accompanied with a loathing of meat frequent belchings and extream pains in the Reins The cause of this Stone is a gravelly and sandy constitution and immoderate heat of the Kidneys for the most part of a gross and slimy humor Those that are troubled with this Disease are loose bodied and do often vomit this Disease in old men is hardly cured The air where the Patient lives must be clear and bright his diet moderate he may drink small Wine he must avoid exercise his belly must be kept loose he may sleep more then ordinary his minde being free from perturbations Of thickness of Hearing SUch men as cannot understand a loud voice such men we say are deaf sometimes the cause of this effect is in it self sometimes by accident when as the Brain or Nerve through which this faculty is conveighed is hurt This Disease is known by the Patients complaints and answers this Disease is sometimes caused by the distemper of the Brain by gross or cold humors thrust into the ears and there fastned this Disease if it slowly increase in process of time brings with it an incureable deafness The air for the Patient to live in must be hot and dry he is to abstain as much as may be from meat especially from those that breed gross vapors his drink must be small Wine his exercise moderate his belly kept loose by art or nature Of Madness MAdness or Fury is an inflamation of melancholly to the great fierceness and alienation of the mind Such as have this Disease rage like beasts Madness differs from a Phrenzie as a Feaver is the companion of a Phrenzie from which madness is free the part affected is the Brain which doth appear by the hurt of the principal functions of the minde The signs of this disease are various sometimes laughing singing then sad fearful rash doating crying out threatning skipping leaping then serious c. This Disease doth chiefly arise from the distemper of the Brain from hot or melancholly humors so much sometimes dried up as to turn to black Choller sometimes by yellow Choller over-burnt or the boiling of the blood Young persons are most subject to it it is an ill sign if the Patient have no stomach a good if Ulcers arise in the face The air the person lives in must be temperate his diet liquid broths and moistners of the body his drink Barley-water by no means Wine except his disease came by fear moderate exercise more then usual sleep strangers must not see him Of Shortness of Breathing CAlled the Asthma it is a thick and a fast breathing without a Feaver such as is usual to them which run this disease often pestreth the Patient so that he cannot breath except he hold his neck streight up and if he lies down it almost choaks him in this distemper the Wind-pipes branches scattered into the Lungs distance are affected The Patient in this distemper findes a heaviness at his breast and feels a straitness and shrinkings coughs often and voids nothing in old men this disease is never cured hardly in young men The air the Patient breaths must be hot and dry he must forbear such meat as breed gross and slimy matter his exercises must be little his sleeps in the day time those in the night very moderate his mind not perturbed Of the Worms THis disease is for the most part caused by the stopping of the passages of the vessels through which the Gall is conveyed from the Liver and Spleen into the Bowels by reason of gross humors which do heat the Liver and generate plenty of Gall therein these Worms which do breed in the Bowels are called Lumbrici or Belly Worms there are others which are called Ascarides like to Mites which breed in rotten Cheese It is evident that Worms are of several kindes as they breed in many parts of the body in rotten Ulcers in Teeth in Ears and Kidneys but the Guts are for the most affected Those that are troubled with the Ascarides have an extream itch in their fundament and narrow Guts have a desire to go often to the stool after they have voided somewhat they are not so much troubled The cause of worms commonly is rottenness or gross Phlegmy and slimy matter apt to corrupt with a putrefying heat which accompanies all these which doth prepare this matter and then it is wrought by the perfusion of natural heat which gives life to the Worms many persons of age and stature have slighted the Worms till their Guts have been fretted and brought into danger of death For the remedy the air must be temperate the meat such as breed good Juyce Let the Patient eat largely or else the Worms will gnaw their Gutts for wants of sustenance the excrements of the Belly must be kept loose Of the Plague THe Plague is caused by unusual and pernicious putrefaction sometimes the constitution of the body is so different from the natural temperature that it is altogether changed into a pernicious and poysonous quality This disease is sometimes caused by corrupt and poysonous exhalations by Carrion by the evil influence of the Stars which is then the immediate hand of God and properly called the pestilence when it proceeds from outward causes 't is called a pestilent Feaver or the Plague the air infected first gets into the heart the air being subtle thin and apt to get into the pores it first infects the Genital Spirits then the Radical Moisture at last the whole substance of the body This disease first begins to discover it self by the Patients unquietness loss of his appetite the members dull and heavy the head aking the stomach pained the spirits decayed strength failing especially the Vital with many other Symptomes except the disease be supernatural and then the signs are so gentle that they can scarcely be perceived the infected air which is a great cause doth not onely weaken the humors and spirits of the body but also the sollid substance of the heart The Plague of all other diseases is most dangerous for although the signs are good yet suddenly the Patient dies the danger is the greater if no Pushes or Carbuncles break forth it is also as dangerous if they break and run in again this disease is consummated and brought to its full ripeness in four and twenty hours if a cold sweat arise on the body the face and eyes look black the spirits are cast down extraordinarily and the Patients excrements that are voided diversly coloured it is a sign of death The air must be rectified by sweet perfumes every day they must not be spared At the beginning of the disease the diet must be cooling the sleep short for by long sleeping the corrupt matter turns again to the heart Venery must be eschewed the belly kept loose and the minde freed from all careful perturbations Catarracta or Suffusion IS when the sight is by little and little dulled by a slimy humor frozen from Ice and droping over the eyes
renown and indeed had not ♄ who is dominus Ascendentis been in ☠to ☉ the general significator of honour c. and in □ of ♂ the particular designed thereof in this Radix the Native would have obtained a far higher degree of honour and preferment then he did but he was an enemy to his own preferment yet nevertheless he did in his latter part of his life increase very much in his Reputation and his Honour and Fame were generally taken notice of If you would know by what means he should attain Fame and Credit c. ☽ being in ⚹ of ♂ Lord of the tenth and ♀ Lady of the ninth locally in the tenth thence casting a ⚹ aspect to the Ascendent and ☿ Lord of the sixth there also being the strongest Planet in the Figure all which Arguments laid together presage his Fame and Honour to come by studying Arts and Sciences and that he should rise in the opinion of the world chiefly thereby but this not without some difficulty as ♂ his □ to ☿ aptly signifies It is very well known that he gained his Honour by Arts and Sciences but chiefly by Physick in the knowledge of which he was most excellently skilled and it was purely by that alone Study of Practice that he hath left a name behinde him which will remain until time shall be no longer The fiery Planet Mars in the eighth House in □ to ♄ Lord of the ascendent What death he might dye and three Planets more seems to portend a violent death but the ☉ being upon the Cuspe of the Mid-heaven near the body of ♀ and in reception with ♂ and ☽ in the sixth in ⚹ to him also takes off the edge of that suspicion and abates much of the fury of ♂ and seems rather to portend the Native to die of a Consumption or by a decay of natural strength at the heart ♂ is in ♌ I have heard it credibly reported by some that were with him at the time of his death and constantly in his sickness that he dyed of a Consumption which had been long upon him and much means and that of the better sort was used to enervate it but it still prevailed upon him wasting and consuming him by degrees until it reduced him to a very Sceleton or Anatomy and afterwards viz. on Munday the tenth of January 1653 4 released him and gave him his pasport to a better world The ☽ then being in □ to the Radical place of ♂ and ☉ in □ to his own and to the place of ♄ in his Nativity ♄ and ♃ being then in a direct opposition Nor was it truly reported that some Physicians designed his death by setting their engines at work to poyson him I do believe they were enemies great enough unto him yet I am confident by this report they are egregiously scandalized it being customary for ill-will to speak the worst The Accidents by which this Nativity was verefied are these 1634. Aged eighten years he went to the University ☉ to the body of ☿ and the Ascendent near the ⚹ of the same Promitter by direction caused that He being bred up a Scholler and fitted for the University in his younger years upon the M. C. ad ☌ ☿ and ☽ ad △ ♀ 1640. Aged twenty four years began to study Physick the ☽ being then directed to the △ of ☿ her dispositer in the Radix 1643. Aged twenty seven years he then went for a Souldier and was wounded by a small shot over the forepart of the body which he never recovered of till his dying day and then the Ascendent to the □ of ☉ and presently after the □ of ♄ by Direction Directions of so evil Tendency and Import that might very well have ruined a King 1653 4. Aged thirty eight years he dyed The Ascendent coming to an ☠of ♂ with Latitude The revolution it self being the same with that of the Radix ♄ passing by the Radical place of ♂ and ♂ upon the Ascendent ☉ and ♃ in □ and ♃ upon the opposite place of ♂ and in □ to ♃ place also which ill revolution agreeing with an ill Direction necessarily portended Death Tempus edax rerum nos terit omnia tempus Nos terimus tempus jam sumus ergo pares Thus time devours all and doth all waste And we waste time and so we 're ev'n at last The LIFE of the admired PHYSICIAN and ASTROLOGER of our Times Mr. Nicholas Culpeper IN the County of Kent a place eminently famous for Loyalty to Superiors Nicholas Culpeper was born the eighteenth of October 1616. he was the Son of Nicholas Culpeper a Reverend Divine son to Sir Thomas Culpeper Knight and Baronet his Mother was the Daughter of Mr. William Attersol Minister of Isfield in the County of Sussex this worthy Divine did write that learned Comentary on the Book of Numbers with other excellent Works Ncholas Culpeper the younger was educated at a Free-school in Sussex at the cost and charges of his Mother for his Father died a moneth before he was born he was a most eminently pious Minister and much reverenced for his vertuous Qualities by all that rightly knew him who were truly afflicted that his worthy Father did not live to bring him up since he left no other Children behinde him After her Husbands decease Mrs. Culpeper his mother took such care for his education that she spent four hundred pounds on her said Son for his Diet Schooling and his being at the University of Cambridge where he continued some years profited in all manner of Learning and gained the applause of the University whilst he remained there One of the first Diversions that he had amongst some other smaller transactions and changes none of his Life proving more unfortunate was that he had engaged himself in the Love of a Beautiful Lady I shall not name her for some reasons her Father was reported to be one of the noblest and wealthiest in Sussex This fair Lady after many generous treatments as Mr. Culpeper might clearly perceive entertained the Tenders of his service so far as to requite him with her entire and sincere Affections and though the strictness of Parents have often too severe eyes over their Children yet where hearts are once united Lovers use to break through all difficulties The riches of the Lady which might have enchanted inferior spirits in respect of the vertuous inclinations of her Minde and Person had no power over him so that like a true Lover the Language of his Eyes and his Heart were the same insomuch that the languishing sincerities of these suffering Inamorato's put them to the extremity of the determination some way to set a period to their Martyrdomes Mr. Culpeper having then supplied himself with two hundred pounds from his Mother during his abode at Cambridge his Fair Mistress and he by Letters and otherwise plotted secretly with the assistance of a Gentlewoman that waited on her to pack up such Rich Jewels and other
bruise them and boil them well in a quart of Milk strain the Milk through a woollen strainer and let the sick drink thereof this hath helped those that have been sixteen years sick of this Disease and could not be cured 3. For the Jaundies For the Jaundies boil good store of Hemp-seed bruised well in good strong Ale or Beer and let the sick drink no other drink 4. For Children that have the Jaundies If they be young Children that have the Jaundies or people of riper-years at the first beginning of them this Remedy will be sufficient Take an Apple and cut off the top then pick out the coar with a knife and put into the hollow place a penniworth of whole Saffron and a drachm of Turmerick in powder put on the top again and roast it then mash it all to pieces and eat it up at night going to bed this doing a few nights together will help them you may adde a little Butter to it if you please 5. For the Black Jaundies The Black Jaundies hath been known to have been cured oftentimes with this medicine Take the inner bark of a Walnut-tree and boil it very well in Ale or Beer and when you have done so quench red hot steal in it at least forty times drink a quarter of a pint of this hot morning and evening 6. For the Yellow Jaundies The inner bark of a Barberry-tree boiled in White Wine and the decoction drunk is an excellent remedy for the Yellow Jaundies so also are the roots of Celandine 7. The Pleurisie As in all Inflammations so also in Pleurisies blood-letting is not to be neglected in the beginning 8. For the Pleurisie Such as have the Pleurisie must forbear eating flesh and drinking wine and strong beer but must be content with cold broaths and to drink Barley-water or Almond-Milk if they be rich 9. For the Pleurisie Take three ounces of Carduus-water a spoonfull of white Wine and six whites of Eggs well beaten mix all these together and dip a cloath in them the which lay as hot as it can be suffered to the pained side of one that hath the Pleurisie and it will give him speedy ease 10. For the Pleurisie Also another most admirable remedy for one that hath the Pleurisie is to take an Apple and make it hollow as I told you before in the yelow Jaundies then put into it a drachm or a drachm and a half of Olibanum roast it as before put some Butter to it and eat it up last at night 11. For a Cough A good remedy for an inveterate cough is this take a handful of Figs and boil them in Beer till they be very tender then take them out and bruise them and put them into a linnen bag and apply them warm to your stomach and when they are cold take them off and warm them in the same liquor again 12. To strengthen the Lungs A Syrup made or a Spirit drawn from those whitish Thistles which are commonly called our Ladies Thistles is a great strengthner of the Lungs the like may be said of Hysop 13. For an Imposthume in the Lungs For an Imposthume in the Lungs drink the decoction of Cammomile twice a day and but two ounces at a time gives help to admiration 14. For heat and driness of the Lungs Heat and driness of the Lungs is quickly cheaply and safely cured by drinking no other drink but Plantane water 15. For the Chollick Take Winter-savory and boil it well in white Wine and the decoction drunk very hot rids the belly of the Winde-chollick as though it were swept out with a broom My Authour saith he hath known divers have been helped with this