Man is more miserable then al Ani­mals and the reasons therefore.

There is not any more Mise­rable than Man by reason of his unsatiable desire and disorder­ly Appetite: for continually he is hunting after new food, and ha­ving found any according to his taste, he devoureth them after such a fashion that I exceedingly admire that the bellyes of many are not already rotten and infe­cted by that excesse of drunken­nesse and debauchery which they do commit. I am amazed in thinking of it. And what doth there proceed from it? except [Page 3] abundance of Rheums; Catharrs, and infinite other kindes of disea­ses, which do nothing but adulte­rate change and corrupt, this se­cond part of our generation, The treasure of life, the seat of the Naturall heate, the matter or substance of the seed, and of the Milke of the Duggs or Papps, that is to say, the Blood: which is so well dispersed and mingled through all the parts of our bo­dies, that there is not any one of those parts which doth not receive its nourishment from it; and there is not any good thing in us which is not maintained and supported by It. It is the Mother of the spi­rits which does impregnate the seat of the faculties, for the main­taining the strength of the whole Body, which does foment and entertain its primitive moisture; It is so replenished with spirits, that the conservation thereof is [Page 4] the cause of our life; insomuch that some have esteemed that it was the proper seat and habitati­on of the Life, and that there­fore our unruly wills accompa­nied with our (more then unrea­sonable) Debaucheries are causes that this continuance of our lives is almost wholly extinguished.

One shall see nothing else in the Countryes but Doctors and Docteresses for the renewing of this scource of our lives; so many bloodings made improperly, that I wonder that instead of helping their Patients, they do not de­stroy them.

The diligence of the Learned Chir­urgion praised.

Not that I would here blame the diligence of the Learned & skilful Physitian and Chirurgian, who as friends to nature do endeavour with all their might to preserve [Page 5] her in her health or integrity. And that by purging and cleansing, or evacuation; which last is not to be done but by incision of a Veine. This is called Phlebotomy [...] word Compounded of the Greek words [...], which signifies a Veine and [...], that is to say, division of whole parts.

The derivation of the word Phle­botomy.

Behold therefore why in par­ticular this word is taken for making incision of a Vein by which evacuation is made of blood and other humors contai­ned with it: Galen. 13. Method. Ch. 6. You must take notice that there are severall sorts of blood­ings; As of a Veine, of an Arte­ry, Scarrifications and others: we will speak especially as to Phlebotomy.

For what causes one should open a Vein.

We make bloodings for six principall causes, The first. To Evacuate. Secondly, To divert turn back or make Revulsion. Thirdly, To Attract. Fourthly, To Change. Fifthly, To preserve. And sixthly to alleviate; which is according as all those who have treated of this matter have defi­ned it. But let us content our selves with these two Causes, (to wit) Plethorall and Chachochy­micall: the one consists in no­thing but too great quantity of hu­mors, & the other in the evil qua­lity.

How far Phlebotomy doth extend its self.

But the benefit of Phlebotomy doth not extend it self only to the evacuation of the fulness, (which ought to be made according to [Page 7] the kinde or difference of it) but also to divert, and to drain which are the three sorts of eva­cuation. It serves also for great and extream paines principally when they proceed from Tenti­on, insomuch that all the learned Physitians and Chirurgions do hold that blooding, is a most excel­lent & assured remedy, if the rules requisite thereunto, be there­in well observed: yea more ready and secure then Laxative Physick, which being taken works imme­diately and forceth its operation, it not being in our power to hin­der it.

Phlebotomy more safe then purg­ing Physick.

But Phlebotomy (the Reines of the Conduct whereof we hold) doth nothing but what seems good unto us, forasmuch as we do stopp it and draw it forth, when we please. And [Page 8] in truth, among all Chirurgicall operations, blooding holds the first Ranke, because it is the Common remedy of diseases which proceed from Plethore, and Cacochymie, as we have said be­fore; both which are the Antece­dent causes of diseases.

What Plethore and Cacochymy is.

Let us then define what Pletho­re, and Cacochymie is, and then we will appropriate unto them Revulsion and Derivation.

Plethore is nothing else then a repletion of all the humors equal­ly increased, or else of the blood onely.

Cacochymie is a repletion of Choller Melancholy, or Phlegme. Plenitude hath two kindes the one Ad vires, and the other Ad vasa; there is another added unto them called, Supra vires.

The first, (to wit) Ad vires, [Page 9] Although that the blood be not excessive neither in quantity nor in quality, yet it may oppresse the weak powers notwithstanding; the other (to wit) Ad vasa sur­passeth the Naturall Symmetry or proportion; But although the vessells seem to burst by reason of the abundance of blood, if it doth not suffocate the powers, but it happens that the strength is debilitated thereby; This then shall be (plenitudo supra vires), But it must be taken notice, that Cacochymie is threefold, Chole­rick, Melancholick and Phlegma­tique. Enough of this: for he that would see more therein let him reade, Lafframboisiere in his [Loix de Medicine.]

Let us now return to Revulsi­on and Derivation where we find there is great difference between the one and th'other, forasmuch [Page 10] as the Revulsion is to be perfor­med on the Contrary part accor­ding to Galen.

Galen in the 5. of his Meth. Ch. 5.

If the right Nostril bleed, you must apply a Cupping-glass upon the Region of the Liver; but if both do bleed, you must apply two; th'one upon the right Hypocon­dre or flanck and the other upon the left: and if the distemper be strong, one must breathe the vein under the elbow. If the mouth and the throat be distempered, open the Cephalique, and it is Revulsion, and if one draw blood from the veines under the tongue, it is Derivation; In like manner, if the hinder part of the head ake, you must make Revulsion by the vein of the arme, then Derivation by the vein of the forehead; also Revulsion and Derivation must be [Page 11] made on the same side, (if it may be); as, if there be a Phlegmon in the Liver, you must breathe the Basilique or Mediane of the right Arme; If in the spleen, on the left; If in the kid­neyes, the Bladder, or privities, you must open the vein of the ham or Ankles. If in the right Leg, on the Right Arme; Gal. in his 13. meth. Ch. 11. and Aph. 36. d. 6. If in one Arme, on the other, and so of the rest, (if it maybe) as I said before; forasmuch as if there hap­peneth a Phlegmon in the Liver, and that the Right Arme should be hurt, one cannot nor ought not to take any blood from it, but you ought to take it from the o­ther Arme, or from the Ankle­veines.

[Page 12] Oribas l. 1. Ch. 22. Note that they Lance the Arteries, especially those of the Temples, to evacuate the hot windy humors which flow into the eyes and cause tedious paines of the head, vertigoes or swimmings of the head, which are principally cau­sed by hot things and windy, and the Arteryes behind the eares are for the same effect; Gal. 13. Me­tho. Ch. 22. One never lanc­eth the Great Arteries, as those of the Armes and other places; As well, because of the too great dissipation of the vitall spirits, as because there can be no agglutination or knitting made there, by reason of their conti­nuall moving, we will speak more largly hereof, hereafter.

Observations concerning blooding.

It is time now to know who are they who ought to be blooded, and those who ought not so to be; Those who can easily bear such lancing & to whom it can do no hurt, are those who have a strong constitution, the veins bigg, full, & large, who are neither lean nor wasted, who have their colour good and ruddy, their flesh firme hard and solid: those who are of a contrary disposition cannot bear it healthfully; neither must one blood Children, before the age of fourteen; nor old men after threescore and ten; unlesse in case of great and extream necessity; and considering this, That with the blood slides forth part of the life, which you must alwayes do prudently, (measure­ing the greatnesse of the disease with the power of the Patient's strength) to the end that one [Page 14] may easily judge of the matter or substance, and likewise of the e­vacuation; but you ought not on­ly to consider of the forces or vertue at present, but to know for the future if they will be suffi­cient to support the length and continuation of the disease: also you must observe, if those whom you blood have been accustomed to be lanced; For those who have not been accustomed to it, do not undergo it easily, Insomuch that Custome must be considered in all manner of evacuation espe­cially as to that of blood. More­over all those who have weak stomacks, or who are wrought on and opprest by the Dyarrhe or loosenesse and flux of the belly, or who undergo some indigestion, ought not to be blooded also the women with Childe ought to abstain from it, principally in their first and last months: also [Page 15] those who have used too great so­briety, those who are of a cold and Phlegmatick Nature, and those who Live in a Region or Air too cold or too hot, do not easily bear blooding. All things which weaken the powers, as horror and trembling, the immo­derate use of venery, too great frequenting the bath, the flux of the belly whether it be by nature or Physick, great perplexity and care, watchings, and labour and tedious diseases, do prohibit our use of blooding. For conclusion, whether to blood, or not to blood, All these things above mentioned, and severall others, must be observed (which I shall here omit) for fear of being ac­cused of writing any thing here, which hath been already long ago treated of by the more Learned: & somuch more for that reading their writings I lose my hopes [Page 16] of being able to say any thing up­on this subject, worthy to see the light.

All which would have been enough to have rendred my pen silent in this affaire, if the great­nesse of the case, (which ought to be examined by divers writings,) together with a good will which doth move my affection to be a­ble in something to serve in pub­lique, had not imboldened me unto it. And also to leave unto posterity some mark of my duty; And, that, as well, to solace and refresh the Memory of my Com­panions in Chirurgery (giving them also some entrance into Astrologicall observation) which few among them know.

The Charity of the Authour.

As also, for the health and benefit of those who are to be blooded, having alwayes pre­ferred, the health of the [Page 17] poor sick persons who need blooding, or those who use it to preserve themselves from diseases, before the ariving to my owne gain, and profit.

The great errour and Covetousnesse of some Phlebotomists.

