OBSERVATIONS ON THE Venereal Disease, With the True way Of Curing the Same.  
By CHARLES PETER Chirurgeon.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non nobis nati Sumus.  
Licenced according to Order.  
London Printed by D. Mallet, and are to be Sold by the Author, at his Bathing-House in St. Martins-Lane near Long-Acre, 1686.   

THE PREFACE,  
THere will be some Readers that are Strangers to me, and it may be not amiss to inform them, that in my juvenile years; my inclinations led me to Chirurgery, in which I took so great delight, that I never thought myself so happy, as when I was a Spectator of some or other Chyrurgical Operation, in pursuance of what I so much delighted in; I was put Apprentice to a Master of Anatomy, by reason of which, I was always present at Dissections, both public and private, at which 'tis hard for me to say, whether I took more Pains or Pleasure. Having thus laid a Foundation in order to attaining to the Art of Chirurgery, and having several years seen many very good manual Operations, performed in and about the City of London and elsewhere, I was sent in Company of several Eminent Surgeons, to Dress the wounded Men in the Hospitals of Harwich and Ipswich, where much pains I took during the time of the War, between us and the Dutch, Anno. 1665. Returning to London, the Plague soon grew to a great height; I stayed in Town and had much business, and great success in Curing of it. The great Fire of London happened soon after, and my Apprenticeship being expired, I applied myself to my Study, reading the best of Authors I could meet with; I likewise endeavoured to read Men as well as Books, and therefore sought out the most ingenicus practisers of Physic and Chirurgery, with whom I daily Conversed, making daily Observations of my own and other men's Practices; I ever had (since I first fancied the medicinal way,) an earnest desire to the true knowledge of the Venereal Disease; I have by the Dissecting of many Bodies, observed the nature and variety of the Distemper, and have been most curious in observing the accidents that many times attend the Disease, the different operations that I have observed in Medicines, made me first take the trouble, and be at the charge of preparing several, and the profit, besides my own satisfaction, hath made me continue my Labours, and 'tis well known, with how great pains and care I have attained to the knowledge, of preparing such excellent Medicines as my Antivenereal Pill, etc. Besides no small charge in my ordering those various ways of Sweeting and Bathing, with which, persons are accommodated at my House; I am the first English Chirurgeon, that ever prepared Baths of all sorts, and I thank God, I have as convenient Bathing Rooms in my House, as any in England, and I think no Man in his way, has been more laborious than myself; the following Treatise, I am sure contains most certain Truths, if thou dost question any thing therein, I shall be willing to satisfy thee.  
From my House in St. Martins-Lane near Long-Acre.   

The Contents.  



Chap. 1st. OF the Original of the Lues Venerea, and several names of it.  
Chap. 2d. The Causes of the Lues Venerea, and several ways of infecting.  
Chap. 3d. The Signs of the Lues Venerea.  
Chap. 4th. The dangerous effects of the Lues Venerea.  
Chap. 5th. Of the mischiefs caused by ignorant Pretenders.  
Chap. 6th. Of several ways of Curing the Pox.  
Chap. 7th. The true way of Curing the Pox.  
Chap. 8th. The true way of Curing the Gonorrhaea.  
Chap. 9th. The Conclusion.      


CHAP. I. Of the Original of the Lues Venerea, and several Names of it.  
COncerning the beginning of this Disease, Authors are various, and I find that it hath had variety of names, in several times and places, but my opinion is, that the Disease is very ancient, and may challenge almost as much Antiquity, as the Sin of Uncleanness, for the names of it, I will set down but these few; the Italians call it Morbus Gallicus, the French call it Scabies Hispanica, and Morbus Italicus, in Spain they call it Morbus Neapolitanus, in England we call it Morbus Gallicus, and Lues Venerea, by the last name I intent to treat of it.   

CHAP. II. The Causes of the Lues Venerea, and several ways of Infecting.  
THe causes of this Distemper are twofold, the first of an occult quality, being as a scourge laid on Mankind (by the Almighty,) to restrain our too wanton Lusts, the other is by an impure touch or contagion, especially in Copulation; a Man receiving of an infected Vapour, or filthy Sanies, into the Pores of the Skin, or into the Vrethra, as well before the ejecting of the Seed, as after, the Woman having either a Gonorrhaea, or else an Ulcer, or perhaps only the foul Seed of some infected Person left in her, some small time before, which being lodged in the wrinkles of the Womb, may be drawn in by the pores of the extended Penis, so that 'tis possible for a Man to get this Disease, by a Woman that was never infected herself, for the oleaginous moisture that is ever in the neck of the Womb, doth many times defend it from being infected, besides, in Women the parts being not so straight, nor yet so hot, the infection is not so nourished and fomented, as 'tis in men, besides the admirable cunning that Women of the Town use, is not a little to be observed.  
There be many persons that will not believe any hurt can be gotten, any other way than by Copulation with an infected person, but I will prove the contrary by common experience, as for example.  
A Gentleman about 25 years of age, having lain with a young Lass about 19 or 20 years old, was so excessive in the use of Venery with her, that having kept her company three days, a violent Fever seized them both, with great pains in the Back and Head, I was sent for to let them Blood, but when I came and had inquired into the causes of their Distemperature, I would by no means take any Blood away, for the Fever being caused by the diminution of the Spirits, bleeding must have increased the Fever, rather than abated it, I therefore ordered each a clyster of the Decoct. Com. cum Sy Violar. and two hours after the clyster; an Emulsion of the cool Seeds, dulcisied with Syr. Citrini, and a little Diacodion to refrigerate the parts and cause sleep, in two or three days the Fever left them, the Woman was very well, but a Gonorrhaea attended the man, without its usual symptoms, and it was carried off with much ease, for I verily believe it was caused only by too much forcing of the spermatick Vessels, and heating of the parts, especially the Prostrate Glandules; 'tis not impossible for this Disease to be gotten by Kissing, especially if either party have an Ulcer in the Throat, or Ulceration in the Mouth, from which a slimy juice proceeding, and the Lips being moistened thereby, may very easily infect the other; the common Lascivious way of Kissing doth much adjuvate this way of infecting.  
Children are very subject to be infected this way, for by reason the Pores of their Skin being open, and apt to attract, they are injured by an unwholesome Kiss, and they being once infected are hard to cure.  
A man who had a large Ulcer in his Throat, came to me for help, (by God's blessing I cured him,) his Wife lying in Childbed at the same time, and her Breasts being sore, I was called to give my advice, I found her in a Fever, and her Nipples Ulcerated; I called for her Child, whom I found infected with an Ulcer in the Mouth, presently I declared them both to be infected with the Pox; I will not stand to determine, whether the Woman was infected before her delivery, and so the Child brought into the World with the Distemper; or whether the Father did by kissing infect the Child, and so the malignity conveyed to the Mother through the porous body of the Nipples, but to make good my assertion, pray observe the event.  
