the Elixir which so strengthened the digestive faculties that she daily improved grew strong and in a short time obtained perfect health To reflect upon this Story Here was a latent Scorbutic Impurity that deaded the appetite and what was forced down the stomack did not digest but degenerate so that the body could not thrive nor had the benefit of that little food received but this vitious matter being carried off by a proper medicine and the loaded tyred parts refreshed and relieved b a generous spirituous Medicine nature then revives and retuâ—…s to her wonted duties with that strength and regularity as formerly I might instance in many cases parallel to this that I have met with in Scorbutic Patients but I must be brief and proceed Not only in Diseases of the stomack but also in the subsequent Digestions I have found these Pills most effectually Abstersive and Aperitive opening Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen Mesentery and Gutts exonerating and discharging those parts of crude coagulated depraved fâ—rmenting matter from whence arise pains and flatulent humors of those parts Cachexies or ill habits of body Fluxes Colicks Hypochondriac Melancholy c. and here I must relate the case of a Patient pertinent to this place worth your observation which was thus A Gentleman aged between Thirty and Forty something studious and melancholy complaining of pain sometimes in his left side under the short Râ—bs sometimes in the other side opposite to it sometimes he was Costive a stool once in two or three dayes sometimes Laxative two or three stools in a day with some gripes and wind his Belly often puffed up and distended at which times he complained of a shortness of breath streightness over his Breast and difficulty of breathing like one that is Asthmatick in the night often afflicted with frightful dreams and Palpitations of the heart after this manner with other Circumstances which I omitt he continued for the space of four years or there abouts all which time he was not negligent in procuring help nor sparing of his Purse having wherewith to do it but applyed himself here and there for advice some was of one opinion another of a different judgment and having tryed variety of medicines with little success was tyred and resolved to sit down contented with his infirmities and gave over Physick nere six months But meeting with one formerly a Patient of mine that I had cured though a different case encouraged him to come to me or acquaint me by Letter first with his condition whereupon he wrote to me living at a great distance and gave me a full Relation of his case desiring my advice and assiâ—tance theâ—ein submitting to what course I should appoint him I considering the whole story I was sufficiently satisfied of the Disease that he was deeply seised with the Scurvy as the Syndrome and Concurrence of symptoms did certaiâ—ly discover Whereupon I sent him my Treatise of the Scurvy to contemplate his Disease at large and to be useful to him as a Guide with a Box of Scorbute Pills and an Elixir and bad him proceed in the use of them according to Directions which he did for three weeks then gave me an account that the violence of his Dâ—sease was much abated the Symptoms more mâ—…d â—nd ease and not so frequent thâ—se 〈◊〉 it s he â—…k a Pill he slept more quâ—etly then at other 〈◊〉 in his stools came away little lumps of a slimy jelly of a dark colour or blackish after which he was much at ease his Belly and Hypochonders were more flat and soft that since his Physick some dark spots appeared in several parts of his body with a moisture upon his skin as enclining to sweat some nights but chiefly towards morning This I liked well and farther appointed him the Sudorisick Medicine hereafter mentioned to help forward and procure breathing Sweats twice in the week which I judged to be of great advantage to him this he diligently performed seven or eight times until the spots vanished and then his spirits were more brisk and chearful and more fit for business having thrown off that impure matter and dispersed the Cloud of Scorbutic vapours that clogged and darkned his spirits his sleep now was quiet and to be short the sâ—mptoms that formerly molested him did not appear but was reduced beyond expectation I gave him some cautions and advice lest he might relapse which he punctually observed and stood firm for seven or eight months after Since I hear nothing of him but suppose him to be well for which he was not ungrateful I might Comment largely upon this case and illustrate the Scurvy in the several Symptoms though disguised by various names usually given not respecting the causes but I pass on I have yet a farther Account of these Pills how and in what principal Cases I have used them successfully for dâ—seases and infirmities of the Head so accounted though arising from inferior parts most often as Apoplexy Epilepsies Convulsion Palsies Vertigoes Soporiferous and drowsy Infirmities Rheums Head-aches c. This Medicine is profitably used by Eradicating their causes that require Abstersion and Evacuation in the lower Regions of the Body Diseases ascribed to the Head though appearing there yet for the most part do arise from inferiour parts occasioned by their Impurities Obstructions and Disorder for one that is Idiopathically Afflicted ten are Sympathically affected by consent of parts and transmission of some Morbifick matter thither the Disease appears in one part but the foundation and cause is Radicated in another and to that paâ—t mâ—st the cure be directed And therefore if well observed we frequently meet with Scorbutic Palsies Scorbutick Convulsions Apoplexies Sleepy Diseases pains of the head Giddiness trembling of the Nervs Deafness dull Sight and Blindness and all these arising from the Scurvy or Scorbutick impurity of the body oftentimes and these are not cured but by Anti-scorbutic Medicines and those that endeavour otherwise with their Specificks and appropriate Medicines to the parts where such Symptoms and Diseases do appear labour in vain and are frustrated in their intended Cures I might instance in many more cases wherein this Medicine hath done me good service but that would be too tedious to relate therefore in general I must say for Sorbutic persons and the various Symptoms that attend that Disease whether in this part or that part these Pills are the best Abstersive and Purgative Medicine I ever made use of being so amicable and friendly to nature in their Operation performing with so much ease and gentleness that I have given them to the weakest bodies with good success proportioning the dose according to the ability of the body I shall here set down the Dose and Circumstances that belong to the taking of these Pills The ordinary Dose for man or woman is three Pills some Bodies though very seldom require four and sometimes two Pills is sufficient for weak bodies and such as work freely with a small
think will satisfie all that are reasonable and for others 't is no matter I have now discoursed the several sorts of Consumptions proposed to be treated on in the front of this Book and had not the late dreadful fire consumed my house and interrupted these labours I had enlarged this work in several parts of it and given you a fuller prospect into the matter yet as it is you may see a discovery of some necessary truths that have been latent and the foundation of these diseases that were undiscovered are now laid bare and obvious to common reason Our Predecessors in the disquisition and search after the causes of diseases sought no farther then bad humours and dyscrasy of temperaments which indeed are but the effects and products of morbifick causes but you have here seen there is a farther progress to be made and that the foundations of diseases are seated in the vital and fundamental principles upon which foundation the structure of this work is laid and to which all the discourse refers this is to demonstrate and lay open diseases radically and fundamentally and here is a Physicians scope and aim that will rightly assist nature and effectually restore and help her in the declensions wastings and alienations of her vital and fundamental principles this is the way to core radically and soundly the other is but superficial and palliative FINIS A Catalogue of Books sold by Tho. Basset under S. Dunstans Church in Fleet-street A Treatise of the Scurvy The second Impression Revised and Enlarged By Dr. Maynwaring Octavo 1666. Tutela Sanitatis sive vita protracta Being wholsome Precautions in Dyet and daily practical rules for preservation of health and prolongation of life With a Discourse of Fontinels or Issues By the same Author Solamen Aegrorum sive Ternarius Medicamentorum Chymicorum ad omnes ferè morbos curandum Galenica Remedia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eludentes foelicissimè inventa Remedia Authore Everardo Maynwaringo Philosoph Med. Spagyr Doctore Nova medendi ratio A short and easie Method of Curing exemplified by a Ternary of radical Medicines universal in their respective Classes viz. Purgation Transpiration and Roboration 1666. Loimotomia or the Pest Anatomized By Dr. Thoeason Sold by Nath. Crouch in Bishopsgate-street neer Cornhill USEFUL DISCOVERIES AND PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS IN Some Late Remarkable Cures of the SCURVY By E. Maynwaringe Dr. in Physick Cognitio Sequitur Curationes LONDON Printed by A. M for