Work for Chimney-sweepers: OR A warning for Tabacconists. Describing the pernicious use of Tobacco, no less pleasant than profitable for all sorts to read. Fumus patriae, Igne alieno Luculentior. As much to say, Better be choked with English hemp, then poisoned with Indian Tobacco. Imprinted at London by T. Este, for Thomas bushel, & are to be sold at the great North door of Paul's. 1602. To the Reader. I Am to well assured (good Reader) that in undertaking this vain discourse of the pernicious & vulgar use or rather abuse of Tobacco, I shall draw unto myself no small 〈◊〉 among our smoky gallants, 〈…〉 long time glutted themselves with the fond fopperies and fashions of our neighbour Countries: yet still desirous of novelties, have not stuck to travel as far as India to fetch a Dulce venenum, a grecian Helen, an insatiate Messalina, and hug a stinging serpent in their bosoms: nor am I ignorant, that to the wiser sort this treatise will seem at the first a fruitless labour, of an idle brain, and to other some a vain flourish of a carping mind: And that because in this treatise is utterly reprehended and in some sort refuted, that which of many excellent & learned men hath been most highly commended, and by sundry persons of high estate hath been experimented and tried very commodious for the health of man. For Monardus in his treatise of the West Indian simples, Carolus Clusius in his Comment upon Garcaeas de Stirpibus et Aromaticis Indicis, and Baptista Porta in his 8. book and 11. Chap: of Natural Magic do commend this plant as a thing most excellent and divine. And in these our days many excellent Physicians and men of singular learning and practice, together with many gentlemen and some of great account, do by their daily use and custom in drinking of Tobacco, give great credit and authority to the same: yet nevertheless if it shall please them either with patience to hear, or with judgement to read these few lines, and with indifferency to way and ponder the reasons herein ●●●●dged, I doubt not but they shall find, neither the great authority of the one, nor the usual practice of the other, nor yet them both united and conjoined in one, a ground for this their vulgar practice of a thing so hurtful an● pernicious to the life and health of man. Authorities of expert and learned men in their art (I confess) be motives of weight and importance to lead and draw the unlearned and unskilful sort, who for the more part stick and rely more on the authority of the teacher, then on his demonstrations and proofs, to yield to their assertions. But of all heresies in Philosophy that Pythagorical precept (Ipse dixit) seemeth most gross, hurtful, and pernicious: Hereupon we find that Aristotle in his Morals thought it not a matter of wisdom or worth commendation, to content himself with the bare authority of his Master Plato (who no doubt was in learning most excellent: but laying Plato's assertions in one scale of the balance, and reason with experience in the other, and finding his masters authority to light to counterpoise re●son, he made it no scruple to serve and descent from Ipse dixit, and stuck to sensible reas●n, as a most evident means to bring a sensible and reasonable creature, to the knowledge and understanding of the truth. The like in Pnis●●ke did Galen, dissenting sometimes from his Master H●pocrates, (for so may I term him, for from him he had his light:) & of set purpose in his Comments on Hypocrates epidemics, and Aphorisms doth refute him: And Aristotle had wont to say, Amicus Plato, sed Magis amica veritas. Plato was his friend, (for from him he had his learning and knowledge) but Truth and Verity was his greater friend, and therefore in equity & right he ought rather to take her part. So for truth sake only did Varro write against Lelius, Sulpitius against Casselius, Saint Jerome against Hilaris, Saint Augustine against Hierome and Ambrose also. These men made ever more account and estimation of verity and truth, then of the authority of learning in any whosoever. Let it not therefore (good Reader) seem a vain thing to you, or an argument of an Idle brain, for me to descent in judgement of Tobacco, from those authors before alleged, having as I suppose, both solid Reasons and true Experience on my side to counterpoise their authorities founded rather on opinion than any certain science or demonstration. Philaretes'. NOt the desire of any private game, Nor 〈◊〉 motions of a Carping brain, Nor for reward from some 〈◊〉 fil●, (How ever men may Censure 〈◊〉 them lif●,) Nor the desire to see my name in 〈◊〉, Like pupil Poets who●e minds look a sq●i●●, To heart the Vulgar sorts applauding voice, Commend their budding Mule, Inventions Choice▪ Hath 〈◊〉 me take in hand this idle task▪ And 〈◊〉▪ smoke face unmask, Who being but a 〈…〉 Hath played the painted English 〈◊〉▪ (Pity: that so 〈…〉 wits Should fall into such furious 〈…〉) But Nature, Lo●e, and my welwilling pen, To England's soil, and my dee●● Countrymen, Duty and due allegiance binding band, Hath 〈◊〉 me take this 〈◊〉 task in hand, Which 〈…〉 comes to the 〈◊〉 view, Of the 〈◊〉 sighted and 〈◊〉 Crew, Of new installed Knights 〈◊〉, Of the stern censors Leering 〈◊〉▪ I'm sure the one will wish the reeking 〈◊〉 That smoketh from his 〈…〉 Like fire and brimstone: 〈…〉 (Such is the flintiness of modern 〈◊〉) Another ●eares my guiltless 〈…〉 Hiding them in his big 〈…〉 And at some public show in all 〈…〉 With them he kindles his 〈…〉 They burn for Heretics, (〈…〉) C●●se they blasphemed 〈…〉 Let none deny but Iudi●● soil can yield, The sovereign simples, of Ap●ll●● field. Let England Spain and the French 〈…〉 Let Irish Kern and the 〈…〉 Confess themselves in 〈…〉 To wholesome simples of 〈◊〉 land. But hence thou Pagan Idol: tawny weed, Come not within our Fairy Costs to feed. Our wit-worne gallants, with the sent of thee, Sent for the Devil and his company, ¶ Go charm the Priest and Indian Cannibals, That Cerimoniously dead sleeping falls, Flat on the ground, by virtue of thy scent, Then waking strait, and tells a wonderment, Of strange events and fearful visions, That he had seen in apparitions. Some swaggering gallants of great Pluto's Court, I warrant you would he the truth report, But would I were a Charmer for it sake, In England it should little rest tale, O I would whip the quean with rods of steel, That ever after she my jerks should feel. And make her swear upon my Charming hand, Never t'set foot more on our Fairy land. Pity it is that smoking vanity, Is England's most esteemed Courtesy. Oft have I heard it as an old said saw, The strong digesting hungry Camels maw, Brooks stinging nettles and the vilest weeds, That stinking dunghills in rank plenty feeds. But 'tis a toy to mock an Ape in deed, That English men should love a stranger weed. Oh cry you mercy now the cause I know, It is probatum for the Pox I trow. Peace tell-tale peace, blab not thy country's fault, O seek to hide it in oblivions vault. See if thou canst with arguments refrain, The smoky humours of each wit-worne brain. Then will I never look for greater gain, Nor ever think my labour lost in vain. I. H. FOR the dislike that I have conceived in the use and practise of Tobacco, I take it to be grounded on eight principal reasons and arguments. 1 First, that in their use or custom, no method of order is observed. Diversity and distinction of persons, times and seasons considered, no variety of accidents and diseases pondered. 2 Secondly, for that it is in quality and complexion more hot and dry then may be conveniently used daily of any man: much less of the hot and cholericque constitution. 3 Thirdly, for that it is experimented and tried to be a most strong and violent purge. 4 Fourthly, for that it withereth and drieth up natural moisture in our bodies, thereby causing sterility and barrenness: In which respect it seemeth an enemy to the continuance and propagation of mankind. 5 Fiftly, for that it decayeth and dissipateh natural heat, that kindly warmeth in us, and thereby is cause of crudities and rheums, occasions of infinite maladies. 6 Sixtly, for that this herb or rather weed, seemeth not void of venom and poison, and thereby seemeth an enemy to the life of men. 7 Seventhly, for that the first author and finder hereof was the Devil, and the first practisers of the same were the devils Priests, and therefore not to be used of us Christians. 