A letter in answer to certain quæries and objections made by a learned Galenist against the theorie and practice of chymical physick wherein the right method of curing of diseases is demonstrated, the possibility of universal medicine evinced, and chymical physick vindicated / by George Acton ...
         Acton, George.
      
       
         
           1670
        
      
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             A letter in answer to certain quæries and objections made by a learned Galenist against the theorie and practice of chymical physick wherein the right method of curing of diseases is demonstrated, the possibility of universal medicine evinced, and chymical physick vindicated / by George Acton ...
             Acton, George.
          
           [2], 14 p.
           
             Printed by William Godbid for Walter Kettleby ...,
             London :
             1670.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Medicine -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           LETTER
           In
           
             ANSWER
          
           to
           certain
           
             Quaeries
          
           and
           
             Objections
          
           made
           by
           a
           Learned
           GALENIST
           ,
           against
           the
           
             Theorie
          
           and
           
             Practice
          
           of
           
             Chymical
             Physick
             .
          
        
         
           Wherein
           the
           right
           Method
           of
           Curing
           of
           
             Diseases
          
           is
           Demonstrated
           :
           The
           possibility
           of
           an
           
             Vniversal
             Medicine
          
           evinced
           ;
           AND
           
             CHYMICAL
             PHYSICK
          
           Vindicated
           .
        
         
           By
           
             GEORGE
             ACTON
          
           Doctor
           of
           Physick
           .
        
         
           
             Published
             for
             the
             benefit
             of
             such
             as
             languish
             under
             any
             grievous
             Distemper
             without
             Cure.
             
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             William
             Godbid
          
           for
           
             Walter
             Kettleby
             ,
          
           at
           the
           Sign
           of
           the
           
             Bishops
             Head
          
           in
           
             Duck-Lane
             .
          
           1670.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           HAD
           you
           not
           power
           enough
           with
           me
           to
           perswade
           me
           for
           your
           satisfaction
           ,
           to
           neglect
           my
           own
           ,
           I
           should
           scarcely
           at
           this
           time
           have
           comply'd
           with
           your
           desires
           ,
           in
           answering
           your
           several
           
             Quaeries
          
           and
           
             Objections
          
           against
           both
           the
           Theorie
           and
           Practice
           of
           
             Chymical
             Physick
          
           ;
           for
           I
           find
           almost
           all
           the
           
             Galenists
          
           that
           are
           either
           totally
           ignorant
           of
           
             Chymistry
             ,
          
           or
           acquainted
           only
           with
           the
           Vulgar
           ;
           such
           as
           is
           that
           of
           
             Crollius
             ,
             Hartman
             ,
             Beguin
             ,
          
           and
           their
           like
           ,
           so
           riged
           opposers
           of
           the
           more
           occult
           Philosophy
           of
           
             Hermes
             ,
             Raymond
             ,
             Lully
             ,
             Basilius
             Valentinus
             ,
             Paracelsus
             ,
             Vanhelmont
             ,
          
           &c.
           that
           they
           cannot
           but
           protest
           against
           all
           their
           Schollars
           and
           followers
           ,
           as
           
             Heterodox
             ,
          
           deserters
           of
           the
           Schools
           ,
           and
           (
           to
           use
           your
           own
           expression
           )
           Phanaticks
           and
           Canters
           of
           such
           a
           Philosophy
           ,
           that
           were
           
             Galen
          
           himself
           again
           living
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           he
           would
           not
           be
           able
           to
           understand
           it
           ;
           and
           although
           for
           your
           own
           part
           I
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           believe
           you
           of
           the
           number
           of
           those
           supercilious
           Opiners
           ,
           that
           scorn
           to
           forsake
           an
           Errour
           because
           vulgarly
           received
           ;
           yet
           I
           doubt
           whether
           the
           Truth
           in
           so
           plain
           a
           dress
           as
           I
           shall
           expose
           it
           ,
           may
           not
           startle
           you
           also
           .
           You
           are
           perhaps
           too
           tender
           of
           the
           Reputation
           of
           
             Galen
             ,
          
           for
           you
           ought
           not
           to
           think
           it
           any
           discredit
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           had
           never
           seen
           so
           much
           as
           common
           Distillation
           in
           his
           life
           ,
           to
           be
           said
           not
           to
           understand
           the
           profound
           and
           hidden
           Mysteries
           of
           Natural
           Phylosophy
           ,
           plunged
           in
           an
           Abyss
           inaccessible
           and
           imperceivable
           by
           any
           possibility
           of
           Witt
           ,
           without
           the
           help
           of
           Fire
           ;
           He
           well
           saw
           that
           the
           tenuous
           and
           aethereal
           substance
           of
           things
           ,
           was
           of
           greater
           efficacy
           than
           their
           grosser
           part
           ,
           as
           he
           confesseth
           in
           his
           11
           Book
           
             De
             Simp.
             Med.
             Facul
             .
             Quae
             tenuium
             sunt
             partium
             ,
             iis
             quae
             sunt
             crassarum
             plus
             habent
             efficaciae
             etiamsi
             parem
             sortita
             fuerint
             facultatem
             ,
             nimirum
             quia
             melius
             penitrent
          
           ;
           but
           he
           knew
           not
           how
           to
           separate
           the
           tennous
           parts
           from
           the
           implication
           of
           the
           gross
           ,
           which
           we
           do
           by
           the
           help
           of
           Fire
           .
           Whence
           I
           conclude
           ,
           that
           he
           (
           had
           he
           understood
           
           the
           Art
           of
           Chymistry
           ,
           which
           in
           his
           time
           lay
           hid
           in
           obscure
           Hieroglyphicks
           in
           the
           Shrines
           of
           
             Aegypt
             ,
          
           would
           have
           left
           us
           both
           his
           Physiology
           ,
           Pathology
           ,
           and
           especially
           his
           Method
           of
           Healing
           ,
           quite
           different
           from
           what
           it
           is
           ;
           for
           it
           cannot
           reasonably
           be
           imagined
           ,
           that
           so
           curious
           a
           searcher
           into
           the
           hidden
           things
           of
           Nature
           ,
           would
           have
           contented
           himself
           with
           a
           bare
           rational
           Analysis
           of
           Bodies
           existing
           only
           in
           the
           Understanding
           ,
           had
           he
           been
           acquainted
           with
           the
           Encheiretick
           ,
           resolving
           all
           bodies
           into
           Principles
           subject
           to
           Sense
           ,
           and
           fit
           for
           the
           use
           and
           manual
           operation
           of
           a
           skilful
           Physician
           by
           the
           help
           of
           Fire
           .
           Your
           Ideal
           Analysis
           ,
           by
           a
           progressive
           agitation
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           by
           which
           you
           find
           contemplation
           to
           end
           where
           natural
           composition
           begins
           ,
           leads
           you
           at
           last
           but
           into
           the
           dark
           Chaos
           of
           the
           Elements
           ,
           and
           there
           begets
           but
           this
           unprofitable
           conclusion
           ;
           
             That
             because
             all
             things
             are
             by
             a
             mental
             Resolusion
             ultimately
             resolv'd
             into
             the
             four
             Elements
             ,
             therefore
             these
             are
             the
             common
             Principles
             of
             all
             things
             .
          
