NEW EXPERIMENTS UPON THE VIPER BY M. CHARAS.    

NEW EXPERIMENTS UPON VIPERS.  
Containing also an Exact DESCRIPTION Of all the Parts of a VIPER, The SEAT of its POISON, AND THE Several EFFECTS thereof, Together with the EXQVISITE REMEDIES, That by the Skilful may be drawn from Vipers, as well for the Cure of their Bitings, as for that of other Maladies.  
Originally written in French By M. CHARAS of Paris.  
Now rendered English.  
Multa Patres olim: Nos plurima, plura Futuri  
Invenient; Cupidis nec porta negata Novorum.  
LONDON, Printed by T. N. for J. Martin, Printer to the R. Society, at the Bell in S. Paul's Churchyard, and a little without Temple-Bar. 1670.   

THE Preface.  
MAny will perhaps wonder, that after so many famous Authors, Ancient and Modern, who have written of VIPERS, I should yet undertake to labour in an Argument, which in all likelihood they should have exhausted. But if reflection be made on the many wonders, that are found in the Body of this Animal, it will be easily granted, that it cannot be enquired into with too much exactness, and that it is not a work, that can be finished at one or two sit.  
What Observations have been left us by knowing men, although they be not carried to their perfection, may be very useful to those, that are come after them, to make them discover what had escaped their diligence. And without this aid, I should not have had the confidence of undertaking this Work; in which I have proposed to myself three main things, that may much contribute to the illustration of the History concerning Vipers. The first is, to examine sundry Observations of the Ancients, which have hitherto passed for true, though most of them are not so. The second, to give an account of other Observations, which have been unknown to our Predecessors. The third, to find in the Viper, which causeth so many mischiefs, Specific Remedies against its Biting, which had not been discovered before, and may serve to overcome many troublesome Distempers, which the ordinary Remedies were not able to conquer.  
The Enterprise, certainly, is bold; and, I confess, I should never have compassed it, what hope soever I might have conceived of it, had I not been assisted by some knowing Physicians, whose light hath been very helpful to me.  
Their Modesty permits not, I should here name them; it sufficeth the Public to know, that a good part of the rare things in this Treatise is due to them. They had the kindness to meet often at my House for the space of three months, and there to see made exact Dissections of Vipers, which by my care were brought to me from all Parts of this Kingdom; and to see also Experiments tried of their biting, upon divers Animals, and to examine their Bodies, immediately opened after their death, to discover the true cause of it; and to prescribe Remedies, answerable to their Conjectures, and to take notice of the success of the same.  
In dissecting all these Vipers, we were willing to see the parts, which Authors have taken notice of, and which have also been represented in the Books of some of them: And comparing them with the Natural ones, that were before our Eyes, we found great omissions of very considerable parts; an introduction of some imaginary ones, and representations and situations of several that were ill designed, and ill enough placed. It was thought fit, I should endeavour to perform something more accomplished: And Monsieur Bosse, whose skill and dexterity in the Art of Designing and Graving is known and esteemed of all the World, in things of a far sublimer nature than the Anatomy of Vipers, being happily present at one of our meetings, and taking great pleasure to oblige his Friends, expressed from that very time, that he was very willing to second my intentions: And having received from me a sufficient number of Subjects, hath taken the pains to design them after the life, and thereupon to grave all the considerable parts of this Animal. In a word, I have omitted nothing of what might render my Design answerable to the wishes of all Learned and Curious men.  
Now as those, who, speaking of a matter that hath been often handled by others, cannot but must often repeat again, what hath been already said of it; I thought, I was not to scruple to enlarge myself a little, that I might not give an imperfect Anatomy of the Viper, of which it was fit enough to describe as well the great number of the true parts, that have been known to our Ancestors, as the new ones, by me found after them.  
I say nothing of my way of Writing. From a person of my profession, you are not to expect the Elegancy and Purity of our Tongue. I thought it enough for me, to deliver myself clearly and intelligibly, which is, in my opinion, all that could be expected from me.  
For the rest, I think, I am the first, that hath given to France a Treatise of the Viper in its Native Language. Those who understand no other Languages, may think themselves obliged by it, in regard they would else have been ignorant of abundance of things, that deserve to be known. Farewell.   

THE TABLE Of the Titles of all the Contents in this Book.  

Anatomy of the Viper.  
Chap. I. GEneral observations upon the Viper. Description of the Viper.  
Ch. II. Of the Parts which present themselves 

first of all. Of the exterior shape of the Viper. Sect. I.  
Of the skin of the Viper. Sec. 2.    
Ch. III. Of the parts of a Vipers Head. 

Of the Viper's Nose. Sec. 1.  
Of the Skull. Sect. 2.  
Of the Brain. Sec. 3.  
Of the Eyes and their principal Parts, and of those that serve for Hearing. Sect. 4.  
Of the Bones of the Head that are articulated to the Skull. Sec. 5.  
Of the Teeth. Sec. 6.  
Of the Nerves, Veins, Arteries, and Muscles of the Head in general. Sec. 7.  
Of the Salival Glands of the Viper. Sec. 8.    
Ch. IU. Of the other Bones of the Viper, and of the principal parts that depend therefrom.  
Ch. V. Of the other internal parts of the Viper. 

Of the Tongue. Sec. 1.  
Of the Windpipe, and the Lungs. Sec. 2.  
Of the Heart and Liver. Sec. 3.  
Of the Gall and Pancreas. Sec. 4.  
Of the Weasand and Stomach. Sec. 5.  
Of the Guts, kidneys, Fat, and a Coat wrapping them up underneath. Sec. 6.    
Ch. VI Of the Organs of Generation in a Viper. Sect. 3. 

Of the parts of a Male. Sec. 1.  
Of the parts of Generation in a Female. Sec. 2.  
Of the Generation and Birth of Vipers. Sec. 3.    


The Explication of what is represented in the first Cut.  
The Explication of what is exhibited in the second Cut.  
The Explication of what appears in the third Cut.     

Experiments upon Vipers.  
Ch. I. A Biting of a Viper happened to a Man.  
Ch. II. Experiments of Vipers upon divers Animals. Experiments on Dogs. 

The Biting of a Dog in his Ear.  
Another Biting upon a Dog.  
The Biting of a little Dog.  
Another Dog bit in the Tongue.    
Ch. III. Experiments of the Biting of a Viper made upon Pigeons and Pullet's.  
Ch. IU. Of the Poison of a Vipers biting, and of its operation.  
Ch. V. Experiments of the yellow liquor contained in the little Bags of the greater Teeth, made on several Animals.  
Ch. VI Experiments of the Gall, Eggs, Guts, Heads, and the Blood of a Viper made on divers Animals.  
Ch. VII. Sundry other Experiments made upon Vipers.  
Ch. VIII. General Reflections on all those Experiments.   

Remedies drawn from Vipers.  
Ch. I. Of the different choice that may be made of the parts of Vipers.  
Ch. II. Of the Use of the parts of a Viper, as to its Nourishing virtue.  
Ch. III. Of the Virtues of several parts of a Viper in Physic.  
Ch. IU. Of the Powder and Trochisques of Vipers.  
Ch. V. Of the Viper-Salt of the Ancients.  
Ch. VI Of the Volatile Salt of Vipers; of their Fixed Salt, and of the other parts that are separated by Distillation.  
Ch. VII. Of the Fixation of the Volatile Salt of Vipers.  
Ch. VIII. Of the virtues of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, and, of what other parts are able to do, that are separated by Distillation.  
Ch. IX. Of the way of using the Volatile Salt of Vipers.  
Ch. X. Divers Remedies or Compositions, of which this Volatile Salt is the Base or ground.   
FINIS.   

ERRATA.  
PAge 13. line 6. read seen on. p. 29. l. 8. r. and that. p. 95. l. 27. r. and the want of goodness. p. 120. l. 5. r. the bitten animal would be. p. 126. l. 12. r. twice through, for, twice in the daylight. p. 163. l. 12. r. adapt. p. 165. l. 1. r. with Salt and Dill. p. 172. l. 1. r. Simples be in.   

 depiction of skeleton and various bones of a snake  depiction of the reproductive organs of a snake  depiction of the internal organs of a snake   

THE ANATOMY OF A VIPER.  
General Observations upon this Animal.  

CHAPTER I.  
I Know not, what ground the Ancient Writers upon this Animal had, to say, that in the Copulation, the Male did insert his Head into the throat of the Female, and there emitted his seed, thence falling into her Matrix, where she first did form Eggs and then Young Vipers: That the Female, finding a titillation from the emission of the seed, snapped off with her teeth the head of the Male, and so killed him; and that the Young Vipers, being ready to be brought forth, did pierce the Womb and the sides of their Dam, to make a passage for themselves; so that by killing her, they revenged in some manner the death of their Sire.  
I confess, that this Story, or Tale rather, having neither reason nor experience on its side, I cannot take the part of those Authors. I esteem, that a Viper, which is a kind of creeping Serpent, is indeed procreated by the conjunction of Male and Female; but this is done by means of the Organs designed for Generation; of which we shall make a description in their proper place, and which this Animal hath common with all others, and that more in number, than most Animals.  
The Viper differs from other Serpents, not only in this, that it creeps more slowly, and jumps not; but chiefly herein, that its little ones receive their perfection in the womb, and come forth alive after the usual manner; whereas the Females of other Serpents lay Eggs, which they incubate, and hatch, either in the Sun, or in their recesses,  
The Viper is by many taken for an Image of malice and cruelty; but in reality she is guilty of no such thing, if she be not hurt or vexed; for, if she be, she becomes furious, and bites very piercingly: but she never assaults Man or beast, except she be angered. And if at times it happen, that she bites some person or other sleeping in the field, certainly that Body must have thrust or otherwise hit her; for else she would never have bit him.  
It may very well be said, that by that means the Stratagem of Annibal succeeded, when he caused a quantity of earthen Pitchers filled with Vipers to be thrown into the Ships of the King of Pergamus, his Enemy; in regard that on the one hand the Pots being broken, did hurt and anger the Vipers, and stirred them up to bite whatsoever was within the reach of their teeth; and on the other, the sight of these creeping Creatures, scattered about here and there in the Ships, frighted the Soldiers and disordered them, so that they could not fight.  
Mean time a Viper attacks and kills those Animals, which she means to devour for her nourishment, as Spanish Flies, Scorpions, Frogs, Mice, Moles, Lizzards and the like; which she swallows whole, after she hath killed them with her bigger Teeth. The smaller prey she sends down whole into her stomach; the bigger she partly lodgeth in her stomach, partly in her wezand.  
There can hardly be made any perfect digestion in the Stomach of Vipers, both because the heat is there not well united, by reason of the great aperture, there is at the mouth, where the Oesophagus or Weasand ends; and because they have not moisture enough to help the fermentation and the Concoction of food. But yet this hinders not * the conveyance of the Juice and of the finest part of the swallowed animals into all the parts of their body for nourishment: Which is not performed but in the space of many days, during which, the excrements and superfluities of the nutriment are carried into the Guts, whence the grosser parts of them are cast out again by the mouth. This we have lately observed in a great part of the body of a Lizzard, which a Viper vomited up twelve days after she was taken; where we saw, that, of the head and of the forelegs, and of that part of the body contiguous to them, and which could conveniently be placed in the stomach of the Viper, there rested little more than the Bones; but that a great part of the trunk, together with the hind-leggs, and the whole tail, were in a manner in a condition, as if the Viper had swallowed them that day, as appears in the 2d Figure. But we were surprised, among other things, to see, that the parts, which could not enter into the stomach, and had remained in the Oesophagus, had kept so long well, I mean, without suffering any alteration in the skin; although those underneath had contracted some lividness, which perhaps was an effect of the venemousness of the biting.  
Viper's can live for many months without any food, and after they are once taken, they eat no more, living then only upon the Air, they take in. And although they be greedy enough of Lizzards, when at liberty, yet I have found, that having thrown Lizzards alive into a barrel, wherein I kept a good number of living Vipers, and leaving them there whole days and nights, the Vipers did no hurt at all to the Lizzards.  
The Substance of Vipers is viscous and compact, and perisheth not but very slowly and difficultly. Their Skin is scaly, which defends them from the injuries of the Air, and maketh that the Spirits unite themselves so firmly to the body, that 'tis hard for them to quit it; and we see, that they remain yet many hours in the Head and in all the parts of the trunk, after 'tis flayed, emptied of all the guts, and cut in many pieces: And this is the cause, that the motions and windings so long continue in them; that the Head is able to bite, and its biting as dangerous, as when the Viper was entire; and that the Heart, even after it is pulled out of the body, and severed from the other inward parts, keeps its beating for many hours. Whence it may be concluded, that the Viper, which is composed of parts so closely united together, and in which are found such perfect Spirits, can impart to Man what it hath most accomplished and in so great abundance: So that we need not wonder, if we find the remedies, we draw from its body, are of a not-ordinary virtue.  
A Viper voids not much excrement, and what she voids is not offensive, whereas that of Snakes stinks much, and hath the smell of stale and corrupt Urine. Neither have we ever found any ill smell in opening the vessels, wherein we used to keep Vipers alive, unless some viper or other had been dead and putrified. For my part, I have never received any inconvenience from any ill air, which some pretend to issue forth at the opening of those Vessels.  
Viper's make no holes in the Earth to hide themselves in, as other Serpents do; but ordinarily they hide themselves under stones or old ruins, where they may be often found heaped up and wound together in clusters. When 'tis fair weather, they love to lurk under bushes and tufted plants.  
They commonly couple twice a year, the first time in the month of March; and they go with their young ones 4. or 5. months; which being perfect, come forth one after another by the common opening of the Matrix, and in great number, even to twenty and twenty five. They draw out with them, in coming forth, a small tegument fastened to their navel, like an afterbirth, which the dam by little and little separateth with her tongue, as they are born one after another.  
Viper's cast a skin every Spring, and sometimes even in Autumn: which hath occasioned a belief, that they have a virtue, able to make young again, and to preserve the strength of those, who use them either for a preservative or a remedy.    

THE DESCRIPTION OF A VIPER  

CHAP. II.  
Of the Parts, which present themselves first.  

SECT. I.  
Of its external Figure.  
THe Vipers, Males and Females, that we have in France, being of their full growth, are in the middle of their body a good inch thick; but that of Females is bigger, when they are with young, especially when the young ones are ready to come forth. They are commonly two good foot long; and there are some, that are somewhat longer. Their head, which is flat, hath a kind of border round about the edges of its upper part, and in that they differ from Snakes, which have all that round bared and taken down, and the Head sharper and narrower, in proportion to their Body.  
The Head of a Viper is in all an inch long, and towards the top thereof it is 7 or 8 lines broad; and then lessening by little and little, it is not above 4 or 5 lines broad about the Eyes, and 2 lines only about the end of the Nose. It is about 2 lines thick.  
The Neck, taken where it begins, is about the bigness of a man's little finger. That of Males is ordinarily a little thicker than that of Females: Yet there are some of the Females, which, when full, appear to have a Neck even thicker than that of Males.  
The Tail of Males is always longer and thicker than that of Females, because it contains the parts of generation double; and in their Interstices there are also two small bladders somewhat long, serving for a reservatory of their seed, which make their Tail bigger. This of the Males is about four fingers square long; but that of Females not much longer than three. The upper part of the Tail of Males is, at its beginning, about the bigness of their Neck, and ends sharp, as doth also the Tail of Females. Neither of them stings, nor have they any venom in them.   

SECT. II.  
Of the Skin of Vipers.  
NO Vipers are seen, but they have their skin spotted: but the ground of the colour is different enough; for sometimes 'tis whitish, sometimes reddish, in some 'tis grey, in others yellow, in others tawny. This ground is always speckled with black spots, or at least much darker ones than the rest; they appear like different cyphers or characters, ranged in spaces, even enough, and answering one another, especially on the top and the sides of the Body. Some of them are also upon the Head, and among the rest, two in the form of Horns, which take their rise between both Eyes, and open themselves and reach towards the two sides of the top of the Head, and are sometimes 4. or 5. lines long, each of them, and half a line broad. Opposite to the middle of these two horns, there appears a speck of the bigness of a small Lentile, being shaped like the Iron of a Pike: And this is that, which is, as 'twere, the first and principal of all these specks, seeming to guide them all along the Backbone.  
The Skin is all covered with Scales, the greatest, strongest and most considerable of which, are those under the whole Body, and some under part of the Head. Their bigness and force is necessary for them, to fortify the Viper in the place that is feeblest and least capable of defence; besides that they support the Animal, and serve it, instead of feet, for creeping, and for carrying its Body to and fro. These great Scales are always of the colour of Steel, from one end to the other, and different from those of Snakes, which are commonly marked with a yellow colour. They open, and stick, according as the Viper will recoil, or stop. The extremity of these great Scales is, as 'twere, sowed beneath the other little Scales, which cover the whole Body. Those under the Head, reach in their breadth towards the two Jaws; they are lesser, straighter and softer than those under the Belly, and terminate at other smaller Scales, which go on to cover the whole undermost part of the Head, and, beginning their ranks towards the ends before, continue them at the sides of those ranks as far as towards the bottom of the Jaws.  
From the beginning of the Neck unto the beginning of the Tail, there are as many great Scales, as there are vertebraes or Joints of the Backbone; and as each Vertebra hath on each side a Rib, each Scale meets by its two ends the points of both, and serves them for a defence and stay: the same abuts also on each side at the end of one rank of little scales, wherewith the rest of the Body is covered, and it seems, that 'tis placed there to receive them. These small scales are admirably well ranged, they lying upon one another, and representing each as 'tbe half a round towards their extremity. Their ranks appear always sloping, whether you look on them from the right side to the left, or from the left to the right; some what after the manner of the ranks of small Slate, that are cut in a half round, in some places seen in olthe tops of houses. These Scales are more or less great, according as the part of the Body, they cover, is greater or lesser. The Symmetry of them is always very exquisite and even; and is suitable to the great Scales, united to their ranks beneath. There are also observed on the top of these Scales, and all along the Back, many fine and distinct Lines, passing straight along from the hind-part of the Head unto the end of the Tayl.  
The Scales, that are under the Tail from the beginning of it to the end, are divided, and yet they appear united and ranged in the middle by a very orderly and pleasing compartment; and their bigness goes diminishing in proportion with the Tayl.  
The Skin of the Head is also covered with small scales, and at the end of the Nose turned up, and so on, even round about, as far as towards the Eyes, in the manner of a swines-snout.  
There are observed only six openings in the Skin of a Viper: the biggest is that of its Throat; the other four are those of the two Nostrils, and of the two Eyes; the last is that, which is at the lower-most end of the Belly, where is the beginning of the Tail, which encloseth not only the hole of the Gut for voiding the excrements, but also those of the organs of Generation, as well of Males as Females. This last opening is shut by the last of the great scales, which is advanced in the form of a half round, and opens in falling lower at the time of copulation, as it also doth at the time of the young Vipers being cast, and of the excretion of their dung. The Throat opens and shuts at the will of the Animal; the Nostrils remain always open, and the Eyes have Eyelids to cover them upon occasion. There is no aperture in the skin to give any passage for Hearing; Nature, it seems, serving herself of the apertures of the Nostrils for that purpose.  
Vipers ordinarily cast their scaly Skins twice a year, under which they are furnished with another, quite form, which at first appears much fairer, and of a more vivid colour, than that which is cast off. And there is also insensibly forming an other new one, against the time it is to serve, when that which now covers it shall be severed from it: So that a Viper hath at all times a double skin; and all these skins, though furnished with scales, are notwithstanding transparent, being held and looked on against the daylight.  
This External description might be sufficient for those, who shall desire no more but to know how to discern Vipers from other Serpents, but the Anatomical Description of all the parts under the Skin will be much more satisfactory and more necessary for those, who shall desire to know exactly all the good and all the ill in a Viper.    

CHAP. III.  
OF the Parts of the Head OF A VIPER  

SECT. I.  
Of the Nose and Nostrils.  
BEginning at the extremity of the Head there are the Nose and the Nostrils. The former is made up of a Bone some what Gristly, furnished with some ends of Muscles, that come farther off, and are accompanied with some small veins and arteries. This Bone is also covered with the scaly Skin, turned up, as was said above, at its extremities. There are two pipes, in the two sides, that form the nostrils, which have each a small and round opening on the right and the left side, before, and the proper nerve, which comes down from the forepart of the Brain unto their Orifice, and communicates to them the objects of smelling. The same Pipes serve also to receive two small Nerves, which issue each from the lateral part of the Brain, and serve for Hearing. This gristly Bone hath several Angles round about, and is articulated by two strong Ligaments within and about the hollow and anteriour part of the Skull; which hinders not, but that it is a little flexible in this Articulation.   

SECT. 2.  
Of the Skull.  
THe Skull is found hollow in the forepart of it, and represents the shape of an Heart in this Cavity, when the Bone of the Nose is separated from it. There are two points advancing, which in part embrace that Bone; it is in the superior part surrounded with a small border, advancing in the fashion of a cornish; it is notched on both sides, where the Eyes are situate, and there forms their round holes, of which the hind-part reaches out to a point, to which answers that before. The whole Skull in all its parts is of a very compact and hard substance. There are three principal Sutures in the part above; the one, which may be called the Sagittal, which divides long-ways the part above the two Eyes; the second, which may be termed Coronal, divides the Skull across behind the two Eye-holes; the third, separates it also cross-ways near the beginning of the Backbone. In the Surface of the upper part of the Skull, may be observed the figure of an Heart well represented, seated in the middle thereof, which hath its basis near the Suture Coronal, and carries its sharp end towards the hind-part of the Skull, which is severed by the third Suture.  
There is also another great Suture, round about the nethermost lateral parts of the Skull, by which it may be divided into two bodies, an upper and lower. This latter is made in the form of a turned back, going long ways, hollow in the middle, and representing the shape of a Coulter, which hath a kind of little wing on its sides, and whose point advances beneath the middle of the Eyes. It's latter part descends as far as the bottom of the Palate, where it hath in its lower part a point descending in the form of an overturned hillock.  
All the Sutures of the Skull are so well united in their conjunction, and so strongly connected, that 'tis very hard to distinguish them, and yet more to separate the parts of them without breaking them, unless the Skull be boiled in some liquor.   

SECT. 3.  
Of the Brain.  
THe substance of a Viper's Brain is divided into five main Bodies, of which the two first are oblong, each of the size and shape of a grain of Succory-seed. They are seated long-ways between the two Eyes; and 'tis from these Bodies, that the Olfactory Nerves do proceed. The three other are in the middle part of the Skull, and under that figure of the Heart, of which we have been speaking. Each of these Bodies is near as big as a grain of the Seed of Milium Solis, and represents almost the shape of a Pear, the point of which is turned towards the forepart of the Head. Two of these Bodies are seated in the upper part long-ways, and one on the side of the other; the third, which is a little less, is placed under the middle of the two, and may be called the Cerebellum, or little Brain.  
The Spinal Marrow seems to be the same body with this last, although it have a separate place in the hind-part of the Skull. It is of a substance somewhat whiter and softer than the Bodies, we have been just now speaking of, and of the size of a small grain of Wheat. It produces a Body of the same substance, which extends itself long-ways, and passing in a straight line through all the Vertebrae or Joints of the Backbone, terminates at the end of the Tail.  
The Bodies of a Viper's Brain are covered with a coat, thick enough, and sticking fast enough to them, which may be called the Dura Mater.: It is black, whence it hath happened, that some Authors, not taking the pains to look under this Tunicle, have affirmed, that Viper's Brains were black. Under this Dura Mater, each Body of the Brain, separately, hath also a little membrane involving it, which may be termed the Pia Mater. There are observed some small interstices betwixt these Bodies, and even in the Body of the Spinal Marrow, which might pass for Ventricles: And I doubt not, but that, if the Subject were a little bigger, we might observe in it most of the considerable parts, that are to be found in bigger Animals.   

