THE FIRST MEETING OF PHILIATRUS, AND PYROSOPHILVS; About the examination of the defini­tion of a Fever, according to the ancient Physitians.

A Fever is a familiar disease, and accompanies, goes before, or followes most infirmities, and the ancients have written much and often of it. Can more be said thereof then hath been hitherto?

I confess the disease is but too fami­liar, for it above all other keeps our Church­yard fat, and depopulates our Armies; yet much more may be said of it then hath been.

It's easily taken notice of, even from the beginning of it.

Yet our Physitians hitherto, know 1. The roots of a Fever hitherto unknown. nothing of its causes, the manner how it is made, the seat thereof, or of its remedies, as in our following discourse I shall plainly make appear, either to you, or any else that is instructed in Phylosophy.

You shall do me a favour worth ac­knowledgement, for I long to hear what you say of it.

To satisfie your longing, let us first 2. The defi­nition of a Fever according to the Schools. examine the definition of a Fever; which the Physick Schools define to be, a preter­natural heat, kindled first in the heart, and then dispersed through the whole body. (I add moreover) by their own consents, that it hutteth many of our actions.

And is not this a good definition?

The point of the business is, that they 3. A prime clause o­mitted al­so, about the requi­sites of the Ancients. make the Genus of the thing defined, or the essence of a Fever to be heat, and not every heat, but that which is preter-natural, and is in its degree hurtfull. And by that meanes [Page 33] seeing this heat is essential to a fever, that a fever cannot mentally be conceived, but this heat must be its individual companion.

Well suppose it be so, is there any false doctrine herein?

I pray judge you, but first, the lea­guer fevers have of late objected themselves against it, which are without thirst or mani­fest heat. That is, they act their tragedy from the beginning of the fever to the end of life, without heat.

Whay if they say, that these fevers 5. A vain e­vasion of the Schools. were unknown unto the Ancients, and that therefore they are not comprehended under their definition?

Then I at least conclude, that these fe­vers are no fevers; or the essence of fevers is 6. Some doubts following thereon. not necessarily tied to heat, but by accident onely. And that therefore the definition of fevers anciently delivered, and at this day al­so kept in Schools, is not adjusted to the na­ture of a fever. And thirdly, whosoever shall for some hours, feel an intrinsecable, pene­trable cold, in the beginning of fevers, and should for all that, perswade himself his fe­ver is begun, or that it is present on him; but some other disease hitherto nameless: and though he chatter with his teeth, shake with [Page 34] cold, and have his lips blew therewith, and yet perswades himself, that, notwithstand­ing these inconveniences, those beginnings, are no beginnings of fevers: nor that hee which dies in such beginnings, (which com­monly falls out, in intermittent fevers) dies of a true [and real] fever: Beleeve them who will [for me] for I am not wont, in contingies, known by the sense of feeling, in that I am so stupid, that in things sensible, I stand unto no other judgement then that of the senses.

But some hold, that grouling cold, and 7. Other e­vasions. shakings, are not the beginnings of fevers: but the beginnings of the fit.

These are such who sticking closer to the opinion of the ancients, then others, creep into corners, that they may maintain the sense of Galen: but Galen himself shakes these men off, saying: We first understand by the name of Paroxism, the worse part of the whole fit, or acc [...]ssion. Which is as much as to say, a fit, and a fever are fynonima's. Well, go to now: If he could tell us the be­ginning of a fit, and not of a fever, an acces­sion shall at least tell us of an approaching fe­ver, and so of necessity, the beginning of the fit, or accession shall bee the beginning of the fever.

But are there not yet others, who say 8. Others deny things known to the senses. it is true, that in the beginning of a fever, the sick are sensible of a real coldness, but it is a false one, and a fraudulent deceiving of the senses. For though they are cold outwardly, yet inwardly they are hot, and bnrn with a true heat: though the patient thinks otherwise.

These are such, as would rather not see, or not be sensible, though their eys be open. But these are madnesses, which every country fellow will hush out of the middle of a village. In that for some hours, the en­trails are possessed, with a most eager, or intense coldness. For in so plain and undoub­ted an history of cold (which is of fact and sensible) the argument which they produce 9. A loose argument of these men. is very feeble: they say there is inwardly a great heat, though the Patients feel it not; their reason is, because they are oppressed with a continual thirst; which as it is prima­rily a figne of siccitie, so this siccity in living creatures presupposeth an heat equal to it. And that from hence thirst deserves to bee of greater authority, then sense is.

What say you to this assertion?

I say they know, that this thirst pro­ceedeth 10. Feverish thirst ex­amined. not either from heat, or driness, as doth in a thirst that is natural.

How make you that good?

Thus: If this thirst did proceed from 11. An argu­ment from the reme­dy of thirst. heat, or driness, it would regularly be quen­ched with drinking: therefore this thirst is deceitful and not that coldness.

From whence then should that thirst, in the beginning of fevers have its original?

From an excrement which, ill affect­eth, and deludeth this sensitive faculty, and the Organ, or Instrument thereof, in the same manner, as if a great siccity or drought, were sodainly come unto it.

Is this probable?

Probable enough, in that, I am sure our adversaries will not allow, the curing of driness, by most dry remedies; but by cold, and moist potions rather. But this thirst in fevers which we now speak of, is cured by a remedy, that is in it's self most dry and cor­rosive.

Good Sir what remedy may that be?

Th' Acidite of Sulphur: which quen­cheth this d [...]ceitful thirst, in the same manner as fire is extinguished, by water cast upon it.

But why may we not out of invinci­ble 12. An argu­ment a pa­ri taken from sleep. sleep or drowsiness, often seen in the be­ginning of fevers; by a strong reason, guess at coldness, in that beginning, then they do [Page 37] of heat, or driness, by that thirstiness?

We may doubtless, and so much the rather in that the Schools affirm, that sleep comes as well from an invincible coldness: as thirst proceedeth from a driness.

But makes it not against us, that sleep assaults us not in every fever?

By no means: for it sufficeth, yea and it bringeth greater confusion; that sleep is frequent in some patients.

But tell me, what time, or station 13. Another from thirst, in the state or vigor, of a feve­rish fit. of a feverish fit is hottest: [whether the be­ginning, augmentation, state, or declina­tion?]

Certainly the state, or vigor, when the interior parts are sensibly perceived to bee, most hot and in greatest trouble.

But are they of that opinion?

No.

Why so?

Because in the state, they say the thirst is not so great as in the beginning.

Now if this thirst bewray heat, and that it be a signe inseperable of, or from heat; so that such as tremble with cold, may be not­withstanding said to burn; I should think the greatest thirst should oppress Patients in the hottest station of the feverish fits.

But this they deny.

What evasion will they now have? Or which way will they turn themselves, be­ing catcht and intangled in their own net?

Therefore I say whosoever they be, who judge of the native roots of things, from accidents which follow by accident are in an errour.

Then assuredly if a fever be ill defi­ned, 14. It pro­ceeds frō a deadly ignorance not to de­fine a fe­ver right­ly. and if they cure that fever, after this de­finition; it may doubtless prove a deathfull ignorance [in the definers.]

Nay more; by the Cornelian Law of privy murtherers, the Magistrate is to proceed against such, as obstinately cure amiss those patients, which trusted their lives into their hands; as being such by whose offence, so many thousand thousands are unfortunately killed.

Well then if a fever, or a feverish 15. An argu­ment a­gainst the Schools about fe­verish heat. heat, should first be kindled in the heart, and yet the matter of fevers, (which they hold to proceed from one of the four humours putri­fied) consists not in the ventricles of the heart, what followes?

It followes that this heat, or fever, is not first kindled in the feverish matter; and that they in vain seek after putrefaction, who [Page 39] would finde and intimate, and an immedi­ate cause of a preter-natural heat.

Then is this definition of a fever ruined.

It is so, and moreover it followes 16. Another. thence, that a fever is not primarily, effective­ly, and immediately existent in its matter, whence it is caused (as they would have it) materially, and originally.

No? where then I pray?

In the heart. It follows also further from the same Thesis, that to make a fever, it is not required that the offending and feve­rish matter be kindled.

What then I pray?

Another inflamable thing, which hath its residence primarily, in the heart, and is from thence issuable through the whole body.

What inflamable body should this be?

That which I with Hyppocrates, call Spiritum impetum facientem, the invading, enterprizing, or way-making spirit.

Whence I pray you bring you this last doctrine?

Not from the Ancients, but I have 17. A third. wrested it out, and by force commanded it to be granted to me.

Shall you have any occasion to [Page 40] speak of this any where else.

I shall when wee come to discourse of the efficient cause of fevers. In the mean time this being violently obtained; it follows at least, that the peccant, or offending mat­ter of fevers, is not properly kindled; nei­ther is it in its self primarily, and efficiently hot, nor heats it preternaturally; if the first in­flamable must be kindled in the heart. Nor is the peccant matter thereof hot above, or be­yond the degree of Nature in a fever. But that which is kindled in the heart, was not inflamed before the fit of the fever; and by that meanes, it altogether differeth from the peccant, or offending matter in fevers.

It may fitly then, be hence concluded, 18. A fourth. that whosoever goes about, to take away a fever by coolers; hath no intention to cure by taking away the causes, or cutting up the roots, or by draining, and emptying the fountain thereof, or that which doth exile it: but they intend onely to take away, and cor­rect the heat, which is a kinde of product, which comes afterward, and lodgeth not in the feverish matter. For they apply their re­medies adposterius, non adprius, to the ef­fects, and not their causes.

You say right; for the feverish heat is 19. A fifth. [Page 41] kindled in the in- [...]ushing, or violent way­making Archeus: But the root of the fever is the very matter it self, which is offending?

They therefore look [onely as I said] to the taking away of the consequent effect, and that which resulteth out of the position of that root.

'Tis so, and hence you may see that the Archeus is not inflamed from the root, but from a heat drawn from elsewhere.

How I pray you?

Whil'st this spirit inflameth it's self by its strugling, and by its own heat raised to such a degree [thereby] as is far above that, which it hath need of, or is befitting it, where­in it becomes wholly troublesome; as being delated further then it should be, and above the necessity that is of it. For we must not 20. Feverish heat not from the offending matter. think there is any such heat in that detestable feverish matter (which both they and I call peccant) that it should feverishly heat there­by the intire totality. If they will allow: that, for which every thing is such; to be it self more such. And then again; because e­very 21. Another argument. heating agent, by it's species works more forcibly, in that which is near hand, then in that which is farther distant.

Hereupon I should think, that if the [Page 42] feverish matter did with its heat, heat the rest: of necessity the center, or nest wherein this offending feverish matter is received, should first be burnt into ashes, before any thing that's distant from it, should thereby be warmed.

Yea, and if the peccant matter should 22. A third. of its own accord wax warm; and that mee [...] preter-natural heat should be a fever, every fever, as a fever, should be continual, nei­ther should it have any intermission, till all the peccant matter, were totally consumed into ashes.

That's plain, and it stands with rea­son 23. A fourth. also, that there should bee no repition of fits, nor yet any [...]elapse, if the peccant matter, should out of its native property al­ways heat till it were consumed.

Nay, that which is more; a dead 24. A fifth. carkass should be as hot after death, and more ardently be disturbed with a fever, then when it was living; by reason that the same matter doth yet remain in the carkass, which introduced death into the living body.

And considering that they suppose the same matter, hot by its proper heat of putri­faction, and that it is more putrid after death, then before, and that it affecteth more parts [Page 43] adjacent, then while it lived. A man would therefore think also, that it should more actu­ally heat then, then while it lived.

But this error is thus discovered, be­cause a fever which made a live body hot, presently after death ceaseth, and all heat 25. Feverish heat not of the peccant matter. expires with life. And this should instruct us, that feverish heat is not proper to the peccant matter, or that it doth inhabit in it; as also; that the heat of that matter, doth not efficiently, and effectively heat in fevers. And 26. Feverish matter heateth occasio­nally on­ly. therefore it is perpetually true, that the offen­ding matter, heateth occasionally onely: But the Archeus is the worker of all alteration, and therefore under this title, that way-ma­king spirit, is it, which efficiently, primarily, immediately, alwayes, every where, and on­ly heateth; according to that Axiom: what­soever 27. Who, ma­ker of the feverish heat. bringeth forth sound actions in such as are sound; the very same is it, which utter­eth, faulty, or unhealthfull actions in disea­ses. For this very spirit heats, a man natu­rally in health, which in fevers is inflamed.

But, could not what is said be yet made plainer by some instance?

No doubt it might. And to this end 28. The ori­ginal of preterna­tural heat. take that which followeth. An Oken thorn or splinter, which is both actually and poten­tially [Page 44] cold, is thrust into a finger, it presently begets a preternatural heat therein.

Comes this by reason that hot hu­mours have their affluence, thither, as if they had been called by that thorn, and had ex­pected the wound thereof, which otherwise had been temperately quiet in their proper places?

O no, for that bloud which is next the wound, hinders the access of that which followeth.

So then, that bloud which is next the wound is that which heats it, is it not?

By no means, for neither that nor any other bloud is hot of it self, but what heat it hath, it hath by grace and favour from the vi­tal spirit.

Then I perceive this heat of the wound comes from that spirit.

Right, for th'inflamation, the swelling, the hardness of the pulse, the pain, and hear, that are in the wound, come all onely from the spirit, causally: but from the infixed thorn alone, occasionally.