Many of the Chirurgions of our time do let blood at all houres, at all times, at all seasons and all ages, without considering the power and strength of the party whom they Lance, (in­duced thereunto by this cursed desire of gain) never taking heed to the accidents which may come upon those who have bin blood­ed, making evacuation of more blood then they ought, or else making operation upon the Member at the time wherein the Starre is ruling or predominant there; insomuch that some are dead by reason of the undue ad­ministration [Page 18] of this Remedy, which hath cut of the use off their life; or if they be not killed thereby, they have fallen into a prolonged weaknesse, and their bodies are thereby cold, wan, and discoloured; and all this by the ignorance of the operant who will put himself to the perfor­mance of this so noble help of Nature, without being provi­ded of all those things which are Necessary for him, as well gifts of the body and minde, as other externall Instruments.

Condition of the Phlebotomist.

As to be young, well sighted, to have a steady hand, and exercised unto Phlebotomy, a good Anatomist to know the scituation of the veines, and of other parts of the body; for without that, he will be like unto a blinde man which cleaves wood. But it will not [Page 19] be from the matter to note here, that if the veines, should not be apparent, in the morning, you must not breath them, until about one a Clock in the day, and then those who are able to walk, let them use a little Exercise, and then the most occult, and Invi­sible veines (as one would say) will appear. But I have not men­tioned this here, except onely concerning those who have small veynes, and covered, either with flesh or fat; Also shall I not in­struct the Chirurgion to fill the veines by rubbings or bathing of the Member in warme water, Ligatures, and assuring the sick party not to put them to any pain, for it would be too Trivi­all.

What Instruments are to be used in Phlebotomy.

But I shall say (to return to [Page 20] our purpose) that the externall Instruments by which this ope­ation is to be accomplished, shall be good Lancets of several fashions, Ligatures, Swathes, Boulsters, Red pouder, burnt lint, to stop the blood if there be need of it, or with Cotton Pulverised according as we have shewn in our [Chirurgie Chymique.]

Default in Phlebotomists.

This default especially is found in the greatest part of the Phleboto­mists of our age, viz. That, of the knowledge of that so excellent & wonderfull Astrologie, without which it is as it were impossible to be able well to exercise Phy­sick, or Chirurgery upon our bo­dyes, which are by good right called a little world, for their having a great Sympathy with the great one, as I shall shew hereafter by the help of God; as also the observation that ought [Page 21] to be made in the Concurrence of the Starres, and the influence of them upon our bodyes, to the end that we may avoid those un­happy accidents which we see daily to happen to the share of those who have been blooded so inconsideratly. That which hath withdrawn me from picking and culling out, all the conditions requisite in this operation, as well for the Chirurgion as for the sick person, and other things requisite thereupon, is, I not having intended to treat on this subject, except of the two prin­cipall points of this operation, under which two may be Com­prehended all the rest, whosoe­ver will explain them. Notwith­standing I shall content my self to have traced this little path for some one who (indued with a more high Style, and accompa­nyed with a greater knowledge, [Page 22] provoked by one lesse then him­self,) shall have had a desire to have the knowledg of this science appear (above the small know­ledge which it hath pleased the divine goodnesse to give me) and to make the desires and lovers of true and perfect Chirurgery par­takers thereof; Provoked (I say) by this desire, doth stretch out his sayles of Eloquence to steere in a higher or greater Sea then I do. But winding up the thread of my discourse, I shall content my self, (I say) with these two princi­pal Points, that is to say, the time of Necessity and the time of Ele­ction.

The time of necessity from whence taken.

That of Necessity is in all times and seasons, and at all houres, without considering any thing which may hinder, pro­vided that the Necessity be cer­tainly [Page 23] known to be the most strong or pressing, as I shall men­tion in its place.

The time of Election from whence taken.

That of Election, is taken ei­ther from the nature of the body of the party who ought to be blooded, or of superiour, and external things; which ought to be a fair clear and clean day, and not Rainy, not by no meanes at new Moon, nor very near to the full. And rather in the spring then any other season. I shall declare also upon what parts of our bodyes the Planets and heavenly Signes do particu­larly rule; also in what day or hour, in what time or season; To the end that having the know­ledge of these things one may not commit so many errours in this operation, as are committed by the ignorant.

Protestation of the Authour.

Protesting that I have not writ this Tract possessed with a­ny other desire but to assist and help so many diseased persons, who dye for want of being well comforted by this excellent re­medy, and not to receive any glory thereby. But if I shall re­ceive some one spark, I do Con­secrate and dedicate it from hence forward to the Authour of all things. To whom, Father Son and holy Spirit, be glory, honour and praise, for ever, and ever, Amen.

The Auntients great Astrologers.

Which is more; Do we not read that Pericles King of the Athenians and Emperour, delivered, his Ar­my which was in Amazement from the Eclipse of the Sun, and this onely by the onely Science of Astrology, the practise where­of, if Ilicias had had, he had not lost his fair Triumphant Army in Sicily, being discomfited by a like motion. Which wound was not small to the Athenians, but the beginning of infinite mis­fortune. [Page 30] In short, to the end that such evils should not fall on the Romans, Sulpitius Gallus did prognosticate the Eclipse of the Moon, long time before, to the end that his horsemen should not be affrighted, and lose their courage by seeing these things: which are sufficient testomies to shew, that this Science was known by the Ancients, as well Physitians, as Kings, Princes, and other great Personages, which I omit for brevity sake, to the end that I may produce that excellent book of Guidon of Caulias, whereof our Chirurgions do make so great a Trophy. But it is onely to keep it in their closet, or to make it keep the shop; for if they did read attentively the most profitable discoveries made therein, they would learn that then when he speakes of the Superiour Root, and the inferiour [Page 31] Root in his Treatise of Phleboto­my, that he understands or meanes by the Superiour Root, no other thing but that the Chi­rurgion be advised in times of E­lection, to know and choose what Planet or what Heavenly signe concurs, in that time or in such an hour wherein he would make his operation. Also that he know, whether the Star that Go­verns the part, be there in the the same time, to the end to ob­viate or discover the strange Ac­cidents, which might be follow­ed by death or great diseases, as Ptolemie saith in the twenty sixth Proposition. But they will say; This would be very good if there were a meanes to learn all these things in a short time. In re­gard that our life is very short, & the Art very long, as the Prince of Pyhsiticians Hippocrates hath well observed. Hip. Lib. 1. Aph. 1.

Ex quovis ligno non fit Mercu­rius.

It is true, I agree with you: behold here the reason, where­fore all wood is not fit to make an Image of Mercury of. Since thou dost acknowledge thy self not to be fit to comprehend all that which is necessary to be known to a good Chirurgion, why doest thou not forbear to exercise this so excellent, and so admirable (yea more divine then humane) Science of Chirurgery, knowing well that we shall ren­der an Accompt before God of all our Actions. And it will not then serve for excuse to say, You had not a meanes to exercise any other calling, having had some entrance in this. And what pro­gresse is it, to make a beard for a Peasant though with a thousand [Page 33] scratches? to pull out a tooth, with a thousand pain? to know how to spread a Plaister like a Plaisterer or Mason? and so ma­ny other miseries, which are committed by the malicious ig­rance of many, all which I leave, that I may not be seen to go out of the line of my discourse, And say that beyond the great profit that Chirurgions do gather from the knowledge of Astrologie in this operation called Phleboto­my; It serveth yet very much to the healing of diseases, which come upon our bodies, also for gathering of Plants, and to dig out the Mettalls and Mineralls out of the bowels of the earth; of which one may prepare by the Art of Alchimy, most healthfull remedies; and administer them to the diseases which come into our bodies, by the mixtion or meeting of the three principall [Page 34] simples, whereof all bodies are Composed, (to wit) Sulphur Mercury, and Salt; from which three substances, all the diseases that proceed there from are called by their proper names, as Sul­phereous, Mercuriall, and Sal­tine: the which not making to this matter are contained in ano­ther Volume. In his Little Chy­micall Chirurgery.

But some one will aske me why are such names given to all diseases; Making this question, because they are ignorant (as they confesse it publikely) of the three first substances, whereof all bodies are composed, which are (as we have said) Sulphur, Salt and Mercury. Which substan­ces Hippocrates. Hip. Lib. de vet. med. Doth call in man; Bit­ter, Sweet, Salt and Moist: One whereof, (to wit) the Moist as being more apparant, he hath di­vided [Page 35] into four parts, which he calls Blood, Choller, Flegme, and Melancholy which is but the third part of that which consti­tutes the matter. And which also gives us to know the diseases growing by its depravation. Lib. de Genit. But the two others, his being silent, or letting them a­lone neglected hath buried the knowledge of diseases which are of their essence, which is the reason they are held incurable, if they do not determine by na­ture. These three substances are demonstrative, and by conse­quence may be Anatomized; but the four humours, not. Which things, or the like caused that pretty sentence to be pronounced by Fabius, that the Arts and Sci­ences would be happy, if there were none but wise and good unfolders, who should give the judgment.

The Common opinion of heading, re­jected.