remedy that have had it so extreamly that they have swooned several times in a day yet I confess some of the following remedies please me better 16. For the Chollick Apply cupping-glasses to the navel this remedy pleaseth me very well both for bastard and true Chollick for the Navil vessels though they be of little use after the infant is born yet they still remain hollow and pass to all the chief vessels of the Abdomen 17. Chollick Take Rosemary Sage and Bay-salt and roast them well between two hot Tile-sherds and 〈◊〉 â—y â—em hot to the Navel it is a present remedy to the Chollick especially to the Bastard-Chollick 18. Chollick You may easily know a Bastard-Chollâ—â—◠〈…〉 a true Chollick thus 〈◊〉 Bastard-Chollic◠〈◊〉 belly is so sore 〈…〉 cannot endur◠〈◊〉 have it toucht 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 in a true Choâ—lick 1◠〈◊〉 â—hollick Take Emmets Eggs 〈◊〉 them 〈…〉 â—ven and beat them to pow◠〈…〉 the â—â—wder at a time in any 〈…〉 't is as admirable a remedy for a 〈◊〉 Chollick as any is and will make a man fart as though he had got a Patent for it 20. Strangury Take a good big Onion cut off the top and pick a pretty big hole in it with 〈◊〉 Knife the which hole fill with Betony and Centaury in powder of each equal quantities putting a little Butter amongst theâ— then put on the top again and roast it amongst the embers bruise it being roast 〈◊〉 and apply it being bruised as hot as you 〈◊〉 endure it to your Navel and you shall 〈◊〉 it an excellent remedy for the strangury 21. Chollick Take Hâ—â—p-seed and dry it and beat it into 〈…〉 say this being drunk in Wine is a 〈…〉 â—â—â—llâ—â—k the like they say 〈…〉 manner 't is very 〈◊〉 â—e the◠〈…〉 â—d in a real Cholâ—â—â—k but 〈◊〉 For the 〈…〉 â—â—â—llick It is 〈…〉 take 〈…〉 inwardly fo◠〈◊〉 bastaâ—◠〈…〉 â—st â—se not so eâ— catâ—ous 〈…〉 â—s therefore let sucâ— as h◠〈…〉 â—ick â—pply a Plaister 〈◊〉 Cumm◠〈…〉 â—r â—â—â—ly 23. For the Chollick Take a Lapwing and burn her in a Crucible feathers and all very well till the ashes be white a scruple of these ashes being given in a little warmed Wine to drink at one time is an excellent remedy for the Chollick 24. Worms Garlick either eaten or boiled and the decoction drunk kills the Worms 25. For the Worms Take Worm-seed and beat it into very fine powder and make it up into Troches with juyce of Lavender Cotten and Gum Tragacanth dry them and so have you an excellent remedy for the Worms alwayes by you 26. For the Worms Zedoary beaten into powder and half a dram of the powder drunk in the morning fasting in a little Muskedel not onely kills the Worms but also strengthens the Heart 27. For the Worms Take Garlick Wormwood Featherfew and Mints stamped very small and heat very well with the gall of an Oxe and a little vinegar and applied to the belly plaister-wise and it will kill the Worms and bring them forth 28. For the Worms Another remedy for the Worms and less tedious too is to take the gall of a Bull and warm it then dip a little wool in it and binde the wool to the Navel 29. For the Worms for Children Take Orange-pills and dry
Culpeper WHat this Treatise concerns the Title shews the Margine shall also shew you what Planet and Sign of the Zodiack every Herb is under all the several parts of the Body handled in this manner open to you my own Moddel of Physick and draw the Curtain which hath so long blinded the Eyes of the Vnderstanding both of ancient and moddern Physicians here is revealed those hidden qualities A Common-wealth is well hope up with such Physicians which they harping at and onely groaping for could never give a reason of like mad men rather then Naturalists But I desire here to be helpful not critical therefore I shall about the Business promised in the Title by him who loves and delights in the Works of the Lord. Nich. Culpeper Spittle Fields Sol 6. Libra 1649. BAum is of a cherishing nature Sol. Leo. and wonderfully resists passions of the Heart faintings â—nd swoonings it makes the man lightsome and â—lithe merry and chearful it comforts and chears â—he spirits and takes away fears cares and destracted thoughts arising from Melancholly or â—ddust Choller It is hot and dry in the second degree strengthens the inward parts exceedingâ—y helps digestion and opens obstructions of the Brain it naturally preserves the vital Spirits Heart and Arteries from melancholly vapours and is profitable in the bloody Flux and a notable meat for such as have the Gout a sovereign Antidote for such as are poisoned by eating Mushromes I suppose it took its name Balm from its sovereignty in curing Wounds Scordium Jupiter Leo. or Water-Germander is of a heating drying and binding quality and provokes both Urine and the Tearms in Women it is a great Antidote against poison and helps the gnawing pains of the Stomach or Sides comming either through cold or obstructions it stops the bloody Flux easeth the Lungs of old Coughs and rotten Phlegm it keeps bodies from putrefaction resisteth Pestilence Small Pox Meazles faint spots Purples and some are of opinion it withstands any Epidemical Disease whatsoever It comforts and strengthens the Heart exceedingly and nothing better to kill Worms whether in the Stomach or Belly boiled in Vinegar and the place bathed with it helpeth the Gout Vipers Bugloss is a deadly enemy to poison Venus Leâ— and poisonous Creatures there grows enough of it about the Castle Walls at Lewis in Sussex whosoever eats of it shall not be hurt by venemous Beasts that day Crollius in his Basilica Chymica will furnish you with enough such notions it chears and comforts the Heart expels sadness and causeless Melancholly it allayes the heat of the Blood and the fury of Agues by cooling the spirits it procures abundance of Milk in Nurses especially the seed of it it mightily easeth pains in the Back and Reins Jupiter Sol. Burnet is hot and dry in the second degree and is a great friend not onely to the Heart and Liver but also to the whole body of man a little of it put in Wine is not onely delightful to the taste but also wholesom for the body It refresheth the heart quickens the Spirits exceedingly driving away melancholly and indeed the opposition of the house of Saturn to Leo shews that the heart and vital Spirits are impeached by nothing so much as by Melancholly it defends the body from all noysom vapors from ill Air and Pestilence and indeed whatever defends from ill Air must needs defend from all Epidemical diseases for it is the Planets corrupting the air nor the A piece of Colledge nonsence in this time of Fluxes Brewers corrupting their drink that causeth Epidemical diseases It is admirable good in fluxes whether they be of blood or humors whether they be internal or external it stops the whites in women belching and vomiting and is a very good wound Herb for all moist sores Venus Taurus Sorrel is cooling and binding drying in the second degree it opposeth the sting and venom of Scorpions so exceedingly that a man can feel no hurt by them It succors the heart and blood as also the Vital Spirits over-pressed with heat whether you take the Root Herb or Seed if any planet from Scorpious cause the malady this is the cure It resisteth putrefaction exceedingly in the blood and restores weak decayed stomachs it stops fluxes and helps the immoderate flowing of the terms it strengthens the Reins and Kidneyes and hinders the breeding of the Stone neither is there a better remedy in the world for Scrophula or the disease called the Kings evil or any other disease in the neck or throat Violets Venus I can give but little reason if I were asked why I set Violets amongst the Cordials unless I should plead tradition All Physicians have reckoned Violets among the Cordial flowers for my part I believe nothing less they cool inflamations be they internal or external they are especially appropriated to inflamations in the neck and throat fundaments and matrix falled down and inflamed they cool the heat of the Reins thereby resisting the Stone and stopping miscarriages Difficult labours in women thence arising they are excellent in Feavers and Plurisies and hot Rhumes and horseness of the throat Strawberries Venus I know no reason why I may not put in Strawberries here as well as either Violets or Sorrel for neither of them are proper in