have observed that it is in the External part without the Scull and so it will flow under the Skin all over the Head at times but usually it doth fix on the upper part of the Head where it doth sometimes continue for a long time very painful But when the Gout floweth from other parts of the Body into the Head it is in the Internal part of the Head within the Skull this is not painful but causeth a lightness and doth often deprive a Man of his Senses and indeed it is so dangerous that few escape Death it must be extaordinary Means that recover this There is Help to be had in this Case but if Men through unbelief are regardless of their Lives they may for want of Means at hand in such a time be cast away I cannot but pity such as I hear do die of the Gout for I know so much of the Nature of the Disease that when the Gout thus cometh from other parts into the Head they are not sensible of their Danger because they seem to be at ease and will have a conceit of their doing well when they are near their End If the Danger do appear by their being in a raving Condition it 's dagerous I know not where any have been recovered in that Condition but what I have recovered my self let such know that have the Gout that are in fear or danger of their Lives by it that it hath pleased God to provide Means to give help for the preservation of your Lives in that dangerous Condition for of all the parts that are afflicted with this Disease there is no such danger of Life as when it is thus got into the Head so let this be a sufficient Caution for you to take help in time The next thing to inquire further is to know the Cause of the Pains of the Gout Q. 3. What causeth the Pains of the Gout As there are differing Pains so there are differing Causes I shall give an account first of the immediate Causes 1. In some the immediate Cause is Wind being fixed in the part and not having vent This doth sometimes cause an Inflammation or a Swelling that will be very sore and tender for a long time 2. In some the immediate Cause is a thin and cold whitish Water fixed in the Joints that looseneth the Ligaments and other parts binding the Joints together that causeth a pain and great weakness in the parts afflicted 3. In some the immediate Cause is a slimy Matter that is without the Joints This Humour being cold and thickish causeth a hard swelling that pitteth like a Dropsy and the part is cold and stiff but the pain is more moderate than the Humours that are thin But this sort of Dropsy-like Gout usually continues long and causeth a great weakness except timely prevented 4. In some the immediate Cause is a hot Vapour or Steam driven into the parts by the heat of the Blood and when the Pores are opened where the pain is this Vapour doth come out like the Smoak of a Chimney that shall be seen to fill a Room almost with Smoak and when this Smoak is come out the pain is presently gone and the Party walketh about though helpless just before 5. In some the immediate Cause of the pain is a windy and frothy Blood that stoppeth in its Circulation this swelleth in Knobs like the Cramp is very painful but quickly over This is a kind of a scurvey sort of a Gout and usually runneth over all parts of the Limbs and Joints 6. In some the immediate Cause of the Pain is a black and settled Blood occasioned by great cold This causeth universal pains in all parts of the Body yet in this Case â—t is not good to part with your Blood but rather to cleanse it by using that Medicine that openeth the Pores then a sweating Pill is proper to carry off the Cause 7. In some the immediate Cause is a thick and matter-like Humour that being fixed long in a place groweth to a hard kind of a Kernel that when it is dry it cracketh the Skin and crumbleth out like little Stones but the pain is most before it cometh to a hardness The best time to help this sort of Gout is when it first beginneth to be painful for then the Humour is thin and will easily come forth when the Pores are open 8. In some the immediate Cause is for want of the Blood circulating into all parts And if the stoppage be about the Joints it eauseth the Sinews to be stiff and dry and sometimes to shrink and sometimes draweth the Joints together This will cause the Knuckles to be hard and knotty for by clinching of the Hands together they are deprived of the Nourishment that should come to them by the free circulation of the Blood In this Case it is dangerous to give way but to prevent the shrinking of the Sinews endeavour to keep the Joints in exercise 9. In some the immediate Cause of the pains in the inward parts proceedeth from a foul and slimy Matter that gathereth in the Bowels that by the stoppage of the offending Matter doth cause the Wind that gathereth in those parts unnatural to break its way upwards and sometimes it breaketh its Course and torments both Back and Sides and runneth about the lower parts like Stiches or Spleen-like pains and sometimes like Gripes in the Bowels And oftentime these kind of Humours do turn to Convulsions And many in this Case have been lost for want of help for commonly it floweth to the Head and then the Case is desperate But now there is a Remedy that will carry off the Cause better and quicker than if it were in other parts of the Body This may be sufficient to set forth the Nature of this Disease by shewing the immediate Cause of the Pains The next Queries will discover something of the Foundation-Cause Q. 4. From whence do these Humours come that flow to the Joints There is a great difference in the Judgments of Physicians about this Point One saith they flow from the Head the external part without the Skull and so flow under the Skin to the Joints Others say they flow from the inward parts of the Head from the Brain Others from the Bowels Some name other parts so that if we put the Judgments of all together the gouty Humours flow from all parts of the Body I shall give you my Judgment and that is that the Fault lieth chiefly in the Digestion and yet Nature may have sufficient vent in the lower parts but the Digestion doth not so speedily do its Office by conveying a part of the Sustenance when 't is received so speedily as it ought into the lower Vessels but when Meat and Drink is received in the Stomach it usually seemeth to oppress with a Fulness for some time after eating or drinking and tho Nature doth carry it off after in little time yet the Food perisheth in the Stomach before it