           Now
           how
           much
           it
           may
           really
           improve
           any
           mans
           understanding
           in
           the
           Art
           of
           Physick
           ,
           to
           tell
           him
           all
           things
           are
           compounded
           of
           the
           four
           Elements
           ,
           more
           than
           in
           Ship-Carpentry
           ,
           to
           tell
           him
           a
           Ship
           is
           made
           of
           Timber
           ,
           Iron
           ,
           Hemp
           ,
           and
           Tarr
           ,
           I
           leave
           you
           to
           judge
           .
           We
           therefore
           ,
           (
           in
           regard
           the
           Elements
           are
           but
           remote
           Principles
           upon
           which
           only
           God
           and
           Nature
           can
           work
           )
           have
           by
           the
           Resolution
           of
           Fire
           found
           out
           nearer
           Principles
           subject
           (
           as
           I
           said
           )
           to
           Sense
           ,
           and
           fit
           for
           the
           use
           of
           a
           Spagyrical
           Physician
           :
           these
           are
           
             Mercury
             ,
             Sulphur
             ,
          
           and
           
             Salt
             ,
          
           which
           being
           first
           separated
           and
           cleansed
           from
           all
           heterogeneous
           feculency
           ,
           then
           exalted
           (
           by
           the
           help
           of
           Fire
           )
           in
           power
           and
           virtue
           ,
           we
           can
           either
           use
           them
           severally
           ,
           or
           conjunctly
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           virtues
           ,
           and
           the
           curative
           intention
           of
           the
           Physician
           ;
           And
           thus
           by
           the
           help
           of
           Fire
           ,
           we
           make
           Medicines
           easily
           curing
           those
           obstinate
           Diseases
           you
           esteem
           incurable
           ;
           By
           the
           help
           of
           Fire
           we
           understand
           the
           occult
           Hermetick
           and
           Helmontian
           Philosophy
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           help
           of
           Fire
           ,
           with
           much
           study
           ,
           labour
           ,
           and
           sweat
           (
           never
           by
           the
           bare
           reading
           of
           Books
           at
           your
           ease
           )
           may
           you
           also
           be
           satisfyed
           of
           the
           reality
           ,
           truth
           ,
           and
           excellence
           of
           that
           Physick
           which
           you
           now
           profess
           (
           and
           I
           believe
           you
           )
           no
           more
           to
           understand
           ,
           than
           the
           Cantings
           of
           
             Gipsies
             .
          
           But
           now
           to
           your
           first
           
             Quaerie
             :
          
        
         
         
           
             Whether
             it
             be
             possible
             to
             cure
             a
             Disease
             without
             a
             Remedy
             contrary
             to
             the
             Disease
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             to
             its
             Cause
             ?
          
        
         
           I
           answer
           with
           the
           
             Adepti
          
           in
           the
           affirmative
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           
             Nulla
             fit
             sanatio
             per
             contraria
             ,
             quia
             Morbus
             proximè
             &
             primariò
             consistit
             in
             Arbéo
             at
             substantiae
             in
             esse
          
           (
           according
           to
           
             Aristotle
             )
             nihil
             est
             contrarium
             .
          
           It
           is
           not
           the
           corporeal
           substance
           of
           the
           Brain
           ,
           Heart
           ,
           Liver
           ,
           Spleen
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           that
           suffers
           primarily
           ,
           
             &
             per
             se
          
           in
           their
           several
           distempers
           ,
           though
           Idiopathical
           ,
           but
           the
           Jusitous
           Spirit
           governing
           the
           part
           ,
           and
           disposing
           it
           to
           perform
           all
           natural
           ,
           Vital
           ,
           and
           Animal
           Functions
           ,
           which
           being
           hurt
           by
           the
           Errour
           and
           depravation
           of
           the
           Jufluous
           Spirit
           and
           Topick
           Ferment
           ,
           the
           part
           necessarily
           suffers
           by
           accident
           ,
           
             Quia
             actio
             terminatur
             in
             corpus
             .
          
           Now
           the
           atonie
           of
           the
           Jufluous
           Spirit
           and
           deviation
           of
           Ferments
           happens
           by
           ill
           air
           ,
           Contagion
           ,
           Malignant
           Influence
           ,
           poisonous
           Fumes
           or
           Odours
           inspir'd
           ,
           or
           entring
           by
           the
           Pores
           ,
           by
           Meat
           or
           Drink
           hurtful
           either
           in
           quality
           or
           quantity
           ,
           by
           Poison
           or
           Virulency
           of
           ill
           Physick
           ,
           by
           natural
           or
           accidental
           inequality
           of
           strength
           ,
           by
           retention
           of
           Excrements
           of
           the
           several
           digestions
           ,
           by
           transmission
           from
           one
           digestion
           to
           another
           ,
           before
           a
           perfect
           Concoction
           in
           the
           former
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
           So
           then
           the
           right
           Method
           of
           curing
           Diseases
           ,
           is
           primarily
           by
           pacation
           of
           the
           Enormontick
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           extinction
           of
           Morbifick
           Idea's
           ,
           and
           but
           
             à
             posteriori
             ,
          
           by
           expelling
           the
           peccant
           matter
           generated
           by
           the
           ataxie
           of
           the
           Spirit
           :
           But
           such
           a
           sedation
           of
           the
           Spirit
           cannot
           possibly
           be
           procured
           by
           contraries
           ;
           does
           not
           Fire
           burn
           most
           vehemently
           ,
           when
           constring'd
           by
           an
           extreme
           cold
           of
           the
           ambient
           ?
           and
           hot
           water
           soonet
           extinguish
           Fire
           than
           cold
           ,
           because
           sooner
           penetrating
           its
           Pores
           ?
           I
           could
           multiply
           arguments
           against
           the
           Method
           of
           curing
           Diseases
           by
           contrary
           Remedies
           ;
           but
           my
           design
           is
           rather
           to
           recreate
           than
           tire
           you
           with
           too
           long
           a
           Letter
           .
        
         
           To
           your
           next
           
             Quaerie
             ,
          
           therefore
           ,
           
             Whether
             we
             acknowledge
             four
             ▪
             Humours
          
           ;
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           
             Whether
             various
             Distempers
             flowing
             from
             the
             depravation
             or
             excess
             of
             various
             Humours
             ,
             as
          
           Synochus
           simplex
           ,
           
             of
             too
             much
             abundance
             of
             Blood
          
           ;
           Quotidiana
           Intermittens
           ,
           
             of
             Flegm
          
           ;
           Tertiana
           Intermittens
           ,
           
             of
             Choler
          
           ;
           Quartana
           Intermittens
           ,
           
             of
             Melancholy
             ;
             all
             putrifying
             in
             the
             first
             region
             of
             the
             
             Body
             ;
             and
             both
             Quotidian
             ,
             Tertian
             ,
             and
             Quartan
             ,
             continual
             from
             the
             same
             humours
             putrefying
             in
             the
             Vein
             ,
             may
             be
             all
             cured
             by
             one
             Medicine
             ?
          
