The artificial spaw, or, Mineral-waters to drink imitating the German spaw-water in its delightful and medicinal operations on humane bodies, &c. / by T. Byfield. Byfield, T. (Timothy) 1684 Approx. 45 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 41 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A30805 Wing B6396 ESTC R24245 08092684 ocm 08092684 40830 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A30805) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 40830) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1224:14) The artificial spaw, or, Mineral-waters to drink imitating the German spaw-water in its delightful and medicinal operations on humane bodies, &c. / by T. Byfield. Byfield, T. (Timothy) [5], 70 p. Printed by James Rawlins for the author, and are to be sold by Matthew Keinton, London : 1684. Reproduction of original in the Cambridge University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Mineral waters, Artificial. 2006-04 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-05 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-05 Robyn Anspach Sampled and proofread 2007-05 Robyn Anspach Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE Artificial Spaw , OR MINERAL-WATERS TO DRINK : Imitating the German Spaw-Water in its Delightful and Medicinal Operations on Humane Bodies , &c. By T. Byfield , M. D. Fellow of the College of Physicians at Dublin . LONDON , Printed by James Rawlins for the Author , and are to be sold by Matthew Keinton in Little-Britain , 1684. TO THE Right Worshipful Sir WILLIAM JENNINGS KNIGHT . Honored Sir , THE Encouragement these Waters receiv'd last Year from your own Experience and Commendation of 'em to others , did in part Naturalize 'em ; by gaining such Repute , that they were prescrib'd by several Physicians in Town to their Patients , and that with good Success . For they alone wrought several Cures , as by the Testimony of the Doctors does appear . I have bin therefore very industrious to keep open these Salutiferous Springs , that they may flow to the advantage of many . And I doubt not but under your Patronage their Medicinal Virtues will raise 'em to such general good esteem that they 'l become the Metropolitan Fountain . 'T will not be difficult ( besides Experience ) to make it appear from Reason , that Medicinal Waters thus by Art prepar'd , will excel the Natural . But that being part of the ensuing Tract , I 'le not here forestal the matter . But acknowledge your Obligations in permitting a Rivulet of this Fountain to have its Eruption among your ingenious useful Vndertakings , which that they may continue to prosper , are the unfeigned wishes of Honoured Sir , Your most humble Servant , T. Byfield . From my House in New-street by Fetter-Lane near the Five Bells . THE Artificial Spaw , OR MINERAL-WATERS To Drink , &c. CHAP. I. THe improvement of Arts and Sciences is the great design os all industrious Men. I have therefore in imitation of such bin at pains , and cost too in making some useful improvements within my own Sphere of Physick , of which at present I shall only discourse of one , viz. The making of Artificial Mineral Waters equal to , if not exceeding , the Natural , as to their Medicinal qualities . For I have so strictly examin'd with what Minerals , Marcasites and Nitrous Glebes the healing Fountains are impregnated , to make 'em such ; that by preparing , purifying and exalting their Medicinal Virtues , I shall be able not only to imitate Nature , but herein excel ; by defecating and expelling those gross Terrestrial parts , and often unwholsome , that are commixt with Minerals : from which to extricate the benign and useful parts , great diligence and curiosity is requisite . This boast I hope may be very well allow'd within the bounds of Modesty , since I have brought my undertakings to Perfection . And since things Natural ( especially as to the Materia Medica ) are greatly improv'd , in regard to their usefulness , by Learning and Industry , why may not this Mineral Preparation , among the innumerable store of others , be allow'd to challenge the credit it deserves . It has pleas'd God , for our imployment , to make those things that Minister Food and Physick , capable of improvement by us , and our Labour and Industry in their preparation necessary e're we can receive due Benefit and Refreshment from 'em : whenas in those only which serve for Delight and Pleasure , as rich Fruits and Flowers , &c. He has shown his infinite skill and excellence ; which when we tamper with we only damage . So that no Artist is so vain and impious to vye with Nature , but only pleas'd when he can diligently and curiously perform that Labour and Culture assign'd him by his Maker . But I must not digress ; how high therefore this way of Physick is in vogue , or like to be , shall not be so much my concern to recount , as to make the usefulness and conveniency of it appear . For if persons can with little expence and trouble be prevail'd upon to make a harmless trial of those things that are productive of great good , such insinuations are no ways culpable . 