this place for the heart being the original of heat in the Microcosme no cold thing is properly or per se appropriated to it Strawberries are cold in the first degree the fruit cold and moist temperate the root dry and binding in general they refresh the Spirits ready to faint for heat they cool the liver and blood abate the fury of Chollerick diseases help Palpitation of the heart the yellow Jaundies Inflamations whether internal or external they are excellent in sore mouths sore throats Ulcers in the privitives fasten loose teeth Scabs Itch Tetters and other Martial infirmities of the skin Jupiter Leo. Borage and Bugloss their natures being the same I put them both together they are hot and moist and naturally appropriated to keep the vapors of melancholly from the heart and bridle the unruly passions of the vital Spirit which my Theory of Chyrurgery will manifest to you they make the heart joyful and glad cheerful and merry it clarifies the blood exceedingly opens obstructions of the Liver and helps the yellow Jaundies and by clarifying the blood and removing the addust and sharp humors there must needs be a gallant internal remedy for Scabs Itch Pimples and other infirmities thence arising They help swoonings and passions of the heart and restores such as are pined away either by Consumptions or any other lingring sickness Ros-Solis Sundew It is alwayes moist in hot weather Sol. Cancer yea the hotter the sun shines upon it the moister are the leaves thence it took its name It is excellent good for hot salt Rhumes that distill down upon the Lungs Ulcers in the Lungs coughs shortness of
of the Patient sometimes it sticks so fast over the ball of the eye or betwixt the Christal Humors and the Tunickle Rhagois so as to tender the sight in the beginning of this disease certain fumes and Spirits do present themselves to the sight this disease is caused from cold and moist humors that fall on the Optick Nerve If this disease be of long continuance it cannot be cured but if that which is congealed by rubbing be rent asunder and doth not remain so long but grows together again and is of a sad white colour there is still left some hopes of the cure Of the French-Pox THe French-Pox it is a fowl and contagious disease which often proceeds from the immoderate use of Venery the beginnings of this disease are small but in time it vitiates the humors spirits membranes tendons flesh and bones and perverts the temperature and substance of the whole body the Liver is chiefly affected as appears from the bad Concoction of the Stomach the not propension to Venery laziness falling off of the hair it begins in the groins and privy members with little pushes in the Urine which in time do send forth clammy and corrupt blood heat of Urine effusion of seed several coloured spots appearing in the upper part of the body a pain in the sinews heaviness in the head hard swellings appear in the forehead and other parts which at last become great Ulcers so as to corrupt the bones The cause of this disease is a filthy quality communicated by touching but for the most part by the act of Venery as the privy members have a thin and rare substance taken in time this disease admits of cure but otherwise is incureable For the cure of this disease the air must be moderately hot for cold hinders the operation of the medicines the Patients diet must be sparing his bread twice bak't he must feed on the best fowl when he purges sod meats are best for him such as are windy breed gross humors those which inflame the blood are bad for him he must exercise himself till he sweats to expel the moist matter he must purge twice a week his sleep moderate he must abstain from Venery and shun all perturbations of mind Of the weakness of the Stomach THe weakness of the Stomach in Latine called Debilitas Ventriculi is a disposition of the alterative faculty wherein either the nourishment is not altered or not well concocted the faculty of the Stomach failing the crudity of the Stomach doth follow by some external cause The sign of a difficult concoction is when the Stomach doth not boil after the accustomed manner or is surcharged with fumes and vapors sometimes weakness after a disease is the cause The indigestion of the Stomach thus weakned raw humors must needs be gathered together either hot or cold disturbing the Stomach by some outward quality which is followed with a loathing of meat and a loading of the Stomach belchings vomitings caused by Phlegmy and putrified humors the relish then communicated to the pallate being sweet and watrish and much spettle voided without coughing or heming that crudity is worst which is caused by ill nourishment and very bad in those which do abound with Choller The air the Patient breaths should incline to heat as he ought to be kept warm his diet must be easie of digestion and moderate neither must he receive any other meat till the former be digested he may drink good Wine his head laid high and his sleep not to be disturbed he ought to be moderately merry and to avoid all perturbations of mind Of the Squinancy THis Disease is an inflamation of the Throat or of the highest part of the Gullet hindering the breath and swallowing when the fault is neither in the breathing nor swallowing This Disease by reason the upper part of the Gullet is choakt up doth threaten present danger by strangling If the inner parts of the Throat are affected then the Patient is in great danger this pain is sharp and the Patient breaths with difficulty he swallows with difficulty and that which he drinks doth often run out at his Nose This Disease is caused by blood which is carried thither by the Ingular Veins for in these Veins there is plenty of blood If the inflamation be in the inward Muscles that Squinancy is very dangerous within three or four dayes it is very likely to kill the party and although that the Patient may think himself well yet he is taken away with a sudden suffocation The air where the Patient resides must be temperate free from wind his diet liquid and soft he must shun those things that may heat his blood he must abstain from Wine and Exercise speak little his sleep shorter then ordinary it used to be if it be too long those that watch with him must awake him out of it his belly must be loosened and his minde kept merry Of involuntary Pissing INvoluntary pissing called Diarberes is a default of the Kidneys a swift passage the drink being nothing altered through the body an inmeasurable thirst following In this Disease the Kidneys are affected it is known by the heat felt in the Reins and the insatiable thirst If the Patient strives to hold his urine his Stones Hips and Loins swell such heat felt in those inward parts as if the Bowels were burnt This distemper is sometimes caused by sharp humors in the Kidneys by brinish Phlegm or a pernicious quality fixt to the blood or humors fastned to the Reins This distemper causeth a great driness and consumption of the body If the person have a burning Feaver he cannot be cured because his radical moisture is wasted The air in which this Patient lives must incline to cold and moist his diet such as will breed good but thick juyce such as will qualifie the sharpness of the humors salt and sharp meats as also such as provoke urine are not good the belly must be kept loose by art or nature Rest is best for this Patient because it stayes the motion of the humors Of the Inflamation of the Eyes THe Inflamation of the Eyes called Opthalmia is an inflamation of the Tunicle or Membrane growing close to the eye spread over all the Membrane from the corners of the eyes This evil takes its beginning from the Pericranium from whence Veins are conveighed to the eyes through the forehead and temples The part affected is chiefly the eye where redness appears and it is oftentimes swelled so that the Tunicles and parts near adjoyning are sore stretched this is either caused by the fulness of blood by which the Membrane growing next to the eye is filled or stretcht or else by phlegmatick blood and then it is not so stretcht or else by thin sharp Choller running from the temple and corner veins secretly into the eye-veins then such tears gush out of the eyes that the next parts seem burnt the Pupilla is in danger of being exulcerated if