        
         
           In
           answer
           to
           this
           ;
           First
           ,
           We
           deny
           your
           
             Humours
             ,
          
           as
           most
           repugnant
           to
           reason
           ,
           that
           under
           one
           act
           of
           Sanguification
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           same
           Vessels
           ,
           four
           different
           
             Humours
          
           should
           be
           produc'd
           ,
           and
           that
           naturally
           in
           sound
           and
           healthful
           Bodies
           these
           Humours
           should
           be
           the
           efficient
           causes
           of
           future
           Diseases
           ;
           For
           this
           were
           to
           suppose
           Nature
           always
           to
           erre
           ,
           
             etiam
             in
             suis
             finibus
             .
          
           Sense
           likewise
           assures
           us
           ,
           that
           although
           there
           be
           a
           Liquor
           swimming
           upon
           Blood
           ,
           emitted
           and
           cold
           ,
           of
           a
           yellow
           colour
           ,
           yet
           that
           it
           is
           not
           therefore
           yellow
           Bile
           ;
           for
           that
           it
           is
           not
           bitter
           to
           the
           taste
           :
           And
           though
           the
           
             Yellow
             Jaundies
          
           staining
           the
           whole
           Body
           with
           a
           yellow
           colour
           ,
           and
           the
           Urine
           with
           a
           deep
           tincture
           of
           Red
           ,
           seem
           (
           
             prima
             faciè
          
           )
           to
           prove
           your
           Hypothesis
           of
           Humours
           ;
           yet
           upon
           an
           exact
           Spagyrical
           examination
           ,
           you
           shall
           find
           the
           contrary
           ;
           for
           if
           this
           tincture
           of
           Urine
           were
           
             à
             flava
             bile
             ,
          
           there
           must
           be
           found
           in
           it
           by
           Distillation
           at
           least
           some
           bitterness
           ,
           either
           in
           the
           Liquor
           that
           comes
           over
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           Hypostasis
           ,
           or
           
             Caput
             mortuum
          
           ;
           but
           there
           is
           found
           none
           ,
           nor
           could
           a
           small
           quantity
           of
           yellow
           Liquor
           tinge
           a
           large
           quantity
           of
           Urine
           with
           a
           colour
           deeper
           than
           its
           own
           .
           So
           that
           we
           say
           ,
           
             Nullus
             in
             natura
             Humor
             noster
             ,
             nisi
          
           Cruor
           ,
           Latex
           ,
           
             &
          
           Secundarius
           .
           Now
           sometimes
           this
           
             Latex
             ,
          
           sometimes
           the
           
             Chyle
             ,
          
           from
           the
           Errour
           and
           contagion
           of
           degenerated
           Ferments
           ,
           and
           pre-disposition
           of
           the
           matter
           ,
           receives
           various
           tinctures
           ,
           and
           puts
           on
           the
           disguise
           of
           your
           supposed
           Humours
           .
           But
           granting
           you
           a
           Quaternary
           of
           Humours
           ,
           yet
           we
           deny
           them
           to
           be
           truly
           the
           efficient
           causes
           of
           Diseases
           ,
           for
           
             manente
             causa
             non
             tollitur
             Effectus
          
           ;
           but
           very
           many
           Diseases
           we
           see
           daily
           cured
           by
           
             Amulets
             ;
             Plaisters
             ,
             Laudanums
             ,
             Anodynes
             ,
             Magneticks
             ,
          
           &c.
           without
           any
           evacuation
           of
           Humours
           at
           all
           ;
           so
           then
           the
           truly
           Efficient
           and
           conjunct
           Cause
           is
           Spiritual
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           Medicine
           as
           can
           quiet
           the
           
             Archeus
             ,
          
           and
           reduce
           it
           to
           its
           natural
           state
           ,
           shall
           easily
           cure
           all
           these
           Distempers
           ,
           without
           any
           regard
           had
           to
           the
           Purgation
           ,
           or
           carrying
           away
           of
           Peccant
           Humours
           ;
           for
           the
           Jusitous
           Spirit
           being
           strengthened
           ,
           and
           the
           local
           Ferments
           restored
           to
           their
           proper
           
           Energy
           ,
           your
           peccant
           Humours
           shall
           soon
           ,
           by
           the
           power
           of
           these
           ,
           be
           either
           subacted
           and
           compell'd
           into
           their
           genuine
           perfection
           ,
           or
           driven
           out
           by
           the
           ways
           most
           familiar
           and
           easie
           to
           Nature
           ,
           truly
           acknowledged
           by
           
             Hypocrates
          
           to
           be
           
             Morborum
             Curatrix
          
           ;
           and
           in
           my
           Opinion
           ,
           the
           reason
           why
           meer
           
             Galenists
          
           seldom
           perform
           any
           considerable
           cure
           in
           obstinate
           Diseases
           ,
           is
           for
           that
           they
           wholly
           prosecute
           evacuation
           ,
           and
           by
           that
           means
           oftentimes
           disable
           Nature
           ,
           (
           especially
           by
           Phlebotomy
           )
           from
           doing
           what
           she
           would
           be
           able
           oftentimes
           of
           her
           own
           strength
           to
           perform
           ,
           never
           aiming
           primarily
           and
           directly
           (
           but
           thus
           only
           by
           accident
           )
           at
           the
           re-establishing
           of
           Nature
           ;
           and
           no
           marvel
           ,
           since
           this
           way
           of
           Healing
           is
           not
           performable
           without
           the
           help
           of
           such
           
             Arcana
          
           as
           are
           only
           known
           to
           Chymists
           ,
           and
           of
           them
           ,
           only
           to
           the
           
             Adepti
             ,
          
           not
           every
           vulgar
           Professor
           of
           Chymistry
           .
           But
           you
           urge
           a
           necessity
           (
           in
           the
           right
           Method
           of
           Healing
           )
           of
           having
           respect
           not
           only
           to
           the
           expulsion
           of
           Peccant
           Humours
           ,
           but
           also
           to
           the
           extinction
           of
           praeternatural
           heat
           by
           cooling
           Medicines
           ,
           and
           refocillation
           of
           cold
           ,
           by
           heating
           ones
           ;
           as
           for
           Example
           ,
           in
           the
           cure
           of
           
             Anasarcha
             ,
          
           which
           you
           say
           is
           from
           an
           immoderate
           refrigeration
           of
           the
           Liver
           and
           Veins
           ;
           of
           a
           Fever
           ,
           which
           is
           from
           a
           praeternatural
           heat
           kindled
           first
           in
           the
           Heart
           ,
           and
           thence
           diffusing
           it self
           through
           the
           whole
           Body
           ;
           of
           
             Bradypepsia
          
           and
           
             Apepsia
             ,
          
           from
           the
           coldness
           of
           the
           Stomach
           ;
           of
           
