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
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
Consumptions do arise and are generated Bodies of a sound and good constitution living laudably according to diaetetick rules prescribed in the right use of meat and drink sleeping and watching exercise and rest passions of mind c. do preserve the integrity of their natures and ability of their faculties much longer then those who by accident or a careless irrational course of living receive much detriment and decay in their bodies the stomach abused by meat and drink alienating the digestive ferment of that part leaves its wonted integrity and performance of office from thence a vitiated digestion follows which continuing is manifested by an ill savour in the mouth or unwonted taste bitter sowre foetid c. flatulency eructation or nauseousness but the ill effects and their fiâ—m are not confined here but are transmitted iâ—to the mass of blood producing a degeneration and change there also from whence Consumptions and various infirmities arise in several parts sometimes it makes impression upon the Lungs discharging its acrimony and eroding saltness upon that part sometimes upon another not long confined within its own ductures and chaâ—nels but by apertion or erosion is extravasated and invades the parenchyma of the viscera with a tabifick impression The acid impurities that flow with the Blood so long as they keep within their rivulets do not so much molest nor are so easily detected but being separated and extravasated whether per anastemosin diapedesin or per anabrosin the parts whitherto such matter takes its course and by which it passeth is made very sensible of a strange unwelcome guest witness the dolorous pains of the Gout of the Teeth venereous and scorbute pains in the Head Limbs and habit of the Body griping of the Guts when Nature per diacrisin hath separated that hostile matter and brought it thither for extermination vellicating pains of the Back counterfeiting the Stone but caused by an acrid serosity violent coughing and painful irritations of the Lungs punctures and pains in the Breast the forerunners and warners of a breach and Consumption there These and many more such like pains in divers parts are caused from a degenerate acrid humor extravasated and expulsed from place to place does chiefly invade and infest those parts whose innate robur and strength is too weak and unable to resist the assault or by organical disposition and aptitude is liable for the reception In this deviation and inconstant residence of morbifick humors the Lungs is frequently infested sometimes with extravasated blood which if not timely expectorated does putrifie and layes the foundation of a tabes or a saline corroding serous humor which by excoriation invades the tender Lungs and an Ulcer is planted there If we make inquiry into the causes of Phthisical Consumptions we shall finde a phthisis of the Lungs may be procured several wayes or from these causes First Domestica indispositio a bad Crasis of the part that is a tender infirm constitution of the part apt to decay and corrupte and this is either native or hereditary from the first constitution and fabrication of parts by seminal matter or adventitious acquired by time through a bad air noxious fumes accidents and evil living disposing the Lungs to a vitious depraved constitution Secondly by the accrimonious saltness of humors fretting and exulcerating them Thirdly by the apertion rupture or erosion of a Vein which extravasated blood lodging there does putrifie and corrupt the Lungs Fourthly by an Imposthume in the adjacent parts breaking in upon the Lungs as by a Plurisie Squinance Inflammation of the Mediastinum or Diaphragma and therefore Hippocrates said Empyema si 40 dierum spatio per sputum non repurgetur in tabem degenerat quae mortem accersit Aph. 15. Sect. 5. Causes also external do promote and concur much to the generating of a Phthisis in the Lungs and here you must take notice of the air by whose intemperateness and impurity the Lungs contract an evil disposition and alteration of its Crasis and this we observe in some places that the air does procure and promote a Phthisical Consumption of the Lungs more frequently and that the air of another place is more preservative and curative therefore the Phthisical person is to consult the Physician what place is best for his abode whether it be for prevention or recovery For this cause great Cities being much annoyed with unwholesome fumes and vapours from Sinks Privies and Chimnies offensive nasty Trades c. made London abound with Phthisical Consumptive persons more then half the Nation besides and from Consumptive Parents a numerous progeny of the same kind is propagated Society also is to be regarded and you must not frequently converse with a Phthisical person whose unwholesome breath may infect the sound by drawing in the putrid vapour that the other breaths forth but above all a Phthisical Bed-fellow is most dangerous to infect a sound person and chiefly to be avoided Certain seasons of the year and constitution of the air though in the same place are worse then other as the Autumnal Quarter is the