T. Basset under St. Dunstans Church in Fleet-Street 1668. To the Diseased IN vain it is to Discourse and have the Nation of Diseases unless also efficacious Medicines be found out to answer their Indications for Cure Which to do is the most difficult and laborious part of Physick And this we may conclude from the often frustration and disappointment of Medicines in their effects after Learned Consultations and deliberate Determination of the Disease Causes Part affected c. rightly stated Here is the great Check given to the Physicians Learning and until this tryal of the Medicine he receives no repulse but goes on smoothly with Applause and boldly but finding his Medicine take little or no effect for the purpose intended is then at a stand a while But being loth to receive a baffle from the Disease does prescribe another and peâ—haps another after that a fourth and a fifth and sometimes many more if the Disease be contumacious and stubborn and this some will call a Methodical course of Physick But I shall not harp upon that string This Disappointment is too often observed in the practice of Physick and this arising only from ineffectual languid erroneous Medicines and how does this come to pass but that the care and burthen of this work rests upon those that are unable and unfit to manage it or by trusting too much the credit of Authors and their traditional Medicines either Galenical or Chymical relying upon their authority and the truth of their Writings which have deluded and frustrated the expectation of many And this I have observed in practical Authors and Pharmacopaeas of both Sects Medicines collected and borrowed from one another and delivered thus fâ—…m hand to hand none knows who first invented them or whether any of them ever made or tryed them that highly extolls and gives large encomiums of their vertues That many of these are Delusions either in the process or the efficacy of the Medicine to my own cost and Labour I have experimented and must say with Helmont that great Philosopher Vexatio parit intellectum and therefore do Caution otheâ—s lest they suffer upon this Râ—…ck but he that wiâ—l purchase to himself excelling Medicines being accomplished with lâ—teratuâ—e with the ground-work and Canons of the Art let him not tye him self up or credit too much this or that Author but follow the dictates of his own reason confirmed and guided by collateral experiments and herein a Physician daily exe cised shall in time attain to great knowledge and sat sfaction in Medicine and purchase to himself If Medicaments of great worth and value and this must be every Physitians proper Labour and daily endeavours that â—ationally intends and rightly goes about to improve and advance the efficacy and power of Medicines that they may have their praise and fame in the World and the Physician much satisfaction and content in their wonderful Operation It is not Sitting in his Study alone and poring upon Books but his own manual Operation and Inspection over his Servants that gives the great stroak to the business the other does very litlâ— without this but both must needs do well and I must say and that justly he that practiseth Physick with a beaâ— speculative traditional and book-â—eading knowledg of Medicines is very unsk lful in the true fundamental knowledg of Medicines and is as unfit to prescribe or appoint Medicines in hazardous or difficult cases as he that by only reading of Navigation is unable to manage and conduct a Ship to East-â—ndia And this is reason to averr for he knows not what a Medicine is nor can he give a good and certain account upon his own knowledg of the Nature of any Ingredient but has all upon trust This oâ— that man says it the conclusion will not handsomly follow Ergo It is so No wise man that can gain a certain knowledg of his own will bo row at hazard of another considering the untruths and Erorrs that are scatteâ—ed abroad in most Writings that he which lives only by borrowing thus shall run himself out of credit and Reputation in his Profession if blind Fortune be not very much his friend 'T is most certain and true that the Ingredients of any Medicine are not known by reading of them but by their single and compound preparation and separation of their constituent parts and thus by handling and Chymically dissecting their bodies each part lies bare and presents it self to your understanding And farther An Ingredient whether of the Animal Vegetable
to excite unite and joyn with the Principal agent in each faculty To make this more plain and easie to be apprehended by indifferent Capacities first I shall shew you how naâ—ure does perform her daily work Then I shall shew how she declines and falls off and Thirddly I shall manifest how she is to be assisted and restored So soon as food is received into the body nature presently falls about her business to digest to dissolve separate the parts of it to volatise to distribute and transmit from one digestive office to another to sequester and throw aside the unprofitable and excrementitious part to attract and suck in the alimentary to refine and alter it by several elaborations to extract and draw out the pure spirituous part for supply of spirits the rest assimilated into the humoral and solid parts from hence the body is preserved and maintained in strength and vigour and this is Natural Chymistry performed every day in mans body in the regular course of nature but when nature declines and fails in the ordinary and daily work of her own preservation whether by intemperance improper food irregular and injurious customes or accidents or Spontaneosly from an Imbecile Radication of principles and bad Crasis of parts the body then decayes apace when the principle functions are weakly and depravedly exercised necessarily then an Auxiliary means and Assiâ—tant must be applyed to restore nature to her strength and regular course again something that must accuate and vigorate nature that must excite and cooperate in Conjunction with the movent principle that as a new Spring will give power and force to the faculties Considering this so necessary and useful in the cure of most Infirmities as also to establish and confirm a Cure wrought from Recidivation and Relapse I thought it a principal woâ—k to find out and form such a medicine as may answer the intentions proposed and therefore have by several tryals and improvements effected and wrought such a medicine to that degree and competent power as is very efficacious in the deficienties and enervation of the digestive faculties to Restore and Roborate them in their funct ons which medicine is called and known by the name of Catholic Elixir now altered and improved And this was the custom and manner of the ancient and most famous Physicians to acquire by their proper labour and sedulous industry some great Arcana â—s secret and choise medicines of excelling vertue which they esteemed as a treasure and gave them peculiar names to be distinguished and known by and that such medicines might be known to the world for the good and benefit of the Diseased they diâ— publish their vertues as Angelus Sala in the Preface to his Precious Antidote does apologize for himself in doing the like Etiam magni nominis medicis solenne olim fuit medicamenti alicujus particularis virtutes quas quisque accurata observatione annot averat peculiari quodum tractatu literis consignare Oper Med Chym. pag. 420. sayes he It has been the ancient custom of Physicians those men of great fame to write a Treatise of the vertues of some particular medicine which they had noted by strict observation then he extols the efficacy and worth of his medicine and excuses the concealment of the preparation Helment also that great Philosopher and Physician had his private medicines which he highly valued so also in the Writings of the most Eminent Physicians we find they had their Arcana's secret medicines which they would not discover save only their vertues and manner of use therefore I may say as Angelus Sala Quod si illis hoc vitio non fuit datum neque mihi qui eoâ— um ad exemplum But since the late fashion of Prescribing came up in use some ignorant buzzards which I could name that have objected this against me perhaps of our own Faculty think this an empirical way but therein they dâ—scover their ignorance not knowing the ancient and most legitimate way of Practice and what is the whole duty of a Physician See what Famous Queâ—cetan sayes upon the Question An medicum deceat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Queâ— Rediviv pag. 218. Whether a Physic an ought to make medicines He will tell you you are Pseudomedicus a Counterfeit Physician if you do not make medicines Pray look there and then you will say 't is a shame for a Physician not to be expert in making medicines As a duty and following the Example of the most Eminent Physicians I have been and am a constant labourer in Pharmacy thereby to acquire and purchase the choisest Medicines that Art and pains can procure and by continual making and altering upon tryals I have purchased as noble Medicines I think as any man can procure not but that other Physicians that have been thus diligent in Preparation of Medicines as I have been may have as good but without this Labour and Industry no man can be master of such In particular the forenamed Elixir as it is now improved and advanced I have a great esteem for and is a great assistant to the Stomack