But to answer and clear up what is above mentioned, I say, that it is materiall, not onely to know them in their true Anato­mie, with their originall and cause; but also, to give under­standing what ought to be the Re­medies, and the nature of Medi­caments necessary for their cure: so that the Common opinion doth not please me in any wise, which saith, Diseases are cured by their contraries. That is to say, the hot distempers by cold Medi­caments, and the cold ones by the hot, be it either in such or such a degree; which doth not seem unto me any way considera­ble. But rather regard ought to be had above all things, to the specifique virtue of Medicines, against every disease, because to heale well, one need not take [Page 37] great paines upon accidents, (As one who would extinguish the fire, doth not take paines a­bout the smoake,) because the disease being taken away, the ac­cidents discontinue. Notwith­standing, if the Accidents surpasse the disease, in this case one leaves the disease to take heed to the Accidents, as in the great Haemo­ragie (or flux of blood at the Fun­dament:) Oh thou second Hip­pocrates (divine Paracelsus) what great obligation have we unto thee; but rather, what obliga­tion have we not unto thee! for having conducted us even to the perfection of Physick. If the Learned Galen were living, I am certain he would say, (seeing the Bookes of Parracelsus) as he did formerly when he saw the books of Hippocrates, [Let us begin at them.] And I believe that in­stead of disparaging them, (as [Page 38] many Jack-Apes do,) he would give an entire explanation of them; which Apes, neither will nor can, take the paines to finde out new remedies, for the poor afflicted sick persons. Therein do­ing as a bad Shoomaker shooing e [...]ery man by the same Last: for in truth I am confident, there is a Thousand and a Thousand of those who say, that a hot remedy must be used to a cold disease, who know not to render a reason wherefo e it should be so done. But I will insist upon this, and do ask, Wherefore names are gi­ven to simple vegetalls, which do also belong to severall parts of our bodies, As the little Leaves and flowers of B [...]thonie to the head. Mirabolans, Citerinae; Al­leluga, or Sorrell; and Mellifol, or Baulme, to the heart. The Pul­monaria or Lungwort, to the Lungs. The Hepatica Lichen or [Page 39] Liver-wort, and the Jecoraria to the Liver. The Aspelnum to the Spleene. The Ʋmbilicus Vene­ris for the Navell. The Calamus Aromaticus, and Cassia fistula, for the Intestins. The Vesicaria for the Bladder. To the hands, the Palma Christi. The Plantain or five-Nerve, to the Nerves. Sa­vina to the Veines. For the Tibia, and the bones, Legeranium Ossi­sana. Mace, for the Matrix. For the Teeth, Dentaria: For the Throat, the Cervicaria and Ʋlma­ria. To the eares, the Leaves of A­sari, and so of others. Will you answer me, That because they have some kinde of agreement with those parts, that therefore by consequence, they have some kinde of property contrary to the Maladies that seize upon such parts. Courage! I will wager, (oh rejoyce, the Ape who sought to devour this holy Science is ta­ken [Page 40] his own self) that he cannot escape. But tell me, consider a lit­tle the qualities of these simples, with the cause of the Maladies that happen in these parts, and you shall find, That men have not amused themselves to give names to these Plants, for any cause but the Sympathy which they have with them, giving re­lief and succour to those parts, when wrought upon by diseases or Maladies. And this is done by the property which they have to drive out such or such a Maladie, and strengthen the part affected; and not by reason of their heat or cold. And therefore it is that we see in Pestilent feavours, they give some Theriaque or Methridate which are of a hot quality, having in no wise respect to the Feavor which is caused by heat.

Medicaments prepared by Chymical art, are more wholsome then Common ones.

But to the end that such Medi­cines be powerfull, well tempe­red, and altogether friendly to Nature, recourse must be had to Quint-essences very dexteriously extracted from every compost, whether Vegetall, Animall, or Mi­nerall, according to the specific; virtue which nature hath gi­ven to every one of them respe­ctively. The same thing might I say as to Metalls: for, what meanes this pleasant harmonie, with the heavenly bodyes? if they had not some agreement one with the other; as also of the princi­pall parts of our bodies, with the Caelestiall, and the Met­talls?

The Harmony which the heavenly bodies, have with our humane bodies.

As the Sun in the middle of the 7. Planets; so is the heart (which is subject to it) placed in the mi­dle or man, for the first and last mover, having within it self the Artery beating without rest; which is the Ecliptique of the Zodiack: (wherein the Sun con­tinues without rendring it self Erratick), which hath as a cen­ter to its spheare, the Navell, and the Continent thereof, and from the Groynes to the Fur­culary bones, the neck Compre­hended, and lends to the Masse this part of the Lyliaste, called vitall power. And as the Sun is the most excellent above all Planets, in like manner al­so he hath agreement with the [Page 43] most excellent of all Metall, viz. Gold.

Let us proceed and speak of Saturn the Center of whose Spear is in the Arteryes, and who hath for its Region the Cavity of the Conduits, the Ligaments, Ner­ves, Marrow, Joynts, the bone of the head, the forehead, the hol­low of the eyes, and the upper part of the Nose; and for its en­tire body, the Spleen: and there placeth the receptive faculty, and hath Sympathy with Lead, as his true Legitimate Child.

Let us come to Jupiter who hath for his Sphericall Center the Lungs, and for its Region the windpipe, Trache, or Artery, the Muscles serving for respiration, and the Skin of the head, and from him his naturall virtue hath Communication with Tynn.

Let us speak of Mars, who hath for his Center the bagg of [Page 44] the Gall, and for Region to his Sphere, hath the face from the eyes downwards; the palms of the hands, the soal of the foot and the neck of the Matrix, where he sowes the Irascible and expulsive pow­er, and adjoynes to Iron.

Then Venus extends her rule and her Sphear upon the vessells destined to generation, and gives the Concupiscible faculty and pleasant tickling doth Communi­cate her power to Copper.

Afterwards comes the Sphear of Mercury, which spreads it self in the interiour of the sto­mack, comprised in the Superiour Orifice, wherein fear hath its place, and sorrow in the Inferi­our, and laughter in the small Guts, and for Center to its Spheare hath the Liver; where he plants the Fantastique virtue, and hath power over Quick-sil­ver.

[Page 45]Lastly, The Moon possesseth the bone of the back, the shoul­ders, the Loynes or vertue in venery; and retaines for entire body, Brain, giving the growing virtue or power, and having Sil­ver for her Inferiour.

You must draw Metalique Medi­cines, for the Maladies of the same kinde.

And it happening that one of those parts become depraved, it appears, and is made known in the place of its Emuncter, and then I pray will it not be necessary to extract Remedies from Metalls, to heale Metalique distempers without inquiring sophistically, whether they be hot or cold di­seases. Wherefore it is, that we see Mercury to be the true Alexi­pharmacon, of the poyson of the Pox; being as it were like in qua­lity [Page 46] to the essence of this disease. But how much effectuall would it be, if the pure of it were sepa­rated from the impure.

From these things we do first learn to know the Metalique Ma­ladies, with their originall, when any of the inferiour parts of the body of man is diseased; & second­ly, from whence their most speci­fique and Neigbouring Medicines should be drawn, and those of the greatest virtue; which with­out all doubt is from the seaven above named Mettalls, and from each of them being appropriated to its Malady, As to the disease of the heart, the Medicine of Gold must be taken: to the Maladies of the brain, the Medicine of Silver: to those of the Liver, the Medi­cine of Quick-silver: to those of the Lungs, the Medicine of Tin: to those of the kidneys, the Me­dicine of Copper: and to those of [Page 47] the Call, the Medicine of Iron.

All which things are not of small worth or consequence, then when they are brought to the sublime degree of their per­fection, the preparation where­of lies onely in the art of Chymi­stry. An Art truly divine, and whereof so many new persons date give their opinions so leight­ly, without knowing the very ha­bit of it; Notwithstanding their ig­norance makes them calumniate this so admirable Art, for it is hard for a blinde man to judge of Colours. From hence it ap­pears, that the bodies here below are ruled by the Superiours, as true and Lawfull fathers of them. But in regard I have not intended to treat more largely of these things in this place, as not ma­king to the subject taken in hand; and also in regard, as I have said [Page 48] before, I do desire (God assisting me) to discourse more amply of it in my Treatise, de Chyrurgie Chymique Medicinale. Reg. 2. Ch. 5. I shall pray all young Chirurgions withall my heart that they will lend an eare to these things, and embrasing my counsell to reject the old opinions, from whence we see so many miseries are come, they being directly con­trary to true Physick: And let us not fear to be punished like Asa and Ochasias for having rejected it, who suffered thereby.

Lib. de lege. Hippocrates saith of this time, that Physick was so be clouded by those that exercised it, that it was slighted and reje­cted, as well by reason of their abuse of it, as by the people who esteemed them Physicians, and reputed them like unto Players, who by their gestures and habits represent the persons who they are not.

[Page 49] In Epist. ad Democrit. The same Hippocrates confesseth of himself, that though he had at­tained unto old age, he had not attained the end of Physick: since he doth acknowledge that he had not had the perfect knowledge of it, of necessity there rests something further to be known of it, To wit, whether he that shall find out the rest, ought to be rejected.

Galen (6. de la Metho.) is not backard to give himself the glo­ry, of having invented severall Medicines unknown, and not in the practice of men before him. Let us not then reject Novelties, then, when they are for our bene­fit and profit, if we may call No­veltie such an Art as is as anci­ent, as Espugerie. In which, in truth, one can make no great pro­gresse being ignorant of Astrolo­gie, which is very requisite and [Page 50] necessary to this Chirurgicall operation, called Phelebotomy, considering which I have under­taken this small Treatise. For if our good Master Guidon, (of whom the whole Aca demique Schoole of Physick and Chirur­gery make so great esteem) hath not despised it, but, as he saith in his Treatise of Phlebotomie, hath made a whole book of it: which book is not to be found through the injury of the times, wherein he discourseth at large of the ob­servation of the Stars for this sub­ject; by much stronger reason we who pretend our selves his Schol­lers ought not to sleight it, but to imbrace and cherish it with all our heart, to the end that we may commit no errour in per­forming this operation.

This little Treatise will serve you therein, for a guide by meanes whereof you shall never fail or at [Page 51] least not often, if you take heed thereunto, Culling and gathering out that which is worthy of ob­servation: which doing, you will therefrom receive a great conso­lation, according to God. To whom Father, Sonne, and Spi­rit, be honour, and glory, for ever, and ever, Amen.

