Loimotomia, or, The pest anatomized in these following particulars, Viz. 1. The material cause of the pest, 2. The efficient cause of the pest, 3. The subject part of the pest, 4. The signs of the pest, 5. An historical account of the dissections of a pestilential body by the author, and the consequences thereof, 6. Reflections and observations on the fore-said dissection, 7. Directions preservative and curative against the pest : together with the authors apology against the calumnies of the Galenists, and a word to Mr. Nath. Hodges, concerning his late Vindiciae medicinae / by George Thomson.

Loimotomia, or, The pest anatomized in these following particulars, Viz. 1. The material cause of the pest, 2. The efficient cause of the pest, 3. The subject part of the pest, 4. The signs of the pest, 5. An historical account of the dissections of a pestilential body by the author, and the consequences thereof, 6. Reflections and observations on the fore-said dissection, 7. Directions preservative and curative against the pest : together with the authors apology against the calumnies of the Galenists, and a word to Mr. Nath. Hodges, concerning his late Vindiciae medicinae / by George Thomson.

Loimotomia, or, The pest anatomized in these following particulars, Viz. 1. The material cause of the pest, 2. The efficient cause of the pest, 3. The subject part of the pest, 4. The signs of the pest, 5. An historical account of the dissections of a pestilential body by the author, and the consequences thereof, 6. Reflections and observations on the fore-said dissection, 7. Directions preservative and curative against the pest : together with the authors apology against the calumnies of the Galenists, and a word to Mr. Nath. Hodges, concerning his late Vindiciae medicinae / by George Thomson.

Table of contents

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Title page

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To the Truly Honourable, WILLIAM Earl of CRAVEN, Vicount of Ovington, and Baron of Hampsted Marshall.

To the READER.

The Contents of the Chapters contained in this Treatise.

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ΛΟΙΜΟΤΟΜΙΑ: OR, THE PEST ANATOMIZED.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

CHAP. I. Concerning the Name, Essence, and Material Cause of the Pest.

CHAP II. Of the Formal and Efficient Cause of the Pest.

CHAP. III. Of the Subject Part, where the Pest doth principally reside, and act these Tragical Scenes in Mans body.

CHAP. IV. Signs of the Pest.

AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE DISSECTION OF A Pestilential Body; And the Consequents thereof. CHAP. V.

CHAP. VI. Some Medicinal Reflexions and useful Observations made upon this Pestilential Dissection.

Observation I.

Observation II.

Observation III.

Observation IV.

Observation V.

Observation VI.

Observation VII.

Observation VIII.

Observation IX.

Observation X.

Observation XI.

Observation XII.

Observation XIII.

Observation XIV.

Observation XV.

Observation XVI.

Observation XVII.

Observation XVIII.

Observation XIX.

Observation XX.

Observation XXI.

Observation XXII.

Observation XXIII.

Observation XXIV.

CHAP. VII. Directions Preservative and Curative against the Pest.

THE AUTHORS APOLOGY against the Calumnies of the GALENISTS.

Books Sold by Nathaniel Crouch, at the Rose and Crown in Exchange Alley, near Lombard-street.

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[Page]

The Manner of Dissecting the PESTILENTIALL BODY.

Printed for Nath: Crouch at the Rose and Crowne in Exchang Ally

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ΛΟΙΜΟΤΟΜΙΑ: OR THE PEST Anatomized In these following particulars, Viz.

1. The Material Cause of the PEST.

2. The Efficient Cause of the PEST.

3. The Subject Part of the PEST.

4. The Signs of the PEST.

5. An Historical Account of the Dissection of a Pestilential Body by the Author; and the Consequents thereof.

6. Reflections and Observations on the foresaid Dissection.

7. Directions Preservative and Curative against the Pest.

Together with the Authors Apology against the Calumnies of the Galenists: and a Word to Mr. Nath: Hodges, concerning his late Vindiciae Medicinae.

By George Thomson, M. D.

[...].

Dii talem terris avertite Pestem.

London, Printed for Nath: Crouch, at the Rose and Crown in Exchange-Alley near Lombard-street, 1666.

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IMPRIMATUR, 1666.

To the Truly Honourable, WILLIAM Earl of CRAVEN, Vicount of Ovington, and Baron of Hampsted Marshall.

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MY LORD,

YOU have so obliged this whole NATION to Love and Honour you, for those many eminent Graces and Virtues conspicuous [Page] in you, especially that transcendent Charity towards your Neighbour in time of Extremity; that should I, conscious of your Noble Actions, having so fit an opportunity, neglect to render you Thanks, and to celebrate your Praises, for your bounty and liberality to this miserable City, when the Contagion was grassant to the depopulating and depauperating of it, I might deservedly be reckoned among ungratefull men; Augustam Animam Augusto in pectore gestas; you [Page] have a Soul like the Image of the Great Creator, of a vast extent, diffusive, communicative, beneficial to good and bad. Sir, you have given such example of Charity upon this late Exigent, as more powerful to convert this hard-hearted Age, than the Tongue of Men and Angels. Certainly, the presence of your Person, hath been a means to counterpoise the evil effects of fugitive Physicians; so that many probably have evaded the fury of the late Pest, through a strong Imagination that [Page] it was not so Contagious and Mortal (as was conceived) because a Person of your Dignity did dare to tarry here when it was most outragious. Blessed be the Wise Disposer of all things, who hath preserved you to be an Instrument for his further Glory, the Benefit of your Countrey, and the maintenance of FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS against all Opposers. And now I draw a little nigher your Lordship, offering to you the First-fruits of my Difficult Labours, collected in the [Page] time of the Raging Pest. The Substance of this Discourse is Practical, no idle Dogmatical Fancy of a Non Ens, no Necessary Directions from Hearsaid; But I have here laid open what I visibly and experimentally have found to be true, what I have handled with these hands, and seen with these eyes. Really, Noble Sir, all that I begg of your Honour is, That you would be pleased to favour me so far, as I Speak, Write, and Act according to Truth: which I know is so [Page] prevalent, that maugre all Adversaries, it will at length be Triumphant, and bestow upon all Honest Endeavours an Immortal Crown of Glory.

Your Lordships most Humble, and Affectionate Servant,

GEO: THOMSON.

To the READER.

[Page]

Courteous Reader,

I Know thou art Cloy'd with multitude of Books that this Scribling Age is fertil in: Thou must needs nauseate Cramben Millies coctam, the same homely Service a Thousand times set before thee, the same things still repeated, perhaps false, or little for thy satisfactory Instruction: So that it is enough to make thee look askew, and scorn what I have here offered to thy Perusal, expecting no other from me than Cuculi Cantum; sed siste Gradum: If you please to make a Halt awhile, I may deliver something thou may'st not repent to spend time to hear, & take pains to read, tending to thy Health; that Goddess Salus, without which no Temporal Felicity can be enjoyed, by means of which so long as it favours us, nothing but may be purchased.

I have ventured my own Life to save thine, passing through a way little trodden, full of Bryars and Thorns; and finding a [Page] shorter Cut, I have given thee such Directions, which if thou strictly follow, may make thy passage through this vally of miseries more happy. I have declared in this following Treatise, how we are begirt on every side with infinite occasional Causes that seek to ruine us; and what a Domestick Enemy we carry about us, ready to betray us to the violent power of preternatural things infesting us.

I have been above this Twenty Years sollicitous and sedulous to find out the genuine proper Causes and Cures of all Diseases malignant, but especially the Pest; for which end I visited all sorts of People, the Poor as well as the Rich, administring to them Medicines of my own preparation; observing from one, what might be useful to another; yea, I was so eager in the pursuit of Therapeutical Truth, that I was restless till I had the full view of the inward parts of a Pestilential Body, whereby my Iudgment was confirmed in some things, and my Intellectuals instructed in others. I have acted many Years formerly, [Page] but especially now of late, when there was most need, the part of a Physitian, Chyrurgion, and Apothecary, as becomes every honest able Man lawfully called to this Noble Faculty. Take it for an infallible Verity (and I assert it without the least Rancour and Malice to any Person) that it is impossible, without miraculous Inspiration, for a Physitian to discharge his Duty in this honourable Profession, unless he bring to Unity that which of late hath been made a Trinity, through the Laziness, Pride and Covetousness of a Company of Dogmatists. I speak not this to disparage or discourage any able professed Apothecary or Chyrurgion, that is laborious, ingenious, honest, and furnished with competent Learning (as for those that are otherwise qualified, I look upon them as so many Iack-alls or Lurchers, that hunt up and down for a Prey for their Masters, that they may have a share and snip with them) with some of whom I am acquainted, who are an Honour to their Society, for whom I have no small respect and kindness; and so much, that I prefer [Page] them, without Partiality, before many Titular Prescribers, Grandia gradientes, that carry a fair outside, make a great noise in the World (admired of a company of Idiots, that gaze and dote upon them, ut pueri Junonis Avem) and yet are grosly ignorant in Materia Medica, and the right preparation of the same

My Iudgment is, That it is no such preposterous thing (as some Philo-Galenists account it who are as it were riveted into a fond opinion and applause of that Sect) for a Physitian that intends to acquire excellency in his Science, to begin with Pharmacopoea and Chyrurgia supposed, that he have some considerable knowledge in the Tongues.

Neither should I have thought it any Disparagement to me, if I had been (as they falsly alledge) at first professedly instructed and initiated in these Manual Operations, as Doctor Bugs, and some others have been Had I (when the distressed Patient cryed out for speedy help in the most acute Disease) been to seek to an Apothecary or [Page] Chyrurgion for the preparation and dispensation of my Medicines; or either of them to have made their address to a Doctor, many a sick man had in the mean time perished, or at least had suffered much damage. A true Physitian alwayes carries an Apothecaries shop about him, having in Procinctu at hand, what is fitting to pessundate any potent Disease suddenly sallying out upon Nature. He is unworthy the Title of a Doctor, the Name of a Physitian, that labours not with his own hands to attain such Remedies sufficient to save his Patients Life.

I question not but the time is at hand, that whosoever is wilfully ignorant in this kind, will be exploded by all understanding men; for what madness can there be greater, than for an infirm person that truly values Health, to pin his Life upon the Sleeve of such a Doctor, that prescribes a Composition, the Ingredients whereof he knows not, whether they be taken in right, the proportion just; when, nor perhaps how it was made; nay, I go farther (upon good [Page] grounds) that shall not tell you the name of those Concretes, and judge of them, laid before his eyes jointly ordained for a Medicine!

Be wise at length ye Mortals, and suffer not a Dogmatist to Cheat you any longer with a formal Recipe, sent I know not whether, to be made up I know not how, nor by whom; but be ascertain'd, before you meddle with a Physitian, that he have an intuitive knowledge of Animals, Vegetals and Minerals; that he is well versed in the separation of their pure Crasis with his own hands, and then thou needest not doubt of a happy event. Wishing thou may'st accept of my Advice for thy own welfare, I remain thine, whil'st I am,

Iune 15. 1666 From my House in Dukes Place nigh Aldgate.

G. T.

The Contents of the Chapters contained in this Treatise.

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CHap. 1. Concerning the Name, Essence, and Material Cause of the Pest. pag. 7.

Chap. 2. Of the Formal and Efficient Cause of the Pest. 26

Chap. 3. Of the Subject Part, where the Pest doth principally reside, and act these Tragical Scenes in Mans Body. 39

Chap. 4. Signs of the Pest. 52

Chap. 5. An Historical Account of the Dissection of a Pestilential Body; And the Consequents thereof. 69

Chap. 6. Some Medicinal Reflections, and useful Observations made upon this Pestilential Dissection. 107

Chap. 7. Directions Preservative and Curative against the Pest. 144

The Author's Apology against the Calumnies of the Galenists. 172

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Courteous Reader, Here are a few Material Faults escaped by the Printer, which I would have thee to mend with a Pen as thou Readest; 'tis possible thou may'st meet with some Literal ones too, which I have here omitted, that may be past by.

IN the Prologue, page 5. line 17. for Orial read Trial. p. 23. l. ult. for [...], read [...]. p. 54. l. ult. for Amphilogical, read Amphibological. p. 63. l. ult. for perspication, read perspiration, p. 64. l. 7. for Diapuoick, read Diapnoick. p. 84. l. 20. for Dee, read Dey. p. 88. l. 7. for senserint, read senserit. p. 105. l. 16. for Pseudiatori, read Pseudiatri. p. 107. l. 4. for labore, read labor.

ΛΟΙΜΟΤΟΜΙΑ: OR, THE PEST ANATOMIZED.

[Page]

[...].

WHat that vertuous Lady, once afflicted with the Leprosie, wrote upon the Frontispiece of an Hospital, which she erected for the Relief of Leprous Persons: Haud ignara mali miseris[Page]succurrere disco. That she had learnt experimentally to pity and assist others in the like condition, I do heartily endeavour to put in Practice. And certainly none can truly condole anothers unhappy Fate, that hath not savourly and feelingly been made sensible of the vexation of the same himself. Methinks it should be no small encouragement to a sick man to take down freely that bitter Potion for his recovery, which hath often been swallowed by that Physitian who hath been himself a Patient labouring under the like Grief.

When I look back, and seriously ponder with my self what an Army of Diseases have laid Siege to this my frail Mudwall, assailing, undermining and battering it with great and small Shot, sent flying from hereditary and outward occasional Causes; I stand in Admiration, that I have not ere this been laid flat on the ground, insulted over by Worms! I may confidently affirm, That I have felt more or less in my Minority, the smart of most [Page] Diseases that have an existence either traduced from my Parents, or contracted by some exorbitancy and irregularity in my course of life. Three several times have I been wounded by the venemous Arrow of the direful Pest, from which I have recovered, being despaired of by my Friends. The first Arrow stuck deep and long in my Groin, even four Months, for want of application of appropriate Medicaments (which the Galenists alwayes want) for indeed at that time I conceived nothing could act beyond the usual Dispensatory to which I did then too pertinaciously adhere, to my Sorrow: But the two last Arrows were quickly extracted, and the wounds healed without extraordinary Labour and Dolour by Chymical means: And though I am certain the second Scene of this Contagious Sickness did much transcend the former, in respect of the ingress and egress thereof; the magnitude of the Cause, the Atrocity of the Symptoms, with the sad Signs prognosticating Ruine: Yet such Favour received [Page] I from the Donor of every good and perfect Gift, that those purified Remedies which he was pleased to bestow upon me, did in the space of Ten dayes, from the time I was taken, enable me to visit some of my Patients abroad. Certainly had I been so well acquainted about Ten years pa [...]. with those Arcana's in my Art as now, it is impossible that I should (being at that time surprized with a malignant Feaver) have been Cloystered up Seven weeks in my Chamber; extenuated to a Sceleton, by no less than Six large Cruciating Vesicatories prescribed by no inferiour Galenist, who, as it were, extorted me out of the hands of an able Chymist, for the intended Repute of his own Method; which (as soon as I was restored to my right understanding) I declined, absolutely declaring against bleeding in the Arm, which he gave order should be put in execution the next day; and had I not prevented it by an unmoveable resolution to the contrary, the thread of my life had undoubtedly been cut off; for I [Page] have positively set down, and can make it good by practice, That Phlebotomy in the Arm in any malignant Disease, is absolutely destructive.

Give ye ear then all that desire to preserve Sanity, to be healed of Languors and Infirmities, to live a long and comfortable Life, to one' that experimentally knows it for a Truth, and can verifie it by Fact, with sufficient Reasons to back it, That the very foundation of the Galenical Doctrine for the radical Cure of any Disease, [...] in general, and in particular this that is called malignant, &c. [...] the Pest, is sandy and tottering, not able to stand before a spirituous and fierce Orial of that subtile all-searching Spagyrick power, which like Lightning, penetrates to the Center of things, dissolving them into their first Principles, destroying what is superfluous in them, and extraneous, keeping entire and untouched that which is pure and defaecate. Had I not been Passive as well as Active to find out the truth of Curing, I might [Page] have remained to this day in the Cimmerian darkness of Dogmatical Vanities, to which I confess I was too much wedded at first. At length, wholly resigning my self to be led freely by the thred of Nature through the manifold Tortuosities and Meanders of its wonderful operations, I am throughly informed, and shall endeavour to instruct others concerning the Being, Cause, Cure, and Event of this late Pest, as real Experience in my self and others hath taught me, without deviating one tittle wilfully from the truth of things as they are in themselves.

CHAP. I.
Concerning the Name, Essence, and Material Cause of the Pest.

[Page]

I Very well know the curious Linguist will expect the Nomenclature of the Pest in various terms; wherefore to satisfie his desire, I shall deliver them thus. The Hebrews call it [...] à radice, [...] locutus est vel (ut sumitur in sensu malo) perdidit, quod sit res à Deo edicta vel decreta, vel quasi sit perditio. The Greeks, [...], à [...], corrumpo, to corrupt or spoil; [...], à [...], percutio, vulnero, to smite, or wound. The Latins, Pestis, quasi perestis, à peredo, to eat up, or devour, vel Plaga. The English, the Plague, the Pest, the [Page] Sickness, or Disease, per excellentiam, vulgarly the Infection, Contagion, or Distemper.

From the Name, I pass to the Essence and Quiddity of the Pest; which is a Contagious Disease, for the most part very acute, arising from a certain peculiar venemous Gas, or subtile Poyson, generated within, or entering into us from without: At the access, or bare apprehension of which, the Archeus is put into a Terror, and forthwith submitting to the aforesaid Poyson, invests it with part of its own substance, delineating therein the perfect Idea or Image of this special kind of Sickness distinct from any other.

Touching the Material Cause, it is a venemous Gas, or wild Spirit, produced either inwardly from some degenerate Matter conceived within the Body, or outwardly received from some fracedinous noisom Exhalations contained in the pores of the Air, taking their Original from several putrid bodies excited [Page] to fermentation, rarified and opened by the Ambient, altered and moved by Celestial Influences, and so disposed to this or that condition, whereby an expiration is made of virulent Atoms, which sometimes close pent up, and drawn in by the Lungs, do by their deletery power put to flight, confound, suffocate and mortifie the Archeus, or vital spirits, in as short a times as the strong fume of burning Brimstone doth destroy any small living Insect held over it.