8 Last of all, because it is a great augmentor of all sorts of melancholy in our bodies, a humour fit to prepare our bodies to receive the prestigations and hellish illusions and impressions of the Devil himself: in so much that many Physicians and learned men do hold this humour to be the very seat of the Devil in bodies possessed. ¶ A Warning for Tabcconists. The first Reason. TOuching the first; Where no method or order is used, there resteth in all arts and other actions humane, nought else but dissolation and confusion, a thing, as in the Common weal it is pernicious, so in the preservation of man's health it hath been always adjudged most dangerous. But that in these our days, in this land of England, this new come simple of the West commonly known with us by the name of Tobacco: is without all method and order of most men received, may be apparent by this, that it is taken early in the morning, and also very late at night: in the morning fasting, and in the evening feasting and on a full stomach. In the beginning, middle, and end of meals. To be short, at all times, at all hours, and of all persons, this Indian stranger most familiarly is received: for the smoke of Tobacco seemeth to the favourits thereof at no time unseasonable. Neither that it ought to be tied to reasons and rules (being perhaps a thing in itself more irregular and unreasonable) seeing that by experience (as they think) they have found great good & profit by the use thereof. They boast much of this their experience as a sufficient ground for this their disorder. But their experience not grounded on reason, but rather repugnant thereto, and contrary to commonsence also, is a motive sufficient for the simple, but no way an argument for the wiser sort, to dance after their unsavoury and unpleasant Tobacco pipe. Galen in his Comment on his first book of Hypocrates Aphorisms: Galen. Com. ap●o. Hip. 1. Lib. 1. showeth that the art of Physic standeth on two legs, Reason and Experience: Whereof if either be wanting, the whole art is lame and maimed. For as Reason without Experience is very uncertain: Experiments falla●. Hippo. apho. 1. lib. so is Experience without Reason very perilous and dangeroes; especially in matters inwardly to be taken and received into men's bodies, the which as they are divers and differing in nature and complexion, so are they also diversly in diet to be ordered, and by far contrary medicines in their sicknesses cured. For Example. The diet convenient for youth, is no ways agreeable to old age: neither is that diet which is appropriate to elder years, any way profitable to youthful and growing age. And bodies of temper dry, require things in nature and quality moist. But moist complexions and maladies growing of superfluities of humours, are more commonly remedied by things of nature drying and disiccative. Contrary currantur contr●●●js. By which last means we see by experience, that some diseased of the dropsy (no doubt a cold and moist affect) have received great help by the frequent use of this Tobacco. For the siccety, & dri'th of this simple, together with his heat, in a body hydropical, having fit matter & great store of cold humours to work upon, doth no doubt in that respect further their health, and yet can it not be justly inferred here of, that Tobacco simply taken without respect of times, persons, sex, age, temperament and disease, any ways to be either profitable or else commendable. Also fasting and abstinence for meat is assigned by Hypocrates in his Aphorisms, for a good remedy against full and replete bodies. Abstinuisse decet nimium quibus humida membra, Apho 79. li. 5 hu●●da desiccat corpora nempe fames. But yet the same Hypocrates denieth that kind of abstinence to be any ways convenient for growing years, or for the sick of fevers consuming, & for such as are not accustomed thereunto. Humidior victus pueris pariterque suetis, Apho. 6. lib. 1 Conuenit, accensis corporibusque febri. Moreover some bodies receive help and ease by purging and evacuation, as the bodies of wrestlers, & such as are come to the top and extreme height of fullness, of whom Hypocrates speaketh of in his 3. Aphorism of his book. Ad summam veniens habitudo athletica molem noxia, Apho, 3. lib. 1 cum non quo progrediatur habet. uno namque statu cum non consistere possit, est in deterius retro necesse ruat. unde fit ut corpus confestim solvere possit, quo poterit rursus convenienter alt. And yet the same author in his Aphorisms doth testify, purges no way to be convenient for sound and healthy bodies: for saith he, Sana corpora difficulter purgantia medicamenta ferunt, et cito a purgantibus exoluuntur. And to be short, neither one nor the other remedy can in any respect prevail, if it be applied out of his due time and season: for, Temporibus medicina valet, Ovid. data tempore prosunt, et data non apto tempore vina nocent. And truly as no one kind of diet can fit all sorts of bodies: So no one kind of remedy can aptly be applied to all maladies, no more than one shoe can well serve all men's feet. What reason therefore have these Tabacconists (I pray you) to offer this their Tobacco after one and the self same order to all men, ages, and complexions indifferently, making no scruple of the fitness of time, quality of the disease, or temperament of the person to whom they offer it. What thing can be more absurd and fantastical, then to minister one & the self same remedy to contrary & repugnant affects, hot & cold, dry and moist, empty and replete, acute and cronical, which for the more part have deeper roots, and are of longer continuance, then can suddenly be blown away with a puff of a smoky Tobacco pipe, yea & some of them can hardly be removed by the great pains, care & cunning of the expert and learned in Physic: for, Nonest in medico semper relevetur ut aeger Interdum docta plus valet arte malum. And yet these Tobacco Baptista Porta lib. 8. Cap. 11. sau●rits hold no disease so incurable but that in some measure it receiveth either cure or ease by this Tobacco. But I assure you many diseases being of themselves and their own nature, light and of easy cure, may by the untimely use of this same, become altogether incurable, such are, the first step or degree to an Heticke, distemper of heat in the Liver, oppilations of the Lungs, and such like. And truly if nothing else should make one out of fancy with the use of Tobacco, it might be sufficient for an equal judge to think with himself how unnatural a thing it is to pervert the natural use & offices of the parts of the body, for by the force of Tobacco the mouth, throat, and stomach, (appointed by nature for the receipt of food & nourishment for the whole body) are made emunctuary cleansing places and sinks, (supplying herein the office of the most abject and basest part) for the filth and superfluous excrements of the whole body. The second Reason. THe second reason against the ordinary use of Tobacco, is taken from the excess of his two manifest qualities of heat and dri'th, which Monardus and others also have affirmed to come near to the third degree of excess in either quality. So that if men of hot and dry constitution should often use the feume of Tobacco, no doubt they should increase much their distemper, for like added to his like, increaseth the resemblance & similitude the more according to that Axiom in Philosophy. Arist. 