Quartan Ague and the Dropsie in both which the peculiar natural ferment of the blood is much vitiated in the first of which the blood losing its native balsamick sweetness becomes acid and pontick even in an high measure thence the great difficulty of its redintegration to its former eucrasia in the latter the blood becomes too much diluted drowning its rubicund balsamick tincture in a watery deluge having the latex regurgitated in too great a proportion into the vessels of the blood or other receptacles from an obstruction in the veins which should if well disposed separate from the blood an urinous latex and by other more abbreviate passages betwixt the stomach and it a great deal of the potulent parts taken in but being obstructed makes both regurgitate the one into the vessels of the blood thereby vitiating its ferment by too great a dilution which in the habit of the body causeth an Anasarcosis and the other in the cavities of the abdomen between the omentum and peritoncum swelling the belly causeth the Hydrops which with a flatus extending the membranous parts begets a Tympany 29. But if this spurious acidity reach the fourth digestion where the animal spirits are fabricated and there afflict the genus nervosum it causeth by vitiating the ferment scorbutick Palsies Apoplexies Spasms Convulsions and Cephalalgia's which prove inveterate and sometimes Epilepsies yet commonly this hostile acidity as solitary is not sufficient to beget these scorbutick Apoplexies Palsies and Epilepsies but also hath quid cadaverosum spirituale and therefore virosum some spirituous putrid and therefore poysonous matter to accompany it By which I mean such a portion of the nutritious juyce as not having received due fermentations in the several digestions but become more and more vitiated and putrid and being circulated from one digestion to another grows more putrid and penetrative and in continuance of time becomes so spirituous as to be able to insinuate into the more retired recesses of the vital principles for being by these rotations volatiz'd hath more easie ingress into the inward retirements of the vital and animal functions so that it becomes gradually exalted to a kind of virulency which joyning issue with this transmitted spurious acidity insidiantur vitae sits upon the skirts of life betrays it into the hands of these truculent Diseases Hence it is that the Palsie or Apoplexie prove suddainly mortal if not at the first yet commonly at the second or third paroxysm and from the same basis ariseth the causes of other kinds of suddain deaths for when this depraved circulated matter hath reached so far and be wheeled so often as to acquire a virulency or cadaverousness it then takes an occasion by the next exorbitancy of the digestions joyns hands with it and conspires the extinction of the vital flame 30. This fourth digestion as I conceive begins in the arteries and is complete in the nerves for when the alimentary juyce being dasht with blood in the vena cava receives a vital ferment in the heart and becomes elaborate in the tunicles thereof into a rubicund balsamick liquor which by the perspiration of the lungs in the bloods passage thorough the vena arteriosa and arteria venosa receives a volatizing ferment from the air conducing much to its circulation is thence by the systole of the left ventricle carryed into the aorta and other arteries where the blood begins to be further elaborated for the producing of spirits which may be subservient for the animal functions of sense and motion where from the continual elixation of the blood in these vessels it begins to sublime or distil into more pure refined spirits which pass directly into their proper Receivers or Conduits the Nerves to complete their digestion and absolve their function of sense and motion for as much as every Arterie hath a vein and a nerve annexed to it the one to carry away these volatile spirits the other to bring back the blood after it hath been exhausted of these spirits and spent its other balsamick parts in nutrition in the habit of the body to recive a fresh impregnation by the vital ferment in the heart again in its return out of the solid parts by capillary veins into larger vessels untill it come to the vena cava it meets with fresh nutritive juyce coming from the jugular and thoracical vessels which thence pass along together into the heart to become freshly replenisht with the vital balsam 31. So that these animal spirits are made in every part of the body while the arterial blood is fraught with a vital ferment out of which the Archeus by a further volatization hews forth these spirits here the hermetical adage is most true id quod inferius est sicut id quod superius vice versâ for the vital agents if not interrupted are alwaies and in every part at work nunquam feriatur uatura therefore sensation and motion are alwaies and in every part except some interrupting cause break the links of this noble chain 32. Now any disturbance in this digestion such as by a conflux of the foresaid spurious hostile acidity cadaverous virulency c. may confound and so blunder the texture of these spirits as thence all the various exorbitances and different anomalous products with all the heteroclite symptomes of the genus nervosum are reducible which I shall not now take the time further to illustrate But pass on 33. This exotick acidity coagulating the blood in the Matrix in women is the author of most of their uterine infirmities for in women who are not with child or give not suck if all be well with them the blood attempts to make a lunar evacuation which it doth by separating a portion thereof at the critical season into the vessels of the Womb which according to the intent of nature is for the nourishing of the Foetus after conception being a precursory provision for that end if no conception be as in Maids Widows c. then nature endevevours to separate and carry away that superfluous blood by vessels fitted for that purpose where it receives a fetid menstrual virulent ferment which gives the uncleaness not to say more to that evacuation 34. Now when the superfluous blood is proscribed into the remote vessels ready to be expel'd is there robb'd of the vital balsam its Crasis perverted and becomes infected with an acid virulent alumenish tincture Nam lintcum menstruo tinctum ut Helmontius loquitur si demergatur in aquam bullientem maculam contrahit inposterum indelibilem quae tertiâ saltem elotione excidit è linteo foraminato non secus ac si spiritu sulphuris acido aut tincturâ aluminosa corrosum foret which depraved virulent acidity is not transmitted from other digestions but is innate and connatural to the place like the stercorary ferment to the cacum and rectum of the Guts 35. If this virulent aerimony with which the separated menstrual blood is vitiated becomes
