ΑΙΜΑΤΙΑΣΙΣ: OR, The true way of Preserving the BLOOD In its Integrity, and Rectifying it, if at any time polluted and Degenerate: WHEREIN Dr. Willis his Error of Bleeding is reprehended, and offered to be confuted by Practice and frequent Experiments: AND Certain Opinions of Dr. Betts in Physic rejected and proved dangerously false: Phlebotomy also which he stands up for, declared by Just Trials to be destructive: Whereunto are added 

A Stomachical Spirit commended to the World.  
Diaetetical Instructions.  
The Nature and Cure of the GRIPING of the GUTS.    
By GEORGE THOMPSON, M. D.  
Utcunque rem verteris Ignorantiae plenum est procurata debil●tate sanare velle.  Van Helmont in lib. de Febribus. 
Printed 〈◊〉 ●ath. Crouch at the Cross-Keys in Bishopsgate- 〈◊〉, near Leaden-Hall, 1670.   

Licenced July 24. 1669.  
ROGER L'ESTRANGE.   

Domini Verolamii Discipulis quibuscunque virtute insignitis veritatem expertis ex rebus ipsis Dicat hoc Opusculum, G. T.  
Viri Egregii,  
VObis minimè ignotum est quàm v●li statu hodiè versatur Ars Medica, antiquitùs maximo Honore decorata. Neque vos latet quaenam hujus Disciplinae tam Nobilis degradationis causa sit praecipua, nempe Superbia, Ignorantia, Ignavia, & Avaritia Professorum: quorum maximè interfuerit istius Turbae Profanae Irruptionem in tam Divinam Scientiam enixè & opportunè antevertisse. Si non dedignati fuissent jatrî propriis manibus laborasse, nec Impensis pepercissent ad acquirenda Arcana Medicum nobilitantia, nunquam in Seplasiarii manus Incuriosi forsan Improbi vel Indocti tradidissent Pharmacopoean, a cujus solerti Encheiresi totus Medendi 〈◊〉 dependet qui solus Artificem coronet. Eò temporis non prostituta fuissent venalia in Officina quavis Triviali & cujusvis Homuncionis lectioni palàm exposita Remedia qualiacunque quae intra Conclavis Cancellos debuissent aptè reconci.  
Hucusque progressum est securè ac incaùte in sanandi peritiae Dedecus atque Mortalium cladem. Sed proh dolor non adhuc resipiscunt Academici, neque eunt obviam tanti momenti malo totis viribus resistendo, susque deque habentes quid de futuro Arte Apolloneâ actum fuerit modò sibi cavere possint de praesenti ut lautè opulenter & granditer vivant. De caetero autem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Vos vero quibus cordi sunt populi salus, Medicique splendoris restauratio, annitimini obicem opponere, ne ulteriùs serpat haec vi●…pendii vulgaris Gangraena in totalem hujus facultatis eruditae subversionem.  
Aegrotat nunc miserè Medicina, quinimo ni maturè succurratur, conclamatum est de eâ: Quapropter ut (si fieri possit) pristinam recuperet Integritatem Domi medi●anda est Reformatio. Sordes prae foribus Doctorum illustrium contractae everrendae sunt, i. e. Errores Dogmatici in Sanando Capit●…s b●runcandi sunt 〈◊〉 nonnulli effulgente jam clariore veritatis luce etiamnum persistunt defendere, opprobria nedum sibimet ipsis Reis sed etiam aliis Insontibus qui meliora student accumulant. Quippe Ignara Plebs omnes ejusdem farinae indistinctim reputant.  
Quatenus autem sanguinis missionem (quam hujus Professionis uti scandalum intueor maximum) pro praestantissimo Juvamine a quibusdam Doctissimis venditatam laudibusque eximiis sed iniquè celebratam animadverterim; vos sedulos Rerum exploratores Domini Verolamii Discipulos, Aequos Arbitros appello, ut per Experimenta Practica publicè exhibita litem hanc dirimatis, uter nostrum sanationis Scopum optimè attingat Phlebotomus vel Aphlebotomus.  
