other world Wherefore let all those who are yet liuing bee admonished hereafter by their examples not obstinately and wilfully to eschue and shunne these two remedies in hot seasons and in the time of the Dog-dayes much lesse all other manner of physicall helpes not once knowing so much as why or wherefore and without any reason at all following blind and superstitious tradition and error haply first broched by some vnworthy and ignorant Physitian not rightly vnderstanding Hippocrates his saying in all likelyhood or at least wise misapplying it Which hath so preuailed in these times that it hath not onely worne out the vse of purging but also of all other physicke for that season because most people by the name of physicke vnderstanding purging onely and nothing else As though the art and science of Physicke was nothing else but to giue a potion or purge Then we rightly and truly might say Filia deuorauit matrem But for as much as most people are altogether ignorant of the true ground or reason from whence this so dangerous an error concerning the Dog-dayes did first spring and arise giue me leaue a little to goe on with this my digression for their better instruction and satisfaction and I will briefly and in few lines shew the case and the mistake somewhat more plainly Hippocrates in his fourth booke of Aphorismes the fift hath these words Sub canicula ante caniculam difficiles sunt purgationes That is vnder the canicular or dog-star and before the dog-star purgations are painfull and difficill This is all that is there said of them or brought against them for that season or time of the yeare A great stumbling-blocke against which many haue dashed their feet and knockt their shinnes and a fearfull scar-crow whereat too many haue nicely boggled Here you doe not find or see purging medicines to bee then prohibited or forbidden to be giuen at all much lesse all other physicke but onely said to be difficill in their working partly because as all expositors agree nature is then somewhat enfeebled by the great heat of the weather partly because the humours being then as it were accended are more chaffed by the heat of the purging medicines partly and lastly because two contrary motions seeme then to be at one and the same time which may offend nature as the great heat of the weather leading the humours of the body outwardly to the circumference thereof and the medicine drawing them inwardly to the center All which circumstances in our cold region are little or nothing at all as formerly hath beene mentioned to be regarded For as Iacobus Hollerius a French Physitian much honoured for his great learning and iudgement hath very well obserued in his Comment vpon this Aphorisme Hippocrates speaketh here onely of those purging medicines which are strong and vehement or hot and fiery and that this precept is to take place in most hot Regions but not in these cold Countries as France England and the like Ouer and beside all this those churlish hot purging medicines which were then in frequent vse in Hippocrates his time and some hundred of yeares after are now for most part obsolete and quite growne out of vse seldome brought in practice by Physitians in these dayes because we haue within these last six hundred yeares great choice and variety of more mild benigne and gentle purgatiues found out by the Arabian Physitians which were altogether vnknowne vnto the ancients to wit Hippocrates Dioscorides Galen c. which haue little heat and acrimony many wherof are temperate and diuers cooling which may most safely be giuen either in the hottest times and seasons of the yeare or in the hottest diseases Let vs adde to these the like familiar and gentle purging medicines more lately yea almost daily newly found out since the better discoueries of the East and West Indies So that henceforth let no man feare to take either easie purgatiues or other inward Physicke in the time of the canicular or dog-dayes The same Hollerius goeth on in the exposition and interpretation of the said Aphorisme and confidently saith Ouer besides that we haue benigne medicines which we may then vse as Cassia c. Wee know and finde by experience no time here with vs more wholsome and more temperat especially when the Etesian or Easterly winds do blow then the Canicular dayes so that wee finde by obseruation that those diseases which are bred in the moneths of Iune and Iuly doe end in August and in the Canicular dayes Wherefore if a disease happen in those dayes we feare not to open a veyne diuers times and often as also to prescribe more strong purging medicines Wherefore away henceforth with the scrupulous conceit and too nice feare of the Dogge-dayes and let their supposed danger be had no more in remembrance among vs. And if any will yet remaine obstinate and still refuse to haue their beames pulled out of their eyes let them still be blinde in the middest of the cleare Sun-shine and groape on after darknes and let all learned Physitians rather pitty their follies then enuy their wits CHAP. 13. At what time of the yeare and at what houre of the day it is most fit and meet to drinke this water TO speake in generall tearmes it is a fit time to drinke it when the ayre is pure cleare hot and dry for then the water is more tart and more easily digested then at other times On the contrary it is best to forbeare when the ayre is cold moist darke dull and misty for then it is more feeble and harder to be concocted But more specially the most proper season to vndertake this our English Spaw dyet will be from the middest or latter end of Iune to the middle of September or longer according as the season of the yeare shall fall out to be hot and dry or otherwise Not that in the Spring time and in Winter it is not also good but for that the ayre being more pure in Sommer the water also must needs be of greater force and power Notwithstanding it may sometime so happen in Sommer that by reason of some extraordinary falling of raine there may be a cessation from it for a day or two Or if it chance to haue rained ouer night it will then be fit and necessary to refraine from drinking of it vntill the raine bee passed away againe or else which I like better the fountaine laded dry and filled againe which may well be done in an hower or two at most Touching the time of the day when it is best to drinke this water questionlesse the most conuenient hower will be in the morning when the party is empty and fasting about seauen aclocke Nature hauing first discharged her selfe of daily excrements both by stoole and vrine and the concoctions perfected This time is likewise fittest for exercise which is a great good help and furtherance for the better distribution of the water whereby
it doth produce its effects more speedily CHAP. 14. Of the manner of drinking this water and the quantitie thereof THose who desire the benefit of this Fountaine ought to goe to it some what early in the morning if they be able and strong of body they may doe very well to walke to it on foot or at least wise some part of the way Such as haue weake and feeble leggs may ride on horsebacke or be caryed in coaches or borne in chaires As for those whose infirmities cause them to keepe their beds or chambers they may drinke the water in their lodgings it being speedily brought to them in a vessell or glasse well stopt It is not my meaning or purpose to describe here particularly what quantitie of it is fit and meet for euery one to drinke for this is part of the taske and office which belongeth to the Physitian who shall be of counsell with the Patient in preparing and well ordering of him who is to consider all the seuerall circumstances as well of the maladie or disease it selfe as of his habite and constitution c. Neuerthelesse I may aduise that at the first it be moderately taken increasing the quantitie daily by degrees vntill they shall come at last to the full height of the proportion appointed and thought to be meet and necessary There they are then to stay and so to continue at that quantitie so long as it shall be needfull For example the first morning may happely be 16 or 18 ounces and so on by degrees to 20. 30. 40. 50. 60. or moe in people who are of good and strong constitutions Towards the ending the abatement ought likewise to be made by degrees as the increment was formerly made by little and little Here by the way every one must be admonished to take notice that it is not alwayes best to drinke most lest they chance to oppresse and ouercharge Nature that would rather be content with lesse It will therefore be more safe to take it rather somewhat sparingly though for a longer time then liberally and for a short time But indeed the truest and iustest proportion of it is euer to be made and esteemed by the good and laudable concoction of it and by the due and orderly voiding of it againe It will not be here amisse to adde this one obseruation further That it is better to drinke this water once a day then twice and that in the mornings after that the Sunne hath dryed vp consumed the vapors retained through the coldnesse of the night c. as is formerly declared After drinking it it will be needfull to abstaine from meat other drinke for the space of three or foure dayes But if any one who hath a good stomacke shall be desirous to take it twice a day or if any shall bee necessarily compelled so to doe for some vrgent cause by the approbation of his Physitian let him dine somewhat sparingly and drinke it not againe vntill fiue houres after dinner be past or not vntill the concoction of meat and drinke in the stomacke be perfected Obseruing likewise that hee content himselfe in the afternoones with almost halfe the quantity he vseth to take in the mornings CHAP. 15. Of the manner of dyès to be obserued by those who shall vse this water THe regiment of life in meats and drinks ought chiefly to consist in the right and moderate vse of those which are of light and easie digestion and of good and wholesome nourishment breeding laudable iuice Therefore all those are to be auoyded which beget crude and ill humours There ought furthermore speciall notice to be taken that great diuersity of meats and dishes at one meale is very hurtfull as also much condiments sauces spice fat c. in their dressing and cookery I commend hens capons pullets chickens partridge phesants turkies and generally all such small birds as liue in woods hedges and mountaines Likewise I doe approue of veale mutton kid lambe rabbets young hare or leuerits c. All which for the most part are rather to be roasted then boyled Neuerthelesse those who are affected with any dry distemper or those who otherwise are so accustomed to feed may haue their meats sodden but the plainer dressing the better I discommend all salt meats beefe bacon porke larde and larded meats hare venison tripes and the entrailes of beasts puddings made with blood pig goose swan teale mallard and such like and in generall all water-Fowle as being of hard digestion and ill nutriment Amongst the seuerall kinds of fishes trouts pearches loaches and for most part all scaly fish of brookes and fresh riuers may well bee permitted Moreouer smelts soales dabs whitings sturbuts gurnets and all such other as are well knowne not to be ill or vnwholesome to feed on All which may be altered with mint hyssope anise c. Also cre-fishes crab-fish lobsters and the like may bee permitted Cunger salmon eeles lampries herrings salt-ling all salt-fish sturgion anchouies oysters cockles muscles and the like shell-fish are to be disallowed White-meats as milke cruds creame old cheese custards white-pots pudding-pyes and other like milke-meats except sweet butter and new creame cheese are to be forbidden Soft and reer egges we doe not prohibit Raisons with almonds bisket-bread marchpane-stuffe suckets and the like are not here forbidden to be eaten Let their bread be made of wheat very well wrought fermented or leauened and let their drinke be beere well boyled and brewed and let it bee stale or old enough but in no wise tart sharp or sower And aboue all let them forbeare to mixe the water of the fountaine with their drinke at meales for that may cause many inconueniences to follow and ensue Let me aduise them to eschew apples peares plumbs codlings gooseberries and all such like sommer fruits either raw in tarts or otherwise Also pease and all other pulse all cold sallets and raw hearbs onions leekes chiues cabbage or coleworts pompons cucumbers and the like In stead of cheese at the end of meales it will not bee amisse to eate citron or lemon pils condited or else fenell anise coriander comfits or biskets and carawayes as well for to discusse and expell wind as to shut and close the stomacke for the better furthering the digestion of meats and drinkes And for that purpose it would bee much better if the Physitian who is of counsell should appoint and ordaine some fit and proper Tragea in grosse powder mixed with sugar or else made into little cakes or morsels Likewise marmalade of quinces either simple or compound such as the Physitians do often prescribe to their patients may be vsed very commodiously After dinner they ought to vse no violent exercise neither ought they to sit still sadly heauy and musing nor to slumber and sleepe but rather to stirre a little and to raise vp the spirits for an houre or two by some fit recreation After supper they may take a walke into the fields or Castle yard CHAP. 16. Of the Symptomes or accidents which may now and then chance to happen to some one or other in the vse of this water ALthough those who are of good and strong constitutions obseruing the aforenamed direction doe seldome or neuer receiue any hurme or detriment by drinking this water notwithstanding it may sometime so fall forth that some of the weaker sort may perhaps obserue some little or small inconuenience thereby as retention of it in the body inflation of the bellie costiuenesse and the like Wherefore to gratifie those a word two of euery one shall suffice First then for to cause a more ready and speedy passage of it by vrine it will not be amisse to counsel the partie after his returne to his lodging to goe to his naked bed for an houre or two that thereby warmnesse and naturall heat may be brought into each part of the body the passages more opened and nature by that meanes made more fit and apt for the expulsion of it During which time it will be very requisite to apply hot cloathes to the stomack but not so as to prouoke sweat Or else to cause it to voyd and evacuate either by vrine stoole or sweat exercise will be a good helpe and furtherance if the party be fit for it But if neither of these will preuaile then a sharpe glyster ought to be administred The inflation or swelling of the belly hapneth principally to those who haue feeble and weake stomacks who may do very wel to eate anise fenell or coriander comfits at the fountaine betweene euery draught and to walke a little after or else some carminatiue Lozenges made with grossepowders spices and seeds for breaking of wind or what other thing the learned Physitian shall deeme to be most fit and proper in his wisdome and iudgment But if the inflation chance to be very great then a carminatine glyster must be ordained Such as shall be very costiue may doe well to eat moistning meats and to vse mollifying hearbes raisons stoned corants damascene prunes butter or the yolkes of egges and the like in their broths or pottage If these will not be sufficient then let a day be spared from drinking the water and let the party take some lenitiue medicine as laxatiue corants or some such like thing whereof the Physitian hath euer great choice and variety wherewith he can fit directly euery one his case to whom present recourse euer ought to be had when any of these or the like accidents doe happen as likewise in all other cases of waight and moment FINIS Obiect Answ 1. 2.
derision of their owne delusion to haue others likewise deceiued Time hath quite worne all their strength and consumed all their vertues so that nothing of worth now remaines with them sauing onely their bare names and titles Sic magna suâ mole ruunt Wherefore to omit these as scarce worthy the mentioning those are chiefly here to be described which doe participate of minerall vertues and faculties CHAP. 4. Of fiue fountaines neare vnto the towne which doe participate of minerall vertues OVt of the diuers Fountaines springing hereabouts fiue are worthy the obseruation of Physitians The first whereof is very neare vnto the riuer banke ouer against the Castle called by the name of the Dropping-well for that it droppeth distilleth and trickleth downe from the hanging rocke aboue The water whereof hath a certaine quality or property to turne any thing that lieth in it into a stony substance in a very short space Three of the others being all of them much of one and the same nature are termed by the country people thereabouts the Stinking-wels in regard they haue an ill and fetide smell consisting most of Sulphure-viue or quicke brimstone One of them and that which hath the greatest current or streame of water is in Bilton park The other two are in the sayd Forest one is neare vnto the towne the other is further off almost two miles from it beyond a place called Haregate-head in a bottome on the right hand of it as you goe and almost in the side of a little brooke The fift and last for which I haue principally vndertaken to write this short Discourse is an acide or tart fountaine in the said Forest commonly named by the vulgar sort Tuewhit well and the English Spaw by those of the better rank in imitation of those two most famous acide fountaines at the Spaw in Germany to wit Sauuenir and Pouhon whereof the first being the prime one is halfe a league from the Spa or Spaw village the other is in the middle of the towne CHAP. 5. A more particular recitall of the first foure Wells I Purpose to speake somewhat more in this place of the firs◠foure Springs mentioned in the former Chapter in regard the consideration of them may perhaps giue some light to those who shall hereafter search further into the secrets which nature may seeme to afford in the Country hereabouts The first is the Dropping-well knowne almost to all who haue trauelled vnto this place The water whereof distilleth and trickleth downe from the hanging Rocke ouer it not onely dropping wise but also falling in many pretty little streames This water issueth at first out of the earth not farre from the said hanging rocke and running a while in one entire current continueth so till it commeth almost to the brim of the cragg where being opposed by a damme as it were artificiall of certaine spongy stones is afterwards diuided into many smaller branches and falleth from on high in manner aforesaid It is therefore very likely that Mr Camden in person did not see this Fountaine but rather that hee had it by relation from others or at least wise if he did see it that hee did not marke and duly obserue the originall springing vp of the water when in his Britannia he saith thus The waters thereof spring not vp out of the veines of the earth c. Concerning the properties and qualities thereof I haue nothing more to write at this time there being formerly little tryall had of it sauing that diuers inhabitants thereabouts say and affirme that it hath beene found to bee very effectuall in staying any flux of the body which thing I easily beleeue The other three are sulphureous fountaines and cast forth a stinking smell a farre off especially in the winter season and when the weather is coldest They are all noysome to smell to and cold to touch without any manifest or actuall heat at all by reason as may most probably be thought their mynes and veines of brimstone are not kindled vnder the earth being perhaps hindred by the mixture of salt therewith Those who drinke of their waters relate they verily thinke there is gunpowder in them and that now and then they vomit after drinking thereof The waters as they runne along the earth doe leaue behind them on the grasse and leaues a gray slimy substance which being set on fire hath the right sauour of common brimstone They are much haunted with Pigeons an argument of much salt in them of which in the euaporation of the water by fire wee found a good quantity remaining in the bottome of the vessell One thing further was worth obseruation that white mettall as siluer dipped into them presently seemeth to resemble copper which we first noted by putting a siluer porrenger into one of these vnto which Sir Francis Trapps did first bring vs. Which tincture these waters giue by reason of their sulphur Touching their vertues and effects there may in generall the like properties be ascribed vnto them as are attributed vnto other sulphureous Bathes actually cold participating also of salt The vulgar sort drinke these waters as they say to expell reefe and fellon yea many who are much troubled with itches scabs morphewes tetters ring-wormes and the like are soone holpen and cured by washing the parts ill affected therewith Which thing they might much more conueniently and more commodiously doe if at that in Bilton parke were framed 2 capacious Bathes the one cold the other to be made hot or warme by art for certaine knowne howers a day CHAP. 6. A more particular description of the fift or last fountaine called the English Spaw THis being the principall subiect of this whole Treatise is in the said forest about halfe a league or a mile and a halfe west from the towne from whence there is almost a continuall rising to it but nothing so great as the ascent is from the Spaw village to the Sauuenir This here springeth out of a mountainous ground and almost at the height of the ascent at Haregate-head hauing a great descent on both sides the ridge thereof and the Country thereabouts somewhat resembleth that at the Spaw in Germany The first discouerer of it to haue any medicinall quality so far forth as I can learn was one Mr. William Slingesby a Gentleman of many good parts of an ancient and worthy Family neere thereby who hauing trauelled in his younger time was throughly acquainted with the taste vse and faculties of the two Spaw fountaines In his latter time about 55 yeeres agoe it was his good fortune to liue for a little while at a grange house very neare to this fountaine and afterwards in Bilton Parke all his life long Who drinking of this water found it in all things to agree with those at the Spaw Whereupon greatly reioycing at so good and fortunate an accident he made some further tr all and assay that done he caused the founta ne to be well and
arâ—â—â—cially walled about and paued at the bottome as it is now at this day with two faire stone flags with a sit hole in the side thereof for the free passage of the water through a little guttered stone It is open at the top and walled somewhat higher then the earth as well to keepe out filth as Cattle for comming and approaching to it It is fouresquare three foot wide and the water within is about three quarters of a yard deepe First we caused it to be laded dry as well to scoure it as also to see the rising vp of the water which we found to spring vp onely at the bottome at the chinke or cranny betweene two stones so left purposely for the springing vp of the water at the bottome Which as Yliny obserueth in his 31 booke of his Naturall History and the third Chapter is a signe aboue all of the goodnesse of a fountaine And about all saith he one thing would bee obserued and seene vnto that the source which feedeth it spring and boyle vp directly from the bottome and not â—ssue forth at the sides which also is a maine point that concerneth the perpetuity thereof and whereby wee â—y collect â—hat it will hold still and be neuer drawne drye The streame of water which passeth away by the hole in the side thereof is much one and about the proportion of the current of Sauuenir The aboue named Gentleman did drinke the water of this Fountaine euery yeare after all his life time for helping his infirmities and maintaining of his heâ—lth and would oftentimes say and auerre that it was much better and did excell the tart fountaines beyond the seas as being more quicke and liuely and fuller of minerall spirits effecting his operation more speedily and sooner passing through the body Moreouer Doctor Timothy Bright of happy memory a learned Physitian while hee liued my very kind friend and familiar acquaintance first gaue the name of the English Spaw vnto this Fountaine about thirty yeares since or more For he also formerly had spent some time at the Spaw in Germany so that he was very able to compare those with this of ours Nay hee had furthermore so good an opinion and so high a conceit of this that hee did not onely direct and aduise others to it but himselfe also for most part would vse it in the Sommer season Likewise Doctor Anthony Hunton lately of Newarke vpon Trent a Physitian of no lesse worth and happy memory to whom for his true loue to mee and kind respect of mee I was very much beholden would often expostulate with mee at our meetings and wi h other Gentlemen of Yorkeshire his patients how it came to passe that I and the Physitians of Yorke did not by publiâ—e writing make the fame and worth thereof better knowne to the world CHAP. 7. Of the difference of this Fountaine from those at the Spaw to wit Sauuenir and Pouhon THis springeth almost at the top of the ascent as formerly hath beene said from a dry and somewhat sandy earth The water where of running South-East is very cleare pure full of life and minerall exhalations We find it chiefly to consist of a vitrioline nature and quality with a participation also of those other minerals which are said to be in the Sauuenir fountaine but in a more perfect and exquisite mixture and temper as wee deeme and therefore to be supposed better and nobler then it The difference betweene them will be found to be onely Secundum maius minus that is according to more or lesse which maketh no difference in kind but in degrees This partaketh in greater measure of the qualities and lesser of the substances of the minerals then that doth and for that cause it is of a more quicke and speedy operation as also for the same reason his tenuity of body and fulnesse of minerall spirits therein contained it cannot be so farre transported from its owne source and spring without losse and diminution of his strength and goodnesse For being caried no further then to the towne it selfe though the glasse or vessell be closely stopt it becommeth somewhat weaker if as farre as to Yorke much more but if 20 or 30 miles further it will then bee found to be of small force or validity as we haue often obserued Whereas contrariwise the water of the lower fountain at the Spaw called Pouhon is frequently and vsually caried and conueyed into other Countries farre off and remote as into France England Scotland Ireland diuers parts of Germany and some parts of Italy yea and that of Sauuenir which is the better fountaine and whose water cannot be caried so farre away as the other may is oftentimes vsed now adayes at Paris the chiefe City of France But this of ours cannot be sent away any whit so farre off without losse and decay of his efficacy and vertue so ayrie subtill and piercing are its spirits and minerall exhalations that they soone passe vanish and flye away Which thing wee haue esteemed to be a principall good signe of the worthy properties of this rare Fountaine So that this water being newly taken vp at the Well and presently after drunke cannot otherwise but sooner passe by the Hypochondries and through the body and cause a speedier effect then those in Germany can Whereby any one may easily collect and gather that this getteth his soueraign faculties better in its passage by and through the variety of minerals included in the earth which only afford vnto it an halitious body then those doe If then wee bee desirous to haue this of ours become commodious either for preseruing of our healths or for altering any distemper or curing any infirmity for which it is proper and auaileable it ought chiefly to bee taken at the fountaine it selfe before the minerall spirits bee dissipated CHAP. 8. That Vitriol is here more predominant then any other minerall VVE haue sufficiently beene satisfied by experience and trialls through what minerals this water doth passe but to know in what proportion they are exactly mixed therewith it is beyond humane inuention to find out nature hauing reserued this secret to her selfe alone Neuerthelesse it may very well be coniectured that as in the frame and composition of the most noble creature Man the lesser world there 〈…〉 of the foure elements rather adjustitiam as Philosophers say then ad pondus so nature in the mixture of these minerals hath likewise taken more of some and lesse of others as shee thought to be most fit and expedient for the good and behoofe of mans health and the recouery â—nd restitution of it decayed being indeed such a worke as no Art is able to imitate That Vitriolum otherwise called Chalcanthum is here most predominant there needs no other proofe then from the assay of the water it selfe which both in the tart and inky smack thereof ioyned with a piercing and a pricking quality and in the sauour which is somewhat
a little vitrioline is altogether like vnto the ancient Spaw waters which according to the consent of all those who haue considered their naturall compositions doe most of all and chiefly participate of vitrioll Notwithstanding for a more manifest and fuller try all hereof put as much powder of galls as will lye on two-pence or three-pence into a glasse full of this water newly taken vp at the fountaine you shall see it by and by turned into the right and perfect colour of Claret wine that is fully ripe cleare and well fined which may easily deceiue the eye of the skilfullest Vintner This demonstration hath beene often made not without the admiration of those who first did see it For the same quantity of galles mingled with so much common water or any other fountaine water thereabouts will not alter it any thing at all vnlesse to these you also adde Vitrioll and then the colour will appeare to be of a blewish violet somewhat inkish not reddish as in the former which hath an exquisite and accurate coniunction of other minerall exhalations besides the vitrioline But this probation will not hold if so be you make triall with the said water being caried farre from the well by reason of the present dissipation of his spirits CHAP. 9. Of the propâ—rties and effects of Vitrioll according to the ancient and moderne Writers THe qualities of Vitrioll according to Dioscorides Galen Aetius Paulus Aegineta and Oribasius are to heate and dry to bind to resist putrefaction to giue strength and vigour to the interiour parts to kill the flat wormes of the belly to remedy venemous mushromes to preserue flesh ouer moyst from corruption consuming the moysture thereof by its heat and constipating by his astriction the substance of it and pressing forth the serous humidity And according to Matthiolus in his Commentaries vpon Diâ—â—orides it is very profitable against the plague and pestilence and the chymicall oyle thereof is very auaileable as himselfe affirmeth to haue sufficiently proued against the stone and stopping of vrine and many other outward maladies and diseases Andernacus and Gesner adde to these the Apoplexy all which for auoyding of prolixity I doe here puposely omit Neither will I further trouble the Reader with the recitall of diuers and sundry excellent remedies and medicines found out and made of it in these latter times by the Spagyricke Physitians and others In so much that Ioseph Quercetanus one of those is verily of opinion that out of this one indiuiduall minerall well and exquisitely prepared there might be made all manner of remedies and medicines sufficient for the storing and furnishing of a whole Apothecaries shop But it will perhaps be obiected by some one or other in this manner If vitrioll which as most doe hold is hote and dry in the third degree or beginning of the fourth nay of a causticke quality and nature as Discorides is of opinion should here be predominant then the water of this fountaine must needs bee of great heat and acrimony and so become not onely vnprofitable but also very hurtfull for mans vse to be drunke or inwardly taken To which obiection not to take any aduantage of the answer which many learned Physitians doe giue viz. that vitrioll is not hot but cold I say First that although all medicinall waters doe participate of those mineralls by which they doe passe yet they haue them but weakly viribus refractis especially when in their passages they touch and meet with diuers other minerals of opposite tempers and natures Secondly I answer that in all such medicinall fountaines as this simple water doth farre surpasse and exceed in quantity whatsoeuer is therewith intermixed by whose coldnesse it commeth to passe that the contrary is scarce or hardly perceiued For example take one proportion of any boyling liquor to 100. or more of the same cold and you will hardly find in it any heat at all Suppose then vitrioll to be hot in the third degree it doth not therefore follow that the water which hath his vertue chiefly from it should heat in the same degree This is plainly manifest not onely in this fountaine but also in all others which haue an acide taste being indeed rather cold then hot for the reasons aboue mentioned CHAP. 10. Of the effects which this fountaine worketh and produceth in those who drinke of it EXperience sheweth sufficiently besides reason that this water first and in the beginning cooleth such as vse it But being continued it heateth and dryeth and this for the most part it doth in all yet not alwayes For as we shall more fully declare afterwards it effecteth cures of opposite and quite contrary natures by the second and third qualities wherewith it is endowed curing diseases both hot cold dry and moist Those waters saith Renodaeus which are replenished with a vitrioline quality as those at the Spaw doe presently heale and as it were miraculously cure diseases which are without all hope of recouery hauing that notable power and faculty from vitrioll by the vertue and efficacy whereof they passe through the meanders turnings and windings of all parts of the whole body Whatsoeuer is hurtfull or endammageth it that they sweepe and carie away what is profitable and commodious they touch not nor hurt that which is flaccid and loose they bind and fasten that which is fastned and strictly tyed they loose what is too grosse and thicke they incide dissolue attenuate and expell More particularly the water of this fountaine hath an incisiue and abstersiue faculty to cut and loosen the viscous and clammy humours of the body and to make meable the grosse as also by its piercing and penetrating power subtilty of parts and by his deterging and desiccatiue qualities to open all the obstructions or oppilations of the mesentery from whence the seeds of most diseases doe arise and spring liuer splen kidneis and other interiour parts and which is more to be noted and obserued to coole and contemperate their vnnaturall heat helping and remouing also all the griefes and infirmities depending thereupon Besides all this it comforteth the stomacke by the astriction it hath from other minerals especially iron so that without doubt of a thousand who shall vse it discreetly and with good aduice their bodies first being well and orderly prepared by some learned and skilfull Physitian according to the states thereof and as their infirmities shall require there will scarcely be any one found who shall not receiue great profit thereby Moreouer it clenseth and purifieth the whole masse of blood contained in the veynes by purging it from the seresity peccant and from cholericke phlegmaticke and melancholike humours and that principally by vrine which passeth through the body very cleare and in great quantity leauing behind it the minerall forces and vertues Their stooles who drinke of it are commonly of a blackish or darke greene colour partly because it emptieth the liuer and splen from adust humours and melancholy or
the sediment of blood but more especially because the mineralls intermixed doe produce and giue such a tincture CHAP. 11. In what diseases the water of this Fountaine is most vsefull and beneficiall OVer and besides the peculiar and specificall faculties which this fountaine hath it sheweth diuers and sundry other manifest effects and qualities in euacuating the noxious humours of the body for most part by vrine especially when there is any obstruction about the kidneyes vreters and bladder Or by vrine and stoole both if the mesentery liuer or splen chance to bee obstructed But if the affect or griefe be in the matrix or womb then it clenseth that way according to the accustomed and vsuall manner of women In melancholicke people it purgeth by prouoking the haemorrhoides and in cholericke by siege or stoole If it causeth either vomit or sweat it is very seldome and rare See here a most admirable worke guided by the omnipotency and wisedome of the Almighty that a naturall cleare and pure water should produce so many and seuerall effects and operations being all of them in a manner contrary one to another which few medicines composed by art can easily performe without hurt and dammage to the party Wherefore being drunke with those cautions and circumstances necessarily required thereunto it is to be preferred before many other remedies as not onely procuring these euacuations but also which is more to be noted staying them when they grow to any excesse For seeing that here are minerals contained both hot cold dry aperitiue astringent c. there is none so simple but must needs thinke and grant that it cannot otherwise bee but good and wholesome in grieuances and diseases which in their owne natures are opposite But I may instance in some few for which it is good and profitable and therein obserue some order and methode It dryeth the ouer moist braine and helpeth the euils proceeding therefrom as rhumes catarrhs palsies cramps c. It is also good and auaileable against inueterate head-aches migrims turnings and swimmings of the head and braine dizzinesse epilepsie or falling sicknesse and the like cold and moist diseases of the head It cheereth and reuiueth the spirits strengthneth the stomacke causeth a good and quicke appetite and furthereth digestion It helpeth the blacke and yellow Iaundisse and the euill which is accompanied with strange feare and excessiue sadnesse without any euident occasion or necessary cause called Melancholia Hypochondriaca Likewise the cachexy or euill habit of the body and the dropsie in the beginning thereof before it be too farre gone For besides that it openeth obstructions it expelleth the redundant water contained in the belly and contemperateth the vnnaturall heat of the liuer It cooleth the kidneyes or reynes and driueth forth sand grauell and stones out of them and also hindreth the encrease or breeding of any new by the concretion and saudering of grauell bred of a viscous and clammy humour or substance The same it performeth to the bladder for which it is also very beneficiall if it chance to haue any euill disposition either in the cauity thereof or in the necke of it and shutting muscle called Sphincter whereby the whole part or member is let and hindred in his office and function Moreouer if there chance to be any vlcer in the parts last specified or any sore or fistula in perinaeo through an impostume ill cured this water is a good remedy for it in regard of its clensing cicatrizing and constringing power and vertue and for that cause it is very proper and commodious for the acrimony and sharpnesse of vrine and against the stopping and suppression of vrine difficulty of making water and the strangury Although it is very auaileable against the stone in the kidneyes and against the breeding and increase of any new there yea and against little ones that are loose in the bladder yet notwithstanding it will afford little or small benefit to those in whom it is growne to bee very great and big in the bladder Because nothing will then serue to breake it as Brassauolus saith but a Smiths anuile and hammar Neuerthelesse if in this case incision be vsed it will be very commodious both for mundifying and consolidating the wound made for the extraction of it It shall not bee needfull to speake much of the profit which will ensue by the fit administration of it in the inveterat venereous Gonorrhaea causing it to cease and stay totally and correcting the distemper and the euill vlcerous disposition of the seed vessels the vicine parts There are very few infirmities properly incident to women which this water may not seeme to respect much The vse whereof after the aduice and councell had of the learned Physitian for the well and orderly preparing their bodies is singular good against the greene sicknesse and also very commodious and behoouefull to procure their monthly euacuations as also to stay their ouer much flowing as well to correct as to stay their white floods as well to dry the wombe being too moist as to heat it being too cold through which causes and distempers conception for the most part is let and hindered in cold Northerne Countries as England and the like For by the helpe of it these distempers are changed and altered the superfluous humidities and mucosities are taken away the part is corroborated and the retentiue vertue is strengthned This hath beene so much and so often obserued at the ancient Spaw that it cannot otherwise but bee also verified at this in after times when it shall bee frequented as those haue beene with the company of Ladyes and Gentlewomen Diuers whereof hauing beene formerly barren for the space of ten twelue yeares or moe and drinking of those waters for curing and helping some other infirmities then for want of fruitfulnesse haue shortly conceiued after their returne home to their husbands beyond their hopes and expectations Besides all this it is good for those women who though otherwise apt enough to conceiue yet by reason of the too much lubricity of their wombes are prone to miscarry and abort if before conception they shall vse it with those cautions and directions requisite Also it respecteth very much the hard scirrhous and cancarous tumours and the grieuous soares and dangerous vlcers of the matrix All these excellent helpes and many moe it performeth to women with more speedy successe if it be also receiued by iniection But here by the way all such women who are with child are to be admonished that they forbeare to vse it during that time In children it killeth and expelleth the wormes of the guts and belly and letteth and hindreth the breeding and new encrease of any moe I will here forbeare to write any thing of the benefits which it affordeth against old and inueterate itches morphewes leprosies c. in regard the other three sulphurous fountaines before mentioned doe more properly respect such like grieuances Neither will I now
spend any more time in shewing what vertues it hath in the cure of the Indian commonly called the French or rather Spanish disease because experience hath found out a more certaine and sure remedy against it CHAP. 12. Of the necessity of preparing the body before the vse of this water IT is not in most things the bare and naked knowledge or contemplation of them that makes them profitable to vs but rather their right vse and opportune and fit administration Medicines are not said to be Deorum manus that is the hands of the Gods as Herophilus calleth them or Deorum dona that is the gifts of the Gods as Hippocrates beleeued till they be fitly applyed and seasonably administred by the counsell and aduice of the learned and skilfull Physitian according to the true rules and method of Art Temporibus medicina valet data tempore prosunt Et data non apto tempore vina nocent That is Medicines auaile in their due times And profit is got by drinking wines In timely sort but in all reason They doe offend drunke out of season Therefore to know th' originall mineralls faculties and vertues of this worthy acide fountaine will bee to no end or to small purpose for them who vnderstand not the right and true vse nor the fit and orderly administration of it For not only Physicke or medicines but also meats and drinks taken disorderly out of due time and without measure bringeth oftentimes detriment to the partie who otherwise might receiue comfort and strength therby So likewise this water if it be not drunke at a conuenient time and season in due fashion and proportion yea and that after preparatiues and requisite purging and euacuation of the body may easily 〈◊〉 hurt those whose infirmities otherwise it doth principally respect For medicines ought not to be taken rashly and vnaduisedly as most doe hand ouer head without any consideration of time place and other circumstances as that ignorant man did who getting the recipt of that medicine wherewith formerly he had been cured made triall of it againe long after for the same infirmity without any helpe or good at all whereat greatly maruailing receiued this answer froÌ„ his Physitian I confesse said hee it was the selfe same medicine but because I did not giue it therefore it did you no good To the end therefore that no occasion may hereafter be either giuen or taken by the misgouernement or ouerrashnesse of any in vsing it to calumniate and traduce the worth and goodnesse of this fountaine I will briefly here shâ—w what course is chiefly to be followed and obserued by those who shall stand in need of it First then because very few men are throughly and sufficiently informed concerning the natures and causes of their grieuances it will be necessary that euery one shold apply himselfe to some one or other who either out of his iudgement or experience or both may truely be able to giue him counsell and good aduice concerning the conueniency of this fountaine And if he shall be auised to vse it then let the party in the feare of God addresse himselfe for his way to it against the fit season of it without making any long and tedious daies iourneys which cause lassitude and wearinesse Then being come to the place he ought after a dayes rest or two to haue his body wel prepared gently clensed with easie lenitiues or purgatiues both fit and appropriate as well to the habite and constitution thereof as also for the disease it selfe and as occasion shall require according to the rule of method which teacheth that vniversall or generall remedies ought euer to precede and goe before particulaâ—â— Now what these are in speciall to fit euery ones case in particular is impossible either for me here or any else to define precisely Ars non versatur circa indiuidua We may see it true in mechanicall trades No one shoomaker can fit all by one Last nor any one taylor can suite all by one and the selfe same measure Yet in regard it may perhaps bee expected that something should be said herein I say that in the beginning if occasion serue some easie Clyster may very fitly bee giuen as well for emptying the lower intestines from their vsuall excrements as for carying away and clensing the mucose slimes contained therein After that it will be conuenient to prepare the body by some Iulep or Apozeme or to giue some lenitiue medicine to free the first region of the body from excrements For otherwise the water might peraduenture conuey some part of them or other peccaÌ„t matter which it findeth in his passage either into the bladder or to some other weake and infirme member of the body to the increase of that euill disposition which is to be remoued or else to the breeding of some other new infirmity Some perhaps will here obiect and say that the time of the yeere in which this fountaine will be found to bee most vsefull will be the hottest season thereof or if you list so to call it the dog-daies when it will be no fit time to purge at all To this I answer and say First the purging medicines here required are not strong and generous but gentle mild and weake such as are styled Benedicta medicamenta which may with great safetie and profit bee giuen either then or at any other time of the yeere without any danger or respect of any such like like circumstance at all Secondly I answer Although this obseruation of the dog-dayes might perhaps be of some moment in hotter countries as Greece where Hippocrates liued who first made mention of those daies Yet in colder climates as England and such like Countries they are of little or small force at all and almost not to be regarded any whit either in vsing mild temperate purgatiues or almost in any other or in blood-letting though very many or most doe erroniously say and thinke the contrary So that if there be cause they may as well and safely then purge as at any other time Or if occasion shall vrge as in plethoricall bodies and many other cases a veine may safely or rather most commodiously be then opened and so much blood taken away as the skilfull Physitian shall thinke in his discretion and wisdome to be needfull and requisite Let no man here think that this is any strange position or a new paradoxe for the learned know the contrary or that I am studious of innouation but rather desirous to roote out an old and inueterate errour which in all probabilitie hath cost moe English mens liues then would furnish a royall army in neglecting those two greater helpes or remedies to wit Purging and Blood-letting in hot seasons of the yeare which in all likelihood might haue saued many of their liues while expecting more temperate weather they haue beene summoned in the meane time or interim by the messenger of pale death to appeare in an