'T is obvious how many perish for want of timely care , permitting slenderer indispositions ( which might soon be remov'd ) to run to some high Distemper , and that too often suffer'd almost to have mischiev'd the Body , e're they will look out for remedy : being deterr'd from the use of means , either because the methods are harsh and unpleasing , or because they are Expensive and too Chargeable ; none of which our Medicinal Waters can be taxed with . The Theoretick part of Physick being of late so richly adorn'd with accurate Anatomical Dissections and a refin'd Philosophy ; I conceive it likewise requisite that the Practice should bear some proportion to it , otherwise the Ornament of Languages , and all other Embellishments , are but gilded nothings to the great Art of preserving and restoring a sound and healthy Constitution . For to live long and in health , as 't is the best thing belonging to this World , so 't is most desir'd , tho' the methods conducing thereto are much neglected , 't is not only furnish'd with delights in it self , but it gives a gust to all others ; for without it all their Excellencies are imperceptible . But this is a Blessing most relish'd and best valu'd by those who sometimes are without it . 'T is a great misfortune of Humane Nature not to discern wherein her happiness and delights consist , which often are nearer her than she 's aware of ; and the farther she wanders in pursuit of 'em , she 's at the greater loss . For the methods to be taken for a happy life are not so difficult , nor to be so far fetcht , as are by most imagin'd . But it being my business chiefly to direct to that part which conduces to preserving and restoring a healthy Body , I shall only concern my self in what tends thereto . How nice and delicate a thing it is to keep the Body in a just and due mixture of Principles , and to recover those decaying , is not soon apprehended . For the subtile vital Breath , or the volatile invisible Spirit of man's Body , deservedly nam'd Mercury , nourisheth , feedeth and preserveth himself by the Oleity of Man's Suphur , which is predominant in the Blood ; besides these there is a Salt lying in the Juices , Flesh and Bones ; this ministers its noblest part for nourishment to the Blood , and preserveth man's Body from putrefaction , and is that Vinculum whereby the other two are kept and dwell together . For in the Salt there lyeth a Spirit which protects and preserves the Balsoms in their worth and purity , it savoureth all the rest , and is inexhaustible , unless it dye quite : for the Air which supports the Spirits with its Vital Breath , does carry in it a nitrous Spirit , which tempers the whole nourishment , and prevents the unruly disorders of the other ingesta . Thus is preserv'd and kept a due temperament of Principles ad justitiam , which is the great skill of a Physician . But lest I make too large a Digression , designing at present to discourse only of the excellent uses of Medicinal Waters , and of my imitation of the Ultramarine Spaws ; I shall rather now say somewhat of Water in general and its usefulness . CHAP. II. Of Water in general . SInce I am about to demonstrate the advantages of Medicinal Waters , and to shew how fit a Vehicle this Element is to convey Medicine to the inmost recesses of the Body ; I think it not besides my business if I a little touch upon the Excellency of Water , which was created for the universal Drink of all Creatures , and the Health and life of the first Ages of the World may commend its Wholsomeness . But if we examine its Nature , we shall find it consist of those qualities which denote its Salubrity , as clearness , thinness , lightness , softness , &c. which cool , moisten , attenuate , refresh , allay Thirst , and are a pabulum or recruit to fretted Spirits , and a proper Liquor to convey and distribute other Aliments . Some of the Ancients call'd it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Seed of all things : But I shall not here discourse of the productions from Waters ; what Vegetables , Minerals and Animals are generated by it : neither shall I treat of the various kinds of Water , as River-Water , Rain-Water , Pump , Lake , Pond-Water , &c. That is the best and most wholsome which is void of taste or odour , and is clear , pure , most light , soon heated , soon cold , and in which Flesh is soonest Boil'd . The living Spring I judge most valuable for Drinking , and that nearest the head of it the best . For those living Principles which actuate all Bodies , and keep 'em not only from putrefaction , but qualifie 'em for recruits and sustenance to other Bodies , are in proportion in Waters , which denotes 'em of such and such a strength and purity , and may be us'd in quantities accordingly . And 't is no small advantage that they are capable of being receiv'd in such large quantities , without fuming or disturbing the Brain , to irrigate and soften the whole Body , and bedew the fiery Spirits with their supple Vapours : And when those Airy brisk Particles do extricate themselves from these soft lodgments , they are again entangled with more to prevent their leaping out , or firing one