HELMONT Disguised: OR, The vulgar Errours of Impericall and unskilfull Practisers of Physick confuted. More especially. As they concern the cures of The Feavers, Stone, Plague, And other Diseases. In a Dialogue between Philiatrus, and Pyrosophilus. In which the chief Rarities of Physick is admirably discoursed of.
By J. T. Esq. Student in Physick.
London printed, by E. Alsop, for N. Brook, and W. Leybourn, and are to be sold at the signe of the Angel in Cornhil. 1657.
To the Ingenious Reader.
TO be in print, it hath not at all been my Ambition, though I appear so, by perswasions of some, who having perused (unexpectedly) this Posthumus as it lay in his solitude within the narrow confines of a Studdy, have thought it more fit for publique view then my self, so conscious was I of its calumny; Their power prevalent, and their judgments [Page] not contemptible they have called out this Ideot to take the ayr and walk a few turns in the wide World, but how it may return is uncertain, since Contempt and Pride lies in ambush every where; But these are as active to betray others, as well as this; It must therefore fear the less: Now as I said this publication being so wholly theirs, it had been but proper they should have been this Usher also; Perhaps they were so charitable to think Good Wine needs no Bush, and since they are silent, I will say but little, but that shall be positive truth.
The discourse here is but brief, succinct and plain, yet are its extents copious, misterious, [Page] and honest, and freely lays down those solid principles both of Philosophy and Physick, as may give the best consideration and reason scope enough to swim as well as wade, in the due poising their validities; Such heads being chosen as reasonably includes the primary Institutions both of Physick and disease, where otherwise that great Jewel of Nature [HEALTH] would be but crasie in its supports, unlesse the cordial remedies bee improved from these fundamentals, being such Indications as lays the Axe to the Root, if duly and seriously weighed.
Now one of these improvers (worthy Reader) I could desire thou mightest be, if the offer be [Page] not received, it will not be the first labour hath been lost in good attempts; However let not prejudicate opinion, nor the impertinent presidents of others, startle the advantages may certainly be accrued by these; Again, let not the most dangerous enemy of Mankinde [SATHAN] prevail in his snares, betraying us to Sickness as well as Death, by pretending Novelties, impossibilities, or aery toys; Nor let our Author be vilified, who, once in this Nation hath been stiled renowned Helmont, and was by the same hand afterward recanted: Being thus fortified (dear Reader) this little Dialogue may prove a Legend of health and happiness, not yet [Page] faln upon by any but our worthy Author, whose ends doubtless were sincerity, and true zeal to serve, and preserve (as much as may bee, and with the least disturbance) all humane decayes: As for my self, I desire thy improved capacity, may supply my defects, who have here but hinted at what a better genious may happily be renowned for, which is all the designe and ends of
ERRATA.
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- R. signifieth Read.
PAg. 2. l. 6. f. these banquets, r. those banquets. p. 3. l. 10. f. neither cured, r. never cured. p. 3. l. 11. f. any malady r. his malady. p. 8. l. 14. f. in time, r. in times. p. 8. l. 18. f. to propose, r. not to propose. p. 22. l. 22. f. either, r. pride. p. 33. l. 12. f. why, r. what. p. 48. l. 8. f. t. r. it. the first line of p. 56. is misplaced, and not to be read till you come to the last line of p. 57. and then read Nature is overthrown, &c. p. 57. l. 19. f. life keep, r. veins keep. p. 58. l. 3. after Schools, add judge blood to be, &c. p. 68. l. 14. f. wanding, r. wandring. p. 72. l. 20. f. revelled, r. repelled. p. 103. l. 26. after abundantly r. find. p. 112. l. 6. un the arm, r. unto the arm. p. 128. l. 8. f. your arbitrement, r. their arbitrement.
PHILIATRUS, AND PYROSOPHILVS; OR, HELMONT Disguised. Discourses about Fevers, the Stone, the Plague, the four Humours, &c.
DId you not lately [Sir] put forth a new Doctrine of Fevers?
Yes, I did.
What shewed you therein?
That a Fever is unknown to the Physick Schools as well in its essence, root, and properties, as in the remedy thereof.
Surely this could not chuse but many ways offend Physitians, and especially anger such, as scorn to learn of any man.
It did so; for such as perswaded themselves [Page 2] they knew enough, said, what? Shall the Academies endure these calumnies without recenting them? Have so many renowned wits, and we our selves been stocks hitherto,? Is he onely feasted at Apollo's table, that he should dare out of these banquets, [...]o arrogate unto himself th' adept understanding or knowledge of curing.
And did not these high speches move you?
Alas, I knew mine own intention; and though it were accompanied with the poverty of my confessed ignorance; (and though my confession of that ignorance, takes not away the stain thereof) yet the integritie and sinceritie, of that intention, may deserve pardon, because the truth of every thing in curing, is to be esteemed according to the work which it leaves after it. Now to detect the errours of such as went before us, not nominating any man, is not to be thought a calumnie. For I treat of things that are Humane, publike, and for Charities sake. If therefore I shall say, that no man was hitherto heard of, who seeking his grounds of curing from Ethnicks, knew the roots of Fevers, or of any other diseases, and their lawful remedies: And further, if I shall demonstrate thus much [Page 3] to be true, I think I may be deemed faultless, and not injurious?
But what if they will not take it so?
Then let me entreat them to compassionate my ignorance, and instruct me. For I assure them, that my commiseration of humane kind, is my onely motive hereunto: Lest any man hereafter should trust his life in the hands of trustless helpers; who hitherto neither cured out of certain knowledge any man of any maladie. But if some escaped with life they were recoverd only by the merciful hand of God, and by the strength and goodness of their proper nature.