Hoc Offendiculo remoto, extemplò exuscitabitur quivis Candidus Auxiliator ad Remedia supra Popelli captum perscrutanda, quae ad Radicem morborum extirpandam sufficiant sine virium castratione, neque despondeat sic convictus de hoc illegi●imo Galeni methodo; quin posset br●vi temporis spatio (si literis ac Philosophia competenti imbuatur, jugis labor addatur atque a fideli Duce aliquantisper premonstretur) enuclear●●…iusmodi Medicamin● quae tranquillitatem intus applausumque ab extra ex condigno concilient. Hac divite supellectile Remediorum instructus Medicus Eruditus, valeat omnium Agyrtarum, Pseudochymicorum, Seplasiariorum, Empîricorum deteriorisque sortis Medicastrorum Scommata, Aequiparationes, Aususque eorum temerarios facile eludere. Non igitur aggredientur isti sordidi filii Terrae caput in propatulò exerere, praesenti quocunque Philosopho tum Re literaria tum Spagyrica ornatissimo.  
Nam hinc illae lachrimae: ita male comparatum est quòd isti perfricta fronte praediti, nacta aliqua Praeparatione Chymica, cujus virtus longè antecellit quisquiliis Officinarum vulgaribus, eandem Amethodicôs Praecipitanter ac fortasse quadrupla Dosî offerentes, atrocissima quandoque Mala subjugarint, quae aliàs insanabilia relicta fuerint a Collegis sagacibus in eorum Famae diminutionem Eruditionisque ludibrium. At utinam haec non nimis crebrò contingerent, per Indiscretum vitae Balsami dispendium, Laxativa colliquantia, Vesicatoria istiusmodi Mangonia atque Fucos ab Humoristis religiosissimè injuncta. Hisce transversis sanationibus si semel valedicerent Perdecti, confestim accingerent semetipsos ad direc●…m Morborum Medelam in horum confusionem Medicorum umbratilium. Quò ad vero in Medicaminum Antiquorum luto haeserint, nihil aliud expectandum est quam perpetuns hujus Scientiae delapsus in deterius.  
Male interim agetur cum vita Proximi, cum alii sub speciosa Eruditionis & Methodi Laruâ coemiteria saginarint, alii vero sub mendacissima Panaceae jactantiâ horrendum Homicidium impunè perpetrarint.  
Haec diutinè seriòque trutinatus, ex impulsu Animae cogortum acriter redarguere rum etiam ex facto demonstrare, hanc venarum Depletionem (cujus Reatus Doctoribus Dogmaticis a Pseudo-Medicis pudibundè objicitur, unde quidam malae Praxeos libertatem sibi vendicant) sub Doctoris Willis Patrocimo propugnatam (ad Therapeian veluti valde efficacem) esse nedum infaustum, infidumque Auxilium, sed etiam Humano Generi perniciosissimum Inventum. Hoc fi non praestitero in conspectu Solis coram vobis Censoribus in alterutram partem nullatenus inclinantibus, quodvis detrimentum sustineam.  
Neque mihi imputetur ac si Conatus noster Pathologicus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Ambitum, aut Singularitatem saperet, vel ex Thymôsi atq●…●…idia adversus quemlibet in litem accensus essem: Absit, hos enim respectus pravos abrenuntio.  
Attestor enim me calamum reposuisse absque hoc taedio si Orphanorum, Viduarum, Indigorum clamores, Artisque dehonestamentum illum non strinxissent.  
Doctorem Willis laude dignum arbitror eo quod a Paracelso (in Chymiae Decus) Initia Spagyrica licèt a vero aliena, vendibilia tamen mutuatus fuerit ad Physiologiae fundamentum stabilienoum, Splendidum at Sabulosum in quo apparent ejus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ingeniumque Mangonicum: sed quia ista Quinaria Hypothesis Initians, Gravia Fatalia in medendo vitia introduxerit, hanc Disciplinam ut Reprobam argumentis solidis Praxîque notabili annisus sum convellere.  
Admiror vero Doctorem Bettum Institutionis Aristotelicae rudera (jamdudum ab emunctioribus rejecta) pro Basi Naturae fundanda resumpturum esse, quae Doctrina si reastrueretur, certò ominandum est Myriadum luem subsecuturam.  
Aliquot ejus defectus periculosiores vitam humanam interminantes obiter delibavi pluribus intactis donec detur opportunitas severius taxandi.  
Quicquid in his viris 〈◊〉 dignum judicavi, nequaquam ulteriùs credendum expeto, quàm Erperimenta nostra repetitim tentata comprobare valeant.  
Adeste ergo vos 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, hujus Duelli Jatrici spectatores sententiam vestram sincerè allaturi prout alterutrius opera mereantur. Ut Philosophiam Hermeticam in Omnipotentis Gloriam ejusque Progeniei Aerumnosae subsidium provehatis medullitus exoptat.  
Vestrum Observantissimus. Geo. Thomsonus.   

TO THE READER.  