in the office of Digestion for it mainly fortâ—…ies and roborates that Faculty so that the bad effects of a weak or depraved Digestion are notably Corrected and amended as crudity and indigestion flatulency or winde Nausiousness or Vomiting Fulness or Opression Loss of Appetite Eructation or Belching and this it performs by asisting the Stomack 's Digestive Ferment being deficient and decayed by Age Intemperance Incongruous Dyet Disorder or Natural Infirmities One Case amongst the rest relating hither I well remember which I think good to relate A woman that had been troubled with the Scurvy for some years though scarce taken notice of but supposed to be from other causes what symptoms did appear amongst the rest for some time she was molested especially in a morning with a driness in her mouth and an ill taste afterwards her stomack would nauseate sometimes and soon after did begin to vomit whereupon she took several medicines to stay vomiting and to strengthen the stomack but all in vain and rather aggravated her Griefs straining to Vomit with more violence and little or nothing came away when I was made acquainted with it and understanding the Symptoms to arise from the Scurvy upon examination of the whole matter I sent her this Elixir with directions and at the third or fourth Dose her Vomiting and nauseating was gone and much at ease then I appointed her the Scorbute-Pills to be used intermittingly with this Elixir for some time and soon after the other Scorbutic Symptoms which molested her vanished and she regained her former health Whereby you may observe that the Scurvy will not be tamed but by Anti-scorbatic Medicines and although some Symptoms of the Scurvy be common and like with those from other diseases whereby many are deceived in their causes yet if they arise from a Scorbutic Root they will not be cure but by Anti-scorbutic Medicines
alwaies other Medicines must come in and take their place according as the case requires Purging cleanseth the Center but Sudorificks purifie the exterior parts That you may know when a Sudorific Medicine is required as necessary and advantagious to the Cure I 'le tell you in what cases I appoint this Sudorific Medicine to be taken In curing the Scurvy I find good success thereby to cleanse and purifie the Blood that is degenerate and vitiated with a Scorbutic taint and impurity or when the Pores are occluded and imperspirable the Body tumified and puft up for want of transpiration and ventilation when pâ—iâ—…xing pains or itching in the flesh molest and trouble by a saline or acrid Seâ—osity extravasated and erratick when spots tumors pustul's scurse pimples or such like appear upon any part of the Body This Sudorific Medicine discusseth and discipates the confluence of Humours tesorting to any part opens the Pores transpires and drives out the extrementious matter congested and lodged under the skin also when a Lassitude or weariness possess the Limbs when the spirits are torpid dull heavy as it is the case of many Scorbutic persons being alienated from their purity and wonted vigour by a degenerate and depraved alimentary succus cloging and settering them that should support and maintain them with an addisional supply of a congenerous extraction in this case a good Sudorific is the best relief to depurate the Vital stream and alimentary liquors of the Body from whence the Spirits receive strength and vigour again The Dose and Circumstances that attend the taking of this Sudoific Extract is thus to a man or woman of a weak tender body at first I give a dram and half the next time two drams but stronger bodies 〈◊〉 give two drams at the first dose then two drams and half almayes beginning with a lesser dose and encrease the quantity as from the quantity of a Nutmeg to a Chestnut according to the condition and strength of the body after tryal First because there is great difference in bodyes some require more as hard dry bodyes and thicker skirns being more difficult to transpire and some less as tender moist bodyes of a rare Texture and open Pores more apt to breath out Secondly Nature is better pleased to receive some Medicines gradually then imposing a full dose at first if Nature takes a disgust to a Medicine she seldom agrees with it after though it be never so good therefore at the first begin with a little dose for tryal though the Medicine be very amicable and the next time you may encrease and take a little more à levioribus incipere procedere ad fortiora est ordo Sapientum The manner of taking is thus Roll it in a little Sugar and swallow it down Take it at Night having eaten but a little Spoon-meat for your Supper in Bed covered warm and a quarter of an hour after drink a draught of Rosemary-Posset or Mace-Ale then you may sleep as you find your self disposed Or you may take this Medicine in a Morning very earlâ— after the same manner and lye in Bed haâ—f that day sleep if you will that does not check the Medicine you will have the benefit of Transpiration in your sleep Somnus Cohibet omnem evacuationem preter Sudorem aph nor are you to expect great Sweaâ—s but only moâ—st Breathings not at all troublesome Some perhaps being too hasty and desirous to effect their Cure may think one or two great Sweats may do as much good as half a dozen gentle breathings and so shorten the time of their Cure but I cannot approve that Course to impair Nature by violent and large Exhaustions you thereby frustrate the benefit of the Medicine which rightly used will prove very succesfull for the purposes appointed Saepius mediocriter Sudomovere melius est quam Semel modum excedando viresprosternere This Sudorific Extract may be taken twice in a week on the intermiting dayes when you do not purge having first taken three doses of the Scorbute Pills to cleanse the stomack and bowels before you begin to Sweat that the grosser matter and impurity of those parts be not driven into the habit of the body For going abroad observe this if you take the Sudorific in the Morning you must not go out that day the Pores being open but if you take it over night the weather not cold and searching but temperate or hot you may go forth next day if your disease strength and condâ—tion of body admit Those persons that use the three Anti-scorbutic Medicines before mentioned do observe this order except in some special Cases and complicated Diseases by particular advice First they begin with the Scorbute-Pills to cleanse the Center of the Body as the Stomack Guts Mesentery Liver and Spleen The next day and all the intermitting days beâ—ween Purging they use the Elixir to strengthen the declining Faculties and rectifie the Digestions and after three doses of Purging Pills taken they begin with the Sudorifick Medicine to purifie the Blood and cleanse the habit of the Body and these are to be used twice in a week proceeding also with the other Medicines in their turns as before But now you are come to use the Sudorifick Extract you may take the Scorbutic Pills but once in the week whereas before you took them once in four or five days this is my course and practice in curing the Scurvy and complicated Diseases attending which as it is a rational and exact Method according to the Canons of Art is also verified by much experience to be most effectual The chief reason why I am so large herein the general use of these Medicines is to avoid the daily trouble of directions in writing to each particular Patient except there be good cause I have now finished what I proposed in my self to make Publick The Nature of this spreading Disease the Scurvy its variety of Symptoms and appearance that it may be known though in a various dress and disguise the usual complicated affects that associate and attend it its internal essential Causes manner of Generation and seat of Radication in the Body the external procuring and promoting Causes the chief indicatâ—ons for Cure three Anti-scorbutic Medicines laid down as exemplars answering the scope of those curative intentions and some remarkable Observations in Practice And this is the summ of the whole Work FINIS
