VINDICIAE Medicinae & Medicorum OR AN APOLOGY For the PROFESSION and PROFESSORS OF PHYSIC IN ANSWER To the several Pleas of Illegal PRACTITIONERS WHEREIN Their Positions are examined Their Cheats discovered and their Danger to the Nation asserted AS ALSO An account of the present PEST in answer to a Letter By NATH HODGES M. D. Coll. Lond. In medicis rebus tractandis non solum unusquisque tenetur quantum in se est errores fugere & emendare sed & omnes qui in eos impingunt commonefacere antequam labes ulterius serpat in hominum exitium Alsar LONDON Printed by J. F. for Henry Broom 1666. IMPRIMATUR TO THE MOST Reverend Father in God HIS GRACE GILBERT BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE Lord Archbishop of CANTERBURY and Metropolitan of all ENGLAND and one of His MAJESTY'S Most Honourable PRIVY-COUNCIL May it please your GRACE THe near alliance between DIVINITY and MEDICINE whose relation is as intimate as the Union of SOUL and BODY hath settled such a Sympathy in both Professions that they necessarily partake of the Infelicity and Prosperity happening to each other and thence it was that when the REVEREND CLERGY during the late Rebellion suffered according to their sworn Enemies implacable Fury the Professors of PHYSIC also by the prevailing Invasion of Empirics shared in the common Calamity and since not without a Miracle that Storm is over and the GOD OF ORDER hath moved upon our CHAOS so that the Heavens are divided from the Earth and our STARS shine in their proper Spheres yielding continually Influential Virtues in good measure to dispose the Feculencies below into a compliance with their refining Efficacies I say since the Restitution of our RELIGION and CLERGY Physicians do justly congratulate the Success of both and most heartily wish that the CHURCH may never fall again into the hands of Empirical Divines who as rudely treated people's Souls as the present Quacks in Physic do their Bodies their crude and extemporary Effusions directly answering the others unskilful and dangerous Medicaments And although the condition of Physic and Physicians is very little bettered as if it were to be quite excluded from the benefits of the PUBLIC DELIVERANCE yet we despair not by reason particularly of your GRACES Readiness and Zeal to Patronise LEARNING that the Profession of PHYSIC and legitimate Physicians will after a long Confusion be separated and distinguished from the Dregs of illiterate Practisers Such it seems is the boldness both of our common Empirics and upstart Pseudochymists that they presume to entertain as great hopes of their prevailing over all ACADEMICS as the CHURCH'S Enemies impatiently expect a Revolution but I trust GOD ALMIGHTY in his Providence will utterly disappoint both 't is in the mean time our Advantage that some of our highest pretending Adversaries have made addresses to your GRACE whose Judgement we esteem as the Grand Test to discover all those Fallacies both in Books and Men which by reason of their cunning Adulteration pass currently with others but so soon as their Mercurial Tincture is evaporated the remain will appear to be only Led or some base Metal Because Your GRACE and many other Persons of great Honour and Worth do approve CHEMISTRY as the most probable means to discover a sensible Philosophy and to furnish noble Medicines for the benefit of Mankind some of our Mountebanking Vulcan's have presumed to appropriate these high Favours as if Your Countenancing all true Sons of Art did comprehend all who in order to their Delusion of the People call themselves Philosophers by fire having neither satisfied the UNIVERSITIES nor any other legal Judges concerning their Abilities and fitness to undertake the most difficult Profession of Physic no other Construction can be put upon that Transaction than a necessary invitation of ACADEMICAL PHYSICIANS to seek out and prepare the most effectual Remedies by Art acquirable and to give the People a just esteem of this way of Practice to which because of the mis-carriages of Pseudochymists they are yet utter Enemies but as for ignorant Quacks who being Master of Reason can suppose that AUTHORITY will indulge them to abuse the People and oppose a Faculty established by Law As these are Diseases in the STATE so wholesome EDICTS in time may happily be provided to deal with their most obstinate Complications I shall not intimate any Distrust by the use of many Arguments importuning Your GRACE to promote the speedy Enacting of convenient LAWS whereby Illegal Practisers may be Restrained and Punished as MEDICINES when judiciously and according to ART applied are worthily reputed so Your GRACE in giving an opportunity of their Right Use will merit the greatest share in their Success and Commendations This small TREATISE and the AUTHOR being engaged to Encounter Multitudes of Monsters like those which Pliny mentions whose Eyes are fixed in their Breasts their Knowledge being naught else but Passion have made bold to shelter themselves under Your PATRONAGE May it please Your GRACE to accept this little Book on the account of the Subjects which it attempts to Vindicate and the Author as one who devotes himself to be Your GRACES Most obedient Servant NATH HODGES AUTHORI CLARISSIMO IN VINDICIAS Medicinae & Medicorum Carmen gratulatorium INgenium Oxonii dum Terrae Filius Author Protulit & gratos sparsit ubique sales Aptius experto erexit Medicina Theatrum Civibus hinc summo parta labour Salus Hic liber ingenium sapit Oxoniense stupendum Judiciumque Artitum Medicis dat opem Quum Te Discipulum clegit Turquettus in herba Messem conspexit foenora speque dotum Non instar tumuli condis documenta magistri Funus at extincti spirat imago Senis Quicquid Spagyrica Ars tibi suppeditare valebat cales Galeni scriptaque nota tibi Sic bene miscetur veterum medicina recenti Aetatem inventis Ars renovare solet Deficerent laudes si digna encomia tanto Authore aggrederer vel metra digna libro Vindicias metuent hosts calamumque volantem Plectere cum nequeant effugere arte enecem Victrices sic quondam Aquilas plaga barbara mundi Horruit & simili cessit in antra fuga Histrio Tonsor Anus medicaster & omnis eodem Succumbent fato Vindiciisque Tuis J. B. M. D. Carmina Encomiastica ad Amicum dignissimum Vindicias Medicinae & Medicorum edentem NOn Te scribendi Cacoethes corripit urgent Sed pia Vota Librum facit Indignatio cum tot Undique conspicias a crebro funcre doctos Depopulaturos Patriam ni vindice strictum Ostendente ensem properantia Fata pavescant High mortis Socii humanae vitaeque Tyranni Audet quisque sacram violare Machaonis Artem Et miscere aegis laethalia pocula spondens A tumulo vitam Phoenicem suscitat ignis Non aliter prolem scintillae damna salut is Vivida spes reparet neque morbo pressus ut olim Expetat auxilium cum sola pericula salvum More novo reddant medicinae insignia poscunt Carnifices & quot capitalem infligere poenam Officiose optant scelus illud morte piandum Siquis de morbo quaerat proh quanta latronum Insidias aegro struat uni turba crumenam Et vitam simul eripiens his maxima cura est Infandis ut nemo evadat tollitur ansa Tuto occumbendi ad mortem mors altera ducit Acrius in medicos unita insania frendet Quae modo Causidicos Clerosque momordit anhelans Doctrinam reduci Invidia sub nomine tantum Paeoniae artis plectere vos exurgite somnum Excutite altum nam fractis ruitura columnis Ars Asclepiadis jacet in vos ordine recto Odia festinant medicinae expulsa Facultas Mox expectandae praedicit signa ruinae Vobis Causidicis & cleris quodque dolendum Vere amborum tunc erit immedicabile vulni● Qui studia omnino spernunt Academic praxi● Non volvendo libros certam se discere jacta● Ast exercitio dum pellem quilibet ips●● Porrigat infaelix & ut experiantur Artes concedat dum caemeteria dignos Testentur merito Doctoratuque Astrologus Nutrix Obstetrix copol● Tonsor Anus stultus mendicus Pseudochymaste● Perditam eunt medicam conjunctis viribus Artem Haec malesana cohors sistat vestigia nondu●● Voti compos hic Author ab ipso liming Fat● Faelici medicinam languentem arte reduxit Splendescet posthac medicorum Famae perorbem Non metuens Hosts Sic nos servavit Apollo S. I. M. D BElla per Angliacos plusquam Civilia campos Grassata immunis nec stetit ulla domus Per tot lustra suis jacuit medicina medelis Plebs & Apollineae surripit arma togae Horum par certamen erat quot sustulit ensis Martius indocta tot cecidere manu Discrimen superest majus cessante triumpho Mavortis gliscit perdere saeva cohors Et dum pace fruit liceat quam poscimus alta Accelerate clades de grege quisque novas Nulla quies populo sunt mortis mille fenestrae Certius occidunt Pharmaca quam Gladius Sufficit exanguis quae parta est gloria palmae Humanum extinguant ne Chymica Arte Genus Undique poscit opem Gens nostra laborat Agyrtis Vindiciis pereat noxia turba tuis Nullus inexpertam post hac exerceat artem Pristina compenset damna futura salus Vindiciae praestant Patriae Vir docte perennem Pacem unum exitium morbus & hostis habet Eia agite O Cives tranquillam ducite vitam Vivere non sed ab his vita valere dolis J. A. M. D. Be pleased courteous Reader passing by literal Errors to Correct these following Mistakes which escaped observation PAge 49. for Spermatick read Woe matick p. 57 Lesbian r. Lesbiam p. 62. proponabit r. propina●it p. 84. Pilat's r. Pilots p. 62. gradatim est r. gradatim & p. 93. arrive r. arriving p. 101. firmissa r. firmissima p. 109. but chemical r. but difficult VINDICIAE MEDICINAE ET MEDICORUM OR An APOLOGY For the PROFESSION and PROFESSORS OF PHYSIC CHAP. I. Of EMPIRICS and their Practices SELF-Conservation acted from an innate Principle most powerfully inclines all Creatures especially Mankind to a full Compliance with such Injunctions as may best conduce thereunto which being our chiefest Natural concernment in point of Interest as well as Duty requires our utmost Endeavor in avoiding what may be prejudicial and choosing what may promote this so just and necessary intent External Dangers hereupon Impressing a deep sense of their destructive Events do incessantly solicit for suitable helps to rescue from those threatening Mischiefs and by a more Cogent propensity all the Powers of Nature are set on work and Medicine called in to assist with its Effectual Co-operation to oppugn Diseases in order to an happy Restoration to that State which suffered by reason of their Invasion So then Medicine is commended to us as the proper Means whereby the proposed end of Sanity may most probably be attained to which application is naturally made in sickness from a well grounded confidence of its corresponding Efficacy which good opinion of Physic and the general conformity to those Primitive Dictates of Self-conservation give advantage and opportunity to very many of insinuating their zeal and forwardness to contribute towards the better satisfaction of this obligation to Nature and most people being easily convinced of the necessity incumbent on them to seek out for Help when seized by Sickness and not discerning the Deceits of mere Pretenders to the Science of Physic from the real abilities of true Physicians are upon this account frequently misguided to employ those who frustrate the end of Medicines and miserably disappoint their otherwise regular tendency to preserve themselves That this Delusion may no longer prevail in Affairs of such Consequence as Health and Life I have essayed to distinguish between those who without requisite Qualifications undertake the Practice of Physic and such whom Learning and Experience have accomplished for the accurate discharge of their Noble Profession I shall under the notion of Empirics treat of the first sort and however the term Empiric is notoriously known in respect of the vast * Omnes homines viri aequè ac foeminoe anus aequè ac virgo omnes inquam medici videri pruriunt ut si omnes qui medicae artis cognitionem atque scientiam falso nomine sibi adscribunt numero comprendere velis prius quot fluctibus mare à condito aevo agitatum sit sermone atque oratione expedias Seidel in praefat lib. the morb incurab swarm of them which pester all places confidently pretending to Physic yet to avoid mistakes I shall explain what I intent by it I style him an Empiric who without consideration of any rational Method undertakes to cure Diseases whose frequent Periclitations as he conceits surpass the notional Theory of Physic and his proof of Receipts seem to him more satisfactory than the Scholastic odd rules of practice But what can be expected from such rude Experimenting not respecting any Indications or other circumstances very considerable in the right effecting of a Cure Who questions but that such Morbos Andabatarum more impugnantes Proceeding blindfold to their attempts must inevitably err Indeed the Empirics voice up their Experience and think it an authentic Diploma capacitating them to practise Physic I shall therefore inquire what Experience is and then a right judgement may be made whether these answer their pretences herein True Experience is constituted of Reason and Sense for as a judicial observation of sensible Experiments produceth apt Theorems so thereby the Intellect forms Universal conceptions and essays their confirmation by repeated experimental Operations whence issued what men call Science together with all its eternal and immutable Truths henceforth unquestionable by Sense which having the Royal assent affixed to them are standing Laws not subject to future Censures So then there is no cause why we should return to the first more rude and imperfect way since the Science of Medicine is not only already invented and discovered but adorned with intelligible Rules and Aphorisms and thereby improved to general use The Experience therefore of these Empirics being altogether void of Reason and dissentaneous from the known Maxims of Medicine is merely the effect of sense and consequently brutish for the enumeration of their presumed successes because of this defect of Principles is not argumentative to conclude an attainment of Experience in regard that Reason did not make due collection from those trials and periclitations but these in their practice act not unlike some who take pains rudely to heap stones together designing thereby to erect an artificial Structure the event being far otherwise for the higher the heap adspires the nearer is its downfall and ruin And so when the Empirics multiply their inartificial Experiments to meliorate their knowledge and to acquire experience fruitlesness attends their labours and destruction those who confide in their promised experience They in the mean time who have the luck to be the A B C of the Empirics first attempts and patiently submit to their Embryo experiments run no small hazard when their best grown Endeavours prove Molas-like unshapen and monstrous Births It is confessed that the advantages to Physic have been very considerable upon the account of dissatisfaction with some old Tenants whereupon just occasions of further search and inquiry were administered to make new and more useful discoveries but yet I cannot allow the inference by some late Writers in favour of the Vulgar Experimenters from hence deduced as if because the Medicinal Science by successive discoveries was so much improved a through alteration of what remains seemed no less necessary to its compleatment and perfection and therefore Empericism ought to be encouraged as the likeliest means to advance this hopeful work for the consequence is altogether illogical and fallacious to conclude from some particular defects in Physic that the whole Art is thereupon impleadable of the same misprision of insufficiency and uncertainty and that reasoning equally absurd which pleads for the Empirics to be countenanced as if their experimenting might very much further this pretended Reformation in Physic the new Doctrines are so far from designing the subversion of the ancient foundations that they appear considerable additions * Multum egerunt qui ante nos fuerunt sed non peregerunt multum adhuc restat operis multumque restabit nec ulii nato post mille saecula praecludetur occasio aliquid adhuc adjiciendi Sen. Quod aevum tam rude aut incultum fuit quo non aliquod medicina sive ab ingenio sive ab exercitatione additamentum ceu ornamentum quo locupletior quam ante fieret acceperit 1 Carolus Pisc in praefat lib. de serosa Colluvie confirming and establishing them and they who have been prosperous in making discoveries did not in order to their scrutiny devoid themselves of all artificial helps but proceeded under the conduct of firm and allowed principles to their successful disquisitions nay were it granted that not only every Age as is abundantly evident but each person should take notice of something before unobserved yet would not these hereby ruin the settled constitution of the Medicinal Science which notwithstanding all such successes is still permanent and unshaken indeed many who applaud their Service have troubled themselves rather to question Opinions in Physic which are conjectural and the Product of Fancy than well form Aphorisms drawn immediately from sensible observation on which the Science of Physic is chiefly founded and to this purpose not a few have misplaced their pains in examining and disputing the Hypotheses of Hypocrates Galen and their Disciples about the Humours Qualities and the like Sentiments of those Authors who thought fit thereby to express their Conceptions if any quarrel with those notions they may take the same liberty of substituting others more agreeable to the Phaenomena of Nature but the substantials of Physic are not altered by the various dresses wherein they appear suitable to every Age. As for the Empirics fitness to enterprise this pretended renovation of Physic there seems to be no sufficient ground for any such expectation because they in their experimentings wanting directive precepts can make no true judgement of their performances from whence also no Rule can be form as their natural result they who would become Physicians are not educated as the raw Lacedaemonian Soldiers were wont to be first learning to fight in the dark being emboldened to desperate attempts by this initiation in night service for gross ignorance is so far from accomplishing to attain the greatest difficulties in Physic that it utterly incapacitates for such undertake When I have given an account of the several sorts of Empirics their inabilities to advance Physic may be easily apprehended of which in the next place The first sort of Empirics are such who try accidental and chance experiments on the diseased not having any sufficient ground of persuasion that the Medicaments thus proved are proper it may seem strange that any who pretend to Reason should after this manner sacrifice to Fortune * Inexperientia facit fortunam ut experientia Artem. and yet they cannot be numbered whom good luck and presumptuous hopes of success encourage to give Physic the business is not so much how likely or contrary the applications are to the Disease if a Cure is wrought thereby and I will not deny but that some of these are very prosperous by the use of Medicines not reduceable to any known Rules of Art if the reason is demanded I know not how to avoid the attributing of their successes to any other power then the Infernal Spirits assistance the Divines term this an implicit compact for that person as a reverend and late Writer notes Who applies the Creatures to those ends and uses to which either by its own propensity or by God's institution it was never inclined is at length taken in the snare of prestigious and diabolical delusion And the excellent Mathias Mairhofer is of the same judgement Quando aliquis assequitur effectum propositum non adhibendo causas legitimas & legitimas causarum conditiones licet sciens & deliberate non expetat Diaboli auxilium dat tamen operam in procurando effectu quibusdam occultis dubiisque modis qui à Viris bonis merito judicantur symbolum Diabolicae operationis clam intercedentis says he When any person designs the attainment of any effect without respect to natural Causes and not heeding the conditions necessary to its production although he doth not wittingly and with deliberation implore the Devil's help yet working by occult and dubious ways he is most deservedly censured by all good men as guilty of a private and more secret Covenant with the Devil to cooperate with him I cannot distinguish between Charms and other known and solemn methods of Sorcery and Witchcraft and these no less prestigious and hellish practices in a business of such consequence I am willing to speak plain that the busy and officious people of both Sexes may understand their adventure when either out of an ambition to gain the popular repute of doing good or for profits sake they give Medicines at random not being able either to satisfy themselves or others concerning the true Virtues thereof and the reason of application if what is thus given succeeds not then must they answer at least to God the death of the Patient if the party recovers then is there just cause of suspicion that the evil Fiend is their Adjutor with his long experienced skill being willing to cure the Body of one to destroy the Soul of another When Learned and Experienced Physicians are at hand what occasion is there that these Empirics should hazard their best part and so highly injure themselves in hopes of doing good to others or any people be so deluded as to let the Devil practise upon them and even possess them with health The common plea of these Empirics in respect of the hazard of their fortuitous experimenting is altogether vain they perhaps thought the Medicaments by them thus used at random to be innocent and safe but I must rejoin that not only time and opportunity is lost by the interposition of these Empirics with their supposedly harmless Medicines and Nature thereby suffers an interruption in her methodical course on both which Physicians most judiciously do lay great stress but granting that the things in respect of their nature are not deadly yet being indirectly given the event may possibly prove them such for when a little Saphron as a good Observator writes did immediately kill a familiar Clyster presently occasioned death a little Oil of Roses which I have seen threatened the same fate and an opiate Collyrium if we credit Avicenna straight-ways deprived of life I say when the safest Medicines are by these Empirics unduly and at all peradventure applied though contrary to the true and genuine indications of cure they are so far inexcusable upon the account of such hazards as that they deserve the severest censure who kill with reputedly safe Medicines Well then there is no reason why these Empirics should make a Lottery of men's healths and in hope of a prize or cure hazard Nature's stock for in this business there is not only an extraordinary number of blanks mere negations of advantage and success but infinite positive evils destructive and poisonous to men's bodies and these are most frequently drawn by the unfortunate Empirics Ptolemeus therefore as a good Historian affirms not upon a much different occasion wisely answered h. e. There ought not to be the same hazard of men's bodies as of Dice I shall conclude this Head with a weighty saying of a late Writer Fortuita nullo modo censenda sunt remedia Chance applications deserve not the very name of Remedies 2. They are also Empirics who make experiment of any Medicine or Receipt from an Opinion only of its sufficiency and fitness to cure as chance Periclitations prompted on the others so credulity spurs on these to practise Physic who have no other direction then what proceeds either from Fancy or History Geber gives us an apposite description of the first Qui animam habent opinantem phantasiam quamlibet & quod credunt se verum invenisse fantasticum est totum à ratione devium errore plenum & semotum à principiis naturalibus says he Such persons who are wholly guided by fancy when they please themselves with an Opinion of true discoveries they are merely deluded and run into error wanting the safe conduct of Reason and natural principles to be the sure foundation on which they ought to build their knowledge But the Profession of Physic requires the most improved judgement to a right management and exercise of it and by no means is the proper business of Fancy which being uncapable of deliberation cannot weigh all necessary considerations in order to a regular cure 'T is true that the operations of Fancy have oftentimes appeared very powerful so that many wonderful effects owe their production chiefly to their energy but yet I deny that the strong conceit of any person can naturally empower any Medicine with new virtues to eradicate the Disease for which it is to this end directed the true Physicians endeavour to beget a good confidence in their Patiens of their Abilities the properness of the Medicaments prescribed by them but the design is only to compose the Spirits that they may act uniformly in promoting the efficacy of the Remedies whereas these Empirics possess the fancies of the sick by the prevalency of their imaginations Sapienter Empedocles asserit nervos sapientiae esse non temerè credere and hope thereby to work something answerable to the impression made upon them and I question not but that the effect will resemble its cause and the presumed cure also prove fantastical and imaginary yet by all possible means do the Empirics strive to credit these Operations of fancy persuading people to obey the strange inspirations and secret impulses which at any time either they suggest or else happen to those who give themselves up to follow such delusions did these consider that their fancies are frequently as diseased as their own or Patients bodies admitting impressions according to the acuteness or greatness of the Morbific invasion they would seek to physic for help rather than profess it by the tutorage of fancy or be matriculated in Bedlam before they attempt such kind of practices I shall produce a sad example to caution others a Revelation was communicated to one being indisposed that she must in order to her recovery drink the decoction of an Herb growing in such a place but alas the herb proved Hemlock and that impulse of fancy dispatched the Patient to another World I pass over the fond conceit of many who pretend familiarity with their Genii or good Angels from whom as they relate they learn effectual Secrets to remedy most Diseases for since that the events are not answerable to such extraordinary communications there is just cause of suspicion that these Empirics either most pitifully cheat themselves by their easy persuasion or others by imposture By History I intent Medicines learned by reading and report for the Empirics do sometime study Receipt-books to stock themselves with Medicines against most Diseases and when they have proceeded so far they are impatient for an opportunity to give an account of their ripe abilities if also a Receipt or Medicine is well vouched many think that they may safely experiment its admirable virtues and as in some places the execution of the Prisoner precedes his Trial so it is here for these being fully persuaded that such Secrets are not inferior to the commendation of them make proof and afterwards oftentimes too late reason about their fitness for the Disease and Patient because so many employ themselves their friends and purses to procure or purchase Receipts or Secrets in Physic I shall inquire how far not only such as are ordinary but the extraordinary Arcana may enable to practice and if an ordinary measure of skill by the help of directions and cautions in the use of either may be sufficient for persons not indiscreet Were it not confessed that Receipts do little in acute Diseases I would easily prove it for almost every hour varies the case Nature being in a continual Agony to extricate herself by all possible means from the fury of the Distemper and solicitously finding out the most expeditious way respecting the peccant matter and parts chiefly affected to free herself from imminent danger in which sharp dispute sometimes she gains and sometimes loses altering accordingly all the concomitating Symptoms so that she must be traced in all her anomalous motions in which hurry what place can there be for a set Receipt most commonly fixed to some general intent Neither in Chronical Diseases can ever the extraordinary Arcana be at the same time Physician and Medicine for such Diseases are never at a stand but if not interrupted do regularly observe their increase state and gradual declination in which several tendencies though obscure and almost indiscernible Nature is yet highly concerned to promote their methodical completion and if any defect or obstruction either delays or stops this orderly course it is the Physicians business by his experienced skill according to that exigency to remove all impediments and effectually assist Nature in the due prosecution of this hopeful transaction but that these Arcana should be so fitted to the successive alterations of Diseases as by the same operation to carry on different Agencies seems to me as improbable as the doctrine of elective cathartics I rather think that the Patrons of these Secrets will urge their Universal power as if they were Plenipotentiaries not tied up to a strict observance of any either private or public instructions but left at liberty to act according to the exigency of affairs and the truth is these need no Physicians if they can rationalize their noble Arcana but since that these pleaders for such like conceited Remedies cannot produce one Medicine to verify and confirm their Assertion we are not obliged to give them credit Fabrit ab aquapend p. 309. Fabritius ab Aquapendente gives us another account Nihil magis medicos in facienda medicina preclaros reddat quam distincta differentiarum intelligentia cujusque morbi & ea accommodata ad singulas remediorum administratio ubi indicationes potissimum attendendae says he The right distinction of diseases and apt prescriptions according to their several indications do chiefly advance the repute of Physicians But how can these Empirics by the help of their Receipts and Arcana and the common directions about the Dose the manner and time of giving them and such like circumstances be enabled to know the Disease to which their Secrets are appropriated distinguishing it from others which in most of the Symptoms agree with it and exactly discerning the strange intimate complications of great consequence in the performing of a Cure These Empirics with their noble Arcana the lawful issue of Physicians but unhappily nursed abroad seem not unlike him who having procured the Pencils of an excellent Limner did conceit himself capacitated thereby to draw Pictures to the life as the Painter was wont to do whose they were but upon trial he quickly found his error for it was the direction of the Pencil that produced such admirable Pieces of Work wherein lay his deficiency So in Physic an ignorant person may have Receipts and noble Medicaments which avail nothing without an artificial application by them not acquirable 3. The most plausible part of the Empirics rely on their observation of what doth well or ill under their hand with a resolution to prosecute or reject according to their success or miscarriage these herein presume to justle with true Physicians but should people be as prodigal of their Lives as these are of their skill or had they full licence for their accomplishment to depopulate whole Countries yet cannot they make any certain and infallible observation to be a sufficient Directory to them in their future undertake * In medicina cum laude facienda multa & poenè infinita sunt animadvertenda quae à rudi empiricorum popello non annotentur Hieron b●rd p. 30. I grant indeed that these Empirics do rudely imitate their preceding Experiments with what hopes of success I know not for should we admit that one of their Receipts or Medicaments wrought a Cure on a Patient yet why should it have the same effect on another who it may be differs in many respects more from the person so cured than another Disease from that and therefore such a Preparation or Receipt may by the same rule as well respect distinct Diseases as distinct Persons Whereas a right practice of Physic consists in a due appropriation of Medicines or methods to the several constitutions and conditions of the sick if the same body every moment somewhat varies from what it was and the repetition of the same Medicine upon this account is not alike beneficial what probable expectation can be had from the same application to all who labour under the same Disease which more disagree amongst themselves than the Clocks in London and Paris The Dialogue in Plato between Socrates and Phaedrus is very pertinent Socrat. Si quis dicat ego quidem illa scio corpori admovere quibus & calescat pro arbitrio meo & frigeat & vomitus & dejectiones perficiantur & hujusmodi plurima teneo quibus cognitis & medicum me esse profiteor & alium quemlibet medicum me facere posse dico quid alium responsurum autumas Phaedr Nihil aliud quam percunctaturum nunquid etiam sciat quibus quando & quousque singula horum sint adhibenda quod si nesciat necessum est eum insanire qui quod ex aliquo medicorum audierit quicquam vel in medelas nonnullas inciderit à se probatas neque artis aliquid intelligat medicum se evasisse putet h. e. Socrat. If any person says I can dexterously apply those things to the body which at my pleasure shall heat or cool it and I understand Emetics cathartics and other ways of evacuation besides very many Medicines by which I am not only able to profess Physics but be a fit Instructor or Tutor of others what thinkest thou a slander by would answer Phaedr I suppose he would inquire of him whether he knew to whom when and how long those Remedies might be useful and if he satisfies not these Questions and Doubts although he fancies himself to be an expert Physician yet seems he rather to be besides himself and distracted who adventures to give Physic by the help only of some Receipt-books or a few Medicines learned from Physicians not being acquainted with the very Rudiments of the medicinal Science Besides it many times falls out that these Empirics in their strict noting of the events of their Medicines do greatly mistake in not rightly distinguishing between a true effect and Cure performed by their vaunted Receipts and the successful labour of Nature to be with the same pangs delivered of their Medicine and the Disease for which it was appointed That deplorate Diseases may be sometimes cured by such desperate irritations is altogether undisputable as also that these * Sibi egregie sapientes videntur tamen in maxima rerum ignorantia versantur & ignorantiae tenebris circumfusi doctrinae causas intueri mentis suae acie nequeunt Shegk in epist ignorant Practitioners do commonly use such Medicaments but let the World judge what will be the issue if the Empirics not apprehending how it came to pass that the Patient recovered shall be invited and encouraged to give the like Medicines as having their Probatum annexed to them Neither can these Empirics tell when their Arcana or Receipts infallibly cure by which the fierceness of the Disease may possibly awhile be checked and the raging symptoms so becalmed as if all was well but soon after like flames suppressed the Distemper breaks out again with more violence I shall instance in the POX for which every Empiric pretends a secret Receipt and if Nocturnal pains cease the Gonorrhoea stops and the virulent Ulcers heal 't is immediately concluded that the Patient is rescued from that tyrannical Disease and the excellency of the Medicine is cried up as if it was powerful enough to extirpate certainly this foul Distemper in all who shall make trial of it but within a few months at least a year or two it becomes too manifest that the Cure at first was only palliated in regard that it returns so notably improved when many hundreds