Ingenious Reader,  
I Have here exhibited to thy view, a Discourse of Blood according to many years Observation, written in my Mother Tongue (not without Scholastic Terms intermixed:) that the greater Benefit may be reaped by my Countrymen, I request thee to read it without any Rash Judgement; first duly weighing some Problems or Propositions. I conceive if thou be'st unsatisfied whether Opening a Vein as it is indicated from Evacuation or Revulsion be a competent sufficient Remedy for the Cure of a Pleurisy, or any high Fever; thou shalt find in this short Tract a Resolution in a Negative sense, grounded upon Reason, Authority, but especially that which is the sum of All, Matter of Fact delivered according to what Experiments are past, offered to be made good for the future.  
I beg nothing by way of concession, neither do I obtrude or pin any thing upon thy sleeve. Whom Just, Equal, often repeated constant Trials will not convince, nothing but a Miracle, yea hardly that will convert such an one from his Obstinacy. Be as you please Tractable, yielding to what I have set down, or Perverse and Refractory, I am indifferent, sigh I have improv●d my Talon in giving thee a serious advertisement what mischiefs may follow this indirect course of Practice. However I doubt not the time will come, yea is not far of, that a Phlebotomist (as I have here characterized him) will be looked upon little better than a Bronchotomist, a Cutthroat, as soon as the Harvest of Noble Remedies come to full maturity: a large Crop whereof would quickly appear if well cultivated by Learned Physiologers. I am fully persuaded a hidden Treasure of Medicines far transcending these vulgar now in use, would soon be detected, and kindly accepted if the evil Morality of this most vicious Age did not intercept so great a blessing. For my own part, I am ready, willingly to exert all the sinews of strength I have in my faculty, for the sanative Instructions of languishing man, although my Re●…iation hath been nought else hitherto but odious, Ingratitude from most, whose Lives I study to save in a direct way.  
Assuredly, were it not for fear of a greater diminution of the Honour of the Art, the danger of eclipsing the Repute and Credit of a Legitimate Physician, the prostitution or debasement of Arcana's (it being a sin to cast Pearls before Swine) had I not seen the sad effects of publishing Medical Bills in Apothecaries shops, I should without farther delay openly produce those Remedies which would (in despite of the greatest Patrons thereof) stop the Orifice of this pernicious Galenical Sanguimission. Now sigh this cannot be done, I am ready to resolve any one who is capable, that the most Plethoric Body taken with a Fever, or any one Cachochymick afflicted with a Pleurisy may be cured without the Lancet more speedily, sound, and safely, than using the same. I know this will seem strange to those who are not acquainted with our Chemical Philosophy, being nursed up in this Ignorant way of Phlebotomy, being hurried away by some private Interest, engaged to reserve a peculiar favour for some Relation, or Eminent Doctors their choice friends, who have infused this Opinion of Bleeding into them as Authentic, so that they had rather go to the Grave by this means with their forefather's following the French fashion, than to live to be Wiser. Such I shall leave to their own fancies as unreclaimable, bewitched by those with whom I am bound to contest, whom I principally charge as Antesignani, Ringleaders of this sanguinary effusion. These I question not either to reduce to a better Judgement if they stand to it, or if they shrink back, to make it appear they are no better than Fugitives or Renegades in Physic. If what I have laid open be so far prevalent as any way to reform the method of Healing, that the poor man travelling in this valley of Tears, lying wounded by furtive Diseases, unpityed by the Galenical Priest and Levite, may receive succour from the Chemical Samaritane, I shall account it reward sufficient. Howsoever I shall rest contented, that what I have delivered is Truth, not to be destroyed by all the Powers of Darkness.   

Lectori Malevolo.  
SI quis Medicus Literis inflatus (quid enim Agrammatî blaterent nil moror) per se, vel per alios Surrogatos Praxim nostram jatricam fraudulenter subruat, aut dedecoret, Scripta paritèr atque Remedia nostra sugillet, traducat, vel vilipendat: Idem autem si quando postulatus retrocedat, ac clanculùm se subducat non ausus calumnias suas defendere neque per Experimenta Justa se sinat convinci: certò sciat qualisqualis iste oblocutor deliberatum esse mihi hunc ut Apostatam sive suae facultatis Desertorem Typis mandare, indignitatemque oblatam divulgare ut illius malitia detegatur ac Innocentia mea asseratur.   

There are two other Treatises Extant by the same Author.  

I. GAlenopale: Or a Chemical Trial of the Galenists.  
II. ΛΟΙΜΟΤΟΜΙΑ: Or the Pest Anatomised, with an Historical Account of the Dissection of a Pestilential Body by the Author, and the Consequents thereof.   