Chirurgery is the most certain part of Physick.

CHirurgery, being one of the most noble and comely parts of Physick, as well for its cer­tainty [Page 52] (for its operations are assured); as for that it hath been in all times exercised among the Greeks, by their Princes and great Lords, hath great extent, and containes many more things then the Vulgar people do ima­gine. It is ordinarily divided in five parts. The first concerns Tumours, which the Common people call Apostumes, which are Maladies encreased in quan­tity and greatnesse. The second is of Wounds, which are defined to be, Dissolving of continuity made in the soft parts, fresh and bleeding. The third is of Ʋlcers: and the fourth of fractures which belong to the bones. And the fifth and last of Luxations, which is when the bones are out of their naturall place.

All which Maladies in the cure of them do require the oft­tenest, amongst the remedies, [Page 53] that of blooding, without which the cure of them cannot be per­fectly accomplished, as also in severall other sorts of Maladies, which we shall name hereafter, wherein the necessity of Phlebo­tomy is requisite and necessary, Blooding may well serve in th' one and th'other, but it is not necessary unto them, but when necessity compells; We will here discourse briefly of them all; to the end, that the young Chirur­gion may know what Maladies require blooding, and which not.

In what Maladies blooding is use­full.

So that for a great pain in the head, which is in the hinder part of it, we Lance the veines of the forehead; in Squinancies, they breathe the veine under the [Page 54] tongue. Phlebotomy is necessary to all affections or Maladies which take away the breath, and strangle one; and to those which cause one suddainly to loose their speech: Also to all great Contu­sions either of the internall or ex­ternall parts, as to full from on high or to receive a blow. Al­though the power or force were but small, and though the blood be peccant neither in quality not quantity, you must use the blood­ing. What Delire is. Galen. 2. Aph. 2. In the Apoplexie, Plen­resie, Burning feaver, presently and in the beginning of the De­lire, which is nothing but a de­praved and errant motion of the imagination, hurt; you must let blood, provided that the powers be strong enough, and the age suffer it, and the season, and re­gion. Lib. 13. de Metho. Ch. 2. And although that be not yet [Page 55] provided that the power be a lit­tle strong. Also such a one who after a fall vomits blood, you must blood presently; other­wise the blood may jelly or clott if one suffer it to rest, and grow cold. You must not blood the sick person in the Rigor of the seavor, for he that doth it, is the Cutter of his throat. But if the feavour doth not increase, and also doth not decrease, and we do not hope for any declination of it, in such a case you must not lose this onely oc­casion of blooding, although it be worse then in the declination of the fit. In the hand-gout and the foot-gout, one may open the veins of the foot or the hand; & for the Migren the Arteries and veines of the Temples: and by this eva­cuation of the blood, which flow­eth with the Arthritique powers, and the boyling spirits, which evacuate, the pain presently ceas­eth. [Page 56] But in the intermitting fea­vour, blooding ought to be not after the third accesse, or fit, as Galen would have it; but in the beginning: but this evacuation of the blood ought to be under­stood to be if there be Plethory in the body, and fulnesse of the vessells: and for the breathing and refreshing of the Masse of humors, for otherwise there should be no evacuation of the blood, be­cause it is the bridle of the Chol­er.

In the quartain feavour, or (again) if the blood do abound, you must take some from the Mediane or Basilique of the left Arme, or from the splenique veine, with this Caution, that if the blood do shew it self black and dull or thick, you may let it run, but on the contrary you must stop it pre [...]ently, if it shew it self fresh and well coloured.

[Page 57]In the cure of the Fehris Synochus, a continuall feavor, the benefit of Phlebotomy causes the opening of the belly, and the sweatings to issue forth very a­bundantly, a thing much to be wished in this kinde of feaver, which moved Galen to say, that one ought to bleed in this case, even untill Lipothemie: but not­withstanding fearing that one should let slip the soul with the blood, one ought rather to re­iterate it severall times, as much as the strength of the sick party can bear it; even in the burning feaver, espece de Tierce continue, one ought to blood in a good quantity, if the powers, the age, and other Circumstances do per­mit.

In like manner, you ought to blood, in the quartain feaver, (Glistering first): for the doing whereof Artificially, you must [Page 58] open the veine of the left Arme, which hath more Communicati­on with the Spleen, to which the most part of this feaver is often heaped. We say also, that in Pe­stilent feavers, we must not in­differently (as is done presently when they see the person strook with the plague) prescribe him blooding, which hath been of­ten times the cause of the death of an infinite Number of persons: but if the matter be urgent in quantity, quality, and Motion, I must draw a conclusion, That in the Plague occasioned by the viciousnesse of the Ayre, with fulnesse of blood and humors; Blooding I say together with pur­gation are there necessary, which is held sorth by the saying of Cel­sus, Cels. Lib. 3. Ch. 7. That forasmuch as the Plague is an Active and Tempestative disease, you must quickly use remedyes even with rashness,

[Page 59]Wherefore you must consider, if the person infected hath a burning feaver, and great repletion in the Conduits, and that the virtue be strong, which may be known by the veins, being full and stretched, the eyes and the face greatly in­flamed, also sometimes in spit­ting blood with great beating of the Arteries of the Temples, pain in the throat, pain or dif­ficulty in breathing, pricking or shooting throughout the body, with exceeding heavinesse and dulnesse, the waters or urine be­ing red, thick, and troubled, in such case you must blood present­ly, to help nature, to discharge her-self, least the naturall heat be suffocated by the aboundance of blood. Then you must rather breathe the Basilique veine of the left side, then the right, because the heart and the spleen are much [Page 60] affected in this disease, and take abundance of blood thence, ac­cording as you shall see necessary, alwaies having respect to the power and virtue of the sick per­son, and taking heed not to blood, whilst the shivering of the feaver is upon him.

Observations in blooding, for the difference of the disease.

But you must here take notice, that in such a repletion of blood, blooding must be other­wise performed in a simple Pesti­lent seaver, than in that which is accomplished with a Bubon or Carbuncle: for if the one, or both together be conjunct with the great and furious seaver, then it is requisite to open the veine nearer to the Apostume, or plague soare, and according to the recti­tude of feavers, to the end, that [Page 61] thereby the blood may be draw a forth, and evacuated directly, in regard that all retraction and Re [...]ulsion, of infected blood to­wards the Noble parts, is pro­hibited by all good Physitians and Chirurgions. But enough of the feaver, untill we speak of Sympto­matiques. And beginning at Tu­mors in generall, I say, that if there be repletion in the whole body, you must purge and blood, and besides makes frictions and Bathings. As in the Cure of the true Phlegmon, you must divert the flux, which will be turned away, if we take away the cause thereof, to wit, the Chachochi­mie or Plethory, which is to be done by purging first, but chiefly by Phlebotomy.

Come we now to the Erisipela, for if it be in the face, and doth possesse it very much, Phlebotomy is very necessary to it, which must [Page 62] be performed upon the Cephali­que veine; in like manner Phle­botomy is necessary, if there be some portion of blood mingled with the Choller: but if it be in any other part, and be not in great quantity, and be made of pure Choller, Phlebotomy is not necessary, because the blood is the Bridle of the Choller, as we have made mention before: be­sides, the Cancre is cured most commonly by purging and Phle­botomy.

For the Tumors in particular being a Parotide, we say that Phleb. is therein very necessary, specially when there is rednesse in the part, which demonstrates great inflammation & abundance of blood, also for the kernells great, and swelled, you must purge, but specially purge and apply Cupping-glasses, behind the shoulders with scarificati­ons, [Page 63] to the end to obviate the ac­cidents which may come there­upon, as suffocation and conse­quently Choaking.

The same remedy is necessary to the Tumor or inflammation, and relaxation of the Ʋvula, cal­led by the Latines Collumella.

Also for Esquinancy, the Chir­urgian ought to be ready and prompt, in reguard this disease doth not give great Leasure, wherefore he must blood the sick parts on the Basilique on that side where the fluxion is, and the same day on the veines under the tongue to evacuate the Conjunct matter.

Let us speak of Fellons, or whit­lows, the curing whereof con­sists onely in blooding and pur­gations; but yet notwithstanding further according to the prudence of the good Chirurgion.

[Page 64]Come we now to Wounds, wherein for the Little ones there is no great necessity of blooding; but in the great where there is danger of fluxion, or where the body is repleate, as in wounds of the Joynts, Tendon, Nerves, and where one fears paine, rave­ing, and inquietude; yea also when they are accompanied with a feaver. And as for the Spasme coming in Wounds through re­pletion, it must be cured by inanition, and that by the good government of purging food, and blooding, and for a resolutive remedy, friction, and sulphured bathes.

As to particular Wounds, if there happen in those of the head, with fracture or contusion, a Con­tinued feaver, and Raveing with great flegmatique inflammation, accompanyed sometimes with the hurting of the Pericrani [...]; tis [Page 65] then that you must take abun­dance of blood, but yet therein the Chirurgion must consider the strength of the Patient, concer­ning the motion of the Brain, (the Chirurgion seeing that the bone is not fractured, but doubts that there is some vessell broak­en within) let him presently take some blood from the Cepha­lique veine, on that side is hurt, in a good quantity; having regard to the distemper, present and future, and principally of the strength as I have said before, and other things which ought to be consi­dered in blooding.

You must take notice, that in wounds by Gun-shot, there doth not come forth much blood, wherefore the day after he must use revulsive Phlebotomy, and take so much blood as is proportion­able to the fulnesse of blood; and the strength of the party; and [Page 66] he must not fear to make aversion of the blood towards the noble parts, so long as in such wounds there is no venemous quality.

