are differenced in their stations the one more noble than the other according to the eminency and degree of their vitality as the vegetative life of a Plant is below the sensitive life of animals and this sensitive life of animals inferior and ignoble compared with the rational life of man Now in respect of conjunction they agree equally that the vegetative soul of a Plant is as really united to its body as the soul and body of man is coupled here is no gradation in connexion to distinguish them therefore Life is something else that will admit of degrees and here many arguments might be used to prove and some objections to be answered but it was not my intention to ingage so far in polemical discourse and controversie therefore I pass on Cardan and others determine vitam esse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 formae life to be the operation or action of the soul and by how much the actions or operations in one Creature are more noble than in another by so much is the life of that Creature more noble than his fellows and although Greg. Horstius condemns this opinion and adheres to the Aristotelian yet it is much more rational and less intangled with objection Helmont speaking of the life of Creatures in general gives this definition vita est lumen initium formale quo res agit quod agere jussa est Life is a formal light of a luminous nature and he accounts the life and form of every thing to be synonimous natura recipit distinctiones specificas à lumine formali there is so many distinct lights in nature saith he as there is things Formae quaedam nitent ut in lapidibus mineralibus quaedam aucta luce splendent ut in plantis aliae verò sunt etiam luminosae ut in animantatis by which we understand their degrees in eminency of being And the same author in another place creating of the life of man saith vita humana est lux formalis life is a formal light and if we admit of this Definition all vital operations or actions are emanations and streams issuing from this formal light so that lumen formale est causa actus vitalis Now because forma est indemonstrabilis à priori the essence of things is not demonstrable in their causes but are the ne plus ultra the bounds and limits of our reasoning and disquisition I shall level the following discourse that you may take a view of this life à posteriori since the Creator hath vailed the face of the Creature that we should not behold their essence as being his prerogative For these two latter definitions of life although they differ yet we may receive information from both the last appropriates the word life to the soul or specific individual form of every thing and so vita anima forma are synonimous the other to the operations that do emanare proceed from that form or soul and in this aceeptation vita is actus vitalis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 istius formae what this life is as it is actus primus forma anima rei I shall discourse in due place following and as vita is act us secundus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 formae action or operation I think it necessary to explicate And here I might observe and lay open the variety and difference of life in the several species of Creatures yea those things that seem to be dead and inanimate are alive do edere actiones perform operations more or less eminently to testifie and prove that there is life in them and therefore Minerals as Stones and Metals do live and can exert their power proportionable to that life which is in them though their life is not so perspicuous and refulgent as those of a higher orb and degree in vitality yet their life is not so mean and contemptible as some may imagine but their operations are such as may and oftentimes do cause our admiration vivunt animalia vegetabilia mineralia suo quaelibet vivendi mode But I must wave what collaterally falls into this discourse and prosecute directly the intention of this Treatise and therefore setting aside the life of other Creatures I shall strictly examine the life of man in its initiation or plantation gradations and exaltation declensionâ— and period and for the better understanâ—ing of this life in its several degrees of vitality how â—nd by what means the life of man is so fluxible and mutable I shall bring into consideration the principles of life which is the subject of our discourse in the following sâ—ction Of vital and fundamental Principles and their operations HAving undertaken to declare the life of man what it is wherein the ratio formalis does consist wâ—ich we have determined to be operation or action and since vital operation is not simple and univocal but equivocal and various humane vitality being compounded of or admiting different actions comprised within its latitude I shall therefore examine how it comes to pass and from whence these different actions do proceed that the principles and foundation of this life may be discovered The vital and fundamental principles I call such as are principally and fundamentally concerned in vital operations and they are three the sensitive Soul the Archaeus or vital Spirit and the ferments and these are the three grand wheels upon which the life of man doth move by their distinct causations cooperating subordinately and consenting in uniformity and conformity with each other In natural actions of compound bodies there is both agent and patient part moving and part moved in humane vital actions there is first anima movens efficienter the Soul moving as an efficient principal cause secondly there is also spiritus movens instrumâ—ntâ—liter the vital spirit moving as agent or instrument Thirdly there is fermenta partium the ferments which is the peculiar and different Crasis of each part the two former are active and more general in causation the latter passive special and distinct determining the other and specificating their efficiency to produce various effects to which organization and different fabrication of parts suiting those purposes does contrâ—bute The proprieties of life result from these principles hereby the Creatures are distinguished one from the other producing such and such distinct operations answerable to the principles of their vitality so that their peculiar distinct beings and operations arise from the peculiarity of their vital and fundamental principles and if these vital principles be the basis on which the several degrees orders of Creatures do stand by which they are ranked and placed in their proper stations as their distinguishing characters then we must conclude that a right notion and conception of these unfolds the Creature discovers its being by this light of their vitality which unknown our knowledge is very dark and uncertain and as life consists in and manifests it self by operation then by how much those operations are more noble