SECT. 4.  
Of the Eyes, and their principal parts; as also of those, that serve for Hearing.  
THe Eyes of Vipers are very quick, and their aspect is exceedingly fixed and bold. They have their Nerves, Muscles, Veins, Arteries, Apple, Chrystallin, Uvea, Cornea, Eyelids, and the other parts, like enough to those of the Eyes of other Animals.  
The most considerable Nerves are the Optic, which parting from behind both the Eyes, do meet together and conjoin laterally at the beginning of the Little Brain, and there make as it were the figure of an X, and opening themselves after this conjunction, they encompass that little Body by the sides thereof, and render themselves at the beginning of the Spinal Marrow, which receives them.  
The smallness of all the other parts being such, as that it maketh their examination difficult, and we having not been able to find any thing particular in them, I esteem, that as it would be very troublesome to make Researches thereof, so it would be to no purpose, to make a description of them.  
The two upper Bodies of the Brain send each from their lateral forepart a small Nerve, which piercing the Skull, runs along the Temples, where it joins itself to the Salival Glands (whereof we shall speak hereafter) and following them, it passeth under the Eye, where it divideth itself into two branches, of which the chief inserts itself into the Bone and the Conduit of the Nostrils, to serve for the Sense of Hearing, and the lesser descending towards the Teeth, called the Dog-teeths, it ends there, after it hath divided itself into several branches.   

SECT. 5.  
Of the Bones of the Head, that are jointed to the Skull.  
ON each upper side of the middle of that Heart, which is seen above in the Skull, there is a little flat Bone, a matter of a line and an half long, that is firmly articulated to it, which following and adhering to the same side of the Skull as far as to its hind-part, becomes to be articulated anew to another flat Bone, longer and stronger, and forming there as 'twere an Elbow. This latter Bone goeth downwards, and is strongly jointed to the inward end of the lower Jaw; in the middle of which articulation, the upper Jaw terminates, and is there jointed, but not so firmly, because it hath other articulations, which the lower hath not. These Bones, which are like Clavicles, serve both for a support to the Jaws, and to open and shut them; and for this purpose they are assisted by the Nerves and Muscles, which Nature hath provided them with.  
There is also at each advancing end of the Eye-hole a little flat Bone, being about a line and an half long, which is strongly articulated with the root of the Dog-tooth, and by its other end is also firmly jointed to the middle of the upper Jaw, as well to support it, as to make it advance together with the great Tooth, when it is raised to bite.  
The upper Jaw is divided in two, before, and is separated, by the gristly Bone, from the Nose, where its two ends are articulated on each side. These two Jaws are much more inward than those below, and the great Teeth are seated without their rank and at their side, tending outward, and do serve them for a defence. They are made up, each of one only Bone, that is about six lines long.  
The lower Jaw is also divided in two. These Jaws are annexed, before, one to the other, by a Muscle, which opens or shuts them at the pleasure of the Animal; and they have no other articulation but that, we have spoken of about their inward end, viz. with the Clavicle coming down from the Skull, and with the inward end of the upper Jaws. Each of these Jaws is composed of two Bones, articulated together towards the middle of the Jaw; that which is before, embraces above and below that which is behind, and can bend itself outward in this place, when the Viper will bite, and is a little curved inwards toward its extremity; and 'tis upon this Bone alone, that the lower Teeth are fastened.   

SECT. 6.  
Of the Teeth.  
THe Opinions of the Ancients have been very differing about the number of the great Teeth of Vipers, and most have held, that in this the Female exceeded the Male, and that the plurality of the great Teeth was the chief mark, whereby to distinguish her from him. I have been careful to inform myself about it, and have taken pains to grovel with a great deal a patience in the gums of innumerable Vipers; but all being well examined, I have not found, as to this point, any true difference of one Sex from the other, but sometimes more, sometimes less Teeth in one and the other. I have casually met on each side with two great Teeth fixed, placed very near together, and on the side of one another, as well in Males, as Females; but in most of both Sexes I have found only one, fixed on each side, covered, to two thirds of their height, with a Tunicle or Bag sufficiently thick, filled with a yellowish juice, which is transparent and pretty fluid; and in this Vesicle, in the midst of this juice, and under the great and main Teeth, a differing number of Teeth ill set, some longer than others, and all hooked, of which I have counted, in several Vipers, from two to five, six and seven, on one and the same side, under the selfsame Tooth, and in the same Bag.  
These great Teeth are only in the upper part, standing on the side, and without the Jaws of the Animal, where they are like Bulwarks. They are about two lines long, hooked, white, hollow, and diaphanous throughout, as far as to their sharp point, which is very subtle and exceedingly piercing. They have many little Cavities towards their Root, in which the other Teeth are planted. These Teeth commonly remain lying along the Jaw, and their point appears not but at the moment the Viper will bite; for than it raiseth them, and advanceth them jointly with the upper Jaw, drawn by the Bone, which at one end is articulated in the middle of it, and at the other, to the root of the great Tooth.  
The yellow liquor, contained in the Vesicle, serveth not only to moisten the ligaments, and to make them fit for the bending of the Teeth, but also to nourish them, and to make those grow, that are there as 'twere in a Nursery, and are, if we may say so, in expectation to serve instead of the many Teeth, whether these come to fail in their force, or fall out of themselves.  
All the Jaws, both upper and lower, are fortified with bend Teeth, that are hollow, pellucid and sharp, as the bigger Teeth, but that they are much smaller. Their number is uncertain enough, whether it be, that Nature produces sometimes more, sometimes less of them, or that that fineness maketh them apt to break. There is little difference, as to the number, in those above from those below. Ordinarily there are eight Teeth in each Jaw, but at times I have found nine, ten, eleven in each. Those that advance most, are a little bigger than the deepest; and just as those below answer in situation to the Dog-teeths, that are above them, they have at the end of each side one Tooth, that is a little bigger than all those of the other Jaws, and another, lesser, at the side, at the end of the part bent inwards.  
There is a great difference in the Teeth and Jaws of Vipers, from those of Snakes: for, these have no Dog-teeths; and although their Jaws are all divided in their foremost part like as in Vipers, yet they exceed them in the number of Jaws, and in the number of Teeth; for, they have four Jaws above, and two below; two of those above are situated all along and close to the rim of the Lip, and serve for a defence to the two other Jaws, that are seated in the same place, where those in Vipers are. Besides, I have counted 13 Teeth in each exterior Jaw above, and as many in each of the Jaws below, and 20 in each superior inward Jaw; so that I have counted of them to 92 Teeth in one Snake, and all these Teeth are bend, fine, hollow, white and transparent, like those in Vipers.   

SECT. 7.  
Of the Nerves, Veins, Arteries and Muscles of the Head in general.  
THe chief Nerves in the Head of a Viper are, first, those of which we have spoken, namely those of the Smell, the Sight and the Hearing. Besides, there are those of the Taste, that which may be called the sixth par vagum, which is afterwards distributed into all the vital and natural parts; and those, which issuing from the Spinal Marrow are carried through the whole habit of the Body. There are also many Nerves, that go from the inferior part of the Brain, and pass through the Skull, but by reason of their subtlety and fineness, 'tis hard to follow them to their insertion.  
There is yet another Nerve that is considerable, which proceeds from the Skull, behind that of Hearing, which leaves, in the space between, a small Apophysis, or Process, or Knot, in the Skull, and which, descending along the Clavicle, runs upon the superior Jaw, and is inserted in its middle; than it goes on in the middle to its extremity, and distributeth itself into all the Teeth, fixed there.  
The Head hath also its Veins and Arteries, which coming from the Liver and the Heart, distribute themselves there into an infinity of branches, by which all those parts are bedewed. It is also provided of many Muscles, at the sides and below the Skull, and about the Clavicles, and superior and inferior Jaws, that serve not only to fill up the Cavities of the Skull, and to cover the Bones that are articulated there, but to give motion to all the parts that need it: to which also the Nerves contribute their share.   

SECT. 8.  
Of the Salival Glands of a Viper.  
THe Opinion of the Ancients, That the seat of the Viper's poison was the Gall, and that from thence it ascended into the Gums, by vessels oddly enough fancied, hath seemed to me too far from all probability to follow it. I therefore thought, that that particular did very well deserve a strict enquiry, and that it was of moment to discover the Truth thereof. On the other side, the curious Observations, made on this Subject by Signior Redi, a Florentine Philosopher, whose merit is known and esteemed by all the Learned, seemed to me, as to all those that have seen and examined them, not only reasonable and possible, but I was altogether persuaded of the candour and ability of that illustrious person. Upon his Account and Relation, I never scrupled to taste often of the gall of Vipers, as well as of the yellowish liquor, contained in the bags of the Gums; and I have found in both the Truth of what he hath observed thereof, namely a great bitterness, and a great sharpness in the Gall; and the taste of a Saliva or spital sufficiently flat, and approaching enough to the taste of the Oil of sweet Almonds, in the yellow Liquor of the Gums.  
These great differences of the qualities in the one from the other, made me believe that there was a great diversity in the matter of them, as well as in their source; and I believed at first, following Signior Redi, that there might be Salival Vessels in Vipers, as there have been lately found in Man, and divers other Animals; so that after many researches, made with attention and patience enough, in many Viper's Heads, I discovered at length such Glands, proper to form this juice, and to convey it to the Gums; and after I was well persuaded of it myself, I showed them to divers of those knowing Physicians, that had met at my House the last Year. These persons had a mind to see with their own Eyes, and after they had well examined the parts which I showed them, they not only found them true, but they there also saw a greater number of smaller vessels, than had appeared to me, of which some, that are Arteries and Veins, pass above the Glands, and others, that are Lymphducts, run below: so that they judged, that I could confidently assert and describe these Glands, which I call Salival, and which they had acknowledged together with me; though Signior Redi durst not speak positively of them, because he had not discovered them, neither had they been described by any Author of their knowledge, nor by any one of mine.  
These Glands are found in all the Heads of Vipers, both Males and Females; they are seated on both sides, and joining to the Skull, in the hind-part of each round of the Eyes, and at the same height with them. There are many small ones joined together, which may be called Conglomerate Glands, which are easily distinguishable by their form and colour, which is different from the Muscles, neighbouring to them, and of which there is one, that may be called Temporal, which in part covers them by its extremity. This heap of Glands appears there of the bigness of the neighbouring Eye, and extending itself in length, continues its progress in the Orbite of the Eye, below, and in part behind the Eye. Each Gland hath its little Lymphatique Vessel, which parts from it as from a little Teat, and goes disgorging itself into a greater Vessel, that runs all along and under these Glands, and passeth into the Vesicle of the Gum, and terminates in the midst of the Articulation, which the root of the great Teeth maketh with the advancing corner of the said Orbite, and with the little Bone, which by its other end is articulated in the middle of the upper Jaw. This principal vessel, which, being considered alone, is very little in appearance, but is not so in effect, seeing it receives the discharge of all the small vessels, that come from each Gland, empties itself into the Bag of the Gums, and carries thither that Salival Juice, which may have qualities approaching to those of the Saliva or Spittle of man, or of the foam or drivel of divers other Animals.  
The Nerve, which serves in the Nostrils for the faculty of Hearing, runs for some space along these Glands, which are also, as I have already said, small Veins and Arteries.  
But having well considered the substance, quality, and situation of these Glands, we judged their formation not to be in vain; but that their Use, in all likelihood, was to receive the humidities both of the Brain, the Eyes, and the neighbouring parts; and that their discharge was very convenient and even very necessary to the parts, which receive that liquor, as well for moistening the ligaments of the great Teeth, and to keep them in a condition of bending, at such time when the Viper will bite, and to increase the Teeth, which Nature hath made and set in the midst of this Juice.  
For the rest, examining and tasting the Glands as well as the Juice, we found a Taste altogether like that of the Gums, which Signior Redi hath described, namely very near the taste of the Oil of Almonds, without any bitterness, though it leave, a while after, a little acrimony in the mouth, such as may be discerned in all kind of Spittle.  
As to the small Glands, which Signior Redi hath observed at the bottom of the Vesicles that contain this Juice, I can say, that I have with great care and diligence searched them, and that, 'tis true, I have there found the appearances of Glands, but having opened them, I saw nothing in them but small teeth which were fastened there, and are of the number of those, which I have called Expectants, without finding any thing of a Glandular nature there, nor that did, in the least, approach to the shape, substance or qualities of the Glands, which I have been describing.  
The Viper is not the only among Serpents, that hath Salival Glands; for I have also found of them in the Head of Snakes, which Glands were heaped together long-ways, and situated near each outward upper Jaw, serving them for a defence, in a manner, as the Dog-teeths do to Vipers.  
These considerations, supported by many Experiments, made by us, and to be related hereafter, have induced me to call these Glands Salival, and to ascribe to them the very source of that yellow Liquor, which hath been so much decried, and withal so little known, and is nothing else, but a pure and very innocent spital. I hope, that those, who shall take the pains of carefully examining, after me, these Glands, and this juice of the Gums will not stick to give me their suffrages.    

CHAP. IU.  
Of the other Bones of a VIPER, and the principal Parts, thence depending.  
THe great number of Bones, which rest in the Body of a Viper after those of the Head, consists only in the Vertebrae or Joints of the Backbone, and the Ribs. These Joints begin at the hind-part of the Skull, to which the first is articulated; the other are ranged consecutively, strongly joined to one another, and they continue to the end of the Tail. Every Viper, both Male and Female, hath an hundred and forty five Vertebrae, from the end of the Head to the beginning of the Tail, and Two hundred and fourscore and ten Ribs, which is the double number of the Vertebrae; to each of which there are articulated two Ribs, one to each side, which are bend, and do embrace the vital and natural parts of a Viper, and each point whereof rendevouses at one of the ends of the great Scale under the belly, which is fit for both; so that there are as many great Scales under the belly, from the end of the Head unto the beginning of the Tail, as there are Vertebra's, consorted by their two Ribs: Besides that, there are twenty five Vertebrae from the beginning of the Tail to the end thereof; and those Vertebrae have not any Ribs, but, instead thereof, little Apophyses, or Processes, which lessen in their magnitude, as the Vertebrae do, tending towards the extremity of the Tail.  
There are four great Muscles, very firm and very long, which take their origine from the hind-part of the Head, and descend, two of them on each side of the Spinal Processes, one joining to the Spine, and the other to the side and a little below the first, which it accompanies all along unto the end of the Tail. There are also two great Muscles of the like length, which are fastened to the inferior part of the Vertebrae, and accompany them from one end to the other, as well as the superior ones. We also observe, on each side, as many intercostal Muscles, as there any Vertebrae, serving for the same use, that those of other Animals do, which sever the Ribs from the place of their root unto their point All these Muscles are also accompanied with veins and arteries, as well as the greatest.   

CHAP. V.  
Of the other Internal parts of a Viper.  

SECT. 1.  
Of the Tongue.  
THe Tongue, which the Viper darts out and draws in often and very quick, presents herself first of all. She is placed between the two Jaws below, and composed of two Bodies, fleshy, long and roundish, and terminating in very sharp and flexible points. These two Bodies are contiguous, and adhere to one another all along, from the place 〈◊〉 their root as far as to the two third parts of their length. The inward half of these Bodies is of the colour of flesh, but the other half, I mean that which is often thrust out, is of colour blackish.  
The Tongue may be, in all, an inch and an half long. It's root begins half an inch lower than the bottom of the Throat; and 'tis firmly annexed, below the Neck, to two tendinous bodies, which are two or three lines long.  
There are some Vipers, whose Tongues have three points, and some also, that have four. These points, though often darted out, prick not, nor hurt any body; though perhaps they may frighten the ignorant. They chiefly serve Vipers to catch these small creatures, which they have a mind to devour. The Tongue is enveloped by a kind of sheath from one end to the other.   

SECT. 2.  
Of the Windpipe and the Lungs.  
THe Windpipe hath its beginning at the entrance of the Throat, where it presents a hole in an Oval, raised on high, and having as 'twere a little beak in its lower part. It is composed, at its entrance, of many gristly rings, joined to one another; which continue about the length of a good inch, and fall into the right side of the Viper, where they meet with the Lungs; and from that place you see no more but the half rings turned upside down, which being joined on both sides to the membrans, that depend from the Lungs, and which are annexed to it below from one end to the other, being assisted by the said Lungs, serve for Respiration, and continue their rank and their connexion, as far as to the fourth part of the Liver, which lies under it; as well as the Heart. The Windpipe is in all eight or nine inches long; and at the place, where its half rings end, it is united with a membrane, which attracts and receives the Air, as far as to the beginning of the intestins, where it forms, as it were, a roundish bottom of a sack.  
The Lungs, being joined to the Windpipe, and making with it one Body, are consequently situate, as it, on the right side. They begin, where the whole rings of the Windpipe do end. They are made in the form of a Net; they have no Lobes at all, they are red, very clear and very vivid, of a substance fine enough, sufficiently transparent, and a little rough. They are fastened by Membrans to the upper part of the imperfect rings; being seven or eight inches long, and about one inch broad; and all over embroidered with veins and arteries.   

SECT. 3.  
Of the Heart, and the Liver.  
THe Heart and the Liver are also seated on the right side of the Viper; and before the Heart there is, about the third part of an inch, a little fleshy and flattish body, of the bigness of a little pea, which is filled with water; this little body is placed under the Lungs as well as the Heart and the Liver, and is suspended by the same membrans, which support it: it may be taken for a kind of Thymus or kernel, and may serve for the same uses.  
The Heart is seated about four or five inches below the beginning of the Lungs; of the bigness of a small bean: it is somewhat long, fleshy, and encompassed with its pericardium, which consists of a sufficiently thick tunicle. It hath two Ventricles, one on the right, the other on the left side: it also hath two apertures. The Blood, which comes from the vena cava, enters into the right ventricle, and being passed into the left, issues thence by the Aorta, which presently is divided into two great branches, one of which ascends into the upper parts, and the other, passing below the Oesophagus or Weasand, and taking its way sloping, subdivideth itself afterwards into many other branches, which spread themselves and are carried to all the parts, to the very end of the Tail.  
The Liver is a fleshy part, of colour red-brown, seated half an inch beneath the Heart, and supported by the same membrans: its length and breadth are unequal enough, but the greatest Livers, I have seen, are five or six inches long, and half an inch large. It consists of two great lobes of which the right descends a good inch lower than the left. These two lobes are bedewed by the vena cava, which seems to separate them all along into two bodies, and which makes even a separation in their lower half, running in their interstice, and serving to join them together in one body: The upper half of the Liver is continued, and cannot be divided but by cutting it asunder.  
The Trunk of the vena cava is divided into two branches in its upper part, of which the main and biggest endeth in the Heart, and the other passeth under the Lungs, and from thence into the superior parts. This Vein in its inferior part is divided into many branches, which descend into all the parts below.  
A Viper is destitute of a Diaphragme, there being no solid traversing tunicle at all, that severs the vital parts from the natural: yet it may be said that that fine tunicle, which depends from the Windpipe and the Lungs, and goes down towards the Intestins, and there forms, as 'twere, the shape of a sack-bottom, may in some manner peform the function thereof.   

SECT. 4.  
Of the Gall, and the Pancreas, which the Ancients called the Spleen.  
THe Bladder of Gall is situate an inch below the Liver, and on the side of the bottom of the Stomach, and it leans to the left side. It is almost of the shape and bigness of a small Bean lying flat.  
The Gall is very green; its taste very bitter and sharp; its consistence approaching to that of a Syrup not much boiled.  
I have found in the Bladder of Gall but one outlet by a small vessel, which issuing from the inward side of its upper part, is bend from its origine, and descending, and adhering, even in its beginning, to the internal part of this Bladder, is afterwards divided into two branches, of which the principal and directest, passing through that Body (which the Ancients have taken for the Spleen) runs into the Intestine, which receives it; and the other lesser branch, turning about, seems to remount to the Liver, but dividing itself into many small branches, becomes so indiscernible, that it cannot be followed any longer.  
It is not here, that I will refute the opinion of the Ancients concerning the Venomous quality they have ascribed to the Gall; I leave that for another place, where I shall endeavour to maintain the Balsamique quality of this Juice, and show, that 'tis free from all kind of poison.  
The Pancreas or Sweetbread, which all Authors have called the Spleen, is placed near and a very little below the Gall, and on the right side of the Viper. It is of the bigness of a good Pea, of a seemingly fleshy substance, but indeed Glandular. Considering its situation (which is close to the bottom of the Stomach and towards the entry of the Guts) together with its kernelly substance, it maketh me believe, that 'tis rather a Pancreas than a Spleen: but yet I leave the decision of it to those, who shall take the pains to examine it.   

SECT. 5.  
Of the Oesophagus or Weasand, and the Stomach.  
THe Oesophagus takes its beginning at the bottom of the Throat; its situation is on the left side, and its passage directly on the side of the Lungs and the Liver, as far as to its union with the orifice of the Stomach. It is made up of one only membrane, very soft, and easy to be extended, and which may be swelled even to the bigness of two inches. It is this part, which first receives the animals, the Viper hath killed with its great teeth, and swallowed whole, it being proper for that purpose, both by its large capacity, and by its length, which is of a good foot.  
The Stomach, which is next, is as 'twere sowed at its bottom, and seems to make but one Body with the Oesophagus; but yet is much thicker, and composed of two strong coats, one within the other, and sticking to one another. The thickness of its coats makes, that it cannot be swelled to the same bigness with the Oesophagus; for it cannot much exceed the bigness of an inch. It is between three and four inches long; its orifice is sufficiently large, as well as its middle, but the bottom of it grows straighter, and is commonly very close and firm, not opening itself, but to eject its excrements into the Guts. It's internal tunicle is full of rugosities when 'tis empty, and in it there are very often found little worms of the length and thickness of small pins. The Stomach is seated on the left side, as the Oesophagus; but the bottom of it is turned towards the middle of the Body, to empty itself into the first Gut.  
The length and capacity of the Oesophagus, and the largeness of the entry of the Stomach, are very well accommodated to thenature of the Viper, which sends nothing chewed to the Stomach, but swallows Animals whole for its food; and when some of them happen to be longer than the depth of the Stomach, part of them stays in the Oesophagus, until the Stomach have extracted and sent away the juice of the parts devoured, which it could hold; after which it receives those that stayed in the Oesophagus. But this requires a good space of time, in regard that the Stomach is not closed, and cannot gather any considerable heat to make a speedy digestion.   