Verily this is a sufficient example, as 29. To heat, and to be hot how different. well for the position, manner, and knowing; as also for the curing of a fever. Teaching that the peccant cause in a fever, is not hot in its [Page 45] self: and that it heateth no way but occasio­nally: and that upon the pulling out of the thorn, or occasional cause, health followeth. So that, the Archeus alone is that, which doth every where, effectively stir up the fever: and when it through death is gone, the fever cea­seth. Therefore heat is but an after accident, 30. Heat an after acci­dent to the es­sence of a fever. and subsequent to the essence of a fever. For the Archeus (in the striving desire it hath to expel the occasional matter, as a thorn that's thrust into it) heats it self; now whosoever puls out this thorn, that is; whosoever takes away 31. Whence feverish heat. this matter, he puls up the infirmity by y^e root.

I like your brief and easie repition. But add yet this in curing. That it is almost indifferent to nature, whether the means be hot, cold, or temperate, so the disease thereby find remedy. For instantly the strugling cea­seth, because the Archeus is appeased.

I perceive then that heat, how much 32. A fever is not heat essential­ly. soever it be preternaturally augmented: though it may be a sign of fevers, yet it is not the very fever, nor in the cure thereof to be much insist­ed on.

You perceive aright: And from hence Hippocrates hath seriously war­ned us: that heat, and cold are not dis­eases, nor the causes of them: But that bit­ter, [Page 46] sharp, salt, portick, &c. are causes (viz. occasional) of diseases: and that the spirit is it, which makes all the inrodes. But then came Galen (about 500 years younger then Hippocrates) who blotted much paper, and by his chat allured followers, whose po­sterity admiring this pratling, depended on him, making alwayes most, of what was least. Since when, the world waxing every where old in frivolous judgements, esteemed that of greatest weight which most resembled its inconstancy.

THE SECOND MEETING OF PHILIATRUS, AND PYROSOPHILVS; About putrefaction in Fevers, intro­duced by the declining Schools.

WHat made the Schools to 1. Physick Schools constrain­ed to find out some­thing else besides heat in Fevers. bring in Putrefaction into Fevers?

They perceiving that exercise did oft pro­duce an heat, not unlike the heat in fevers, yet finding it not feverish, they bethought themselves, that such an heat [Page 48] as was necessary in fevers, could not be every heat indifferently; but such an one as must be raised out of putrefaction. And now they were no longer troubled about the heat, nor yet about the degree, or distemper thereof: but rather about the continent cause of it. For this graduated preternatural heat, did not seem to be sufficient for a fever, unless [...]t should proceed from pu [...]refaction.

If this were so, I should think this 2. Another defect in the defini­tion of a Fever. particular was but drowsily omitted in the former definition.

You say well; but now this feverish essence is no longer a naked heat, nor shall it distinguish fevers by the diversity of heat 3. The Schools contradict their own princi­ples. (though the species should result from that, from whence the essence doth) but from the varieties of the putrid humors, or at least from the varieties of those, which are in pu­trifying.

A fair beginning certainly; to wander thus from the business, that whereas before, they respected nothing else but heat, which should exceed th'accustomed temper of Na­ture; now they require as well heat, as a subject of putrefaction. But what should be there subject wherein they would have this heat to be kindled?

Forsooth, they must no longer have 4. The es­sence of Fevers not from heat. it k [...]ndled first within the heart; but in the offending putrid matter. Now seeing there is but one species onely in degree; though the moments, or mansions thereof be many: and that the species of fevers be many, and that a specifical multitude of fevers cannot come forth of one species of preter-natural heat. Therefore in the esse of heat, there is a­nother thing looked after, besides the degree of it. And by this means, heat cannot make the feverish essence: but this other thing by reason whereof the diversity of fevers is pro­duced. Now if the putrefaction of divers things, be the efficient cause, of the diversity of fevers; heat, will be as well a thing cau­sed out of putrefaction, as the fever it self is: And so, considering the causal action of that which is putr [...]fied involves somewhat else besides heat, a fever cannot be an heat.

How do the Schools relish this?

They remaining now confused, cast 5. Physitians by little and little forget their own Theses. about them many wayes, that if one help them not, at least another may; so that al though they stick closely to their form [...]r definition, and adore it: yet by little and little they winde away from the naked distemper of heat to the putrefaction of humours. Nei­ther [Page 50] s [...]and they stedfast in these trifles, but they flye moreover, though forgetfull of their Theses, to hot remedies. And this they do, whether they mean to purge their patients; or whether they turn themselves, to proper specifical remedies of fevers.

But what use they in particular I pray you?

What is more common in curing for a fever then to give A pozems made of Hops, Asparagus, &c. and to make them up with Sugar? Or what is hotter then that aromati­cal thing, 6. What is aromati­cal in Ro­ses, is ve­ry hot. or quality which is in roses, (whe­ther you consider the test thereof, or applica­tion;) without which the rose, is but a meer dead carkass? And what meet you with more frequent, then in your Juleps for fevers, to mingle corrosives of Sulpher, and of Vi­triol: (many wayes adulterated by counsel, and consent of Lucre?) Or then Rubarb, and Scammoniated medicines which they f [...]ign, to chuse, or pick out guilty humors? 7. Whether the schools think rightly, that feve­rish heat ariseth frō putrefa­ction.

What is to be done in this case?

We will first therefore purposely ex­amine, whether the heat of a fever, come from Putrefaction. For which cause I have already plainly taught; that the heat of a fever doth no way causally depend upon the [Page 51] peccant matter. And then, I have learned, 8. A mal [...]g­nant fever wherein different from the rest. that a maligne fever onely, differs from the rest in this, that the offending matter thereof hath ab [...]ginning putredness joyned with it. Which if it increase, or go forwards to its height, untill that putrefaction be now made, and remain internally; it, upon necessity, brings present death. But if it be thrust out of the body, while it is in making (as in small Poxe, E [...]ysipel [...]'s, &c.) it is for the most part cured. In that health doth commonly, accompany a motion outward. For from 9. Crisis of fevers, by sweat most wholsome. hence fevers produce of their own accords swea [...]s towards their ending. And that C [...]i­sis is most wholesome, which ends by swea [...] ­ing; and consequently sweating remedies are wholesome also.

But why are they fled away to Pu­trefaction? 10. Why the Schools fled to pu­trefaction.

That they might finde a cause, from whence they might first ground a cold, and then a heat presently after it.

How seek they this cause?

They take upon them to know, that 11. A fond compari­son of heat in horse­dung. horse dung, which is actually cold, waxeth hot of it self, by reason of Putrefaction. But Lord how foolishly do they cheat the credu­lous world in every place! For cow-dung [Page 52] made of the same nourishment, is better putrefied and digested then horse-dung, and yet it waxeth not hot. Neither doth horse-dung made by feeding upon grass, or green ta [...]es, or vetches, wax hot, as it doth when the horse is fed with corn: and yet as well that as this putrefieth. Therefore they 12. Why hors­dung is hot. knew not that the heat comes from the chew­ed corn, and not from the nature of the putre­faction. And for that cause they insipidly traduce, the feverish heat to putred humors in a fever from the heat of dung not yet pu­trefying, so that the Schools knew nor, that by how much, the nearer horse dung is, to a b [...]ginning putrefaction, so much the more it is deprived of all heat. And the same shall never after putrefie, if it be sprinkled; But onely while it is heaped together moist, and in that moistness pressed together, it is kind­led before the Putrefaction thereof, in the same manner that bay, and flowers are. I say they knew not that dung waxeth hot, by the proper spirits of the sal [...]s compressed. And in conclusion, though dung wax hot, while the putrefaction is in making, yet all the heat ceaseth, before the beginning of the putrefa­ction made. And by this reason the heat of dung, doth not square with the feverish mat­ter, [Page 53] if it must long before lye putred (as they 13. The de­gree of heat in a putrescēt thing is not able sufficient­ly to heat the whole man in a fever. say) hid in receptacles, and in a Quartan continually, and very long; neither is the degree of heat in dung so fitted, that it should be dispersed from the putred centre, to the soals of the feet: but it would burn the centre of the body, whence that putred humor is­sued.

It should seem then that example of dung in fevers is utterly impertinent?

It is so, and the rather, because they do teach thereby that cold, comes before heat. For, in Nature, putrefaction causeth heat no where, much less in vitals. For in the things 14. Putrefa­ction no where cause of heat. putrefying, cold is necessary. If it bee de­prived of life which is the fountain of our heat.

In the sound days of intermi [...]tent fe­vers, we complain not of heat, neither doth cold trouble us.

Yet they suppose the humors to be at that time putrefied. Therefore if heat and cold, do causally succeed [...]ach other in the putrefied; and there be cold before heat al­wayes successively in fits of fevers; cold is more innate to putredness, then heat i [...]. And for that cause we measure the length of the disease, by the continuance of the cold, and [Page 54] not of heat in fevers. Then at length I shew'd that all feverish heat comes wholly from the Archeus, and therefore ceaseth before death: when cold and putrefaction grow stronger. It implies a contradiction also, that heat in fevers should proceed from any thing putred, and should first be enflamed, in the heart it self, from whence all putredness is banished. And in fine heat is not kindled in dung, out 15. Dung not hot from putrefa­ction. of its own putredness. For if it should be dai­ly sprinkled with new horse-piss, it will not grow hot, no, not for a year together. Yet it is certain that urine preserveth not from pu­tredness, but doth increase it rather.

If I be not deceived, they might more 16. Why they took not their fe­verish heats frō hot baths. properly, and truly, have taken their heats, from hot bathes, and lime, then from horse­dung.

They might; but that the causes of these heats were not so well known unto them, and therefore they thought it more safe for them to pitch upon, the putredness of horse-dung onely. Neither was it material, whether they had taken or borrowed the fe­verish essence, rather from heat then cold, or any other symptomes; seeing they are equal and fellow-ac [...]idents of fevers.

Then is their study alwayes to war 17. Ignorance of roots drew the Schools to the consi­derations, and reme­dies of ef­fects. against accidents of fevers.

It is so; but there was some reason for it.

What? I pray you.

Because they did not know the roots thereof.

But now it being manifest, that material things are the very matter it self, how will they cure who imploy all their curing endeavours, upon or against heat onely? The similitude of horse-dung and of feverish heat, dedicated to, or rather cast upon putrefacti­on, is at least disparaged also; is it not?

Doubtless it is; for dung when it be­gins 18. Dung lo­seth the heat when it begin­neth to putrifie. but a little to putrefie, it shakes off heat immediately. For so long as it can wax warm, Artists draw Saltpeter from it: but when it is hot they leave it to Peasants, as un­profitable to their purpose. But the Schools accuse the putredness of humors; and that, of 19. A great blindness of the Schools. one and the same humor, as well for cold as heat, and both in extreams. And consequently one and the same, should of it self immedi­ately make two opposites. Therefore of ne­cessity, one of these must be of it self, the other by accident. Now if it could be the childe of Putrefaction of it self; it cannot in possibility [Page 56] thrown; or, the whole o [...]der of curing, hi­include heat essentially, but by accident only. Bu [...] if heat of it self be the son of putrefaction, then would not a fever begin with cold. Yet it is plain enough out of what hath been for­merly said, that the Schools take or think pu­trefaction to be the essence of fevers: and heat, and cold to be accidents, associa [...]ing pu­trefaction. Wherefore Galen saith: when 20. Galen co [...]victed of error. Bloud is put [...]efied it becomes Choler. Which text if they admit of; this Choler was putre­fied in its b [...]ginning, or not. If it were pu­tred it should make a Tertian: and not a Sy­nochus 21. Bloud in veines ne­ver putre­fied, and therefore what they fable of Synochus is errone­ous. or putred Causon. Let our School Physitians therefore know; that Bloud ne­ver putrifies within the veins, but when the vein also putrefies with it, as, in Gangrens, and Mortifications. And hence therefore they who let bloud, that it may not putrifie within the veins, make use of that former fal­lacy, called Petitio Principii. So do they who affirm that a Synochus, comes out of pu­tred bloud of the veins. And they also, who tel us that Bloud putrefied is turned into Choler.

How is this to be proved?

I prove it thus. The veins retain their 22. Presidents proved. bloud fluid even in dead bodies: and that by consent of all Anatomy. But bloud gone out [Page 57] of the veins, presently thickens into clotts; for the co [...]agulation of bloud is onely the be­ginning of corruption, and the way to sepa­ration of the whole. If therefore the vein, shall keep the bloud from corruption in a cat­kass: much more shall it do it in those, that are living: by an a [...]gument a Minori ad Majus. Indeed the strange excrements re­tained in veins do putrefie; as well such as are of their proper, as those that are of any other digestion, (as elsewhere touching di­gestions) but the bloud never putrefies with­in them: as being by consent of Scripture, the seat and treasure of the life. If therefore the life it self cannot preserve its own seat, and treasure from corruption, while it is within the veines; when will it then preserve it? Or how shall it ever be free from corruption? Again, if the life keep not the bloud, wherein it glideth, from putrefaction, how shall the 23. Gui [...] or dowry of veins. bones be preserved? The veins therefore are ordained by the Creator, to keep the bloud from corruption; because the life is confir­mentated, or mixed like leven together with the bloud of the veins. 24. Nature or School do­ctrine rui­ned.

It being thus; it seems to me, that under this question either the glory, comeli­ness, and destination of Nature is over­hitherto [Page 58] adored by Physicians is destroyed.