vigorous free and operative by so much is the life more excellent in that Creature â—am in essentia specifica quam in esse individuo and as the life of man is distributed into several faculties by fit organs we may judge of the integrity of that life by the performance and execution of each function What these vital and fâ—ndamental principles are I shall distinctly examine them apart for a clearer discovery of their pecuâ—iar nature as followeth The material sensitive and mortal Soul of man MAN falling from that state of integrity in which he was created lost his honour and supreme priviledge of being wholy governed by his rational and immortal soul in all vital actions but being degraded from that perfection the regiment of the body was delegated to a sensitive and mortal Soul common to the brutes and made the immediate Rectrix and Governess of man in vital actions By this means death entred into mankind the immaterial and immortal principle of life being supplanted thereby forfeited Sovereignty and Jurisdiction total and uncontrolled power in man did resign great part of the government and was thereby made subject to the over-rulings and contradictings allurements and seductions of a depraved and sensitive Soul the substitute of that immortal and first total Sovereign and Rectrix of our vitality This material irrational soul having the Reins and Government of man in vital and animal actions as the brutal soul of beasts governs those Creatures and being a material substance subject to mutability and decay as other sublunary bodies are hence the life of man became frail and mortal being the result of corruptible prâ—nciples depending on them in mutual concurrence conspiratâ—on and vigour but è contra subject to irregularity discord and defection This sensitive or brutal Soul is a principle of life giving sense and motion distributed â—nto several faculties by the spirit of life which is animae instrumentum conveyed through the body by fit organs for the execution of divers functions If you ask what is the Office of the rational soul and to what purposes doth it serve since the vital oeconomy and government of the body is transferred and committed to another power To give satisfaction herein and to determine distinctly between the rational and irrational soul that their conjunct and disjunct operations their subordinations and dependances in vitality may more clearly be discerned I shall in these following Theses give solution to some nice questions than may be started and reduce the whole to our present deâ—ign First That the rational Soul hath deâ—ivered up the Power and Government of the body in vital actiâ—ns that are meerly animal to a sensiâ—ive and inferior power immediately acting tanquam ejus vicario for governing the vital functions Secondly That the rational Soul post lapsum being seated in the bosom of the brutal and united quasi in connubio to this vital principle hath influence upon the sensitive by way of promotion assistance or direction usque in vitae periodum through the whole term of life Thirdly That the sensitive or brutal Soul taking itâ— oriâ—ination and introduction into mankind from a defection lapse and depravation remains perverse repugnant to reason and refuseth often to obey the dictates and instructions of the rational Soul in vital actions and government of the body Est lex in membris Contradicens legibus mentis immortalis Scrip. Sac. Fourthly That both rational and sensitive Soul do often concur consent and cooperate unanimously for preservation of the body and integrity of vital actions the sensitive Soul obedientially and willingly receiving concurrence aid aâ—… direction from the rational as supreaâ—… Moderatrix 5ly That the sensitive and mortal Soâ—… arising seminaliter and of material production hath a temporary incremenâ— state and decrement does senescere tabescere as other perishable bodies subject to corruption 6ly That the mortality and decay oâ— man does not arise from any deficiencâ— and decay of the rational Soul whicâ— is in sua natura of perpetual duration but from the fragility and corruptibility of his other principles both active anâ— passive forcing the immortal Soul to aâ— egress by ruine and inhabitableness of her mansion 7ly That the rational Soul though immortal and a principle of perpetual duration yet being obnoxious to passions and disquietudes thereby disordereth the oeconomy and regular execution of vital operations by disturbing the sensitive Soul in her several functions and this à necessitudine combinationis vinculi being both connexed in the bond of vitality are both compatible and liable to each others injuries and discomposures 8ly That the sensitive and mortal Soul in esse and in execution of vital operations depending on material and organical parts is wholy lyable and obnoxious to their deficiencies and decays and therefore hath her duration exaltations and declensions according to the disposition and durability of the material and organical structure 9ly That the sensitive Soul hath distributed her faculties necessary for life by the several organs of the body which vital faculties are distinct in duty and office though not in vitality being the same stream issuing ab unitate animae ad organa diversa and transmitted by the vital Spirit which is animae minister 10ly That sensitive and brutal Souls as they do excel one another in specie having peculiar endowments and properties distinguishing their kinds so likewise in individuis ejusdem speciei they transcend or degenerate from one another in some properties and therefore the material and mortal Souls of men à principio are of longer or shorter duration juxta exigentiam seminalium dispositionum being propagated per successivam sexuum copulam according to Helmont 11ly That the sensitive Soul is supported and best upheld by the placid and unanimous concurrence with the rationaâ— Soul by whose irradiations pleasanâ— estate and amicable conspiration thâ— sensitive Soul is vigorated cheared anâ— enlivened and therefore it is not a littlâ— prejudicial but much detrimental anâ— a shortning of mans life the distractions passionate tumults and indisposed sadness of the rational which otherwise as the Sun in the Heavens gives a chearful brightness and reviving lustre througâ— the world so the Soul by a bright anâ— chearful aspect through the microcosm oâ— man The vital Spirit or balsome of Life IT is rightly affirmed by a learned Philosopher nullum est sensibile quod non ab insensibili intus agatur spiritu every corporeal thing manifesting it self a sensible object is acted by an insensible principle that evades our senses the successive generation of all things in this sublunary world è centris tenebricosis sungunt they arise out of darkness that is are produced and brought forth by invisible principles and secret agents the Authors of such mutations which being invested and clothed with sensible corporiety act their parts in divers figures and operations and as the sensible world is various so is the insensible answerable thereto à principiis insensibilibus omnia moventur