Sold by Nath. Crouch at the Cross-Keys in Bishops-gate-street, near Leaden-Hall.   



OF THE NOMENCLATURE OF BLOOD, And its Definition.  
CHAP. I.  
THe Hebrews denominate it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab Adam per Aphairesim, from its red colour, by the Greeks it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, whence those who abound with this pure juice are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, facetious, courteous persons; so great a power hath this liquid red matter to alter our conditions, that according as it is constituted in Eumetry and eucrasy, our morality may be good or bad.  
The Latins give it the name of Sanguis, quasi Suavis vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, being a Defaecate most highly perfected sweet juice fitting to nourish all parts, vel Sanguis quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sanctus, for the Ritual Virtue it hath of purification of the soul in sacrifices. The more crude impure part is called Cruor a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, i. e. Crudus Concretus, which undergoes manifold Guises, and is often the Subject matter of multitude of Diseases, being sometimes changed into an Ichor Tabum, or Sanies.  
Sanguis called blood, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, is a most pure Sweet Homogeneous, Balsamic, Vital Juice (for the most part of a bright Red or Reddish colour) made by the Archaeus, by virtue of Ferments implanted in the Ventricles of the Heart, Lungs, Veins and Arteries, causing a formal transmutation of the chime or milky substance into this sanguineous Liquor ordained to be the seat of Life, and the principal matter for Sense, Motion, Nutrition, Accretion and Generation.  
It is for good reason called Balsamum seu Condimentum totius Corporis, for as much as it hath a Sanative power, sweetly uniting all the parts of the Body for the conspiration of the good of the whole.  
It is a great preservative against Putrefaction as long as it remains in its integrity, for consisting of many Saline particles, it seasoneth whatsoever it toucheth with a pleasing Sapour.  
It is the proper Habitation of the vital spirit, the immediate instrument of the Soul, in which it shines, displaying its Radiant Beams every way, that Sensation, Motion, Nutrition, and all other Functions may tightly be performed.  
It's colour is various, in some White, as in Testaceous Creatures. In some Black, as in the fish Polypus, but usually of a Reddish or Crimson Dye in the most perfect Creatures.  
The efficient cause of its Production, is the Archaeus or Animal spirit, making an Essential Alteration of a praevious Lacteous juice into this most highly exalted Liquor of Life, through the efficacy of those Operative fermenrs which the great Conditor of all things hath destinated to reside in convenient places, principally in the cavities of the heart.   

CHAP. II. Of the different sorts of Blood.  
THe Air, Climate, and Food, do not a little alter the blood of all Animals: For creatures that live in lofty places more remote from the feculent exhalations of the Earth, (for as much as they participate of a more subtle, clean, magnale) have their blood more rarified, volatilised, and so consequently Circulation the better performed without those Coagulations or Grumosites, which those resting nigh the lower surface of the Globe, always sending out some noxious emanations, are commonly incident to. Hereupon the winged commonwealth that frequently draw breath in a sublimer Region, have their juices for the most part better digested, mundified, and subtilised, than those which are constantly contiguous to the earth. For it is certain, look (Coeteris paribus) what air you draw in, such accordingly is the texture of the vital spirits, as these are generated good or bad, so likewise is the blood, as this is constituted, so are the Carneous, Membranous, and Osseous parts.  
Laudable or depraved food conduces much to the meliorating or pejorating this animal liquor, for as the diet is regulated in Quality or Quantity, so Euchymy or Cacochymy follow making several discriminations therein.  
Of all Creatures the blood of man is graduated to the highest Perfection, fitting to be a Receptacle of so divine a Guest, the Immortal Soul, which as long as it is here incarcerated, lying couched in the sensitive, being bound to act by Corporeal Organs, suffers many Obscurations, Defections, and Eclipses, through variety of Meteors arising in the Horizon of this Microcosm, from the blood degenerate and depraved.  
It would take up too much time strictly to examine this vital juice in several species, and in certain Individuals, whose Qualities, Properties, Endowments, Inclinations, Affections, Actions, and Passions depend upon the Seed, the exquisite essential part of this animal Balsam, both of which make up Stamen & Subtegmen, the Warp and Woof of every creature. This Liquor is in some animals thick, gross, and fibrous, in others, thin; serous, and more fluid. There are those who have it endued with a Medicinal virtue, as that of Cats and Goats, the last whereof affords us an Arterial Balsam of admirable effect in Pleurisies.  