SECT. 6.  
Of the Intestins, kidneys, Fat, and a Tunique wrapping them up below.  
THE Intestins of Vipers are situate in the midst of the Body, under the Backbone, and immediately after the bottom of the Stomach. I have only observed three of them, of which the first and narrowest may be called the Duodenum; the second, which is larger, and full of many windings, may be called the Colon; and the third and last, the Rectum, which also is very large and very straight; and hath its aperture below and near the beginning of the tail, at which the Excrements pass away.  
These Intestins have, at their sides, Testicles, together with their vessels, both of the Males and Females, and the two bodies of the Matrix of the latter, which we shall speak of hereafter. They contain also the kidnies with their vessels, which part from thence, and are accompanied of their veins and arteries, as also all vessels serving for generation; and the Intestins themselves are not destitute of them.  
The kidneys are placed below the Testicles; they are made up of many glandulous bodies, contiguous, and ranged long-ways, one after another. They are commonly two inches and an half long, and two l●nes and an half large upon the round, which is a little flat. They are of a pale-red colour. The right kidney is always seated higher than the lower in both sexes. They have also their Ureters, at which they discharge the serosities near the extremity of the Intestine.  
All the Intestins, the Testicles, and the kidneys are covered with a very white and very soft Fat, which being melted hath the form of Oil. At times also there is seen in some Vipers a little Fat about the Heart, the Lungs, the Liver, but especially close to the Gall, and near that part, which some take for the Spleen, and others for the Pancreas. All these parts are wrapped about with a strong Coat, that is firmly fastened to the extremities of the Ribs, which might pass for the Epiploon, if the Fat were joined to it: but as the Viper, which is a kind of Serpent, passeth not but among the imperfect animals, I shall not determine the name of this Tunique, to which the more Intelligent may give what name they shall think most proper.    

CHAPT. VI  
Of the parts of Vipers, that serve for Generation.  

SECT. 1.  
Of the Parts of the Male.  
THE Male hath two Testicles, which are somewhat long and roundish, and sharpen a little toward both ends. Their colour is white, and their substance glandular. Their length is unequal, the right being longer by an inch, than the left, and this also somewhat less in thickness. They are not thicker than the quill of the wing of a great Capon. Their situation is different; for, the right begins near and beneath the Gall, whereas the left begins about eight lines lower than the right. They are both suspended in their upper part by two strong membrans, coming from below the Gall, and are ordinarily covered with fat, which maketh them hardly discernible, by reason of the likeness of colour they have with this fat.  
From the midst of each of these Testicles, from the inward part, one may see issue forth a little Body, long and slender, solid enough, and even somewhat whither than the substance of the Testicles, which descends, and is fastened to them all along as far as to their lower end. It may be called the Epididymis. There appears at the end of each, the beginning of a small straddling vessel, that may be called spermatique because of its office; which is a little flat, very white, and shining enough, and commonly filled with seed, having the form of a milky juice. This vessel is sufficiently delicate, and winds in its passage, after the shape of many Ss joined together, very pleasant to behold. From thence it descends between the Intestine and the kidney, whose Ureter it follows unto the hole of the last Gut, at which the Excrements pass away. It is also accompanied of veins and arteries from one end to the other, as well as the Testicles, and it ceaseth to be winding a little before it comes to the aperture of the Gut. Each of these two spermatique vessels comes to rendevouse at its proper receptacle of seed; of which there are two, that may be called Parastates, which are like white kernels, each of the length, bigness and shape of a grain of Carduus benedictus seed. These kernels are seated longways below and between the two natural parts: they are always full of a milky juice, and altogether like that of the spermatique vessels, just now described: and to furnish for ejaculation at the time of the Coitus, they transmit the seed, which they contain, into the ejaculatory pipes of the two natural parts, neighbouring to them.  
I may say on this occasion, that those who have taken these two Conservatories of seed for other Testicles, have much deceived themselves in the opinion, they have entertained, that, there being two natural parts, there must also be for each of them two testicles: But their substance being quite different from the true testicles, by us described, and their office being to receive, and not to form, we do not acknowledge them but for Parastates, which by little and little receive the Seed, sent thither by the Testicles, and reserve it, and keep it ready for the time of copulation, and to perform that in a moment, and seasonably, what the spermatique Vessels would not be able to execute so soon, nor so well, because of their length and windings.  
The Male hath two Penes' altogether alike, which being pulled out are each as long as the Tail of the animal. Their origine cometh from the extremity of the Tail, under which they are seated all along, the one by the other. They go increasing in bigness, as the Tail does; at the beginning of which they end, and they have their issue near and at the side of one another, and close to the opening of the Intestine, which maketh in a manner their separation.  
Each of these is composed of two long and fistulous bodies, seated together one by the other, and which join towards their top in one body, which is environed with its prepuce, and hath its Muscles Erectors, as many other Animals have. These parts are within full of many stings or pricks, very white and hard, and very sharp, so set, as that they have their sharp end variously turned; of which the bigness and thickness answers to the place of the natural part, where they are set, so that as the top is bigger and thicker, the said stings are so too; and they advance and appear not but when the prepuce, which covers them, shrinks down at the time of the animals disposition to the coit.  
These natural parts are ordinarily hidden, and they swell not, nor come forth, but for the coit; unless it be, that, the animal being taken, they be forced out by pressing them; for in that case one may see them both come forth equally, each about the thickness of a date, and of the length of two thirds thereof, and their top is altogether covered and quite beset with these pricks, like the skin of a Porcupin; and these stings retire and hide themselves under the prepuce, when one ceaseth to press them.  
The issue of these two parts is environed with a very strong and thick Muscle, to which the skin is firmly fastened, and in such a manner that it is very difficult to separate it therefrom: which same Muscle serveth also to open and shut the Intestine.   

SECT. 2.  
Of the parts of the Female Viper, that serve for Generation.  
THe Female Viper hath two Testicles, as the Male; but they are longer and bigger. They are seated on the sides and near the bottom of the two Bodies of the Matrix, and the right is higher than the left, as 'tis in Males. Their Substance and colour also are very like them. The right is about one inch and an half long, and two lines and an half large; the left is something less. They have their Epididymis, and their Spermatique vessels, that convey the seed into the two Bodies of the Matrix, and which are much shorter than those of the Males. Yet I observe, that these Testicles appear not always such in all Females, especially in those that are emaciated, either by sickness, or by long keeping; for, their Testicles shorten, straighten, and dry, like as in those, whose Eggs are already great; having observed, that in these the Testicles are much shortened and dried up, as also that they are descended lower, although the right be always found higher than the left.  
The Matrix begins in a body pretty thick, which is composed of two strong tunicles, and which being seated above the intestine, hath in the same place its orifice, which is large, and doth easily dilate, to receive at one and the same time, by the same aperture, the two Penes' of the Male, in the Copulation. This Body is about the bigness of a nail of a middle-sized finger, and is divided very near its beginning into two small bags open at the bottom, and framed by Nature to receive and embrace the two members of the Male in the coit. Their interior coat is full of rugosities, and very hard, as is that of the whole body, which we have spoken of; so that she suffers, and also feels pleasure from, the pricking of the little stings of the Male's members, without being hurt thereby, although their points be very sharp.  
The Matrix begins by these two little sacks or bags to be divided into two bodies, which ascend each on its side along the kidneys, and betwixt them and the intestins, as far as to the bottom of the Stomach, where they are suspended by ligaments, which come from about the Liver, being also sustained, from space to space, by divers small ligaments, that come from the Backbone. These two bodies are composed of two tunicles, that are soft, thin, and transparent, being one within th' other, Their beginning is at the bottom of those two small bags, which embrace the two members of the male, from whence they receive the seed each from its side, to breed Eggs of it, and so young Vipers, by the conjunction of their own seed, which the testicles send thither.  
These two Bodies of the Matrix do very easily dilate themselves, that they may contain many young Vipers, unto the time of their perfection: notwithstanding the opinion of some, who have affirmed, that the Matrix of a Viper had but one only body; that it was seated in the middle, and all along the Backbone, and that there were in it distinct Bodies to hold the Eggs, and the young Vipers, which bodies were dependants of this Matrix. But, I believe, that the ground of their mistake hath been, in that those true bodies of the matrix being very delicate and very transparent, especially when they are swelled and distended by the Eggs, or the Vipers, by them contained, have not passed in their opinion for true bodies of the Matrix, and that they have taken for it the intestins, which are seated in the middle, and appear pretty big and thick, and seem to make but one and the same body with the first thick body of the matrix, under which the beginning of the first intestine is fastened and seated.  
The Viper is not the only animal, that hath her matrix divided into two like Bodies, equally placed each on its side, and along the Guts, which separate them; for I have observed the same thing in many Snakes, which I have opened purposely to know the truth hereof.   

SECT. 3.  
Of the Generation and Production of young Vipers.  
BY the particular description, we have made of the parts serving the Viper for generation, is is easy to renounce all the Fables we find in Books, concerning the copulation of Vipers, and the production of the young Vipers: so that I shall not trouble the Reader any further with them, but only intimate, That by the means of the insertion of both members of the Male into the two bags of the Matrix; by the ejaculation of the Seed, made of them both together, into the two bodies of the said Matrix, which are united at the bottom of the bags; and by the concurrence of the Females own seed which her testicles emit at the time of the coit; the Eggs are first form in both the bodies of the Matrix: that each is covered by its little tunicle; that the Eggs of each body of the Matrix are altogether wrapped up in one common membrane, commonly called the Ovarium; that all is enclosed in its proper body, the Matrix; that the Eggs there take their increase; that the young Vipers are there form and perfected; that thence they come forth one after another by the same passage, where the seed of the Male went in; and that they are produced alive, as many other animals, without any need of the intervention of the dam's death.  
We can assure the truth of all these particulars, having verified them by an accurate examination of all the parts, at several times, and upon a great number of subjects; and having seen the extension and swelling of those two bodies of the Matrix, even at the time when the young Vipers were perfected and ready to come forth; and lastly having seen the passage free, by which they were to come abroad, and the young ones actually produced without any danger to the Dam.  
We have noted, that the right body of the Matrix of the Viper is ordinarily fuller of Eggs and young brood, than the left; that the number of Eggs is pretty unequal; that at times there are twenty or twenty five, sometimes but half so many; that the young Vipers take their form and perfection in the Egg; that there they are seated and entangled divers ways, and after a very pleasant manner; that they have each within their Egg a kind of afterbirth depending from their Navel, by which they draw their food; that in coming abroad they train it after them, and in part are encompassed with it; and that their Dam frees them thereof, and cleanseth them by licking them when they are born.  
But although we have, as exactly as we could, described all the inward and outward parts of a Viper, both of a Male and Female; yet to the end that all may be the better understood, we shall address the Reader to the following Schemes, wherein he may see the same parts, we have just now described, represented and drawn to the life, together with their explication in the Tables accompanying them; hoping, that he will there find satisfaction.     

The Reader is desired to take notice, that, having on the Frontispiece of this Book represented two Vipers, a Male and a Female, conjoined tempore coitts, and there being in the exterior part of their Body no considerable difference in the one from the other, but in their Tail, of which the representation may be seen separately in the second Figure; I thought it needless, to exhibit the whole Figure of a Male by itself; and have contented myself to have engraven the Female in the state she is at the time when she produceth her young ones, which is that, which seemed to me the most considerable for her exterior Figure.  
He will also find no fault with the Situation, in which the Viper is represented in the Cutt, at the time when her young ones come forth, since that besides the Symmetry, which hath been there industriously observed, it was also intended to show therein the parts, that seemed very necessary to me, and that could not be represented elsewhere.   

The EXPLICATION of what is represented in the first Scheme.  
A A A. The Female Viper, bringing forth her young Vipers, exhibiting the lowermost part of her Body; where you may see the great Scales, on which she creepeth.  
B B B B. Four young Vipers, each in one of the corners of the Cut, appearing wreathed, and in the same posture and situation, wherein we have seen them alive and ready to come forth; two of which appear without cover, one covered with its Coat, and the other having a piece of its Afterbirth depending from its Navel.  
C C C C. Four other young Vipers, within the ●ound, which the Viper formeth; one of which appears creeping, and clear of its Secundine; the other having it yet depending from its Navel; the third coming forth and training along with it the Secundine; and the last wrapped about by it, and in the state, wherein it was, when ready to be born.  
D D. A part of a Female Viper, represented open under the belly long-ways, and turned upside down, from the place of the Gall, unto the Orifice of the Matrix.  
E. The Gall.  
F. The Pancreas or Sweetbread, which many have taken for the Spleen.  
G. The bottom of the Stomach.  
H. The beginning of the Intestins.  
I. I. I. The Eggs contained in the two bodies of the Matrix, but being found in a far greater plenty in the right, than the left body.  
K. A part of the last Gut.  
L. The Orifice of the Matrix, and of the Gut.  
M M. The two little Bags, which join to the beginning of the two bodies of the Matrix.  
N N. A part of each of the Kidneys.   

The EXPLICATION of what is represented in the second Scheme.  
A A. The first half of the body of a Male Viper, flayed, turned upside down, and open under the belly from one end to the other, containing  
B B. The Windpipe.  
C C. The Lungs.  
D. The Thymus or Kernel.  
E. The Heart.  
F. The Liver.  
G. The great Vein, called Vena cava.  
H H. The Oesophagus or Weasand.  
I. The ascending branch of the Aorta.  
L. The descending branch of the same Artery.  
M. The Stomach.  
N N. The other half of the Body, in the same condition with the first, containing  
O. The bottom of the Stomach.  
P. The bladder of Gall.  
Q. The Pancreas, or, according to some, the Spleen.  
R R R. The Intestins.  
S. S. The Testicles, together with their Epididymis.  
T T. The Spermatick Vessels.  
V V. The Kidneys.  
a a. The Tail of a Male, to which are annexed the parts that follow.  
b b. The two members of Generation, as they come forth at the time of the Coit.  
c c. The two Parastates, or Conservatories of the Seed.  
d d. The two Spermatique Vessels.  
e e. The two Testicles.  
f f. The two Epididymes.  
g g g. The Guts.  
h h. The two Kidneys.  
i i. The Tail of a Female, to which are joined the parts following.  
l l. The Orifice of the Matrix.  
m m. The two small Bags.  
n n n n. The two bodies of the Matrix.  
oh o. The two Testicles with their Epididymes, and Spermatique Vessels.  
p p. The Intestins.  
q q. The two Kidneys.  
r r. A great part of the body of a Lizard, of the same length and bigness, it was vomited up by a Viper, many days after this had been taken.  
s s. The rest of the Head, and the rest of the Forelegs of the same Lizard, cast up at the same time.  
t t. The Oesophagus, that had contained the said great part of the Lizard.  
u u. The Stomach, that had contained, and by little and little extracted the juicy substance of the rest of this Animal's body.   

The EXPLICATION of what is exhibited in the third Scheme.  
A. A whole Sceleton of a Viper.  
B. The Head having its Throat closed, represented with a part of its Neck.  
C. The Head having its Throat in part open, flayed on its side, and there presenting the Salival Glands, together with their Lymphatic vessels, above the great Teeth.  
D. The Head without Neck, represented with the Throat open.  
E. Another Head without Neck, more open, and distinctly showing all its internal parts that can be there represented, and which may be easily understood in reading the places, where I speak of them.  
F. The whole Skull of a Viper.  
G. The inferior part of this separated Skull.  
H. The conglomerate Salival Glands, represented with their Lymphatic vessels, a little bigger than the natural, to make them the better to be understood, and as well as their smallness permits.  
I. The same Salival Glands; the two Eyes with their Optic Nerves; the five bodies of the Brain, and that of the Spinal Marrow, adhering together, severed from the Crane, and represented by the face above.  
L. The same bodies joined together, represented by the face below.  
M. Divers great Teeth, some by themselves, some in their bag, others accompanied by the Teeth Exspectants, which are set beneath them in the same bag.  
N. The upper Jaw articulated to a small bone, which by its other end is articulated to the root of the great Tooth.  
O. The lower Jaw, consisting of two bones, and articulated to the lower bone of the Clavicle bend like an Elbow, which depends from the posteriour lateral part of the Skull.  
P. The Lungs with the Windpipe without the body.  
Q. The Heart in its Pericardium or enclosing Membrane.  
R. The Liver separated in two Lobes by the Vena Cava.  
S. The bladder of Gall, with the vessel that carrieth its juice into the Intestins.  
T. The Pancreas or Sweetbread, which some take for the Spleen.  
V. The Intestins.   

EXPERIMENTS ABOUT VIPERS.  

CHAPT. I.  
The Biting of a Viper, happened to a Man.  
IN the Month of June of the year 1668, I procured a great number of live Vipers, Males and Females, to put the design in execution, I had purposed to myself; Which was, to know in truth all the good and all the evil, a Viper was capable of. I was happy enough in exciting the Curiosity of many intelligent Persons, and amongst others, of some Physicians of my acquaintance, very knowing and sagacious, who were pleased to take the pains of coming to my house every day, to assist in these experiments, and to impart to me their directions.  
The first Meeting of all proved a sad one by a surprising misfortune. A certain Forrainer, drawn to see our Experiments by his own curiosity, felt in his own person, contrary to his expectation, a great part of the grievous accidents, which may be caused by Vipers, and furnished us, sore against our wills, with an Experiment, which was followed with circumstances too considerable to be suppressed; and I thought myself obliged to recite them first of all, because it was not only the first, but the only, that hath furnished us with more remarkable things, than all the rest.  
This Gentleman, of 25 years of age, had been by chance the day before at my house, when five or six dozen of Vipers were brought thither. He would needs see them immediately, and I, being desirous to satisfy his Curiosity, drew out of the Vessel one of the Vipers. He was not contented to see her, but took her in his hand, and kept her there for about a great quarter of an hour, suffering her to turn and wind herself about his hand and arm, the Viper not so much as offering to bite him. Then he tied her about her neck, and so having hanged her, pulled off her skin, and emptied her of her Guts to examine them. I am assured, that he would have been sound bitten at that time, if the Viper had been vexed; but not having been so, and being pleased to breathe another air than that of the Vessel, where she had been long shut in, she let herself be tied, after which she could not do that mischief, which certainly she would have done, if she had not been tied.  
But this proved quite otherwise the next day; for this stranger being come again to my house at the hour of the Assembly, he saw one of the Vipers upon the Table, which had been held a long while between Pincers, and was much angered. He would take her with his naked hand, though he was earnestly warned to forbear, it being represented to him, that he had been too bold already the day before. He had no sooner taken her in his hand, but she turned her head to bite him, and with one of her great bend teeth, she laid hold on the lateral inward part of his right thumb, a little above the situation of the nail. The pricking appeared no more than that of a pin; and it seemed to us not deep, and on the surface we only saw a very small hole with a very little redness; so that it was not discernible but by its colour. There was not upon, nor about this little hole, any sign of that yellow liquor contained in the bags about the great teeth, and which is wont to be shed upon the wound, when a Viper biteth deep; yet the pricking caused some pain to him at the very first, but the finger swelled not of it, no intumescence appearing but some hours after, as we shall relate more amply in the sequel.  
It was found proper to scarify the part wounded, and to make strong ligatures above the place bitten, both to stop the effects of the Venom, and to discharge the wounded part of the same; but the Patient opposed these means, not believing them necessary; and he could very hardly be persuaded to endure any scarification; after which, he endured also an iron spatule very hot and heated over and over again, held very near to the pricked place; which was done, to keep the pores open, and to fetch back and draw out some part of the poison: Mean while, we made the Patient take two drachms of Theriaque in half a glass of Wine.  
In less than half a quarter of an hour after the pricking, the patient felt some debility, and called for a chair; he waxed at the same time very pale, and his pulse was found very low, very quick, and even interrupted. These accidents were followed by convulsive motions, and by a stifness of his whole body, and chiefly of his neck, and the muscles of his head: he then also complained of a very great pain towards his Navel; and there appeared a coldness in his extreme parts, and in the whole face, which was covered with little drops of cold sweat: his lips also were swelled, especially the lower. And finding himself urged by the pains about his Navel, and a disposition to go to stool, he rose, and having voided some excrements, he vanished away, and at the same time vomited not only all the Theriaque he had taken, but all he had eaten at dinner, which was yet un-digested. We made haste to succour him, and found him so feeble, that he was not able to go up again to the chamber, whence he was come down. And in regard his pulse continued weak, low, quick, and unequal, and his swoundings frequent, as well as his cold sweats, it was thought seasonable to give him a drachm of Viper-powder in Theriacal and Carduus Benedictus water, and to apply to him a great Plaster of Theriaque upon the Heart and Stomach, but he soon rejected what he had taken. One also came to give him some of the Orvietan, mixed with new powder of Vipers, but he vomited up that also, and desired to be put upon a bed, and to have other help administered to him. During all which time, he neither wanted his senses, nor the use of reason, notwithstanding all the feebleness of his Body; and he had had great aversion to the Orvietan, having no faith at all in it, and not consenting to take it, but out of respect to some of those that were present, who had pressed it upon him.  
This vomiting not giving time to the remedies to convey and communicate their virtue to the noble parts, it was judged very proper to have recourse to the Volatile Salt of Vipers, because that being very volatile and exceeding fit to be quickly conveyed to all the parts, even the most remote, the Patient might thence feel the effects with more speed and efficacy, than from all the other grosser remedies, which having been rejected as soon as they were taken, had not had time to be made effectual by the stomach, nor to impart their virtue where need required.  
We therefore caused to be dissolved a drachm of this volatile Salt of Vipers in Theriacal and Carduus water, and gave him about a quart of this mixture; he kept it a little while, and then cast up a part of it, mingled with store of phlegm very viscous. We made him take another like quantity of the same mixture, which he also kept for some time, and then vomited up, what might have remained of it in his Stomach, and amongst it much phlegm. We continued to give him still more of the same composition as fast as he vomited it up; and there were also given him several Clysters, to appease the violent and stubborn pains, which he felt about his Navel.  
His lips remained still swollen, his pulse naught, and his sweat cold, as well as his faintings continued very long; but having persisted in the use of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, his vomiting ceased, and he kept the eighth dose in his belly, which was given him about four hours after he received the mischief: the symptoms lessened from that time, the cold began little by little to retire, and gave place to the natural heat, which appeared sufficiently about five hours after the pricking; his pulse returned, and was even and strong, but somewhat high.  
It was about ten of the clock at night, that the most troublesome accidents disappeared, the Patient was happy in his unhappiness, in being speedily and rationally succoured. I left him not, before his mortal accidents had ceased; and then he was carried to his lodgings, whether I accompanied him, and he was put to bed; and by the advice of those persons, that frequently visited him during his distemper, I made a mixture of one drachm of Confection of Hyacinthe, and of as much of the Confection of Alkermes, and of one ounce of Syrup of Lemons, and of four ounces of Carduus-water, which was given him at three times, from three hours to three hours. There were given him Citrons to smell to, and from time to time some slices of them sugared. He took good broths, and drank ptisan made with Scorzonera-roots, and the shave of Hartshorn, mingled with Syrup of Lemons, he also drank sometimes a little wine, and there was dissolved of the Confection of Alkermes, sometimes in his broth, sometimes in his ptisane.  
This is a thing remarkable enough, that during all the great accidents, his finger was not changed, and there appeared not any swelling upon it, but that began, when those accidents ceased. In the mean time, the pains about the navel continued, though they were in some little degree abated; which obliged the Physicians often to prescribe him Clysters. His belly was a little stiff, but not swelled; his tongue was whitish, but not dry; his eyes faint and wan; his countenance pale, and his lips still swelled.  
The swelling of the finger extended itself that night over the whole hand; which was often anointed with the Oil of Scorpions, composed by Matthiolus, and mixed with the Queen of Hungarie's water, but, notwithstanding this anointing, the tumour passed onto the arm the next day, with pain and redness, and advanced to the Eye. It was thought fit to apply fomentations made with the roots of Angelica, Imperatoria, Carlina, and Aristolochia, and with the tops of Scordium, Centaurium, Wormwood, St. John's wort, Calamint, boiled in White wine, and withal to continue the anointing with the said Oil of Scorpions among these fomentations. Although this was done with great care, yet there appeared no great effect upon it; the Patient was squeamish, and once vomited up even his broth; but this vomiting continued not. He always used the same internal and external remedies, and the same food; but although he found his other limbs in a good condition, and his pulse very equal and moderate, nor had any drought, heat, or pain in the rest of his body, yet was that of the Navel obstinate; and the swelling and the redness of the hand and arm still increased; and from the beginning of the third day, it had seized on the shoulder of the same side, and descended to the armpit, upon the whole breast, and all the neighbouring parts, and even the whole region of the Liver, notwithstanding the continual use of the fomentations, and the Oil of Scorpions.  
All these considerations, joined to the hot season, wherein we were, made us apprehend, lest the gangrene should strike to those parts. It was believed, that, since the outward remedies which had been judged most expedient, had proved successless, recourse must be had to internal ones; which induced the Physicians to give him, in the evening of the third day, a drachm of the root of Contra-yerva in powder, dissolved in cordial waters, with as much confection of Alkermes: but we saw no abatement of the redness, swelling, or pain; on the contrary, we observed, that the swelling seemed to seize on the left side.  
After we had well examined all things, we found it very necessary to return to the use of our first inward remedy, which had struck the great stroke, and had had a manifest good operation; I mean, the Volatile Salt of Vipers. This was in the morning of the fourth day after the biting. So we gave him half a drachm of that Salt, dissolved in four ounces of Carduus water, and we ordered that he should be well covered, to make him sweat. This medicine did work according to our expectation and desire; for the Patient not only did sweat abundantly, but found a very considerable amendment in all the ill Symptoms that had remained. His pain about the navel was almost not sensible; the tumour of his Lips, and that, which was in the region of the Liver, Breast, and under the Armpits, vanished, and that of the shoulder, Arm and Hand was much abated, as well as the redness and pain.  
We thence judged, that we should certainly cure the rest; and to compass it, we gave the next morning to our Patient a like dose of that Volatile Salt of Vipers, which made him sweat again very largely; the pain of the Navel ceased altogether; the swelling of the shoulder was wholly gone; and that of the whole arm and hand was yet much more abated, as well as the redness and pain. And not to leave the cure imperfect, though the patient found himself exceedingly amended, we gave him the next day another such dose again, and the day following one more, whereby the whole swelling, all the redness, and all the pain of the arm, hand, and the finger itself, were dissipated; Mean while there was applied to the finger a little plaster to cicatrize the incisions, that had been made there, and which were healed three or four days after. Which did not hinder the Patient to go abroad, and to do his business, as well as if he had never been bitten by the Viper.  
Those that shall read this History, and examine all the circumstances of it, the several and surprising accidents of the biting of the Viper, which we saw, and the effectual operation of the remedies, employed to remove them, will therein find ample matter to exercise their reasoning upon, and will soon judge, that we had cause, accurately to inquire, as we have done, into all the parts of a Viper, to know them well, and what they can do; to make a great number of Experiments upon all its parts, and to apply ourselves to the preparation of the excellent remedies, that may be drawn from the body of this Animal.  
The Extraordinary effect of its Volatile Salt, in stopping and in overcoming, first of all the Venom, which so violently exercised its tyranny over the natural heat, and all the noble parts, and which doubtless would have altogether triumphed over them: the activity, penetration, and force of the same Salt, going to find out the poison, and expelling it from the remotest parts of the body, where it had fortified itself, and whence it endeavoured to regain the place it had lost, and where, in the mean time, it seemed to despise the ordinary most powerful remedies. All this, I say, is sufficient to make it to be wondered at; and men will, doubtless, aver, that the ill, which Vipers are able to cause, and which every one may easily avoid, is nothing in comparison of such a remedy, as the same Vipers can furnish, and which may serve, not only to heal their bitings, but also to overcome many other obstinate diseases, against which the ordinary remedies perform nothing; not to speak of many other good preparations, made of Vipers, which we intent to describe hereafter.    