every thing hath its insensible movent principle In the generation of man the materia ex qua the material passive and visible principle is seed this active and invisible principle contained in this seed that disposeth this matter and exerts a power of formation per modum instrumenti to delineate and erect a fit mansion for the Soul to dwell in that fabricates and contrives fit organs for execution of her various functions is the innate spirit or vital spirit in the seed This is called vis plâ—stica vis formatrix the formative power wherewith the seed of man is impregnated as a propagative and prolific principle for successive generation and this virtute verbi from the Creators institution Crescite multiplicamini The Archaeus seminalis this vital spirit is not only an active principle in generation to delineate and fabricate thâ— seed into various parts for several officâ—… and purposes but also doth continâ—… balsamum vitae being of a saline and baâ—samic nature which preserves the bodâ— from corruption This vital spirit is called by many vâ—tal heat because in many animals thâ— spirit manifests its presence by sensibâ—… heat and we may judge of this vitâ—… principle in what state and condition 〈◊〉 is by this concomitant heat which is â—… character and signature of life yet heâ—… is not inseparable and necessary to thâ— vital principle in genere but that it maâ— act in vital operations as vigorously with out this adjunct property as we see iâ— Fishes which are of a cold nature anâ— void of all heat yet are as vegete lively and brisk as any animals of a waâ—… nature so that heat and cold does emerge from life not life from these accidents are but Characteres vitae distinguishing qualities appertaining to severaâ— species of Creatures sutable to their several natures and stations for which theâ— were created and destined What this vital Spirit in humane bodies is and the properties thereto belonging I shall lay open distinctly iâ— these following Theorems First That this vital spirit contained 〈◊〉 the seed is spiritus architecionicus in â—eneratione doth delineate fabricate â—nd form the seed into divers parts and â—…gures to construct and build a fit manâ—…on for the soul to dwell in with necesâ—…ry organs for the execution of her seveâ—…l functions Secondly That this spiritus formator â—ontained in and arising ex semine having â—…s origination materialiter from the seed â—ath its aptitude and hability or inepâ—itude to act juxta seminum dispositionem â—nd therefore the infoecundity miscarriâ—ges and errors in formation is not to â—e imputed alwaies to this Sculptor or â—imner qui generati imaginem habet â—arrying the idea of the foetus impressed â—… generantibus but inobedientiae materiae â—o the indisposition and intractibility of â—eminal matter or external occasional causes intervening and disturbing the workmanship Thirdly That this seminal Agent which is Rector generationis the Framer Director and Delineator in the generation and fabrication of man does also perform and carry on all vital actions or functions in the body during the whole course and progress of mans life and is vitae regiminis moderator 4ly That the Archaeus this seminal Sâ—…rit for its own preservation and additioâ—al supply in carrying on the work of â—…tality which by time increaseth as tâ—… microcosme framing comes to perfectâ—… and growth does therefore associâ—… with and assimilate to its self an influâ—…ed spirit congenerous with its own â—…ture extracted from our aliment daâ—… brought in by natures appointment 〈◊〉 preserve the innate spirits in vigor aâ—… strength preventing their exhaustioâ—… which order is observed during the couâ—… of life at least during the regular mâ—thod of nature until she fall off and dâ—cline 5ly That this vital spirit is planted â—…sentialiter in the whole body Tanquâ—… subjecto adequato that no part can 〈◊〉 without it and live but dispensed 〈◊〉 nature geometricè not equally distribâ—ted to all alike by arithmetical propoâ—…tion but each part is furnished and eâ—dowed pro dignitate ex officio suitabâ—… to its office and duty 6ly That the vivacity or livelinesâ— strength and durability of our bodiâ—… is more or less according to the plentâ—… or want of this vital spirit which 〈◊〉 principium movens in all the faculties anâ— â—ndimentum corporis the balsomick preâ—erver of our bodies from putrefaction 7ly That semen humanum the spermaâ—ick extract containing in it this soecund â—ital spirit elaborated for generation is â—ot excrementum according to the erroâ—eous opinion of the Ancients but comâ—lementum the perfection and choicest â—xtract impregnated and richly endowâ—d with vital spirits for propagation of â—he species 8ly That prodigality in emission of seed â—…vishly expending that elaborated exâ—…act containing the seminal balsamick â—…irit which is robur naturae custos corâ—…oris à corruptione the strength of naâ—ure and preserver from putrefaction â—ust needs enervate and weaken the faâ—ulties by draining the whole body and â—mpoverishing the treasury of vital balâ—…mick spirits upon which our alimenâ—ary liquors of the body do degenerare in â—…ejus degenerate and alter from their â—rimitive goodness producing various â—hanges in the body as their several naâ—ures and properties are various in their â—ntegrities Hence several morbifick productions bearing several denominations from the deficiency of one vital principle 9ly That this Vital Spirit which â—… Robur balsamum naturae the strenâ—… of our bodies and balsom of our â—…mentary liquors yet being a mateâ—… corruptible substance subject to mutâ—…on hath its increment state and deâ—…ment as other natural bodies in the coâ—mon course of Nature from wheâ—… Consumptions and many chronick lâ—…guishing Diseases take their rise from â—… declension or infirm radication of â—… our innate robur not to be restored 〈◊〉 retarded by the common Medicines adâ—…ted à posteriori to effects the producâ—… degenerate matter but by such as 〈◊〉 applicable and accommodated to 〈◊〉 vital principle being auxiliary and â—…staurative congenerous with its 〈◊〉 nature 10ly That the vital spirit contained â—… semine parentum being an extract frâ—… the whole body elaborated to that pâ—…fection gradually by several digestiâ—… and contributions of divers parts aâ— impressed with the Idea or image of 〈◊〉 for propagation does also carry the â—…ces and imperfections of those parts 〈◊〉 the proles the following generation bâ—ing a draught from that copy mâ—… bear a proportion in the imperfectioâ—… plus minus more or less manifested according to the concurrence of intervening accidental and external causes aggravating or correcting as Astral Influx Education and Diaetetick Customs 11ly That the Morbific Imperfections of Parents are not all transferred to the Children but such as are sigillated upon the innate Spirit of the Parents 12ly That Morbi à parentibus traducti hereditary Diseases being transplanted or inserted into the off-spring per ideam morbificam in parentum semine sculptam and connatural with us by our seminal principles are latent until the time of their maturity do appear successively at
