A QUAERE Concerning Drinking Bathwater, AT , RESOLVED.  
BY EUGENIUS PHILANDER.  
LONDON, Printed for George Sawbridge, at the Bible on Ludgate-hill, 1673.   

THE QUESTION. Whether the Bathwater of the Baths of Bath in Somersetshire, may be safely used inwardly; and what Course is to be taken by those that would use it so as to find benefit thereby.  
THe Drinking of the Bathwater at Bath, having lately met with great applause, which may encourage some inconsiderately to use it, the many, or multitude, being like those Animals that follow one another, and apt to go the broader way, though it lead to ruin: On no other design than my own satisfaction, and the benefit of those that shall commit themselves to my directions, I have drawn up the following decision of this twofold Question, in as plain, satisfactory, and significant a manner, as my present occasions, and divertisements of another Nature, will permit me to do.  
But before I give a positive and particular answer to the Question proposed, I must crave leave, with the best Mineral and Metallick Fathers, to premise, That all Mineral Waters are not alike admitted to an Internal Use; For first, all such are justly excluded, that contain in them, or are impregnated with, any noxious Ingredient, such as are Quicksilver, Led, Gypsum, etc.  
Quicksilver is no friend to the Nerves, and though it may, and hath been given inwardly, both liquid, and Solid, in a small proportion by Practitioners, with good success in the Worms, and in greater quantity on other emergent occasions; yet the constant use thereof is not warrantable, especially in Mineral-Waters, that in so vast a proportion as they are usually prescribed, must necessarily for some time lodge in the Stomach, pass through the Intestines, and touch on many Nervous and Membranous parts of the Body, before they come to the Ureters and Bladder for excretion. That all Waters supposed to proceed from Quicksilver, are to be avoided, I know is contradicted by some Authors of good Credit, and particularly the Waters of Serra Morena, and la Nava in Spain, Almagra, Toletum, and others by the Rus Mimus, as the Learned Doctor Jorden observes, are found to be wholesome; however, since many venomous Springs are adjudged (how justly I say not) impregnated with this Mineral, and many ill effects have been produced by no very great proportion taken into the body; others more wary, have wholly excluded them from an Internal Use; whereupon Paledinus hath this Note; In universum excluduntur ab hoc usu quae aliquid metallicum noxium in se habent; Amongst which he reckons Argentum Vivum.  
Lead-Waters are also accounted unwholesome to be used in this manner; Caveatis à potu talium aquarum quae habent in se Plumbum, saith Fallopius; and he gives this reason, quia periculum est, ne natura Plumbi conversa vel in Lithargyrum vel in aliud simile, ut solet, hominem enecet: lest the nature of Lead be converted into lethargy, or something like it, as it often is, and men die thereupon. But perhaps there may be little need of this Caution, since, if we believe others, there are no Waters observed that are impregnated with Lead; I confess I have met with none but the Plumbeae, Plumbares, or Plumbariae, in that part of Germany called Lorain, which yet may not have that name from their being infected with Lead, but more probably, as John Bauhinus supposeth, from the scalding of Fowls, which they do by the Heat of those Waters, and aught to be called Plumiers, as Pictorius writes it, from the French word Plumer, à deplumando, as a Learned Physician of our own hath observed.  
Gypsum, or Plaister-waters, are accounted noxious in regard of their overcooling and refrigerating nature, which proves destructive, and therefore no Physician hath ever ordered the use of them in Drinks. The like may be said of Arsenic, Auripigmentum, Risagalum, Sandaracha, Rusma, and Cadmia natural, which being Venomous, and strongly Corrosive, are dangerous, and no way to be used inwardly in the manner under debate.  