EXPERIMENTS Of the Biting of Vipers, upon other Animals.  

CHAPT. II.  
Experiments upon Dogs.  
THE effects, that are surprising, are wont sensibly to touch the Minds of Men; and they are they, which excite the Curious to inquire into the Cause of them; and although this do always precede those, yet it would not be known, and we should not so much as be aware that it was, if the effects thereof did not first appear. Being therefore to treat of the Biting of Vipers, we hope, it will not be thought amiss, if we begin with the recitation of the Experiments, by the Examples of its effects. And not to be tedious to the Reader; having reviewed all that hath been experimented at my house, both the last and this year, I shall confine myself to what I think deserves most to be communicated, what serveth most to our purpose, and what may give most satisfaction to the Curious.  
One of the most considerable Experiments was made on a Dog, which was bitten by an angered Viper at the upper lip. The dog was not much moved at it at first, but little by little grew sad, and his jaw began to swell: a little while after he vomited up the last food he had taken, and dunged. Then some bread, flesh, and water being offered him, he would touch none of it, he remained in a prostrate posture without complaining, the place of the pricking waxed livid, and this lividness extended itself to the neck, and as far as the breast, as did also the swelling. At length he died, but not till forty hours were passed after the biting. His belly appeared not swollen, and without we observed nothing extraordinary but the tumour and lividness in the part pricked, and thereabout. The Dog being opened after his death, we found in the tronc of the vena cava a little blood curdled, and we noted, that the rest of the blood, in this place, in the heart, and every where else, was of a dark colour, and of a very ill consistence, as if it were blood in part dissolved and corrupted. The Stomach appeared of a darkish colour, but the Mesentery and the Guts were darker. We found no alteration in the Heart, Liver, Lungs, nor the Spleen; all these parts being of a very fine colour, and in their natural condition.  

The Biting of a Dog at the Ear.  
THis Dog howled from the time he felt the biting, and continued his howling for half an hour; then he ceased to howl and to complain. The place pricked waxed livid, and swelled, as also did the Neighbouring parts. This dog vomited not, but voided some excrements, which seemed natural. He would neither eat nor drink, no more than the first, and he soon died, having lived no longer than twenty four hours after he had been bitten. We saw outwardly nothing un-common, but the lividness and swelling at the neighbouring part, and thereabout. But having opened him, we found all the inward parts in the same condition with those of the former dog. 'Tis true, we did not find in this dog any coagulated blood, neither in the heart, nor the vena cava, nor else where, but it was of an obscure colour, and of an odd consistence, and in a visible disposition to coagulate.   

Another biting of a Dog.  
WE had a Dog bitten by an irritated Viper at the tip of his Nose, the dog howled, when he felt himself bitten, but was soon appeased, falling to lick the place pricked, and to scratch it with his paws. He lay not down, but continued for some time in that exercise, and went up and down in the chamber. The place bitten became somewhat black and blue, but swelled not; and a little while after the dog drank and eat, as if he had never been bitten: The lividness disappeared little by little, and the Dog was as well as ever.   

The Biting of a little dog.  
A Young Puppy, but 7. or 8. days old, was bitten in the leg by an enraged Viper; the dog began to howl as soon as he was bitten, and so continued till he died, which he did one hour after. The part pricked was swelled and livid, as in the former, and the animal being opened, we found nothing extraordinary in his body, save only some lividness in the Stomach and Guts, and some blackishness and ill consistence in the blood, as in the others; for all the other inward parts appeared to us very sound.   

Another biting of a Dog.  
WE caused also another Dog to be bitten under the Belly by another angered Viper. He howled presently, but that lasted not long. The place bitten swelled much, and was very livid, and the tumour and lividness reached over all the natural parts. This Dog drank often, but would eat nothing, and was always in this condition without growing worse. Two days after, to be more certain of the thing, we caused him to be bitten again, and that twice, near the same place, where he had been bitten at first. He again howled much, and the swelling increased, and extended itself over the whole belly, as well as the black and blue colour; but it went no further; for the dog often licked his wounds, and drank store of water, and at last fell to eat, so that without any other remedy, but his tongue, all the swelling and blue colour vanished in five or six days. And the dog was in the same condition, he had been in before he was wounded.   

Another Dog bitten in the Tongue.  
THis Dog gave us some trouble; for he defended himself a great while, before he would let out his Tongue; but yet at last he received therein a deep bite by an enraged Viper. At first he howled extremely, so as to be heard afar off, and so continued, tossing and tormenting himself for half an hour together, and then died. We opened him also, and although the Heart, Liver, Lungs, and Spleen were in a very good condition, his tongue was exceedingly livid; his mesentery covered all over with black spots, some of which were blacker then lentils, under which there was coagulated blood; the Stomach and Guts were also blacker than those of all the others. The blood very black, and beginning to coagulate in the heart, and in the vena cava, being also of the consistence of blood curdled and corrupted.  
This last Experiment gave us great satisfaction, informing us fully of the effects of the venomous biting of a Viper, and showing us, that the poison goes not directly to the noble parts, seeing we never observed any alteration therein, but that 'tis chiefly the blood it works upon, since it corrupts the substance thereof, coagulateth it, or separateth its parts, disturbs its circulation; and at the same time hinders the communication of the Spirits through the whole body, depriving the noble parts of them, as well as of the pure blood, which was wont to bedew them, and destroying them indirectly, by causing this privation of Spirits and of the good liquor, whence depends their subsistence.  
We also found thereby that the progress of the venom of a Viper's biting principally depends from the place bitten, and from the bigness of the veins or arteries, which the teeth hath lighted on. For, the tongue of the Dog being full of veins and arteries, 'tis no wonder, if the Venom, meeting with them, and finding in them a large way, very short and very free to triumph over the bitten animal, did soon produce its effects, and caused death much more speedily, than that, which met only with small, slender and winding branches, by which its way was straighter, more about, and longer; though it failed not to do execution at last; which it would have done sooner, if the passage had been freer.  
We may judge by the effects of the venom of the Vipers biting in those dogs, and especially in the last, that the vomiting, and the extreme pains about the Navel, which befell the Gentleman, above discoursed of, proceeded partly from the blood which was coagulated or disposed to coagulation in its course, and which could not freely circulate; and partly from this, that the spirits, which accompany the blood in the circulation, finding obstacles in their passage, endeavoured to make way for themselves, and to that end, doing violence to the lateral parts in their way, caused in those places the extreme pains, which the Patient felt there; which might also be augmented by the blood, that probably was coagulated out of the great vessels, and might be dispersed in the form of spots in the Mesentery, or elsewhere, just as in the body of the Dog.  
We may conclude also, that the cold sweats, the convulsions and the faintings, wherewith the Patient was molested, came from nothing else, but the defect of the ordinary commerce of the spirits with the noble parts, and from the goodness and purity of the blood destinated to bedew them.  
Concerning the success of the remedies employed to cure the said Gentleman, we shall declare our thoughts thereof in the sequel of our Experiments, after we shall have given proofs sufficient to support them.  
As to the Dogs, that were cured by licking the wound, I think that that was a good means to recall and draw back the venom; and I am much of their opinion, who believe, that if the person bitten, or some friend for him, should for a good while and strongly suck the wound, it would be cured, provided that the teeth of the Viper have not lighted upon some great vessel, whereby the progress of the venom may prevail over the force of sucking. I am also persuaded, that these sucked and recalled Spirits are incapable to annoy him who sucks them, partly because they have been weakened by the action they have been upon, partly because they are then destitute of the instruments proper to convey and second their action, to wit, the teeth of the Viper.    

CHAPT. III.  
EXPERIMENTS Of the Biting of Vipers, made upon Pigeons and Pullet's.  
THE Experiments made upon these Animals have likewise been very useful to us, to know the effects of the Biting of Vipers, which have been very like in both.  
We caused a Pigeon and a Pullet to be bitten by a vexed Viper, almost at the same time, in the most fleshy part, namely in that under the breast. We soon after observed in both a very thick and extraordinary beating of the heart, which went on still increasing, and in such a manner, that both Pigeon and Pullet were dead in less than half an hour. We soon opened them, and found in both of them a little blood coagulated in the heart and the vena cava, and all the rest of the blood blackish, disposed to curdle, and as 'twere turned and corrupt; but the Heart, and Liver, and all the inward and outward parts of a very good colour, and in a very good condition, save that a little lividness appeared upon the place bitten.  
We have frequently observed the same thing in many Pullet's and Pigeon: But it will not be amiss, here to relate the different success in two Pigeons, we caused to be bitten equally and in the same place by an angered Viper. One of them we made to swallow the weight of about half a crown of Theriack, a moment before it was bitten, giving nothing to the other. The former being bitten, went to and fro in the room, so as not to show any sign of illness, but the latter was dead in less than a quarter of an hour We afterwards caused the former to be bitten again in the leg; and than it grew sick by little and little, and died half an hour after. We found the place of the first pricking much more livid, then that of the Pigeon, which died in a quarter of an hour; and even more than the place of the leg, which was bitten afterward. We judged, that the vexed spirits unable to penetrate into the body, defended by the Theriaque, had wrought upon the outward part, and round about the place bitten, where they had coagulated the blood, and caused the lividness; whereas the like spirits, having met with no resistance in the other Pigeon, had gained and wrought upon the inner parts, having left and as 'twere despised the place, at which they were entered. We also wondered not, that the Theriaque, which had vigorously repulsed the Spirits introduced by the first bite, could not resist the latter but for half an hour, and that at last it was forced to yield, in regard that the number of the enemies was great, and being weakened by the conflict, it had but now endured, had not force enough to bear up against the new assault of the latter.  
We did also prick several times, and pretty deep, dogs, pigeons and pullets, with the long teeth of Vipers, some pulled out of the throat of dead ones, others out of such as were alive. There was also one of the company, who handling a dead viper's head, had a mind to prick his finger, and actually did so, with one of the great teeth, so that the blood issued. I also myself thrust into my hand one of them, and so deep, that a piece of it remained more than half an hour in my flesh; but in all this we found not the least appearance of venom, nor any ill, but such, as might be caused by the pricking of a Pin, or some such thing.  
We also deplumed a Pigeon at the most fleshy place, and holding with both our hands the jaws of a Viper open, and making her raise her great teeth, we pressed both the jaws at once against that fleshy part, and caused the teeth deeply to enter into it, and ordered the matter so, that the yellow liquor of the Gums had time enough to pass into the wounds, which the teeth had made. We at the same time saw, that the blood issued out of the wounds, and mingled itself with the yellow juice, which remained there. We had then ready a little stone, come from Portugal, which those of that Country call the Snake-Stone, being pretty black, shining, roundish, and flat, about the bigness of a French piece of five Sols, but three times thicker; which we presently applied to the place bitten, which was covered with blood, and with the yellow liquor mingled therewith. The stone immediately was fastened to the wound, and we perceived nothing, extraordinary in the Pigeon. We might have believed, that this safety of the Pigeon was due to the virtue of this Stone, which they would assure us was infallible against the bitings of Vipers and all kinds of Serpents, if we had not some days before tried the like Stone upon a Pigeon, bitten in the same place by an angry Viper, and if that wound had not been followed by the death of that Pigeon, a quarter of an hour after. We thought, this very well deserved another experiment; and having still the same Stone by us, which seemed to have saved the former pigeon, and such another, which the Lord Ambassador of Spain had trusted his Physician with, we by one and the same enraged Viper caused to be bitten two Pigeons of equal bigness and fleshiness, each in the same place, well freed from its feathers. The blood was seen upon both wounds; but there appeared but little of the yellow liquor. We soon applied both the Stones, one to each Pigeon; they presently stuck fast to the places pricked; but we saw immediately in both a very high and thick beating of the heart, which was followed by the death of both Pigeons, which happened at one and the same time, in less than a quarter of an hour.  
We had also a mind to know, whether the Venom, that had so much force upon the blood, were also able to make some ill impression upon the noble or solid parts of the bitten animals, which parts appeared to us very fair and very well conditioned. We gave also a Pigeon, dead of a Vipers biting, to be eaten by a Cat that was very lean, which fed very greedily upon it; and the same did afterwards eat many more, and Pullet's also; upon which she grew very fat, so far was she from finding any inconvenience thereby.  
Moreover we had a desire to learn, whether one and the same Viper was able to kill by its biting divers animals wounded, one presently after another; and whether the Venom was exhaustible, so that the animals, bitten last, might be free from its mischievousness. To know the truth hereof, we caused to be bitten five Pigeons one after another, by the same Viper, which we angered every time she was to bite: All these Pigeons soon died; and we particularly observed, that the last bitten died first of all. And as to the Blood, and all the inward and outward parts, they were in a manner alike with those of the Pigeon, that was bitten first.  
The various Experiments, we have been relating, do insensibly oblige us to deliver our thoughts concerning the Venom of Vipers, and its operation. We think this to be a proper place to declare ourselves here, and afterwards to employ the rest of our main experiments for the defence of what we shall have advanced upon this Subject.   

CHAP. IU.  
Of the Venom of a Viper's Biting, and its Operation.  
THE Antiens, prevented by the opinion, that there were very few parts in a Viper, that were exempt of poison, have but very slightly examined them. And as they esteemed that the Choler of the Viper did much contribute to the Venom, believing, that the seat thereof was in the Gall, they there also settled that of the poison, and imagined, that the taste of the Gall, very sharp and very bitter, was an argument of its malignity, and that the veins and arteries, which pass near the Gall, and may be followed as far as into the jaws, and appear the same through the whole body, above and below the Gall, were the pipes, which Nature had purposely formed to carry the juice of the Gall into the Gums, and that it was that liquor, which caused all the mortal Symptoms, and death itself.  
But they have not considered, that this Choler of the Viper resideth not in the Gall; that the Galls of innumerable other Animals have a taste very approaching to that of a Viper, and yet are not venomous; that the veins and arteries, which pass near the Gall, and seem to part thence and extend unto the Gums, and all the parts of the Body, are vessels designed, only to convey the blood, which have not their origin in the Gall, and which cannot carry a juice, which they could not receive: that there is not any taste of Gall in all those imagined Vessels, no more than there is in the liquor of the Gums, nor in all the rest of the Body above the Gall: and that in the whole Bladder of Gall there is but one vessel, that is any thing considerable, though it be very slender, which issuing, as we have said, from the internal side of the upper part of the Gall, descends (so far is it from ascending) and discharges itself into the first intestine, according to the description we have made of it, and conformably to the Figure, that may be seen in the Cut.  
But not to stay upon principles so slightly established, and ill maintained, forasmuch as we have on our side a great number of Experiments, upon which we are grounded; We say, That the Gall of a Viper is not at all Venomous, but that on the contrary it contains a Virtue, that is Balsamic and cleansing, and very proper for many good uses; that there is no Vessel, which carries its juice to the Vesicles, that are about the great teeth; that the yellow liquor, therein contained, is in all things very different from that of the Gall, excepting that they are both equally free from Venom; that that yellow liquor is gathered, and formed by the Salival Glands, above described; that it is carried into those Vesicles or Baggs by the Lymphatic vessels which part from those Glands; that this juice is nothing but a pure and plain Saliva, of which we have already observed the use; and that this juice contributes nothing to the venomousness of the Biting; since, being tasted and swallowed (as we have often experimented) it does no hurt neither to man nor beast; and since also, being put upon open wounds, and upon incisions made in the flesh, the same being rubbed therewith, and mingled with the blood, it annoys nothing at all: notwithstanding the judgement of a person very intelligent, and particularly in this subject of Vipers, woe assures to have made a great number of Experiments; which being contrary to ours, the great opinion we have of the abilities and the sincerity of that famous man, hath obliged us to employ the more care and exactness, and to confirm ourselves, by a very great number of Experiments, which have always been found alike, in the truth, we here assert, and of which we shall make evident and irrefragable proof.  
We say further, that there is no other venom in all the other parts of the Body; and more, that there is none even in the great teeth, if the Viper be not alive, and the biting not accompanied with vexed and enraged Spirits. The hurt, which the teeth doth, when the Viper biteth, consists chiefly in that it opens a door to the angered Spirits, without which irritation the Biting of the teeth is not mortal, and aught to be no further considered then for the deep and direct wound, which a tooth, so sharp, so long, and so slender, of any other animal whatsoever, might make. In which circumstances, the great number of Experiments, by us made, hath rendered us knowing; in regard that we have observed a quite manifest difference in the Biting of a Viper angered, from that of a Viper, which was made to bite by holding its jaws, and by pressing its great teeth into the body of some animal: because this forced action serves rather to make the Viper retain its spirits, then to let them out; for which the freedom of the animal is necessary, the spirits not being able to part, but the imagination and the Choler of the Viper must immediately precede and thrust them out. For this way of biting, by holding the jaws, and thrusting the teeth into some animal, although it emit more of the yellow liquor upon the part bitten, than the biting made by an angered Viper, left to itself, is not followed by any sinister accident, and is healed like a simple wound, whereas the other is attended with death, in case we want means of preventing it.  
The effect therefore of the venom being altogether of a spirituous nature, and not working but according as the spirits are more or less iritated and pushed on, and according as they find more or less free passage, we have reason to impute it to the exasperated Spirits, having found no footstep of it, neither real, nor apparent in all the visible parts. But the better to maintain this our assertion, we shall here give you our thoughts concerning the action of the enraged Spirits.  
These Spirits then, pushed on by the choler, which the Viper had conceived, finding the apertures, made by the Teeth, follow their inclination, and as it is their property, to advance and penetrate, they at the first seek out all ways for it, and they advance more or less, according to the facility or difficulty, they meet with. Thence it is, that the Biting is much more dangerous, when the teeth light upon the greater vessels, than when they only light upon Flesh, or the little branches of the veins and Arteries. So that the vexed Spirits of a Viper, meeting with the blood and Spirits contained in the vessels of the bitten animal, push and press them to make way for themselves, and embarassing the particles that compose the blood, cause there a coagulation or confusion, which disturbs the ordinary Circulation, and by this means hinders the communication of the Spirits, to the principal parts, from which depends their subsistence and life. And by reason of this privation they must succumb, either for having been attacked in their fort by these vexed Spirits and infected by them, or rather because these spirits of the Viper have made themselves masters of the avenues, and obstructed the passages, by which the blood and the spirits were communicated to them.  
We conclude therefore, that the imagination of the Viper being irritated by the idea of revenge which she had framed to herself, gives a certain motion to the Spirits which cannot be expressed, and bushes them violently, through the nerves and their fibres, towards the cavity of the teeth, as into a funnel; and that from htence they are conveyed into the blood of the animal, by the opening, which they have made, there to produce all those effects, of which we end eavour to give a reason. Others, more able than we, may perhaps carry their reasoning farther.  
For the rest, some have thought, that those enraged Spirits have in them a secret acidity, capable to coagulate the blood, and to hinder the Circulation, whence the mortal accidents proceed. But since that this acidity may have been produced in the mass of the Blood by its own parts, which come to be dissolved and severed, when they are tainted by the venom, and since corruption slides into it, as into milk, which soureth and corrupteth of itself, without mixing any acid thing therewith; it is not necessary to search for a coagulating Acid in the Spirits of the Viper, which cannot be perceived by the taste to know the truth of its existence therein; and that the less, because that Acid may be naturally form in the Blood of the animal bitten, without looking for it in the Viper, as if it had come from thence.  
However this be, we must agree herein, that this irritation in the fancy or in the spirits of the Viper is the main cause of the activity and piercingness of its venom, and that without it the biting would not produce such surprising effects, as those are, of which we have related so many Examples. Nor is a viper the only animal, whose biting is mortal: Dogs, Wolves, and Men themselves prove that; and not to go from our Subject, the biting of Serpents, of which the Viper is a species, is more or less malign, according to the nature of their spirits, and especially according as they are angered and exasperated.  
It seems, that Cleopatra was well instructed in this matter, when she, intending to kill herself, commanded to be brought her two Asps in a fruit-basket, and pricked them with a golden needle, which she pulled out of her hair-dress, and made herself be bitten immediately by one of those Asps in the right arm, and by the other, in her left breast; knowing (as a famous Author saith) that their natural fierceness and cruelty was not sufficient to execute well what she desired, and that it was needful, this pricking should serve to provoke the spirits to bite to purpose, and to render the wound mortal; if at least it be with their biting, as it is with that of our Vipers, who also have this particular quality, that not only they are soon angered, but that in the very moment of the irritation they by't with a strange swiftness; which speaketh much the subtlety and impetuousness of their spirits, whence depends their strength and activity. We observe also, that in distilling Vipers bodies, we thence draw very subtle and very penetrating parts, and in much greater quantity, in proportion, than from any other animal.  
In the mean time, the obstacle, which these irritated spirits of the Viper give to the communication of the spirits of the animal bitten, nor the coagulation, or confusion, which they cause to the blood, are not of that force, that specifique remedies should not master them, and restore the animal unto that Condition, wherein it was before it was wounded. Which is that, we shall prove in the sequel by divers Experiments; where we hope to show in what manner the remedies do overcome the powerful action of those enraged Spirits.   