A Neighbour who was a Nurse coming to visit the Woman, whose Breasts was sore, and hearing her complain of the tenderness of her Nipples, she taking up the infected Child kissed it, and gave it her Breast, (she being ignorant of the Distemper,) the Child sucked her and infected her, insomuch that her Lips and Breasts broke out with ulcerous Sores; moreover a little Girl about Eight years old, that used to play to the infected Child, and often to kiss it, was by it infected.  
The Disease is very often got by lactation, therefore I do advise those that put their young Children to Nurse, to be wary in choosing of Nurses, and in like manner, Nurses ought to be careful what and whose Children they take, for the Venom is very often communicated from Nurses to Children, and as often received by Nurses from them, for a very small matter is able to infect either, and many Families have been undone by receiving the Venom this way.  
'tis not to be imagined how many Children in a year are destroyed in this City by this Distemper, though in the Weekly Bills they pass for gripping of the Guts, or Worms, Rickets, etc.  
'tis dangerous to Sweat in a Bed with one that hath the Pox, and young people are often infected this way, but pray mistake me not, for many will faith they have said with those that have had it, and yet never got any hurt, which may be, for some Constitutions are so hardy, that they will not be easily infected, but any man of sense must believe, that not only the sweat of Pocky persons, but the vapour which may come from them in a Bed, must needs be injurious, especially having the advantage of heat to open the pores of the Body.  
There be some Writers that do affirm, that the breath of a Pocky person is infectious, but I think that assertion very ridiculous, for experience doth every day confirm the contrary.  
There is a great deal of variety in Bodies, some being far more easily infected than other, as sanguine and slegmatick persons, (but are more easily cured than Choleric or Melancholy persons are,) and many have known several men to be concerned with one Woman, one soon after the other, and some to come of without being hurt, and the otehr to be dangeroufly Peppered.   

CHAP. III. The signs of the Lues Venerea.  
THe signs of this Distemper are various, according to the strength and constitution of the Patient, the general signs are these, viz. A debility of the whole body, as if wearied by much labour, (which is caused by the infection of the Spirits,) a stifness of the Joints, but more especially of the Hips and Thighs, great pulsation of the Arteries, a shooting pain in the Groins, pain in the Cod, itching about the root of the Yard, sharpness of Urine, and a pricking pain in erection, and flowing of yellow sanies from the Yard oftimes, pain in the Back and in the Head; these are the infallible signs of a Gonorrhaea, some of them happening to one, and some to another, and yet I have known all of them to happen to one person, and at one time, some have other symptoms, as the Prepuce and Glans, swelling immoderately with great pain, or perhaps the Vrethra stopped up with Caruncles, the Glans almost covered with Warts, sometimes excoriations of the Glans, or ulcers on the Glans, or Prepuce or both, sometimes Buboes do arise in the Groins, which if once suppurate and opened handsomely, the Cure is performed with much ease, but if they are driven back into the Body, they make the Distemper more inveterate, seize the Liver and confirm a Pox.  
Some persons immediately after the receiving of the infection, are taken with a giddiness of the Head, and most terrible pains in the Eyes and Ears, and in most parts of the Body, breaking out with small red Pimples, which presently return into the Body, and a while after break out with foul Scabs, some moist and spreading, though more generally they are dry and hard, and very nearly represent the cup of an Acorn both in shape and colour.  
Some have Ulcers on the body of the Yard, some in the Fundament, others have large nodes upon the Bones in several parts, these are most certain symptoms of the Pox.  
Note, that this Distemper doth vary much in its times, many times showing itself in 1, 2, or 3 days, sometimes lying hid a Month, two or three, and sometimes a year or more, but it lieth not idle, for the longer it lies hid, the more inveterate it proves, when once it appears, and of times disguised under another name; it tyraniseth in the body to the destruction of the Patient; I therefore advise all persons that so soon as ever they find themselves touched with this venomous Dart, that they straightways repair to such Persons as are able to help them.   

CHAP. IV The dangerous effects of the Lues Venerea.  
TO demonstrate all the effects of this raging Distemper, would take up much time, therefore as breisly as possible, I will acquaint thee how great a Tyrant this Disease is to those People, who either scorn to own they have it, or those who being a shamed to confess their Condition rather venture to undergo it, that wisely to seek for help; I have known some so sordidly foolish, that having had Ulcers on the Penis, have so long slighted the Disease, until the Penis hath been mortified even unto the Belly, upon which ensued immediate Death, and some escaping with their Lives, have lost most part, if not all of the Members; I have known others to have been almost eaten up by this Disease, before they have known so much as the name of their Malady: I have seen many Women with large Ulcers in the neck of the Womb, which have caused continual pains, by corroding of the parts, others that have been Ulcerated from the Pubes, even to the Anus, insomuch that the Labia have been eaten away in some, and in many mortified; many have spongy excressencies on the Labia, with multitudes of warts round the Labia and Anus, and many have the venereal Fistula in Ano, which will admit of no Cure, without the use of Antivenereal Medicines. I have known some who having been seized with a violent pain in the Head, and in all the Limbs, have fallen into a Fever and Died Mad. Some have sharp and continual pains in all the Joints, especially in the Shoulders: And Nodes affixed to the Bones in many parts of the Body, insomuch that the very Bones become Rotten, for the Disease is so Malign, that it will creep between the Bone and the Flesh, and consume both.  
These Nodes, are by some called Gummata, they are painful Swell, and are caused by the Phlegmatic part of the Disease, left behind in ill managed Courses of Physic, but in some they are absolute Elevations of the Bone, the Venom having penetrated the Periostium.  
Some have the Penis so stopped with caruncles, that they cannot make Water, some have the uvula and the  of the Mouth eaten away by Ulcer, and many you see who lose their Noses by this violent Disease, some have the tip of the Nose and Nostril eaten away some lose their Eyes, and many their hearing, and some their Mouths drawn away, and indeed I could quote multitudes of Example of the fury of it. Oh! how intolerable are the Pains that many poor Wretches endure by this Distemper especially in the Night, at which time it most boldly walks its rounds to afflict poor Mortals, for indeed all Pains are worse in the Night, than the Day, by reason that the exercising of the Body in the Day doth divert the Pain, but the Warmness of the Bed at Night doth stir up the Malignity, and the very thoughts of the Patient in the Night being fixed on the object of Pain, doth make the Misery more intolerable.  
Many Years have some undergone the Tyranny of this Distemper, till at last it having enervated all the parts of the Body, and consumed the Flesh to the Bones, it surrenders them to the Grave, whom perhaps, had they but used such Medicines, as had been proper in such Cases, they might soon have eradicated the Disease from their bodies. 'Tis not a small Number, but many Thousands, that have perished for want of such Noble Medicines as have force to over come the Malignity of this Disease.  