against another : and such a pretty bustle or ferment in Nature raises that general efflorescence and vigour , which plumps , exhilerates , and makes gay a well-temper'd healthy Body . The dispencing either of Food or Physick , in a clear , thin , soft and gentle Vehicle , must make a better digestion , and a more equal distribution of it ; then in a fiery Chariot , which precipitates Nature , and hurries the crude parts thro' those strait and slender passages beyond their Natural Emunctories , and lodges 'em where neither Nature can expel 'em , nor Art reach ' em . Whenas the milder Liquors make such easie gradations , that Nature can secern by her peculiar cleansing ducts those Feces and Crudities , which timely and orderly expell'd , prevent innumerable Obstructions and Diseases to the Body . I wish for my own particular , who am sometimes afflicted with Stone and Gout , that I had earlier studied these things : but what I can't prevent in my self , I wish I may in others . But to shew how excellent a Vehicle Water is for the distribution of generous and restorative Medicines , is no difficult task , if its Nature be considered , as is before mention'd : for by searching out the minutest passages of the Body , it promotes a general dispensation of the design'd matter to all parts of it . And I am of the opinion that fine Chymical Medicines should be deliver'd to Bodies in soft gentle Vehicles , but by no means in their own Terrestrial Bodies ; for they are so fitted there in their position , that our Bodies are not able to extricate the benign useful parts from the intricate meatus's of a tough Mineral , and raise its living principles from their domicils so stiffly munited and secur'd . Yet when by great Art and Labour these are got out and defecated , they are beneficially deliver'd in another Body , where they can't so soon shape a retirement : and if in thin light cooling Liquors , Nature can with ease gradually fetch out their help and refreshment ; whenas those too hot fiercely assault Nature , and admit not of quantity enough for their equal distribution . CHAP. III. Of Mineral Waters . IN the Mineral Kingdom thro' which the Veins of Water glide , are amas't mighty Treasures , from whence may be extracted greater relief for the necessities of Mankind than is by most imagin'd . But to come near my purpose , excellent Medicines by the due managementof Fire , have bin obtain'd from several Minerals and Semi-minerals , &c. But to come yet nearer ( by playing the Hydrotomist ) the great account of Mineral Waters may be display'd , which besides their own Nature , receive Medicinal qualities from Subterranean Mines . It may be consider'd that few Mineral Waters are simple , I mean impregnated only with one Mineral , but compounded as the Minerals and Marcasites lye confus'd in the Bowels of the Earth ; and those who have bin curious to search into the Nature of Medicinal Springs , have always discover'd a mixture of Minerals ; tho' perhaps some of 'em have not bin so lucky as to assign their virtues to the proper Minerals , &c. In the Mineral Kingdom I place Salt , Nitre , Vitriol , Allom , &c. for in the Salts of many Bodies Iye their chief Virtues , either for Purging by Stool or Urine , or for cleansing , cooling , drying , stimulating , opening of Obstructions , attenuating of gross humours , or astriction , corroboration , &c. according to the Nature of the Body . The Learned Helmont saith , ( p. 55. ) Semina salium cuncta in aquis sita sunt , attamen nondum saporem induerunt nisi corporum principia consentanea uterosque terrae debitos repererunt , &c. ( viz. ) That all the Seeds of Salts are plac'd in Water , yet are not endued with taste , unless they find agreeable Principles of Bodies , and suitable Matrices of the Earth ; then , and not till then , they manifest their Saltness , and become determined in a Saline Body ; in one place into Allom , in another Salmarine , in a third in Nitre , &c. To which he adds , Quocirca notandum , Sal quoddam existere Hermaphroditicum metallorum quod defectu nominis esurinum sive acetosum re & nomine vocari capit , generale equidem & ad omnia metalla accommodabile , ( viz. ) That there is a certain Hermaphroditical Salt of Metals , which for want of another name is call'd an Esurine or Acid Salt , which is a general sort of Salt , and accommodated to all Metals . So that this Esurine Salt , while such , is no more than Salt , and not a Vitriol : but if it become a Vitriol , it must espouse a Mineral or Metalline Body . He farther saith , Vitriolum praestantissimum naturaliter erescit fodinis , quibus natura istud Sal Esurinum peperit , venam eris feracem , corrodens , & fontis labentis liquore dissolutum ; ( viz. ) That the best Vitriol is most naturally brought forth in those Mines where Nature hath begot that Esurine Salt , corroding a strong Vein of Copper , becomes dissolv'd in the gliding Current of a Spring . But should I here inlarge in an account of Nitre , Vitriol , Allom , Bitumen , Arsenick , &c. I should exceed my present intention , and prevent a future design . Yet I think it necessary to my present business to say thus much of Nitre and Vitriol . The Esurine Salt discover'd in the Air , if it meet with a fat unctuous Glebe , and be preserved from Rain and Sun , that it spend not its strength in the production of Vegetables , breeds great store of Nitre : for 't is observ'd that in these fat Earths there is at first no Nitrous taste ; neither can any Nitre be extracted from 'em ; but after their continuance a while in the cool Air , its magnetick power from a Nitrous Principle , opens the unctuous Body of the Fat Glebe , a fit receptacle for the Esurine Spirit , and is therewith coagulated and envellop't , and after this manner is the Nativity of Nitre . 