〈◊〉. Omnes unile additum simili reddia ipsum magis simile. Whereupon Aristotle in his 8. book and 29. Chap. Arist. lib 8. Cap 29. De animal. De animalibus, inferreth, that a Snake if he eat of a Scorpion waxeth far more venomous than he was before. But I need not to stand long upon this point, seeing that daily practice & experience teachth us, that heat increaseth heat, & things cold, do increase in us a greaer cold, the like may be said of the other qualities of dri'th and moisture, so that in natural reason and common sense it seemeth true that the extreme & violent dri'th & heat of Tobacco, maketh it far unfit & unwholesome for thin & choleric bodies. And so is it also for youth and such as grow, for Qui crescunt plurimum habent innaticaloris, this natural heat in youth, by the immoderate use of this fiery fume would soon turn unto a heat unnatural, and thereby be occasion of infinite maladies. But I hold it a thing very dangerous, not only for the younger sort, but also for all other ages and constitutions whatsoever, to be over bold with Tobacco. For it doth not only consume and dissipate natural heat in them (by increasing of the unnatural) but it wasteth also & drieth up radical moisture (the principal subject of native heat) so that hereof ensueth in the body great store of crud & undigested humours, the effects of immoderate heat in us. For it is not fiery nor immoderate heat in us, but rather a mild & unctuous warmth, consisting in a temtperate & moderate moisture that performeth as well concoction as all other natural actions in us. Which thing is very apparent & conspicuous in such as are afflicted with hot & burning Fevers: In whom as the fiery heat appeareth most, so crude and undigested humours do abound more then in such as are clear of such extremity of heats. Neither do their humours at any time come to perfect digestion in them, until the rigour and violence of that fiery heat be in some sort (by cooling diet and medicine) repressed. Much less therefore are the patrons of Tobacco to be beeleeved in this, that hot and burning Agues (rising of corruption and putrefaction of choler & blood in the veins or about the principal parts of man's body) may be cured with an infusion of Tobacco lease in white Wine steeped all night. For as it was ever an aphorism & maxim in Physic, that as like is maintained by his like, So was it also of like certainty in the same art, that Contr●ria a contrarijs currantur. Contraries are cured by their contraries. I mean contrary rather to the disease, or to the cause of the disease. But what contrariety I pray you can be found between Tobacco and a Fever tercian or burning Ague: When as they manifestly agree in their principal qualities of heat and dri'th: both equally falling in excess of either of them? The like may be said of other effects proceeding of the same of like causes. But to let the diseased pass, and to come to those which are of perfect health, I take it very dangerous and hurtful for them often to use this 〈…〉 for thereby great part of that humour is dissipated, wasted, spent & cast forth of the body by often 〈◊〉, sieges, sweats and continnal spittings and coughings, which in process of time would turn to good blood, and wholesome nourishment for the body. For Crude and waterish humours (which for the most part are all those which by this medicine are) are oftentimes very necessary for many uses in the body: As for pliant motion of the loints, and principally for nourishment of the phlegmatic and colder parts. And it is a received opinion amongst the best Physicians that nature (being a provident & careful nurse of mankind) hath purposely left this Crudie humour in our bodies, to the intent that we might ever have some thing in store to nourish us, if happily we should at any time want other food. But that no small part of our nourishment is drawn away by the untimely use of this Tobacco, Tobacco depriveth the b●dy of nourishment. may manifestly appear by those men, who before the use thereof were gross and foggy, but after they have acquainted themselves with this kind of practice, they became very lean and s●lender. So that no doubt, if they desist not in time from farther use thereof, there is no small suspicion lest that they shall thereby fall into Consumptions, & to that of the most dangerous sorts called of the Physician, Marasmos proceeding of want of substantial nourishment, & dissipation of natural heat and decay of spirits in the body. And herein I cannot but wonder much at the over sight of some, who otherwise being learned and wise, yet in this seem very Paradoxical, when as they contend to prove Tobacco to be a great nurrisher. For besides that, it is manifest that it taketh away great part of our nourishment, by the extreme evacuation it procureth, it is also (by means of his great heat & dryness) very unapt to breed any good nourishment in us▪ To this may be added, his unpleasant and ungrateful smell, insomuch that the tasters thereof bear away with them in their bodies and breath, the loathsome Tobacco sent, long time after. So that it is very evident and manifest that as well in respect of his substance (over hot & dry) as also of his unpleasing & stinking sent, it is neither fit to nourish the humeral & solid parts, nor yet apt to refresh & comfort the spirits of man, be they natural in the Liver, vital in the heart, or sensible or animal in the brain and sinews. For as touching the humours in us, they are aptest nourished by such things as are either humoral and mo●st, or else, may easily be turned and converted into a liquid and thin substance. And as for the hard and solede parts of the body▪ as bones, sinews, veins & arteries) they cannot receive any nutriment of any thing before it be first turned into some moist and liquid substance also, apt to be puked & drunk into the former parts, & afterward by the force of nature's work, assimulated, hardened, & transformed into the very nature & substance of the parts by it nourished. But as for the spirits, it hath been a question much disputed on amongst the Philosophers, (as Aristotle, Plato, and others) of old time, & their expositors since; whether smells or odours may any ways nourish the same. And (if I be not deceived) they all agree in this, that men's spirits do feel great comfort and refreshing by such sweet and pleasant savours as are founded & subjecteth in some moist & unctuous matter. But this privilege cannot in any respect be granted to Tobacco, both for that her savour is very unsavoury & stinking, & also because it is placed & founded in a very dry and withered substance. Insomuch as that the taster's and drinckers thereo●, think it not fit to be taken, until it be thoroughly parched and dried, that thereby it might the better receive the force of the fire, & the sooner be kindled therewith. Now that sweet and pleasant savours & delightful fumes, Sweet smells 〈◊〉 the spirits. do greatly refresh our spirits and recreate the senses, it is evidently perceived by our usual practice: When to the feeble and languishing persons, and to such as faint or ●ound, we presently offer them the sent of rose-water mixed with a little vinegar, that it might the more speedily pierce; and the sick person feeleth great comfort thereby. But on the contrary, 〈…〉 stinking & filthy smells, are so far from refreshing us, as that they utterly extinguish & quell our spirits in us; and to some procure hasty and untimely deaths, (or at the least some uncurable maladies and loathsome diseases. 〈…〉 French Ch●rurgion not unlearned, 〈…〉 & in his profession most expert, reporteth of himself in the 12. Chapter of his treatise of the plague, that visiting a certain patient of his, that had by means of the plague a botch in his ●●ancke or groin, and other bl●●es elsewhere in his body: Whilst rashly he unfolded the bed clothes, the better to take view of the sores, he was suddenly struck into a sound with the st●●c●e & loathsome breath that steymed from these ulcers, & pierced up to his brain through his nostrils, in such sort as that he hardly recovered his life. Afterward being recalled to his ●ence & feeling again, he thought the house whirled round, & had fallen suddenly down again, if happily he had not taken better hold of the bed post, and stayed himself. How noisome and irksome a thing unpleasant and stinking savours be to the brains of men may easily be conjectured by the usual custom of most men, who never pass by any unsavoury place, but they straight ways stop their noses & mouths with their hands or other means, lest that the ill vapour or stench thereof should any ways offend or loathe their brain. But to come to our Tobacco, Tobacco ungrateful in sent. if any man doubt of his ill savour & bad sent, I refer him to the report of those, who have had longest trial thereof. No doubt, except they be altogether shameless, they will truly inform him thereof. I remember that being called once to the cure of an honourable Earl