As to that which concerns the blood of great Contusions with­in the body, it must be evacuated either sensibly or insensibly, which insensible evacuation is done by bloodings, Cupping-glasses, or Scarrifications, or by Horse-Leeches, and that upon the same day, or the next morn­ing.

And unto this Hippocrates seems to agree in his book of Fractures; in saying, if any one is fallen down from on high, the same day one ought to give him Physick or blood him: and Ga­len saith upon this subject, that if any one is fallen from an high place, although he have but lit­tle blood, (or nor enough), It is so that some of that blood must [Page 67] be drawn from him to prevent it from coagulating and corrupting in the inner parts of the body, being out of his proper vessells; and in the cure of the Gangreen, one part of its curing lies in Pur­gation and blooding. If the ha­bit of the body be Plethorique or Cacochymicall.

Besides, for curing the scald or Leprosy, if those who are infe­cted with such a disease, be of a sufficient age, they shall be blood­ed, and over and above purged and blooded.

In the cure of the Ophthalmie, or inflammation of the uppermost skin of the Eye, the Chirurgion must propose three points. The first is the regulating food. The second is evacuation of the Ante­cedent matter. And the third is the application of Topicall medi­caments: two of which I shall let alone, as not conducing to this [Page 68] subject; and shall onely say, that he who ought to evacuate the Antecedent matter, shall per­forme it by purgation and Phle­botomie, and by Cupping-glasses, applyed to the shoulders, in like manner for the Ʋngula.

In the beginning of the curing, whereof you must use purgation and blooding; especially if there be great inflammation.

And which is more in the cure of the Mydriasis, which is no other thing but a dilatation of the pupill of the eye, either oc­casioned naturally or by accident; its cure consists in nothing but applying upon the eye, repercus­sive things, and to appease the dolour or pain [...], and prohibit the defluxion by regular diet, but specially by Phlebotomy, Cup­ing-glasses, frictions, and other things, which one shall see beni­ficiall.

[Page 69]For the pain in the Teeth oc­casioned by fluxion; one may let blood for evacuating the antece­dent matter, and all by the ad­vice of a good Chirurgion.

In the preservative cure of the Stone, especially if there be re­pletion, you must evacuate as well by Medicaments, as by Phlebotomy, and vomiting, which is a singular remedy to prevent the Stone. And if one should come to take it out, you ought to purge the patient well, and blood him two dayes after he hath taken the Physick.

In the small Pox or Measles, diseases which are very frequent in Children, you must in no wise blood them, unlesse there be great plenitude, or some Com­plication of some disease, (as a Plurisie, Ophthalmie, Esquinancy, and such like) or if it be not at the declination of the disease, or [Page 70] at least the first or second day of sicknesse, at the furthest.

But you must take notice, that in several Maladies, you must not attend untill the Malady appear, to the end, to use Phlebotomy afterwards, (as Galen saith,) but you ought to foresee it, blooding them in the Spring, as we shall discover in the Part con­cerning Election.

Necessity hath no set time for bloo­ding in.

Finally, for the Necessity to use Phlebotomy, or not to use it; I say, that then when the disease requires it, and that necessity presseth, one may blood at all times, in all seasons, and at all houres, be it night or day, al­wayes considering the power and strength of the patient, the quan­tity and quality of blood taken [Page 71] out, carrying ones self in all the Phlebotomique operations above instanced, with a sound Judge­ment, accompanied with know­ledge and experience; In the contrary practice the Chyrurgion will very hardly arive to his pro­posed end, in regard that then when he shall understand it to be necessary to use Phlebotomy, when the saving of ones life is in dis­pute; and that he finds himself all alone, not able to consult with any body, concerning the disease, he ought not to present before himself any obstacles; whether of the quality or great­nesse of the Person, or for fear of making the operation without advice, for that will hinder him in making a good operation, be­cause fear coming upon him, and causing his hand to tremble, is sufficient to hinder such an effect of the operation as we expect. [Page 72] The Plebotomist, ought to be bold.

Times of Election divided into two.

Let us come now to the time of Election, which is divided by Guidon into two parts, (to wit) the inferiour Root, and the superiour Root: meaning by the inferiour root; The disposition of the bo­dy, of the time, the Region, the Cu [...]tome, the force, and strength, and so of others. And by the su­periour Root; the observation in the Concu [...] of the Starrs: which time of Election we shall deduce briefly, not having under­taken to discourse of any other things here, save that. Yet, as I have said before, I will do it as succinctly as possibly I can, by the assistance of the grace of God. To whom father, son, and spirit, &c.

Observation concerning the time of Election.

Now the Inferiour root may [Page 75] be thus understood. First con­cerning the concoction of the food, it must be throughly performed, before you let blood, (if you have eaten lately before): Also if ones blood be grosse, it is necessary before bleeding, to use a little exercise for the subtilising the blood; or at least that one take some kind of things which have the faculty of subtilising it, which are, the syrup of the herb Calamint, and such like; In the second place, one must consider the force, and the strength, the temperature and the necessity of him who ought to be blooded, to the end, that the re-iteration thereof be not perform'd sooner, or latter, then is necessary, choosing a serene day, and not subject to inconstancy, clear and not dull not rainy, in the spring, and in Autumne, making choice also of a wind which is uncertain, [Page 76] as if it be in Winter, you should take a day wherein the southwind blowes.

A Digression.

But some one may demand here, If the winds have any power over our bodies, that we need to make observation of them. To which I answer, that experi­ence lets us see the effects, which they produce upon our bodies, as the Plague, the Coqueluch, (a new disease which troubled the French in the year 1510 and 1557.) Plurisie, Aposthumes, Catharrs, Fluxions, small Pox, and Scabbinesse or the Itch: also so many venemous Creatures, as Froggs, Toades, Locusts, Ca­terpillers, Spiders, Flyes, Han­netons, Snayles, Serpents, Vipers, Snakes, Efts, Scorpions and Asps. Yea in all hot and moist times, [Page 77] if the Southwind blow, Meats will Corrupt or taint in lesse then two houres, let them be but fresh; wherefore one need not enter into doubt, that humane bodies enter in affections contra­ry to nature, when the seasons pervert their qualities, by the evil disposition of the Ayre, and the winde that is mingled within them. Unto this I will adjoyn, that which the great Hippocrates hath truly pronounced.

Hip. in his preface of Progno­stick, and Galen in his Comment. [That the Ayre hath (I know not what) of divine in it self] in regard that it doth (in blow­ing through the Universall World) incompasse all things contained within it, and doth nourish them miraculously; su­staines and supports them firmly, and entertaines them in an Ami­cable union; the whole Symbo­lizing [Page 78] with the Starrs, into which the Divine providence is infused; which changeth the Ayre accor­ding to his pleasure, & gives unto it power as well over the mutati­ons of times as the naturall bo­dies. And therefore the Philoso­phers and Physicians have expresly commanded us to have respect to the scituation of places, and to the Constitution of the Ayre, and concurrence of the Starrs, when you are in agitation for the preserving of health; Or to cure the sick, in which cases the mo­tion and change of the Ayre is very powerfull.

Hip. his third book of Apho­rismes Ch. 5. and 17. The same Hippocrates affirmes our bodies, do receive great alteration by the vicissitude of the times and sea­sons of the year, as by the South­terne winde, which doth render us subjected to all sorts of Ma­ladies, [Page 79] which acknowledge moi­sture for their first cause, and it doth infeeble our naturall heat, which (in the opposite case of a cold and dry winde) doth forti­fie it self, and is rendred more vi­gorous, and doth in like manner render our spirits more Subtill and Active.

A prety observation, upon the winds and our bodies.

Besides, there is as­cribed to the four principall windes, four Elements, four hu­mours, four seasons, and four ages. The South winde or Au­ster doth in quality participate with Tender years, then to fire and Choler, and also to Summer.

Austraphricus, or a midle wind betwixt Auster and Africus, participates of the stronger years, of the Ayre, of the blood, and the spring.

[Page 80] Subsolanus, or East wind, par­ticip [...]tes of the more Grave years, of water, Flegme and Win­ter.

Favonius, or West wind, to the more decrepit and decayed yeares, to the Earth, the melan­cholique humour, and to Au­tumn.

I should have insisted lon­ger upon the property of the windes, but that I have treated sufficiently of it in another place, In his Book call'd Grande Chirurg. and have only spoken of it here, to shew how they have power o­ver our Bodies; and therefore, not out of rule or order, if we ob­serve them in Phlebotomie E­lective. But returning to our pur­pose, we say, that if the Veins be small, you must stay till ten of the Clock in the morning, for at that time, they appear better then at six a Clock: such are the veins of [Page 81] the Tongue, of the hands, and the feet; observing also to let blood in the winter, on the left side or part; and in Summer on the right, as saith Guidon. The reason there­of is, saith he, because the humors which at those times, we endea­vour to evacuate, are properly in those parts; it being true also, that the cold humors do rule most in the left part, and the hot hu­mours in the right: behold there­fore, why in Winter (which is cold) we draw blood from the left part, and in the Summer from the right.

The Region must be observed in blooding.

In like manner, the natural ha­bite of the Body ought to be con­sidered in the emptying it of blood; for we do largely empty those who have large veins, and [Page 82] who are not too lean, nor too whitely or pale; nor have their flesh too tender; but on the con­trary, we do less empty those who have but little blood, and the flesh tender: in like manner, you must have respect to the Region; for if it be very warm, as it is in France, the Countrey of Langue­doc, and Provence, in this place, you must make no great evacua­tion, the like must be observed in the cold Region, because that the natural heat being emptied out with the blood, the Region doth chil the body too much, and the hot Region by its heat, doth de­bilitate the strength, for this ve­ry reason, the Summer season, nor the Winter, are not in any wise, fit to breathe a vein in, but the most proper time, is the begin­ning of the Spring, (because it is temperate) breathing the vein in [Page 83] the morning, (not immediately) upon your wakening.