passeth and this doth hinder natural Nourishment and turneth to ill Humours which disperse about the Body but especially to the parts afflicted but yet every one that hath a bad Digestion is not troubled with the Gout but wheresoever it is the Body is much out of order in some it causeth Head-pains in others Fevers and many other Distempers which are destructive to the Body the Humours are not in all alike But the Humours causing the Gout do commonly proceed from a disorderly Government of the Body as sometimes by immoderate Exercise or ill Diet or too much Drinking or Passion or any other vehement Motion and Colds and Heats These and other such-like disordering the Body breed ill Humours and open the secret Passages of the Body and for the most part fixeth at the Joints And this is one part of the foundation-Foundation-Causes of the Gout Next thing is to know Q. 5. Which way do these Humours flow into the Joints We cannot be unsensible that the Branches do receive their Nourishment from the Root so the Limbs do receive their Nourishment and Moisture from the Body and as before I say the Food perisheth in the Stomach breeds ill Humours and not natural Blood So I conceive that by the same way that the Blood passeth into the Limbs so do these Humours circulate through the Veins and Arteries into the Joints And the Humours being thin and cold as they flow from the Stomach sometimes may be sensibly felt to run through the circulating Passages and to settle in the Joints the Joints being more loose and open than other parts do receive the greater Quantity And this is the way as I conceive that the Humours flow from the Stomach into the Joints And thus I have given some short account concerning the Gout what it is and what parts are afflicted with it with the immediate Causes with some part of the Foundation-Cause 6. A Remedy or Cure But if I should write never so much in a long and large Account â—bout the Nature of the Disease this will not be any help to them that are â—fflicted with it without the knowâ—edg of a Remedy for it What would it signify if a Man see his House on Fire for him to spend his â—ime about inquiring how it came and what was the Cause and while â—e is busy about that the House is â—onsumed when Means was at hand â—o extinguish it Shall this be counâ—ed Wisdom No most will say â—hat Man is a Fool. So it is concerning the Body there â—re some Diseases that no Man can know the Causes but yet the principal part may be known and that is how to cure such Diseases Yet some are so foolish that except a Man will tell the Cause they will not have the Cure I could tell of some but in the Year 1693 that in the Gout when their Case was seen to be dangerous and they were foretold of it and the Means was at hand but yet refused now they are in their Graves whereas many others in the like Case did imbrace the Opportunity and are all living and well in health And this I can say that of the great Numbers that I have for several Years had in hand concerning the Gout I do noâ— know of any one but is yet living This I do declare that the Medicines I have to carry off the Gout have prevented other Sickness and cured other dangerous Diseases by clearing away the Causes And 〈◊〉 can prove many great Cures havâ— been done with the Gout-Medicines that no Man living hath done the like in our Nation with such speed for lame and helpless Persons to be cured in one Hour's time Also Children in Convulsions if they have but any Life in them by the same Means they are recovered speedily and cured of that Disease In my giving you the Virtue and Use of these Medicines you will understand the common Success I have in the Applications and will know the better how to make use of them for your Advantage And though the Parties afflicted may be many Miles distance and thereby may be deprived of my Assistance yet observing the Rules I give I hope with the Blessing of God the Lives and Limbs of many may be preserved It hath pleased God to bless the same Means under my Hands with great Success for I have had great Experience for many Years past in Practice and do keep a Catalogue of Cures done given under the Hands of the Persons cured that any Person afflicted with the same Disease may read for their own satisfaction the Persons Names and Dwelling-places that have been cured And in order to do good for the Publick because I am taken up in my new Business and have not that time as formerly I had to give out Medicines with Directions in many other Cases therefore being willing that People should have the Advantage of some good Medicines of great Use I order my Wife to sell them with Directions She is also able to help and give Advice in Womens Cases but in difficult Matters I shall give my assistance But my chief Business will be to follow my studying about Remedies for the Gout and all other painful Diseases in the Limbs or inward Parts and I hope to obtain great things in that kind of way for in my studious Thoughts I find great Encouragement I have lately corrected and amended my Gout-Balsam and have also discovered another choice Secret being a Pouder for the removing of the inward Causes of the Diseases of the Limbs and have already had great Success in the use of it And as God hath given me understanding to know the Nature of Diseases and hath helped me to find out Remedies for the Cure of them I shall make it one part of my Business to write them down to be left for others to make use of when I am dead and I have already taken that care that they shall not die with me This I mention to satisfy many who are much concerned for fear they should be lost when I die And in order to do all the good I can while I live I shall give a large Account of the Nature Virtue and Use of these Gout-Medicines for every particular Disease wherein they have been proved to be useful and have wrought very great Cures I shall begin with the Gout-Balsam The Virtue of the Gout-Balsam It bringeth away the offending Matter by opening the Pores and doth thereby prevent the danger of Repelling for the immediate Cause is seen to come away from the part afflicted and this bringeth down the swelling of the Gout and for the most part the pain goeth away immediately after it is applied and it doth strengthen weak Limbs and is very comfortable to cold and nummed Parts In many Cases it is a Medicine of great Use as will further appear by the Directions for the Use of it Next follows the Use of it for the Gout The Vse of the Balsam in the Gout Take a