now departed this life, amongst other learned and expert Physicians, D. T. there happened one to be called, who as in times past he was Chemical, so in the untimely use of this plant he seemed to be over fantastical. It fortuned the very morning that he came unto his honours presence, he had (according to his accustomed wont) taken his morning's draft of Tobacco, with the fume whereof, he so perfumed his Lordship's bedchamber in such sort, as that the Earl being marvelous annoyed therewith, told me after the departure of the former Physician, that from thence forth he had rather lose the benefit of that man's counsel in Physic, then to endure such a horrible a fume again. This good D. being demanded of other Physicians, (whereof two were her Majesties) them present, what reason he had for this his custom? answered that he would not but for 100 pounds he had used this feume at first, for thereby he found great ease for his cold reumatick & stomach. But now said he, I would that I could so easily leave it, condicionallie I had given 300 pounds more, for I find myself heart sick that day, till I have tasted thereof. No doubt the long and daily use of drinking Tobacco, had accustomed his stomach to draw to it waterish and rewmetick matter in great abundance, the quantity whereof, urged nature to seek means for the expelling the same again, which could, by no other thing be more fitly performed then by Tobacco itself. For as it hath a power & faculty to draw to the stomach, (as other strong purges have) so likewise hath it a property and virtue to expel forth the same, no otherwise then all other purges have. But herein it differeth from other purges, that it seemeth to be of a far more thin & subtle nature than other purges be, by means whereof, nature is so pricked and forced oftentimes in such violent sort, as that it causeth violent evacuation, as well by stool vomits and sweets, as also by salivation, coughing & spittings, which thing other purges usually do not, albeit they be very forcible, violent and strong. So that hereof is gathered the fourth reason before alleged, that Tobacco is not familiarly to be used because it is a vehement and violent purge. The third Reason. I Need not stand long on this point, Tobacco a violent purge. to prove Tobacco to be a strong and violent purge: for that in daily practice & common experience the same is most evident and manifest to most men. And to doubt of that which of itself is perspicuous, were gross stupidity, and to deny that which is to our sense most clear and evident, were a point next to extreme folly. The often scourings, fluxes, vomets, sweets, and other immoderate evacuations in●ident to this simple, do testify the same to purge most violently. Furthermore, Tobacco is found to be of that strength & force, that the very maceration or infusion of one leaf thereof in white wine overnight doth procure strong and extreme vomits. It is as yet fresh in memory, that divers young Gentlemen, by the daily use of this Tobacco, have brought themselves to flixes and disenteries, and of late at Bath a Scholar of some good account and worshipful calling, D. B. was supposed to have perished by this practice, for his humours being sharpened and made thin by the frequent use of Tobacco, after that they had once taken a course downward, they ran in such violence, as that by no Art or Physics skill they could be stayed, till the man most miserably ended his life, being then in the very prime and vigour of his age. But no purge, (be he familiar or gentle, or else violent and hurtful) ought by the rules of Physic to be familiarly and daily used of any man that hath respect either of his life, or regard to his health. For as concerning such as are in perfect health Hippocrat● the Prince of Physicians in the 36. Hip. lib 2. Apho. 36. Aphorism of his second book affirmeth: Corpora 〈◊〉 si per medicamenta purgantur exoluuntur celeriter; & quae pravo cibo utuntur. Sound and healthy bodies (saith he) soon waste and consume, by the use of purging medicines. In like case do they which feed on corrupt and unwholesome meats. Likewise the same author in the 37. Hip. lib. 2. Apho 37. Aphorism of the former book, saith, that Qui corpora habent commoderata iis purgationes difficiles sunt. To such as are in health purging medicines are very dangerous. And truly this his assertion seemeth to be grounded upon good & substantial reason. For whereas the virtue and operation of the purge is to draw & expel forth of the body such corrupt & unwholesome humours as have any affinity or likeness in substance with the purge; & in healthy bodies finding none of that disposition & nature, the purge then either loseth his operation and action, & thereby is converted into some bad humour in the body, or else it draweth and expelleth forth humours very profitable & necessary for the nourishment and sustentation of the body. And therefore all purges must needs be to sound and healthy bodies very perilous and dangerous. And as for sick and diseased men, they ought only to use purging remedies at such times as their bodies and humours shall be made fit and apt for the operation of the purge, according to that counsel of Hypocrates in his tenth Aphorism of his second book, saying: Purganti quoties vacuas medicamine corpus, quo bene res Cedat, fluxile red prius. So often as thou purgest, Hip. Apho. 1●. lib. so often also ought you to make your bodies apt thereto, and the humours (to be purged) fluxible, that the parts and passages of the body being open, and the humours apt to run, the purgation might work with less torments and grief to the party purged. So that it seemeth very apparent true, that neither in health, nor yet in sickness, that so untimely and vulgar use of Tobacco (being before proved a violent purge) can be used without great hurt and danger. Neither ought this kind of remedy to be given at anytime, but in causes of extremity, and in desperate diseases only. For that it is an extreme and desperate medicine. Hip. Apho. 6. lib 1. Extremis enim morbis extrema remedia adhibendasunt, saith our Hypocrates. And in his comment upon the same Aphorism, showeth all strong purges to be reckoned amongst extreme remedies. The fourth Reason. THe fourth argument against this newcome simple, was that it drieth up and withereth our unctuous and radical moisture in us, and thereby seemeth an utter enemy to the continuance and propagation of mankind. This may be proved in this sort. That thing which depriveth the body of nourishment and food, doth also wither & dry up our natural and radical moisture; (because this hath his refreshing and sustentation from the purest part of the blood engendered of our nourishments). But Tobacco was showed before to deprive us our nourishment, in that it spendeth and evacuateth out of us by spitting and sweats & otherwise much of that matter that in time would prove in us good blood & good food for our bodies. And therefore Tobacco must needs be said to be a great decaier and witherer of our radical moisture before specified. Moreover Tobacco by means of his great heat and immeasurable dryness, dissipateth natural heat and kind warmth in our bodies, and thereby is cause of defect of good concoction & perfect digestion in us. The humours therefore in us by this means made crude and raw, can be no fit aliment or nutriment for the unctuous and substantial humidity, wherein with moderate and kindly heat the Philosopher esteemed the life of man to consist. And last of all, whereas the sperm & seed of man, is supposed (by the Physicians & natural Philosophers also) to be framed of the purest & finest part of his blood by the action & virtue of kindly warmth working therein; the blood being now undigested & crude, and the natural heat perverted & corrupted by the immoderate use of this hellish smoke, reeking forth of Pluto's forge, what sperm or seed shall we expect to come from them that daily use or rather shamefully abuse this so apparent an enemy to the propagation thereof, as well if you respect the material cause of seed consisting in the perfect●st & most concocted parts of the blood) as his efficient (resting in the moderation of natural heat) both greatly altered and decayed by the use of