thus abused are witnesses to the truth of this Accusation I wonder with what face these Empirics can pretend from such disappointments of their Patients to an observation emulating the true Physicians Collection * Gal. lib. 3. meth med made by Reason and Experience Thus much for the brief discovery of the several sorts of Empirics who notwithstanding their insufficiency would yet be tolerated and have full liberty as they phrase it to do what good they can 't is not to be questioned but that if such an universal licence should be granted these Empirics would more boldly impose on the credulous people When I consider the mischief which would undoubtedly happen in Trade if all persons at pleasure without serving an Apprenticeship or allowance of the respective Company or Corporation might set up and enjoy the same Privileges as those who were trained up in those Callings this being the directest way to ruin Trade since that hereby Private Interest is advanced above the Public he who hath but half an eye may foresee of what ill consequence this Universal indulgence will be in Physic of an higher concernment than Trade in this he who miscarries doth chief ruin his own Fortune but in the other by how much more unfit the person is who practices by so much more hazard and danger attends all who have to do with him I cannot resemble the issue of such a toleration in Physic to any thing better than to the Ocean which rests not because of its community either one Billow continually dashes against another or many conspire together to crowd themselves into a public storm So such liberty to practice Physic will as surely produce rude clashings amongst those who so earnestly press for it raise dismal storms endangering the * Medicina infamis propter eorum qui eam exer●ent imperitiam people's lives and shipwreck the most excellent Science of Physic I very much wonder that the honourable Mr. Boil * Experim philos lib. 2. p. 220 221. should so much favour the practice of Empirics he thinks that the knowledge of Physicians may not be inconsiderably increased if men were a little more curious to take notice of the observations and experiments suggested by the practice of Midwives Barbers old Women and Empirics and the rest of that illiterate Crew etc. And in another place will That we disdain not the remedies of such illiterate people only because of their being unacquainted with our Theory of Physic etc. Which expressions seem very much to plead for free practice for should Midwives Barbers old Women Empirics and the rest of that illiterate crew being unacquainted with our Theory of Physic be restrained then might Physicians miss of that not inconsiderable increase of knowledge promised verily the accomplishments of Physicians are very mean in the opinion of this honourable person that may not be inconsiderably increased by such inferior and improbable additions but the case of Physicians as yet is not so desperate as that to prevent sinking they should grasp at small rotten sticks and straws to be their treacherous support did I not believe that these lines fell as a casual blot from this honourable persons Pen I should more strictly examine them And since that not only a toleration to practise Physic is so much desired but an equal liberty to introduce new Maxims into the Medicinal Science most agreeable to the Experiments of these Empirics I shall inquire whether hereby Physic may be advanced and this request may be gratified by Authority as conducing to the public good I am so much a latitudinarian as to conceive that learned and experienced Physicians are not obliged to credit the Dictates of any Author against their own experience not as if I supposed that the private judgement of such dissenters did balance the authority of a continued and general approbation but yet none acting like rational creatures ought to shut their eyes against new discoveries when they have passed a severe examination by competent Judges however the Empirics and others alike ignorant ought not from this liberty very cautiously used by those who only may lay claim to it to fancy an enjoyment of the same privilege for should such unskilful persons have free leave to publish their rude Conceptions they would vent horrid & destructive notions suitable to their erroneous and preposterous actings neither would there be any end of their absurd opinions both in respect of multiplication and possibility of conviction for these illiterate Empirics will * Quilibet etsi à veritatis s●●p● saepe multum aberrans tot techins f●catisque demonstrationibus suas palliare studet opiniones ut à cunctis cuncta ferè ingenia primo occursu seducantur Gul. du Vai● in nov mund subls anat endeavour passionately to maintain their Sentiments right or wrong whose zeal is the chiefest argument in the propagation of their absurd persuasions it was a good Law which commanded that all monstrous Births should immediately be destroyed as well to prevent their increase lest also like Conceptions should be form by means of such impressions on the imagination of teeming Women and there is as much reason that the monstrous products of the Brain should by some public Edict or censure be forthwith stifled to hinder their spreading and progress considering also how much they may influence in the practice of Physic to the great prejudice of Mankind I shall in the next place give some reasons which incline such a multitude to invade the Profession of Physic Nullum fere hominum genus est quod non alat rivalitatem cum medicis Freitag who if the restraint was taken off would be numberless 1. The Excellency of Physic invites so many Empirics to pretend to it even as the value of Gold makes it more subject to adulteration when vile and ignoble Metals are not regarded the greatest Monarches and Potentates in the world have esteemed the knowledge of Medicine an addition to their Majesty and glory and the sublimest Wits and most enlarged Souls exercising themselves herein find copious matter adequate to their contemplation the meanest people also are ambitious to improve that common natural principle inclining them to a desire of knowledge apprehending that although they cannot reach the highest and most obscure truths in Physic they yet may gain as much skill as will be necessary to their practice such indeed is the abstruseness of Physic that few have by their indefatigable scrutiny attained to so much perfection as that all doubts were satisfied and uncertainties insured some mysteries surpassing and baffling humane reason and diligence the Empirics taking notice of these difficulties which puzzle the most Learned immediately conclude that they are in the same condition with the eminentest Physicians being as much Admirers of what is concealed from both as they and thinking themselves equally capacitated to understand vulgar notions in Physic as the others I say the most ignorant of the Empirics despair not in a shorter time than Trallianus his six months to commence lucky Conjecturers and if to profess the knowledge of nothing in respect of the great improbability of a right Conception is the sum of Ingenuity and the shortest cut to true knowledge these have good hopes to deserve Promotion and be as soon Graduates in Ignorance as any Thus do the Empirics insinuate themselves into the common people's favour who not being able to understand the fallacy entertain their suggestions as Oracles and are willing to be deceived but although the excellency of the Medicinal Science may be one cause why so many desire to profess it yet there is reason why hereupon they should be discouraged since that they are insufficient to arrive at an ordinary measure of knowledge in these profound Mysteries I might instance in the several parts of Physic but having occasion elsewhere to treat of them I pass to the next Reason of the Empirics adventuring to practice which is 2. Because the Magistrates either want power to punish unskilful Practisers of Physic or are remiss in the execution of penal Laws upon them So soon as Barbarism was expelled the Confines of any Nation and Government civilised men's unnatural Cruelty into a peaceable Deportment to their Superiors and an amicable Society respecting the good and welfare of each other Laws were timely enacted to restrain the dangerous attempts of ignorant Practitioners but yet Physicians in all Countries have not causelessly complained that there still wants another Law to command the due execution of the former I shall not set down the Arguments which moved the High-Court of Parliament heretofore to guard both the People and Physicians with fitting Laws from the Injuries of the numberless illiterate Pretenders to the Profession of Physic for the passing of those Acts imports the Grand Concernment and unquestionable necessity thereof for the public good and therefore since it appears that those Laws by reason of some circumstantial omissions or defects cannot be effectually observed according to their true intent we may easily believe that the present Parliament being no less careful of the Nations Welfare then their Predecessors especially in an Affair of such Consequence will either vigorate the old Statutes with convenient Power and Enlargements or make new to prevent such notorious Abuses as are now without redress practised on his Majesty's Subjects In regard the People claim Liberty to employ whom they please the Empirics as well as Physicians I shall inquire whether they ought to enjoy such freedom Fabritius Hild. p 916. Fabritius Hildanus thinks it unfit that they use whom they best approve the ignorant as well as learned and lawful Practitioners Non licet unicuique quod nonnulli objicere solent corium suum cuicunque libuerit venale offer I know not whether the Law will adjudge them felones de se who take destructive Medicaments from the hands of others being well informed of the hazard they run therein as those who buy and use poisons with intent to destroy themselves indeed the first is a more solemn Conspiration than the latter but they differ not in the event for thereby the King loses a Subject and the Commonwealth a Member and however these do not seem to design their own Deaths yet when they take the directest course to it what good interpretation can well be put upon such practices it is at least the highest imprudence wilfully to run upon death in hopes of life * Furor e st nè moriare mori That all persons ought to be just to themselves will be easily granted this being their pattern in relation to others in their converse and wherein can they better express their sense of this Duty then in the use of the best and likeliest means to rescue them from Diseases they then seem dishonest to themselves who intrust their lives in the hands of those who more certainly kill then cure whereupon the Law which restrains the Empirics doth chiefly respect the people that the opportunities of their harming themselves might be taken away and all mischief thereby prevented Why the World should so fond dote on these illiterate impudent and cruel Practisers as to prefer them before the most learned modest and experienced Professors of Physic he cannot imagine who is unacquainted with the Stratagems * Em●irici maximam Arti faciunt injuriam infignem inurunt maculam ut periti apud vulgus non modo imperitum verum etiam prob dolor ●sanioris judicii homines obtineant authoritatem Seid by which they insinuate themselves into the people's esteem It is my next Task to discover the Empirics Practices and to strip them naked of their plausible pretences 1. The Empirics undertake to cure infallibly all Diseases in all Persons if we can think that certain news of recovery can be welcome to a dying man surely the Author of those comfortable tidings exceedingly merits an interest in him who is to partake of such an unexpected and valuable a benefit as Life so than the Empiric hereupon is entertained for great expectations do naturally beget confidence and self-love works easily a through conformity to multiplied assurances of an escape from imminent danger Pliny hath a very remarkable passage to this purpose Adeo est cuique pro se sperandi blanda dulcedo ut cuique se medicum profitenti statim credatur cum sit majus periculum in nullo mendacio majus says he Every sick person doth so please and satisfy himself with hopes of a restoration to health that he readily commits his body to the care of any one who pretends that he is a Physician whereas there is no such cheat in the world as this However if these universal Undertakers can screw themselves into esteem with their Patients by promising what is incredible not within their nay many times any humane power yet they hereby lay a sure foundation of Popularity on which they build steadfast hopes that either by well wishing Friends and Relations or else by the Patients themselves they shall be called in that it may appear upon trial whether they fail in their secured performance so that the contrivance is subtle for if these Empirics are not employed what ever they presume to say speaks them to be no less than what they pretend there being no public or sufficient conviction of their vain boastings And if by the Artifice of promising a certain Cure they gain such an opinion of their Abilities as to be employed then be the event what it will their design of being entertained is thereby compassed The Digression may be pardonable if before I take a prospect of the Empirics sufficiency to carry on his rash undertake I spend a little time in explicating what is commonly understood by incurable Diseases by the Learned Diseases are reckoned incurable in respect of themselves the Patient and the Physician Of the first kind are those Diseases which tincture the very rudiments of our nature and being which are conceived born and grow up with us he therefore who imagines himself to be such an expert Engineer as to turn the Microcosm at his pleasure must have some unmoveable point whereon to fix his Instrument who ever I mean attempts a total alteration of any man's Constitution and Nature must suppose some parts free by whose assistance he may perform his engagement but the deep stain of hereditary Diseases not only antidating the Moors blackness who are not unlike the Europeans some minutes after they are born but being as inseparable as that from its subject cannot by the Ocean of Pharmancy be washed out and changed I might to this add the Plague at least that which is most fierce and severe which being the Rod of the Almighty to punish men's Impieties cannot by any medicinal means be frustrated of its designed execution there being a vast disproportion between natural Remedies and supernatural Causes and hereupon the same Remedies being divinely empowered prove effectual to rescue some when left to their own virtues are baffled and become unsuccesful I urge not this as if I conceived that the same Medicines or methods were applicable to all seized by the Pestilence with good hopes of the same benefit for in this sad Disease as well as others respect must be had to all considerations necessary to a regular cure and hence it is that men are not only commanded but encouraged to use all proper and lawful means upon the account of the frequent reprieves which the great Majesty of Heaven issues out When and to Whom he pleases But fearing lest I should transgress the limits of my intended Digression though I might produce many more instances yet I shall pass to the Patients in respect of whom some diseases are incurable And I must in the first place very much blame the carelessness and inadvertency of some Patients who enjoying for a long time good and uninterrupted health when they find themselves only indisposed the disease as it were by stealth insensibly creeping on them are not awakened by such distant Alarms to prevent their enemy's incursion upon them by which imprudent delay the Distemper takes deep root and the foams or Minera being inconsiderable at first quickly enlargeth itself to the circumference of the whole body so that no part neither internal nor external is free from its insinuation till like Ivy it inevitably throws down its kind support The impatience and refractoriness also of the Sick make their Diseases incurable some of them choose rather to sink under a Chronical disease then submit to a methodical cure being more weary of necessary preparations than the Grand Seignor was of the tedious tuning the Instruments when as a piece of high Entertainment He was invited to hear a most harmonious Consort of Music Did these Patients rightly apprehend the strict regard that must be had to the several intricacies of complicated Diseases and that very often contrary Symptoms are to be dealt withal at the same time and many other like circumstances they might I doubt not more securely and speedily be recovered from their Distempers otherwise even upon this account incurable Thus the Leprosy Quartane Agues the Epilepsy most Consumptions the Stone Dropsy and Gout and many others of the same family if not hereditary are chiefly remediless by reason of the Patient's obstinacy and irregularities Besides the tenderness and natural weakness of some persons incapacitating them to struggle with very slight and easy distempers much less with those which are more formidable and dangerous makes their condition helpless when robuster tempers affected with the same disease by the help of convenient Medicaments may be cured To conclude this digression Diseases may be incurable in respect of Physicians who by reason of the * Medicina exact● indiget contemplatione & laboriosa in operibus exercitatione utpote quae tantis rerum difficultatibus scatet Alsat p. 5. inextricable difficulties which occur in the discovery of the Disease and parts primarily suffering thereby cannot make a true judgement and this may sometimes be the case of those who are most able not by reason of any deficiency in them but either from an ill relation or account from the sick or a strong and perplexing obscurity in the Disease but however true Physicians may though rarely in such obscure cases be nonplused or mistake yet they will not be over confident and secure acting as if they fully understood how to direct exactly what was most fit to be done as in other known diseases This excuse will not serve the turn of our Emperical Conservators who want skill to distinguish between curable and incurable diseases engaging to cure both alike Let Paracelsus who knew very well their devices give the reason saith he Quaestus proprii studio aegros suscipiunt omnes quicunque demum offeruntur ipsis undecunque Defence 5. p. 259. h. e. Hopes of gain prompts them on to undertake all who are willing to put themselves into their hands for let the Disease be what it will that 's not the business the caution Money not only rewards the boldness of their enterprise but secures their Patient to them and besides the advantage made by the Empirics of their Physic good store of which must be bought in order to a cure when the Patient is well they expect a * Sicut Prothagoras sophisista qui discipulis & auditoribus relinquebat estimationem suarum lectionum ut quisque eorum tantum mercedis ei persolveret quantum existimaret se ex ejus lectionibus profecisse atque didicisse Aristo Ethn. p. 838. quantum meruit A reward answerable to their pains and cure If they chance to die they are then satisfied by the gain of their Medicines sold at an extraordinary rate As these Empirics wanting the eye of Reason difference not a Mountain from a Molehill a great Disease from an inconsiderable Disorder so do they often respecting their advantage use the microscope in the discovery of diseases and what is as a mite almost imperceptible being thus greatned is rendered most formidable hence it comes to pass that every stitch qualm or fancy of infection is esteemed the most dismal effect occasioned by some of the unheard of epidemical Ferments As for this latter stratagem although the fear into which these Empirics put their Patients doth so far prevail as that they immediately are employed in regard there is such an evident testimony of their skill in discovering a disease not observable by any others yet most commonly it happens that what was even nothing when the Empiric began to tamper by his indirect courses proves dangerous and then what remains but that he make it answer his first opinion of it lest he be discredited in not rightly apprehending the Disease 2. The Empirics pretend cheapness as a prevalent argument inducing people to employ them the poor shall be cured gratis to be decoys to some of better fashion who being crazy even force their diseases to a composition and make them accept of little lest they should have no allowance at all the whole gang of these ignorant undertakers lay very great stress on this project being sensible that a cheap Market will never want Customers and rightly apprehending how much the mere pretence of Charity will commend them especially when they publish their zeal and affection for the public good beyond their own profit I must confess that the Empirics herein have the advantage of the true Professors of Physic who as affairs now stand cannot be so kind to the Poor as they most solicitously desire or reasonably may be expected for although they freely give their direction to such necessitous people yet when their Bill comes into the Apothecary's hand since there is no set Tax on Medicines it is in his power notwithstanding the due care taken to prescribe what might not be too chargeable to make the Physician seem uncharitable for if the Apothecary exacts because the Physician took nothing then is his friendship abused and some ground of suspicion though altogether without cause that the Physician shares in the Apothecary's unreasonable gains but I shall have a fit opportunity in the next Chapter to discourse of this inconvenience both to Physicians and the People and therefore at present I dismiss it These Empirics I say ingratiate themselves by taking care that their Physic may not be so chargeable as the Physicians hereby preventing the ruin of Families as they would persuade the people and the relapsing of the sick who are apt when cured to regret at the great expense and dislike that life which was so dearly purchased whereas price adds not to the efficacy of Medicines which are only successful as they are rationally and according to Art directed these Empirics may poison men's bodies for six pence if they please and people may be executed by the hand of these at as easy a charge as by the hangman in earnest I think it is a dangerous thrift that men to save their purses I mean they who are able should be prodigal of their lives It is doubtless worthy the consideration of Physicians that by some special care provision be made for the poor and though I know that every true Physician is as willing to help the poor for nothing as the rich for Fees and cheerfully embraces all public and private opportunities to express his readiness herein yet these not taking notice of their Charity herein run to Mountebanks who by their unskilfulness make their condition worse than they found it rendering those miserable Patients unserviceable to their Families and the Public and a continual charge to the Parishes wherein they live I remember an Expedient proposed not long since to some Physicians by an honourable person which then seemed very rational to all present it was to this purpose That either the King's College in London would appoint certain of their Members or the Physicians by mutual agreement oblige themselves twice every week at convenient places the hour being prefixed to receive an account from the Poor who should bring Tickets of recommendation subscribed by the Minister Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor he conceived that three or four at one time in distant places might accommodate the City and Suburbs of London and that these having attended their Month others should be appointed to succeed them and in relation to the Physic that the public Officers of the respective Parishes might when they received the Bills take care to provide it at reasonable rates those Physicians consulting with respect had to the Patient's condition the nearest and cheapest ways of cure The whole Company returned their hearty thanks especially the Physicians that a way was thought on whereby they might do their Country service thinking it no disparagement to wait on the meanest person in the faithful discharge of their Calling As for others there is no cause why they should be discouraged or hindered from the use of Physicians and run to these Empirics when they are sick because the one expects a better reward than the other for the expense is abundantly compensated by that success which in all probability will be the issue of the skilful Professors whose chargeable education also extraordinary difficulties in the attainment of their Art and restless care for their Patients are so many arguments pleading that they deserve a better esteem and respect than Empirics who most of them are of the meanest rank gained their practice in two or three days time * Praxis qu● ipsi utuntur trium dierum spatio ab homine vel vilissimo acquiritur Panar epist and commit their Patient to the good usage of the Receipts and the truth is the people pay dearly for these low prized Medicaments when to boot they cost them their lives but the able and judicious Physicians do wisely manage their trust endeavouring to procure good and lasting health at as easy a rate as possible they can they daily experience that a common plant growing in every field which costs no more than the pains of gathering if the use is skilfully directed doth ofttimes outdo a precious Medicine and frequently exquisite and elaborate remedies of an higher estimate only conquer the radicated disease The Physicians act prudently more regarding the Patient's sickness then purse yet are they no less solicitous when safely they may to medicate according to their Patient's ability Strad probos p. 58. let Strada determine between Physicians and the Empirics Medici finis est corporum salus quod si quis secus faciat ac Medicamenta contra quam finis artis praescribit usurpet improbi civis ac proditoris personam gerit multo magis si nulla ad salutem omnia ad perniciem medicamenta conficiat suique jactet operis pestem ubique spargere cuncta venenis inficere & moliri exitium humano generi says he The chief end and use of a Physician is to recover the sick but if any one pretending to Physic shall provide Medicines not answering that end he is a profligate wretch and a treacherous villain and much more if in stead of wholesome Medicaments he vents those which in their nature are destructive propagating the Plague poisoning all things destroying his fellow Citizens and attempting the extirpation of mankind If the people would be so considerate as to weigh the hazard when they employ these Empirics for the cheapness of their Physic I question not but that they would be more cautious to avoid such specious delusions since that keen Medicines * Non licet bis peccare in medicina uti nec in bello unskilfully handled will certainly wound if not kill 3. The Empirics as not the least compleatment of their subtle iusinuations into the people's esteem do pretend new commanding and secret Medicines exclaiming against all ancient methods of practice as antiquated and obsolete these so much extolled and even adored Receipts either as they suggest traveled out of some remote Country merely out of kindness to be acquainted with those who desire their familiarity or else they are reported to be no less than the most precious Jewels ransacked out of Nature's Cabinet when she was by them forced to surrender both herself and treasure into their hands and to colour this design these Empirics do usually bestow strange Titles on their Medicines as the Planetary Extract the Cardiaupnotick Spirit and Magnetical Balsam which terms are as Magical to the Vulgar as Agrippa's Vionatraba Masgabriel and Abuzana hereafter I shall give some account of these and therefore I pass to the last of their practices 4. The Empirics to advance their own reputation do perpetually rail at Academical and Graduated Physicians accusing either their insufficiency or laziness these observe that by how much more they decry and asperse with false Calumnies those whom their just deserts have made their Superiors by so much the more they gratify the Rabble desiring to vilify that which distinguisheth others from them when the Idol called Learning is removed and all people are left to their Mother's wit and common ingenuity there being a common road opened to the Science of Physic what impedes but that every one may without interruption journey to it and certainly there cannot be imagined a more persuasive argument to the Vulgar then that if they will join and yield their assistance to undervalue the true Professors of Physic by the same labour they make way for their own interest and hence it is that the Empirics in their Pamphlets and common discourses talk so dishonourably of lawful Physicians not because of the Art they profess for than they should condemn themselves but because of their University distinctions and the privileges thereby derived to them But until it be thought a fit expedient to put out the eyes of the Nation both in order to Phylosophyzing and also a better way of practising Physic the true Sons of Art may keep on their course notwithstanding the vain barkings of these Empirics Some perhaps may expect that before I conclude this Chapter of Empirics I say something concerning those now on the Stage in this Nation who are as busy and as ignorant as any of their Predecessors I shall not defile myself so much as to retaliate their abuses this course being unworthy of a Physician and contrary to the direction of Hypocrates but I hope they have no reason to take it ill if I remind them of the several Callings in which they were educated and aught still with care and industry to have exercised The most eminent of our Empirics are HEEL-MAKERS GUN-SMITHS TAILORS WEAVERS COBBLERS COACHMEN BOOKBINDERS' and infinite more of the like quality beside a great number of the other SEX and these for the Credit of the business either make every Post wear their Livery or else procure some Booksellers and others to be their PIMPS on whose Stalls are hung large Tables with fair Inscriptions The Sympathetick Powder made by Promethean fire Pilulae Radiis Solis extractae famous Pectoral Lozenges Diaphoretic and Diuretic Pills Powders for all purposes and what not by which means many simple people are Trapaned to buy and use these Preparations supposing they may as safely venture on a Medicine out of a Booksellers shop as read a Book but alas some too late perceive their error for what a man reads may be soon blotted out of his Memory but such stuff taken into the body and appropriated to the Patient and Disease by the printed book or paper only is not quickly dismissed being ofttimes a continual and lasting disease to them in the Chapter of Chemistry I shall more particularly give an account of these Medicines and the way of their application I shall conclude this subject with one brief observation That whereas it was manifest that some thousands died more in London these last three or four years then the preceding and it is as well known that the lawful Physicians had less employment at those times then formerly we may rationally infer that the true reason of such a Mortality was not as the Author of Medela medicinae ignorantly suggests from the increase and propagation of the Venereal Scorbutic and spermatick ferments but only by the Empiric ferment and its pernicious malignity CHAP. II. Of practising APOTHECARIES THat Physicians did originally provide and dispense their own Medicines will be I doubt not easily granted by those who are acquainted with the Writings of the Ancients wherein it is evident that Hypocrates * etc. Hippocrat Galen and the chief Physicians as part of their employment prepared what Physic they had occasion to spend in their practice And although their strict obligation to conceal their Sacred Art lest it should be prostituted to the rude invasion of persons unqualified might be one argument inclining them as the most likely way for its security to confine their business to their own Closets or Repositories yet I conceive that other reasons might no less persuade their furnishing themselves with all necessary Medicines both simple and compound for these hereby very much improved their knowledge in the Materia medica so that they were not only able to distinguish all Plants Animals and Minerals and being abroad if destitute of convenient helps readily find out what might satisfy the intent in the designed cure but to prepare and compound them till they become apt Medicines for their use with all diligence observing the several alterations which happened in taste smell or otherwise by which means they were throughly informed how to change add or diminish as there was occasion to advance the efficacy of the Composition their Patients also shared in the benefit of their industry and care herein who having committed themselves into the hands of those Physicians looked upon them as the only responsable persons in that undertaking wherefore they prudently considering that their Reputation lay at stake and the lives of their Patients durst not intrust others in a matter of such concernment to both but managed all the business themselves to a general approbation When the credit of Physic by the singular caution of these great Physicians had gained almost an Universal authority so that most in their sicknesses applied themselves to Physicians the vast increase of practice not allowing them leisure both to prepare their physic and likewise to attend their numerous Patients and consult all things necessary to their condition constrained them to commit the charge of answering their Prescripts to the care of others in whose integrity they could safely confide and soon after when the bounds of Physic were enlarged being limited before to select Families as Physicians multiplied so proportionably they increased whose office it was to dispense Medicines at length the Profession of Physic became a Faculty and being free to all whose laudable proficiency in its study and knowledge deserved Academical Diploma's the Apothecary's Art was likewise opened to all who understanding its mystery passed the approbation of associated Physicians continual additions of such who were trained up in this Calling made their number so considerable as that for their better regulation they were constituted an incorporation and since by means of innumerable accession of Apprentices after a certain time of service made free this Society is advanced to a bulk greater than the Body from whence it came and on which it depends and as it fares when one member doth monstrously enlarge itself the rest are emaciated even so the vastness of this Company deprives Physicians of their proper aliment I know that some give another account of the distinction of Physicians and Apothecaries as if the Magistrate apprehending the trust of life and death too great for one did thereupon appoint the other that by two different offices all opportunities of mischiefing the people might be prevented but Quercitans' answer is very pertinent to the Authors of this Conceit Quer● Phar. mac p. 221. saith he Quid aliud hi quam omnium Medicorum & Pharmacopoeorum iras in se exacuant quos tam improbae fidei notant ut si seorsim operentur ac medicentur non saluti aegrotantium sed morti accelerandae de industria studeant h. e. Both Physicians and Apothecaries have just cause to quarrel with those who by suggesting that neither aught to be solely entrusted do thereby brand them with unfaithfulness as if they rather sought the death than life of Patients Another Plea is much insisted on by some of our Apothecaries whereby they endeavour to make a perfect separation between