Besides, you must consider the former life of the Patient to wit, whether he you are to blood, have used great quantity of meats or drinks, principally, of such, as give great nourishment; for if so one may blood them boldly, but (if on the contrary) not so much; notwithstanding, to those, who are too full of exces, and are drun­kards voluptuous, or Gourman­dizers, never put your hand; for truly, one doth not help them much, by taking blood from them, because by their intem­perance, they immediately heap up abundance of humors.

Also one ought not neg igent­ly to let slip the Custom of bleed­ing, for those who have [...] themselves to it, do undergo it better then those who have not: so that by very good r [...] son, [Page 84] one may blood those, who have lost the benefit of evacuati­on of excrements, by having for­born accustomed exercise.

But enough hath been spoken concerning the inferior Root, let us speak now concerning the su­perior; for as Galen saith, (in Libro de Criticis diebus) and also as Philosophy saith, The infe­r [...]or World is governed by the su­perior, so that it is necessary for Chirurgions, to consider the In­fluences of the seven Planets, al­so of the Signes, and other hea­venly bodies, to the end, that ha­ving the knowledge thereof, he may take heed of blooding in the part which is possessed by one of these Signes; which Planets and Signes, we will put in order, ac­cording to the parts of the Body which they possess.

Upon what maladies the Planets rule.

In the first place, Saturn cold and dry, hath respect unto the melancholique humour, and upon the maladies composed of me­lancholy, and by consequence, rules over the Spleep.

Jupiter hot and moyst, hath re­spect to the blood, and upon the maladies caused by blood, and from that reason, governs the Liver.

Mars, hot and dry, hath re­spect to the Choller, and upon Chollerique Diseases, and by this meanes, governs the Cystis fe­lix.

Sol, hot and dry, governs the Heart.

Venus, cold and moyst, ex­tends her power upon the Ves­sels appropriate to generation.

[Page 86] Mercury, of a temperate Com­plexion, is indifferent to all the humours.

Luna, cold and moyst, hath power principally upon the Phlegme, and Phlegmatique ma­ladies, she rules in the brain; but her power is extended much fur­ther, in that which concerns her property for elective blooding; for she being delivered from her hindrance, and in Conjunction with Jupiter Venus and Mercury, in the sixth, third, and fourth op­position, in her own sign, it is ex­cellent for blooding.

The Aspects of the Stars ought to be observed in blooding.

On the contrary, it is not good to let blood, the Moon being in Leo, or in 12 degrees before, or after the Dragon; and principally, you must take heed, that Saturn be [Page 87] neither in opposition to, nor con­junction with her, or Gemini with Mars; for such Aspects are very dangerous, but the Moon be­ing in conjunction with the three Planets above mentioned, which is Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury, it is very good: Pisces and Sagi­tarius for the Phlegmatiques: the first part of Libra, for the Melan­cholique: for the Chollerique Cancer and Pisces, and their con­traries, which are Leo, the se­cond part of Libra, and the first of Scorpio: the others are indifferent and mean for Phlebotomie; not­withstanding, we will speak more particularly thereof hereaf­ter.

Division of the times of the Moon.

But here it is worthy of obser­vation, that the Moon, (the Mo­ther [Page 88] of humours) is divided in­to four parts: The first is from the Conjunction, or new Moon, unto the first quarter, signified by Gemini, which continues seven dayes, wherein it is good to blood young Children.

The second, is, from Gemini, un­til the Opposition, which is the full Moon, 7. dayes more, where­in it is good to blood the young and active, about the age of 20. or 30. years.

The third, is from the oppositi­on to the last part of Gemini when you may blood the strong and an­cient, from 30. to 60. years.

The fourth part of the Moon, is the last 7. dayes of her last Ge­mini, wherein you must blood the decaying, who are above 50. years old, only in cases of necessity; but in whatsoever Aspect the Moon be, you must not make incision on any member, nor touch it with [Page 89] any Instrument or Cauterizer, either actual or potential, if the Moon be in the Signe, ruling that member: You must take notice, that the third quarter is best for Phlebot. Besides, the first quarter is hot and moyst, the second, hot and dry; the third, cold and moyst, and the fourth cold and dry; 'Tis true, that at all times, the Moon is effectively cold and moyst; but in her several quar­ters, she doth acquire several Complexions, according to the several Aspects of the Sun, so that we say, Every one ought to be blooded, in that quarter where­with he hath most agreement, or likeness; and the first quarter, be­gins after the Conjunction of the Moon with the Sun. But you must here take notice, that by Conjunction we mean, when the Sun and Moon are in the same Signe: And by opposition, or full [Page 90] Moon, we mean, when the Moon is in one Signe, and the Sun is in an opposite Sign in the half of the Zodiac.

But the Aspects of the Moon are Conjunction, Opposition, Qua­drate, Trine and Sextile, marked by the Astrologers, after this manner.

• Conjunction in this manner. ☌
• Opposition thus. ♂
• Quadrate. □
• Trine. △
• Sextile. ⚹

The propriety of the twelve Signes, upon the humane bodies.

Besides, we consider in the eighth Sphere, which is the Starry Heaven, (and which is called the Zodiac) twelve Signs; whereof three are of the nature of [Page 91] fire, which are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, proper for Phlegma­tique persons, (except in the burning parts above mentioned) Signes which passe by eight De­grees, unto the thirteenth degree of Sagittarius, and doth streng­then the attractive faculty.

The other three are of the na­ture of water, to wit, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, very proper for cholerick persons, good to comfort the expulsive faculty, and to administer Laxative Phy­sick.

The other three, of the nature of Earth, which are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, very good to san­guine persons, and good to com­fort the retentive faculty.

The other three, participate of the Ayr, to wit, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius: these are very pro­pet for melancholy persons, and good to cherish the digestive fa­culty. [Page 92] But for the knowing upon what parts of our Bodies the said Signes do rule, we will set it down in order; to the end, that the Chirurgion commit no er­ror therein; for the day and hour wherein they concur, you must have recourse to some good Almanack, Ephemeris, or ra­ther to the Ephemerides of Ori­gan, which will continue yet, un­till the year 1660.

You must take notice here, that I send you to the Epheme­ris, to know in what day, hour, degree and minute, the Sign will rule; for it is out of my design, to teach it you here, or to know their Ascendant Conjunction, or Oppositions, good or bad, al­though in my Book called (Gran­de Chirurgerie) I speak of it large­ly enough, wherefore I say, you shall have recourse to the Ephe­merides: In the mean time, I [Page 93] will persue the declaring upon what parts of the body the Stars do rule, with their proprieties. And in the first place, Aries is hot and dry, of the nature of fire, he governs the head and face of a man; and it is good to blood, when the Moon is there, unlesse it be in the part which the Moon governs.

The parts wherein the Signes rule together, with their property concerning blooding.

Taurus is cold and dry, of the nature of the Earth, and governs the neck and Wind-pipe; and it is bad to make use of bleeding, the Moon being in that Sign.

Gemini is hot and moyst, of the nature of Ayr, and governs the shoulders and Arms, and hands; is ill for blooding.

[Page 94] Cancer is cold and moyst, of the nature of water, and governs the Breast, the stomach & Lungs, and is indifferent: neither too good, nor too bad for blood­ing.

Leo is hot and dry, of the na­ture of fire, and governs the back and sides, and is ill for blood­ing.

Virgo is cold and dry, of the nature of the Earth, governs the Belly and the Intrals, is neither very good, nor bad for blood­ing.

Libra is hot and moyst, of the nature of the Ayr, and governs the Navel, the Reins, and the lower part of the Belly; good to blood in.

Scorpio is cold and moyst, of the nature of water, and governs the parts for generation, is nei­ther good nor bad.

[Page 95] Sagittarius is hot and dry, of the nature of fire, and governs the Thighes; is good to let blood,

Aquarius is hot and moyst, of the nature of Ayr, and governs the Legs; is neither good nor bad for letting blood.

Pisces is cold and moyst, of the nature of water, governs the Feet; and is neither good nor bad to let blood.

Aries, Libra, and Sagittarius, are very good; Virgo, Scorpio, and Aquarius and Pisces, are indiffe­rent; Taurus, Gemini, and Leo, and Capricorn, are evil.

Yet we say, that the Moon be­ing in Trixe, and Sextile with Venus, it is a good time to purge Choller by Electuary; with the Sun, 'tis good to purge Flegme by drinks with Jupiter, 'tis good to purge melancholy by Pills.

Division of the Signes.

Furthermore, you must take notice, that every one of the Signes, is divided into 30. De­grees, from whence it followes, that in the whole Zodiac, there are 360. degrees; and again, e­very degree is divided into 60. minutes, and every minute into 60. seconds, and every minute into 60. thirds, and so of the rest following, until ten.

The rising and setting of the Signes.

Besides, you must take no­tice, that when we have the lon­gest day of Summer, which is to say, then when the Sun is in the beginning of Cancer, there arises six Signes in a day, which do rise directly, and in the night six [Page 97] Signes obliquely; And on the contrary, when we have the shortest day of the year, to wit, the Sun being in the beginning of Capricorn, then six Signes rise in a day obliquely, and the six of the night directly; but when the Sun is either in th' one or th' o­ther Equinoctial point, then they rise, three Signes directly, and three obliquely in a day, and in the night in like manner: For there is a Rule, that let the day or the night be long or short, as you will, six Signes rise in the day, and six by night; so that either for the length, or the short­ness of the day or night, neither the more, or lesse Signes do rise. For the knowledge of which Signes, you must take notice of the Characters following, as the Astrologers mark them.