shall onely treat of that pain that doth follow asharp disease by the inflamation of the inner skin for if the inflamation be in the outward Muscles or if the pain be great because of windiness this is but a basterd Pleurisie and the Patient is without a Feaver The signs of this disease besides the difficulty of breathing and a vehement Cough is a pricking pain which plainly doth demonstrate that the membranes and some other tender parts are affected this pricking pain sometimes spreads it self over the sides and breast sometimes to the short Ribs to the Channel-bone of the Throat so that the Patient is forced to breath short and thick also there is a continual Feaver because the inflamation doth border on the heart the Pulse is thick not too great hard and unequal and by that means tough and like to a saw a cough also cometh withal the first day and then nothing cometh at length spettle is voided and comes up coloured according to the nature of the excrements and it is also moister there are many other signs the cause for the most part is blood running from the hollow Veins into the Ribs thin Veins sometimes it is caused by Phlegmy blood and then the disease is longer of continuance and the spettle frothy and white sometimes the blood is Chollerick and then a sharper disease is caused The suppression of the Hemrhoides or monethly tearms will cause a Pleurisie this disease is dangerous to old men to Women with childe and such as have been sick twice or thrice of it it vexes the Patient more in the night then day time whosoever is sick of a Pleurisie and is not cleansed in fourteen dayes they turn to supuratiâ—â— This disease kills by choaking or too mâ—ch pain or by the translation of the matter into the Lungs whereby the Consumption of them is caused and also Ulcers The air the Patient lives in must be temperate somewhat inclining to heat his meat easie of digestion he is not to drink Wine till the disease be abated he may be permitted longer then ordinary sleep his belly must be kept loose Of the Bleeding at the Nose THe Bleeding at the nose called Hemorrhagia doth signifie a Bleeding at the Nose whether it doth come immediately from the Nostrills carried thither by the Veins of the palate through which for the most part nature doth expel the superfluous blood of many or else whether it comes from the Veins of the Head further off but in general it doth signifie any bleeding whether it be of Nose Womb or any other part of the body when blood comes forth moderately in the beginning of a Pleurisie Impostume Squinancy Burning Feaver Small Poxs it is alwayes for the best yet this Bleeding in some other diseases is Critical foreshewing death the Nostrills are chiefly affected but not alwayes the essence of the Nostrils but they are affected by the consent of some other part the Veins by which this blood is cast out at the Nose run from the palate and Mouth into the Nostrills and sometimes from the head when too much blood is voided the colour of the face waxeth pale the body is of a leaden colour the outward parts are cold and a swooning follows and many times after death Oftentimes bleeding at the Nose is caused by nature which doth by this means expel the excrements and which is troublesome to the body Sometimes it is caused by the evil affection of the Veins wherein the blood is contained and the blood runs out of the Veins the Veins being opened by the plenty of blood which they could not contain There are sundry other causes If bleeding have continued long swooning weakness and too much cooling of the Liver Lachexia or the Dropsie is to be feared Bleeding at the Nose without coldness of the outwards parts is mortal The air the Patient should live in must be somewhat cold his meat must be such as doth nourish well and easie of digestion he must avoid exercise and speak little he must avoid all passions of the minde especially anger Of the Falling-sickness THe Falling-sickness is a Convulsion of all the parts of the body not continual but that which cometh by distances of time the minde and senses being thereby hurt This disease doth either happen when the brain hath the cause of the disease in it self which is usual or by the evil effect of the mouth of the stomach or from some other part underneath by which the venemous effect creepeth into the brain through secret passages the Patient feels the cause of this Disease like a vapour of cold winde to be carried to the brain by the continuity of the other parts from the part of the body wherein the Disease is chiefly seated the cause of this Disease being for the most part a venomous vapour carried up from some lower part of the body into the brain and then the Patient doth suddenly fall with a Convulsion The brain is the part affected either by it self or by the consent of the stomach or by some other parts The fit comes oftentimes suddenly with much foam which because it is slimy may be drawn out at length yet in a gentler Falling-sickness this doth not appear when the Patient is deprived of his senses he falls to the ground with a violent shaking of his body his face is wrested his eyes turned upwards his chin somewhat driven to his shoulder and oftentimes he voids seed and ordure against his will his Muscles are loosened all these are signs of a strong fâ—t Sometimes their teeth are so fast closed together that they are in danger of stifling paleness of the face inordinate motion of the tongue pain and heaviness of the head forgetfulness sadness troublesome dreams are ushers to this Disease the Patient being taken with a giddiness sometimes darkness and divers dim glisterings appear before his eyes This Disease is for the most part caused by abundance of melancholâ—ck and phlegmatick humors from whence corâ—upt venomous and stinking vapors break out whereby obstructions are caused in the passages â—f the brain and the passages of the spirits are â—â—ereby hindred by this means the brain and the roots of the Sinnews shrink and as it were tremble in the expelling of that which is obnoxious whether it be vapor or humor This disease frequents children because they are of a moister brain then yong men next to these men oâ— a full growth and old men least of all This Disease is more incident to men then women and usually it doth stick close to the Patient unless it be taken away by medicines in the minority If the Disease be vehement and come often on the Patient it is incurable but if a quartane Ague or any longer Feaver surprize him iâ— portends health The air wherein the Patienâ— lives must be hot and dry his meat mixed with such things as do dissolve and extenuate the humors exercise of the body and frication of thâ— head are prevalent
immoderate use of strong Wine Venery crudities and feebleness of the parts to which may be added the relinquishing of accustomed exercises and suppression of evacuation This disease is an an hereditary Disease The pains of the Feet-gout trouble the Patient at the Spring time and Autumn if this Disease be not cured before the Patient comes to his perfect growth it will not be pefectly cured The air the Patient lives in must be temperate inclining to heat and driness such meats as do moderately nourish are good and such they must eat but sparingly when their Disease hath left them they may use exercises otherwise not their sleep must be moderate for too long sleep cherishes this Disease his belly must alwayes be kept loose the use of Venery is hurtful all perturbations of the minde are to be avoided Of Congelation COngelation called Catalepsis is a sudden detaining both of soul and body with the which whosoever is taken the same figure of body doth neverthelesse remain he abides sitting or lying if he did either sit or lie when the fit took him By some this disease is stiled an awaking amazement because the disease takes away sense and motion in all parts of the body this disease agrees in some things but differs very much in others from an Apoplexy In this disease the brains hinder-part is chiefly affected the animal part being hurt as well imaginative as sensitive and motive In this disease the Patient is dumb his body is bereft of sense and motion and though he retain the form of one being awake yet his minde and senses are asleep and that