indeavoured all I could and bent all my Studies for the obtaining of such kindly and Powerful Medicines as thereby safely to avoid and wholly to abandon all those troublesome painful hazardous and dangerous operations and Ingredients too to usual in practice It being too sad a time to add affliction to affliction as I have much comfort therein so I conceive my charitable intentions sufficiently justified by the Text The truly Christian Vertu eof Compassion being as essentially needful in a Physitian as in the most tender hearted Samaritan and without an eminent proportion whereof what ever other parts or Arts abound none ought in justice to be owned as a competeut Helper in times of such necessity Nor did I decline the common Road of Physick for any other cause Imaginable but for its manifest uncertainty in Principles Roughness Harshness and Cruelty in Methods Impropriety Impotency and danger in Medicines Nor found out any way to relieve my understanding when first at so great a loss but by withdrawing my thoughts from out the wilderness of all the uncertain Notions and Guesses of Philosophy and giving them free liberty in the walks of Scripture Where the true Original of man the sole subject of Physick hid from Phylosophy being apparent and the sublimity of the true Humane Temperature thence deducible I soon discerned that all miscarriages in Phisick proceeded from the admission of gross virulent and dangerous materials into practice together with other Rugged and Boysterous handling And for want of assimulating all Helps and Helpers in times of sickness more agreeable to the distinct purity of mans Nature Upon which noting with great circumspection every the least Glance or Lustre of this my surest Guider the Scriptures insinuating any spark of instruction towards the appropriation and power of Medicines It was not long before I apprehended a possibility of obtaining all Effects attainable in Physick solely by kindly and pleasant means void of all noxious operations or mischievous Materials In persuance whereof I concieve it very conducible to my end to confine every of my Medicines to such qualifications of what specifick intention soever as being such should necessarily answer all my aims and expectations and which since proving in their performance accordingly I have deemed it a considerable advantage to the Science of Physick to propose those their peculiar qualities as sure Marks of Real Medicines whereby to distinguish those which are fit and proper for Humane Constitutions and Rational to be relied on in all cases from those which are not as by the sequel of this Discourse will more fully appear An undertaking in the whole of so strange a Difficulty that I have many times since wondred I was not astonished and utterly disheartned at the first conception Nevertheless assisted as I have said and as I verily believe with very Effective Propensions in Nature and with a Palate suitably exercised in the Discerning of the Spirits and bent to the Discovery of the Vertues of materials whereby all Compounds as well as Simples lay open to my assistance with a mind thus furnished and prepared resolving neither to flatter nor indulge my self in trifling insignificant Attainments nor to be startled in so Worthy and Needfull an Attempt by any Difficulties with due Submissions I proposed my End made choice of Materials wrought them into the consistence and Qualities of real Medicines satisfied my Palate in their tast proved them upon my self and as cause required either altered or immediately fixt them for general Use and Practise In which way of proceeding in process of time I became so happy as to satisfie my reason in the Production of so large a variety of kindly and powerful Medicines so Equally proportioned to mens Natures and so peculiarly qualified for particular Distempers as sufficed for all Occasions and Necessities And which ever since they had a being have with that constancy wrought so many remarkable Cures that I now deem my self bound in duty to propose them as the most proper Physick for Families according to the Titles judging I should highly offend if I should fail of my uttermost endeavour to beget a right and thorow understanding of their performances And this not only because of the manifest good they bring with them in theiruse with safety but also for that absolute exemption from all those troublesome painful hazardous and dangerous proceedings with which the general course of practise is sadly and grievously encumbred A brief view of the particulars whereof may here be needful that every one may see and lay to heart how much more dreadful painful and Dangerous the afflicted times of sickness are thereby rendred and what an unspeakable happiness it would be both to all Conscionable Compassionate Physitians and all considerate Patients to have such Medicines alwayes in readiness by which all those Evils and Inconveniences may Safely and securely be avoided The first of which molesters of the sick in the usual course of practice are commonly Glisters which how innocent and