Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	cold_a	hot_a	moist_a	5,424	5	10.2024	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A79445	Chymical, medicinal, and chyrurgical addresses: made to Samuel Hartlib, Esquire. Viz. 1. Whether the Vrim and Thummim were given in the Mount, or perfected by art. 2. Sir George Ripley's epistle, to King Edward unfolded. 3. Gabriel Plats caveat for alchymists. 4. A conference concerning the phylosophers stone. 5. An invitation to a free and generous communication of secrets and receits in physick. 6 Whether or no, each several disease hath a particular remedy? 7. A new and easie method of chirurgery, for the curing of all fresh wounds or other hurts. 8. A discourse about the essence or existence of metals. 9. The new postilions, pretended prophetical prognostication, of what whall happen to physitians, chyrurgeons, apothecaries, alchymists, and miners.		1655 (1655)	Wing C3779; Thomason E1509_2; ESTC R209495	57,805	193

occult qualities and yet good for others by its manifest qualities as food also is medicinal The third said That this question depends upon another namely Whether mixt bodies work onely by their tempers and first qualities or by their substantial forms and specifical vertues For if the working of every thing do not depend upon its whole form and substance then Medicines cannot cure by their qualities of heat and cold but by a particular and specifical vertue proceeding from their form and wholly contrary to that of the disease For the understanding whereof it must be observed That as the natural constitution of each Mixt body doth consist in a perfect mixture of the four Elementary qualities and in the fit disposition of the Matter and in the intireness of the form so may it be changed one of these three wayes either in its Temper or in its Matter or in its Form And from thence it comes that each mixt body as all medicinals are can work upon our nature by its first second and third Faculties The first Faculties come onely from the Mixture of the four qualities according to the diversity of which the compound body is either hot as Pepper or cold as Mandrake or moist as Oyle or dry as Bole-Armeniack not immediately but in operation And by this Faculty only which proceeds from the temper of the thing it is that the Medicine works chiefly upon the temper of mans body Their second Faculty comes from the different mingling of these same qualities with the Matter For a hot temper joyned with a matter disposed according to its degree of heat shall be opening or eating in or corrosive or burning or of some other vertue wherof there are many sorts according to the degrees of their mixture from whence they are said to be either Attenuating or Thickning Scouring or Sticking to Rarefying or Condensing Loosning or binding drawing or beating back softning or Hardning and by this second faculty onely do Medicines work upon the Matter The third Faculty of Medicines is that which comes not from their quality nor from their Matter but from their Form and from their specifical and occult vertue and such is in the herb Sina the faculty of purging away melancholy and in Terra Sigillata or Lemnia the fortifying of the heart against poysons as also the Scorpions killing with his tail and thence some poysons do kill without altering the Temper The fourth said That diseases are to be considered either in their genus or in their species or in their individuals For the first When the disease is nothing but a disposition disturbing the workings of nature it may be cured by regaining the natural disposition As for the second If it be a distemper for example cold in the second degree then the specifical Medicine for it is hot in the same degree if it be a disease in some of the members of a mans body as for example an obstruction then the only remedy is to open the Conduits If it be a breach then the remedy is to peice again what is parted asunder But if the disease be considered in the individual whose substantial Form it destroys then must we use particular remedies of the same nature and those are the true spicifical ones The fifth said It is the same thing with the causes of health that it is with the causes of diseases Now we see that the same thing is hurtful to one and not to another and that not onely in different species but also in several individuals of the same species because of several circumstances And therefore some remedies will cure one and will kill another nay and that which was lately good may be now hurtful for the same Individual so that it is impossible to assign any specifical remedies for an Individual and yet it is an Individual man that must be cured and not the whole species of man The sixth said That in nature every thing is determined to one particular Action and this proceeds alone from its Form and Being which hath a neerer relation to that one Action than to any other So a Tree is determined to bring forth one fruit rather than another It is the same case with those remedies which are had from the three Families of Animals Vegetables and Minerals Some are proper to purge one particular humour as choler or melancholy or water or they provoke vomiting or