certain times according to other seminal proprieties and therefore hereditary Consumptions Gouts Scurvy c. do not appear in the infancy though really existing but approach to the time of their manifestation and production sooner or later according to regular or irregular education and external occasional causes promoting or retarding their germination and maturity 13ly That calidum innatum a substance this Vital Spirit manifesting its presence in some species of Creatures per calorem a quality by sensible heat as in man yet being a body of the finâ—… rarified substance and spiritalized maâ—ter does evade the senses and is impeâ—ceptible immediatè by the touch 〈◊〉 sight 14ly That calor naturalis our natuâ—… heat being a consequent or concomitaâ—… property arising or resulting from 〈◊〉 vital principle and varying per gradâ—… by intension and remission does shâ—… the condition of this vital princiâ—… whether in statu naturali vel praeternaâ—…rali whether aestuating irritated aâ—… disturbed or placid and quiet in its oâ—dinary course 15ly That this seminal spirit which â—… aura vitalis being of a â—…minous aeâ—…rial nature having some analogy wâ—… coelestial Bodies does much consent aâ—… correspond is fortified and depressedâ—… Astral Influences according to their vaâ—…ous Aspects benevolent or malevoleâ—… and therefore it is that at sometimes aâ—… seasons we are variously disposed and â—…fected well and ill pro diverso siderâ—… influxu clementia inclementia coeli Concerning Fermentation and fermenting Principles THE Doctrine of Ferments being but of â—untor standing in the world hath brought much light into the practice of Phisick the clear knowledge whereof discovers new truths to those who happily labour to find the depth of this mysterious operation in nature And since there is such great fundamental truths discovered which were latent to the ancients it is not strange nor a dishonour to them if we deviate from their steps and neglect their precepts being calculated for that height they lived in not the meridian of this brighter age and clearer light of knowledge And here I cannot but admire the folly of many though ingenious men to dote upon Antiquities so much and bind up themselves so strictly to the Canons of our Predecessors as if nature were clearly and throughly unvailed to them that nothing remains for us to do but to acquiesce in their labours and to learn the lesson they had prickt down to our hand How unreasonable is it to alledge authority of the Ancients and urge it as â—… convincing argument when the princâ—ples of Phisick to them were but in paâ—… known and principles then assertâ—… which now are exploded necessarily tâ—… superstructure upon them must fall 〈◊〉 for what is deductive from a false supposition must also be false but I wouâ—… not have any think hereby that I despâ—… the labours of ancient Philo ophers aâ—… famous Physitians of their times I haâ—… as great a veneration for their works 〈◊〉 any but they were men and knew bâ—… in part we see their failings and tâ—… generation to come will see ours theâ—… is yet much work to do in the unravâ—…ling of nature great secrets yet to 〈◊〉 discovered that none may take it â—…dignly to be admonished of error or iâ—sufficiency But to return to our purpose in hanâ—… from whence we digressed Now thâ—… you may know the reason of handliâ—… Fermentation in this place confiderâ—… have laid the foundation of this Treâ—tise upon the vital and fundamental priâ—ciples on which our discourse dependâ—… and to which is refers in the prosecuâ—â—… therefore of this work we are necesaâ—…y led to coâ—…mâ—…ate Fermentatioâ—… being of great concernment and so great that it is the parent of vital operations from whence the rest do issue and are continually supplyed for conservation By Fermentation are all the digestions performed and from thence are the several faculties of the body supported and maintained by due fermentation are the alimentary liquors of the body generated and preserved and by defect thereof are they impoverished dispirited and aâ—ienated from their genuine proprieties And althouâ—h our food received abound with much fixed salt which if so remaining produce various diseases yet by due fermentation in the digestive offices it is so elaborated changed and volatised and being so prepared is then fit for the extraction of spirits to support and maintain our bodies in vitality and a vigorous condition as we see in our operation upon vegetables that the spirits are not drawn out but by the help of Fermentation which does unfetter them and free them from their bodies in which they were incarcerated and locked up for by the help of fermentation mixt bodies are unravelled resolved and a disunion of parts made that distinctâ—y they may be separated artificially or by natural Chymistry as it is performed daily in the body of man operating upon food received The great mutations and changes in the body both perfective and corruptive are fermentative and arise from hence by Fermentation diseases are generated and by Fermentation are many cured this is the great wheel by which sublunary bodies are moved and change their stations graduated and degraded again minerals into vegetables vegetables into animals animals of one species into animals of another species and that this wheel may go round with a perpetual motion animals return into vegetables and vegetables into minerals so that nature is never at a stand or idle but always moving sometimes upward tending to perfection and producing a more noble form sometimes downward by corruptive alteration unravelling her own work she had curiously wrought and composed and transposing it into another though meaner and baser form We may either consider Fermentation as it is actio vitalis a vital operation producing such effects and cast an eye upon the products thereof and see the varieâ—y of production or else we may look toward the principia fermentativa from whence this Fermentation does arise and so have inspection chiefly into the causes Famous Helment who hath merited much in the opinion of most ingenious men I mean those that are the truly knowing men in the study and right practice of Physick yet in his discourse of Ferments is very obscure and ambiguous that little satisfaction can be had from his writing on this subject particularly a Tract entituled Imago Fermenti c. and elsewhere frequently mentioned in other Tracts of his discordantly as those that trace him I believe will consent with me in this but I shall not spend time to point out the places and prosecute him having deserved so well in some of his other works But to illustrate the Doctrine of Fermentation Dr. Willis hath learnedly discoursed and with him I conceive most of our modern Physitians agree For Fermentation and Ferments in their latitude is not necessary to discuss here we shall only consider the fermentative principles in Corpore humano for the purpose in hand to lay open our design Dr Willis De Fermentatione saith the life of animals does arise from