Well go to. By what signes do the Schools to be putrefied? Is it not by the co­lour, that is whiter, or blacker, then it should be, or by the yellowness, greenishness, or brownness of it? Or by the matter as being too clammy, too thick, too waterish, too thin? Or at last by the substance, as being without fibers, and scarce coherent, &c. But I declare, or protest unto you, under penalty 25. Example out of the variety of bloud. of a convicted lye, that if any man would, make proof thereof, he shall finde that many of the blouds, of two hundred Country fel­lows sound, and wanton, as those were, which in one day were by me examined, he might finde as I found, many of them to view, very unlike the rest in colour, matter, and consi­stents; of which I distilled many, and in cu­ting found them to be equally wholsome: for our Peasants are wont the second day in Whitson week, to let bloud, that they might drink more freely. And though many of them seemed putrefied, rusty like Iron, or melancholike, yet those from whom these blouds were taken, were all very sound men, which is a thing worth noting. Therefore these blouds, did by the cause, confirm them­selves, notwithstanding the signes of corrup­tion, [Page 59] to be no whit alienated from the nature of the Balsam.

What thought you then?

I thought not so much; as I laughed 26. A ridicu­lous fable of bloud drawn. at the table of Judgements, upon the sight of bloud after Phlebotomy, and this means I was confirmed, and those blouds were com­manded by Physitians to be kept, that they might score up at least one visit more, upon the recovering of the Patients. For if corrup­tion 27. An argu­ment from the Plague against use of the Schools. of bloud have place any where; and should under that title indicate its letting out, this should be rather in the Plague, then in any other infirmity. But its a deadly thing to let bloud in the Plague; there putrefaction is no where in the bloud, nor is there any fear that putrefaction should grow strong therein. And consequently the scope of bloud-letting is in this case erroneous.

Could you not illustrate this passage better by some instance?

I could, and will. And therefore I 28. Another from the Pluri [...]ie. suppose also, that thirty men were equally sick of a Plure [...]ie, and ten of them had by Phlebotomy drawn bloud apparently vitious (for the bloud in this disease is like red Wine, wherein are clotts of Milk) I will cure the other twenty without bloud-letting: It is [Page 60] certain in the mean while, that these twenty had their bloud affected in the same manner that those ten had. And again that those twenty cured, if they should open a vein, the bloud would be found rectified, restored to the former perfection, and far different from Pluritical, in all or any of them. Therefore the bloud of one that is Pluritical, is not cor­rupted though it seem so.

May this be proved?

It may, for from a corrupted, or de­prived thing, there is no going back again to life, health, or former habit. Therefore no blackness, blewishness, greenishness, or other such like colours of the bloud do testifie the corruption of it: but onely tell us, the tokens of a boyling, or a fermental turbulency, or troubledness. For if the more watry or yel­low bloud, should especially tell us the faults thereof; the arterial bloud should bee far worse then that of the veins is; which were an errour, in that the bloud is in the same manner distinguished by the former signes, as Wine when it is troubled, while the Vine is blooming, which is not therefore corrupted; because the trouble being gone, the Wine of it self doth come cle [...]r again. In like manner a fever diversly disturbs the bloud, and makes [Page 61] the face thereof of sundry ill colours. But 29. Heats, and turbulen­ces of bloud, no testimo­nies of its faultiness. But the Bug beats, or Scare-crowes ceas [...] when the fever's over. Indeed I am wont to liken these men, that look into the bloud; to such as give their judgement of Spanish Wine, and think they are cas [...]ing of an U­rine.

But they will say: If putrefaction be 30. The poor deceit of the Schools. not in the bloud, why streams it not out of the vein purely red, the third time, and not the first, or the first, and not the third time?

This argument at least convinceth, that one part of the bloud is more, or sooner di­sturbed then another, and not the whole and all together. For it is certain that Nature ten­deth 31. Ridicu­lous to suppose putred hu­mors in fevers. to the perfection appointed her, by little, and little, and by a direct, and lineary way. And that therefore the bloud near the heart, is purer, then about the first shops, or offices thereof. And that is the reason why they say, a Tertian, as well continual, as in­termittent, consists of Choler, a Quarran of Melancholly, and a Quotidian of Phlegme; but all putred: and they err therein. For what necessity had they to suppose these hu­mors, (which I have elsewhere demonstrated to be fictious) putred; seeing they confess a Synochus continual, and more cruel then the [Page 62] three former, not to be putred? Which if they be conferred with the proposed defini­tion of fevers, the bloud in every Synochus, and the spirit of life in a Diary, Ephemera, or Day-fever must of necessity in life be putred; that is, they will have attained, or be arrived to the bound of putrefaction. Then where­as 32. Some ab­surdities alledged against the defini­tion of fe­vers, in the prece­dent Dia­logue. the Schools confess that these putred hu­mors do not consist in the ventricle of the heart, and that therefore they are not prima­rily kindled in a fever, by this meanes putre­faction is consequently, in vain required to the kindling of a feverish heat in the heart. If therefore the putred humors, shall a far off inflame the spirit in the heart, this by all law of Nature, should first be done nearer hand, then at a greater distance, and should rather inflame all the intermediating bloud, by the heat of putrefaction, and so all must give a necessary putred Synochus. Whereupon the Quartan shall neither stop it's course, nor make it's recourse, if the same putred matter of it can lie quietly in exp [...]ctation in the Spleen for a year together. Gangrens teach me certainly, that nothing which is putred, (for every thing that's putrefied is dead) can long persist without further contagion. Nei­ther am I capable how the very spirit of Life [Page 63] it self, the Archeus, shall become putrefied, 33. A [...]rivo­lous ex­cuse by an Ephemir [...]. to give Galen satisfaction for a Diary. But if they understand a Diaria to be the daugh­ter of that putrefaction, which at last is inserted or comes into the spirit of life. So all fe­vers in the Schools should be Diaties. To conclude, if a Diaria be the daughter of putrefaction: it is then presupposed to be fermented with the spirit of life, whence they fall again into the same straights. But if they 34. The fore­going de­finition of a fever, again im­pugned. understand a beginning putrefaction onely, o [...] a disposition to putredness, and that heat be the effect of putredness: then it follows that a Diaria, shall come to be no true fever. But the Schools require a formal, and an abso­lute putrefaction, that they may finde out the cause of the feverish heat. Forgetful that then 35. Schools incōstant. heat, and not the fever, will be the effect of putrefaction, and so they must distinguish heat, from a fever by compulsion. Because a Synochus that is not putred, being a true fe­ver without putrefaction, should consequent­ly be without heat. In the mean, by little and little, they lay down the fear of hea [...], nor think it to be cared for in curing, while there is a greater fear to be had of hurt, which may arise from the contagion of putrefaction in things that symbolize. And that it were bet­ter [Page 64] therefore to turn away the putrefact [...]on, then seek in vain to appease the fever by coo­lers. But whatsoever resisteth putrefaction is hot. For Myr [...]he preserves the Carca­sis at Memphis for two thousand years toge­ther, which otherwise with Cichory, and Plantain, and your other coolers had long since been putrefied.

So that these putrefactions, of pu­tred humors, and of the bloud, as also of the spirit, seem now so like our old wives tales unto me, that I should scarce beleeve, the Schools had spoken in earnest; had nor these Theses fatally, even till this very day, confir­med in their works of Curative intentions, and indications. 36. Bloud in the veines unputrefi­ed.

Well, for an upshot, I will yet add one thing more. Whatsoever is corrupted once within the body; doth never after turn again into grace, and favour. But the bloud in the veines howsoever it seem corrupted, turnes again into favour, therefore it was ne­ver yet corrupted.

They would peradventure have you prove both your Major and your Minor.

I prove the Major thus. Corruption 37. Whence corrupti­on. is an effect of the sequestration of vital dispo­sitions in us, and therefore presup [...]oseth a [Page 65] privation, and death of the thing corrupted. And the Minor is proved, by those which are cured of the Plague, Plurifie, and of a Fever without bloud letting. And further, if the bloud be at any time to be thought pu­tred, 38. Bloud of the He­morrhoids not pu­tred. or corrupt while it is in the veines, it will be that or none, which is in the Hemor­thoidal veines. But this is not corrupted, though it be as it were almost without the veines: therefore is never to bee thought putred in the veines.

And how prove you this other Ma­jor and Minor?

All Chirurgery proves the Major, in 39. An admi­rable re­medy a­gainst He­morrhoids and other diseases, by a Ring the Ulcers, and other diseases which happen to those knots, knobs, or bunches of the He­morrhoids. And I prove the Minor by composition of a mettal, whereof if a Ring be made, and worn, it will in a Pater noster while take away the pain of them; and in twenty four hours, both internal, and exter­nal Hemorrhoids, how big soever they bee swelled, vanish. Therefore this Hemor­rhoidal bloud, is received into favour again, and the sick grow well again. This Ring is good also in Suffocations of the Womb, and other motions also of the Mother, and in very many other diseases. Whose description, and [Page 66] way of making and compounding, I deliver among the great vertues of other things, where we treat upon those words: In Ver­bis, Herbis, & Lapidibus est magna virtus.

THE THIRD MEETING OF PHILIATRUS, AND PYROSOPHILVS; About an examination of the Do­ctrine of ancient Physitians concerning Circuits, Periods, or Returns in Fevers.

WHat causes are there, ac­cording to the Physick 1. Causes of feverish Circuits in the Schools. Schools, of the set, or appointed Circuits in fe­vers?

They say that so much Phlegme, forsooth is made every day, [Page 68] as there is Choler made every other day, and Melancholy every third day.

But, I should think, they do not 2. The first Error. hereby teach us the efficient cause; but the remote cause, which they call, Sine qua non.

You think as it is, and therefore I am not without reason offended, that they did not feign or devise, a fifth humour for a Quintain, nor a d [...]midiated humour for a Semitertian; nor one and an half for an He­piala: nor a doubled Choler for a double Tertian; nor a doubled Melancholy, for a double Quartan, nor a wanding Erratick and uncertain humour, for an Erratical fever; nor continual humours incessantly comming in the places of those which went before them, for continual fevers, every day, other day, or third day, exaspera [...]ing; neither have they thought of a lazie humour, for a slow fever. They should at least have ex­pounded, 3. Galen de­tected of error. why a putrifying bloud, if it must be changed into Choler, should bee turned all into a purulent matter. And why a mat­tery and purulent bloud in Consumption should not make a burning fever, and yellow expectorations, should not produce a Terti­an, but an Hectick and that presently after [Page 69] feeding. Wherefore this Quaternity of hu­mors, 4. Quaternity of hu­mors why suspected. in respect of so large a catalogue of fevers, and of other diseases hitherto every day increasing, cannot but bee suspected by every man [of judgement.]

You speak home, and to the point, but what say you to the seat of putred feverish humors?

I say that Galen was stupid in this, as in the rest, yea and so stupid; that I should 5. A great perverse blindness of the Schools. bee ashamed to unmask his errour to the world; unless the Schools had till this day, so stubbornly persisted in upholding it to the destruction of mortals; that they have here­in shewed themselves to worship more the respect they bear unto antiquity; then that they owe to truth and veritie; as if the very fountain of wisedome, had been exhausted in Galens Cisterns. Who that he might finde the causes of trembling, by fits in fevers, wrore naught else but tales, and [...]ables: which as often as I call to minde, I admire ingeni­ously, that so many wits since the time of Galen hitherto, could subscribe them. Where­in I am indeed amazed, at the great sloth in men of their judgements, used in the seekng after things, and of such as assent to false principles, least the liberty they have of Dis­puting, [Page 70] against such as deny them, might be taken from them. I will therefore no longer speak to Galen, but to the Schools.

What would you say unto them?

I would they would declare unto me 6. Galen ex­ploded a­bout the place of intermit­tents and many dif­ficulties rising thence. by what guide, what means, and what way, the putred humor comes every fit from the shops of the humors to the extremities of the veines, which end in the habit of the body, or in the flesh, and skin? For if it were putred before it came unto the small, and last extremities of the veines, why should one of them (for example Phlegme or Choler) be separated from its three other fellowes, to putrefie in banishment, so far from its own inhabitation? Or what foolish separation is that, which should pull away an innocent humor from its compound, to so absurd, and [...]rivolous ends, and purposes? And why therefore doth not the same fever continue during life, seeing the same separator persist­eth during life? What Schoolmaster is hee which admonisheth this separator, to take up in time, and to be wiser? At least, if the ex­tremities of the veines do corrupt that putred humor, the veines themselves shall be more corrupted, and so they should fall into an inexcusable Gangren.

But what if there should some cause lie lu [...]king in the very extremities of the veines, which cals that guiltless humor to its self, that it might putrefie it near it self, where it is more subjected to the power thereof?

That might be more compendiously done, in that bloud which is near unto it, o­ver which it hath greater dominion, and from whence it would be as free for it to separate Phlegme, or Choler, as it is for a purging medicine to do it commonly.

But what if it should have prepared the putred humor, out of the bloud that's nea­rest to it?

Then should it in vain expect a fit­ting quantity of Choler for two dayes toge­ther.

What if this humor should putrefie, before it arrive unto the veines extremi­ties?

Then the Schools should contradict themselves, and the seats of intermittent fe­vers, should not be in the habit of the body: but in the first work houses of the humors.

But, what if the putred humor should be totally dispersed out of the veines into the habit of the body, at one fit, till it be consu­med?