urine or by sweat or they are discussive or cause sneezing or stop coughing Other Medicines strengthen one particular member as the heart the head the liver or the spleen Some again are good against particular poysons So Treacle is specifically good against a bite by a viper So a Scorpion applyed to a place which he hath stung heals it So the Oyle of Pine apple kernels is good against Orpiment So long Hart wort Rue are good against Aconite or Wolf-bane and the rinde of Lemon Tree against Nux Vomica and the seeds of winter-cherry against Cantharides and Mummy against the Ulcers made by wilde spurge and the flower of water Lilly against Hellebore So the root of wilde Roses and the herbs Gentiane Balme Betonie and Pimpernel are excellent against the biting of a mad dog and so it is with others There are others called Amulets which being worne about the neck or laid to certain parts of the body do preserve from diseases So as Galen himself reports Pionie worne keeps from the falling sickness So Wolfes dung allayes the Cholick and Jasper strengthens the stomack And Trallian assures that the Aetites or Eagle-stone cures the quotidian Agues and snails and green lizards cure quartan Agues and that an Asses forehead and a nail taken out of a broken ship are good against the falling-sickness So the ashes of Tad-poles and Frogs are used against the bloody Flux Lapis Judaicus and Goats blood against the stone in the kidneys and the water of a Stags head and the bone of his heart against the diseases of the heart Now there is no reason why all these marvellous effects should be ascribed to the first qualities and therefore Galen laughs at his Master Pelops who gave that reason for them The seventh said That Physick being first found out by use and experience hath no need of reason in those things which fall clearly under our senses but only in those things which are beyond the preception of our senses the which being confirmed by reason are much the more infallible However when reason seems to thwart experience we ought rather to stick to experience so it be founded upon many observations Seeing then that experience shews us there are many specifical remedies whereof the weak wit of man cannot finde out the cause it is better in this case to rely upon sense without reason than upon reason contradicted by experience Now if there be specifical remedies for some diseases there are also for all but they are so very many that we cannot know them And who is that man

mine by no means but my advice is that the Cyrurgion would have in his shop or in his Chest some of my Medicaments that so upon occasion having made proof of mine and his own he may give the commendation to those Medicaments that best deserve it I shall now proceed to number and describe unto you my Balsoms The Balsoms numbred up with their properties and manner of Application Number 1. This Balsom marked Number 1. I call Balsamum universalem naturalem that is an universal natural Balsom because that it is the greatest Actor in all my Method of Chyrurgery for whether the Patient be shot or flashed or stabbed or otherwise hurt take this Balsom and apply thereof presently after the blood is stopt or if by reason of the extremity of the hurt falling upon reins and Arteries the blood cannot so soon be stopped yet apply of this Balsom thereto after it is clensed in a spoon so much as the nature of the wound shall require whether it be deep or shallow c. make the spoon so hot that you can but endure your finger upon it without burning If it be a deep shot or a stab squirt it in very warm with a seringe whether it go through the wound or not for if the wound go through the member or part hurt the Balsom will flie through if it go not through the Balsom will recoile back If it be a flat bruised or battered hurt anoint it with a feather dipped in this Balsom so that it come to the ground or bottom of the wound and then lay on the Plasters according to the ordinary practice of Art so as to cover the whole maimed place And this must be done once a day unless some great quantity of matter do work out for then it may be opened in the evening to air it and discharge it from the matter and lay the Plasters on again without using any more of the Balsom With this Balsom are in a manner all wounds healed substantially and from the bottom and take notice that in such hurts as you apply this Balsom to you need not to try or search with tent or probe how deep the wound is the Balsom will do that for you searching through and through better than you can do by any means whatsoever neither need you to put any tent in to keep it open for the Balsom will not suffer it to close till the ground or bottom of the wound or hurt have sufficiently purged it self I speak not of clensing the wound every time it is drest with warm Brandewine salt water or other wine seeing the skilfull Chyrurgion knows that the wound must alwayes be clensed before the Balsom be applied This method you must observe in all wounds and hurts from the top of the head to the soles of the feet So must you dress the shins likewise onely be sure to set the shins even and just together and dry them and lay the Plasters upon them and this