I suppose I may well compare this mortiferous odour to the Gas or fume of Brimstone, called by the Greeks, [...], forasmuch as Hippocrates calleth that abstruse Malignity of which a manifest prompt Reason is not to be given, [...], that is something above the Elements, difficult for humane Capacity to render a Cause thereof. To say truth, 'tis not for a Galenist that is clogged with [...] of Temperaments and Humors, to understand the sublime Mystery of [...]; for none [Page] can apprehend this, but he that is Divinitùs doctus, able to soar aloft by virtue of the nimble wings of Mercury, which will by degrees carry him up to a high pitch of the true Philosophical knowledge of natural things. This material virulent substance endued with exceeding Leptomery, or subtilty of parts, hath free passage through the pores of mans Body, which are patent both for admission and emission of minute particles, either friendly and agreeable to Nature, or hostile and pernicious, which the vigilant Custos, the innate spirit of every part can easily distinguish and judge of, detesting and abhorring the one with a perfect Hatred, Terror, Consternation and Confusion; but embracing and hugging the other with confidence, complacency, and sweet delight. Now the Concordance and Sympathy, the Discord and Antipathy of all things in the Creation is plainly visible; for Natura natura gaudet: whatsoever is Symbolical and Congruous with another, [Page] doth easily unite and shake hands with the same; what is Antibolical and disproportionable to it, is rejected, loathed, and nauseated. Thus there is a continual Syndrom and Concourse with like matter to like; and Naturae Bellum inferre, is odious both to the Macrocosm and Microcosm. Water in an instant is conjoined with water, not so easily with that which is Heterogeneous: How quickly do the many Globes of Mercury coincide and couple into one, making a larger Spherical body? How extraordinary fertile do some Lands shew themselves by an injection or superaspersion of some matter agreeable and consentaneous to their Condition, Nature, and inherent Property? Behold how greedily the Air imbibes and swallows up any body attenuated to a high degree, seeming as it were to be converted into an Identity with it! This doubtless deceived the Ancients, supposing from this Affinity and Parity between each, an absolute essential Transmutation [Page] of one into the other, which cannot be, sith the primogenial, simple and virgin Elements are stable, never capable to undergo an Alternate vicissitude of one into another; so that according to Mechanick demonstration, it may be made good, That there is not one grain more or less either of Air or Water, since the very first moment of the Creation of both. 'Tis certain the Air is not only Separator Aquarum, but likewise a Disparter and Segregator of all Tangible bodies whatsoever, insomuch that the more it appropinquates any thing, the more it breaks it into Atomical parts according to its own constitution, and the disposition of that matter it doth surround. Now the Air being ready, according as it is qualified to admit Dilatation and Contraction; and as it is thus modified, so it penetrates, insinuating it self so far as there is the least passage for it, suffurating, and insensibly carrying off whatsoever is capable to be volatilized; hence all [Page] Concretes that have the least Humidity do continually expire, sending out various emanations sutable to their grosser matter whence they arise, which acquiring an inward Ferment, or torn into invisible parts by violent torture of the fire, are all greedily suckt up into the spongy Spaces, or Magnale of the Air, which obnoxious to many Changes, from the Blas Alterativum & Motivum of the heavenly bodies, doth accordingly produce different Meteors, thick or thin, hot or cold, serene or cloudy constitutions, and consequently healthy or sickly Times, Diseases malignant or well conditioned, acute or long, gentle or fierce. Now when the ambient Air shall be crowded full of infinite small particles disagreeing to our Nature, in their Figure, Crasis, Power, Texture and Proportion, making uncessantly a strong impulse upon the vital Aura how is it possible but it must needs be affected, altered, and at length subjugated to the Dominion of an Exotick Tyrant, [Page] with which it conspires to the subversion of a goodly frame, the obscuration and extinction of this bright and shining light of life, which makes us beautiful, effulgent and radiant, so long as it continues clear and vigorous, but once obscured, or put out, the Body becomes dark, deformed, lucid and ghastly to behold? Now the venemous antecedent matter which occasions the Pest, takes its Original immediately either from within the Body, or without; within the circumference of the Skin, an absolute pestiferous Poyson is sometimes engendred, which being incubated by the Archeus, and fomented by several outward Accidents, undergoing manifold Alterations, is at last maturated and specified to this Hoc aliquid Pestilentiale, this kind of virulent matter that occasions the Pest; for without Controversie, were a man separated from all Society, and lived in never so wholsom Air, yet such a pestiferous seed may spring up in the Body that may produce [Page] the same effect, which an extraneous matter occurring doth frequently introduce. Neither ought this to seem strange, sith whatsoever within us degenerates from its native goodness, becoming stagnant and excommunicated from the Commonwealth of life, is either in some short time extruded and banished, or rectified, reformed and reduced, if possible, to its pristine goodness; and if Nature cannot perform this, then is it by little and little insensibly graduated to what it is capable of, and disposed unto; hence by the power of different Ferments ariseth such a distinct Poyson congruous to that seminal power it was first endued withall. Thus the Apoplexy, Epilepsie, Vertigo, Lethargy, Madness, &c. take their Original cause from such a matter that never fails (where there is a sutable Agent to mould it) to explicate it self in this or that manner, and at last to come to this or that determinate, individual thing it was at first destinated, so certain [Page] as a Hen-egg, Turky, or Goose-egg, if not interrupted by some accident, do constantly afford what is appropriated inherently to each kind. For Diseases in mans body have as certain a Seed, as any Mineral, Vegetal or Animal, and make their Beginning, Progress, State, Declination, Period, regularly and uniformly, whatsoever the Galenists say to the contrary, asserting, That a Disease is only aliquid privativum; non positivum; excluding it all the Predicaments, when in truth it is contained in all.

The outward antecedent occasional matter ariseth from some minute venemous Particles, Aporrhaeas, or Effluviums of several Bodies either taken into our Stomack, or immediately entering in through the small pores of the Skin; else darted into the ambient Air, and there skipping up and down, are ready to be admitted through the large patulous passages of the Body, where they play more or less a sad Tragedy, [Page] according to the capacity of the receiver; for it falleth out that sometimes a Pestilential matter is taken in, and by vertue of a robust innate Archeus, is forthwith excluded or tamed, and brought under the Laws of Nature; so that what would prove great damage and detriment to one mans health, doth little impair another.

Now the usual common broad way through which this Poyson is conveyed, is for the most part the Mouth and Nostrils, places obvious for the reception of these virulent Atoms; and needs must it be so, forasmuch as Respiration, which consists of Inspiration and Expiration, being uncessantly performed for the preservation of life, must needs draw in together with the Air whatever is therein intermixt. Now there is in some Topical Air a fermenting venom, equivalent, and every way as active as the Poyson of a Scorpion, Phalangium, or Viper, which though small in quantity, yet operates stupendiously. This [Page] invisible Gas, this fracedinous Aura Lethifera, that fluctuates here and there, once taken into these living houses of Clay, bears such a discord and hostility to them, that if it be not in a short time extruded, a certain ruine of the whole Fabrick must needs follow; for there is such an absolute disproportion and disagreement between these Opacons, dark and spiss Atoms, and the bright luminous beams of life, that this must necessarily be extinguished, if those once take firm possession in us, in the very same manner as Subterranean Damps, and Mephitical Exhalations, cause the clear flame of a burning Lamp to become dim and dusky, and at length to be annihilated.

Considering that we are thus beset on every side with such an allogeneous, pernicions matter, that doth frequently infest us, it is almost miraculous, that the thread of our lives is drawn out to any length considerable, sith every thing hath Spinas & Tribulos in it, somewhat [Page] disagreeable to our Nature; yea, certain things are so deletery, that they dispatch us like the Basilisk, smiting us down we know not when, or how. What strangely offensive Particles are in some places, is well known to any that have often changed their Region, and gone out of one Climate into another. It is remarkable what Iosephus Acosta relates of the grievous effects that the Air causes in those that ascend the hill Pariacaca in America, what violent vomitings even to blood, defection of the spirits, and faintings almost to death do continually disturb them, till such time they have passed over the Perolede, or Valve of the Air about that hill, which without doubt conteins in it those Corpuscles, which are altogether incongruous with our spirits. It is reported that such a noxious breathing arises from a certain Lake in Hungary, that Birds that flie over are suddenly surprized with death.

Notable are the Stories of the Petrification [Page] of tender bodies, by certain Corpuscles in the Air, endued with such a saxifying power. Some Tracts of Air offend the Eyes, some the Teeth. Some places are Scorbutical, others Dysenterical, these Febriculous, those Arthritical, and here and there some are Pestilential, which are observed to produce the Pest Periodically (as in Gran Cairo in Aegypt) where the beginning and end of raging Plagues may punctually be foretold, the reason of the cause whereof seems very abstruse, only in the general we may probably conclude, That there arises some eminent alteration in the Air, and those infinite Emanations it hath received into the Pores thereof, from a Blas or Influence of the heavenly bodies: Which, although as I have formerly delivered, are of themselves innocent, free from any malignity, venom, or pestiferous property: yet they cause various alterations and motions in the Air, whereby it is disposed to be wholsom or unwholsom to us; for [Page] we find experimentally, That the Pest is most outragious, when the pores of tangible bodies are most ready to expire by the ambient Air, which the nearer the Sun approacheth, the hotter it is, and thereby a Rarefaction and Subtiliation made of those parts which otherwise lie constringed, dormant, benummed as it were, and mortified by extream cold; for it is the nature of Cold to destroy the seminal power of all Concretes as moderate heat on the contrary excites the seed of all things, and provokes them to act.

We commonly see, that a most putrid and putid substance congeled by violent Frost, desists to send forth that horrid ill odour, which the warmth would quickly extract from it; questionless had not Divine Providence ordered, That the middle Region of the Air should be extraordinary cold, on purpose to spoil various Exhalations of their Ferments and Seeds, it were impossible but that all things should have [Page] been long ago reduced to their first Chaos: So efficacious do we find cold Seasons, through the distance of the Sun from us, in powerfully restraining this feral Disease, the Pest, that in this part of the World there hath seldom any great Mortality reigned amongst us in a very sharp Winter. And I have observed that the late Contagion, although it had taken deep root in mans body, and endeavoured to pullulate, and shoot out fresh; yet was it so curbed and tamed by the Autumnal Frost, that it could never rise up to any height, or get head, its fermenting power being still kept under by the surrounding cold Air; which is changed according to the remotion, appropinquation, interception, and obscuration of the solar Beams; which though innocuous; lovely and glorious of themselves, yet shining upon a stinking Dunghil or Kennel, and opening the body of any putrilaginous substance, do accidentally cause a Fermentation in its parts, and thereby an [Page] Expiration of unsavoury and noysom Atoms prejudicial to mans life. Hereby not only inanimate things induce a detriment to our health, through a multiplicity of their copious Exhalations continually altering, and making impression upon our spirits, weakning their Tone, debilitating their Vigour, dissipating, confounding, and destroying them by their deletery property; but likewise the Respiration, Emanations or Effluviums of divers sorts of Animals do often prove hurtful to our Natures; especially one mans body doth easily affect and infect another, by reason of a symbolical Affinity that is between one mumial ferment and another; for there is an easie transmigration of virulent Particles from body to body, where there is a magnetism, & a capable reception thereof; and under the guise of a friendly Guest, a mortal Enemy is sometimes entertained: And doubtless there are some Men and Women seemingly healthful, whose [...], Breathings, [Page] Aporrhaea's, or Effluviums, are very pernicious to others, causing great inconvenience and disturbance in the Archeus, yet perhaps not sensibly to be discovered: Sith then we are thus beset on every side with an invisible fracedinous Gas, how is it possible that materials should be wanting for the framing the Pest, and other innumerable Diseases!

Thus much concerning the antecedent occasional matter: That which is next to be enquired, is Materia conjuncta, or Conttnens of the Pest, which is part of the Archeus contaminated by the Pestilential Miasm, which primarily seats it self in the privy Chamber of the vital spirit, which becomes one, and joins with the Occasional, Antecedent matter, to dissolve the goodly structure of this Microcosm; for the antecedent matter could do us no harm, were not the Continent united to it, so as to become capable to receive the true figure, character or impression of [Page] this determinate disease, the Pest; where it remains, till such time the foresaid matter be profligated or proscribed by the strength of the residue of the Archeus, as yet untouched and free from Contagion, or the Image of the Pest expunged, and thereby a Manumission and Redemption of the captivated spirit, from that slavery it was before kept under by a domineering Idea. Neither ought it to seem strange, that I reckon part of the Archeus for the conjunct matter of the Pest, contrary to the Doctrine of the Schools, who never dreamed of any such thing, till that great Deliverer of Philosophical verity, Helmont brought it to light; forasmuch as nothing exotick or venemous could do us any hurt, did not the Archeus, the vital spirit cowardly first yield it self Prisoner to the assailing Poyson; and then afterward become confederate to act with it, to the demolition and devastation of that Fabrick which otherwise might stand unmoved.

CHAP II.
Of the Formal and Efficient Cause of the Pest.

[Page]

MAtter of it self is effete, languid and dead, if it be not quickned and actuated by some spirit, which contrives, moulds and fashions it into such a form, that doth specifie and make it distinct from another by its essential Properties, and inseparable Accidents. This spirit, Archeus, [...], of all Things is chiefly seated in the Seed; for without a seminal power nothing can have production. Every thing that acts is furnished with some portion of the universal Spirit; and even those things that seem to be vapid, dull and torpid to our senses have in them latitant a spirit dormant, which gave them, [Page] and maintains their being. Now there are many different kind of Seeds, Ferments and Spirits (all derived from the Universal) as there are things in the World which act according to the disposition of the Matter, and capacity of the Subject: For unumquodque recipitur secundum captum recipientis; and Ex quovis non fit quodlibet: Which is to be understood of a secondary, concrete matter, not primary simple Elementary; sith according to Helmont, and the best Philosophers, all things take their Original from Water, which transmuted to this or that, according as topical Ferments, and innate Seeds lead it. However all compound bodies, perfect and imperfect, are confined, and stinted only to bring forth their like, and to act within the sphere of their activity, without interfering, grating, incroaching and intrenching upon anothers Commonwealth; and within these bounds of their Monarchy do they still continue, till they have acted the [Page] last Scene, and taken their Exit, and are so resolved again into their first aqueous Element, from which daily arise new Actors in several Dresses. To this do many Philosophers subscribe as Truth, as it relates to Minerals, Vegetals and Animals, that have a manifest principle of generation; but they will not allow Diseases to be taken into this Catalogue, sith they arise from a depravation and distortion of Nature, through the fall of the first Prevaricator, who by his lapse put the creature in Arms against himself and all Mankind: So that a disease with them, is only a privation or mutilation of our health, a defection from Sanity, proceeding from divers Accidents that daily affect us preternaturally. For they think they have spoken enough, in telling us, that some good is exclusively taken from us, but are silent concerning that positive, real evil that infests us, having an absolute Entity in it, consisting of a seminal power, a fermental transmutation, an [Page] operative Spirit, and a lively Idea. All which Endowments make a Disease to be Ens reale verum, something in Reality.

That Maladies have in them a Spermatick power, is evidently known by some hereditary Diseases that are propagated and traduced from the Father to the Son, and from the Grandfather to the Grandchild, which lie a long time unseen, unfelt, closely couched in the blood, and at length break forth into Act upon some irritating occasion. How is it possible that the Small Pox should lie above Twenty years in our bodies, before it shoot out, if it were not contained in a Seed, which according to the disposition of each Individual, when the fulness of time comes, breaks forth sooner or later, into Buds and Branches?

The Gowt and Stone are sometimes so concorporated with our seminal principles, that it may be thought as difficult to separate light from fire, as to part two [Page] such Companions fundamentally conjoined in our Conception. Moreover, as it is the Nature of every Seed, whether Vegetal or Animal, in the very moment of breaking forth into Act to ferment, that thereby its vertues may be diffused readily into all parts, and likewise an equal distribution of Spirits made: In like manner morbos seeds have their fermentation, which though invisible at first, yet at length are plainly apparent by effects. So requisite is fermentation for the production of all things, that without it the Spirit remains drowned and overwhelmed in untractable and indisposed matter. Did not the poyson of the Pest, most contemptible for quantity, ferment and season the whole mass of blood, by altering the position and texture thereof, by coagulating and changing it into a tartarous substance, it could never cause such a tragical Catastrophe in mans body, quite subverting its well composed frame. For it is grand Ignorance to [Page] think that bare Qualities, which are transient and momentany, depending upon the influence of substantial Forms, which cause a Flux and Reflux of the heat, cold, moisture, and siccity, according to the Motion, Collision, Exaltation, Degradation, Indigence and Abundance of Spirits in the body, should on a sudden cause such a stupendious Metamorphôsis in this little admirable World; wherefore nothing but that which causes a Zumôsis, an Effervescence, and leavens the whole lump of blood by its deletery, diffusive property, can turn all topsie turvy in this manner, and bring a speedy ruine to this magnificent Structure.

Neither is there wanting in Diseases an Architectonical Spirit, which is the Faber and Vulcan that hammers out and forges every kind of malady, observing an exact Copy, Rule and Canon which was at first imprinted in it by a vigorous Imagination: As this Stamp, Figure, Idea or Character doth [Page] direct the Archeus, so it begins, proceeds, and at last concludes, according as the impression lasteth. This pure, restless Spirit, that at first moved upon the waters, is ordained by the great Creator of all things to be an exact Fabricator of whatsoever hath a being, which alwayes at first pourtrayes and delineates the scheam and fashion of whatsoever is afterwards to be done by it. And although it was never intended by that Fountain of this universal Spirit, that any thing hurtful or destructive to man should be produced, yet ever since there was brought an Ataxy, irregularity and inconformity upon the spirit of man through the disobedience and rebellion of the Protoplastes it hath minted and coined exorbitant, monstrous, exotick Images, by direction of which it acts to its own calamity and ruine, consuming, spoiling, making havock of that (through foolish, vain Terrours, Inquietudes, Anxieties and Fury) which ought to be [Page] preserved and cherished by regular and peaceable operations. Now no sooner is it touched by any thing that is disagreeing and disproportionable to its natural constitution, but it is affrighted, perplexed, fretted, raged and disturbed, and put quite besides it self, if it cannot presently be rid of it; yea, the very thoughts of an approaching mischief, doth sometimes cause the Archeus from a groundless fright to bring that really to an existence, which otherwise would never have been; as is apparent, when a timerous person hearing a relation of the Pest, and the terrible symptoms accompanying it, doth through the power of strong imagination, making somewhat of nothing, sowe a pestilential Seed in the blood, which fermenting and swelling up, doth forthwith entertain the vital spirit that makes in it self a perfect Idea of that Disease which never ceases, as long as it continues, to diminish, and at length to extinguish the bright shining Lamp of life. [Page] Did not the vital Spirit at first running away, afterward entertain treacherously, as it were, into its privy Chamber, shaking hands, and hugging in its bosom that which is virulent, poysonous and deletery, and thereby appropriate the same to it self, entering into a firm league with that which is Tristissima mortis Imago, the lurid and dismal Picture of lethiferous dissolution, conspiring and co-operating with an irreconcilable Enemy to mans health; neither the venom of any Mineral, Vegetable or Animal, nor the Heteroclite poyson of the Pest could injure us, or any way damnifie us. But as the Case stands, Perditio nostra à nobis; and that which was in the beginning ordained for a sole preservative to us, doth often become our bane and destruction. And Spiritus ille vitalis qui Actiones sanas etiam morbosas edit: That Archeus which is the instrument of Sanity, is likewise the Author of Maladies; and that saying is too true to our sad experience, [Page] Nemo laeditur nisi à se ipsa. We are indeed [...]. Self destroyers, and do exactly patrize, daily putting in practice what the First of Men taught us. 'Tis not the outside that simply defiles us, but all our Misery flows from within; 'tis this domestick Enemy that doth infest us, our familiar Friend, with whom we continually converse, that lies in our own bosom, that betrayes us, and delivers us up for a spoil, to the ambient Air, Diet, and other necessary things we are forced to make use of for a subsistence to support this brittle and friable clod of earth.

These poysonous Atoms that lurk in the pores of the Air, and are wasted up and down with every blast, slighly entering into our bodies unfelt, unseen, cannot of themselves make the Pest, unless our Archeus become an efficient and formal cause of its Quiddity; so that it hath its immediate being from our vital Spirit, which comes to pass in this manner. So soon as these loathsom [Page] Particles enter in, either through the larger or smaller passages of the skin, the Custos or Centinel of that part where it first makes an impulse, perceiving that its Territories is invaded by a cruel potent Adversary, a destroyer of Nature, being surprized with horror and confusion, forthwith flies, giving advantage to its Foe to take possession of that part, and giving all over for lost: It suffers the fermenting poyson to alter the natural well disposed mumial ferment in our bodies, and to change it into the same condition with it self; upon this the Archeus, the forenamed Custos, that keeps guard, & always watches and wards Night and Day for the preservation of the whole, being full of Consternation and Terror, throws away the Reins of orderly Government, and yields it self up captive to the imperious Placits of a Truculent Tyrant, uniting it self intimately with full consent to demolish this beautiful Edifice; and to that end doth immediately frame a seminal [Page] Idea, and an absolute draught of what it intends to accomplish. Then is the first beginning of the Pest, and is as it were in Ovo, acquiring maturity by degrees, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, according to the strength or weakness of imagination, vigorous power, or feebleness of mumial ferments, the subtlety, or dulness of the Poyson, the activity or drowsiness of the Archeus. So long as the pestiferous occasional Cause, whither it arise from within or without, continues not actuated, and as it were not animated by our Archeus, it can do us no harm; but remains like an unpolished mishapen piece of Timber, which was never yet brought into a form by a dextrous Mechanick. So soon as the Architectonical spirit enters into this deletery matter, it informs the same, and brings that into an actual being, of which otherwise it would have been deprived; once quickned, it never leaves to play a sad Tragedy (unless the venemous matter be suddenly [Page] excluded, the Idea obliterated, and the Archeus highly fortified) upon the Theatre of this Microcosm, with variety of dismal Scenes, as several individual Constitutions admit from the Prologue of its Birth to the Epilogue of its Death.