there is speedy Help given and the Danger is quickly over This doth certainly reeover when in the greatest Extremity therefore 't is needful for such as are afflicted with the Gout to keep it by them in a readiness to prevent all Danger it will keep many Years With this Glister and the Balsam I cure Convulsions in young Children and though some have had most of their Children die of that Disease yet with the use of this Means their other Children are speedily recovered It is also good for such as are afflicted with the Cholick or other inward painful Diseases and also for Vapours and Lightness or Swimmings in the Head it bringeth the Vapours downwards so giveth great Relief in many Cases too large to mention here The eighth Help for the Gout is a Plaister When after all hath been done if yet there should remain a Weakness in the Joints then 't is proper to lay on this Plaister round the Joint and bind it on so long as it will stick This Plaister is good to recover strength in some sort of Gouts when other things will not do 'T is good also to bring down Swellings and will take away great Pain therefore in some there may be occasion for this Plaister The ninth Remedy for the Gout in the Head is a Snuff-Pouder When the Gout is in the Head then put up a little of this Pouder in the Nostrils and though the Party thus afflicted be raving mad it will quickly compose the Head by purging the Brain a waterish Humour that is very cold will run down the Nostrils But as there are differing Gouts so there are differing Causes in the Head as well as in other Parts for all are not seen to be light-headed but seem to be heavy to sleep still observe to use this Pouder if the Head be out of order so as you fear the Gout is the occasion of it When I find the Gout dangerous in the inward Parts or in the Head I do apply the Balsam to the Temples and use the Snuff-Pouder also the Glister and the Cordial and with the use of these things I have recovered them as have been so far gone that they have not known any thing that hath been done to them Thus I have given you the Virtue with Directions for the Use of these Gout-Medicines to the end that all such as are at a great distance from me may have the benefit of them They are only prepared by me and sold at my House in Sir Frederick's Court in the Old-Jewry where I give Advice and Directions according as the Case brought before me doth require It will be most for the Advantage of those that are afflicted with any painful Disease that cometh within the reach of the Gout-Medicines to apply themselves to him who is the Author who hath skill in applying them and likewise to advise to what other Means he may think needful but such who cannot have my help may observe the Directions here given and looking to him who giveth us all things for a Blessing I hope you may have good Success in curing your selves Directions for the ordering your Body When you have the Gout on you or such-like painful Disease whereby you are under Confinement observe these Cautions 1. Caution Bleeding is certainly hurtful tho at the present it may seem to give a little ease yet afterwards you will find the ill Effects by the Pains returning and the next Fit will be much worse but many have not the least Ease by bleeding but are much more painful and by the weakness of the Body the Disease fixeth it self in several parts by drawing away the Blood for at that time the Blood is waterish and thin then the best cometh away but the ill Humour that is the Cause of the Pain lodgeth in the Body being too thick to be drawn away through the Veins but the best way to bring this Humour away is by that Medicine which opens the Pores where the Humour lodgeth then there is no danger of repelling but rather hopes that in time the Cause may be removed out of the Body 2. Caution Take heed of keeping the Body with low Diet to think thereby to starve the Gout for you may sooner starve your selves than cure your selves of the Gout by so doing you need not bar your selves from good Diet for you will find your Stomach will fail you too quick of it self 't is more dangerous than you are aware to bring down your Stomachs to low and weak diet for this doth not in the least ease the pain but by the bringing your Body weak your pain is greater and the Body more helpless and in so doing are in danger by your weakness and the continuance of the Disease of falling into a Fever and by the emptiness of the Body you are in danger of bringing the Gout in your inward parts 3. Caution Take heed that you do not indulge your self too much by confining your self from Exercise before your Disease force you to it especially under the use of the Means you had better strive than give way to it so soon as it beginneth to come on you but by your speedy applying the Means and by exercising your self you may prevent your being confined at all especially after you have been once recovered by the Means herein directed 4. Caution Take heed of over-much purging for if you think thereby to cure the Gout you will be greatly deceived for by this means you will rather endanger a Consumption or at least a long Confinement by reason of great weakness of Body My way is to order a Gouty Person as I do Consumptive Persons I cure them without Physick By keeping up Nature a Man may strive with a Disease till the Cause be removed but by using such Means as weaken the Body in this Case it is the contrary way for a Cure 5. Caution Take heed of being too busy with sleepy Potions some have been so stupified with such Potions that when the Gout hath been very dangerous they have not been able to give an Account of their Condition nor to tell where their Pains lay so the Disease is drawn into the Head and the Man goeth sleeping to his Grave 'T is better to hear the Man cry aloud for then some Help may come and though his pains may be great and continue long so that he want Rest and may endanger a Fever yet in all this there is more hopes of recovery than when the Man is stupified and thereby made unsensible of his Condition but since there is ease to be had by outward things these dangerous Means may be avoided and the Lives of many may be preserved Directions for Diet. First I shall tell you what is hurtful for the Bodies of such as are afflicted with the Gout Salt Meats are not good nor stale Beer nor no sharp or sowre Things nor mixed Wines nor Claret nor too much Spoon-meats but be sure to forbear Cyder these and