             Boulimia
             ,
          
           from
           an
           extraordinary
           heat
           of
           the
           Stomach
           suddainly
           precipitating
           digestion
           ,
           and
           causing
           almost
           a
           continual
           want
           of
           aliment
           ;
           and
           likewise
           in
           implicite
           and
           compounded
           Diseases
           that
           are
           contrary
           to
           each
           other
           ,
           as
           a
           hot
           Liver
           ,
           and
           cold
           Stomach
           ;
           whatsoever
           Medicines
           should
           by
           their
           heating
           quality
           be
           proper
           in
           the
           Cure
           of
           
             Anasarcha
             ,
             Bradypepsia
             ,
             Apepsi
             ,
          
           and
           cold
           Distemper
           of
           the
           Stomach
           must
           in
           respect
           of
           that
           heat
           ,
           be
           quite
           contrary
           in
           a
           Fever
           ,
           
             Boulimia
             ,
          
           and
           hot
           Liver
           .
           I
           answer
           still
           with
           the
           
             Adepti
             ;
             That
             Heat
             and
             Cold
          
           (
           as
           I
           said
           of
           Hmours
           )
           
             are
             not
             the
             efficient
             Causes
             of
             Diseases
             ,
             but
             the
             Antecedent
             ,
          
           and
           therefore
           though
           their
           consideration
           be
           Diagnostick
           yet
           not
           Curative
           ,
           
             non
             calor
             &
             frigus
          
           (
           says
           
             Hypocrates
             )
             sed
             acidum
             ,
             acre
             ,
             amarum
             ,
             ponticum
             ,
          
           &c.
           
             sunt
             morborum
             causae
             .
          
           Heat
           and
           cold
           praeternatural
           ,
           are
           indeed
           an
           effect
           of
           the
           enraged
           vital
           Spirit
           ,
           
           which
           being
           once
           quieted
           ,
           the
           natural
           temper
           presently
           returns
           ;
           and
           as
           for
           the
           hot
           Liver
           and
           cold
           Stomach
           ,
           which
           so
           much
           puzzles
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           know
           not
           which
           way
           to
           direct
           your
           curative
           intention
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           your
           Method
           :
           
             Impliciti
             compositique
             morbi
             si
             dissentiant
             ,
             nec
             prorsus
             huic
             ,
             nec
             illi
             ,
             sed
             utrique
             mediocritate
             quâdam
             succurendum
          
           :
           which
           is
           in
           effect
           but
           a
           needless
           kind
           of
           despair
           of
           a
           Cure
           ;
           whereas
           I
           am
           able
           to
           assure
           you
           ,
           that
           if
           for
           the
           future
           you
           can
           find
           out
           such
           a
           Remedy
           as
           can
           re-invigorate
           the
           languishing
           tone
           of
           the
           Stomach
           and
           Liver
           ,
           restore
           their
           deviated
           Ferments
           ,
           and
           appease
           the
           
             Archeus
             ,
          
           which
           may
           be
           all
           done
           with
           one
           Medicine
           ,
           without
           any
           regard
           had
           either
           to
           the
           cold
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           or
           heat
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           you
           shall
           quickly
           ,
           safely
           ,
           and
           pleasantly
           cure
           both
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           like
           Method
           ,
           all
           other
           Diseases
           vulgarly
           ascribed
           to
           Heat
           and
           Cold.
           You
           attribute
           Concoction
           to
           the
           Heat
           of
           the
           Stomach
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           diminution
           of
           this
           Heat
           ,
           want
           of
           Digeston
           ,
           and
           all
           Diseases
           happening
           thence
           ;
           but
           that
           Heat
           is
           not
           the
           efficient
           Cause
           of
           Digestion
           ,
           seems
           manifest
           ;
           For
           1.
           
           Fishes
           digest
           without
           any
           actual
           Heat
           ,
           and
           to
           say
           that
           potential
           sufficeth
           ,
           is
           scarcely
           consonant
           to
           Reason
           ,
           that
           a
           thing
           barely
           in
           
             potentia
             ,
          
           should
           
             actu
             jam
             agere
             .
          
           2.
           
           There
           ought
           to
           be
           as
           many
           Degrees
           of
           Heat
           specifically
           different
           ,
           as
           there
           are
           specifical
           differences
           of
           Concoction
           ,
           in
           the
           Stomachs
           of
           Animals
           of
           different
           
             species
          
           ;
           for
           whatsoever
           is
           produc'd
           specifically
           different
           ,
           ought
           likewise
           to
           have
           the
           efficient
           Cause
           of
           that
           difference
           specifically
           different
           ,
           otherwise
           ,
           
             Quidlibet
             generetur
             à
             quolibet
             indifferenter
             ,
          
           which
           I
           think
           no
           man
           will
           affirm
           .
           Besides
           ,
           What
           degree
           of
           Heat
           must
           we
           allow
           the
           Stomach
           of
           an
           
             Ostrich
             ,
          
           easily
           digesting
           Leather
           ,
           Cloth
           ,
           and
           even
           Nails
           of
           Iron
           ?
           what
           degree
           of
           heat
           in
           
             Boulimia
          
           for
           the
           Digestion
           of
           the
           coursest
           Food
           ,
           in
           so
           large
           a
           quantity
           ,
           and
           so
           fast
           ,
           that
           the
           Stomach
           is
           scarcely
           ever
           to
           be
           satisfi'd
           ?
           
             Riverius
          
           confesseth
           this
           cannot
           possibly
           be
           from
           a
           more
           intense
           Heat
           ,
           since
           Meat
           boiled
           in
           a
           Pot
           with
           the
           strongest
           Heat
           that
           can
           be
           invented
           ,
           and
           continued
           for
           many
           days
           ,
           cannot
           by
           this
           means
           be
           resolv'd
           into
           a
           Chylous
           Liquor
           ,
           much
           less
           Bones
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           Stomach
           of
           a
           Dog
           in
           the
           space
           of
           an
           hour
           :
           I
           know
           you
           shift
           this
           off
           to
           a
           peculiar
           faculty
           ,
           but
           a
           faculty
           cannot
           act
           without
           
           an
           Instrument
           ,
           so
           that
           you
           are
           constrained
           to
           flie
           to
           the
           Idiosyncrasie
           of
           the
           part
           ,
           which
           you
           teach
           to
           be
           a
           certain
           proportion
           of
           first
           qualities
           ;
           but
           of
           all
           the
           first
           qualities
           ,
           Heat
           is
           the
           most
           active
           ,
           which
           nevertheless
           ,
           as
           has
           been
           already
           shew'd
           ,
           cannot
           have
           the
           power
           of
           so
           suddain
           a
           liquation
           of
           Meats
           ,
           so
           that
           after
           much
           struggling
           ,
           you
           are
           at
           last
           but
           where
           you
           began
           .
           We
           therefore
           ascribe
           the
           difference
           of
           Digestions
           ,
           not
           to
           Heat
           ,
           but
           to
           formal
           proprieties
           ,
           and
           the
           operation
           of
           the
           specifical
           Ferments
           .
        