harmless soever they are esteemed are nevertheless attended with more Trouble and Danger then is considered For besides their pressing over hard upon the modesty of the more bashful natures and so Disturbing their minds by the odd position and Distastful handling of the body they also expose very much to the taking or increasing of Colds and exceedingly disorder when Quietness and Sleep are most desirable But how they amaze with fears when they one after another work not at all as often befalls to extream prejudice and how dreadfully they affright when they work too much as sometimes they do in my apprehentsion deserves very much consideration Especially since in their mildest working the state of the body and Distemper may be such as they may prove no less then mortal by diverting and withdrawing the Spirits from their more needful combating the venomous Cause of the Disease to this needless operation and consequently leaving Nature destitute in her greatest extremity Nor is the very manual part how slight so ever the most make of it altogether free from the most feared effect It having been known where a small errour in the Hand administring hath occasioned an incurable Ulcer And therefore all circumstances duly weighed it must be deemed a very great advantage to understand the use of such Medicines as bring an absolute freedom from all those Troubles Hazards and Mortal Inconveniences After Glisters the next afflicter of the sick is generally Bleeding a practice not so frequent in former as in latter times and both highly commended and every whit as much condemned by persons equally Learned So that in this their Trumpet gives an uncertain sound And some who are famous upon Record Esteemed it the more proper work of worthy Physitians to rectifie rather then draw and wast it in times of sickness when Nature most needeth its assistance of which cautious judgment also seem the Chineses and the Bannian Physitians but later times and Operators are at that
things were as before in the Evening Cupping-glasses were applyed with scarrificaton which did her good On the seventh day her Courses began to flow plentifully by which means all Symptoms were verymuch abated On the eighth day she was better On the ninth day she had a light loosness joyned with a Tenesmus by which she voided few Flegmatick excrements and before that loosness she vomited much bitter stuff the Humours were prepared with temperate aperitives On the tenth day which was the eighteenth day of the Moneth her loosness was less at night it stopt quite â—he had no Fever and after that she plainly amended On the 29. of the said Moneth of April when she felt her helf exceeding well and was busy about her houshold ocâ—asions as she was sitting in a Chair she fell suddenly to the ground and died Her body being opened her Mediastinum was found full of wheyish blood which peradventure the Membrane being broken towards the upper part of the Lungs and pressing the same and the Aspera Arteria might suddenly choak her moreover the whole substance of the Lungs was found full of purulent matter exceeding heavy Also her left Testicle was as big as a small Egg of a blackish colour and as it were Gangrenated yea and as soon as it was open'd there leapt out of the middle of her Testicle a certain matter like a Nut-kernel and very like a putrisied clotter of blood we conjectured that to have been the cause of her Mother-fits to which she was very much subject yea peradventure the Palpitation of her heart arose from thence viz. From the filthy vapours ascending from that part Here you have a very smooth Story yet of so unquiet rugged peâ—plexed and disconsolate a handling of a sick and Diseased body that to one accustomeâ— solely to mild and gentle ways in Physick as nothing seems more cross to reason so truly hardly any thing more grievous or more justly to be lamented for although the Relation of five times bleeding of one in her sad Condition and divers times Glisters Ligatures Cuppings and Scarrifications and purgings be here very plausibly delivered as if the Fears Troubles and Disturbances these Attending were not at all felt or thought on by the Patient yet whoever sensibly considers the many tossings and turmoilings this sick and tender person was exercised withal during her ten Dayes sickness can hardly avoid believing but that it was even without any other Distemper sufficient to have brought any weak person to their end or far towards it nor can I but firmly apprehend That if any Patient taken as is here exprest should for such a time be Discreetly plyed with Refugium Vindex Salus Vita naturae Clavis or Radix being all strengthners of Nature and of Power to subdue the venomous causes of Distempers I say so plyed I can hardly see it possible but that recovery must necessarily follow And therefore truly the course taken was and is still to be bewailed and much the Rather because in this ye are to reckon that ex ungue Leonem you have a full prospect of the generally approved Practice of Physick The Essence Quintessence master-piece not of a learner but