Others have in it an Intoxicating and Poisonous property, as Bulls, Dogs, etc. In certain species it is intensely red, in others more remissly. There are creatures which have only a Whitish Liquor in the body, there are those also which possess it either obscure, or of a black colour. The blood of some animals is tangibly hot, in others it is sensibly cold, as in fishes. It is more ponderous in those that continually adhere to the Earth, than in volatiles soaring aloft.  
Saturnine persons have usually a more gross and stable juice very fibrous, causing deliberate pulse. Those who are jovial, have by nature a brighter, thinner Liquor, with a pulse more quick. Many other distinctions of this sanguine Balsam might be delivered, which for the present I can only lightly touch upon, directly aiming at those things of greatest moment, in which the welfare of man hath a more peculiar interest.   

CHAP. III. Of the Efficient, and Material cause of Blood.  
THe Galenists have reckoned for this sixteen hundred years, four humours analogous to the four Elements in man's body requisite for the essential constitution of this ruddy mass, all of which they affirm are separable and demonstrable to the eye. Thus they make a division of that which God & Nature never intended other than Homogeneous, pure, plain, symbolical with that single principle of the universe; for as much as every thing the more it hath of similarity in itself, the more capable it is to be altered into multiplicity of divers different specific bodies by the Magical power of metamorphising ferments.  
Now these Peripatetic Philosophers deliver to the World, that the contexture of this vital juice is made up of choler, phlegm, melancholy and blood, which united, produce as they would have it, the compounded body we call Sanguis: how grossly erroneous and dangerous this Tenet is, most Learned Helmont hath made evident.  
Wherefore we conclude with that Noble Philosopher, that blood is an univocal substance, divisible only by some external accidental means, as the air or fire which cause a various texture, and different position of its atoms, whereby it seems to consist of those parts which are not really inherent in it, as is manifest in its degeneration from its native colour, sapour, consistence, and goodness which it had, before it became corrupt in the Porringer, or underwent the torture of the fire: Both of which do strangely larvate and disguise this puniteous Balsam, giving occasion to the Galenists to frame their four fictitious humours no where really exsistent. Hence occasion hath been given of taking wrong indications in the cure of those Diseases (easily sanable if a firm foundation were laid) a great Catalogue whereof have been reputed incurable.  
Had they but considered how this vital moisture ebbs and flows in goodness and pravity upon flight accidental occasions of any exorbitant passions, as Fear, Sorrow, Anger, etc. the manifold impressions of the ambient air, Ill Diet, immoderate exercise, divers excessive evacuations, and long retention of any recrement: Did they rightly understand how blood like Mercury may be Polymorphised and changed into divers shapes, and at length be retroduced to the same state and condition, as when it was in its Primitive essence: certainly then these Dogmatists would never be so forward to pierce poor man's skin, rashly let out and throw away that substantial support of life, foolishly and falsely apprehending that to be totally corrupt and deprived of what it was in its former being, and in no wise capable to be retrograde, and return to itself again; because it seems to their eyes when it appears abroad discoloured, invested with a contemptible apparel, as Yellow, Green, White, Blue, etc. Moreover, one would think it should put a stop to their prodigal profuse bleeding, if they did but meditate with what difficulty Nature brings this solar Liquor to perfection, how many hazards of becoming spurious and abortive it passes through; how easily it is stained by an extraneous tincture; how often intermixed with something allogeneous and hostile to it; how many elaborate circulations, digestions, and refinings it undergoes before it be throughly animated, and made fit for the right use of the immortal soul.  
Now that we may be informed concerning the efficient and material cause of this vital juice, let us contemplate its original, the place where 'tis first generated, or conception, as an Embryon of its Nativity, Growth, and full Maturity.  