Surely you have had no meaning to be injurious to all that went before you, and men may be satisfied herein, because you protest as much.
God forbid I should not know, that the demonstration of a thing which is not known, tending to the good or profit of our Neighbour, is void of calumnie. Especially considering that the Physitians ignorance is as a crime, and that a man is one day to give skin for skin. Thus an Officer accusing any man of a crime, is excused from a calumnie. It hath ever troubled and grieved me above measure, that in the Religion of curing onely, [Page 4] men have subscribed, to such dull, slow and frivolous principles.
Have their been more ingenious endeavours in other professions?
Doubless, for what subtilty hath not been used about those 5. words of Porphirius, called Praedicables? What craft have they not employed about vain matters? I mean about pratlings, which are testimonies of a talkative industrie. Yet Ramund not contented herewith, found out nine other most universal tearms, or voyces: Adding to them 28 less universal. And at last, he adjoyned to them yet other 72 Universals; whereby every thing might 17446 times, be described, predicated, and distinguished, and and what is this unprofitable pr [...]tling, but the unmeasurable [...]usks of sciences, without fruit, or kernels.
Indeed we see our humane wits need no spurs in follies, which serve to no purpose, and are every where prone of their own accord to subtilties, but in the point of life and health, they snore away their time in a deadly sleepiness.
You say right, for if we look upon the law, it is so imployed about subtilties and explications of their Placita, that the heights, [Page 5] whereunto humane wit, is with so wonderful admiration wrapt, and with so great delight beholds it self, are by a singular prerogative tearmed the subtilties of the law.
But they are not so vain as your sermocinal toys, in that they are collected, to get, and defend the right of every man.
Well, let them pass, and let us now go on to look into the business of Theologie: What mighty things do not the Chaires, and Pulpits hope for, by the diligent inquisition of questions.
I understand you in both, and I would to God that man had need of none of them. For this Meum and Tuum, would with less fraud, and lingring be setled, and distributed.
Away, away then with these fond subtilties, whereof there will be no heed taken at the latter day. For so the Apostolick sincerity would return unto us; Sic accepi sicque tradidi vobis. At least they shal undergo a more mild judgement, which have been in this life, most alienated from them.
I think so too. But alas, in Physick (where search is most necessary, profitable and out of charity commended:) almost all things have bin untouched, through a vawning or gaping [Page 6] laziness, prone to subscribe unto the waiward follies of such as have been ignorant; and those have been more hurtful, then the residue, who range through Markets, and run from house to house to sell health, and banish diseases which they know not.
Was this never taken notice of by others,?
There have been curso [...]ie doubts, more then once moved in our Academies about the trust which may be given to Theorems, left us by the Gentles, which do indeed by their onely facility, veil or draw a curtain over their vanity, and may upon the first looking on them, breed a suspittion, that they are not what they should be.
I must confess what you say in Physick. And it is confirmed also, by the long lives of such Nations, as use no Physitians: Again it is confessed also, by our more indifferent Physitians themselves.
Well remembred; for of late, I demanding of a pious, modest, and most renowned Physitian, (who lived in Lovain, and had friends at Court, and had cured Princes there, and was more fit then any man to make a reader) why he sought not after some lecture? He ingeniously answered, that it [Page 7] was not lawful, to deiiver any other kind of doctrine to his auditors then Galens. And so [saith he] I shall wittingly damn mine own soul, teaching worse while I know better. Thus therefore you see, that what I know and divulge to all men; the same others know as well as I, but dare not.
Good God, how long will this dull feeling be continued on Physitians? And with so much cruelty be practised against thy handy Workmanship? Suffer O infinite goodness, suffer mortal men to know, and acknowledge, that the Devil Moloch envies no subtilties, but such as are winnowed in the way of charity, and such as are concerning and conserving of the life of thine own image.
Amen. Thus I pray also with you. For ever since my beginning, so immeasurable a credulity of principles, and so great slo [...]h in men about a matter of so gre [...]t moment, have much perplexed me: And the compassionating thereof, hath daily encreased in me. And hereupon at last, having gotten a little light, I came, [to my infinite sorrow] to take notice that the errours of the Schools should be laid open and made appear by me.
How say you? By you?
By me. Though I must tell you, that at my first entrance, it seemed a thing full of unbridled arrogancie to me, that I the least of all men, should brand every one that went before me, with ignorance of Phylosophical veritie: And that I should attribute the gift of curing to my self onely. I therefore besought the Lord, that he would take his Talent into his own hand again, and that he would be pleased to rid me wholly of it, and to dispose of it to some other, which was more worthy of it, for I knew that he that could be well retired, knew how to live well; at the least morally; especially in time so ulcerous. I therefore staied awhile, and of late I debate this ignorance of the principles of curing, with a purpose to propose it to this World, that harbour'd it; till being now aged, compelled by necessity, and being in the agonie of death, I promised my God, that I would with all sweetness lay open this his Talent, lest in his strict judgement I might be thought to have come in vain into the World; and gone from hence again unprofitable. For by a Vision in my sleep, it was given me to understand, 1. That I feared more the obloquies of men, then I did the indignation of God himself; 2ly, That nature was crafty in [Page 9] pretending out of deceiptful humane respects, that the pure obedience to Gods command herein, was pride; and 3ly, That I did not see mine own arrogancie, to be placed in a fear, that I should not bring things abou [...], so nobly, and plausibly, and with such Magnificencie as was required against judicious men, from so many ages rising up against me; rather then in pure obedience, to the most glorious giver of this verity; yea and that 4ly, I did not commiserate my neighbor. 5ly, That I hid my talent in the ground, looking back upon the uncertain worldly censures made upō me.
