medy [Page 63]is requir'd when you come home you shall take off the Preserva­tive linnen, and take an earthen Pot with a live Coal or two, then fold a sheet of paper round, in form of a Horn and artificially place it over the Pot: put a little Powder upon the fire, and three or four times suffumigate the Glans and Praepuce, having been first cleans'd and dry'd: & tutissimi eritis. The Powder is this.

Take powder of red Roses, Worm­wood, Sandaracha rubra, of each a scruple and half, Benjamin, Cam­phire, Frankincense, of each two scruples, Cinnabaris 2 scruples. Mix them and reduce them to powder. Thus Falloppius.

CHAP. VII. Rudius's Prophylactique Method to prevent the Pox.

EƲstachius Rudius de morb. occ. & venen. lib. 5. cap. 13. proposes this Method. It is to be observ'd (saies he) that when any has late­ly convers'd with an infected wo­man, though as yet there appear no signs of infection; yet before the Venom insinuate too far in the body, it ought to be revell'd from that part wherein 'twas first receiv'd, not by Erictions only, but by other Attractives which the part affected can admit and endure. Wherefore as in Contagious Diseases by the Bite of Venemous Animals, a strict Ligature is apply'd a little a­bove the part affected; and then the Venom with apt Remedies is [Page 65]drawn forth. So after converse with an infected Woman, it is not impro­per forthwith to take a Linnen Band of the bredth of ones finger, and strictly bind the root of the Genital: which Band is to be re­lax'd when the Patient makes water, and the part distends it self. Then foment the whole part with a new sponge dipt in a Lie made of twigs of Vines or Fig-tree, or in Posea wherein has been boy­led some Guaiacum, or sharp Pickles Brine, Sea-water, or the like At­tractive Medicamem.— If the band wherewith the root of the genital is bound, be spread with a Defensive of Bole Armeny, Mastic, Sarcocol, fine flower and the white of an Egg, it will be far more Ex­cellent. If, after binding the part, the whole Genital be involv'd in this following Remedy, it will be most powerful to draw the Venom [Page 66]from the inward parts, and to se­cure the Patient.

Take Guaiac 6 ounces, water 4 quarts, Boyl them until two third parts of the water be consum'd: then add roots of wild Cucumbers, roots of Mallows, roots of Marsh mallows of each an ounce, Iberis, Thapsia of each a handful. Let the roots be bruis'd and put in; and after it has boyl'd a little, let it be remov'd from the fire, and strain'd. Macerate fine linnen in this Decoction and dry it in the shade. After Venus having bound the root of the genital apply this defensive linnen to the whole part: keep it bound on 2 days or more: but the Ligature at the bottom or root after the first day is to be taken off. Likewise if before Venus we use those medi­cines which bind and strengthen the Genital, the Venom may be kept out. Take yellow Myrobalans and Chebul Myrob. of each half an [Page 67]ounce, Cypres Nuts 15. Pine Nuts 4. red Rose leaves a small handful, Pontic Wormwood a handful, Galls, Myrtel berries, seeds of Sumach, of each an ounce. Let them all be bruis'd and steep'd in black austere Wine and the water of Pine-nuts, and be de­still'd in a Bath. Let Linnen Rags dipt in this water warm'd be ap­ply'd between the glans and prae­puce: also herewith let the part be washed. For it's an excellent Anti­dote and has often been experimen­tally approv'd. Thus Rudius.

CHAP. VIII. Saxonia's Way of Prevention.

HErcules Saxonia has also set forth a Preservative Method to prevent the Pox, cap. 16. De Due Venorea.

First, let them wash the parts [Page 68]with styptic austere Wine, wherein has been boyl'd Guaiac, Roses, Myr tel-berries, Balanstia, Acacia, Hy­pocistis: and after Lotion let 'em take Linnen impregnated with Fal­loppius's Decoction, and dry'd; and keep it on the glans. Notwith­standing I much esteem Falloppius's Decoction, yet perhaps it may be more infirm than the following one.