on such a sudden that the lookers on are amazed This disease in so vehemently seizing on the Patient that he rather thinks he is transported to heaven then dead the minde is assaulted so violently that the person in this distemper remains in the same figure wherein he was when he was stricken he can neither void excrements make water by reason of the senses dulness his pulse beating little and faintly but in the mean time equal This affect is caused by a cold and weak distemper of the brain whereby the brain and animal spirits are congealed and dried up not onely cooled A cold and dry matter causeth this disease as melancholly the air cold and dry the mixture of Phlegm and Choller when both overflow they are in great hazzard of life that are taken with this disease if this disease be strong it is hardly to be cured The air the Patient lives in must be hot and moist his meat Ptisan Cream his drink small white Wine and somewhat a stringent Of the Frenzy A Right Frenzy is an inflamation of the brain and the films thereof bringing with it a sharp Feaver doating and alienation of minde it is a kinde of a madness both dreadful and dangerous because this disease is generated in part which is the chief sense of the faculties of the Soul and because a true Frenzie hath its beginning from a false it will be convenient first to treat of a false Frenzie It is an alienation of the minde with disquietness without an impostume of the brain and it doth follow a Feaver caused by Blood or Choller doatings do not fret and grieve so much as they do that are possest with a true Frenzie and as the Feaver doth increase or decrease so the fate of the Frenzie is increased or decreased especially in the hour of the Crisis or conflict betwixt Nature and the Disease In these Feavers dry Vapors get up into the Brain whereby the animal parts are disquieted sometimes Impostumes are the cause of this disease The parts affected are the Pia mater or dura mater In this distemper there is a continual and dry Feaver and as the Patient sleeps very disquietly so his watchings are more troublesome he breaths by fits he will if he be not lookt to start out of his bed suddainly he will weep sing and cry out the Patients tongue is withered black he is very thirsty his Urine is thin and fiery sometimes white and thin then he is in great danger This distemper is caused with too much blood and such a one is mad with Laughter yet he dotes less and is not so Feaverish but when it is caused by burnt Choller then is the Patient stark mad and must needs be bound as he is in this distemper very strong A Feaver is the inseparable companion of this disease this is a most sharp and dangerous distemper and speedily kills if present remedy are not given for all kindes of Frenzies are mortal being bred in the place where the souls principal part is resident The air the Patient remains in must be temperate and bright no variety of Pictures must remain in his sight his diet must be such as may moisten and cool the body he must avoid too much motion frictions on the lower parts are to be used especially when the disease is milder sleep must be procured by Local Medicines and such as are received in at the mouth the Excrements of the Belly must be evacuated for if they are kept in they do encrease the disease perturbations of his minde are to be avoided Of the Dropsie THe Dropsie is such a passion that it is not without plenty of watry humors because the blood-making-faculty is vitiated it is a long disease for the most part caused by the coldness of the Liver There are three kindes of Dropsies Anasarca which is a dispersing of Phlegmy humors over the whole body In this Disease the body increaseth most unnaturally for it is all over swelled and an humor mixed with Phlegmy Blood is spread over all the body between the skin and the flesh and the body doth suck it up even as a sponge sucks up water and by reason of this an ill colour passes over the whole body The second sort of Dropsie called Ascites is that when great store of windes but greater of water are gathered together in one place which doth lie between the Guts and the Stomach In this Disease first the belly and Abdomen by little and little then the Thighs are swelled and all the other parts of the body by little and little wax lean but when there is a greater store of winde then water whereby the Abdomen is stretcht beyond measure called Timpanites then rather a noise of winde then water is perceived if the belly be strook for there is the sound of a Tabor from whence this Disease hath its name The natural colour of the face in this Disease is not altered the Liver is the part affected for hereby the blood is generated and from this the Dropsie is caused by the primary affect of the Liver and then the Cough comes withal because the hugeness of the Liver causeth the obstructions of the Lungs also the Excrements are not very liquid Sometimes this Disease is caused by the consent of the Misentery Spleen Stomach Meseraick Veins and Jejunium intestinum whereof
a weakness of such Veins doth follow as did convey food to the Liver and then Excrements are heaped together in the lower parts untill they are corrupted and so surcharge the body and afflict the Patient with a Lax. The Patient in this disease is for the most part troubled with a Feaver and doth thirst very much especially if he be troubled with Ascites and because of Salt and putrefied humors he loaths meat The colour of the face is whitish hardness of breathing and heaviness of the body concurs also Swellings of the Feet because of the far distance of the heart In Anasarca the whole body is weakened and doth Faint and Swell equally yet for the most part the Swelling is in the Shins and the Feet so that if the Fingers are thrust into the flesh the prints of them will remain a long time The great coolings of the Veins and Liver is the cause of this long sore disease this happens to the Liver by it self or else by the coldness of the Spleen Guts Misentery Midriff which sometimes because of their obstruction somtimes because of their weakness draw not unto them too much blood also it is caused by the Bleeding at the Nose by immoderate running or by staying of the monethly Courses or Hemrhoids for so the natural heat is choaked by the loss of Spirits in the blood sometimes it is caused by the Flux of the belly or stomach if they do last long for the natural spirits and native heat are scattered There are many other causes if ulcers arise in the body by water that is between the flesh because of the great plenty of humor it is hardly cured He who is supurated or have a Dropsie when he is cut or burnt if that water or matter doth run out he dies presently also if a Cough doth seize on him he is in great danger Of all these Dropsies the Timpanites is the worst He that is in a consumption many times fall into a Dropsie because the evil is communicated to the Liver for matter and venomous filth having found a way into the Liver gets in and sticks fast therein and so doth corrupt the substance of it The air where the Patient lives should be clear and somewhat inclining to heat and driness moist and windy air do increase this Disease In this distemper a supper of roast meat is better then sod his meat must be easie of concoction flesh broth must not be given except the Patient takes Purges he may drink thin Wine but not sweet because this will not quench his thirst as it is good in this Disease to indure hunger so to thirst long is dangerous moderate exercise frictions and the Baths are good he may sleep in the night time but not much the Excrements must be answerable to nature he must abstain from Venery and even as fear and sadness do hurt very much because they hinder digestion so anger and some of the other passions will be very good for him Of spitting of Blood SPitting of Blood is any avoiding of Blood at the mouth Blood is also voided from many other places of the body here care ought to be had in observing whether the Patient was wont to Bleed at the Nose or no for from thence it doth fall into the Stomach and Throat and from thence into the Lungs but for the most part it doth turn and harden into a cold if then one spit blood and yet did not Bleed at the Nose formerly then it comes