as an auxiliary to the Scorbutick Pills in the cure of many diseases it is also exquisitely proper for most diseases in women and that whether the disease be from the Splene Matrix or mother or Genus Nervosum yea if I should comprize all these in one and say from the Stomach and its Regimen upon all the parts at the remotest distance I should not I think much say amiss For otherwise why doth a proper remedy while yet in the Stomach give help to other parts as for example to the Splene Matrix Genus Nervosum c. not but that the Matrix hath a proper Regimen of its own which being discompos'd puts the Stomach and other parts by the Links of the Animal Chain out of order The Elixir I say gives help to most diseases incident to women whether with Child or not for it appeaseth Wind very much which accompanieth most diseases women are troubled with It is a very good remedy against fits of the mother which is an incoercible Flatus or Wind arising from a reluctancy between the recremental Faeces of the Matrix and Archeus or Spiritus impetum faciens thereof especially if taken after a gentle evacuation made by our Scorbutick Pills which may be done very safely to women breeding or with Child as I have further treated in my Hydrologia Chymica To both viz to women breeding and to others with Child I have given the like yea stronger purges and that did its work not onely innocently but also with good success both to the woman and Child and that too not without very good reason For whence is it that women frequently during the whole time of their breeding and being with Child are so tormented with Pains Vomitings Gripings Faintness Sickness and the like but cheifly from a great foulness of the Stomach and plenty of recremental Sordes heap'd in the Womb and that from causes not pertinent here to speak of which often procure feverish Fermentations in the Blood gripings weakness of the Back illness faintness of the Stomack and by any sudden passion of the mind rouseth up the Splene and Mother to the great discomposure of the whole fabrick of the body Now what is more pitiful than to see miserable women groaning under the weight of these real diseases while they are with Child and under that colour of being so they fancy to themselves they are to take nothing of Physick for their assistance least they harm the Child and so willingly languish under distempers that might easily be helped and they themselves live more cheerfuly and bring forth the Child more livelily For if they take sometimes 1 or 2 of these gently purging pills over night or â—n the morning onely taking some broth at noon and eat a little warm meat without any further trouble to keep their body open carrying off thereby the dross which oppresseth the Stomach causing wind sickness and faintness and withall if they take often of the Cordial Elixir according to following directions they would I say find them selves more healthful and cheerful and might thereby be inabled through the blessing of God to bring forth with more strength and that not onely for their own good but also thus doing together with an orderly diet it helps to make the constitution of the Child to be more sound and healthful For if the blood and humours wherewith the Embryo is nourished be tainted with impurities and distempers may easily thereby lay the foundation of a weak constitution and make the Child prove sickly and diseased and all for want of help in curing the Mothers infirmities That these pills and Cordial Elixir are safe and harmless in this case yea and stronger Medicines than they not to say vomits themselves which I have sometimes ordered to women in that condition and that with good success is evident First from the mildeness of the vegetable Ingredients having not a grain of a Mineral in it and next from the experimental good effects thereof so that if women at length would admit of taking some thing for their own and Childs good they might live more comfortably and cheerfully during that time than otherwise they do Also these Pills and Cordial Elixir are proper for the infirmities of young women as the Green-Sickness Asthmatical Cachexies and other diseases depending upon the Aliquid amplius viz. upon the obstructions of the Menses For those obstructions are originally from a rejected Sordes of the blood which furs up the Orifices of the vessels of the Matrix whereby the blood being prevented of its natural critical evacuation flows back and causeth a Plethory and sometimes Fevers and Stagnation of the Blood in the Lungs and other parts whence short-windedness stuffing and stopping of the Stomach want of appetite indisposition to action with other Symptoms pains swellings and the like which are the sequels of this obstruction of the uterine vessels Towards the correcting of which Enormities these Scorbutick Pills and Cordial Elixir avail much For the essential Salts wherewith these preparations are impregnated are aperient of the vessels and with the other Ingredients are abstersive with all thereby answering the chief Indications of these diseases And as to the Diaphoretick or sweating Pills their use is of pretty large extent as an auxiliary to the other two and that chiefly in all Fevers whether continued or intermittent in all colds and coughs which require to the cure thereof sweatings and breathings of the blood also in all Colicks Loosenesses Vomittings bloody Fluxes Defluxions of Rheume Head-aches and generally of most pains to which they certainly give ease especially if they are taken after an opening of the body by the Scorbutick Pills for so taken they frequently give ease in the greatest torments and gripings as also stay violent vomitings and purgings by composing the inragements of the Archeus or regent spirit of the Stomach and putting the Pylorus in good order makes it observe the due seasons of its opening and shutting Now as to the directions for the manner of use of these three Medicines take as followeth and first as to the Scorbutick or Cathartick Pills the Dose is from one to four or five but two or three is the common ordinary Dose swallowing them down in a spoonful or two of Posset-drink or any other liquor alwaies beginning with a less number as one or two and as they work so accordingly to keep to that number or to take more to four or five according as the body is more difficult to work on or the disease more radicated If you take but one that may be done over night last to bed-ward which will give one stool or perhaps two the morning following if you do so you may go about your occasions the day following But if you take two or three then you are to take them betime in the morning in bed or up if you take them in bed you may lye two or three hours after and when you get up take
of the Female body and also circulated in their proper Spermatick vessels which conveyed into the Matrix receives that prolifique Halitus or breath of the Male's efflorescence and that oftentimes with the reception of a very small part of the Sperme the body of which is mostwhat rejected and the very prolifique odour or breath thereof retained which doth become Succum foemininum qui complet secundum Dei Opt. Max. beneplacitum illud Crescite Multiplicamini For the Matrix never opens its foldings utpotè pars membranosa complicata semini virili nutriendo à deo ordinata but at the time of Conception Nulla unquam fit inquit Helmontius plicati uteri Expansio in congressibus ut voluptuosis nisi in ipso conceptûs instanti hinc brutorum ferè infallibilis conceptus Therefore the opening of the Womb is the gift of God in asmuch as it hath a Regimen of its own which as to conception consists in a peculiar Magnetick Blass not to be opened or set at work at the will or pleasure either of Male or Female whence proceeds the very cause of sterility or barrenness that though the parents have never so eager a desire to have Children yet because the Expansio Vteri or opening of the Womb is not at their beck nor subject to their will we see many are denyed the blessing thereof others though they have no desire to Children yet often have many so that the Magnetism of the womb is not at the beck of the humane will Another cause of sterility or barrenness is Quùm uterus semen malè imbutum semel recipiens illud rejecit nec deinceps se aperit ut intrò sugat invitum istius viri semen for many times a woman conceives by the second husband though she had been as it were barren to the first Now as soon as the Matrix opens it self