But to come nearer our purpose; Neither are Waters that have in them Liquid Bitumen, and especially Naphtha, esteemed fit to be drank, because they more than ordinarily relax the Stomach and Guts, partly on the account of their Fattiness, and partly by reason of too much Moisture, by which the Tone of the parts is injured, and consequently the strength of the Stomach and Guts enervated, to the great and inevitable detriment of the rest of the Body. Sed & Bitumen liquidum habentes, quòd praeter modum relaxant, inutiles sunt, saith Claudinus; And Fallopius more particularly, Addatis Aquas quae habent Bitumen Liquidum, praecipuè Naphtham, quae aquae noxiae sunt, quia relaxant ventriculum & intestina, praeter modum, partim ratione Pinguedinis, partim quia habent vim humectandi, relaxando autem dissipant omne robur Viscerum, & ideo non conveniunt in Potu. I know the Testimony of the Ancients, Archigenes, Galen, Paulus, and Vitruvius, are alleged in favour of Bituminous Waters; but the answer is obvious, That they are to be understood of Waters passing through veins of a solid and dry Bitumen, which were in use for purging heretofore, and not of a Liquid. Claudinus; Quae per venas transeunt bituminis sicci possunt in potu convenire; & de his intelligendi sunt Archigenes, Galenus, Paulus, Vitruvius, cum eas pro Potu proponunt.  
The like censure hath passed on all Sulphurous Waters that have Brimstone alone, and no other Mineral commixed with it; as appears from the Testimony of Antyllus an ancient Physician in Oribasius, who gives this reason, that they relax the Orifice, subvert, and effeminate the body of the Stomach; which is also confirmed by the concurrent judgement of other Physicians, which, for brevity sake, I must here omit; only observe this by the way, That whereas Waters purely Sulphurous were condemned, those that had any other Mineral that might correct the ill qualities of the Sulphur, were permitted; and Waters Sulphurous, à praedominio, are accounted aptae ad potum, provided they have Salt, Alum, Nitre, or any other Ingredient, that may give a check to the relaxing and effeminating nature of the Brimstone. And of this sort of Compound Sulphurous Waters are Galen and Alexander Trullianus to be understood, according to the judgement of their best Interpreters. But here, like a wheel within a wheel, this Question may arise, which will need a solution.  
Q. How come Bituminous and Sulphurous Waters, to relax, and effeminate inwardly; when we find by experience, that outwardly used in Baths, they Strengthen and Corroborate?  
A. The reason I conceive, must be chargeable on the mediate, or immediate application of the Waters to the nervous parts; for being externally used, the Skin and muscular parts are a sufficient defence against the relaxing quality, and being likewise discussive, they dissipate any impacted matter lodged in or about the Nerves, by which the free motion of the Animal Spirits is impeded, and consequently Strength diminished; Whereas in the immediate application to the Stomach and Intestines, they are least able to resist, and so in danger of receiving greater prejudice. Thus if we keep a convenient distance from the Fire, we receive its benefit, but approaching too near, without a very good Screen, we experience its rage.  
Water's tincted with Brass are condemned by some, on the account that they are very seldom free from Aerugo or Chrysocolla, which are dangerous; but others allow the use of them if they participate but slightly of the Minera, as the Viterbienses, which are judged praestantissimae.  
The best Waters to be taken inwardly, by the unanimous consent of Judicious Writers, are supposed to be Salt, Nitrous, Aluminous, and Iron; which, besides their moderate heating quality, are very friendly to the Stomach, and parts through which they pass; and, what is the main Thing to be observed in the choice of Mineral Waters, pass freely through the Body, either by Siege or Urine, without the addition of some helps, which other sluggish Waters must have; which probably may somewhat alter their property, and render them less effectual, than those that need not such Additions.  
Also Gold, Silver, (if such are to be found) and Marble Waters, without Gypsum, are esteemed wholesome, and may safely be used as a Drink.  
These are the most considerable Waters, Good, and Bad, I find mentioned in Mineral Writers; by which any indifferent person may sufficiently judge of the first part of the Question propounded, provided he be assured of what Minerals the Waters of  do consist. If principally of Bitumen, with Nitre, and some Sulphur, as was the Opinion of Doctor Jorden, and is yet my own; there are two ingredients against one for the not using it as a Drink: yet in regard the Nitre seems to be in a greater proportion than the Sulphur, and by that means, may in some measure, qualify and allay the Inconveniences that may arise from the two other Constituents, I judge, with some Cautions in the use thereof, they may be potable, though not so adviseable as some other Mineral Waters are. And this is the most moderate Decision I can give of that part of the Question that concerns the Security of the using the Bathwater as a Drink.  