from some peculiar part blood is often voided from the Gums and Mouth it self and then the Spittle is of a bloody colour and very little is voided out and that without a Cough if it do come from the Throat or Weezel-pipe then it is voided by Hemmings not by Cough and the continuated parts of these places do appear loosened if the Tongue be thrust out but if it did come from the Head a pain of the Head and heaviness went before a noise in the Ears the Forehead Veins rise they have a kinde of a heat and blood in the Mouth and a tickling is felt in the Palate if it doth run into the Throat from whence by often Hemming it is cast out oftentimes the Patient hath a desire to Cough but cannot but if the blood doth come from the Lungs then is the blood foamy and then it is voided by frequent Coughing and without pain and at sundry times and as oft as blood is voided because some great Vein is burst then plenty of blood is cast up no cause except that known it being as it were cast up by Vomit but if blood be cast up because some Vein in the Lungs is gnawn which is oft caused by a sharp humor falling down then it is voided by degrees a little now and a little then unless some great Vein be fretted asunder for then it runs out in great abundance for this is very dangerous for then follows a Cough or a Feaver sometimes some part of the Lungs being rotted is voided by a Cough and this is the surest sign of the Lungs exulceration much more might be written of the peculiar parts affected and of the signs This distemper is often caused by fulness and by a great quantity of blood which doth offend the body and some peculiar parts of the body more particularly so that hereby the vessels mouths are opened Of this is a good habit of body immoderate use of hot nutriments and Wine suppression of tearms and then there is no pain but rather a lightsomness of the body which before was dull and then also there is not too great a quantity thereof and it is not very foamy or red Women without any danger of Consumption have been eased by this shedding of blood in the suppression of their tearms To omit other causes that might be rendred of this distemper it will be very necessary to take notice that if the Lungs are ulcerated there is danger for then there is danger of a Supuration and Consumption when a Vein in the Lungs is opened and burst yet there is some hope if the substance of the Lungs be sound yet a Consumption signifies danger if the blood which comes out of the rupture of a vein falling upon the Lungs be there detained by which means the Lungs are inflamed and putrefied for at length the substance of the Lungs will be corrupted and putrefied there is also danger when a great Vâ—â—â— is opened or broke for that the heart may be suffocated from the plenty of blood voided from thence Spitting of blood if it be caused by a corrosion of the Lungs is incuâ—able if from the Breast there is less danger Spitting of matter it is a sign the Lungs are exulcerated this disease if it continue long will turn into a Consumption The air the Patient lives in should be somewhat inclining to cold and dry the Patient must avoid sun-shine and a bright fire his meat must be such as doth cool
that learned and admirable proficient in Astrology Mr. John Gadbury wherein they may finde in the Epitome what I have hitherto more largely insisted on For thy more pleasant diversion Courteous Reader I shall but onely touch lightly upon the nobleness of his disposition if it had been in case of a Patients necessity nothing should obstruct he would go all weathers but if it had been onely for an Astrological question in resolving of which he was excellent except it were to pleasure a special friend He chose rather to walk abroad for therecreation of his tired spirits then to tarry at home and to get what he pleased to demand he hath had forty that waited on him in a morning whom he sent all away with the same answer insomuch that one of the most eminent of the three Nations in Astrological and Physical knowledge now living in the Countrey then altogether unknown to Mr. Culpeper hearing of his humor came to town of purpose to try him he had no sooner after he had knockt entred the Parlor but Mr. Culpeper was got half way on the stairs and askt him bluntly as his manner was what he would have The Doctor told him that he had come some miles to be resolved of an Astrological question and that he would be very grateful to him before he could almost speak these words Mr. Culpeper turning himself round to go up stairs told him that he would have nothing to do with his question Yes but you would replied the Doctor and laught if you knew what it were What it were sayes Mr. Culpeper Why what is it Sayes the Doctor Whether you will go to the Tavern and drink a glass of Sack I le resolve you that question presently sayes Mr Culpeper takes his Cloak and immediately goes with him in such an humor his friend might demand of him what he pleased and never fail of an ingenuous and civil satisfaction When Mr. Culpeper's sickness stole upon him as he was naturally consumptive for some years together he was so truly sensible of his declination as that he was often heard to say that Tobaco was the greatest enemy he had to his health but he was too much accustomed to it to leave it What Sir Theodore Mayern affirmed of the bad French-Wine which he drank but a moderate quantity of at the Guilded-Lyon in the Strand that it had killed him as within few dayes afterwards was found too true might be as certainly said of the destructive Tobaco Mr. Culpeper too excessively took which by degrees first deprived him of his Stomach and after other evil effects in process of time was one of the chiefest hastners of his death Mr. Culpeper as hath been declared for a long time perceiving his Sickness to increase more strongly upon him though he had held out the Siege with his most studious endeavours to assist Nature with his best Art yet still finding as he made good one place to repair it there was still a Breach reinforced in another Battery upon Battery Seeing no remedy but that he must yield to the tyranny of the common Enemy the Out-works being already taken in though he knew with what inexpressible sorrow his Wife must be afflicted to hear that doleful news that till then he had concealed from her but finding the approaches and infallible pangs of Death to have already seized on him taking her by the hand as she stood by the Bed-side in a most disconsolate condition he breathed forth these his last Words to her Dearest be not troubled my peace I have already made with my God I am now going out of this miserable Life to receive a Crown of Immortality after our so long continuance together as Heaven hath thought fit we must for the present part At these words Mrs. Culpeper being in a great agony at last recollecting of her self said Sweet-heart how canst thou be so chearful when grim Death looks thee in the face He endeavouring to raise himself a little higher said My dearest Girle an expression he generally used Live as I have done and then thou wilt Dye as I do for now I speak it when it is no time to dissemble In the presence of God and his Angels I did by all persons as I would they should do by me I was alwayes just in my Practice I never gave a Patient two Medicines when one would serve the turn Farewel my Dearest I am spent And so he exchanged this Life for a better Not to take notice of such Reports as attend persons that are usually envied for their eminent worth the excess of my grief not suffering me to enlarge my self I shall onely write to the great loss and affliction of all yong Practitioners as also of the most learned Students in the Arts and Sciences he exchanged this life for a more blessed He dyed in his own house in Spittle-Fields the tenth day of January in 1653 4 in the thirty eighth year of his Age. He was buried in the New Church-yard of Bethelem where he desired to lie Thus in the strength and flower of his Age he departed this Life who if he had lived but a few years longer Christendom had been filled with his Fame he being for his general worth to be numbred amongst the best Philosophers of his time His learned friend Dr. Lawford in remembrance of him caused this Elegaick Acrostick to attend