CHAP. III.
Of the Subject Part, where the Pest doth principally reside, and act these Tragical Scenes in Mans body.

[Page]

I Have not been a little anxious (but not presumptuous, as the Galenists have falsely aspersed me) to find out the chief Palace, or Chair of State, where this mortiferous Tyrant the Pest doth principally sit enthroned; where by its beck and insolent frowns, it makes this little World, and all that inhabit in it, to crowch, creep, and tremble!

That this Poyson doth enter in, and ride in the Triumphant Chariot of the vital Spirit, both innate and influent, is [Page] an undoubted Truth: For, as I said, by means of it, the Pest moves, and hath a being; and without the same, it is as nothing; for the pestilential matter whether generated within, or hath an ingress from without, through the Hand, the Foot, the Eye, the Nostril, Mouth, or any other place; still the Custos, the vital Spirit of that part gives it entertainment, by cowardly running from the poyson, and so betraying that trust that was reposed in it, by yielding up treacherously it self, and a strong hold to the fury of a potent Enemy, to which the Archeus becomes a Vassal to perpetrate those things that tend to Ruine and Desolation.

Notwithstanding this particular damage and nocument (that arises from a dedition and timorous submission of the Archeus to this pestiferous Gas, making an incursion and invasion upon the Borders and Confines of this flourishing Kingdom, Mans living Body) were far more tolerable, were not this [Page] venom conducted to the very Center and Metropolis thereof, the Stomack, where the Soul it self keeps Court, which incircled with all necessary Officers, sends forth wholsom Edicts for the preservation of the body Natural. In the Bed-chamber of this Noble Membrane, the Stomack, doth this usurping Disease take its lodging, darting Basilisk-like, his virulent beams into all parts circumjacent in a Heteroclite, and Anomolous manner, sometimes causing a stupor, and lethargical drowsiness, like Opium, sometimes a phtenzy or fury like Hemlock, or Nuces insanae; at one time a Numness, or Paralytical disposition, like the Fish Torpedo. At another time an inquietude or incessant motion, like the poyson of a Tarantula. Now an insatiable thirst, and a scorching flaming heat, like one bit by the Serpent Dypsas; then again a Coldness, Rigour and Shivering, like the venom of a Scorpion! provoking in one man a hungry appetite a little before death, in another an [Page] aversation and loathing of all Food; producing a manifest Feaver in this man, and in that none at all, or hardly any sensible; striking down one, as if he were Syderated, or Apoplectical, and tenderly handling another, as it were, in a dallying, flattering and sporting way, curiously spinning out the thread of his life for some dayes, yea, weeks, and then at length cutting it off! Thus this raging venom being once ushered by the desponding Archeus, into the innermost Recesses and Closet of life, is by this means become Master of the whole, vacua dominatur in Aula; and having quite confounded the Eutaxy and good Government that was before in the vital ingenite spirit of the stomack, quietly and sedulously working, [...], causes the same to be irregular, exorbitant, hair-brain'd, foolish and furious, careless what becomes of itself, and what belongs to its tuition. For the Confirmation of what I have delivered, That the Region of the Hypocondries, [Page] especially the Stomack, is the principal place where the Pest taketh up its abode. We are to take special notice what strange alteration is made in the Region Epigastrick by violent passions, and how the Oeconomy of the whole body thereby is put into a disorder (perhaps upon an imagination sometimes of that which is not at all real) as it happens when a panick fear, extraordinary anger, an excessive joy, some sad and dreadful News brought to us doth in a trice distract us, making the first impulse upon the stomack; and us Helmont excellently observes, spoiling an eager appetite to our food in an instant, quite taking off the edge of the stomack, which before was sharp set: And although the Galenists are plensed erroneously to separate the irascible and concupiscible Appetite, so that they divide them into two distinct stalls, placing the one, i. e. the irascible in the heart, and the other, the concupiscible, in the stomack, the lower adjacent [Page] parts; yet if they weigh the truth of things seriously, they may be better informed, that the Orgiastick, as well as the Epithymetick are chiefly lodged in the mouth of the Ventricle, which the Ancients for that excellency they conceived of it, adorned with the name of [...], being of that power and soveraignty, that according to its benigne or maligne Aspect, it causes a serenity or obscurity in this little Horizon. Here is the Bench, where the sensitive Soul sits as Judge, which if rightly tuned, and well composed, censures, and strait puts to an end the manifold Conflicts, Tumults, Broils, and Uproars in the Body Natural; but if out of order, and have an Atony, it embroils all in Wars, being the Ring-leader, Promoter, and efficient cause of all Disorder and Confusion. Now as from this Fountain the Stomack, and its Co-partner, the Spleen (which make according to Helmont, a Duumvirate) springs our Health, the greatest felicity in this [Page] world; so from the same root arises sickness and infirmity, the bitter ingredient, that marrs all that delicious mess which either Nature hath provided, or mans ingenious Cookery can invent. In hac Olla continentur mors & vita: This is that Pandora's Box, which Adam, to please his brutish appetite, ventured to open for the reception of the forbidden fruit, which was no sooner ingested, but out flew infinite calamitous Maladies that vexed him, and torture us his Posterity to this day. In this little membranous Field was first sown the rebellious seed of all Diseases, which ever since never ceased to propagate and multiply it self over the universal face of the globe of Mankind in a direful manner. Here is the Plantation and Nursery of all sort of Feavers; for never did I know any afflicted in this kind, but still the digestive ferment of the stomack became impaired, and degenerate from its Native goodness; hence come those multiplicity of sad [Page] Symptoms which appear, as Nauseousness, Anorexy, extream Thirst, bad Sapour, Sopour, tedious Watchings, Dotage, Melancholy, Madness and the like. Here is the Mine where the Stone and Gowt have their Ens primum; are first embrionated, and lie in their rude Principles. In this Duumvirate is the Nest where the Asthma, Sqinsie, Pleurisie, Vertigo, Epilepsie, Apoplexy, Lethargy, Phrensie, Diarrhaea, Lienteria, Dysuria, Stranguria, Ischuria, Scorbute, and this terrible blow, Plaga excellens, the Pest are first brooded, hatched, fed, and at length perfected, and able to subsist of themselves. In this admirable Cavity is erected the Mint royal, where the lively Image of Sanity and Infirmity are stamped, and the lineaments of every Languor drawn out as it were with a Pencil, that it may act uniformly in one continued series and tenour, according to its kind and various constitution it meets with. For even a vulgar Head [Page] knows how to distinguish a Quartan Ague from a Quotidian, and both from a Tertian; a continual, from an intermitting Feaver; the Spasm or Cramp, from a Palsie; the Dropsie, from an Atrophie, or a macilent Consumption; and several other Diseases one from another: And this is deduced from the Parts affected, the certain Symptoms, Accidents and Products that inseparably accompany each of them. The silly old Women called Searchers, can report upon the bare Aspect of a pestilential Corps, when thy see Tumors of the Emunctories, Cauterizing Carbuncles, Blains, Pustles, and those stigmata nigra, they call the Tokens, in the superficies of the Skin, that this or that Person dyed of the Sickness, Wherein although they are sometimes mistaken by reason of some intervening outward Accidents, which may hinder the eruption of these pestilential Blossoms; yet an expert Physitian, that hath a more intuitive knowledge into these things [Page] than the common People, will hardly ever be mistaken in the Diagnôsis of the Disease: And certainly this could never be discovered aright, were not the Idea and Platform of every grief, as it were shadowed out, limmed and sigillated in the ingenite Archeus of the tender, tractable Stomack and Spleen. Neither ought it to seem strange, that the Ventricle being a Membrane, should have such admirable properties, and rare effects bestowed upon it by power of the sensitive Soul, there taking its principal habitation; sith the womb of the same Texture doth sometimes act stupendiously, even to the seeming imitation of a new Creation out of nothing, as when the Idea of a Cherry, Mulberry, or the like, is impressed by the uterine Imagination upon that part of the Infant, according as the hand of the Mother shall be directed at that time of her earnest longing; which fictitious fruit shall afterward flourish sooner or later, as the Native Soil and Climate of [Page] that place doth bring real fruit to a speedy or late maturity. Now forasmuch as the Stomack and its Compeer the Spleen, the Duumvirate of this Commonwealth, have such power committed to them, that they are as the Key to open the Door to Health and Sickness; and as it were, the Helm that turns and winds this Vessel at pleasure: In what ought a true Physitian to be more sollicitous, than in preserving them in Eutonie, Eucrasie, Eumetrie, and to have special care of this excellent Organ, lest any thing assumed may injure the ferment of these parts, disturb, disquiet and annoy the Archeus thereof? Away then with the seculent and dirty Medicaments of the Galenists, which I can demonstrate to their faces, if they dare to stand a Tryal, are not fitting to be received into such a Noble part for the Cure of any deep rooted Disease whatsoever. And were not their Patients grosly ignorant in that which concerns their own life, did they but understand [Page] the notable damage both present and future that attends those that enter into this Wire-drawing Galenical course of Physick, they would utterly abominate such dreggy stuffe, if more pure and defecate Chymical Remedies could be obtained. Never let any Lover of Learning harbour a thought, that such an Elephant like, Gigantical Disease the Pest, is like to be detruncated and overcome by a Galenist, who (I'le make it appear, ipso facto) knows not how to remove a trivial ordinary Feaver radically and fundamentally! And all this proceeds for want of a clear understanding of the right use of the Stomack; the powerful influence it hath upon all parts; the Nature of its Ferment, and the tender respect that is to be given to the Archeus, the diligent Custos, and watchful Janitor of the Orifice and Pylorus. Suffer not then any that pretends to Cure thee, to exhaust the innocent blood profusely, by opening a vein in the Arm for the Cure of [Page] that Malady, whose cause doth only Centrally depend upon an Exorbitancy, Discord, Dearticulation, and Apostasie of the vital Spirit in the Duumvirate, from the genuine well-disposed Constitution that ought to be in it.

CHAP. IV.
Signs of the Pest.

[Page]

JUdiciously to dicsern the Pest from other Diseases, is sometimes a Task of no small difficulty, in that it hath no certain, peculiar, proper, Pathognomonical inseparable Sign emergent with it, not common to others: So that an able Physitian may sometimes be puzled at first Access positively and absolutely to determine, whether the Patient be smitten by this superlative stroke, or afflicted with some other inferiour sickness. He alone that is Omniscious, can infallibly tell in what instant time this pestilential poyson is conceived, or enters into mans body; so closely doth it lie for the most part, that none but he that knows things à priori, can punctually [Page] discover that such an one carries about him a mortal Arrow shot into his Praecordia.

To see a man eat and drink liberally, to be jocund, frolick, seemingly enjoying a Jubilee, to exercise Venery, and several Disports, as at other times, and yet to carry about him the very Picture of Death within, is a Plague of the Plague. To be undermined by a Clandestine Enemy little dream't of, digging like a company of Pioners into the very bowels of this Microcosm, and on a sudden tearing in pieces unawares this strong fortress of life, is that which heightens the malice of this truculent Calamity. For had an able Physitian opportunity granted him to encounter with this horrid Monster upon its first approach, I make no doubt but that by means of the Artillery of powerful Remedies, it might quickly be overcome, dispossessed and mortified. Wherefore the Case standing thus with us, it is prudent Providence to stand upon our [Page] guard, and discreetly suspecting the worst, to fortifie our selves as well as possibly may be, vim vi repellere, and to get such a Panoplie of Arcanas, that we may not easily be vulnerable, or at least may speedily heal those wounds that are made by its intoxicated arrows: Sith we are ignorant a priori, when we are first assaulted with this fermenting poyson, let us strictly observe what may be useful to us à posteriori.

Yet ought we not to despair; for some antecedent Signs may coniecturally lead us to a fore knowledge and prevision of this venemous Arrow that is let flown at us, that thereby we may make the better provision, defending our selves, pro re nara, and thereby take off by Art the virulency that attends it; for praevisa spicuia levius feriunt. How significant the Stars are to forewarn us of this grievous wound to be inflicted upon Mankind, is best known to Astrologers, whose Predictions I have always found very uncertain and amphilogical, [Page] for want of that Syderal knowledge which Adam once enjoyed. Indeed I am bound to believe that the heavenly bodies were ordained in Signa, Tempora, Dies & Annos; and the reason why we do not foretell what they often preindicate, is to be attributed to the dimness and imbecility of our understanding, which since our lapse is become uncapable of such Celestial mysteries. It is confessed, some general obscure Notions we may collect from above, yet we for the most part square them, as that crooked Line of our own Interest guides us; not according to the strait Rule of Verity, for every one is willing to put from himself the evil day, and shift it upon another. That Comets, or Blazing Stars do portend some evil to come upon Mortals, is confirmed by long observation and sad experience, as likewise Phaenomena of a Parelios, Parasolene, apparitions of Draconos volantes & Trabes, Scintillae, now Stars, Battles fought, and Coffins carried through the Air, [Page] Howlings, Screechings, and Groans heard about Church-yards; also raining of blood, unwonted matter, &c. All of which having something extra naturam, are portentous and prodigious, ordained by that good Philanthropos to advertise us to a timely resipiscence, and prevention of those evils that hang over our heads.

Moreover, when unseasonable weather, as extream drought, or superfluity of moisture infest us, when waters contract a fracedinous Odour and Corruption; when multitude of Insects, as Toads, Froggs, Flies, Cimires, and divers poysonous Creatures appear; when Cattle perish in great Numbers by some Contagious lues; when malignant Diseases, as Small Pox, Spotted Feavers; Scurvy, or the like, are frequent among us, which gave me occasion (perceiving how grassant the Scorbute was in this Nation) to deliver a Prediction, that in some short time it would break forth into some terrible Symptoms, [Page] degenerating into this late acute Sickness.

Let this suffice in General, to give a Premonition and Caveat of a future [...]est for our premunition. Touching the Signs that attend the Pest, that it is present, they are manifold all or most of which are maturely to be considered, that we may attain a perfect Diagnôsis of this Heteroclite Calamity, and withall make a Prognôsis for a discovery what is like to be the event thereof. And here I must take notice what a promiscuous complication, contexture and mutual entercourse there is of the Signs belonging to the Pest, and other Maladies, especially the Scorbute; so that he ought to be very quick-sighted, that can sometimes rightly distinguish between one and the other: Wherefore in delivering Judgment concerning a doubtful matter, all Circumstances are strictly to be observed, and a Syndrom of Symptoms to be mustered together, that what a single cannot, a collective [Page] Enumeration of Signs may instruct us in the Nature and Essence of that kind of Languor which hath seized upon the Patient. When therefore an Oppression about the Praecordia, a Loathing, Vomiting, a Vertigo, great pain of the Head, a notable redness in the veins of the conjunctive Tunicle, difficult or irregular Respiration, a great asperity of the Tongue, extream Thirst, or no Thirst considerable; a Soporous, or Lethargical Disposition, Agrypnie, Restlessness and Inquietude, a Misapprehension, false Conception of things; a delirium or raving, a Faintness, Palpitation of the Heart, and Lipothymie; a Stupor and Numness in several parts, Spontaneous Trembling, Lassitude, alternate changes of heat and cold, shooting pains especially in the Emunctories, Eruption of Blanes, Vesicles, Spots, Botches, Carbuncles, an obscure or manifest Feaver, sometimes violent, sometimes gentle, the pulse weak, unequal, intermitting, formicant, or vermiculant; [Page] a laudable well-coloured Urine, not at all discovering any evil affect, when many, or most of these Signs appear, especially when the Disease is dominant, an able Physitian may confidently assert, That the sick man hath a Pestilential poyson within him. Happy is he that meets with such a Physitian, that can detect in a seasonable time this subtle Serpent that lieth hid in the bosom, that he may bruise his head, before it infect by his noysom breath the greatest part of the vital Spirits, hindring a free circulation of the blood, by causing a restagnation, and coagulation of the same; for while the Pest is in fieri, potent Remedies being duly administred, do seldom miss or their right scope of Curing; but when it comes to be in facto esse, the Recovery becomes very hazardous. For this reason I have urged some persons that would listen to me, whom I have suspected to have received the Infection, for [...] to take what might give a check to its [Page] full Career, stopping it in limine, before it entred into the Bedchamber of life; and so successful have I been this way, that in a few hours there hath been by vertue of some active Remedies, an Epiphany and Efflorescence of some Spot, Tubercule, Vesicle, Bubo, or the like on the skin, which hath both satisfied the Patient, by a timely prevention of future mischief, and confirmed my Judgment with credit. In some I have at first so taken off the force of the Venom, by the frequent use of purified Sulphurs, that it could never so seize upon the blood, as to put any considerable stop to its motion; so that hereby, not the least cutaneous Emersion could be discovered, as it happened to my Brother, who had the Pest twice, with a Feaver, Vertigo, Oppression at the Stomack, and other evident Symptoms belonging thereto; and yet had neither Botch, Carbuncle, Blane, Vesicle, Pimple, or Spot apparent in his whole Body: And though, as he told me, he [Page] felt about a Hundred times for a Bubo in his Groin, the virulent, tartarous blood tending that way, notwithstanding it could never gather to make any Tumor; forasmuch as it was still ferretted, subtiliated, and dissipated by Medicines that were volatile, and capable to be circulated with the blood, and to be carried as far as the sixth digestion; and there to execute the office of discussing any gross leutous matter, without leaving a Caput mort behind. Certainly the advice of the Poet, Principiis obsta, is to be embraced in any Disease, but especially this, which being morbus per peracutus, quickly finishes its course, (when it once sets forth) and hastens to a period oftentimes in a few hours. Seeing therefore it treads so softly within us, that it cannot be heard to walk; remains sometimes so silent, that it speaks little or nothing that we can understand for our instruction, 'tis wisdom to send out some Exploratores perspicaces, subtle Scouts, I mean, exquisite [Page] Medicines, that by their leptomery and specifick Dowry implanted in them, may search out and discover whatsoever is hostile in our Territories, heating up the Quarters of that close Enemy which lies in perdu to destroy us ex improviso. Wherefore if any notable Errour be committed by any in Diet or any outward thing that is ordained no support our life, let there be a timely prevention of the ill effects thereof. And although 'tis true, that there is no sign in the Pest which may not appear in another sickness, yet when such a Contagion is grassant, and many of the forenamed Symptoms shew themselves, though very obscurely, we have just cause to censure it to be of this kind, and to withstand the same with Curatives sutable to the magnitude and activity thereof. Much likewise is to be gathered from some Adjuncts and Circumstances annexed to virulent Symptoms and Products that may specifie their Nature from what root they [Page] spring, and shew that they are not of the Classis of those that are mild and gentle; for pestilential Bubo's, Parotites, Carbuncles and Blanes often break forth before any considerable Feaver on a sudden, and are far more painful than others that are well-conditioned. Any small cutaneous Phaenomenon as a Vesicle, or some vexatious Pimple, somewhat unusual to us in time of mortal Contamination, though no Feaver, nor any other bad Symptoms shew themselves, ought to dictate to us what may be the worse, that nothing may be neglected conducing to the breaking this Cockatrice Egg in the beginning.