As to the other, Viz. The Course to be taken by those that would use it so, as to find benefit thereby; before I determine that, I must take the liberty to declare, that I find many irregularities in the Course which is now followed, which is so much different from a rational method, and the practice and directions of intelligent Physicians in other places; that one may easily conclude it a Brat, if not begot, yet fostered by a Quack, whose Motto may be, Quocunque modo rem, and cares not what betides the Patient so the money be received.  
The first irregularity I take notice of is, the general drinking the Waters without advice, or with advice as good as none; the prime thing to be considered being, whether it be proper or not. This is incumbent on the Physician to determine, and cannot well be done without an exact knowledge both of the Waters, and the distempers the Patiented labours under; Now, though, perhaps, it may be thought a reflection on the Faculty, to say, that some Physicians, or at least pretenders to that Noble Art, are not so intelligent, who notwithstanding are very liberal in their advice for the taking the Waters; yet I must needs conclude, that if they are so, they very much stifle their knowledge, and thwart the known Rules of their Profession, in advising persons of quite contrary Tempers, and distempers, to an equal use of what, if beneficial to one, must be prejudicial to another. This was the old Quacking Trick in Galen's time, of which an Honest Author gives this account; Dicimus praeceptum istud ut Medicus diligenter observet, an Potus Aquae conveniat, necne, esse summe necessarium, quia, sine ipso fieri nequit aliquid, & in hoc praecepto multi tum recentiorum, tum antiquorum peccarunt, & tempore etiam Galeni. Sunt enim inter medicos aliqui qui postquam valde defatigarint aegros, & aliquando praeter rationem & institutum, viderint quod res sibi non succedit statim, nulla alia consideratione habita, relegent miseros Patientes ad Aquas Thermales, tanquam ad anchoram sacram, non considerantes antea, an aquae illae conveniant, vel non conveniant; vel quia ignorent naturam Aquarum, vel quia ignorent naturam morbi, vel utriusque simul, & ita casu quicquid agunt, agunt. I hope I shall not be so grossly mistaken here, as to be thought by any to write this to discourage a Resort, but rather to be a Monitor to the Residents on the place, that, if Physicians abroad are not so circumspect (as they may not be, on their confidence in them) they would so far discharge their own Consciences, as well as evidence their skill, as to deal candidly and ingenuously with their Patients; neither are those in any wise to be accounted Apollo's, but rather Apollyon's, who, regarding their Patients no more than poisoned Rats, care not what holes they die in, provided they are secured against this, that they stink not on the place.  
The next thing I blame in the ordinary course, is, the drinking of the Waters, and Bathing on the same day, nay oftentimes together, in the Bath itself. How contrary this is, not only to the judgement of Rational Physicians, but Reason itself, may appear from these words of a good Author. Sed neque Balneum Thermarum, dum aquae sumuntur, administrandum est; quod hoc modo ratione contrariorum motuum factorum à Balneo, quod ad Circumferentiam, & à Potu, qui ad Centrum trahit, nimis aeger affligitur. And, that it may not be said to be only one Doctor's opinion, (which, if grounded on Reason, is sufficient, without which an opinion is nothing) another gives the same advice. Nec quoad infusionem Corpor is placet, quoniam qui ita agunt, asfligunt nimis aegrum ratione contrarii motus, qui motus contrarius fit ab aqua in potum accepta, & à Balneo. Nam aqua quae in corpore est, agit ducendo à Circumferentia ad Centrum; Infusio vero è contra à Centro ad Circumferentiam, unde nisi robustissimum fuerit Corpus non poterit perferre talem motum.  
I confess this reason of a contrary motion lies chief against Cathartick Waters, or those Waters that move by siege, which must have a motion contrary to that of the Bath, which moves from the Centre to the Circumference, or from the more inward parts, to the habit of the Body; yet, in regard those Waters that move by Urine, may, on the contrary, be too much accelerated, and sooner than is fitting, precipitated to the Kidneys; by which, Nature, on so great a strain, must likewise suffer some inconvenience inwardly, as well as an affliction from the Bath without; The prohibition holds good, as to Diuretic Waters too, though not on the same, yet as good a ground.  