of a Teacher and most Reverent Author and Doctor in the Science such as who ever follows may Authentically subscribe Secundum Artem to all their Prescriptions and Proceedings for which they are both prais'd and liberally pai'd too And wherewithal their patients speed how they will must be contented And yet who so blind as with half an eye doth not see what extream uncertainty this Learned person was at throughout his whole Engagement in this Distemper how slenderly discerning of the Cause how weakly judging of the alterations how insensible of the Patients mollestations by Glisters Blisters c. how regardless of her loss of blood and Spirit which though very fruitless yet often repeated of how little use his Learning and former reading seemed herein how insignificant all his former opening and Anatomising of Bodies appeared here where he was afresh fain to open his Patient to learn what her Disease was And being open'd how meanly he Guesses taking notice meerly of apparent defects of Parts which are but Effects without any consideration of the cause thereof which indeed is the Disease and indiscernable but by the Intellectual eye of the understanding Also how poorly he was furnished with Medicines of so mean casual and hazardous qualifications as not in the least strengthened but weakned nature through which she fell So that the whole considered to any rational conscience I think there will appear a cause for all I have said or done In this weighty affair of Physick and Medicines and cannot but judg that the World hâ—d been infinitely more happy had it with the resignation of Judaism and Gentilism for Christianity at the same time both questioned reformed and exchanged their groundless hazardous and rugged Physick for what had been more pure peaceable and more suitable to that sublime and healing Doctrine But it doth not appear to have then been thought of nor ever since to any considerable purpose for though Chymistry hath struck in with large and fuâ—l pretences and fil'd our heads with new Bookish Tearms and Notions yet have they afforded us scarce any thing but vapouring Fancies Mysteries and Riddles the proper issue of Vain-glorious and Superstitious Reformers who though very bad Leaders themselves being led by Quicksilver and Antimony have had the fortune yet to be both admired and followed by every Student in this useful Art But with so little Fruit not one Master Medicine yet appearing that it would amaze ones Reason even to astonishment But that vain windy hopes and ostentous shews or shadows have ever been of more esteem then substances and useful realities but if hence forward it should be better I to this piece will deem my self a debtor And so in time I doubt not will others also acknowledge for however some may still shamefully persist even against the testimony of so many instances one while to fright people from their use upon pretense of their heat and otherwhiles to accuse them of impotency by reason of their mildness yet have I not found all Doctors so partially inclined I here being one and he neither young nor mean who having tasted all with very much attention and satisfaction openly affirmed that in producing that Catalogue of Medicines so qualified as the particulars imported and the instances manifested I had done a more real service to Physick then either Hippocrates Galen Paracelsus Vanhelmont or any other he had ever Read or Heard of And that could He Produce them in that perfection I did he would not stay many dayes in England I told him his meaning and the place he aimed at and he confessed I guessed right but I thuoght the place that bred them best deservd them though but for their sakes who esteem them equal to this high Encomium how Ironically soever given And
pass as if they made little more of it then drawing of their breaths and so they tearm it but breathing of a Vein though with their favour it be not so easily recruited and besides that many times the bleeders breath their last by it or by occasion thereof And truly though those who usually order it seldom make the observation yet for the most part the persons concern'd and their Relations cast but Dismal looks upon it and address themselves thereunto with much Dismay and Trembling oftentimes swouning away under the Bleeders hands as a thing of much uncertainty and over much danger the Event frequently so proving not any one proceeding in Physick being more complained of nor any whereunto the failing of patients is more imputed and that with justice too for what worse can befall afflicted Patients overborn and oppressed with the violent assaults of some Venomous Distempers then to have their main forces their Spirits drawn off from making those needful Defences whereunto by Nature they are assigned and upon which it most dependeth for her preservation And what wonder is it if soon after a little flattery and shadows of relief fuddain Dejections immediately follow thereupon and sickness upon Nature thus betrayed prevail beyond all possibility of recovery as were Recordâ— kept thereof would be sadly seen