These were great motives to look about you.
Indeed, I knew that the gates of Physick had now for many ages been shut up, & that the locks and bolts thereof were covered with rust, so that I was doubtful of them; as if I presumed that the porters office had been mine, and not given me from elswhere. Therefore I resolved with my self, to do what charitie, and not what arrogancie should command me; knowing, that he which lookt unto the Publique, could not be injustious, though it were a shame to such, as have rashly subscribed to the toys and trifles of the Gentles; yea, though mankind were thereby damaged. [Page 10] At last therefore, between shame, and fear of so great a busines, I paus'd; and often putting up my pen, I again besought his Divine Majesty, that he would be pleased to make choise of some one, who might be worthier then I am. Whereupon God being justly angry, suffered this evil and and unprofitable Servant, to be sifted by the Devil. For an order whose Zenith is the house of powers; and whose Nadir are all other orders; began to persecute me causeiess, with unworthy devises. Then presently I knew the hand of God had touched me. And therefore in the full tempest of my persecutions, I wrote that Volumn which is intituled, Ortus Medicinae, that is, Initia Physica inaudita, wherein I discovered the errours of the Schools, which ordinarily occur in curing. I mean I have given ou [...], and demonstrated new principles of diseases, as also Theorems unheard of hitherto; that Academies leaving the vanities of the Gentles might accustome themselves to truth hereafter.
A faire resolution, had it not been hindered by those persecutions.
Shall I tell you? I from that time found such a sabbath in my soul, as I never [Page 11] found in the heighth of my Prosperities, insomuch as I being full of suspition, was grieved that so great afflictions, did no whit disturbe the quiet of my mind, or sleep of body; wherein I cannot, O God, my protector, sufficiently praise the abundance of thy mercies, which suffered my soul no whit to be dism [...]'d, under so gre [...]t troubles, which surrounded me on every side; but kept me in a full fruition of peace, and Quietness; fearing onely this one thing, lest I might as an unprofitable Servant, be buried with so great a Talent.
But what if any man shall interpret this zeal of yours for a proud boasting?
I give him all liberty, so he hurt not himself therein: for I shall rejoice to undergo all confusion for the good of my n [...]ighbour, and his prosperity; for so, I shall enjoy mine own desire, whether my bold endeavours, be, or be not interpreted a rashness in me. And God the G [...]rdiner will doubtless water that, which he would have increased. For in my Book de Febribus I have declared the beginnings of my penitencie, and how I fell away, and differ both from Galen and Avicen, by reason of the falsities, [Page 12] I found in these two curing pillars; whence afterwards a singular confidence increased in me, though then a youth, whereby I willingly exposed my self to the injurious censures of all men, for my neighbours sake: and by little and little as time ran on, God looked down upon the candor of my zealousness, and being now a man, he let mee see, that whatsoever was taught in the School of Physick, was full of breaches and of ruine; and that they should hereafter be the scorn of all men.
Good God, how much then should you fear the greatness of Gods clemencie, which had revealed (as you say) to little ones, that which hath for so many ages, been denied unto men, which have been otherwise, both most religious and most ingenious.
Nay further, though thence I were assured, that the manifestation, of that received talent of truth, was laid on me: yet is nature easily drawn to find excuses, and deceives her self, and her distractions by the helps of reason, which attend upon her. For presently (O fie how much am I ashamed of mine inconstancie) I flung the burthen from my shoulders which I took [Page 13] upon me; saying, O Lord, who am I? I want those more solid things, which I should surrogate, or put in place of those things, which should be depressed. For whatsoever, I had formerly believed, to have been laid as a command upon me; I again suspected, through the suggested craft of Sathan. Because I wanted hidden remedies (viz.) the priviledge, and testimonies of my mission. Wherefore in my younger dayes, I was long since perswaded; that the very Art of Physick was nothing else but a meer imposture, invented by the idle Graecians, and brought at first to that perfection it hath for the destruction of the conquering Romans, and afterwards confirmed, to bring calamities on all men, whereunto our humane credulity, had, through a conceived hope so easily subscribed: and so this Physical religion, bred it's own authority; because for the most part, wee believe too easily that, which we desire most greedily. And ever since that time, I assured my self that the Physick of the Academies, was a thing of nothing; and hereunto as well incurable diseases, as the vanitie of experiments, lend me their votes and suffrages; and now at last, other helps come flowing in on all sides, [Page 14] because Physitians are every where, seen to be exposed to scorn and ignominie. And to this my wandring phantasie, that Philosophy it self, which is read to youth, now condescendeth. Viz That the Logick, Physick, and Metaphysick of the Schools (for which in times past, Pythagoras chose unto him some few onely, and those of the better sort of Schollers, to be instructed, under the discipline of many years silence, ratified by an oath, that they would never reveal to any man, any thing of that which he had read unto them,) were not such as we supposed, but another kind of Doctrine. For I suspected rather, that some introductions were there delivered, unto Pyrotechni, than unto that science, that Galen layes open in a Graecian multiloquacity. Long also before Pythagoras, every man was accustomed, to set down faithfully in their Temples, whatsoever had been profitable unto his in Hieroglyphicks: for so much necessitie, and so inward calamitie, had brought that about, th [...]t, by this meanes, they might without envie bee delivered to posteritie. While then this art of Physick grew in my conceit, to bee contemptible; I fell upon a Text of Scripture, often read, but never hitherto understood.