nutritâ—… signifying non-nutrition or little nutrition This is very frequent with us in England the sâ—…re have given it a peculiar title and call 〈◊〉 Tabes Anglica By an Atrophy you are to understand a leanness diminution or decay of the body from a fâ—ustrated nutrition Not a few there are who enjoying their health at least not complaining of any manifest infiâ—mity and eat their meat indifferent well yet do not thrive in their bodies but pine away and grow lean thin and weak What secret causes there arâ— to deprive the body of nutrition we shall endeavour to detect and discover that a right course for Cure may be instituted A Consumption Atrophy is either universal when the whole body languisheth by reason of some principal part that is ill affected or particular when some part only decays diminishes and becomes weak from a particular defect of that part To know the causes of an Atrophy is first to know exactly the causes and after what manner nutrition is performed with the requisite Circumstances The Philosopher saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tria sunt requisitâ— nutritionis There are 3 things requiâ—… to nutrition Quod alit quo alitur â—… quod alitur Quod alit is the Soul Qâ—… alitur is the food or alimentary matteâ—… Quod alitur iâ— the body That which nourisheth as the priâ—… efficient cause is the material and moâ—… Soul under which the subordinate câ—…ses adjuvant and instrumental are incâ—…ded and do act This principal efficient cause being â—…seminal production and corruptible â—… subject to the deficiencies inabilities aâ—… decays as other perishable bodies froâ— whence I shall draw this Conclusioâ—… That Consumptive Atrophies sometiâ—… take their rise from the labefaction aâ—… infirm radication of this vital principlâ—… that does senescere tabescere decline aâ—… waste sooner or later pro seminalium â—…positionum conditione and therefore wâ—… need not wonder that some persons 〈◊〉 their juvenile years and prime of thâ—… age whose bodies are equally fabricatâ—… and organized with others and laudablâ—… preserved yet decline and terminaâ—… their course sooner then the accustomeâ—… time of Nature which if so as it is truâ—… and rational to affirm then I must superadde these two Assertions First That the debility infirmity and declension of the mortal soul is upheld and preserved 〈◊〉 â—xtra by the fortitude and magnanimity of the rational and therefore it is that a cheerful placid and vigorous soul does bear up against many bodily infirmities that a pusillanimous dejected drooping mind does sink under and unable to bear and gives advantage to their infirmities Secondly That the mortal Soul this vital principle being extended per partes corporis receiving its increment and decrement and hability for operation according to organical disposition and Crasis is maintained and preserved à sinistra in power and well-being to act by their integrity and aptitude for their subservient duties The instrumental efficient cause is the Archaeus or vital Spirit the Souls grand Agent in all the faculties serving to nutrition which being deficient weak and insufficiently supplyed by an auxiliary influxed spirit these faculties are languidly or depravedly performed The next considerable about nutrition is quo alitur the nature of our food wherewith this nutrition is maintained our bodies being in a continual tranpsiration efflux and emission requireâ— constant reparation to preserve the bâ—dy rom decay and Consumption aâ—… this is supplied by aliment or food â—…ceived to be assimilated and converâ—… into the substance of the body but 〈◊〉 this food be improper or unfit in its oâ—… nature or the circumstances attendiâ—… discordant and irregular that this foâ—… obtains not its due end for which it is â—…ceived then instead of a good nutritiâ—… there follows an Atrophy or Caâ—…rophâ—… although the digestive faculties be stroâ—… yet if the food be aliene and diâ—cordâ—… to that body carrying in its nature foâ—… noxious altering property perhaps noâ—… man in specia but to this or that indâ—…duum does act per modum medicamâ—… is as medicine to change the body 〈◊〉 aliment to nourish Food may be unfit for the body thâ—… ways or in three respects either in 〈◊〉 substance the quantity or quality 〈◊〉 substance I understand consistence wâ—… it is gross hard or tough so that the â—…paration of parts by fermentation is iâ—perfect and also a slower distributioâ— in quantity food is injurious when 〈◊〉 either too little that the body decays iâ—… want or too great which causeth â—…structions crudities and depraved nutriment the digestive faculties not being able to elaborate it but are oppressed and over-loaded non enim ingestis nutrimur sed iis quae ingesta concequuntur saith Menjotius we are not to account of nutrition by the quantity and proportion of food received in but according to the digestions whether good or bad in quality food offends or is less nourishing by exceeding not only in the first qualities but in the second also as too salt too sowr sweet c. therefore according to the nature of our food and circumstances that attend it caeteris paribus is our nutrition good or bad more or less Some kind of Creatures there are that can live a long time without food of which the Poet speaks Tota mihi dormitur hyems pinguior illo Tempore sum quo me nil nisi somnus alit Mart. But to man seven days fasting according to Hippocrates is accounted mortal so that nutrition and life are Consorts and have a mutual dependence upon each other that Atrophia is not meerly privative but imminutive not an absolute cessation from nutrition but a diminuâ—…on and therefore the Philosopher said Nos tamdiu nutriri quamdiu vivimus Quod alitur is the body and here 〈◊〉 must take notice that a body fit for nâ—trition must have a due crasis and orgaâ—…zation especially the principal parts tâ—… body as to the figuration and fabricatiâ—… of parts must be rightly framed and â—…ganized each part being right in statioâ—… figure and magnitude ductures of Communication for reception and emissiâ—… free and open which if otherwise dâ—…poseth the body to various diseases anâ— therefore those which are gibbous eitheâ— back or breast are most of them consumptive The Spleen sometimes increases beyond its due magnitude and robs thâ— rest of its fellows and therefore Hipâ—…crates saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vbi lien floret â—…pus tabescit L. de loc in hom When thâ— spleen increaseth the body diminisheâ—… Contumacious obstructions of the Mesâ—…tery are sometimes the cause of an Atrophy Worms do often defraud thâ— body of its nutriment and corrupt 〈◊〉 and therefore such persons do not thriâ—… in their bodies but pine away and become leane other diseases there aâ—… which may procure a Consumption Atrophy whose causes are apparent but there is an Atrophy frequent in this our Region and therefore called by some Tabes Anglica whose causes are more latent and creeps on more slily and few there are that know how to
check and oppose it witness their medicines and method of Cure because the rise of it is obscure and undiscovered This Consumption is a wearing and pining away without manifest cause notwithstanding the body receives good food but is not nourished strengthened and improved by it Several conjectures there are concerning the causes of this disease but I shall not insist upon their opinions being much beside the mark This Consumption ownes its origination and being from the Scurvy and may well be called Atrophia Scorbutica the Scorbutick Consumption and he that is well acquainted with the subtlety of the Scurvy will find it often palliated under the appearance of a Consumption Eugalenus who hath observed the various phaenomena and disguises of the Scurvy takes special notice of this Atrophy caused thereby We will examine now how it comâ— to pass that the Scurvy appears in the shape of a Consumption and how it is procured And here I must inquire into the state and condition of the blood which is the objectum circa quod the matter of nutrition Those of a hâ—… constitution and whose blood is sharp and thin do not feed and grow fat bâ—… are spare slender and lean according to Hippocrates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prone to anger and fierce in their passion the alimentary liquors of the body being thus attenuated and made thin are not so capable and fit for nutrition because they have not â— balsamick consistence and are circulated with a swifter motion are carried away before there can be an adhesion and assimilation to the several parts When the blood degenerates from is true balsamick state and requisite proprieties the body is not nourished as it ought but instead thereof an Atrophy little or no nutrition or a Cacotrophy a depraved and bad nutrition is the consequent when the nutritive faculty does reject or is weak and unable to assimilate it argues the alimentary matter to be very bad or the faculty to be much decayed and spent and therefore a consumptive Atrophy iâ— worse thâ—n a Cacotrophy or ill habit of body where nutrition goes on and proceeds though depravedly and of bad matter In Scorbutick Consumptive Persons I find a serosa colluvies the blood to abound with a filthy serous or watery liquor which is altogether unfit to nourish or be assimilated for the blood in its due state hath a homogeneous balsamick consistence by the fibrae wherewith it abounds and hath its concretion but being deprived of these there follows 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a separation of parts does ensue and then the blood runs not entirely as before but a degenerate colliquated serum abounds unfit for nourishing and for this cause many Scorbutick persons are consumptive which Brunerus also observes Scorbutus frequentissimè in atrophiam tabem quandoque in cachexiam melanchâ—licam interdum in dysenteriam desâ—nit pag 15. The Scurvy saith he most frequently terminates in a Consumption sometimes in a melancholick Cachexy or Dropsie sometime in a Dysentery or Bloody Flux Horstius and Martinius also do not let pass this Atrophy without dâ—e observation from whence it pâ—…dâ—… Sâ—…us also takes notice of a Scorbutick Consumption where he saith Quibusdam crura Atrophia laborant ita gracilia redduntur ut vix ossibus haerere videantur interdum totum corpus emaciatur c. Tract de Scorb But Eugalenus relates particular cases of these Atrophies which he frequently met with in his practice Lib. de Scorb I shall not here launch out in discourse of the Scurvy having run through that disease and made some new discoveries in a particular Treatise of that Protean sallacious disease whither I refer you for further satisfaction here only I must inform you that the Consumption Atrophy which is so frequent with us in England is the off-spring