• [Page 98]Aries with such a Sign. ♈
• Taurus such a one. ♉
• Gemini such. ♊
• Cancer. ♋
• Leo. ♌
• Virgo. ♍
• Libra. ♎
• Scorpio. ♏
• Sagitarius. ♐
• Capricornus. ♑
• Aquarius. ♒
• Pisces. ♓

Let this suffice for the discove­ry concerning the 12. Signes, let us come now to the 7. Planets: whereof we should here make a Table or Figure; but because we have sent the Reader to Ephe­merides, in relation to the Signs, we will do the like concerning the Planets, contenting my self only in this place, to set down their Characters, for the discove­ry [Page 99] of the more easie understand­ing them, and their differences. Behold then how the Astrologers mark them;

• Saturne thus. ♄
• Iupiter thus. ♃
• Mars thus. ♂
• Sun thus. ☉
• Venus thus. ♀
• Mercury thus. ☿
• Luna thus. ☽

Here followes the difference of the Planets, as well for purging and blooding, as for the making o­ther operations upon humane bo­dies.

• Most good. ♃ ♂
• Indifferent. ☉ ☽ ☿
• Bad. ♄ ♂

The Chirurgion must Encounter the Starrs.

And you must take notice, that then when Mercury is with a good Planet, he augments its goodnesse, and with a bad one its Malignity: wherefore it is that when one is wounded, you must take notice whether Mercury be not with some bad Planet, which rules the part wounded; and if so, then the Chirurgion must En­counter the Starrs, and so you must minde these things, but most especially in blooding; to the end that (we having done no­thing improperly through our negligence) may have an occa­sion of praise and thanks-giving, to the Authour of all things: to whom Father, Son, and Spirit, be honour, and glory, for ever, Amen.

The good desire of the Authour.

I Should desire by good reason, as well for the profit of those who search relief or Remedy from Phlebotomy, as for the spiritu­al contentment of those that pra­ctise [Page 102] it, (to the end that the whole, might be to the hon­our and glory of God) that eve­ry Chirurgion had within his shop, the Astronomicall figure, as formerly the Ancients had; and who had recourse unto it, then when they would know the Do­mination of a Starr, on the part whereon they were to operate, observing with all their power the rising and setting of the above mentioned Signes, and their con­stellations; insomuch that the Antients have not found it to be unprofitable. Of the truth where­of (among severall of them) Ar­noldus de villa nova, shall be a most faithful witnesse. Therefore I shall again heartily intreat the Chirurgions, that they would take heed unto it, and not to pretend that their Art is subject to Calumnie; seeing it is they themselves, which are the cause [Page 103] of their arts being so Calumnia­ted, whilst they neglect that which is most necessary to be known in their profession, to wit, Astronomie.

The ignorance of Astronomy is, cause of great evils.

Insomuch that not having the knowledge of it, there doth arive many evil Accidents, and the vulgar being ignorant of the cau­ses of them, do Calumniate and sleight all the Judgments of Chi­rurgions and their (so admirable) Art together. See how it is weigh­ed and esteemed at nought and contemned by the ignorant, and all this by reason of the small care which Chirurgions have to minde it well. But, to shew that the knowledge of the Starrs is most necessary for a Chirurgion, I will insert a History which may [Page 104] serve as an example to those, who shall know well how to put it in practice.

A Remarkable History.

It happened that at Chatelle­rault, a Chirurgion having blood­ed a Maid in the right arme, in the time when the Moon passed under the signe of Gemini: on the next day about noon there came upon her a great defluxion cau­sing inflammation, with a feaver: at the same time this Maide goes complaining to another Chirurgi­on, saying, that one had spoiled her, & had prickt her Nerve, & that it rendred her a Cripple, using revi­lings concerning him that had blooded her: they appeased her as well as they could, promising her, it would be nothing, and that she should be suddainly cu­red, applying unto her at the [Page 105] same instant a Cataplasm, conti­nuing Cataplasm upon Cata­plasm, and making Revulsion by blooding; but notwithstanding all they could do, the Arme be­came extreamly swell'd, yea to the danger of her person: inso­much that in a short time, the same was known through the whose town, and behold here the Poor Chirurgion is so disgra­ced, as not to be ever received in­to any house upon any occasion whatsoever, (the present age is so scruplous, being ignorant of things how they may happen). Which he seeing, resolved to frame a rational excuse to defend his reputation, and to maintain his innocence, which he did when there was a pretty Company to­gether, in the house of the said sick person: his reasons were these. That she was upon the point of her Termes, and that her body was [Page 106] Cachochymicall and full of hu­mours, and that at the time when she was blooded, she helpd at the washing a Buck, and also to do other business of the house, and other things which might ex­cite defluxion and attraction in the part, having been blooded before; for if so it had been, said he, that I had prickt the Nerve or Tendon, the Accidents would have appeared in the same in­stant, as convulsion, Spasm, great pain in the part, difficulty in the Action; none of which happen­ing, (saith he), one may there­by judge, that it was none of my fault.

In Lunar purgations, the vein of the Arme must not be opened.

But that is contrary, for his reasons served to fight against himself; for since she was upon [Page 107] the point of her purgations, he ought not to have been so rash, as to have opened a vein on her Arme, but rather the Saphena for provoking them, and several other reasons which rendered him mute, confessing as it were by his silence, that he was in fault; but if he had known how to have discoursed or argued, concern­ing the science of Astronomie, he had been heard attentively, in regard that was not vulgar to them. Notwithstanding, con­tinuing to dresse the Maide, she was cured in three weeks, but not without having indured a great deal of pain.

I have been willing to relate this story, (which happened in the year 1613. in the said Cha­stelerand in the shop of a Chirur­gion named Bureau, to the end, I might induce and provoke the Chirurgion to learn the Constel­lation [Page 108] of the Starrs, with all his power, for otherwise it is im­possible that he should come to his intended end of Phlebotomy, Elective; without some dangerous accident, which I have seen hap­pen severall times: but for bre­vity sake, I shall passe on.

Yet notwithstanding Guidon dela Nanche speaking of blooding in his Tract, [Dela Santé Corporel­le] saith, that he hath seen se­verall expert, and famous Chi­rurgions of his time, as well at Paris and Mont-pelliere, as at o­ther good Cities of France, and at the Court, and Armies-Royall, let blood, which hath caused swellings in the Armes, and other parts which have been blooded, and many other evil accidents, which (as he saith, flattering himself) did arive by the fault of the Patient, pulling back or throw­ing up his Arme, through fear, [Page 109] or sudaine apprehension, or by having lain upon his Arme after blooding, or by sleeping, or by having wrought, or exercised the Arme. In the second Tome, lib. 2. Chap. 16. He here deceives him­self exceedingly, for if he had searched further, he would have found that it is rather the fault of the Phlebotomiser, then the Phle­botomised; for in regard they are ignorant of the concurrence of the Starrs, and of the houre and time wherein they govern the part, they commit these block­ish and irreparable faults.

Objection.

This is also for answer to that which may be objected. That several sick persons are blooded at the same time, and yet they are not ill: It may be so, but I say, that if there happen no Malady in the part touched with the [Page 110] Lancet, yet there happens other Symptomes, as vomitting, weak­nesse, vertigo, Giddy-headed, souning, nocturnall paines, and sometimes death.

Accidents ariving in blooding, through ignorance of the Starrs.
Objection.

But (may some say) that is by reason of the great evacuation of blood. To that I answer, that experience lets us see every day, that when there hath not been drawn out, perhaps an half ounce of blood from the patient, that he falls into some one of these accidents.

Objection.

Yes (but will some reply) that [Page 111] is because he hath conceited such a thing but who hath ever heard say that, that which one hath premeditated, (it may be a day or two before) is capable to do us hurt, when we come to effect it? It cannot be in anywise where­fore let us leave all these Trifles, and let us follow verity.

Objection.

But (will some one reply) the knowledge of the Starrs with the observation of them, is prohi­bited?

To that I answer, That in truth if one should beleeve that the Starrs had Soveraigne power over men, he would be worthy of Censure: but we do not find in any place, that any person hath ever been blamed, for knowing and observing the elevation of the Starrs.

Advertisment of the Authour.

For Conclusion, I shall con­tent my self, to admonish the Chirurgion Phlebotomist, to behave himself wisely, with reason, in the extraction of blood, for it is the treasure of life; insomuch that you had better conserve and cleanse the blood, then to evacuate it inconsiderably; in regard that doth shorten our daies, and is the cause of severall other Acci­dents, as we have said else­where.

But, will some say, By what rea­son would you make use of the extraction of blood, [in the time of necessity,] as when a man falls from on high, in great Con­tusions of the interiour and ex­teriour parts; or when one hath received some dry blow, or in the Plurisie, and other Maladies, whereof you discourse, in your [time of necessity.] To that I [Page 113] answer, that it is true, I dis­course of it, for three causes, which induce me to dis­course of it, in that manner. The first is the honour and respect which I bear to the Hippocratique Doctrine, and that of Galen, for having been nourished therein, ever since my young years.

The second is, because by that meanes, I would give to under­stand, (as I shall shew in a book which I will make apart from this) the agreeing reason and affimity, that there is between the books of Hippocrates, and Galen, and those of Paracel­sus, as I have made one Chapter thereof in my [Petite Chirurgie Chymique.] The third reason is, That so the Learned Chirurgion may make use of it, as he shall know to be necessary; for since in all his operations, he ought to follow Nature, he ought also [Page 411] to take speciall heed to maintain and preserve Her, and not to al­ter her, as he doth in the emissi­on of blood, which is the Trea­sure of Life, as before I have said.

Definition of the Pleurisy.