Then why should that separator, at least, or driver (since nothing is moved of it self which is not vital) be less generous in the bowels, then hee which is placed in the extremities of the veines?

Nay further, to what mad end, should this passage of the putred humor, be made from the mesenterie, by the Liver, and Heart to the extremity of the veines?

It is a passage full of danger, and it is to be feared least the whole bloud should presently, by the putredness, and deadly ve­nome thereof, be defiled through its fre­quent thorow-course. For either Galen tels us a large lie; or humane Nature, doth of her self medicate her own destruction. And by this meanes, that necessity of Revulsion, which boast to be done by bloud-letting faileth. Insomuch as by the proper power of intermittents, the putr [...]d humor revelled, or puld back, from the nest of its g [...]neration, at hours appointed; (yea it of it self) runneth, to the extremities of the veines: unless per­adventure, this Revu [...]sion may bee thought dangerous, which must all be made by the heart, and through the hollow vein, as well in intermittents, as by bloud-lettings. A­gain, either all the feverish matter, is by par­ticular [Page 73] fits, drawn from the nest of its nati­vity; or not all. If all, there will be no cause of return: if not all, why should not the new humor, which putrefies against the com­ming, of particular future fits, rather move a feverish fit by its putrefaction, then by its expulsion? In that the trouble and pain is greater, while parulent matter is in making, then when it is made. In this case why should not the seats of fevers, be rather in the place of putrefaction, then in places by which it passeth, while it is expelled? Nay why should Choler, or Phlegme in the Bowels putrefie, when the Appetite returneth, and Thirst, and Watchsulness are absent, (sup­pose on the quiet dayes of intermittent fe­vers) and the putrefaction thereof doth not disturb the order of affairs, in the work-hou­ses of the humors? Why should Melancholy made upon Monday putrefie into a tipe pu­trefaction in two dayes, and that which was made, the day following putrefie in one day onely, as much as the former did in two dayes? If both shall make a joint fit of a Quartan upon Wednesday? Why should not that which was made upon Munday, move its fit upon Wednesday, and that which was made upon Tuesday, its fit on Thursday? [Page 74] And consequently, if any where made upon Wednesday, move its fit upon Friday?

Heere doubtless Physitians will wi [...]h a Spanish shrug, lift up their shoulders bend their eye-brows, and accuse occul [...] proprie­ties, when they are constrained to make an­swer to things known unto the senses, by their credited, and supposed madnesses.

Yea and why at last in the shakings of a Tertian, will they have that to be Gall which is vomited in the beginnings of fits; and say, that Nature moveth this way; if the course of Nature in the same time, doth quire contrary proceed, from the Centre to the veines extremities?

Indeed Nature doth not, in one an [...] the same instant, move two opposite mot [...] ­ons, inward, and outward, [...]specially for the sake of one excrement which is though: to be Gall.

You say well. But why doth not this vomiting, take away so much of the outragiousness of the fit, as the ex [...]ulsion of that excrement was copious, which they hold to be the very matter of the Tertian? But if there be vet any remainder left of Choler after the fit, in its work-houses, why should it rather putrefie new Choler, then [Page 75] those humors, which radically annexed to it? How comes bitter vomiting thirst, and so great signes of hurts, to trouble the stomack, while the dreggs, and filth of the mischief should have for the most part, gone unto the ex [...]emi [...]es of the veines to cause the sh [...] ­kings? But such as have issues, perceive that within two dayes, that they have had their fevers, there come forth but few, if any excrements: which doubtless should be ma­ny, if so much feverish filth, should every fit pass to the ex [...]remities of the veines, and ha­bit of the body.

The Schoois take great joy in these causes of shakings so pleasantly seigned, and so fondly credited.

Let them; but why doth Galen at­tend more unto the quantity of the humor, then unto the dutifull obedience of it? Would no: Choler by reason of its heat and fluxi­bility, be more ready to follow, or attend upon that which is putrefactive, then Phlegm would be? But why doth not Choler move a fit eve [...]y day, if the less half thereof suffice to make a Tertian? Considering that the greatest half thereof is cast out by vomit? And to conclude, he should have told us, how many ounces of putred humor should [Page 76] be requisite for every fit. Whether six or se­ven 7. What quan­tity of Choler requisite to make a fit of a Tertian after the Schools. for twice, as much is often cast out by vomiting about the b [...]ginning of a Tertian, and yet the fit is nothing less. Therefore if yet seven ounces are gone unto the mouths or extremities of the veines, and twelve o­ther ounces be cast ou [...] by vomit. There will then be nin [...]teen ounces requisi [...]e for the fit of a Tertian. Whereof if you take about the one half, suppose it eight ounces of Chole [...] 8. It is refel­led by A­rithme­tick. made daily; and consequently about double as much Phlegme, there will be seventeen ounces of it: and more four ounces at the least of Mel [...]ncholy daily, and daily so much bloud at least, as was of Phlegme, that is se­vente [...]n ounces; these being added will a­mount unto 46 ounces daily, in a Patien: sick of a fever, though he be abstenious.

Fine fables, if a man could credit 9. Co [...]clu­ded out of the for­mer sup­positions, that in a fever there can­not be a fulness two days together. or beleeve them. I would gladly hear of that Musician, who out of these Pipes would make an harmony. But what conclude you from hence?

I conclude at least, that out of these supposed dreames of the Schools, neither bloud letting, nor purgatives, ought in fevers to be used, though such a quantity of humors were bred in the Febricitants; seeing the same [Page 77] quantity is consumed in an abstirent patient; because though appetire, dig [...]stion, and meat be wanting; yet will this quantity of neces­sity be supplied out of the whole mass of bloud. Therefore emptying is not to bee or­dained in a Febricitant who [...]ath been ab­stinent, two dayes together.

But for Gods sake: whence knew 10. Petitio Principii in Gali­nists. Galen that there is so much Choler made in two dayes, as there is Phlegme made in one day, and Melancholy in three dayes?

You may well ask, especially seeing it concerns him, wh [...] Vesalius Prince of 11. Galen ig­norant of Anatomy, wrote ma­ny books of Anato­my out of others. Anatomists, doth in a hundred and six pla­ces, prove never to have anatomized, or look [...] into [...]n humane body.

What if Galen wrote this without proof or trial?

Then were not the Schools tied to sub [...]cribe unto his madness.

But what if he learned this, as being taught by fevers themselves?

Then could he not assuredly bring, this same thing, to be the effect, and cause, to­gether of one thing. For it m [...]st of necessity have contained, an absurd, and [...]ond fallacy (called Petitio princip [...]i) to produce the same thing to be cause and effect of it self.

Good Sir, suff [...]r me to digest this passage a little better: supposing [first] he saith] that a Te [...]ian comes from putre­fi [...]d Chole [...] [...]very other day: and a Quar­tan from Melancholy putrefied, every third day: by reason that th [...]re is so much Cho [...] made in two dayes, as there is Melancholy made in three dayes.

I hope you understand him thus far; now go on again, and tell me how he proves the verity hereof.

He sayes that a Tertian every two dayes, and a Quarta [...] every three dayes: because so much Choler is made every other day; as there is of Melancholy in three dayes.

And are not these very miserable The­orems 12. Unhappy theorems of [...]uring, invented by the de­vil to the ruine of mankind. of Cu [...]ing to be taught unto the flowr of youth; to be upon command obeyed by patients, and to bee till this time by the Schools adored?

It seems they are, but what ensues of them?

Unfortunate curing of diseases daily 13. An argu­ment a­gainst thē taken fro the vessels follow them, to the d [...]struction of the Chri­stian world, and salvation of Souls. But at least if Choler [...]hould surmount M [...]lancholy two in six, and the Spleen exceed six times [Page 79] the bag of Choler, if then that be ratified which the Schools do teach, as well as Ga­len; that there is so much Gall or yellow Chol [...]r made every other day, as there is black Choler or Melancholy, made in three dayes, and that the Spleen be the receptacle of Melancholy, and the Gall bag receptacle 14. Yellow & black cho­ler, not lodged in the spleen and gall-bag. of the Choler; either the Creator erred in his ends, making of those receptacles of them, otherwise then Galen hath appointed, or the Gall and Spleen were not Butlers, or keepers, or containers of these tables of the Schools of Physick.

Were all Physitians satisfied with these i [...]ventions of Galen about the Circuits of servers?

No, and therefore some of them ran for help to Astrology, by reason that a fever 15. Against Astrolo­gians, at­tributing the Cir­cuits of fevers to the Stars. made returns at hours appointed. But these are dasht against other dangers, while fevers have at all [...]ours their beginnings, and some­times they come slower, sometimes sooner, yea, and sometimes they sleep out their turns and are silent. Whence it was not sufficient­ly ratified that humane nature was constrai­ned to obey the pleasure of Stars; nor that there was any Syngamie between the Stars, and feverish matter.

It should seem then, these were trash, and vain tinglings, which credulous ears did hearken to. But sought they any other ways to satisfie this qu [...]stion?

They did; for some at last affirmed 16. Simili­ [...]udes taught in Schools square not. that they had satisfied it by similitudes, say­ing, that sev [...]rs are like other seeds whereof some come forth soon, as Nasturtium, or Cr [...]sses; some much more slowly, as Pa [...]sley.

Did this affi [...]mation please you?

No, because that example is invalid, which resolves a qu [...]stion by a question. For seeds which are more slowly resolved in moisture, in respect of their gummy oyliness, sprout up more slowly: as other get up more readily, which have a sl [...]miness, near [...]r unto the juyce of the earth. Whereupon this s [...] ­mili [...]ude no w [...]y concern [...]th levers; whose fits they will not have made, by [...]n easie, or a difficult resolution: but by a sparing, or a copious affluence of putred humors. Other­wise 17. Some ar­guments against the do­ctrine of the Schools. Phlegme, most alienate from putresa­ction, would scarce afflict every seventh day, whereas Melancholy (which is deemed most like unto flesh, or to a carkass) would in the mean time putrefie much sooner. But at least, during the doctrine of the Schools, about the shakings and Circuits of severs, a Tertian [Page 81] must of necessity be cured, by exhaustion of the matter in the fit; and by defect of new Cholet, requisite for the next Paroxism; if the Patient shall abstain from meat and drink, for two whole days together. But the consequent is false, therefore the Galenical Thesis is false also.

But what if the Schools shall teach, and say, that then new Choler is liquefied out of the Bloud?

This were to feign that Nature were more solicitous to maintain the fever, then to preserve the life, and bloud which is the treasury thereof. And to conclude, this Cho­le separated, or brought out from the bloud, if it be putred; why is it not together with the Choler of the precedent fit, banished by the veines, which was formerly detained, with the bloud in the veines? Or whether did this remaining putred Choler peradven­ture know, there should be a contingent ab­stinence of two dayes, that it should forsooth reserve it self against this defect, to continue the sever, which should otherwise perish through the penury of Chol [...]r? Or, whether did Nature please her self in the custody of a putred Choler? But if this Chol [...]r flowing out of the veines be not putred, then Nature [Page 82] should be mad and surious, to dissolve the bloud, that she might have something for the continuation of the suture sever. But the Ga­lenical Schools confess it putred, and that a putred humor, is every fi [...] powred out by the veines, and carried into the slender extremi­ties of them: and that, that is the cause of the trembling, of the fit, and of the exceed­ing cold thereof: the putref [...]ction of which humor, while it is there more increased, should presently after, be the cause of heat in such extremity.

How relished you this?

I esteemed these, as dry stubble, un­worthy tales, miserable old wives fictions, and ignorances most pernicious to humane Nature.

But did not Fernelius fi [...]st detect this ignorance of the Schools?

He did so, and therefore Rondeletius, 18. The me­rit of Fer­ [...]elius. and his fellow Galenists, inveighed against Fernelius, as a desertor of the Schools, and an Apostata. But Fernelius was the first that smelt out the nest of intermittents, to be about the stomack, and next Gut unto it cal­led Duodenum, and about the Pancreas also, which we call Sweet-bread; as likewise he established the seat of continual fevers about [Page 83] the heart: But he had not the boldness to decline from the old way of curing fevers. He began indeed openly to dispute against the precedent Schools, about the nest of fe­vers: but he afterwards hid himself amongst [his] abdita, and not able to shake off those straw-made shackles of putred humors, he suffered both the knowledge, and the essences of fevers also, to be taken from him.

But what saith Paracelsu [...] to this business?

Paracelsus being terrified by the rigor 19. The rash [...]ness and incon­stancy of Paracel­sus. of fevers, perswading himself hee had the knowledge of all fevers, sure enough, tickled by his own invention of an allegorical Mi­crocosme, defines a fever to be a disease, made of Sulphur, and Nitre. And in another place that it is the earth quake of the little world, [...] if Sulphur and Nitre should be made much colder then themselves, as b [...]ing drawn, out of the mud, or slime. (which he cals Limus, or Limbus) of the Microcosm, which after­wards should of their own accords, be set on fire by the burning Etna. Now, as Galen in the search of causes stumbled every where, and therein shewed himself to be no Physici­an, (whose name he saith is, Iventor Occa­sionis:) so Paracelsus with a wonderous [Page 84] liberty is faln in [his] Microcosmi Par [...]emi­us, unworthy a Physitian.

It would prove an hard law, to pre­cipitate 20. Man no Micro­cosm, if we obey the Scrip­ture. a man nakedly, to have a relation, or a reference to the Microcosm in the misera­ble necessities of all diseases.

I therefore rejoyce with my self, that I bear the Image of the living God, and not of the world.