'T is commonly observed , that in Cold Weather the Appetite is more keen , and the Thirst little , which proceeds from the great store of Nitre that is in the Air. Vitriol I take to be an Esurine Acid Salt corroding the Sulphureous parts of Metals or Marcasites by an Acid subterraneal Spirit ( whereof there is great quantity in some Mines ) corroding the Veins of Iron , Copper , &c. from whence are the varieties of Vitriol . Sometimes from a Vitriol Loam or Clay diluted with Water , and set in a cold Cellar , may be gather'd an alluminous efflorescence , which shews there may be a mixture of Allom with Vitriol : But the differences or varieties of impregnations , arise either from the difference of the quantity of the Acid Spirit corroding the Veins of Copper or Iron , or from the greater or lesser continuance of the course of the Water thro' those Metallick Veins . It need not seem strange to any that there is such Acidity in Water and Air : from whence else doth Iron and Copper being put into Water , or standing long in the Air in a cold Cellar , contract such a Rust as they do ? Is it not from the Acid Spirit of Air and Water uniting with the Esurine Salt in those Metals exciting its corrosive power to destroy the Texture of the Metal ? And this Rust being Boil'd in Rain-water , will yield a Vitriol . There are many ways of of making Artificial Vitriols : but I shall pass beyond my intention if I now discourse of ' em . 'T is obvious what Beds of Minerals lye in the Bowels of the Earth , on which the Currents of Waters wash in their circulating Veins , from which they are impregnated with their Medicinal qualities . But before I dismiss this Chapter , I think fit to add this , that there is a universal common Salt of Nature , the first Ens of Salts which is specificated according to the diversity of Nature , and receives various forms . God the Original Founder of all Beings , hath implanted in the Superficies of the Earth that great variety of Vegetable Seeds , which propagate themselves in their Species : So that every Vegetable at its proper season , by the instigation of the Heavenly influences , setting at work its seminals , by stirring up its innate power , begins to shape it self a Body according to the Laws of Creation ; Every Plant in its kind ; till they have made up that wonderful variety which so richly adorns the Earth . In like manner are dispers'd the Mineral and Metalline Seeds in the Bowels of the Earth , determin'd for specification , and to become prolifick by the embryonate Sulphur according to the purity or impurity of the Terrestrial Matrix : And thus the Metallick Order is compleated by the perfected Metals , while the imperfect and middle Minerals arrive but slowly to Metalization . Now when Water impregnated with a Spirit , or Vapour from the accensed Body of Sulphur , passeth through a salsuginous Glebe , already endow'd with the common Salt of Nature , it produceth Salt , when through Nitrous Veins , Nitre ; when through Alluminous , Allom ; when through a Copperas , White Vitriol ; when through a Silver Mine , Blew Vitriol ; and when through an Ironish Glebe it shares of some particles of Iron , and produceth Green Vitriol , &c. But these are more or less , according to the proportion of the Waters Acidity , and the Fertility of the Veins through which they pass . So that Waters ting'd with this Acid Spirit , become a proper Menstruum for the opening of the Ramenta , and Extraction of the excellent qualities of Minerals and Marcasites . But to demonstrate the Artificial performance of this , is the business of the next Chapter . CHAP. IV. Of our Artificial Waters . A Physician must learn to Anatomize all things in Nature , as well as Humane Body , to know what they contain within and without , to separate the Poyson from the Medicinal quality : he must know how to dissolve , separate , exalt and prepare fully Metals , Minerals , Vegetables and Animals : for Receipts found in other Mens Writings , cannot sufficiently instruct a Man to the Practice or Improvement of Physick . The Field of Nature is very large , 't is round and endless , affords room enough for every industrious Man , so wisely has the great Creator contriv'd us all imployment , that none need envy or assault anothers labours , but may go out and provide for himself ; and did he know the Treasures that lye undiscover'd , 't would make him of a busie mind . Minerals as they yield the noblest and choicest Medicines , so they are of