In short, any sudden Alteration arising in us in time of Contagion, and no solid Reason to be given for it, may very well inform us, that we are intoxicated, and our Spirits infected by this Atrocious Arrow. A defect of a customary Diaphoresis, and a kindly perspication of the whole body, especially towards [Page] Morning, ought to make us suspitious, and to move us to use all means to open the Pores by Diaphoretical and Diapuoick Alexiteries. Whether this poyson entered into us from without by Contact or Respiration? and whether it took its original from an inward principle of Malignity, is often hard to deem? yet sometimes there ariseth a manifest change, punction and dolour in that part where it had the first ingress, and some remarkable impression made Topically, as it happened in an obscure manner to my hand, which was for some time demerged and souzed in the poysonous liquamen of a pestilent Carkass, that had at that time retained a heat in the bowels. Expedite and vehement is that Pest which is framed by a strong imagination of a fright in the Individual, for it often absolves a fatal History in a very short time, but what proceeds from a Terrour of the Archeus, ingenite in every particular part, although it have more danger in it, yet [Page] it begins and makes it progress a little more leisurely for the most part, giving fairer warning, which I ought to have taken more notice of, when those destructive Atoms entered into my hand at the time of the Dissection of such an infecting Cadaver.

Touching the event of the Pest that hath seized upon any person as to make a Prognôsis thereof forthwith infallible, is scarce granted to any Physician, it being a meer Proteus, turning Chamaeleon like, into all shapes of life and death; for where there seems most security, there is most danger; and when the Symptoms are most direful to behold, a happy conclusion of Sanity sometimes follows.

Thus much I have frequently observed, that a very laudable Urine, like to one healthy, is oftentimes the worse; and the more mild the Accidents appear to us, in the greater hazard is that mans life! That which I alwayes principally depend upon, to give a solid [Page] Judgment what may be the conclusion of this Scene, for better or worse, is the strength or weakness of the Patient, the Maturity or Tardity of my access to him; for [...], is highly to be prized above all, if he be able and honest. From hence I take my Indication to perform my Duty, being ascertain'd, that Nature sunt Morborum medicatrices, nothing where the vital Spirits do altogether fail can be done; wherefore in this case of making a Prediction, a good Physitian ought to be guided chiefly by the Effects of some potent Arcana's, which if they be rightly ordered, and seasonably given, will inform him how long, and with what success this universal Archeus, Governor of this Fortress, is able to hold out, and by what wayes sallying forth upon the Enemy it can rout, profligate, and cut it off. Whosoever is not furnished with extraordinary Remedies, shall find that Aphorism of Hippocrates true, [...] [Page] [...] That is, in acute Diseases there is no infallible Prediction whether the sick man will live or dye; which I confess trusting to a Galenical Crisis I have experimentally found to be true: but he that by premature Medicines doth anticipate the same, shall seldom Err in his prenotion for the Honour and credit of this Divine Art, and Confirmation of the faith of the stander by in him that undertakes the Cure.

I know my Countreymen will expect my Judgment, what I think concerning the state and condition of this approaching Summer, Whether the Pest be like to break forth in this City in a raging manner again? To which I answer Negatively: So far as I can Conjecture by Natural Reasons, taken from the ordinary course of all things, which I observe have their first Rise, an Ascent, an utmost Height, a Descent, and then a Setting. I have perceived the late Pest to be Ambulatory, to make a progress from [Page] place to place; and having made havock in one Topical Quarter, after some abatement it removed to another; which signifies plainly, that there are local seminal Dispositions prone to produce this peculiar poyson at such a time above others, which as it ripens sooner or later, and finds our Bodies inclined to receive an Impression, so according to our Capacity it breaks forth into Act, speedily or slowly, mildly or fiercely. Now the pestilent matter being in great part exhausted and spent, the Scorbutical malignity somewhat tamed, and the Archeus fortified, daring, becomes as it were an old Souldier, not ready as formerly to give back upon every terrifying Occasion; I may confidently conclude, That London is like to enjoy this Summer the Company of the Galenists, when there is least need of them; which will I fear be an ill Omen to some, so long as they continue Bleeding, and Deletery Purgation, more destructive to poor Mortals, than all the Pests that ever reigned since the Creation!

AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE DISSECTION OF A Pestilential Body; And the Consequents thereof. CHAP. V.

[Page]

IN the Year 1665. a most ruefull lamentable time as ever London suffered in this kinde, when the Sickness [Page] swept away many Thousands in a week in the Moneth of August, I visited a lusty proper man, by name Mr. Wil: Pick, living in Peticoat-lane, grievously wounded with one of those poisonous Arrows that flew thick about poor Mortalls: so that his condition seemed to be almost desperate, and finding no relief at all from those frivolous and vain preparations a Galenist had exhibited to him usque ad nauseam: was in some short space preserved by Chimical Remedies: the poison being therewith excluded, and the Archeus of the Stomack redeemed from captivity. At the same time there lay a Servant of Mr. Picks, a youth about 15 yeares of age, labouring under most horrid symptomes, raving as it were extimulated by some Fury; which Tragical Interlude was quickly terminated by a mortal Catastrophe. Upon this, I took occasion to request my then recovering Patient his Master, to grant me liberty to open this defunct body; for my own instruction, [Page] and the satisfaction of all inquisitive Persons, to which, having given him some perswasive reasons to that purpose, he strait condescended, yet not without some jealousie and kind fear least I should do my self injury; upon his concession I being much exhilarated in my spirits, having obtained that desire which was often denyed me by those who pretended several slight excuses, I girt up my self with all expedition, getting in readiness what Instruments were fitting, with a porringer containing Sulphur to burn under the Corps, which was at that time placed in the open air in a yard there adjacent, which for several respects was very convenient; and for my better accommodation, a Servant by the permission of the foresaid Master was ready to afford me his service, in opening the Coffin nailed up, and administring some other things necessary for my design. The head of the Coffin being taken off, and the linnen cleared away, I could not [Page] but admire, to behold a skin so beset with spots black and blew, more remarkable for multitude and magnitude than any that I have yet seen; some of which being opened, conteined a congealed matter, in one more shallow, and in another more deep. Here I conceived something more than of ordinary Rarity might be discovered; wherefore perforating the Membrane that involved all the rest, I made entrance into the lowest venter or Region, where appeared a virulent Ichor, or thin liquor variously coloured, as yellow, greenish, &c. the small guts being much distended with a venemous flatus, did contain a great quantity of a foul scoria or dross in them; but they were not, as some apprehended, outwardly spotted as the skin; only some obscure large markes were made in their inward parts, as likewise in the stomach, arising from the poisonous liquamen therein lodged. The Vena Porta and Arteria Caeliaca being divided, afforded only a serous liquor, [Page] no rubified juice at all; that which was inclosed in these vessels, was a firmly congealed substance of a very dark colour; the Parenchyma of the Liver being separated was very pallid, and did straight weep and send out a thin yellowish excrement. The Spleen dissected, appeared more then ordinary obscure, a livid Ichorous matter following the Incision: the Kidneys laid open abounded with a Citrine water, but altogether exanguine, as likewise the other viscera; at length I came to that most excellent usefull part, the Stomack, whose tender membranes when I had divided, a black matter like Ink did shew it self, to the quantity (as nigh as I could guess) of a wine pint, somewhat tenacious and slimy: the inward membrane of the Ventricle was much discoloured, but the bottom thereof not perforated, as Helmont found in the like case: in such a manner (sayes he) as if a potential cautery had been applied therto. Having sufficiently lustrated and viewed the [Page] lower venter, I ascended to the middle, and making a divulsion of the sterne from the Mediastinum, I intentively beheld the superficies of the Lungs, stigmatized with several large ill favoured marks much tumified and distended: the inward part of which being pertunded with my knife, a sanious dreggy corruption issued forth, and a pale Ichor destitute of any blood, for which I searched by cutting this Organ of respiraion into various particles, but could finde none but a dirty coagulation, which Hipocrates calls [...], in the branches of Vena and Arteria Pulmonica. After this I disparted the descending Trunck of the Cava, and the Artery called Aorta, expecting some considerable emanation of blood there, if any where, that might make a little inundation, but no such thing succeeded, for only some very few spoonfulls of a thin liquor of a pale hew came forth, which might easily be licked up by a small handkerchief. Diffecting these pipes [Page] secundum rectitudinem, I found them stuffed with a thick curdled blackish substance, which once laid hold on might be drawn out to some length. Next I seperated the Pericardium, that robust coat that circumvolves the Heart, replenished with a deeply tinged yellow liquor: Then having opened the right cavity of the Heart, I therein found a white congealed matter, extracting which with my fingers, and narrowly viewing it, I could not compare it to any thing more like, than a Lamb-stone cut in twain, which the Servant beholding, standing nigh, easily assented to in his Judgement. To render a sound reason of this albified coagulation in this right Ventricle of the Heart, may perhaps puzzle a good Physiologist. For in all those cadavers I ever saw dissected, this hollow receptacle did still contain a blackish blood condensed, arising from a stopping of the Circulation of it first in that place. Now the most probable cause (as I conceive, with submission) [Page] of this unwonted white substance, may come from a sumption of meer crude milk, which an indiscreet Nurse had given this youth not long before he died, part of which passing out of the stomach little altered, might be conveyed, upon a pinch and stress to preserve life, through the Venae lacteae in the Mesenterie, or some shorter passages, into the subclavian vessels, and there entring the right cavity of the Heart, be (for want of [...], that sanguifying power, and that material transmuting ferment attending it) changed according to the capacity of the Matter by a virulent preternatural ferment, into this seeming glandulous flesh. 'Twas strange to behold instead of candid, a black fuiiginous matter; fitting only for the infernal stomach of the Dogg Cerberus inclosed in one ventricle, that publike shop and treasury of life, that ought to be furnished with all manner of utensils requisite for the sustentation of this little world: and in [Page] another a white innocent lamb-like juice lodged, instead of a duskie concreted clot of gore, and all this proceeding from the deletery ferment of this Heteroclite poison; which, that I may give you a further account, had so altered the substance, texture, consistence, and colour of that Solar Nectar contained in those curiously contrived Pipes, veins, and arteries, that I may truly say not one spoonfull of that ruddy liquor properly called blood could be obtained in this Pestilential body, being partly congealed, and partly colliquated into a Tabum or filthy matter: Which I have experimentally found to be the usual effects of those poisons I have given to some Creatures, whose carcasses I have afterward dissected.

Having finished the Dissection of this loathsom Body, I presently found some little sensible alteration tending to a stiffness and numness in my hand, which had been soaking and dabling in the Bowels and Entrals then warm, [Page] though it was Ten or Twelve hours after the Youth expired; whereupon having cleansed away that foulness it was besmeared with, I held it for some time over a dish of burning Brimstone, and so received the Gas thereof, but in vain. Seriùs ejicitur, quam non admittitur; I might better (had I foreseen what I do now) kept it out, than thrust it out; for those slie, insinuating, venemous Atoms, excited by the heat of the body, opening the pores of my skin, had quickly free ingress; the Archeus, the Porter of my hand, that should have better guarded it, forthwith tergiversating, and taking its flight, being extreamly terrified at the Alarum of so fierce and potent an Enemy, and afterward in an abject manner conducted it to the principal place of the Souls residence, the Stomack; where after this lately entered poyson had dressed and habited it self with that spirit that had the perfect Idea and Image of this sickness, it was to act a Tragical part (the [Page] Archeus being obliged to be Executioner to bring to pass its own Ruine) and now do I carry about me the very Pest, closely spreading like a Gangrene, diffusing its malignity into all my members, covered over for some short space as it were in the ashes of silence, while I in the mean time visited, visit others visited, administring that help to them, which I (then more perplexed at my Neighbours Calamity, than sollicitous for my own) suffer my self to want, relating with joy what an Inquest I had made into that Subject which had made a Conquest of me.

Thus I walked up and down from Patient to Patient, Dum hoc virus membra mea depascitur. I ate, I drank, and slept well till about Two of the Clock the next Morning being Saturday, at which hour I waked to sleep for ever, had not Divine goodness given me an Antidote to rouze and raise me up, [...], no sooner had I recollected myself, but I perceived such a [Page] kind of stupor in my Thighs and Legs that was at first in my hand, then I began to ponder what I had done the day before; and still those large and manifold Spots were too lively represented to my eye against my will: Without further delay, I forthwith called up my Servant, a Stripling, nigh Fourteen years old, whom I commanded (having lighted a Candle) strictly to observe those Directions I gave him, appointing such Remedies to be produced with all speed that I knew were very sufficient and valid by multiplicity of Experiments to resist this feral Disease. And when I had delivered to him such Rules I thought necessary for life; having taken a large quantity of my best Medicaments, I charged him to follow me close, doubling and trebling the ordinary Dose I usually gave; which he so faithfully and sedulously performed with advantage, that I dare assert that Five of my Patients joined altogether, never did through my whole practice [Page] high these Twenty years, take so great a portion of such like Remedies, as it appeared by his own, and others reports, compared with that great expence of those preparations I had in store; for I knew [...], where Nature was so prostrate, and the Disease so strong, it was to be supported by extraordinary help; which course, had it not been vigorously taken, I question (had there been delay of what was needful for my recovery but two hours) whether any Medicine in Nature could have been of any efficacy and validity for my Restauration, such was the Magnitude, Activity and Celerity (pardon my expression, good Mr. Captious Logomachus, and let not one single term without any true saving knowledge breed a quarrel between us) I say properly, the Celerity (in despight of any self-conceited cavilling Galenist) of the Disease that then invaded me, that would admit of no Truce or Respite: For so [Page] soon as I was throughly awakened, I felt a grievous oppression about the Midriff, especially in the pit of the Stomack; and such a sudden defection of the Spirits, that I had much ado to hold out to advertise my Servant how he should menage his business. My head also began to be much out of order, exceedingly dozed; and whereas Three or four Ounces of a Cordial liquor I took formerly, did commonly put me into a breathing Sweat, now ten times so much of the same did hardly cause a heat in the lower parts. Perspicuous also was the Coagulation of part of my blood, as many small Stigmata, Spots scattered about my Breast and Arms, did plainly testifie; but one above the rest was most remarkable in the bending of my right Arm, where there appeared a very large Spot of an obscure colour, of the bigness of a single Half-penny, which I often took a view of. Well, after some hours tedious Inquietude, and despondency of Spirit, with much [Page] Reluctancy, and many an Agony, a gentle Mador at length bedewed my skin, with which I was somewhat relieved; and persevering in the frequent repetition of Polyacaea and some other noble Remedies, I began to be much refreshed, sweating liberally cum emphoriâ & dysphoriâ by turnes; for I frequently sustained [...], ah Alternate Vicissrtude of desperate and hopefull Symptomes: there being sometimes an Eclampfis, a seeming serenity and clarity in the Archeus: then again nothing but Cloudiness, Storms and Tempests.

Thus I passed over that dolefull morning, inter spemque metumque, earnestly longing for the presence of that Excellent expert Chymist and legitimate Physician, Dr. Starkey, whom I sent to, being verily perswaded, that he, if any, under God, would be a Comforter to me, (for I knew certainly that the best Galenist was a miserable one, and that Spiritus Antiloimoides was a meer cheat) [Page] sed heu lachrymabile! ambo morbo laboramus eodem, he was stricken, and had as much need of mine, as I of his succour, and so we might condole, but not conserve each other. However this worthy Gentleman came to me, whose very Aspect exhilarated and solaced my drooping spirits; of whom when I had taken something, I was wonderfully composed for some time. This brave man, (that did, I dare maintain it, more good than all the Galenists in England put together) was that night after he had been with me, forced to yeeld himself prisoner to that insolent Conqueror, which did then make spoil of many Thousands; and so I was left destitute of two of my dearest friends in my saddest Condition; For Honest and learned Dr. Dee, of whom I shall speak further hereafter, could not afford me his Assistance, being much afflicted and oppressed (after a former deliverance) with the same venemous Sickness. Wherefore, I resolved to make use of that reason [Page] I was then master of, and that outward aid I had then at hand, uniting and mustering up all supplies that I conceived were proper for me, laying aside all peevishness and foolish averseness to take what was fitting; which fault I often found incident to most of my Patients, to their own prejudice. The Remedies that I took in a Quintuple quantity for what others took, was Tinctura Polyacaea, and no small portion of Pulvis Pestifugus. Touching the Diet I observed, it was good spirituous liquors, as the best Wine, and Strong Beer sweetned with a little sugar, also now and then I drank a draught of White-wine Posset: as for Galenical Juleps, Small beer, Barly water, muccaginous Decoctions, Broths, satiated with the crude juice of Ingredients, I detested; for I knew they would annoy my stomach, and so hinder the Archeus from conquering the poyson, which upon every irritating occasion was ready to ferment. My whole scope was to [Page] keep up the strength of the vital spirits, without which I am sure no Maladie can be cured. Neither was I wanting to make use of Helmonts Xenexton, a Toad, the powder of which my dear friend Dr. Starkey gave me, made up in the form of a Trochisk of his own ordering: I likewise hung about my neck a large Toad dried, prepared not long before in as exquisite a manner as possibly I could, with my own fingers: This Toad sowed up in a linnen cloth was placed about the Region of my Stomach, where after it had remained some hours, became so tumefied, distended, (as it were blown up) to that bignesse, that it was an object of wonder to those that beheld it. Had I not felt and seen this swollen dead body of the Toad, I should very much have doubted by relation the Truth thereof; forasmuch as that Great Scholar in reality, Van Helmont, (who shines with such a bright lustre in his Orb, that the Galenical Bats and Owls are not able to look him [Page] in the face) delivers these words; Nam Buso exsiccatus utut sex horis maceretur, semper tamen tumefactionis incapax, i. e. A dried Toad, though it be steeped in water for six hours together, will not for all that be swollen or puffed up. This he speaks for the confutation of Paracelsus, who tells us, That a dried Toad macerated and softened in Rose-water for six hours together, doth draw the Pestilential poyson so into its body, that five or six Bufo's laid on one after another upon a Botch, will all be wonderfully tumefied: This, saith Van Helmont, can never be, quod intumescere sit proprietas Archei vitalis, quod non nisi occasionaliter tumor à venenis procedat. Where the Vital Archeus is wanting, there can be no swelling from any poyson, quatenus a poyson: for every tumour from poyson happens occasionalitèr, or excitativè, in as much as it excites, exasperates, and causes an indignation in the Archesus, which being thus irritated and quite disordered, frets, rages, [Page] storms, and in this distracted mad fit produces such or such accidents and symptomes, as the natural Idea of the specifick venom shall direct and inform it. Again, Non tumet (sayes the Acute Author) Cadaver ictum à serpente: Cadaver namque si non senserint nec tumefaciendi energiam retinuit; A Carckasse for as much as it is deprived of all sense, is uncapable of tumefaction from poyson: which doubtlesse is sound Philosophy, never read or heard of from a Galenist, for medicinal Instruction, till this Privy Counsellor of Nature discovered it. This rightly understood, might serve as a good Argument to convince these Dogmatists, that poysonous Vesicatories do but disturb Nature, and take it off from performing a Sanative Office, (if rightly assisted by Art) and divert it from that intended scope of profligating the pestilential poyson, to spend it self in opposing another, contrived by a company of Impostors, to delude Ignorant persons, under a notion [Page] of drawing out the disease by these Blisters, which are raised in all living bodies, healthfull as well as sick, from a colliquating venome that Cantharides have inherent in them, vexing and galling the Archeus of the membranous parts, that it even changes the harmlesse and mild blood into such a sharp mischievous Ichor, that a Dysuria or Ischuria, a great pain or stopping of the Urine frequently follows; but this obiter. I shall hereafter make a larger discovery of this daubing with untempered mortar, and those palliating deceitfull courses that are daily imposed upon Credulous weak persons. To proceed: when I contemplate the foresaid words of this great Philosopher, a man of that transcendent Reason, and that clear bright Understanding; I am not a little puzled to find out the Efficient & Material Cause of the vast tumefaction of this Bufo incumbent on my breast. That simple water of it self will not puff up a dried Bufo to that bulk ready to [Page] burst, is plain, by the Experiment of the Noble Author, and my own knowledge: Also a dead Bufo for want of a vital Archeus, cannot suffer such an expansion of parts from a venome never so active and pernicious to it, (as a Spider is reported to be) considering meer poysons are little considerable in quanto, but in quali: neither is Mans pest poysonous to a Bufo, no more than it is to a Dogg or Catt, to whom it is innocuous; Wherefore I suppose; till I be better informed, that some virulent emanations (either expelled by Nature, strengthened with the presence of the Bufo, or attracted by Magnetism) carrying with them a transmutative putrefactive ferment imbibed by the Cadaver, might attenuate, rarifie, and hove up the easily dilatable particles of the Bufo, and might (the ambient heat of the Bed being coadjuvant) cause this kind of flatuous extension: which Aporrhaa's being afterwards spent, the succeeding application of another Bufo of [Page] the same magnitude, prepared after the same manner, menaged with the like Circumstances, suffered no such tumefied alteration, which doubtlesse could never be, had there been the same adaequate cause present which was before. Well, be the Cause never so abstruse, I am sufficiently perswaded, That the adjunction of this Bufo nigh my Stomack, was of wonderful force to master and tame this Venom then domineering in me, and thereby subjugate it to the dictates of the vital Spirit, somewhat more pacified and freed by degrees from that hotrid, deformed, pestilential Idea imprinted in it; so that it was enabled to proscribe part of that tartarous Excrement through a place most opportune (but not often frequented by such an evacuation) the Fundament, where appeared in some few dayes a very great Bubo of the bigness of a Tennis-ball, quite stopping up the passage of the Anus. My Head being now pretty well setled, I was better able than before to [Page] reflect upon my self, and to consult more rationally for my own safety; wherefore after some serious considerations of my present condition, I thought it fitting to give vent to this Tumor, and to let out immediately the foul gore conteined therein.