It should seem then that this good man was deceived?

Nothing more certain: In that hee knew not, that fire burneth no where, unless 21. Paracel­sus decei­ved it be first kindled; neither knew hee any flint in us, or steel, or any thing, to strike them one against the other, in the point, or instant of the beating of the flint, howsoever he dissemble the business; and indeed there was no necessity of them, no nor of gunpow­der to produce a feverish heat, unless we were to be burnt up the first stroke, and torn in pieces. Therefore the matter of actual Sul­phur, and Salt-peter, are wanting in us. So is the connection of them both together, neither is there actual fire within us. And in fine, there wants a body which could tolerate this burn­ing though it were but for a moment. Wher­fore the causes and originals of fevers in the Schools, are trifling songs, and very fables.

THE FOURTH MEETING OF PHILIATRUS, AND PYROSOPHILVS; About the Examination of Bloud-letting in Fevers.

GOod Sir, let mee hear your opinion of Bloud-letting in fevers.

You shall, but before I go on to fur­ther scopes, intentions, or purposes, I should repeat, what I have elsewhere in a large Treatise demonstrated, viz. That there are not two Cholers, and a [Page 86] Phlegme in Nature, as parts whereof the bloud consisteth.

No? That were worth the hearing.

It were; and the rather, because in this place, where there is no mention made of any but put [...]ed humors, those would of themselves be destroyed. In that a putred 1. One rea­sō against humors, the rest elswhere. animal, is no longer animal. But this dis­course of fevers, requires a more succinct brevity of me.

Use your pleasure.

I will therefore onely examine two gener [...]l helps in curing.

What are those?

Bloud-letting, and Purging.

These are as it were the two Pillars of Physick; if you should deal [...] otherwise then well with them, the whole house would of its own accord fall upon the heads of Phy­sitians. For if these helps should be taken a­way, Physitians must forsake their Patients, as not having other medicines then such, as doth diminish st [...]eng [...]h, and body. 2. Galen's u­niversal pr [...]positi­on for Phleboto­ [...]y.

These therefore I will touch upon in general. For by the consent of Galen, bloud-letting is required in every fever except an hectick.

What arguments bring you against [Page 87] the Schools, and the destructive custome of these times, in this occasion?

Such as follow, viz. Bloud letting, 3. A Syllo­gism a­gainst him. where there is no necessary indication there­of, that is, where there is no proper use of it, is unprofitable. But in fevers there is no ne­cessary indication thereof: therefore bloud-letting in fevers is unprofitable.

What if they deny your Major?

I prove it thus, bec [...]use the end is the first director of the causes, and disposer of the means unto it self; wheresoever therefore the end shews not a necessity of the means, those means not being requisite to that end, are impertinently used. Especially where a contrary indication tels us; that we cannot let bloud without dejection of our strength or forces. Therefore these means are foolish­ly appointed, which are by the end declared to be used in vain, unprofitably, and with diminution of those forces.

How prove you your Minor?

Horatius Augenius proves it by three books written to that purpose, wherein he teacheth by consent of the Academies, that onely a Phlethora, or too great fulness of the veines, that is, too great aboundance of the bloud, is that which shews when bloud-let­ting [Page 88] is to be used. No [...] that directly for the curing of fevers, but for the evacuation of that fulness: but there's never any Phlethora in fevers. Therefore there is never any need of bloud-letting in fevers. And consequently i [...] is altogether unprofitable.

I must confess the conclusion is new and paradoxical, and therefore it should be proved many ways.

Galen himsel [...] proves the Minor. Teaching that in every fit of fevers, there is more Choler breathed out [or spent] then there is in two dayes generated. In the mean time the other members cease not to be nou­rished by the bloud accustomed, that is; be­sides the consuming caused by the fever, they likewise consume their shares of the bloud as they were accus [...]omed, which I have compu­ted, by the humor avoided by vomit in the foregoing Dialogue.

But now again, may not the same computation with greater [permission] con­nivency, be intimated, and [...]e-inforced.

It may, and therefore I say, that i [...] 4. A Logi­stick proof. in a sound body, there be eight ounces of bloud made daily, of necessity there must o­ther eight ounces be daily spent in aliment; otherwise a man would quickly grow (as [Page 89] they say) from a horse load to a Cart load. If therefore from a sound man, there go dai­ly eight ounces of bloud; certainly a fever will not consume less. Therefore where there is little or no appetite, to meat, as little dige­stion, and no more sanguification, of necessi­ty also that fulness (which we spake of) if there were any in the beginning, it will pre­sently within two days fail: and the indica­tion will cease; for so much as concerns the letting bloud in that fever.

But how should we know that in fe­vers, there is presently no more of that ful­ness?

This is manifest to every one that [...]. Fulness of good bloud im­possible. hath an Issue: because they are presently dried in fevers; neither do they yeeld their wonted matter. But here is principally to be noted, how the forces can n [...]ver offend in their abundance; no not in Mathusalem. Neither doth good bloud ever offend in be­ing too much; in that the vital powers, and bloud are correlatives: because according to the Scripture, the soul, or vital strength, is in the bloud; and consequently therefore in good bloud there can never be a fulness. On the other side I have in the precedent Dia­logue demonstrated; that corrupt bloud is [Page 90] never contained in the veines. Therefore if 6. Never a­ny cor­rupt bloud in the veines. at any time there should be any fulness of the veines possible, it should be in a middle state of bloud, between that is corrupt, and that which is very sound. Whether we should consider that state, as of Decidency, and 7. No fulnes in a neu­ter stare of bloud. [Convalescency] for Neutrality compre­hends both these states: or as it is mixed of both those states, let Galenists at least re­member that good comes of an entire cause; but ill out of particular defects: and that therefore this state is not called, Plethorical, or the state of fulness; but Cacochymical, or of evil juyces. Neither doth it require bloud-letting; but Purgation rather, which may 8. Bloud-let­ting never indicated by the Theses of the Schools. by election, or choise, bring out the evil, and leave the good behinde it. And therefore our of their Theses it is not hitherto proved, that bloud letting, is any way indicated or to be used.

How so I pray?

Because according to the truth of the 9. What Ca­cochimie in the veines is properly. thing, I have already shewed, that there is no Cacochymy in the veines, as being only a disturb [...] of the bloud, to the taking a­way whereof, there is no drawing of the bloud required; but onely a taking away of the disturbing affect. And so much the [Page 91] rather, because it is the pur [...]r bloud, which passing by the centre of the heart, hath ob­tained its purification: And therefore that which is drawn out of the arm, and comes 10. Co-indi­cations in place of a proper in­dication and oppo­fite to contrain­dications, agree but fondly. out first of all, will be the purer, and that which staves behinde will be the impurer.

Now seeing it appears there is no fulness in fevers, which may require the bloud letting, what followes?

This followes; that the Schools ha­ving smelt so much; they h [...]ve in place of an indication, substituted certain co-indications as counterpoising an adjusted indication in Nature, and weighing down a contrary indi­c [...]tion, 11. A Propo­sition of the Au­thor a­gainst bloud-let­ting in a fever. which ought otherwise (being taken from the conservation of the forces) wholly to obtain the prime place; in this respect a­lone; that every fever, is soon, safely, and perfectly curable, without bloud-letting. For in every putrefaction, of so many sundry client humors, and in the fevers flowing 12. The Schools defame their pur­gatives by their al­lowance of bloud let­ting. thence, they presently make use, onely of the help of bloud-letting: b [...]cause (as they say) it presently easeth, and is stopt at plea­sure.

But do they not by this distinction, in some sort discredit their purgatives? For they say, though bloud-letting seem to be required, [Page 92] for a sulness, by its natural, and onely indi­cation; yea, and though it do not prope [...]ly 13. The ends of Co-in­dications: take away such humors as putrefied: yet it cools, and disburdeneth the veines; it recreates the forces, or spirits; it takes away part of the evil humor, with the good; and by derivation, and revulsion, it stops, and pacifies the flux of humors, calling them an­other way from running to the nest of putre­faction; whereupon Nature finding her self comforted, doth what is else required, much more happily and easily.

What said the Sow when she eat up the Penitential Psalms; These are good words, but they do not satisfie the hung [...]r. I mean, these are Co-indications whereby they perswade men to continue their afflictions. But in these I will particularly give satisfa­ction.

And herein you will much oblige posterity.

But before all, I would have you 14. A fore­warning by the Author. know. That though in a more strong, and full body there be no notable hurt done, yea, and sometimes, such as are sick also, seem presently to bee bettered, and cured. Yee bloud-letting, cannot but bee dis-allowed, considering, that such as have fevers, are mo [...] [Page 93] happily recovered without it.

Do we not see, that at the first, or iterated bloud-lettings; the violence of fe­vers, is oftentimes remitted?

'Tis confessed. But how comes this to pass think you? Note: no otherwise then thus. The Archeus, or spirit of Life, find­ing it self suddainly robbed of its forces, and surprised by a disagreeing coolness, is struc­ken with so manifest an horrour, that it neg­lects the expulsion of the feverish matter, and to do its duty. But those which seem to be [...]red by Phleboto [...]y, they either certainly relapse, or at least they come more slowly to their health, and when they have obtained it, is not so firm as it was formerly.

The Turks and a great part of the world make this assertion good unto you, which never heard of bloud-letting, as be­ing that, which is no where read, to have beene either instituted by God, in Na­ture; or that, it was approved by him, or that he ever did so much as mention it. But now what say you further in those Co-indi­cations.

Touching the first scope of Co-indi­cation: 15. How bloud let­ting cool­eth. which is called resrigeration, or coo­ling. I say bloud-letting doth no otherwise [Page 94] cool, then as it steals away part of the vital heat. Not that it hath any positive power of cooling; and therefore at the least, in this respect, this kinde of cooling must be hu [...] ­full. I pray you tell me; why do they not let bloud in an Hectick fever, vulgarly called a Consumption? Doth not a fever want coo­ling? Or doth a Hectick cease to be a fe­ver?

No, for in those who are fick of Hecticks, there is a want of bloud.

Therefore I said, that where there is [...] detect, or want of bloud, and strength, the hurts of bloud-letting are casi [...]y taken notice of; which do otherwise in such as are of stronger forces, lye more concealed. And of this I could bring you lamentable presi­dents.

Good Sir, were it not too tedious or troublesom [...], I should intreat you to recount me one of them.

I will; In the year 1641. on the 16. A lamen­table hi­story of the Infant Cardinal. [...]ighth of November, there was a diss [...]ction made of the body of Prince Ferdinando, bro­ther to the King of Spain, and Cardinal of Toledo. Who lying sick of a Tertian fever, the space of 89 dayes died at the age of 32 years. This noble Prince having his Heart, [Page 95] Lung [...], and Liver taken out, and by that means his Veines, and Arteries dissected, there hardly came from them one spoonful of bloud into the hollow capacity of his breast: his Liver shewed no bloud within it; his heart was limber like an empty purse; yet two days before his death he would have ea­ten more, had he been permitted. For though he was so [...]xhausted by bloud letting, pur­gations, and by Leeches, as I told you; yet the Tertian desisted not to keep its fits ac­customed.

What p [...]ofit found he t [...]en, by this loss of bloud? Or how did these evacuati­ons 17. A note against Physitians greedy of bloud to be most seriously regarded. cool him?

Nothing at all they shewed this kind of c [...]ring vain, and fruitless, which took not away one tittle of the fever.

Is this then that method of cuuring which makes that Physi [...]an whom the most H [...]gh created, and commanded to be hon [...]u­red 18. A gui [...]ty minde a thousand witnesses. for the nec [...]ssity which is of him? If it knowes not how to cure a Tettian in a young man, whereto serv [...]s this kinde of me­thod? Is this that Art whereof the infirm have need, and not the healthy?

I would to God this good Prince had never made use of it, who when he re­turned [Page 96] from Cortrick and was saluted by the Senate of Bruxels, at his recovery from the agony of death, (which fell upon him, by the loss of so much bloud, and forces) wal­ked strongly up and down in his Chamber. Wherefore let Physitians be wary, how they expose their severish Patients to the occurse of coolers (I mean such as they should pre­sently, and largely finde the vertue of, by a manifest token;) that they trust not [too] much unto their rules of heaters, and of coo­lers. For seeing it is now apparent, that all the heat in a sever, is of the spirit of life it self: it follows that the coolings by bloud-letting, is a meer exhausting and impoverish­ing of that Spirit and the bloud together. For if a sever should be cured as a distemper; by bloud-letting, as a cooling remedy; (alas the contrary appears by the exhausting of all the bloud, out of this Prince, Infant of Spain. In whom yet three dayes before his 19. An argu­ment ta­ken from thence. death, the Tertian sever, notwithstanding so much cooling, kept its courses. Or if they by cold alone intend the curing, others should also in a Quo [...]idian (which they pretend, out of a pu [...]red Phlegme to be enflamed) finde that this cooling would at least, with much more easiness be obtained, by exposing their [Page 97] Patien [...]s half naked to the No [...]th, and We­stern Windes, or by ha [...]ging [...]hem in wa [...]r, or in some deep W [...]l, [...]ill they should con­fess th [...]y were suff [...]cien [...]ly cooled, for so, they should presently, and [...]bundantly do their cure. i [...] a guilty inward, ignor [...]nce did not condemn their fev [...]sh essence of h [...]at.

It should [...]em [...]hen that a sever is not a n [...]ked d [...]ftemper of heat?