What Text could that be?
That the most high had created the Ecclu [...]. 38 1. Physitian, and given command hee should bee honoured, for the necessitie which was of him.
Why? How understood you this Text?
I presently apprehended in it; First, That he which had created all things, doth notwithstanding singularly glory, that hee created the Physitian. Secondly, that for his glory [and] the emanation of his goodness, towards the necessities, help, and comfort of sick people; God would be appeased by the Physitian, in restoring that health which he had taken from them. Thirdly, that hee to whom all honour and glory is due, had commanded that onely parents, and those Physitians which he created should be honoured; as if the Physitian had something of a father in him. Fourthly, in my virility, I after made no small, though doubtfull inquisition, who that happy man should be, whom the Highest had from eternity destined, chosen, and created for a Physitian, and hence had also given command he should be honoured. Whether peradventure it might be he, who had read over the institutions, and some clasclassick [Page 16] Authors; and had meausur'd out a ful triennial residence within some Academi [...], and at last through disputations and examinations, by Professors, should be sent out, a candidate, admitted as well by secular power, as ecclesiastical? Or whether it were he who in the same title of Physitian, was grown old under anothers suffering, and in the mean time, full of years, experiments, and monies? Then I perceived that the infirm stood in need of a Physi [...]ian, whom the Highest had created, and was compleatly instructed: And that the sound man wanted no Physitian to stand by him, to command the Kitchin, to number his bits, and give rules for diet. On the other part I considered, Quod unguentarius, conficeret pigmenta Suavitatis nec consumarentur opera e [...]us: Nec esset medicamentum exterminii in terris: Which sounded thus. That the true Physitian shall cut down all diseases, with an equal sithe, and that with these are no sicknesses incurable.
Certainly this is a memorable difference between that Physitian, which the highest had created, and him, whom the Acadamies have created, after the doctrine of the Gentiles.
It is so, and hereupon an immeasurable catalogue of incurables, presently represented themselves unto me: as if God had had no care of them at all; or that such diseased people were not sick: as who should say, that for their necessities, he had created neither a Physitian, nor Physick in the Universities. For these men do not onely cast such patients into desperation; but they number also those diseases, which of their own accord are cured, among such diseases as are desperate; yea they hold the Quartan, and such infirmities, as for some years together keep their constant roots, and are for the most part, through an inbred tedious irksomness of Nature finished; (I say they hold these) as incurable. And unless the remaining diseases, should run themselves at last unto a period, they would all in conclusion bee equally added to the incurable: for the most part, know not how to take away the tootheche, but by pulling out the tooth. And so peradventure in an old headache, they would for healths sake, give command that the head be taken from the shoulders, could the life be safe without it.
I see then that after many toilsome years, it troubled you, that you had known [Page 18] and learned nothing more then nothing.
You say right, for though I believed that God created the Physitian, and simple Medicines also, yet I stuck at the knowledge of this Physitian, and the things he used, and that made me often sigh, and wish, O that I could come at length to be but scholler to such a Physitian.
But in the mean season you knew assuredly, that the art of Physick which the Grecians, and the Arabians had laboured in; and that also, which the Jews feign they have received, by tradition from the R [...]bins, under their Kabala, was far different and distant from that, whereof the holy Text makes mention, did you not?
I did so; and therefore at last, it came into my minde, that the science of Physick, should by the means, intention, and end thereof have a good beginning. As that it was, Donum bonum, descenden [...] a patre Jac. 1. 17. luminum; And that therefore this never descended first upon the Ethnicks, and Jews, however our credulity may suppose them inspired: as being such whom God created not Physitians, nor for our necessities, no nor to be honour'd; but such whom God had seriously commanded to be shunned.
I pray you describe unto mee this Physitian which you speak of.
The Physitian that is created of God is not defective, nor given to gain, neither is he an enemy of Christians, but full of charity.
Have you noted the rarity of this good guift in any man?
The first time I took notice of it was in Diascorides. Who in the days of Plato (wherein he lived) described the histories of hearbs; and from that time hitherto, there is scarce any thing added to him, but much taken from him. And therefore for these 2300 years, scarce any light hath descended from above upon this doctrine of hearbs; though it bee a thing of much use, and very necessary; wherefore I conjectured that in other orders, of obstruser knowledges, this heavenly light hath f [...]ln but sparingly; but least of all upon the Gentiles, Atheists and perfidious Jews, who are secluded from truth, and charity; and therefore by the God of light, are left, and given over.
The births of things, as they are tied to the fulness of times, whereof we are ignorant: so doubtless the true guift of healing, descendeth not, but upon a maturity of Gods [Page 20] appointment. Nor will a light that's given gratis, shine at our pleasure; for he that made all things as he would, will also make them when he will, and perfect them in whom he will.
'Tis very right, for I am now grown old, as being above these 40 years of this society of Physitians; and but now at last, in this old age of mine, it comes unto my knowledge, that the Theorems of the Schools must be by me subverted; that presently all things in the next age following, may fall in pieces, as being destitute of the lime, or morter of Truth, which should make them stick together?
What certainty had you of this guif [...] of healing?
So great a certainty, and so venerable an authority, that I was not onely sensible of the giver; but that he was also interpreter of his guift unto mee. So that now all doubt is banisht from me.
What kinde of knowledge is this you speak of?
Such a knowledge as is far more certain, then that, that's formed by demonstration. For there is no ability or power, in, or of words, whereby we may communicate this certainty.