by its proper Magnetism and receives the prolifique breath of the Male efflorescence contained in the Sperme the Feminine Seed or circulated Succus becoming impregnate therewith then forthwith is the Matrix closed up deinceps nullus patet aditus semini virili in intimos uteri thalamos quanquam iteratis conatibus congressus irritatur The Seeds then begin to act upon each other I mean the efflorescence of the Male to act upon the Feminine Sperme and to make intimate commixture each with other Now in different Animals the Formation of the Embryo is somewhat different for in all Ovâ—parous creatures the first alterative motion in generation is the Punctum saliens according to the experienced Naturalist Dr. Harvey which sendeth forth little streams of blood which are coagulated into the vessels and parts of the body of the Animal out of the Albumen which is nothing els but water congeal'd by the Seed of the Cock and the Hen But in the humane Feminine Matrix the conceived seed Per occultam Syngamiam becomes an opace liquor being in puncto putrefactionis of which mortification of the seed the anguish of sickness faint fits vomiting provocation and nauseating of the Stomach gripings in the body pains in the back c. are sufficient Symptoms without two or three daies after the Turbines of this Seminal Juyce it assumes as Helmont observes the similitude of a transparent Albumen The sixt day appears the Archeus utpote seminum Incola tanquam vapor nubilus which after the thirteenth day shapes the Seminal liquor into the form of an humane Embryo which is then very minute and as yet without Sexual discrimination being onely an Vmbratilous figuration of the Microcosme Then doth this Aura figurata hide it self for a while in its own Chaos and soon after cloths it self with a visible Secundine and then becomes impress'd with the Signature of the Sex in which all the essential Organs of the body with their Topical Fermeats depending wholy upon the Specifical Seminal Principles become formed and made manifest which receive their increase from the maternal blood separated from the whole mass thereof by vessels fitted for that purpose This Embryon Anchorite in its first rudiments is very small and yet hath the exact proportion of all the parts belonging to the humane body as I have seen it in an abortion scarce half so big as my little finger at about ten weeks after Conception which yet hath had an uniform Symetry of parts with a visible difference of the Sex whose constituent Principles hath been so tender and near to its primary Spermatick liquor as that it hath suâ spoute liquated or melted into its primitive Juyce or Liquor it swam in and that because the tender Embryo is very near to its Succus solutus or Primum Ens if I may so call it and therefore easily reducible thereinto The Plastick spirit which is in the Seed and forms the Embryo is that which we call the Archeus or Faber Plasticus which by degrees all other necessary causes cooperating awaken the Powers depending essentially upon the seminal Principles forms the parts brings forth the Ferments strikes the Vital fire in the heart whence springs up the Anima sensitiva illuminates the blood and Animal functions with the Aura vitalis and so out of one thing gradually brings forth another whilst on the wheel of formation until all the Parts Organs Ferments Animal and Vital Functions be brought forth belonging to the formation and animation of the humane Embryo And as this Archeal Faber is concern'd in the formation oâ— the parts c. before the appearance of the Anima sensitiva so also the Regimen of the ferments and management of the Vital concerns is committed thereunto after the Vitality of the Embryo is performed both as to the nourishment and encrease thereof from the Arterial Blood brought into the Matrix Now the reason why women during the time of Conception and Maturation of the Foetus are frequently sick by fits and have many troublesome Symptoms upon them even many times till after the birth is because after the nourishment of the Foetus which onely takes the purest parts and most defecate Juyce of the Mothers blood for its refection the remaining Sordes are many especially the Womb being the Cloaca Humorum which now not being carried away by the usual Emunctories of the Womb do regurgitate into other parts vitiates their Ferments alters the tone of the membranous parts disturbs the Oeconomy of the blood whence arise Gripings Vomitings Nauseatings Pains in the Head Pains and Weakness in the Back Febricula's yea sometimes Feavers in an high degree c. which also happen many times to women who have not conceived having aliquid amplius and are denied the benefit of natural evacuation by that Emunctory and therefore are subject to the like passions and disorders of health as those with Child are who are many times apt to romitings though indeed there is another cause of the frequent illness of women with Child which now I have not time to mention but it hath relation to
what was mentioned in the foregoing Page And therefore to use gentle purgations even in the first months after Conception is not so dangerous as Physicians usually suppose and not onely harmless but also of great use for preventing bad fits and making them more healthful during the time of being with child Nay I have known pretty strong purges given soon after conception which hath wrought pretty smartly and yet no prejudice at all to the Foetus so that Physicians need not be so curious nor women at that time so cautious as by denying them the benefit of gentle purges to prevent them of that healthfulness which otherwise they might much more happily enjoy then otherwise they do That there is a Sympathetical combination betwixt the Matrix and the Stomach is evident both because if a good Uterine medicine be given in cases of Uterine discomposures that many times whilst the Medicine is yet in the stomach hath an influence upon the Matrix composing the disturbances thereof and allaying the Furibund inragements of that unquiet Animal as also in cases of difficulty of birth I know a certain Specifick of whose efficacy I have had frequent experience even to admiration Which while it is yet in the Stomach especially if the birth be brought to Maturity it opens the mouth of the womb enlargeth the passages unhingeth the Os sacrum and making the throws effectual expelleth the Foetus whether dead or alive which I have experienced upon several Women that have laboured one two or sometimes three daies in vain and within half or a whole hour have been very safely delivered with the same and some other additions I have known a Mola expell'd out of the womb almost as big as my head and to expel the after-birth those Quisquiliae Matricis nothing is more effectual and all this from the influential vertue of a Medicine whilst in the stomach upon the Womb. But to return All the Nutriment which the Foetus hath is either from the blood which in young women or such as do not conceive gives matter for the Natural evacuations or from the Succus Spermaticus digested by a peculiar Ferment of the parts it is circulated in both which saving that they receive a particular and determinate difference by Ferments are materially nothing els but water out of which by the power of the Plastick Spirit is the Foetus form'd both as to the parts containing and contained viz. both as to the solid parts and vessels as Juyces c. but the specifical Ferments are peculiarly inherent in the Syngamical Spermatick Liquor which being gradually transmuted into blood by a further maturation of the Spermatick Principles becomes fettled in several parts of the body after the