Take Gentian, round and long Birthwort, Calamint, Dittany, Scan­dium of Creet, Tormentil, Angeli­ca, Masterwort, of each one ounce, Scabious, Fumitary, Betony, Worm­wood, of each a handful, Wood of Aloes, 2 drachms, all three sorts of Sanders, Raspings of Ivory, Harts­horn burnt, of each a drachm and half, Acacia, Hypocistis, Balaustia, Roses, of each half an handful, Guai­acum a pound, true Muscadel of Creet two pints, waters of Scabious, Fumitary and Roses of each a pint, [Page 69]Water of Plantain 3 pints, the best Praecipitate 2 drachms. Infuse the wood in the waters and wine, and let it boyl until half be wasted; to­wards the end let the rest of the Ingredients be put in; when they have boyl'd a little, let them stand in infusion 24 hours, then boyl them until the third part be wa­sted: when you have press'd forth the Decoction, take Linnen pro­portion'd to the bigness of the glans or vulva, steep them in the Deco­ction, and dry them in the shade, do so the second and third time. This Linnen apply'd before Ve­nus hardens the parts, dries up su­perfluous moistures, hinders pu­trefaction, so that Falloppius has attested that of 1000 to whom he gave this Antidote, not one was in­fected. Nor are those things to be omitted, which after Venus may conduce to the preservation of the party: those are Washing the Pri­vity [Page 70]with Ʋrine or Hot water; but warm or hot Lie is better than that; and White Wine hot excells all. With this wash not the glans only, but the whole part, as also the Te­sticles, not once or twice, but of­ten, and at least two daies. But, if after Venus any have heat in their Urin, or excoriation in the glans, then stronger Remedies are to be us'd; the Venom is to be drawn forth, the Passages are to be inter­cepted that the contagion may not have passage to the inward parts. We must use internal Antidotes to subdue the Venom, and Topique Ap­plications to draw forth the Malig­nity; as Decoctions of Dictamnus, Calamint, Scordium, Gentian, Guai­acum, made in Wine: as also Suffi­ments of Cinnabaris, Frankincense, Myrrh, Wood of Aloes, Saffron. The same also is done with exenterate A­nimals, as Pigeons, Chickens or the Lungs of Whelps apply'd hot to the [Page 71]Privities. — If there appear no Chancre, Ʋlceration or Inflammati­on, then foment it with Aqua vi­tae, or apply a Liniment of Venice Treacle, Mithridate, or an Oynt­ment of Figs, Nuts and juice of Rue — To intercept the passage of the Venom apply a Defensive Oyntment to that part of the member next the belly — As concerning internal An­tidotes use Venice Treacle, Mithri­date, Diascordium: and generally those Antidotes which are Praeser­vatives against the Pest are very good in this case — But if the Patient has the glans ulcerated or inflam'd, we are not presently to judge it re­quires the grand Diet-drink; for many times this accident happens immediately after impure Venus, and without dammage in any other part whatsoever.— In this case Praecipitate is an excellent Remedy, if duly us'd. Take of Praecipitate a drachm, of Ʋnguent. Ros. or frest: [Page 72]butter an ounce, mix them. Use this not continually, but between times use a warm and emollient Lotion, est the Praecipitate cause a callosity upon the part. Therefore after 24 hours take it off, and wash the part with a decoction of Mallows, Linseed and a little Guaiacum: and if need require, apply the Praecipitate again.— If the body be full, purge gently with some Lenitive, lest strong Purges draw the Venom (which is in the outward part on­ly) to the inward. Forbear Bleed­ing, unless the Chancre has an In­flammation connex'd with it: if there is Inflammation, bleed in the foot rather than in the arm. Thus Her­cules Saxonia.

CHAP. IX. Minadous his Prophylacticore.

AƲrelius Minadous de Virulen­tiâ Venereâ cap. 33. lays it down thus: — I return, says he, to the principal Design, proposing the Opinion of those, who believe that if after Venus the genitals were all cover'd with warm Horse-dung, it would be a soveraign Remedy to prevent Infection; or rather of no­table force to draw forth and dis­perse the venom. For they believe that in that Dung there's a certain innate faculty of drawing forth and dispersing Pockie venom. And Ioan. Costaeus affirms that 'tis discover'd by the Experiment of some mo­dern Physicians, that if one who has the Pox, cover his whole Bo­dy in Horse dung, permitting him­self [Page 74]only the liberty of breathing, it will perfectly cure him. But if this Medicine can cure the body when 'tis throughly infected, how much more is it to be commended, if apply'd to the Genital only [by way of Prevention.] Thus Mi­nadous.

CHAP. X. The Defensives of Panarolus, Fraca­storius, Torrella, Cataneus, Fonseca, Petronius, Sylvius, &c.

PAnarolus in 's Book of Obser­vations proposes a Way of pre­venting the Pox for Women with new Sponges; and he says 'tis in­fallible.