Physicians and themselves claiming a free exercise of their Trade as Members of the Grand Incorporation and fully enjoying all the privileges of the common Charter whereby they are authorized as well to buy and sell as any other Company but although they accommodate Physicians in making up their Prescripts yet that is a voluntary undertaking which they may either accept or refuse at their pleasure it being their proper business to provide such Medicines as the Supreme Power shall allow for the people's use and to furnish their Customers although there should not be any Physician to write Bills And thus under the pretext of selling their Medicines to all who come to their Shops they also take upon them to advise what they think most agreeable to their conditions who are sick by this slight ingratiating themselves with the people and as they conceive avoiding the just censure of practising Physic I reply that Physicians did never design to hinder the Apothecaries in their known and lawful Trade of vending Medicines but on the contrary have much promoted it by giving them daily opportunities to supply their Patients with Physic according to their Prescripts yet if these because of their settlement as free Traders shall hereupon destroy the relation between Physicians and them as if their interest did not much consist in the practice of Physicians they will have no cause of complaint if the Professors of Physic take their business again into their own hands and imitate the most successful practice of their renowned Predecessors And the Apothecaries may as freely as ever attend their Trade in selling to those who will buy of them notwithstanding the Physician's preparation of their own Remedies But I observe that very many Apothecaries are so far from deviding between theirs and the Physicians Art that they endeavour to unite them in their undertake as much professing to direct Physic as to prepare or sell it and these I call practising Apothecaries although some who would seem more modest and friendly to Physicians suppose that none of their Society ought to practise Physic yet these would not have any one debarred the giving of such Medicines as they should think fit when there is a special occasion but since that these Apothecaries so much favouring their own advantage must necesiarily be Judges of those exigencies I know not how to distinguish this more close and sly way from that which being acted above board is owned and justified by these Practitioners for by practising of Physic is understood any application to the sick in order to a cure comprehending not only long methodical courses in Chronical Diseases but sudden directions in those which are acute respecting as well their beginning * Principiis obsta etc. as their subsequent alterations The ordinary account we have out of the best Authors describing the Apothecary's office mentions not a word of their Practising Physic omitting what occurs in others I shall only recite the opinion of Renodaeus Renodaei instit Phar. p. 6. Officium solummodo Pharmacopaei est medicamentum tractare & ad usum salutarem medici probati jussu adhibere quod ut faeliciter consequatur debet cognoscere seligere praeparare & componere etc. h. e. It is the Apothecary's business to meddle with Medicaments only and in relation to their use to follow the Physicians Prescript and that he may be fitted to execute his office he must be instructed to know Simples to select the choicest to prepare and compound his Medicines And if this be the utmost intent of the Apothecary's Trade wherein they are educated whence should these gain sufficient accomplishments enabling them to practise Physic as for their knowledge of Simples and skill in Compositions although these are necessary qualifications capacitating them to be able Apothecaries yet I understand not how these should upon this account any more become Physicians than Cutlers and Gun-smiths by their judgement of the Metals goodness on which they work and their making and fitting Instruments of War be thereby rendered most expert Commanders but these practising Apothecaries pretend sufficient helps for their instruction in the virtues of Simples and the true use of Compositions from Physicians Bills which they constantly book and by this means as they inform the people having seen the practice of many Physicians they may be as good Doctors as any I shall inquire whether the Prescripts of Physicians can so far improve an Apothecary as that by their assistance he may be able to practise Physic Indeed the * De augm scient lib. 4. p. 2●3 Lord Bacon's opinion That there ought to be a religious observance of approved Medicines as well to retain the benefit of Tradition as to direct a more steady way of curing Diseases Seems to favour very much these Apothecaries who are well stocked with such Receipts which they without any alteration transcribe for their Patients but I shall oppose what the learned Alsarius relates Alsar de quaes per epistol. p. 309. Medicinae leges non ad Polycleti immutabilem regulam referendae sed ad Lesbian normam quam pro factorum personarum ac temporum conditionibus magistratus aequitas commutare solet h. e. The Laws of Medicine are not like Polycletus' unalterable rules but the Lesbian precepts which the Magistrates might change and vary according to the nature of the Crime the condition of the Offender and the circumstance of time etc. That such Receipts without any alterations or substitutions may very much conduce to the cure of Diseases is by that Noble and Learned Person rather presumed then proved To omit what I mentioned in the precedent Chapter concerning the insufficiency of those Medicines in respect of the vast difference of men's bodies and a greater variation of diseases incident to them I assert that there is no Medicine rationally prescribed but what particularly relates to the principal Indication which ought chiefly to be taken from the Cause and not from the Disease according to the usual design of those Prescripts which is confirmed by Galen Gal. de oped secta saith he If Diseases indicated their proper Remedies the Patients best understanding what is to be done might be most helpful to themselves moreover the Medicines show that not Diseases but their Causes do indicate their use as being not primarily adverse to Effects but Efficients So than it being the highest concern of a Physician to form his Medicaments as he sees occasion of what use can Receipts be which by ignorant undertakers cannot be accommodated to the most prevalent indications respecting the Cause These practising Apothecaries having another employment which ought to take up their thoughts pains and time may well be supposed uncapable of knowing and making a right judgement of the true Causes of diseases which not only alter frequently the same Disease as to its appearance and symptoms but much more in relation to its Cure I remember a story which I have read to this purpose A Patient by the faithful advice of his Physician recovered from a most dangerous Disease but it seems not long after was ill again the Apothecary visits him and apprehending that his condition was the same as in his former sickness immediately repeats the Medicines which the Physician had prescribed but all to no purpose the Physician was then sent for and the Patient telling him of the Apothecaries ill success demands the reason why those remedies which before cured him had not the like operation again the Physician wittily replied Medicamenta illa non profuere quia ego non dedi h. e. Those Medicines were not successful because I did not order the repetition of them insinuating that a Physician ought to judge as well of the Patient's fitness for the Remedies as of the Remedies fitness for the Patients To say no more I cannot think that the Apothecaries strict noting and transcribing of Physicians Bills can more enable them to practise Physic than Stenography to profess Divinity the penning of a Sermon verbatim and committing it to memory being as infinitely short of the qualifications requisite to a Divines preaching and exercise of his Function as the imitation of these Prescripts of the accomplishments necessary to the Profession of Physic But these Apothecaries besides their unskilfulness to practise Physic are most injurious to Physicians upon several accounts who intrust them with their Bills for when those Prescripts express their particular use and as a weighty trust to that end only are committed to the Apothecary's care if he ever employs them without the Physicians privity and direction he is unfaithful in that trust and if his practice succeeds not then doth the reputation of that Physician suffer whose Prescript originally it was As another considerable branch of trust the true dispensation of all Medicines directed by Physicians is left to the Apothecaries in whose integrity they place great confidence and therefore a good Author tells us Praestat Pharmacopaeum esse virum bonum quam Socratem h. e. 'T is better that an Apothecary be an honest men than Socrates both Physician and Patient depending on his uprightness and the punctual discharge of his office If then this Apothecary shall engage in the practice of Physic he must necessarily spend much time abroad in visiting his Patients and leave his shop to the management of raw Apprentices who wanting instruction by reason of their Master's absence and not understanding the Physicians Bill make odd and too often dangerous substitutions neither are the Physicians secure that such practising Apothecaries do not out of design suffer their Patients to be neglected or abused that so miscarrying in their hands the repute of the others may seem thereby advanced as if their practice could not be more unsuccesful than the Doctors certainly these Apothecaries cannot give a satisfactory account of the trust reposed in them and therefore to me it is evident that they give timely warning by forsaking their Trade and practising Physic that none commit the breeding of their Children to them who have business of more concernment to mind then to spend their time in teaching according to their engagement their Servants the Art which they must be made free to exercise that the people be not hasty to employ them in either way who incapacitate themselves for both and lastly That Physicians send not any Bills to them lest they be guilty of prejudicing both themselves and Patients If then these practising Apothecaries are so kind to Physicians as publicly to acquaint them what may be expected at their hands I hope no Member of that Worthy Faculty is so stupid but that he will leave them and their Patients to the same adventure which both run and not be either forward to help them out at a dead lift or take the miscarriage on him for the advantage of one or two Fees but it is observable that some of these conceiving that an open breach between Physicians and them may be prejudicial to their design do plead as an excuse to acquit themselves that the importunity of their Customers prevailed with them in such cases wherein was no appearance of Danger to direct what they thought most convenient L' obell p. 6. but let Rondeletius give these an answer Pharmacopaeus inconsulto perito medico nihil cuiquam proponabit praesertim magnarum virium sed neque quantumvis parcarum cum vires nesciat & auxilia haec quamvis ut videtur imbecilla tamen quantitate qualitate tempore insalubria magnorum saepe morborum sunt occasio & legitimam curandi rationem pervertunt h. e. Apothecaries ought not to give any Medicines without the foreknowledge and direction of an allowed Physician neither those which are more or less operative because they being altogether ignorant of their virtues may err in those which seem weakest and most safe in respect of quantity quality or time so as they may prove the causes of most dangerous diseases the opportunity also of a methodical Cure is by this means lost Indeed such is the increase of the Apothecary's Company that all of them cannot reasonably expect employment who therefore hunt abroad after Patients and pray one upon another's business these inconveniencies would be remedied if the counsel of a grave Writer was observed who adviseth the Magistrate to be very careful not to tolerate more Apothecaries than are sufficient for the discharge of that Profession implying that if they superabounded they would most infallibly injure the public and rather than their Medicines for want of timely use should decay and grow worthless choose to spend them by their own practice and think it a less Crime to harm the people then suffer any damage in their shops And when these practising Apothecaries have by their insinuations inveigled some to take Physic of them as it is not improbable but that these being ignorant of the direct way of curing diseases must necessarily hereupon spend more Medicines than Physicians who exactly knowing what is to be done will not multiply Prescripts to tyre out their Patients and advance their charge so how can such Patients assure themselves that their Apothecary-physicians do not make use of that opportunity as much to rid their shop of physic as them of diseases however if the whole is cast up such Patients will find no cause to commend the cheapness of their Cure in respect of what it had been if they had consulted Physicians not to mention that some of these do confidently take and demand Fees for their Visits besides the profitable income by their physic I may safely affirm that most of them cannot afford to be so charitable as to wait on their Patients without some recompense for their time and trouble which are usually accounted in the price of the Medicines So then what a delusion do they lie under who seek to these Apothecaries hoping thereby to save Physicians Fees I question not but that these practising Apothecaries do also discourage the people from seeking to Physicians not only by undervaluing their skill but by misrepresenting the charge of such advice exclaiming against their excessive Fees for every little distemper if they are called in I answer that if in such little distempers as they term them any thing is to be directed a Physician ought to be consulted therein for perhaps what these misjudging did account light and inconsiderable when better understood by those who are able to look deeply into it and have a right notion of the Causes may prove a business of great concernment and being throughly known by the prudence of the Physician in his timely applications the danger so much threatened may be successfully obviated and the Patient restored without any great expense either in the Physicians Fees or Apothecaries Medicines I must add to vindicate the Physicians from the false adspersion of exacting from the people more than the condition of such Patients can bear that no Society of men in this Nation can in this point so much clear themselves as Physicians who although they have no public stipends some few excepted are yet so moderate in their take that without a lessening the honour and repute of their Faculty they cannot well condescend lower and if the Seniors whose worth merits a greater respect and age requires more rest and quiet shall excuse themselves from night calls and the drudgery of attending ordinary business the Junior Physicians when sent unto most readily desiring to appear conscientious in the discharge of their calling take care of the meanest people either gratis expressing their Charity or at a rate suitable to their condition who employ them Moreover these practising Apothecaries are injurious to Physicians by encouraging others to the like attempts who straightway conclude that if these whose chief concernment it is to advance the credit of Physicians and to be faithful to them in their Profession shall so disesteem them as to enter the list & contend with them in their own Science well may the common Empirics be more emboldened to vilify them nay Physicians would have reason to take it ill from such Apothecaries if it appear that most of the Quacks are not only supplied but assisted by them in their undertake and that they most approve of these because they help them with their best endeavour to empty their Shops I might proceed to show how much the Profession of Physic suffers by such Practisers and give instances of the fatal mistakes of these Pretenders to the Medicinal Science but I am not willing to prosecute this Argument as far as the subject will bear I shall insert some Edicts published by the Magistracy of Brussels to be a pattern to other States and to manifest that it is not so much the Physicians as the people's interest that the Apothecaries be not allowed to practise Physic Statut. VII ADmissi Pharmacopaeii jure jurando se prius adstringentes ad id quod in articulis eos concernit cavebunt absque medici praescripto medicamenta elective purgantia vel scammoniata curandis aegris divendere vel medicorum paradigmata immutare aut Quid pro Quo substituere quod si vel in lectione sensu aut forma compositionis laborent medicum adibunt qui eos dirigat instruatque sub mulcta septem Florenorum duplicandorum & dividendorum ut ante Statut. VIII NEquaquam verò absque medici probati & admissi licentia venena philtra opiata periculosiora aut abortum mensesque provocantia pharmaca cuipiam porrigant vel per ministros suos tradi permittant sub mulcta VII florenorum etc. h. e. Statute VII THey who being first sworn to observe faithfully the Statutes relating to them are admitted to exercise the Art or mystery of an Apothecary shall not without a lawful Physicians Prescript sell any purging Medicines either Elective or Scammoniate to cure the Sick neither shall they alter the Physicians Bill or substitute one Ingredient for another and if they are deficient in reading or understanding the Prescript or skill not the Preparation they shall consult the Physician upon pain and forfeiture of VII Florins to be doubled and divided according to the foregoing direction Statute VIII THe said Apothecaries shall not upon pain of the like Mulct without an approved Physicians licence sell or suffer to be sold by their Servants any Poisons Philtrums Opiates or Medicines either provoking the Menses or causing Abortion This Senate was doubtless no more concerned to Enact such Laws on the behalf of the people under their Government than any Prince for the welfare of his Subjects if then such Edicts were only the natural result of reason and prudence the like general principle commends the imitation of them to other Countries and certainly if these Apothecaries in this Nation did observe their own Charter they would not so much transgress as to assume liberty never intended them when they were made an Incorporation To conclude these practising Apothecaries are injurious to themselves as well as Physicians for when they fail in their Cures which by reason of misapplications are very unlikely to succeed the people are apt to suspect that such persons despair of excelling in their own Profession upon which account they betake themselves to Quacking I do not think that the example of the Author of Medela medicinae is a sufficient encouragement to others that they should be as free as he professeth himself Med. medicine p. 432. to intrust their lives in the hands of prudent Apothecaries since that person hath not scrupled to adventure greater hazards then others either in this respect or any like case are obliged to imitate and it is very probable that these Apothecaries when they fall sick will not retaliate his kindness and with the same danger intrust their lives in his hands That the design of this discourse may not be misconstrued by any as if there was an intent to reflect on the whole Society of Apothecaries I shall in the next place speak of those who utterly dislike these Irregularities of their Brethren foreseeing the event that except some effectual course be taken to restrain such unwarrantable actings the amicable knot between Physicians and them will be either untied or broken to the prejudice and disadvantage of both at lest theirs and therefore these being the worthier and I hope the major part of that Incorporation taking notice that notwithstanding the late public disobligements the Physicians being yet so generous and friendly as to trust them with their Prescripts and Patients have an honourable esteem of their practice and prudent deportment sufficient to convince their Adversaries if they had not lost all sense both of humanity and their own true interest for although there are very many arguments which might persuade Physicians to prepare their own Medicines particularly to take off those sugillations as if either they know not how to make their Compositions or that they are unwilling to undergo so much trouble and to improve their Art etc. yet had they rather lie under a vain conjecture of their insufficiency in that business or laziness then be guilty of destroying the Company of Apothecaries especially such who confine themselves to their own Profession and religiously oversee the dispensation of their Medicines This better part of that Society in testimony of their gratitude to Physicians for that excellent skill they have by their direction acquired in the genuine preparations of Vegetables Animals and Minerals wherein they are inferior to none of the like Profession in any Nation do not only publish the Physicians abilities and prefer them before all Pretenders but by their improvement silence the idle Calumny of their Doctors being unskilful in Pharmacy these Members of that Company have diligently promoted an acommodation between Physicians and them and would gladly that the Law to restrain illegal Practitioners might reach any Offenders amongst their number as others being sensible how much the whole Company is prejudiced by the extravagancies of some who in hopes of a little gain do not care to ruin their Society there being at length a good correspondence between the College of Physicians and the Incorporation of Apothecaries each Member employing himself in his Profession as the Law directs all will go on with more comfort in their several vocations and the people reap the benefit CHAP. III. Of the Lord Bishops and their Vicars-general power to licence Physicians IT doth not appear either by the Canon Law or Prescription that the Bishops and their Vicars-general as Ecclesiastical Officers had power to Licence any to practise Physic or that Physicians in respect of their Profession were subjected to the Jurisdiction of Spiritual Courts 't is confessed that the care of Hospitals did appertain to the Bishops who provided Physicians to cure the Sick but it would seem a strange inference to argue that the Bishops exercised the like Privileges elsewhere because to them was committed the supervision of these Hospitals or that they had a Legal Right to licence Physicians who entertained them wherefore until good evidence is produced to make out their claim to this Authority preceding the Statute I cannot allow the opinion of Episcopal Right of licensing to practise Physic besides should I admit that they had such a power in them as ecclesiastics yet they must demonstrate the force thereof since the Statute took place but if it be found upon inquiry that neither de jure nor de facto the Bishops and their Vicars-general did licence and that the Statute is of full virtue notwithstanding any pretence of former Authority it is unquestionable but that all persons therein concerned the Bishops and their Vicars-general as well as the people are obliged to take notice of it and to the end that the Original and extent of their licensing Physicians may be fully known I shall recite part of the Statute relating thereunto NO Person within the City of London Ann. 3. Hen. 8. nor within seven miles of the same shall take upon him to exercise and occupy as Physician or Chirurgeon except he be first examined approved and admitted by the Bishop of London or by the Dean of Paul's for the time being calling to him or them four Doctors of Physic and for Surgery other expert persons in that Faculty upon the pain of forfeiture for every month that they do occupy as Physicians and Surgeons not admitted nor examined after the tenor of the said Act of five pounds to be employed the one half to the use of our Sovereign Lord the King and the other half to any person that shall sue for it by Action of Debt in which no wager of Law nor Protection shall be allowed And over this that no person out of the said City and Precinct of seven miles of the same take upon him to exercise and occupy as a Physician and Surgeon in any Diocese within this Realm till he be first examined and approved by the Bishop of the same Diocese or he being out of the same Diocese by his Vicar-general either of them calling to him such expert persons in the same Faculty as their discretion shall think convenient and giving their Letters Testimonials under their Seal to him that they shall so approve upon like pain to them that occupy contrary to this Act as is above said to be levied and employed after the same form before expressed Provided always that this Act nor any thing therein contained be prejudicial to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridg or either of them or to the Privileges granted to them etc. Thus the High-Court of Parliament was pleased as the Statute imports to authorise the Right Reverend Bishops and their Vicars-general as a Trust to licence all persons qualified to practise Physic which business of Trust intimates an extraordinary confidence in their faithful execution of it according to direction and that the same Authority may demand an account of the discharge thereof and accordingly either continue it in their hands or alter it as may best answer their intent in relation to the people's health and welfare 't is not to be doubted but that the Parliament was moved by very weighty reasons to intrust the Bishops etc. with the execution of this Law being satisfied that they whom singular Piety Learning and other Endowments had advanced to those Dignities would act circumspectly and prudently in the management of a public trust of such consequence to the Nation in the exact performances of which the people also promised to themselves much happiness expecting by means of this devolution of power on the Bishop's sound minds in sound bodies And the Bishop being out of his Diocese the power of licensing descended with the same limitations to the Vicars-general who may not plead Liberty to act otherwise then the Statute allows because there is no penalty annexed as if thereupon they were not engaged to observe the several conditions enjoined Methinks the Parliaments good opinion of these Chancellor's integrity should so far prevail with them as at least not to seek out ways how they may safely break their Trust and therefore offend because the Law doth not provide due punishment I want words to express the exquisite dis-ingenuity of such practices which encourage the violation of all public and private Trusts at pleasure if thereby no penalty is incurred I shall in the next place briefly consider the Injunctions in the body of the Statute according to which both the Bishops and their Vicars-general are to be guided in granting their Licenses and although the Bishop of London and Dean of Paul's may examine approve and admit yet they must call to them four Doctors of Physic a competent number to avoid all suspicion of favour or partiality and that the candidate be throughly sifted before he obtain a Licence Then it follows that the Bishop being out of his Diocese his Vicar-general may licence according to the Statute whence I collect that if the Bishop is in any part of his Diocese his Vicar-general may not exercise this power neither can any such interpretation be put on the Bishops being out of his Diocese as if this related only to his judicial attendance in Court and so often as he is not there his Vicar-general may licence for this is contrary to the letter of the Statute and as I conceive the designment of it which was primarily to authorise the Bishops and their Chancellors only in the others absence from their Diocese I further observe that this power of licensing was by the Statute placed in the Bishops and their Vicars-general no mention being made of their Surrogates or Officials * Foelix esset artibus si soli artistae de illis judicarent F●b in regard that this trust of licensing to practise Physic is no part of their office by virtue of the Bishop's Patent to them I quaere whether they commissionating Surrogates according to those Patents can legally invest them with the like Authority since it is limited by the Statute to the Bishops and their Vicars-general It is in the last place observable that four Doctors of Physic must be called in before the person to be licenced can be approved and admitted I question then whether Certificates under the hands of three or four Doctors of Physic without such examination in the presence of the Bishop etc. do answer the command of the Statute In respect of the whole until these Vicars-general and their Surrogates can produce any Legal Authority constituting them Interpreters of such Statutes so as to put what sense and construction they please upon them most agreeable to their profit and till the Reverend Judges have otherwise determined I hope it may not be unwarrantable to understand the Statute according to the literal meaning thereof and then all transgressions of the power granted by it seem illegal as that Bishops should licence without a previous examination by four Doctors that the Vicars-general if the Bishop be in any part of his Diocese should exercise this power and without the examination by Doctors or that any Surrogates should attempt to licence that Authority being incommunicable by Patent and lastly that Certificates should be admitted most of which probably may be counterfeited Besides I shall leave those who are learned in the Law to decide whether since the Precedent and Censors of the Kings-Colledg of Physicians in London by other Statutes of later date were appointed to examine and allow all Licentiates unless such whom the Universities authorise to practise Physic the power of the Bishops and their Vicars-general granted before * Leges posteriores abrogant priores is not void in Law and although the Bishops and their Chancellors proceed on the Licence yet whether such Licentiates without either the Universities or Colleges examination and approbation can plead their Authority so as to acquit them from the penalty to be inflicted on illegal practisers To pass by other Points of great importance in this Controversy because I would not seem to entrench on the Profession of others I shall endeavour to show the inconveniencies which happen to the Faculty of Physic and Physicians by reason of this power of Licencing placed in the Bishops and their Vicars-general As for the Right Reverend Fathers in God the Bishops if such a weight of business did not lie on their shoulders much more considerable by which they may possibly be taken off from looking after this Trust 't is not to be doubted but that they would be very severe and just in this as in other affairs respecting a due encouragement of those who have been equally Members of the Universities as themselves and thereupon grant out very few Licenses to practice especially in those places and Countries wherein are seated a sufficient number of learned and experienced Physicians who having performed their Exercises are Graduates in Physic Were the Bishops I say at leisure to regard this business the true Professors of Physic could not possibly be more secure or desire a better improvement of that power to the Honour of their Faculty but their Vicars-general are well pleased that their respective Bishops do at least permit them to Licence whom they think fit and however there is some engagement on them not only to follow the directions of the Statute but to be kind to the Faculty of Physic and its Professors yet I wish that there is no cause of complaint as if too many of these multiplied their Licentiates for their own more than the benefit of the public and that since his Majesty's most happy Restoration every Court-day hath not been a Physic Act the Fees being incomparable respondents as if the custom of Leiden had prevailed Accipiamus pecuniam dimittamus Asinum His money's currant and will pass Though he who 's licenced is an Ass For on the same account by the Master of the Revels are licenced the dancing horses and well-bred Bares I do not at present undertake to accuse any particular persons as if they have already licenced so many that there are left no more pretenders to physic unfurnished but I should wonder if all manner of rude and illiterate Quacks should at the charge of a Mark or some such inconsiderable rate be as much capacitated to practise physic as those who are Academical Physicians Mantuan affords us a notable description of such Licentiates His etsi tenebras palpant Mant. concessa potestas Excruciandi aegros hominesque impunè nocendi Although the Art of Physic these don't skill To them are granted Licenses to kill Had these Vicars-general and their Surrogates by Law an unlimited power to licence all who are minded to practise physic yet should they exercise it in the utmost Latitude the people might suffer as much by the provision of that Statute as they did before there being little difference between the bold attempts of those who then practised and very many since no less unfit to undertake the cure of the Sick indeed these last pleading the Authority of their Licenses are without much scruple entertained as if they had been examined by four Doctors of Physic and in every respect were allowable according to the Direction of the Statute and thereupon may take more opportunities to injure the people than the others who being well known never could obtain to be trusted as persons of sufficient abilities certainly the whole Nation will be very sensible of a manifest grievance upon the account of numberless Licentiates to practise Physic for it would not serve the turn if each Licentiate should apply himself to the cure of a distinct Disease as the Egyptians did heretofore in the like case and that each Parish should employ one but every person will have a distinct spy on his body who being his Diaetical Genius must order every bit of meat and draught of drink and after this manner be enslaved to live physically As it doth not seem probable that the Parliament did intend more then that the people instead of ignorant Practisers who abused them should be provided with learned and able men to help them in their sickness so neither can we think that any prejudice to the Universities was thereby designed but if notwithstanding that our Academies have sent forth a convenient number of true Sons of Art to take care of all that concerns their practice throughout the whole Nation these Chancellors and their Surrogates should at such a rate licence as if there were none to practise unless such whom they pass taking no notice of the Universities provision what other conclusion can be deduced then that such persons seek all opportunities to void the Privileges of the Universities to blast the hopes of many excellent Physicians whose abilities for want of exercise contract themselves and wither and lastly to disgrace the Profession of Physic by admitting such who as they cannot avoid the contradicting of their Instruments so persuade the people that they do as much as the Art can perform Physicians do not yet despair that both their Faculty and themselves may outlive the boisterous storms raised against them because the Lord Bishops sit at the Helm as most skilful pilate's who as before being chiefly entrusted can direct the power of Licencing to the best advantage either taking it into their own hands lest they suffer in the people's esteem by reason of the mis-application of the Episcopal Seal or resigning it up to the Universities whose concern it is