Directions for its use in Convulsions of the Nerves 28 Directions for the use of the Gout-Balsam in outward Convulsions 29 Directions for the use of the Gout-Balsam in Palsies or numness of Limbs Pag. 29 Directions for the use of Gout-Balsam in Dropsies 30 Directions for the Gout-Balsam in the Sciatica 31 Directions for the use of the Gout-Balsam for the Spleen or Pleurisy 32 Directions for the use of the Gout-Balsam for Kernels or Swellings ibid. Directions for the Vse of the Gout-Balsam in dangerous and painful Sores 33 The use of the Gout-Balsam in Giddiness and Apoplexy 34 An Observation that this Gout-Balsam is good to take inwardly ibid. Directions for the second Medicine for the Gout which is a red Balsam 35 Directions for the third Medicine c. 36 Directions for the fourth Medicine c. 37 The fifth Remedy for the Gout 38 The sixth Help to carry off the Gout ibid. The seventh Help for the Gout 39 The eighth Help for the Gout 40 The ninth Remedy for the Gout 41 Directions for ordering your Body 43 Cautions ibid. Direction for Diet 48 A Remedy to hinder or prevent the Gout returning again Pag. 63 A Vindication in my own Defence against my malicious Adversaries 72 Many are offended because I am not a College-Doctor c. 73 Another Reflection or Supposition is that some dangerous Matter is in the Medicine as Aquafortis c. 77 An Account of Cures done by Blisters drawn by the Gout-Balsam 79 Great and Remarkable Cures performed on Palsies and Convulsions in the Nerves 92 An Explanation or a Discovery of the Safety of the Ingredients of the Gout-Balsam 104 A Word to the Chirurgeons 106 My Apology to the Apothecaries 107 My Apology to the Doctors of the College 109 An Answer to some false Reports 115 The Conclusion 118 Receipts with Directions for the Cure of the King's-Evil c. 119 A Catalogue of Choice Medicines sold at the Author's House at reasonable Rates 127 A DISCOURSE OF THE GOUT MY Design is to speak something concerning the Gout but it being a Disease that of late Years is grown very common most do know what it â—s therefore I shall not need to make a long Discourse concerning it My Intent is rather to direct you â—o that as may help you speedily and though this is hard to be believed by many yet by what I shall write you may be convinced that there is one that doth perform great Things and gives present Help in the greatest Extremity and such as use to be confined many Months are set at liberty in less than one Week but the Pain is taken away in less than one Hour This is the common Success of the Gout-Balsam if rightly applied to which I shall give here large and full Directions in all Cases wherein this Balsam is useful But before I come to that I shall lay open something of the Nature of the Gout by several Inquiries discovering the Nature of this Disease with the Signs and Causes Quest 1. What is the Gout In general all may know so much of it as to tell 't is a sore painful tormenting Disease but those that are afflicted with it are more sensible to know what it is and when they may be said to have it especially after two or three Fits for usually it cometh after one and the same manner as aâ— the first and about the same time of the Year and for the most part it cometh to the same Joint or Part where it first beginneth and usually it giveth some warning before it cometh all which doth signify to us the Nature of this Disease Now the common Signs that do foretel that the Gout is coming are these following Tokens Sometimes an extraordinary Itching in the Blood or by sudden Heat Flushings all about the Body or sick Fits or a Fulness after moderate Eating or a great Heaviness or Melancholy or a Weariness after moderate Exercise or subject to Dreams and disquiet Sleeping or ill Taste or Flemical or Feverish or a Tenderness of the Joints or a Change of the Urine pale and these are some of the common Signs that the Gout is coming but I do not mean that all these Signs are in one Body But as there are differing Pains of the Gout so there are differing Causes and differing Signs My Intent is but to touch on these Things but if you observe you will have some Sign to foretel that the Gout is coming as aforesaid and in a short time after any of these Signs the Pain cometh and is commonly violent at the first The Extremity of the Pain causeth a Soreness and the Settlement of the Humours causeth a Weakness Those that are afflicted with this Disease are for a long time disabled and though it be a Disease that cometh by Fits yet for the most part every Fit groweth longer and weakneth the Parts afflicted after the Extremity of the Pain is gone off so the Disease groweth more powerful as the Party groweth in Age. Many of late have died of the Gout and 't is observed that it is more dangerous than formerly Thus in short I have set before you the Nature of this Disease and after what manner it cometh so I shall come to the second Query which will shew some of the immediate Causes the differing Sorts of Pains in nine parts Q. 2. What Parts are afflicted For the most part the Pain cometh in the Joints for the Joints being more loose and open than other parts do receive the greater quantity of Humours that causeth the Pain and for the most part the pain cometh to the same part again as if there were the Seat or Settlement of the Humours Which for some Reasons may be concluded to be true for the Cavity of the Joints being hollow and loose may be full and yet nothing seen when the pain is greatest But after the pain is gone 't is common to have a Weakness in the Joints which remaineth on some always till the Gout cometh again for because of the Relicks that do remain in the Joints it more readily enters in But when the Joints are full and the parts swelled then the Humours do sometimes flow to other parts of the Body so by the increase of the Humours all parts may be afflicted together both in the Limbs and inward parts But some have it not in the Joints at all but in the inward Parts only and usually when it is in the inward Parts the Pain is exceeding great for a short time and runneth about like a Cholick or Spleen sometimes like the Pain of the Stone and sometimes like the Gripes in the Bowels and sometimes like Plurisies Thus many are afflicted with the Gout in the inward Parts only Others there are that have the Gout in the Head and in no other part at all and the Pain is great by sits but doth not continue painful so long as it doth in other parts When the Gout is in the Head only I