in every weeks experience And as it is but small relief to shew how many recover after bleeding The Course in it self being so hazardous and of ten Mortal so as little comfort it is to shew the ill or rather odd Colours of the cooled and congealed Blood which is known to be but fallacious trifling to amuse bewailing and Disconsolate people neither goodness nor badness being at all ascertained thereby And be it how it will is generally the best friend the body hath and consequently never to be separated nor indeed is ever needful where such Medicines are in readiness as are Effectually qualified for Extinguishing of the Venomous Causes of Diseases And for Purifying and Rectifying both of the Blood and Spirits wherein chiefly consisteth the Worth or Ability of Physitians and the Reality and Excellency of Medicines And without which upon every Exigence there is such Hurrying Starting and Puthering one while with a Glister then with Bleeding sometimes the Arm the Tongue or other parts and these suddenly again repeated to the Extream affrightment of the afflicted Patient and all his sad Relations and all this upon meer Casual uncertain Grounds as to what the issue may be or whether conducing to Life or Death A hazard of a strange nature for Patients to adventure the parting with and loss both of their Blood and Spirits upon which Death so often follows when the Physitian runs none at all Secundum Artem excusing even to the utmost scruple of Reputation if not of Conscience which possibly may yet often suggest that they ought to have been provided and to have plyed those who so highly trusted them with such really powerful and benigne Medicines as they cannot but have heard and been assured to have discharged the most Violent Venomous Distempers without this unmerciful Experiment of bleeding which also in the very action through a small miscarriage of the hand pricking a Nerve hath lost the use of an Arm or Hand and sometimes through an ensuing Gangrene proved utterly Destructive Why therefore all these Particulars considered this Bleeding or bloody practice should longer continue in repute especially since so 〈◊〉 Instances are so generally discoursed viz. That after the many times bleeding of some persons the last fits of their Distempers immediately before death were without any mitigation by all that wast of Blood as vehement and Rigorous as in any time of their sickness which instances in reason ought to remind every conscionable Physitian and every prudent Patient of this important Truth that it is not this uncertain and uncomfortable course of bleeding But the reality of kindly and powerful Medicines that under God is most hopefully to be relied on for cure in all Extremities After bleeding in the usual course soon followeth Purging but very ill deserving that plausible Title Most of that mass of filthy matter which it carrieth out of the body being made by its own venomous qualities and so in former times was deemed more an Enemy then a Friend in all its loosening Operations as working meerly by violence and disturbance of Nature and that also much alike upon the healthful as upon the sick and so could not be said to work upon the Disease directly but at randome upon the body and most often to its prejudice Advising accordingly that for discharging of Crudities the causers of many Diseases recourse should be had to moderate Exercise and Recreation rather then to Purgative Medicines And that because not only of their painfulness their efficacy being contrary to Nature and for the most part venomous but also for that they are apt to root their poisonous qualities in the Body and withall divert and draw away from the Members those kindly Juices which the powers of nature require for their nourishment and subsistance Yea and the vital spâ—â—its also which maintain and comfort life Thus hath this loosening way of Physick been frequently condemned But if this be not thought sufficient to extinguish its unhappy use let but every one concern'd refer to their own observation and without partiality note with what uncertainty these looseners perform their Office As sometimes when but three or four stools are only expected it gives eight ten nay twenty and those frequently with so much lothing to the tast offensive nastiness to the Nostril and to the Brain of patients and all about them as also with such extremity of pains and gripings as are most intollerable othertimes give never so many Potions Pills Powders Electuaries of these loosening qualities yet shall they not work at all to the terrour both of Physitian and Patient yet otherwhiles run out into such loosnesses as are never stayed but with the death of the taker And when working most kindly and never so much ugly odd coloured stuff carried out yet the Disease frequently not one jot abated though the patient be thereby extreamly weakened scarce able to stand The body also drained and robbed of almost all its Radical moisture much more apt to obstinate obstructions and so necessarily calls for more of such like miserable helpers which by frequent use perverts the best constitutions sow the seed of new Diseases and confounds the whole course of nature And yet that this should be continued in perpetual practice upon so very many and great disadvantages perplexities and dangers meerly upon uncertainty and be justified by the practisers be the event never so sad and Dismal this indeed is very mysterious and too too like the mystery of For who now adays remains in so much ignorance as not to know that Disease is a more lively active thing then to reside amongst such muddy matter as these Purgers can possibly