of the Scurvy which not being discovered or rightly observed in the process for Cure hath caused many to fail in their expected success For the Cure of this Tabes Anglica which is a Scorbutick Consumption Antiscorbutick choice Medicines are to be used or you will find your endeavour frustrate and insuccessful as thousands in this Nation by sad experience have found who have languished and pined away under a long and tedious use of restaurative Bâ—oths Kitchin-distillations Jellies and such kind of Cookery when the radix of the disease hath not been touch'd by medicine nor rightly understood but aiming only at nutrition by great nourishers not considering the spring from whence the Atrophy does arise you feed the disease rather then eradicate it Corpora impura quò plus nutrias eò magis laedas Aph. If the Scorbutick feculency be not removed and the vital principles established and confirmed in the rectitude of their functions by proper efficacious medicine then your high and daintiest feeding instead of nourishing turns to the worst and most degenerate matter Corruptio optimi est pessima For diaetetick customs and rules or the most legitimate use of the six non-naturals so termed by Physitians most requisite for your condition you may learn in my Treatise of the Scurvy which are general and applicable to the most Scorbutick cases but if your condition be extraordinary from great weakness or complication of divers symptomes you must declare it for a particular satisfaction answering the peculiarity and specialty of your case For medicine I have not prescribed any here for the reasons delivered â—eâ—eafter Of a Hectick Fever IN the number of Consumptions a Hectick Fever justly deserves to be ranked it is called a Hectick 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it possesseth the habit of the body This kind of Consumption sometimes acts its part alone but always accompanies a Phthisis or Consumption Phthisical Much talk there is of this Consumption but few there are that rightly understand the nature of it A Hectick or habitual Fever is an effervescency and inquietude of the Archaeus membrorum or innate vital spirit in the solid parts procured by some offensive cause whereby the rorid substance of the body is wasted and nutrition frustrated It is called a Fever Hectick or habitual because it is more fixed and radicated in the solid parts then other Fevers that are seated in the humours and may well be called a Consumption because it wastes the body and vital spirit Sometimes it is the remains of a burning Fever or other a long Fever ill cured sometime it is procured by long passions of a troubled mind continually keeping the spirits in inquietude and disturbance But of the causes hereafter There are 3 degrees or gradual progressions of a Hectick Fever distinguishable and to be known by certain signs or symptomes that discover them The first degree or beginning of it is quando humiditas alimentâ—ria tantum effervescit when the body is not emaciated and grown lean nor strength sensibly decayed but there is a slow febrile heat manifested commonly in the palms of the hands and feet
reduce a preternatural heat applying remedies à posteriori to the producted heat labouring to quench that not discerning à priori whence it does arise and the occasional procuring causes which being not understood and found out at least neglected in curation they labour in vain opposing qualities with qualities by a long and tedious contest knowing not that natura est morborum factrix medicatrix as Helmont speaks and therefore he that will cure must cure radically and substantially applying to the fundamental principles which are disorderd and irregular and removing morbifick causes not qualitatively superficially and à posteriori to the products in satisfaction therefore to this point I shall lay down this conclusion That febrile distempered heat in mans body ex Archaeo irato surgens being the aestuation of the Archaeus or vital spirit manifesting its disturbance and insurrection at some peccant matter does require sedation and allay not by opposing the consequential heat with coolers chiefly but by removing the morbific cause which is hostile and injurious to this vital principle provoking it nisu expulsivo to be in fury ut ignâ—scere videatur from whence preternatural febrile heat does arise which if so as 't is true and rational then the common course of curing Fevers by Juleps Emulsions and other cooling Medicines aiming at an allay and suppression of this heat is erroneous for if heat whether natural or preternatural does emanare proceed from this vital principle as a distinguishing character of its state and condition as certainly it doth then the application of a medicine to check this is a levelling at the vital principle not at all aiming at the morbific cause and in so doing is violence offered to Nature damping and suppressing its fortitude and courage in resistance instead of exterminating the hostile and injurious matter mirâ—… a or fâ—mes morbi which is the cause of this reluctance perturbation and strugling of the Archaeus and therefore this intention only or chiefly by refrigeration is a retention of the Fever which is not nuda caloris tempestas sed materia occasionalis fixing the febrile matter that it is not so fit nor easily proscribed by transpiration or otherwise and protracts the disease Yet I would not be mistaken herein but do allow such refreshing coolers as the Patients inclination does crave and finds benefit by yet not to lay the stress of the Cure upon the contest of heat and cold Having laid open briefly what a Hectick Fever is the causes and declarative signs both proper gradual and distinguishing from other Fevers it will be expected I should say something more of curation and preservation for the benefit of those that are hectically inclined as also such as are macerated and wasted thereby so far as a general discourse will admit allowing peculiar cases and proprieties of individual constitutions some variation In chronick diseases the diaetetick part rightly observed is of great advantage but in a Hectick Fever is specially to be regarded A sweet cleer air is of great advantage it refresheth the vital spirits promotes transpiration of putrid vapours and is very helpful in the Cure therefore it much concerns the Consumptive person what place he lives in and that he be advised by a Physitian in this particular At hot seasons of the year be not abroad in the heat of the day but then keep in cool places parching heat is very injurious by drying the body and lassating the spirits both which your disease procures Use little or no exercise except at the beginning of your disease or when it is in the first degree your strength will then allow it but after the spirits are fretted tyred and enfeebled by their constant agitation and inquietude motion or exercise provokes and aggravates Motus omnis calefacit corpora quies vero refrigerat but refresh them with rest and ease which will cool and abate their aestuation and distempered motion Cherish sleep although in the day time that will humect and moisten the body and restore the lassated spirits but lye not long in the morning which retains excrements beyond their due time for evacuation and heats the body Watching and setting up late dries and heats the body by keeping the spirits so long upon their duty and is very injurious to Consumptive persons Avoid passions of the mind which disturb and waste the spirits exsiccate and dry the body but endeavour a placid quiet mind which refresheth and pacifies the spirits and mitigates their febrile heat and aestuation but cherish mirth and recreate your self abroad with pleasant company and it will be of great advantage to you in regaining your health and lost strength Bathing is good to cool and refresh the spirits that are grown hot and fiery to concenter them and give them rest that are tired by their continual aestuation to restrain their efflux and emission where transpiration is too great but this is to be understood of a cold Bath only which does repell and drive in Concerning drink take this Caution That you load not your self with smaâ—l Beer Barley-water and such slops thinking thereby to quench your thirst and cool your body for thereby you overthrow your stomach which must carefully be preserved and abate nothing 〈◊〉 your heat but be moderate in drinking yet drink to satisfaction and refreshmentâ—… let it be indifferent strong and sometimes a glass of Wine which will not injure you in respect of heat but revive and cheer the drooping spirits and give strength to the languishing faculties but it is the common opinion and practice of Physitians severely in Hecticks and most Fevers to forbid all strong drink and wine as a great aggravater of their disease and not to be permitted But this ariseth from some of their false principles in Physick and a wrong notion of Fevers which would take up too much room in this place to discuss I shall therefore refer that to another opportunity I remember a story related by a learned Physician in his own works of a Nobleman that was long sick of a Fever and strictly forbidden wine by hiâ— Physicians though much desired by him yet did forbear in obedience to them and observed all their rules notwithstanding continued lingring in his disease It hapned that a servant of this Lords being in drink â—ame into the chamber his Lord asked him what he had been drinking that made him so drunk he answered Claret-wine such as he had in his Cellar and withal desired his Lord that he would drink but one draught and it would recover him he was sure or let him be hang'd if his Lordship was the worse for it This Lord being something cheered at the merry talk of his servant commanded him to give him a glass of wine when he had drank that was so well pleased and refreshed with it that he called for a second and drank it and then a third after which his spirits were drowsie and he lay down to sleep that night he slept