The proper Womb where the blood receives a previous Rudiment, earnest or signature, of what Nature intends to perfect by degrees, is the stomach, where by virtue of a vigorous ferment, the food is converted into a whitish Chyle subacide somewhat fixed, agreeable to the part involving or containing, and to the subordinate instrumental cause, that is employed in this notable change of what is ingested. After the Chyle hath continued so long in the stomach, that it hath attained that scope Nature hath intended: it is emitted out of this vessel, either oppressed with abundance, or stirred up with an extimulating sharpness, which makes an apertion of the Pylorus, through which it passes into the Duodenum, Jejunum, and Ilium, where a very bitter, yet a most balsamical dark deeply tinged Condiment attending the foresaid Acide juice, straight converts the same into a saline exceedingly Volatilised chime, the more pure rarifyed part of which being made capable and pervious, is sucked up by those invisible lacteous vessels implanted in the mesentery, the more impure and grosser is discharged through the Intestines. In these small Fistulary cavities runs this innocent white Liquor through the Pancreas, into the descending Trunk Vena Cava, and through the Thorax, into the Subclavian Veins, by means of which it is conveyed into the right ventricle of the heart dilating, where intermixed with the blood it is immediately altered in several accidents, there receiving the Character or Idea of vitality by virtue of an inherent ferment concurring. Upon the contraction of the heart the valves belonging to the Cava, hindering regress, a fair way is laid open for its free egress through the Arteria pulmonica, into that spongy body the Lungs, in which part it is freed from some foulness and Dross which this Porous Parenchyma in its filtration as it were imbibes and separates, (the ambient Air inspired, much conducing to the mundification, rarefaction of the same bright red juice by helping the fermentation thereof, and sending out many nocuous exhalations in expiration. The matter being thus far prepared, it is at length brought down by Vena Pulmonica, into the left ventricle of the heart expanding, whence it is more vitalized and graduated in its excellency, and by a strong sudden constriction yirked and exploded by the Arteries meliorating it through the extreme Orifices of the forenamed vessels into all parts of the body, where some portion is assimilated into the Identical substance of that which is to be nourished, what juice fitting being spent in assimilation, the rest is taken up by the veins returning it to the right ventricle, and so through the Lungs to the left: where it is advanced to a greater degree of perfection (by often Circulation) part of which is made fit for the generation of vital spirits, Accretion, Nutrition, and Procreation. Thus much concerning the material cause of blood. Now the Efficient or Agent is the innate Archaeus or vital spirit, which chief makes this formal Transmutation of whatsoever is nourishable. This works by his principal instrument: the ferments in the Duumvirate, and in the rest of the digestions. For this Primum Mobile, moving sine Motore alieno; sets all the other wheels in motion, till being exantlated, and its vital power exhausted, all the inferior Orbs forthwith subsist, are at a stand and fail. This Auto Kineton is the seat or subject of the sensitive soul, where it is emicant and translucent in the same manner, as the beams of the Sun received in by the air in a serene, clear sky are effulgent and bright, but in a cloudy, dusky heaven are offuscated and opacous. Needs must melancholy, sad thoughts attend the mind, when the spirits are tenebrous, dim, and dark, being clouded and overspread with dark, misty fogs of noisome, exhalations arising from impure, feculent, malignant, degenerate moisture, which causes the soul lodging therein to act irregularly, in as much as the primary instrument this vital steam by which the soul operates, is depraved and bereft of its genuine goodness. Wherefore that this place of the life's residence may be capable to receive so divine a guest; Nature hath ordained and curiously fabricated several Pipes, venal, arterial and nervous, with fit cavities and convenient parts adjoining for the Circulation, Fermentation, Digestion, Exaltation, Purification of this vital juice: So that if any thing dissonant, violent, adverse, incongruous, and of a different Texture enter into it, the same is either forthwith exploded, or a great inquietude, displacency, and confusion ariseth in the Oeconomy of the body, to the hazard of the whole frame of Nature.  
Likewise if the stomach titubate and come short in its right digestion, all the other succeedng shops ordained for maturation and perfecting this rubicund Liquor, cannot correct the mistakes, errors, and defects of the first, so that we may conclude without controversy, that this Noble Membranous cavity, layeth the foundation for the further erection and superstructure of the prime matter, which makes this stately edifice entire and firm. Let not any harbour a conceit, that the Liquor current in the veins and arteries will ever be brought to that requisite maturity, and cleansed from that dross it is incident to, unless the stomach, the Key that unlocks all the Privy Chambers and Closets of this little world, be first set in order and rectified.  
'Tis all one, as if one should pump without stopping the leak, if he apply Remedies, à Posteriori, to the consequent indigencies in the parts, neglecting the main defect of the Duumvirate, à priori, which like the Helm of a ship, reduces into the right channel, the aberrations of other Kitchens ordained for the formal alteration of nutriment. For this purpose our principal study ought to be employed about the search of such Remedies, that are amicable and delectable to the Archaeus, corroborate the tone of the stomach, augment, regulate, and fortify its ferment, scour away any thing recrementitious in it: dulcify and mitigate what ere is acrimonious, preter-naturally austere, acid, corroding, saline, or putrid therein: This being duly performed by a Pyrotechnical Philosopher, a sure door is opened for the exemption of Nature, much oppressed from sundry grievous Diseases, (which otherwise would prove incurable) banking and eluding all the trivial medicaments of the Galenists.   