embraced though never so safe easeful and free from all disturbance the aversness being generally whetted by some sinister interest that without perpetual insisting in a full discovery of the Advantages and disadvantages there would be no hope of Prevailing for such a condescension as in this weighty Cause is agreeable to Truth and Reason But all things have their season Evangelical Doctrine bringing nothing but peace though long opposed by the Legal which brought nothing but terrour to the sin-sick Conscience yet in time as truth prevailed became clearly victorious both over the Law and their Interest that would maintain it And so in time I doubt not but it may also prove in this as the difference once comes to be rightly understood for however Custom and Interest may have so prevailed enchained mens minds as almost in every sickness to reckon no other but that there is a necessity of undergoing all those painful cruel dangerous and mischievous practises and proceedings afore recited yet certainly when they shall be serious in their thoughts and plainly see that there is another way in Physick Established upon more sure Foundations and Principles and another sort of Medicines arising from these Principles which cure with much more certainty and yet wholly exempt from all terrours pains and dangers and that may by every one be known to be such by Evident Marks and Characters and by abundant Instances of Cures performed solely by such Medicines as in the touchstone of Physick plentifully appeareth There will then certainly be no place for opposition nor need of farther Arguments to perswade their chearful Entertainment nor to doubt a general adherence to their assistance by all Persons and Families For whose clear understanding and more easy ordering of them to their own their Friends and Relations occasions in any Distempers or necessities I shall here acquaint them with their particular Titles Vertues and Uses with all requisite Circum stances as followeth As 1. Refugium vitae Exceedingly behoveful and prevalent in all sudden frightful and confused distempers afflicting either the Head the Breast the Stomack Bowels Mother or any other part of the body with or without Vomiting Loosness Gripings to be given with confidence 2 or 3 spoonfuls to Children and from 6 to 12 spoonfuls to those of years and at three hours may be repeated or the like quantity given again and so as long as there is occasion warm or cold at 8 s. the pint in Colds Surfets Agues Fevers Convulsions c. is of singular advantage 2. Sanguis vitae In all Distempers of Stomach and Bowels griping in the Guts Surfets Vomitings Agues new Fevers first signes or fears of the Pestilence small Pox Measels and in all such cases to be well heated the Dose or quantity from four spunfuls to 12. yea to six Ounces if need require but for conservation of health may be used cold familiarly to a quarter or half pint at a time as every one pleases the price is 2 s. the pint 3. Adjutrix vitae For Appetite and Digesture a pleasing Cordial for all times the Dose from 2 to 6 or 8 Ounces best between meals is good also in any Spoon-meat or drank in Milk against Consumptions the price is 2 s. the pint 4. Vis vitae For Dropsy Scurvy Spleen Wind Gravel Strangury Stopage of Water or of the natural course or in swellings from thence or other sweatings the Dose from two to six Ounces and at 4 hours may be repeated and continued till occasion cease Also may be familiarly taken for prevention of all such Distempers and for conservation of health and chearfulness at 3 s. the pint 5. Succus vitae For Convulsions Palsies Falling-sickness Mother-fits c. the dose from two to 4. and six ounces and at 4 hours distance may be repeated or taken in like quantity again and to be continued as long as occasion requireth at the pint 5 s. 4 d. 6. Lac vitae For Rickets Worms Green-sickness Diseases of the Mother and weakness or sikicshness of the stomach the Dose is as the last and to be repeated and continued as long as there is occasion the price also is 5 s. 4 d. the pint 7. Radix vitae In Coughs shortness of breath Vomiting Loosness Griping pains in the Head or Stomack in Fevers also and Pestilence or any occasion with or without Fevers Agues c. The Dose from 2 to 6. Ounces or larger quantities and to be repeated and continued as long as there is occasion the pint is 6 s. note that 3 small usual spoonfuls make an ounce 8. Nutrix vitae For Consumptions Defluxions a great strengthner also may be familiarly used for