Drugs This Question hath been handled by many learned men at present we will not spend much time about it We deny not men the use in Food and Physick of India and Arabicke Spices neither do we condemn other most excellent gifts of God but here we finde fault with the price let us therefore use them in their place and time Perhaps such precious things were intended for great persons but yet great care must be used in the preparation that they be not Sophisticated I say rich men may afford to pay for these Medicines who delight to eat and drink Gold and hope as by that they can purchase all earthly things so they may buy health Neither would we be thought ignorant of the great vertues and rare efficacy of Gold but we speak against the abuse of those Impostors who instead thereof do cheat and robbe and we can assure all that there is no worth in the boiling and reboiling of Gold They indeed give their menstruous stuffes for dissolved Gold which being reduced to a spirit may corrode and let all men beware of it imitating a carelesse Cook who if he hath lost the broth in which the meat hath been boiled sets new upon the Table which hath no heart nor strength in it So they when they have consumed and lost their Gold with Salts and other wayes they sell that which remaines when the Bird is gone they sell the Nest and this they call Potable Gold spiritualized because invisible it may be they put Gold into their furnace but that they by those means can produce such Medicines we deny There were many Alexanders many called by the name of Julius but yet but one Alexander the Great one Julius Caesar the others agree onely in name Should any one enquire into the excellency of our own Countries Simples he would have work enough upon his hands We shall leave this to another time and place But besides the price may we not justly suspect the preparation that they instead of true may sell false compositions failing in their Art and Profession for the ballance of Humane frailty being at the one end by Justice at the other by Profit the last overweighs because honesty may be an hinderance to us but profit brings pleasure and delight along with it So now Merchants count it part of their Trade to learne and skill the adulterating of their Commodities when the Thebans would admit no such persons to the Magistracy unlesse they had left off their Trade at least ten years before by which time they might forget to cozen but I will not here censure all of that Calling the same may be said of those who sell Medicines whether Physitians or Apothecaries if they abuse their profession It remaines to shew that Specificks of Vegetables and things of little worth are more powerful against any disease then those which are of so great price neither is the reason fetch'd farre for they whose Property absolutly resists the malady they I say must needs be more effectually then those who accidentally suit the disease and by meer chance work a cure In Mechanicke Arts if a man excellent in one should boast of his skill in another which he never saw you would finde him a bungler in it but employ the same in that Trade wherein he hath been brought up and he will shew himself to be a workman So in diseases when each Specifick doth its own office there is an happy issue but applied to another proves of no effect neither can it be expected from one man thought he had an hundred hands to conquer an Army which yet choice Bands of experienced Souldiers may easily overcome but we have been tedious about this subject CHAP. IX That many are haters of Chymistry and others scorne the use of Vegetables and Galenical compositions either of which may be useful in proper Cases AS the Palats of men are not all taken with the same taste but what is pleasing to one is loathsome to another so mens judgements do differ and what one approves the other assents not unto both which happen or are caused as by Sympathy or Antypathy drawing them on to embrace and provoking them to hate such a thing so also by prejudice or reason corrupted Some dare not taste Cheese all their life some abstaine from it a few years some drink onely water refusing Wine or Ale and in these there is great variety no lesse is the difference amongâ—â— Mindes Whence it is that two meeting when neither hath seen or heard of the other at the first sight shall desire and seek each others friendship and on the contrary whence is it that one hates another from whom he never received injury as evidently appears by one coming where two are gaming he presently shall finde his affection to close with the one and if his wish might succeed he should winne and he would gladly have the other lose though he neither recevid courtesie from the one nor harme or ill word from the other Now as much as the understanding excells the taste and dull and sensual faculty so much a truly wise man surpasseth one that onely outwardly seems judicious one by reflection considers and weighs the matter the other not so acutely apprehending is tempted to rashnesse Thus many learned men whose Fancies have not been in due subjection