to attend such businesses when Church affairs are completely settled 't is not to be doubted but that every Bishop will take an account of all Licentiates within his Diocese and inform himself of their Abilities for such an Employment by what means they obtained Instruments authorising them to practise Physic and if the Conditions expressed in the Statute were punctually observed calling in all Licenses illegally granted and preventing any further abuses of that Parliamentary trust by any of their Officers Physicians I say are so well persuaded of the Lord Bishops good inclination to uphold the Honour of their useful Profession and to prefer those who are skilled in all kinds of Learning before others whose Mother-wit and Mother-tongue are their chiefest Accomplishments that they cannot harbour in their breasts any thoughts unworthy of the religious care of Their answering every just expectation and of expressing a particular respect and devotion towards Medicine of a divine extract if we credit St. Augustine saith he * Aug. lib. 3. de civitate Dei Corporis medicina si altius rerum originem repetas non invenitur unde ad homines manare potuerit nisi à Deo cui omnium rerum status salusque est tribuenda h. e. If we strictly inquire after the Original of Medicine it will appear that God was the Author thereof to whom every thing owes it conservation Should the time in which that Statute was made be compared with this present season an argument might be drawn thence to show that although there was a necessity in respect of the rareness of Academical Physicians that some should be licenced who satisfied the directions of the Statute yet since that the Universities can as well furnish the Nation with Physicians as Divines these Right Reverend Bishops will no more exert what Authority they may have to make such Physicians than Priests who never had relation to the Universities but spent their time either in following pass-times in service or a Mechanical Trade CHAP. IU. Of a Collegiate way of Physicians and the KINGS-COLLEDG in LONDON THe chiefest Argument inducing several Princes most graciously to institute Corporations was the advancement of Trade all obstructions which hindered its progress being thereby removed and apt Privileges granted to promote the Interest and reward the diligence of the respective Members of such Commonalties And in order to the Perfection and Dignity of the Medicinal Science a Collegiate way was thought on and settled as a meet expedient to free it from all those prejudicial encumbrances which before were invincible lets and suitably enlarging its power and authority to render it more publicly useful and illustrious The general obstacles as well in Medicine as Trade preceding their Incorporation as self-seeking envy discord and want of government being taken away community union and a decent regulation have most fitly supplied those defects and the additional advantages secured both from all extraneous injuries and established a full and lasting liberty to improve them as far as they be capable of proficiency I need not acquaint the World with the wonderful success of Trade which by no other way could possibly arrive at such an height all scattered and distinct Professors by an happy coalition combining together to manage their several Arts with twisted ingenuity and counsel that they might eminently flourish the growth of Physic hath been no less considerable in those Nations wherein are founded Colleges of Physicians nay the Medicinal Science stood in greater need of this course than Trade being more subject to invasion every * Omnes qui vix communem intelligere queunt sermonem & opera similiter cum difficultate discunt vulgò communia medicinam exercere ambiunt Geb lib. de invest sum perf unskilful person as is shown in the first Chapter undertaking to profess Physic and the People rather applauding then discouraging such practices whereas if any one uneducated in a Trade should adventure to set up the People would be quickly sensible of that injury and exclaim against any such encroachments as most destructive to Trading and openly tending to undo them who have spent much time and pains in the attainment of their Art or Mystery so that the common dislike of all who in respect of Trade are competent Judges was more effectual to prevent an inroad into their Callings then severe Laws to restrain those who are ignorant from the practice of Physic besides there is no difficulty in the Profession of Physic as they presume to practise it which may equally deter them from this as any other though the meanest and easiest employment for as Panarolus well observes Praxis qua ipsi utuntur trium dierum spatio ab homine vel vilissimo acquiritur h. e. The arrandest blockhead may learn all their skill and practice in three days time Moreover Trade in respect of the event not being of such concernment as the Science of Physic did not alike want Incorporation for in traffic the Buyers understand whether the Commodities are well conditioned and fit for their use the Chapman's skill preventing all manner of circumventions and cheats more than the particular Laws of Societies and one bad bargain may be recompensed by future caution and vigilancy whereas it is otherwise in Medicine for very few know what belongs to the Medicaments they take not discerning the impostures of ignorant Practisers and 't is too late to repent of inadvertency when once the deadly Bolus is swallowed promises of circumspection for the time to come being good warnings to others but not available to him who is by such delusions surprised for this cause King Henry the Eighth was most graciously pleased to found his College in London as the words of the Charter express Cum Regii officii nostri munus arbitremur ditionis nostrae hominum felicitati omni ratione consulere id autem vel imprimis fore si improborum conatibus tempestive occurramus apprimè necessarium ducimus improborum quoque hominum qui medicinam magis avaritiae suae causâ quam ullius bonae conscientiae fiducia profitebuntur unde rudi & credulae plebi plurima incommoda oriantur audaciam compescere etc. Collegium perpetuum Doctorum & gravium virorum qui medicinam in urbe nostra Londini etc. publicè exerceant institui volumus atque imperamus etc. h. e. Forasmuch as to our Princely Care and Sovereignty belongeth the welfare and happiness of our Subjects which cannot by any means be better secured then by a timely disappointment of wicked men's evil designs and practices We judge it expedient and necessary to restrain the bold attempts of impious and unworthy pretenders to Physic who acting from a principle of covetousness rather then conscientiously do injure and deceive those who are ignorant and too credulous etc. It is our Royal pleasure and command to appoint and establish a College of learned and profound Physicians in our City of London etc. Dissension also amongst Physicians in respect of their Opinions promoted partly through emulation and partly by the thirst of not a few after gain transcending what was in this kind observable amongst Traders earnestly called for a speedy and convenient remedy and since the settlement of a Collegiate way of Physicians in the room of animosity uncharitable emulation and private inconsiderable designs are introduced a decent respect of each other with all manner of mutual kindnesses and the common interest and joint improvement of the Medicinal Science for the benefit of the Public if the learned Johannes de Espagenet had reason to affirm that Love was one of the Principles to which all bodies owe their original I may well assert that it is no more a principle of bodies Natural then Politic especially in the affairs of Medicine by which means the great business of Consultation is regularly carried on distinct abilities concurring to overcome the strange intricacies of complicated Diseases This Love is the bond knitting the whole associated body together by its gentle ligaments in due symmetry so that the Juniors do cheerfully adhere to what the Seniors propose submitting to their aged reason and experience and the Seniors as candidly communicate their Observations and admit of Partnership in their vast stock of Knowledge As in other Corporations great care is taken for the education of Apprentices to their several Trades so a Collegiate way herein may be more profitable and I might hence take a fit occasion to recommend the practice of the Ancients who undertook the tutorage of young Students in Physic which laudable practice is still continued in some Country's and helps more in the Profession of Physic than the bare turning over of Voluminous Authors who at least many of them designed chiefly their own Fame by their Books the Junior Physicians I say being after this manner initiated can more safely fight under such Conduct against the desperatest Diseases and the Seniors will be forward to transplant their abilities and even immortalize themselves in the continued Series of their Successors I hope now that the terms Doctor and College do not suffer in the opinion of understanding men by reason of the unworthy language and vain scoffs which the Author of Medela medicinae vents against them for Doctor as Sergeant Dodridg well argued is no addition but a Degree Quia gradatim est progressione Doctrinae provenit being the Universities reward of Learning and the term College intimates a lawful association or constellation of Physicians to preserve the Nation by a prosperous influence and to advance and improve the Medicinal Science neither is that idle objection allowable as if a Collegiate way by differencing its Members from other Practisers and seeking for an effectual power to punish ill practice in Physic tended only to make the Profession of Medicine a Monopoly for there is no stop put to the industry of those who take a regular course to become lawful Physicians the Universities embrace and cherish all hopeful Students and when fourteen years are expired being not wasted but carefully employed in a most exquisite search after the concealments of Nature these having successfully run through a course of Natural Philosophy they are thereby enabled to enter upon the most difficult Study of Physic till at length their abilities arrived at a due maturation and deserving the approbation of the Universities they come abroad and may satisfying the Statutes be admitted Members of the College and by the same rule every Incorporation would be a Monopoly but I need not spend more time in answering such an empty Argument every person may apprehend the reason why not only that Pamphletter but others of his Gang do so bitterly inveigh against the Order and Government of Physic were these capable either to attain Degrees in the Faculty of Physic or to be licenced by the College they would be as forward for Discipline in Physic as now they are for Liberty It remains that I endeavour to vindicate the King's College of Physicians in London from the scandalous suggestions of some as if they had not answered those ends for which their Society was founded and although I am very sensible of my insufficiency to undertake a just description of the Deserts and performances of this College and likewise that what ever I can say will be judged the Product of Interest yet I shall rather hazard their censure for my deficiencies then be guilty by silence of a seeming compliance with their malicious Accusers and that cannot be interpreted vain ostentation when there is no other intent then to vindicate our Society from the indignities of those who would lessen its Splendour Well then since that the necessity of answering such high provocations makes my Apology and prevents the charge of immodesty I shall attempt to give some brief account of this College and its Members should I begin with the first Doctors whose names are recited in the Charter granted by King Henry the 8th and confirmed by Parliament and continue the Catalogue to this day the Worth and Fame of each Collegiate would completely evidence that they were according to direction Profound discreet groundly learned and deeply studied in Physic Nay I confidently affirm that the most considerable discoveries which in these later Ages have merited applause and credit in the World were most happily made by some Members of this Society witness the Renowned Doctor Harvey 's circulation of the Blood Doctor Jolive 's first observation of the Lymphducts and many others who though dead do yet live in their Physical inventions and not a few of the present Members of this College have paid the first fruits of their vast attainments whose Books having stood the brunt of humorous Contradiction unanswered are above censure or my Panegyric and their second prosperous voyages into the America of Medicinal Truths cannot but raise large expectations of further discoveries many of this Incorporation did heretofore Warehouse their Learning and Experience and hoarded up such plenty of all necessary accomplishments as if they intended to engross the Medicinal Science who being prevented either by misguided modesty or untimely death suffered their Acquirements to die with them leaving a Despair in their Successors to retrieve those hidden and buried Treasures and the rest of the College when they are secured from injurious blasts will in due time blow with mature and acceptable performances these are now giving the World an Edition of themselves and at length will publish their most elaborate Works wherein the progress of Physic may be most legible I shall further add that since HIS MAJESTY HATH MOST GRACIOUSLY PLEASED TO HONOUR HIS COLLEGE WITH HIS PRESENCE AND TO TAKE NOTICE OF THEIR EXERCISES THE WHOLE SOCIETY IS INFLAMED TO APPROVE THEMSELVES WORTHY OF THEIR SOVEREIGN'S FAVOUR AND PATRONAGE The reason why these Collegiates do at present conceal their Abilities is because they would avoid the prostitution of them observing that even their free converse hath emboldened Amazon Practitioners to handle the two-edged Sword of Medicine since therefore the Profession of Physic is only guarded by the prudence of Physicians there is good cause why they should so far imitate the Ancients as not to disclose those mysteries and depths in Physic which distinguish them from others and although Candour opens their Breasts to all Sons of Art yet their choicest conceptions will be fast locked up till Law secures them and their Authors from Usurpation and Injuries CHAP. V. Of Chemistry and the Pseudo-Chymists in this Kingdom THe fierce digladiations between the Galenists and Chemists each party contending not only to advance their Opinions but to vilify their Opposites have in the judgement of most prudent men rather inconvenienced both then gained to either more credit or authority I shall present some of these hot disputes by which all may observe the weakness of such ineffectual argumentations and merely rude and passionate censures Zacut. lus p. 14. saith Zacutus Sanguineis lachrymis deploranda esset calamitas haec ab iis qui Hippocratis & Galeni se filios esse gloriantur & horum magistrorum sanissimam doctrinam ex limpidissimis fontibus exhaustam combibere solent quod Chymici omnino adversam & contrariam Hippocratis legibus observantes Disciplinam impune proterue & indecore medicinam summum-Omnipotentis donum dicteriis facetiis & preposteris auxiliis infament Medicus fugiat a chymicis & documenta eorum parvi faciat h. e. The true Disciples of Hypocrates and Galen who have drawn all their accomplishments from their pure Fountains of Learning have cause to weep blood seeing that the Chemist who profess a contrary way of Physic are permitted without restraint by their malevolent reproaches scorns and unartificial remedies to blaspheme Medicine which is the gift of the great God and therefore let every Physician take heed of these and lightly esteem their Doctrines But in answer ro this Tract de sal● Dom. de Neus Nemo docti & sapientis viri nomen aut titulum obtinere potest nisi sit Chymista quia nec principia naturalia nec vera universalis materia cuipiam unquam innotescent nisi per Artis Chymicae experientiam h. e. He is most unworthy the name or repute of a learned or wise man who is not a Chemist because neither the natural principles nor the universal matter can be known to any who are not skilled in the Spagyric Art Riol in epist. dedic What Riolanus writes is not behind this Princeps tenebrarum delectatur fumis & ministros habet fumi vendulos Alchymistas sufflones carbonarios quorum scientiam cur non appellem cum proprie dicantur fornacarii Chymistae sed veritas filia temporis perdet gratiam novitatis eorum & fumus iste disparebit h. e. The Prince of darkness doth affect Fumes and his Officers trade in Smoke these Chemists busy themselves in kindling Charcoal not differencing themselves from Colliers since that amongst their Furnaces they are not unlike Chimney-sweepers I know no reason but that I may compare their Art to Chimney-sweeping but Truth is the daughter of Time and when the Novelty of their practice is over their smoke will disappear Penotus extols Chemistry as much as Riolanus decries it Quid jucundius quam ea noscere atque oculis pene cernere manuque tractare quae procul a sensu & cognition nostra peccatum posuit quam in ipsam penitus absconditam naturam descendere quam partes universi in particulas quasque minutissimas scindere ipsaque Naturae principia in manu habere quid publice privatimque utilius quam mortalitati nostrae quantum quidem licet subvenire morbosque aliaque corporis incommoda arcere & depellere & languentem proximum atque jacentem restituere haec omnia praestat ea Philosophiae atque medicinae pars quam Spagyricam vocant h. e. What can be more pleasant then to know by the sure information of the eye and hand those things which sin hath so far distanced both from our sense and apprehension then to dive into the depths of Nature then to anatomize the Universe and to handle the first principles of all things what can be more publicly and privately useful then to retard death as much as may be to vanquish Diseases to recover our sick Neighbour And all these Feats are performed by Chemistry Billichius on the other side tells us Medicamenta Chymica membris principalibus corporis pravam dispositionem imprimunt calorem nativum & spiritus individuos animae satellites destruunt remediis itaque Chymicis quasi periculosis inutilibus & pestiferis jus civitatis in republica medica denegetur And more particularly Gluckradius Salia arrodunt & extimulant spiritus caput petunt olea ventriculum conviscunt & adherent h.e. Chemical Medicines are hurtful to the principal parts of the body by fixing an ill disposition there by dissipating natural heat and overthrowing the spirits which are the lifeguard of the Soul and therefore such Chemical Remedies ought to be expunged the Catalogue of Medicines being hazardous unprofitable and pestilential And Gluckradius further adds that Chemical Salts are corrosive and irritate Spirits injure the brain and Oils by their glutinousness and adhesion do even plaster the stomach The Author of the Pharmacopaeia Spagyrica tells us another story Pharmac says he Spargyr p. 2. Ars Spagyrica omnium scientiarum nobilissima utilissima & praestantissima nihil aeque medicum ornet nobilitet clarumque reddat haec firmissa Naturae claustra reseret ei quandoquidem virtutum omnium terrestrium coelestium animalium vegetabilium & mineralium clavis conceditur in qua non modo rei essentiae perpenduntur verum in lucem conspectumque omnium adducuntur purum ab impuro segregatur cortex a nucleo contrarium a contrario multa denique miranda praestat & multo majora quam quae humanus intellectus excogitare possit And Faber seconds this * Fab. propugn alchym p. 8. Siquid est in Natura pulchritudinis nobilitatis & utilitatis id omne a puro ortum habet quo sola Chymia uti novit quae jure merito Scientias omnes naturales tantum antecellit quantum purum illud reliquum Naturae superat & vincit h. e. Chemistry is the most noble useful and excellentest of all Sciences nothing doth so much grace a Physician and make him eminent as the knowledge hereof which readily admits him into Nature's recesses and discovers all true virtues terrestrial and celestial and the nature of Animals Vegetables and Minerals so that not only the essences of things are made intelligible but they are subjected to our touch and view the pure hereby being separated from that which is impure the kernel from the shell one contrary from another its effects to conclude are so wonderful that they surpass man's reach or understanding And Faber writes to the same purpose If there is any beauty excellency and worth in Nature it is the product of that which is most pure the ordering of which is the proper business of Chemistry and therefore it doth as much outshine other Natural Sciences as this pure the grossest feculencies I perceive that I need an Apology to excuse this tedious recitation of the absurd mutual * Ut turpe esset in Senatu Patres dum de salute reipublicae deliberatur à votis ad convitia descendere ita pudend●m est eos qui scriptis editis rem literariam auctam & amplificatam cupiunt rebus missis convitiis certare Sen. p. 844. clashings of these Galenists and Chemists who most earnestly endeavour to persuade the people that they design the Sanity of Mankind as the common end of their though divers nay contrary directions and practices because most Authors engaged in this Controversy instead of rational argumentations do chiefly abound with vain boastings and suspicious commendations of their way no less deriding all those who are not of their Mind I thought myself concerned to reflect on this fruitless opposition joining with Angelus Sala in his just reproof of both Clamant alii a partibus sumus Galeni alii partes tenemus Paracelsi mutuas contentiones & dissidia subinde moventes & interim paucissimi reperiuntur qui in sinceritate proximo suo succurrere contendunt Angel Sal. the error Pseudochym p. 7. h. e. Some devote themselves to be Galens Disciples others are for Paracelsus jangling amongst themselves whilst very few endeavour in sincerity their Neighbour's restoration In my opinion 't is preposterous to conclude that any person is to be therefore accounted a good Physician because he stiffly adheres to one or the other party or thinks fit to conjoin them for to the accomplishment of a true Physician is required an exact knowledge of all things belonging to his practice whether they relate to his right judgement of Diseases and their Diagnosticks or the regular applications of Medicaments artificially prepared in order to a Cure and so far as any one who undertakes to profess Physic is deficient in any part of his business he personally errs and falls under the censures of an ill Practiser although he either vaunts himself to be a Galenist or Helmontian Physicians are Truths perpetual Candidates more allowing nay improving Chemistry as part of their profession than any Pretenders to it who not only employ themselves in the advancement of Pharmacy by its help but in completing the sensible Theory of Philosophy and Medicine of which with indefatigable pains our worthy Predecessors have most auspiciously laid the sure foundation should I use any Arguments inciting Physicians by the assistance of Pyrotechny to analyze all sorts of bodies as if this was the probablest way to conduct them to all acquirable knowledge of their Nature and Virtues other courses proving unsatisfactory I might herein seem too much an Imitator of some late Writers who take upon them to blame the defects of Physicians in the study and practice of Chemistry for no other reason then that they by their experimental Essays may be thought their Dictator's degrading them to advance their own reputation methinks these deal herein very unkindly in attempting to eclipse their brightness from whom they borrowed all their Light certainly Physicians need no advertisement to observe the constitution of bodies in their discovering the principles of them and that the Universe after the Creation when the Spirit moved upon the waters in an analogous' way to Chemistry was methodised the more subtle and etherial parts ascending and those more feculent becoming the Footstool of the Almighty that also the grand Affairs of Generation and corruption seem nothing else but Spagyrical processes which I might illustrate if I did not study brevity hereupon I say Physicians wisely trace the true original of bodies in the same order as they were made by an artificial anatomy of Individuals rightly judging of the whole in respect of the congruity of all its parts Although Chemistry hath not been so successful to determine the number of Principles some resting in the Trinity of Sal Sulphur and Mercury others accounting five Water Spirit Sulphur Salt and Earth Zephyriel Thomas Bovius making the number eight and it being not improbable but that our Successors may discover more as simple as these yet in respect of the apt preparation of Medicaments it hath fully answered expectation Physicians being thereby furnished with noble Remedies which skilfully used give ample proof of their activity in the extirpation of Diseases but these Spagyricks take great care in their opening of bodies especially such as are most compact that the innate or seminal virtues thereof be not altered or marred by corrosive and poisonous Dissolvents * Corrumpunt mixtum perduntque non autem dividunt in sua simplicia or by destructive heat or fire antidating the day of Judgement in respect of those things which in order to their preparation it consumes * Accidit iis qui se igne oblectant & exhilarant quod ad extremum omne in luctum vertitur ignis enim multò subtiliora venena contra eos evomit quam minerae Paracels cap. 4. tract 2. the morb metal and utterly spoils the imitation of Nature in her most perfect operations do best direct an Artist in his Experiments and therefore as by the mutual conjunction of the Celestial and Terrestrial Sun together with a due supply of an homogenous and natural menstruum a Vegetable is raised and empowered with Medicinal virtues so if the Physician conceives that this Vegetable needs a further exaltation at least a preparation to be unloaded of its clogging feculencies and desires to make a separation of the pure from that which is impure by the help of Chemistry he performs what he designed choosing an inlivening heat to advance the signatures of that Vegetable and an apt menstruum to which it may readily resign up all its efficacy and virtue being thereby freed from its useless excrements which course is followed likewise in the preparation of Animals and Minerals not as if the same heat and menstruum would serve the turn for all Vegetables whose virtues are contrary as the Pseudo-chymists ignorantly practise which need divers and proper menstruums and what sufficiently wrought on Vegetables will not operate alike on Animals and Minerals for although Physicians are better acquainted with the Universal Dissolvent than some fantastical pretenqers yet they aim chiefly in their Medicinal preparations at the preservation of the true genuine and seminal virtues and make not each Simple to be alike catholic as the menstruum employed besides they respect the safety of their Medicaments as much as their prevalency in the cure of Diseases and when by much industry and sweat such powerful Remedies are provided by the true Physician he doth not expect that they should work Miracles help incurable Maladies or raise the dead but if a just occasion is offered he makes use of them hoping that by reason of a right application they may be effectual however these do not because of their expertness in Chemical preparations impiously conceit that God hath bestowed on Mankind no Vegetables Animals nor Minerals as effectual helps to oppugn the irreconcilable enemies of Life unless they are renovated by the Hermetick Art for not only the constant experience of the greatest part of the World contradict this fancy few Nations understanding the use of Chemistry and yet the sick in those Countries by Nature provision of Remedies recover but an observation may be drawn from Bruits which I urge not as if I imagined that the Medicines curing them may be applicable to men and that the Farrier's skill may accomplish a Physician in this point the opinion of Jobertus * Dec. 2. paradox 10. p. 523. seems most rational saith he Quoth in brutis animantibus observare quis potuit ad hominem traducere velle ineptum est quoniam longe lateque differunt hominum brutorumque Naturae vel hoc argumento sturni cicuta & helleboro coturnices tuto vescantur quae nobis sunt venena & pharmaca h. e. 'T is absurd to appropriate the Physic of bruits to men whose natures are so different which is evidenced by the Starelings feeding securely on Hemlock and the Quails eating Hellebore which to our bodies are poisonous and medicinal Bruits I say when diseased employ no Operators but supply themselves from Nature's Laboratory with convenient Remedies which succeed so well with them that they outlive the proudest Pretenders to the great Elixir or Panacaea nay as Seneca * Sen. the brev vitae p. 559. affirms by Aristotle's Authority Quina & dena saecula edurant They last five nay ten ages at least some of them having no other Medicinal help and hence it is that the true Physicians do not think fit to employ themselves in gaining the Quintessence of every Simple they use well knowing that many Simples do irrecoverably lose their seminal virtues by ordinary preparations The Anomymus Author * Pharmac Spagyr p. 3. of the Pharmacopaeia Spagyrica before mentioned doth very well determine this Controversy Quando morbus non est admodum pertinax simplici medicamenti preparatione subigi & everti queat in diuturnis autem gravibusque morbis in delicatulis & his quibus ventriculus nausea premitur & qui solo adspectu odorem & saporem perhorrescunt longiori artificio utimur nam crebris coctionibus filtrationibus clarificationibus & distillationibus ea adeo gustui palatoque grata reddimus ut ipsis aegris in delitiis veniant h. e. If the Disease is not rebellious it may be cured by an ordinary preparation but chemical and obstinate Distempers require more exquisite Remedies and if the Patient's stomach is squeemish or he cannot endure the sight or taste of the Medicine then by frequent coctions filtrations clarifications and distillations it may be made so grateful that the Patient may be delighted with it I shall add Solon's counsel Consul non quae suavissima sed quae optima h. e. The Patient ought rather to be pleased with that which most conduceth to his recovery than mind the satisfaction of his Palate which is vitiated in sickness and hereupon true Physicians are not so solicitous to prescribe palatable Medicines * Medici quidam adulando in pharmacis administrandis aegros interficiunt Panarol p. 135. as those which may most powerfully overcome the Disease If I should launch out into a just commendation of the excellency and usefulness of Chemistry it would I am persuaded by our Pseudochymists concerning whom anon be interpreted an extorted confession as if their Pamphlets had opened our eyes or forced us to close with them in the advancement of its repute in the World but I need not extol that in words which we more suitably praise by practice and I shall comprehend what I intent to say on this Subject under these two Assertions 1. That Physicians have been the chief Promoters of Chemistry and are best qualified to bring it to perfection 2. That the lawful Physicians in this Kingdom are the truest Chemists He is a mere stranger to this Science who is ignorant that the chiefest Chemists were Physicians I should insert a large Catalogue if I did not suppose that the truth hereof is famously known by their Learned Works wherein all Chemical Operations are more perspicuously delivered then in any other Authors but this will further appear when I have shown that the qualifications of a Physician are the principal requisites for the study and practice of Chemistry of which in the next place I begin with the Physicians skill in the Tongues and in Philosophy what * De difficult alchym p. 6. Hoglandus writes concerning the necessity of knowing the Tongues is acknowledged by all true Sons of Art saith he Non putet quis libros chymicos ca facilitate aut veritate in aliam linguam transferri atque aliarum scientiarum libros h. e. He will be deceived who imagines that Chemical Authors can be so faithfully translated as books treating of other Sciences He then who is a sufficient Linguist is most capable of interpreting truly and beneficially the mystical and obscure Writings of the Ancients And in relation to Philosophy as Hypocrates requires a Physician to be excellent in it * Hippocrat de dec hab * Ubi desinit philosophus ibi incipit medicus so Arnaldus and Geber thinks this knowledge most necessary to accomplish a Chemist saith the first Qui vult ad hanc scientiam pervenire & non est Philosophus fatuus est quia haec scientia non est nisi de occultis philosophiae h. e. He who is ambitious to attain this Science without Philosophy is in plain terms a fool because this Science comprehends the Secrets of Philosophers And * Geb cap. 7. Geber more fully Oportet Artificem in scientiis philosophiae naturalis eruditum & perfectum esse quia quod per ingenium naturale non adipiscitur hujus defectui per doctrinam subvenitur h. e. The Artist must be completely skilled in Natural Philosophy that his Learning therein may supply all defects of his Ingenuity Sagacity is no less necessary to enable a Physician upon which account the forementioned Alsarius * De quaes per epist. p. 434. tells us Sapientissimus senex artem longam esse jure merito dixit ut tarda & hebetia ingenia ab ea capescenda deterreret fervida vero & vivida ad comprehendenda atque retinenda medicinae mysteria magis inflammaret h. e. Hypocrates did most wisely pronounce the Medicinal Art to be long and tedious that he might discourage at their onset all those who were stupid and thick skulled and provoke the acutest wits to pry into the knowledge and mysteries of Physic and Sagacity is as considerable in Chemistry if we credit Moresinus saith he Ut quam ingeniose possint Chymici Naturae secretos Thesauros in usus publicos depromere h. e. That these Eagle-eyed Chemists may pierce into the secrets of Nature Indeed there is nothing obvious in the Spagyric Art and therefore answerable to the depths of knowledge sought after are the difficulties in the disquisition of them he who observes himself to be besieged with errors aught to have his wits * Debet chymicus errori subvenire inpuncto about him as well to secure him in his right proceedings as to prevent a surprise by false and erroneous suggestions To conclude Studiousness and industry do complete a Physician whose knowledge and pains increase alike Sanch. p. 89. for if Minima mundi res totius vitae contemplationi sat superque est h. e. The most inconsiderable thing in the world may employ the whole time of a man's life to attain a perfect and unerring knowledge of it Certainly then he hath no leisure allowed him who by his diligence is engaged to understand all the affairs of the greater as well as the little World and assiduity is requisite in Chemistry according to the advice of an excellent Adept in that Art Exerceat se Artifex donec studendo & experimentando cum laboris instantia ad cognitionem pervenerit h. e. The Artist must continually exercise and busy himself that by his constant study and experiments he may gain knowledge I need not spend time in running over more qualifications both of Physicians and Chemists in which they also agree by all which it is very apparent that Physicians are best capacitated to be Chemists to whom also the Spagyric Art is more advantageous then to any others who spend their time and pains in it Curiosity and Covetousness are the general ends propounded by all not engaged in the Profession of Physic moving them to erect Laboratories that by the help of