worst and Phthisical persons do most decline at this season and are worse in moist foggy weather then in a dry clear open sky That you may not be surprized but have some warning of this Disease and characters to know it by I shall set down some signal tokens whereby you may discover it afar off and certain marks to know it by when fixed and seated in its proper place Consumptions in their first approaches tread very softly that you are not so sensible of their invasion but having gained some footing are more bold to awake you and appear in the breach and decay of your wonted health and strength a long time perhaps you carry this secret enemy in your bosom not discernable but by the sagacious judgment of a very able Physician but when you find some unwonted alterations in your body of which you cannot determine what or whether they tend look out betimes apply your self to the most skilful of our Profession that by his timely advice and prevalent Medicines you may obviate and stop the proceedings of a secret destroyer Obsta principiis serò medicina paratur Cùm mala per longas invaluere moras The forerunners and warners of Consumptions are many declaring a degeneration and change of the constitution as bleeding at the nose often signifying the blood to have lost some of its balsamick consistence being grown thin sharp or hot will not be confined within its rivulets but opening its own ductures gives vent and issue 2ly Spitting of Blood imports the like and is procured by the same causes 3ly The Spittle which before was sweet or insipid is become salt or sharp denotes the vital stream to be degenerate from whence it proceeds for as the Blood answers the Chyle so the Spittle answers the Blood the one depending upon the other 4ly Frequent and often spitting not provoked by any manifest cause 5ly A constant
you may observe none so rheumatick and phlegmatick as Tobacconists and as it leaves a filthy taste in the mouth so it sets a bad impression upon all the parts it reacheth the Lungs and vital parts especially receiving the prejudice Having made a progress thus far into Phthisical Consumptions it remains I should give you something remarkable in the therapeutick or curative part If the Disease be but approaching and a propension thereto correction and altering the mass of Blood secures you from the danger but if it be already seated and the Lungs ulcerated more intentions of cure must be prosecuted as abstersion and consolidation To know whether your Disease increase or abate during the cure and use of means observe your Spittle which will vary as you grow better or worse if that which was soul become more pure or consisting of several parts be equally concocted that was saltish is dulcid or insipid that was faetid and ill savoured is void of scent that was with difficulty expectorated is now easily brought up these are good signes and promise recovery but the contrary are bad and threaten death Those that are consumptive by an hereditary right derived from their Parents are much worse and with more difficulty preserved or cured them those to whom it is adventitious because it the former it is implanted in their nature and seminally radicated does grow 〈◊〉 to its height and increase with the bodies the other being promoted by some procatartick cause may more easily receive a check and stop by good advice Those that spit blood at some certain times only if it flows plentifully is less dangerous then those who more constantly void strings of blood because the former ariseth from an apertion of the Veins the latter from an erosion and exulceration besides the former may proceed only from plenitude the latter from great alienation and acrimony of the blood Gentle purgation per epicrasin by proper Purgers are necessary and advantageous but strong purgation and virulent purgers as Scammony Coloquintida Senna Agarick c. are noxious and do exasperate therefore great heed is to be taken in the choice and use of purging Medicines else you do more harm then good Sudorificks properly adapted and rationally used are of excellent use against Phthisical Consumptions whether imminent or present for precaution by depurating the blood from acrid serosities for cure by exsiccation also and healing and transpiration of putrid humors Dry Fumes and moist evaporations rightly instituted pro re nata as the case requires humectation or exsiccation and to supply the defects of an incongruous and unwholesome air are laudable artificial means conducing to preservation or cure In the performance of cure if there be any urgent symptome that first is to be regarded whether it be spitting and voiding of Blood a defection of Spirits or vehemency of Cough which being mitigated and relieved you may then proceed radically beginning at the foundation and râ—moving fomenting Canse◠〈…〉 the part affected In compâ—… 〈…〉 when contraindications 〈◊〉 cure do meet as often it falls out in Pâ—…hâ—… 〈◊〉 the ability and judgment oâ— the Physician is then most eminentlâ—â—…quired in the use and choice of Medicines by moderating successively or qualifying by commixture and allay the thwarting intentions of Cure The Galenick Medicines commended by several Authors are many