preservation of health strength and chearfulness from 2 to 4 6 or 8 ounces the pint 8 s. 9. Salus vitae For all difficult Cases Infectious Feverish Pestilential or Dangerous in Small Pox Measels Agues of all kinds with Vomitings Loosness Gripings Virulent Scaldings or Itchings over the body sore Mouth or Throat violent Coughings Headach or Toothach with or without swellings the Dose from 2 to 4 and 6 Ounces and after 4 hours time to be repeated and continued as there is occasion at 8 s. the pint 10. Medulla vitae For Wastings and all Weaknesses especially in fears of miscarriage of singular efficacy against Consumptions with or without Oeavers the Dose from two to four and six ounces but in Milk as warm as from the Cow or in Oatmeal and Milk or any other Spoon-meat as nothing is like pleasant so also is nothing a more powerful strengthner or improver of Nature two spoonfulls to a mess suffiseth at 12 s. per pint 11. Deliciae vitae Against Sadness Melancholly a great reviver and though the dose be from 2 to 4 and 6 ounces yet half a spoonful held in the mouth a while and after swallowed generally makes so great a chearfulness in the most indisposed and dejected as hath been admired and by perseverance alters from a sad to a chearful constitution and conversation the price is 20 s. the pint 12. Stella vitae Very powerful in Swoonings and all Extremities As also for extinguishing most virulent inflammations in any part of the body arising from impure venomous Causes the Dose from 1 to 2 4 and 6 ounces as to the amazement of some Arts-men and observers hath with safety and wonderful success been even daily taken by divers and so used hath been also very prevalent in pleuretick shortness and suffocation of breath in violent Vomitings Loosness Griping of the Guts stopping of the stomach stoppage of Urine and Strangury And though very high in Spirit and seemingly hot yet is so safe and innocent that the smallest children partake thereof to great advantage the price is 12 s. the pint 13. Ignis vitae Exceeding high in spirit and of singular use in Lethargies Vertigoes swimming of the Head Dulness of sight and to the wonder of Art in violent Headake and inflamation of the Eyes with or without
refuse the undertaking of any that I either doubt or will not promise to persevere with them and strictly to adhere to Directions upon which being resolved none need to fear success Answerable either to the Instances mentioned in the Touch-stone of Physick or to those Cures since performed by them Some whereof to manifest that they are still the same both in Efficacy and in Performance I shall here recite as followeth 1. A Gentleman about thirty years of age upon an Extream cold taken with great pains over all his body Headake and stoppage at his stomack I sent him 3 ounces of Vindex naturae to be taken a little warm'd last at night which quit him perfectly of his Distemper 2. A Boy about 3 years old taken in so stupid a manner as those who are said to be struck with Death as the Parents verily thought this Child Being somewhat far from me they made use at first of some other means but being worse upon it they sent to me I sent him a small quantity of Radix to be given by a spoonful every hour and 2 ounces of Salus for the night to be taken a little warm at twice and continued for divers days and nights with no appearance of prevailing in the least yet depending solely upon these Medicines they sent to me daily much and often they solicited me to allow a Glister which I durst not admit the malignity being so obstinate besides the child had ordinary stools daily at length I ordered 3 ounces of Athleta naturae Upon which there followed two or three sharp and loose stools whereupon he became perfectly well 3. The Brother of this Child some 2 yeas older was soon after taken very ill also and Feverish but being instantly sent to I ordered him 3 ounces of Vindex which proved to his absolute recovery In all which Cases or the like where thirst molesteth or is feared I always appont White-wine Posset-drink to be freely taken made with a quarter of a pint of White-wine to a quart of Milk and not to exceed in Wine and to use no other Drink if they can be so perswaded but if not then once in four or six hours to admit a draught of 8 shillings Beer with Sugar and a Toast which I desire may be noted as a general Rule and not to be scrupled 4. A young woman layn in and well almost to the end of her moneth upon a sudden had no passage for her water upon which I was sent to her condition being very much feared I sent her half a pint of Vis vitae which being given her at twice warmed within 3 hours time she became perfectly well One almost 70 years of age having contracted some foulness of stomack and sliminess in the Uriters was unexpectedly taken with stoppage of water which he bore awhile as hopeing it might alter of it self being not much provoked nor pained so eat and drank as usual soon after making trial he found the stoppage to continue and withal an unusual aptness to Vomit which he gave way unto and brought up abundance