following manner The Plastick Faber lurking in the Spermatick Juyce begins to hew forth the form of an humane Embryo out of that Albuminous liquor which is brought in together with the blood from the Mass thereof as Materials for this Animal Fabrick ou◠of these two by the Energy of its own power it shapes the body gives a current to the newly ingendred Juyces in their own pellicles or membranes and begins to make these Juyces circulate which as they circulate are coagulated upon the Solid parts whence the Accretion thereof and upon some particular parts they impress a tincture which retains a seminal Character being some separable parts of the circulating juyces which by further maturation become radicated and essential Ferments but are not yet vital till they are inspired with the Aura vitalis thus one riseth up after another in the wheel of Formation and thus all the powers and seminal Characters of the prolifick Sperme become awakened one after another until the Foetus become complete Now I say the Ferments are nothing but levened parts separable from the primary Spermatick Juyces with a seminal impression which makes them Essential agents especially after their illumination by the Aura vitalis till then they act not and after that ceaseth their operation also is at an end for all the Art we have cannot make them perform the wonted Transmutations after as before death and therefore as to their seminal impressions they are as Helmont saith indemonstrable à priori because they owe their specifical Energy of Transmutation immediately to the Seed and Plastick power thereof Now the Elementary Juyces and blood brought into the Matrix are nothing else but a Carva of water and so also the blood and succulent parts of the Embryo are the same yet further remov'd by additional Ferments for the Plastick Spirit awakeneth the Ferments and Anima sensitiva out of its own bosom and by the mediation of the Ferments makes all those Transmutations requisite for the nourishment and growth of the Foetus The subject matter that the Ferments work upon is water from this by the alteration thereof as I said by Ferments our bodies are shaped nourished and increased in the womb and after that when we are brought forth we feed upon Milk generally and that either of Womans Milk which is nothing but water or the succulent parts of Meat and Drink altered first by the Ferment of the Concrete we feed upon and next by the Ferment of the stomach and Intestines and lastly by the Ferments of the Breasts themselves which perfects the Lucteous Cremor or Milky Juyce passing from the Intestines by the Venae lactae glandutes and Thoraical vessels through the Mammilary Conduits into the breasts themselves or of Cows milk which is nothing else but water first altered by Seed out of the Leffas terrae into Vegetables and then again altered by the Ferment of the Cows stomach and lastly is complered by the Ferment of the duggs When we grow up to feed upon stronger meat as flesh and the like this is nothing but the foresaid Cremor or milky Juyce transmuted by other Ferments into flesh For we see that when Cows are dried of their Milk and have good Pastures that they then fatten a pace because that which otherwise passeth into milk and by the plenty thereof keeps them poor is now by other Ferments coagulated into flesh so that flesh is but water yet further remov'd by Ferments And as for bread which is the staff of Life that I mean Corn may be reckoned amongst Vegetables which with them hath its Original from the Leffas and that from water and is only altered in its shape from the seed thereof which gives difference to all things And for our Drink as I shewed before it 's nothing but water which whether it appear under the form of Wine Sider Perry Ale Beer c. is nothing but the disguises of water altered only by Seed and Ferments Thus like Plants we grow from water as if indeed we had taken rooting therefrom and like Amphibions we live and walk upon the face of the Earth whilst we feed upon water Also we grow and increase in bulk from water until we come to our full stature and then the Ferments
some parts of the body where coagulating causeth Tumours Imposthumations inward Ulcers Pains becomes a thorn in those parts which pricketh if I may so say the Archeus incenseth the Spirits inflames the parts brings on a Fever which if mortal hurries all out of doors 27. The scorbutick ferment prevailing by degrees spreads it self by vitiating one digestion after another until it appear clad in all its colours branched forth in all its symptomes and products which are various sometimes in one dress sometimes in another viz. in erratick Pains Dulness and Heaviness of Spirits Tumors Ulcers of many sorts Spots Looseness of the Teeth Soreness of the Gooms Foulness of the skin by Botches Roughness and other impurities of the outward parts For the blood is so corrupted by the vitiating ferment of the Scurvy as that it constantly breaths forth staining Apporrhea's or impure steams which making their egress through the pores of the skin are by obstructions they find there coagulated upon the outward parts and so make Spots Botches Foulness Roughness as if nettled and other impurities of the skin I cannot otherwise at least not better compare the skin of mans body in these and such like foul Diseases than to a transparent glass which if the steams rising from a spurious fermentation of the blood and humours become too gross to be pervious to the pores thereof then they condense along the sides begeting Spots Stains foul Damps c. analogical to the dampy mists of the Scurvy which if it were possible to cover the body over with transparent white glass we might easily discover the impure mists and dark steams arising from the bastardly fermentation of the blood in Scurvies venereal Diseases malignant Fevers Plague c. which if the interception of the circulation of the air that necessary bellows of Life would not prevent the successfulness of the experiment of glass-Receivers we might discern very strange and unthought-of Apporrhea's cloudy mists impure steams circulate within the atmosphere of the aforesaid diseased bodies perhaps not much unlike those foggy mists cloudy vapours and tempestuous confusions which frequently happen within the Orb of the Earths atmosphere which gives that frequent change of weather in the Macrocosm as these cause alterations in the Microcosm These vaporous steams arising from the blood of persons infected with the foresaid Diseases are not simple distillations or meer evaporations of the blood for then neither our glass-Receivers or our skins would condense or percolate any other than fair simple water which would cause neither Spots nor Stains but the steams of spurious fermenting blood is quite otherwise for here nature endevours an analysis of the morbid matter in the resolution whereof it carrys of vapore tenus the very seminal Miasmes equivolent according to their proportion to the relicts thereof strugling in the chanels of the blood for we see in all fermentations a separation of some terrene faeces to the sides of the vessels also of an incoercible flatus which carries along with it some slight touches of the radical principles in the fermenting Liquor Whence first we see the reason of the infectiousness of the foresaid Diseases for in such spurious fermentations nature attempts a resolution and separation of the peccant matter which takes wing by those impure vaporous steams in its road it leaves its character of Spots Stains Blotches Buboes Ulcers c. in the outward parts of the skin and so goes on to the utmost extent of the activity of its own Orb which if as