Fracastorius bids after the Com­bat, Wash the endanger'd part with Aq. Ros. and then foment it decocto aluminis & aerug. aeris, and [Page 75]anoint that and the vicine parts with a certain Theriac Ʋnguent▪ As for Internals he bids, give Theri­aca or Mithrid.

Torrella, and out of him Cata­neus advise to take an equal pro­portion of Bole-Armeny and Sang [...] draconis, and with juyce of Plantain and Vinegar to be temper'd and spread on a linnen cloth and bound about the root of the Genital, to compress the Veins; and intercept the passage of the Venom. Then to draw forth the Poyson, he scari­fies the lips of the Chancre, or ap­plies Sope with Chalk: or Mithri­date; or the deplum'd Fundament of a live Pigeon to the Ulcer. And lastly, for a Bezoartique to expel the Infection by sweat, he gives a drachm of Theriaca in Sorrel­water.

Fonseca (Tom. 1. Cons. 35.) layes down the Defensives of Falloppius, Rudius, Saxonia, &c. all which [Page 76]you may see in the Precedent Chap­ters.

Petronius derides Falloppius's De­fensives, and advises after Venus to wash the parts with warm Ʋrine, Wine, or the Decoction of Guaiuc; and after washing to apply clean Linnen or a fine Sponge, for that extracts the Venom and infections Moisture.

Joan. Sylvius (de Morbo Gallico Declam.) bids them presently after the Act wash the parts with warm Water, or white Wine, which is much better.

CHAP. XI. Palmarius's Defensive Method sum­marily laid down. Varandous his Prophylacticon.

PAlmarius tells us that as K. Mi­thridates with his Autidate for­tifi'd [Page 77]his body, and made it impassi­ble; so he, desiring the Safety of Mankind, and the Extinction of this Disease, has invented an Amulet, by the due use whereof Man's Body may be secur'd, and made impreg­nable. But withal he conjures Physicians not to discover it to lu­xurious persons. I have omitted this Amulet, because of its length and my intended brevity; and also because 'tis much such another Composition as Theriaca Androma­chi or Mithridatium.

If I may be permitted to give my Opinion of Palmarius's Prophyla­cticon, I judg it a potent Sudorific to cure the Pox, but not at all pro­per as a Defensive to prevent the danger of this Disease. For, in our Case, the Blood, Humours, Inward parts, and whole Habit of the Body are all sound and entire; the Privities onely are attaqu'd: in those parts there's a superficiary [Page 78]Impress of Venom. And certainly Internal Medicines alone can never reach the Venom when 'tis in a re­mote part, and extrinsic ouly; but it must be thrust out by Bezoartique, and drawn forth by Topique or Local Medicines. But Palmarius's De­fensive Method is a tedious Prescrip­tion of Internal Remedies continu­ed many days together, and in my opinion, ineffectual to this pur­pose, because no regard is had to the part affected.

In the last place comes Varandae­us. This learned man in 's Book de Lue Ven. praescribes a Decocti­on, much after the manner of those of Falloppius and Saxonia, and ap­points Linnen to be macorated in it, and afterwards dry'd in the shade, and apply'd to the parts be­fore and after Venus's Exercise. He bids also to make water, and wash the parts with white Wine, and to apply the Medicate Linnen or Cotton: [Page 79]impregnated with the same Deco­ction: as also to thrust into the Uri­nary Passage the said Cotton in form of a Tent. For if the Scort be in­fectious, the Cotton in an hour or two will appear sanious and disco­lour'd, the filth which was in those passages being attracted and drawn to it.— He tells us that Empiriques esteem the following Suffiment a most approved thing.

Take red Roses, Wormwood, Scor­dium, Dittany, red Sanders, of each a drachm, Styrax Calamita, Cin­nabaris, and Praecipitate well pre­par'd, of each a Scruple Reduce them to a gross powder, whereof let a little be cast on the coals, and the smoak, by a sunnel artificially plac'd on the Coals, be admitted to the genital: let the part afterwards be carefully cover'd and kept warm. Do so 3 mornings together. Thus Joan. Varandaeus.