Tobacco. Hereby it must needs in consequent follow, that the continuation & propagation of mankind (consisting principally in his perfect & uncorrupt seed) is in these men much abridged. And for certain proof that Tobacco drieth up the sperm & seed of man, I hear by faithful relation of such as have much used it; That whereas before the use thereof, they had been long molested with a flux of seed, commonly called with us the running of the reins, and of the Physician Gomorrhaea, (proceeding in them by reason of great quantity & abundance of that matterseeking vent forth of the body) they were in short space eased of this affect by the only use of this medicine. For no doubt, this fiery fume, dried up the superfluity of that matter, which by reason of her thin and great quantity, easily dropped from them. But if they persist over long in the practice thereof, no doubt more of that spermaticall humidity will be dried up in them, the will be convenient for their health, or for the increase of their like; whereby the propogation & continuation of mankind in this world must need be abridged. The fifth Reason. THe fifth argument against Tobacco was, that it dissipateth natural heat, and thereby was occasion of raw and undigested humours in the body. This thing in part hath been demonstrated before in the chap. precedent, to which may here be added, that where natural and kind heat is by any mean made more violent and fiery, there the parts of the body are made more hard and dried, and thereby the more unfit and unapt to drink or receive into them such liquid and moist matter, as by the daily food should accrue and grow to them. Whereupon it falleth forth, that that humidity that should be converted into the nature & substance of the solid parts, is made (by means of their not admission thereof) excremental and superfluous. For it is not a thing either strange or absurd in Philosophy, that things of quality dry, may by an accidental means, be cause of superfluous moisture. We see this thing confirmed by Galen himself, in his second book and second Chapter, De tempera mentis, Galem. lib. ●. de Temp. cap. 2. and also by Avicen. We see by experience, that old persons being naturally dry in their solid parts, and have for that cause, their skin parched, their faces withered, their sinews f●iffe, their backs stooping, and yet who doubteth but such persons have in their entrails and inward parts, great store of phlegmatic and excremental moistures, proceeding of want of good digestian and concoction in those parts. And truly those superfluities do the more abound in them, for that their firm and solid parts (as Sinews, Bones, & Flesh, Veins, Arteries, and Ligaments) are too dry and hard to receive and suck up so much of that alimental humour which Nature doth daily send to them for their sustenance and relief. And hereof is seen in daily experience, that old folk are troubled most with rheums, Catarrhs, coughs, spattering, vomits, scour, and such like. And that old age is naturally dry and hard, Galen declareth in these words: Senum temperies sicca est, Lib. ●. De tempora. cap. ●. pro exemplo sunt arbores, N●quoties senescunt magis exiccantur. We see also that the earth in Harvest time being over dried and parched with the heat of the summers Sun, cannot so speedily suck and drink up such sudden showers of rain, as at that time most usually do happen. And therefore about that time of the year we see the greatest land floods to appear, and most harms to happen to men by loss of their Hey carried away thereby. All which proceedeth by reason of the great siccetie and dri'th of the earth at that season, causing it to be far unapt to receive that sudden moisture flowing on the face thereof. In like case the firm and solid parts of man's body, being over dry and hardened by the long and continual use of Tobacco, do with the more difficulty receive and imbybe into them the alimental humidity before specified: and therefore they remain more copious in the body. The sixth Reason. THe sixth Reason against Tobacco was, that this Plant seemeth not void of suspicion of a venomous and poisoned nature, and therefore ought not so carelessly or confidency to be used. The venomous and poisoned substance and nature of Tobacco, is manifested and proved by this, that it is daily experimented, and before was proved by us, to be a violent and most forcible purge. Galen in his second book De ratione virtus, and 12. Section, 〈…〉 holdeth for a certainty that all vehement and violent purges, have in them some deliterious & poisoned nature, & a faculty or operation clean contrary to the nature of man. And in the sixth of his Epidenickes, the same Galen affirmeth, that in times past purging medicines were esteemed deliterious, for that they (being taken in any large quantity) were offensive to nature, destroying and wasting the same. In good Authors I find three kinds of deliterious medicines. The one in manifest quality, either excessive hot, as Calcanthum, or else extreme cold (as Mandrake) or Opium. Of the second sort, are those which by their own poisoned nature and substance, be deadly offensive to the takers thereof, and they being received but in small dose or quantity, kill and poison the takers thereof. Such are venomous musrumps, Napellum, Taxicum, and such like. Of the third kind of deliterious and deadly medicines, be such, as are by reason of their vehement & violent evacuation, most dangerous and perilous, if in any large quantity they be assumed. Such be Enphorbium, precipitate, Eleterium, and Tobacco itself. Which last as it is deliterious by violent evacuation, So it is also very pernicious and hurtful in his manifest and evident qualities of extreme dry'th and heat included therein. But touching his violent evacuation and purging quality, it hath been sufficiently showed before. This one thing may be added thereunto, that Tobacco is in this respect more perilous, for that it is taken without due preparation and correction. For it is confessed of all Physicians, Io. Mesnes cap. de 〈◊〉. that every purging medicine if it be strong (in respect of the deliterious & bad quality it hath) ought to be artificially corrected before it be taken, leas● he communicate his bad and venomous nature, to the stomach & inward parts. Hereupon it is a usual custom in Physic, to mix with purges, Mastic, Cloves, cinnamon, Ginger, Aniseeds, Nutmegs, and such like sweet and aramaticall Spices, partly to take away the ungrateful sent of the purge, and partly to defend the vital spirits, & principal parts, from the malice and hurt which otherwise would happen by the ill quality of the purge. Out of this rule of preparation of purges, only Aloes Succotrine is by Mesnes excepted. Which as he affirmeth) is so far from ill quality and deliterious nature, as that it is commonly given with other purges to amend & correct their venomous & malicious nature. But what correctives I pray you in our time and Country are there used in this Indian Tobacco, which the more simple & sincere it is, the more wholesome and effectual it is adjudged to be? And if it have by any means any aramaticall spices shuffled amongst it, it is strait rejected and condemned for nought & counterfeit. I deny not but that since Hippocratus and Mesnes time, there have been found out sundry purges by the latter Arabians, which for that they work gently and without offence, are called of them, Benedicta Medicamenta: Blessed and safe medicines, and therefore have need of no preparation to be used with them for their correction. Such are thought to be Manna of Calabria, Camarinds, Cassia of Rhubarbe. But this Tobacco (now in use) is of an other key, and no ways to be accounted Benedictum in working, but rather diabolical and hellish: for that it worketh with extremity, torments and grief. And that it is also in substance and nature deliterious and venomous, Tobacco in his nature poison. may be gathered by the symtornes and accidents which do immediately follow and ensue the large drinking thereof. That are, violent vomits, many and infinite stools, great gnawings and torments in the guts and inward parts. Coldness in the outward and external members, Cramps, Convultions, cold sweats, ill colour, and wannesse