by reading but by practice in making The ancient Latine Phrase may inform you something Medicinam fecit hoc vel illo loco he practised Physick in such a place he made Medicines he did not prescribe nor is he fit to prescribe that cannot make for I am very sure his knowledge is very small in Medicines therefore the prescriber that hath only a traditional knowledge from Authors in his Library must subscribe to the Maker for he is able to teach him and correct him in his erroneous prescriptions Now whether deserves the preheminence and who is more worthy to be esteemed in our Profession let common reason judge But this discourse falls in as a Parergy therefore I wave it and return to my purpose For Medicines proper to be used against this Disease treated on I have not prescribed any here and that for good reasons First that I might not be injuriouâ— to the professors of Physick to whom only such secrets are to be committed and not to prostitute this noble Art to base illiterate practisers who are in no wise able to advance but contrariwise to disgrace this Profession and abuse the sick 2ly Good Medicines by unskilful negligent or covetous persons not giving Medicines their due preparation in bestowing that cost labour and time as ought defames a good Medicine and brings a disrepute to the Author or Inventor 3ly The Diseased though ingenious and industrious for hiâ— health is not accomodated to prepare such a Medicine requiring Furnaces Glasses and mâ—…y Utensils whiâ—… wouâ—… 〈◊〉 exceâ—d the cost of the Mâ—…e thaâ— he mâ—y â—…y it for without further hazzard or trouble 4ly It was not any intentioâ—… and purpose to teach 〈◊〉 the â—…actice of Physick how to make Medicines to cure your selves or others to undermine the professors of this faculty no go to your Physicians for Medicines as they are an Order of men most necessary and useful designed and educated for this purpose so let their practice be entire to themselves as you would have your own Tradeâ— and Arts to your selves nor shall I encourage or inform any pragmattick person that would be prying into the arcana's of this Art that is not qualified and legally inducted Procul hinc procul este prophani sacra enim medicina res est Thus far I shall go and be helpful to you in this which is no small satisfaction and advantage to inform you of your Disease what causes and how procured what signes that discover it in being and gradual progress in what part chiefly seated what danger you are in how to order your self in your daily and necessary custom that you may not aggravate and heighten your infirmities by your imprudent government inadvertency but on the contrary by good rules and warnings you may check your Disease and keep it under this is sufficient and enough for you to know that is not a Physician nor is it against charity to conceal the restâ— as for Mâ—dicines for the reasons aforesaid apply your self to such an able Physician that is industrious and expert in preparing choice Medicines that makes it his great design and daily labour to acquire noble efficacious Medicines but if you be unacquainted with such or know not whom to apply to upon a due information of your Disease I will supply you with such Medicines of my own preparation as your condition requires Of Consumptions Phthisical BY Consumptions Phthisical I mean all such as have any internal part ulcerated or putrid and rotten The word Phthisis as it is commonly used denotes an exulceration of the Lungs only but may properly signifie another part so affected as the Liver Kidneys Mesentery c. The Lungs being a soft tender part is more easily invaded and a breach made sooner then upon other parts that are more solid and firm and in this part we find Consumptions more frequently radicated and primarily â—…tâ—d These Phthisical Conâ—…pâ—… are generated eiâ—… by some acâ—… humour corroding the part having fâ—…quent transition that way does by time fret and excoriate or by the apertion or â—…pture of a vein from whence extravasated blood does putrifie and corrupt the â—djacent parts according to Hippocrates A sanguinis sputo puris sputum à puris sâ—uto tabes or thirdly by a deficiency of transmutation when the vital principles of the parts are debile weak or alienated does not assimilate the nutriment brought thither for its supply and maintenance but è contra does suffer it to degenerate infest the part and putrifie from thence a Phthisical Consumption of that part soon follows and by degrees is communicated to the whole body The reason of it appears thus after all the praevious digestions and alterations of aliment received in the publick offices which administer to the whole there is also an ultimate and proper digestion in every part whereby it converts and assimilates into its own nature and substance such a portion as is fit to nourish and maintain it but if this digestive innate faculty of transmutation and assimilation be deficient alienated or extinct then that which is brought to the part to nourish it is corrupted and vitiated which if the robur and strength of the part be not able to expulse and carry off does then invade and corrupt that part with a tabifick and consumptive impression Though all the visecra be liable to this Tabes yet I find Consumptions of the Lungs most frequent as being most obnoxious to external and internal injuries First quia ceâ—…rriâ—è assâ—citar ab extrinseco irriteâ—tâ—… because the Lungs are more subject to assaults ab extra and chiefly from a bad air and tetrid vapours that sometimes set such impressions whereby the Crasis of the Lungs are depraved and altered so that the succus nutritius which should nourish them is perverted into an excrementitious foul matter clogging and loading the parts for respiration Secondly the Lungs are more apt to decay because of their soft spongious nature are more apt to imbibe and receive an exotick ferment more easily penetrated and eroded then other more solid resisting parts as also less able to retain their native goodness For this cause the Lungs are more frequently the foundation and part primarily affected in Consumptive persons yet all persons are not equally subject to this Consumption but some more inclined then others ex viti◠〈…〉 by an innate bad Crasis and Consâ—…ion à primo ortu centracta radicated in the seminal matter which secret inâ—…scernable deficiency cum tempere maâ—…sâ—it does by time appear and explicate it self as other seminal pâ—…rietie now this natural proâ—ensity is â—…tarded or promoved according to external occasions and provocations and shall manifest it self sooner or later according to your regular diaetetick customs and accidents Having spoken something of the subject part we will now consider the antecedent and continent cause and here we must take notice of the alimentary liquors of the body their degeneration deviation and extravasation from whence many
or the Mineral Family changeth its Nature and Effect according to the variation of its Consorts with whom it is joyned that it is not the same compounded with this as it is with that but works a different effect because many times they act upon each other subduing and moderating each others peculiar Nature that a median nature does result And therefore 〈…〉 and knowledg in the Physician is required about the choice and conjunction of Ingredients that he be able to look through their several Natures to find out their similitude and â—epugnancy their concord and discoâ—d for hereby is known what properties will be advanced and what depressed and this an able Chymical Physician can discern as having a perspective thorow knowledg the other is but Exterior and Partial and as the composition of Ingredients may alter and change their Natures so likewise their various manner of Preparation singly do change an Ingredient that it is made this or that as a perite Artist pleaseth exalting or prostrating and killing this or that quality as his purpose requireth And here by the way I must take notice of the traditional and unprofitable account of Vegetables that our Herbals give of which the Chymical Physician takes little notice and is a small assistance and guide to him in the Election of Plants for his several Intentions Being satisfied long since that Medicament was the most weighty and considerable part of Physick and that a deficiency or error there is a greater disadvantage and detriment to the Patient then in the determination of the Desâ—…se I diâ—…eageâ—ly apply my self to Medicinâ—… according to the ancient custom and general practice of the most learned and famous Physicians in all places who weâ—e industrious Artists diligent in â—reparing their own Medicines until this later age with as much curiosity as my knowledg could possibly direct At first I was deâ—…rous to make Experiments and be fully informed in Galenic Medicines being grounded upon those Principles by my Acâ—demic