For, I pray, how can it be possi­ble, that the blood, which is out of its vessells spilt, in capacity of certain parts of the body, yea even Clotted and Coagulated therein, can re-enter into the vessell to be evacuated by blood­ing, for example, in the Pleurisy which is a tumour made of sub­tile blood which comes out of the veine Azuges, stopt between the Membrana pleura, and the Muscels Mesopluri; in the curing whereof they prescribe Blooding, Glisters, Syrops, Tablets, and o­ther like remedies. But I aske [Page 115] what is it that blooding serves for there? seeing that the blood (which as we have said is out of the veines) cannot enter there­into again, to be thereby evacua­ted; I know well, that they will answer me, that the matter, con­tinued in the same place, doth not enter into the veines to be evacuated; but that they use it for the hindering of any more, from flowing into that place; and also that the Medicaments given inwardly, do work more easily. Oh this is a pritty do­ctrine, for the healing of a pati­ent! to weaken nature, (which one ought rather to corroborate) for the rendring her more strong; to strive against the disease, for curing the Pleurisy, they evacuate the good and pure blood, which ought to be preserved for main­taining the strength of the Pati­ent, and leave the impure blood [Page 116] in the body, which ought to be taken away.

I will not therefore say, that blooding being performed in the beginning of the true Pleurisie, is not profitable, but is very ne­cessary being performed oppor­tunely: but (oh unfortunate time!) I have seen those who in all the seasons of that Malady, do not forbear with too bold a rash­nesse, to evacuate this Treasure of the life.

But, to the end that none may continue any longer in this er­rour, and that I may not amuse my self by disputing in these things, therein following Galen, who is not willing that one should dispute neither of Apollo, nor of Aesculapius, but that one should endeavour to inlarge the Doctrine, for I know that one may alleadg Sophisticall Argu­ments to prove falsities, but it [Page 117] must be to those who know not how to guard themselves from them; I shall onely say that Hip­pocrates understood well what he said, when he affirmed, that by probable and subtile fictions in Physick, there did often hap­pen great and heavy falls. From whence one may perceive that Physick is fallen so miserably, ha­ving been called (by its own props or upholders) opinionate, or subject to opinion, and Con­jecturall. (616. Praecept. Com. 2 Aph. 2. de Comp. me Secund. loc.) That the verity thereof cannot ap­peare but by subtile Arguments, and that is is incertain. This is it which hath induced Galen to reprehend Hippocrates for ha­ving called Physick Conjectural, which he had need to do, seeing it is neither Conjecturall, nor imaginary, but on the con­trary, Scientifique.

[Page 118]So that as a kingdom divided a­gainst it self, cannot stand, can Phy­sick subsist when the supports ther­of are divided among themselves? That is it which hath given occa­sion to the Ʋulgar, to slight it, as it is slighted. But wherefore do we assemble seven or eight, as well Physicians as Chirurgi­ons, for consultation upon one disease, which if it be known, what need is there of opinion up­on it?

In short, either the Science of Physick is True, or it is not True. If it be true, its rules are certain. But it is true, that it is true, be­cause it is of Gods Creation, and God and nature make nothing vain: It follows then, that its precepts are true. Which Hippo­crates perceived, although he was an Ethnique, in regard he saith, the Philosophicall Physician is like unto God; but he cannot [Page 119] be so, who follows not Truth. That is it which I desire to fol­low, avoiding, to the best of my power, Sophistryes, which are the onely causes of nourishing fal­sities, wherewith (to my great trouble) our Chirurgery is re­plenished. But to the end, as I have said before, I may not keep the Reader in such an errour, I give him two Remedies, for all sorts of Contusions, Dry-blowes, Bruises, Phlegmatick-Swelling, blood clotted, or congeled with­in the body, by reason of a fall from some high place, In which, from these two Remedies bor­rowed from Paracelsus, one shall see a very great effect, without running to Phlebotomy, as many who follow the ordinary errour do. One may by these serve him­self to his own great honour, the benefit of the Patient, and to the Glory of God.

[Page 120]Of these two Medicines, the one you may take inwardly, when you suspect there is some quantity of blood spilt and coa­gulated in the inner parts of the body; and the other is to be ap­plyed outwardly, when the Phleg­matick Tumor appears to the sense of the eye; and both of them together may serve, as in Pleurisie, Eshimose, (collection of Corrupt matter, within the body, between Breast and Lungs) Em­pyeme, and such like, as I intend to mention in the book which I have heretofore promised, by the assistance of God.

Let us come now to the de­scription of these two Remedies, which are as followeth.

A Remedy for the externall Parts.

℞. Flowers of white Mullein M.j. [Page 121] flowers of St. Iohns-Wort M. iij. roote of Asclepias or Swallow-wort M. ss. Mumie ℥ j. fresh oyle Olive Lib. ij. There bentine al. Tur­pentine Lib. j. White-wine Lib. iij. which you must boyle together on a soft fire, for the space of five houres, then you must afterwards put it into a Glasse well stopt, and set it in the Sun, leave it there for the space of a Month or six weeks; then you must strain the whole through a peece of Cloath, and Squeze well the dregs; & you shall have an oyle, incompara­ble for the effect above mention­ed, which you must keep care­fully, and therewith anoynt the part, evening and morning.

A proper Reme­dy for the Inter­nall parts.

Rec. of good Rubarbe, ℥ ij. Mumie, ℥ ss. Red Gum, Lack, Sperma Caeti, ℥ j. Bolarmeni­ack, and Terra Sigillata, an ℥ ss. root of Asclepias ℥ iij. you must beat them all to powder, of which you must give the weight of a drag. with the water Florum Tiliae, Tilia is a tree bearing fruit as great as a bean, round & in which are seeds like to Aniceseeds, some call it the Linden tree, or the like, for it is most good to take away the Phlegmatick tumour, as well within the body as with­out. There is no necessity of [Page 123] discovering any other of these Medicines, now, because it is not my intent in this place, for I have not brought in these two in this place, but onely to shew that one may cure these kinds of Maladies, and severall others, without having recourse to Phle­botomy, of which Medicines the Learned Chirurgion will know how to make use according as he shall see occasion; and will in­vent others, according as necessity shall require. But above all, I intreat those who shall read this little treatise, that they will not sleight it: for I have not taken pen in hand, to Teach; but to give wholesome advice and Councell for the sick, and most necessary for the augmentation of the honour, (which the true Chirurgions aspire unto) and which is more, to provoke to [Page 124] do better, as I have said else­where; to the end, that doing and persuing from good to bet­ter, we may go into heaven with God: to whom Father, Son, and holy Spirit, be honour and glory, Amen.

Of Cupping-glas­ses, and of the benefit of the use of them in gene­rall.

Those things which ought to be ob­served, before applying of Cup­ping-glasses.

THose who are best versed in the Rules and Observations, Astrological and Medicinal, are of opinion, that you ought to ap­plie Cupping-glasses, or little Horns, for that purpose, upon Phlegmatique persons, when the Moon is in Aries, or Sagittarius. To the Cholerique, when she is in Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces. To the melancholique, when the Moon is found in Gemini, Libra, [Page 148] or Aquarius: notwithstanding, you must take notice, not to scar­rifie the part, when the Moon is in the Sign which governs it, and in generall, not to use it, neither with Glasses, nor with little Horns, when the Moon is in Leo: it is true, there are Horns applied at all times, but it is without Fire or Candle.

You must also take notice, not to scarrifie before four years of age, nor after 60. And you must also avoid that operation, in the new and full Moon.

The scarrifications may be made about the second or third houre of the day, an houre before eating or drinking.

The place where one ought to applie the Cupping-glasses, or Horns, should be well fomented with warm water, or use frictions for half an houre, or an hour, with a warm Linnen Cloth; espe­cially, [Page 149] to such who you suppose have thick blood; or, if it be in the winter time.

Besides, you must not apply them, before the Body be empri­ed, or purged; neither are they proper in a Plethorique body, nor in any part affected with a Phlegmon; as for the rest, the wise Chirurgion will dispense with these rules, according to the violence of the Maladie. Necessi­ty derogating from all Lawes.

Here followeth the use of Horse­leeches.

There is no so dull block-head, but knowes what Horsleeches are; they are ordinarily applied there [Page 150] where Cupping-glasses can take no place, as on the nose, upon the lips, gums, fingers, privities, He­morrhoides, at the entrance of the Os Matricis and other places. One should choose them, such as are bred in good clear and run­ning waters, which have yellow streaks upon their backs, and not those among rushes, in bad wa­ters, and which are of a horrible colour, and have a great head, be­cause those are venomous. Gui. Treatise 7. Section 1. Chap. 1. And you must not applie them, being fresh taken, but keep them a whole day in clean water; to the end, they may vomit forth that which they have in their Bellies. Oribas. Lib. 1. Chap. 15. It is good to leave them without wa­ter, three or four houres space, before you apply them; for they will, after that, be more greedy. You must wash the place, where [Page 151] you applie them, with warm water, and then dry, and rub the place with a Linnen Cloth, until it be red, (except in places where there is great pain); then having made a slight scarrification upon every place, where you would ap­plie the Horsleech, put thereupon a little drop of a Chickens blood, and then applie the Horsleech, holding it in a clean Linnen Cloth; for most commonly, they will not take hold, if you hold them in your naked hands; and when they have suckt enough, they will fall off themselves; o­therwise, every one knowes the way to make them, and to order them in these things. Above all, let one take heed, not to applie them, when the Moon is in the Signe, governing the part; for you must observe the same, in ap­plying these, as in the operation [Page 152] of blooding, and using Cupping-glasses.

I beseech the Authour of all things, that all those who read this Treatise, may make use of it, to their advantage: To whom, Father, Son, and holy Spirit, be honour, and glory, for ever, Amen.