Chemical Experiments they may satisfy their earnest desire either of Knowledge or Profit but upon neither account can these be equally benefited thereby as Physicians not they who seek only to gratify their Curiosity because these rather hunt after Rarities in Nature then what is vulgar and then most applaud their happy discoveries when some strange and unexpected effect doth occur Quod Naturae ludus illis miraculum The sport of Nature delight them most And indeed these may at pleasure sever mix make and mar behaving themselves lasciviously towards Nature and her divine mysteries and at length if these err their deceptions are not dangerous so long as their innocent affectation of curiosity is confined to try conclusions on vile and ignoble bodies which are then dignified when they afford real discoveries of new truths in subserviency to the good and welfare of Mankind But Physicians are not allowed liberty to pick and choose their work they difference not the subjects on which they operate so much by their disguised variety as estimate them according to the true and powerful virtues they afford for the recovery of their Patients being also obliged to more accurateness than the others for if they mistake in dissolving the intimate closure of bodies on which they work in stead of separating by such a preparation between what is sound and the peccant matter they possibly may part the near embraces of Soul and Body Physicians then being satisfied that their erterprises in Chemistry relating to their practice be rational in the discharge of their weighty employment more benefit thereby then those Indagators invited to be Spectators only of Nature's curiosities As for the Alchemists although these out of an insatiable thirst to gain wealth by the great Elixir or Philosopher's stone and such like tantalizations do night and day moil amongst their Furnaces yet are not they so much profited by Chemistry as Physicians for these being deluded after an endless search for the true matter and as idle a Quest for the Mercury of the Philosophers that these two Natures whose essence notwithstanding is one may being timely after copulation impregnated bring forth an Aethiopian capable of changing his complexion by virtue of the milk he sucks and a suitable education I say these Alchemists not understanding such and many more like parabolical expressions after their fruitless expense and pains learn only the insufficiencies of their processes and howbeit they reiterate their work to try if they can hit right yet nothing comes on it their skill at length amounting to little more than a treasonable adulteration of coin or a pitiful circumvention of Novices who are invited to sow Gold plentifully in hopes of a succeeding Harvest or turning desperate Quacks in Physic but on the contrary a Physician is never frustrated in his Chemical Essays Mor. the metal metamorph as one well notes faelices medici qui materiae differentias circa quas versantur optime tenent He knows the matter on which he works and brings it by his endeavours to that perfection he at first designed powerful Remedies to vanquish Diseases are the chiefest treasure he seeks after the Spagyrical Art which he professes not being concerned to metamorphize base Metals into Gold but sickness into health which as far excels that red though adored earth as that the basest metal Physicians also are best qualified to bring Chemistry to perfection that something already hath been performed in this kind will appear if the long and tedious processes set down by the Ancients be compared with those of later date 't was usual with those primitive Operators to spend not only months but years in preparing their Medicines which they esteemed according to the labour bestowed on them and styled them precious in respect of their cost which after all was done recompensed not either their trouble or charge and if it happened that any Patient stood in need of such Medicines he usually had warning to prepare for death before the Medicine could possibly be provided to cure him but this inconvenience is in some measure helped by the successful industry of Neotericks who have found out more speedy ways of preparing their Chemical Medicines then formerly were used and questionless when the Profession of Physic in all its parts and offices is established by Law and the Apish Pseudochymists stopped in their career the World will have an account that the present Physicians are acquainted with variety of powerful Menstruums by which they can sooner obtain the virtue of any Vegetable then by expressing its juice or decocting it and and so proportionably open both Animal and Mineral bodies to answer all Exigencies how sudden soever in their practice this I insinuate not by way of ostentation but that if Authority shall require a public proof may be given of it It remains now that I evidence the Physicians in this Kingdom to be the truest Chemists for certainly they are most able who make it best answer the ends for which it was invented Sennert de natura chym p. 755. set down by Sennertus Finis Chymiae internus est corpora naturalia concreta purificare solvere & componere alterare & exaltare & ita elaborare ut vel partes seorsim & singulae vel omnes iterum junctae & compositae sint quam purissimae & efficacissimae atque ad usus in vita humana peculiares & necessarios aptissimae & commodissimae finis externus est praecipue Sanitas & corporis humani conservatio h. e. The internal end of Chemistry consists in purifying dissolving and compounding altering and exalting and so ordering all concrete bodies that both the parts distinct or conjoined may be more useful and efficacious to cure Diseases and the external end is Sanity I shall rather choose to prove my Assertion by showing that these Physicians are skilful faithful and successful Chemists In the Universities and College in London have flourished heretofore some Physicians eminent for their knowledge and practice of Chemistry though not in those days valued according to their Merits but this inquisitive Age encouraging learned men to employ themselves in Spagyrical operations can not only produce a greater number of such Artists but may boast of their accurate search into the Phoenomena of Nature as well making new observations as experimenting the truth of those doctrines they receive by tradition Did I affirm that the lawful Physicians in this Kingdom are as knowing in rational Chemistry as any Society in the World I should impose an hard task on him who would undertake to oppose me herein 'T is not improbable but that the Dispensatory will be objected to me as a public confutation of our Physician's skill in Chemistry I answer that the persons at least many of them entrusted by the Supreme Authority to compose the London Dispensatory were excellent Chemists I could instance Sir Theodore de Mayerne and many others So then if these who as will be easily acknowledged knew more in this Art both as Operators and Practisers than our Pseudochymists thought fit to insert no more Chemical Preparations certainly than we may conceive that they supposed their Dispensatory as useful and complete without as with them however I must inform these Pretenders to Chemistry that no public Dispensatory is so well stocked with Spagyrical preparations as this against which such clamours are raised as if it was insufficient to furnish any prevalent Remedies It is clear that the College were not enemies to the Spagyrical Art when they appeared for it before any Academy or Society of Physicians in Europe and owned it in their Pharmacopaeia as far then as safely they might for their Dispensatory was chiefly intended as a Direction to the Apothecaries who though at that time very capable of dispencing vulgar Medicines for ordinary use yet were they not sufficient Operators to prepare the noblest and most difficult Remedies wherefore the College most prudently attempted by more obvious Operations at first to initiate them in Chemistry reserving to themselves the provision of what other Medicines they should need in their practice and those worthy Collegiates were so forward to promote this Art that some Physicians have rather blamed them for committing such Remedies to the care and use too as it since falls out of every Apothecary the mistakes in both too often ruining Patients and discrediting Physicians wherefore it seems more adviseable that they who use Spagyrical Medicines would not confide in common Operators who may disappoint their hopes and expectations but see to their Preparations whereby they may satisfy themselves and all that employ them and when Physicians take this business into their own hands they can be fully secured that their Remedies are no less faithfully then artificially prepared the trust and confidence reposed in Physicians being as considerable as Life calls upon them to express singular readiness and integrity to discharge their whole Office which consists not only in prescribing apt Medicaments but a due regard that they be well dispensed according to direction when so many Contingencies especially in such almost unimitable Operations may intervene to spoil their Virtues and deceive the confidence reposed in them the faithful Physician I say unless he is extraordinarily persuaded of his honesty and ability whom he employs will not be guilty of doing his work by halves and being experimentally convinced that many who undertake to be Operators are either defective or fallacious will not lie at stake for another's miscarriages which he so easily may prevent by preparing what Chemical Preparations his Patients take but if we compare the Physicians practice of Chemistry with the pretences of our Pseudochymists according to the old Axiom Contraria juxta se posita magis elucescunt The ignorance of the latter will serve as a foil to set out the eminency of the former Chemistry it seems hath not escaped the common fate of other Sciences and although by it other things are brought to the test yet very many illiterate persons not fearing the subtle exploration of the Fire dare call themselves Filios Artis hermeticae Hermetick Philosophers and because they erect Furnaces spend Charcoal and break Glasses do fancy and would persuade the World that they are prime Spagyrists these observe that Physicians in some cases do successfully administer Chemical Preparations and hence they take liberty by strange Artifices to commend their absurdities to the People inventing quintessential lies to carry on their horrid designs as if they could delude the World by their zeal for the good cause of Chemistry on the behalf of which they express a ready submission to undergo all manner of persecution and even martyrdom itself they mean I suppose by their own Furnaces what ever is produced to justify or advance the usefulness of Chemistry these Pseudochymists strive to interest themselves in it as if they were the only qualified persons to renovate the Science of Physic and intrust Physicians in their Profession because our Pseudochymists have dared to solicit His MAJESTY to Incorporate them fond conceiting that they could have deluded Authority with the same Arguments wherewith they daily cheat their Patients I shall more particularly examine their Abilities answer their Pleas and present the ill Consequence to the Faculty of Physic and the whole Nation if they should obtain a Patent or lawful settlement I shall consider these Pseudo-chymists either as University-men or Mechanics the abilities of the first seem questionable because they eat trial whereby if they be found worthy they may not only obtain a Licence to practise physic but an opportunity of improvement will be offered them by the friendly assistance of the whole Society And when these procaim most impudently their unjust censures of the learnedst College of Physicians in the World I cannot but assent to the Comedians Character of insufficiency Homine imperito nunquam quicquam injustius qui nisi quod ipse fecerit nil rectum putat No person is so censorious as he who is ignorant thinking nothing well but what he does himself Their association also with illiterate men shows what may be expected from them according to our Proverb Birds of a feather will flock together the truth is these have so mixed with the mass of Quacksalvers that I cannot know one from another whereupon I am apt to believe that these dealt Chemically with the Universities when they took Degrees and deluded them with false assurances of their highly volatilised Abilities soon evaporating and taking flight into the Land of forgetfulness where I leave these and return to the Pseudochymists who were educated in several Trades suitable to their Ingenuity can we imagine that he who leaps out of a Shop into a Laboratory is fit to mend both Philosophy and Medicine Indeed the Chemists who are Shoemakers may be kind to the Peripatetics and prevent their being gravelled and the Tailors may patch a mystical Garment together taking pity of Truth's nakedness But to be serious Paracels p. 289. what Paracelsus said of their Predecessors I may affirm of these Dolendum graviter tantam artem a tam inscitis levibusque hominibus tractari & eo corruptelae agi ut ne ipsi quidem veritati deinceps fides addicatur h. e. 'T is pity that such an excellent Art should be practised by such ignorant and unworthy persons upon whose account Truth itself can scarcely be credited I cannot guests by what means these unlearned Pseudochymists should acquire that knowledge they pretend to these din in our ears the purity and efficacy of their Preparations but gross conceptions of the Phaenomena of Nature and Medicinal truths are of worse consequence in the practice of Physic than Feculencies and excrementitious parts to hinder the full energy of any Medicine in the cure of Diseases should I undertake to discourse of the Abilities of these Chemists I should imitate him who attempted to treat de nihilo for my part I cannot allow them capable of being Spagyrical Apothecaries because he ought to be both well read & exercised too in Chemistry who is a good Operator & prepares fit Medicaments for the Physician a good Author alleges Qui in legendis libris deses extiterit in praeparandis rebus promptus esse non poterit liber namque librum aperit & sermo sermonem explicat quia quod in uno est diminutum in alio est completum non enim in practica bene assuescere potest cujus mens in Theorica renuit desudare quoniam procedit ad practicam non secus ac Asinus ad coenam ignorans quomodo & ad quid porrigat rostrum & os h. e. He who is not well versed in Books cannot be an expert Operator one Book Comments on another and one saying interprets another's obscurity so that the mysteriousness and abruptness of one is illustrated and completed by the perspicacity and fullness of another neither can he excel in the practical part who hath not by indefatigable industry and pains acquainted himself with the Theory for otherwise he comes to practise as the Ass to his supper not knowing what choice to make of the things set before him Let me note that by Books Arnoldus did not intend Shop-books as if any one skilled in them might thereby be enabled to operate in Chemistry If then these Pseudochymists are not fit to be allowed the preparations of Spagyrical Medicines what qualifications have they to practise Physic the artificial Collying of their hands every morning will no longer serve their turn to shadow their Ignorance for Experience shows that they are rather nigro carbone notandi To be known from black sheep Methinks the blackness of their hands seems a proper Emblem or Hieroglyphic of Death to all who unhappily come under them Abrah è port let a Jew inform us Christians concerning these Pseudochymists Leon. mant p. 126. saith he Multum de Arte pollicentur qui eam vix a limine salutarunt unquam quid mehercle magna remedia aurumque potabile in votis habere & minimis morbis ne tantillum opis adferre Artis magistros convellere & inscitiae & supinae ignorantiae incusare nun est audax & temerarium facinus quorum in pollicitationibus nulla veritas non modo calumniatores verum insignes mendaces & garruli impostores apud probos merito censebuntur h. e. These promise much in an Art in which they are scarcely initiated but what do they tell us of noble Remedies and potable Gold who cannot rationally cure the most inconsiderable Disease are not they very impudent and unadvised who dare boldly censure the ablest Professors accusing either their ignorance or laziness there is no truth in their promises wherefore all good men will account them slanderers notorious liars and prattling impostors Although the just repulse which these Pseudochymists lately suffered when they petitioned for a Charter hath as effectually answered all their Arguments as Wisdom and Prudence can determine for the welfare of the Public yet because they cease not to make continual addresses both in Print and Discourse to the People seeking to elude Authority and to persuade the Nation that the design set a foot by them will yet be countenanced I shall examine the strength of their Arguments which are grounded on the uselessness and imperfection of vulgar Methods and Medicaments in the curation of Diseases the most certain improvement of Physic in all its parts by Chemistry and that there is not any expedient so proper to renovate the Art of Physic and to rescue Mankind from the tyranny of Diseases as that a Society of Chemical Physicians be founded who will be obliged to spend their time and pains in promoting this most necessary work altogether unregarded and slighted by the Scholastics or Academical Physicians In the next Chapter I shall endeavour to show how far the old Methods and Medicaments are useful and sufficient and what rational Physicians may expect from them as also the ignorance of these Pseudochymists who undertake to censure them As for their commendation of Chemistry the true Physicians think them as much unable to express its worth and excellency as to practise it with credit if these Pseudochymists by any means can  the lawful Professors of Physic to the World describing them to be mean and dangerous Practitioners they imagine that the common voice will be for them and their Preparations but the College did no less heretofore take care to * Quò vide ant pseudochymici & metito nomine medici celeberrimum hoc nostrum Londinens Collegium singulis praeceptis singulisque instrumentis utriusque philosophiae affluere & abundare in arenam descendo etc. Tho. Rawlins in praefat alphabet ceu admon pseudochymic prevent such injuries then are still vigilant to secure themselves from their assaults When these plead a necessity that a Corporation of Chemical Physicians should be instituted because no particular Society takes care to advance the Spagyrical Art I must plainly tell them that their information is notoriously false for all Academical Physicians especially Collegiates as said before have ever accounted Chemistry part of their Profession and if this should be taken from them and committed to the management of others by the same rule more Pretenders may request the like Privileges of exercising distinctly all those Offices which jointly appertain to the accomplishment of a Physician and then one Corporation might undertake to feel Patients pulses another to view the Water and a third visit the sick no more entrenching on the Physicians proper business than these in their presumption to claim the sole use and authority of Chemical preparations but it seems these Pseudochymists conceit that their challenge or appeal to the Magistracy is an unanswerable argument imitating herein their vainglorious Leader Van Helmont to whom his Contemporary Henricus ab Here affords no better a character then to call him * Observat medic in Spa. cap. 7. Semi-virumque Asinum semi-Asinumque virum quo Arcadia non peperit Asiniorem * Cap. xxv And in another place rails against his Preparation of Euphorbium nay 't is well known that when he was in England where he learned most of his notions he generally failed in his Cures but yet his Disciples like those of Jacob Bhemen will presume to understand more than the Author and admire what is not intelligible The reasons which prevailed with the learned Physicians in that Age not to answer him in his folly hinder us from such unworthy encounters since that by other ways the impostures of these Pseudochymists may be discovered then by tolerating their desperate practice to experiment their unskilfulness their strange promises of curing certainly sixteen Patiens in twenty labouring of Fevers are intelligible evidences of their deceitful proceedings seeking only to gain employment by such presumptuous engagements if not by chance but according to a sober expectation two or three more die then they allot nay all the twenty as these cannot make satisfaction for one life much less for so many so will not they abate their confidence which stands them in such stead recommending them to the credulous multitude Furthermore that no manner of crafty insinuation may be omitted no stone left unturned these Pseudochymists print lists of their pretended Cures it is not worth any one's pains to examine the truth of them their expressions and language do sufficiently discover how little they understood the Diseases which they treat of and did not they conceal their Preparations there is no doubt but that the meanest capacity might censure their worthlesness or danger I having accidentally met with some of their performances content myself to judge of the rest thereby One of this select Society of Pseudochymists found a Patient entered on a course of Salivation to whom it seems by a Chirurgeon without acquainting either the Patient or his friend an apposite Mercurial Medicine had been given This simple Quack looking into the Patient's mouth and taking notice that his Gums were very much tumified forthwith pronounced that the Disease was the Scurvy which was arrived at the height and in order to the Cure he sends an Antimonial Medicine which not without much hazard both vomiting and purging the Patient inhibited the Flux by a speedy evacuation & revulsion of the serous humour whereby it was maintained and this is reckoned a wonderful Cure Another being called to see a large Tumour which by able Physicians and Surgeons was known to be an Aneurisme and accordingly dealt with by them most readily undertakes the Patient and promises present help then he falls to work and foments the parts affected with hot Chemical Spirits and oils till the Tumour blushed at his ignorance Another when his Patient complained that his Cough hindered him from sleep gave a Narcotick but alas expectoration being thereby suppressed the Patient was suffocated and slept quietly These few Examples may suffice to warn others that they intrust not their lives in the hands of such unskilful Practitioners who are altogether ignorant of the Causes and Symptoms of Diseases right methods of curation and proper remedies The ill consequences are so many which would be manifest if such a Charter should be granted that they cannot be easily reckoned up for not only Physicians would be debarred the exercise of a considerable part as hath been showed already of their Profession or two distinct Charters grant the same Privileges but the Apothecary's Company will be prejudiced who are authorized to provide as well Chemical as other Preparations and can more skilfully execute both than these pretended Operators some of them having spent only three or four weeks with Mr. Johnson Operator to the College others professing Chemistry by the assistance of a small Crucible or a Bal. Mariae and not a few being such titularly knowing as little in the Spagyrical Art as in other qualifications necessary to the practice of Physic It was a laudable custom expressing the honourable esteem heretofore had of the Profession of Medicine that Spurius ad Medicinam non erat admittendus No bastard might be a Physician If this deserved observation then certainly no spurious brood of Pseudochymists ought to be admitted to practice being neither legitimate Physicians or Apothecaries But the Universities will mostly suffer if such a Corporation should be established for who will spend their time and pains in those places when a Society calling themselves Chemists shall not only scorn and vilify their Book-learning but be empowered to take in an allotted number of Members as they shall think fit by which means in a few years the most excellent Science of Medicine will necessarily fall into the hands of ignorant and illiterate Practisers and as the University will then be deprived of one Faculty so the People ere long would be sensible of their loss when they must rely on such Assistants as Gun-smiths Heel-makers Tailors and the rest etc. He who pretends not to the Spirit of Prophecy may foresee what will be the event for these already slight Anatomy which all true Physicians account a most useful and necessary Introduction to the knowledge of Medicine informing them concerning the admirable fabric of Man's body its structure conformation and consent of parts the various liquors and juices contained in several vessels their changes and alterations as also the causes and symptoms of Diseases and the right use and application of Medicaments We as much approve the Anatomy of Bodies by Pyrotechny as they but judge him an incomplete Practitioner who knows not what or where the defect is in the noble Engine of Man's body and what Remedies whether Chemical or others are most convenient to rectify what is amiss and therefore true Physicians take especial care to conform their Medicaments to this exquisite Machine and when they observe as Bausnerus elegantly expresses In corpore humano nihil sine lege nihil sine ordine nihil sine pondere mensura & numero nihil deficit nihil redundat nihil otiosum aut superfluum omnia summe utilia semperque operantia h. e. There is nothing in man's body without Law Order and Concord nothing without proportion measure and number there is no defect nor redundancy nothing idle and unnecessary but all parts are primarily useful and continually operative So in like manner nothing ought to be prepared for and given to the body without rule and method without a due correspondency with it no imperfect or empyreumatical preparation nothing must be ineffectual or superfluous but all act vigorously and effectually to set to rights all disorders in the body But these Pseudochymists rightly apprehending their deficiency in Anatomy to conceal their ignorance disallow it at least judge it not of such importance as Physicians commonly affirm in the curation of diseasees Also Phlebotomy and Purgation are by them condemned the first styled impious and the other reputed destructive I am sure that Botallus was of another mind in relation to Phlebotomy Leonard Botall de curate per miss sanguinis p. 155. saith he Nos non opinamur sed cognoscimus & certo scimus in missione sanguinis plus esse opis ad curandan maxman morbo●ū partem si rite usurpetur quam in quoquam alio artis auxilio immo dicere ausim quam in caeteris aliis omnibus simul junctis Non propterea nos caetera praesidia à medicina excludenda esse censemus sed omnia suo tempore & modo usurpanda h. e. I do not guests but experimentally know that letting of blood if regularly ordered is more efficacious in the cure of most Diseases than any other direction nay I may add then all other Remedies put together and yet I exclude not the use of other helps which in their season may be beneficial because in the next Chapter I shall particularly discuss these Opinions about Phlebotomy and Purgation I shall at present dismiss them If these Pseudochymists shall still prosecute their design and yet dream that a Patent may be obtained I doubt not but that the College when they shall be called to deliver in their Objections against the settlement of such a Society will offer such weighty reasons that the expectation of these Pretenders will be frustrated This I thought fit to insert lest any one should imagine that my Arguments do conclude the College what is observed by me may possibly inform the People concerning the most dangerous project of these Pseudochymists if I have discharged the duty of a faithful Scout in descrying the common enemies of Mankind I return into my rank again being not engaged to oppose myself to their body drawn up in Battalia my work is done if the intelligence I bring of our Adversaries approach alarms every one to arm himself against their public and private assaults CHAP. VI Of the Ancient and Galenical way of MEDICINE BEfore I enter upon the examination of the Doctrines delivered by the Ancients 't is fit that I remove some stumbling blocks laid by the Pseudochymists in our way to imprint a Prejudice against the Truth and Authority of their Writings the first Accusation laid to their charge that they were Pagans implying that Christians hereupon ought not to credit their Books because all the Learning transmitted from them to us either stands or falls according to the validity or weakness of this censure I shall spend a little time in discussing it 't will not be expected that I defend the Opinions of these Philosophers and Physicians relating to Religion the Soul and other knowledge distinguishing us as Christians from them but the task I undertake is to evince that Hypocrates Galen and the rest though Heathens were capable of understanding the appearances of Nature and might discover useful truths for the benefit of their Posterity I am not ignorant that many have taken great pains to prove that most of these both Philosophers and Physicians saw the Books of Moses and many Arguments are brought to declare their devotion and piety I shall not dispute the reasons urged by these Advocates of the Ancients but rather grant that they were Heathens Well then since that the knowledge of which we discourse is acquirable by sense and reason I scruple not to assert that the Heathens might attain it as well as Christians for their sense was sufficient if not more exquisite than their degenerated posterity's and they possessed rational Souls which could readily improve all the communications of their sense nay who doubts but that God endowed these Heathens with extraordinary gifts and abilities for the good and welfare of Mankind that their Successors might more profitably contemplate the Universe with all its admirable furniture when the little Ant is constituted our Tutor and almost every creature by Divine appointment instructs us in natural mysteries much more may be expected from rational Pagans who diligently observing the Causes of things and their true effects the several alterations of bodies and what possibly could fall under their cognizance might invent and publish those Humane Sciences we still enjoy the most elaborate works of these Authors do abundantly express their indefatigable pains which in spite of opposition to this day continue accurate Comments on the book of Nature considering then that these Pagans lay under no impregnable difficulties hindering the success and issue of their Studies what could intervene to frustrate their public undertake or render their industry vain and fruitless But I would not be mistaken as if I thought these infallible in their discoveries if the Moon nay the Sun is spotted well may these have their imperfections yet Errorem in homine calumniari est toti ipsi mortalitati convicium facere h. e. The exprobration of error in any one is no less than an accusation of all Mankind But why Heathens This appellation having neither relation to their mistakes nor true opinions in natural knowledge indeed when these ancient Philosophers and Physicians soared so high in their thoughts and contended to pierce into the Magnalia Dei such profound secrets might disappoint their scrutiny and search and it is apparent that they never erred so grossly as in their attempts to discover such close concealments if these did not make use of the knowledge bestowed on them as they ought and from second causes ascended not up in their contemplation to an owning and adoration of the first being unacquainted with the deep mysteries of Religion we ought not to condemn them who have not made the difference between them and us but gratefully receive their endeavours and carefully avoid any unjust reproaches of those who spent themselves to be Promoters of their Successors in knowledge at least pointed out directly the way to us in our disquisition of natural truths Another Objection is brought in against the Ancients as if they exercised Tyranny over their Successors cramping their industry and strictly confining them to their Dictates the aggravation of this pretended Crime stuffs most of the late Writers books but I must answer that most of our Innovators may be well suspected to condemn what they either never read or understood for Hypocrates enjoins us to make Truth the Standard of all the Notions we entertain Galen also and the rest are so far from this kind of usurpation that they not only by example but by particular direction exhort their Readers to examine well all Traditions before they give their assent to them But suppose that the Ancients had been so severe as to seek the inslavement of their Posterity yet what restraint could they lay on any Physician to conform to their Precepts if any person who is at liberty will subject himself voluntarily to the government of another he makes his own condition servile and the brand of Pedantism may possibly reach these who of their own accord swear allegiance to their Masters choosing rather to err with them then to think right with the neoterics But I cannot be informed what effectual obligation the Ancients can lay on them who follow Reason only and are Sons of Truth indeed Antiquity commands a just veneration when it still triumphs in its mature and aged conclusions only capable of successive confirmations but whensoever true Physicians cannot be fully satisfied that some old doctrines are true they as freely and cheerfully leave them as any Traveller that path though pleasant and easy which may misguide him in his Journey However when these recede from the Positions of the Ancients after due reading and well pondering the Arguments on both sides they adhere to that which affords clear manifestations of its certainty contrary to the practice of our Innovators who are zealous to demolish the ancient structure of Medicinal truths under the pretence of a Reformation before they have taken an exact survey of its faults or laid a new and more rational platform acting thus not for want of ignorance the Palace must be turned into Cottages suitable to such Inhabitants the works of these incomparable Physicians because they surpass their capacity deserve their severest censure and envy prompts them on to poison these Fountains that the reputation at least of all may be destroyed who come thither in order to the satisfaction of their thirst after knowledge but true Physicians take another course and first inform themselves what progress the Ancients have made in their Medicinal discoveries and then note their defects which they supply with new choice observations and since that by reason of the restless endeavours of Physicians in their continual search after the hidden treasures of Nature no Science hath been so considerably advanced as Medicine they candidly and gratefully receive the new Doctrines and expunge the old but do not imitate him who foolishly commanded that his house should be pulled down because the rain pashed in through three or four faults in the Covering or Roof so these do not think fit to cast off the whole Science of Physic which they received from the Ancients for no other reason then because some defects are detected therein Physicians also are not so unworthy as to calumniate the Ancients being ascertained that they did not write with design to deceive and abuse their Readers or Disciples to conclude these are so prudent as neither to dote on old errors or