For this end I sent to an honest industrious young man (a great lover of Chimistry, one who was lately convinced by Fact of the Truth therein) desiring him to apply Leeches to this swelling, which he performed with much dexterity, Three Sanguisugae having filled themselves usque ad nauseam, a filthy, corrupt, blackish, ichorous, staining Recrement issued forth, much like that I found in the Cadaverous Dissection. By this Excretion I was exceedingly Recreated; Nature discharging every day a great quantity of virulent moisture for the space of nigh three Weeks.

Thus continuing the frequent use of Tinctura Polyacaea, and good spirituous [Page] Liquors, I lay in a perpetual large Sweat Six dayes compleat, sometimes dejected, almost Lipothymical, and as it were dead in the Nest upon a reflux of the Venom to the Central parts; and then again upon its Efflux to the Peripheria, the Circumference of the Skin forth-with elevated, chearful and lively. Upon the Sixth day I arose, and walked about the Chamber with so firm a foot, that my Brother and others wondred at the strength of my progressive motion; that [...], impetum faciens, the vital Spirit being kept up with good Liquors, and pure Chymical circulated Spirits, agreeable to our Nature: And I am perswaded, upon the first setting my Foot upon the Floor after this sickness (had not that painful Swelling in the Fundament hindred) I could firmly have walked a Mile out-right; which thing (considering the Atrocity and Outragiousness of the Disease, and other Circumstances) if ever it was, or will be performed by meer Galenical [Page]Physick, I will be bound to undergo Martyrdom for the approbation and testimony of their way as best.

Upon the Eighth day I went down Stairs to visit my Landlady Mrs. Ladyman, most dangerously ill; who, notwithstanding her abortion, miscarrying, was saved from the Grave, by an Almighty hand, working by Chymical Remedies. No sooner was I got up, but my Maid-servant, and my Apprentice, about Thirteen years old, fell down, being wounded with the same Arrow, both of which escaped through a blessing upon the means. That Four in one House should have the Pest about the same time, and all escape when it raged most Mortally, is a Mercy never to be forgotten by us!

Having recovered the Ferment of my Stomack in great part, enioying a sharp Appetite, and [...], having lost my flesh suddenly, I thought I might according to Hippocrates advice, [...], get it again as speedily. [Page] Sed difficile est modum tenere; I went beyond the bounds of Sobriety, eating and drinking too liberally, presuming I could correct a small Errour at my pleasure, forgetting Hippocrates Aphorism, [...]. And going abroad too soon, out of a Zeal to visit my Patients, being not throughly rid of a relique of Malignity that lay lurking within me, and something more perhaps added by those loathsom Expirations of the Sick I was conversant with (a Scald head being soon broken) I fell into a most desperate Relapse with great oppression at my Stomack, a Loosness, difficulty of Respiration, exceeding weakness, Restlessness, fruitless Sweating, &c. So that I thought it not possible to hold out that Night; but this wanzing, and ready to go out spark of life was once more blown up to a flame by that comfortable refreshing blast of former Chymical Remedies, repeated in great quantity, [Page] and so in four dayes I made another evasion from my tedious Bed, resolving to be more cautious for the future; I was fully confirmed in my health, for which benefit I hope I shall be grateful to the most High, Dum Spiritus hos regit artus.

At that very time, whil'st I did undergo many a sad Brunt, many a trepidation of the heart, and conflict of Spirit, two of my most esteemed Consorts, Dr. Ioseph Dey, and Dr. George Starkey, two Pillars of Chymical Physick, were both reposed in their Graves, before I knew of their Deaths, concealed on purpose from me, lest upon the apprehension of so great a loss, my Calamity should be aggravated, and I swallowed up in the gulph of Despair. They are gone, and at rest free from Persecution, Slanders and Obloquies of their Enemies, and have left me behind to deal with those that are alwayes supplanting and contradicting the Truth. Well, I must be content, considering, Quicquid [Page]patimur venit ab Alto: This came not out of the Dust, but from the hand of him Above, who for our abominable Crimes, and our Ingratitude, the grand Sin of this Nation, was pleased to deprive us of Two such eminent Lights, of which this wicked World is not worthy, unless they could have prized them better. 'Tis not for my own so much, though great, as for the publick interest, that I heartily lament the Translation of these two brave Souls into a better place, whose Praises all Candid and Ingenuous men will, I dare say, Celebrate; and none but Sordid, Envious, Ignorant Spirits, will ever detract from them. It was, I confess, a most unhappy malevolent juncture of things at that instant, that we should all Three fall sick at the same time, neither of us being able to relieve each other; for, I am perswaded, had Divine Providence been pleased to have spared any one of us from the severe stroke of his Indignation, we might have been at [Page] this day all three alive; for 'tis the nature of this fly Venome to strike so unawares at the brain, and to cause such an adiathesis, a discomposure, and disturbance in that Organ, that a man hath not free libetty of his Reason, to act what may be convenient for the securing his own life; as it was too apparent in these Physicians of singular Parts. One of whom, i. e. Dr. Dey I visited in the Evening, a little after I had Anatomized the Body, relating to him what I had done, which he was much delighted to hear.

At my departure from him (that night I was surprized with the Pest) he seemed chearfull, having felt about a fortnight before the smart of this piercing stroak, of which he was healed, and so had likewise upon this second encounter, had he not been too ventrous to save others, rather than his own life: such was the true Charity of this Worthy Honest Gentleman towards his neighbour; for he eviscerated and spent [Page] himself in toylsom Manual Operations, leaving the way of Riches, Honour, Pleasure and Ease his Colleagues trod in, (having been admitted one of the Colledge of London about twenty years) whom he deserted, to his prejudice in this World, for Consciencesake, abominating their indirect and destructive manner of Practice, knowing the Professors thereof (as he often told me) to be quite out of the way of Curing Diseases. He was a Learned Scholar in deed as well as word; a Pious, Modest, Charitable, Humble Man, so farr free from Ostentation and Vain-glory, that he hid his Excellent parts, when other of his Brethren, farr inferiour to him, made ten times the glittering shew. He took such laborious pains night and day in his Faculty, that I am certain he exhausted his Spirits, and thereby disenabled the Archeaus to resist the Contagion. Carendo non fruendo agnoscimus; He hath his Exit with applause, and is wanted by [Page] many, that better value him now, than when they enjoyed him.

Dr. Starkey one of the Triumvirate, that was then infected when he came to me, having his Imagination dislocated, yeelded himself Prisoner to this Cruel Enemy that very night, being wounded in his Groin, a Bubo appearing there, which I conceive, if rightly ordered, might have been a meanes to have saved him, had he not poured in an unreasonable quantity of Small beer. After which understanding what he had done, he told those then present, That all the Medicines that he had in possession were of no force to do him any good; for the natural ferment of the Stomach was by this immoderate ingurgitation of dull flat Small beer totally subverted, the poyson exalted, the Archeus debilitated, the blood made restagnant and congealed, and the pores thereby obstructed, that no considerable Diaphaeresis could be made. I have reason to beleeve, that had Dr. Starkey made [Page] use of his own Noble Chymical preparations in the beginning, and followed them close, as I did, it had been no difficult thing for himself to have escaped, that had an extraordinary Gift bestowed on him of Curing others in a far worse condition then he was reported to be. But for my part I am perswaded, that being very sensible of the impiety, hypocrisie, dishonesty, the imposture, subtile Frauds, disrespect of Real worth, odious Ingratitude, and other notorious Crimes of the Times, he was willing to resign himself to Death, so that he was not much sollicitous to live. 'Tis a thousand pitties, that a man of those excellent parts had no better entertainment, and more kind usage here, that he might have composed and setled himself to a further investigation of those Chymical mysteries, into which hardly any in this Nation had a greater inspection. The Spagyrical Republike and the Professors thereof are not a little obliged to him, and have reason (if [Page] they be not ungracious and ungratefull) to speak of his memorable Name, with Respect and Honour; and he that shall do the contrary, will savour of a Galenical spirit; and ought to be reckoned among those his unworthy seeming Friends, whom out of a sweet flexible nature, and a hearty desire to do good for Mankinde, he taught many Philosophical Arcana's: for which they rewarded him with persecution, calumnies, and base detracting language. It was his fate, as likewise Dr. Deys, to be evill entreated, and slighted, because they could not cogg, lye, and flatter; & haec est ars quâ quivis possit ditescere: and he that cannot do so in this leprous age of the world, wherein mens minds have the greatest Plague and Miasm, is like to fare no better than they.

They scorned that reward which the World could give them, and now enjoy perpetual bliss, while their innocent Ashes lie digesting in their Urnes, till they attain that maturity of perfection [Page] of comming forth Diaphanous, Splendid, and Glorious Bodies.

There is one thing, the truth whereof I cannot omit to give the World satisfaction in, in reference to these Heroes of Chymistry. Whereas there was a confident Report (the broachers of which it is no difficulty to conjecture) that Dr. Dey, and Dr. Starkey, were both present at the Dissection of this Pestilent Body: It is an absolute untruth, contrived on purpose to represent them presumptuous rash Persons, in undertaking such a desperate businesse, which cost them both their lives, as they would have it, that thereby the good estimation and fame of Chymical preparations may be eclipsed: and the miscarriage of one of their own Sect (who upon the like Occasion lost his life, as I have told them in Galeno-pale, for want of a Remedie which an Helmontist could have given him) the better excused. I question not, as I have it from their own mouthes, but either of those [Page] Gentlemen would willingly have joyned with me in this Anatomy, had not the Opportunity offered to me occured so unexpectedly, that I could not conveniently gain any leisure to send to them. Moreover they were both seized upon by this Truculent Disease, before I entred upon this Dissection: so that Dr. Dey was not capable to assist me therein, being infirm; and Dr. Starkey went to and fro with this mortal Arrow sticking in his side unfelt: and withall, so great was his employment, and medicinal negotiation at that time, that it was both hard to finde him out, and likewise to divert him from those engagements of visiting his Patients he had taken upon him. Wherefore I thought good to lay hold alone, of that seasonable sudden Occasion then presented of prying into this dead Body, which I often sought for, but was still frustrated in obtaining so usefull a Discovery, through the peevishnesse and crossenesse of some, and fond foolish [Page] fears of others: And now Mr. Pick my Patient then recovering, a rational person, easily condescending to my desires, gave order that his Servant should attend me, who was the only man that stood by and looked on (while I handled this horrid object) and can at this day testifie the verity of several remarques therein obvious to his eye.

Thus have I delivered to you the very plain Truth of the Anatomical [...], Transaction of this Pestilent Cadaver, that the Reader may be prevented from those Mistakes which Malevolent Forgers will impose upon him if he be not very Cautious.

These Pseudiatori are prone to corrupt the Text, and to de [...]ve the genuine Sense of any Physical Experiment, which through fear, and want of appropriate Remedies, they dare not venture upon for the benefit of their distressed Countrey. For they enter in at the Back-door, and run away at the Fore-door, on whom the gift of Healing [Page] was never bestowed, because they never sought aright; for that reason they could never obtain such a favour from Heaven, to be protected by Divine Preservatives from the stinking noysom Breath of this mortiferous Basilisk: wherefore they maliciously backbite those that perform any thing above themselves, calling that a Presumption, that tends to the preventing a Consumption and Devastation of a whole Nation.

CHAP. VI.
Some Medicinal Reflexions and useful Observations made upon this Pestilential Dissection.

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STultus est ineptiarum labore; to take pains, and not to improve it for the benefit of our selves, or our Neighbours, may, I confess, be justly termed Presumption, Folly, Vain-glory, and an affection of Singularity: But to undertake any dangerous and difficult design, that a particular Countrey, Nation, yea, the whole World may be meliorated in its condition, and enjoy some comfort therefrom, deserves to be encouraged, promoted, rewarded, and to have better appellations given than some spiteful persons commonly fasten upon it I acknowledge that I cannot acquit my self wholly of Philautie, [Page] Kenodoxie, Ostentation, &c. and I cannot help it, for it is inherent and ingenite in me; Homo sum, nihil humanum à me alienum puto. I am as prone as any other, sine Gratia Dei anticipante, to run into many enormous Crimes; yet if I can judge any thing of my self, and my Conscience doth not very much delude me, I have alwayes set before my Eyes in my Function (next Gods Glory) chiefly, and in the first place, the preservation and sanity of my dear distressed Neighbour, endeavouring to make my own By respects to follow in the Rear. Wherefore I have often abhorred to take those indirect and oblique Courses that would advance my own private Interest, but debellate and overthrow the publick prosperity of a people.

How sollicitous I have been to keep poor afflicted man from falling into the Pit of destruction, is only known to the [...], the Searcher of all Hearts. Duram suscepi provinciam, I underwent a very difficult Task these late Contagious [Page] Times, performing it not perfunctorily, by Fits and Girds, by halves, in a trifling manner, expressing (as some that I know) such a fear in looks and gestures that was enough to bring the Plague into a House free from it: but I followed what I took in hand vigorously, to a purpose not ready to take my flight as soon as I was entered the doors, like the Statue of Mercury on Tiptoe, leaving behind a pitiful Recipe of Ellec: Diascor: Methrid: Theria: aq: Theriar: Syr aceto: Citri, and such like Trash and Trumpery; but I continued oftentimes half an hour, and sometimes an hour, conversing with my Patients, and giving them effectual Remedies, prepared with my own fingers, opening their Bubo's, and cutting out Eschars of Carbuncles, by the operation of my own hand. All this while, the [...], beholding my upright intentions, preserved me in health, even in the height when the Pest was most grassant, till such time being desirous to learn what might instruct me farther in [Page] the Nature and Cure of this abstruse Sickness, after that I had conversed with the Living about it, I entered into more than ordinary familiarity with a dead body; Itum est in viscera, I searched many dark Corners thereof to be taught something, but I bought my Learning at a dear Rate; and what the Cadaver could not teach me of it self, was infused into me to my sad Experience: Experto credite.

I shall now deliver to you the Physical Observations I made, resulting from both dead, and my own living Body.

Observation I.

In the first place, I observe that the Punctilio's, Pulicar-like Spots, those Stigmatick marks on the Skin with a Feaver, do alwayes signifie a stop more or less put to the Circulation of the blood, some Coagulation or Grumosity therein caused, through a malignity, and Gorgonian Venom that depredates, [Page] sacks, and confunds the Vital Spirits that are the chief instrument of Motion; so that when they become Torpid and stupified, part of the blood remains like standing pool, prone in some short time to contract an evil odour.

Now if this Tartarous concretion be dissolved, discussed, or thrown out, and lodged in an Emunctory, or some byplace ignoble, through the strength of Nature assisted by Art, then all things succeed well; but if this spissitude of the blood increase, that the channels are exceedingly clogged, and nothing is difflated, ventilated, and carried off by universal breathing sweats, nor any morbifique matter discharged into any glandulous or external carnous diverticle; conclamatum est, that person may be judged in all likelihood to be lost.

Observation II.

Whensoever these Cutaneous spots [Page] appear, they always signify an endeavor in the Archeus to extrude that which is noxious: but failing in the very act by reason of its own impotence, & the force of the virulent untameable matter carried out of the Capillary vessels, as far as the skin, it is there condensed by a preternatural coagulative ferment, promoted by the ambient air into this round figure, according as the sperical small drop is capable. The annitence of Nature to make an expulsion from the Center to the Circumference may instruct the Physician to use all means to imitate her, to assist her, to keep the blood in continual Motion, to weaken the strength of the poison to kill an Exotick ferment, to rarifie and attenuate whatsoever is grosse and lentous: and to keep the Pores open, that there may be free perspiration of the whole body.

Observation III.

When the Natural ferment of the [Page] Stomack in the Pest is so far lost, that instead of white, a black juice is engendered, it is a certain sign of the abolition of the vital Spirit, and consequently of approaching Death. For I never knew any afflicted in this kinde, whose strength failed, that vomited an Excrement tinged black, did escape: where this blackness is, there must needs be a privation of light, with which our spirits symbolize, they being luminous, if so darkness, the shadow of death must needs follow; and doubtlesse great is that darknesse that seats it self in the spirit of light and life.

Observation IV.

That which did first occurr most remarkable to my eye in this Dissection, was the great alteration I found made principally in the Stomack, in respect of the part continent and that which was contained therein: In the continent, certain Vibices, Stigms, stroaks, [Page] of an obscure colour imprinted; (the inward coat being stained with colours different from the natural) and a fluid matter conteined fuliginous, pitch-like, did sufficiently indicate to me, that there the pestilential poyson did take up its chief residence.

Observation V.

When I contemplate what a pure white substance was taken into this Youths stomack not long before he died, and how strangely it was transmuted into another hue, as black almost as Ink, I cannot but smile to think on the vain Conceits of the Galenists, that tell us of atra Bilis, adusta, & retorrida, black Choller made by a meer torrefaction or violent burning heat and adustion, according to their definition of a Feaver, as if there were a fire no whit different from a Culinary in our Bodyes, converting that which is white into black, and black into white, by a [Page] strong reverberating heat. Suck like fond and foolish opinions have they harboured these Sixteen hundred years and upward, for want of the knowledge of the Doctrine of Ferments; which can never be so well illustrated, as by Chymical Experiments; which those Pseudo-Chymists boast they are acquainted with (only (I am certain) in a formal manner sufficient to delude the world, otherwise they would not deny the power thereof in their Actions.) If they did really understand how a little Leaven doth infect the whole Lump, they would forthwith leave their bare beggarly Qualities in curing Diseases, as Hot, Cold, &c. (Relollea, as Paracelsus calls them) things transient and momentany, ebbing and flowing every minute, according to the disposition of the Subject, and insist more upon substances, whose intrinsecal transmutation depends upon powerfull ferments.