with great Success I have found it profitable in the Gout it helpeth the Digestion and causeth Nature to carry off any offending Matter cleanseth the Stomach procureth an Appetite causeth the Body to be in good natural order and doth by purifying the Body prevent ill Humours circulating to the Limbs and is proper to take at any time if the Body be any ways disordered either by eating or drinking Then take so much as will lie on a new Groat in a Spoonful of Ale last at Night and first in the Morning this observed may prevent Sickness But if you fear that by any Disorder of the Body or by any Signs appearing that do foretel the Gout is coming then take the same Quantity as before directed and at the same time and also an hour before every Meal Or if you find when you are drinking of Wines or other Liquors your Taste is bad then take of this Pouder such a quantity as before-mentioned in the same Liquor you may be drinking and it will recover your Taste It is profitable in many other Cases but if you observe this order it will be a means to prevent the Gout coming on you These Medicines have been tried proved and experienced by Learned and Understanding Men and have been successful in the speedy and safe curing of many dangerous Diseases that have been counted uncureable God hath by their use wrought miraculous Cures and there are great numbers of Witnesses of the Truth of these Things of the Persons cured that have been in their Beds in a helpless Condition and the very Hour the Means have been applied their Strength hath been recovered and have got up and walked about immediately and many have been present who are Eye-witnesses of these things There is hardly one Week passeth but that there is some great and notable Cure performed by these Gout-Medicines being of great use in many other Diseases not mentioned in this Book and in most Cases the Cure is speedily done both in aged Men and Women and in young Children And though in aged People that have been many Years afflicted with painful Diseases yet such have been cured in one Hour's time and have continued well afterwards Such as are Inhabitants in or about the City of London may be informed by enquiring almost in any part of the City of Cures that are done or if they come to the Author of this Book they may be satisfied what Persons have been cured in their Condition and may have satisfaction in their own Cases whether curable or not He will also give his Advice and Directions to such whose Cases are uncurable to put them in a way to help themselves to do that good as can be done for them And as for such as are not capable to prepare Medicines for themselves if the Case be curable they shall have the Medicines bestowed on them and if ever they are in a Condition to be able to pay I will trust them till then but if they have not a Heart to do any thing then I shall not look after them but leave it to their own Consciences to do according to their Ability something towards the charge of Medicines that I may the better hold out to help them that can do nothing As for such as are able to pay for their Medicines they shall have them faithfully prepared and at reasonable Rates and I shall endeavour by my Advice to give them that Assistance that they may receive benefit by them and have no cause to complain that they have laid out their Money and are nothing the better But if I can see the Persons or have a right Account brought me that I may be able to give a true Judgment of their Condition I shall then deal plainly with them and shall not suffer them to be at any unnecessary Charge for it is against my Mind to take Money where I find there is no hopes of doing good I am so far from coveting Gain to my self by preparing Medicines for such whose Cases are doubtful that I had rather give them my Advice and Directions to make and prepare the Medicines themselves and then they will be the more willing to use the Means for their own Good when they know the Ingredients and in so doing they may cure themselves But if they have not their Cure they cannot blame me for by this you may see my Intention is to do all the Good I can and though God may deny his Blessing on the Means to some yet others by the same Means may be cured therefore let none despair of Help but rather wait upon God in the use of Means for his Blessing in hopes of Success in the End And though the Means I use my self is for the most part very successful in performing present Cures yet sometimes in some Distempers it doth require longer time There are some whose Diseases are uncurable but such are commonly proved after the Means I use is once applied and some there are that cannot be perfectly cured but yet do receive great help and by the use of Means do keep up their Bodies that they can walk abroad But Experience hath shewed that when they have not had the Means at hand the Disease hath got Advantage again By reason of the differing Causes of bodily Diseases it is impossible for Man to find such an infallible Medicine as to cure all Diseases But there are for natural Causes natural Helps and for differing sorts of Diseases there are many sorts of Medicines proper for their Cures And those that have Understanding will seek for help in time if they know where to have it for it is difficult to find out such as have good Skill and a good Conscience Many will say the World is a Cheat and the Scripture saith All Men are Liars and it may be you will say you have met with such ill usage that you know not who to trust especially in Matters that concern Life and Health in this you are at a loss and know not what to do and bodily Diseases come on a sudden and commonly in haste you run to the next that comes to hand for help but if it prove not a skilful Man it may be there is a Life lost or some Mischief done for want of a right understanding of the Disease and for want of a proper Remedy And such as seek only their own Interest will make Profit of them and make it no Matter of Conscience whether they live or die and if they know they can do no good they will not be so honest as to tell them so but will keep them in hand while it is too late for others to help them There are too many such Practitioners and this is a great Discouragement and makes many afraid to put themselves into the hands of Physicians but I would advise such that are in Health to get knowledg of an able Physician before Sickness comes and those who know their bodily