to their understandings have abused themselves and have heedlesly embraced this as good and cast off that as evil It may seem as strange in Medicine that some Doctors should onely prescribe Vegetables and Galenical Physick perfectly hating Chymistry and that others wholly inclined to novelty should refuse all Medicines that are not Chymically prepared Both parties in mine opinion are swayed more by Fancy then Reason for I suppose it absolutly necessary to study first your ancient dogmatical Medicine both as to the Speculative and the Practical part and to correct the faults as we have already pointed in the first second and third Qualities and the same course is to be taken in Chymistry so that they be without suspition and deceit and first we will begin with the old and then proceed to the new We have sufficiently proved that there are occult properties and specifick vertues in Simples as no learned Galenist ever denyed who have also confessed that these did not work from their Qualities or degrees but their natures to mitigate Symptomes take away the cause of the disease and to Enthronize health in mans body If this be true why are not Physitians more careful in gathering and rightly understanding the nature of Simples Fernelius in his Book De abditis reruâ— causis saith that this Specifick vertuâ— which he calls the Forme lies hid in every part of a Simple and is difused throughout all the Elements hence if by Chymistry water is drawn off oyle is extracted and Salt made out of the asheâ— each of these the Water Oyle and Salâ— hath the Specificall vertue of the Simples but I suppose one
not so much as another yet all joyned together are perfect and compleat These things being laid down and confirmed we must confesse that the outward tangible body of any Simple that may be beaten cut sifted boiled mingled with any other to be the barke the carkasse and habitation of the Specifick Quality which is the pith the soul the housholder And now what shall we say of our common preparations in Apothecaries shops which have good and bad nay most corrupt in them would not all laugh him to scorne who being commanded to call a Master out of his house will needs have the house along too that cannot use the birds unlesse the nest be an Ingredient that cannot eat Oysters unlesse he may also devour the shels But the Apothecaries think this lawful enough because they can do no better these occult Qualities indeed are so subtile that they make an easiy escape unlesse they be narrowly watch'd and with a great skill housed or incorporated Camphire loseth its strength unlesse it be cherished with flaxe-seed Rubarb is preserved by waxe and the spirits of Wine the Salt of goats blood does evaporate if it be not close stopp'd in glasses What shall we then say of these Specifical Qualities separated from their bodies will not they return to their first principles for who can seperate the Qualitie of burning from the fire the qualitie of moistning from the water but if this be impossible in simple bodies how much more difficult is it in compound I could therefore wish that Medicines were used which were lawful possible and reasonable that laying aside ostentation and pride truth might flourish Perhaps we might allow of Syrups Juleps Conserves did not that great quantity of Sugar clog the natural operation of the Simple Perhaps we might approve of Electuaries Opiats Antidotes unlesse the multitude of simples confusedly put together did hinder if not totally extinguish the true vertue Perhaps Pills and all bitter sowre sharp stinking Medicines are good but yet they destroy appetite cause loathsomenesse that a Patient had better endure the disease then the remedy if bitternesse sowrnesse sharpnesse and an ill savour are the Specifical Qualities they should be rather checked then let loosâ— and indeed they are but handmaids to their Mistrisse but subservient to the specifical Quality and the true difference is discovered by Chymistry for it separates the impure parts from the pure if rightly used yet mistake not we say not that Chymical preparations are altogether spiritual and without any body but are more peircing and subtile more defecated then grosse bodies made more heavy by a great quantity of Sugar so that they are not free and at liberty to act and play their parts By this time you may see the folly and madnesse of those who hate Chymistry which ought to be used but with care and judgement for it is not the part of a Physitian to burn lance cauterize and to take away the cause of the disease by weakning the Patient and indangering his life but Symptomes must be abaâ—ed nature restored and comforted by safe Cordials One Archagatus was the first Chirurgian that came to Rome and was honourably received but coming to use lancing and burning he was thought rather an hangman and for the like cause at one time all the Physitians were banished Rome One Charmis a Physitian condemning the judgement of his Predecessors set up new inventions of his own and commanded his Patients in frost and snow to bath in cold water as Pliny