Education and was tenacious enough of that Doctrine unâ—il a clearer prospect of truth did appear gained by Observations in practical Philosophy a serious ratiocination and strict examination of Principles and received Opinions but being removed off that Basis and confirmed by Chymical Tryals relating to Medicine I deserted the Galenic Medicines as inferiour to what I discovered and was presented to my view and ever since have labored in Chemical Pharmacy as being the most excellent way of preparing Medicines Sâ—me Objections are made by the Learned and by the Ignorant againâ— Chymical Medicines but to vindicate them from common slanders and clearly to determine the difference between these and other Medicines will take up more room than can be afforded in this place and therefore must of necessity wave it expecting an Opportunity hereafter to ventilate that Subject Only by the way I must note that Chymistry suffers much and is eclipsed in its reputation by some illiterate pretenders and bold fellows not qualified Philosophically but rudely intruding upon â—he Art without a due preparation and legitimate induction brings scandal upon the learned deserving Professors and defâ—mation to the Art by Vsurping the Title of Doctors and Chimical Phisicians that many are deceived by them which are not able to discern the difference between a Doctor of Physick and a crafty Empyric But the ingenious Phylosophical Artist ought to be cherished and incouraged in his Operations and rational Tryals But tâ— my purpose intended in my Treatise of the Scurvy having traced that Disease from its Iâ—fancy and Geneâ—ation to its full growth and strength its chief places of Residence variety of appearaâ—ce and monstrous deformity it remaiâ—s I should now propose some effâ—ctual means to check and subâ—…e the prevailin power of this spreading Disease that dâ—ily grows and encreaseth to the ruine and decay of Naâ—ure being possâ—ssâ—d and seaâ—ed in the Vital Principles â—educing and Constraining them to enormity and defection from the regularity in which they were planted by Nature And having strictly surveied the condition and nature of this Disease with iâ—s variety of atâ—endants a d additional strength being ready to joyn with any Morbific cause and be transformed I was unwilling to sit down here and rest with a contemplative knowledg of this Disease and leave the greatest paâ—t of the work undone the subduing and vanquishing of it by powerful Medicines nor being willing â—o commit the remaining part to the industry and care of others for good reas on I have therefore laboured to form Medicinal Instruments to oppose this Contumacious Herculean Disease and as fit means for this encounter I prepared three Medicines of a different Classis and Operation to meet with the variety of Symptoms and Scorbutic Complications In the Cuâ—e of the Scurvy at least in most Scorbutic cases there are three intentions of cure to be aimed at the first is Purgation or Cleansing to carry off that Scorbutic â—mpurity or Degenerate Matter lodged in the Stomack and Bâ—wels deravinâ— and alienating good food daâ—ly received Secondly roborating and st enâ—thning the digestive Faculâ—ies which are debilitated and alienated from the integrity of their Offices not only the Digestive Office of the Stomach but the subsequent Digestions also Thirdly Depuration of the Blood and cleansing the habit of the Body Nature dischargeth her self from within and sendâ—ng daily to the exterior parts those also must be tainted more or leâ—s as the Symptoms will manifest and therefore do require to be freed from feculency and the Blood purified To answer these three Purposes I prepared three Principal Medicines viz. Scorbute-Pills Catholick-Elixir and a Sudorific-Extract These Medicines I have been reforming and improving alwost seven years to advance their Efficacions but most gentle and benigne Operations Dies diem docet And for the better effecting this endeavour and aim the coâ—stant and daily use of them in divers Scorbutic persons attended with different Symptoms of the Disease and complicated with divers other Diseases gives great information and satisfaction to me in the several â—ccounts I recâ—ive of their Operations bâ—th at home and abroad by Letters from remote parts of this Kingdom whereby I am taught which way and wherein 't is possible to improve them and to give them as great a Latitude of Universality and extent of Operation in their peculiar Classes Nihil est simul inventum ac perfectum as long experience and daily use can dictate to their several repeated processes and tryals of making and this is my Study and daily experience in Chymical tryals to improve these and all other Medicines I use in my Practice that they may attain tâ— such perfection and energy as Cito tuâ—o jucunde to relieve the Diseased in the most contumacious Ma adies and deplorable Câ—seâ— remedible hereby Medicines will gain greater esteem and the Art its deserved repute and Fame if Physicians by their own care and pains as they ought would manage this Work and be
and management I sent her three Anti-scorbutick Medicines namely my Scorbute-Pills Elixir and Sudorisic Extract to be used in that order and method as the Medicines and her Condition required at the months end she gained the use of her Limbs but were something weak yet no pains as formerly and upon the use of the Sudorific Extract some spots were driven forth and the Latent Scurvy did appear and satisfied them more fully what I had determined of her disease The Winter being very sharp did sometimes interrupt her Course and retarded the compleating of a Cure which else might have been finished in a shorter time At the beginning of March I set her into the same Course again which was diligently observed and in April following she was perfectly restored In the Course of these Medicines according to the Account received I observed her pains to lessen and cease upon the use of the Sudorific Extract and not before which Medicine chiefly restored her the use of her Limbâ— and it was reason to expect the greatest benefit as to that particular in the Case should acrue from a Diaphoretic Medicine that searching and penetraâ—ing the hâ—bite of the Body by transpiâ—ation and breathing Sweats should dâ—slodg and discusse the Scotbutic Matter which infested the Nerves and Muscles impeding and disabling the parts in their Motion and Action By such Examples as this and other different Cases as to the Symptoms yet parallel with it as to the parts affected and Morbisic Cause I was fully satisfiâ—d that a Sudorifiâ— Medicine was of necessary use in many Scorbutic Cases and without which a Cure could not be performed I therefore prepared a Medicine that might effectually answer the scope of that intention which might operate by Transpiration and gentle sweating and by a kindly assisting of Nature in that operation might depurate the whole Masse of blood and free the habite of the body from any Scorbutic Impurity and Degenerate Matter which at certain seasons of the year and by accâ—dental promoting Causes ferments and produceth various internal Distempers and Diseases Scorbutic Feavers continual and intermitting Quotidian Tertian and Quartan Head-aches and Pains in several parts Plentisies Asthma's c. or external and Cutany-Disedations as Spots Scurff Scabs Pustul's Tettars Ringworms Tumors c. And because our blood especially in these Northern Climates doth abound with a serosa Colluvies a Serosity or Superfluous watery humor a good Sudorisic Medicine is of great use for when this serous matter abounds and increase the ther by the insufficient Attraction Separation of the Reins that should expend and drain it or the Pores shut up and Trauspiration denied that should insensibly exhaust it doth then by Preternatural Retention degenerate and change its Nature and Properties that which was mild turns acid sharp and molesting and variously degenerating doth cause several Diseases and Pains in divers parts of the Body as it Circulates in the V ssels or extravasated and wandring about being expulsed from part to part as hostile and injurious by the strength and fortitude of the Archeus or innate spirit that inhabits as the Life-guard in each part of the body This Sudorific Medicine prepared for the purposes aforesaid I appoint in all Scorbutic Cases requiring Transpiration or Sweating and I find great success in the use of it especially being now much altered and improved Many Diseases are expulsed by Sudorificks that purgatives cannot prevail against the reason is this First because some Diseases do arise and depend upon a statulent Spirit or Meteor that is generated in the body and these Diseases are more accute and dangerous than others because their matter is more active subtile and of suddain motions being of the Nature of a Spirit is more penetrative and irresistible in its motion as Apoplexy Epilepsy histerical Passions Pest lential Seminaries suddain Swoonings c. Which do not yield Obedience to Purgatives being of a more subtile spirituous nature is not ejected by Vomit or Stool as grosser Morbific Humours are but requires a Medicine equivâ—lent and proportionate to their Nature that is penetrative subtile and acute in Operation proper to discuss evaporate and transpire Sâ—condly many Diseases though arising from grosser and humoral causes that would obey the Power and Virtue of Purgatives yet by reason they are lodged in the