Trallianus boasts of many phthisical persons he cured with the Blood-stone some extol syrup of Ground-Ivy others syrup of Comfrey and Conserve of Roses some again commend the decoction of Guaiacum Syrup of St. Johns Wortflowers and syrup of Tobacco also the powder of Haly is practised by some which is this white Poppy-seed 10 drams Starch Gum Arabick and Dragon each 3 drams seeds of Purslane Mallows Marshmallows Cucumbers Gourds Citruls and Quince of each 7 drams Ivory Liquorice each 3 drams Penidies the weight of all and made into a Powder of which is given 2 drams every morning in syrup of Jujubes or pectoral decoction But how insufficient these Medicines and such like are to cure a Consumption those only can judge that rightly understand what a Consumption is and what a radical Medicine is that 's adapted and does apply to the vital and fundamental principles that is prevalent to restoâ—… their declensions and reduce their irregularities to rectitude and integrity of operation I have not set down here the process of my own medicines that I use in the Cure of Phthisical Consumptive people being above the reach of those that are not Chymical Artists and for the reasons given before in the 74. and 75. pages Of a Spermatick Consumption THis kind of Consumption may seem strange in regard of the denomination being new but it is very proper and deserves this distinguishing title By a Spermarick Consumption you are to understand a decay and wasting of the body from the expence and loss of sperm or seed and this is either voluntary by immoderate coition and copulation man with woman or by self provocation to such an expence and emission or else involuntary a weeping and issuing without consent or external provocation and allurement First we will consider what this sperm or balsom of Nature is in both Sexes that knowing the worth of it how gradually it is elaborated and brought to its perfection you may the better value it be more sensible of the loss and rightly understand how the detriment and decay does consecute and follow upon too large and continued emission I shall not here spend time in leading you through all the digestions of mans body that are praevious and preparatory to this ultimate elixerated matter having done that in another place but it is sufficient you understand that this spermatick succus being the last concocted and elaborated matter is the cream and quintessence of the rest having been defaecated and depurated in several offices of digestion each of which does separate the faeculent and inutile parts transmitting the purer to receive the operation and perfection of the subsequent digestion and therefore this spermatick succus is defined pars purissima electissima elabetatissima omnium partium animantium quae conferunt ad nutritionem the purest and most select matter graduated and refined by so many praevious digestions which are as so many rectifications to subtiliate purifie and spiritallize it This spermatick digested matter though the last in order yet it is prime in dignity being the quintessence and purest part extracted from the rest and may fitly be called elixir hominis or essential balsom Now this elixerate choice matter which is elaborated and treasured up in the spermatick vessels not only for use of the individuum but also for propagation of the species is not prodigally to be wasted but necessarily employed for the purposes appointed by Nature but if it happen from what cause soever to be expended more then nature does allow and can well dispence with damage does arise to the whole body enervation and consumption upon the continuance if
matter So much difference there is in bodies for purging that two of these Pills are sufficient for some but most commonly three Pills are required seldom four therefore try your body first with a lesser Dose then if it require more you may add to the next and in so doing you will not err For example If you have a stubborn body difficult and hard to purge and the first Dose works but little the next Dose you may take one Pill more Tutius est peccare in defectu quaÌ„ in excessu but if you have a lax gentle body freer in Operation than you expected then abate a Pill if the first work too nimbly with you The difference of bodies is such in Operation especially purging that they require a different Dose or quantity for their proportion which cannot so exactly be determined and appointed by the praescience of the most skilful Physician but by a rational Conjecture untill the first experiment and tryal of their bodies which uncertainty is not in the Medicine but in the diversity of bodies and after the first Dose taken your own reason then considering the condition of your body with the former will prompt you in the next whether to keep to the same to augment or abate * Solutiva enim fortia cum succis exuperantibus magnam spirituum laciunt solutionem And remember this as a necessary caution that you covet not strong Purges and large Evacuations to have many stools in a day a common error which offers violence to Nature and forceably sweeping down both good and bad together * Eradicativa evacuatio optimè perplures per sicitur evacuationes minorativas but rather choose