the Solemnity of his Funeral Scutcheons NO prosperous Star doth beam its influence here IN our Horizon loe a prodigious Sphere COvered with blackness for our rising Sun HEld not the Circuit till it was high Noon O Recast with sables Cynthia now thy face LOoks pale with sorrow he hath run his race APollo's Sun 's eclipst till JAH that gave SAlvation calls him from the darkned Grave CAn Eyes but weep when Marbles sweat forth UNto his Funeral and in black appears LO now the Heavens do mourn in Clouds and be tears PVrled with Cristal at his obsequy EVen now the Astral Science seems to weep PHysick lies panting at his humbled feet EArth reels about most slowly for her Son REturns unto his Mother before Moon As Mr. CULPEPER deserved a Monument to have perpetuated his memory to posterity so this Epitaph which one writ on him might have been fitly engraven on it The Epitaph Here lies the Doctors great envy and wonder To 'th Empericks an aweful clap of Thunder Whom he stript and whipt for wise men hereafter To make them the scorn and scene of their laughter To their joy sleeps here our three Kingdoms sorrow Till the Resurrection bids him Good morrow The Character MR. Culpeper was in his Deportment gentle pleasing and courteous His Complection darkish and swarthy His Visage rather long then round Of a Presence not so beautiful as amiable His Hair black and somewhat curling His Eyes piercing His Body a little above a medium tending to tallness Of a spare lean Constitution In his Apparel not exceeding the moderation of one of his
degree Somewhat careless He was of a clear and establisht Judgement Of an eloquent and good Utterance Of a quick Spirit full of swift Thoughts and mounting Of a sparkling ready Wit a Gift which doth not alwayes speak men Fortunate He was sometimes too much overtaken with deep Speculations though Melancholly was somewhat contrary to his nature whatsoever he said otherwise of himself so that it may rather be imputed to the Crosses of his Life then to his own disposition His Health was often disturbed with a dust Choller Of Religion he had a greater share then most Physicians use to have he had so much Zeal as to hate Superstition and was no friend to Episcopal Innovations In his Counsels he was judicious of a nimble Apprehension with little difficulty in his Dispatches He was a person of so ready a minde that he could more learnedly and suddenly dictate his Papers for the Press then some that do take of the Lamp and the Oyl more studiously to contrive them When he travelled in Discourse concerning a Patients Disease his understanding clear'd all doubts neither was it so dark or cloudy as some Practitioners are who still create new scruples for he had the luck for â—he most part to look directly on Truth He was too free-hearted if not inclining to Prodigality they are the words in the Calculation of â—is Nativity Saturn Lord of the Cusp of the seâ—ond House Retrograde near the fourth made him â—uickly dispatch a great part of his Estate as soon almost as he received it verifying his own usual Expression That the World was made for him to read on he would not stoop to fill his pockets with 〈◊〉 His Nature was both noble and honest He â—as an excellent Companion and for the most â—art of a merry temper His mirth as he was â—sed to say when he was far spent in his sickness â—as the best Cordial he had left against the Consumption of his Spirits He was a despiser of the World A man confident not jealous of his Fortunes which the better enabled him to bear his misfortunes Not to instance his return home wounded in the Year 1643. his wrongful Imprisonment all which he endured with as much patience as if he had continually met with good Successes He had not onely thus practised Seneca but out-stript the Philosopher As he was so far from Covetousness that he cared not who was his Purse-bearer so long as that he wanted not for necessary expences he durst trust Gods Providence with the rest his Minde was surprized with higher mysteries then to stoop to such worldly trifles He was a person that by his Art had such a fore-sight of the changes of the Times that few Events seemed new to him as he was long before by his Astrological skill acquainted with them He was another Tychâ— Brache for his knowledge of the future Affairs of State So that though he was an Astrologer a Physician a great searcher into the Secrets oâ— Nature and a true lover of the Arts yet such was his modesty that though he knew so much and seldom failed to convince the most obstinate Opinionist yet he never would except on some extraordinary occasion put himself forward insomuch that he made good that saying He whose own Worth doth speak him needs not speak his own Worth testifies enough of him He had noâ— many Books but those that he had were welâ— selected He was none of those that perswaded the World he was Learned by the getting together of a great Library his Memory was his Vatican One could not say of him Salvete libri sine Doctore To be brief though he was alwayes acceptable to such Friends as rightly knew him yet they could not but be a more then ordinary disturbance to him Certainly he spent his younger years in most laborious Studies otherwise the crouds of his acquaintance could not but impede if not obscure the serene Idea's of his Minde To conclude he was a better Physician to others then to himself What one of our Modern Poets alludes to in another sense was verified on him When God cuts short the thred of Life One's dearest Friends shall bring the Knife On the Famous and most Renowned Physician and Astrologer Mr. Nicholas Culpeper lately deceased TO illustrate or blazon forth the deceased Authors immortal Name or to render him his due Praises transcends the reach of inferiour capacities his universal and experimented Knowledge in Natures deepest Arcana being such that it may be discreetly affirmed That Nature was wholly unvailed to him For unquestionably if he had not received the Benediction of Celestial Illumination it must have been altogether contrary to humane Reason that he could have arrived in so few years to so superlative a Judgement his so well known Parts being such as not onely to cause our three Kingdoms but also Forreign Countreys to admire both him and his Works This his last Volume which when I remained in his House the greatest part of I had the happiness from his corrected Papers to transcribe Mr. Culpeper finding himself ready to leave the World intrusted it in the several Manuscripts in the hands of his assured Friends who preserved them and looked to the faithful Publishing of them from the Press by Mr. Nathaniel Brook whom the Author designed as truly worthy of them they are now perfectly Printed as to answer the so long and earnest expectation of them As touching this Work there needs no more to be said of it but that the Judicious will clearly perceive that Mr. Culpeper hath throughout the whole intire body of it not onely corrected but fully supplied the Defects and Failings of most of the Doctors of these times What his Abilities were to perform such high undertakings not onely this but his other Works in Astrology Chyrurgery Physick and other Arts and Sciences have already so far testified as to be above the censures of the exactest Criticks now living Let it suffice that his well-affected and earnest desire of the Publique Benefit was such that had God given him a longer tearm of years after Ages would have acknowledged him their Great Informer Either to praise his Translation of the Doctors Dispensatory his Judgement of Diseases or his contexture of them all in this School of Physick is to as little purpose as according to the old saying to light a candle to the Sun It is enough and above all other commendations that this Work by such a cloud of Witnesses is so truly and really attested his own As for my self I am so oblieged as that I can do no otherwise then gratefully confess that in the time of my relation to him I received more Knowledge and Light from him then from all the Conversation I have since had either of Books or Men. His quondam Servant W. Ryves Queens-street Novemb. 15. 1658. To Mr. Nicholas Culpeper on his School of Physick WE need not now seek sudden Remedies From a quick Poison or a Precipice Art 's