of skin, defect of feeling, sense, & understanding, loss of sight, giddiness of the head and brain, profound and deep sleep, faintness, sounding, and to some hasty and untimely death. All which, or the most part of them concurring, do manifest a poisoned quality or venomous nature in the thing received. And it is the more dangerous for that it hath in it the effects of contrary and repuguant poisons: Tobacco a double poison for albeit it be in quality very hot & dry, yet hath it a stupefying and benumbing effect, not much unlike to Opium or Henbane: which ere held to be cold in the extremest degree. And albeit, it be apt to suffocate or strangle like to Gipsum or plaster of Parrise, yet doth it purge & scour as violently as Precipatate or Quicksilver sublimed. I cannot resemble the poisoned force of this Tobacco to any thing more aptly, then to the venom of a Scorpion, Tobacco like the poison of a Scorpion▪ D●oscord, lib. ●. cap. 10. which never receiveth cure but from the Scorpion itself, bruised or anointed on the place stung. In like case the venomous impression left in the stomach by Tobacco, receiveth no ease by any thing else whatsoever, but by Tobacco only, eftsoon reiterated and resumed. This only difference seemeth to be between these two poisons, That the venom of the Scorpion hath his perfect and absolute cure from the Scorpion itself, but that of Tobacco hath only a centaine ease and paliation for a time by the fume of Tobacco received; but after perfect and absolute cure, this Tobacco by itself a thousand times resumed or reiterated, admitteth none. Neither do I take it of great importance which is by some alleged; Custom is of great force. That many here in England do take the fume of Tobacco without hurt or inconvenience, and without any such strange accidents following. For the custom of taking Tobacco with us, is in that manner, as that, it neither profiteth, nor yet hurteth much. For what great inconvenience (I pray you) can happen to the taker thereof, Every Agent requireth time convenient to work his effect. when as he receiving it at the mouth, doth straightway puff it forth again, or snuffeth it out at his nostrils, before it can have sufficient time and space, to imprint his malicious and venomous quality in their bodies? Few or none do take it down their throats, If the Agent lack due quantity, he loseth his ●orce. and such as let it pass down, they mince it in such sort, and swallow it in so small quantity, as that no great detriment can happen to them thereby. But if happily any, more audacious than circumspect, shall let down any large quantity thereof, then shall you evidently perceive in him, most of those accidents before specified. I am not ignorant that many perilous and deadly poisons are sometimes taken into the body without offence and danger, but then they are either in very small quantity (as I spoke before) or else so repressed and corrected with other Cordials, Poisons sometime may be taken without offence. as that they cannot offend, but sometimes they bring great commodity and profit with them. For example, the flesh of Vipers in Treacle is so tempered and corrected, that it profiteth much to such as orderly receive it, against any poison or contagion whatsoever. And quicksilver well mortified, is often given, & inwardly taken, against many infirmities, with good success. So in like manner we deny not but that in small quantity Tobacco may be taken of any men without peril or imminent danger, & especially being corrected & purified by the force of the fire wherewith it is ministered. For that fire sometimes doth repress the poisoned vapour of venomous things, Fire correcteth poison. may be proved by the testimony of Seneca, who (in his 2. book of his natural questions, Seneca. lib. 2. nat. quest. cap. 31. and 31. Chapter, going about to show the reason why that poisoned and venomous beasts do never engender worms within them, until such time as they be first stricken with lightning) saith, that worms are engendered of humours apt to receive life. But such be far differing from such as are of a venomous or poisoned disposition or nature, for they are altogether adversaries and enemies to life. This poisoned and venomous nature in Serpents (once stricken with lightning) is in them wasted, dissipated & dispearced, by means of the fire in the lightning, and the humours remaining after in them, being freed from venom and poison, may the more aptly be converted into things bearing life, and to worms themselves. It may also be assigned out of Mercurialis for an other reason, Hieronimus Mercurialis ll. 1. de veneni●. why worms are not engendered in poisoned serpents, because that worms have their original from undigested and crudie humours in the body: But Serpents have no such in them: for all their humours be well and perfectly digested. Which may well be gathered by the fragrant and sweet smell, and pleasant smell and sent, which breathing from their bodies, is left behind in those places where they usually haunt. But here may be objected, Objection. that if Tobacco were of that poisoned nature (as we have affirmed) than no doubt, the Indians (who usually drink it) should have long since been poisoned therewith. But hitherto they ●aue found no such hurt, but rather great commodity and manifest benefit thereby. As appeareth by Monardus in his Treatise of Tobacco. To this may be answered, Answer. that the odds and diversity of their bodies and humours from ours, may alter much the case. Or else, that long custom and familiar use of this Tobacco from their infancy, hath confirmed their bodies, to suffer & endure the same without hurt or offence: for custom altereth nature. In like case I read in Galen in his 3. Galen lib. 3. de simple med. cap. 18. book of simples, and 18. Chap. of a certain old woman that nourished herself long season with poisoned hemlocks By little and little (saith he) she accustomed nature thereto, that at length, this poison became familiar to her, and no way offensive, but rathe● nourishing to her body. Avicen also in his Treatise de Viribus Cordis, alleging Rufus an ancient Physician for his author, reporteth that there was a young maid, who being fed & nourished long time with poison, lived herself in perfect health. And yet with her venomous breath she poisoned and infected all other persons that came near to the same. Plynie in his 7. Plyn, book & 2. chap. of his natural history. Aul. Gel. And Aulue Gellius, noct. attic. 16. cap. 11. And Silvius Italicus in 8. Saluius. lib. do all testify that in times passed there were certain people in Italy (Marsitians by name) Italicus. who usually handled and sold, yea and fed on also the flesh of Vipers. Which of all Serpents are accounted most malignant and venomous. And Virgil in his 7. Virgil. Aeneid. feigneth those people to be the offspring of Circe's, Aeneid 7. and that they had a natural gift given them by her, to tame & enchant that kind of Serpent: and also to qualify & delay the venomous and poisoned nature thereof. Of these men Galen maketh mention in his 11. Galen. book of simple medicines, where he confesseth, that being at Rome, he inquired diligently of those people (termed Marsi) of the nature & quality of vipers, and how they differed from the other Serpent called Dipsas. Because (saith he) they were expert and cunning in them. So that it is manifest & apparent by the testimonies before rehearsed, Custom is an other nature. that custom may alter & change nature and the quality of things, according to that usual Consuetude alter an naturam. Custom changeth nature, & at length turneth into nature itself; for it is an other nature. The like is seen in the East Indies, where the Turks familiarly use Opium in large quantity, which to us but in very small dose is experimented to be manifest poison: only long use & familiar practice hath made this unconvenient for their bodies. And so no doubt if our country men from their infancy had by little and little used to take this Tobacco fume or other poison whatsoever, they should have had as little cause to fear the danger thereof, as the Turks have of their Opium, or the old Marsitians had of Vipers, or the West Indians have of their Tobacco. But for want of that