Shall those who reade your Medenda Initia know it?
I know that all who reade them, shall not be equal sharers in the fruit of them: for God will ever remain, the dispenser of this guift of his.
What have you said then all this while?
What I have said, is said to let you know, that there is a cloud cast about this guift, by mine indignity, that hee that can, may catch the course of Nature. For my hope was, that as the number and cruelty of diseases was increased, so God would inspire the guift of healing, into the abject little ones of this universe. And as he sent into the last age, before this of ours Paracelsus, a rich forerunner in the knowledge, of resolving bodies, and of glorious remedies: so, it might come to pass, that he would now add this science of Adeption, which Paracelsus wanted.
If it might without offence bee lawfull, I could willingly hear of an enquiry made after the reason of that divine decree, for which that adept guift of healing descends so little upon Christians?
I profess and affirm, that the Schools [Page 22] withstand it, by their head-strong insisting on the Gentiles principles; and also that all Physick is exercised for gain, ever since its first beginning: which is onely among Arts to be endeavoured and followed out of pitty, and compassion: and not as if we should grow merry, and live pompously, and wax rich, upon the afflictions, and spoils of miserable creatures. Wherefore lucre hath snatched away from men their necessary disposition; and the falsity of Pagan doctrine, hath turned the adept guift of curing clean another way.
Wherein consists the seeking it, or hunting after it?
In compassion towards the sick, in unlearning of false Theorems; and in putting on a profound humility of spirit.
How shall we know when we have this humility?
When you are no longer pu [...] up with better, nor depressed by disorder: so shall the minde in an humble intritive knowing of its nothingness, be emptied of all sciences introduced by inductions of reason. And then (I say) then the most high God, sc [...]rce suffereth a minde to be empty, but he presently fils the same, with the plentifull beam of his light.
But though you say this guift of curing descends from above, I cannot think but you have met with many; which would have Physick to be learned after that way that other Arts are learned.
You think aright, for, say they, the understanding is a natural power, and every natural power is born, to operate its proper effect; but the proper effect of the understanding is intellection. Therefore a man naturally understands all things understandable, as the proper objects of the understanding. Further, they say the faculty of Physick is intelligible, and therefore it descends not from above.
How do you answer them?
Thus the soul and its understanding are not immediate works of Nature, as rising from the supernatural fountain; and so, according to their beginning, though the understanding be a natural faculty of the soul, yet is it not at all to bee computed amongst those faculties which are meerly natural: Faith tells us, that Deus creavit Medicum. So that Ars Medendi speaks something, above the common rule of things created, nor doth the adeption thereof come by the way of other Sciences. For Nabuchadonozar testifies, [Page 24] the taking away and the restoring of the understanding. So doth Nolite fieri sicut Psa. 32. 9. equus & mulus quibus non est intellectus; which had been spoken to no purpose, if the understanding should be equally distributed by Nature, Further, this understanding (which they here speak of) doth not exercise its natural, or intellectual act, but as it draws some kinde of Notions, discoursing from the observations which it received, from the perception of the senses; as being altogether ignorant of the causes a priori: But to the Science of Physick, there is a certain clearness of light required, which far exceeds that knowledge by the senses, yea, and by consequences of causes to the effectus, after the putations (or I think so's) induced to them by reason; which are for the most part all deceitfull. For we have it from faith, that the understanding, together with the totallity of humane Nature, and so consequently how clear soever it be, at first sight, perceiveth not the propositions to be true, which surpass the sense, unless it be by the affluence of a supernal light. For example. I often reade attentively some place in a book, and though I understand the words, yet I gather the sense thereof beyond all hope; but once [Page 25] onely admiring much my former readings: this kinde of knowledge, I call knowledge of grace: And so the understanding how clear soever, doth not always assent to truth, because it naturally perceives it not (and hence come factions in Scienc [...]s, and Religion) so likewise in the guift of curing, there is something more noble, and superior, to that which formed in the imagination, by a foreexistent knowledge of the senses: which is true, solid, good, and far above the authority of consequences; yea, such as cannot be properly taught, nor yet demonstrated.
Of what kinde of th [...]se infused Sciences is this Adeptum or guift of curing? For I suppose there are many of them.
I would not have you understand me, that the Adept of curing, is such an infused Science, as in times past shined to Bezeliel, Exod. 31. 2. and 36. 1. and Oholiab, much less, such as in a large showr, raigned down upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, whereby they presently spake in various languages: Nor yet is this Adept of healing wholly therefore of the sublunaries: for the eternal wisedome created his Physitian singularly above other creatures; and therefore there is something of more Majesty required for him, then for such [Page 26] other professions; which hee had not commanded to be honoured. For all our understanding otherwise in Nature, ariseth onely by way of discourse, supposition, consequent, and inquisition, and that wholly a posteriori. Wherefore all this kinde of knowledge, leanes upon uncertainty. And therefore between the ordinary way of understanding, and infused Sciences of the first degrees, there are certain large receptacles, or Latitudes in an understanding, supernaturally arising one above another, which are particularly every one in its degree distinguished.
I would you could prove me this.
I prove it thus. Every good guift descendeth from the Father of Lights: The Adept of curing is a good guift, therefore it descendeth from the Father of Lights. Our faith confirms the Major, and the Minor is apparent, in that, the Physitian as such is created by the Father of Lights?
How reply they to this?
By a kinde of similitude, and nothing to the Syllogism.
As how I pray?
Thus, the knowledge of God is of greater difficulty, then that of Physick; but the Gentiles by the operations of the understanding, [Page 27] have naturally found out the existence of the Deity, therefore have they much more easily attained, to the natural Science of Physick.