to draw away the offending matter gently by degrees giving Nature time for separation the pure from the impure and noxious four or five Stools in a day is sufficient but not to exceed six and that number I intend you to aim at and no more and thus doing you will find Physick much more beneficial nature more kindly assisting and not at all weakned Some there are who unless their Physick work half a score or a dâ—zen times think they have kept House for nothing and their Money cast away accounting the goodness of their Physick by the number of Stools but they deceive themselves very much in desiring strong Purgations which weaken and impair Nature and thereby you protract your Cure and not hasten it Concerning preparation before Purging much talked of take this Advice that soluble bodies readily yeilding obedience to gentle Purging Medicines need no other preparation than what nature hath provided in the disposition of their own bodies but for those bodies that are more hot dry costive and very stubborn in Operation it will be advantagious to facilitate their Purgation by eating stewed prunes water grewel or barley broth with raisins and currants or by drinking whey or sider two or three daies before which will prepare moisten cool and open your body and make it more soluble and easy in purging The times for taking these Pills generally is thus except good reason in some bodies perswade the contrary Take one Pill over night going to bed having eaten but a light Supper at six of the clock before the next morning early in bed take the remaining part of the Dose and you may sleep an hour after if you be disposed but not longer nor lie long in bed after lest you check the Operation of the Medicine and thereby cause you to be sickish at Stomack in your rising when you are up drink a little warm posset-drink made of small bear or small Ale or thin broth for this purpose and forbear eating until noon but although these Pills are appointed to be taken one over night the other in the morning yet if you find any inconvenience thereby you may take the whole Dose in the morning very early and lie two hours after But if you have not a just cause for alteration observe the Prescription These Pills take thus every fourth or fifth day and you will find it best to give such intermission Chronick or old Diseases must have time to be Eradicated and you must reduce nature from an ill habit by degrees * Semper expedit paulatim ducere quâ—m subitâ— better than hastily As diseases come on gradually prevailing upon and seducing nature from her Integrity so nature by degrees must be brought off and restored again to her power and regularity Cum natura malè sustinet repentinas mutationes For going abroad after your Pills that day if you desire it or occasions require take this advice if your body be indifferent strong not apt upon small occasions to take cold the season temperate and fair weather having moderated the Dose of your Pills so as to work but three or four times at most you may then go abroad without prejudice but if it fall out to be otherwise then it is better to keep in that day If any ask At what times of the year these Pills are to be taken I answer you may safely and with benefit at any time of the year provided you order your self suitable to the season that is in Winter-weather a warm Chamber and good fire in Summer-hot weather a cool Room free from the Sun be moderate in Cloathing and gentle in Motion not to heat your self For the Mornings in the midst of Summer they are temperate and fit for Physick and the Operation will be done before the heat of the day so that in this temperate Climate you may take Physick with discretion at any season of the year the Dog-daies not exceâ—ted although it is an opinion among the vulgar that that time is dangerous but that is a vulgar error easy to be refuted Of Restoring and Rectifying the Digestions necessary in Curing the SCURVY IN the preceding Discourse of that Treatise where the Scurvy is manifested and laid open in the causes and manner of Generation you find it planted and Radicated in the Digestions or Digestive Offices by whose Aberrations from Integrity and frustrations of performing their Duties as they ought this Disease is begotten in the Cure therefore we must have an eye to their Deficiency in Vigour and Deviation from the Rectitude and manner of their performance being Alienated and Depraved The former Medicine viz. the Scorbute-Pills was designed to cleanse and carry off the Producted Scorbutick matter another Medicine also must necessarily be invented to Roborate and strengthen the Faculties to restore and confirm them in the performance of their Functions or else the like Scorbutick matter will be generated again and nature will soon relapse into the Former state In vain it is to pump except you stop the Leak Purging carries off the Degenerate matter and does a necessary work but that does not Vigorate re-inforce and give new strength to the Digestive Faculties that were tyred and alienated in their Principles that must be done by another Medicine whose property is
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
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