reports who saith also that he hath seen old men set freezing them by his direction Acesias about to cure the Gout looked more to the disease then paine which by neglect encreased whence the Proverbe had its Original Acesias medicatus est as Erasmus hath it when the condition growes worse Acesias his Cure It is cleare enough from what hath been delivered that Nature is best satisfied when profitable and wholesome things are applied Asclepiades an intimate friend of Cn. Pompey first shewed the benefit of Wine to sicke persons recovering a man carried to his grave he taught to maintain health by a moderate use of meat and drink an exact care in excercise and much rubbing he invented delightful and pleasing potions he commanded bathing and for ease to his Patients invented hanging beds that sleep might surprize them in such a carelesse posture The same Pliny saith that Democritus was a Physitian who in the Cure of Confidia Daughter to Consul Sereilius did forbeare harsh means and by the long and continual use of Goats milk recovered her Agron as Coelius reports Lib. 13. cap. 22. was a Physitian at Athens who in a great Plague when many were infected did onely cause to be made great fires nigh to the place and thus did Hippocrates for which he was much honoured Whence we may learne that mild and gentle usage in a disease is more efficacious to the taking away of the cause and to healing the Symptomes then harsh and rugged dealing The Mariner doth pray for a full gale many times to force him into his dâ—sired Harbour neither doth the Traveller goe in a direct line yet both in the end attaine their hopes We read that Fabius by delay conquered his enemy so that it is a Masterpeice of prudence well and maturely to deliberate and then to execute yet the method of curing remaines and the Axioms are firme viz. If the cause be taken away the effect ceaseth if the disease is cured the Symptomes do vanish and weare away But Chymistry stores and supplies us with Medicines which are safe pleasant and soone performe that for which they were intended and others have abundantly set forth this in their writings and therefore it will not be requisite to stand longer upon it Now let us face about and view those who are meer Chymists these would be called young Theophrasts affecting like their Master a Divine Title which he neither had by his Father nor Mother but assumed it to himself as most Magnificent and glorious but without all doubt he was a man of eminent and admirable knowledge in the Art of Physick yet surely it would be worthily judged madnesse for his sake alone to forsake the Ancients and follow his new inventions It may seem an absurd thing for one to undertake to restore a very old man to his former strength because death it then approaching and every man as length must submit to his Scepter Is not the World now ancient and full of dayes and is it not folly to think of recovering and calling back its youth surely their new Medicine cannot revive the dying World it may weaken it and hasten its end yet stay I pray you do not imagine that I do at present censure the excellent and plainly divine Preparations of Chymistry but rather the persons who professe it who make it their businesse to destroy but endeavour not to build who trample on others to raise and exalt themselves as Thessalus of
old did railing against all men who were not his followers So Chrysippus Master to Erasistratus to gain preheminence despised and changed Hippocrates These and such like men are wont to promise much but perform little for we may certainly conclude that although such persons may affect greatnes yet they shal never attain it by such indirect means I would many of the Paracelsians did not too much conforme to their Masters vices if many late writings were scanned and their abuses and tart language against others left out I doubt their volumes would very much shrink it were much better that diseases the common enemies were more lookt after then private grudges amongst Physitians themselves revenged Brute beasts do barke shew their teeth and spit venomâ— a mans weapon is Reason by which he should foile his adversaries As touching Chymistry we highly commend and admire those things in it which are good but yet so as not to despise Galenical Medicine which in some cases is as effectual my opinion is that each ought to be used in its proper place Men are not meer spirits but corporeal Substances and therefore need not Medicines exalted to their highest degree of perfection at least in every greife applied to every person and to every part or member There are some diseases which being hot and dry are not to be cured by Chymical prescriptions whose Ingredients or Preparations have the like Qualities In a Common-wealth there is a Merchant there is an Husbandman but one ought not to supplant the other so a prudent Physitian will make use of both as he sees occasion the one for a Country man the other for a delicate Person the one in slight distempers the other in dangerous cases the one for pleasantnesse the other for efficacy as necessity