No, it is not, but there is an occasional 20. The Es­sential seat of Fevers. offending matter, for whose expulsion the Archeus doth by accident inflame it self, being as it were displeased with i [...]. Which so long as it is neglected by the Schools, the cures of fevers will be pr [...]posterous, perni­cious, and conjectural; and by that m [...]ans, no man shall owe any thanksgiving to the Phys [...]ian, b [...]cause of their own accord, through the goodness of Nature they are cured, and I wish they w [...]re not put back 21. An expla­nation of the prece­dent Ar­gument concern­ing cool­ing, and the Sch [...]s evasi [...]. and hindered by Physi [...]ns.

But to this Argum [...]nt of curing, by sod [...]in cooling, I should think the Schools should make some answer.

They do in saying it is dangerous to pass from one extre [...]m unto another. By which excuse of their ignorance, they stop the mouths of the people, as if they had said, [Page 98] something worthy to be credited; not taking notice that they contradict themselves there­in, while they commend bloud-letting, and prefer it before laxatives for this cause espe­cially, that presently and abundantly, it yeelds relief by cooling, and therefore they have en­tituled it, the speedy, and universal remedy; tying their impotency, founded upon igno­rance, to the arbitrement of an Axiom ill understood, and wo [...]se applied. For who doubts but a man may presently cut the h [...]l­ter 22. Not to go from one extream unto ano­ther, ill drawn fro the Ma­thematiks and ap­plied in Physick. of one that's hang'd, that he may present­ly enjoy the ayr, whereof he is deprived? Who doubts but wee may presently lay a drown'd man shelving downwards upon his belly; that he may cast the water off of his Lungs: 'tis lawful also to draw one that's saln into a River, presently to the Banks side thereof, and presently to fr [...]e a wound that's indispos [...]d, and close it with a Cicatrice. For so many wounds are in one day healed: be­cause the solution of union, wants nothing more, but its re-unition. So is it lawfull to put a broken, or displaced bone presently in­to its place again. So may we likewise in a fit of Falling-sickness, in a fit of Fainting, in the Cramp or Convulsions, recal the infirm as soon as may be, and presently dissolve and [Page 99] call away detained excrements. For we must conjecturally think that Nature delighteth in her own destruction, or that out of the state of health she presently suffers death to enter, and will refuse a remedy, which spee­dily repels diseases. Otherwise she should not do, that which in things possible, is far the best, neither should she desire to be, or bee conserved. In the Mathematicks it's thought impossible, to pass from one extream unto another, without a Medium: and this Medium peremptorily, and utterly denieth the comming of any thing between it and those extreams, which if we shall allow with some Latitude in things natural, yet we may be thought to have done speedily, sufficient­ly, and very well. And therefore we ought not to wrest that of the Mathematicks unto curings. I confess indeed we shou [...]d not by a Paracenthisis, draw out all the water, of an hyd [...]opical body, at once together: nor should we take away all the pu [...]ulent mat­ter, of a great Aposthume, not bring one that's congealed with cold, into a warme Stove presently: nor yet nourish one that's almost starved too too speedily. But yet, a slow, and necessary pace, as such, or a pro­gress by degrees, from one extream unto ano­ther, [Page 100] doth not hinder, or restrain this Me­diocrity, or Medium, as if Nature were a­verse from speedy curing; for this, to her is an ordinary, allied, innate, and intimately proper indication. But these are forbidden, because the loss of strength, or spirit thereup­on depending, would not endure these so speedy motions. Therefore the Schools do 23. A falacie in curing. by a fallacy tie up their Patients from a suddain remedy, which they have not: that they may hide their ignorance from the vul­gar, by some Axiom [...]ll directed.

I should think that so oft as a cure may be had without loss of strength (for the strength must ever have the primacy in indi­cations) the sooner it is done, the greater is the Jubilee which Nature gaineth.

You think aright, and I have obser­ved as much in fevers, to my great content and admiration. To our purpose therefore, if it be so, that a fever be meerly a preternatu­ral 24. The Ar­gument out of the Thesis of the Schools is opposed. heat, and that every cure is to be accom­plished, by striving contraries; therefore it requires a preternatural cooling; that con­traries may be placed under one, and the same kinde or Genus. That is every fever should be necessarily cured, by a more then ordinary coldness of the Ambient, and the [Page 101] rather, because the Ambient coldness, ga­thers forces, and doth not dissipate them. But the consequent is false, and therefore the an [...]ecedent also.

It should seem then, that the Schools intend not the cooling of the heat by bloud-letting: but primarily, the taking away of bloud, and mitigation of accidents, which wait upon the dejected forces: or, they pri­marily intend, a diminution both of bloud and forces.

This is that which they term a more free 25. Deceipt of the Schools out of a perverse ignorance respiration of the Arteries, though with much deceitfulness. But I alwayes make greatest esteem of that indication, which concerns the conservation of those forces, and is quite op­posite to all emptying of veines, how and whatsoever; because the forces being dimi­nished, 26. Strength hath chie­fest place in indica­tions. and cast upon their backs, the disease cannot be chased away; neither is there any thing further to be done by the Physitian. Therefore Hippocrates concludes, that the natures themselves, are the curers of diseases; because the indication which is taken from the conservation of the forces, is that which governeth the whole scope of curing. As reason therefore counsels us, to keep our strength, and forces: so also she would [Page 102] have us keep our bloud, because the one in­cludes the other, as the bloud the forces.

But Hippocrates in an Athlatical fulness, commands us to let bloud presently, together, and in quantity.

You say true; and that is it which 27. Hippocra­tes de Athletis, alledged but not under­stood. the Schools proclaim in every place; but this is ridiculously alledged, for cures of fevers, and diseases. For he commanded it not, out of fear of the fulness, though their veines did sufficiently abound with bloud: but onely that their vessels so filled, might not by the exercising of their strength be broken, or o­verstrained: otherwise, what have Wrest­lers which are found, to do with cures belon­ging unto fevers? For the feverish have no fear of fulness; nor that their veins should be broken with exercise. It is further to be 28. Differen­ces of em­ptyings. noted, that the letting of bloud is of this con­dition; that if it be done after the accompa­nying of women, it makes such an exhaustion of the strength as is irreparable; because it takes from the in-bred spirit of the heart. And to this exhaustion [of that spirit] by bloud-letting, is a very near neighbour; because it doth readily and at once rob the influous Archeus. But a disease, though it directly also oppugne the forces; yet because it doth [Page 103] it not, at once, and together, but by little 29. A fever hurteth less then the open­ing of the veins. and little, therefore it rather shakes, and wearies the forces, then that it doth exhaust them really. Therefore the restoration of the forces, impaired by diseases, is made more easily, then of those, which are exhausted by bloud letting.

I should think so too, but what's your reason for it?

My reason is, that such as are weak­ned by bloud letting, are for the most part deprived of the benefit of a Crisis. And if they do recover, it is but slowly and that with many perplexities in their getting up again, after many dayes indurance, and not without danger of relapses. But such as lye sick of a disease wherein bloud letting hath not been used, come presently to their wonted strength again, and are restored easily. But if by be­ing destitute of remedies, they sometimes come unto the extremity; yet Nature endea­voureth a Crisis, and relievs them; because their forces (though shaken much by the in­firmity) yet they are not perished, as being not exhausted by their bloud letting, which they so speedily and abundantly.

30. Th' obli­gation of Physiti­ans. Hence may be gathered that the Phy­sitians, are out of Conscience, and in Charity [Page 104] bound to cure, not by sodain wasting of the forces; nor by dangers consequently fol­lowing it: nor yet by a necessary shortning of the li [...]e, for according to the Psalm: Spi­ritus meus attenuabitny (ergo) dies mei abreviabuntur.

'Tis well gathered: And since (ac­cording to the Scripture likewise) the life glideth in the bloud; however this be taken aw [...]y largely together, it cannot be done without prejudice of the life also. For the 31. The gene­ral inten­tion in fevers, and bloud let­ting op­posed thereunto. perpe [...]ual intention in Nature, in the cure of fevers, is to do it by sweatings; and there­fore also the fits of fevers, do for the most part end by sweatings.

But you think that bloud letting is diametrically imposed to this intention.

I do so, for this draws the bloud in­wards, to fill again the vessels, which are emptyed thereof: But the motion of Na­ture requisite [...]o th [...] cure of fevers, proceeds from the centre, and goes outwards; from the noble parts, and bowels, unto the skin.

Yet once more I beseech you; how should bloud letting necessarily weaken? Se [...]ing such as are strong, and [...]ull or Pletho­rick seem to find the contrary by experience, and to justifie it?

If the sacred Text be not of power e­nough, which warns us of the inhabitation of the life within the bloud: it will at least be made manifest, if you offend by a more liberal emission thereof. For, presently the Spirits, and the Patient are dejected. If 32. The Ma­thematiks prove bloud-let­ting al­wais hurt­full. therefore (in the Mathematicks) six do hurt notably: Three cannot chuse but hurt, though not so sensibly. Now, for him to hurt Na­ture, which should cure her, and restore her, is not permitted. If Nature must be her own Physitian; and that she is by so much the happier, by how much the stronger, let it suffice the Physitian, that the Patient fals otherwise into an excusable weakness, through the disease, fastings, wants of appetite, un­quiet restings, pains, anxieties, watchings, sweats, and the like; and let not him who is called as a faithful helper, add weakness un­to weaknesses.

But is this bloud letting [so much cried up; and so much used;] so fraudulent a rem [...]dy as you seem to make it?

It is so fraudulent, and so uncertain, that no Physitian hath hitherto had the bold­ness to promise any future cure by it.

I, but every Artificer doth what he promiseth; the Stone-cutter makes Statues, [Page 106] the Shoo-maker makes shooes, and that un­doubtedtedly; 33. The in­certainty of Physiti­ans argues a defect of their princi­ples. why should the Physitian onely want the daring, to uphold what his Art promiseth?

Because he builds upon foundations which are uncertain, and therefore he is by accident alone, and fraudulently profitable. For which way soever the business be turned, it is a thing that's full of ignorance, to go about to cure, by a procured weakness, viz. by a sodain emptying, or effusion of the bloud, made at once in quantity together, Nature is for the most part, so danted, that she neglecteth the expulsion of her enemy. Which expulsion I have notwithstanding demonstrated to contain the whole Scene, or Stage of Fevers, and of Nature.

But besides this, is it not confessed, that the matter of the Fever consists not in the vein above the heart?

It is so, but what of that?

It followes then, that bloud letting 34. Bloud let­ting can­not dimi­nish the cause of fevers. draws not by any means the occasional mat­ter, or that it effectively cureth, by any di­rect intention of curing; if I be not decei­ved.

You are not deceived, therefore let us go on.

To conclude then, what say you of 35. An Argu­ment drawn a sufficiente enumera­tione. the bloud that's let, for the more perspiration of the Arteries?

That is (at the least) in the begin­nings, and increase of fevers, fruitless; when the heat is not yet in its full strength. And seeing that neither in the state, or height thereof, a vein is to be opened, nor yet in the declination; when is it good then to let bloud?

Never; but how prove you that it is good to let bloud, in the state or height of a fever?

Because it hinders the Crisis, when Nature (as they write) strugleth, especially being hindered, and being for the most part conqueress, she may then least of all tolerate, the loss of forces, or be called from the duel. Now if in the height, or state Nature be conquered, what will bloud letting then b [...]e?

A meer Man-slaughter.

Right, but if it be not convenient to open a vein in the state of fevers, whil'st the greatest heat, and Anxiety, or difficulty is ex­tant; and the greatest respiration of the Ar­teries is required: it will be certainly much less convenient in the beginnings, and increa­ses [Page 108] of them. Especially considering, that the fear of a fulness goes presently away in the first days of those fevers. And by that means the perspiration of the Arteries will be easie enough.

What say you to infirmities in their declinations?

I say it is clear, and manifest, and commonly testified, by the votes, and voices of all men, that then they neither require nor tolerate any bloud letting.

Let us yet further consider in fevers, 36. Another from the quality of the bloud. the bloud within the veins, what say you thereof?

I say it is either good, bad, or nei­ther; if it be good, it will be good, to keep what's good, because it addeth to the forces. For (as I elsewhere shew) the fear of ful­ness did even from the beginning cease if there were any.

But they say, they let good bloud to cool it, and breath out the pu [...]refaction.

That's needless. [That is, there is neither heat nor pu [...]refaction in it, as is pro­ved] for both are taken away already, and that imaginary good (which they suppose comes by it) bringeth a real, and a neces­sary loss of forces.

But they teach further, that bloud-letting in a fever, is not commanded for the goodness of the bloud, since they suppose it to be both ill and pu [...]red.

