Archeus or Vital Aire takes notice of it and being incensed it frames in it self some Ill-favoured Dark Images agreeable to the Cause Offensive According to this Model or Proportion it Acts never ceasing to follow the Copy or Draught of the Malady made by its own Activity in a certain determinate quantity of it self even to its own great damage and destruction unless the Character of the Disease be blotted out or the Archeus pacified and diverted by some pleasing Object or the External Vexing Occasion removed Those Defunct Excrements or Superfluities separated from Life never to be rconciled to it are most tedious and noisome to the Vital Spirits wherefore becoming impatient they Rage Fret Chafe at the presence of so unwelcome Guests Hereupon they stir upon the Ferments or Instrumental Transfigurators to become disordered sometimes to cause a Confusion Tumult Boiling and Huffing in the Juices whereby a Feaver is kindled sometimes to produce Congelation of the Blood otherwhile to turn it into sharp gauling Liquor causing many long Calamities Now the Filth or Dregs lodging in our Bodies are not Diseases themselves but stir up the Archeus to create those Evils we are liable to These are either Antecedent Causes of our Maladies or they are Products and Consequents stirring up Secondary Calamities accompanied with various Symptoms Accidents Dispositions and Alterations Moreover the Miseries of our Bodies do now and then begin from an Invisible Immaterial Occasion imprinting in our Phansies a lively Character of a Disease which converting the Good Juices into Bad both Foment the present Evil also excite the Vitals to procreate more Mischiefs through the Contagion of a Seed implanted in the Life That the Phansie can out of a Non Ens or Nothing frame Hoc Aliquid or something of this or that Species is evident in Women with Child who upon earnest longing after Fruit c. or some sudden Terrour make the Idea or Figure of what they greatly Covet or are terrified at in their Spirits which conveied to the Womb is absolutely conformed in that part of the Child which answers to the place the Woman at that instant touched when she was so passionately affected Withal this Plant or Living Creature pictured in the Skin shall express all those remarkable Alterations Defections Vigour and Maturation that the Real Type or Example of what is shaped is subject to at certain times of the year Thus 't is plain that the Spirits being exalted excited or put into a vehement Motion through any notable Passion can fashion that bringing it to visible Light on the Superficies of the Skin which before lay hid within Wherefore I doubt not there is as perspicuous a Signaturi of every Disease in the Spirits as the Platform of the Plant to be produced in a Bean divided The Principle Difference being that the one is more Spiritual the other Corporeal The Seminal Figure then of all Diseases made in the Spirit of Life is the only Efficient Active Cause of their Being Likewise some Degenerate Portion of the Spirit wherein the Calamitie is as it were stamped separated from that which remains in its Integrity becomes the Material Subject thereof That 't is the Blast of Life which conceives and brings forth all manner of Evils is most evident seeing no Dead Body is capable of Sickness this being the true only Reason to be given that the Principal Contriveâ— thereof viz. the Archeus or Vital Spirit is wanting For the Forbidden Fruit which Adam took into his Stomach having a Power inserted into it of stirring up Lust or Concupiscence The Omnipotent for that Reason giving Advertisement to Man not to meddle with was appropriated and applicated by means of the Animal Spirits to the Immortal Soul whereby it presently sets up Images of filthy Diseases forthwith entertaining the Sensual Soul common to all Beasts being then so continuing to this day the Fundamental Cause of all Calamities I assert the Irregular Imagination of the Living Spirit of Man in the Stomach chiefly the Brain and every Part besides doth first set on work every Infirmity seizing upon us which at first seems very inconsiderable but in process through the uncessant Motion of the First Mover it arrives to a great Height of Malignity as appears by various sad Symtoms Accidents and Products to be distinguished precisely from the Substantial Being of Diseases For Example A Stone in the Kidneys Bladder or elsewhere likewise any congealed Matter or Cancrous hollowness are not Diseases but the Products Effects or Fruits thereof The Petrifying Imaginary Seed closely seated in the Archeus is that which first laid the Foundation of the Stone carrying the same on as it began to full growth so that although the Stone be removed out of the Kidneys as long as there remains that stonifying Seed or invisible Beginning the Person before rid of this hard Concretion may ere long if the Idea the Principle of the Congealing be not absolutly brought to naught or blotted out be vexed tortured or crucified with the like deformed Matter again That the Archeus should be put into such a disturbance or Passion through any disorders in Diet c. as to frame within its own Bowels such a dreadful unhandsome Substance is to be lamented but that the Seminal Character of the Stone should be contrived fomented born with us taking deep root as we grow up is far more deplorable For Diseased Seminal Ideas derived from the Matrice are hardly to be razed out they are so incorporated with our Constitutes challenging as great priviledge to act their part upon the Stage of this Little World in an uniform Manner and Dress though depraved as Nature in its Integrity directed by wholsome Images performs all things orderly according to just proportion and approved Rules of Sanity At that very time when the chief Author moulds the Seed containing the shadowed Likeness of what is to be made capable of a perfect Form doth the same Workmaster draw the Pourtraiture of those manifold Mischiefs which happen to Body and Mind many years after So fixed are those Hereditary Miseries that although the whole Mass of every Numerical Part of the Body be changed again and again yet the Radical Tincture or dye of the Congenite Disease shall remain ready to put forth it self flourish spread into various Branches and Fruits when the full time is come that it meets with an Outward Cause to stir it up This is demonstrable in the Gout the Stone Consumption Madness Small Pox c. whose Images for some years lie as it were asleep till they be roused up through some Provocative Occasions The Idea's of Evils which the Archeus contrives when we are come out of the Womb abroad in the open Aire are flitting may easily be blurred wiped off by a stronger Figure these often interfeering each other at length clash together and both become annihilated Infinite are the Number of Idea's or Representations made by a Working Phansie some of which are no sooner