A third Irregularity, I find, is, the Drinking of the Waters without a due preparation of the Body before; which ought not to be done so slightly, as with a little Bathwater and Salt, but with such frequent and repeated Purgations, as may be requisite sometimes. For the Waters must certainly first pass through the Stomach and Guts, which, if they find foul, and not cleansed from those impurities that will undeniably lodge there on many occasions, besides that they taint the Water, and render it less beneficial, are with the current carried farther into the body, whereby the intermediate passages are more obstructed, and perhaps also the blood defiled. My Author therefore says very well; Omnes & vulgares etiam dicunt Purgationem debere praecedere potum aquarum medicatarum, & quamvis aliquibus successerit sanatio absque purgatione praemissa per pharmacum, tamen raro hoc accidit; quare ante potum corpora sunt diligentissime purganda, bis, ter, & pluries, si opus fuerit.  
The fourth and last thing I shall take notice of as an Erratum, and so to be corrected, is, the drinking other Liquors, keeping too much company, and observing no regular Diet, in the taking of the Waters, which must of necessity prejudice their operation; whereas if they were permitted to take their own course, or had some encouragements by meat and drink, they would be more apt to display what Virtues they have to a greater advantage. But many, gentlemans especially, are not contented with one good morning's draught, and in too short a time after drinking the Waters, gratify their Appetite, which they fancy is heightened by the use of the Waters, with variety of Meats; so that the Stomach, though sometimes at a dull rate, concocting, and the Waters, as they say, provoking, makes such work for the draught, that, were they useful all the year, would prove more for the encouragement of the mystery of the Gold-finders, than any thing I know in the world besides.  
That I may not be tedious in what I at first intended to be very brief, I shall now set down that course I think most convenient to be taken by those that expect any benefit from the drinking of the Waters. After previous preparation of the Body, which is the work of the Physician, what concerns the Patient may be, To rise about five or six of the clock in the morning, and having discharged Nature's burden, if occasion require, and walked some few turns to excite natural Heat, he may safely, if of an indifferent Constitution, adventure on three pints of Water the first time, to be taken in manner following; Viz. He, or she, may have as much Water as is necessary by them, out of which may be filled a Glass or Cup, containing half a Pint, two of which may be taken presently; then walking gently a Quarter of an Hour, two more; and the like motion performed for another Quarter, the two last: The next day they may advance one glass more, and so every day increase half a Pint, till six Pints are completed at one time, which is the highest dose I judge convenient for ordinary constitutions. When that dose is well received, I would not have the Patient stay long at this pitch, not above a day, two, or three at most, but descend again by the same steps he ascended before; so that this course may hold twelve or fourteen days, without intermission, or Bathing in the mean time, which will be a sufficient trial what the Waters will do. If it be judged requisite, a longer course may be ordered, as the Physician shall think fit, who is to be consulted in this case.  
Those that are, if I may so speak, a size stronger in Constitution, larger Bodies, and more violent distempers, may take a pottle at first in an hours time, walking, as before directed, and so rise up by the steps before mentioned, to a Gallon, which I judge sufficient for the middle sort.  
And those that are of the largest size, and thought fit to bear the greatest proportion, may begin with five pints, and come up to ten; above which, I would not advise any person to go. This is the best Gage I can at present resolve on, which yet may be somewhat varied according to the judgement of the Physician that attends.  
About twelve of the clock (by which time the Waters may have made a considerable pass) a light dinner may be taken of Eggs, Broth, or a cut of Veal, Mutton, Capon, Pullet's, Chickens, and such like meats of easy digestion; but towards night, at five of the clock at farthest, a freer meal may be made on the meats before mentioned, that so the Stomach may be cleared against the next morning again; if any Wines be used, I think Rhenish, White, and Claret the best, and as little Beer or Ale as may be.  
What relates to the distempers, it may be profitable for, and the Symptoms arising sometimes in the use, notwithstanding all the Care and Circumspection imaginable, I say nothing of here, as being part of the Physicians concern, but leave the work of Physicians to Physicians themselves.  
FINIS.