habit of the body and more exterior parts are out of distance and beyond the reach and sphere of their activity but a good Sudorific penetrates and searcheth all parts raiseth the Seminaries and enters the secret Dormitories of lurking Diseases and gives them expulsion by its subtil Operation and acute Power and here I remember the condition of a Patient which I will relate to you pertinent to the present discourse A young gentlewoman of a fair Complexion and very clear skin by Melancholy and other causes was much altered and become brown muddy and discoloured in particular places afterwards a Scurf did arise and some Pimples here and there which was troublesome by itching thâ—s Gentlewoman was let blood and purgeâ— ofâ—en but still be trouble remained then she was advised to a Wash to clear the â—kin and to tâ—ke away the heat and pimples which diâ— take effect in a few daies but upon retiring of this humour inwards she fell desperately sick with violent pains in her head and ready to faint away often Hereupon I was sent for and examined the whole matter and finding the acuteness of her sickness to arise from an imprudent repelling of a humour and forcing it back upon Nature which she had brought forth to the skin I immediately appointed her a Dose of my sudorific Extract to be given her which put her into a breathing Sweat and when the Medicine had done its Operation her pains and sickness were almost gone the next day I appointed another Dose to be given her to sweat gently for two or three hours and before the Operation of the Medicine was spent her pain â—nd sickness quite left her and then appeared some of the former Symptoms again upon the skin but without itching The present danger of her sickness being over I caused her to rest two or three daies and gave her an Elixir to take every day to cherish Nature and recover her strength then she fell to the Sudorific Extract again to cleanse the Blood and to breathe out that impurity which was lodged under the skin with convenient intermssion she repeated this Sudorific Medicine three or four times more and then the former Symptoms quite lest her and she regained her former beauty and clearness of skin By thâ—s you may understand that a Sudorific Medicin s me times is effectual when Purgatives cannot prevail yet 't is injurious to Nature to draw back again what she hath protruded and brought forth to the Circumference of the Body and therfore they that rely and insist too much upon Purging thinking to cleanse the whole Body by that Operation only are much deceived Purging is good but not
and therefore what Symptoms of Sickness do appear in any person oughâ— strictly and nicely to be examined by a discerning judgment to know the right spring and foundation of their Rise But to proceed Not only the Stomack and first Digestion is benefited and assisted by this Elixir but the subsequent Digestions are promoted and their defects corrected hereby and this Medicine I use successfully against many Infirmities seated in the Mesentery Guts Liver or Spleen as when they are languid and weak degenerating and falling off from their duties are obstructed with crude depraved Matter wanting Spirit and Vigour and acuteness of Ferment fit for their proper works from whence Hypocondriack Melancholy Stitches Pains Tumors and flatulent Dissensions of the Hypoconders and Belly In such cases this Medicine penetrates atteneates opens and discusseth roborates and gives great relief and likewise for Melancholy drooping Spirits and Palpitations of the Heart Angustness and Compression about that Region arising from a Scorbutic Feculency and Impurity an ill-affected Spleen or Matrix from whence Vapours do assurge to afflict the heart and vital Spirit this Elixir is a proper help and also effectual in Scorbutic Asthmaes difficult and short Breathing Coughs and Scorbutic Consumptions But of these you may read at large in my Treatise of Consumptions and I have there appropriated two excellent and highly graduated Medicines for Consumptive persons a Restaurative Essence and Balsamic Extract with which I have recovered some bey â—nd expectation That you may be the more cautious in examining the Symptoms of Diseases what foundation they have and whâ—…ce they do proceâ—… that you may not laâ—…ur in vain for a cur I hâ—enâ—ed a rom â—kable Care in a Patient of mine wâ—… your Observation which was thus A young man about thirty years of Age a â—uâ—ent and tenderly bred was subject to short and difficult breathing but without a Cough or very little he was advised to manâ— Pectoral Medicine to open and ren hen the Lungs which he used but â—ith litâ—le effect his Disease by time increased upon him and he was troubled with palpitation of the Heart and stoppage of Breath in his Sleep that he was aâ—fraid of Suffocation he then unhappily fell into the hands of an Emperick who purged him with violent Medicines so that he began to be Hydropical did puff up and limbs Swell nor did the other Symptoms abate After this and other passages too long to relate I was sent for and examined the Patient found his complaint was chiefly under the Diaphraâ—rama toward the Oriâ—ice of the Stomack that his Lungâ— were good and the Cause of his short and difficult breathing was not in the Breast but by Compression of the Diaphragma from a turgid aestuation of Scorbutic matter which threatned Suffocation somtimes And upon this very cause I knew a very Learned Doctor of Physick that died suddainly in his bed I perused and made inspection into the Urine and examined his Pulse as now and formerly both which consented to and confirmed the Scurvy Then I examined what Medicines had been given him and those were most Pectoral except some churlish Purges after which he was much wâ—rse and began to swell and now he was about to take a Dyet-drink for the Dropsy which was like to prove as the rest but the Patient committing himself into my hands I had him desist from all Medicines but what I appointed and first I gave him this Elixir he being very weak which as a Cordial did revive him and after a few daies was much altered for the better and slept more quietly with a greater freedom in breathing he continued this alone for ten dayes in which time he gained strength and had a stomack to his meat then I directed him the use of the Scorbute-Pills which abated the swelling of his Limbs at twice taking and preceeded in the use of these two Medicines Lastly I appointed him the Sudorific Medicine hereafter mentioned and in a short time he was reduced by this course to good health and free from his former Complaints By the whole Story you may observe First that the Scurvy is disguised and appears in the shape of other Diseases Secondly that those Diseases so counterfeited are not cured but by Radical Medicines which are Anti-scorbutic and therefore it much concerns the Sick that their Diseases be rightly stated and determined by one that can make a true internal Discovery and not according to external Appearance and common Symptoms which is very Fallacious But I proceed to let you know farther How and wherein this Elixir is useful to me in Practice and that in suddain emergent cases of fainting as also in Languishing Diseases and Cases of Extremity when the Patient is spent and brought so low that no Physick can be Administred this as a relief and support to the Languishing decayed Faculties may daily be exhibited and this I have frequently proved particularly a Person of Honour given over by his Physicians being spent and decayed and highly swoln in a Scorbutic Asthma and Dropsy was gasping for breath when I came to him but exhibiting this Elixir he did wonderfully revive and his difficult short breathing was much enlarged and eased for a few daies for which he did Extol the Medicine but being past the possibility of Recovery and incapable of other Medicines requisite or Cure he dyed But some may object This possibly may be a good Medicine in desperate Cases and approaches of Death but how can it be proper and fit for a man that can eat his meat well and walk abroad only inclining to the Scurvy and some small Impediments from thence I answer That Medicine which is endowed with so much Vertue to bring relief to a decayed or dying man must needs be of great power and efficacy to give Vigour and strength to all the Faculties Now Scorbutic Infirmities or imped mens of what fort soever do arise from the Imbecillity Aberration or Declining of some Faculty in the Body injured or decayed which requires a generous and noble Medicine to Rectifie and Vigorate at least it will better be performed by such not a languid dull Medicine and therefore this Objection is vain for the greater power a Medicine hath the more likely and better to do the business be it little or much and therefore if your Case require help do it by an acute Vigorous Medicine and you may expect your Infirmities to be removed Ciâ—…ùs tuâ—iùs jucuâ—diùs in a shorter time with more safety and certainty with less disgust in taking or trouble in Operation Now the main Scope and Intention of this Medicine is to relieve the Spirits Oppressed or Exhausted to Discuss Flatulent Vapours to open Obstructions and to Rectifie and Roborate the Digestive Faculties from whence Scorbutic Symptoms do arise and such a Medicine is necessarily required in the cure of the Scurvy and it s Complicated effects I have briefly shewed you the power and properties belonging to an Anti-scorbutic