I said could be retained by glass-Receivers we should not only see the extent of its Orb but also view the corrupting soiling Apporrhea's which issue from such infected bodies now what bodies come within the orb of their activity if duly fitted for the reception of those Miasmes they become tainted with effluvia's thereof which retain the platform of the very seminal principles of the Disease in the body or at least carry along with them somewhat analogical to those very Diseases they spring from even so much as to be sufficient to propagate the like Disease in the next infected body as we see most frequently in malignant Fevers especially the Plague Whence also we see the reason why some precious stones worn in Rings or otherwise per modum appensorum will suffer a loss in their oriental splendor and brightness when near such bodies as have these soyling steams arise from their fermental impurities viz. in such bodies as have the Small Pox malignant Fevers Plague yea sometimes in such as have the French Disease and Scurvy in an high degree whence the Saphir or the Hyacinth being so held to a pained Member in suspicion of the Plague as that it reflects the light upon the affected part doth so collect and concentre those malignant steams which arise from the infected blood as that in a very small time if the party be really infected it makes the part grow wan and black and becomes the insallible indication of the Plague by which afterward as Helmont saith the virulency as through a tube or chimney is driven forth that a piece of red Coral should grow pale upon the touching of an hysterical or I rather think menstrual woman is from the same cause for upon the regurgitation of the menstrues there happens an extrordinary defedation of the blood which by a kind of virulent fermentation sets the blood into a venemous steaming which oftentimes is so powerful as it not only soils the external parts but also passeth forth and meeting with any trannsparent or reflecting glass or Gem stains them which is not so much from the breath of a menstruous woman as from other steams which pass through the pores of the body round but especially at the portals of the eyes In like manner appears the reason of the Evestrum vitae bene vel male affectae for amongst precious stones some are diaphanous others opake as Coral Cornelian Turcois Jaspis c. but in pellucids as Helmont saith that Evestrumvitae reverberates it self for as he saith gaudet vitaspeculo lucido reflecti and therefore he looks upon Gems as opake well polished glasses And seeing as he further saith that something doth constantly and necessarily breath through the pores of our bodies which participates with life it self and acts within the sphere of its orb and this in the most sound bodies which if it find a polite body reflects it self therein in the manner of a glass and hence it is that many periapta become effectual by being such polite bodies wherein the evestrum vitae reflects it self in modum speculi and from this very root ariseth most of the arcana sympathetica yea and from this original by sigmental additions came the Ganiahen and Talis manica of the Arabians from whom Paracelsus was taught that sort of Magical Doctrine viz. his Archidoxis Magiea c. 28. This Dyserasia sanguinis is not only compatible to the Scurvy but also to other chronick Diseases as the
by a retrograde motion revulsed into the veins or arteries where the vivid balsamick blood circulates which is done sometimes by unseasonable cold contracted at the crisis of evacuation or by too much blood spent in venesection or by symptomatical enragements of that furibund animal the Matrix or by what other cause soever is I say the effectful cause of direful Diseases proper to that soft sex viz. Syncop's Palpitations Convulsions and horrible strangulations 36. For this exotick revuls'd virulency assaulting the blood and vital spirits therein begins to ferment strongly smites the heart or at least those balsamick spirits which received vitality from the heart thence immediately Swoonings whereby for a time happens a suspension of the vital offices the pulse ceaseth or is weak the spirits flag the circulation of the blood is torpid and all the vital powers shaken sometimes it strikes the heart with a palpitation or trembling viz. the vital spirits stand amazed as if imitten with a thunder-clap from the uterine toxicum also it afflicts with Convulsions making the animal spirits run counter whirling them in oblique gyres to the contortion of the musculous parts 37. And further by an influential manner it causeth terrible strangulations by suddainly stopping the pores of the Lungs and that too though the Lungs be never so sound whence all suspicion of any corrupt matter being there to cause the obstructions is taken away as also the same is evident in that after the cessation of the strangulating paroxysm many times no invisible evacuation follows and this it doth I say by contracting the pores of the Lungs whereby all respiration is intercepted and consequently no pulse nor circulation of blood during that time sometimes this acrimonious virulency hath access to the hypochonders and there especially when it is acuated and grows more virulent by circulation it causeth Frenzies and Madness which sort Mania's prove difficult to cure because they are not generally right understood what is the true effective or efficient cause 38. Thus in short of the cause of these terrifying Diseases of the female sex Now there are other more common but less if at all virulent Diseases which happen frequently to women from the redundancy of blood which not having been brought so far as to be proscribed into the vessels where usually it receives the foresaid menstrual virulency but is because superfluous ready to be transported into the common cloaca yet by obstructions in the Matrix is sent back into the mass of blood where it stuffs the vessels restagnates in some parts causeth swellings and coming too plentifully to the Heart so as not being sufficiently volatiz'd by the respiration of air stuffs the Lungs causing short-windedness heaviness of spirits which in young women causeth the Green-Sickness in others indigestion of stomach Pains Gripings Head-aches and other various symptomes all which are curable by removing the foresaid cause of obstructions by aperient Medicines together with the breathing of a vein which in these Diseases of an inferior order from the bare obstructions and recursions of blood as blood is not impertinent but of use which in the other case of the revulsion of the virulent menstrual ferment into the blood is dangerous but especially at that time when the critical evacuation happens for then it becomes one of the chief causes of the retrogradation thereof into the blood and of all the symptomes issuing thereupon 39. Lastly if an exotick acidity be transmitted from the other previous digestions into the fifth or last or become actually ingendred and fostered therein then it becomes the cause of many Diseases found in those parts for in the ultimate digestion all assimilation of the nutritive juyce is made so that every part according to the innate ferment thereof turns the one similar aliment into its own likeness whence then utrition of all though different parts from one and the same nourishment 40. But if this ferment of any part become alienated from an inbred or transmitted acidity or sowrish saltness it forthwith depraves the nourishment thereof and causeth Aposthumations Fistula's Ulcers Tumors the Evil Tetters Inflammations c. and sometimes rouseth up the paroxysms of the Gout or Sciatica for we see that in Fistula's