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
chiefly after meat this is easily cured but not so easily discerned except by a skilful Physitian The second degree is an augmentation and increase of the first quando â—…miditas alimentaria consumpta est sâ—… 〈…〉 reparabilis the body is lean thin and poor the intemperature of heat greater and constant apparently at all times with a quick sharp pulse not so lively as before but sluggish dull and indisposed to action either of body or mind this degree is easily known but not so easily cured because a putrid Fever is joyned with it The third degree is when the body is consumed and wasted that no flesh appears but a dry wrinkled skin the countenance changed of a dead pale colour and hollow eyes this degree is called a Marasmus or Hectica Marasmodes accounted incurable but I have seen some recover out of this deplorable condition that have been my Patients Physitians have divided the causes of a Hectick Fever into external and internal External are all such as procure other Fevers as vehement exercise inflaming drinks and hot meats immoderate excretions as Diarrhaeas and Dysenteries vehement passions of the mind c. Internal causes nominated are burning Fevers or long Fevers inflammation or ulcer of a part or a putrid humour contained therein When a Hectick Fever or habitual febrile heat is induced or procured without any manifest cause such as are before mentioned you may conclude a latent Scurvy that the blood that vital stream is defiled alienated and changed from its nutritious balsamick state abounding with a saline acid or acrid serosity does provoke the Archaeus membrorum to disturbance and anger and that calidum innatum which before was placid and amicable does now effervescere kindle and consume the substance of the body and destroy its own work as a Candle burns clear quietly and undisturbedly so long as it is maintained with a sulphureous unctuous fit matter but if it happen that Water Vinegar or such liquor comes to it presently spatters wastes and is unquiet until it be overcome In the enumeration of causes that generate a Hectick Fever the Scurvy might well stand in the front and lead up as its proper place being more eminent than the rest of its fellowâ— Eugalenus Horstius and others allow the Scurvy to procure Fevers continual and intermitting Quotidian Tertian Quartane Quintane not excluding malignant and pestilential and we may well put in Hecticks which it often procures and will not be cured but by antiscorbutick Medicines and therefore it is that many linger under this Fever so long because the spring from whence it ariseth and is maintained is not found out But you may farther satisfie your self in my Treatise of the Scurvy therefore I forbear to enlarge my self here A Hectick Fever is constant without accessions or paroxisms as other Fevers save only that an hour or two after meat the heat is greater and the pulse quicker which is common to all that have this Hectick Fever The question may be asked what is the reason that this preternatural heat should continue so long and constantly and how it is maintained when other Feavers last but for a time and yet procured by the same causes to which I answer A Hectick in the first degree is not of long continuance nor difficult to remove except the procuring cause remains in force and power a Hectick in the second degree is of duration and with difficulty removed though the procatarctick or procuring cause cease and be suspended because it cannot make this progress and arrive at this height before the constitution be much altered that is the natural balsamick state of the alimentary liquors of the body be much changed and the Crasis of the parts alienated the reduction of which is a matter of time and that by the prudence of an expert Physitian but few there are that will have the patience to continue in such a due course as this requires or will be so observant of the Physitians precepts in the diaetetick part as also in the pharmaceutick without which no good will be done and therefore it is that many linger under this disease a long time and some until their death but a Hectick in the third degree is seldom or rarely cured which most Physitians account incurable the reason I judge to be this because the fermenting distinguishing Crasis of the principal parts is obliterated and rased out so that there is no fermenting and vital transmutations or previous digestions to bring the aliment so neer the nature of the body that it might be assimilated into the substance thereof but only receives a corruptive and depraved alteration not a perfective progression for nutrition so that the body does daily pine and wast away and strâ—ngâ—h decay until the little remaindeâ— oâ— spirits be suffocated in a putrid carcase Before you enter upon the cure of a Hectick Fever you must consider the rise of it what was the first procuring cause and whether such procuring cause yet hath influence upon the disease which if so must first be removed for if a Hectick Fever be introduced by immoderate exercise watching or vehement passions these must first be suppressed and changed or you labour in vain to cure the Hectick caused thereby Consider and be sufficiently satisfied whether this Hectick Consumption be primary or hath its dependance upon another disease seated in some part of the body for if a Hectick takes its rise from another disease as an inflammation or Ulcer in the Lungs or Kidneys your endeavours will be frustrate in curing the Hectick which is symptomatical until you have first cured the other disease upon which it is founded and from whence it is supplyed and fomented so likewise if it arise from the Scurvey you must set about the cure of that disease Know certainly whether this Hectick Consumption you are about to cure be simple and solitary or complicated with a putrid Fever if simple the indications of cure are fewer coindicating and concurring but if complicated the indications are various contraindicating and discordant requiring great judgment and circumspection in the intentiâ—… of cure lest while you abate the one yoâ— do not augment the other this is not thâ— work of every pretender to Physick buâ— one that is well graduated in knowledge that is Doctor in Physick nomine 〈◊〉 being expert in the diagnosticks of diâ—â—ases whereby their simple state anâ— complications with others are easily discerned and judged For the cure of Hectick Fevers as also other Fevers most Practisers have recourse to Julips Emulsions and cooling drinks to allay and extinguish the preternatural heat as the chief intention and greatest assistance in cure and this because they are deluded in judgment concerning this febrile heat taking it to be some exotick strange heat introduced in the body or arising elementally from the predominancy of some fiery or sulphureous matter that must be quenched as fire with water Hence preposterously the most go about to