How many Consumptions, Catarrhs, Astmaes, and innumerable more Diseases proceed from nothing else but this Fountain, 'tis this is the domineering Distemper of our Age; though too often it goes under the notion of some other Disease, though many do believe the Scurvy is far more pray: vailing, which indeed is a very destructive Malady, and incident to most Men, for the Relics of the Lues Venerea, doth many times convert into the Scurvy and sometimes the Dropsy, and not seldom into the Gout; and I pray observe this, that where ever any Distemper is complicated, with any Relic of the Venereal Disease, it ever proves very stubborn, and will not yield to ordinary means, and indeed cannot be perfectly Cured, without the use of good Antivenereal Medicines.   

CHAP. V Of the Mischiefs caused by ignor an't Pretenders.  
THe diversity of my Practice in this City for several years hath given me occasion to observe, that many mischiefs are daily occasioned by impudent and ignorant Pretenders. I mean not only those (Vagrants) who pretend to have brought such strange and wonderful Medicines from Foreign Parts: But many of our own Country men, who too boldly venture on the Curing of Diseases without ever knowing the Nature or Causes of them; nay, many times not so much as the Name of the Distemper: Who although illiterate persons, and never bred to the Knowledge of the Practice of Physic and Chirurgery, yet boldly fly at all, valuing a Patient's Life, no more than their own little or no Credits, most of them pretending to the Cure of this Disease, and making the most small appearance, seem to be the highest degree of the Pox, especially when the Patient confesses a guilt, they speedily pronounce an infection, making most of those People that go to them for advice, to believe they have the Pox, although they are never so free from it, for if the Patient but propose this unhappy question. Sir, do you not think I have the foul Disease? They then as suddenly reply yes, yes: Thus many a harmless person is ensnared, and by their own credulity, are caused to undergo such strange courses of Physic, as perhaps may (and doth too often) ruin both Body and Purse, nay the misery of their rashness ends not here, for oftimes such differences between Man and Wife, are occasioned by these Proceed, as causes a disorder their whole life time, as for Example.  
A Woman (whom I believe to be a civil person) going lately to one who pretended to great Judgement in Urines (and carrying her Urine to have his advice) he plainly told her she had the Pox, he looked in her Throat, and told her she had an Ulcer there, and that in a short time she would lose her Nose; this much startled the Woman, whereupon she told him she was troubled with a pain in her Head (which was all she ailed, and was occasioned only by obstructions) he forth with pronounces the pain of her Head to be Venereal, telling her the Pox was in her Brain; upon this home she goes, rails at her Husband, & resolves to be Cured whatever it cost, her Husband advised her to come to me, which she did, and desired me to tell her what I would have to Cure her of this her (immaginary) Disease. I making strict nulls concerning the State of her Body; all I could observe was, that she had pain in her head, which I supposed was occasioned by the foulness of her Stomach and Obstructions: I enquired of her whether her pain was nocturnal or no? whether she had any pains in her Shoulders, Back, Arms, Thighs, Shins, or any of her Joints, any Breaking-out, any Nodes, etc. in a word, I could no way find she was infected; whereupon I declared she was free from the Pox, she was very angry, and told me she had an Ulcer in her Throat; I than looked in her Throat and found all well, which I affirmed to her; she went home much dissatisfied, and fell into a great Melancholy, because her Husband would not suffer her any more to go to the person who told her she had the Pox. She being in this condition, her Husband came to me and consulted me, upon which, I agreed to humourher Fancy: So I went to visit her, she complained much of her woeful condition; I told her I had considered her Case, and that I would take care to Cure her, upon which she was very cheerful (for she knew several that I had Cured of the Pox.) I Purged her five or six times with my head Pill, and gave her some Medicines that cleansed her Stomach and opened her obstructions, by which means her pain in the head left her, and she remains very well; being thus Cured of her immaginary Pox, but I fear a reconciliation between her and her Husband will take up a longer time; I could instance many more such like Examples, but must not be too voluminous.  
But to pass by many such sort of abuses, let us suppose the unhappy Patients to be really infected with the Pox, and see then what these Impostors do to them, and how strangely they handle them.  
Here indeed the Patient's condition is most deplorable, for as the Whore gives the Clap, here the Quack gives them the Pox, for not one Gonorrhaea in a hundred that these Fellows carry off as they ought: For their common custom is, after they have administered five or six Purges, or perhaps not so many, than they use restringents, which stops the humour until it fouls the Blood and confirms a Pox. Others of them who sancy not restringents, Purge the Patient continually with one or other violent Medicine which debilitates the Body, but perhaps never corrects the Malignity of the Disease, thus these sort of persons many times bring their Patients into incurable Consumptions, and some they so strangely inflame by their exceeding hot and sharp Purges, that the Blood and humours being made thin, and the parts so weak, that great inflammations often happen, and many times the ill treating of Gonorrhaea's, at the beginning makes them very difficult to be carried off (although the Patient at last happens into the hands of an experienced Artist) great swelling of the Testicules are often occasioned by the barbarous usuage of these unexperienced persons, and their ill prepared Medicines, and many Examples I could quote, but time will not allow, however this one I cannot but insert. A Young Gentleman having a Gonorrhaea, had the ill Fortune to meet with a person who (as the Sequel will inform you) was a more dangerous Enemy than his Distemper: The Gentleman having made known his Disease, the undertaker soon agrees upon a Price for the Cure, in order to which he gives the Patient six Pills to take the next Morning, which Pills gave him near Thirty Stools, inflaming his Body very much; you the next day the poor Gentleman was ordered to take six Pills more, which gave him between Thirty and Forty Stools, causing much Blood to come from him by stool, with most violent tortions of the Guts: The third day he being very ill, was advised to send for me. I went to visit him, and found him very weak in a Fever, and often falling into Fainting-Fits, which was occasioned by the expense of Spirits; his Yard was much tumified, and violent pain in making water. I declared his Case to be very dangerous, and advised to call in some able Physician, for I was unwilling to take him in hand before I had consulred with some learned Artist, while I thus advised, in comes the person who had given him the Pills, who did not know me, whereupon I desired him to let me know his Opinion concerning his Patient. In order to which, down he sets, pulls his Hat over his Eyes, and gravely putting the Head of his Cane to his Lips he gins in a formal way, these very Words. Sir, my Patient has now had enough of the purgative part, therefore it will be convenient to proceed unto restringents, to Night he shall take half an Ounce of Cinnamon in Powder in a Glass of Claret, to stay the Flux of his Belly, to morrow I will give him some restringent Pills to stay his running.  