CHAP. V.  
EXPERIMENTS Of the yellow juice, contained in the Vesicles of the great teeth, made upon divers Animals.  
IN the design, we had, well to try all things, we pursued our Experiments, and to be well assured of the quality of that yellow liquor, which hath been believed so dangerous, we caused to be bitten, by six angered Vipers, separately and several times by each of them, a slice of bread, and so much, that it had well exhausted and retained all the yellow liquor, contained in the Gums of these six Vipers: At the same time we gave this slice of bread to a fasting Dog, to eat, who was no more inconvenienced thereby, than if he had eaten a piece of dry bread, that had imbibed nothing of this juice.  
We have also often made divers Pullet's and Pigeon to swallow pieces of bread dipped in the same liquor; and we can assure, that none of these animals had any mischief thereupon.  
I myself had the curiosity to taste of this juice, which I have divers times done in the presence of many persons, without washing my mouth before or after. And several Physicians also have tasted of it themselves, both to know the taste, and to be assured of the harmlessness thereof; and 'tis certain, that they were no more incommoded thereby than myself.  
And because it hath been believed, that this juice, being thus tasted and swallowed by Men or other Animals, that had no wound nor Ulcer in their mouths, nor in their stomaches, was indeed harmless; but that it was quite another thing, when it did accompany a Biting, and entered into the openings made by the teeth and that the same being put upon an Ulcer, a wound, or a simple excoriation made on the skin, was mortal, and failed not to produce its effect, three or four hours after it had been put upon the wound; and that as well upon Men, as all other sorts of Animals, without exception; we resolved also to make many Experiments upon this account.  
I can therefore say, in the first place, that I have tasted of it myself, at such times, when my mouth was excoriated, upon which I observed, that even my spittle was a little tinging with blood, without having perceived any acrimony, or extraordinary heat. We also made a Trial upon a Pigeon, which we wounded under the wing, and in the leg in the same moment of time; and we let into each wound some of this yellow liquor, which we just afore had drawn from the gums of two enraged Vipers; then we rejoined the skin, well to enclose the said liquor, and we bound both wounds over with a band, that nothing might run out. We can assure, that the Pigeon felt not any inconveniency from it, and that we even found upon the wound, made on the leg, a coagulated drop of the juice, round, and of the same colour, as we had put it there, and the blood of the place dried, and that, soon after, both wounds were dried up, and healed of themselves.  
We also made the like Experiment upon a Cat, which we purposely wounded in the leg, but he received no harm at all by it. We have also often experimented it upon Pullet's, and other Pigeons, but always with the like success, and without any offence to the Animals.  
The same trial hath been thrice made at three several times, and even twice in one day, upon a dog, whom we had wounded on purpose towards the bottom of the Ear, where he could not lick his wound; and no mischief at all followed upon it.  
We cannot but add here an Experiment of the mortal effect of the enraged Spirits, without any intervention of the yellow liquor▪ We made a Viper several times to bite upon a slice of bread, by pressing every time its jaws against the bread, and we did this so often, that not only that juice was altogether exhausted, but that the blood began to come out of the gums. At the same time we vexed the Viper, and made it bite a Pigeon in the most fleshy part; and we observed, that indeed the effects of the venom of the biting were not so quick, the Pigeon not dying but an hour and an half after it had been bitten; but then we found also, that the teeth of the Viper were in a manner covered with the crumbs of the bread, from the force of its having bitten at it, and that that had hindered them from making a deep entrance, and that having half stopped up the pores of the tooth, a good part of the angered Spirits could not come forth; so that the death of the Pigeon could not follow so fast, though yet it happened without any mixture of the juice which had been altogether emptied.   

CHAPT. VI  
EXPERIMENTS Of the Gall, Eggs, Intestins, Head, and Blood of Vipers, made upon divers Animals.  
WE have made several Dogs and Cats to swallow the Galls of Vipers, sometimes whole, sometimes burst, and dissolved in some liquor, and sometimes six, sometimes ten, sometimes a dozen at a time; but they never found themselves ill after it, no more than the Pigeons and Pullet's that had swallowed some of it, and which we had also wounded, and afterwards rubbed with the Gall of a Viper: for this Gall served them for a Balsam, the wounds being the sooner cured thereby; so that we can justly declare the gall to be free from all venom, as well as the yellow liquor, and even inculcate here what we have already said, that the galls of Vipers have particular virtues in them.  
We can say the same of the Matrix and Eggs of a Viper, and of all the Intestins, of which we often have made good quantities to be swallowed by Dogs and Cats, some of which have eaten thereof with greediness, when they could light upon't; and none ever hath felt any trouble after it. On the contrary, we have tried, that having caused to be bitten, at the thickest place of the Ear, by a sufficiently vexed Viper, a young Cat, very lean, that had but just before eaten the Eggs, the Matrix, and all the guts of a Viper; the biting had almost no effect, and there appeared nothing but a very little swelling, and a very inconsiderable lividness in the place bitten.  
We have further made many Dogs and Pigeons swallow the Heads of Vipers, newly cut off, and yet living, having only cut with Scissors the point of their great teeth, lest in passing down they should bite the throat, or the inward parts of the animals, that were to devour them; but we have not observed any thing after it, that was extraordinary, in all those creatures.  
We had also a desire to find, Whether a Viper, being eaten by an Animal, which it had bitten before, would be cured of that biting. We therefore caused to be slightly broiled the head of a Viper, which had on it a part of its neck, newly severed from the body; and we made a Dog to be thrice bitten at the Ear by a well enraged Viper, in such a manner that the blood came out at the three places pricked. We soon cast before him the head and neck, broiled, and yet hot. The dog, that was hungry, and felt not so soon the effects of the bitings, immediately seized on the head, bruised it between his teeth, and swallowed it down: after which we stayed a pretty while to see, whether the three bitings would prevail over the devoured head and neck; but the Dog was free, except some blewness and a little tumour, he had at the places bitten, but which little by little vanished in three or four days.  
We made also a dog to be bitten three times in the same place, and without broiling the head of the same Viper that had bit him, we cast it to him, hoping that he would eat it, because he had not eaten any thing for many hours before; but the dog would not touch it. Upon that we bruised and stamped that head in a mortar, and so crammed it down the dog's throat; rubbing also the bitten places with the blood of the same Viper: which done, we expected the success; which was, that this head, raw and bruised, and if you will, assisted by the blood of the Viper, being applied to the part bitten, had produced the same effects with the former, which had been so slightly broiled; in regard that this dog was free, excepting those inconveniences the former suffered, and was, after that as sound, as if he had never been bitten.  
If these two Experiments had been made, before that Gentleman, above discoursed of, was bitten by the Viper, we should have been in much less anxiety for his preservation. But it was enough, that we were able to secure him from the dangerous effects of the biting, by ways grounded upon reason, and by remedies, that were more proper for such persons, as could not well resolve to eat the bare flesh of Vipers.   

CHAPT. VII.  
Several other Curious Experiments made upon Vipers.  
WHereas we gave but little credit to what divers Authors have assured to be true, namely, that the Head of a Viper bruised and applied to the biting of it would heal the same; we made a Pigeon to be bitten in the most fleshy part of its body, well freed of its feathers, and we cut, bruised, and applied to the place bitten, the head of the same Viper, that had wounded the Pigeon, and took care to have it held upon it with a hand. We also cut the head of a living Viper, and had it slightly broiled, then bruised and laid hot to the wound of another Pigeon, which had been newly bitten in the same place, to find, whether by the heat of the broiling, the parts of the head being more opened, and the spirits more set at liberty, they would work better; but the success was not more beneficial for one Pigeon, than the other; for they both died half a quarter of an hour after they had been bitten; and their bodies being opened, we found in them, what we did in others, killed by Vipers, namely a blackish blood, in part coagulated, and half corrupted, in the heart and the great vessels; but we took notice, that there was less black & blue about the place bitten; which was perhaps all the effect, that these bruised heads had produced, which had not been able to carry their virtue any farther.  
It is not so, (to say that on the by) with the pricking of a Scorpion, which being bruised on the part stung, serves for an Antidote, and cureth: for which this reason may be alleged, that the venom of a Scorpion, not working so briskly, and not piercing with so much quickness unto the inward parts; the Spirits, that issue from the bruised Scorpion, have leisure to make way for themselves, and to go and find out the venom, to join with it, and to make it come forth; whereas the venom of the Viper goes immediately to taint the mass of the blood, and the parts which it bedeweth; as was apparent in our Gentleman, who had no pains nor swelling in his arm, but after all the other accidents; contrary to the operation of the Scorpion's Venom, which, before it passeth further, acteth upon the part pricked by benumbing, cold, and tension, or by inflammation, and very great pains; as those Authors, that have written thereof, and the persons, that have been pricked by them, do assure.  
We have found very true, what Signior Redi hath said of the effects of the Essence of Tobacco upon Vipers; That, running their skin through with a thread dipped in that essence, and leaving the thread in the skin, the Viper dies in less than a quarter of an hour, and becomes as hard as brass, but soon after supple and pliant. We have also tried, that a little piece of Tobacco in the roll, held in the throat of a Viper, and the smoke of Tobacco blown into its throat produce the like effect, but a little more slowly; and that both do cause convulsions, and extraordinary contractions in a viper, which are attended with death; and that, when all the other parts of the body are deprived of motion, the heart yet beats about half an hour after; and that Tobacco, or its essence, kills Snakes as well as Vipers. I know not, whether this will do with other animals, since, having run a thread dipped in the essence of Tobacco, into the skin of the under-belly of a Dog, he immediately howled very much, and continued so to do for half a quarter of an hour, running round, then lying down, and then rising again, and in the mean time purging above and below, and voiding excrements more liquid then ordinarily. He would eat nothing, and only drunk now and then a little, after which he vomited; but this was all the trouble he had, which insensibly went away, and soon after, without any other accident.  
We have vexed a viper, and made it to bite another viper, which on purpose we held within the reach of its teeth. But although she opened her throat, and put herself into a posture of biting, yet she refrained, and sunk not her teeth deep into the body of the other; which moved us to thrust them ourselves by pressing her jaws; but the bitten viper received no inconvenience from it. Yet we have observed, that a viper which was made to swallow some of the essence of Tobacco, and which we yet held by the neck with pincers, did bite herself; but as the essence alone failed not to kill her, so there was no reason to impute her death to this kind of biting, which was probably an effect of the convulsive motions caused by the essence of Tobacco.  
We also pierced twice, in the daylight, with the point of a penknife, the head of a live viper in the midst of the Brain, from the top to the bottom; one thrust long-ways, the other cross-ways, and in such a manner, that the blood run out both above and below; but notwithstanding, the viper, being let loose, crept about as before, and as if she had not been wounded; but she still lost blood by the wounds, and at last died at the end of an hour, but her heart did still beat and continue to do so two hours after. Which Experiment sufficiently argues the extraordinary vivacity of the Spirits of the viper.  
We have also put into a glass-vessel, a living viper, together with three live Scorpions, and there left them together four days; but found them in the same condition, in which they were, when we put them in, though there be Authors that assure, that these Animals kill one another, being shut up together in one and the same vessel. Mean time a viper will kill Scorpions, as well as Lizzards, and other animals to devour them and feed upon them, but that she doth only, when she is at liberty, and not when imprisoned; for than she ceaseth to take food.  
We have likewise found the contrary to what Authors have affirmed of the Waspe's attaching a Viper, and that the former would fix its sting into the head of the latter, and quitted her not, till she were dead.  
Divers Authors have assured, that all the remedies, which are reputed Alexiterial, or Preservatives against poison, did kill Vipers, by their virtue contrary and opposite to their venom. To be certain hereof, we forced a Viper to swallow half a drachm of Theriaque, dissolved in Carduus Benedictus-water; and having laid her aside, we perceived not any change in her, except that the surface of her skin appeared for a while a little moist; but she grew more vivid upon it, and more ready to bite than before.  
We had also a mind to know the effect of Spirit of Wine upon a Viper. We therefore made one swallow about a drachma of it; which thereupon was presently stun'd, and then fell into strange agitations; but seeing that that ceased little by little, we gave her another dose of the same quantity, which not only caused in her the like agitation, but afterwards made her almost un-moved, and so inebriated her that she seemed to be half dead. She remained about three hours in this condition, but at length she began to stir again, and was like the former, more brisk, and more disposed to bite than before. We put also a living Viper into a bottle almost full of Spirit of wine, and we saw, that she turned to and fro therein, now swimming on the top, then in the middle, and by and by at the bottom of the bottle, and that she resisted a good hour, before she was choked therein.  
We caused likewise a Viper to swallow some sugar, part of which was in powder, and the other part dissolved in water. She kept the whole for a while with her, but afterwards vomited it up; and having laid her aside, to see, what would become of her, we found her dead four and twenty hours after.  
We have often spit into the throats of many Vipers, even when we were fasting, but they soon after cast up our spittle, and had not any hurt thereby; though there be Authors affirming that Vipers become tabid or consumptive thereby; which yet may very well happen, not from thence, but rather from the abstinence and sadness, after a long imprisonment.  
Many Authors have mentioned, that Vipers have a great Antipathy to Ashwood, and that, if a live Viper were put within a round, made, one half, of the leaves of Ash, and the other half, of kindled coals, the Viper would rather expose herself to be burnt, then to come near the Ash-leaves. But having made a whole round of such leaves, which had about three foot in diameter, we put a Viper in the midst, which presently hid herself under those leaves.  
Whilst I had live Vipers in my house, several Women with child came to me, some designedly to see them, others without having any such thought, and even being surprised at, and abhorring the sight of them; but none of them having been inconvenienced by it; so far were they from miscarrying thereupon, as certain Authors would bear us in hand they would do. Not that such a thing may not chance to happen to some woman or other extraordinary fearful, and of a temper so delicate, that a much less occasion might produce such an effect; but that ought not to pass for a general rule.  
We have often pressed some Vipers, both Males and Females, at the place, where be the Parastates, or the Bladders containing the seed, namely under the tail, and near the openings, which serve for generation; and have so much and so long pressed them, that a white liquor came forth; but we never perceived there any piercing or ill-sented smell, no more than we did in opening those Parastates with a lance though we held our nose close to it: which is also directly contrary to what some Authors have assured thereof.   

CHAPT. VIII.  
GENERAL REFLECTIONS Upon all we have experimented.  
THE great care and attention used by us in the Experiments, we have hitherto described, and in those, we have thought fit to suppress, hath made us to profit of all the occasions, that presented themselves; and we have taken pleasure to observe all the effects, that have appeared to us, and carefully examined them, and inquired into their causes afterwards, that we might make our reflections thereon.  
The Biting of the Viper, which happened to the Gentleman Stranger, began to furnish us with much matter; and at that time we knew the Venom by its effects, which seemed to proceed from a very slight cause, it being nothing but a little pricking, and only the cut of a tooth, which was not any thing deep, and the ill of which did not seem to us increased by any of the yellow liquor of the Gums, the innocence of which was not yet fully known to us. In the mean time the mortal Accidents came on in great number, whilst continued vomitings hindered the effect of the remedies, which could not be kept in the Stomach, to communicate from thence some of their virtue to the parts affected. It was well enough known, that there was something very subtle, very quick, and very powerful in this Venom; and it was also presumed, that that resided in the Spirits; but the nature of it, or by what means, or how, or on what parts it acted, was not known so well.  
Yet we must avow, that on an occasion so pressing, so dangerous, and so extraordinary, we could not take our measures better than by having recourse to the Volatile Salt of Vipers. The cause being subtle and spirituous, there was required a remedy of the like nature, that might be able to make haste to find it out, to join with it, and to draw it to the extremities of the body, and to make it come forth by the ways, it had opened for it. But then, the continual vomiting demanded the aid of such a remedy, that could work in a moment, or execute at least by several take, what it was not able to do at the first. The happy success, which attended the use of this Volatile salt of Vipers, acquainted us with the sufficiency thereof, and showed us the mastery it had over the malignity of those Spirits. It also begot in us a desire to know aright, in what manner it produced such good effects, and to be enabled so to discourse of it, as that others might have no reason to reject our sentiments.  
We esteem therefore, that this Salt, by its subtle, volatile and piercing quality, is very proper to dissolve the coagulations of the Blood, and to sever the parts, which therein were congealed or fixed, (if we may so speak) and caused the disorder and confusion of its motion; that it performed this in the Blood of the said Gentleman, which it restored to its former condition, and so gave again to the parts the free communication of the Spirits, which they had lost. We believe also, that this Volatile Salt, by the facility it had to hook and fasten itself unto those vexed Spirits, as being of the like nature, did easily join with them, and drove them to the extremities of the body, drawing them forth through the pores of the skin, and issuing out with them by the way, it had opened for them.  
The Ligatures made about the place bitten, the Scarifications, and the approach of the well heated iron-spatuls to the wound, were to serve to stay the impetuousness of those irritated Spirits, and to give them an outlet at these openings, rather than that they should go farther: And the exhibition of the Theriaque, the Viper-powder, and the like, was to conduce to drive them back, as it might have done, if these remedies had stayed in the Stomach. As also the Epithemes of Theriaque upon the Heart and Stomach might have served much, if the action of the enraged spirits had been more slow, and if at the time of their application those spirits had not been too far advanced.  
But the Use of this Volatile Salt was to carry the Bell, as it did, from all the other remedies; and those, that were employed afterwards and in the intervals of its exhibition, were nothing, if we may so speak, but Soldiers assisting their Captain; such as the Confection of Alkermes and of Hyacinthe, which were very proper to fortify the noble parts; as also were the Syrup of Lemons, and the Decoction of Scorzonera, and the shave of Ivory.  
The Slices of Citron, which might seem to some by their acidity capable to augment the coagulation of the blood, were not given till after the Volatile Salt had used its force to dissipate it; and they served to recover the Stomach, debilitated by continual vomiting, and by their acidness to restore the lost appetite, and to help the concoction of the aliments, and their distribution into the parts, that had need of them. Besides that Citrons have a specifique virtue against the poison of Vipers, if we will believe those Authors, that have written of it; and is a great friend to the Heart and the other noble parts.  
The Anointing with the Oil of Scorpions of Matthiolus, and with the water of the Queen of Hungary, made upon the swelled parts, and the application of Alexiterial fomentations, should in all appearance have served much; but the sequel showed, that there was nothing but that Volatile Salt, which could make those angry Spirits surrender, and so was to take the honour of all.  
The Experiments, which we afterwards made upon a great number of differing Animals, have given us a much greater knowledge of the effects of Vipers-poyson, of the parts on which it works, and of those that seem to be exempt from it, though at last they do succumb: We have set down the most considerable of them, making some reflections on the biting of several Dogs, done by Vipers; but there remained still for us to discourse, Why and How the parts of Vipers, being eaten, can stop and overcome the Venom of their biting.  
We say therefore, that all the parts of a Viper abound chiefly in Volatile Salt, which in distillation is found partly alone; partly in the form of a Spirit, which properly is nothing but a Salt dissolved in some portion of Phlegm; and partly in the form of an Oil, which also is but a Salt mixed among the unctuous part of a Viper. We say also, that in the digestion, made in the Stomach, of the parts of a Viper's body, that have been swallowed down, this same Volatile Salt, which they contain, is separated, and afterwards distributed to all the parts that need them; especially if of these parts there have been swallowed enough, to furnish that quantity, which is necessary, of this Salt; and so we need not doubt, but that this Salt will produce an effect like that of the Volatile Salt, which was given to our Gentleman bitten; Unless it should be said, that this same Volatile Salt of those parts of a Viper's body, which have been swallowed, being of the same nature with the irritated Spirits, attracts them to itself, and by this union changes their malign quality, and so tames them, that they have no power over the bitten Animal; which, in my opinion, is hard enough to conceive, and perhaps established upon unsolid foundations.  
We hope, that among the many Experiments, those of the Five Pigeons, bitten one after another, by one and the same Viper exasperated, and of which the last bitten died first of all, when the Viper was most vexed, and most exhausted of its yellow liquor; and that of the Pigeon bitten by Viper, which we had caused to bite several times into bread before, and that even till blood came forth, to the end that the Juice might be well emptied of it, and which notwithstanding was followed by the death of the Pigeon; These Experiments, I say, will prove on one hand, that the yellow liquor contributes nothing to the poison; and on the other, that these incensed Spirits, assisted by the openings which the great Teeth had prepared for them, are the sole and true cause thereof.  
The wound, made by a Viper not vexed, whose jaws were held in, and whose teeth were at the same time thrust into the body of a Pigeon, which also was accompanied with store of the yellow juice, and yet not attended with any ill accident; as also the pricking, made by the great teeth, pulled out of a live Viper, or by such, as stuck yet in the head of a dead Viper, and did no hurt at all, do sufficiently confirm this truth, viz. that the cause of the Venom is to be imputed to the Spirits enraged, and not to any other thing or parts in the Viper's body.  
I have not undertaken to reason upon all the Experiments, we have made, as I have done upon the Bitings, both because that is beyond the Sphere of a man of my profession, and because I designed only to confine myself particularly to the wounds and to the Remedies able to heal them.  
For the rest, if in the Treaty concerning Theriaque, which I have lately published, I have advanced any thing not consonant to what I have declared here, touching the action of the Venom, I am to be excused therein, forasmuch as I had not then had the occasion, well to know the nature and the effects of the Bitings of Vipers, and referred myself to the most approved Authors about it. But yet all we have there said, derogates in nothing from the preparation of Vipers for Theriaque, which we have there laid down, and which was in that Book our main design, as well as to reform several other preparations, that seemed not reasonable to us: That which now remains to be done by us, is, to speak of the Remedies to be drawn from Vipers, which may serve to heal their bitings, and to cure many other evils.    

THE REMEDIES EXTRACTED FROM VIPERS.  