Gentlemen, I have now dispatch'd the first part of the Expedient, con­cerning the Defensives: which I have carefully selected out of the learned Works of the greatest Physi­cians in Christendome. I have communicated them chiefly for the use of those whom the Greeks call [...], i. e. Persons so furiously transported with brutish Desires that they are resolv'd to run the greatest hazard imaginable ra­ther than deny themselves any Sa­tisfaction in that kind. But, I hope sober persons' will still be wary, and not repose too much Confidence in any Defensives whatsoever, but still believe the POX a most perilous Disease, and in some Women most desperately contagious. Rudius (de Morb. venen. lib. 5. c. 10.) tells us that some Scorts are so profound­ly poxt, that all who meddle with [Page 81]them are incurably clapt, and soon after dispatcht to another World. And (lib. 5. c. 8.) he tells a remar­kable Story of a wanton young fellow, who by kissing a Courtizan got such a desperate Pox upon his Tongue, that the best Physicians and Chirurgeous in the City could not cure it, but he soon after miserably expir'd.

I do really believe and avouch it that among all the Common Prosti­tutes in this Town there's scarce one but has the Pox.

And me thinks the very thoughs of that nasty Disease should be a po­tent [...] to repress any mans desires though never so impetuous.

CHAP. XII. An Expedient for rooting the Pox out of England, Transportation of incurable Prostitutes propes'd, com­mended, and urg'd from Divine Laws, and the Institutes of Chri­stian Nations.

GEntlemen, I have faithfully discover'd the Secrets of this Disease: I have instructed you in its Cure: I have furnish'd you with Defensives. You are now your own Doctors; you have Excellent Medi­cines both to prevent and cure the Pox. It only remains now that we consider of some Expedient to root out this Disease, that English­men hereafter may never hear more of it. The only way to effect this, wil be to remove from this City those pernicious Animals, Common [Page 83] Pockie, and Incurable Prostitutes. But you'l reply, they're so numerous, what shall we do with them all? I will propose an Expedient, which may be Commodious to this City: Advantageous to his Maje­sties Interest in his Plantations: and a Design of Charity to the Wretches themselves: which is, to transport them to Jamaica and Bar­bados. The Transportation of these Common and Incurable Courtizans, 1. Will be Commodious to this City; For, will it not be a marvellous Contentment to all, to see this huge City clear'd of these pestilent Creatures, and to have your beds secur'd from the Pox? I am sure as the case stands now, many sub­stantial Citizens are daily ruin'd by these women, and that not always by their own extravagancies, but too often by the debauchery of their Prentices, who usually caress these Courtizans out of their Ma­sters [Page 84]Coffers. 2. It wil be Advan­tageous to his Majesties Plantations, which want people, and may be mightily supply'd and enlarg'd by the Access of so numerous a Party, which here are wholly unprofita­ble. And 3. It will be a Work of Signal Charity to the Prostitutes themselves, to remit them and the Pox to the Indies from whence it came. For 1. It will be a work of Charity to them in respect of their Bodies: for this is the only way for them to attain a Speedy and Perfect Cure. Here in this cold Climate all the Art of Man is not able ever to cure them, the Pox is so profoundly rooted in their bones. But in those hot Countries the Pox, which here could not possibly be overcome, has often in a fortnight been throughly cur'd, as has been experimentally attested by several. 2. It will be a Design of Charity to their Souls, to remove them from [Page 85]their cursed Company, and transport them to places of better Employ­ment and Society. And 3. the ve­ry thoughts of Transportation will hereafter be such a [...] and Ter­rour to luxurious women, that 'twill fright them into better manners; and probably may have greater in­fluence upon that numerous party than any other Menaces or Restri­ctive Laws whatsoever.

Moreover I urge this Transpor­tation of Incurable Courtizans; 1. From the Laws of God, which command that Lepers and infected persons should be separated from the rest of Mankind. 2. From the In­stitutes and Customes of all Civil Na­tions, who have ever us'd to seclude from Publique Converse those who have the Pest, Leprosy, or other con­tagious Diseases. Why then should Pockie Strumpets be permitted the freedome of Publique Converse, or [Page 86]liberty to infect Mankind? I am sure Rudius and Sennertus lament the partial and uneven hand of Pub­lique Justice, which so severely pu­nishes Felons, and yet permits these Common Scorts (so profoundly poxt, and beyond a possibility of Cure) to ruin thousands, and infect whole Families, Cities and King­domes.

I conjure and beseech all Good Divines, that, as I have taken Care of the Body, they would take Charge of the Soul, and by their Good Doctrine and Exemplary Lives institute these Extravagants in the Ways of Continence and Tempe­rance.