admire new phrensical Hypotheses Did I not avoid prolixity as also suppose that all sober men are satisfied that the lawful Physicians in this Kingdom have sufficiently asserted their liberty by forsaking the Ancients when they forsook Truth I should here produce all those new Opinions which are received as irrefragable conclusions though not consonant to the Dictates of Hypocrates or Galen That Physicians do still savour the old I mean the Galenical way of Medicine no other account can be given then that it is most agreeable to their reason and experience and transmitted to them from such skilful Practitioners that deserve more to be credited then their Antagonists who profess Medicine without any rational Method slighting those Rules of Art which they can't observe by reason of ignorance I should exceed the intended bounds of this discourse did I undertake to run over the Body of Galenical Physic and subject each part distinctly to examination it may suffice therefore that I trace our Pseudochymists in their opposition of those Tenants which seem to them most questionable relating either to the Theory or Practice 't is well known that every Scribbler thinks himself highly concerned to bawl against the three Aristotelian Principles Matter Form and Privation the four Elements Fire Air Water and Earth the four first Qualities Hot Moist Cold and Dry the four Humours Choler Blood Phlegm and Melancholy the Temperaments and other Opinions of Galen and his followers not unlike these but when Physicians do rightly understand that these terms of Art are the Products of fancy and by no means the Fundamentals of Medicine as I hinted before these spend their time in beating the Air and fight with shadows which elude their strokes when other more apposite terms are found out not alike fantastical we shall soon exchange the old for new because Physicians are obliged in the Universities to read Aristotle Hypocrates and Galen must they needs approve all their Notions did these apprehend that the Mind doth change as much or more than the Body and as this altars by new accessions of Aliment so the other is progressive in its Conceptions by further illumination and discoveries * Heroici viri quamvis nullam artem quam humana excogitavit industria absolutam nobis reliquerunt praeclara tamen in omnibus artibus indefessis laboribus longissimisque observationibus in venerum posterisque instar testamenti fideliter tradiderunt Bruel in pref they would not so peremptorily conclude the Physician's knowledge by the Books which they are engaged to turn over if the Ancients have not been happy in their expressions so that their Writings are dark and uncertain yet ought we to esteem them for their noble attempts to reason out and discover the first inclinations of Nature should I insist longer on these Notions or plead for the necessity of retaining them both in our Philosophy and Medicine or repeat the Arguments against them I might deserve as sharp a censure as he who was solicitous to determine whether a Crow or Goose-quill might be most serviceable in writing Because these terms are by so many accounted prejudicial to right conceptions of Nature's Operations and thought worthy of no better an Appellation than Figments I shall inquire whether the case is much altered by a substitution of other Notions more agreeable as our Innovators would persuade the World to the Phaenomena of Nature and in the first place the term Specific occurs and although most late Writers endeavour to reduce the whole of Pharmacy to this notion yet none have been so kind as to interpret what was intended by it if they explain themselves by the internal and seminal virtues that is ignotum per ignotius I shall guests at what they mean and I suppose that hereby they would express A peculiar virtue flowing from the essence of any Simple whereby in operation and effect it is distinguished from another as it is appropriated to the cure of a particular Disease Well then every Simple according to this doctrine is specifical or else this pretended Universal notion comprehends not the true virtues of all Simples but if every Simple is distinctly in respect of Use specifical than it necessarily follows that there are as many Diseases as Specifics otherwise this defect of a correlate would contradict their chief intent of being Specifics but let the World judge what an absurd fancy it is to conceive that there are so many different Diseases to which Mankind is subject as there are distinct Vegetables Animals and Minerals whose virtues are different as if the Great Creator did equally furnish the Universe with Diseases as with Simples and notwithstanding the Patrons of the term have not unriddled its obscurity nor declared the sovereignty of Ares yet do they most confidently assert that Diseases may chiefly be cured by their  power and least Physicians should not know where to look for such excellent helps by good advice they are sent unto illiterate Practisers and common rude Empirics in whose hands it seems such Specifics may be found because these being altogether ignorant of Methods do wholly rely on them by frequent experimentings attaining knowledge of their proprieties But as it is evident that no Specific can be produced which will certainly cure that Disease to which it is appropriated and that if such Remedies help three or four yet failing in the fifth * Illa habentur specifica quae omnibus differentiis alicujus morbi omnibus hominibus & omni tempore prosunt Fab. p. 476. the miscarriage is chargeable on their insufficiency and not on any mistake in application because the same person might as probably by mistake cure the first as fail in the last so there is no Specific but what may be easily reduced to some common intention as much answering that in divers Diseases as the same The Doctrine also of Fermentation is as intricate and mysterious as some opinions of the Galenists which are laid aside and thought useless in the explanation of the appearances of Nature I confess that the learned Treatise of Doctor Willis hath fully satisfied very many scruples and yet they who have made the greatest progress in the discovery hereof are conscious that they understand little in respect of what is unknown about this Doctrine before I pass from this subject it may be expected that I take notice of the three notable Ferments mentioned by the Author of Medela medicinae if I was appointed to determine I could not readily judge whether Mr. M. N. through ignorance doth more abuse this term then the Galenical notions condemned by him for because the famous Doctor Willis tell us that atomical effluviums may act instar fermenti Analogously to ferment this Author disputes not to call them Ferments and because Hypocrates acquaints us that there are morbid expirations which may pass from one body to another and in other Authors he reads that not only the Pox but the Scurvy are contagious Diseases and that there have happened peculiar putrefactions of the Air producing worms hence he wisely infers That no body is secure from the most subtle insinuations of those active particles as powerfully penetrating another body at distance as by an immediate contact Should I critically set down this Author's errors in these assertions the Reader would be tired with their absurdity for in the whole I observe he misapplies the design and intent of those learned Authors he citys but that which I chiefly intent is to distinguish between those who are infected with the mentioned Ferments and the rest who are free I shall in few words state the business we deny not that the Pox and Scurvy may be contagious Diseases but a learned Author affirms Non omnem luem esse contagiosam Hercul Saxon de lieu ven p. 3. & plerunque minus contagiosan esse vetustam & confirmatam quam recentem & mediam & lues quae ex tophis tantum seipsam prodit non est contagiosa and the same Author gives us two or three Histories to confirm his Opinion I shall not transcribe them lest any should be encouraged to that vice from which they are deterred by the severity of this punishment and however Mr. M. N. hath put a plausible excuse into their mouths who have deserved the Pox teaching them to plead that some infectious Air passed only through their pores insensibly which hath so wonderfully wrought upon them by its power that no part is free from pain and torments yet as his fantastical Ferments reach not those who avoid impure contacts so all sinners can experimentally difference the time of their health and sickness when they meet with persons who communicate that horrid Disease to them Mr. M. N. should have set down the conditions necessary to contagion as that there be such little particles continually transmitted from unsound bodies a fit medium or vehicle to receive and carry them to their journey's end a disposition in the other body to receive them and a due stay there for if any of these necessary conditions are wanting contagious Diseases cannot be propagated mediately or at distance 1. 'T is granted that to this kind of infection a sufficient emission of minute substances or corpuscles tinctured with the infection must invade another body it is possible that in the French Disease as also the Scurvy some venomous effluxes may happen but by no means such as M. N. fancies rendering these Diseases as contagious as the Pestilence because the putrefaction in these being imperfect in respect of that cannot communicate a venom which it was not capable of producing what kind of taint arises from the Pox and the Scurvy and how forcible it is to transmute a distant body is a business above the reach of M. N. and not my task at present to inform him I shall only object against his vast collection that experience confutes his Romance of the most powerful effluxes of such venereous and scorbutic Ferments it being most apparent that they who eat drink and familiarly converse with nay dress the Ulcers and sores of both Pocky and scorbutical Patients are not infected to say no more if these Diseases are generally so contagious as without any corporeal commerce to infect how comes it to pass that some parts in that body from which these exhalations expire are more free than others 2. To Contagion a fit medium or vehicle is required Authors do very well distinguish inter fomitem perflatum & non perflatum between Contagions which may by the air be diminished dissipated and extinguished and others wherein notwithstanding the several alterations of the Air infectious particles preserve their malignity till they fix in some apt seat or place of abode and such as pass from body to body directly by reason of as it were the stagnation of the Air had M. N. affirmed that no change in the medium could prevent the power of his three Ferments from possessing distant bodies I would have answered him in the words of an Author not inferior to him for abilities Si medium tantum aut calescat aut refrigeretur siccetur aut humectetur aut aliam quamlibet qualitatem nudam suscipiat alterabitur similiter corpus proximum & non proinde suscipiet morbum corporis longe positi h. e. If the medium only is hot or cold dry or moist or is otherwise qualified than it was the adjacent body is equally changed and hereupon not subject to contagion and I hope he will not adventure to say the Air may be so quiet between two remote bodies that rays may as indisturbedly pass from one to the other as between the Needle and Loadstone since that the motion or agitation of the Air will hinder their operations which being natural are within their Sphere more potent than such preternatural Ferments he mentions 3. There must be a disposition in the body to receive their impression whereby I do not only mean passages open to let them in although to atomical penetration such figures are requisite which fit the pores or passages admitting them but a similitude in respect of impurity in the body to be infected I now speak of mediate contact for that which is immediate being more prevalent and discharging more venomous or infectious particles needs a less foams or preparation of matter disposing to receive such a tincture whereas by how much more the bodies are distant from each other which communicate and receive such contagious Diseases answerable to the intermediate space must be the apparatus morbificus or foams to entertain the malignity if then all bodies do not abound with humours which tend to such putrefactions 't is vain to imagine that the pretended Ferments do prevail upon those which are free from such impurities as on others which being loaded with them do most easily suffer by such venomous effluxes I might here question whether a common or peculiar putrefaction of congested and mixed Feculencies or of some particular juice or humour did more especially if not altogether dispose to the entertainment of the pocky and scorbutic Ferments but such speculations would take me off the business at present designed in this Chapter 4. The contagious effluxes must have a due stay in the body they infect but if man's body in a state of health is in all parts transpirable or a thoroughfare these contagious corpuscles may be as soon passed out as let in and by this means do no execution on other bodies where they lodge not but if these vapours as some conceive are viscous which cannot well be granted seeing that they so easily separate from their Mine or rather if they meet with any glutinous humour they immediately are entangled and may infect that body in which they are long detained If then so many impediments may prevent these most dreadful Effluxes from affecting to use the expression of M. N. All the families of mankind which are not infected by immediate contact but most by these fine and subtle corpuscles darting into grosser bodies which there settle somewhat of their nature tincture or leaven disposing them by degrees to be unsound as also if experience otherwise informs us with what confidence can this Author broach such Opinions and with his corrupted Ink infect more Families than the severest contagion that ever happened to Mankind But He explains his meaning and as he takes good care never to want Patients who can so easily persuade the whole World that they are diseased so is he also very kind to provide Remedies Med. medicinae p. 37. for he writes That he hath on purpose invented fit Remedies the nature of which is to fight against humours both great and small in old or young which have been any way touched with such tinctures either through their own default or by figillation of those seminal principles which contribute towards the being of Mankind in the act of Generation etc. And this is the natural result of his design I cannot divine what the Medicines are which he hath invented but I am confident no slight and at the long run pernicious preparation of Antimony and Mercury will perform what he promises But 't is probable that such pretences both of inventing Diseases and new Remedies may not seduce the World into a credit of either if any be of such an easy persuasion as to intrust themselves and neither of the hazardous preparations by vomiting and purging violently can effect a Cure they may be dispatched into the Country Air with a sovereign and rare chemical Cordial made by the infusion of three or four Dates in a Pint of Malago What this Author writes concerning Worms is no news to Physicians because they are fully acquainted with the several products of corrupted matter and in relation to the cure of Diseases take especial care as to prevent any stagnation and putrefaction of humours so to expel all verminous matter and worms if any whether in acute and malignant or chronical Diseases are bred in the body I might produce some other Opinions besides these of Specifics and fermentation which not being sufficiently explained and demonstrated continue as liable to exception as some Galenick notions very much disliked by those who affect novel errors rather than old truths but I shall come to that which is of greater concernment and endeavour to defend the practice of Phlebotomy and Purgation which are accounted by the two Champions of the Pseudochymists the Supporters of the Galenick Physic M. N. Page 374. writes that there is seldom any tolerable cause for bleeding in our Climate Afterwards in the head of his pretended Arguments p. 383. he pleads only That we ought to be very wary thereof as if Physicians were not of the same judgement being most circumspect in their direction of Phlebotomy but if M. N. had been as diligent to understand their Books as to cavil at shadows he would never have mistaken Cautions and Contraindicants set down frequently in their Writings as reasons to abolish its true use what is alleged concerning our Climate proves nothing and might pass without observation if the vanity of such triflers did not beget a dotage in the People to imagine that Cause to be just which with verbosity is pleaded His first Objection is because the Scurvy is predominant in most of our Diseases and consequently a crude acid serum in the mass of blood p. 383 I answer that neither of his Suppositions are apparent in practice for we see often in most acute Diseases Crises Digestions and Separations orderly made by Nature truly governed nor if they were would they hinder the use of bleeding when its indication happens he had done well to explain himself what he means by the words Scurvy and scorbutical tincture frequently mentioned for I do not remember in all his book one sensible sign or symptom set down to discern them by and am apt to believe that his young studies are not yet acquainted with such speculations to say they are signified when there is in the blood a crude or an Acid Serum which are all one with him implies that the blood must be first seen and tasted before that Disease can be discovered wherefore I may well suppose that he undertaking practice before he understood Physic and meeting with difficulties and diseases not yielding to his opinionated Receipts fathered his failings on this universal disease thinking to excuse his ignorance of particulars thereby 2. 'T is urged that the spirituous part of the blood being but little and less in our Northern bodies than those of other Climates it must needs be a pernicious course to make it less p. 393. I very much wonder by what Staticks he measured the proportion to make our spirits fewer than others we have larger stronger and more active bodies why not then as many spirits 't is not good to be fond of an unreasonable Opinion and then dream absurdities to make it plausible I know not what reason this Author hath at this juncture of time to dispirit his Native Country But the main drift and Argument against Phlebotomy is That the letting out the spiritous part of the blood with the rest is a pernicious course which G. T. urges likewise with a subtle distinction of Sanguis and Cruor never to be found in any living man's veins as if hereby many vital spirits were lost good blood and bad put out together and the remainder left more liable unto diseases But what is all this by the same Arguments they might dissuade procreation suckling of Infants lest some vital spirits should be spent whereas Nature is not so penurious of her store but still furnishes the whole body plentifully to execute all necessary offices whereby life is prolonged and diseases conquered and after bleeding like a Lamp freed from its choking snuff shines forth brighter the want of strength is reckoned amongst the Ancients as a contra-indication of Phlebotomy but the loss of a few vital spirits were never accounted a sufficient bar to the practice of Physicians who respect the inestimable benefit accrueing to their Patients by it though perhaps it may not be approved by Empirics and Nurses from whom these gather their knowledge and instruction And I think that their dislike of Phlebotomy because they discern not when it is proper and useful is very commendable and if they would likewise refrain from other ways of curing Diseases upon the same account which are as dangerous if mistaken they would free themselves from much guilt not of shedding men's blood but of keeping it in their veins to their ruin and destruction and of giving Vomits and other Medicines unseasonably whereby not a few miscarry In his other Objections are recounted some Cases besides the true intention of Phlebotomy when the blood is depauperated who opens a vein His conjecture or supposition that our blood in this Climate is more inclinable to coagulation proves nothing neither hath he showed that Sanguification succeeds not well after Phlebotomy judiciously directed every Physician's observation overthrows such imaginary prejudices by bleeding 't is well known that some aged persons have for the space of thirty or forty years opened a vein Spring and Fall if not oftener losing seven or eight Ounces each time by which evacuation chiefly they avoided the great inconveniences which otherwise they might justly fear much threatened their lives I might likewise instance the female Sex whose blood is not so spirituous as men's and yet these suffer not by their Customary tribute to Nature but very much when this sanguinary expiation doth not succeed The Physicians by this Author termed Galenists are so rational as that they respect strictly the Indications of Phlebotomy and if these signify a necessity of bleeding they stick not to order it even in the small Pox malignant Fevers nay in the Plague itself as knowing what service the Patient will reap by it and the danger of such a considerable omission but I am apt to believe that this Author and his brethren not understanding the Indications of bleeding may by some miscarriages be deterred from using it for my part I think that he deserves a severe censure who lays open the secrets of Medicine to such bold Practitioners had this Author been versed in the Writings of the ablest Spagyricks he might have taken notice that some of them being Germans commended bleeding in most Diseases to their Countrymen whose bodies as he suggests are most like ours in this Kingdom but perhaps he will answer that these wanted such Arcanums which he and his Associates pretend to as might prevent bleeding I shall be so charitable as to suppose that he was not ignorant of the practice of these Chemists but rather that he willingly passed them by lest their authority should justify the Galenists in this point To sum up all although this Author adventures to judge of the state of our blood without any good and warrantable foundation and thereupon dissuades bleeding and at length plays the Mountebank by promising such Remedies as may allay the fermentation of the blood and cure Diseases without Phlebotomy yet cannot Physicians by such a weak plea be persuaded to forbear the use of this evacuation which Nature directs to by hemorrhages and constant experience confirms when there is a just cause and proper Indication When so much is said against Phlebotomy it may seem strange that Hypocrates should be blamed because he as some interpret the Aphorism dislikes it in teeming women I shall recite the Aphorism and then we shall see who is most culpable Lib. 5. Aphorism 31. 'T is urged that Physicians being misguided by this Aphorism have suffered multitudes of female Patients to die under their hands who probably might have been rescued by a discreet Phlebotomy But had such Censurers of the Physicians practice heretofore apprehended the right sense and import of the words and the construction which hath been continually put upon them by the ablest Commentators their charity would have preceded their zeal to carp at not only the Aphorisms of Hypocrates but the practice of skilful Physicians who admired and conformed to these succinct Aphoristical sentences I shall produce amongst many writing to the same purpose two Authors who explain the meaning of Hypocrates * Christoph à Vega p. 846. Christoph a Vega says Non putare oportet Hippocratem omnino denegare sanguinis missionem utero gerentibus sed eam esse vult de indicationibus quae dehortantur à sanguinis missione & est scopus qui viribus correpugnat & docet minori copia sanguinem esse mittendum quam alias h. e. 'T is not to be imagined that Hypocrates did absolutely forbid the bleeding of women with Child but only when there happen Contraindications to it and there is a sufficiency of strength and he cautions to take away a less quantity in such cases then otherwise might be allowed And the same Author after he hath declared the usefulness of bleeding such Patients ratifies his Opinion with an eminent example and tells us That he hath taken away ten ounces of blood twice in the eighth month with very good success and advantage to his noble Patient and the Child But he aptly concludes Non tamen vult Hippocrates esse exercendam sanguinis missionem in utero gerentibus nisi magno urgente usu praesertim ubi faetus est major h. e. Hypocrates advised not to blood teeming women especially if the Child is big unless there be a necessity or important cause * Heurn in Aphorism p. 358. Heurnius also after he hath affirmed that the upper veins as he terms them may be opened more positively gives us his sense of this controverted Aphorism Loquitur Hippocrates de larga sanguinis missione quae non solebat esse libra minor hodie autem minorem sanguinis effusionem non aversamur modo vires admittant morbusque validus id suadeat h. e. Hypocrates did only oppose the exhausting of the veins by drawing a great quantity of blood which in those days was not less than a pound at a time but we may safety take away a less quanity if the Patient's strength will permit and the Diseases require this evacuation If then the most excellent Hypocrates did not by this Aphorism restrain a cautious bleeding of women with Child as well to prevent Abortion as to cure Diseases to which their condition is liable and his legitimate Disciples have constantly phlebotomized such Patients both by their great Master's example and authority when ever a proper indication discovered a necessity of this course I understand not with whom our Adversaries contend stigmatising them with the brand of Murderers and aggravating their crime which at once destroys both the tree and fruit the Mother and Child what must Physicians be accused for suffering their female Patients to die because their Accusers misinterpret this weighty Aphorism imitating those who having sore eyes or the Jaundice imagine all others on whom they look to be in their condition All that I shall observe from this severe Animadversion is that such persons do express a great disrespect towards the Ancients who rather than fail will invent a charge against them and this example gives a sufficient cause of suspicion that other censure of them are as contrary to the common principles of humanity as besides the sense of their exquisite Writings To proceed our Pseudochymists inveigh also against Purgation which by the Galenists is reckoned a Medication whereby the body is drained from the mass of vicious and peccant humours which are at least the fuel of Diseases and by their timely removal and expulsion oftentimes a Cure is performed The Argument urged against cathartics is That they purge out of the body both good and bad together We are sensible that the Patient doth very much suffer when he is causelessly purged and when good and bad are promiscuously emptied but when cathartics are given to those who need them not he errs who indirectly prescribes them whereas true Physicians do imitate and assist Nature in her critical elimination of concocted humours and not in her Symptomatical excretions wherein by means of some powerful irritation the alimentary juice is evacuated and the spirits be exhausted 't is confessed that cathartics operate by way of irritation upon which account also natural dejections are caused and when these succeed not well 't is the Physician's office to quicken Nature in her work who therefore do artificially graduate their cathartics according to the quantity quality seat and motion of these excrementitious humours and this is not only effected by varying the Dose of some Purgers but by selection and choice of those which may best answer their designment acting otherwise then our Empirical Pseudochymists who when they are most wary do only alter the Dose of their Antimonial preparation and then very much boast of the safety and inoffensiveness of their Emetico-catharticks inviting the people by the smallness of the Dose to make use of it being ignorant that one or two grains may impregnate a mass of humours and diffuse into them the same Emetic and Cathartick virtue and hence it comes to pass that by such small quantities of that Powder most dreadful evacuations are caused enervating Diarrhaeas hazardous Dysenteries and fatal colliquations nay sometimes periodical vomitings and purge of which I could produce not a few examples these Patients continually languishing until they died I hint this because many Patients are so apt to nauseate wholesome Galenical Potions preferring * Nihil juvare videtur nisi quod è sanctuariis chymicorum depromptum tamque attonita quorundam animos persuasio occupavit ut prodesse nisi chymica non putent Billish in epist these which offend not the scent and taste but the event doth sufficiently prove the difference our Senna Rhubarb Cassia Manna Agarick etc. are benign cathartics and so safe that they may be given to teeming women young children and in such Diseases where other Purgers may do harm our Colocynthis likewise and Scammony etc. being more prevalent to extimulate when artificially prepared and rationally directed are sufficient to cleanse an Augaean Stable and whereas these Pseudochymists boast their cathartics to be also Diaphoretical I confess that by accident they are so for most who take them fall immediately into cold sweats Thus do they deal subtly who would have such Agonies be reckoned an advantage to their Patients I have followed our Adversaries in their way of argumentation who first oppose purgation in general and then considering that they vomit and purge oftener and more violently those who employ them then any Pretenders to the practice of Physic admit the use of cathartics which yet they limit to their Mercurial or Antimonial preparations * His parium & superiorum contemptus acsi iis solis cerebrum & cor Natura formasset & reliqui vel in truncos & stipites abiissent vel peponem pro corde fungum pro cerebro gererent Jonst concealed from all others lest they should judge of their malignancy and justly censure these arrogant Pseudochymists than they all those who descent from them Galenick Medicines in the next place are by our Pseudochymists condemned as languid insufficient and faulty both in respect of their preparation and composition In relation to their preparation the Galenists do not pretend to that accurateness which the Chemist's promise but yet they suppose that their way doth more preserve the true and seminal virtues of the Simples used by them then the other since that 't is questionable whether Spagyrical Distillations Calcinations and other like Artifices do not destroy the proprieties of those Ingredients on which they work and substitute something else effected and produced by their operation if this doubt is cleared and it is demonstrated that by Chemistry the Virtues of such Simples are exalted only and not altered I shall willingly fall in with the ingenuous determination of this Point by a Galenist Nemo inficiatur remedia chymice praeparata in morbis propulsandis efficaciora palato gratiora & in exigua Dosi exhibenda si dextre exhibeantur ea ratione Galenicis palmam eripiunt Hoc tamen asseverare ausim si qui obtigerint aegri in assumendis pharmacis morigeri non nauseabundi & delicatuli quin per vegetabilia aeque Galenicorum praesertim à medico prudente in cognition morborum & methodo medendi probe exercitato à gravissimis & desperatis affectibus liberari & citius in integrum restitui queant omnia probanda quae bona observanda non autem omnia vetera promiscue rejicienda & cum animi vehementia sceptice traducenda h. e. Medicines chemically prepared are undoubtedly more efficacious and powerful more grateful to the taste and may be given in a far less Dose then Galenical but yet if Patients will be obedient and not so nice and squeemish by the direction of an able Physician who understands the Disease and a right method of curing it they may more securely and certainly be helped by Galenick Medicines 't is convenient to experiment all things and retain what appears most rational however they err who promiscuously reject and passionately censure all the Remedies which the Ancients left us as the fruit of their experience The Galenick Compositions in respect of the vast and exorbitant number of Simples mixed together are likewise esteemed rather pompous then beneficial Medicines Treacle by some reckoned a confused mass of Ingredients the dream of waking Andromachus and Discordium a fermented heap much may be said on behalf of these grand Dispensations comparing them to a well disciplined Army wherein are some Field-officers able in respect of their skill in Martial affairs singly to conquer the Enemy but these commanding the body of the Army will more probably by their conjunct fortitude and courage become Victors I might also liken them to a well governed State in which every Member in his place and station acts uniformly to oppose all who endeavour to disturb the public Peace what these at first view do think to be only a Farrago or hotchpotch of many things jumbled together when more strictly examined will appear most artificial and admirable compositions to encounter the several complications of Diseases I need say no more in their defence than that long experience hath given them a repute in the World which cannot be prejudiced by the Satirical Invectives of such who like nothing but their own conceited preparations Physicians also in this Age may without any imputation of ignorance in the knowledge of Simples and their peculiar Virtues be allowed to form long Compositions not only because of complications which are more frequent and intricate * Olim non opus erat remediis diligentibus nondum in tantum nequitia surrexerat nec tam late se sparserat poterant vitiis simplicibus obstare remedia simplicia nunc necesse est tant● operatiora esse munimenta quanto valentiora sunt quibus petimur etc. Sen. p. 785. then heretofore but that they may hereby conceal their skill for when the Medicine is disguised by putting in such Ingredients which obscure its intention but hinder not its virtue they are puzzled who would make an indirect advantage of such a Prescript there will be no occasion for this Stratagem when Physicians to rescue their Profession from the abuses of unworthy and illiterate Practisers do dispense their own Medicaments who may then more securely use one Simple then now a perplexed composition and when they have occasion to add auxiliary forces to them in Complications prevent those inconveniencies which as the case now stands they cannot avoid But why should I insist longer on particulars when the whole method of Physic is rejected by our Pseudochymists as useless and if multitudes of words would prevail scurrilities were argumentative as their styling it Satan's device and plot to destroy Mankind and telling us of vast numbers being methodised into their graves If enigmatical hypotheses had power to persuade or the novelty of their Notions to bewitch the old Galenistical method had long received its doom and its Adversaries had triumphed over its ruins but true and rational methods * Ubi de salute humana agitur non standum uniuscujusque judicio sed eorum qui authoritatem longo tempore sibi compararunt Caesalp p. 10. take deeper root by means of these boisterous agitations I cannot understand the meaning of some Stories which I meet with in our late Writers who give us an account that some Physicians were not solicitous if their Patients died secundum Artem by the fairest method in the world I cannot