without pain which being ended I ordered him to drink a quarter of a pint of Stella vitae which he did at one draught half an hour after though otherwise well yet still his water staid wherupon I order'd him totake a quarter of a pint of Vis vitae well warm'd which he drank off at one draught and so laid him down upon his bed where he slept so soundy for two full hours that when he wak't he thought it had been but half an hour and then trying to make water it freely issued as at other times and troubled him no more 6. An Elderly Gentleman frequently and vehemently troubled with Gripings Wind and Loosness using much means in Physick being by his Physitian allowed the use of Vis vitae which generally he keeps by him always in readiness never fails of certain relief thereby 7. His Wife generally troubled with Wind and weakness of Stomack having recourse upon all occasions to the use of Sanguis vitae renders her life very secure and comfortable 8. A Gentleman sufficiently able to distinguish of Physick being in London his Wife being Extreamly ill far off in the Country through a long crazed body and then afflicted with intollerable pains all over with debility of stomack and all faculties applyed himself with very anxious solicitation to me as dreading her immediate loss so consulting together we agreed to send her a quart of Radix vitae to take of in it continually a little and little day and night which being taken he received and brought me very joyful tidings of her happy recovery 9. Awhile after the same Gentleman desired my advice for a Gentlewoman quite stuffed up with Flegm and oppressed with an Extream Cough and defect of Appetite upon a little discourse we agreed she should have a pint of Radix to take a little and little all the day and at bedtime 6 spoonfuls and in the night a liitle and little as she sound occasion which through Gods goodness perfectly recovered her 10. A Gentleman about 30 highly Feverish with Vomiting Thirst and Headake and sore all over his body I sent him 3 ounces of Vindex to be taken at Bedtime and to drink White-wine Posset made as afore is mentioned this he took and next morning was much mended and omitted to take any thing all that day but the day following I saw cause to send him 6 ounces of Lac vitae to take by sips all that day and 3 ounces of Vindex for bedtime which enabled him next day to come himself and give me thanks for so happy an alteration with so little trouble and cost 11. A Gentleman about 35 going out of London not very well far off in the Country oppressed with perpetual business even night and day his Body also being not of the firmest Constitution fell into so Extream a Fever and so confusedly ill all over that to preserve himself he was forced to make use of such Helps and Helpers in Physick as the place afforded which was not despicable yet availed nothing upon which his Friends by his Order sends to me his Condition desiring me to send what I thought fit for he was well acquainted with my Medicines and used never to travel without full quantities of them so I sent him a quart of Radix and a pint of Vindex naturae But so obstinate a Distemper was hardly ever heard of for though he had after this much more and larger quantities of Radix and of Vindex Athleta Lumen naturae and Vis vitae and Salus vitae all which he took always with very much assurance of gooâ— â—et by one occasion or other he was so often even upon the point of Death that I became afraid to open the Letters that came from his Disconsolate friends How it came to be thus I could not certainly learn though some imputed it to diversity of advice proceedings of
found these remedies so certain Now these being Pleuretick Distempers and which are not only accompanied with violent pains and heat and pass not off but with the avoidance of an abundance of thick Flegm it would amaze an ordinary Artist that Medicines so hot as these could be so proper and so succesful as these have proved in such Cases and which they often object to disswade their use But as their Objections proceed from want of a due distinction between Vertuous and Vitious heats so hath their constant good success baffled their Objections the Patient being not to be startled from what gives him most sure and certain Remedy for their Groundless if not partial counsell 19. Another Gentleman about 30. Extreamly afflicted with a quartane Ague to quit himself whereof he had run the whole course of Physick but all in vain his cold fits being very turbulent and tedious his hot more long and irksom being accompanied with intollerable thirst and followed with such vehement Sweatings as if he had been in a boyling Bath which sweatings with sickishness also continued as much upon his well nights as upon his ill And being much engaged in business which required his being abroad he was ful of anxious thoughts what to do for relief When one who had good experience of my way recommended him to me so I gave him when he came unto me a draught of Sanguis well heated and a quarter of a pint of Vindex for his Fit which taking twice and