Diseases to be provided of such Remedies as they hear do cure others in the like case and this is the way not to be deceived Believe not any Man by his own Report only nor by a bare Discourse of others but get plain proof of his Skill and then you may venture with safety Now since I have been in the practice of Gouts Rheumetisms and Palsies and all such-like painful Diseases and weakness of Limbs there are some that would seek to ruin me if they could and do hate me and are maliciously set against me for my doing good I could name some but I shall omit that now and if they give me farther Occasion I shall make them ashamed of their Doing for no Man shall discourage me from improving the Gifts God hath bestowed on me and all may know what great Success I have had by what I have written I am unwilling to put Persons Names in print that I have cured by reason many are troublesome to go and make enquiry when they have no occasion This I have told you that all that have need of help may come to me and I will shew them what I have under the Hands of those I have cured sufficient to satisfy all Persons what I have done and what I can do But because some through Envy do publikly endeavour to run down my Gout-Medicines I look upon my self concerned to make mention of something of Proof against them who have made it their Business to speak against me without Cause A Vindication in my own Defence against my malicious Adversaries As most of the Discourse against me is by some private Persons yet it comes to a kind of a publick Discourse Were it a publick thing in open Court then I would make a publick Defence in that manner as hath not been seen that the World may judg what good I have done in my time but according to my present Occasion I shall in this private way make my Defence that may be read at leasure being in a little compass it may serve for a Pocket-Companion Many are offended because I am not a College-Doctor and brought up gradually to be a Physician and therefore cannot have Skill In answer to this first Most do know I do not pretend to be a Doctor for my Business is not among the Sick yet I must tell you I do understand much in many Diseases as to the curable part but that I leave to the Doctors except it be so that I may have a Friend given over by all if I can do them any neighbourly Service of Love or help such as cannot be at the Charge of a Doctor so far as Christian-Love and Charity requires my help But that which is my Practice the Doctors do not pretend to as to cure or help the Gout after that speedy manner as I do for these are new things of late discovery that no Man knoweth but my self and though many are unbelieving yet what is written is certainly true that I can do more than other Men in the aforementioned Diseases And though I were not brought up gradually as you call it to be a Physician in that way and order as College-Doctors so I do not pretend to that Knowledg Skill and Learning but this I can tell you that I have been a Student of Physick for many Years and though I did not wear a Gown at the University yet I did learn much of my Knowledg at Oxford and had the Privilege of a Scholar in the great Library and began in my Youthful Days After I had obtained to the knowledg of many good things I did not practise it for some Years only for my self and Family But after some time I became serviceable to my Friends Acquaintance and Neighbours and thus I gradually came by my Knowledg and Learning And though I have not the knowledg of discoursing like a Doctor in their Terms yet I do know something of the Nature â—nd Cause of Diseases and know now to cure a Disease There are some that their Parents do bestow much on them to train â—hem up to be Ministers or Doctors but if they have not a natural Inclination that way many times all cometh to nothing Also there are some as can use their Tongues well in Latin and other Languages can talk a great deal and do but little I have known many such in my time being acquainted in the University with all Sorts and Degrees so it is not a Rule to trust to for every Man that is well-learned in Latin Greek and Hebâ—ew that he is therefore a skilful Man for I have been acquainted with some that have had all these Parts of Learning and yet fit for nothing but to talk Now all that know me do know I am no talkative sort of Man being naturally one of few words and am like one always in a study but yet I am ready to give an Answer in any Matter whatsoever by which you may know I am not an ignorant nor unlearned Person neither do I undertake that as I am not able to perform and though I am not a College-Doctor yet I have knowledg and skill in that I do practise as doth plainly appear being examined tried and proved 'T is clearly seen and may be believed that so far as I do pretend God hath given me Skill and Understanding and he it is that maketh me to prosper This may be sufficient to answer this Part I shall in the next place answer some other Reflections Another Reflection or Supposition is That some dangerous Matter is in the Medicine as Aquafortis or some other such-like things because it draweth Blisters and with over-doing causeth the Skin to come off I did never use Aquafortis in my Life And in answer to this Supposition among the many things that have been named by the Doctors and other Practitioners put the Judgments of all together they never named more than one thing in it You may know by what I have already declared that there is nothing hurtful or dangerous in it because I can take it inwardly my self and in the very Nature of the thing in drawing any venomous Matter out of the Body And further let any Doctors or others propose what way soever they will to apply it on purpose to do all the hurt they can with it I will expose my own Body for the Trial and Proof of it in Publick if required If there were danger of doing Mischief with it in the use of it then it would have been discovered before this time for I have applied it to Men Women and Children and never did hurt to any and I do use it freely to blister the Part if need requires But you will not believe this that I dare use it so freely I shall give some proof of this to help your Unbelief for in some Cases I cannot cure the Disease without blistering the Part it doth not make any large blistering but they rise as Pimples which if you