through the whole course of our Life so that we Live no longer when the Heart and Lungs do quite give over the faculty of Moving Every one then ought to take singular care that Circulation of the Blood may be in no wise intercepted nor free Breathing be intermitted for that purpose the Exercise of the Muscles of the Limbs gentle and sweet Recreation of the Mind do avail Moderate Equal Diaphoretick Alterative and duly Excitative Labor joyned with pleasant variable admirable rare and desirable Objects doth Expand and Dilate the Lungs and Arteries whereby the Breast becomes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Arteries Emicant Nothing promotes these Actions better than cheerfulness or temparate Joy constant love of what is truly amiable never to be repented of A probable hope of some good not long to be deferred at length a sweet enjoyment of that which is durable and capable to usher in better things For I am of a very brave Man's Opinion The Comfort of our whole Life depends upon expectation of better things Also Magnanimity or Courage founded upon Virtuous Enterprizes aspiring to Noble Designs for a Publick as well as Private Interest do sweetly enlarge the Spirits quickning the Ferments causing an expulsion of Superfluities Yea just Indignation kept within its due Limits facilitates Respiration Transpiration and Pulsation On the contrary Fear Sorrow Melancholy Hatred Jealousie Envy contract the Diaphragme and the Muscles of the Breast hindering legitimate breathing occasioning an Immature Importunate Systole or a Supine Connivence in the Arteries It is not amiss sometimes to be transported beyond the common bounds of Moderation to be agitated with some Extraordinary passion of the mind and to sustain tedious Labor that the sweeter composition of Mind and most delightful rest of Body may follow sith one constant strict tenor pertaining to Diet is hardly to be obtained without greater damage whensoever we offend not to be avoided by any Man who hath a Publick Employment or a secular Interest to look after so that it is better to be accustomed to any Exercise or labour of Body and mind voluntarily least we be surpriz'd unawares unwillingly to our notable hurt I advise those parts should undergo most gentle Exercise which are weakest to walk oftner upon the lower Limbs when they are somewhat feeble to move rather the Arms and Hands when incident to a debility lest the stronger by motion defraud the weaker and so Alogotrophia or disproportion in the nourishment of parts follow I approve Frication of all parts especially three noted Emunctories the Groin Arm-pits and Neck with a course Cloath without curious superstition of rigtht oblique or transverse Directions Combing the Head every Morning is an exercise profitable for the Brain and upper Limbs encreasing their vigour and opening the Pores for the emission of Excrements engendred in the sixt Digestion which is not a little depraved by a superfluous covering so that the Brain through too much Heat becomes Effeminate Soft and Imprudent Let every man make choice of that Exercise or Recreation he is most inclined most agreeable to his Constitution whereby he is most relieved CHAP. VIII THe fifth inseparable Companion of our Life neerly related to Exercise and Motion is Sleeping and Waking These make almost a Divident of the Life of this Microcosm And happy it is for Man that the first was Instituted sith great are the Cares of miserable Mortals that he hath reason to bless his Creator that he can fall into a sweet Lethean Sleep which like a short Death deprives him of Sorrow and Anguish of Spirit Pax Animi quem cura fugit Albeit great is the comfort of a moderate Sleep as to the refreshment of Body and Mind whereby they are enabled to execute their Faculties and Offices more vigorously awake yet no small are the Discommodities brought upon us by excess therein as an Indisposition to follow Ingenious Arts or Sciences a Stupidity to comprehend the Truth of things Forgetfulness Supinity or Indifferences what becomes of our future State leaving Affairs in a confused condition Indigested and Desperate It heaps up Crudities flats the Archeus hinders the Expulsion of Superfluities makes the Body Woman-like Delicate Tender Wanton unfit for any Noble Enterprize accumulates Excrements yielding abundant Matter for all sorts of Diseases c. Excess also in Waking is accompanied with multitude of ill Consequents Impovrishment and Distraction of the Spirits Absurd Idea's Indigestion an Augmentation of A-aids Hypochondriack Fits Melancholy and Madness CAAP. IX THe last Inseparable Concomitant of Life to be Insisted upon whereby our condition is made better or worse according as we govern them well or ill is our Passions which if they move regularly produce a sweet Tranquility in the Mind and a Salubrity in the Body but if extravagant flying out beyond their bounds they confound the whole Oeconomy of this Admirable Frame The Stoicks seem to endeavour to deprive themselves of a Sensitive Life when they would have a man to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This is all one as not to take notice of any thing adverse to Nature for it is impossible for a Man Apprehensible and Imaginable not to be moved by the Object he apprehends or Imagines as it is pleasing or distastful so he desires it or abhors it the Affections hereby set on work great reluctancy effervescence perturbation arise in the Spirits which sometimes strangly alter the Texture and Crasis of the Blood The Idea's or Images of Sorow Fear Anger Joy Jealousie Hatred Emulation are sometimes so fixed in the Animals that they become indeleble hence vain Imaginations of the whole Man Dotage Melancholy and Furie are Emicant neither do the absurd Conceptions and vain Imaginatiors of the whole Man only cause disturbance in the Stomack or Brain Storms or Tempests in the Universal Archeus but likewise the Spirit of every part frameth particular Images of Indignation Fear c. Any Spinous acculeating or pricking Matter in any particular part presently puts the Vital Spirit there into a passion the Archeus of the Eye is forthwith put into an indignation when an Extimulating Fretting Liquor is either injected into it or engendred in it through a fault in its peculiar Degestion whereupon the Lympha Latex or the Wheyish Humour is lured or summoned for the Ablution of this Blot or Defect which when it cannot perform the Ocular Water as well as the Nourishment thereof is depraved through the ringing Attrition of the Sensitive Spirit which ought by all means to be pacified The like Perturbation is observed to be raised in the Archeus of the Ear Nose Windpipe c. when any troublesome cause ariseth there 'T is certainly true Omne Vivens Mortui impatiens esse solet Whatsoever is alienated from Life engendred either within assumed or injected from without brings sometimes sooner or sometimes latter the Custos of the Whole or Part into an Inquietude For this reason Cantharides applyed raise Blisters in the Skin of a
οÏθο-μιθοδοσ ιατâ—-χεμικη OR THE DIRECT METHOD OF Curing Chymically Wherein is conteined the Original Matter and Principal Agent of all Natural Bodies ALSO The Efficient and Material Cause of Diseases in General Their Therapeutick Way and Means I. Diaetetical by Rectifying Eating Drinking c. II. Pharmaceutick 1. By Encreasing and supporting the Vital Spirits â— By Pacifying and Indulging them 3. By Defacing or Blotting out the Idea of Diseases by Proper Specificks Lastly By removing the Extimulating or Occasional Cause of Maladies To which is added The ART of MIDWIFERY Chymically Asserted The CHARACTER of an ORTHO-CHYMIST And PSEVDO CHYMIST A Description of the Sanative Virtues of our STOMACH-ESSENCE Also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or a Just Complaint of the METHOD of the GALENISTS By GEORGE THOMSON M. D. Plurimi Morbi cedunt per Simplicia â—st ubi Morbus in Gradum surrexit altiora exiguntur Remedia V. Helm London Printed for B. Billingsley at the Printing-press in Cornhill S. Crouch at the upper end of Popes-Head-Alley 1675. The Epistle Dedicatory To the Most Illustrious PRINCE RUPERT DVKE of Cumberland EARL of Holderness KNIGHT of the most Noble Order of the Garter and one of His MAIESTIE 'S most Honourable Privy Councel c. May it please your Highness IT was once my Happyness in the late Wars to be under the MARTIAL CONDUCT of your Renowned BROTHER PRINCE MAVRICE Beloved by all Loyal Generous Spirits for his Valour and Prudence Now I bless the Heavens that promise me the Benevolent Aspect of your Candid Mercurial Genius upon these Chymical Labours which I humbly present to the View of your Piercing Eye most able to make an In pection into the Verity of Things arising from Pyrotechnie and Manufacture My Thoughts did heretofore seem to be settled never to Dedicate for the