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
Cough provoked by a sharp rheumatick matter 6ly The Spittle viscous tough or brought up in gobs 7ly Short and weak breathing 8ly The habit of the body not so plump firm and hard fleshy but unwonted softness flaccidity and looseness of the flesh upon the Arms Thighs or Legs 9ly The complexion not so good that person which before was fresh and clear is become more pale brown or ill coloured may conclude the limpid vital streams are defiled impure and muddied 10ly The â—…lse weak and slow or weak labouring and quick 11ly Weariness wâ—…ness and indisposition to asâ—…n the spirits not so lively brisk aâ— before but sluggish and dull given to much sleep the vigor and strength of the body begins to abate when the Blood the treasury of vital spirits begins to be alienated and changed from its wonted purity such as the Blood is such are the spirits from thence extracted the purer the blood is the more vegete and lively is that person but when the blood is changed dispirited flat and sowre the man that before was active merry and lightsome is now clouded dull and indisposed to mirth or action 12ly If the transpirations and breathing sweats of your body which before were not unsavory are now of a stronger scent and unpleasant odour argues the humors of the body to be degenerate soul and putrid Some of these signs are sufficient to give notice of a Consumption approaching and the degenerate inclination of your body thereto which being timely lookt after and consulted may more easily be prevented Aegrius ejicitur quà m non admittitur hostis but being neglected proceeds and gains strength grows more incorrigible and dangerous not to be reduced commonly but by an extraordinary prudent course of an expert Physician and the best of Medicines the signs are these 1. Pain in the Breast 2. A sharp vehement Cough 3. Spitting of purulent matter 4. A faetid cadaverous scent of the Breath with difficult and short breathing 5. Fainty Sweats 6. A continued Looseness 7. A putrid Fever 8. Debility and weakness of all the faculties Some of which do properly belong to Consumptions of the Lungs the rest are common to Consumptions that arise from other parts Be careful in the observance of diaetetick Rules as the judgment of your Physician shall appoint you concerning the air meat and drink sleeping exercise evacuations and passions of mind and herein diaetetick observation is of great concernment for alteration and reduction of the Constitution to a good state which for the most part hath degenerated by irregularities and enormities in the same Now every Consumptive person is to be regulated in the fix non-naturals rehearsed peculiarly and properly pro re nata upon the relation and account given of the Sick which as the case requires will be different and therefore I shall be brief in my prescripts herein Generally a clear sweet dry air in high and gravelly grounds is best especially when the Lungs decay by an over-moist spongious flaccid and soft disposition but if of a hot dry withering condition a moister air and the Valley is more agreeable but if you be forced to live in a place injurious for the air that promotes your Disease and consumptive inclination you must correct that by Art and help your self with proper fumes and evaporations in the house as the case requires but concerning the air in relation to health and sickness read in my Tutela Sanitatis where you may receive farther satisfaction In the choice of meats eat such as are of light digestion good nutriment and grateful to your Stomach not over salted spiced or dryed no sayed or broiled meats no Pie-crust or bread crust But for general rules in the choice of meats and drinks my Tutela Sanitatis is large whither I refer you that I need not repeat here from thence you may collect what is most agreeing to your case being here informed of the nature of your Disease and how procured Tutela Sanitat page 22 23 c. Also in my hygyastick precautions to a cholerick constitution that precept for the most part will agree with phthisical Consumptions page 45. Milk when the body is cleansed is proper food to nourish and for at temperating the heat and acrimony of the Blood but the body being foul and when abstersion is more required the whey of it is better the coagulating and unctuous parts being separated Jellies and restauâ—…tive Broths-before the use of good Medicines do but clog the body and increase the foulness but after a due course of Medicines are profitable for such whose stomachs do agree with and desire them therefore the practice of such are to be condemned who presently upon the name of a Consumption fâ—ll to â—reat nourishers high and plentiful feeding Be moderate in sleeping and go to bed seasonably the spirits are thereby refreshed and the acrimony of the blood allayed but watching tires the spirits heats the body and exasperates sharp humors In the beginning of your Disease use gentle exercise but when it is confirmed and strength much abated take your ease and forbear all violent motion which fires the spirits and is very injurious Avoid all passions and disturbance of minde the greatest enemy to a consumptive person but endeavour chearfulness tranquillity and a sedate spirit a great preservative from a consumptive inclination and a necessary remedy in the cure but concerning passions of the minde and their several effects upon the body the fore-mentioned Tutela Sanitatis will inform you that I forbear to enlarge here Concerning the smoking of Tobacco I must caution you as a promoter of Consumptions Tobacco of late years is become as common as eating and drinking and some there are who had rather refrain a meals-meat men thâ—… Pipe but since the use of it Consumptions abound and are much more frequent then formerly I shall wave many circumstances concerning the custom of taking it and only tell you the nature and effects of it Tobacco is of a virulent nature as those that first use it do find by the symptomes and effects to be very like those that have taken some venomous thing as Giddiness Vomiting Fainting but the frequent use of it reconciles the great disgust that nature hath against it as it is recorded by Historians that Mithridates King of Pontus accustoming himself to eat poison could not be poisoned when he desired it so Tobacco though abhorred by Nature yet Custom makes it so familiar that the ill effects of it do not appear presently that nature is not so provoked and sensibly moved by it which puts the cheat upon all thinking it then friendly and amicable but by time does much alter the hate and condition of our Bodies The fume of it is Narcotick seising the spirits and alienating their purity It is acrid and biting ingrateful to the tender Lungs drawing away the dulcid moisture and leaving the remainder more fretting and acrimonious Many take it to prevent Rheumes but