Ulcers or any other running Sores if the Patient prove exorbitant in his Diet either in eating saltish meats or drinking too much strong drink or to petulant in venereal exercises is easily discernable by the flux of the wound which argues that the almentary juyce made from the food taken in retains some footsteps of its primitive nature which it carries through all the digestions and therewith vitiates the very last and according to the degree of the depravation of the ferment and rawness of the nutritive juyce the different sorts of Ulcers c. proceed 41. That the paroxysm of the Gout may be roused up from the exorbitancy of a spurious acid ferment in the ultimate digestion is not uneasie to apprehend if we consider how some sorts of French Wines Goose salt Meats c. easily excite a fit of the Gout to those who are inclinable thereto which they do either by retaining a specifical ferment through all the digestions untill they come to the synovia of the Joynts and there display their hostileness to the parts by proritating the Gout or rather they vitiate the alimentary Juyce provoke a spurious ferment in the Stomack incense the Archeus at whose beck all the digestions and ferments are subservient who presently impresseth a fermental acidity upon tender synovia of the joynts thence the Gout and all its attendants begin to keep court 42. Now the Gout is a seminal or Ideal Disease inserted into the very initials of life and therefore hereditary which can lie long rooted in the very vital principles ere it make it's first assault and between one fit and another is as really present in its morbid character as when cloathed with all its symptomes only wants an acid ferment and a beck of the Archeus to transmit it into the proper Matrix which it no sooner hath but is podagra omnibus numeris absoluta a complete Gout 43. But an objection meets me which is this viz. That seeing this spurious acidity in the alimentary juyce as it passeth along from one digestion to another becomes the material cause of so many Diseases how comes it that the Diseases it causeth are not terminated in the first second or third digestion seeing that in those places by its action on the ferments and their reaction upon it oftentimes it loseth its acrimony and assumes some other property which it carries into the subsequent digestions and consequently if it be carryed into the last digestion to make Diseases there it must first in its passage through the primary digestions cause Diseases belonging to those parts whereas experience evinceth the contrary 44. To which I return first by saying That all acidities in subsequent digestions of the chyliferous juyce are not always transmitted
Spirit of Urine Alkalies mille pedes aliaeque insectae quae abster gunt secundam digestionem 16. Now come we to Hypocondriack Melancholy A Disease when deeply seated puzzles the Spaws and the best method of usual Medicines The place of its nativity is probably the Spleen whose ferment if vigorous is not only to make a separation of some impurities of the blood not separable by any other part but also as a specifical ferment to add some new and noble qualities to the blood making it more pure and spiritous by separating the feculencies thereof promoting the clarity of the Regimen of the animal Spirits that Looking-glass of the Soul which if pure and polite gives pleasure and solace to the Soul in the Body causing generous reflections and shaping perspicacious Idea's helping acuteness of fancy solidity of judgement and tenaciousness of memory 17. Whereas if the fermental elaboration of the blood in the Spleen be deficient and thereby the sordes become unseparated thence a steam ariseth which soyls the vessels and muds the animal Spirits darkens the imaginative part and with a melancholy vapour clouds the fancy Hence all the irregularities and disturbed fancies of Hypochondriack Melancholy 18. The Spleen and the regiment thereof is Vulcan's Shop where the materials lie for forging of all Idea's if the materials be good and artificially handled a sound structure of fancy may well be raised but if a wrong cast happen either through the indisposition of the materials I mean the blood or through the error of the work-man I mean the ferment the structure will prove accordingly viz. the fancy will be inverted and the Idea's thereof become preposterous 19. Now the meat and drink we commonly take together with the exorbitancies thereof have no small influence upon the Spleen and its oeconomy and consequently upon the animal Spirits and the Soul Corpus onustum Hesternis vitiis animum quoque praegravat unâ Atque affigit humo Divinae particulam aurae For if a good orderly Diet be observed of wholesome food with much temperance and moderation Chronical Diseases cannot have power to exercise that tyranny they usually do nor can the irregularities of the digestions prove so irreducible as they do by excess of living in as much as all the digestions take their nutritive juyce in order one from another so as if the first prove a glutton overcharging its ferment the rest share with the excess and communicate it one to another till it hath gone the round and in the conclusion reach those Spirits whose fine texture makes them nearer the Soul by which it also becomes affected 20. The Spaw hath power to help the carrying of the dreggy parts left after the digestion of the stomach is over and thereby helps the refining of the vessels so as the nutritive juyce may not come replete with crudities to the other subsequent digestions and so subducts from the Disease by hindring the affluent cause for so far as the virtue of the Essurine Salt in the water can reach especially in the common passages towards the bladder it doth pretty well cleanse and therefore proves effectual in those Diseases native to those parts but doth scarce throughly penetrate those more abstruse recesses where the main concerns of animal Spirits and the forging of Idea's are transacted This is left for the other more penetrating Medicines to perform which perhaps one with the other may the better complete the Cure 21. The Medicaments of use in this case are such as are abstersive of a penetrating nature oppose a flatus by allaying the spurious fermentation and can dulcifie the blood and humours by all which composing the Spirits and settling every thing in order of which sort are a Tartarum vitriolatum not such a one as is vulgarly made in the Shops with Oyl of Vitriol but with the Essurine Salt of Vitriol that hath not undergone any force of fire readily dissolvable in any Vehicle which the other will not The Essential Salt of Tartar the Sal Chalybis the Spirit of Salt of Tartar the Spiritus Veneris Coral and Crabs-Eyes and probably above all the Aurum Horizontale or fixt Mercury which being a Panacea answers all Indications 22. Now come we to discourse of Womens Diseases and of the virtue of the Spaw in the Cure thereof whose Diseases proceed chiefly from obstructions in the Matrix whereby the redundant blood flows back or from a debilitude of the Womb whereby the blood becomes dreyn'd away in too great quantities whence Lypothymia's Faintings and Swoonings c. 23. As to the obstructions of the superfluous blood which should be carryed away by the vessels of the Matrix in form of the Menses We must know therefore that the Menstrua are a certain portion or efflorescence of the blood granted by God in nature for proper ends viz. both for yielding matter and corporeal bulk to the foetus or embryo in the Womb as also for nourishment of the same until it come to the birth It is I say a certain portion of the blood remaining after a full