must be done when the hurt is not deep but shallow lay an whole plaster of Opodeltod or if you want that of Emplastrum albumcoctum or a clean washed cloath is also good for it serves chiefly but to cover the wound I order the Shins to be thinly anointed because if they be clean without proud flesh they need little healing and after they have been anointed they must be dried and the plaster laid over them The use of this Balsom is very Soveraign for where it is used according to the foresaid direction men have hardly ever any symptomatical fevers to speak of nor any inflamation or mortification for this Balsome peirceth forthwith to the Centre or bottom of Nature and supplies the neceisities of Nature by making flesh to come where it is wanting how deep soever the wound is and by eating out the proud flesh or what ever grows up besides the intent of nature And it makes the wound to yield a well digested matter if a wound want digestion it brings it to digest and into a posture of healing if the wound be inflamed it brings it to temper and cooling if it be cold and crude it brings the same again to a natural warmth if there be a swelling it brings it down and takes it quite away a man needs but with his warm finger anoint the wound lightly round about and it allays the swelling which is very good for a Cyrurgion to prevent the Gangraena and all accidents And this is but childrens play which may be done sporting by him that understands but to handle a wound and rightly to binde and swathe the same Number 2. This Balsom marked Num. 2. does work as the so rmer in some respects howbeit it is a degree hotter which in some mens flesh is necessary and a Chyrurgion must make use of his experience All good effects and no other are to be expected from this Balsom and this is added to the former by way of superogation and not for necessity onely where there is need of matter thicker than ordinary we commend this Balsom to the skilful Chyrugion to that intent As for the former Balsom marked with Num. 1. It is so tempered that there is in it no excesses of the four qualities Heat Cold Moisture Dryness so that by its perfect vertue it fully satisfies all the wants of nature removes all that burthens her So that it were a sad thing and inconsistent with a good conscience for me to neglect the presentation of this Balsom and more sad if those that need the same shall not be made partakers of the benefit thereof And therefore I recommend the same to all such as love God and are of ability to help those that stand in need This small provision of one balsom is more worth than all that the Chyrurgions ordinarily make use of not to speak of the rest adjoined thereunto as I am able to make it in reality to appear A young novice in Chyrurgery may pass through all Spittles and Hospitals and to the astonishment of by-standers do wonderful and incredible cures As a friend of mine past therewith through all the Hospitals of Italy and was requested by the Pope to take care of the sick and wounded men of his Armie where he did wonders received all honour possible and no small recompence Num. 3. The Balsom marked with Num. 3. is called Balsamum naturale perse or natural Balsom of it self because it is so kindly disposed and sympathetical to the nature of mans flesh which may be seen when any member is out of joint or sprained or bruised c. for then some of this Balsom being put into a spoon as was said of the former put your warm finger into it and anoint the member all about the joint or bruise and then dry it in with your warm finger or hand and wipe off all foulness very well with a warm cloth and lay on your defensative plaisters or pultesies in case you want good defensatives And

is of two colours being white and corrupt in the Silver which therefore falleth away but red and pure in the Gold and therefore permanent These diversities of metals being come to passe by accidētal causes is the cause that Art being Natures Ape by imitation hath endeavoured to perform that wherein Nature was hindered whereupon Aristotle saith Facilius est distruere Accidentale quam Essentiale so that the Accidental being destroyed the Essential remains which should be pure But this cannot be done without projection of the Elixar or Quinteffence upon Metals Hence proceedeth the study of all the Philosophers to make their miraculous stone which I confess is very pleasant and full of expectation when a man seeth the true and perfect transmutation of Metals Lead and Iron into Copper the Ore of Lead into Quick-si●ver or Mercury with a small charge to a very great profit as it hath been made for me untill the maker of it died within three months after he had made almost four thousand pound weight as good as any natura Mercury could be and that in six weeks time To return to our Philosophers concerning the essence of metals they have been transcended in the knowledge thereof for they shew the generation of Sulphu● and Mercury in this manner The exhalations of the earth being cold and dry and the vapours of the seas being cold and moist according to their natures ascending and meeting in a due proportion and equality and falling upon some hilly or mountainous countrey where