excuse any personal miscarriages in Physicians but I should be unjust to the most faithful Physicians if I did not vindicate them from the failings of others these subtle Accusers of all Methodists would not approve of a retaliation and that I should affirm that one who professes himself to be a Philosopher by fire is not ashamed publicly to thank God that he is no Scholar If that good Law was observed Qui affectat ignorantiam est puniendus h. e. He who affects Ignorance ought to suffer severe punishment Our Pseudochymiaster would fall his Crest and cease to be proud of his blindness or did I relate the words of a famous Pseudochymist who when the Patient did suddenly die after a Dose of his Antimonial Pills commended the excellency of such Medicines * Laudo tuam experientiam qui non finis infirmos computrescere sed eos statim è vita liberas Strat. philos which dispatched without much pain and procured an easy death It were no difficult matter to parallel any Stories they can produce to make the Methodists infamous but the meanest people can discern the Sophistry of such Argumentations and may suppose that they observe the same way in their curation of Diseases As for the Methodus medendi our Adversaries complain that by it the cause and nature of Diseases are not sufficiently discovered their Symptoms not rightly described and that the Remedies set down are impotent and rather increase then cure Diseases Certainly they presume that their own bare negation or affirmation of what they dislike or approve is a persuasive Argument to others who expect satisfaction in particulars and are cautious to escape the cheat and delusion which lies in such universal conclusions nay to assert that because some errors may be found in it the whole hereupon ought to be proscribed and deserted were alike mad and impious practice as immediately to bury that man whose toes are sphacelated when an expert Chirurgeon by a mature amputation of the joints which are mortified may preserve the life of his Patient But I shall choose to deliver my sense in the words of a learned Author as I have throughout this Treatise done in matters of Controversy saith the experienced Seidelius Seidel p. 133. Nullus unquam morbus qui curatus arte humana aliter curatus est quam juxta veteris & verae medicinae fundamenta methodumque objicient hic statim nun curavimus nos quamplurimos a vobis pro desperatis relictos quibus respondeo nescire me illud neque hactenus certo rem ita se habere comperisse praeter privatas enim praedicationes atque laudes & domestica testimonia in conventiculis clandestinis ad libitum conficta levissime aliud fide dignum nihil auditu percepi quot vero homines diris modis jugulaverint de quo publicis quorundam scriptis sunt accusati id altissimo silentio obruunt & interim the quintiss atque arcanis essentiis immani precio Auri extractis nugantur ut imperitis fucum faciant etc. h. e. There was never any Cure wrought by humane Art and skill which derived not its succesfulness from the sure foundations and method of the ancient and true way of Medicine but here they will object have not we recovered very many forsaken by you I answer that I know no such matter neither am I satisfied that what you speak is true for besides your vain boastings self-commendations and forged Subscriptions and Certificates made in your Conventicles I perceived nothing that was credible but they are willing to conceal how many men by their most horrid devices have been murdered they crack of their Quintessential Medicines and precious Extracts with design only to delude and cheat those who want capacity to understand their impostures This Author hath afforded us such a description of our Pseudochymical non-methodists that I need say no more concerning them nor write a Comment when the Text is so plain and obvious but because the opposition both by M. N. and G. T. is made between the Writings of Galen and Helmont I am willing before I end this Chapter in which many things are omitted to show the difference between them according to the judgement of Thonerus whose authority in another case is allowed by M. N. saith he * Thon epist. medic p. 32. Plaustris librorum carere facile poterit qui scripta Galeni sibi familiaria reddiderit dum omnes Authores exin velut e magno Oceano depromant & hauriant ut qui in Galeno non sunt versati existiment ab eorum ingenio profecta suam hinc prodeuntes imperitiam dum omnia a Galeno sint mutuati and goes on Quid esset ipse Helmontius ni quicquid boni ex Galeni & Hippocratis monumentis primitus deprompsisset sed post omnia corrumpens & invertens suas exin nectens argutias malam rependens gratiam in eos retorsit aquam veritatis limpidam ex illorum fonte haustam suis sophismatis inquinavit & totaliter faeculentam reddere attentavit fretus arguto & insolenti genio h. e. He needs no Library who is well versed in the Writings of Galen from whom all Authors as from the Ocean derive their streams and they who have not read Galen conceit what notions they broach are the products of their own brain and invention betraying their ignorance when Galen was the Author of those Opinions and what is Helmont if stripped of the most considerable truths which he transcribed out of Hypocrates and Galen and at length he corrupted them introducing his own whimsies like an ungrateful person illy requiting them who informed him in Medicinal knowledge sophisticating their sincere doctrines being of a subtle and insolent temper It may be expected that I should vindicate the Doctrines of Critical days and Pulses which are opposed by M. N. But since that nothing is brought against them worth observation or an answer and considering also that these are not of such concernment to Patients as to Physicians who daily experience the usefulness thereof in their Profession and can discern the motions and concoctions of the peccant and morbific matter as also the strength by the Pulse and what other information they can afford as also that this Innovator who measures the knowledge of others by his own hath effected nothing by his pains so until something to better purpose without the misinterpretations and abuses of Authors is offered I think myself excused from particular replies to his most impertinent Cavils CHAP. VII Of the Pseudochymists pretended Panacaea or universal Medicine AMongst the vainglorious boastings of the Pseudochymists there is no pretence so universal as their acquirement of a Panacaea to cure all Diseases generally deceiving hereby all those who through too much credulity become their Patients for not to repeat what hath been already said concerning the incurableness of some Diseases or to add a discourse of the inability of Subjects and of other Impediments which may frustrate the highest and most probable attempts of Curation it doth not appear to a rational Inquirer that there can be any such Medicine which in respect of its puissance can infallibly vanquish all the enemies of man's health the great disagreement of Authors about the matter of this Panacaea sufficiently expresses their uncertainty conjectural suppositions or fond hopes in relation to their attainment of it whilst some place it in the essence of individual Vegetables Animals or Minerals choosing those which are most energetical and fancying that the more incorruptible part of these being by Art separated from all terrestrial impurities and advanced to the condition of the Heavens is the true Phaleia and as one commends it Poterit vitam servare & quodamodo producere & tum ratione similitudinis quam habet essentia haec cum calore insito tum quia est quodamodo quoddam incorruptibile & temperatum omnibus morbis medicamentum esse contrarium h. e. Such an essence is not only powerful enough to preserve life but to prolong it and because of its likeness to and correspondence with our innate heat as because of its incorruptibility and temperature overcomes all Diseases But should it be granted that the Principles constituting that body from which this essence is drawn were Catholic yet when once they are firmly linked together and most intimately united their artificial resolution may possibly alter the individuum or substitute another particular product but not reduce it into its original universality and however some Individuals are of a more durable nature than others and these are used to imprint their perpetuity on bodies more subject to putrefaction yet such essences being capable of change by that body into which they are received do lose their supposed universality in operation The History related by Crollius That he saw a man with one drop of a certain spirit from a dying condition in the space of one night perfectly restored to health the celestial heat of that Medicine being immediately communicated to the heart and soon after diffusing its rays throughout the body This I say and such like Histories do not prove the effect of it in all Diseases or evidence that the preparation of an Individual may not perform as difficult a Cure I know that some conclude that by the same rule an Individual especially if essentiated may change the body from a diseased state to a condition of perfect health as that which is poisonous may cause such a sudden alteration as that the person who even now was well may quickly expire by reason of its destructiveness but such venom hath the advantage on the body's proneness to putrefaction and may sooner dissipate the spirits which are upon the wing than the other fix them or illuminate their darkness so that what promotes the effect of the one is the greatest impediment imaginable to the other I deny not that an Individual may remedy a particular Disease and notwithstanding the proneness of our Nature to corruption act so vigorously as to cure a threatening distemper and I suppose that very many have seen as much done by Laudanum and other Medicines as Crollius' mentions in that Patient but yet it were a vain conclusion to infer that such an essence or that Laudanum would hereupon cure all Diseases and perform the like impossibilities as are spoken of the Panacaea no person can be ignorant of the Experiments made on Gold because it as many think contains in it all necessary conditions to the universal Medicine which I need not recount but unless something is performed by the Diaphoretical virtue of the Menstruum no wonders have been wrought by it so that Billichius calls Aurum potabile aurum putabile since that all true Philosophers in their Preparation of their Medicinal stone did not mean the common Gold but that of the Philosophers as they misspent their pains who sought out dissolvents to make our Gold potable in expectation of making thereby the Elixir so it would be to as little purpose to discourse the possibility of gaining a Dissolvent not corrosive to elicit its medicinal tincture which at length will satisfy only a particular intention The hyperbolical Encomiums which have been given to the essences of Individuals might easily delude those who approve all things according to their commendations and doubtless in many respects such noble preparations might deserve a just esteem but the more prudent and wary of the Hermetical Philosophers * Multi sunt qui ex particulari materia medicamentum universalissimum clicere volunt frustra tamen omnia fuisse experientia attestatur universalissimum siquidem ex universalissimo elici debet observing the absurdity to expect an universal operation from a limited Agent did busy and employ themselves to find out the universal matter which is so enygmatically discoursed in the Writings of Chemical Authors as if they rather designed to encourage Humane Industry in the search after that which for no other cause they would seem to have known then give them any hopes of interpreting and unriddling their most obscure perplexed and mysterious descriptions of it saith one Fove fodeam usque ad genua & accipe terram nostram in qua est rivulus & unda viva scilicet universale menstruum & aquam nostram ponticam in qua habitat sal armoniacum nostrum & spiritus vivus universi qui omnia in se continet h. e. Dig a Pit knee deep and take our earth in which is a living stream viz. our universal Menstruum and take our Pontic water in which is found our Sal Armoniac and the universal spirit which contains all things in it and saith Bacon Elegant rem supra quam Naturae tantum primas operationes incepit h. e. Such a matter must be chosen on which Nature hath only done her first work He who is acquainted with the parabolical expressions of the Ancients relating to this Subject will be convinced that although they who write best hint a necessity of some universal matter which may yield by a Philosophical Preparation a most noble Medicine to cure Diseases may yet apprehend their dissensions about this matter and the improbabilities of others finding it out by their direction but if I should grant that the true Sons of Art might rightly understand the Ancients and gain the knowledge of the universal matter yet in regard that there is not an universal intention in the cure of Diseases I cannot see of what use it can be in Medicine to comfort the Archaeus and to garrison the heart which is the Royal Fort with invincible virtues answers only a particular intention That all Diseases do spring from one root is only the supposition of some who would patronise this Panacaea whereas others more rationally inform us that Sanity consists not in indivisibili but that different members in the body enjoy a different Sanity and having a divers complexion conformation and operation stand in need of a variety of Medicines to cure their distinct and sometimes contrary Diseases What though there sometimes happens a Metastasis of the Morbific matter which varying its seat altars the symptoms according to the parts in which it fixeth it is not proved that hereupon what opposed it in one part is as proper and applicable notwithstanding the remove as before and that in curation no particular respect ought to be had to the parts constitution which is affected it may be that before the Metastasis 't was convenient to use Diaphoreticks and afterwards if the matter lodgeth in the breast what may evacuate it by promoting expectoration if in the lowest Ventricle cathartics or Diuretics which may discharge he certainly knows little of the causes of Diseases who discerns not their difference in respect of the vessels or parts which they seize or most afflict whereupon the Methodus medendi is to be altered I need not enumerate the several causes of Diseases which the Galenists reckon but content myself with an observation that the best Chemists do account two grand Causes of the constant alteration in man's body disposing it to Diseases and death which are the consumption of radical moisture and the putrefaction of humours it is therefore incumbent on the Pretenders to a Panacaea to prove that by the same Medicine they can prevent this putrefaction of humours and hinder the consumption of radical moisture The Universalists have been very solicitous to appropriate to their Medicine such virtues as might answer the indication both of a drying virtue to withstand and resist putrefaction and of moisture or unctuosity to supply the decays and spend of natural heat and therefore they assert that their Panacaea in respect of its activity and solar heat doth brighten fortify and increase our innate heat and hereby evaporates and dissipates all Morbific Meteors which otherwise would stagnate and putrify in respect of its substance is oleagenous fixed and incombustible aptly recruiting any loss or spending of the radical moisture It this Panacaea can certainly do what is pretended it may seem strange that they who were esteemed Possessors of such a Medicine did not defend themselves and their Patients from the disease of Old Age and from Death for Old Age creeping on gradually may more probably be opposed then violent Diseases but when its apparent that neither in themselves nor others they were able to stop the course of old age and disappoint the stroke of death they would excuse their Art and Medicine by blaming some great neglects whilst they were young and tell us that if they had then taken such a Medicine it might have effected much in the prolongation of life but others well pondering the Virtues attributed to it Unde fit restauratio corporum per morbos debilitatorum prompt & perfect ea curans & postea juventutem primumque vigorem diminutum & per frigidum annorum acconitum fere extinctum restituens h. e. It is sufficient to restore the decays of men's bodies most expeditiously and perfectly helping all Diseases changing the ruins of old age into youthfulness These I say being convinced by experience that such empty vaunts of the Panacaea are ridiculous do otherwise state the business and make little difference between the Polychresta of the Galenists and these more noble Medicines and if the Panacaeas which have been or at present are pretended to in the World are duly examined they undoubtedly will be found to answer some more general intention and by no means deserve the appellation of universal Medicines in the common and known sense and notion of the term I might instance in Begwins' preparation of Vitriol Quercitanus of Antimony etc. But above all others Andwaldins Panacaea in the highest esteem which as Hoffman relates in Sherbius' judgement was poisonous and another Author gives us a more accurate account of it Thon epist. med p. 14. Panacaea Anwaldina summopere in propulsandis morbis decantata eum effectum assecuta est non tam Naturam confortando quam vi diaphoretica operando quam Libavius per ignis probavit & deprehendit concinnatam ex hydrargyro & Cinnabari quae duo mineralia nullam corroborandi facultatem obtinent h. e. Anwaldins universal Medicine of such fame for its wonderful effects in the cure of Diseases did not operate by comforting Nature but by provoking sweat and Libavius examining it by Pyrotechny detected that it consisted of Mercury and Cinnabar which have no corroborating virtue in them Every true Chemist who is acquainted with artificial either simple or compound Preparations especially Mineral very well skills their efficacy in the satisfaction of either general or particular intentions as they are skilfully applied these know that a just mixture of Mercury Antimony and Gold or apt Chemical Compositions will do more in the curation of some Diseases then either of them in like manner singly prepared and given but to conceive that any Medicine can keep off old age and by the same way cure all Maladies is an opinion which no sober person did ever entertain if then by a Panacaea is only signified any noble preparation which respecting some general intention which in the curation of Diseases is observable 't is not improbable but that the true chemical Physicians do not only assent to them but are furnished with some as powerful as any yet known in the world for we must grant that the Polychresta of the Chemists do infinitely excel those of the Galenists but yet it is considerable that even those Authors who are famed to be Masters of these Panacaeas did in most cases both use for themselves and others Galenical Medicines as they had occasion or the known Rules of Art required But our Pseudochymists it may be by purchase obtaining one of these noble Preparations and not understanding the true use of it do in hopes of custom proclaim the Virtues of their Medicine as if it would most speedily and certainly cure all diseases strengthening the Archaeus to whose error and debility they ascribe all the several affections of man's body and enabling Nature to discharge herself by the most convenient ways according to the condition and quality or seat of the Morbific matter and if all manner of evacuations or most of them can be caused by the same Medicine than a proof as they suppose is given of the wonderful efficacy of their Medicine and a notable stratagem devised to seduce them that are most pleased when they are under the hand of a cheating Montebank hence it is that one cries up his Mercurial preparation another his Antimonial remedy a third spirit of Salt which is diuretical and almost every Pseudochymist would be accounted the Inventor or Professor of one but methinks people should be better advised then to give ten shillings for a grain or five shillings for a drop of that which being either illy prepared or mis-applied more universally kills then cures and stake their lives against the brags of such Empirics Crede & salvus eris promissis certa fides nam Cum te interficient morb● curaberis omni Believe all 's well trust them there word is sure In killing thee they work a perfect Cure Although I have pretermitted very much which might be said on this Subject yet I hope that it is sufficiently made out that there is no Panacaea to cure all Diseases in the vulgar acceptation of the word and as a confirmation of my Assertion I shall produce the testimony of Angelus Sala with whose words I conclude Angel Sal. de Chrysol p. 422. Quis non vanitatem eorum agnoscat qui vel ipsi persuasissimum habent vel aliis persuadere conantur esse in rerum natura vel artis beneficio confici posse medicamentum quod instar universalis cujusdam universalissimi nullis vel limitibus vel terminis circumscriptum non tantum qualitates elementares aequali proportione commensuratas in se contineat sed & omnibus insuper proprietatibus specificis quae vel ex varia illarum commixtione vel a certa aliqua praedestinatione oriuntur abundantissime dotatum sit quod suppresso calore suo jam refrigerare possit jam humectare sicut exiccandi potestate nihil damni faciat jam adstringat jam incrasset & contrarias interim facultates plane occultetquod idem interdum pervomitum interdum per fecessum purget sudores cieat urinam provocet venenis tanquam Alexiterium resistat somnum conciliet denique ut in unum omnia conferam omnes alios effectus quos causarum morbificarum tam particularium quam universalium diversitas requirit omni tempore & loco in omni sexu aetate complexione & personarum constitutione praestet omnibus adeo infirmitatibus medeatur ac nulla unquam ratione corpus offendat h. e. How conspicuous is their vanity who either believe themselves or would persuade others that either Art or Nature can produce any Medicine which shall be empowered with the operations attributed to the most universal Medicine being unconfined and boundless in its efficacy not only containing in it all the elementary qualities in exact proportion but endowed with all Specific proprieties flowing from their mixture or essence which notwithstanding its heat can sometimes cool and sometimes moisten not at all suffering in its drying virtue can adstringe or bind and incrassate and in the mean while conceal its contrary faculties that now can vomit anon purge sweat prove Diuretical become an Antidote against poison and cause sleep and to say no more can certainly remove and take off all effects flowing both from the diversity of universal and particular Causes at all times in all places Sexes Ages Complexions different Constitutions curing all these Diseases without any prejudice to the Body FINIS A Letter to the Author FROM a Person of Quality SIR YOur most wonderful preservation during your late employment of visiting the infected families within the City of LONDON and Liberties thereof hath justly provoked all your friends in our Country to congratulate your success in that great and hazardous undertaking you have doubtless by a faithful discharge of your Duty as a PHYSICIAN in that adventure when few were free to engage in such service highly merited of those Honourable persons on whose behalf you endangered your life and no less obliged all ingenuous persons to esteem your worth Sir You may easily suppose how big we are with expectation to receive from your hand an Account of what Remarkably happened in this severe Visitation your promptness to give rational satisfaction especially in most perplexed Cases wherein Difficulty promotes the Birth of your happy Products is the only argument I shall use inviting you to this task be pleased also to acquaint me in your next what is become of them who assume liberty to qualify themselves Chemical Doctors in opposition to the KING'S COLLEGE of PHYSICIANS in LONDON I crave pardon for this interruption of your more weighty business and shall earnestly expect your answer which will be most acceptable unto Sir Your humble Servant C. W. The Author's Answer SIR YOur candid acceptance of the Observations which I have made on this P●st is a most prevalent argument to encourage the communication of them in answer to your desire But before I engage in this task I must crave your pardon if I proceed not in that method which is requisite in an exact Treatise for in this brief answer I can only point out cursorily some discoveries which doubtless will be improved by your most sagacious judgement To omit therefore all those most obvious notions of the Pest in general occurring in every Author writing on that Subject I shall confine myself to a particular disquisition of the peculiar nature of this Plague as severe as any recorded in our Annals That LONDON or other Populous places are seldom free from Malignant and Pestilential diseases is confirmed by the long experience of able Physicians who find that Humours upon several occasions acquire a venenate Quality and hereupon prove most pernicious it is not pertinent to my business in hand to state the Question Whether such Ferments are sometimes generated in man's body which may be exalted to a condition emulous of the most exquisite poisons or of the PEST itself hence is it that some term such putrified humours Arsenical aconital etc. as they seem to correspond in operation with such Poisons I may without all dispute affirm that where the Pest meets with matter so prepared it more inevitably destroys The highest degree of malignity flowing from the putrefaction of congested humours however it may be most fatal to the body wherein it was produced being yet but the effect of a private cause is limited at most to an hereditary propagation and cannot be imagined the Original of Epidemical diseases especially of the Pest whose original is adequate to its effects but in regard the cause of the Plague is most mysterious and not yet hitherto plainly discovered most Writers after a disappointment in there scrutining the Series of natural causes do betake themselves to supernatural and acknowledge a in this disease I cannot think that because God doth frequently send out the Plague as his severe judgement to punish mankind we ought wholly to desist from all manner of search into natural causes on the knowledge of which depends the Cure procured both by our devotion and the commanded use of natural means Amongst Natural Causes the Conjunctions of some Planets Eclipses Comets and such like appearances in the Heavens are by many accused as the Authors of the Plague and upon this account some addicted to Astrology observing such appearances the foregoing year have confidently asserted that our Pest was the issue of those malevolent influences I shall not at present determine how far these have contributed to the spreading if not the Original of our Plague but passing by all other opinions deliver my thoughts touching its rise After a most strict and serious inquiry by undoubted testimonies I find that this Pest was communicated to us from the Netherlands by way of Contagion and if most probable relations deceive me not it came from Smirna to Holland in a parcel of infected goods whether it began there or in any other place being unresolved I shall not entangle myself in a conjectural discussion of its Cause or give a tedious narrative of the nature and effects of Pests in those hot Countries give me leave to hint that the same Pest grassant in divers Regions of a different temperature may so much vary in its Phaenonema that it may seem totally changed which I premise lest our Plague should be judged of another nature from that in Smirna or Holland because its Symptoms are not exactly the same in all these places Before I proceed I must advertise that the Pest doth complicate with most maladies which happen during its grassancy especially such as are Contagious every little disorder at such times which I might confirm by many examples turning to the Plague and infectious diseases more nearly combining and symbolising with it hence I collect that the Scorbute being popular and Epidemical in Holland the Pest when it fell in with it did very much partake of its nature which afterwards invading this Kingdom gave ample testimony by its Symptoms of this Association in which condition I shall throughout this discourse consider it if then the Pest by reason of its most subtle and excessive venenate nature is most feral and destructive when it comforts with another Ferment most powerfully though not so suddenly corrupting the juices of our bodies how Prodigious must be the issue As I have designedly waved at present to deliver my Theory concerning this PEST so I upon the same account do forbear to intermeddle with the Hypotheses of others but because the Learned Kirchers late experiments have put most inquisitive searchers into sensible truths upon the quest to discover that animated matter in the Air mentioned in his treatise of the Pest I shall transiently deliver my observations touching this particular I must ingeniously confess that notwithstanding my most careful and industrious attempts by all means likely to promote the discovery of such matter and that I have had as good oppertunities for this purpose as any Physician it hath not yet been my happiness if such minute infects caused this Pest to discern them neither have I hitherto by the information of credible testimonies received satisfaction in this point whereupon I infer that in regard Pests are of a different nature though I allow that famous Author's experiments in that Plague at Rome yet it follows not that ours was caused by the like production of Worms or Infects as some have rather fancied then demonstrated The consequences of putrefaction are so well known by an ordinary inspection into the transactions of Nature that the production of Worms and various Infects upon this account may not be rightly judged a new discovery considering especially that malignant diseases do not less than the Plague evidence putrefaction by such products indeed amongst all that vast number I conversed with during the Visitation I noted very few to have either vomited Worms or by unerring symptoms to have given an indication of verminous matter lodged in any part of their bodies I only had a relation of one who in vomiting threw up a strange figured insect which appeared very fierce and even assaulted such as were busy to observe it whereupon it was crushed by a rude hand so that its shape is not very discernible but 't is as absurd from such a particular instance to draw a general conclusion as to argue from private causes to universal effects Since that the Nature of this Pest in relation to its primary cause is most obscure we cannot more surely arrive at the knowledge of it then by the discoveries it makes of itself in propagation when therefore I do well ponder the wonderful energy of Pestilential effluviums which can instantaneously imprint indelible characters on bodies before found and healthful and conform them to the like efficacy in contagious communications I am induced to think that its principles are chiefly saline which appears by its activity and power I need not produce examples to illustrate the inexpressible vigour of these Ferments it being well known that many have died without the least sense of Contagion or apprehension of illness thereby it is reported by such who have seen experiments of the poisoned darts in India that a fleshy part being pricked or scratched with them the person so hurt is not only killed in very few moments but his body is so putrified that one limb falls from the other the like is written of some Pests in hot Countries by which some places have been depopulated whether any poisons artificially prepared do in power and activity excel the Pestilential tincture which is animal is besides my business at present to decide I come in the next place to the manner of the Pests invasion which is unanimously agreed on to be by Contagion viz. When venenate expirations are transmitted from infectious bodies to others working a like change and alteration in them whereupon I conclude that no person is seized with the Plague except he receives into his body these Pestilential effluxes which however they do more effectually infect by how much nearer the bodies are yet it is not to be doubted but that at a very considerable distance where no person is sick these most malignant corpuscles being carried in the motion of the Air may so preserve their venom as to surprise such bodies amidst their greatest securities and I am apt to think that such effects are oftimes appropriated to imagination the operations of which can easily ferment the juices of the body and raise Symptoms not unlike those of the Pest I was called to three or four affected after this manner whose conditions at first did seem as bad as theirs who by reason of abode with some labouring of the Sickness most apparently took the infection but upon a strict inquiry into these cases I addressed myself with success to settle the fancies and bodies of such Patients whence I opine that Pestilential and poisonous emissions or ferments as I noted before do solely contribute to the spreading of the Contagion Notwithstanding that infection is so apparent in the Pest yet some have lately in their discourses and pamphlets argued that it is not Contagious such persons deserve rather the magistrates censure then my refutation the Order published by Queen Elizabeth was in those days the most proper expedient to suppress that opinion which is not otherwise now then by Authority to be silenced these ground their hypotheses upon the escape of some persons who converse with the infected but this proof is not admittable as sufficient because there are very many causes why such bodies are not equally obnoxious to Contagion as others for besides the particular Providence of God who is pleased to protect some in the same danger in which others do perish the security of such persons may be attributed to the shape of their pores not admitting pestilential atoms of a disproportioned figure or vigour of the spirits to expel this enemy before he can fix in their bodies certainly such persons might as rationally affirm that Bullets will not wound and kill because some in the hottest battles amidst showers of small shot walk untouched by any of them when as these escape rather upon the account of the various happy postures they are in during the charge than their fancy of being shot-free These infectious irradiations flowing from bodies inflamed with the Pest as they constantly issue out by transpiration and other more open passages so they diffuse their malignity accordingly as they are more or less subtle and spiritual if therefore the snuff of a candle which emits a gross and visible fume can in few moments so taint the circumambient air in a large room so as to render it most offensive to our smell certainly Pestilential exhalations by very many degrees more fine and subtle can insensibly and beyond such narrow limits spread their poison corrupting the air and making it pernicious to bodies disposed to receive such impressions the motion of these malignant corpuscles cannot by any help be discerned neither can any account be given of their scent as some do vainly imagine touching the steam of infected bodies I confess that when Buboes are opened Carbuncles cast off their Eschar the Pestilential emanations being embodied in grosser vapours issuing from such sores may possibly be hereupon sensible to the Nose as in opening other impostumes and dressing common sordid ulcers is evident the like reason may be given of their vomitings stools and