requires CHAP. X. Concerning the unsufferable vices of many Physitians from which the Fraternity of R. C. is free WE have not without sufficient cause said something of the abuses of Medicine which the Brethren warily shunned by their first Law which was That they should cure the sicke Gratis for the greedinesse of Physitians puts them upon unjust and illegall actions Whence come those terrible long Bills those short dear Bills but from coveteousnesse every one more striving to inrich himselfe then to help the diseased yet we deny to none their honest gains Justice and Truth should sway them in their practice let them follow the method of Hippocrates and Galen yet Nature indeed is more to be look'd after then either of them as a sure guide into its own most intricate secrets but from the faults of remedies we will come to the faults of Physitians themselves by which so many Patients do and have miscarried They are commonly these Self-conceit Pride Malice Hatred Calumniation in word and writing Coveteousness Ignorance joyned with a grat stock of Confidence or rather Impudence This Self-conceit becomes no man if a man is puffed up like a bladder he may be sooner broken and his glory will vanish his greatness encreaseth his danger neither is Pride to be allowed of it blaits all parts and endowments and if the man escape the envy of others yet death or a slight Feaver makes him fall and he who even now was lifted up through ambition is brought down to the earth It is not true learning that causeth men to swell but an emptiness they suppose themselves to be knowing men when as indeed they understand not the depths of Nature Socrates had learned a lesson of ignorance after much study he found out his insufficency if these vapourers would turn over a new leaf they would see their former presumption Mark how Malice and Hatred prospers when two are set against each other they endeavour by making themselves a common laughing stock utterly to undo both and each at length is whip'd with his own rod There is this benefit in having an envious adversary that he spends and wasts away his malice feeds upon himself so that it is better for any man to deserve the envy of another rather then his pitty the one supposing him happy the other miserable This vice as the Ivie by embracing trees doth spoile them this vice I say clings to great persons and secretly corrodes their Honour and Fame what noble exploits what vertuous deeds have been performed but they have been blown upon by some pestilential breath This was the cause of furious Caines murthering his righteous Brother Abel and that Jupiter struck Aesculapius with a thunderbolt to avoid this many have forsaken their Countries and lived amongst strangers as did Iphicrates in Thracia Timotheus in Lesbos Chabrias in Aegypt Chares in Sigeum who were all Grecians amongst the Romans Pompey after so many magnificent Triumphs for his great and and famous Victories withdrew into the Country and came seldome in publick that he might escape the envy and malice which he feared because of his innocency and greatnesse What shall we think of that monster Aristotle who as it is reported was so spightful to his Master Plato that he caused many of his works to be burnt that he might shine brighter he was fearful his honour should be eclipsed by his Masters greatness Aiax hated Vlysses Zoilus Homer Didimus Alexandrinus was enemy to M. Tull. Cicero Palemon the Grammarian to M. Varro Caesar to Cato Adrianus to Traian M. Crassus to Pompey Alexander to Achilles at the sight of his Sepulcher Julius Caesar to Alexander and many others who were all possessed with this evil spirit but in Medicine such practices are more dangerous because the body of man being of more worth then Arts or other trifles is engaged as being the subject of Medicine This flame encreaseth and most commonly breaketh out envy turns to Calumniation hence is it that so many vain Pamphlets are sent abroad full of bitter expressions which become no rational prudent man but this vice hath been by many set out and we will spend no more paines upon it Coveteousnesse is another vice which hath infected many Physitians who make it their onely study to heap up riches and though their strength of body is decay'd through age yet with a most rigorous desire do they endeavour after money nay though they have one foot in the grave they will have another in a bag to counterpoize them Physitians indeed above others are tempted to this vice for when they grow old they are most sought unto because of their experience and by this means they are encouraged to set Silver above Justice and Gold above Conscience But if an Apothecary be coveteous and greedy more mischeifes do ensue all his compositions will be made up either of stale or false Ingredients so that both the Physitian and Patient are cheated the one is censured for ill successe the other is not onely not cured but may complain of the bad Physick as of a new disease I shall speak nothing concerning the abilities and qualifications of a tryed examined and licensed Physitian but of