principal intended Business is to attend such who are afflicted with Gouts Rheumatisms Palsies Convulsions and all such-like Cases I have cured some that have been lame many Years and the Cure hath been performed very speedily but some do require a longer time This you may conclude if I undertake a Cure you may be encouraged it shall be my loss if I do not perform it If I should tell here the Cures I have done for Consumptive People you could hardly believe it but I shall not insist here on such things If I could have had time I should in pity have writ something to help such in this Book but that I shall refer to the next Impression and in the mean time shall be willing to help such by my Advice if they can come or send to my House Now I must return to the Matter intended for if I should fill up my Book with never so many Testimonies of curing the Gout and such-like Diseases yet still some cannot or will not believe this to be true that there is a Man that can do these things In a Trial at Law in difficult Matters the plain Proof of two or three Witnesses on Oath puts an end to all Controversies and both Judg and Jury is convinced to believe and judg according to the Proof and Truth of the Evidence Such large Proof hath been given of speedy Cures of many diseased Persons of Gouts Rheumetisms Palsies and such-like and were so speedily freed of their Pains that it is incredible to declare it But that you may be convinced of the Truth I have given you the Testimony of ten Men who have declared on Oath every Man in his own Case their particular Cures and how speedily done in the presence of many Witnesses was this Proof given before the Right Honourable Sir John Fleet late Lord Mayor of the City of London And for a farther Confirmation he hath given it in writing under his own Hand also subscribed by his Attorney at Law It cannot be supposed that I should put a Cheat on the People by publishing this or that I should dare to counterfeit the Hand-writing of so great a Magistrate which would but expose me shamefully to suffer punishment for so doing All rational Persons may believe this is Truth therefore I shall not need to give any of their Names in this Book but such as desire to be further satisfied may see every Man's Affidavit in Writing under their own Hands or may have a printed Paper of the Copy at the Author's House with many others who have given under their Hands the manner of their Cures therefore shall not mention any of them here Several of these also are perfectly cured by my Gout-Balsam being applied freely to blister the Parts by which all may be well satisfied there is no danger though it may blister and cause the Skin to come off where it is freely applied but yet some Bodies are so differing from others that if they use never so much they cannot feel it and it will not cause either Pimple or Blister on them but yet though it be not felt it doth so open the Pores that it lets out the Disease let it be Wind or Water and no more to be seen afterwards than if nothing had been done so some are cured with ease and pleasure rather than punishment by using it And this may be observed for a Rule if you do not feel it you may use it as often as you will or if you are minded to use but little it doth require the longer time for your Cure Now this is my way of vindicating my self by giving you a plain Account what is done by my Medicines rather than to name or publish what envious lying Persons report If I should be as unkind to them as they are to me I could spoil their Practice and selling of Medicines by making known what Discourse has passed to me in the hearing of others for many have visited me in pretence of Love that will in other Company speak against me without a Cause being only envious for my Prosperity and good Success in Business and there are many offended at the Good I do It would be a Crime in me if I should not do Good and the Cures I perform prefer me in Practice and the Success I have shameth my Adversaries who are not able to do the like You have had an Account here of Cures mostly concerning the Gout and such-like painful Diseases that have been performed chiefly by the Gout-Balsam being freely used to blister the Parts and no hurt done to any Thus you have that which is sufficient to prove them Liars that would say 't is a dangerous Medicine The next thing as a farther Vindication of the Excellency of my Gout-Balsam is to give you an Account of what strange Cures have been done in Palsies and such-like Cases with the use of that and my other Gout-Medicines Great and Remarkables Cures performed on Palsies and Convulsions in the Nerves Mr. Hoar a Painter in Wapping lost the use of his Limbs by the dead Palsy for five Months was perfectly cured in a few days Mr. Dimsdell in Wenford-street by Spittle-Fields was helpless in his Limbs by the Num-Palsy and Convulsions in the Nerves and was perfectly cured in about two Weeks time Many poor People who have been brought to my House being helpless in Coaches have been speedily recovered to go away on foot and without Crutches Mrs. Ashworth in George-Yard in Shoreditch who for a long time had been afflicted with running Pains in all Parts with Convulsions She had used all Means as could be heard of to help her had tried the Bath and all was ineffectual but grew worse but at last by Providence she heard of one in the same Neighbourhood that I had cured I was sent for when I came the Neighbours were about the Bed expecting her departure with all speed I applied the Means for I found it was the Cholick Convulsions and Gout had affected all parts at once both Limbs Bowels Stomach and Head In about two Hours I did remove the Cause and she was comfortably revived and in four days time she was cured Mrs. Lucas just without Aldersgate had been lame many Months in a helpless Condition the Doctors could not find out the Cause and none could help her so she lay under great pain and weakness which was on one Side only yet she could not help her self the Nurse carried her about like a Child in Arms. When I came I went speedily to my Work and in one hour's time she walked about and in about four days time she had recovered such strength that she could walk from her Country-Lodgings at Islington to her Dwelling-House at Aldersgate Mr. Morgan's Son at the corner of Little-Britain in Aldersgate-street had been helpless a long time almost in all Parts It was a kind of inward Convulsion that affected the Bowels and Limbs as was the Cause of his weakness I