Observation VI.

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What a Soveraignty and Influence the Stomack hath over the whole body may be proved by multitude of Instances and Examples that I could produce; but this was eminently conspicuous, that when any thing was taken in that disturbed the innate Archeus, and required some difficulty to digest, many horrid Symptoms did strait break forth, as Vertigo, Cephalalgie, Delicium, Phrensie, Inquietude, Dyspuoea, Sopor, defection of the Spirits, a cohibition of Sweat, and other cutaneous Fxcretions, &c. This was plainly apparent in this Stripling, who having an indiscreet Nurse attending him, suffered much damage, when she offered him that which was by no means to be admitted as tolerable, the natural ferment of the stomack being perverted by the pestilent Poyson: And I doubt not but the period of his life was accelerated by the unwitting [Page] Dose of Milk, which though it be the best Nutriment where it is well altered, yet it often proves the worse corrupted.

Hereby we may learn not to ingest any thing into this noble Vessel, but what may agree with the innate Archeus, may increase the vital Spirit, rectifie the enormous Ferment, cherishing that which is genuine; may be quickly altered, and leave very little Dross and Recrement behind, and such are those things that abound with noble Spirits, as good Wine, and strong Beer or Ale well brewed; as for Flesh, Broths, Gellies, Watergruel, Ptisans, Barley water, and such like dull vapid things, &c. they are all to be abandoned and excluded from entering (into this Palace, where the sensitive Soul sits) so long as such a grand Enemy stands in defiance of it, and seeks to destroy it.

Observation VII.

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In all parts I took notice of [...] & [...], a great coagulation, and some small colliquation of juyces, except in the Stomack, where this Negro liquor did flote without any Concretion or Coaction; whereby I gather, That the kindly and familiar Ferment of the Stomack, made to dissolve and open any hard tough food, and to change it into a fluxible white Chile, that the nutritive and excrementitious parts may be the better separated, being now degenerate and hostile, did still retain a property like the former, though tending to Ruine, tabefying and colliquating what it touched, and changing it into a black, instead of a white juyce. On the other side, the Ferments of the Fourth and fifth Digestions, ordained lightly to incrassate, thicken, and to bring one portion of the blood to a moderate fibrous consistence, and to [Page] subtiliate, another becoming exorbitant, and losing that primitive gift with which they were endued, and acquiring a virulent Nature, transcending their former bounds of Mediocrity and Modification of this red Balsom to be afterward assimilated, doth now compinge and closely streighten the part thereof, depriving it of that continual Circulation which is necessary for the generation of vital Spirits, the immediate instrument of the sense and motion of every Animal, and turns another small part into a venemous, variegated Ichor or Serosity.

Observation VIII.

That whereas there is a power inherent in the Veins and Arteries to preserve the blood from Congelation even when the body is dead, so great is the concretive force of the pestilential poyson, that the blood is suddenly put to a stop, and becomes grumified, turning [Page] into Glotts in a living body, with nigh as much expedition as the Spirit of Urine changes Spirit of Wine into a white thick lump.

Observation IX.

That a kind of glandulous substance like a Lambs stone should be found in the right Ventricle of the heart, instead of an obscure clot of blood, doth shew how sollicitous Nature (though violently hurried away by a contrary Idea) is to save it self from destruction; sith that when the Haimopoietick power was lost, she carries out of the stomack a small quantity of a rude Chyle, passing a short way through some of the Sanguineous Vessels, without receiving a rubicund Tincture, into this noble Cavity, and not able to give it the stamp and signature belonging to this vital Nectar, was forced to yield it up to that impression which the exotick Ferment did make upon it.

Observation X.

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It being granted, that blood doth make blood, as I can demonstrate, that it is in being before the conformation of the Liver; and that when the Sanguis, this pure defaecate sublimely graduated crimson juyce stands still, and loses its virtue, then the milky Chyle cannot receive a vital Character, and be tinged as it ought. How cautious should we be to exhaust and spend prodigally this treasure of Life, as the Galenists, who to satisfie their erroneous Documents, without any solid Reason, or approved Experiments, rashly let it out in many trivial Diseases, which might easily be Cured by proper Medicaments.

Observation XI.

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Any Artificial evacuation of Blood (except that which is performed by immediate Derivation, being degenerate) in the Pest, Spotted Feaver, Small Pox, Meazils, or any Malignant Disease whatsoever, that hath alwayes in it, [...], aliquid sanguinis congelativum, somthing in it that doth condense and fix the blood, is absolutely pernicious, and brings certain perdition, or at least great Calamity, if thee be not present extraordinary vigour of Nature whatsoever the perverse Galenists pretend to the contrary, that they empty an Athletick, full Habit of Body, and thereby cause Motion in the blood, and so hinder the coagulation of it: which opinion (if rightly cavassed) is notoriously false; for they take a meer contrary course that diminish the good blood in this case, which cannot be avoided when vent is given to a large [Page] vessell, for out flies the best as well as the worst together, indistinctly, and hereby the Archeus must needs be disenabled to resist the poyson, to attenuate, profligate, and tame any pertinacious, viscous, and noxious matter; for I am sure, if Hippocrates [...] or Helmonts Archeus, i.e. the Vital spirit, the principal Author and efficient Cause of Sanity be wanting, nothing benevalent can be expected. That Phlebotomy in the foresaid sense doth cause this inconvenience, I can make appear both Logically and Optically; for the more good blood, the more good Spirits, and consequently in Reason all Vital Actions must needs be performed the more successively, and a stronger expulsion made of what is offensiue: as on the contrary, defect of blood and spirits causes all manner of mischief. Experimentally also and visibly 'tis true: For I never saw any deprived of any great quantity of blood, [...] with that Alacrity, stability, celerity, and [Page] safety, as he that was cured dextrously à phlebotomos, without emission of blood and spirits. And through this indirect Course I frequently observe, that those that are ordered after the Galenical Method, fall from Acute Diseases into Chronick, and Tedious Languors, meerly because their Physicians either exhaust their Blood, consume their Spirits by deletery uncorrected Catharticks, torture, crucifie and gaul them with Blisterings, Cuppings, and Scarifyings; Or keep them at a low ebb with their sluggish, flat and spiritlesse Julips and Potions; so that hereby the Archeus becomes weak and feeble, the blood must necessarily move slowly, and for want of Active Spirits be retarded in its Current, and in many places subsist like a standing Pool, clottering and causing great obstructions. Whosoever therefore that intends to keep the blood, sine Remora, fluent in its Channels, free from Curdling, let him studie to the utmost to [Page] exhibit those Specificks that may mortifie and annihilate the inspissative Torpedinous poyson, and advance the impulsive Spirits by those things that symbolize with, and directly match them.

Observation XII.

Those variety of several coloured juices coagulated and colliquated apparent in this body, were not (as the Dogmatists affirm) so many distinct Humours, as Choller, Phlegm, &c. Analagous to the Elements, fallen off from their native Temperament, (as they would have it) but they all arose from the Chile and Blood disguised and masked in divers forms, according as the Protean Ferments altered the Texture and position of their parts, and so marked them with this or that colour. Believe it, there is no Real existence of those Humours, as Choller, Phlegm, Melancholly, that the Galenists frequently [Page] mention in most of their Writings; but there is one only primigenious rivulet, i. e. Blood, that irrigates all parts of this Microcosm, which as it meets with different Ferments, so it is subject to divers alterations, and manifold colours.

Observation XIII.

The usual effect of most poysons commonly known to us, is to coagulate the blood, as I have found evident, dissecting divers Bodies destroyed by things deletery, which I observed made a stigmatick impression in the Stomack, and so condensed the Vital red Balsom in the Vessels, that Clodders of four or five Inches in length might be extracted.

Observation XIV.

Whensoever there is any great concretion of the blood in the Pest, no [Page] kindly beneficial sweat is to be expected, till such time the constringent venome be overcome, the grosse matter attenuated, rarified, and an apersion made of the pores of the skin. And this was manifest in this Youth, who could by no means be brought into a breathing sweat, durable, with allevation, the juices of his body being as it were frozen, made torpid, and indisposed to stir from a Narcotick poyson.

Observation XV.

I finde such an indissoluble league, connexion, and coherence between the Vital Spirit and Sanguis pure blood in all perfect Animals, insomuch that if they be separated from each other, they both lose their essence and proper denomination; for this most highly defaecated liquor doth maintain the spirit, and the spirit doth move, agitate, and purifie this liquor, that it may be fit to be changed▪ into it self. I look upon [Page] the Chyme or Cruor, as upon the sweet juice of Grapes, which hath little sensible spirit in it at first, till it comes to be fermented, depurated, and segregated from its lees and foul faeces, and then it explicates its activity in an admirable manner; Likewise this crude juice rubefied, is by long circulation and fermentation of the fourth and fifth digestions so cleansed and rid of all dross and filth, that it attains an Homogeneous nature, easily convertible into a Gas Vitale capable to receive the bright shining beams of the Soul, as highly rectified spirit of wine doth the lucid flame. If the blood harbour any thing extraneous, acrimonious, austere, acide, malignant, venemous matter, &c. it forthwith titubates and deviates from its integrity and accomplishment: Then the Spirit, its individual Companion, falls into discontent, peevishnesse, frowardnesse, fury, and rage, and an Ilias of Diseases follow, and all is brought into confusion: as likewise if the spirits [Page] be consumed, disturbed, suffocated, extinguished, by reason of perturbations of the mind, pernicious fumes and odours, great dolours, or the occurse of any thing very violent, altogether disagreeing with them, the blood missing that Archeus that should hold the reins of right Government, and carry it about in a direct road, where it may receive a just alteration by natural ferments, doth become degenerate, relapsed, colliquated or coagulated, as was visible in this Cadaver.

Observation XVI.

Sith it is so, (as it is intuitively conspicuous) that the Pestilential poyson doth principally strike at and deprave the Stomack and fistulary Vessels, by colliquating the lacteous juice contained in that, and by coagulating the blood in these, what intollerable, non-sensical practice is it, to prescribe any thing either Dieterical, or Pharmaceutick, [Page] that is so far from hindring, that it furthers these sad effects.

Observation XVII.

The extraordinary warmth that was in this body at twelve hours end, from the time it expired, doth sufficiently testifie what a Phlogôsis, [...], and combustion was about the viscera, arising from a fermentation and impetuous collision of exardent Atomes, which the fretting and furious Archeus had agitated, being exstimulated, and at length enraged, that it had entertained into its very penetralls, such a mortal Enemy; and now the Fewell being consumed, the spirits exanclated, and fire extinct, there remains an Empyreuma, a relique of heat in the parts defunct, as a sufficient testimony of that notable ebullition and fermentation which was precedent in the living.

Observation XVIII.

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I am commonly Censured by the Galenists presumptuous, in venturing to open this Contagious Body, for no other Reason (as I can conceive) but that I escaped so great a danger contrary to their expectation; I confess I was a little careless, in that I did not before fortifie my self as I might have done, being extream eager in the pursuit of knowledge for the publick good. I am perswaded, had I strengthned the Archeus of my hand with some appropriate Balsamick Spirit, and filled up the Pores with an oleaginous odorous matter, the Pestilential poyson could never have had so free an ingress, and so easily have put to flight the vital Spirit, making an inroad into all parts. That the intoxicating Atoms did first invade my hand imbrued with that foul Gore, I may without doubt conclude from long malaxing and steeping it in the body, [Page] and from the perceptible Alteration succeeding. For it is very unlikely that I who had sustained so long time before such abominable, loathsom, noysom Smells, from Sores, Carbuncles, the tainting Respiration, and faetide Expiration of numerous living bodies, and all this while suffered no great detriment in my health, should now receive an Infection by a Ten times less occasion in that respect, the Emanations being little comparatively, and those much weakned by a Pan of Brimstone burning under the Corps.

Observation XIX.

The Pest that arises from a contrectation of Entrals warm, is more active, and breaks out more violently than that which proceeds from the light touch of the same cold; & either of these are more Contagious, than a bare Contact of the skin of a Carkass. If the skin of a living body suffer discontinity, [Page] the Contagion of the dead enters more forcibly, as I found once experimentally to my prejudice, in Anatomizing one that dyed of a Spotted Feaver; for having accidentally cut my Finger, and often washed it in that malignant juyce, I was more troubled to Cure it than any wound ever inflicted upon me all my life-time. The space that this venom lay cryptick within me, closely and silently working in this subterranean Microcosm before it acted publickly was Eight hours, and then after a very sound sleep from Eleven till Two in the Morning, a grievous oppression at the stomack, with deep and difficult sighs, seized upon me, which doth still confirm me in this judgment, That the Pest never falls to acting a Tragical Scene openly, till such time it hath taken up its lodging place in the Stomack.

Observation XX.

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I have very good Reason and Experiment on my side to believe, that had I forthwith, after the Dissection, be taken my self to Bed, and liberally made use of those Remedies the good Creator bestowed upon me, much of the Atrocity of this Sickness might have been allayed, and perhaps the Poyson made effete and feeble; for I look upon this pestilential virulence, though (otherwise declined than commonly) yet to hold such a proportion with ordinary Poysons, that they both agree in many Circumstances. We find that if an Alexiterium, a proper Antidote be ready at hand in the very nick of time, and strait be offered to one that hath suffered hurt from any Animal, Vegetal or Mineral that is deletery, there forthwith follows a frustration and annihilation of that pernicious property in it, and the mortiferous effect thereof: but [Page] if there be a dilation or procrastination, and no check given to its furious and violent power (opportunity once slipped) all the Art of Man is at a loss to discover any thing medicable as a counterpoyson in such a case. He that expects help from a Physitian, when the fermenting poyson hath had its full Career without any stop, and hath plaid a Game almost to the last period without any bar, having put out the light of the vital Spirits, that no foundation is left for their Reparation or Relumination; and hath choaked up all the passages of the blood to be circulated as long as there is life, may with as much reason require one without a Miracle to raise a dead body from the Grave.

Observation XXI.

Vis unita fortior; had I not kept up my Spirits with high Cordials, and strong Liquors; had I not used Specificks, Diaphoreticks, those things that [Page] lenified and pacified the Archeus, the topical application of the Bufo, &c. Had I not lain in a large Sweat continually Seven dayes together, sometimes dropping down my Skin, had not an extraordinary great Botch been thrust out in the Fundament, and upon an Apertion made by Leeches, many Ounces of a virulent quitture issued forth. Had any of these forementioned been wanting, I could not at this day have sucked in the Air, and conversing among the Living, have set forth to the World the History of this narrow evasion from the Jaws of all devouring Fate.

Observation XXII.

For any one to assert that the Pest is not Contagious or Catching, argues either Sottish, Stupid Ignorance, or a perverse obstinate contradiction of Truth, out of peevishness, and singularity of Opinion. The best Reason that these men have to maintain their gross Paradox [Page] repugnant to Sense, is, That some conversant among the sick, have lain in the same Bed with them, have held there Noses over their running Bubo's and Carbuncles, yet have escaped the Infection. All this while these Captious Disputants forget the true Axiom in Philosophy, Unumquodque recipitur secundum captum recipientis: There is no man affected like another in every respect, but still every Patient hath some disparity, though not discrepable and sensible to us in the reception of the Agent. In one the imagination of the whole man is strongly fortified against the Infection, and can vigorously resist it, expressing an undaunted resolution; but the imagination of the Archeus may be weak in the same person, and not able to make any resistance or renitence, when it is assaulted by anothers Contagious munial ferment, but easily yields to it. On the other side, the phantasie of the Archeus, or vital Spirit of every part may be couragious and bold, not [Page] ready to give way to the Occurse of any outward evil: yet the imagination of fear and horrour in the man may be so great, that upon every slight occasion a pestilential impression may be made upon him. If the phantasie of man and the Archeus be magnanimous, stout, free from any Idea, vain conceit of fear and terrour, having a strong and valiant perswasion that neither can suffer injury in this kind: then the contagious effluviums cannot take place in such a body to offend it, because they are altogether disowned; and so being not appropriated, are in a short time expulsed and dissipated, before they can settle themselves to produce any act of hostility against Nature. Now because few have this ingenite Gift bestowed upon them so as to be exempted from some pusillaminity and distrustful thoughts either of the mind or the Archeus, it is very rare when the Pest is very grassant and outragious, that one coming within the sphere of the activity of this poyson, [Page] depart without some stain and spot, which sometimes is wiped off by strength of Nature, helped by Art, without any blemish to the health; and I am confident many Thousands in this City have had a light Infection, which passed away per Diap [...]aeam, a transpiration of the whole body, without the least cognizance of it. For my own part, I can avouch by several Signs, being very curious and exact in the consideration of my own state, that I often received the Scent or Tincture of the Pest, but quickly washed it off by some Balsamical odour, causing a profluence of a kindly Sweat. And had I not out of a little too forward Zeal thrust my hand without due preparation into the mouth of this cruel Tyger, I might have continued invulnerable to this day; yet none but an unwitting, mad, self-conceited person will deny, that the Pest according to its Etimon doth peredere, mordere, & devorare, doth bite, tear in pieces, pierce even to the very marrow [Page] with its sharp fangs; though some clad like Curassers, with Armour of proof from Top to Toe, have escaped those wounds that were inflicted upon others. One may as well conclude, that the Itch or Leprosie is not Contagious (contrary to Divine Writ, and firm experience) because some coming within the same reach of contaminating Emanations with others that were infected, have evaded the pollution.

Observation XXIII.

I have sometimes found the fermenting venom of the Pest, especially furthered by large draughts of Small Beer after aestuation and effervescence of the Spirits, so speedily congeal the blood, that the best Remedies made use of at the first appearance of the Feaver, were bauked, and of no effect; and being followed close, could only indicate by driving out some Stigmata, Vibices, Spots, and a suffusion of red or blew marks in [Page] the Skin, what great malignity was within; and that there was almost a total coagulation of the blood in facto esse, as I observed in divers, who having surfeited themselves, were dispatched in the space of a few hours. I have also seen some Remedies made use of for seasonable prevention to keep down and strangle this still pullulating poyson, not suffering it to make any condensation of the vital juyce, insomuch as though a violent Feaver did break out, continuing for the space of Five or six dayes, yet the blood being kept in its due motion, no Efflorescence or cuticular Eruption did appear, no not the least Pimple or Spot; but such a Rarefaction and Subtiliation was made by penetrative, active and specifick Medicines, that if any coagulation was in fieri, it was immediately prevented from further progress; or if the blood began to be restagnant, it was forthwith agitated; if any grumous matter present, it was sent packing, per Diapnaeam & Diaphaeresin, [Page] through the pores of the Skin, fine capite mortuo, without any faeces, or sediment left behind.

Observation XXIV.

When I meditate seriously upon the extraordinary occasion that brought this Truculent Disease upon me, when I contemplate its Magnitude, Malignity, [...], the swiftness of its motion, those direful Symptoms and Products that appeared; when I consider that Three besides my self were sick at the same time, of the same Malady, in the same House, the Landlady one of the Three, being with Child, miscarrying, and that all of us recovered by the same means blessed from Heaven, I cannot but heartily magnifie the good Creator of all things, that hath provided such potent Medicines for the Restauration of man fallen from his Sanity, and withall be firmly resolved concerning the admirable efficacy of Chymical [Page] preparations, abhorring the laziness, perversness, and Ingratitude of those that still resist the Truth, obstinately maintaining their own destructive Principles, Method and Medicines.

CHAP. VII.
Directions Preservative and Curative against the Pest.