CHAP. IU. The manifold Occasions that altar, clarify, taint, and deprave the Blood; Also the true signs of its purity or impurity, integrity or degeneration.  
 occurrences, and  occasions, cause a goodness, depravation, and deflection of the blood from its native sincerity. Those inseparable things without which we cannot subsist, as air, diet, retention, evacuation, exercise, sleep, watching, passions, and perturbations of the mind do very much affect this noble j●ice. Above all, it is most altered by the air, and the perturbation of the spirits: such fixed impressions are sometimes made by these, that they become indelible all our life after. Many laborious Chemists have to their miserable experience found, that those deletery, venomous fumes, and poisonous Realgars arising from minerals imbibed by the air, and so inspired, have so infected this Balsam circulating through the Lungs, that all the art of man hath not been able by the greatest medicinal Arcana's to expunge the malignity contracted thereby.  
How insensibly do those virulent pestilential atoms fluctuating in the air cause a miasm, contagion in this red mass, whereby it becomes coagulated or colliquated: which inconveniencies are no more to be avoided in some places, than that it is possible for any one to live without air. Doubtless that tedious Chronic disease the Scorbute, which is so predominant and Grassant in this Nation, doth in greatest part diffuse itself by means of the air, which insensibly conveys its pernicious Nature from Body to Body. So that some few having a high tincture of this evil, may in some short space, resorting to much Company, annoy by a spreading ferment many hundreds, who according as their Bodies are disposed and capable for the reception of this infectious Leaven, suffer more or less in pollution of this Nectar of life which by degrees falleth off from its pristine goodness. If then timely prevention be not made either by potent strength of Body, or a prevalent art, the man decays in his faculties, the Archaeus becomes aculeated, exstimulated, and becomes exorbitant, framing variety of Exotic, Morbific Ideas, causing a Syndrom of Heteroclite symptoms. Infinite are the exhalations flowing out from all sorts of Bodies, greedily sucked up by the magnale or porosities of the air, which, when, where, and how it affects the blood is not easily known to us: only this we can assert, that we have received injury from this subtle ambient, that adheres as close to us as we to place.  
'Tis a common Opinion taken up frequently by the vulgar, when they are indisposed or incident to any disease, to say they have taken cold, thereby mincing and extenuating the magnitude and malignity of many feral Diseases to their final overthrow, being so taught by their Oracle like Galenical Doctors (as they fancy them) whom they observed to insist upon bare Qualities (merely transitory, momentany, and shadows of true substances) for the Cure of most desperate Diseases, especially Fevers: which I acknowledge is often produced, excited, and irritated by the ambient, but not merely from the bare quality thereof quatenus cold, but as it is stuffed full of atoms Hostile to the Texture of our blood, which rushing in through the more patulous passages of the Body, or stealing in through the less visible pores, do frequently alter, and contaminate this Aetherial Liquor. 'Tis granted, that cold doth sometimes accidentally put the Body much out of order, in as much as it stoppeth up the pores of the skin, in such wise, that many noxious recrements are constringed within, to the depravation of the blood, the impediment of its Circulation, and so to the great prejudice of the health, which otherwise having free vent, rid nature of a burdensome clog, oftentimes pressing it down either into dangerous or mortal Fevers.  
In this case the principal means to be used, is to open the coarctation, constriction, and constipation of this general membrane by proper Diaphoreticks, withal rectifying the air, that there may be a free aporrhaea of whatsoever doth infested Nature and blood. The next notable cause that makes great alteration for the worse in this vital juice, are the extravagant perturbations, storms, and tempests that arise in this microcosm, raised through misapprehensions, misapplications, and misinterpretations of things obvious to our sense, contrived by a luxated or dislocated imagination, e. g. Some frightful object presented to our eye, or a lamentable story related to our ear, doth straight disturb, the Archaeus with its concomitant in such manner, that a plain discovery is made what is done within by its sudden flux into, and reflux from the face; the Index of the souls affections: Henquam difficile est (says the Poet) Crimen non prodere vultu: Joy, Sorrow, Fear, Hope, Love, Anger, Envy, Jealousy, are so conspicuously to be read in the countenance by means of the access or recess of this sanguine matter, that the best of Politicians study hath been to conceal those evident Signatures, Impressions, Stamps, and Characters of their Inclinations, Motions, Dispositions, and Affections arising from the blood, but yet could never attain to any perfection therein.  