         
           By
           what
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           your
           Objections
           borrow'd
           out
           of
           
             Helvetius
             ,
          
           against
           the
           possibility
           of
           an
           universal
           Medicine
           ,
           seem
           sufficiently
           answer'd
           ;
           Nevertheless
           ,
           take
           this
           Argument
           :
           Health
           is
           but
           one
           simple
           Homogeneal
           integrity
           of
           Life
           ,
           Nature
           but
           one
           ,
           but
           one
           sole
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           Governour
           and
           Moderator
           of
           Life
           ,
           which
           alone
           labours
           under
           Diseases
           ,
           and
           is
           alone
           (
           it
           by
           a
           powerful
           Medicine
           sufficiently
           strengthened
           )
           able
           to
           overcome
           all
           Diseases
           ;
           why
           then
           may
           not
           one
           Medicine
           ,
           such
           as
           the
           Liquor
           
             Alkahest
          
           of
           
             Paracelsus
             ,
          
           his
           
             Tinctura
             Lili
             ab
             Electro
             Minerali
             ,
          
           his
           
             Tinctura
             Lili
             Antimonialis
             ,
          
           his
           
             Mercurius
             vitae
             ,
          
           his
           
             Mercurius
             Diaphoreticus
             dulcis
             &
             fixus
             ,
          
           his
           
             Ignis
             veneris
             ,
          
           his
           
             Corallatus
             ,
          
           his
           
             Elixir
             Proprietatis
             ,
          
           or
           any
           other
           equal
           to
           these
           ,
           be
           able
           to
           cure
           all
           Diseases
           ?
           and
           although
           I
           am
           not
           as
           yet
           so
           happy
           my self
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           Master
           of
           any
           one
           of
           these
           ,
           yet
           in
           Confirmation
           of
           this
           Hetrodoxical
           Doctrine
           ,
           I
           will
           undertake
           (
           provided
           the
           Patients
           you
           shall
           assign
           me
           for
           the
           tryal
           ,
           will
           faithfully
           comply
           in
           taking
           the
           Medicines
           ,
           and
           carefully
           observe
           the
           order
           prescrib'd
           them
           )
           to
           cure
           all
           sorts
           of
           Fevers
           how
           malignant
           and
           complicated
           soever
           ,
           with
           one
           Medicine
           ;
           your
           distempers
           of
           a
           hot
           Liver
           and
           cold
           Stomach
           ,
           with
           one
           Medicine
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           Sanguine
           ,
           Bilious
           ,
           Melancholy
           ,
           and
           Flegmatick
           Diseases
           ,
           (
           as
           you
           esteem
           them
           )
           with
           one
           Medicine
           ,
           which
           I
           hope
           will
           make
           you
           change
           you
           Opinion
           of
           the
           necessity
           of
           curing
           Diseases
           by
           their
           contrary
           Remedies
           .
           And
           as
           for
           those
           obstinate
           Diseases
           ,
           whereof
           many
           are
           esteemed
           by
           you
           incurable
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           seldom
           or
           never
           cured
           by
           the
           vulgar
           Method
           ,
           as
           the
           Dropsie
           ,
           the
           Gout
           ,
           Stone
           in
           the
           Reins
           and
           Bladder
           ,
           Apoplexy
           ,
           Co●●u
           ,
           Falling
           
           Sickness
           ,
           Madness
           ,
           
             Furor
             uterinus
             ,
          
           Scurvy
           ,
           French
           Pox
           ,
           Small
           Pox
           ,
           Griping
           of
           the
           Gutts
           ,
           of
           which
           so
           many
           hundreds
           fell
           the
           last
           Autumn
           ,
           
             Hysterica
             passio
             ,
          
           with
           almost
           the
           whole
           Catalogue
           of
           Diseases
           ,
           wheresoever
           the
           vital
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           tone
           of
           the
           part
           affected
           ,
           are
           not
           so
           weakened
           ,
           that
           no
           Medicine
           can
           work
           its
           effects
           ;
           to
           end
           the
           dispute
           between
           us
           ,
           whether
           Chymical
           or
           
             Galenical
          
           Physick
           be
           the
           most
           powerful
           and
           successful
           ,
           and
           which
           of
           them
           the
           most
           worthy
           of
           esteem
           by
           you
           ,
           and
           all
           wise
           and
           unbyassed
           persons
           ;
           Let
           there
           be
           some
           of
           all
           ,
           or
           the
           most
           of
           these
           Diseases
           put
           into
           my
           hand
           as
           soon
           as
           you
           please
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           do
           not
           find
           me
           by
           the
           help
           of
           Chymical
           Physick
           ,
           to
           cure
           even
           the
           hardest
           of
           them
           with
           less
           annoyance
           ,
           less
           disturbance
           ,
           less
           weakening
           the
           Spirits
           and
           force
           of
           the
           Patient
           ,
           and
           incomparably
           more
           expedition
           ,
           safety
           ,
           and
           certainty
           ,
           than
           your
           ordinary
           Physicians
           cure
           light
           and
           easie
           Distempers
           ,
           let
           me
           be
           no
           longer
           held
           by
           you
           worthy
           of
           Credit
           ,
           or
           have
           any
           place
           in
           your
           esteem
           ;
           But
           if
           I
           do
           ,
           (
           as
           by
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           you
           will
           certainly
           find
           I
           shall
           )
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           future
           you
           will
           give
           the
           preference
           to
           Chymical
           Physick
           ,
           and
           not
           think
           me
           in
           this
           guilty
           of
           vanity
           or
           ostentation
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           made
           known
           unto
           you
           out
           of
           the
           sincerity
           of
           my
           heart
           ,
           inerrable
           experience
           ,
           my
           love
           of
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           (
           I
           hope
           )
           to
           the
           inestimable
           benefit
           of
           such
           as
           shall
           need
           and
           require
           my
           help
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           apprehend
           Chymical
           Medicines
           to
           be
           dangerous
           ,
           as
           being
           many
           of
           them
           extracted
           out
           of
           poysonous
           Metals
           and
           Minerals
           ,
           as
           Iron
           ,
           Copper
           ,
           Tinn
           ,
           Lead
           ,
           Mercury
           ,
           Antimony
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           and
           corrosive
           Salts
           ,
           as
           Vitrial
           ,
           Nitre
           ,
           Tarter
           ,
           Bay
           Salt
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           but
           you
           seem
           more
           especially
           to
           be
           affrighted
           at
           Antimony
           and
           Mercury
           ;
           and
           truly
           if
           you
           mean
           their
           vulgar
           preparations
           ,
           (
           which
           nevertheless
           you
           commonly
           make
           use
           of
           your selves
           ,
           )
           such
           as
           are
           the
           