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O [...], saith the candid, learned Hippocrates; Time is pourtrayed, not without good reason, with a Sithe in his hand as keen as any Razour; to signifie to us, that it cuts off those opportunities, which once offered, and neglected, can never afterwards be regained. Therefore [...], an able Physician that is present in the nick of time, is highly to be prized by the Patient: Likewise, he that asketh counsell for prevention, or sends for an able Chymist, (as for the Galenist, or Pseudo-Chymist, it matters not much when they are sent for: sith [Page] in Truth (I am sure I can make it appear) some of them are to be avoided as the Pest it self) at the very first onset of a Disease, is to be attended with all diligence, and to be supplied with the best Remedies possible. For my part I had rather be altogether absent, than be called upon, when all that I can do, is to discover to the standers by, that the Disease is Mortal. What good can be expected, when Nature is extream feeble and prostrate, not able to rise up to make the least conflict with a forcible Disease, when the fundamental strength is altogether wanting, 'tis impossible to make a reparation and redintegration of that which is abolished, without a miracle. Of all Diseases, there is none that finishes its course with more expedition than the Pest, nor any insinuates more slily, treads more softly, flatters more subtilly, and kills more treacherously; the more cautelous therefore ought we to be how we give any harbour to it, and through a careless [Page] supinity neglect means fitting to expell it. [...], is an undoubted truth delivered by Hippocrates. He that desires to live comfortably, prolong his dayes, and defend himself from the Pest, and other grievous infirmities incident to mankinde, next to powerfull Medicines, let him embrace Temperance in his Diet, yet let him rather drink more, so it be spirituos, than eat; let him rather exceed in sleeping than watching, in motion rather than a sedentary course of life, still discharging any excrementitious superfluity, chiefly through the universal Emunctory, the skin, without any notable debilitation of the vital spirits: but above all, let him endeavour after [...], magnanimity, brave resolution, and an undaunted firmnesse of minde to resist any vain conceits of infection. Let the Air, the principal vehiculum, [...], a nimble conveyer and translater of the fermental poyson from one to another, [Page] be defaecated, purified, and ventilated from thsoe diversity of effluviums, and noxious exhalations that conspurcate its Magnale, and fill up the pores thereof with soul corrupt hoary Atoms that annoy the Archeus. For this purpose nothing is more efficacious (not only to segregate [...], whatsoever is unclean, but also to consume and mortify [...], any thing malignant and repugnant to our nature) then [...], Sulphur, Brimstone, which may fitly be so called, both from the giver of it, and likewise from its Divine effects. The use hereof I have in short set down in Loimologia de Elogio Sulphuris. For Sulphurs highly mundified, made terse and polite, are as it were Archei Speculum, the looking-glasse wherein the Archeus beholds it self with delectation and complacency, being both reflected and illuminated by them; for whatsoever is luminous and splendid, doth by an emission of socillating beams exhilarate and dilate the vital spirits, and [Page] dispose them to audacity, but that which is dark, misty, and opacous, doth cloud them, causing fear and terrour, the harbingers of this unwelcome guest. For this reason Anima Auri, the clear Sulphur of Gold, extracted by a friendly Menstruum, being of a Solar property, doth wonderfully chear up the vital [...] from an implanted congruity, and a symbolical affinity between each other. The same is likewise performed by the defaecated Sulphur of Mars, Antimony, Vitriol, Blood-stone, native Cinnabar, without castration of their virtue, which taken into this Microcosm, do by their Rutilation and Glistering Rayes, strongly fortifie the Spirits against any imminent danger of the Pest, and enable them to profligate and protrude by sweat the intoxicating particles generated within, or taken into us from without. Whosoever then desires to possesse these Arcana's, must labour with his own hands, not thinking it inferiour for him to take pains and toil for [Page] a publick good. It is a most infallible Truth, That he can never be an absolute Philosopher, and an able Physitian, that seeketh not after this Spagyrical Sophy by his own [...], this Chirurgia, Manual Operation must make him compleat, otherwise he is lame, maimed and detruncated in the knowledge of his profession. For I expresly assert (as I have declared in Galeno-pale) and can prove it, That it is an egregious shame, and an unsufferable abuse in a Nation, That a company of Drones that can do little but make a humming Noise to please the Ear, should neglect to gather with their own fingers that Aetherial, Essential part of every Concrete, which hath a soveraign vertue to preserve from, and cure infirmities. He that desires to attain an insight into these Mysteries, let him compose himself without wavering, to try what the fire can discover that true Philosophical light, which Prometheus, i.e. every prudent circumspect Physitian endeavours [Page] to purchase from Heaven, that he may be able to correct and mitigate those many calamities that Epimetheus, i. e. an improvident indiscreet man brings upon himself, ever since that once divinely gifted Pandora offered to him that Box, which he out of a curiosity [...], opening, brought innumerable griess of Body and Mind into the world: Let him make use of his own eyes and hands, which are bestowed upon him for Speculation and Practice. Let him intuitively examine the Sulphurs, Salts, and Spirits of Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, in which he shall finde abscondite most powerfull Remedies against the Pest, and other stubborn Diseases. The saline spirit of Blood, Bones, and Urine well rectified, are of admirable use against the Pest; Likewise the spirit of Harts-horn, (the stinking flegm being well separated) doth powerfully hinder coagulations of the blood, and sweeten the Acidity thereof. The Sulphures or oyls of any of [Page] these forenamed, well mundefied and digested with a very clean fixed Alkali, are so united thereto, that they lose their nauseous unctuousity and become saline, volatilizing the fixed Alkali. I have often found the spirit of Tartar of singular virtue in the Pest; but above all the pure salt of Tartar made volatile by a combination of its oyl and spirit, and tinged with the golden Sulphur of some Minerals, doth effectually resist the pestilential poyson, cleanse away the drosse, and any Tartarous tenacious matter, by Urine, Sweat, expectoration, exhilarates the Archeus, pacifying the fury and exorbitance thereof.

Elixir Proprietatis prepared by a Menstruum free from corrosion, not with the common oyl of Vitriol or Brimston, &c. is a very noble Medicine to prevent Contagion. The legitimate spirit of Sulphur and Vitriol endued with that Leptomerie, that there is a manifest avolation of its parts, gratefull to the smell, pleasant to the taste, friendly to [Page] the Membranes, leaving no evil impression, where it touches, is none of the inferiour Remedies; to prevent and Cure this infection. Spirit of Salt well deflegm'd, and its much acidity allayed by a benigne Spirit familiar to our Nature, is highly to be commended in this case.

Likewise Spirit of Sal Armoniack, well corrected with Salt of Tartar, is of Noble efficacy.

Common Sulphur often sublimed with bay-salt decrepitated, affords an admirable Diaphoretick, promoting the circulation of the blood, as I have experimentally found.

Antimonium Diaphoreticum (whose exquisite preparation is neglected by the Galenists, and the approved use thereof much more unknown to them) is a Remedy (though ordinary in comparison of some Chymical elaborate Medicines) far to be preferred before all dreggy obtuse Electuaries, Opiates, and Confactions, as Mithridat. Theria. Elect. de Ovo, &c. I dare avouch that [Page] any Physician throughly acquainted with the due preparation, application, and appropriation of this innocent thing (for if it be hurtfull, it is because unskilfull men touch it) may do more service for his King and Countrey, toward the Cure of any Endemical Sicknesse, then any meer Dogmatist in Europe.

Opium corrected in such a manner, and menaged with that Method and Discretion, as that pract cally learned Dr. Starkey hath taught the world, ought to be highly esteemed for the quieting and mitigating the rage of the Archeus, and the carrying of Malignity Diaphoretically.

The best Oyl of Amber, and the pure salt thereof spiritualized, that the Archeus may the better hold correspondence with it, strengthens the Stomack, Womb, all the other membranes and sinews, seasoning the vital spirits with such a specifique odour, that they are not easily affected with a fracide, putrid, pestiferous scent.

[Page] Concerning Prevention; I know not any one thing for Inward use, as a more sure staff to lean upon, under God, then the Best Flowers of ♀, quite bereaved of their vomitive faculty, and converted into a Diaphoretick and a little purgative property (where the first and second Digestions abound with soul and fluid excrements) without circumcising and robbing them of their virtue by acide violent corrosives, or the Torture of the fire.

Mercury sublimed five or six times, and afterward dissolved in a mild Menstruum, gratefull to the smell, and pleasant to the taste, wherein the polite blade of a knife dipped is not denigrated, or sullied with an obscure colour, may safely be taken into the body without the least prejudice, for the dulcifying the Latex become eager, acide, or austere, the impulse of the blood in its proper ducts, the prevention of its concretion, and for the Protrusion of the venemous Atoms from the Center to [Page] the Circumference, as I have tryed with constant desired Success.

Crude Mercury well clarified, and clean Lune without any Alloy, brought to an Amalgama, powdered, then cast into coinimon Sulphur, liquified in a Vessel of Mars, and afterward this mass being often sublimed in a very strong close body, with a firm head to it, is at length reduced to a brownish powder, fixed, of extraordinary effect in all illconditioned Feavers, causing no disturbance at all either by Vomit or Stool, but by its emicant Blas doth animate the Archeus, to profligate any thing that is hostile to Nature.

Whosoever purchaseth some of these Noble Remedies, need not doubt to cure, prevent, and so far as Art will permit, that stubborn, chronick disease, the Scorbute, which according to my Judgment in Loimologia, hath furthered and fomented the late Pest. And since I wrote that little Tract, I have been much confirmed in my opinion therein, [Page] by several Experiments and Instances. For this reason, all those things that resist the malignity of the Scurvey, are approved of use also to prevent this acute Sickness. Wherefore in general the vital strength is to be augmented, the ambient Air clarified, an adaptation of mumial Ferments prevented, the Archeus of the stomack carefully cherished and fortified, the blood purified, and kept freely running in its Pipes, the Venom mortified, the morbifique Idea expunged, and the whole body disposed to a continual Transpiration, by that means the good God of Nature hath bountifully provided for us; for this purpose nothing is to be preferred before the richly endowed juyce of that Vegetable (which Liber planted to free poor melancholly man in some measure from care and sorrow) separated into various parts by a skilful Analysis of them, each being exalted, mundified, and afterwards united again. In this one Concrete lies hid an infinite Treasury [Page] of Secrets, the true value of which for sanation of languors, the Pseudochymists do no more understand, than a Dunghil Cock, the worth of a precious pearl; if they did, they would never thus prescribe small Beer, Barley water, Posset-drink made with water and Ale, and such like poor faint Liquors in such a case, when the Spirits (without whose vigour nothing can be done aright) are subjugated and depauperated by a predominant Sickness.

Among Specificks ordained against the Pest, I find the Viper rightly prepared, discreetly menaged and applied, to be deservedly worthy of praise, as the Experiment on my self, as well as others, taught me. Now the best way that I always discovered it most effectual, was to dissolve the flesh by digestion in a delectable Liquor, conspiring with, and advancing the Balsamical Alexiterial virtue thereof, likewise ushering it into remote parts, that they might be the better seasoned with its odour, and the [Page] terrifying imagination of the Archeus the sooner abolished.

The more subtile and spiritual part of Amber, is endued with incomparable power, both to prevent, and also Cure the Pest, as I can Practically attest: For I must needs subscribe (being sufficiently instructed by Fact) to that just Commendation the profound Philosopher Van Helmont gives of Amber: Nil sanè (saith he) Stomachos, Intestinis, Nervis, imo & Cerebro est gratius Succino in spiritu Vini resoluto: There is not any thing that doth more gratifie the Stomack, Intestines, Sinews, and Brain, than Amber dissolved in the pure spirit of Wine.

Camphire free from Dross, and married to pure Spirit of Wine Tartarized, is, as I can judge of it by some little experience, very beneficial to keep off and destroy by its eminent odoriferous Crasis, the poysonous odour of the Pest. Horse-Radish fresh cut into thin slices, and steeped in White-wine, or [Page] Malago sulphurated in that manner as I have described in Loimologia, is very sanative of the Scorbute, and a great defensive against the Pest.

The proper Urine of him that hath drank Wine, either taken by it self, or made into a clear Posset, is without question an excellent Defensive, especially taken with confidence, for it attenuates the tartarous blood, and carries it off by Sweat and Urine.

Juniper, Ivy-berries, Ginger bruised, and English Saffran steeped in well rectified Spirit of Wine, that it may be impregnated with the virtue of the foresaid Ingredients, is a powerful Preservative, if a Spoonful be taken thereof Morning, Noon and Night with any other spriteful Liquor.

Some things outwardly applied and worn are much commended, as the Emerald and Saphire and other precious Stones, which often drawn in a Circle about a Bubo or Carbuncle placed directly against the Sun-beams or light, [Page] as (Helmont advises) do magnetically extract the virulence and malignity in the body, as is evident by a blackness arising from those fuliginous cauterizing Atoms that exhale.

As for Periapta, Amulets, a Verse out of David, Solomon, or any Prophet, Superstitious Words, Characters, Signatures, Sculptures framed according to the Conjunction and Aspects of the heavenly Bodies, Talismanical Gamaheus, and such like Inventions, they are by no means to be trusted to. Neither do I approve of those appendances of Quick-silver sublimate Auripigment, Arsnick uncorrected, &c. which I have observed are very uncertain in answering the expectation of him that hangs them about his Neck, or applies them to the Pulses as an Zenexton. I confess (what Helmont saith) That the strong Conceit of the person that uses the foresaid things, may be of some force to prevent Infection for a little while, yet the [Page] Terrour of the Archeus is not taken off, or so much as mitigated by them; and all that is hereby performed by them, is, that there is for some short time a privative exclusion of any notable perswasion, that an evil effect of Contagion can seize upon the person. The forenamed Author affirms, That many Thousands dyed of the Sickness at the Siege of Ostend, notwithstanding these supposed defensive Amulets which they so trusted to, and those Blisters which were raised by Trochiscks of Arsnick, and the like: and, Illae sunt (saith he) Tragoediae Medicae, Italicae Imposturae, sinales Periodi Iudaei porr [...] & Ethnici. This is the Cheating Galenical Doctrine fetched from Padua. Sweet smelling Spices, Perfumes, and several odoriferous things made up into a Pomander, a powder quilted in a Bag, or contained in a spongy Body, continually held at the Nose; when our Dogmatists feel the Pulse, aversa facie, looking Westward, when their hands point Eastward, [Page] as if conscious of their own guilt, they were ashamed to look their infected Patients in the Face. These are most ridiculous shifts, under which none but unwitting Physitians will ever shelter themselves, as helmont hath it, Quasi venenum desineret esse, Aromate saturatum! & non intraret penitius comite grati odoris! ac quasi ipsa Aromata non contagio essent subnoxia! quasi Arsenicum Napellus Ambari grys [...]o maritata cessarent nocere! quasi adoratissimum vinum non statim contaminaretur fracido cado! i.e. as if that lost its poysonous property, that had good store of Spices mixt with it, and was not rather conveyed farther into all parts by the conduct a grateful odour! as if Spices were not liable to be infected! as if Arsnick or Woolfsbane copulated with Ambergreese, gave over their hurtful Nature! as if the most fragrant Wine was not in an instant polluted by a musty Vessel! These are Naeniae, pitiful things to put any confidence in. A true Zenexton, [Page] or outward preservative is quite of another Nature (as the Philosopher decides it) for it depends not upon the meer phantasie excited, or unmoveable belief of the person; but its groundwork is laid in Nature, which hath bestowed upon it this active gift to do so and so. A true Zenexton, according to Helmont, ought to be no way capable of Infection, if any expect it should keep him from the same. And here we may take Notice that mans Pest differs from Brutes, so that theirs is not mortally infectious to us, nor ours to them, by reason of the disproportion of mumial ferments that is between each; however their skins or flesh may be so contaminated by our pestiferous Emanations, that they may be a means to convey it from one man to another.

Our Noble Chymical Philosopher doth very much commend Amber for a Zenexton or Preservative, from the testimony and experience of Gordiola a Spanish Chyrurgion, Master of the Pesthouse [Page] at Ostend, who, as he relates, was preserved the space of Three years, during the Plague there, by means of a piece of Red Amber his Zenexton, which he chafed, till it grew warm upon the seven principal Pulses; to wit, the Temples, the Wrists, the Ankles, and Left Pap (I wonder he omitted the strongest beating Pulses in the Groin) he, as Helmont was an Eye-witness, alwayes continued in health, when the rest of his Mates miscarried; and the same Author backs this experimental Effect with prevalent Reasons, taken first from its powerful attractive force manifested and stirred up by Frication, next from its first Transparency, Gummosity, Porosity, and Rarity of parts, which make it more susceptible of our warmth and mumial odor; lastly▪ from the universality of its Traction, being not limited as the Loadstone to Iron, but generally drawing any thing, so it be light and tractable, whereupon he infers, It may abundantly be able to draw the [Page] pestilent virulent Air to it, sith it attracts light things, especially when it shall acquire an appropriation and adaptation by a mumial ferment. Questionless most admirable is the radiant influence of precious Stones, and other translucent scintillating bodies (rightly applied) upon our Spirits, even like the Stars of Heaven: wherefore it ought not to seem strange, if such a shining Concrete as Amber, have such an extraordinary gift of preserving from the Pest bestowed upon it, by [...], the good Father of Lights, for the relief of the poor distressed man, that is not able to purchase costly Gems.

Another most effectual Zenexton that he highly extolls, is a Creature called by the Greeks, [...], & [...] a [...], flatu distendo tumefaceo, from its swelling property in Latine, Bufo, à [...] & [...], quod bobus mortifera est; à Rubeta quod in Rubis vivat, vel à rubro colore, in English a Toad. It seems to be marked out, and to have a stigmatical [Page] Signature impressed upon it, to denote what a dotal excellency is contained in it against a Disease that is often conspersed with variety of Spots.

The great difficulty to bring this Animal to a true Zenexton, lies in an exquisite preparation of it, the manner whereof, that great Investigator of Verity, Van Helmont, hath thus delivered, as he received instructions from Butler an Irish man, who (to Helmonts knowledge) had Cured some Thousands of the Pest at London. He gave directions that a large Bufo taken in the Afternoon in the Month of Iune, should be hung up by the Legs nigh the fire over a vessel of yellow Wax made into the fashion of a Dish or Platter: After three dayes that the Bufo had hung in this manner, it vomited up a terrene matter, and certain Insects; Flies of a greenish colour, with wings shining like gold, then the Bufo forthwith dyed. This Butler told our Philosopher, That a Bufo ordered aright, was a sufficient remedy [Page] for Forty thousand persons. But unhappily the right knack of this business was not yet fully discovered to Helmont, which he promised he would perform, had he not been suddenly banished, and sent packing away. However, perspicacious Helmont proceeded thus with great success; he took the cadaverous Bufo dried and beaten in to powder with that filth it had vomited, and so made it up into Trochisks with Tragacanth, which he used with good event both for precaution and sanation of the Pest. After this he made a further progress thus; he got in the Month of Iuly (the Moon decreasing) a Bufo, the oldest he could find, whose eyes standing out, were full of white Worms with black heads, insomuch that both the inward parts of the eyes were changed into Worms closely joined together in each corner, their heads appearing outward; and if any attempted to get away, the Bufo presently suppressed it with its Paw. These he disposed and [Page] menaged in the same manner as is set down before, and found them a most incomparable Zenexton. Gestati autem Trochisci, saith he, ad mammam sinistram arcebant contagium & loco infecto alligati statim virus extrahebant. Trochisks made of a Bufo thus prepared, and applied to the left Pap, kept away Contagion, and fastened to any place infected, did immediately extract the Poyson; moreover, that which is remarkable, Erant Trochisci promptiores & validiores si in usum aliquoties recidissent quam recentiores: The oftner they were used, the more speedily and powerfully did they perform their business, beyond those that were fresh, and never used.