CHAPT. I.  
Of the different choice that may be made of the parts of a Viper.  
THere is nothing in Nature, to which can be given more justly the title both of Aliment and Medicine, than to a Viper, since it affords equally very good Nourishment and very good Remedies. It also hath in its Body not one part, which is not very useful, and of which Artists may not draw something that is good; their chief difference consisting in this, that the substance of the one is more or less close, then that of others. Yet, as in all Bodies of Animals, there are parts preferable to others, so we may make a distinction of those in a Viper, especially if we mean to eat them, or to reduce them to powder, to take it at the mouth, alone, or mingled with other medicaments.  
In this case, it will be well, to use only the Heart, the Liver, and the Trunk, I mean, the Body emptied of its guts, without head and tail. Not that, if you would make use of the head and tail, any ill would attend it, or that you need to fear any ill quality in them, no more than in all the other parts of the body; but the Heart, Liver and Trunk are chosen, as those that are most esteemed, and which are taken before the rest, out of the body of such Animals, which men use to feed upon. Those also, that would nourish themselves with Viper-flesh boiled and seasoned, may do well, in eating of it, to separate the bones thereof, and to leave them uneaten: but if they bruise them between their teeth, and swallow them down together with the flesh, they would afford them a like, and even a stronger nourishment than the flesh: for, we have found by Distillation, that the Bones yield the same parts, that the Flesh does and even in greater quantity. For the same reason, the Bones of the trunk are not to be cast away, when you will prepare the powder of Vipers, and that the rather, because they are in that way very easy to swallow. One may also very usefully dress the flesh of Vipers with their own fat, as one would do with butter, or with the fat of other animals. The Skin itself, if men would, might be boiled and eaten with benefit; but that it would not be so savoury, as the principal parts we have been speaking of.  
As for the Chemical preparations, all the parts of Vipers may be therein employed, and I would not except from them the Stomach itself, nor the Intestins, if they were well cleared of Worms, and all Excrements.  
I also know no difference, as to goodness, of one Sex from the other, although most Authors have prescribed the use of Females: On the contrary, if there be any such difference, I would prefer the Males to the Females, when these are full of Eggs, and big, forasmuch as then they are too much wasted for the feeding and increasing of their Eggs.  
As to the Seasons, in which they are to be taken and used, I almost equally consider the Spring and Autumn; for the times wherein men need them, aught to carry it in the behalf of those who have a mind to feed on them. But care must be had to choose such Vipers, as are big, fat, vigorous, and active; and not to keep them very long after they have been taken, because they grow leaner and lesser every day, both out of Melancholy, and want of food, which after that time they use not to take. I also make no difference between those Vipers of France, that are bred in one Province, and those of another; for those of Poitou and the neighbouring parts are as good as those of Dauphine and about Lions, and in other places. The place therefore is not to be considered but for the quantity, and for the conveniency of getting them, in regard that they are not wont to be found in maritime places, which are the only, that Authors have disapproved for Vipers, upon the belief, that the flesh of Vipers, taken in them, did cause thirst, by reason of the saltish food, they met with there.   

CHAP. II.  
Of the Use of the parts of Vipers, in respect of their nourishing Virtue.  
THere is scarce an Author, that hath written of Vipers, but affirms, that in several parts of the World, many persons, and even whole Nations, have fed, and still feed upon the flesh of Vipers; in somuch that in great and costly Entertainments, they made exquisite and very considerable dishes of it. There are also, that have alleged for an example some Nations, which by the use of Viper-flesh, have extraordinarily lengthened their life, even to 140. years. It is needless, to insert here the testimonies of Antiquity on this subject; the Curious may find them in Books. We content ourselves to affirm, that many persons do still use it at this time in divers Countries, whether it be from Custom, or to satisfy their appetite, or by the Advice of knowing Physicians, and that upon occasions they find wonderful effects thereof. I also doubt not, but that the use of it would be more frequent among us, if the virtues of Vipers were well known, and if one could dislodge out of the mind of people the horror and natural antipathy, they have against this animal. For the taste of Viper-flesh is very like that of Eels; whence it is, that in some Country's Vipers are called Eels of the Mountain; and one finds something in them even more savoury than in Eels. I know persons, who well knowing the most inward parts of Vipers, have out of merriment, and in company, made good meals of them, and found it very savoury meat. But those that have too much aversion from this kind of food, may find very convenient ways to benefit themselves by the virtue of them, so as not to be diverted from it by any abhorrency of the animal: for they may feed Capons and Pullet's with the flesh of Vipers cut in small pieces, which those Creatures eat very greedily; and continuing for some time to feed them therewith, it will certainly communicate the virtue of the Vipers to the body of those Animals; which may be eaten, as we eat other Capons or Pullet's, the taste of which will be very savoury, because that of Viper flesh is so.  
Neither ought we to doubt, that the qualities of Vipers pass into the bodies of those animals, since there are innumerable others, the flesh of which hath not only the virtue, but even the taste of the things, they are fed with. The flesh of the Birds, that live on Juniper-berries, and of those, that live only upon Olives, hath not only their qualities, but also their taste and bitterness, and that so highly, that one can scare eat them. In the Countries, where Silkworms are bred, it is observed, that in their season, which is chiefly in the months of May and June, the Eggs of Hens, that eat those Worms, have a taste and smell of them, as well as their flesh; insomuch that nice persons feed their Poultry a part, and hinder them from eating any Silkworms. It may be taken notice of, to this purpose, that 'tis a custom to give to Nurses the medicines, which young Children cannot be made to take, to the end that their virtue may pass from the body of the Nurse to that of the Child; and it hath been often observed, that the Urine of the Babe hath had the sent of the Drugs the Nurse had taken.  
But yet some might fancy, that Animals cannot take the good from the good parts of the things eaten by them, but they must at the same time receive the impressions of the ill ones, that are there; and it might even be objected, that Lizzards, Scorpions, Cantharideses, and the other Creatures, on which Vipers do feed, should impress in their bodies the ill qualities, they have, as, among the rest, the Cantharid, its Caustique quality. But notwithstanding all this, the Experience we have of the harmlessness of Vipers-bodies, and also of their good qualities, furnishes us with a contrary argument, sufficient to destroy that fancy; and it teaches us, that the stomach of Animals converteth into good all the ill qualities, to be met with in the bodies, it receiveth to digest; and that it uniteth and appropriateth the good ones to the very substance of the Animal that hath eaten them: Whence it comes to pass, that it is as 'twere transformed, or at least very much changed by those good qualities; and is upon that account capable to communicate them to other animals, into whose stomach it enters to be there digested. We say besides, that there are divers Examples of Bodies, that would be altogether poisonous in the stomach of men, which yet serve for food to, and fatten, other animals, which afterwards yield good nourishment to men. Such are Hellebore and Hemlock, which nourish and fatten Quails and Goats, which afterwards are usefully employed for the nourishment of men; and this is it, what Lucrece hath very well observed in these Verses; 
Praeterea nobis Veratrum est acre venenum,  
At Capris adipes & Coturnicibus auget:  
Quip videre licet pinguescere saepe Cicutâ  
Barbigeras pecudes; homini quae est acre Venenum.   
But those, that have no aversion from Vipers-flesh, may take of them the Heart, the Liver, and the Trunk, and having washed them well, they may then accommodate them to their own taste in the dressing. Where they are to take care, not to make the flesh too hot by too much spice▪ especially pepper; but yet they are allowed to put to it some aromatic herbs, as Garden- and Wild-Thyme, and the like; or a little Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cloves, to raise the taste. They must also avoid the fault, committed by the Ancients, whipping and vexing the Vipers, before they killed them; lest this irritation should cause some ill impression in their body, which by itself hath no venom at all in it. Let them also not cast away the broth, wherein the Vipers have been boiled, because it retains the greatest virtue of them. Neither do I see, why one should stint the quantity, or limit the time of the use of it; that depending from the degree of the illness, and from the constitution of the persons, that will make use thereof. And although we know Vipers to be a very Alterative Medicine, and that their chief use is only for their Medicinal qualities; yet if taken as an Aliment, there is no danger at all to eat of their flesh, or to drink of their broth, somewhat more or somewhat less. It is also to be moderately salted; and those that have any of the Fixed Salt of Vipers, shall do well to employ it. You may also add to it some of its Volatile Salt, if you will have the Flesh of Viper's work more powerfully.  
As to the Virtues of Viper-flesh, according to the consent of innumerable Authors, whose opinion is supported by reason and truth, confirmed by many Experiments; we can say, that they are very great, and that there is no Animal in Nature, that affords such and so many: And we wonder not at all, that the Ancients have so frequently employed Vipers in their Hieroglyphics, and adorned their Medals with them; thereby to design very advantageous things for the public, and for private men; forasmuch as this Animal is very capable to furnish them. For the use of it preserves the natural heat in a very good temper, it repaireth the same, and restoreth it when 'tis altered; it yields a very good food; helps digestion by its heat, which is not excessive; it retards old age and prolongeth life, by a property, which Vipers have, to maintain in good plight the whole habit of the Body. Whence it is, that many have believed, that both Staggs and Eagles, induced to it by a natural instinct, eat all the Vipers, they can meet with, and that 'tis upon that score, that their life is extraordinary long.  
There is also ascribed to Vipers, and not without reason, a Renewing virtue, capable to make young again; which they tacitly show, by casting their skin twice a year, and renewing themselves by the cover of a new skin. This, joined to the subtle parts, of which the Viper is composed, and to its lively and daring aspect, testifies it to be pertinent enough, that Authors have attributed to it the virtue of clearing and strengthening the Eyes.  
Viper's have also a very particular virtue of Cleansing the whole Body, and particularly the Blood, and of expelling through the pores of its skin all the superfluities: Whence it may be inferred, that they are very proper to cure the Itch, Tettar, Erysipelas or Saint Anthony's fire, Measles, Small Pox, and the Leprosy itself, the use of them being long enough continued; though I cannot well believe what Galen saith, That the Wine, wherein one only Viper is choked, is able to cure so great an Evil, and which doth not so easily yield to remedies.  
Viper's also may, by removing all the impurities and obstructions of the Body and skin, cause beauty therein; and upon this account it is, that many Ladies in Italy use them for their ordinary food.  
By the good nourishment, they yield by the purity they give to the blood and to all the parts, and by the liberty they give to the Spirits to do their functions therein, they are a great relief to persons in a Consumption, and to those that are emaciated by long diseases, and wasted by tedious Fevers. There are even Authors, who assure that the use of them is capable to cure the Venereal disease; for which we doubt not but they may serve much, if they do not altogether cure it.  
Their mundifying virtue, joined to the Alexiterial, makes them also very proper to expel all sorts of poisons, and even the Plague itself and all contagious diseases. They are also very contrary to all putrefaction, which commonly is the matter and source of most maladies; whence it comes, that those who use them, are not subject to diseases, unless they live irregularly, which is able to destroy all the good, which the use of Vipers might afford.  
We might here specify many other sicknesses, that might be cured by the use of Viper-flesh; but we think not fit to do so, since the general virtues, which we have noted, may suffice to make men apply the use to many particular Evils, that may need it. Yet we shall describe, in the Chapter ensuing, the uses and Virtues of the parts of Vipers, taken as a Medicine, without any great preparation.   

CHAP. III.  
Of the Virtues of several parts of the Viper, and of their Use in Physic.  
THE Virtues, which the Flesh of Vipers is able to communicate to those, who eat them for nourishment, are doubtless very considerable; but they are not the only ones, that Vipers are endowed with; and not to allege superfluous things, we shall confine ourselves to the principal Virtues, of which we have experimented the greatest part.  
It is very certain, that the Head of a Viper, broiled and swallowed, healeth the biting of that animal. The Heart and the Liver may do the same. Reason and Experience have confirmed it; and therefore in an urgent occasion those parts may be very usefully employed. The application of the Blood of a Viper to the Biting, as also that of its Head bruised, are neither to be rejected, nor is that of the entrails: but these applications alone are not capable to cure it; for, the subtlety and quicness of the Spirits carrying them with great speed into the body, there must be used internal specific remedies to repulse them; and you may also very pertinently repeat (at the mouth) the use of the head, heart, liver, and the other parts of a Viper, without fearing to take too much of them, because those parts can never do hurt, and they always produce some good effect. They may also serve for all sorts of venoms and poisons, and against all sorts of contagious and epidemical diseases.  
Divers Authors assure, that the Head of a Viper, hung about the neck, hath a very particular quality to cure the Squinancy and all the distempers of the Throat; and that the Brain of a Viper, wrapped up in a little skin, and likewise hung about the neck, is very good to make the Teeth of children come forth; which effect others believe to be due to the great teeth of Vipers. If we had experimented it, we could then speak with more certainty. The remedies are easily practicable, and withal harmless; wherefore those who need them may make trial of them.  
Some also have affirmed, that the Liver of a Viper, swallowed, keeps one from being bitten either by this Animal, or by any other serpent, and that the powder of Vipers hath the same efficacy. But we must not rely upon their report; we only believe, that the Liver swallowed is capable to heal the biting of a Viper; like the heart, flesh, and other parts, of which we have spoken; and that it may much facilitate the delivery of Women with child, as doth the Liver of Eeles.  
The Skin of a Viper is not altogether destitute of virtue; for besides that it is also, as they say, very good for the delivery of women, making a garter of it about the right leg, it hath a very singular virtue for all the distempers of humane skin: And although all the other parts, eaten, may work the same thing; yet, that we might have benefit from all, we have experimented, that the Viper-skin does perfectly heal the inveterate mangy of Dogs, making them eat it boiled or raw. It might also be said, that the specks in the Viper-skin seem to signify the marks of the itch or mangy, or, if you will, of the leprosy, which the scales of the skin represent yet better, and so tacitly express its virtue.  
Some have believed, that the Gall of a Viper applied, can heal its biting; but we give no credit to it, no more than to the application of its bruised head. But this we judge, that it is proper for the wound of the biting, only as it is for all other wounds, and for ulcers themselves, having a great abstersive, mundifying and cicatrizing virtue. It is also very good for the weaknesses of Eyes, above all, for suffusions and films, being taken inwardly, or applied outwardly; so far it is from doing them hurt.  
The Fat of Vipers hath very great virtues; for, besides that it is very good in the dressing of the Viper-flesh (as hath been said) it is able also, taking a drachm of it, to give great relief in Epidemical diseases, and to expel the venom thereof. It is also very useful to facilitate the travel of women; and to dissipate the swellings of the throat, anointing it outwardly therewith. It also much relieves Gouty persons, and serves to resolve nodosities. It unswels all hard and inveterate tumours, and even those that proceed from Venereal diseases; and for this reason 'tis, that Jean de Vigo hath used it in the Plaster which bears his name. It is likewise very good for Burnings, pustuls, ' and all distempers of the skin; and lastly, it is very powerful against all the illnesses of the Sinews, and of great virtue for the parts attacked by the Palsy. We might also add many other virtues, ascribed by Authors to other parts of the Viper; but we forbear, because we have not experimented them.   

CHAPT. IV.  
Of the Powder and Trochisques of Vipers.  
SInce we do not always meet with persons, who, having need to make use of Viper-flesh, are disposed to eat thereof; it is very necessary to have ready such remedies, that be as well accommodated to the inclination of the Patient, as fitted to remove the malady. The knowledge, which Physicians have bad of the great Virtues of the Viper, joined to the difficulty, met with in the point of pleasing Patients, hath obliged them to search for divers Preparations, in which the Ancients did not well succeed; and if we would bind ourselves to their way of preparing the Powder and the Trochisques, we should lose the principal virtue of the Viper, and retain only the most useless. For, in the opinion, which they entertained, that there remained always some venom in the flesh of the Viper, if it were not freed therefrom by some preparation or other; their practice was, to put the flesh of Vipers in some earthen pot, and having luted it, to set it in a Bakeoven, after the Bread was drawn out, and to leave it there, till this flesh was reduced to powder. In which preparation the best of this flesh, which is the Volatile Salt, was certainly dissipated. They also made several medicines with this powder, mixed among other medicaments divers ways; of which we need not to enlarge. We shall content ourselves, here to set down a preparation of the Powder of Vipers, which shall be grounded on Reason, and shall retain all the virtues of the Viper; easy also to prepare, and very convenient for the Patient to use.  
Take then towards the end of April, or in the beginning of May, such a quantity of Vipers as you please, Males and Females, choosing big ones, and such as are fat and vigorous, and using none of those Females, which are already big with eggs; and then prepare those, you shall have thus chosen, as follows: Without whipping and vexing them, cut off, with a pair of scissors, their heads and tails, flay them, and empty them of all their entrails, of which you are to separate the heart and the Liver; and lay aside their fat for its peculiar uses. Wash the trunks of the bodies, the hearts and livers in clear water, and after that in white wine; then dry them with a very clean linen cloth, and having put the hearts and livers again into their trunks, tie all the trunks with small packthread, each at one end, and hang them up in the air in the shade, and leave them there, till they be well dried; which will be in three or four days. After that, cut these trunks into small pieces, and stamp them in a great Brass-mortar with an iron-pestle, and searce all through a very fine hair-sive, and so keep it for use. This is the right Powder of Vipers, which contains all the virtues; to which may be added a drop of Cinamon-oyle, to give it a good scent.  
There are some, who, to make this powder would have the trunks of Vipers cut in pieces, and put together with their hearts and livers in a Glass-cucurbit, and this covered with its head and luted, and so placed with a recipient, in a very gentle Balneum; thereby, continuing that warmth for three days together, to draw the phlegm of Vipers, accompanied with a small portion of the Volatile Salt, and to keep this liquor apart; and then to take out of the Cucurbite what shall remain there, and of it to make the powder of Vipers.  
But, besides that this method is troublesome enough; that the fire of a Balneum is not sufficiently strong to send forth enough of the Volatile Salt, at a time when 'tis not yet loosened from its subject; that 'tis notwithstanding too much so, not to emit insensibly some small portion, which would afterwards be wanting in the Powder, and which also may exhale out of the water; besides also that the Vipers are in danger to be too much dried in the Cucurbite, and even to be there roasted in part: We esteem, there is cause to prefer our Preparation to this, in regard it is much easier, and, without any destruction or alteration of the good parts of Vipers, carries away all their superfluous and useless humidity.  
You might notwithstanding follow this way in part, if you should desire to have good Viper-water; but than you must increase the fire of the Balneum, and finish the distillation in much less time, and yet take heed not to hasten the fire too much at the latter end, lest the water smell of the Empyreuma or burning. You must also, after you have taken out the parts of the Viper, that rest in the Cucurbite, put them into a glass-retort well luted, and set this into a reverberating furnace, dapt and exactly lute to it a great Recipient, and give it a fire increased by degrees, and hotter about the end, to obtain the Volatile Spirit, Salt, and Oil, that could not rise by the fire of the Balneum; which are to be separated and rectified, as we shall say hereafter. Then take a portion of this Volatile Salt well rectified, and dissolve it in distilled water, and keep it carefully in a well stopped bottle, as an excellent remedy; of which you may increase or diminish the dose, according to persons and occasions; and according as you shall have dissolved more or less of the Volatile Salt in it.  
Upon this occasion, I thought fit to advertise those, who distil Capons, Partridges, slices of Veal, or other parts of Animals, in a Glass-limbec (as the custom is,) and who employ for that purpose the fire of a Balneum, or that of Sand or Ashes; that by a moderate fire they cannot make rise almost any thing but useless phlegm; and that, not being able to increase the fire without making the distilled water smell of the Empyreuma, they would succeed better, if in this they did, what I was just now saying of the water and volatile Salt of Vipers; and if they joined their water with the volatile Salt of the distilled Animals, in which resides the chief virtue. Those, that have no mind to take so much pains, shall do better not to give distilled waters to their Patients, as the custom is, since they have no virtue at all, if none be communicated to them by the volatile Salt of the Animal,  
As to the Trochisques, the Ancients have as ill invented, and as ill ordered them▪ as the Powder. For, not to stay to blame here (as I have done elsewhere) the whipping, which they used, and which was not only useless, but also very noxious; I shall say in a few words, that the decoction, they made of the body of the Viper in Water, with Salt and Anise, till the flesh would sever from the bones, which they afterwards cast away as well as the broth, was not a Preparation of the flesh of the Viper, but rather a destruction, since it was made to leave its principal virtue in the broth; and that they weakened it yet more, by incorporating it with very dry bread, of which the proportion of a fifth to four times as much weight of flesh, though but little in appearance, came yet to a moiety, since that four ounces of this flesh, and one ounce of bread (which was so dry that it could not be lessened) make only two ounces of Trochisques, when they are well dried. This we have more at large examined in our Treatise of the Theriaque; and because their fault is very easily understood, I shall insist on it no farther; nor on their reasons for making use of Boiling to correct a malignity in the flesh, (of which there is none) and to be able to sever it from the bones, which they believe naught, or at least unuseful, which yet are very good; forasmuch as all their reasons are sufficiently refuted in the same Book, and because they are yet more so, by what we have established in this.  
And although it be not always necessary to make Trochisques of Vipers, since we might be without them; yet there being some use of them, and to preserve their name, you may take a little Gumm Arabic, very white and pure, and reduce it to powder, and infuse it in good Malvasy, till it be well dissolved, and the wine somewhat tinged thereof: then take of the powder of Viper, prepared as we have lately directed, and incorporate it with a sufficient quantity of this gummed Malvasy, braying them together in a Marble-mortar with a woodden-pestle, and so reduce the whole into a somewhat solid paste; whereof make Trochisques, of the size and shape you please, and dry them in the shade upon a hair-sive.  
I said, that we might be without Trochisques, because that having the Powder, which they are made of, that may suffice for our uses; but there is one inconveniency in the Powder, in that it will scarce keep any considerable time, espeally if it be not well stopped up, and if, besides; some art be not used to hinder the breeding of worms in it: Whereas Trochisques, being made complete by the addition of Malvasy, and by the close compression of the parts of the Powder, they are not so easily penetrated by the Air, nor so subject to corruption. The Trochisques being dry, they may be slightly rubbed over with a little Balsam of Peru, which will give them a good scent, and help to preserve them.  
The Use both of the Powder and Trochisques is excellent and alike; but the Trochisques are to be reduced into powder, when they are to be used. Neither of them have an ill taste, and they contain all the virtues, we have ascribed to the Flesh of Vipers, as having lost nothing in drying, made without the heat of the Sunbeams, but a superfluous moisture, which could serve for nothing but corrupt them, if it had remained. They may be given in cordial waters, broths, wine, or some fit decoction, or you may make Bolus' of them with Syrrups, Conserves, or Cordial Confections, or turn them into tablets with sugar.  
Their main effect is, to purify, open, penetrate, and to drive to the extremities of bodies all venom, corruptions, impurities, superfluities, and they may be very beneficially used in many occasions for divers maladies, without the fear of any ill success. For both have this quality, that they do always some good, but never any harm. Their dose is from a Scruple to a drachm or two; and they may be given to all ages, and sexes, and at all times.   