applied the Means I use for helping the Gout in the inward part which after once dressing he walked about and the second dressing perfectly cured Several others in that Street I have speedily helped in extremity of pains but 't is needless to multiply to fill up it would tire your patience to read all Mr. Moon a Cheesmonger in High-Holborn over against the new Watch-House that is built in the middle of the Street by the Fountain-Tavern He had kept in Bed for a long time as a bed-rid Man and could not help himself all Means that had been used were ineffectual so he lay in a hopeless Condition despairing of help At last by strange Providence I came to him and because he had no pain I feared he was uncurable but my Medicines were applied which discovered the Disease it appeared to be a palsical waterish Humour that was on the Sinews with a kind of Convulsion in the Nerves that was the Cause of his Weakness In less than one hour after I had applied my Medicines the Cause being brought out his strength came to him and he rose out of Bed and walked about his House I dressed him twice afterwards and in a little time he came to his full strength and in good bodily Health After this manner was this Cure performed I have formerly cast off several that have been under great Weakness because they have had no pain and sometimes no feeling for at first my Medicines had not that Success in such Cases as now they have but now they are much amended and I daily increase my Knowledg in these things and do much Good and perform greater Cures than formerly in several Diseases which I have thought uncureable my self as appears by the aforementioned Cures and others as follow which are sufficient Proof of the great Skill and Knowledg God hath given me in curing Diseases Mr. Meriton Minister of Old-Fishstreet his Son in the 21 st Year of his Age was strangely afflicted with a Disease that took away his Limbs and deprived him of the use of Nature it had so affected hiâ— inward parts from the pit of the Stomach that all his lower parts were as dead his Bowels and inward parts were as dead without any feeling or strength to help Nature also down both sides to his Toes ends In this very weak Condition this Gentleman had lain for a long time and no help could be had by all means that was used by the Advice and Help of able Doctors of the College There were several concerned to advise and help one another consented to use the utmost of their Skill in this Case but no good could be done neither could they discover the Cause of this Disease so there was no hopes of his recovery but in all likelihood grew nearer to his End as it got upwards At last I was sent for by a Letter to come at a set time so when I came there was Dr. Merity and two of the College-Doctors and several others After a little discourse I began to apply my Medicine which did in a very little time cause a sensible feeling of the Blood circulating and in less than two hours he stood up and his strength began to come he walked about a little then Now as it appeared the Cause of this was from Convulsions on the Nerves and inward Parts and by this means the Limbs were affected with a palsical Disease that taketh away all strength wheresoever it cometh the Convulsions had appeared by twitchings in his Toes Feet but after the means had been applied about three or four hours he appeared more strongly Then I came with my Medicines that cure Convulsions and in a quarter of an hour I brought away the very Cause and from that time he never had any more Convulsions then his strength came and the next day he walked about without any help so I dressed him a second and a third time Thus he was perfectly cured in about four days time This was in cold frosty Weather this last Winter so it was two Weeks before he went abroad Madam Hudson on Tower-hill was much after the same manner as Mr. Meriton was both in the Limbs and inward Parts only hers was all on one side of the Body half the Head one Arm and one Leg but in the inward parts all together as he was and had been in this Condition about four Months and all means was ineffectual and no help could be had though she had all done as the Doctors could advise her yet still she remained in this Condition till I came I applied the Means and in 24 Hours she was in good order and stronger and better to walk with that Leg that was lame than with the other for she was weak in all parts with lying so long and a Consumptive Woman long before This great Alteration was done chiefly by the first dressing and since it has been her lot to fall into my hands I hope by my Direction and God's Blessing to cure her of the Consumption I have done much in helping her both for the Cholick and Stone and hope to see her in good Health on all Accounts She is now under the use of Means for the Consumption and is in a good way of recovery Mr. Boulton's Kinsman living near the aforesaid Mr. Moon in Holborn was lame of a nummed and dead Palsy It affected all parts both Head and Body especially from the middle of the Body to the Toes ends both his Legs were dead and cold had no feeling at all pinching pricking or cutting nothing could hurt him He was tried but he said if we would cut off his Legs he should not feel it they were also pale and looked like the Limbs of a dead Man This put me to a stand whether I had best do any thing to him or not I had him then took out of Bed and laying him cross on the Bed I dress'd him and after a little time he felt a pricking in both his Legs Then he began to be warm I still chafed the weak parts till he had good feeling I pinched him and he cried out In a little time his strength came in less than two hours time I had done all and put on his Clothes and he walked down two pair of Stairs presently without Stick or Crutch then I left him among the Family This was done the first dressing being the fourth day of this instant May 1694. This young Man liveth with his Uncle who keeps a Publick House in Bloomsbury-Market He is a Tapster and hath since gone up and down Stairs to draw Drink from five a Clock in the Morning till Night But this was too hard for him for it hath caused a stiffness in his Limbs yet he will be well of this in a little time if not neglected or over-wrought before he hath got his full strength A young Gentlewoman at Mr. Millers the Bull-head Tavern in Woodstreet near Cheapside was taken with a Dead-Palsy on all