the influence of Sun and Moon have continual operation are the cause of generation or properly from it is Sulphur ingendered penetrating into the earth where there are veines of water and there they congeal into Gold or Silver or into the Ores of Silver Copper and all other metals participating or holding alwayes some little mixture of the best or being in nature better or worse according to the said accidental causes So that they do attribute the generation to the operation of the influences of the Sun and Moon where the Book of God sheweth us the creation of all things in heaven and earth and the furniture thereof The earth being the dry part of the globe of the world did appear and was made the third day containing in it the Ores of all Metals and Minerals whereas the Sun and Moon were created afterward on the fourth day whose operation was incident to the things created but not before In like manner say they are Diamonds Rubies and other pretious stones ingendred according to the purity of the matter and the proportionable participation of every element therein if the exhalations being subtill do superabound and prevail over the vapours then hereof is Sulphur ingendered and if this subtil exhalation be mixed with the moist vapours and wanteth decoction as being in a very cold place it becomes Mercury or Quick-silver which can endure no heat or fire at all The first Metal mentioned in the holy Scripture is Gold which was found in the river Pison running through the Garden of Eden into the Countrey of Havilah where Gold doth grow and this was in the East According to which observation all the veins of Mines run from East towards West with the course of the Sun as shall be more deciared To this argument appertaineth the Philosophical study of Prima Materia to be found out by experience for the great work of La pis Philosophorum by the operation of the Sun in seven yeares The practise whereof was made about forty yeares since by a German Doctor of Physick at Dansick in the East Countries as I have been informed by a friend of mine who was also a Physitian and was done in this manner according to the bigness of the body of the Sun being 166 times bigger than the whole Globe of the earth and water making the circumference of the world Whereupon he took 166 vials or glasses wherein he did put of all the Ores of Metals and Minerals and other things which had any affinity with Minerals and some of them mixed and calcined all of them and closing or nipping up all the glasses by fire he did expose them to the Sun in an eminent place for and during the said time of seven yeares and found thereby as it was reported Prima Materia which was reduced to seven glasses howsoever it was certain that he grew very rich bought above an hundred houses in that City before he died Which was an occasion-that my friend imitating him did likewise place not far from London seven glasses with calcined Metals and Minerals upon a house top against the back of a chimney where the repercussion of the Sun did work upon them which was admirable to behold from six moneth to six moneths not onely by the sublimation of colours very variable and Celestial but also of the rare alteration of the stuffe being sometimes liquid another time dry or part of it moist ascending and descending very strange to behold as my self have seen divers times from year to year Some had been there two three four five and one almost seven yeares the colour whereof had been yellow then white in the superficies then as black as pitch afterwards dark red with stars of gold in the upper part of the glass and at last of the colour of Oranges or Lemons and the substance almost dry Many were the questions between him and me but he was confident that there was the Elixar howbeit very doubtful that he should never enjoy the same and it came so to passe for after a long sickness he died of a burning Ague and a Gentleman gave a sum of mony to his wife for that glasse whereof I have not heard any thing these seven yeares In this glass he would shew me the working of this Quintessence according to the description of Ripley who he was assured had the Lapis and so had Frier Bacon and Norton of Bristol Kelley had by his saying some little part to make projection but it was not of his own making The charge to make it was little or nothing to speak of and might be done in seven moneths if a man did begin it on the right day The twelve operations of Ripley he declared unto me were but six and then it resteth for saith he all Philosophers have darkened the study of this blessed Work which God hath revealed to a few humble and charitable men Calcination Dissolution and Separation are but one and so is Conjuction and Putrifaction likewise Cibation and Fermentation then followeth Congelation and at last Multiplication and Projection which are also but one For mine own part seeing that no man can be perfect in any one Science I hold it not amiss for a man to have knowledge in most or in all things for by this study of Alcumy men may attain to many good Experiments of distillations Chymical Fire-works and other excellent observations in Nature which being far from Merchants profession I hope shall not