Now Adepti gives this Philosophical reason of the rare operation of the Bufo in this kind; for being a Creature naturally very timorous, that bears a perfect hatred against man, and augmenting the same by an extraordinary fear it conceives at the presence of man; when it dyes, the whole body is seasoned [Page] and distained with such an Idea of Fear, that even the Cadaver retains the impression thereof after Death. Qui terror ab homine, saith Helmont, naturalem energiam sibi acquirit & imprimit, contra imagines territi Archei in homine; siquidem terror Bufonis interimit & annihilat Ideas territi Archei humani: This terrour in the Bufo arising from the aspect of man, acquires an Energy against the imagination of the terrour of the Archeus; that which is natural, mortifying this which is accidental: And forasmuch as no Poyson exerts its violent power without the ferment of mans Mumie (which being different from a Brutes, is the reason that our Pest doth not annoy them) neither can the Pest infect any, unless there be a symbolical Congruity and Participation of the Ferment; wherefore it is the nature of this Zenexton to hinder the mumial Ferment from receiving and appropriating the pestilent Poyson to it self, and so disturbs it, that it cannot roost in that immediate [Page] Subject, or be fitted to it. Hence it falls out, that that venemous Idea of Hatred and Terror in the Bufo, annihilates the image of the pestilent Poyson in the Archeus, which strait is corroborated, perceiving not only an extinction of the virulent Idea, but also finding an appropinquation of something more desponding and timorous than it self; for it is observed that the Bufo is a Creature so extreamly fearful, that if you take the advantage to look upon it with a firmly fixed intentive eye for a quarter of an hour, there being no avoidance of your countenance, it will shortly dye with very terrour, as I have tryed. Thus mans Archeus beholds as it were in a Glass, the picture of the Bufo's pusillanimity, with a delectable reflection by means of this applicated Zenexton, which by Divine institution procures his Sanity.

Divers good Topical Remedies may be made use of with good success, as Water-cresses, Garden-cresses, Bank-cresses, [Page] Horse-Radish, Dittander, Napellus, Aconitum, Figgs stamped and boiled in Vinegar, which applied to Bubo's and Carbuncles, have an excellent Faculty to extract the Venom, and dissolve any tartarous matter in the part.

That which I have found most laudable, and of approved experience in Botches and Carbuncles, is a Plaister made of the Balsom of Antimony, of the Balsom of Brimstone, Bals. Fuliginis, and Burgundy Pitch, which may be trusted to above any thing I have met with.

THE AUTHORS APOLOGY against the Calumnies of the GALENISTS.

[Page]

WHat some men cannot obtain by fair honest upright means they will try to purchase by indirect, unjust, foul courses, by slanders, obloquies, scurrilities, forgeries and detractions. One Comfort is, I never knew the Contrivers thereof long to prosper, but still at length they drew upon themselves the greater Odium from those credulous Persons, whose unhappy fate it was to be seduced by them; and however they might for a while set a good face upon their unhandsome Actions, [Page] deceiving some indiscreet eyes; yet in conclusion, when they were discovered in their genuine colours, they alwayes came off with deserved disgrace. Certain scurrilous, lying Pamphlets have been vented abroad against me, under disguised Names, which some subtill slie Wits made use of to shelter themselves, being conscious, that if they should come to a Chymical Tryal, they would be found most Dross. Now how far this is from Candour and Integrity, let any impartial man judge. If I have spoken, writ, or done any thing amisse in Physick, I am forthwith ready to clear my self; if I do not, let me suffer any condign punishment. The principal Design of the Galenists, is to weaken the sinews of Truth, by scandalously and falsly disparaging my Person, calling me Fanatick, one of an Anarchical Principle; who have always (as my friends can testifie) been Loyal to my Soveraign. They whisper behind my back, that I am no Schollar; [Page] because that I have not spent my time altogether like themselves, a company of Pedants, Cavillers about Lana Caprina, Captious Sophisters, great Disputers, or rather Wranglers Pro & Con about Quidlibets, and Quodlibets, such as study Cicero to confute Helmont; who stand more upon a word mis-placed, a Grammatical Errour, than upon the Loss of a Mans Life. If any of these false Impeachers dare appear to my face, I should easily make it out, that the Galenists are a company of grand talkative Impostors, Ignorant in the main thing that belongs to their Art, the radical Cure of Diseases, and this I will maintain, expressing my self in congruous Latine, Greek, and Hebrew Terms, not as a Parrot or Daw, that hath only learnt Verba, praeterea nihil; but intellectually, fruitfully, for the benefit of Mankind. As for their endeavours to vilifie my Reputation, by making the World believe, that I was at first a Practitioner in Chirurgery, [Page] before I applied my self to Physick (although an untruth) yet it conduces much to my Credit, though otherwise intended by them: For let me tell these men, that are little else but smooth Orators, Polyglossi, multiloquous Doctors, that if they were but truly Chirurgi, Operators with their own hands, they would have attained ere this a farre greater excellency in that Art, in which I am sure they are extreamly deficient, to their remarkable shame. Withall I would have my Enemies know, that I was so well-grounded, principled, and had acquired such Theorems in the Profession of Physick before I entered upon the Practical part, that I was able to give a fair Rational Account of that fraudulent way, improperly called Methodical, as well (I suppose) as the best of them: Yea directly aiming at this and no other Faculty, I made all Inquisition possible, that I might be throughly instructed, before I entred upon Medicinal Action; [Page] and for that end, after long Study, I sought for, and by good Providence found out a faithfull Friend, at first an Apothecary, omnibus suis numeris & partibus expletus, every way accomplished in his faculty, afterward an expert knowing Physician, one that was persecuted maliciously and wrongfully, to his overthrow, by the Dogmatists, for preparing Lac Sulphuris, an innocent usefull Chymical Medicine; for which Act doubtlesse divine Nemesis will at length bring them to shame. This Gentleman conducting me to his Patients, and informing me concerning several remarkable things in Physick: gave me much light both in Galenical and Spagyrical Practice; the last whereof, according as I could judge then, above Twenty years past, seemed to be most effectual: yet unwilling to forsake the old beaten Road of the Antients, I did not presently subscribe rashly to that, to which I was forced afterwards by degrees to grant ipso facto to be [Page] Truth, much inconsistent at that time with my Profit. Then desiring to do all things, [...], decently, and in order, I purchased a Doctoral Diplôma to justifie my Practice legally in any place of the world; which I would rather burn, than not be worthy. Indeed it is an unsufferable Shame, and a lamentable Calamity to this Nation, That Idiots, meer Dunces in Philosophy should take their degrees Modo tot Annos (as Learned, Honest Mr. Burton saith) in Academia insumpserint; if they have been of so long standing in the University, it matters not a rush whether they be Literatores an Litorati, modò pingues, nitidi, ad aspectum speciosi, & pecuniosi: And as he proceeds, Philosophastri licentiantur in Artibus, Artem qui non habent: Eosque sapientes esse jubent, qui nulla praediti sunt sapientia, & nihil ad gradum praeterquam velle adferunt. Many such kind of Medicasters we have, who ought to be degraded, that Deserving men, that [Page] have a just Title and Right to this Honourable Profession, might be better esteemed, and not be so vilified by a company of illiterate Pseudo-Chymists, who seeing the Weakness of these Titular Doctors in their Art, take occasion to slight those that have according to their due Merit been thus Dignified.

Thus much for the wiping off those Aspersions that they have wrongfully cast upon my own Person, Next, I shall answer in short to some things thrown in my Teeth, and often charged upon me in reference to others, and the noble Spagyrick Science.

They upbraid me, That I frequently meet and join with an illiterate Rabble, Gunsmiths, Heel-makers and Botchers, that Rail against the Universities, and all Learning in general. This I confess ingenuously is the worst they can say of me: That once I did for a time associate my self (for the Promotion of that useful Chymical Art, some Learned Chymists, as Dr. Dey, Dr. Manwaring, [Page] &c. true Disciples of Helmont, being likewise present) with several Unlearned, Unexperimented Pretenders thereto; who, not invited, but intruded themselves impudently among us: But perceiving in a short space my self defiled by their Heady, High-minded, Rude Boasting, Insolent, Preposterous Carriage, I strait withdrew, and washed my hands of such Dirty Companions: And when ever after it was my Chance to come into any of their Company singly, I sharply Reproved them for their bitter Invectives against Learning. When a Pragmatical Stickler not long ago did speak in Contempt of Learning, asserting, That a man might be a sufficient Chymist, without the Languages; I replied, That the same Person would be far better, had he been qualified with Literature as he ought. So much Respect have I for some Professors of Physick, though great Oppugners of true Chymistry, yet otherwise very well endowed, That did they not abuse the Gift of [Page] Tongues, to maintain the Idleness of their Hands, that pernicious course of Bleeding, colliquating uncorrected Purgatives; did they not defend too obstinately (against all demonstrative Conviction) fruitless, feculent, dull, nastie Medicaments, Blisterings, Issues, Cuppings, and Scarifications, &c. And did not mans Life stand in Competition with these Tenents, I should Honour, Reverence, and Admire them above others. But as they have ordered the Matter, I may in Verity affirm, That it had been happier that they had never known how to have worded it so well, unless they had been more skilful to have worked better for the Preservation and Cure of Mankind; for so far as I can understand, their knowledge of words, which ought to be an Introduction to the right understanding of things, is become a Remora, a Pull-back to themselves, that they cannot make an effectual progress in what is most necessarily Scientifick in Physick, and [Page] withall, not a little scandalous to others, who have harboured but mean Conceits of Verbal Notions, seeing so few salutary Actions proceeding therefrom.

I confesse I am not a little ashamed, when I hear of, and am twitted with the great abuses in Chymistry, committed by some of those, who have been thought stout defenders of the same. When I am told of an illiterate, impudent fellow, a very shame to the Art, that is in fee with Midwifes, Nurses, Busie, prating, wandering women, that cry him up for a brave Doctor, who cannot, as the Proverb is, say Boh to a Goose; being neither truly acquainted with the Theory or Practick, hath only got a fabrick of fair beautifull Furnaces, which speaks more for him, ten to one, than he can for the Art, or himself. When, I say, this is objected to me, as undeniable, I cannot but break forth into indignation, that such a Divine Science should be thus polluted, by [Page] every profane Idiot. When a sad Relation comes to my ear, at length confirmed without further doubt, that an upstart Chymist, taking upon him to be a Champion of Hermes, and writing a copious Tract for the defence of this way, (containing much Truth) should take into his hand a Patient, a Gentleman of Quality, enjoying his Health at that time (according to his Friends testimony, better than he had a long space before) should sequester him into a by-corner, mure him up in a Quacks House, separate him from his entire Friends, should for prevention of the Gout, without the least Tincture (as some knowing Physicians affirm) of the Venereal Lues, salivate him, (or, as that Gang hath found a new Term, Nod him) to the one and twentieth day with Mercurius Dulcis, often repeated, (a Medicine unworthy to be used by a free-born Son of Art, if he knew better) and that against his own Judgement, led, as he pretends, by [Page] the Importunity of his Patient into this course: that he should after the exhibition of prepared Pearl (whether Galenical or Chymical they best know) prescribe a Diet-Drink on the 17th day, and then afterward slop him with syrrup of Violets, Rose-water, and Milk, distilled with spotted Lungwort, Coltsfoot, Sage, Wood-sorrell, Plantain, Succory, (O Brave Chymist! I am perswaded he will write ere long for the Galenists) and then in the Conclusion to suffer this distressed Gentleman, dying on the 24th day, to be concealed 9. dayes after his death, from his dear Brothers, (without admission of other advice) who at length inquiring of his Physician for his Corps, was denyed by him the discovery thereof; and having at length with much ado found it out, summoned the Physician and others together, that the Body (pretended to be embalmed, but otherwise manifest upon the inspection) might fairly be opened for their own satisfaction, [Page] and the acquittance of those that were about him: which reasonable desire was denyed by the Physician, and afterwards prevented by him; That this supposed Chymist should (to excuse this foul Businesse,) afterward impeach an Honest laborious Chymist (who had given Physick to this person the aforesaid Pseudo-Chymist his Patient two years before, and not since) that he had a hand in this Gentlemans Death. Whereas I heard it attested by one of Credit, that there was a gratefull acknowledgement of the Patient at that time both by word and deed, that he had received very great Benefit by the foresaid falsely accused Physician. When, I say such an ugly Story comes to my ear, often repeated to me as one concerned, by persons of Credit, confirmed by the Brothers of this Gentleman deceased, men of Integrity and Good Report, who had most of what I deliver here from the Pseudo Chymists own Mouth; when being upbraided, I [Page] am made sensible how this Base filthy Action (not to be excused by any, unlesse one of a superlative Impudence) reflects upon the Chymical Profession, and the Honest Able Professors of this Illustrious Art, to the diminution of its repute among, those that have not altogether a clear understanding in these things, I cannot conceive otherwise, but some evil Spirit of Darknesse is changed into an Angel of Light, and and is become on a sudden a Galeno-Chymist, a Pseudo-Chymist, a meer Logo-Chymist, and a Plano Chymist, on purpose to bring an infamy upon Truth, to delude the world, and to frustrate it of that happinesse it might enjoy by Pious, Honest, Modest, Learned, or Lovers of Learning truly expert laborious Spagyrists. But enough of this: I shall leave this Antesignanus of Confusion and Deformity, with some of his Complices, to be further examined by Justice, that there may be a full discussion of this foul oblique Business.

[Page] I shall return once more to the Galenists, at whose doors most of these grand Mischiefs in Physick may justly be laid. 'Tis through their Idleness, Pride, Covetousness, Negligence, Ignorance, Egregious Insufficiency in their Art, that such disguised Stentors in Chymistry, such scandalous Persons, Omnium horarum homunciones, Nebulones, viles Scurrae, Idiotae, Fungi merum pocus; such as will sell a mans life, rush into this Divine Art, and prostitute their Souls for Gain!

I say, the Dogmatists are exceeding Culpable herein, that might in due time have prevented most of these Iatrical Calamities; for had they followed their Function as they ought, Candidly, Conscientiously, and Laboriously, these things had never been. Notwithstanding all this, they still persevere in their indirect way, as obstinate as any Jew; whereas if they would (laying aside their present secular Interest) be so ingenuous to submit to Chymical Truth, and that no farther than I, with some others, [Page] are able to demonstrate visibly the certainty thereof. These Meteors in Chymistry, these inflated Bubbles would come to Nothing.

But instead of this Candor and Ingenuity, they still stand upon the justification of their Mortiferous Principles; for that end, one of that Fraternity, Mr. N. H. hath divulged a Sophistical Treatise, for Vindication and Assertion of Galenical Opinions. Some little cursory View I chanced to have of it, enough to satisfie me what this Juggler and his Assistants aim at. In his Epistle, I took Notice how he importunes his Grace to promote the speedy enacting of Convenient Lawes, whereby Illegal Practisers may be restrained and punished. I wish with all my soul that this Mr. N. H. might have his request: supposed he and his Fellows might likewise be forced to undergo a Chymical Trial, that their foul D [...]osse in Physick might be discovered, and their Cut-throat Bleeding in the Small Pox, and other Malignant [Page] Feavers, to the Losse of the Life of some Heroes, might be made apparent; then I am certain They, as illegal Practisers, would be the first that the Law would lay hold on to restrain and punish, according to their Demerits.

To conclude, had leisure been granted me to have strictly perused Mr. N. H. his Garrulous Tract, (contrived by one of his Sophistical wily Brethren, lying couched in time of the Pest, and garnished with many polite, trimm words, and back'd by specious Authority of Writers, but mis-applyed, mis-interpreted, nihil ad Rhombum, nothing pertinent to the main thing, which every Honest Able Physician is bound to take in hand, i. e. to cure Man as he ought.) I should, perhaps, have given some answer to his egregious Folly; but it is enough that I have challenged this [...] in Galeno-proclosis, to make it appear that he is grosly Ignorant in the Fundamental Cure of any Malignant Feaver. And once more I propose [Page] to him this undeniably equal determination of our Controversies by Fact, that he would vouchsafe to meet me in any Hospital, with competent Arbitratours agreed upon by us both; and according as they shall Judge of our Actions, so let them proclaim us to the World. If he deny to accept of this, I am resolved to publish him, no other than a meer sounding peece of Vacuity.

FINIS.

Books Sold by Nathaniel Crouch, at the Rose and Crown in Exchange Alley, near Lombard-street.

[Page]

THE Compleat Bone-setter Enlarged, being the Method of Curing Bones, Dislocated Joints, and Ruptures, commonly called Broken Bellies: To which is added,

The

Perfect Oculist,

Mirrour of Health,

Judgment of Urines.

Treating of the Pestilence, and all other Diseases, by Robert Turner Med.

The History of the Life and Actions of St. Athanasius, together with the Rise, Growth, and Downfall of the Arrian Heresie. Collected from Primitive Writers, by N. B. P. C.

[Page] Euclids Elements, the whole Fifteen Books, Compendiously demonstrated by Isaac Barrow, in Octavo.

An Exposition, with useful Observations, upon the Prophesie of Ezekiel, delivered at several Lectures in London, by William Greenhill.

The Knowledge of Christ indispensably required of all men that would be saved; or demonstrative Proofs from Scripture, that Crucified Jesus is the Christ, wherein the Types, Prophesies, Genealogies, Miracles, Humiliation, Exaltation, and Meditorial Office of Christ are opened and applied, in sundry Sermons on Acts 2. 36. by Iohn Davenport of Newhaven in New England.

The Mystery of the Marriage Song, and mutual spiritual Embraces between Christ and his Spouse: Opened in an Exposition, with Practical Notes and Observations on the whole Forty fifth Psalm, by William Troughton Minister of the Gospel, with an Epistle Commendatory, by Ioseph Caryl.

[Page] A Treatise of the Person of Christ, and therein a discourse about the knowledge, 1. Of God, who, and what a one he is. 2. Of the Son of God, who, and what a one he is. 3. Of the first Promise of Christ, and first Publication of the Mystery of him. 4. Of the Times and Years of the first Fathers. 5. Of the Account of Years from the Creation to the Flood, and from both to the first coming of Christ, and probably to his second Coming. 6 Of Election.

The Abrogation of the Jewish Sabbath, or Sabbath of the Seventh day of the Week, by William Aspinwall.

An Improvement of the Sea, upon the Nine Nautical Verses of the 107th Psalm, discovering the great and many Hazards Mariners meet with in tempestuous Seas, and their Deliverances. Together with a full description of many various Objects they behold on Sea and Land, viz. All sorts of Fish, Fowl, Beasts wild and tame; all sorts of Trees, Fruits, Peoples, Cities, Towns and Countries. By Daniel Pell.

FINIS.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

Loimotomia, or, The pest anatomized in these following particulars, Viz. 1. The material cause of the pest, 2. The efficient cause of the pest, 3. The subject part of the pest, 4. The signs of the pest, 5. An historical account of the dissections of a pestilential body by the author, and the consequences thereof, 6. Reflections and observations on the fore-said dissection, 7. Directions preservative and curative against the pest : together with the authors apology against the calumnies of the Galenists, and a word to Mr. Nath. Hodges, concerning his late Vindiciae medicinae / by George Thomson.

Thomson, George, 17th cent.

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1666

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2004-05 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

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A62436

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Wing T1027

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ESTC R1148

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12075699

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53574

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A62436)

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Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 582:19)

Source

— Loimotomia, or, The pest anatomized in these following particulars, Viz. 1. The material cause of the pest, 2. The efficient cause of the pest, 3. The subject part of the pest, 4. The signs of the pest, 5. An historical account of the dissections of a pestilential body by the author, and the consequences thereof, 6. Reflections and observations on the fore-said dissection, 7. Directions preservative and curative against the pest : together with the authors apology against the calumnies of the Galenists, and a word to Mr. Nath. Hodges, concerning his late Vindiciae medicinae / by George Thomson., Thomson, George, 17th cent..

Extent

[17], 189, [3] p., 1 leaf of plates.

Printed for Nath. Crouch ...,. London :: 1666.. (Errata: prelim. p. [17].) (Advertisement: p. [1]-[3] at end.) (Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.)

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