not timely prevented and remedied The danger and prejudice from such immoderate evacuations appears thus For the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that it causeth great weakness and debility of all the faculties every prodigal that hath foolishly expended Natures Treasure can seal to this truth The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 why and how it comes to pass that such decay is the consequent of it appears upon these following considerations First From the commerce and consent between the Testicles the Brain and spinal Marrow the emptying of the former causeth an exhaustion and a weakness in the latter by drawing away the animal Spirits which is their strength and vigour and from this debility of the back venereous wasting was called tabes dorsalis a Consumption of the Back Secondly If you consider what this seed or spermatick substance is the quintissence and purest part of our alimentary liquors of the body the most refined and best rectified spirits are extracted from the whole body and drawn in by the spermatick vessels to impregnate and endow this sperm or seed Now if it be so as it is most true that the seed or sperm is an extract of the finest matter and spirit of mans body and that the emptying of the spermatick Vessels puts them upon a new draining and sucking of the body to fill again and reâ—lenish their emptiness as the Stomach when it is empty desires to be filled again and not lie idle then of necessity it will follow that too large and frequent emissions of this seed doe exhaust and inervate the body debilitate all the faculties and bring a consumption upon the whole Thirdly The spirits are balsamick and preserve the body from putrefaction their exhaustion therefore makes the body liable to corruption and decay and this is observable that those who suffer such immoderate expence and loss it at changeth their complexion from a fresh lively aspect into a pale brown and sad countenance Fourthly From immederate expence of seed and too frequent emissions ariseth infaecundity and sterility and that by reason the seed stayeth not nor abideth in the spermatick elaboratory its due time for digestion elixiration and maturation as also that the vis spermatopoietica the spermatick ferment or crasis of those parts are changed altered and become barren their native power being spent by too frequent emissions and immoderate Flux as Land is become poor and barren by being over-tilled These truths being rightly considered as it is rationally apparent none willfully I suppose being thus warned will be guilty in this kind but it happens sometimes by inadvertency natural debility or hazardous adventures with strangers in copulation that a detrimental and consumptive issuing and dropping of Seed is procured upon man or woman by straining beyond their strength an unwholesome Bed-fellow or a fluid indigested wateriness of the seed from weakness and debility of the genital parts That which doth proceed from impure copulation and is virulent manifested by the colour greenish yellowish c. must have a peculiar cure opposing that malignity and virulency wherewith the crasis of the spermatick vessels are tainted and stained afterwards roboration and strengthening of the parts to confirm their native crasis and spermatick power restored again but if unadvisedly as some ignorant practitioners commonly do you stop the current and issuing of the seed before there be a through purification then the malignity is retained and being stopt in the usual vent regurgitates back and is scattered all over the body producing dolorous and very bad effects and thus the common pretenders that boast of these Cures with speed and infallibility leave their Patients in a worse condition then when they undertook them and not only their method and intentions of Cure are irregular and injurious but also their Medicines dangerous or ineffectual for want of skill in pharmacy and Chymical Preparations or a careless referring that charge and management to others For my own part I dare not give a Medicine but what I am an eye-witness to in the preparation it being the great work and charge of a Physician so to do But to return to my purpose by too frequent copulation immoderate straining or the like weakening the parts for generation a profluvium seminis or Gonorrhoea an issuing of seed may follow which although your partner be wholesome may produce bad effects and become virulent for although the flux at first be mild and white yet by continuance and neglect does degenerate becomes sharp and ill coloured shewing the pravity of its alienated nature from whence a Cachexy or ill habit of body weakness consumptive leanness and a much altered Countenance This stillicidium seminis involuntary dropping and wasting of seed in men is easily known but in women often mistaken and that by Physicians thinking it to be fluor albus the whites thereupon fall to bleeding and purging soundly with base virulent Catharticks which exasperates and renders the disease more deplorable and far worse to be cured after such rude dealing But he that rightly understands the disease that is filius artis in Chymical Pharmacy as Dr. George Thomson a true Spagyrist that labours propriis manibus for efficacious medicines such I say goes another way to work by restoring Nature with roborating extracts and balsamick elixerated spirits with which Nature closeth and receives amicably by whose assistance the debilitated parts gain strength concoct and retain what before passed away crude watery and thin This weakness is very frequent among the feminine sex being more prone and apt to this wasting infirmity then men from the difference of organization and fabrication of parts rendring them more liable being the colder and moister nature and the retentive faculty weaker Some conceal this infirmity out of modesty others neglect it as a trivial disease that time will cure not considering the ill consequents that this produceth as great weakness of the brain and marrow of the back debility of all the members and trembling of the nerves decay of the senses and â—…ains of 〈◊〉 joynts when they come into yearâ—â—…riâ—…y and barrenness in some or if they bear children they are feeble rickety convulsive and diseased from their seminal principles an ill habit of body and change of the Countenance bringing them into age before their time a languishing and consumptive leanness or a hydropick and unwholsome corpulency These sad effects I have often observed to be procured by this secret wasting disease in many persons the particular cases and circumstances I shall not recite for modesty sake but caution all such as are threatned with it to seek for the best advice and efficacious means in time and not cheat themselves as too frequently with the usual notion of the whites and the frivolous common medicines that women tell to each other The medicines I use in the Cure of this infirmity both of men and women as a restaurative essence and roborating extract are not here divulged for the reasons aforesaid which I