Custom, it fareth with us in that sort, that if we take any great quantity of the Opium before specified, we shall rather die on the sudden, or else fall into that kind of dead sleep, as that we shall by no other means then by the archangels trumpet (sounding at the latter day) be awakened thereout. To this may be added a secret virtue and specifical quality given the Indians by nature, whereby they are not overcome by this kind of poison, as other Nations be. For Sextus Empericus Sextus Empericus. reporteth in the like case, that one Attienagoras Argivus had a gift given by nature even from his birth, that he could be hurt by no venomous Beast or Serpent whatsoever. And that certain people of Aethiopia did naturally feed & nourish themselves with the flesh of Scorpions. But we Englishmen may not safely presume that this specifical virtue & hidden quality doth abide or lurk in us, seeing that by far weaker poisons than these, we sustain infinite perils, and often incur death itself. Wherefore we have the less cause to venture on things in reason suspected to be of a venomous & poisoned quality, because forsooth the Indians do it without offence. Neither is it of any great weight or moment which is alleged of the Tobacco patrons for her commendation, that Mariners and Seafaring men, never found any remedy so forcible against the Scurvy and other diseases of like nature, commonly incident to that kind of people (by means of the foggy air in the Sea, and their unwholesome diet) then is the fume of Tobacco. The reason of this profit in Mariners may be, because their bodies after long lying on the Seas, are filled and stuffed with bad and corrupt humours, on the which the force and power of Tobacco doth work, drawing and purging them forth of the body, no otherwise then other strong purges expel and purge forth such corrupt humours as have any similitude or likeness to themselves. But as strong purges taken of sound and wholesome bodies (as I showed you before) be very perilous and dangerous: So truly is Tobacco, being taken of such as are clear and void of such impure and corrupt matter, which to the Mariners is most familiar and usual. The like is seen of other poisons, which when they find any of their own quality & nature in man's body, or that hath any likeness or similitude to them, they draw forth the same (the like coue●ing his like) and leave the sound and healthy humours clear and unspotted. But when no such poisoned matter is found in the body, then doth the poison or venom received, work on the good humours, utterly corrupting and destroying them. So that it is apparent that sometime venoms (to venomous and poisoned persons) may be profitable & medicinable. But to sound & healthy bodies they can never happen without danger. The seventh Reason. THe seventh reason against Tobacco was, that this herb seemed to be first found out and invented by the devil, and first used and practised by the devils priests, and therefore not to be used of us Christians. That the devil was the first author hereof, Monardus in his Treatise of Tobacco doth sufficiently witness, saying. The Indian Priests (who no doubt were instruments of the devil whom they serve) do ever before they answer to questions propounded to them by their Princes, drink of this Tobacco fume, with the vigour and strength whereof, they fall suddenly to the ground, as dead men, remaining so, according to the quantity of the smoke that they had taken. And when the herb had done his work, they revive and wake, giving answers according to the visions and illusions which they saw whilst they were wrapped in that order. And they interpreted their demands as to them seemed best, or as the devil had counseled them, giving continual doubtful answers, in such sort, that howsoever they fell out, they might turn it to their purpose, like unto the Oracle of Apollo. As Aio te Aeacide Romanos vincere posse. Which might be understood, that either he might overthrow the Romans, or that the Romans might overcome him. But yet in more plain words, the same Monardus● little after declareth the Devil to be the author of Tobacco, and of the knowledge thereof, saying: And as the Devil is a deceiver, and hath the knowledge of the virtue of herbs; so he did show them the virtue of this herb, by means whereof they might see the imaginations and Visions that he representeth unto them, and by that means doth deceive them. Wherefore in mine opinion this practice is the more to be eschewed of us Christians, who follow & profess Christ as the only verity and truth, and detest and abhor the devil, as a liar and deceiver of mankind. The eight and last Reason. THe last, and that not the least argument against Tobacco, was that it is a great increaser of melancholy in us, and thereby disposeth our bodies to all melancholy impressions and effects proceeding of that humour. Galen in his second book of temperaments and 3. Chapter, Galen. lib. 2. de●empera. cap. 3. defineth Melancholy to be the very sediment and dregs of blood; which is so far thicker & colder than blood, as yellow choler is held to be thinner and hotter than the same. And this melancholy humour is said to be of two sorts: the one natural, the other unnatural. The natural is that thick part of the blood before rehearsed. The unnatural is not the sediment or grounds of good blood, but rather a certain burnt and parched matter rising of the adustian and scorching of the other humours, that is, of phlegm, yellow choler, and of the former sediment of pure blood, which we termed natural melancholy. And albeit it seemeth very unlike that phlegm (being of nature cold and moist) may be any adustian be turned into swoart and black choler; yet in quality and disposition that humour doth often represent and resemble melancholy itself. And therefore Galen holdeth sometimes melancholy to be engendered of phlegmy over-hardned and dried. The contrariety and diversity of these unnatural melancholies, doth hang and depend on the contrariety and difference of the humours whereof they be engendered. All these sorts of melancholies are augmented and increased much in such as often accustom themselves to the fume of Tobacco. For first, touching the natural melancholy, it is manifest that the thicker and grosser that the blood is, the more of that thick and earthly sediment it shall contain. But Tobacco thickeneth and engrosseth the blood, and therefore Tobacco engendereth in us a greater store of that thick and gross sediment which we defined to be of Galen called natural melancholy. The Mayor or first Proposition is manifest, for all liquid and moist things are the more thick, or thin, and clear, according to the quantity of the grounds and feces mixed in the same. For if the grounds be many, then is the matter or humour troublesome and thick. But if the dregs or feces be few, then is the humour clear and thin. The Minor or second Proposition of the former syllogism, may be proved in this sort. All those things which waste and consume the purest & thinnest parts of the blood, do cause the same blood to remain afterward more gross and thick, and therefore may justly be said to thicken the blood. But Tobacco wasteth and absumeth the liquid and thin part of our blood, and therefore Tobacco may justly be said to thicken the same. The Mayor Proposition being evident, needeth no farther proof. The Minor is proved by daily and usual practice and experience of such as commonly do drink this Tobacco. For thereby do they purge great store of a clear and thin humour, which would mix itself with the blood, and cause the same to be more liquid and fluent, and in time also (by good Concoction) turn into pure and subtle blood, apt to feed and nourish the body. And albeit melancholy (being of nature cold) seemeth to have no need of phlegmetique and thin humours to be mixed therewith (lest that his cold distemper be greatly increased thereby): yet of necessity some store of this crude and raw matter is required to run with the melancholy juice, to moderate and temper his extreme siccetie and dryth, and to defend it from Induration & hardness. The increase whereof in our bodies, breedeth dullness, sottishness, and blockishness. All which are the usual effects of