future a Writing of mine to any whomsoever yea I had continued in that mind to expose Truth abroad solitary to shift for it self conceiving it best able to maintain her own Propriety but that hearing it frequently discoursed in most Company I met with how ardently your Highness was devoted to serve the Nation for Publick Good What a Philomathes and Philalethes Sincere Lover and Defender you were of Essential Truths and Ingenious Arts in General especially Mechanical Pyrotechnical Operations an Assertor of Experimental Optical and Sensible Effects Fruits and Products of things and that for this Reason you had an extraordinary Kindness for our most Excellent Philosopher Van Helmont your Country-man I fortwith affected with these Rare Endowments altered my former Intentions resolving now to make my Address to such a Mecaenas for the discussion of these our Chymical Problemes by Fact whose Head is known to be endowed with Subtil Inventions Indefatigable Inquiry after Rarities and Arcana's whose Heart is full of Integrity Heroick Designs Magnanimity and Hands most active in contriving Exquisite Works and Daedalean Mechanicks Wherefore Truly Noble SIR be pleased to accept of this Oblation which hath its chief Original from Pyrotechnie And according as you find it bear the Test Entertain or Reject it The Sum of this Physical Tract is a Practical Discovery of the Notable Errours of the Galenists Avouching that their Principles in Physiologie are False that they are Ignorant of the Quiddity Essence or the True Radical Essential Cause of all Diseases That they are grosly to seek in the Direct Method or shortest Way of Curing them That the Indications or Measures they take from Heat and Cold applicating upon that ground according to the Rule of Contraries their Indicata or Remedies are both Fraudulent and Pestilent to Mortals That their Unacquaintance with the Synthâ—sis or Constitution of the Vital Spirit the Cause of its Rage and Perturbation from somthing very offensive to it wherepon the Image of a Disease is delineated is the Reason why they thus neglect to support Nature as they ought to allay its Tempests to deface Morbisick Idea's by Specificks Lastly being altogether Occupied about the Cutting off the Accidents Qualities Epigenomena Symptoms and Products of Evils by Bleeding and Purging they are insufficient to Cure Directly Immediately and Radically any great Malignant Feaver Pleurisie c. The Boon I beg of your Highness is not to suffer the Truth to be abused through the Collusions Sophistical Evasions Equivocations Supplantations Scurrilous Language and Affronts of our Antagonists but that there may be a plain Judicious Determination of these Controversies according to the clear Evidence of Fact and the Reality of Experiments For which the Genuine Professors of this Philosophical Chymical Art will be bound to Celebrate your Praises to all Posterity Your Highness Faithful Servant George Thomson THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Dear Countrey-man IF thou beest a hearty Lover of truth and a Solid Genuine English-man no Phantastical Affecter of the Levity of this Age enter upon the Reading of this Treatise without Prejudice or Partiality Having perused it give the World freely thy Iudgment concerning it Object what thou canst like a Candid Philalethes no Caviller or Wrangler but still let thy most rectified Reason and firm Experience be as inseparable as Hippocrates his Twins always giving place to the Latter If thou censure me harshly not giving me leave to clear my self by the assured Evidence of Action I shall absolutely deny thee to be one called a Virtuosi pretend it never so much or a Friend to the Lord Bacon Here is no Hot Fruitless Disputation about things Indifferent in Religion No subtil Pleading by Covin or Collusion as often happens in the Law Nothing Historical or Traditional to be subscribed to for Antiquity or Authority sake Here is no deceitful Conclusions or Captious Argumentations fitting for the Schools Nor Acribology an exact discussion of Matters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 little Serviceable or Vseful in the General becoming some Virtuosi at this day No Logomachie an Idle Velitation or Contention about Words the Exercise of Pedanticks But in this Enchiridium is cortained that which will Teach you directly to enjoy Health of Body and Consequently more Integrity and Clarity of Mind For Animi Actiones Spirituum Synthesin Eupathiam vel Dyspathiam Eutoniam vel Atoniam sequuntur By this means you will Learn to be Cautious how you impair Nature either for the present or future by the false Method of Bleeding Caco-stomachick Purging c. If you be capable to receive this Doctrine not onely your self but your Posterity will fare the better By Virtue of this Goddess Sanity thou mayst Atchieve Noble Exploits either keeping off or bearing more Couragiously all the Adverse strokes of Fortune enjoying hereby a far more Happy Life in the Lowest Condition than they in the most Prosperous State Tormented with the Stone Gout c. In this Paper I Counsel thee to keep up thy Spirits the Principal Efficient Cause of Health and Sickness by multiplying them with what is most nigh their Texture by Pacifying their Rage and Fury with pleasing Objects indulging their frowardness
gratifying their Ardent Appetite Illuminating their obscurity Next I put thee upon the search of proper Specificks having a Dowry bestowed upon them able to fully marr or quite expunge the Idea or Image of a Disease Lastly I give Directions how to Banish Exterminate Exclude through the Proper door with Euphorie and Benefit succeeding that Irritating Aculeating Peccant Matter which causes those manifold Tumults and Disorders in the Archeus of the Microcosin All which is to be performed without wronging the Ferments or Altering the Instruments of any shop of Digestion especially the first In avouching these substantial Verities thou mayst perhaps conceive I have too severely reprehended the Galenists to the Eclipsing the Illustrious Fame of such Learned Clerks whom both Great and Small in all Ages have Admired To which I reply I am fully satisfied within my own Breast that I have in no wise wronged them although they have me often-times in laying to their Charge what they are not guilty of being ready upon all fair Opportunities to demonstrate what I have here declared Besides so weighty and Precious is the Praedicate or Subject we handle that it would be an Offence more hainous in me above others Indangering my Immortal Part if Conscious what Slaughter of Mankind is daily made by their Pseudo-Method of Curing I should be silent Indulge Connive at Extenuate or Palliate such Capital Crimes This considered with their delight in the darkness of Galenical Falsities also their Active Obstinate Ignorance Now when the splendid Beams of Chymical Truth appear they deserve to be handled with far greater Rigour than I have expressed I wish my Antagonists would behave themselves as Candidly and Ingenuously to me as I to them they would soon find me alter from an Acid to an Alkali Nature from a Tart to a sweet Disposition If they would please to put me to the Tryal they will find me really what I profess a Lover of my King and Countrey upon the Foundation of Verity and Virtue a Hater of Vice Debauchery Lewdness all Irreligion in any whatsoever a Resolute Promoter to my Power of all good Arts and Sciences especially that of Healing Man's Infirmities a Defender of Learning and an Admirer of great Abilities and Integrity Farewel expecting as soon as I can get it well Printed a Tract in Latine viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 De Splenectomia Lithocolo Loimotomiae Synopsi Novemb. 4. 