greater difficulty , and require greater skill in their preparation than either Vegetables or Animals . I have therefore ( out of a desire of useful rarities ) apply'd my self of late to hard labour in the Mines ; from whence I hope to produce great benefit to others , and a little to my self , which shall suffice . And having now exactly compleated by the necessary Laws of Alchymy my Mineral healing Waters , I judge it neither Empirical , covetuous , or any ways base to permit 'em ( on such easie terms as I do , for general good ) to break up like a publick Fountain , to which every one may resort : Yet I do not impose 'em on any , let 'em fare according to the success they obtain . I have made 'em exactly resembling the Ultramarine Spaws ; by selecting those Minerals and Marcasites which give 'em their excellent Medicinal qualities ; and I think the Artificial Preparation of 'em in selecting the useful parts , and rejecting those more unwholsome with the dregs , cannot but be of great advantage to the rendring these Waters more effectual and certain in their Operation , than the Natural . For instance in Antimony , how churlish and unsafe is it , if given without any Artificial Preparation : but if dissected , separated , defecated , and by the rules of Alchymy prepared , what useful , safe , and noble Medicines does it yield ? There is as great reason to except against White Bread , because 't is the Flowers of the Wheat separated from the grosser matter of the Corn , and by the Baker's skill made Chymical Bread ; as there is against Medicinal Preparations , because discharg'd of their feces and useless or hurtful parts . If then the Natural Medicinal Waters receive their Virtues from Minerals and Marcasites unprepar'd , only by washing on 'em as they pass through the Caverns and Veins of the Earth , and are esteemed of so great use : of how much more certainty then in their operation and usefulness must the Artificial Waters be , which have their Minerals purg'd and cleans'd from all their foul and noxious parts , and those that are Medicinal exalted and made ripe for the service of Nature . There is much in the World yet to be discover'd , which time and industry may bring to light . The Circulation of the Blood , how long lay that hid from Wise Men and great Physicians , though those Streams were always flowing about 'em ; which when discover'd , it seem'd strange they could be so long ignorant . The late great improvement of making Salt Water Fresh , brought to that perfection that it serves all the intentions of Natural sweet Fountains , has greatly encouraged me in the prosecution of this design , which is brought too to that perfection , that it bears all the tests of those Natural Medicinal Waters it imitates , as the German Spaw , &c. and its operations are of greater certainty and more manageable . For our Minerals , &c. are selected from all other , whether unwholsome , or not serving a Medicinal intention , and are open'd , separated , purify'd , &c. hereby we know exactly the Doses , especially being freed from all the gleetings of other Springs and Rain-water . And the advantages of having 'em daily made fresh are not inconsiderable , nor the conveniencies of contracting the entire Medicinal Dose to what quantity of Water or other Vehicle you please , by the help of our Tincture ; besides many more , which 't is not necessary to enumerate . CHAP. V. The Virtues and Vse of our Waters . I Think it not requisite to give an entire account of all the Virtues of those Minerals , Marcasites and Nitrous Glebes , with which duly prepar'd , our Waters are impregnated : For 't would make too early a discovery of my Art , since it required so much labour and cost to compleat it . Nevertheless , because I would give a rational account of all my undertakings ; I 'le say thus much further with the Learned Kircher , Basis unica & absoluta origo omnium Aciditatum Mineralium est a Spiritu Sulphuris Acido . 'T is apparent that there is a Spirit of Sulphur in Mineral Glebes , from the Acid taste in Minerals . Our Waters having a Vitrioline Ironish Taste and Odour , which appears from their sharp and piercing pungency somewhat harsh , shews they are Acuated with a Sulphureous Acidity from the Embryonate Sulphur of the Minerals and Marcasites . But more plainly , I have carefully prepar'd my Menstruum , that by the gentle heat of a digester , I so open the Bodies of my Minerals , &c. that I can with no less pleasure than labour extricate their Volatile Salubrious Atoms , from their gross and unwholsome Mixtures ; and as easily preserve and convey 'em to the design'd Vehicle . I give this account , because I can in Glass Vessels Hermetically Luted , sublime all the Medicinal Particles from their Water , which shews their purity and aptness for the service of Nature . Whenas if you deal with the Natural Mineral Waters which soon evaporate their strength and good qualities , especially if kept a while from their living Springs , you may precipitate a Vitrioline Ironish Rust , like Powder , but apt to sement and petrifie , which taken altogether into the Body , is there precipitated , and by large quantities of potulent matter distributed into the remote parts of the Body , and becomes fit Minera or Seedlings both for Stone and Gout . For the materies morbifica of both is one and the same , the difference only is in the scituation : though I know Rheumatick and Scorbutick pains are often ignorantly call'd Arthritick Symptomes : And such who are afflicted with either of these , and take these Mineral Waters not cleans'd from that sediment , which I can separate from 'em , in all probability minister much more Fewel than relief to their Distempers : And though they may by large draughts wash away some Sand and Gravel , and now and then expel some Stones ; yet the question is , whether they don't lodge as much or more of this matter in the Body , as they thus drive through ; which if , what Divertisement is it thus to be employ'd ? I 'me sure I know by sad experience what hard labour preambles to the Birth of a Stone . But to return , our Artificial Waters are so finely prepar'd , that they afford no sediment : yet they answer all the tests and intentions of the most refin'd Spaw , they tinge of a pale Clarret Colour , and a deep Purple with a little scrapings of Gall , and discolour the Ordure , &c. they cleanse , cool , dry , stimulate , open obstructions , dissolve and attenuate gross humours ; and are abstersive of Viscous , Tartarous , and other Humours in the Stomack , Mesenteries , Hypochondries , Reins , Womb , Bladder , and evacuate them sometimes by Stool , largely by Urine , and other dischargers of Nature . They create a great Appetite , when the Stomack 's cleans'd , by recovering and strengthening her tone : the like they do by the Womb , which must be of great use to such who are subject to miscarriages , weakness in those parts , and are unapt to breed . But because I think not fit here to particularize , I 'le once for all say , They are of excellent use for Ladies in all their distinguishing circumstances from Men : But not to be us'd by those with Child , unless by the Advice of their Physician : And if further direction be requisite for any , 't is fit they should have recourse to their own Physician . And here in a Parenthesis , let me say , 't is requisite to the health and happiness of every person to have recourse to a Spiritual and a Physical Guide , and that in times of Health , to preserve , and provide against those Evils , which the height of a Distemper , and the hour of Death , make unseasonable for any considerable Ministration . Principiis obsta , &c. These Waters are powerful in all Cachectical and obstinate Diseases : like an Alkali they imbibe the Acidity and Sowreness of the Blood , and consequently dulcifie the same : for by a Naturul Propensity uniting ( magnetically ) with the Esurine Salt , they are ejected together with the obstructive humours , by a strong irritation of Nature ( from these Waters ) to expel ' em . And from their Diuretick Nature , after they have attenuated , cut , resolv'd , and so alter'd the Mucous and Tartarous Humours of the Body , and prepar'd 'em for Excretion , they then carry them off by Urine , which is the most safe and effectual conveyance ( for all sharp and saline Humours especially ) of all other sorts of Evacuation whatever . This Water thus enrich'd by my Tincture or Essence , searches such latent passages and abstruse retirements of the Bowels and other parts , as other Medicines cannot reach , and after a discovery made , doth not only dispossess what is preternatural of its usurped power , but also by corroborating and re-inforcing Nature , so firmly intitles her to her former right of inheritance , that scarce any thing but an act of Hostility or Old Age can cut off the Intail . They so correct and mend the Juices of the Body by expelling watry , sharp , sowre , gnawing , hot , foul Humours , &c. that they are of excellent use to purifie the Blood , cure the Scurvey , even in those whose Gums and Teeth , as well as by Spots and other Signs , shew it to have deep rooting . Admirable against the Dropsie , especially to such where the humours fluctuate up and down , by falling into the Legs and returning again , which demonstrates 'em capable of Expulsion by Stool and Urine by things appropriate ; and by thus doing , Sore Legs may be prevented . They are justly recommended against the Jaundice Yellow and Black , Melancholy and fearful passions , Cholick , Diarrhaea , and Dysenteria , and the Distemper call'd Vapours offending Head and Heart . They cheer the Heart , prevent palpitations , passions and faintings . They open , cool , cleanse and strengthen the Lungs , consequently good against Asthma's , Defluxions , Coughs and Consumptions , if not too far spent . They are abstersive , cleansing and healing , therefore consolidate Lungs decaying from Exulcerations ; and likewise Ulcerated Kidneys , they cleanse 'em of mucous foul matter , the Duelech , Sand , Gravel and Stones . I may justly commend 'em to those subject to Head-aches , Vertigo , Megrim , &c. and for Gonorrhea's and the fruitful improvements upon that Graft ; especially if taken in method with but a few other things , to speak modestly they will answer expectation . 