over-hardened and dried melancholy. For melancholy over-hardened, if it come once to be cooled, it is extreme cold as Iron. Which being heat, is extreme hot; and being cooled again, is extreme cold also. So this hard and dry melancholy once deprived of natural heat by the inordinate use of Tobacco fume (the fiery heat of the one dissipating the natural and lesser heat of the other) can yield nothing else but the effects of an excessive and immoderate cold cause lying in the veins, and mixed with the blood. Such are esteemed to be dullness of conceit, blockishness, mopishness, and sottishness, one of the worst kinds of accidents that commonly ensue over-hardened, cooled and dried melancholy in our bodies. Again, such as the parts of the blood be, such also is thought the blood to be, and as the blood proveth, so likewise are the spirits affected, for they do issue and proceed from the blood itself. And such as the spirits are, such also is adjudged to be the temper and dissipation of the heart and brain: and as the brain is disposed and affected, so likewise are the virtues of conceit, imagination, understanding, and remembrance, affected and disposed also. All which in particular, by sundry examples were easy to prove, for him that is but meanly seen and slenderly read in Philosophy sayings, that the sanguine man by means of the purity of his blood, hath his brain and inward parts well tempered, his senses clear, his spirits light and subtle, his heart bold and merry, his mind affable, courteous and civil. Whereas on the contrary part, the melancholy person by reason of the superfluous earthly and dry matter mixed with his blood, hath his complexion more wan and swart, his conceit of brain more dull and hard, his mind given to sollitarinesse and private life. For those two humours of blood and melancholy, are in both their qualities very repugnant and contrary. The one being hot and moist, the other cold and dry. But here me thinks I hear you say, what maketh this idle discourse of blood and melancholy, of the disposition of the brain and spirits to your purpose, or to the reputation of Tobacco? Forsooth very much. For hereby it appeareth that the continual practices of Tobacco, destroy the purity and clearness of their blood, in that as I proo●ed before, it hardeneth and thickeneth the same. And in thickening it engendereth dull & melancholy spirits, which make blockish and sottish conceits, and a timorous and dejected mind not fit or convenient for man that delilghteth in civility and society of others. For seeing that the fume of Tobacco yieldeth no good food or nourishment to the pure blood, but rather troubleth and corrupteth the same, it is thereby most plain and evident, that it engendereth in us most dull and troubled spirits, also tasting and savouring much of that loathsome fume and duskish smoke which rise●● & steemeth up to the brain by the roof and palate of the mouth, first sent thither through the Tobacco pipe full charged with Tobacco dust, and afterward scorched and incinerated by the extreme heat of the parching fire. This dark and smoky fume, piercing the cavities and ventricles of the brain, no otherwise, than a melancholy wind or adust vapour (rising from an adust Liver, or obstructed spleen) do breed in us terror, and fear, discontentment of life, false and perverse imaginations, and fantasies most strange, no way depending upon just cause or grounds, and always a melancholy spirit, a fertfull and timorous mind. For truly the inward darkness and obscurity of the brain, doth appall and terrify our inward senses and mind also, in no less sort than doth the external darkness or mist of the outward air, terrify & appall the same. And if any man be far blinded with Tobacco, that he will not admit for true, that the vapour or fume thereof ascending to the brain, is dark and swart of colour, and of quality excessive dry; let him but cast his eyes on the smoke issuing forth of the nostrils of the Tabacconists, or to the smoky tincture left in the Tobacco Pipe after the receipt thereof, and he shall easily reclaim his error. This swart & sottish tincture cleaveth so fast to the inward part of the Pipe, as hardly by any means but by the extreme heat of the fire it may be cleared from thence. And no doubt the like impression doth the same leave in our brains, and in the cavities thereof. So that the animal spirits engendered in those places, can no less but (participating thereof) savour of the same, no otherwise then wine put into an unsavoury and musty bottle, doth ever savour of a musty taste. Neither am I any ways ignorant that Aristotle in his Problems holdeth that melancholy doth help and profit much to the sharpening & quickening of the wit and understanding: and that melancholy persons are deemed of him the most wisest. But this kind of melancholy (which Aristotle talketh of) is altogether natural, and no way engendereth of the Tobacco smoke. For it is the sediment and grounds of the pure & perfect blood, Ficinu● lib. 1. cap. 6. de s●●it. ●uend. in colour like gold, or somewhat inclining to purple: little in quantity, and somewhat shining. The spirits which issue from this kind of melancholy, are very light, fine and subtle, not much unlike to the spirits of wine well distilled, and artificially rectified: which is by art and force of the fire drawn out of the feces or grounds of pure wine. And the spirits rising from this dry melancholy humour, are the thinner and the more subtle by reason of the closeness & straightness of the pores of the same matter: and they are the more firm & constant in their action, by means that they issue and proceed from an humour more compacted and close united. The subtility therefore and stability of these spirits, rising from such a natural melancholy, doth much further the sharpening of the wit and understanding of man. But the like cannot be expected of the spirits rising of that kind of melancholy which is engendered by the abuse of Tobacco. For this sort of melancholy humour is neither bright & shining like to molten gold, nor yet the grounds of pure and perfect blood, but rather an earthly and adust matter, not much unlike stoncole or scorched earth. So that the spirits issuing from it must needs be of a divers and far contrary quality and nature. Last of all, melancholy being of nature cold and dry, had in reason need of some thin and liquid humour to be mixed therewith, to temper his extreme siccetie and dryth: which is the quality of most offence and annoyance in it. For as phlegm offendeth most in cold, so doth melancholy fault most in dryness. Tobacco therefore ought in no respect to be familiarly used of the melancholy person, because it is excessive dry, both in his manifest quality, and likewise by accidental means of his immoderate purging and evacuation, by means whereof, great part of that liquid and moist matter is purged out of the body that should retain and keep it in perfect state and temper. And for that Tobacco is confessed to be hot, almost in the third degree of excess, therefore his drithe and siccetie is thereby made the more vehement, and untolerable. So that it is apparent that unnatural melancholy, whether it be made of adustian of blood, choler, or phlegmy, or else of the sediment of them, scorched and as it were in cinerated, hath no small increase by the untimely use of this fantastical device of Tobacco smoke, leaving in our bodies a fiery impression and dry distemper, not easily remedied. And therefore in my opinion all melancholy persons, of what state or condition soever they be of, and especially Students and Scholars, aught to be very well advised in the use of so pernicious and dangerous a thing, lest that in them, natural melancholy be converted into unnatural, and this also, either into a corrisive and adust humour apt to inflame the brain, or else into a matter so hard and dry, as that it be altogether hurtful and offensive to the unctuous and radical moisture of the life of man: and thereby occasion a hasty and untimely death. For no longer can life continue, then natural heat be refreshed with an airy and moderate moisture included in the radical humour, and appointed by nature for the relief and sustentation of the same. FINIS.