1674. From my House at Soper-Lane alias Queen-street in Well-Court nigh Cheapside Geo. Thomson An Explanation of Some Terms of Art CHymist is one who imitates Nature in the Separating the Pure Juice from the Dross and â—ilth for the use of Medicine Mechanicks and the â—dvancement of Mettals Spagyrist is the same Therapeutick i. e. a Healing Faculty Iatrical pertaining to Physick Healing Chymicophant one who seems to be a Chymist but is not really Philomathes a Lover of Learning Philalethes a Lover of Truth Caco-stomachick hurtful to the Stomach Pyrotechnist in general any Workman by the Fire in particular by way of Excellency a Chymist Pharmaceutick Physick which Cureth by Medicines Ortho-method a direct upright short way Ortho-chymist the True Artist Pseudo-chymist the â—alse Physiologie the Reason of the Nature of Things and a Searching into their Cause Idea the Figure Seal or Pattern of things conceived in the Imagination The Idea of a Disease is the Essence of it Archeus of Paracel and Enormon of Hippo. is the Seminal Vital Spirit the Principal Impetuous Agent or Spiritual Contriver and Supporter of every Thing the Arch Preeminent Author of Health and Sickness Gas is a wild invisible Spirit not to be imprisoned or pent up without damage of what conteins it arising from the Fermentation of the Concourse of some Bodies as it were eructating or rasping this untamable Matter Thermologists and Psychrologists are they who principally treat of Heat and Cold neglecting Essential Properties Ferment according to Van Helm is a Formal Ens neither Substance nor Accident but Neutral as Light Fire c. stored or laid up from the beginning of the World in certain determinate places for the preparing and exciting the Seeds oâ— Things It carries some Allusion or Similitude witâ— the Leaven or Ferment Bakers or Bruers use whicâ— is of a Contagious Diffusive Odour Rarefyingâ— Dissolving Nature rousing up the Spirit to fall tâ— action to Digest and make Separation Alkali is properly a Salt from the Herb Kaliâ— Potash any Lixjviate Salt extracted by Calcinationâ— or whatsoever Volatile Salt having Concordancâ— or affinity with the former Alcohol Vini is its Spirit totally depriv'd of Phlegm Xeuexton an Amulet against the Pest. Relollaeuâ— is a bare Quality without a Seminal Being Liquâ— Alcahest is the Universal Dissolvent preserving thâ— Seed of Things inviolated Nosopoietick that causeth a Disease Anadromâ— a running back Phaenomena Appearances Epigâ—nomena supervenients whatsoever succeed ERRATA PAge 10. line 15. read Helmontian p. 12. l. 5. r. Provocatiâ—â— p. 16. l. 5. r. Signature p. 17. l. 8. r. Stomach chiefly p. 18. l. dele the. p. 26. l. 11. r. quot p. 3. l. 3. r. be careful p. 32. l. 6. r. Digâ—â—stions p. 33. l. 7. r. Those l. 8. are p. 35. l. 18. r. to the. p. 39. l 25. r. deâ—â—ceent p. 38. l. 6. r. draining p. 38. l. 22. r. light p. 42. l. 30. r. Assistaâ—â— p. 49. l. 2. r. and rest p. 47. l. 6 r. Acids p. 60. l. 24. r. Concrete p. 65 〈◊〉 9. r. Channel l. 13. r. Contraction p. 67. l. 24. r. Theorems p. 68. l. â—â— r. Pyrotechnical p. 69. l. 17. r. Pyrotechnicôs l. 29. r. Balsamical â—â— 72. l. â—â— r. Acid Meliorated p. 72. l. 8. r. Philalethes l. 20. r. Physioâ—â—ger p. 73. l 2. r. iterated l. 14. r. dulcifie p. 80. l. 11. r. Salsi l. 21. r. â—â—tyrous p. 88. l. 30. r. miss p. 9. l. 29. r. imbued p. 103. l. 12. r. Trituâ—â—â—tion p. 110. l. 15. r. of â™ by the. p. 111. l. 4. r. Extermination p. 21 〈◊〉 l. 9. r. Rutilating l. 21. r. and being l. 23. r. Empyical p. 116. l. 27 〈◊〉 Idealium p. 118. l. 1. r. defaecated Sulphurs p. 125. l. 16. r. found 〈◊〉 p. 139. l. 27. r. Empyical p. 152. l. ult r. Corrector p. 157. l. 26. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ps 166. l. 4. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 173. l. 6. r. Intestinal p. 174. l. 15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 181. l. 8. r. Learned Chymical THE DIRECT METHOD OF CURING Chymically CHAP. I. A Brief Examination of the Original Matter of Natural Bodies with their Dissolution I Shall first declare what Nature is according to our Philosopher viz. A Power implanted in the Creature to act in such a manner and measure according to the will of the Creator for ends best known to himself The Course and Order of producing Effects suitable to the first Seminal Cause is constant unless hindered by cross Accidents intervening or by some extraordinary stop put thereto by Him
specified yea although they seem to be Singular yet may they be severed into diversity of parts E. G. Sulphur which to the eye appears to be all of one Frame may be brought into a sharp corroding Liquor the same also may be brought into liquid Balsome or into an Earthy Pouder Out of Sallad Oyl a Corrosive Liquor may be made besides it may without any difficulty be altered into VVater Salts may be turned into an Oyly Substance then after become Insipid Mercury doth as Van Helmont and Experience testifie consist of a double Sulphur Inward and Outward This being capable to be separated from it by Art CHAP. II. Of the Efficient Cause or Primary Agent of all Sublunary Bodies THe Best Philosophy teaches us that alâ— Constitutes have their Material Beginning from VVater How this Liquor comes to be diversified into innumerable kind of Substances is further to be enquired The first alteration of this fluid Body is made by a Sulphureous Ferment giving a Hogo to it whereby a Seminal Spirit is excited to dispose and mould the Matter into a Form agreeable to that Image or Type iâ— hath laid That which doth chiefly occasion and further the Fermentation of VVater is some secret Acide or Sharpness proceeding from the Aire or elswhere This insinuating closely unites with the Alkali in the VVater whence ariseth an Agitation or VVorking commonly observed when these two meet together consequently the Watery Particles are exceedingly rarified acquiring a certain peculiar scent which they carry along with them infecting the whole Mass wherein they reside hereupon the Archeus or Vital Spirit breaks forth into Act containing in it the true Seminal Idea or Picture of the thing capable to receive its Form and Perfection CHAP. III. Concerning the Aitiologie Efficient Immediate and Material Cause of all Diseases WHat the Antients generally and some at this day call the Conjunct or immediate Cause of Diseases I shall with most knowing Helmont assign to be the Occasional Provoking or Incensing Forasmuch as whosoever desires to enquire into the Nature of things aright ought to be informed concerning the very Being of the same as it relates to that which made it so Now no Disease can have any Subsistence Mansion or Lodging place but in a Body endued with a Vital Spirit albeit in the Dead the Four Humours of the Galenists and the three Principles of the Chymists be not wanting For this Reason the Archeus or Spirit must of Necessity be the nighest Fundamental Beginning of all Maladies whatsoever For as our Health depends upon this Living Spirit when it is in all respects duly constituted without any considerable defect in it so Sickness ariseth when the same Preserver of Strength is depraved or estranged from that Clearness Proportion and Regularity which ought to be in it Those Degenerate or Bastard Juices engendered through manifold Errors in the Helmontion six Digestions especially the First are only means to put the Living Spirit into Perturbation Vexation and Inordinate Motions whereby it frames Images of Evils according to the Condition of the Troublesome Abusive Intruding Guest So that in short the Seed of this or that Disease with an absolute Pattern how it is to be acted is planted in this first Founder of the whole Fabrick the Grief being as inseparable from the Vital Spirit as Life it self yea it is even concentrated or seated in the very middle point thereof and never to be separated therefrom till the Kernel wherein this Diseased Image is drawn be extinct and quite abolished This Doctrine may seem strange to those who are unacquainted with the