CHAPT. V.  
Of the Salt of Vipers made by the Ancients.  
AMong many different Preparations of the Salt of Vipers, made by the Ancients, of which we find the descriptions in their Books, there is none more famous, nor that hath been longer in use, than one that is very ample and much enriched by many Alexiterial remedies; whence 'tis also, that they gave to this Salt the name of Theriacal. But having considered this pompous Preparation, we do not wonder, that a much esteemed Author hath not given it his approbation, since we cannot find any thing in it, that is according to rule or reason, no more than there is in the rest. We find, that the sentiments of that Author proceed from an understanding so judicious, and so knowing, that we cannot but subscribe to them, almost in all: For, in the Calcination, they used, there remained nothing but the fixed Salt, which contains but very little virtue; Vipers, as all sorts of Animals, having but little of Fixed Salt, whereas they have much of the Volatile, which soon riseth in the Calcination, and carries away with it the principal and the most essential virtue of the Animal. They were also much mistaken, when they thought, that four Vipers, which they burned with forty pounds of Sea-salt, or Sal Gemmae, or Shall Ammoniac, (as some would have it) and with a great quantity of Simples, should communicate great virtues to these Salts and these Coals. For in the Calcination, which they used to make in an earthen pot luted, with its cover on, and yet in one place pierced, the Volatile Salt of the four Vipers would certainly fly quickly away; and if it had stayed (which yet we do not grant) and there had been half an ounce of it (which is a quantity beyond what the four greatest Vipers could yield,) what, I pray, would that be to 40. pounds of Sea-salt, and to many pounds of Coals, more than a small rivulet mingled with the Ocean? But as to the fixed Salt, four Vipers are not able to afford half a Scruple of it.  
'Tis also certain, that both the Sea-salt and Sal gem, do not perish in the Calcination, but still remain there. But if ordinary Salt Ammoniac be employed, the Urinous and Volatile part, which is in that Salt, will not fail to make its escape, as well as the Volatile Salt of Vipers, and there will only remain the fixed Saline part of the Salt Ammoniac, mixed with some terrestrial parts; which is that, we find in the Distillation, after we have driven out all the Volatile Salt, of which afterwards, changing the vessel and the fire, we draw an acid spirit, very much approaching to that, we draw out of Sea-Salt, by ways almost like these.  
Artists know also, that Herbs, Wood, Horns, Bones, and other such like matters, if they should be calcined in an earthen pot, luted and covered, though a hole were left in the cover, would always be afterwards found in the form of very black coals, although they had endured a great fire; and that the Salt cannot be separated from them, unless they be calcined again in an open vessel; or they being reduced to ashes, the Salt be then severed from them by a Lixivium, and by Filtration.  
On which occasion we relate an Example of an imperfect Calcination, which is naturally made in the Earth about the Summer-Solstice, of the end of the root of many Plants, and among others, of Mugwort and Plantatin; on which end, the subterraneous Fire, or, if you will, the Fire of the Sun, working, and yet being surrounded by the Earth, (which is to the root what the earthen pot, luted, is to the Vipers, and to the Mixts, that were shut up with them) burns it and reduces it to coals, but cannot turn it to ashes. I have often found this to be true, and lighted upon a little coal at the end of the root of those Plants, at the time abovementioned.  
So that, although the Fixed Salt of the added be Simples in the Coals, yet it would have been more proper, and more methodical, to have quite calcined those coals to reduce them to ashes, and so to draw from them and to purify the Salt for use, than to make people swallow the gross, earthy, and useless part of these coals.  
Those Ancients added to this pretended Salt calcined, the powder of many Alexiterial Drugs, which not being devested of their virtue by any calcination, may communicate, and even alone furnish the greatest part of the good qualities, by them ascribed to this Salt. And 'tis upon the account of these principally, that the name of Theriacal may belong to it, which impertinently would be attributed to the Vipers, since they have lost their prime virtue in the Calcination.  
This Preparation of Theriacal Salt doth sufficiently show us, that the Ancients did not take pains to know the inward parts, of which mixed bodies are compounded, and that they did not well know the nature of the poison of Vipers, of which they imagined they should be infected by the fumes proceeding from their Calcination; although none could come from them, when there was none, as we have made appear. And although the smell, as well of the Vipers, as of the Simples, were troublesome, whilst they burned, yet they were not therefore at all venomous.  
The little knowledge, which the Ancients had, and many Moderns still have, of the nature of the two Salts in Vipers, hath led them into a great fault, viz. to calcine the bones of Vipers, to draw from thence, as they thought, the true Salt of Vipers, which they were not at all like to find, after they had dissipated it by Calcination. The first fault hath drawn after it a second; for the small quantity of fixed Salt, they found in them, not much satisfying them, carried those, that had no great sense of honour or conscience, to a very great abuse, which was, to mix among those calcined bones a great quantity of Sea-salt, to dissolve this Salt, and and to boil all together in water, to filter and coagulate it, and to sell at a great rate this Counterfeit salt for true Salt of Vipers.  
But, to accommodate ourselves to those, who, intending better, will make no ill use of it; and to furnish them with a pleasing Salt for those, that may desire it for ordinary use; we shall here deliver the way of preparing a Salt of Viper, that shall have much virtue; the method of which shall be very easy, and the use very convenient.  
Take three dozen of great Vipers, well chosen; cut off their heads and tails, flay them, and empty the bodies of all their entrails, and wash them well, together with the Heart and Liver: Boyl all together in ten pints of common water, so long till all be perfectly boiled. Then strain it, and squeeze well all the parts; and in this decoction dissolve four pounds of Sea-salt; and carefully filter it; afterwards, coagulate, or, if you will, crystallise this Salt, which will be found white and abounding with the virtue of the Vipers, and of no ill taste at all; which you may use in all things as common Salt.  
And to show, that these boiled and squeezed parts have left much of their virtue in the Decoction, and yet that they have not left all, and that still there remains some of it, principally in the Bones; lay them abroad, and dry them, and then distil them, and you will draw from them, especially from the Bones, a Volatile Salt and oil, but in much less quantity, then if they had not been boiled.  
If you would have a Viper-Salt of more virtue, and that might even be called Theriacal, you must proceed after the same manner, as hath been lately set down; but in stead of Seal-Salt, take a like quantity of Salt, drawn from Alexiterial and Theriacal Plants, as the roots of Valerian, Imperatoria, Angelica, Leaves of Scordium, the little Centaurium, Carduus Benedictus, and the like. 'Tis true, that this Salt is a little more displeasing to the taste than the former, but it may produce more considerable effects, and be used in extraordinary occasions.  
These sorts of Salt have indeed good virtue, and are convenient for lasting, especially the two first: But the Volatile Salt hath something more particular, and considerably better: the properties of it are innumerable, and it is an Epitome of the excellent qualities, contained in Vipers. We shall now speak of its Preparation, as also of the Phlegm, of what is called volatile Spirit and Oil, which accompany it; and of the Fixed Salt, which remains after distillation, mixed among the terrestrial parts; and that done, we shall treat of their virtues and usefulness.   

CHAP. VI  
Of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, and the Fixed Salt, and other parts, which are separated by Distillation.  
WE make here public our Preparation of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, with the more frankness and cheerfulness, because we esteem it one of the best Medicines in Physic. 'Tis true indeed, that some Authors have already spoken of it; but there is none, that hath described it with more exactness, than we, nor that hath more desired, that every one might, according to this Method, obtain for himself and his occasions a remedy, which goes beyond many others, to say no more. We hope, that our way of proceeding will be well received by all, and that, if there be any that shall find fault with it, they will be such only, who are unwilling to communicate what they have, and often wrap it up under the name of Secrets.  
Take only the Bodies, Hearts and Livers of Vipers, or, (to have the more benefit of all) add to them the Heads, Tails, and skins, and generally all the parts of a Viper; of which you will have a care to take away all the Excrements and Worms, as also the Eggs, that may be in the Matrix of the Females. Small and great, Males and Females are of the same goodness, as also the Salt is, that shall have been drawn from all the parts of the Body. Dry in the shade all these parts separately, then cut them into bits, and fill with them your Glass-limbec up to the neck, which is to be well luted. Put it in the midst of a Reverberating furnace, proportioned to its bigness, cover it with its head, and shut the Register of it; Fit to the Limbec a Glass-recipient, which must be very large; and lute well all the joints. Then begin to give a small fire, which continue for about two hours, so that the Limbec be heated gradually, and the Phlegm begin to distil into the Recipient. Afterwards increase the fire gently unto a second degree; and give a little opening at the Register, and continue the same fire likewise two hours; then increase it, opening the Register yet more, and so continue two other hours; at the end of which you are to give it the fire of the last degree, quite opening the Register, and you must continue to drive the fire, till no more come out of the Limbec, and the Recipient be all obscured by the Volatile Salt, which will stick to its sides, towards the bottom, and to the upper part. Then let the vessels cool, and the Furnace also; after which you are to un-lute the Recipient, wherein you will find the Phlegm, that part which is called Spirit, the Volatile Salt, and the Oil mingled together; except a part of the Volatile Salt, that may yet adhere to the upper part, and to the sides of the Recipient, which you may dexterously take away, and, if you will, keep for use, as 'tis. This Volatile Salt, Spirit, and Oil, are so penetrating, that you are not able to hold your nose over it.  
Pour out, what you find in the Recipient, into a Gloss-Body, which must be large, tall, broad below, and whose figure goes up straightening towards the orifice; to which you must adapt a Glass-head, that is to have somewhat a high body, and large, and a very strait mouth, and proportioned to that of the Glass-body. Lute the joints exactly with paper and starch; put the Body in a Sand-bath, and sink it down as low as the matter reacheth; fit a small Recipient to the beak of the Head, and lute that also: kindle under it a very gentle fire, and order it so, that the Sand and the Glass-body may be heated gently; after which you may increase it a little, but only so as to make it strong enough to drive up the Volatile Salt; which, being disengaged from the parts of the Viper's bodies, riseth easily. It will be sublimed, and stick every where to the inside of the Head, like a Chrystallized Snow. There will arise at the same time a little of the Spirit, which is properly nothing but a portion of the Volatile Salt, having carried up with it a little of the Phlegm, that will run into the little Recipient, and of which even a part will congeal into Crystals. You must always be careful in managing the Fire; for how little soever you increase it, the Phlegm will rise with some of the Oil, and they will dissolve and hide the Salt; and than you must recommence the Rectification; but governing the fire well, when you shall see the Head well lined with Salt, which will be very white and very Crystalline, you must then un-lute it, and take it off, and lute on an other head, instead of the former. You are to take out the Salt, as soon and as well as you can; and to enclose it in a strong bottle, with such a mouth, that the Salt may pass through it, and which may be exactly closed, without which the Salt will easily fly away. Mean time, you are to continue a like fire under the Glass-body, and when no more of that Volatile riseth, you are to desist, and to take out of the head the Salt there gathered, and keep it as the former. Your Sand being cold, take off the Glass-body, and decant from it the remainder through a great Glass-funnel, covered with paper for filtration, held over some vessel. All the Phlegm will pass through the Paper; but you'll find some Oil there, that cannot pass, which you may make run through the Funnel into a bottle, having pierced the paper with some convenient instrument.  
Those that shall desire a high and much more perfect Rectification of this Volatile Salt, may make it in manner following. Take two pounds of Ivory calcined to whiteness, and reduced to a fine powder; which is to be mixed with four ounces of this Salt. Then put all into a new Glass-Body, of the same shape with the former. To this let there be adapted and luted a blind Head, or such an one, the extremity of whose beak is well stopped (for that is useless for this purpose, there being no phlegm; and if there were, the calcined Ivory being a dry Body, and in part spongy, would lick and retain it, as it would also the Oily part, that might happen to be among the Volatile Salt:) let there be given to this Glass-body a moderate Fire, with the same cautions as before; the Salt will quickly rise, and stick to the Head; where, the Sublimation being ended, you will find it in the form of Crystals, white like snow; which you are to put up and keep in a bottle exactly closed, to use it upon occasion. This Salt thus rectified smells not of Fire, and hath nothing but its own natural strong and penetrating scent.  
There may perhaps be found Artists, who will take it ill, that we have been so large and so particular in exactly setting down all the things, that are to be observed in preparing and rectifying this Salt. But it is not for them, that we have done it, but for those, who not knowing it will be glad to learn it. We have given them sincerely the true means used by ourselves; which they may also practise in preparing and rectifying the Salts of the parts of all Animals. Those that have any tincture of Chemistry, will here find enough to teach themselves; as we have done, and do daily. Mean time they must not be offended, that there remain with us upon this subject such things, which could not be said, nor well comprehended but by those that have laboured a great while in this Art. Intelligent persons, that shall examine our proceeding, or have a mind to experience the same, will find our ingenuousness, by finding the success of all we have made them expect, together with the facility, we give, of the Operation. They will also find, that our way of filling the Retort as far as the neck, is more proper than that of leaving a third part empty, as some would have it, in the Distillation of the Bones, Horns, and other dry parts of Animals; although those, that understand it, practice it not but in matters that will melt, and may break the Retort, or let something run out by the beak, when 'tis filled too high. But in dry substances, as are our Vipers, and the Horns, and Bones of Animals, Crabs-eyes, Stones, and the like, it is enough to leave this neck empty, to give vent to the parts raised from the matter, and that are to go into the Recipient. They will also acknowledge, that our way to leave the Oil among the other substances, when we will sever them by subliming and rectifying them, is not without reason, in regard that the Oil hath commonly with it much Volatile Salt, which leaves it, and afterward riseth in the Rectification.  
We esteem also, that this Preparation will be preferred before many others, that are operose and have little method in them; and, among others, before the Rectification, which some pretend to make by the addition of Spirit of Salt to the Phlegm, and to that which is called Spirit, and to the Volatile Salt: which instead of rectifying this Salt, and of making it purer and better, changes its nature; and instead of subliming it to the Head and the top of the Body (as they have pretended it did, after the Phlegm was risen,) the Spirit of Salt riseth itself in its first form, in its smell, colour and taste, leaving at the bottom the Salt, which is there found like fixed, having the taste and the other qualities of the Spirit of Salt, but being lessened of two thirds of its weight. That kind of men have filled Books with many Preparations they understand not, nor have experimented: For, forgetting, among other things, in the process of this, such methods as are absolutely necessary, and without which they do nothing, they promise impossible successes, and putting the Cart before the Horses, they fix the Salt when they pretend to sublime it, and so very unadvisedly prostitute themselves to shame and confusion. For, instead of rectifying first the Volatile Salt (as more intelligent men might have taught them, of whom they had borrowed this Preparation) and of subliming it, and of separating it by this means from other parts; they labouring to disguise the Process, have retrenched the main and most necessary part of it, and employed at the very first that method, which they should have observed to fix it, believing that that would sublime it; not considering, that having by that means inverted nature, the success would prove answerable to it. I set a side their unwarrantable practice of adding a pound of lukewarm water among the substances found in the Recipient, after the first distillation, since it is an Augmentation, not only useless, but troublesome, of that Phlegm, which must needs be separated.  
Now, although one part of this Salt, remaining in the Body of the Limbec, may yet afterwards become Volatile, by mixing it with some Lixiviat Salt, and making it to sublime; yet that is not done but with a new and very great loss of its weight; nor is the taste of it better than of that, which shall have been well rectified according to the method, we have before described; since the Lixiviat Salts, by reviving it in part, give it as displeasing a smell as the former. We may further add here, that the use of tall and strait-necked Bodies is much more proper for this Rectification, than the use of Matrasses with long necks, myself having experimented, that the Phlegm falls back again more easily, and that the Volatile Salt riseth purer in the Bodies of our fashion; of which the Figure may be seen on the Title page, where also is that of the Retort and the Recipient, for the first Distillation.  
Now although the same men, that have given us cause to reprehend them, have affirmed contrary to truth, that there is no fixed Salt in the parts of Animals: To prove that there is, and to benefit by that of the Viper; Take what shall remain in the Retort, commonly called the Caput Mortuum, which you will find of the form and colour of Coals; calcine it in a Furnace, or, to save expenses, in a Potter's Oven, till all become white and of the form of Chalk, pulverize it well, and make it boil in a competent quantity of water, that may receive and dissolve the Salt; filter it, and make it evaporate and consume. You'll find at the bottom a coagulated Salt; though in a small quantity, and such an one, as that of five pounds of Viper-bones well calcined, we have obtained no more than three ounces of fixed Salt. This Salt hath a very sharp and poignant taste; it is Lixiviat, and approaching enough in divers regards to the fixed Salt of Tartar. You'll find on the Filter the Terrestrial part, stripped of all its virtue; which then may justly be called Caput Mortuum. And thus you'll have the Phlegm, that which is called Spirit, the Volatile Salt, the Oil, the Fixed Salt, and the Earth; into which all the parts of the Viper have been reduced in their separation.   

CHAP. VII.  
Of the Fixation of the Volatile Salt of Vipers.  
ALthough the Volatile Salt of Vipers have in it, to speak truth, nothing offensive, but its strong and piercing Smell, and that those, who shall take into their mouth the weight of a good number of grains, cannot receive from it any other trouble but that of this Sent, which yet soon passeth away, this Salt leaving afterwards a saline and very agreeable taste; yet notwithstanding many persons, offended with the piercing odour, which is first perceived in this Salt, and besides dissatisfied with its easy Avolation, unless it be extremely well closed, have endeavoured to fix it, and so to free it from this smell, not considering that this smell cannot be altogether separated from this Salt, but its virtue must be so too, and that the fixation changes its nature: And instead of contenting themselves to rectify it well, thereby to carry away, as much as may be, the adventitious smell, which it may have acquired by the violence of the fire by the first distillation, they have sometimes altogether destroyed it, and have dealt with it, as if one would deprive Musc and Ambergris of their good scent, and Coloquintida of its bitterness; and many compounds of their operations, which would not be what they are, if you should rob them of the least of those parts that compose them.  
We say therefore, that after the Rectification of this Volatile Salt, (such an one as we shall set down beneath,) the best and surest preparation would be, to do nothing else to it, but to make it to be used in that condition, only mixing with it things accommodated to the Patient's taste, or with such other remedies, as do not change its nature, nor make it lose any thing of its force or virtue.  
If the Fixed Salt of Vipers were capable to arrest and retain the Volatile, there were then nothing to be said against this fixation, because having been both form jointly and in the same body, they have no aversion to, but rather are able to help one another; But this common origin, and this friendship which they have contracted, whilst they lived together in one and the same subject, hinders them from destroying one another, and maketh, that what is Fix can nor will change the nature of the Volatile. And indeed, although you mix them together, and that the quantity of the Fix be five or six times greater than that of the Volatile, and that they may also lodge with one another; yet they both equally keep their nature and virtue, and they may be separated by fire, and manifest at all times their several and distinct virtues. But this hinders not the taking one Salt among the other, nor that the Fix should not then borrow somewhat of the subtlety of the Volatile, the better to penetrate the Entrails and Vessels, to open the more vigorously the obstructions, and to expel the impurities, it meets with, by siege or urine; and that, on the contrary, the Volatile Salt, helped by the Fixed Salt, should not carry away and drive out through the pores of the skin or other ways, the more gross and more viscous parts of the humours, that perhaps might have escaped its quick and subtle operation: For which uses, both Salts may be mixed together upon occasion, without undertaking an impossible fixation.  
But especially, the fixing of this Volatile Salt by Quicklime cannot pass with all Artists but for an operation altogether destructive to it; and 'tis that, which is most of all to be avoided, because not only it carries away the smell, taste, and virtues of this Salt, but quite changeth its nature, and converts it into its own, by petrifying the same.  
The Fixation of this Volatile Salt, by the Spirit of Salt, although it seem to destroy it and change its nature, in that it carries away the smell and taste of the Volatile Salt, may notwithstanding be admitted rather than the other, in regard that the Spirit of Salt, by preserving the virtue it hath to open all the obstructions of the inward parts, working upon the Volatile Salt, may appropriate to itself something of its virtue, especially that which is able to second its action, and to expel together with it, by urine or other ways, the most tenacious and most stubborn humours. Those that would expel the humours by these ways, may usefully prepare it after this manner.  
Mix four ounces of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, well rectified, with four ounces of Water; put them into a Glass-Cucurbite Somewhat high, of a narrow mouth, broad and flat towards the bottom, holding about two pints. Fit to its mouth a Glass-funnel, the end of whose pipe is very narrow: Lute the funnel quite round about the orifice of the Cucurbite, so that there may be no other aperture but that of the end of the funnel. Then power, little by little, and drop-wise, some Spirit of Salt well rectified upon the Volatile Salt. At first there will be a conflict betwixt them, which will cause an ebullition, but that of a short duration. Continue to pour upon it of the same Spirit of Salt, gently and leisurely, according as you find the ebullition cease, and by intervals stir also the Cucurbite; and repeat this so often, that at last there appear no motion any more, and the Spirit of Salt have as 'twere mortified and fixed the Volatile Salt. Then place the Cucurbite in some receptacle furnished with Sand; fit to it a head, lute it (though at the beginning that be not necessary) and by a slow fire draw away all the moisture of the Spirit of Salt, and of the Volatile Salt, which will rise almost insipid. Continue the fire still, and when you shall perceive a taste of the Spirit of Salt in what shall be distilled, change the Recipient, increase a little the fire, and drive it (yet without too much violence,) until there distil no more, and that the Salt remain at the bottom of the Cucurbite altogether dry and of a grey colour. You'll find in the Recipient a Spirit of Salt of the same taste, of the same colour, and of the same force it had when it was poured upon the Volatile Salt; but you shall not find any part of the Volatile Salt risen to the head, nor to the top of the Cucurbit, as some have given out it doth, without having experimented it, as we have done. The grey Salt, found at the bottom, is but in a small quantity, being lessened almost of two thirds: It's taste is very sharp, biting, and much differing from what it had before it was fixed, and as 'twere mortified by the Spirit of Salt. After this you may dissolve this Salt in water, filter it, and make it evaporate, and letting it cool, you'll find at the bottom a small quantity of Salt coagulated in the form of Crystals. Power out by inclination the water swimming on the top, to have the Salt by itself, which you may dry in the Air, or the Sun, or over a little fire. You may also make good use of the Salt that shall have remained in the water that swum a top, by making it evaporate in part, Chrystallizing and drying it, as the former. You might, if you pleased, very well omit luting the Funnel upon the Cucurbit, when you will pour the Spirit of Salt upon the Volatile Salt; forasmuch as we have found by experiment, that in the operation of the Spirit of Salt upon the Volatile Salt, there riseth nothing but phlegm, that hath neither virtue nor smell; although the same persons, that have erred in many things in the rectification of the Volatile Salt, have feared they should lose therein a Volatile Spirit, which was only in their imagination: And the luting, which we have advised, was only to prevent people's belief, that a part of the Volatile Salt might have escaped that way.  
But although this Volatile Salt appear fixed, and remain as such at the bottom of the Cucurbit, after distillation, yet there is a part, which retakes its former nature, and becomes Volatile again, if it be mixed with Salt of Tartar, or with some other Lixiviate Salt, putting them together in a subliming vessel. For these Lixiviate Salts, being of a nature contrary to acid Salts and Spirits, do mortify them and retain them to themselves, and let go the Volatile Salts, which the acid spirits had, as 'twere, mortified and fixed, and all that was Volatile in this seemingly fixed Salt, riseth in a white form, and hath almost the same taste and the same other qualities of the Volatile Salts well rectified. Yet you will also find there a great diminution of its weight, so that it will be more advantageous to keep it in the condition, it was in before this last sublimation; the greatest advantage of which is, to come to know, that the fixation, that hath been made by the Spirit of Salt, although it have as 'twere changed the nature of the Volatile Salt, and hid its diaphoretique quality under that of the diuretique, yet hath not quite destroyed it, since there is some part, that can retake its pristine form and virtue.  
This Salt thus fixed possesseth the virtues of a Spirit of Salt concentred, but they are found augmented by those, it hath borrowed from the Volatile Salt. Those, who would only carry away, by urine or siege, the superfluous humours of the body, may usefully prepare and employ it; but those, that shall use the Volatile Salt well rectified, without changing its nature, nor diverting its action by any fixation, will find therein such effects, as will be incomparably more apparent and more sensible, and will not waste of it so much.   