             Vitrum
             ,
          
           and
           
             Flores
             Antimonii
             ,
             Crocus
             Metallorum
             ,
          
           the
           ordinary
           
             Mercurius
             vita
             ,
          
           Praecipitates
           and
           Sublimates
           ,
           I
           so
           much
           abhor
           them
           my self
           ,
           that
           I
           detest
           the
           use
           of
           them
           .
           But
           I
           have
           by
           me
           certain
           preparations
           out
           of
           ♁
           and
           ☿
           far
           more
           precious
           than
           Gold
           ,
           with
           which
           I
           know
           how
           to
           cure
           almost
           all
           curable
           Diseases
           in
           the
           body
           of
           man
           ,
           and
           so
           safe
           ,
           that
           I
           give
           them
           commonly
           
           to
           little
           Children
           ,
           without
           ever
           having
           found
           the
           least
           harm
           or
           inconvenience
           in
           them
           ;
           some
           of
           them
           Purge
           not
           at
           all
           ,
           but
           are
           Diaphoretick
           ,
           Alexipharmacal
           ,
           Balsamical
           ,
           Restaurative
           ,
           and
           Pacative
           :
           and
           those
           that
           do
           ,
           never
           cause
           any
           superpurgation
           ,
           though
           the
           Patient
           by
           mistake
           should
           take
           a
           double
           or
           treble
           Dose
           .
           Out
           of
           ☿
           can
           I
           make
           many
           excellent
           Medicines
           ,
           whereof
           one
           particularly
           and
           especially
           cures
           the
           
             POX
             ,
          
           though
           ever
           so
           full
           of
           raging
           pains
           ,
           
             Tophi
             ,
          
           and
           Ulcerous
           exesions
           .
           Cut
           of
           Antimony
           ,
           
             Basilius
             Valentinus
          
           says
           ,
           he
           knew
           how
           to
           make
           above
           300
           several
           preparations
           ,
           whereof
           he
           valued
           many
           as
           more
           precious
           and
           universal
           than
           potable
           Gold
           ;
           Nevertheless
           ,
           esteeming
           himself
           yet
           but
           a
           Learner
           and
           Searcher
           into
           the
           innumerable
           Virtues
           and
           Proprieties
           of
           Antimony
           .
           
             Quercitan
          
           says
           ,
           there
           are
           in
           ♁
           600
           Proprieties
           .
           Our
           most
           Learned
           
             Roger
             Bacon
          
           made
           an
           Oyl
           out
           of
           Antimony
           ,
           which
           he
           affirms
           to
           be
           little
           inferiour
           not
           only
           in
           Medicine
           ,
           but
           also
           in
           Transmutation
           of
           Metals
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           
             Elixir
          
           of
           the
           Phylosophers
           .
           Of
           Antimony
           
             Paracelsus
          
           made
           some
           of
           his
           most
           stupendious
           
             Arcana
          
           ;
           as
           his
           
             Lili
             Antimoniale
             ,
          
           his
           
             Mercurius
             vitae
             ,
          
           with
           which
           he
           could
           cure
           all
           the
           Diseases
           in
           the
           Body
           of
           Man
           ,
           and
           says
           of
           ♁
           ,
           that
           as
           it
           separates
           from
           Gold
           all
           Heterogeneous
           admixture
           and
           impurity
           ,
           so
           doth
           it
           from
           the
           Body
           of
           Man
           all
           Diseases
           .
           And
           of
           
             Mercury
             ,
          
           both
           he
           and
           
             Van
             Helmont
          
           made
           their
           miraculous
           .
           
             Alkahest
             .
          
           ☿
           is
           certainly
           the
           most
           precious
           Jewel
           in
           the
           whole
           treasure
           of
           the
           Mineral
           Kingdom
           of
           Nature
           ,
           from
           which
           alone
           ☉
           it self
           borrows
           its
           perfection
           .
           If
           I
           would
           now
           comunicate
           to
           you
           but
           what
           is
           known
           to
           my self
           that
           am
           but
           a
           Scholar
           in
           the
           Schools
           of
           these
           two
           great
           Masters
           of
           Natural
           Philosophy
           of
           the
           Virtues
           and
           hidden
           Mysteries
           of
           these
           two
           Minerals
           ,
           I
           must
           instead
           of
           a
           Letter
           ,
           write
           a
           Volumn
           ,
           which
           is
           at
           present
           far
           from
           my
           purpose
           and
           your
           expectation
           .
           Now
           as
           to
           
             Saturn
             ,
             Mars
             ,
             Venus
             ,
          
           which
           you
           likewise
           apprehend
           to
           be
           dangerous
           ;
           out
           of
           
             Saturn
          
           alone
           ,
           
             Paracelsus
          
           professeth
           himself
           able
           to
           cure
           at
           least
           200
           several
           Diseases
           ,
           out
           of
           ♀
           he
           made
           his
           
             Ens
             Veneris
             ,
          
           one
           of
           his
           greatest
           
             Arcana
             ,
          
           and
           says
           of
           ♂
           ,
           that
           he
           does
           ,
           
             valida
             pugnacique
             manu
             morbor
             quemplurimos
             etiam
             contumacissimos
             domittare
             ,
          
           hear
           your
           
             Riverius
          
           in
           the
           
           praise
           of
           ♂
           in
           the
           cure
           of
           Hypochondriack
           Melancholy
           ,
           Scurvy
           ,
           most
           affectious
           of
           the
           Liver
           and
           Spleen
           ,
           Ulcers
           of
           the
           Stomach
           ,
           Green
           Sickness
           ,
           and
           many
           others
           .
           
             At
             caeteris
             omnibus
             remediis
             palmam
             praeripit
             Sal
             Martis
             ,
             quod
             obstructiones
             aperit
             viscera
             corroberat
             ,
             earumque
             calidam
             intemperiem
             emendat
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           A
           certain
           Physician
           you
           well
           knew
           ,
           got
           more
           Fame
           and
           Riches
           than
           any
           of
           his
           time
           in
           this
           Town
           ,
           by
           means
           of
           a
           secret
           operative
           preparation
           of
           Steel
           ,
           with
           which
           he
           really
           perform'd
           many
           greater
           and
           more
           considerable
           Cures
           ,
           than
           others
           equal
           to
           himself
           in
           all
           other
           considerations
           .
           But
           you
           fill
           me
           with
           admiration
           ,
           that
           you
           should
           fear
           the
           corrosive
           quality
           of
           Vitriol
           ,
           Tartre
           ,
           Nitre
           ,
           and
           Bay
           Salt
           ,
           you
           may
           draw
           a
           
             Menstruum
          
           out
           of
           Bread
           or
           Honey
           ,
           that
           will
           dissolve
           Flints
           ,
           and
           
             Vlstadius
          
           out
           of
           Honey
           makes
           a
           dissolvant
           of
           Gold
           ;
           would
           you
           therefore
           be
           affraid
           of
           the
           use
           of
           Bread
           or
           Honey
           ?
           you
           know
           the
           juice
           of
           Limons
           dissolves
           Pearl
           and
           Coral
           ,
           and
           yet
           most
           grateful
           and
           friendly
           to
           the
           Stomach
           ;
           and
           why
           should
           these
           Spirits
           temper'd
           with
           the
           allay
           of
           other
           milder
           Liquors
           ,
           
             ad
             gratam
             aciditatem
             ,
          
           be
           more
           dangerous
           ?
           Indeed
           common
           experience
           shews
           you
           the
           contrary
           ;
           besides
           you
           ought
           to
           consider
           the
           difference
           between
           the
           hard
           Bodies
           of
           Stones
           and
           Mettals
           ,
           and
           the
           softer
           Membranes
           of
           the
           Stomach
           ,
           irrigated
           continually
           with
           a
           Balsamick
           vital
           moisture
           :
           