Writings of our Profound Philosopher however so great is the Truth thereof that 't is impossible any one should either Prevent or Cure Diseases to a purpose unless he be well Disciplined in this Solid Knowledge Hence it is that Opinionative Doctors do so often blunder and mistake in Healing any Rooted Infirmities because they either insist upon their four Aristotelian Elements and Humours Analogous to them as Choler Phlegm Melancholy Blood with the Distemper coming from thence or take their false Measure of Curing from the Principles I mentioned before borrowed of the Chymists which some will have to be the next Cause of Diseases whereas they being present only vex gaul bring into divers Passions the Archeus whereupon that which before did perform all things requisite in the Body decently and in order is now become tumultuous acting in an inconvenient preposterous manner By this means the Ferment or Dissolvent in the Stomach produces many Raw Juices Fretting Liquors which congeal the Blood or melt it into filthy Matter then follows a detention of Excrements or a profuse indiscreet throwing out good and bad also a Specifick Poison is created proportionable to those without hence a Crowd of sad Symptoms appear Wherefore I repeat the great cause why the Galenists have been so unsuccessful in their Curing is because they did not truly distinguish between Prevocative Occasional and the Essential inseparable Cause between the Concomitants Accidents Products and Consequents of Humane Calamities For while they conclude a Feaver to be principally Heat they have thereby taken a false Indication or Instructions to free the Body from that Affliction neglecting to blot out the Image of the Sickness to appease the enraged Vitals and to remove the Vexatious Thorny Degenerate Dead Juices without empairing Nature wronging the Stomach or offering any Violence to any shop ordained for Digestion They may plainly perceive if Sordid Gain did not blind them 't is labour in vain to Purg Bucketfuls of Choler and Melancholy which they suppose to be the Conjunct united Cause of the Evil to let out great quantity of Blood from the Limbs for the Cure of the Scurvie c. sith generally the Patient is more weakened and his Evil oftentimes more confirmed hereby Assuredly did they set Nature upon her Legs when she is either sitting or prostrate under any Calamity she would soon conquer her Enemy which kept her in Subjection Would they but follow Hippocrates who taught them that Naturae sunt Morborum Medicatrices they would speedily renounce Bleeding and Feeble Hurtful Purgatives to be looked upon as Contrivers and Factors of filthy Matter which the Expulsive Power stirred up casts out with the Poison So that in reality the Common Way of Purging is only like Pumping without stopping the Leak For as Hippo. delivers 't is not how much but what is cleansed away doth good the Occasional Exciting Peccant Fermenting Matter being often very small as to its bulk Humane Sickness hath a Spiritual beginning Progress State and Declination arising from a Seed as all other things therefore they have a Real Entity consisting of an Efficient and Material Cause both seated â—n the Spirit of Life Active and Passive in Contriving its own Ruine when at any time it is disturbed through any outward Accident When any thing very injurious to Nature approaches from without or is engendered within our Bodies the
framed but strait vanish becoming Non Entia for they are momentany and easily thrust out by the next Successour But when any Object shall often savourly and seriously affect us then the Representation of the same doth take deep Roots in the Spirit altering the Texture of the Blood Latex or Lympha so that according to the Species of the Immoderate Passion and the Picture thereof drawn either in the Innate Archeus or that continually repaired different Accidents Symptomes Signs and Effects arise That all Diseases have a Type Copy or Example set according to which the Archeus that first moulded it acts may be confirmed by the Uniformity Regular Motion Inseparable Appearances or Signs belonging to them from which they receive a Name proper to their Nature Those tell us of what kind the Sickness is insomuch a Judicious Physitian is able as well to make distinction between one Maladie and another as between a Pippin and a Pearmain an Almond and a Chesnut likewise to sort them into several Kinds Classes Forms Degrees a thing never to be done if there were not a certain Director Informer oâ— first Mover that laid a Platsom of whatsoever Grief depending upon an Efficient and Material Cause as all other Sublunaries Again that the Archeus doth first make a draught of the Evil in self working afterward accordingly to its own Hurt or Destruction may be proved by that Intermission Silence we find in Feavers Falling-sickness Gout Stone Convulsions Tissick c. which as it were sleep for some time then awake repeating their former Tragical Act exactly Certainly if there were not an Agent lead by a strict Rule it were impossible such a constant Mode and Method could be observed in the Beginning Progress Height Declension and Determination of Maladies Briefly therefore the true Efficient with the Material Cause of all Diseases is not any Distemper of the Elementary Qualites not any of the supposed four Humours derived from the four Elements not Salt Sulphur Mercury c. not any thing meerly Excrementitious Vexatious Ambient but the Vital Spirit stirred up to Indignation Fear c. by some loathsome tedious Object present whereupon it makes the very shape planting the Seed of the Maladie in some Portion of that Aetherial Blast separated from that in Integrity upon which Matter as a Patient the Seminal Ideal Agent works shooting forth those Manifold Fruits or Appearances in Sickness CHAP IV. Of the Therapeutick or Healing Method 1. Of Diet in General respecting the Prevention and Sanation of Mans Infirmities THe Immediate Undoubted Cause of all Diseases made Manifest their Cure will become more Easie to the Purpose Speedy with less Danger and Loathsomness There are two Capital principal Indications Ends or Marks which ought to direct us in the ordering our Diet as well as Pharmacy 1. The Support of the Strength or Vital Spirits 2. The Declining or Eschewing whatsoever is an Enemy to Nature that Incenses and puts it into inordinate Passions Laudable Diet then both Supports the Vitals encreasing them also Clarifies Pacifies and Diverts them from making Hurtful Images yea in some proportion Duls Defaces and Eclipses those already framed Now by Diet are comprehended all those Necessary Succours Requisites or Concomitants without which the Life of Man cannot Subsist Namely 1. Ingestion or taking into our Bodies whatsoever is Alimental or Nourishable 2. The Egestion or Discharge of Superfluities arising from our Food and the Retention of what is agreeable to our Nature 3. The Rectification of the Aire 4. The right ordering of Rest and Motion by Turns in due Measure and Time 5. A just Allowance of Sleep and Watching Lastly The Moderation or Regulation of the Passions aed Perturbations of the Mind In the first place the direct way to uphold increase the Spirits to keep them Clear Bright and free from unreasonable Sickly Turbulent Melancholy Idea's or Impressions is to have an especial Care of the Fountain from whence these subtil Particles spring i. e. the Stomach This Noble Part is with Care and Tenderness to be respected above any other for this purpose nothing is to be taken offending it either in Quality or Quantity Neither is the Substance and Quality of any Nourishable to be insisted upon so much as the just Quantity we are to observe for if the Stomach earnestly desire what is generally Reputed to be hard of Digestion or to afford bad Aliment notwithstanding if there be an eager Appetite to the same this Noble Part is to be