But I have sufficiently taught, that during life, there's no bloud in the veins cor­rupted, and consequently that the scope of the Schools in letting bloud is ruined. They must shew me therefore, what other malice 37. Whereto the Schools are con­strained. is in the bloud besides its corruption. They must also shew me, or demonstrate to me, that this bad bloud is detained, in the vein, from the heart to the hand, if they will have their bloud-letting be ratified as such, or as a Revulsion. They must I say teach us, that this ill bloud, is not in the first Shops, or Offices thereof, and that it being drawn out, by the vein of the arm, there be not worse bloud drawn unto the heart, in that place the hollow vein, makes the hearts right ven­tricles. Let them in like manner instruct us, that the upper veines being emptied, there is not a greater liberty, and impunity, where­by things feverish, and hurtful may approach unto the heart, then formerly. So that in­stead of breathing out of the purrefaction, (which I have proved to be truly nothing) there be not rather a free access of putted [Page 110] breath unto the heart occasioned. For whe­ther doth the vacuity of the emptied veines draw the bloud downward? Let them shew me I say, by what reason, the pou­ring out of the bloud, and the diminution of the forces by the arm, should hinder the pu­trefaction, or should import a correction, or renuing of what is putred. In like manner, let them express themselves, what they mean when they say, that bloud should be let, or drawn, that the Arteries may breath more freely; considering that putrefaction, (if there were any such thing possibly to bee found within the veins) affecteth not the arterial bloud, which is the Steward of our whole Nature. Let them moreover prove, that the good bloud being diminished, and the forces also spent proportionably, there is greater power in that which is remaining impure and tainted by pu [...]refaction (as they suppose) of preserving it self from an immi­nent purrefaction. Again, let them teach a­gainst the Holy Text, that the life, and soul, are rather, and more willingly in the defiled residue of bloud, then in the puter taken a­way by bloud-letting. Otherwise regularly the drawing out of the good includes an in­creased proportion, and an unbridled liberty of the bad remaining.

But what if at last the bloud in the fever, and veins be bad, and they say ' [...]is good (as a signe and effect) that in the letting of the bloud, the bad comes out, and that they think, that so much at least of the bad is ta­ken away?

First let them prove that bloud which they suppose hurtfull, to be truly hurtfull, as I have formerly proved it guiltless. And then let them teach, that by the hasty, and full e­mission of this bad bloud there is no preju­dice brought upon the forces, and that in the residue of the defiled bloud, (the forces be­ing now decreased) the taking away of the bloud will be cause, why the corruption of that which remaineth, is of less power to go forward? And whether they hope at any time, that in the bloud, howsoever once in­fected (viz. by this privation) a regress may be given in Nature [to perfection.] For let them shew that, it contradicteth not, that it's proper to a fever to pollute the bloud, and 38. A vain hope in the chan­ges of bloud drawn by Phleboto­my. that this property is taken away a posteriori, viz. by removing what is purrefied? For if first the impurer bloud be drawn out of the veins, and they again open the vein, and in the mean time, deject, and trouble or disturb the forces, and by this means take away the [Page 112] hope of a Crisis; what if it then come out more red then formerly?

They will then certainly cry out, as if all the quantity of the bad, had been taken away by the first effusion; and that the seat of the fever was extended from the heart, un­ [...] the arm onely: and that the good, had its residence about the Liver.

But in a Dropsie I have noted that the evacuations of the last excrements were alwaies to be feared, and much more there­fore in the naked drawing out of bloud which leads away the vital spirits from the heart in a direct course, thorow the wound; whe­ther it be deemed bad, or good, or neuter.

You have first proved that they of­fend in a fallacy, as well as in those things which are supposed, of a Synachae, or bur­ning Petitione principii. fever, both purred; as of those which are conceived of the emission of a purred bloud. Now therefore to our purpose, what think you of the helps, are gotten in lieu of the for­ces which are taken from us.

I always found them full of deceit: that for so little a help, the strength should be infeebled by bearing the burthen of diseases: for it is as drink in [...]he beginning of a fever; which seems for a while to give a refreshing: [Page 113] but is any man so mad as to drink, if he knew that drink did rob him of his forces?

You conclude then, that the help of cooling by bloud-letting is trustless, fraudu­lent, and momentary. But now, what say you of that neuter bloud, which is nor good, nor bad in letting?

Of this it is best to say nothing, in that, what is denied in dis junction; may be denied also in copulation. For if that be neu­ter which consists, of a commixture of good with bad, (supposing that bad which is not.) Or that whereinto a neutral alteration is introduced; what is formerly said may sa­tisfie the event in either of them.

Have you not yet done with Co-indi­cations?

I shall at length, when I have cut off the hope which is in revulsion: and so I shall equally take away all co-indications, as the poor, and miserable sculking-holes of per­versness. It is a mad remedy to let bloud, (for 39. Co-indi­cation of Phlebo­tomy in fevers, & Menstrue, for Revul­sion a va­nity. to this end they draw a great quantity) whe­ther it be in fevers, or in the menstrues, for revulsion; in that the feverish matter swims not in the bloud, or floateth up and down the veins, but sticks within unto the vessel; as I shall tell you in its own place, when I speak of the occasional matter. And for the Men­strue [Page 114] likewise: in that the separation therof, is made out of the whole, and not without the separating hand of the Archeus. But Phlebo­tomy separates nothing of things separable: because it works without a fore-knowledge of the end, and therefore without election. But the nearest always runs out first, and as soon as the vessel is open, away goes the in­nocent bloud, which because, after by a con­tinued thread, others follow, for fear of va­cuum: therefore the Menstrues, about the womb, or Mother, collected there by the in­dustry of Nature, and of set purpose; are drawn from thence by bloud letting, and re­tire back again into [...]e whole: what though Phlebotomy may sometime in a full, and well complexioned woman finde success; yet certainly in many others it hath given a most miserable catastrophe.

But what if the menstrous bloud should offend onely in quantity, while it is now gathered together, and set apart in the veins about the Mother?

In this case supposed, I shall willing­ly admit an individual indication of Phlebo­tomy. But if Menstrue, flow in a womb that's well conditioned, it will abundantly satisfie, and do its own business, And in this case re­vulsion is useless; though the Hypothesis [Page 115] suppose an impossibility. For Phlebotomy is nothing, but a meer and indistinct powring out, or ensptying of the bloud. But the emp­tied veins, presently recal unto themselves what bloud soever, and whence soever: for as they are the greedy receptacles of the bloud; so they are impatient of emptiness, And therefore the menstrue (being destin'd to it's departing: that is, already once writ­ten, 40. Derivati­on in to­pical dis­eases som­times profitable But im­pertinent in fevers. or inrold by Nature, in the catalogue of Excrements) is drawn [or sucked] by the empty veins. But derivation because it is a sparing letting of the bloud; so it be done out of fitting veins, was wont often to be profitable in many topical diseases, but in fe­vers ' [...]is impertinent.

But they insist upon this, that bloud-letting 41. Bloud let­tin hurt­ful in Pleurisies. in a Pleurisie, is so necessary, that it is enjoyned upon pain of death [to be made use of.] For they say that unless this bloud, which hath recourse unto the ribs, be called back by much effusion thereof, it is to be fea­red that the Pleurisie, will presently kill the man by s [...]ff [...]cating of him.

But I never let any man bloud, that is sick of a Pleurisie; and this kinde of curing is safe, certain, solid and commodious. None fail that run this course, whereas by Phlebo­tomy; many of them perish through a slow [Page 116] Consumption, and they are subject every year unto relapses.

Indeed according unto Galen, who­soever is not perfectly cured within 40 d [...]yes fals into a Consumption.

But I cure perfectly this disease, nei­ther are my Patients sensible of those relap­ses. But I keep my secret to my self herein. Yet I have seen a Country-fellow cure all 42. The Schools may learn from Ru­sticks that their Axi­oms are false. Pleurisies in three times giving a Potion. He used Horsdung, which being d [...]ssolved in Beer he strained it well and gave it. Such is the ignorance of Physitians; and such the pertinacity of the Schools, that God give [...] knowledge unto Clowns, and little ones; which is denied to such as are pufe up with Ethnick learning.

But now Sir let us see whether there be any use of Revulsion [of the bloud] in fevers.

With all my heart, for the work of 43. Revulsion a rule in fevers. revulsion is primarily nothing else but a bloud-letting, or vein-cutting, whereto by accident it is hoped that the following bloud should come, and by benefit thereof, th [...]t it will not flow unto the part affected.

What may be grounded on this Thesis?

That, by this kinde of evacuation, [Page 117] the offending feverish bloud (I speak this winking) dispersed in the veins, which o­therwise hiding it self in its own nest, far from the heart, would not so fiercely communi­cate the ferment, or Leven of its mischief. Which is as much as to say, by this Revul­sion it will come to pass, that the peccant hu­mor would be drawn from an ignoble part to one more noble: In that the more c [...]ude and feculent bloud, is in the M [...]saraick veins: but that is better purefied, which comes nearer the heart. Otherwise Nature had been indiscreet to place the main mur­thering weapons or instruments of pa [...]icide so near the fountain of life. Seeing therefore the feverish matter flowes, or floats not in the veins, nor hath its mansion near the heart: God forbid we should beleeve, that it is stirr [...]d, or moved from place to place, by vein-cuttings, or bloud lettings, howsoever otherwise, by re-iterated Phlebotomy, bloud may be drawn out from thence of divers co­lours.

If then another bloud come from re­mote parts, to the place whereout the bloud must issue, I should think that this may prove a dreadfull remedy.

You think as it is, for by that means the mischief of one particular place, should [Page 118] be communicated to the whole, and so unto the parts more noble, and there is an easie mingling, and defiling, in, or between such things as symbolize, partake, or communi­cate each with other.

Now growing to the end of our dis­course: what if our Modern men should cast away these Ethnick errors, and look more carefully into the lives of their neighbours, should they know any thing the more here­by?

In this place they would know that 44. What is by Physi­tians to be learned out of this Dialogue. the Comments of Revulsions are frivolous; that the loss of the treasury both of bloud, and forces is pernicious; also that no hurt results from the bloud in the veins; but onely from the enmity of strange, and forraign excre­ments: As also that God hath ordained suf­ficient store of emunctories for any sort of filth that is within us: And that we need not tear the veins to get the victory of fe­vers.

THE FIFTH MEETING OF PHILIATRUS, AND PYROSOPHILVS; About the Examination of Purging in Fevers.

YOu spake in your former discourse of two reme­dies, which you were to examine; Bloud letting, 1. The first confession of the Schools about their p [...]r­ging Me­dicines. and Purging, the first is ended, now to Purging.

The Schools acknowledge that their Putgatives, from the highest, down as far as Agarick want correction, because they injure Nature. And I would those correcti­ons [Page 120] were not weak and unadvised; but ser­ving rather to beget an innocency of the Me­dicine, then to the Gelding, or taking away the strength thereof.

Why wish you this?

Because gelding the strength of Medi­cines 2. Deceit of Corre­ctives. carries a deceit along with it; as done by reason that the sick, might not understand that there is a venome under it. Likewise the hemlocked Shop-remedies, are like tame Wolves, who while they are trusted, turn upon occasion given, to their accustomed wild and Wolvish nature. By this means they dare not call corrected Medicines by their proper Etymology: but they hide Scam­mony under the veil of Diagridium. And they besmire Colloquintida, with the paint of Alahaendal. And then the compounded Pur­gatives in Dispensatories, fight under a false title of ringleader. In the mean time they can­not 3. Another confession deny, but Scammony, and Colloquintida, are the two Pillars whereon, the whole edi­fice of Purging leaneth; which being bro­ken down, what ever was built upon them fals to ruine. And then the gentler Purges, as Manna, Cassi [...], Sena, Rheubarb, &c. have rendred, or given over to those two anti-sig­nant Leaders, or Conductors. They confess 4. A third confession fur [...]ther, that a Purgative once given is no [Page 121] longer in the power of the Physitian. And by this means they defame Purgatives, and give the precedens to Phlebotomy.

But what if a laxative work more cruelly then it ought to do?

Then do they blame either the dose 5. Foul ex­cuses. thereof, or the correction, or the fluid Na­ture or looseness of the Patient, or the Apo­thecary, or at least his Wife, before the Pur­gative should lose its credit. Yet in the mean 6. The 4th. Confes­sion. season, whether they will or no they do confess, that all Solutives contain a poyson in them, onely they have excepted innocent A­loe, by a proverb: Sola Aloe innocua. But the r [...]st must be exhibited with additament correction, and circumspection; and that nei­ther too soon, nor yet too late [but in the proper time of giving.]

Why? are there any Presidents of their mischief otherwise?

[...]e tell you one. A jud [...]cious man, and 7. A fre­quent hi­story. Secretary to the Senate of Brabant, for con­s [...]vation of his health, took a usuall Pill of washed Aloe (viz. gelded) and not finding the accustomed eff [...]ct thereof; as the Physi­tian passed he told him of it. He presently blamed the slowness of the Aloe; and told him he would prescribe Maial Pills for him, which b [...]ing taken, he perished miserably. [Page 122] Because the whole Weeks labour after was spent in vain, to pacifie the unbridled effect of that purging medicine. For he to free himself of a future infirmity, by the deceipt of his Physition died, leaving eleven children fatherless. Whence it prima [...]ily appeareth plainly, that it is as free for a purgative to shew its raging f [...]ry on a sound man, as a sick one. For its lawfull under the name of a Phy­sitian, and fraud of a medicine, to run head­long unpunished, even upon the lives of Prin­ces. Because the earth covers the cruel illite­rature of the curers.

Purgation, or Depuration (I must 8. Deceit in the [...]me. confess) are fair, and spetious titles, but full of falshood: and wish the Purgatory of Pny­sitians might expiate their diseases: In this case I wish it were not so, that Patients should expect their purgatory from the hands of Physitians!