not finding remedy he withdrew his hopes and it being not my manner to press any beyond their own minds our Proceedings ceast for above a week he hearkening to his former Councel being possest that if any thing carried off the Cause of so great disturbance it must be Purging and Vomiting Physick which rowsing all parts of the body and voiding so great a mass of ugly coloured and nasty filth the Ague or what ever it be must needs out at last Arguments indeed with custome of knowing no better so powerful as deceives both the Learned and unlearned parts of the whole World and therefore no marvel if it retained this our perplexed Patient as long as he could stand or till he was almost off of his legs But at length wearied and tired out Discoursing again with his friend he told him he was to blame to Desist from my way so soon that he was certain it was a sure way and if followed would not fail Why says he why did he not tell me so then He did says his friend and I told you so too but you regarded it not besides says he you are to urge him to do his utmost and to spare for no cost if you mean to be cured and not to expect that he should press you that having such a shew of self respect as is abhorred by all ingenious Artists Upon this he returns to me again and Earnestly desires me to do my utmost for him that he would with all his heart give twenty pounds to be cur'd of his Distemper Whereupon I fell to work amain giving him Radix to carry always about him and to drink it in good quantity continually Also to take every night at resting time 4 ounces of Salus and not to rise too soon in the morning Then for his fit he was to take a quarter of a pint of Vindex either a little before or just upon its entrance And in his hot fit to sip continually of Salus vitae And if thirst enforced to relieve by White-wine Posset or now and then with Table Beer and tost Sugar so pursuing this course for about ten Days the whole work was finished and he perfectly recovered And this without spending much more of his twenty pounds then fifty shillings so far have I ever been from putting any to farther charge than meerly necessary though it be very much to my Encouragement to have the whole in all respects wholly referred to me Nor with me shall any over speed the worse for so doing nor is any thing more improper or absurd than in sickness either to starve their Cause or to trust to halves But though this Gentlemans Ague were quite discharged and Strength and Stomack restored and all faculties in Due State and good Condition Yet being performed without Purging Vomiting Bleeding Issues or Blisters or Sweaters Except such as restrain'd and put an end to his most violent sweating this seem'd so strange a Mystery to those in whose hands he had been that they told him the work was but falacious could not be perfect but would either return upon him or bring him into some more dangerous Distemper and this he would certainly find if he did not speedily take some fit Purgative to carry off the Relicks Now though this somewhat prevail'd with him as it doth upon most yet he would be so ingenious as to tell me what was said before he would take any thing I told him they were so accustomed to that course that it was no wonder they thought it necessary But for him that had seen the Impotence of their Purges and Vomiters as to the subduing of his Distemper and the powerfulness of those Medicines that did subdue it for him to doubt that which had performed so far above his hope and upon which he found himself so compleatly well would leave Relicks that must want the help of such nasty miserable helpers should give the least Ear or yield in the least thereto would argue him a fit Subject to be play'd upon by every trifler and never more to be assisted by such benigne Medicines as when they had done his work must be made liable to so abominable Disparagement Upon this he seem'd fully fortified against their charming And when next they undertook him and in reply to what he urged from my Discourse said they did allow the Ague was subdued and kill'd But say they admit you kill a Dogg in your house if you let him lie there and not quickly throw him out hee 'l soon make you weary of your Habitation Ergo If you throw not your Dead Dogg out you must look to quit your house afore ye are aware And this frighted him again to me with a witness I smil'd to hear this Syllogistical Conclusion putting out a Candle that was before us I ask't him where was the flame he said it was Exstinguish't I askt him whether there were any Danger to be feared from it he said no I ask't him why he said because it was Extinguish't I told him so it was with his Ague the Venom which caused all his various Disturbances being also Extinguished by the Vertue Efficacy of the benign and powerful Medicines he had taken whose good qualities were such as to leave nothing behind but what they put Nature into an ability to Evacuate And this satisfied him and it was well it did for though it be the common Course and frequently passeth without manifest prejudice yet as here it was