             Aqua
             fortis
          
           that
           corrodes
           Stones
           and
           Mettals
           ,
           whill
           not
           penetrate
           Wax
           .
           But
           to
           leave
           you
           no
           ground
           of
           suspition
           ,
           I
           can
           shew
           you
           how
           to
           make
           them
           freed
           from
           their
           corrosive
           aciditie
           ,
           pleasant
           to
           Taste
           and
           Smell
           ,
           and
           highly
           exalted
           in
           Virtue
           .
           But
           this
           I
           confess
           is
           a
           great
           secret
           ,
           especially
           that
           of
           the
           Volatile
           Salt
           of
           Tarter
           ,
           of
           which
           
             Paracelsus
          
           and
           
             Van
             Helmont
          
           affirm
           ,
           that
           it
           penetrates
           into
           the
           most
           inward
           and
           remote
           parts
           ,
           cleansing
           them
           from
           all
           impurity
           ,
           
             instar
             saponis
             cuncta
             abstergens
             &
             omnem
             è
             venis
             amurcam
             detergens
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           But
           though
           you
           have
           oblig'd
           me
           to
           make
           this
           just
           vindication
           of
           Chymical
           Physick
           ,
           I
           would
           not
           have
           you
           think
           I
           either
           despise
           or
           neglect
           the
           excellent
           use
           of
           Herbs
           ,
           which
           I
           acknowledge
           with
           
             Van
             Helmont
             ,
          
           to
           be
           
             pentacula
             Divini
             amoris
             .
          
           Out
           of
           Animals
           and
           Vegetables
           I
           can
           make
           Medicines
           that
           cure
           the
           Gout
           and
           Dropsy
           ,
           with
           that
           certainty
           ,
           as
           scarcely
           to
           miss
           two
           in
           
           twenty
           .
           But
           indeed
           ,
           as
           is
           our
           Method
           of
           Healing
           ,
           so
           are
           our
           ways
           of
           preparation
           very
           different
           from
           yours
           ;
           You
           in
           your
           Decoctions
           consume
           commonly
           a
           third
           part
           ,
           sometimes
           half
           or
           more
           ,
           in
           which
           consumption
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           the
           Spirit
           and
           Volatile
           Salt
           of
           the
           Ingredients
           ,
           which
           contains
           their
           highest
           Virtues
           ,
           is
           evaporated
           and
           lost
           ;
           of
           the
           certainty
           of
           this
           loss
           ,
           both
           your
           Smell
           and
           Taste
           will
           bear
           you
           witness
           :
           We
           ,
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           so
           make
           our
           Decoctions
           ,
           that
           the
           whole
           virtue
           of
           the
           Crassis
           of
           the
           Plant
           is
           preserv'd
           without
           any
           diminution
           ;
           I
           leave
           it
           now
           to
           your self
           to
           judge
           whether
           you
           or
           we
           may
           reasonably
           hope
           for
           the
           better
           success
           in
           this
           particular
           ;
           the
           like
           difference
           is
           between
           your
           Distillations
           and
           ours
           ;
           you
           for
           the
           most
           part
           add
           water
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           draw
           over
           but
           the
           Flegmatick
           part
           of
           the
           Plant
           ,
           with
           some
           very
           small
           part
           of
           its
           Sulphur
           ,
           which
           gives
           it
           something
           of
           its
           natural
           smell
           and
           Taste
           ,
           leaving
           nevertheless
           almost
           all
           its
           Sulphur
           ,
           and
           totally
           all
           its
           Alkalious
           Salt
           behind
           ;
           so
           that
           your
           distill'd
           waters
           carry
           only
           the
           name
           ,
           little
           of
           the
           virtue
           of
           the
           Plant
           from
           which
           they
           are
           drawn
           :
           We
           first
           stamp
           the
           Hearb
           ,
           and
           draw
           its
           water
           ,
           then
           cohobe
           it
           so
           often
           upon
           the
           
             caput
             mortuum
             ,
          
           till
           we
           have
           brought
           over
           its
           Sulphur
           ,
           and
           lastly
           calcine
           the
           remaining
           
             feces
             ,
          
           and
           with
           the
           waters
           extract
           its
           own
           Salt
           ,
           and
           then
           Circulate
           them
           together
           ;
           and
           thus
           are
           the
           Mercury
           ,
           Sulphur
           ,
           and
           Salt
           united
           ,
           which
           completes
           the
           virtue
           of
           the
           whole
           Plant
           ,
           and
           compar'd
           to
           yours
           ,
           is
           worthy
           of
           the
           name
           of
           an
           Essence
           ;
           this
           is
           indeed
           laborious
           and
           costly
           ,
           but
           in
           its
           effects
           largely
           recompenceth
           both
           .
           There
           remains
           yet
           an
           Objection
           against
           Chymical
           Physick
           to
           be
           answered
           ,
           which
           you
           offer
           not
           as
           your
           own
           ,
           but
           as
           received
           by
           common
           Report
           .
        
         
           
             That
          
           Chymical
           Physick
           ,
           
             though
             for
             the
             present
             it
             conquer
             many
             Diseases
             held
             incurable
             ,
             yet
             that
             afterwards
             it
             shortens
             the
             lives
             of
             such
             as
             have
             been
             so
             cured
             .
          
        
         
           There
           is
           indeed
           such
           a
           senseless
           calumny
           current
           amongst
           Women
           ,
           and
           the
           weaker
           sort
           of
           Men
           industriously
           disseminated
           amongst
           them
           ,
           by
           some
           hoping
           perhaps
           by
           this
           art
           the
           better
           to
           keep
           up
           their
           own
           Esteem
           and
           Reputation
           ,
           which
           otherwise
           by
           their
           abilities
           they
           find
           themselves
           not
           likely
           to
           maintain
           .
           But
           
           to
           avoid
           contention
           ,
           let
           common
           Experience
           determine
           this
           difference
           between
           us
           .
           For
           my
           own
           particular
           ,
           I
           can
           faithfully
           assure
           you
           ,
           that
           by
           Chymical
           Physick
           I
           have
           cured
           my self
           of
           the
           Vertigo
           ,
           and
           Gout
           ,
           both
           in
           great
           extremity
           ;
           it
           is
           now
           4
           years
           since
           ,
           and
           I
           have
           not
           (
           I
           bless
           God
           )
           to
           this
           day
           relaps'd
           again
           into
           either
           ,
           nor
           have
           I
           found
           any
           harm
           ,
           but
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           many
           benefits
           to
           my
           health
           by
           such
           Medicines
           ,
           tending
           in
           all
           probability
           to
           the
           prolongation
           of
           my
           life
           ;
           and
           if
           I
           had
           not
           grounded
           my
           esteem
           of
           Chymical
           Physick
           upon
           good
           reason
           and
           sufficient
           experience
           ,
           you
           might
           think
           me
           mad
           ,
           to
           make
           desperate
           practices
           upon
           my
           own
           Life
           .
           My
           Lungs
           are
           naturally
           so
           tender
           and
           weak
           ,
           that
           had
           it
           not
           been
           for
           Chymical
           Medicines
           ,
           I
           cannot
           think
           I
           could
           have
           liv'd
           to
           see
           this
           day
           .
           But
           inform
           your self
           further
           ,
           and
           you
           shall
           find
           that
           those
           that
           have
           been
           long
           accustomed
           to
           Chymical
           Physick
           ,
           have
           preserv'd
           their
           Lives
           and
           Health
           much
           longer
           ,
           and
           more
           comfortably
           ,
           than
           those
           acquainted
           only
           with
           your
           Druggs
           ;
           for
           consider
           impartially
           ,
           how
           few
           escape
           death
           in
           contumacious
           Diseases
           by
           means
           of
           