sweats hence it is that some have perceived the moment of their seizure which sent they could not otherwise express then by a cadaverous and as it were a suffocating staunch but although I have been very inquisitive in this particular I may confidently aver that not one in two hundred hath been apprehensive by scent of the infection the venenate particles communicating their malignity in a way imperceptable to our Senses How these Pestilential effluxes do operate on man's body comes next under consideration supposing that the infection hath newly insinuated itself the blood and juices do immediately receive the Alarm as being to undergo the first assault the blood in some by the deleterious quality of the poison in few moments is mortified not unlike what happens in the death of such who are killed by lightning in others the blood is forthwith put into a fermentation either higher or lower according the state of the blood before infection or the condition and degree of the Contagion on which also depends the depuration of the blood producing Blains Buboes and Carbuncles and such patients except something accidentally intervens to contraindicate for the most part escape but most commonly in this fermentation the blood coagulates in fewer or more vessels and according to the dissolution and discharge of these grumous parts before further putrefaction the condition of such persons is more secure or dangerous if the coagulation increases a period at length is put to the blood's circulation lastly the blood doth sometimes suffer a Fusion for when the sulphureous parts are consumed the Pestilential tincture proves a Dissolvent and destroys the fibres of the blood not only by way of liquation making it most fluid but corrupting its saline particles I have observed that such blood in Hemorrhages would not coagulate but remained like a tinctured ichor the reduction of such blood to its former state being impossible the case of such Patients was most desperate medicines affording not the least ease or relief the nervous liquor did also share in this common calamity and according to its quality suffered as great and many alterations as the blood In fine those juices and parts of the body did principally suffer in this Pest in which the Scorbute first discovers its self but I shall have occasion to discourse this more at large in another place Before I proceed to the Symptoms of this distemper it may not seem impertinent transiently to give some remarkable observations which occurred in the propagation of this disease as that the infected were commonly seized after the same manner and generally had the like issue in respect of a recovery or death as those from whom they took the Contagion except any thing happened extraordinary in the case of one more than the other so that the effects of the Plague not only in relation to the number of Buboes Blains or Carbuncles but the part and place did abundantly evince its peculiar and strange designation Physicians in their practice do frequently meet with Pestilential ophthalmies Angina's and Pleurisies which as some express it specifically communicate their malignity but these diseases are fixed in this course afflicting always after the same manner all those to whom they are imparted whereas although there hath appeared a great variety in this Pests propagation in respect both of itself and the subjects it meets with yet notwithstanding all this difference there hath been noted a tendency in the malignant corpuscles as acting by a natural impress idea or signature to produce their like without any assistance of the fancy or more immediate disposition of such parts to those particular disafections Furthermore that opinion that the Pest invades no person a second time if his sores at first sufficiently discharged purulent matter is now plainly confuted by two many experiments during this sad Visitation I have known many who although all things succeeded well the first and second time and each cure was perfected yet the third seizure upon the account of a new infection and not a relapse hath proved fatal to them some this last year fell the fifth others the sixth time being before very well recovered each of these invasions I suppose was not only from an higher degree of malignity but a divers complication of the Pest besides nature being much weakened by preceding assaults was thereupon more unable to make her defence such therefore who by God's blessing and the use of proper remedies are restored to health may by these examples be duly cautioned not to run unnecessarily according to the practice of some into infected houses presuming that their condition is more safe than others The Symptoms of this Pest were many but I shall content myself to set down such as were most common and notorious most persons upon their first invasion by the Sickness perceived a chillness to creep on them which produced in very short space a shivering not unlike the cold fit of an Ague which shivering was doubtless an effect of the pestilential ferment insinuating itself into the blood and juices of the body and rendering them either sharp pungitive or so corrupt by its venerosity that hereupon there happens a vellication of the nervous parts whence proceeded convulsive motions soon after this horror and shaking followed a nauseousness and strong inclinations to vomit with a great oppression and seeming fullness of the stomach occasioned by the poison irritating the Ventricle which being a nervous part is and thereupon most sensible of what will prove so injurious to it the Pest did sometimes seat itself in the stomach more eminently showing itself there in Carbuncles and mortifications a violent and intolerable headache next succeeded by reason of the blood's tumultuousness and ebullition exceeding by distending its vessels and convulsing them hereupon some fell into a Frenzy and others became soporose and stupid according to the quality and nature of the malignity afterwards a Fever began to discover itself without which no person escaped during this visitation when therefore the blood was throughly impregnated with the Pestilential firment than the blood fermented and the oeconomy of the body was violated all parts both internal and external extremely suffering and expressing their several conditions in this extreme agony upon the account either of idiopathy or Sympathy I shall not here dispute whether the true Pest is always accompanied with a Fever I conceive that in some Pests as also in the highest degree of this the several parts of the blood have instantaneously been separated there being no time for any ebullition but since that I undertake only to deliver my own observations I must ingeniously confess that during this Pest except in the case of such who suddenly died I met not with any one Patient free from a Fever which in some was more slow and occult in others peracute and notoriously apparent as the blood did more or less abound with sulphureous particles apt to kindle and be inflamed and more particularly I noted that those who were overrun with the Scorbute and afterwards took the infection of the Plague had a more obscure and remiss Fever so as it seemed many times very doubtful whether they laboured of any or no which I cannot attribute to any thing else then to the state of their blood by reason of its much abounding with a fixed salt the like assertion will hold true of the several other defects in the blood in relation to the paroxisms which were observed in this Fever 't is most certain that generally there was some kind of remission so as that the Patients could easily find their condition altered thereby but these fits were altogether irregular and uncertain however they seemed in some much to resemble a double tertian I conceive those often exacerbations did proceed rather from the violent impulses and prevalency of the malignity then from any certain and set ebullitions of the blood yet in many when the virulency was expelled and spent these fits did keep and observe their types and became either pure or bastard Tertians So soon as this Fever began to appear strange faintness seized the Patient which was seconded by most violent palpitations of the Heart and hereupon many have suspected that the Pest by a peculiar disposition most vigorously bends all its strength to storm the Heart which is the most royal fort but since that we are well assured that the Heart doth principally suffer by reason of this heterogeneal matter mixed with blood and circulating with it through this noble part I cannot think that the heart is otherwise injured then in being hindered in its office of animating and inflaming the blood by its innate ferment to perform its appointed stage of circulation for if the Heart cannot alter or overcome these pestilential ferments mixed with the blood with its utmost vigour it attempts to expel and dissipate them and and if the poison of the disease is so powerful as to destroy the ferment of the Heart the blood soon coagulates the sequel of which is death Here I might particularly take notice of that strange lassitude which was very observable in most affected with this scorbutical Pest as well by reason of the distension of the vessels as the immediate mixture of the malignity with the serous humours abounding in such bodies but I shall not any longer insist on the Symptoms which are common in Pestilential Fevers but descend to those diagnosticks which most peculiarly discover the Pest as Blains Bubo's Carbuncles and discolorations vulgarly called tokens of which briefly in their order Blains are pustles or rather blisters sometimes greater or sometime less and for number fewer or more according to the quantity or quality of the Pestilential matter segregated from the blood and other liquors of the body by their fermentation these were obscurely encircled and coloured according to the serous humour either flowing to or discharged upon those parts where they appeared but as no place could plead exemption so those parts were most subject to these blains which did lie nearest to this poisonous humour when it was forced out the liquor contained in these blisters was of the same nature with that which produced Carbuncles but more diluted and dispersed wherefore the Pest was rightly judged not so dangerous where only blains were discovered however if these grew numberless as I observed in one who from head to foot was full of them as the condition of that Patient was most desperate so a multitude of these blains do indicate the excess of malignity and great hazard thereupon Bubo's are tumors of the glandules if under the ear they are called Parotides others happen under the arms and in the groin Pestilential matter in circulation with the blood being retained in these glanduls whereby they are tumified and inflamed that some persons without any sense either of the Contagion or any illness by it have complained of these tumours must be ascribed to the mildness of the malignity having before upon others spent its virulency but most commonly these Buboes were an effect of the second sweat promoted by proper Alexipharmical remedies and such risings gave hope of the Patient's recovery some of these tumors were indolent and hard continuing so many months notwithstanding means either to discuss or suppurate them and when these were unadvisedly opened by incision nothing else but an ichor gushed forth and the part wounded was very apt to mortify but these risings were generally so painful that most could not endure the fierce and frequent lancinations and the extreme burning they felt until the time of suppuration approached which upon this account was hastened by suitable applications of Cataplasms and Plasters the number of these Buboes was not certain some had two others three many four neither was their bigness limited the risings in some being very large so as to equal an halfpenny loaf in others not exceeding an hen's egg very many of these tumours were discussed if the patient at first submitted to effectual sweats and if afterwards they increased great care was taken to further their enlagement and to break them the Fever usually going off and declining as these tumors ripened and were fitted for apertion and here I must not omit to intimate that according to the condition of the Pus discharged these Buboes were more or less secure but I shall discourse more of these when I come to the method of curation A Carbuncle is a Pestilential sore appearing at first with a very small pustle and a circle about it of a red flaming colour which pustle either opening or rather the liquor in it being spent by the extreme heat of the adjacent part soon hardens and grows crusty the incompasing inflammation spreading itself and by reason of the corrosive quality of the humour cauterizing that place where it fixes I have seen Carbuncles in most parts of the body which proved more or less dangerous in respect of the part affected and the degree of the malignity here I might produce innumerable cases which I have met with during this Visitation but I shall only relate two or three I was called to one Patiented who had a Carbuncle within two or three fingers breadth of a Bubo in the groin though they were differently handled in relation to the cure yet the business succeeded very well also one recovered when there was a large Carbuncle directly opposite to the Heart a third with one in her breast at the same time she gave suck and the child discovered no other infirmity than a looseness during his mother's cure another was afflicted with a large Carbuncle very near the bottom of the stomach and she lived until cicatrisation but then the malignity retiring within took her away my designed brevity in this answer forbids me to relate all necessary circumstances in these histories Carbuncles are sometimes very large I saw one on the thigh above two hands breadth with a large blister on it which being opened by the Chirurgeon and scarisication made where the mortification did begin the Patient expired under this operation but most commonly these Carbuncles do not exceed the breadth of three or four fingers after few hours the skin shrivels into a crustiness of a duskish or brownish colour at certain times and in some especially scorbutical bodies these Carbuncles did mortify and except timely care was taken by immargination scarifications or applications of actual Cauteries the Gangreen in few hours overspread that part and destroyed the Patient this most saline corrosive humour was not easily and by ordinary means brought to digestion and consequently not without much difficulty cured I shall not at present enlarge on the accidents attending these Carbuncles but proceed to the Tokens of which in the next place These tokens are spots upon the skin of a divers colour and figure proceeding from chiefly extravased blood which by reason of its stagnation putrefies and produceth such mortifications discolouring the skin so then those spots which are the true tokens are profound mortifications caused by the extinction of natural heat upon the account of highly prevailing malignity because many spots arising upon the skin were only cutaneous and so far imposed on many Searchers and unskilful veiwers of them that they declared them to be true tokens experiment was always made upon these discolorations by a lancet or large needle to try whether that part so affected was sensible if not than it was most apparent that such persons had those fatal marks upon their bodies which were most certain forerunners of death but if the Patient did discover sense upon the pricking or incision than such spots being only cutaneous were not esteemed deadly and I have seen very many recover who were in this condition Anatomical observations have likewise informed us that these tokens have their original and rise from within and afterwards externally show themselves which is evident because the basis of them is larger than their outward appearance and the internal parts are found very often spotted when there is no discolouration visible on the skin the figure of these tokens is not always certain but generally they are orbiculary shaped as I suppose by the pores to which the extravasated blood most readily tends and for want of circulation fixing there corrupts the pores thus closed up by any cold check the dyaphoresis whereupon the malignant corpuscles being retained in the body their attempt to sally out proves unsuccesful so that they cause a very great putrefaction in the parts where they settle and soon after if a speedy vent is not given these tokens straightways appear foreshowing the event of the distemper not to number up all those ways by which these deadly mortifications are produced I shall only assert that wherever these marks are found they evidently express a full conquest of natural heat by the highest degree of malignity These tokens are not of one size or bigness some being broader than a single penny others at first very small by degrees enlarging and spreading themselves to the touch they seem hard not unlike little kernels under the skin the superficies being smooth yet I saw one where these tokens put out with little blisters upon them very many were puzzled to distinguish aright between these marks and the Petechiae pestilentiales or pestilential appearances in spotted fevers as also Scorbutical spots frequently interspersed amongst them I have taken notice of many mistakes upon both these accounts some of our Mountebanking Chemists much vaunted of their in comparable medicines effectual as was pretended to cure such who were stigmatised with the tokens when as they not for want of ignorance opinionated those little rednesses like fleabites to be these true signs of the Pest which indeed were Scorbutical marks and soon vanished and if other contracted fever spots were discovered though these with one sweat usually disappeared they concluded them to be nothing less than the tokens and the removal of them an absolute cure of the Plague in its worst condition The colour of the Tokens was various in some radish with a circle inclining towards a blue in others they represented a faint blue the circle being blackish many were of a brownish dusky colour like rust of iron or moles in some bodies that the reddish and blackish tokens were from blood is most evident but whether the others might not proceed from the nervous liquor extravasated concreted and mortified by the malignity is more doubtful when I assayed to prove them I found them almost impenetrable I do at present only mention this that further experiment may be made by such who have fit opportunities Although no part of man's body is secure from these most pestilential marks yet the neck breact back and thighs are most apt to them but these things are so vulgar that I may very well spare my pains in giving any further account that which did seem at first most strange to me was that many persons who had continued in a delirium throughout their sickness so soon as the tokens appeared they came to themselves and apprehended that they were in an hopeful and recovering condition I might here relate two eminent stories which I can only without circumstances mention one was of a maid whose temper seemed good her pulse equal and strong her senses were perfect at that time when I was called to see her she complained of no disorder or pain and concluding herself secure but when I veiwed her breast and discovered very many tokens I left her with a Prognostic and within two or three hours she died not long after I visited an ancient woman and found her at dinner with a chicken before her on which she fed greedily and had eaten half before I came after a due inquiry into her case finding no satisfaction either from her pulse or temper I searching her breast observed the tokens and she expired within one or two hours these clear intervals as I conceive did happen when all manner of fermentations were ceased the Pestilential ferment having gained a complete victory and quieted all oppositions which Nature made in order to her preservation that the tokens do sometimes appear after death is to be attributed to the high ferment in the pestilential matter which vainly seeking to force its way thorough the skin imprints there indelible characters of its excessive malignity To these tokens I might add those oblong strokes like lashes discovered on the backs of some but because I saw during the whole time only one thus marked and have not been informed of many I suppose that these are not common however their cause is the same with the tokens and they are to be esteemed of the same consequence the contiguity of these marks not at all altering their nature or effect What is often mentioned in most Authors concerning the flexibleness of bodies killed by the Pestilence hath not been confirmed in this Plague for although such bodies were not so soon rigid and stiff as those which died of chronical or common acute diseases yet due time being allowed or if the bodies were exposed to the cold air there appeared no difference between them and others but I shall not hence conclude that in no Pests there is not to be found this flexibleness The Prognostics in this Pest were very fallacious for oftimes when all things presented fair and the Patient seemed past danger on a sudden the case was altered by the near approach of death and on the contrary in some whose condition upon many accounts was judged desperate an unexpected change at a dead lift happened which gave full assurance of a speedy recovery besides considering that the Pest did primarily seat itself in the Spirits it was not easy to determine positively the success of their contest for the spirits which for a while were almost suffocated and extinguished being almost overpowered with the pestilential venom did frequently like the fire for some time suppressed break out into an aspiring flame and thereby evidence their victory and many times the spirits which maintained the combat very well the first charge by the second onset were utterly defeated so that the transactions of the spirits are not so certainly foreseen as the progress of diseases fixed on any internal or external member of the body the best Prognostic is taken from the strength of the Patient under a skilful hand directing a proper and methodical cure Before I come to the cure of the Pest I shall say something touching the great business of Preservation from it nature instructs us that by all means possible we preserve and safeguard ourselves from all things prejudicial to our lives and Art hath most happily by its discoveries furnished apt remedies for this purpose and the great success of proper and fit preservatives doth irrefragably plead from their use in this answer I shall not publish any prescripts but only hint the intentions which are always to be observed in a true and regular Preservation from the Plague Care in the first place must be taken to free the body from superfluous humours which may be a fit foams for the pestilential ferment this ought not to be performed by violent catharticks but gentle and yet effectual deobstructing medicines and then the noble parts must be corroborated their ferments and use maintained and lastly the blood kept in a due and equal briskness and hereupon all Passions especially fear and anger are worthily censured by Physicians as conducing much to the introduction of the Pest a moderate and wholesome diet must be cauteously observed and no error committed in the other things termed non-natural to conclude the society of infected persons is carefully to be avoided for certainly it is an high presumption that because some preservatives are and have been effectual to secure some persons others taking the like Antidotes should thereupon adventure into the utmost danger as this opinion hath cost many their lives so I fear if the fire should break out again which God forbid some will be bold notwithstanding the miscarriage of others to attempt the like adventures The Therapeutic part comes next in order but before I enter upon this subject if the scruple made by some whether the Pestilence is curable was grounded either on Authority or reason I would endeavour to remove it for however medicines do prove alike effectual to rescue all infected persons from the jaws of death mortality amongst people denoting the plague yet since that by God's blessing and the care and skill of experienced Physicians very many recover these living testimonies do suffficiently evidence the absurdity and great impiety of that suggestion I rather think that a cogent argument may be drawn from the deadly nature of this distemper provoking all persons concerned to look out speedily for suitable help especially considering that dispondency is so considerable a promoter of the Pests fatality In relation to the cure of the Plague all the intentions which offer themselves must be diligently observed and truly answered otherwise no better account can be given of proceedings then what is produced by ignorant nurses or our pretended Chemists who are arrived at such an height of confidence as that by warranting simple people their lives in order to their entertainment and thereupon advancing some rude and dangerous preparations not fitted to any intention they do surpass even the Pest itself in destructiveness so soon as any person finds or apprehends himself to be seized by the contagion every little illness in time of the Plague being justly suspected 't is adviseable that he forthwith do betake himself to his bed taking warning by the miscarriage of very many who if they were not violently sick at first would struggle with the disease and vainly imagine by walking abroad in the fields to overcome their distemper until the best opportunities of applying remedies were ircoverably lost besides when the Patient is in that condition nature may more certainly show the ways she designs to expel the malignity and discovering her deficiencies directs the Physician who is always intent on her motion to succour her by his Art although it is found most convenient that the Patient secure himself in his bed yet 't is not allowable that he sleep until a check is given to the venenosity indeed some not well advised finding themselves drowsy who perhaps were seized with a stupidness or dulness signifying the worst quality of the Contagion committed themselves to rest and little thought that by calling in the pestilential matter from the habit of the body and fixing it in the brain such sleep was only preparative to their deaths if then any find themselves thus disposed they must be kept waking and roused up by vesicatories their use number and places the Physician who is called in will advise if the Patient vomits judgement must be truly made whether the stomach is clogged and loaded with undigested meat or fruit or aught else taken unseasonably or immoderately that may burden it and become a fit foams for the Pest if the stomach suffers upon this account by Carduus Posset drink taken in a large quanity with Oxymel of Squills not ascending much higher it must be disburdened and cleansed but if such vomitings are only symptomatical as indeed most were proper remedies must be directed which may stop those inclinations to vomit and expel out of the stomach that Pestilential matter which so strongly irritates restoring likewise the ferment of the stomach much weakened and injured by this means for which purpose I cannot too much commend the Fixed Salts of Wormwood Carduus Rue Scordium Masterwort etc. if likewise symptoms appear of the poisonous ferment fixing in the bowels and a Flux hereupon happens it is not safe without a most urgent cause to use cathartics lest a dysentery ensue and the pestilential matter be drawn by such evacuations from the circumference to the centre our ignorant but bold practisers not understanding either this or any other danger in their desperate undertake have chiefly dealt in Emetocatharticks not regarding the sad event which generally attended such attempts and acting herein in opposition to the advice given by the College of Physicians in their Book these rash Medicasters' not so much valuing the lives of the sick as their appearing in a contradictory way to the skilfullest and most learned Society in Europe and when these Chemical cheats have spent the Patient's strength by such evacuations they immediately as to a refuge fly to Narcoticks and if the violent workings of such Medicines are a little quieted thereby and procured sleep alleviates somewhat and refreshes they applaud their accomplishments until the approaches of death do too plainly manifest their unpardonable abuse and delusion of people in the great concern of their lives But to return unto my business in hand the chief intention in the cure consisting in an early expulsion of the malignity proper Alexipharmicks did mostly contribute to this end which by the expert Physicians skill were adapted to the constitution and present condition of the Patient their virtue and power perfectly preventing the great danger threatened by delay or the use of insufficient Medicines for although in the Cure of other diseases a progress from lower to higher and more prevalent processes is very allowable yet in the Pest where occasion must be taken by the foretop the slip of one opportunity being infinitely disadvantageous all true Sons of Art employed their utmost abilities to select most proper Sudorificks one Dose of which might provoke a seasonable and effectual sweat whereby the blood and juices of the body were depured and freed from that pestilential ferment with which they were lately imbued and since that this intention was chiefly to be observed all other directions having respect unto it Physicians were hereupon very cautelous lest they should by any means either divert nature from this course or prejudice her in such designments hence was it that Phlebotomy was justly censured as a matter of dangerous consequence in the Pest by which the fermentation of the blood was abated the spirits took flight and Nature became so debilitated that she could no longer combat with her implacable Adversary I am not ignorant that in some Plagues bleeding hath proved very successful but in this complicated with the Scorbute it was upon every account inconvenient the confirmation of which truth two many have sealed with their lives who being easily persuaded by ignorant practisers did prodigally waste Nature's treasure and soon were imprisoned in their Graves It was also matter of great deliberation to determine Whether in some urgent cases Glisters might safely be administered lest the poison of the distemper shall take downwards and the Diaphorese be thereby interrupted of such high concernment it was to maintain a constant and free transpiration which every fifth or sixth hour oftener or later as there was just cause was to be forced by repetitions of remedies mightily promoting its expected success and benefit and here another grand difficulty arises Whether during these sweats it is convenient to nourish the Patient Which I shall thus resolve if by reason of such sweats the Patient finds his condition to be bettered his appetite not much dejected his thirst abated and the paroxysm in declination as also his strength near spent in such a case it is most adviseable that the Patient be often indulged Chicken-broath or what ever may recruit all losses of spirits in the encounter and by this means that person being refreshed will be enabled to undergo cheerfully the succeeding paroxysm and to continue his breathe but if all requisites showing the necessity of allowing nourishment do not concur 't is far better to abstain from this course then adventure its inconveniencies which are so many that I may not at present recite them such Patients may by taking of Cordidials fit themselves for a more opportune season of nourishment The continuance and length of such sweats were rightly measured by the Patient's relief and sufficiency of strength to bear them but unless I should state the several cases which happened in the Pest it is impossible that full directions can be given especially considering that applications in Medicine altogether relate to individuals and therefore as there is a difference in the same disease seizing many persons so likewise not only various methods of cure but divers Medicines are subservient to that end upon which account I forbear to set down the remedies vegetable animal and mineral which were used in the curation of this distemper Sir it is now high time that I should make my Apology for this rude entertainment of your with a most imperfect and confused discourse on this subject the truth is I have intentionally omitted very much which may seem pertinent to this business as to assign the reason why the poor were mostly infected which I might have ascribed to the rotten mutton they fed on the preceding Autumn preparing their bodies for the Contagion their being crowded in little rooms and close alleys as also their unrestrainable mixing and converse with the infected and their great want and poverty notwithstanding the Magistrates industrious provision for them I have likewise forborn to express the cause why children were most subject to the Plague and so many died of it that it may be fitly called the children's Pest neither have I touched upon the business of Annulets though many suffered by such as were Arsenical and other things very significant are passed by as nassalls issues fumes etc. nor have I particularly related any medicines or their designment or delivered the several ways to treat Patients in different conditions relating to the several complications with the Pox Scurvy etc. But all these pretermissions may fitly serve to inform you of a design in hand to publish a complete History of this PEST in Latin which I hope will recompense the many defaults in this account to the end therefore that there may be no deficiency in so great an undertaking if legitimate Physicians who have made observations specially our learned friends in your Country would do me the favour to communicate their notes I shall own their kindness and faithfully insert both their names and such observations I am so well assured of your candour that you will not measure that work by this loose and hasty Essay penned in an hurry and tumult of other businesses in which great care is taken not to prevent the novelty of those Histories and notions which will then be produced I shall not detain you with any more excuses lest I be forced to supplicate for them also As to that part of your letter wherein you desire satisfaction concerning our pretended Chemists I can only make you this return that the people are now convinced of their designs their most admired preparations proving altogether unsuccesful and their contrivances being chiefly bend upon more secret ways and a shorter cut to gain estates their intituling Medicines by strange names as the Quintessence animae mundi oil of the heathen gods &c and requiring three pounds for a Dose is a trifling and slow way to grow rich by when as an estate may be gained by giving one little but most effectual draught now the vulgar perceive the practice of the Philosophers by fire who can soon upon advantageous accounts sublime men's souls you will doubtless ere long have a better and more particular information of their transactions which I at present forbear to recite These scandalous opposers of the College are now for ever silenced since that so many members of that most honourable Society have ventured their lives in such hot service their memory will doubtless survive time who died in the discharge of their Duty and their reputation flourish who by God's Providence escaped certainly the Magistrate will protect and suitably encourage all legitimate Physicians who have appeared most ready to serve their Country in the greatest exigency Worthy Sir I am Your most faithful Servant N. H. MAY 8. 1666. From my house in Red Lion Court in Watlinstreet FINIS