What answer made you?
I granted all, had they not brought in four Termini. Therefore as no man can by Nature draw the light of faith: but onely by a shadowed kinde of knowledge; so, I grant, that in the guift of curing; by observations of helpfull things, and hurtfull, there may a kinde of curing knowledge be atchieved: But this knowledge is indeed, so shadowy, and blinde, that it is repugnant altogether unto the Text, which to no purpose, should have said, that God created the Physitian, as such, and that he should be honoured, unless some light should shine in this created Physitian, above the vulgar, ordinary, and naturall intellectual power of the soul.
But now what proofs bring you against those Atheists, Jewes, and Gentiles, which you spake, that they never received this guift of curing?
No other, or farther fetched, then that it is de facto, that sickness, remedies and their appropriations, are at this day unknown [Page 28] to all mortals. For it is an inevitable argument, that, hitherto the Adept of curing hath been unknown: Therefore God gave it not the Paganism in former ages, nor to the Schools which followed those blinde conductors. And the correlative of this is, that whosoever assenteth not to the doctrine of the Pagan Schools, is secluded from the true principles of curing. Th' Assumpt I shall God willing demonstrate in a large Volumn, viz. That the principles of the knowledge of causes, and roots in diseases, remedies, and appropriations, have remained unknown. The consequent is cleer of it self, unless they can shew that every good guift is derived from elsewhere, then from God. For to the establishment of the guift of curing, it should suffice, that though that guift, be so near to the nature of the understanding, that for the propinquity and alliances of natural objects, it be customarily attributed to natural Sciences, apprehended by a simple understanding: yet, at least, in that it includes the guifts of prudence, councel, &c. which are Charismata, or gracious guifts of the Holy Ghost: doubtless the guift of healing should be derived, brought, and expected from such a beginning, as is altogether scituate above the [Page 29] Orb of Nature. For oftentimes a man that's drowned in the depth of dreams, upon a suddain conceives a knowledge, which while he was awake he never ob [...]aned. For Nox Psal. 18. 3. 19. [...]. nocti indicat Scientiam. And so a man often reades a place, oft read before without fruit, from whence at length he takes a resolutiton to amend his life. And do not these things descend from the Father of Lights?
It should seem they do.
Then are these Sciences (without doubt) infused; though they be not of the more excellent orders of them; I mean they are Talents, whereon a well formed understanding afterwards buildeth profitable doctrines. Dan. 12. 3. For Docti, (as such) fulgebunt (before or above the unlearned) in regno C [...]lorum, if for doctrines cause their souls shall have habilitated, or made themselves fit to, or for the greater Charismata. For Almighty God pleased himself, in the diversity of mansions, chores, brightness, and understanding of Angels, likewise of men, as their associates. At least it makes in favour of the guift of curing, that among the seven Spirits, nearest to the Throne of God, one is called Medicina Dei. and he is above Principalities, Raphiel. Tobit. 12. 15. Thrones, Powers, and Dominations. [Page 30] And yet the inhabitants of Heaven, are not diseased, nor need they Physick. Neither is this Medicina Dei, to be taken metaphorically, Tobit. 6. 6 7, 8. 1 [...]. 11. 12. 3. as knowing the proprieties, even in the gall of fishes. But now let us fall upon this business in our following Dialogues.
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 ye 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.
Reader, These Books following are printed for Nath. Brook, and are to be sola at his Shop at the Angel in Cornhil.
- 1. TImes Treasure or Academy for the Gentry, for their accomplishment in argum [...]nts of discourse, habit, fashion; summed up all in a Character of Honour: By R, Brath. Esq.
- 2. B. Morton on the Sacrament, in folio.
- 3. That excellent piece of Physiognomy and Chiromancy, Me [...]oposcopy, the Symme [...]rical Proportions and signal Moles of the Body; the subject of Dreams: To which is added the Art of M [...]mory; By R. Sanders, Fol.
- 4. Theatrum Chemicu [...] Britanicum, containing several Poetical pieces of our famous English Philosophers, which have written the Hermetick Mysteries in their ancient language: By the truly noble, Elias Ashmol [...] Esq.
- 5. Chiromancy: Or, the Art of Divini [...]g by the Lines engraven in the hand of Man by D [...]me Nature, in 19. Genitures; with a learned Discourse of [Page] the soul of the Worl [...]: By Geo. Wharton, Esq.
- 6. Catholick H [...]story, collected and gathered out of Scripture, Councils, and ancient Fathers, in answer to Dr. Vanes lost sheep returned home: By Edward Chesen [...]ale, Esq.
- 7. Tactometrica, or the Geometry of Regulars, after a new manner, in Solids: with usefull Experiments, never be [...]ore extant, for Gauging; a work usefull for all that are imployed in the Art Metrical: By John Wyberd, Dr. in Physick.
- 8. An Astr [...]logical Discourse, with Mathematical Demonstrations, proving the influence of the Planets and fixed S [...]ars upon Elementary bodies. By Sir Chr. Heydon, Knight.
- 9. Magick Astrologie vindicated by H. Warren.
- 10. Catastrophe Magnatum: by N. Culpepper.
- 11. Ephemerides for the year 1652. by N. Culpepper.
- 12. Lux Veritatis, Judicial Astrologie vindicated, and Demonologie confuted: By W. Ramsey, Gent.
- 13. The History of the Golden Ass.
- 14. The painting of the Ancients, the beginning, progress, and consum [...]ating of that noble Art.