You cannot but imagine this Fellows impudence might justly have raised a Passion in any Man, who knew any thing of Medicine, but to be short he was soon dismissed, and an able Physician (as I desired) was sent for, to whom I proposed what I thought fit to do to the Patient, all which he well approved of, and persuaded the Patient to rely upon the course I had proposed. I than began in manner following. First I gave him a Balsamic clyster, that might heal his excoriated Bowels, and abate his Gripe. I than gave him a Cordial Haustus that might refrigerate, and comfort his weak Stomach, and moderately restore his too much diminished Spirits, each of these I repeated as often as I thought fit, and for his Diet: I prescribed Chicken-Broath, in which was Boiled Endive and French-Barley, thus his strength was by Degrees increased: I all this while, not offering at any Antivenereal Medicines, but every Day bathed his Yard, which took down the Swelling. At last I began to use gentle Antivenereals, keeping him to Emulsions, and Diuretic Decoctions, never Purging him above once in 3 Days, and then but moderately, by which means I perfectly Cured him, and I believe for the future, he will be wary of venturing his Life in the Hands of such a Person as he had like to have been ruined by.  
Not long since, I was called to visit a Person who was supposed to have taken Poison, coming into the Room, I smelled a Cadaverous Scent; such as usually attends those that are Fluxed. I observed the Patient, his Face much swellen, his Tongue hanging out of his Mouth, and much driuling from his Mouth, I declared he had taken some Mercurial Medicines that Fluxed him. The Patient could not utter one word, but made signs for Pen and Paper, which was brought him; he wrote that he had taken nothing but 4 Pills which a Person pretending to Physic, had given him, for to carry of an infection, which he supposed he had of a common Woman some time before, & that he feared his Blood was much infected, by reason such strance Accidents happened upon stirring the Humour.  
I could not but smile, to observe the timidity of the Patient; wherefore I made search for some Symptom of the Venereal Disease, which I was very Curious in doing, but through all his Body I could not find the rest sign of any such Disease: I declared my opinion was, the Patient was abused. I inquired of the Nurse, whether there was any of the Pills left, she shown me one which I broke, and could plainly see the small particles of the Crude, Quicksilver in it; I tasted it, and do really believe it was nothing but crude Quicksilver, mixed with Turpentine, etc. I cannot say mortified, the Preparation being so imperfect. And I do believe, that the Person who Administered the Pills, did design to have frighted the Patient into the believe of a real Pox, and by that means to have extorted a Sum of Money from him; the Patient by Writing, desired me to take care of him, whereupon I injected a Purging clyster, which gave him Three or Four Stools, which I repeated once every Day, I washed his Mouth with a Restringent Lotion, and gave often fresh extracted Cassia, with Salt of Tartar, and caused him to swallow a Golden-Bullet very often, by these means I precipitated the Mercury, and the Patient regained his former Health.  
Thus may you see how dangerous it is, to meddle with such as are either Ignorant of the use of Medicine, or that have neither Conscience or Honesty, justly to consider each man's Case.   

CHAP. VI Of several ways of Curing the Pox.  
AS there is great variety in the Nature of this Disease, so is there several ways used for the Curing of it, among which, some are so dangerous, that many persons have perished in their supposed Cure, and others have been attended by such fierce Accidents, that neither time nor care could ever Remedy; as for Example, Fumigation by Cinnaber, that old and dangerous way, hath proved itself so pernicious that the Use of it is almost quite left.  
2dly. Unction by the Common Mercurial Unguent, a way thought commonly used, yet not commendable for by the Use of the Unguent, many times the Salivation rises so fiercely that the Patient is suffocated, moreover by this way, the Natural heat of the Joints is ofttimes so dissipated that not only a debility of the parts, but Lameness hath ensued, more over the uncertainty of this way is great, for sometimes the Mercury precipitates itself so suddenly, that the Salivation proves ineffectual, by not continuing a sufficient time, nor can the undertaker judge exactly, what quantity o● the Medicine hath penetrated; yet in those Diseases that are intercutaneous this way may be apt enough.  
3dly. Salivation by Medicine gives at the Mouth, which is much safer than the former, and I am certain much more sure; for first, this is, or aught to be done by some Mercurial Medicine, neatly prepared, which may be given according to the strength of the Patient, still observing to augment, or else to diminish the Dose as may be thought fit.  
Those that Salivate any person, aught to be careful, to observe the variety there is in bodies; for they may find that Sanguine and Phlegmatic bodies are not only more easy to Salivate, but will likewise spit much more, and endure it much longer than Choleric, or Melancholy Bodies can. The preparation of the Body is no small matter in this sort of Cure; besides Care ought to be taken to carry off the Mercury well at last.  
4thly. Sweeting which, is divers ways to be caused, some use the Hothouse, Stuva's, Bannio, others the Tub or Box, and Cradle, etc. Some make a little Stove, wherein the Patient sits with his Head out, and is Sweated by a Pan of Charcoal, but 'tis a most dangerous way, for the Fume which arises from the Coals, doth much hurt to the Nerves, and likewise to the Lungs, for although the head be out, and thereby the danger of suffocating be prevented, yet the ill Vapour doth, and will penetrate through the Pores of the Body, and hath an injurious quality.  
The best way of Sweeting is in the Stuva, where the Patient being well rubbed, Sweat is more easily procured, or else the Box or Tub with Spirit of Wine, and this way is very convenient for the Pox; for a Sweating-Box is easily conveyed to the Patient's Chamber, where with little trouble the Party moves from the Bed into the Box, Sweats, and to Bed again; by which means taking Cold is avoided, which is really the greatest Enemy in the World to all Pocky Persons, both these last mentioned ways of Sweeting I have often found instrumental in the Cure of the Pox, for it throws out much of the virulency by the Pores of the Skin, and procures the speedy sealing and falling away of the Scabs, and abateth Pains in the Shoulders, Shins, or any part of the Body; I have found great Nodes to be much helped by Sweeting.  
5thly. Diet, which is a safe way, working moderately, and yet surely. My meaning here is, by the use of a good convenient. Diet-Drink, aptly sitted to the Constitution of the Patient. For although a late French Writer (as well as some of our own Country men) doth deny that either Sarsa, China, Sarsafras, or Guacum, have any Power in Curing the Pox. I know they are in the wrong, and I have by great Experience found the Essicacy of them, being justly prepared; yet I must allow that some men do much hurt by the unadvised Use of Die● Drinks, partly by ignorance, and partly by avarice, making use of too much Guacum, both Wood and Bark, which not only too much exsiccates, but often inflames the Body by its excessive hea● for 'tis most common among some me● to rely too much upon the Fame o● these or other Drugs; imagining that 〈◊〉 long as that they have but great stor● of Drugs in their Diet-Drinks, the● cannot do amiss, when indeed the only matter is in dispencing prope● quantities of this or that Drug, according to the Nature of the Disease, o● the Constitution of the Patient: Fo● some men are satisfied since they know an Antivenereal is used never considering that in weak Persons that are emaciated by the Distemper they must a● avoid the use of Guacum, or its Bark, o● that in Choleric Persons, the use o● such hot Medicines are dangerous, an● yet used with good success in Plethoric Bodies; moreover I have observed great mistakes in many (who undertake to Cure this Disease by Diet) in suffering their Patients to go abroad, constantly in the time of their Cure when as reason directs the contrary; for those which undergo a course of Diet-Drink, aught to keep in their Chambers, and to keep their Bodies very warm, to help perspiration with Custom (although seldom observed here) is constantly used in Spain, Italy, and other parts.  
6thly. Purging which, is a safe way, and daily Experience, teacheth that many Venereal Cases are treated by no other means, and yet are very handsomely Cured. And I can with modesty affirm that I have Cured many hundreds by this way alone, for what other way can or may be used to those poor unhappy Wretches, where Pox and Poverty are complicated, and 'tis to be observed, that although none of the fore mentioned means are able to Cure this Disease without the help of Purging, yet this way has Cured many without other helps; but I do not here mean the common use of ordinary cathartics, but Purging by some noble Preparation, which hath the powerful quality of of Correcting the Venereal Venom, and restoring Vigour to the Body, whereby it may be able to throw off the Disease; and indeed I have seen many strange Cases, wherein no other Medicine has been used but my Antivenereal Pill, which being took once in two days, for some time, has worked of the Disease to a Miracle.  
7thly. Ishues upon which, the Spainards' so doted formerly, that it was their common Cure, and I have myself used this way with success in confirmed Pox, for they cleanse the Body much, and accelerate the Cure several ways, by evacuating the Humour, and many times by revulsion in Ozena's, I commonly make a Fontinel in each Arm, and a Seton in the Neck, these adjugate a cure, especially if the Patient have a Catharr or Astma. But Ishues are of themselves not able to overcome the malignity of this Disease, however necessary for all persons who labour under the Pox, excepting those who are to undergo the Salivation, and those I always advise to dry up their Ishues upon the beginning of a Salivating Course, it being then no way proper to dry the Body least juices be wanting to maintain the spitting its proper time.   

CHAP. VII. The true way of Curing the POX.  
NOw since so many ways are, or may be used for to cure this Disease, 'tis the Duty of every honest Artist rightly to consider the Patient's case, and justly to weigh, what sort of cure may be most fit for them, for as there is great variety in the Disease, so must there be in the cure; some persons must of necessity keep up, others have not, nay cannot have the conveniency of retirement, some Bodies will admit of the most rough ways of cure, others must have more gentle means used.  
First, Observe, there is degrees of the Pox, that no internal Medicine can reach, no Fume, no Salivation, no Diet, Purgation, Sweeting, etc. can help, what's then to be done? where Medicine cannot reach, manual Operation must, for where ever the Pox fouls a Bone, nought but exfoliating can avail, therefore, if the Cranium or any other Bone be foul lay it bare, so far as is convenient, and with detergent and exsiccating Powders, keep the part as dry as possibly you can, that the Bone may scale; in the Arms and Shins lay open all foul Bones, nor ever attempt the cure any other way, for every man's reason will direct that, nought but laying open can be proper where a Bone is foul, and 'tis wonderful to observe, how Nature will help to discharge the malignant matter, so that the Patient being aptly dressed once or twice in 24 hours, there will be little more to do, unless you will make use of a good Sarsa-Drink, which if the Patient can be at the charge of, will accelerate the cure, and restore the strength by amending the habit of body, and indeed I never miss in this sort of cure, for I have made it my resolution, where ever I begin, to go through with my work, and therefore in this case especially, will take care that the Patient's Poverty be not my Disgrace, for if good Nutriment and conveniency of place etc. be wanting, it will be hard for Nature to support itself in this sort of cure.  
☞ Chankers or Ulcers on the Glans, or Prepuce require a careful head and hand to manage rightly, and I am most certain, that the major part of mankind which have suffered by the Pox, may date the Original of their miseries from the neglect of these Sores, but let no man mistake me, nor yet his own case, for I do not mean Excoriations of either Glans or Prepuce, for these are cured in a few hours, but venomous Chankers require both time and care, such as carry a hardness all round the Sore, for though they appear never so small, yet must they be esteemed as particular Pox, from which confirmed Pox too often proceed; the true cure consists in being well digested, all repelling Medicines being avoided, for 'tis an inhuman Cruelty to make slight of such Sores, as too many do, assuring the Patient they are but slight matters, a few dress and as few Purges will secure all as they pretend, thus lulling the party into a dangerous Pox, as six Months or may be less will show. I say therefore, that all Chankers must be strongly digested; the Patient ought to Purge and sweat often, and a good Diet-drink would confirm the Cure, but if upon healing the Chankers, the hardness remain, you must be forced to salivate before you can be safe; I have seen Chankers that nought but salivation could Conquer, whose callous Lips no corrosive could consume; for, suppose a Patient who hath a sharpness of Blood from a venereal cause, you will find to your no small trouble, how difficultly such a man's Chankers will admit of Cure. On the contrary, a Patient of a good habit of Body, whose very Blood is a Balsam, from him you shall have more easy Digestion and all your Medicines more success, but care must be taken in all, that you repel not.  
☞ Caruncles, commonly called Carnosities, these lie in the Vrethra, which is the passage of the Yard, and some time at the very neck of the Bladder; I have seen some persons so stopped up, they could not make one drop of Urine, but by the help of a Catheter. This sort of Pox requires great care, for you must by the use of Corrosives, consume, and eat away, all that you can come at, of the Carnosity at the same time, duly considering to avoid Defluxion of humours, therefore must the Patient use a convenient Diet-drink, relating to his Age and Constitution, for you must observe, that you may treat a man of Forty or Fifty in this case, differently from one of half his Age, and you must not omit to observe, that all the Durity be Consumed; Sweeting and Bathing is of great use in this Cure, for it relaxes and softens the part, and prevents inflammation, which in men of years doth often happen. In cases of this nature, after I have done what is possible by my Candle, if I feel or suspect the least hardness to remain, I salivate my Patient, or if I omit that, I am sure to give a good Diet-drink, and to purge so often as need requires, and many times I order a Milk-Diet to finish the Work.  
☞ Bubo's or Poulaines', (as the French call them,) in the Cure of these, all sorts of Evacuation is to be avoided; let the Patient Eat, Drink, and be Merry, let him Eat plentifully of the hottest-Meats, and Drink the Strongest Liquors to encourage the Natural Heat, to throw out the Malignant Matter; let the swelling be anointed with some Supparative, keep a strong Suppurating Cataplasm on it, it may not be amiss once in twenty four hours to apply a large Cupping-Glass to help forward the humour; great care must be taken that the Matter do not return, and caution used not to open the part, until it be suppurate, and then so opened, that it may not become Fistulous, for though no sort of Pox, is so easy to cure as this, yet many Patients miscarry, by wanting such Surgeons as rightly understand the method of curing Buboes, and I have met with several persons, who have had their Buboes so ill treated, that they have become Cancerous, and difficultly admitted of Cure, these Sores ought to be well digested, and kept running so long as possible, with convenient Purging and Sweeting, towards the end of the Cure, and when all is healed a good Diet drink would make sure Work.  
☞ Ulcers, in the Throat or Mouth, must be cleansed by strong detergent Medicines, nor must any Salivation be performed upon persons so affected, until the particular Cure be first performed, lest the parts already weak, should suffer damage by a too sudden flux of humours, but after the Ulcers are once Cured, the general Cure may more safely be performed, (the same observation ought to be made in Ozena's,) nor do the Ulcers of the Throat, threaten less than the fall of the Nose, where they are neglected, for the matter that flows from the Ulcer, doth often foul the Os Spongiosum & Cribriforme, where the matter once lodged, soon becomes an inveterate Enemy; I know some persons, who have often large Ulcers in the Throat, which soon disappear, but I never think any Patiented Cured in such a case, until they undergo the Salivation.  
☞ The preparation of Bodies is very material in the cure of this Disease, for suppose a Patient in years, of a choleric temperament emaciated by the Disease, having miss of his Cure, two or three, or more times, this Patient, any man must believe would be hard to cure, every man would say, nothing but a Salivation could help him, yet it would be dangerous to Salivate such a person, without the due preparation, viz. First, Let him be said with fresh-Meats, that breed phlegmatic Juices, such are New laid Eggs, Cream, Almond-Milk, Veal, Pullet, the whitest Bread, sweet and nourishing Wines, pleasant Tisans, fresh-Fish, and all sorts of Pulse, that may breed a quantity of humours, which may create matter for the Salivation, nor will it be amiss, to treat such a Patient in the beginning of the Salivation, with nourishing Broths, adding now and then the yelk of a new laid Egg, Endive, or Succory are most properly put into Broth, for such a person, by reason they cool and abate the sharpness of the humours, and moderately loosen the Belly: Glisters of Chicken-Broath are proper in this case, one in four or five days, by reason they nourish the Bowels, which would be subject to Tortions, the Acrimonious humours some times slipping downwards.  
Moreover, after the Salivation, a nourishing Restorative Diet drink is proper, wherein care be took to avoid all things that exsiccate, and great care ought to be in giving of Nutriment, that easily digests, for it must be took often, it being requisite to get such a Patient in strength, as fast as Nature can give leave.  
☞ But on the contrary, if a Patient be Young and Robust, of a Sanguine or phlegmatic Constitution, then must another course be taken, if Salivation be intended, and it may be convenient to purge this Patient, four or five times, to Bleed and , to abate and prepare the humours, lest the Salivation should rise too fiercely. A moderate Diet is convenient, of such things as breed good, but little Juices, such are Partridge, Lark, Rabbits, Mutton, etc. Diet-drinks, or Tisans that gently exsiccates, are convenient in the preparation.  
In the beginning of the Salivation, use no Broth, but Posset-drink, or thin Water-gruel, and so continue; and it may be observed, that a Patient of this Constitution, may be expected to Spit, six or seven Pints in twenty four hours, (whereas in the case before mentioned, four Pints is as much as can be expected;) after the Salivation, a Diet-drink may be given, that exsiccates powerfully, and moves Sweat, observing to purge the Body well, by this you may observe, how much more bold you may be, with a person of a Plethoric Constitution, and consequently succulent, than with a Body Emaciated, where Juices are wanting, and let none omit to observe, that in Salivations, there will happen to some Fainting Fits, for which there is no better Cordial, than a small Glassof Claret, which comforts sufficiently, and sensibly doth precipitate the Medicine. The manner of defending the Mouth, and curing the Ulcers, caused by the Saliva, is so common, I need not mention it.  
☞ The Venereal Astma, which is but seldom Cured, for where the Lungs are affected, the Party is generally brought so low, before the Cure is attempted, that Nature can assist but little, and here no Salivation can be admitted, the Cure must be attempted by Restoratives, such as Sarsa, China, with pectorals, with moderate Sweats, and large fontanelles in the Shoulders, Asses-Milk, or Cow's Milk, mixed with the Diet-drink, very moderate purgatives, and those mixed with pectorals, until strength be attained, and then having a fit time of the Year, and all needful supplies, a gentle Flux may be raised, but not continued too long, lest while thou goest about to cure thy Patient of the Pox, you Bury him of a Consumption.  
☞ Many other Accidents may happen, which having their Original from the Pox, will admit of no other Cure, for we many times find a Venereal Opthalmia, a Venereal Fistula, some time on the Lacrymal Glandule, that fouls the Bone, and makes Mad-work, and often the Pocky Fistula in Ano; in many the Venereal Scorbute, in others a Venereal Itch, to all which may be added, the foul Ulcerous Sores, which are taken for the Kings-Evil, but will with the forenamed, come within compass of the Pox, and therefore must be attacked as it.  
☞ Tumours of the Prepuce, of which are several sorts, viz. Crystallines, which are transparent swell of the Prepuce, and are to be discussed by somentations, or by Bathing the part. Paraphymosis, which is a swelling of the Prepuce, occasioned by some Ulcer on the Glans, or Prepuce, or perhaps by Warts on the Glans, which becoming Raw, do Ulcerate, Inflame, and swell the Prepuce, to that degree, that it will no way strip, by which means the Ulcer being hid, doth become more inveterate, and by the Venereal Salts, cause so great a humour, that many times Mortification happens, and from thence the Death of the Patient; in this case, the part must be Fomented, or Bathed, to draw out the Salts that have swelled the Prepuce, or if that will not do, Amputation must follow; I mean, to cut off so much of the Prepuce, that the Glans may be bare, and consequently, the better to come at the Ulcer, for it may be observed, that 'tis impossible to cure the Ulcer, unless you can come fairly at it, and therefore those persons that attempt by a Syringe, to cleanse between the Glans and Prepuce, make their Patients too dearly to buy their Experience, nor is this all, for if the remaining part after Amputation be found hard, it will be convenient not only to digest it, but to salivate the Patient gently, to make Revulsion of humours, and timely to correct the Malignity of the Ulcer, which too often doth infect the whole Mass of Blood. He hath had but little experience of this Disease, who doth not know from how small a matter this Accident doth happen, particularly in those men who have naturally contracted Prepuces.  
☞ Warts and Excressencies, on the Privities happening to either Sex, must not be neglected, for they are as so many Land Marks to assure the Pox confirmed, and although many people take little notice of them, where ever I see them, I know all is not well, and therefore take care, not only to remove them by Caustics, or else by Binding, but likewise to Eradicate the cause by such a course, as I judge most fitting for the Patient's constitution.   

CHAP. VIII. The true way of Curing a Gonorrhaea.  
THis is the common name of that Disease we call a Clap, although the word Gonorrhaea signifies an involuntary flowing of the Seed, which a Clap is not, but since it will be hard to remove so common received a name, I will treat of it by either name of Clap, or if you will have it so Gonorrhaea.  
A Clap is an Ulcer of the Prostrate Glandules, which are seated at the root of the Yard, and from the Ulceration of these Glandules, the matter or Pus comes, that either runs, or is squeezed out from the Penis, and it sometimes happens, that the Vrethra, or passage of the Yard is Ulcerated all along, from whence is caused the Pain in Erection, commonly called Cordee, for the Acrimony of the humour that runs from the Ulcer, doth irritate the part, and cause the Erection of the Yard, and the Nerves being much distended thereby, causes the extraordinary Pain, they suffering no less than a Convulsion, by the pricking of the Acrimonious humour, during the time of Erection, besides, the Glandules at the root of the Yard, hear their share in the Pain, by the violent stretching of the Yard, although in some Claps, the Patient scarce feels the least of these Accidents, and some not so much as the Pain in Pissing, particularly Women, who are not so much afflicted in this case as Men, but then are not so certain in making Observations of it, the reason why, sew Women seek for help, until the Distemper be so long Lodged, that it becomes a confirmed Pox, nay, some men are so fool hardy, that they will little value the Disease, (saying, they have nothing but a Running,) until the Ulcer has eaten away the Prostrate Glandules, or perhaps the humour so far fermented by disorderly Living, that the whole Mass of Blood is infected; others, (foolishly cry out, 'tis but a Clap,) not considering the difference there is in this Disease, for some Claps are really so gentle, that I have known one Box of my Antivenercal Pills to carry off all, and on the contrary, some are so inveterate, that they will employ, both Patient and Undertaker in the Cure, for men ought to consider, that there is degrees of Infection, and that the ill habit of the Body, doth very much contribute to the afflicting of the Patient, and this is one reason why some are cured in three weeks and less, and others perhaps not well in as many Months, but to hasten, (for I do not design a Volume,) to the true and safe way of curing this Disease, pray observe, that the first thing to be advised is Liquids', such are proper Tisans, Emulsions, or any other Liquors that breed no Acids, but that are slippery, that easily pass the Stomach, and create a soft Serum, which passing by Urine, washes the Ulcer, and dints the points of the Venereal Acids, for 'tis a fault among many Patients, to fear to make Urine because of Pain, when they ought to do the contrary, by filling the Bladder continually, by pouring in of convenient Liquors, and often making water, by which means (the Urine being made balsamic, by the Anodine Liquors frequently drank,) the Ulcer so often washed, the Acrimony becomes less, nor has the Matter which Runs, the power of hurting the passage of the Yard, because, 'tis not suffered to lie in the part any considerable time. The Body must be continually kept soluble, therefore 'tis convenient to Purge the Patient once in two days, or oftener if need require, and in some Bodies, to Purge once in three days is often enough. Anodine Glisters, once in two days are convenient, but I do not approve of that common French Fashion, of continually stuffing the Breech, with two or three Glisters a day. Volatile and other Salts I frequently give, once or twice in twenty four hours, which work by Urine, helping the Liquors off the Stomach, which otherwise, would be apt to Nauseate because of their Quantities, it will not be amiss, to allow the Patient half a pint of Wine a day, or more if he has accustomed his Body to it, for all sudden alterations are injurious to the Body, those that are by reason of their Circumstances obliged to keep Company, may Drink White-Wine, or Rhenish, with Water and Lemon, or as much Tea as they please; Chicken-Broath, with Endive, Succory, and Lemon, is proper to Drink great Quantities, especially when they Purge, always observing to keep the Body as still as possible, for exercise is very injurious, by reason it heats and inflames the parts, and therefore the less the Patiented Walks, the better it is. Diet must be observed, and all salted Meats, and things hard of Digestion must be avoided; all Fatty-Meats are ill, so are windy things; be sure to avoid, Salted-Beef, Pork, Bacon, Saltfish, Cheese- Fruit, etc. Let the Patient eat, Chicken, Rabbit, Mutton, Partridge, Veal, Barly-Broath, Water-Gruel, Panadoes, Fresh Fish Boiled, and all things of easy Digestion, avoiding all Hot-Sawces, that provoke Lust, or breed Acids; great care must be taken, that the Purgations used, be not too strong, nor yet too often used, for violent Purging, oftimes heats the parts, procures Inflammation, and not seldom occasions swell in the Testicules, extreme painful, from which, many times are occasioned violent Fevers, with extraordinary debility of the Body, but we must leave no Accident unprovided for, and therefore when ever this happens, the Patient must forbear all Purgatives, except such as are very Cool and Gentle. An Anodine, and discussing Cataplasm, with a convenient Truss is here to be used, if the tumour be large, it will be the more Painful, and may require to take Blood from the Arm, to make Revulsion; a slender Diet is likewise convenient, to abate th● quantity of humours; a Decoction of Emollient and Discutient Herbs and Seeds applied by way of Fomentation, or as a Semicupium, for th● Patiented to sit in is not amiss, with Emulsicns of the cold Seeds, to abat● inflammation and cause sleep.  
Another extraordinary Accident too often happens, either by the to violent Purging, or disorderly management of the Patient, in either slighting his Medicines, or many times repeating of the Distemper getting two or three Claps one upon the head of another, by which mean the Prostrate Glandules, so often (o● so long) Ulcerated, are much eate● away, and a Gleete, or as some ca● it, a Weeping is occasioned.  
And this Disease is really most difficult to help, by reason the humours so long accustomed to flow to the part, will not easily be diverted, and loss of substance with great difficulty repaired.  
But let me not accuse our Sparks, of too great intemperance, nor make them more Guilty than really they are, for many of them are put upon, especially by our beyond Sea-Surgeons, who pretend to do wonders with the Pot of Turpentine, Glister and Syringe, which last they too soon use, and by some restringent injection stop the Running, which in a few days break out again, and then (Begar Sir) you have got a fresh one, (which ten to one, but they manage as wisely as they did before.) but indeed is the first Clap, which for the time of its continuance, may serve for two or three.  
Now the true way of curing a Gleete, or Weeping, is first to observe whether, it be really so or not, for I have had many persons that have come to me to be cured of a Gleete. which when I have viewed, I have found to be a virulent Clap, which I have both Treated and Cured, as such, it may therefore be convenient to mention what a Gleete or Weeping really is, and then to set down the means of curing the same.  
The Prostrate Glandules being either eaten away, or too much relaxed, and so weakened by the continual Ulceration, or otherwise heated, and distended by continual strong Purgatives, a thin Seminal Matter, continually flows from the Yard, and this is the true Gleete, for Nature hath placed these Glandules at the root of the Yard, to hinder the too soon ejecting of the Seed, in the Act of Generation, and makes them serve as Strainers, through which the Seed pressing, is more violently emitted, and is most plainly proved, by those who labour under this Infirmity, they being too sensible of the loss of that Natural Force, even before the course of Nature can be said to have deprived them of it: And from hence it likewise happens, that such persons are troubled with the slipping away of a thin and seminal Matter, when they go to Stool, and that in great Quantities, by which the Patient is much weakened, and in some time rendered incapable of performing the conjugal Duty.  
The Cure of this Disease doth require much care on both sides, for the Patient must be as regular, as the Surgeon must be careful; first then let the Patient be Purged, gently with such Medicines as are cool, and leave a styptic quality behind them, purge but once in three or four days at most. Use cooling Emulsions, and Balsamic Tisans, Styptic Drops in Water is proper, or Water and Claret for common Drink: Glisters of Decoctions of the cold Seeds are good, be sure to avoid all forts of Exercise, and all manner of Diet that may inflame; be very moderate in the use of Venery, but do not forbear altogether, use Balsamic Injections, but let not them be injected with too much force, lest they hurt the parts already too tender. Avoid all sharp Injections, lest they hurt the Vrethra, and destroy the Tone of the Part; take Blood from the Arm to make Revulsion.  the Patient once in two days, but let him not Sweat, and pray observe, that you use no Medicines of Tereb: For all such must be avoided, for they do more Dilate than Contract, and therefore your Balsamicks must be framed after another manner; Hypnoticks may be used once in two Nights, for they allay sharp Humours, and destroy Acids, and prevent Inflammation; let the Patient be careful to prevent taking Cold, which many times causes a Defluxion of Humours upon the Glandules, and Neck of the Bladder with retention of Urine, but if by accident such a case should happen, take heed of meddling with Catheter or Candle, the latter of which, had like to have destroyed a Friend of mine, a Noble Spaniard, who being afflicted with this Distemper, and his Urine somewhat suppressed, he made use of a Candle, which he put up to the Root of the Yard, and wounding the Glandules causes Inflammation, and from thence a Total suppression of Urine followed, which endangered his Life, for, he made not one drop of Urine in ten days, notwithstanding I used all proper means, having likewise the Assistance of a Learned Physician. At last, upon the taking a Dose of the Calom: in a proper Vehicle, his Urine came away with great quantities of Sordes, and was followed by a Sanious Matter flowing from the Ulcer, occasioned by wounding the Part; therefore I say, all care imaginable must be taken in the Treating of this Distemper, lest your Remedy prove worse than the Disease.   

CHAP. IX. The CONCLUSION.  
I Am now arrived at Forty years of Age, and must therefore know 'tis impossible to please all Men, my little Book will be Read by people of all sorts, and I must endure the Snarling of Knaves and Fools, who neither will, nor can, do the like to advance the common Good, and Fops will find fault, with what they cannot mend. I have known far greater Authors than myself Censured, and that by such indiscerning Wherebes, who could not didst guish, between the Beauty or Deformity, of a Work, some perhaps may blame me, for too much exposing the Noble Art of Chirurgery, others I am sure, will think me too Obstruce, but none I hope will blame my Integrity, in endeavouring to deliver Mankind, from so vast a Labyrinth of Misery, as is too often known, to proceed from the Subject here treated of Calumnious Tongues will censure the best Works, but ingenious persons will always applaud, what ever may be instrumental for public Good, and those that herein find something useful, either to their Selves or their Friends will commend it.  
Scinditur incertum studia in contraria vulgus.  Virg. AEneid. lib. etc. 
Some people perhaps may be displeased, that I have not been more particular, in setting down the Receipts of my Medicines, that they might know my Diet-Drinks, Tisans, Emulsions, etc. which indeed must be varied, according to the Case or Constitution of the Patient, for I do not use to let one Pot of my Diet-Drink serve all Patients. (as some I know do,) but I prepare such as reason directs. Indeed, for my Antivenereal-Pill, I must needs say, I order all Venereal Patients to be Purged, (where Purging is required) by that only, and that for many reasons; for First, there is no Pill yet known, that works so effectually, and that in so small a Dose, for fifteen Grains which is three small Pills, is a sufficient Purge for most Men, and above a Scruple I give not to any Man. Moreover 'tis observable, that my Antivenereal-Pill; doth not debilitate as most other Purgatives do, nor doth it Nauseate the Stomach, (like most Clap Physic,) but strengthens it, and preserves the Appetire, causing no unsavory Belches, and if ever Cito, tuto, & jucunde, were applicable to any Medicine, it must be to this, and now that I may not amuse my Reader, who cannot otherwise imagine, but that this Pill must be some Panacea, of three pounds and ten shillings a Dose, I will plainly tell him, that I now mean my common Yellow-Pill, that I have this twenty years Sold for four shillings a Box, which contains thirty Pills, and which many have admired, but none ever equalled, and why I have so Sold it, I will freely declare, it has always been known that too many poor R— and W— will be getting of Claps, before they have Money to pay the Surgeon, (although I have often told them, that such Distempers are fit only for the better sort,) and many poor Wretches have been lost for want of Cure, for what can such Persons do, in such a Case? It's worth no Man's time to pretend to any other Cure, than what may be managed by the poor Patients own Care: And if such a Medicine be not to be had, that the meaner sort may purchase, what miserable Objects should we every where meet. To tell a poor Labouring Man of Drinking Tisans, and Emulsions, or taking Aperitive Salts, Balsamic Glisters, etc. would be only to tantalise him, or what shall many a poor Patient do, (if the Pill were not effectual,) whose Circumstances are so consigning, that he cannot have the conveniency of all things requisite, without rendering him liable to a discovery, which Accident may appear as terrible to him, as the Pox itself, and whose Reputation may be utterly destroyed by his unhappy, and perhaps never before perpetrated Crime, 'tis therefore absolutely necessary, that some extraordinary Medicine may be afforded at a reasonable Rate, and that such a Medicine is not to be found among common Pretenders, is natural enough to believe; but let no Man imagine that I pretend to Cure Claps for the price of any Pills, or yet think me so uncharitable as to deny my advice to the Poor.  
Moreover, many poor Sinners that have lain under the Torment of Doubt, have received no small comfort from the assistance of this one particular Medicine, for many times excess in Venery, joined with the Debauch of Wine, begets so great an Acrimony in the Urine, and the Gild so far possessing the mind, the poor Devil loofes its little Senses, till by taking three or four Doses of the Antivenereal-Pills, and no Clap appearing, it becomes as joyful as penitent. But now to return to the matter of my Book, they which know me will wonder I have not commended that all this while.  
('Tis a great fault I have, in being oftimes too passionate, in commending my Horse, my Dog, my Servant, etc.) And indeed, 'tis hard for me to forbear it, for I am sure the substance of my Book is new, though the Disease be old, I have borrowed from no man, I have stolen from no Author, I have Writ nothing but what I have seen, and often experimented, and that in this Town, there is not a word in it, but what those that know me, have at one time or other heard from me, upon occasion in Discourse, or in Consultations with Physicians, and I hope I may without Vanity say, that he which takes the pains to Read it, will find something in it, either like his own, or some Friend's case, and that it will not be altogether his labour lost.   
FINIS.