indulged or favoured in such a Case only allowing a lesser Quantity Doubtless this most sensible Membrane of Exquisite Gust doth for the most part best prompt uâ— to what is for the Good of the whole so that giving a Repulse or Check to a vehement Appetite hunting after any thing eatable or drinkable we oftentimes cause a cloudiness dulness sullenness and darkness in the Vital Spirits bringing them into such a disorder that they Coin many foul black Images whereas if the Archeus of this eminent Ventricle were gratified and humoured in what it extreamly desires there would be a serenity and lustre in the Spirits and then alâ— Actions executed with more strength The severity of some Physitians in forbidding their Patients to eat that to which their Appetite is exceedingly addicted hath caused no small discommodity Neither do they less offend who strictly impose upon them such a Diet as they according to some general Rules apprehend most fitting derived from bare Qualities of Heat and Cold c. not considering that in all Diseases especially those of long duration enquiry ought to be made to what Diet the Sick is most naturally inclined to and accustomed what his Gust doth best relish then according to that account to grant him some small Portion of what he eagerly covets although usually reckoned amongst Food of hard Digestion of ill juice of bad quality or very Hot c. For none can give better Arguments of a Diet more proper for the satisfying the Appetite than a Man himself especially if he be of years carefully taking notice what doth most agree with the Genius of his Stomach I have known Posset-drink out of an intent to cool prescribed by some Doctors Humorists without farther Examination of an Antipathy thereto even to the endangering the Life in Malignant ill-conditioned Feavers Such Darkness hath forthwith seized upon their Spirits and such Loathsome foul Shapes have been delineated thereby that they have approached the shadow of Death undoubtedly perishing had not prevalent Art blotted out speedily those deformed Figures So hazardous it is to withhold what Nature doth most Sympathize with or to offer what it bears an inbred Hatred to This certainly is to be known by a Man 's own Experience whether he have an absolute dislike to Honey an Egg Sider any Spice c. For this Reason methinks 't is great vanity in those who will undertake to be Magisterial and over-rule Persons in Diet more able to judge of this
Living Body from the same cause do virulent Animals Vegetables or Minerals taken inwardly Purge violently for as much as the Sensitive Spirit falls into an indignation at the presence of that it abhors so makes a confusion of the holsome Juices by Colliquating and Putrefying them Hereupon so little benefit arises from things meerly loosening the Body the Principal Agent being exasperated by what is contrary to its Texture and Nature After this rate did I begin my Practice being taught no better than to give many Stools or Vomits without indulging or pleasing this great President which as I have often proved is the Supreme cause of Sanity and Infirmity But afterward instructed by a far more able Tutor than the Schools I began to correct my former Traditional Error following the sure Thread of repeated Experiments so that at length I never gave any Solutive not fitting to Corroborate the Stomach not friendly to the Ferments and Vitals Before I took this course all frequent Laxatives were fruitless because they did anger and enrage the Archeus stirring up Storms and Tempest in the Microcosm instead of a sweet Tranquility By this means the Idea's of the Phantasie ingeneral were rectified and clarified after that the Spirits in particular places were composed aright He that desires to be free from absurd Melancholy thoughts furious passions and perturbations let him take Eustomachical Benign Benevolent Remedies sufficient always to cleanse away Impurities without causing Hatred Frowardness or high Displeasure in Nature whose genuine course is to be observed without putting her to any violent stress or compulsion CHAP. X. The Pharmaceutick or upright Method of Curing Diseases by Medicines in general HOw the Galenists have been mistaken concerning the Four Elements their Mixture for the Composition of Bodies their Contrarieties Qualities Complexions deduced from thence how falsly they have delivered them to be Principles of Natural Existences and the Causes of Sickness and Health hath been perspicuously detected by our Philosophical Pyrotechnist upon this foresaid rotten Foundation have they raised their Stately and Pompous Fabrick of Curing Obstinately endeavouring still to keep it up The Rule of Contraries derived from Imaginary Supposition of the Hostility and Reluctancy of the the Four Elements whence they say all Concretes have their Original by which they chiefly act for the end to debellate Mans Infirmities hath been the bane of many Myriads Where they find any notable heat in a Feaver they presently take Indication to cool the Body in a degree proportionable to its Antagonist in hopes thereby to reduce the Body to an Eucrasie but still with unlucky success For neglecting the Radical Cause and aiming at the Abolitions of Accidents Products or Symptoms how can it be otherwise but that they must needs miss the Mark unless they hit it by casualty A Faithful Knowing Physitian is unconcern'd and indifferent whether the Patient be Hot Cold or Temperate as to the touch in a Feaver whether Thirsty or no. For asmuch as he understands the same Agent that sends forth a hot Blas doth also send sometimes a Cold from the same Matter He also frequently observes a Cold dead Splinter or Thorn doth Vex Gaul Fret the Archeus of the Finger in such a manner that the Pulse becomes above measure Magnified the Colour Rubified the Blood incensed the Heat Exalted All which arise from the Material cause of the Thorn impacted Likewise the Eye waters smarts abhors the Light looks red or inflamed from a mote or a small fragment of Glass c. Cold things by reason of the Passion of the Ingenite Spirit much provoked at the presence of the Guest so unwelcomed to life Moreover a spark of fire Essentially Hot lighting upon the hand or elswhere causes a sudden shivering Coldness all over the Body What is more frequent than to sustain a grievous Rigour or Coldness even to chattering of the Teeth from the abundance of a supposed humor called Choller analogous to Fire as they will have it Hot and Dry. On the other side how Hot and Dry have I known some Phlegmatick Bodies in Feavers even beyond Cholerick In this Case how without contradiction to their Theorems can they without lethiferous Mistakes give cooling things for the encrease of Phlegm and Hot for the advancement of Choller were not this to augment the cause of the Disease Is not this rather the very strait course to relieve the misaffected to exempt the Thorn or Splinter out of the Finger the Mote Fragment of Class out of the Eye by proper Instruments also to attenuate rarifie Phlegm to mitigate Edulcorate Retund and alter Choller by what is adaequated operative for the ablution abstersion and carrying away both Sospite Stomachi ac Naturae robore through all the most requisite Sluces of the Body This done like a true Philosophical Artist a sweet Tranquility appears in the Vitals all evil Symptoms of Heat Cold c. forthwith or in a very short time vanish Neither in this case is it of Moment whether the Remedies bringing this to pass be Hot or Cold sith as substracting the Fuel from the Fire it will quickly be extinguished so removing the occasional Matter of Heat this is soon annihilated Did the Schools rightly comprehend how Fire may be procured by the Rapid Collision of two cold incombustible solid Bodies as Stone and Steel or by the long attrition of an accensible Matter no whit hot to the touch or by the Fermentation