Well let us forward. It is a thing to 9. What it is to give Medcines laxative, when the humours abound or swell, and how full of de­ceit. be much grieved at, that they say a purga­tive being given before the decoction of a disease, the same humours should be drawn away, which should be drawn away, af [...]er the said decoction. (For they will have pur­gatives to draw away one humour by ele­ction, and not another) and that yet the purging is unprofitable, yea and hurtfull. [Page 123] And that notwithstanding they do not learn from thence, that humors drawn away by Laxatives, are not humors nor offending: (for otherwise both the stations of the dis­ease, and one purgative being supposed, they should necessarily help [...]qually, if they drew from the same [...]ffending matter) but by the poyson of the laxatives, they draw onely a meer putredness, and consuming moisture. And this enemy is so much the more unfor­tunately received into the body, that should exercise this ravenous inward teating both in the flesh and bloud [together.] I shall tell 10. An histo­ry of the peniten­cy. you a true story of mine own penitency, and the beginnings of my science in Physick. Be­ing about 15 years of age, having put on the Glove of a young Gentlewoman, infected with a dry scab, first I got that disease in one hand, then in the other, which became very foul with Wheales, or Pustules, and with purulent matter.

What remedy used you for this dis­ease?

The elder Physitians of our Town were called, who gave command; first that I should be let bloud to cool my Liver, then they prepared a yellow adust Choler, and salt Phlegme for evacuation by a three dayes Apozem; and at last by pills of Fu [...]ote [...]e [Page 124] they appointed to purge those former hu­mors, and they brought forth many stool [...]s, and matter in abundance. I rejoyced that I had avoided so much filthy stuff. Therefore they gave further order, I should take the same purgation again, the third day after: and in like manner, the s [...]me again within o­ther three dayes after it; and these two lat­ter purgations, had the same success that the first h [...]d: and in my judgement, if all the ex­crements had been joyned together, they had well near filled two pretty pails full, with that filthy stinking matter, which I thought had been humors.

What effect had this purgation in you?

Bad. For I that was sound, [...]heer­full, and full of strength, light in dancing, leaping, and running: was now reduced to be lean, my knees trembled, my cheeks fell, and my voice was hoarse.

What thought you then?

I concluded, that these humors were 11. A Con­clusion drawn from thence. not formerly within me: but were made in me. And I knew certainly, this putred li­quor, was made by the laxative which I had taken: and that it would have made the same as ost as I had taken it: And in the mean time I was notwithstanding full as scabby as I was formerly.

What gathered you from thence?

First, I knew that the scab, was a 12. 9 Things of note destru­ctive to Physici­ans. cont [...]gion of the skin, and not a distemper of the Liver. S [...]condly, that the sault that was put upon these humors in the scab was false: as being gotten onely by the touch of the Glove. Thirdly, that purging medicines, did not purge, and cleanse but putrefie. Fourthly, that they liqu [...]fied the substance of my body, and resolved it into a putred mat­ter. Fif [...]hly, that they indifferently d [...]filed whatso [...]ver by any meanes th [...]y touched, whether it were bloud, or the flesh it sel [...], which was then living: and that they did not draw and separate by election one ra­ther then another. Sixthly, that the thing de­filed, denoted, that the d [...]filer th [...]reof was meer poison liquesying, and pu [...]resying of the body. S [...]v [...]n [...]hly, that, that which was contaminated flowed out by Nature's expel­ling it, till the force of the purging medicine was inseebled. Eighthly, that this would come to pass as well in sound men, as in sick. Ninthly, and that therefore a solutive purgation was dangerous, before such time as Nature had gotten the victory in diseases, but afterwards the hurts thereof, would not appear so manifest.

After so many worthy observations, [Page 126] what determination had you?

When I had seriously pondered these things within my self, I forsook Galen, who is so wholly employed, and intangled in and about those humors, that he affirms that all disea [...]es come from thence. But con­sidering that I wanted better things, to sub­stitute in place of humors, and of laxatives, with admiration, and comp [...]ssi [...]n of m [...]n­kinde, I determined at last to r [...]spite my stu­dy of Physick, till the Highest out of his good pleasure, should (after consuming much mo­ney, and many years) vouchsa [...]e to give me (who was seeking) understanding: which I pray God the world may apply benefici­ally to it self out of my works, and endea­vours?

How were you encouraged in this search of yours?

My dating encreased my going for­ward, and I was daily more, and more con­firmed, by continual observation of Phisici­ans errors.

Why what errours sound you?

Amongst the rest I remember, that 13. A History of a great man. the prime Physicians had given a Scamonia­ted medicine to the Prince, which in one day gave him one and forty stools. Which being by request weighed, there were found eigh­teen [Page 127] pound s [...]ven ounces of that yellow and putred liquid matter. Whereupon I said un­to him, and his Physicians; v [...]rily, if this li­quid stuff be Choller, and one of the four hu­mors, there will be yet Phlegme remaining in the body, which will weigh twenty seven pounds, and ten ounces, (because according to Galen it is third part more then the Choler.) And by this computation, there will be yet remaining of meer black Choller, 14. A fifth confessi­on. nine pound and 3 ounces. That is of Phlegm, and Melancholy not mixed with yellow Cho­ler, 36 pound, and 13 ounces. And therefore they ought to have confessed that purgation, is not a purification of the body: but rather a distempering of the remaining humors (if there be any.) And then that the former solution, was not an elective cleansing of Choller, or a freeing the body from super­fluous Choller: but a meer pu [...]refactive li­quation of the bloud.

What? Did that bloud stink while it was in the veines?

By no meanes, but presently at the self same instant, that it fell out of the veins 15. Examina­tion of the former. into the guts, it got that savour.

But for Gods sake, what vessel in man shall contain those thirty seven pounds of Phlegme and bl [...]ck Choller, that are re­maining? [Page 128] Especially considering, that after that purgation, the veins which formerly were full, [...]ell immediately, and disappea­red.

Let the Schools satisfie you herein. But in the mean time, The Prince (who is much to be pittied) committing himself to your arbitrement, did the next morning con­fess, he was purefied, but he spake it with so weak, puling, and hoarse a voice, such trembling of his hands, such wavering of his knees, with so hollow eyes, such exhausted veins, and countenance so dejected, with so 16. A sixth confessi­on. importunate a thirst, and so lost an appetire; that he affirmed he suffered much the day before, by so fraudulent and doubtfull expe­rience of being purefied; and that he doub­ted whether hee should turne that way again, in that, he certainly beleeved that if 17. Foul, and vain eva­sions. the quantity of the Laxative, had been ne­ver so little more, the business had gone ill with him.

Out of this strong purging in the Prince, the vi [...]ulent property of solutives, cannot but presently be cleerly manifested. But what answered the Physitians?

That the easie Nature of the Prince hearkened too much unto the medicine, and the rather, for the shunning of the former [Page 129] filth, of the remaining humors, together with their disproportion; in that, Scammony, [...]ut of its property did not on [...]ly chuse Choler unto it self, but out of the bloud also, or com­pound, it did of four make one melted stuff, avoided downwards: And hence I again 18. A dart re­torted ou [...] of the se­venth c [...] ­fession. concluded, the imposture and deceit, which supposeth either Choler, or Phegme to be e­jected; and which affirmeth, that one is by choice rather put out then another, in that, they now confess that they become melted al­together. And according to Galen, while Bloud putrefies, Choler is made; and that it is false that a medicine pu [...]ging Choler, should cure cholerick diseases; and that it is a deceit to say, that Choler is brought away, if the other three first corrupted, shall together be ejected also.

I should hereupon think that there wer [...] no m [...]n studious of truth, but must pre­sently understand, that hence the Basis of cu­ring, after the Ancients is gone to ruine, as well in respect of the humours; as of the choice made by solutive medicines.

And I am indeed astonished with ad­miration, that the world, which is otherwise so soon sensible of every plot that's laid to catch their purses, takes not as yet any notice of the dangerousness of Laxatives. Seeing it [Page 130] is no way to be doubted, but Laxatives carry an hidden poyson in them, which hath many thousands, both of Widdows and Orphans. For, they draw not after th [...]m any particular humour, (which I in a particular Treatise have demonstrated never to have been in Na­ture) otherwise then in the Books of Physi­tians. For if you do but augment the doses of the Laxative, a deadly poyson presently ap­pears unto you.

Well, go to now, why should this 19. An Argu­ment of poyson from ill smel. Choler of theirs, following so speedily their Laxatives smell so horridly, which but a quar­ter of an hour before, had no ill savour? For the speediness of the [...]ffluence takes away the occasion both of putrefaction, and of Fetour; for it smelleth like a carcass, and not like or­dure. Neither could it borrow so soul a smell of ordure from the guts so suddenly. There­fore I should think, that this ill savour is a sign of poyson, and the efficient cause of that cadaverous matter, taken out of the living creature.

Neither should you think amiss, as I 20. A mecha­nick proof shall mechanically, or by practice prove unto you. For if a man shall take a dragme of white Vitriol dissolved in Wine, it will pre­sently provoke vomiting. But if he shall pre­sently after drinking it, drink a draught of [Page 131] Beer, water, &c. upon it, he shall have many stools thereby: yet altogether without fetour. Therefore Scamony, and Vitriol, do equally liquefie the mesaraick bloud. This by its vi­olent pontici [...]y: that by the putrefactive, ill smelling poyson of the Laxatives. And there­fore out of this consideration alone, purging should by every man be suspected, as a cruel, and a dull invention. For if according to Ga­len, 27. The same out of [...] ­len. Bloud be made Choler while it putrefies, then is that fe [...]id and yellow liquefaction, cast out by Laxatives counterfeiting Choler gene­rated of Bloud putrefied. And consequently Laxativ [...]s themselves, are putrefactors of the Bloud.

If I be not deceived, this, whether the Schools will or no, may easily be gathered 22. A prooll from th [...] effect. out of Galen, and especially out of his com­mendation of Treacle, as that which princi­pally resisteth poyson.

It is very well gathered of you, and to the purpose; for he affi [...]meth that it is an as­sured sign of good Treacle, that if it be taken together with Laxatives, they undoubtedly produce no stools.

And do not these words then of Ga­len 23. The Schools impugn [...] their ow [...] Theo­rems. convince Laxatives of being meer ve­nomes? seeing their whole operation is coun­termanded by Treacle as their Tamer?

No doubt but they do. For the effects are consonant to that which you suppose therein [...] in that, upon taking of the Purga­tive, both sick and sound do equ [...]lly avoid, a liquid matter of the same colour, smell, and condition: therefore it stirs not the peccant humour more, than it doth that which is not peccant: but indifferently defileth whatsoever it toucheth.

Yet further, do not the Schools im­pugn that choosing liberty which they attri­bute to solutives?

They do; for if any humour of the four be putred in Fevers, I do indicate its ta­king away: and Laxatives avoid by election an humour out of the Bloud, yea, in such as are sound (as they are perswaded) they lique­sie the sound fl [...]sh, that thence they may com­pass that they aim at, which is, to make that liquid putrefaction fusible, that the belly may avoid it. Laxatives at least, will not have a like liberty in Fevers to chuse the peccant, and the putred excrement. For what is putred, hath no longer its former e [...]ence, and propri­eties, which it had before its putrefaction: as, though a Loadstone draw Iron, it will not al­so draw rust therefore. And therefore though a purging medicine should resolve flesh, and bloud, that thence it might draw Choler, [Page 133] which it draws un [...]o it as master; by a speci­al propriety: It doth not therefore in like manner draw putred and putrefied [mat­ter [...]] included in the veins, which had been causes of the Fevers.

Surely no man should ever die of Fe­vers 24. The Hy­pothesis of the Schools being granted no man should dle of a Fever. And it should be false that purgatives should not be gi­ven in the beg [...]nning of fevers. if two Ax [...]oms of the Schools were true, viz. If putred humours should be causes of Fevers: or should by choice be carried out by Purgatives.

And moreover it would be a mad caution, that Purgatives should not be given in the beginnings of Fevers, before the matter did abound; to wit not before ma [...]urity, and concoction of the offending matter. Whence it appeareth, that Laxatives would be other­wise [...]urtfull. But if they be given after the matter of the disease is rightly prepated, the former caution includeth an imposture. Be­cause it a [...]tributes an effect me [...]rly procured by the benefit of Nature, to the purging me­dicine. From which the honest Physitian 25. That this A phorism includes a decelt, and the unad­visedness of Hyp [...] ­crates. shall more justly abstain at that time. B [...]cause then he distu [...]bs the Cris [...], he induceth a dan­ger of a confusion and relapse also. For a pur­ging medicine, doth always, and of it self, bring out that which is not concocted, in the same manner as it doth that, which afterward is alled concocted: because it is every where [Page 134] [...] and vir [...]lent. But after Nature [...] come the disease, it brings less hurt; neither is the fraud of the Laxative so mani­festly then perceived. And by that means if a purging medicine, be at that time given, the Physitian wil seem to have conquered the dis­ease by his own Art.

So that if every Purgative should bring away its own humours by el [...]ction; they would necessarily conduce also in every station of the disease, by reason that they al­ways bring forth the same liquo [...]s, with the same ill savour.

But they disturb more especially, be­fore Nature hath gotten the superiority, then afterwards. And this superiority, or victory 26. An abuse of the name [...]on [...]octi­on in dis­ [...]ses. over the disease, the Schools call concoction. Not that Nature goes about to digest, or con­coct any thing that is vicious, or falls not within limits of her use, as being governed by an unerring Intelligence. And this admo­nishm [...]nt may suffice, touching both these uni­versal helps in F [...]vers. And therefore I will conclude with Hypoerates to Democritus: Every Purgative preys upon the strength and substance of our bodies.