'T is too tedious to enumerate so many Distempers as Authors have bin pleas'd to assign names to . The preserving and restoring the Blood to a good temper , cuts off a thousand Diseases . And so the juice of Nerves rightly purg'd , purify'd and enrich't prevents many there , as does the preserving a good Mass of Blood. I 'le only add , they are of use to such as are afflicted with Wounds , Ulcers , Itch , Sores , Scabs , Sore-Legs , Leprosie , &c. CHAP. VI. Directions to be observ'd before , in , and after the taking our Waters . TO them who intend the use of these Waters for the removing of any considerable Distemper , I advise that they prepare their Bodies with some gentle Vomit or Purge , which shall be thought most proper by their Physician . To those who carefully keep their Bodies from any glut of humours , and design only to take 'em for pleasure , or to remove slighter indispositions ; to dilute and temper the Blood and preserve it from decay or putrefaction in any measure , or to create a good Stomach , &c. I advise but a slighter preparation , ( and that only before the first taking of 'em ) by a few Stomach-Pills to clear the first passages , or by some gentle purging Tablets , which will finely prepare the Body , eating a few early in the Morning before you drink the Waters . But I leave every one to have recourse to their own Physician for such as these . What I have furnished my self with requisite to be given before and with the Waters , &c. I shall keep at home for such who resort to me : For I would willing avoid all offence , not coveting any mans employ . And thus I hope I shall easily demonstrate my care to prevent Obloquie , and satisfie any one I design not to Monopolize . If prejudice prevent not , these Waters may be prescrib'd by Physicians in Method to their Patients as well as the Natural Medicinal Springs ; and by their Skill may be made in every respect a capable and useful Vehicle for the distribution of such generous and noble Medicines as our Art directs . The Waters are of excellent use , and serve many intentions taken alone from one Quart to two , or three at most . And the rules to be observ'd in the taking of 'em are common to other Mineral Waters , and so generally known , that almost every one can prevent me in those few and easie Directions that are requisite . They are to be taken in the Morning Fasting ( unless a few Tablets , or some such slight Physical thing preamble ) not when the Body is heated with exercise . They are not to be drank too quick , nor too slow : but convenient distances are to be allotted , as once in half an hour a Pint , or less , as your Stomach can bear 'em , and rid 'em , till you have taken the quantity you design ; After you have taken two or three Draughts 't is best to use some gentle exercise ad ruborem only , not ad sudorem , till you be pretty warm , but not sweat . Whilst you walk or ride , &c. you may eat Orange-chips , Citron-peals , Carraway Confects , Elicampane Roots Candied , &c. But if you are advis'd that it be convenient to pass any of these Waters by Stool , the Purging Tablets taken with 'em will finely assist , and serve very well in the room of the Confectionary , and much better on Medicinal accounts . 'T is not fit to Dine till the Waters are passed , and half an hour before Dinner a Glass of Rhenish , White-Wine or Clarret I think not amiss . I shall not here prescribe the quality of your Diet ; Every one knows that Mutton , Veal , Lamb , Chickins , Rabbits , &c. are good Fare . My care is to caution you as to quantity , and that the rather , because these Waters rightly us'd , give a great Appetite . 'T is better both to Dine and Sup moderately , whilst in this Method , than to overcharge at once . Temperance prevents and helps to cure many Diseases . He that desires to eat much , must eat little ; for by eating little at a time , he lives long and so makes it up . All intemperance in Drink should at all times be avoided , But excess in this Method may be of danger : Nevertheless I commend a little good Wine , or Beer and Ale with discretion , especially an hour or two before you go to Bed. And here I think it kind to insert this Note , That the dilutive Cup , or Evenings draught so much in use , is generally taken too late : for to fill the Body with Liquor and presently to Bed , causes many Diseases . 