Agitation Conglomeration or Compression of Acids and Alkali's also by Concentration of Light into a Cone or Minute Compass they would be better acquainted with the Cause of the Aestuation Effervescence and Accension of the Vital Spirits in Feavers hereby suitable Remedies might be provided When at any time the Genuine Domestick Spirits of the Microcosm and a Wild Exotick Gas meeting together do strike or grate one upon another in a confused whirled manner there strait breaks forth a preternatural heat to be corrected by Pacifying the Vitals enraged and enabling them to profligate or subjugate this hardly tameable both subtil Wild Spirit and the matter from whence it emerges which is never to be accomplished by Cooling Prescriptions but by that which pleases the Archeus indulging it exceedingly If degenerate Salts Acid or Alkali couched in a rotten Matter create Thirst or excessive Heat by framing a Tumult in the Animals whatsoever doth correct the same is to be embraced indifferently whether hot or cold 'T is enough if I can attain my Grand Intention the ablation of the Nocuous Thermopoietick Matter the Substance on which all Qualities Accidents depend If I can compass this Fundamentally why do the Galenists wilfully blind cavil and rail at my Elaborate Preparations as violently Hot Burning Drying Inflaming when they cannot but be informed that I spurning at their Silly Insignificant Qualities of Heat and Cold as to Essential Cures I Extirpate all Feavers by amotion and abandoning the Original Exciter thereof But in this state I renounce
times Stigma's of their Malignity beâ—ind so that no Adeptus but will conclude The greatest part of them ought to be exâ—unged with a supply made of better things â—nd what remains to be more discreetly ordered in their Manufacture How do the Galenists impose upon us first â—o Cry down most Satyrically even to the Persecution of certain Honest Ingenuous Friends to this Art those Meaner sort of Paâ—acelsian Remedies now to make use of them â—o the detriment of many a Patient as well â—s to the keeping up the Credit of their Totâ—ering Dogmatical Structure which must of â—ecessity have fallen ere this to the ground â—ad they not closely foisted in upon a pinch â—ome Spagyrical active Preparations stolen â—rom us at that time when their most Dull Mixtures would take no place then boastâ—ng they tell the Credulous that their own gross Compositions had the greatest share in â—he Cure whereas in reality they did no oâ—her than hinder it Upon this account how subtilly do some pretend to be Chymists stealing Theoremâ— and Chymical Notions out of Van Helm diâ—â—guising putting them into an Elegant dress concealing the Authors Name Thus 〈◊〉 these Plagiaries own that filched from him whom in publick discourse they eitheâ— condemn or slight were they any whit candid they would blush to do so This Crime may justly be imputed to the Author De Fermentat De Febri and others who make a great noise about Lac Sulphur Spir. C. C. Spir. Vitri Ens Vene c. enough they think to make them cryed up for rare Chymists whereas were these Men with their Prescriptions brought to the Test of Practice they would easily be discovered to be but smatterers in this Philosophical Science then would their egregious Defects be obvious to any knowing Person Hereby the Safety Innocence and Vital Preservation of Manufactures would appear as much transcending theirs in excellent Endowments as a Torch in its Bright Beams surpassing a small Tallow Candle Moreover we are able not only to justifie our Operations beyond theirs as free from hazard or dangerous Consequences but we dare maintain what we give to the Sick conduces to their future Welfare and lengthning out their Life according as Divine â—â—ovidence is pleased to allow of the means 〈◊〉 that end Having thus by solid Reasons offered to be â—â—nfirmed by the true Touchstone of Expeâ—â—ence acquitted our Chymical Pharmacy from 〈◊〉 Slanders of our Enemies viz. that our â—ateria Medica is so ill handled that it is â—o Hot Burning Dangerous c. I shall â—ow describe the direct Method of Curing â—ifficult Diseases by help of a sincere Chymiâ—â—l Legitimate Learned Art The chief Indication or Scope which the Well-instructed Physitian ought continually 〈◊〉 have an eye upon is to keep in vigour â—lso to pacifie indulge gratifie the Archeus 〈◊〉 Vital Spirit the Achitectonical contriver â—f our first Being the constant Conservator â—f our Well-being the Author of our Health â—nd Sickness Weal and Woe This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Hippocr by its Impulse â—ets all the Wheels going If a Dysphonie happen in the Sphere of this Vital Aire there aâ—iseth forthwith a jarring in the Inferiour Orbs of the Microcosm The Second Principal Indication is the Abâ—â—tion of the Inward Efficient Cause and the Outward Occasional Irritating Matter which â—isturbs the Archeus putting it into Enorâ—ous Passions and Perturbations These are the two Leggs by which Therapeutick or Healing Faculty is moved 〈◊〉 that is wanting in one of these is certainlâ— Maimed Whatsoever encreaseth the Eutonie oâ— Strength of the Vital Spirit ought to have Similitude of Nature and Symbolize wiâ—â— the same Spirit seeing Like doth readily â—â—nite with Like embracing each other inâ—â—â—mately That we may find out a Compeâ— with the Archeus the Essential knowleâ—â— thereof is to be enquired after The Vital Spirit is a most thin Aehere Breathing arising from the Blood perpetâ—â—ally circulated in the Veins and Arteries illâ—minated framed by Virtue of a Vital Feâ—ment in the left Ventricle of the Heart of a Saline Balsamical Constitution by means oâ— whose Bright Beams all Spirits generated a new diffused through the whole body receive their Light and Vivacity The Original of this Ruddy Juice where the Spirits first begin to flash and glister is from the Stomach where every thing ingested is dissolved by power of a Ferment partly ingenite partly derived from the Spleen or Arteries into a Whitish Acide Chyle This passing through the Pylorus or Neather Orifice of the Ventricle into the Guts called Duodenum Iejunum Ileon is there converted by a Lixiviate like property of the Gaul mixed with the Acid into a saline Texture denominated Chyme The more refined part of this Juice is conveighed through invisible Pores of the Guts into the Venae Lactae or Milky Vessels both trained by them and likewise impelled by the Peristaltick Motion of the Guts These Venae Lacteae carry the Milky Juice into the Liver Pancreas cava through whose Channels it runs Rubified into the right Ventricle of the heart thence it is driven out into Arteria Pulmon divaricated into the Lungs by means of the Centraction of the Heart then taken up by the Vena Pulmonica it falls into the left Ventricle where it is Flavefied by the Vital Ferment of the Heart by the force of whose Systole this Spirituous Liqor springs into all parts designed for Nutrition Procreation Sense and Motion Sith then 't is plain that the first Foundation of the Blood is laid in the Stomach according to whose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon whose good and bad action future digestions depends so that if the Chyle be once depraved in the first shop the Chyme and Milky Juice cannot be made in every respect approved in the second or third Laboratories Consequently very laudable Blood and Spirits can never be Fabricated For as the Chyle is such is the Chyme Lacteous Liquor Latex or Lympha Cruor Sanguis and Spirits Sith then there is such a Concatenation Connexion continued File of the Albified Mass in the Stomach to the rubified Balsome in the Heart and so to the extreme parts every knowing upright Physitian ought to be sollicitous about the discreet Oeconomy or Order of this Noble part that defaecated Blood and Spirits may be created Wherefore that thing ought not to be taken into the Body which is any way offensive to the Archeal Ferment of the Stomach or the weakening of its Tone Whatsoever is Dull Flat Dreggy Fretting Rank Corrosive or Virulent must be avoided Things Active well purified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a just proportion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exquisitely mixed endued with an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fragrant smell Sympathizing with the Constitution of this Membrane Benevolent and Antidotal are to be assumed that Clean Bright Spirits may be multiplyed springing from this Vital Balsame Well-rectified Spirits of Strong Liquors I have always found to perform much tending to that end before proposed For
no sooner are they received into the Stomach but part of them are rapt into the Vessels being suddenly carried into the Heart and Brain whereby the whole Body is invigorated the Vital Spirits in a Moment encreased and illuminated hereupon the Peccant Matter disturbed is profligated by Sneezing Expectoration Sweating or Transpiration by some Effloresence or Eruption in the Skin as Pimples Spots Botches c. by Stool or Urine The Truth of this as I said before is confirmed by those who making long and dangerous Voyages recover of grievous Maladies as Calentures Scurvie c. by force of a quickning Drink called Punch made of Rack or Brandy whereas formerly they were turned off as fast as rotten Sheep through that Nonsensical Method of Healing which the Doting Galenists taught the Credulous World by Cooling and Moistning Juleps In such sort hath the Authority of these Dogmatists Domineered over Mankind for many Ages past yea doth yet endeavour to uphold the same amongst us that Millions have perished by this Absurd Doctrine of Heating in Cold Diseases as likewise Cooling in Hot. However many Intelligent Subtil Wits do discover the Falacy of their Corrupt Theorems or Axioms in Physick casting away their Slibbersauces do rather chuse to trust to Holsome Well-made Strong Liquors in Feavers than their Ill-contrived Insalutiferous Weak Drossie Mixtures or Compositions I heard a Learned Gentleman of Note declare that he was Cured of a Malignant Feaver by means of Brandy Wine well construed taken in a large quantity when the Methodical Doctor of the Colledge threatning his Ruine thereby caused him to desist but for one day and take his more Temperate Prescriptions which had like to have cost him his Life if he had not fallen to his former Spirituous Liquor again For my part I am of this Judgment that 't is better for the most part to Cure Feavers after the Maritine Mode than to walk in the Customary Road of Exhibiting Medicines according to the supposed Qualities described in the London Dispensatory I le maintain Hippocr 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 constant moderate sumption of Strong Liquors omitting Broath Gellies Water-Gruel Spiritless Posâ—et-crink c. shall be more prevalent to rid away Feavers in general than that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hodg Podg of Supernumerary Ingredients jumbled together without Discretion or serious consideration of the congruity of each one with another without seperating the precious from the vile by a Pyrotectnical Analysis of every Concrete whereby the violent Ferine powers of some things are mitigated cicurated and made Friendly to our Constitution also the singular Medical Dowrie of other Concretes are explicated exalted graduated the clog of their Terrestrial Impurities discharged hindering their Activity Who that is experimentally Intelligent would not in a sudden Lipothymie or Defection of the Spirits rather confide in the Analeptical or Refocillating Efficacie of good Wine or well Distilled Brandy than in Diascordium Venice Treacle London Treacle or any of their Confections Elect. or divers of their Potions I cannot otherwise believe but that the Benign Creator pitying the sad Condition of Man made worse by the Doctrine of Galen who never saw Aqua Vitae therefore delivered to Posterity this Gross Fulsome Fruitless Means of Curing hath in this later Decrepit Infirm Age of the World detected by the mouth of Mariners and Rusticks the use of those excellently well Distilled Spirits which these Thermologists and Psychrologists a company of Delirous Disputants about Hot and Cold Diseaseases requiring as they say Instruments of a contrary quality thereto to be applyed neglecting the Essential Nature and Radical Cure of Diseases have Suppressed to the Infinite Detriment of Mortals for many Centuries of years Now can the Indigent Sick-man without fear of over-heating his Blood threatned by these Thermologists confidently swallow a due Portion of vegetable Spirit potent to augment sometimes to admiration the paucity of the Animals enabling them to exclude some part of the Spurious Juice offending the Body like a Thorn in the side Now both Country-Men as well as Sea Men take these Spiritouus Liquors withouâ— scruple that they may quench their thirst asswage Burning Feavers keep off a fixeâ— Delirium and procure rest to the confusiâ—on of the rotten Precepts of these Ignorantly Learned Galenists Away then with these idle fopperies of taking directions of curing from Heat and Cold hereby fancying apâ—plications contrary to those Accidents wilâ— prevail seeing it is perspicuous all those endeavours come to nought unless the vital Spirit be animated to exterminate the occasional extimulating cause of Heat and Cold. It being then demonstrable that Spirits are best multiplied vigorously by Spirits with which they symbolize we ought to be solicitous concerning their preparation with a proportion to be allowed to the Archeus I find it frequent among the vulgar Chymists to boast how they can make vinous Spirits that in a considerable quantity will all burn away to the accension of Gunpowder in the bottome Having attained thus far in this process they think there remains nothing more in our Philosophy For all this if any study earnestly to 〈◊〉 as an able Physitian those Spirits made according to the common tract seeming to be reâ—ned contain in them an occult Impurityâ— some clandestine discommodity with some diâ—gustful tang sensible by the tast of our Vitals Although it be hard for the Plebeian to distinguish one from the other yet an expert Distiller knows the difference and happy effect of that which is really mundified above what seems to be so That Spirit of vegetables may be handled knowingly it behoveth the Naturalist to anatomize it pyrotechnicoôs that he may understand of what parts it consists and how useful it is According to our Philosophy an Aqua-vitae may be extracted out of all Herbaccous Plants i. e. Grass Blade Leaf Weed c. which contains an Alkali a Sulphur and some particles of an occult sub-acid Salt easily to be converted into Vineagar when it floats with a Tartareous Matter The vinous Alkali and Sulphur together exalted become a Balsamical Spirit of great force to preserve things from corruption Taken into our Bodies it is immediately changed partly into a vital Spirit suddainly conveighed by the Vessels to the Head and Heart part becomes Acid in the Stomach for the recreation or emendation of the Innate Ferment as likewise for a previous Disposition in order to a future alteration in the Intestines into a volatile Alkali by the eliquating or scouring facultie of the Gaulâ— afterward transmitted to the Kidneys it is turned into a Urinous Salt by a peculiar Ferment there implanted Lastly some portion runs into an Insipid Liquor called Latex or Lympha Thus is Salt and Sulphur of Plants which make up one Spirit pliable subactil or mutable above other ingested things into this or that form according as the Ferments of every shop of digestion please Moreover the Spirit of Plants if dextrously exercised is capable to be assimilated into all parts Continent