- 15. Israels Redemption, or the Prophetical History of our Saviours Kingdom on earth: By R. M.
- 16. An introduction to the T [...]utonick Philosophy, being a determination of the Original of the Soul: By C. Hotham, Fellow of Peter [...]he [...]se in Cambridge.
- [Page]17. Teratologia: Or, a Discovery of Gods Wonders, manifested by bloudy Rain & Waters: By J. S.
- 18. Fons Lachrymarum: or, a Fountain of Tears; with an Elegy on Sir Charles Lucas, by J. Quarles.
- 19. O [...]dipus: or a Resolver of S [...]crets in Nature, and resolution in amorous, natural Problems, by C. M.
- 20. The Celestial Lamp, enlightning every distressed soul from the depth of everlasting darkness, by T. Fetisplace.
- 21. Nocturnal Lucubrations, with Epigrams, and Epitaphs: by R. Chamberlaine.
- 22. The unfortunate Mother, a Tragedy; by T. M.
- 23. The Rebellion, a Comedy; by T. R.
- 24. The Tragedy of Messalina, by N. Richards.
- 25. A Treatise of Contentation, fit for these sad and troublesome times, by J. Hall, B. of Norwich.
- 26. The grand Sacriledge of the Church of Rome, in taking away the sacred Cup from the Laity at the Lords Table, by D. Featley, D. D. 4.
- 27. The cause and cure of Ignorance, Errour, and Prophaneness; or a more hopefull way to Grace and salvation: by R. Young. 8.
- 28. A Bridle for the Times, tending to still the Murmuring, to settle the Wavering, to stay the Wandring, to strengthen the Fainting: By J. B. of Yarm.
- 29. Comforts against the fear of Death, wherein are several evidences of the work of Grace; by J. C.
- 30. Iacobs Seed; or the excellency of seeking God by Prayer: By Ier. Burroughs.
- [Page]31. The zealous Magistrate a Serm. by T. Threscot.
- 32. Britannia Rediviva, a Sermon before the Judges, Aug. 1649, by I. Shaw, Minister of Hull.
- 33. The Princess Royal, a Sermon before the Judges March 24. 1650. By I. Shaw, Minister of Hull.
- 34. New Ierusalem, in a Sermon for the Society of Astrolog [...]rs, Aug. 1651.
- 35. Quakers cause at second hearing, being a full answer to their Tenets.
- 36. Divinity no enemy to Astrologie: a Sermon for the Society of Ast [...]ologers, for the year 1653. by Dr. Th. Swadling.
- 37. Historical Relation of the first planting of the English in New England, in the year 1628. to the year 1653. and all the material passages happening there exactly performed.
- 38. Select Thoughts: or, Choice Helps for a pious spirit, beholding the excellency of her Lord Jesus: by I. Hall, B. of Norwich. A new piece.
- 39. The holy Order, or Fraternity of Mourners in Zion. To which is added, Songs in the night: or, Chearfulness under affliction: by I. Hall, Bishop of Norwich. A new piece.
- 40. History of Balaam & Jonah, and John the Baptist in Verse; with other Poems: by J. Harvie, Esq.
- 41. Re-assertion of grace, Vindici [...] Evangelii: or, the Vindication of the Gospel. Or a reply to Mr. Anthony Burghess Vindiciae Legis, and to Mr. Rutherford, by Robert Town.
- [Page]42. Anabaptists anatomized and silenced: or a dispute with M. Tombs, by M. J. Crag, where all may receive satisfaction in that controversie; the best extant.
- 43. The sum of practical Divinity; or the grounds of Religion in a catechistical way; by Mr. Christopher Love, late Minister of the Gospel: a useful piece.
- 44. The Yorkeshire Spaw or the vertue and use of those waters in the curing of desperate diseases, with rules necessary to be known by all that repair thither.
- 45. That compleat piece called, The exact Surveyor of Land, shewing how to plot all manner of Grounds, and to reduce and divide the same: also Irish measure reduced to English statute measure, usefull for all that either sell or purchase: by J. Eyre.
- 46. Judgement set, and Books opened. Religion tried whether it be of God or Men: by M. Webster.
- 47. Milk for children, or a plain and [...]asie method, teaching to Read, and to Write; with brief Rules for School-masters to instruct their Schollers in, and Masters to instruct their families in: by Dr. Thomas.
- 48. Culpeppers last Legacies, left to his Wife, for the publick good, being the choisest and most profitable Secrets, which while he lived was lockt up in his breast, resolved never to be published till after his death; being experiments in Physick and Chyrurgery, compounding Medicines, &c.
- 49. Culpeppers Semiotica, or his Astrological judgment of Diseases, much enl [...]rged from the Decumbiture of the sick, the way to find out the cause, change, [Page] and end of the disease: also whether the sick be likely to live or die, with the signs of life and [...] d [...]ath by the body of the sick party, according to the judgement of Hippocrates, with a Treatise of Urines: by N. Culpeper.
- 50. Cornelius Agrippa, his fourth book of Occult Philosophy, or G [...]omancy; Magical Elements of Peter de Abbona, the n [...]ture of Spirits, made Eng [...]ish by R. Turner.
- 51. A Glimpse of Divi [...]e Light, being an Explication of some passages exhibited to the Commissioners of Whitehall for approbation of publick Preachers, against John Harrison of Lund. Chappel, Lancasbire.
- 52. The Qu [...]ens Closet epened; Incomparable Secret in Physick, Chyrurgery, preserving, candying, and cooking, as they were presented to the Queen, transcribed from the true Copies of her Majesties own Receipt books: by W. M. one of her late s [...]rvants.
- 53. The Conveyancers Light, or the compleat Clerk and Scriveners Guide; being an exact draught of all Presidents and Assurances now in use, as they were penned and perfected by divers learn [...]d Judges, eminent Lawyers, and great Conveyancers both ancient and modern; wher [...]unto is added a Concordance from K. Rich. 3. to this present.
- 54. A Satyre against Hypocrites; 4.
- 55. Iron Rod put into the Lord Protectors hand, to break in pieces all Antichristian power: by Io [...] Sanders.
- [Page]56. Wits Interpreter, the English Paruassus, or a guide to those admirable accomplishments that compleat our English Gentry in the most acceptable qualifications of Discourse or Writings; also the whole mystery of those pleasing Witchcrafts of Eloquence and Love, are made easie in the Art of Reasoning, Theatre of Courtship, Labyrinth of Fancies, Love songs, Drollery; the perfect Inditer of Letters a lamode: by I. C.
- 57. The Floating Island, a Trage-comedy acted before the King, by the Students of Christ Church in Oxford: by Dr. Stroude.
- 58. Paracelsus Occult Philosophy of the mysteries of Nature, and his secret of Alchimie.
- 59. Wit and Drollery, with other Jovial Poems, by Sir I. Iam. 1. Sym. 5. W. D. Never before Printed.
- 60. Illustrious Shepherdess, the imperious Brother; translated out of Spanish: a famed Romance.
- 61. Monarchy no Monarchy, with the Prophesies of the White King, and other explained, to which is added several Hieroglyphicks: by W. Lilly, Student in Astrologie. With his other Works.
- 62. Short hand Writing made most plain and easiest that ever was, newly published by I. Rich. Mr. in short-writing.
- 63. Tectonicon, shewing the exact measuring all manner of land squares, timber, stone, Steeples, Pillars, Globes, also the making and use of the Carpentes [Page] rule, &c. fit to be known by all Surveyors, Landmeters, Joyners, Carpentets & Masons: by L. Diggs.
- 64. Heaven and Earth shaken, a Treatise shewing how Kings and Princes, and their Goverments, are turned and changed: by I. Davis, Minister in Dover.
- 65. The Tears of the Indies, being an Historical Relation of the cruelties of the Spaniards in the Islands of Hispaniola, Cuba, Iamaica, &c. in the West-Indies: by Casaus Bishop in Spain, an eyewitness.
- 66. Themis Aurea, the Laws of the Fraternity of the Rossie Cross, written by Count Mayerus, and now Englished for to inform that honourable Society: by T. H.
- 67. Compleat Midwife's practise, in the high and weighty concernments of the Birth of Mankind: or perfect Rules derived from the Experiences and Writing [...], not onely of our Engl [...]sh, but the most accomplished & absolure practise of many French, Spanish, Italians, and other Nations, fitted for the weakest capacities, in a short time to attain the knowledge of the whole Art: by T. C. and others.
- 68. Sportive Wit, the Muses Merriment, a new spring of Drollery, Jovial Fancies, &c.
- 69. I. Tradescan's Rarities, published by himself.
- 70. Most approved Medicines and R [...]medies for the diseases in the body of Man: by Alex. Read, Dr. in Physick.
- 71. Art of Simplng, an introduction to the knowledge [Page] and gathering of Plants, wherein the Definitions, Divisions, Places, Descriptions, Differences, Names, Ver [...]ues, times of flourishing and gathering, Uses, Tempera [...]ures, Signatures of Plants. To which is added, a Discovery of the Lesser World: by W. Coles.
- 72. Wilsfords Arithmetick, made plain to the easiest capacity, in two books, viz. Natural and Decimal, being most useful for all Gentlemen, Merchants, shopkeepers, and all others: by Tho. Wilsford, Gent.
- 73. Adam in Eden, the Paradise of Plants, a Description o [...] all our Engl [...]sh Plants, wild or otherwise, with their Signatur [...]s applied to the parts of the body of Man, wich their Physical use, that a man may be his own Physitian, the ingredients being to be had in every field and ga [...]den: made publ [...]ck by W. Coles. M. D. for the ben [...]fit of all English men.
- 74. The perfect Cook; a right method of the Art of Cookety, restoring the whole practice to a more refined way then was ever before extant.
- 75. Medicina Magica, Tamen Physica, the method of curing diseases by Sympathy and Antipathy; a work fit to be known by all: by S. Bolton.
- 76. The Treasury of the Soul.
- 77. The expert Doctors Dispensatory; the whole Art of Physick restored to practice. The Apothecaries Shop, and Chyrurgians Closet, with all safe practises are maintained: a usefull piece.
- 78. The History and Nature of Meteors, with the Weathers prediction: by T Wilsford, Gent.
- [Page]79. The proceeding of the High Court of Justice against the late King Charls, with his Speech upon the Scaffold, and other proceedings, Ian. 30. 1648.
- 80. Sir Kellum Digby's and other Ladies of Honour, their Physick and Chyrurgery; with preserving, &c.
- 81. Cabinet of Jewels; Mans misery, Gods mercy, Christs treasury, &c. in eight Sermons; with an Appendix of the nature of Tythes under the Gospel; with an Expediency of Marriage in publick Assembly: by Io. Cragg, Minister of the Gospel.
- 82. The mysteries of Love and Eloquence, or the Arts of Wooing and Complementing; in which are discovered the pleasures, recreations of perswasive Language, whether by Letters or other usual or mor [...] secret Dispatches, &c.