             Galenical
          
           Medicines
           ,
           loathsome
           ,
           tedious
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ineffectual
           ;
           and
           those
           that
           do
           ,
           how
           slowly
           do
           they
           recover
           their
           colour
           ,
           appetite
           ,
           and
           strength
           ,
           remaining
           long
           in
           continual
           fear
           and
           danger
           of
           relapse
           ?
           such
           large
           quantities
           of
           Physick
           as
           your
           slow
           Method
           requires
           ,
           so
           depauperates
           the
           vital
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           oppresses
           Nature
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           known
           many
           times
           a
           year
           after
           ,
           from
           what
           Method
           they
           receiv'd
           their
           Cure
           :
           whereas
           we
           in
           the
           same
           Diseases
           perfect
           the
           Cure
           quickly
           ,
           with
           little
           Physick
           ,
           and
           in
           small
           Doses
           ,
           such
           as
           can
           hardly
           be
           nauseous
           to
           the
           nicest
           and
           most
           delicate
           Stomachs
           ;
           and
           in
           our
           whole
           scope
           ,
           our
           Method
           directs
           us
           not
           to
           enervate
           (
           as
           you
           do
           )
           but
           to
           erect
           deficient
           Nature
           ,
           not
           to
           extenuate
           ,
           but
           reintegrate
           the
           languishing
           Spirit
           :
           and
           is
           it
           then
           likely
           that
           Chymical
           Medicines
           taken
           from
           the
           hands
           of
           a
           skilful
           Chymical
           Physician
           ,
           appeasing
           and
           strengthening
           the
           
             Archeus
             ,
          
           restoring
           the
           Ferments
           ,
           which
           alone
           in
           their
           intire
           vigour
           ,
           are
           able
           to
           overcome
           all
           Diseases
           ,
           as
           being
           the
           undoubted
           Authors
           of
           transmutation
           ,
           friendly
           and
           comfortable
           to
           Nature
           ,
           should
           nevertheless
           shorten
           Life
           ?
           besides
           the
           evidence
           of
           Reason
           ,
           I
           can
           
           testify
           out
           of
           my
           own
           diligent
           Observation
           and
           Experience
           (
           and
           that
           
             fido
             animo
          
           )
           the
           contrary
           .
           But
           I
           believe
           I
           need
           not
           take
           much
           pains
           to
           satisfie
           you
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           I
           know
           you
           are
           too
           sharp
           sighted
           to
           be
           miss-led
           by
           such
           an
           
             Ignis
             Fatuus
          
           ;
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           I
           rather
           believe
           you
           inclinable
           to
           acquaint
           your self
           fully
           with
           the
           Theory
           ,
           and
           manual
           operations
           of
           Chymistry
           ,
           which
           though
           it
           cost
           you
           (
           as
           it
           hath
           done
           me
           )
           much
           Time
           ,
           Sweat
           ,
           and
           Money
           ,
           yet
           if
           you
           prove
           equally
           successful
           ,
           I
           dare
           promise
           it
           shall
           never
           give
           you
           cause
           to
           repent
           you
           :
           for
           (
           I
           speak
           it
           without
           boasting
           )
           I
           have
           by
           the
           help
           of
           this
           Art
           easily
           and
           quickly
           cured
           Diseases
           quite
           desperate
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           very
           able
           and
           experienced
           
             Galenical
          
           Physicians
           .
           Truly
           were
           not
           Chymical
           Physick
           incomparably
           more
           powerful
           and
           safe
           ,
           than
           
             Galenical
             ,
          
           I
           do
           not
           see
           how
           I
           could
           excuse
           my self
           in
           leaving
           at
           any
           time
           ,
           the
           trodden
           ,
           smooth
           ,
           and
           easie
           paths
           of
           the
           vulgar
           or
           
             Galenical
          
           Method
           ,
           in
           which
           I
           am
           graduated
           as
           well
           as
           you
           ,
           to
           follow
           those
           of
           the
           Chymical
           ,
           painful
           ,
           costly
           ,
           sublime
           ,
           and
           so
           secret
           ,
           that
           but
           a
           few
           have
           ever
           rightly
           understood
           :
           
             
               —
               pauci
               quos
               aequus
               amavit
            
             
               
                 Jupiter
                 ,
              
               hoc
               potnêre
               —
            
          
           At
           the
           worst
           can
           be
           said
           ;
           surely
           he
           that
           understands
           both
           Physicks
           ,
           is
           likely
           to
           perform
           more
           than
           he
           that
           understands
           but
           one
           ;
           but
           I
           must
           not
           transgress
           the
           limits
           of
           a
           Letter
           ,
           let
           what
           has
           been
           said
           suffice
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           till
           I
           Print
           my
           
             Synopsis
             Medico-Chymica
             ,
          
           which
           is
           almost
           finished
           ,
           and
           I
           shall
           be
           ready
           at
           our
           next
           meeting
           to
           give
           you
           further
           satisfaction
           in
           any
           thing
           :
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           I
           pray
           do
           me
           that
           right
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           what
           I
           have
           said
           in
           Vindication
           of
           Chymical
           Physick
           ,
           hath
           been
           without
           the
           least
           animosity
           ,
           or
           intention
           of
           prejudice
           to
           the
           Person
           or
           Practice
           of
           any
           man
           ,
           purely
           in
           defence
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           that
           whatsoever
           I
           have
           undertaken
           to
           do
           my self
           in
           my
           own
           particular
           ,
           the
           better
           to
           confirm
           you
           ,
           I
           will
           by
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           whensoever
           you
           shall
           offer
           me
           the
           occasion
           ,
           faithfully
           
           make
           good
           ;
           and
           further
           ,
           that
           I
           shall
           unalterably
           remain
           upon
           all
           Tryals
           .
        
         
           
             Sir
             ,
          
           
             Your
             faithful
             Friend
             and
             Servant
             
               G.A.
               
            
          
           
             
               Silver-street
            
             near
             
               Bloomesbury
            
             Market
             
               London
               .
            
             
               
                 March
              
               4.
               1669.
               
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .