A SHORT ESSAY Towards the HISTORY and CURE OF FEVERS, Particularly of this New AUTUMNAL-FEVER.  
Humbly proposed to the Consideration of the Royal Society, and the College of Physicians, in Order to the Improvement of Physic, and thereby th● benefit of our Countrymen.  
By W. Simpson Doctor in Physic.  
LONDON, Printed for Dorman Newman at the King's Arms in the Poultry, 1678.   

A short ESSAY towards the History and Cure of Fevers, especially of this new Autumnal Fever, etc.  
PReliminary Discourses of the Nature of Fevers in general, I must for brevity's sake studiously omit, and refer the Reader to such Authors as have made it their business to treat hereof, and particularly to the industrious and worthy Dr. Sidenhams History of Fevers: It's my present task barely, first to relate the History, giving a short account of the most usual symptoms that do accompany this new Fever; next, to propose the true Method of cure confirmed by matter of Fact, the most evincing Testimony in the world. [Whence may probably elsewhere, as from a better Basis, be raised an Hypothesis, different from what has gone before].  
As to the rationale, which order or method of proceeding, although by some it may possibly be looked upon as empirical to propose the cure before erection of the Hypothesis; yet I must necessarily crave leave to tell such, that it has been the only way towards the curing of all diseases, (since diseases began to have a Being, or rather since the juices of our bodies began to be depraved and altered into those specifical differences towards mortality, we call diseases) that ever has been known in the world, and that truly, because of our ignorance in the nature of things, a priori, limiting now our Theories or Hypothesis, (which are but a series of notions filled together, or methodically ranged in order to the explicating the nature of things from their supposed causes) to the current of visible phaenomena, attended with most obvious circumstances. And in deed, at this door (viz. trial of things) has been admitted all the known cures of diseases, whatever the Hypothesis hath been. And for my part, if I might freely speak, I do really think (and that not without good grounds) that diseases would be better cured, (the great work of Physicians) if all hypotheses were swept off the stage, qeing greater remora to more noble disbuisitions, and set-fasts to more generous trials, than we are truly ware of, which duly weighed, let the Reader excuse me, if I take another tract then what is vulgar, especially if thereby I come more directly to the proposed end.  
First, Then as to the History of this new Fever, it appears under different disguises; the most usual symptoms that are the true emergent effects, and natural results thereof, are pains in the head and back, coldness, chillness, and in some downright shaking; upon which follows intense burning-heat, thirst, (in some more than in others) violent and profuse sweatings, faintings, and great debilitudes, with a stupor in the head, and general indisposedness, which is followed in many) by a delirium, attended with slumberings. It most-what emulates a Tertian by its paroxysm, especially for three or four, or more of the first assaults; then afterwards in some appears under the guise of a quitidian; the pulse is high with great disorder: sometimes (but more rarely) it gins with vomitings, and purge, pains also at the stomach etc.  
As to the cure (the main thing aimed at, and of greatest use for the benefit of patients), The observations I made was, That although sweeting, or a moderate Regimen, be the general and most usual indications for purisying the blood; the one by carrying off that which frequently caused a spurious Fermentation therein; the other by reducing the blood to its eucrasia, lessening its high-paced and furious Fermentation, rejecting its heterogeneous particles into some common ducts, which by Glisters, Blisters, etc. are carried off, and thereby discharged. By both which Methods, the usual symptoms of former Fevers, (but more by much from the latter than former), have frequently been taken off. Yet here I found, what by my own and others observations, neither would perform the intended work, and especially that the former, viz. Sweeting, did not (as often as trial was made) succeed at all; the patients under such sweeting Medicines, generally growing worse and worse, found that the profuse Sweatings, patients spontaneously fell into, were no other than symptomatical, which either carried off much of the spirits in a colliquating fluor, through the pores, (those minute-sluces of the body,) by precipitation, or other manner of separation, leaving the fermentative matter behind unsequestred; or the exotic acidum, fixed upon its own caput mortuum, only laid by against another paroxysm, ready to be imbibed to the procuring the next Fit; and all this to the great debilitude, faintings, and languish of patients. Whence I say, by many remarkable observations, I found that sweeting Medicines were no adequate remedy at all for the cure; nay further, were indeed wholly noxious, and where used, rendered the cure more difficult: whereupon I made bold to prohibit (in those patients I was concerned with) all manner of Sweeting, as much as possible, by denying sweeting Medicines, (or at least if I did advise any Diaphoreticks, it was so ordered, as not at all to cause any sensible sweat), and by ordering those heaps of clothes to be taken off, with which they usually loaded themselves, (and that sometimes by the advice of some Physician), through the blind hopes of advantage by sweeting, finding hereby no disadvantage at all to accrue to the patiented; although no Medicine should have been prescribed, but only a due temperate Regimen to be observed, which doubtless is a much better way, and the patient shall come off with less loss of spirits and strength, by this than by sweeting Medicines.  
Whereupon that I might the better prosecute my design, I set upon the preparation of a Chemical Arcanum, which I hoped would prove generous in the successful cure of Fevers in general, especially and more particularly of this new-minted Fever, resulting from the late vicissitude of weather, and interchange of seasons, thereby disposing the blood (in which this disease chief lay) to those new sorts of Fermentation which give being to this Fever. I wrought day and night till I had brought it on so far, as that upon trial I found it a very noble and generous Medicine, hiting exactly upon this Fever, as peculiarly adapted thereto, answering my expectation, yea far transcending it, even to astonishment.  
The first trial I had of this noble Arcanum (thus prepared) was upon two Seamen; the one of which had this Fever in a very intense degree, even to a delirium, with profuse and exhausting sweatings, which I hoped to take off by the more beaten tract of Blisters, Glisters, Spirit of Hartshorne, Milk and Water, and for a while thereby he seemed to recover; (having not then prepared this Medicine) but it happened his Fever came afresh upon him again, with the recurring of the wont symptoms; and when the Apothecary brought me word what a dangerous condition he was in, and delirious, I had then almost finished my proposed circle of operations upon my Medicine; however, as it was, ventured to send him two or three doses, which I ordered the Apothecary to give him in Black-Cherry water, at such and such intervals of time. The Apothecary at the same time gave me also an account of the other patiented I had been sent for to that day, to whom after blooding I had prescribed a Glister, and Milk and Water for his ordinary drink: the account was that he grew worse and worse, the Fever was growing stronger upon him, and that he also was delirious. Whereupon I ordered him of the same Medicine, thirty drops in three ounces of Black Cherry-water, to be taken at convenient distances of time in the night. Word was brought me next morning, that the Fever in both was so allayed, as they thought it was quite gone; both slept very well, their thirst wonderfully quenched, and their delirium quite taken off. This was surprising news, but desiring to be further satisfied of the truth thereof, I went myself to see them both, and found indeed the relation I had to be true; one of them had slept very well that night, after taking once or twice of his Medicine, and in the morning called for some food, and was when I went fallen a sleep after his repast, and they told me was so well, as had thoughts of going abroad that day; notwithstanding that he had had his Fever upon him for near a week, at tended with violent heat and sweatings, etc. The other I sound was got up, and pretty cheerful, and I think had taken some food too: and from that time the Fever never returned, and they without any more ado recovered very well: only this is remarkable, that the former of them, who had been blooded, vomited, and purged, and (if I mistake not) some sweeting hot Medicines given before I was sent for, and had been a week under such a Regimen, who notwithstanding all this grew worse and worse. I say that which is much to be noted in this patiented, (and wherein he differed from the other) was, that I observed that he recovered not so fast by far as the other; the reasons whereof (viz. the great exhaustion of spirits, and debilitude of strength, what by the Fever, and the medicinal Method he was treated with) are obvious to every eye.  
Another trial I had was upon a Tradesman's daughter, of about 10 or 11 years of age, who having laboured under this Fever for about ten days; they mean while had the advice of a learned Physician twice, (whose name to prevent reflection I willingly conceal) who had put her upon Sweeting, and Glisters: notwithstanding all which attempts (set on by the Galenical Method) her Fever grew higher and higher at every paroxysm; the symptoms more severe, and she at length delirious: I was sent for, would have consulted with the Physician first advised with; but being at a distance, the Parents were resolved solely to adhere to my advice: Whereupon I presently took off the heap of clothes, they had by advice in order to further Sweeting laid upon her, (they suspecting malignity in the case) and it was feared (she being so extremely weakened, what with the Fever and pressures to sweat) that the next fit would have carried her away: I ordered the Apothecary to give her three doses in Black Cherry-water, at about three hours' interval from each other; being the very day before her expected Fit (which the night following) was to come: she being at ease from the weight of clothes, after the first or second dose fell asleep very sweetly, and in lieu of her expected Fit, she slept very well, and scarce drank any thing all night; and the next morning when I went, found the scene quite altered for the better; the Fever and its attendants had made their exit, she cheerful, very sensible, her stupor being gone, which before she had had (both during the paroxysm and interval) and called for food that day, which she eat without being sick at all, but fell to sleep after. I went several days to see her, she continued recovering, but slowly, because of the great languishment she had been brought to before.  
The next I gave it to was a man who had languished for about 10 days under this Fever, had violent sweeting, spontaneous, besides what was artificially contracted by Venice-Treacle, or some such heating Medicines: I asked him if he was mindful to be cured (for I was occasionally in his house) if so I would cure him for nothing, (being still desirous of making further trials of my Arcanum); yes willingly he answered, and thank me too, and should look upon it as a providence towards him: with that I ordered him some of the aforesaid Medicine, three or four doses in Thames-water (he having no distilled Water by him), as also as much the day after in spring-water, being the day before his Fit was to come, took them, and had no Fit then nor after; for I called once or twice on purpose to inquire, was gone abroad, and pretty well as his wife told me. This is what is done in the main, only I order at the heel of the Fever a purge to carry off the precipitated matter, or other rejected feculencies, to prevent the foundation for future diseases which might thence arise.  
As to the operation of this Arcanum, which so strangely quieteth the seditious tumult of the blood and spirits, allayeth the feverish heat, and thirst, and as a great anodyne in this Fever, composeth to sleep and quiet rest, and yet hath not one grain of opium in it; add to which it taketh off deliriums, which no opium doth, although prepared after the best manner that I know: as to which operation, I say have not yet in all my trials met with any thing comparable thereto, and yet is but in its minority, in the road to further improvement.  
For it neither operates by vomit, purging, or sweat, has no sensible operation at all, save that the symptoms go off, and the Fever disappears.  
As to the ingredients of it, I shall speak something, darkly enough (as others in things of the like nature usually do), it's in short, therefore prepared with a Mineral, by an Animal, and vegetable menstruum brought on by a circuit of operations to its expected height: as to which I confess this is but in limine, to what is intended, and to which it's capable of being brought. Which when completed by what I have already seen of its operation in its state of Infancy, may ex ungue leonem, easily conjecture; it will when perfected, and come to its full ripenss and perfection, be one of the best Medicines in the world for the cure of most, if not all sorts of acute diseases, viz. Fevers, Agues, Pleurisies, small Pox, Gripes, and the disease morbus Cholera, and dysenteries thence emerging, the graduating of which menstruum, that it may the better work upon the aforesaid mineral, and both be brought to their acmè, is the work I am now intent upon, which Arcanum hides in itself a noble, but invisible sulphur of great energy in composing and quieting the tumults of the stomach, and intestines, apparent in the acutest of Fevers, called morbus Cholera, as also in Dysenteries, both which it cures almost infallibly. As to the now grassant Epidemic Fever (attended with its peculiar, but various symptoms) a worthy and ingenious Friend of mine (to whom I am in these affairs highly obliged) has frequently tried this Arcanum, as also in Pleurisies, Morbus Cholera, and Dyfenteries, even with admirable success.  
This Medicine succeeds the best, if taken according to a right Method, at the beginning, or first days of a Fever, and that especially in Fevers of Children, where it seldom fails: But we do not propose it as Universal in the Cure of all Fevers; for if the Fever have continued long, and that Sweeting, or other debilitating Medicines have been given, by which the spirits are exhausted, the Ferments depraved, and the whole Mass of blood and other juices brought into an Ataxy, or if the compage of the blood be too much relaxed by an immoderate cooling Regimen, than it has not the expected success; therefore in such and the like cases other Methods must be used, or this must be higher graduated by further preparation. What those Medicines and right Methods are which may conduce to the Cure of Fevers in general, we shall elsewhere in our Pyretologia, or Essay to an Hypothesis of Fevers, take the liberty to declare.  
And as to Tertian and Quartan Agues, those obstinate, and to common Method rebellious diseases, I know two Doctors in Physic (both worthy, learned, and judicious men) who besides myself have a certain and almost infallible Method of Curing them, without either Vomit, Purge, Sweat, or other sensibly operating Medicines; so certainly, as scarce one in ten shall either fail or relapse; so quickly, as they shall hear no more of their Ague after the first or second days prescription; and so easily, as it's done without any sensibly working Medicine; whereby the three grand indications are answered of Curing, Tutò, citò ac jucundè, the great work of Physicians.  
To say nothing here how we know a certain, quick, and pleasant Method for curing Cmvulsions without danger of relapse, (those to common Method refractory diseases) as for the former. To confirm the truth of which we might, if at leisure, give considerable and remarkable instances by matter of Fact. Nor here further, then to name our effectual and speedy way of curing venereal Diseases: as to all which we are resolved (for brevity's sake) not further here to insist thereon, but shall refer the discourse thereof to another opportunity.  
These things I the rather name, and but transiently hint, partly thereby to demonstrate by matter of Fact, that somewhat besides, and beyond the wont Methods, are truly worthy Physicians best Essays; and to put them upon new attempts, and fresh discoveries, in finding out Remedies suitable and appropriate to every emergent Malady.  
And now, if any morose humoured man (as perhaps such their may be found) shall enviously call me a Quack, I shall answer by querying, whether he that can Cure diseases, or he that cannot, is the Quack? Let them call me so, I value it not; if I can but successfully cure diseases, the great aim (at least should be) of all Physicians: They may upon the like grounds give the same name to Riverius, and to those other worthy, judicious, and learned men .  
And lastly, As to such who shall Momus like, enviously carp at any thing, not to be had in their own Vulgar beaten Track, who hereby give a large and clear evidence of the ignobleness of their souls, in that they neither are willing themselves to search into the mysteries and wonders of nature, not daring to put their laborious hand to draw the curtain nature has veiled her choicest secrets with: nor (which is yet worse) are they pleased with such as really and successfully do, envying those whose labours nature has crowned by her bountiful denation and liberal discovery of herself; to such (besides the deformed Ideas which may easily rebound from the reflecting glass in their own breast, enough to affright an ingenious and ingenuous soul); I would answer in short, by biding such ignorant and envious spirits, be silent, and cast their eye backward to former Ages, and consider, that besides the ancient Hermetick Arcanum, kept afoot in all ages of the world, the famed Hypocrates had his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, (ex inguished as much as could be by his successor Galen).  
To say nothing of the two Pillars of new discoveries in Physic, viz. the famed Paracelsus and Helmont; nor yet more than to mention the Hibernian Butler, with his Elixir salis, or lapis ignis, by which wonderful cures were performed. Had not Poterius his Arcana, by which he effected wonderful cures, as also Rulandus, Angelus Sala, & c.?  
And to look to contemporaries to this very century, had not Riverius his Febrifugum (a Remedy in effect parallel to ours)? had not the learned Langius his secrets, as his Miscellanea curiosa Medica testify? Had not Dr. Davison, Physician extraordinary to the French King, famous for his Chemical writings, his Arcanum for curing the Lues venerea, for which the Physicians in Paris gave him 20000 Pistols for discovering it to them, and to desist practice (only to the King's Person)? Was not Dr. Anthony famous for his aurum potabile? Had not the Learned and Industrious Silvius, University-professor of Leiden, his Sal volatile oleosum, prepared by his own hand? yea, had not our famous Countryman Dr. Willis, his secret preparation of Steel, and other Arcana's he kept to himself?  
And to look now abroad into foreign parts, may not the learned and worthy Borrichius be reckoned amongst this Classis? as also Langelotus, Balduinus, Tackius, Morhofus, Kerkringius, Tachenius, Becherus, etc. whose Writings in spite of Envy have made them famous.  
But to return home, and there to wrap up, have we not of the very College of Physicians famous men, learned and judicious? viz. Dr. Rugeley, Dr. Dickenson, Dr. Goodal, who have their Arcana, which they use in their practice? and for the present, to complete the number, till another more worthy be added, why may not I as the least of all the aforesaid cast in my mite to this of Nature's Treasury? If thereby I excite other ingenious men to the laudable attainments in searching the hidden secrets of Nature for the improvement of the noble Art of Healing; that the desire of filthy lucre being laid aside, we may be more studious really to cure (to answer the great intention of our Employ) and may thereby (if God will) live to see a new Scene of Physic appear, even more certain; and therefore more amiable than ever it hath been since the days of Solomon (who knew the virtue of all things in the threefold Kingdom of Nature) I shall have what I aim at; of which more elsewhere.  
Our Hypothesis for the solution of the usual Phoenomena or symptoms of Fevers, as also for the rendering a more intelligible account of the successful operation of Arcana in the cure thereof, we designedly omit here, reserving it to another opportunity, where we shall give a more ample relation of the further successful trials of on Medicines by matter of fact.  
From my House in Chappel-street near New Chapel, Westminster, London.  
FINIS.