CHAPT. VIII.  
Of the Virtues of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, and of what the other parts, separated by Distilla on, may perform.  
THE Volatile Salt of Vipers is to be considered, as a Sun, as well among the parts, that rise by distillation, as among those that rest in the Retort; there being none among those that are come over, but have borrowed from it almost all the virtue it can have; nor any of those that have stayed, but have need of it, or are useless without it. The Phlegm that riseth first, carries always some part with it, without which it would produce no effect. That which is called Spirit, is nothing else, to speak aright, but a Volatile Salt, which in the distillation hath been followed by a little Phlegm dissolving it, and giving it the form of a Spirit: which may be showed by the Rectification, wherein that saline volatile part is separated, raised, and coagulated into a white and crystalline form, and leaveth at the bottom of the cucurbite the moisture that had changed its nature, and is nothing else but phlegm. We say, on this occasion, the same thing of what many Authors improperly call the Volatile Spirit of an humane skull, of Hartshorn, and of other parts of Animals, they being nothing else but Volatile Salts mixed with phlegm, which they afterwards quit, when they are rectified. The Oil also would have but very little virtue, if it borrowed no Volatile salt, and if it retained not in it a good part thereof, as may be observed in the Rectification: for, if the Oil were measured, or weighed, before 'tis put among the rest into the cucurbite for rectification, and if it were weighed again after that all the Volatile Salt is risen, it would be found much diminished in quantity, and in strength also, because most of the Volatile Salt, which had joined itself to it, hath been carried away by the rectification. So those, that separate the Oil from the other parts to rectify them, and who use it not but for wounds or ulcers, and to take away superfluities, do doubtless not know it aright; for it is also endowed with other virtues more considerable; of which we shall speak in this Chapter. The Fixed Salt, which rests in the Retort, mixed among the terrestrial part, although it is to be put in the rank of Lixiviat Salts, and possesseth few other qualities, but those of Salt of Tartar, yet retains something of the nature of the Volatile salt. And those, that have considered this Salt as a Caustick, have had good success with it, without knowing its nature, seeing they imputed it to the malign parts, which they believed to be in Vipers, whereas they should have ascribed it to the nature of Lixiviate salts. But this Salt being taken at the mouth, will be much more effectual, if you mingle some Volatile Salt with it; this Caustique faculty not hindering but that it may be taken safely and beneficially in appropriated liquors, as many other lixiviate Salts are.  
The Terrestrial part hath nothing in it, that deserves to be considered, and it may justly be called Terra mortua, Dead earth, after it is freed from its fixed Salt. So that all the parts, that rise by distillation, as well as those that cannot rise, are of small force, or altogether useless, without the Volatile Salt. It is therefore upon good reason, that we attribute to it the principal virtues, which a Viper can furnish.  
The similitude of substance, which the Volatile Salt of Viper hath with the spirituous parts of our Body, conjoined to its subtle and piercing quality, maketh, that accommodating itself to their condition, and finding all liberty in its actions, it produceth all the effects, it is capable of, and penetrateth without any opposition into the most secret and the most remote parts of the Body. It hath this peculiar, that thought it act as a Sovereign, and find nothing of resistance to its dominion, yet it exerciseth it not as a Conqueror, nor as a Destroyer, but rather as a Restorer of the places and parts, where it passeth; and although all its courses be extraordinary 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 precipitate, yet they are so well 〈◊〉 and so well directed, that no part 〈…〉 ody misseth them, and that none of 〈…〉 is unuseful, but rather very beneficial to all the places, where it passeth.  
Now since the flesh, the heart, the liver, and the other parts of the Viper, taken as an Aliment, or as a Medicine, may serve for the cure of many maladies, and produce very considerable effects; 'tis not at all tobe doubted, but that this Salt, which is the most subtle and the most potent of them all, is something more sublime and more efficacious. And we are assured, that if it were well known to us, it would pass for an almost Universal medicine; men would be careful of preparing it, and we should see it often prescribed by Physicians, and find it succeed in innumerable obstinate diseases, that are but seldom and difficultly cured.  
To Judge well of the Effects, which this Volatile Salt can produce in our Bodies, we must know its manner of operation, which is, to open, to comminute, to attenuate, to pierce, and to drive to the extreme parts of the Body, and through the pores of the skin, all the impurities, and all the strange bodies, that can get out by those ways. Further, it is an enemy to all corruption, very friendly and very agreeable to our nature, which it assists and fortifies, enabling it to expel, not only by the pores of the skin, but also by siege and urine, and by all the Emunctories of the Body, the superfluous humours, which molest it: Whence it comes to pass, that it produces admirable effects upon a thousand occasions, curing a great number of sicknesses, or at least giving great relief therein, even in those, that are most refractory, and most difficult to cure; such as are Apoplexies, Lethargies, Convulsions, Palsies, and many other maladies, believed to have their source in the Brain. It is also a great relief to the Distempers of the Breast, as Swoundings, Palpitations of the Heart, Difficulties of Breathing, and Pleurisies. Besides it particularly unstops the Obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, Mesentery, and other parts of the lower Belly. It dissipates all inward impostumes, in their rise, and dislodgeth secret and unknown pains, which have their origin in the Spirits. It helps digestion, the purification of the mass of the blood, and its distribution to all the parts of the Body, and resolves and prevents coagulations: And so being an Enemy to all corruption, it is very proper for all sorts of Fevers, caused thereby; as for most intermittent Fevers, and particularly Quartans. It also worketh powerfully in the distempers of the Matrix; and is a remedy to all the vices of the skin, and to the Leprosy itself: but above all, 'tis specifique against all Bitings and stingings of venomous creatures, against all venoms and poisons, if they be not corrosive; for in that case, recourse must presently be had to Vomitives and to Unctuous things, after which it produceth good effects. It hath a particular virtue against the Plague, against all Contagious diseases, and Epidemical ones, such as are the Measles, Small Pox, and the like. In a word, the Inductions, we can draw from the great number of Experiments, we have seen of it, at different times, oblige us to affirm, that its virtues goes beyond what can be expressed. And those, that shall make reflection on what we have said of it, will be able to apply and use it beneficially to many other sicknesses, which to enumerate would be too prolix and too tedious.  
In the mean time, we cannot forbear to relate here a very remarkable Experiment, made upon a Gentleman, who suffered about a month since, a violent and continual pain, doubled and redoubled, at the right part of his front pretty near the Temple: the end of a finger might cover the place of the pain; there appeared no redness nor swelling, and there was perceived no hardness. Yet the pain, though it was, as 'twere, fixed in a point, was communicated to the other neighbouring parts, so that the Gentleman could not chew, nor so much as open his mouth to take down a little broth, but with extreme pain, though hunger urged him. The Physicians, that saw him, had used several means to relieve him, and, among the rest, Venae-sections in the arm and foot; they had purged him often; they had employed frictions of his neck and shoulders; they had applied to him Vesicatories, and Snails, behind his ears: they had caused his temporal artery to be opened, and drawn from him ten or twelve ounces of arterial blood, and then cauterised the Aperture; they had also prescribed him powerful Sudorifiques, which were continued many day's morning and evening, and had made him sweat very copiously; and the Patient himself, of his own accord, being extremely pressed by the violence of the pains, caused one of his upper teeth, which was very sound, to be pulled out, hoping thereby to give some vent to them: But after he had used all these means in vain, one dose of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, given in wine, removed presently all the pain, which caused as great a wonder in the Assistants, as satisfaction in the Patient. This so surprising effect, which demonstrateth better, than all reasons, the force and efficacy of this Volatile Salt, may also conclude the discourse of its Virtues.  
There remains now, that we say something of the virtues of the Oil, which riseth by Distillation with the Volatile Salt, of which it also retains a part. It's strong scent is the cause, that it is not often employed; whence it comes, that sometimes it is more advantageous to the Preparer, to profit by the rectification of the Volatile Salt, which it hath, than to keep it in its condition for Patients that shall use it notwithstanding its strong smell and ill taste. This smell is so intimately sticking to it, that there is no rectification, able to remove it. But we make herewith known to all those, that shall be able to comply with the use of it, that it is one of the best and most efficacious outward remedies in all Physic, provided it be made use of, when 'tis yet endued with its Volatile Salt: For it opens, attenuates, resolves, is abstersive, and admirably cleansing; and we know, who have experimented it, that the continued anointing with it, accompanied with the internal use of the Volatile Salt, produceth admirable effects in the parts labouring under the Palsy, and deprived of motion, and even in those, that are dried for want of the communication of Spirits and nourishment. A little Sponge imbibed with this Oil, carried in a little box pierced, and often smelled to, is very good in the time of the Plague, to keep off the ill Air, and to fortify the Brain, and the noble parts. It is also good to make it to be smelled, to put of it in the nostrils, and to anoint the Temples with it, in Epileptical Symptoms, and for those, that are troubled with giddiness, and have their Brain charged with vapours or phlegm; for it gives them vent, and dispels them powerfully. It hath also a considerable effect against the suffocations of the Matrix, and against all sorts of worms; in which case, some drops of it may even be given at the mouth, in wine, or broth; and the hollow of the stomach anointed therewith. It visibly dissipitateth all outward contusions, and serveth much for inward ones, and especially for those of the Head. It resolves tumors and hardnesses, giving issue by the pores to such matter, as can transpire, digosting the gresser, and bringing them to a laudable suppuration. It is also abstersive and cleanseth all sorts of Ulcers, and healeth all the distempers of the skin, even the most stubborn, provided the internal cause thereof be removed. In all which evils its effects are yet more quick and powerful, if it be enforced by the internal use of the Volatile Salt, which, in a word, is that, which gives it its main virtue.  
We shall add, on this occasion, that the Ancients valued very much their Oil of Vipers, which they prepared several ways, some by infusion, some by the decoction of Vipers in Oil of Olives. If they had rightly proportioned the quantity of Vipers with that of the Oil; if they had added thereto what moisture was necessary; and if in this they had employed some good method, this Oil might produce good effects, and we should approve of it, and refer our Readers to it. But finding nothing regular in all the Preparations, by them described, we thought good here to set down one, according to all the rules of Art.  
Take about the end of May, or the beginning of June, a dozen great Vipers newly taken, cut each of them into seven or eight pieces, and put them into a well glazed and strong earthen pot: power upon them three pounds of Oil of Olives, and one pint of white wine; cover the pot well, and make it boil over a gentle fire to the consumption of the moisture. Then strain all, squeeze out the Vipers well, and keep the Oil for use. In the mean time, fear not (as the Ancients did) the Vapours, that may issue out of the pot during the decoction; for the Vipers, as we have said, have no poison in all their body. This Oil, thus prepared, hath not, 'tis true, all the strength and virtues of the distilled Oil, of which we were speaking a little before; but it may very well serve for an ointment in all the distempers of the skin, in contractions of nerves, in rheumatismes, & in many other evils.   

CHAP. IX.  
Of the Manner of using the Volatile Salt.  
ALthough it be impossible to specify in particular all the ways of Using the Volatile Salt of Vipers, no more than one can well enumerate the sicknesses, that may have need of it; Yet, in some degree to satisfy those that may desire it we shall make here an Abridgement of a good part of what we have seen practised by Physicians, that perfectly know the qualities and proprieties of this Salt, and use it daily to the great benefit of their Patients.  
You must first know, that its piercing Taste hinders it from being given alone, and that it must be mixed, now with some Aliment, as in broth, the yolk of an egg, a roasted apple, a little jellly, etc. sometimes with Medicines, and that innumerable ways, which partly depend from the humour and disposition of the Patient, but chiefly from the wit, knowledge, and discretion of the Physician. For this Salt calls for a Physician, that hath sufficient ability to know and measure its force and activity; that is intelligent and versed in all Maladies, to be able beneficially to employ it in those that require it, that knows to choose a favourable time and occasion; and to mix it pertinently and to good purpose with such things, as may not change its nature nor divert its operation, nor subvert the indication, he shall have taken. So that 'tis necessary, to be equally assured of the genuine and methodical preparation of the Salt; of the knowledge of its qualities and virtues; of the nature of the distemper, of the condition, temper, and strength of the Patient; of the fitness of its exhibition among aliments or appropriated medicaments, and of the occasions and the time, in which it may be usefully employed. And when a due regard hath been had to all these circumstances, men will not fail to find very good effects of it. But that those, who are not accustomed to make use of it, may not unawares find in it effects contrary to the nature of this Salt, we have thought ourselves obliged to advertise them, that they must above all things avoid mixing them among Acids, and especially among Spirit of Salt, Vitriol, Brimstone, and the like, which would fix it and destroy its operation. To find therefore facility in its exhibition, it may be taken in distilled waters, or ptisane, or such decoctions as are appropriated to the disease; as also in Juleps, Emulsions, or Potions diversely composed. It may also be mixed in Conserves, Extracts, Confections, and the like; as also in Lozenges and Opiates, diversely made according to the nature of the distemper, and the intention of the Physician; It is also mingled with Purgatives, Sudorifiques, Aperitives and Diuretiques; and no less, with its own fixed Salt, and such other Salts, as are not contrary to it. It is also given in Wine, and among certain Mineral waters. It may be administered to both sexes, and to all ages, at all times and hours, between meals according to the nature of the disease, and the intention of the Doctor. It may be taken, if one will, several times in a day, and even at night; and the use of it may be continued for a good while.  
As to its dose, that is different, according to the occasion, age, temper and humour of the Patient, and the nature of the distemper, and the reiteration made of it: For, the dose is to be much less for those, who take it often in one day, and continue the use of it, than for those, that take it but once in a case of need. Sometimes 'tis esteemed sufficient to give 6. 8. 10. or 12. grains of it; but on certain occasions we may give 20. or 25. grains, and sometimes, half a drachma, and even a whole drachma. But discretion and skill is to be used; without which, this Salt, as excellent as 'tis, may produce effects quite contrary to what the Physician and the Patient might expect from it.   

CHAPT. X.  
Divers Remedies or Compositions, of which the Volatile Salt of Vipers is the Base or Ground.  
WE had not undertaken to describe the virtues, nor the Uses of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, no more than of the Fixed Salt, and of the Oil that riseth by Distillation, if this our Book were only written for the skilful Physician, who perfectly knows all, and especially the parts that may be drawn from the Viper. But being desirous to do a good office to such persons, as have no knowledge thereof, or that knowing it in part, have need to be directed, especially in the exhibition of this Volatile Salt; we thought good to conclude this Book with the Receipts of the chief Compositions of which this Volatile Salt may be the Ground, which are not found in Books, and may produce Effects worthy of this Salt.  
And knowing, that there are many curious persons, who having a great esteem for the Viper and its uses, make preparations thereof in private, following the Receipts they find in Books, which sometimes are well, sometimes ill prescribed, or ill executed; West all impart to them an Elixir of Vipers, that shall be of great virtue, pleasant to the taste, of easy preparation, and of long duration.  
Take four dozen of Hearts and as many Livers of Vipers, dried in the shade, and reduced to powder; two drachmas of good Cinnamon, half a drachma of Cloves, grossly beaten: put them into a strong glass-bottle, holding about two pints. Power on it a pound of the Queen of Hungary's Water, a pound of Melisse-water, half a pound of Orange-flower-water, and half a pound of Rose-water. Close the bottle exactly, and expose it to the Sun for forty days; after which dissolve in the liquor a pound of fine Sugar, and pass all through a clean bag. Put up this Elixir in a Bottle, and add to it half an ounce of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, well rectified, twelve grains of Levant-Musk, and as much of Ambergris. Close the bottle exactly, and you may keep this Elixir, to use it in time of need, from half a spoonful to a whole. You may take of it in the morning upon an empty Stomach, and at all hours, according as necessity shall require. This medicine is very good and very convenient: It is not only proper against all Poisons, against the Plague, and all Contagious and Epidemical diseases, but it also fortifieth all the noble parts, preserves the Natural heat in good condition, and by this means the use of it conduces much to preserve Health, and to prolong Life.  
The Elixir following deserveth also to be communicated to the Public, as a medicine that is not common, and is very available, not only for the Sicknesses of men, as well in the Brain, as the stomach, and all the noble parts; but also very particularly, for most of the diseases of Women. I shall give you here the Description of it. Take an ounce of good Saffron, as much of fair Myrrh, as much of Aloes Socotrina, and the same quantity of White Amber; a drachm of the Extract of Opium, and as much of the Extract of Castor. Mingle your Extracts in a little Spirit of Wine; pulverize all the rest; and put altogether in a Glass-Body: power upon it three pounds of Spirit of wine tartarized; place the Body in a Bath of Ashes; fit an Head to it, with its Recipient, well luted together: Give it a moderate fire, and draw from it about the moiety of the Spirit of Wine; then unlute your vessels, decant the tincture, that will swim above your powders, which will be found very much imbued with all their qualities; and keep it by itself in a bottle well-closed. Pour the Spirit of Wine, which you have drawn off, upon the remainder in the Body; Fit again to it the Head and the Recipient, and draw again from it the half of the Spirit of Wine. Decant again the tincture swimming a top, mingle it with the first, and keep it likewise. Cohobate for the third time the Spirit of wine, drawn off, upon the remainder in the Body; proceed as before, and pour off the tincture swimming a top, and mingle it with the former: then filter all three together, and power all into a strong Vial, adding to the whole an ounce of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, which will easily dissolve in it; keep the whole thus mixed and well closed. The dose may be from ten to sixteen drops.  
We shall yet add to this an Opiate of great efficacy for most distempers of the Brain; and 'tis this. Take half an ounce of the Extract of the root and seed of the male-Paeony; and of the true Misseltoe of the Oak, and of that of Betony-flowers, and of that of Clove-gilly-flowers, the same quantity of each of them; three drachms of the Confection of Alkermes of Mesue, three drachms of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, one drachma of the Volatile Salt of Succinum, two drachms and an half of prepared Pearl, and as much of Crabs-eyes prepared; three drops of Cinamon-oyle, and as much of the oil of Mace: Mingle all according to Art, and make an Opiate of it, and keep it in a pot of Fayence (a sort of fine white Earthen pots) well closed. The dose of it may be from a scruple to a drachma.  
You may also make, in the following manner, an opening and laxative Opiate, that shall conduce to the cure of sundry long and stubborn diseases, especially of those that are caused by several obstructions of the parts. Take of the Conserve of Tamarisk-flowers, of the Conserve of the Flowers of Genista or Spanish-Broom, of that of Marigold, and of that of the Male-peach flowers, of each six drachms; half an ounce of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, as much of the Extract of the ordinary Iris root, and as much of the Extract of Rhubarb; two drachms of the fixed Salt of Vipers, as much of the Mineral Bezoar, and as much of the Salt of Wormwood; a drachma and an half of Rosin of Scammony, and as much of the Extract of Coloquintida; and a drachma of the powder of Cinnamon. Mix all these things together, and adding to it, as much as needs, of the Syrup of Succory, compounded with Rhubarb, you shall make an Opiate of it, the Dose of which may be from one drachma to two, and even to three for stronger Bodies.  
There may also be made Pills, that shall have a virtue near the former in efficacy, to be taken in a less quantity. Take of the Extract of Aloes, made with the juice of the cleansed flowers of Violets, of the Extract of Rhubarb, and of that of the Levant-Sena, of each two drachms; as much of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, as much of the Rosin of Scammony, and as much of the Gumm Ammoniac in drops; one drachma of Mineral Bezoar, and the like quanitty of the Fixed Salt of Vipers. Reduce all into a mass of Pills, of which the dose shall be from half a scruple to two scruples.  
Those, whose stomach shall be troubled with tenacious humours, such as could not be carried away by Purges, or other remedies; those, that have a nauseousness, and are subject to troublesome resentments from the Stomach, may to good purpose use the following powder.  
Take of Coriander-seed (that is not prepared with Vinegar, according to the ill way of the Ancients, but such as is sold in good shops,) of Anis-seed, of sweet Fennelseed, of the root of Liquorish well scraped and dried, of each half anounce; three drachms of the Volatile Salt of Vipers, and as much of Crabs-eyes prepared; two drachms of the Fixed Salt of Vipers, and as much of well-chosen Cinnamon. Bring all to a fine powder, and add to it its weight, or if you will, double its weight of fine powdered sugar. Close this mixture in a Glass-vessel, or in one of the fine white Earthen pots, and close it carefully. You may take of it, at a time, from half a spoonful to a whole, according as you have put more or less Sugar to it. You may also add to the powder some drops of the Oil of Anis, and of the Oil of Cinnamon, and even of Musk and Ambre-gris.  
This Volatile Salt is to very good purpose mixed among the Sneezing powders; for besides that it penetrates exceedingly by its activeness, it also discharges the Brain powerfully, and withal fortifieth it. It may be mixed with the powders of Betony, Margerum, Rosemary, Arabic, Staechas, Sage, and the like, not putting but a sixth part of our Volatile Salt among these powders.  
Those that would have an Opiate, proper not only to fortify the Heart, the Stomach, and all the noble parts, but also to expel all kind of Venom, and all the impurities of the mass of Blood, and of the solid parts, and to make them issue out at the pores of the skin, or at the other emunctories, may prepare very beneficially the following Opiate.  
Take two ounces of the Conserve of Gillyflowers, one ounce of the Confection of Alkermes, ambred and musked, six drachms of the Volatile Salt of Vipers well rectified, half an ounce of the Confection of Hyacinth, as much of the Electuary of Diascordium, three drachmas of the Mineral Bezoar; and of Pearl prepared, of Crabs-eyes prepared, of the Extract of Angelica, and of that of Carlina, of each of these the same quantity; two drachms of the Salt of Carduus Benedictus. Mix all together, and reduce it to an Opiate, by adding to it some Syrup of kermes, or the Clove-Gilly-flowers, as much as needs to give a good consistence to the Composition: Which you are to keep close for your occasions. You may take of it, for a preservative, half a drachm, at a time, in Wine, or broth; but in urging sicknesses, you may take of it a whole drachma, and even two drachms.  
Those that will use the Oil which hath been drawn by Distillation, may either employ it all alone, or mingle it with an equal quantity of Unguentum Martiatum, and even add to it Oils distilled of Rosemary, Sage, Lavender and the like.  
Those, that shall well consider these Receipts, will find therein not only a fit proportion in the dose of all the particulars, but also great cautiousness in mixing nothing with them, that may destroy or change the natnre of our Volatile Salt; which is the thing, most to be avoided in the exhibition.  
We might here add many other Compositions, of which the Volatile Salt of Vipers may be the Ground; but we have contented ourselves to deliver these for examples, knowing, that there may be found divers others, good enough, in Books, and esteeming, that 'tis better to prepare them upon occasion according to exigency, and following the Receipts, which able Physicians may prescribe thereof.  
We have also explained ourselves sufficiently in all particulars. We would have been more large, if we had not apprehended we might exceed our bounds, and undertake things, which might be thought to be beyond our reach, and to belong only to knowing Physicians.  
Those that know well to prepare this Volatile Salt of Vipers, and to unite it well with the Volatile parts of Plants, and with the Sulphureous parts of certain Minerals, that are friendly to our nature, may say, that they have made some progress in their Profession. We labour daily, and wish ourselves able in time to impart something to the public, that may be more accomplished.  
FINIS.