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
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
Medicine requisite to be used in curing the Scurvy such a Medicine I say is required t is not Purging alone will do it but other Operations must joyn to effect the purpose For advice and rules to those that use this Catholick Elixir living farr distant from me that they may not Erre in the taking of it let them observe as followeth That in the use of this Elixir with the Scorbute-Pills it is best to begin with the Pills except the person be very weak or spent and first require some strengthing and reviving Medicine then you may first begin with the Elixir Also that this Elixir is not to be taken those daies you Purge but every Intermitting day between Purging That this Elixir is not to be taken or tasted alone but mixt with some good Liquor and that ought to be the best Canary for bad Wine alters and abates the Virtue of the Medicine It may be taken in French-wine if the Patient cannot agreee with Sack The Dose for man or woman is thirty drops for ten years old twenty drops for five years ten drops And observe this that at the first taking you begin but with half the Dose that is appointed for your age as thus thirty drops is appointed for a man let him begin with fifteen or sixteen drops and then augment two or three drops every day after until he ascend to thirty and then there continue that Dose afterwards Take it in Bed if you be weak in a spoonful of Sack every morning fasting an hour and half after and at five of the Clock After-noon but you are not so strictly to observe the after-noons but if that your occasions do not well permit as when you must be abroad or the like you may omit In keeping this Elixir let it be well stopt for dropping of it exactly a Cruet is best Some may ask What time of the year this Medicine may or may not be used I answer No time of the year forbids the use of it but it is profitably taken at any season of the year nor may women forbear the use of it at such times of the month when all other Physick is forbidden but is helpful to Nature at such a time in procuring them with more ease and freedom Of Curing the Scurvy by Transpiration and the necessary use of a good Sudorific Medicine THe Scurvy is not a paâ—…icular Disease limited to this or that part of the Body but extends it self thâ—â—ughouâ— the whole as appears by the variety of Symptoms in several parts of the Body and being of this extent Medicine also must have the same Latitude of Operation to prosecute and reach into its utmost aâ—d farthest quarters Purâ—ation that cleâ—…seth the Central and more inwâ—…d parts as the Stomack Guts Mesentery Liver and Spleen â—…anspiration that respects chiefly the habit of the Body and external parts purifying the Mass of Blood and vital streams These two Operations are necessary for Cure in most Scorbutic cases as the following discourses and observations in Practice recited does manifest Some there are that deceive themselves and lay the whole stress of the Cure upon Purging and that they prosecute very often and it were well if the purgatives be proper but the effects may inform and tell them that there is something else requisite and they find it so The Scurvy is not so easily dislodged and thrown out by a single Operation of Medicine but requires rectifying and strengthning of the Digestive Faculties also and depuration of the Blood The Body of man is perspirable and in his due state of health continually more or less doth transpire and breath out humid vapours and a superfluous moisture by the Pores of the Body hereby the Mass of Blood and habit of the Body is cleansed and discharged of that which is superfluous or impure and unfit to be retained and this insensible Evacuation is so requisite that without transpiration the Mass of Blood cannot be depurated but remains muddy and defiled which forceth Nature to a distempered fermentation and morbific Eruption Proper and amicable Purgation doth well acts a good part and ought to be praemitted in most cases which alone do check a Disease and lessen it by carrying off aâ—l morbific matter in the lower Region of the Body but if the Mass of Blood and habit of the Body be tainted and corrupted the vital stream and those parts irrigated and fed from thence are not purified as they ought but by Exsudation and Transpiration and the Spirits that are clogg'd and infested by impure matter which darkens their light causing Melancholy and indisposed heaviness are hereby relieved and unfettered become brisk aery and lively as before And in promoting this Operation we imitate and assist Nature which continually does Emittere Transpirare per Poros at least ought so to breathe forth superfluous vapours and humidity and when this is cohibited and restrained by occlusion and shutting up the pores by cold or otherwise or Nature unable thus to relieve and discharge her self by reason of debility and insufficiency in separating and protruding it is not long but some Disease or many ariseth from the course of Nature thus impedited either a sudden febril aestuation or erratic pains in this or that part or a slow eruption of grosser matter sticking in the skin discolouring and spotting of it or bringing forth Scurf Pustules or other Extretions By this you may understand the benefit that doth arise by the regular course of Nature in her daily Operations and Excretions and the profitable assistance of Art in promoting them when impeded as also the prejudice and damage by the contrary And here I shall relate to you the Case of a Scorbutick Patient pertinent to the proceeding Discourse A Gentlewoman aged between Forty and Fifty formetly faâ—t and fleshy but reduced to a lean state being troubled for some years with a lassitude or weariness in her Limbs and Indisposition to Action and with pains at some times afterwards in Autumn a weakness and numbness possessed her Limbs that disabled her in going All this while she was not negligent to seek for help had such Advice as the Country did afford and used many Medicines but her Disease prevailed still each Spring and Autumn being worse than the former it hapned that a Relation of her case was sent to me she living a great distance from London what was wanting in the first Relation I interrogated in my Answer and the next Account I received did fally satisfie me I found the Scurvy disguised to act in several Scenes after a different manner the Medicines she had used were proper for the Symptoms that did appear barely considered but not as they had a Relation and were grounded upon the Scurvy which being undiscerned did frustrate all the Endeavours for Cure Letting of her blood was injurious and she grew worse upon it soon after a Stupor or Paralytic numbness seised her To be short she was committed to my care
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
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