'T is fit it should as to the greatest part be passed first , which would prevent Gravel , Stone , Gouts , Dropsies , &c. Those who take Drops , Powders , and several Physical Preparations in these Waters , or in Method with 'em , are to observe stricter rules than others , according to the nature of their Distempers and of the things they take , which as 't would not be convenient , so neither can they be here prescrib'd , recourse must be had to such as shall dispense their preparations . The use of these Waters is to be continu'd as need shall require , or while they please you . They may be taken by some with great advantage mixt in their Wines , if they drink White , Rhenish , or Clarrets : For they finely dilute the Wine , cool and temper the Body : and very much promote the passing of the Wines by Urine , which will be of good use to them especially who frequent the Taverns , and sit there a while . These Waters will be made fresh every day upon the best and choicest Springs that can be got . I shall make it great part of my business to see all those necessary rules strictly observ'd that are requisite to their exact preparation . And if in this short Tract I have not given some satisfactory account of 'em , as to their Virtues and Use , I shall be ready at seasonable times to give further direction to any that are pleas'd to require it . CHAP. VII . Of our Spaw-Tincture and its excellent Uses . THe advantages of our Tincture are not few or mean , if the power be consider'd that 's put into every ones hands . For here you have the Medicinal qualities of the wholsome Natural Spaws , by much Care and Art separated and cleans'd from their gross Terrestrial parts . Hereby any one never so remote , may have the entire benefit of the Natural Medicinal Waters . Any one upon Travel or retirement may with this Tincture furnish himself with these Waters , and make 'em just as he takes 'em , and to what quantities he pleases . He may contract or dilate his Vehicle and yet have an entire Dose of the Virtues , by the ordering of his drops . And those that drink of my Waters may augment the Dose of the Medicinal part by this Tincture to what degree they judge fit , or are advis'd to for their particular circumstances : Or the Tincture may be dropt into Wine as you drink it to make it pass the better by Urine . To those who frequent Tunbridge , or other Mineral Fountains , this Tincture may be of excellent use to enrich their Virtues , and to make them more certain in their Operations : For by uniting with their Mineral Principles it will stimulate 'em to a brisker discharge ; and by this help , the great quantities usually taken may be contracted , which will be of great use to weak Stomachs , and otherways infirm Bodies . And the dangers from the ill passing of those Waters may be prevented , and better by this Tincture , agreeable to their own Nature , than by any opposite Physick . Persons unable to frequent the Wells through a low Fortune are here accommodated at their own Houses : Those unable through sickness , and whose circumstances require , yet cannot take the quantities , or it may be not Water , may use this Tincture in appropriate Vehicles . 'T would be too tedious to enumerate half the benefits of this Tincture ; and from these already mention'd every one may supply many more conveniencies , Especially they whose necessities require , will be inventive . About Twenty Drops of our Tincture makes a Bottle of Water to that strength our Waters are of : Now any one may add fewer or more as he desires , and make what quantities he pleases . For the improving our Waters or Tunbridge , &c. half the Dose of drops to a Quart may be us'd , because they are already impregnated with Minerals . Unless you design to contract your quantity of Water , then you must increase proportionably , 10 , 15 or 20 Drops may be added to each Quart of Mineral Waters , and so advance daily , till you arrive to what pitch you purpose , and then abate by degrees . 'T is not easie to commit any error , for as he that drinks three Bottles makes 'em more potent in operation than he that drinks but two , so 't is with the Tincture . ANd now I 'm come to fix the prices , with which I would rather give content , than consult my own benefit . I have therefore deliberated well on 'em , desiring they may be without exception in every particular , and so obtain a good esteem , and be of general use to answer their designation . I hope therefore at six pence a Quart our Water will not be accounted dear ; nor our Tincture at Five Shillings the Bottle , which computed by Doses is much about the rate of the Waters ; for one Bottle of Tincture will make Ten or Eleven Quarts of Water to that strength ours are of . And if any ones occasion requires the increase of the Dose , he must be content to be at the extraordinary Expence , which being but little , I hope success will make him restitution . They that send for the Waters Seal'd up in our Bottles , are desir'd to send 9 d. for each Bottle , the odd 3 d. being allow'd for the Bottle . These Waters and Tincture are to be had only at the Dukes Bagnio in Long-Acre . And near the Royal-Exchange , as will be directed on two Tables at the South and North Entrance . And at my own House in New-street by Fetter-Lane near the Five Bells . FINIS . On Monday last died at his House in Salisbury Court , the famous Dr. Byfield , well known by 〈◊〉 Medicine call'd , Sal Volatile Oleosum . The learned and pious Dr. Byfield , Sen. Fellow 〈◊〉 the College of Physicians in Dublin , departed 〈◊〉 Life the 28th of October ( not at his former House 〈◊〉 Salisbury Court , as has been publish'd ; but ) at 〈◊〉 House in Great New-street , near Fetter-Lane ▪ 〈◊〉 he has lived about 11 Years , 〈◊〉 where his 〈◊〉 continues to make the Sal Volatile , which the 〈◊〉 prepared with her own Hands , near 30 Years .