refection of the body ingendred within a Lunar Moneth and sequestred from the rest of the mass to the foresaid end this matter destined to the generation and nutrition of the foetus long foreseen of Nature which never acts in vain quoad intentionem in the female is the main drift and aim of the Menstrues 24. The manner of their generation is thus viz. The blood in the intermitting time encreaseth in its bulk in the Veins and Arteries so that one part thereof being supposed to supply the deficiency of what is daily spent by transpiration the superfluous part increaseth the mass of blood and at length stretcheth the containing vessels with its plenty whence a tungescence and plethory of the vessels 25. Then Nature not unmindful of its office endeavours at the next critical Lunar season to employ a little the turgid vessels by certain passages and Anastomoses from the vessels they run in before into the secundines or chanels of the Matrix This nisus or endevour is done two wayes viz. both by an apertion of the Anastomosis from some vessels into others as also by an innate contraction of the fibres of the sanguinary vessels by which they endevour to free themselves annuente natura from the oppressing Plethora for there is a certain contraction or compression proper to the Veins and Arteries by which the circulation of the blood and nutrition of the solid parts succeeds the better so that those vessels have a kind of connate Systole by which they compress themselves and after their wonted manner become free from the stifling plenty of blood 26. That there is a Turgescence of the vessels about the time design'd by Nature for the critical evacuation is manifest in Virgins Widows c. to whom such a compression of the veins and such an apertion of the Anastomoses of the vessels are at the critical menstrual season denyed oculare praebent
attenuating of Ayr by heat in an inverted oval glass the water seems to be drawn up by a kind of Suction as some would have it or to prevent a Vacuum as others think but most probably if not demonstratively it ascends gradually and sensibly for this cause viz That when the Ayr in the glass which before by heat was attenuated is either by cold reduced into its pristine form or having as so thinn'd but a languid pressure is therefore by a more strong Elastick force of Ayr upon the surface of the water forc'd up till it come to such a height as the pressure of Ayr within and that without the glass are brought to an Aequilibrium or equal poysure I mean till the springy power of the Ayr within and without the glass be of an equal force and there it stands till the springy power of the Ayr within the glass by heat becomes dilated and then it forceth down the water in the Tube and makes the water in the Viol rise higher proportionable to the degree of the attenuation of the Ayr. 57. That the Ayr receives a considerable alteration by heat is further confirm'd by the experiment of inverting a glass Cucurbit over a Candle fastened with tallow upon the bottom of a glass or earthen Bason wherein water is first poured to the height of two or three fingers breadths where the heat of the Candle doth so weaken the spring of the Ayr within the Glass that it wanting the help of the circulating Ayr always requisite to the perpetuating the motion of bodyes which is intercepted by the body of water that in stead thereof the Water it self circulates being forc'd thereto by the spring of the Air that presseth upon it from without and therefore it riseth up to a great height of the glass-body as I have sometime seen upon tryal thereof and puts out the Candle which Experiment seems somewhat to contradict the former of a Weather-glass though in reality it doth not for although there heat makes it descend but here it makes it ascend yet if we consider that in that of the Weather-glass the Air in it is first thinn'd by heat before the glass be put into water and therefore when it 's condensed by cold it draws up the water or rather the water is forced by the outward Spring of the Air and follows it to an Aequilibrium but in this last Experiment the glass is inverted into water without any previous alteration of the Air therein which being to supply the motion of a body viz. the burning of the Candle doth it for a while but wanting a fresh supply from other Air without to promote the Circulation thereof always necessary for the motion of bodies the want thereof makes the strong spring of the Air upon the surface of the water to force up the water it self into the glass-body From which Experiments result these following Corollaries viz. First That a Circulation of Air is requisite for the motion of all bodies the Candle in the glass we see extinguisheth for want thereof by forcing up the water in lieu of Air. Secondly That Air may be attenuated by the heat of the Sun whereby the same portion of Air may be made to extend it self over a larger space witness the heating the glass in the first of the two last Experiments Thirdly That this Air thus attenuated and extended by the heat of the Sun is the reason why culinary fire dies or goes out when the Beams of the Sun are cast upon it because they thin the Air and the Air is the natural Bellows of Fire which Fire burns according to the intenseness or remisness of the Air. Fourthly That the Air thus thinn'd makes way for water to ascend up the small veins thereof which are like so many slender Syphons by which it mounts from Earth Waters and Seas up into the Clouds for the supply of Rain and Snow which Syphons in droughty hot weather are mostwhat at work carrying it upward whereas in moist weather the water descends by the same Syphons and moisten the Ground with Dew and Walls or Floors of Stone-buildings in wet Seasons so that the reputed Exhalations of moisture by the Sun for the supply of Rain is no other than this gradual steaming up of slender Syphons whereby water mounts insensibly the uppermost part of the Atmosphere Fifthly That in great heat of weather many Diseases happen through the thinness of the Air for the Air in the Lungs is the Bellows of the vital Fire in the Heart which if it become attenuated either through a general heat in the Air whence ariseth frequently some Epidemical Disease or through the obstructions of the Lungs themselves whereby the Air for want of foundness of Organs becomes thinn'd before it come to volatize the Blood in its current from the right to the left Ventricle of the Heart causeth Faintings Lassitudes Candialgia's Asthma's Deliquiums and in Women Swoonings Palpitations rousing up the Spleen and Mother c. yea in fine makes the Lamp of Life burn dark and dimly whereas the Air by cold being reduc'd to its pristine form and the Lungs freed from obstructions quickens the vital Ferment sharpens the appetite makes the vital Fire burn clearly and makes evident that the Ferments of the several Digestions are vital for in cold weather we find our appetites more acuated our Ferments more vigorous and the Digestions more powerful But I will not though I might here further enlarge to shew how the Air in a due order contributes to the invigorating the Ferments and how much it conduceth in the change thereof towards the curing Diseases But I proceed Sixthly And which chiefly concerns our present purpose assert That the heat of the Sun contributes by thinning the Air towards the circulation of water from Seas to Springs and from water upon the earth to Clouds For the Sun whilst he is suppose in the Northern Signs especially towards the Tropick of Cancer casts his rays pretty powerfully upon those Places which are within the oblique position of the Sphere though not perpendicularly as it happens to those Places situated under the right position of the Sphere where the Aequator cuts the Horizon at right Angles whilst he is I say in the Northern Signs by his heat he thins the Air of those Regions especially as those Places fall under the Meridians as some Places must alwaies do the Sun in his supposed Diurnal Circuit making Twenty four Meridians the Air under these Meridians especially in those places where the Sun is or inclines to be Vertical being attenuated makes the Air circulate the more strongly towards the other Quadrants of the Terraqueous Globe causing there a stronger pressure upon the Surface of the Seas and this must be constantly done because the Sun really or apparently is alwayes in motion about the Earth who in his Circuit thins the Air of those Places which lie most directly under his Beams and so makes the Air as
flotes otherwise indiscernably in the Air which very thing rightly understood is no small Key to the Hermetick Philosophy which I shall at present purposely wave further to discourse upon Now the Proportion of this Nitrous Salt to the whole bulk of the water after the separation of all these stony Concretions is no less according to my compute than as one is to one hundred twenty eight so that it is at least but the one hundred twenty eighth part of the whole This pure Salt which as to taste is somewhat bitter dissolv'd is that I call the Essence of the Scarborough-Spaw a little of which taken in a glass of White or Rhenish Wine or in a glass of simple Spring-water will as I have tryed purge gently by Stool and without doubt is that by whose efficacy whatever the Spaw-water drunk alone effects is performed and that too with a triple advantage First In that the sabulous Concretions are separated by Art which sometimes precipitating otherwise as I said before upon the bowels may do harm And secondly the smallness of its quantity prevents that hazard to some bodies which the gulping down great draughts of water may produce For such large quantities of Spaw-water as are usually drunk doth in some Constitutions too much dilute the Ferment debilitate the Digestions and vitiate the tone of the Membranous parts both of the stomach and other bowels and so cause Fevers Dropsies defluxions of Rheume c. And lastly The fitness of it to be taken at any Season of the Year whether Winter Spring Summer or Autumn whereas the waters from the Spaw it self are only to be drunk in the Summer-Season But this Essence may not only be drunk then which at that time of the year may be taken in three four or five glasses of any good simple Spring-water especially to those who cannot come to the Spaws but also may conveniently enough be taken in the Winter and in the Spring when the Spaw-water it self cannot with efficacy be drunk because too much diluted with Rain or Snow-water in a glass of White or Rhenish-Wine as I said which though it be taken in such a proportion as not to work sensibly by stool yet will it have a safe and innocent though an insensible Operation Yea What Diseases the Spaw-water is found proper for being taken from the Fountain for the same the Essence thereof is also as proper and according to all reason most effectual as in the Scurvy Scorbutical Asthma's Dropsie Hypocondriack Melancholy Fevers Obstructions of the Vessels in Women and Diseases thence depending together with several other Distempers as may be further seen in the Discourse it self The Essence of the Spaw hath this priviledge in the Cure at least in the assistance of the Cure of Fevers above that of the whole body of the Spaw-water viz. That it may be administred in a glass of Wine and so may readily be carried to absterse the vessels of the blood and other spurious fermenting liquors from their Heterogeneities and recremental Tartar which if taken in the whole bulk of water would be prejudicial and dangerous on all hands as hazarding too sudden a stop to the Fermentation and thereby occasion a preposterous stifling of the volatile Spirits before they can work themselves into a new state by separating Heterogene parts which they constantly attempt in most Fevers Also if this Spaw-water contribute as it 's highly extoll'd to that purpose to the making Women fruitful by removing Obstructions of the Womb the frequent concurring cause of Barrenness it doth it I say by virtue of this Nitro-hermetick Salt viz. That which I call the Essence of the Spaw which indeed is muchwhat of the same nature with that Salt which fructifies all Plants and Fruits of the Earth makes all Soyls multiply in great plenty and may give probability of fruitfulness to Women by opening those Obstructions which frequently hinder Conception By the help of this concentred Essence every simple Current-Spring may be made a Spaw by dissolving a competent quantity hereof in four five six or seven glasses of any Spring-water in the Summer-time which may also not a little increase its purgative quality in as much as the Spaw-waters often Purge downward by their very weight witness the Vitrioline-Spaw at Knarsborough which rarely purgeth any other way than downwards by its very weight either by Stool or Urine So that this very Essence might very properly be taken in the same Sweet Spaw at the Season of the Year and so you might have the virtue of both Spaws in one which would probably thereby answer more general Indications And lastly By the help of our aforesaid Ternary of Medicines together with some other good Specificks joyning issue at the Season of the Year with the use of the Scarborough-Spaw-water might effect very considerable Cures in most Chronick Diseases or the same with the Essence of the same Spaw to be taken in the Winter Spring or any other Season of the Year might not improbably effect the like Cures FINIS FRAGMENT I. Insert this first Fragment between the 29th Section ending with these words the extinction of the vital flame and the beginning of the 30th Section thus 30. This fourth Digestion as I conceive c. in Page 75. Part II. NOw this regurgitated Latex or separated Serum of the Blood let forth of the Abdomen by tapping the Bellies of such are afflicted with that sort of Dropsie call'd Ascites is a limpid liquor whose Tabes whereby it depraves and corrupts the membranous parts where it restagnates is not originally from the Liver that part so generally accus'd by the Galenists for being the grand Patron of Dropsies is apparent by matter of Fact both by the observation of the profound Inquisitor into Nature Baptista Van Helmont who upon the dissection of Bodies whose Diseases were Dropsies has found the Liver firm and sound both in colour and solidness of Parenchyme The same an ingenious and skilful Physician an Acquaintance of mine told me that upon his cutting up a Dropsical Body which Dropsie had worn away the Patient with an Atrophy of all the parts like a Tabes The limpid Liquor that he took forth of his Belly was near two Gallons the Liver was sound and good as any could be so likewise his Heart but the Spleen was discoloured and vitiated the Omentum was black rotten and foetid Some of this Liquor he caus'd to be plac'd over a fire to evaporate some of the moisture the remaining part thicken'd and was as stiff as a gelly and that of a very green colour It was of so stiff a consistence as that a spoon might have stood in it Which Experiment evinceth the truth of these following Considerations First That the Liver is innocent in the genesis of Dropsies In Hydrope insons est hepar saith Helmont and therefore all Medicines that are directed in the Galenical road to the opening Obstructions in the Liver or to any other Indication