How florid is the Front when the heart is cheerful? how sweetly diffused is this spirituous Ruby through all parts in an equal proportion, circulating in every vessel with a quiet stream: on the contrary, how luride, discoloured, tawny, yellow, dark, pale, wan for the most part is the aspect when sorrow hath laid siege to the fountain of life: what stagnations, coagulations, unkindly colliquations, exorbitant fermentations, dyspepsies, apostases, defections, transmutations, allogeneities, vapidities, malignities, austerity, acidity, acrimony, is this juice liable to, at first disordered in part, at length by degrees quite subverted from those deformed odious Ideas of Sorrow, Grief, and Anguish of spirit.  
O triste nomen, O diis, odibile!  
Melancholia lachrymosa Cocyti filia,  
Tu Tartari specubus opacis edita.  
This feral Brat of Hell melancholy, doth so disturb the Oeconomy of the souls residence, that the ruddy Balsam of the Body hath become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, lutulent, feculent, deprived of its primitive excellence, so that whereas it was before the fit matter of clear, luminous, active spirits, from whence arose regular, sound, comformable actions, it is now being degraded the Original of a Black, Fuliginous Archaeus, which clouding the soul in such a manner; that the whole frame is disordered, and all the powers are violently hurried into an ataxy. Briefly, all immoderate passions do exceedingly operate upon the blood, spoiling it more or less of its integrity. Thus inter spemque metumque timores inter & iras, is this subject matter wherein the soul delights agitated, concussed, sometimes as it were charmed into a coagulum or curdly substance, again then colliquated into a virulent corroding, fretting Ichor or Serum, now a modest apprehension of shame, adorns the skin with a lovely rosy blush; a sudden fear leaves the superficies of the body exanguious, pale and Ghost-like, as likewise excessive love perpetrates the same by degrees, Pallidus omnis amans: Envy consumes this vitae pabulum, as a Moth a Garment.  
Jealousy as cruel as the Grave, never leaves till it devours its vigour and fibrosity. Anger intoxicate it, pourtraying the perfect Idea of madness therein, which sometimes is so graduated, that no poison in this part of the world seems to be more active, for a few atoms of this venomous gore penetrating the Cutaneous membrane, hath infected the whole ruddy mass introducing most truculent symptoms: wherefore Ira furor brevis est, hanc tu compesce catena. Let it be our whole endeavour, ut sit mens sana in corpore sano, for if we be not Master of our unruly passions, 'tis impossible there should be an Eutomie, an eucrasy, and Eumetry, in this solar juice.  
Likewise food is to be considered as powerful to make an Euchymy or cacochymy, for those things whose Vita Media are so tenacious, that they cannot be conquered by the stomach, do often put Nature to very great stress, causing it to frame many strange Images, so leading it captive into a morbific state. I have found experimentally, that flesh or any thing Dyspepton of difficult digestion in any Fever putrifies in the stomach, contaminates the blood, augments the Fever, which the good old man Hipp. verifies, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, i. e. if you give any thing very highly nutritiotous to one in a Fever, the same will increase his Disease, weakening the Patient, which given to an healthful body, would strengthen him.  
Again, whatsoever superfluity is retained after the six Digestions are performed, do either by their quantity or quality incommodate the blood, causing it to deviate from its sincerity; likewise all profuse excretions do much disturb it. Motion, Rest, Watching, and Sleep, passing their due limits, cause great inconveniences herein.  
The Phaenomena or signs whereby the blood may be judged good or bad are, some apparently Visible: others more obscurely latitant. A skin tinged with a preternatural Black, Citrine, Yellow, Green, Pale colour, supposed it be not contracted from the impression of the Air, Climate, or any outward accident, doth certainly indicate that all is not well with the juice within, for qualis color cutis, talis corporis habitus, sanguis & spiritus. A feverish state, cutaneous eruptions, a spontaneous lasitude, difficulty of breathing, an irregular pulse, Arythmus, Dicrotus, Formicans, Serratilis, observing no just proportion. Degenerate excrements arising from several Digestions of various colours, Green, Yellow, etc. of bad consistence, as lentous, viscous, clammy, thin, sharp, fretting, cause some suspicion that the blood is impure. Likewise if a man be melancholy without any just reason, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, indisposed, dull, delirious, forgetful, sleepy, or over-watchful, he may suspect all is not well within. There is no greater sign of notable impurity in this mass, than when there appears any excessive Haemorrhagy, as from the Nose, Piles, or Mouth; for than we may conclude, that some irritating matter is got therein, which like a Thorn extimulates the Archaeus, so that it becomes impatient, fretful, and furious, profusely squandring away the most precious stock of life in a prodigal manner. Now if we desire to keep a constant Tenor of health, we ought strictly to observe whether any of the six Digestions do at any time titubate, or falter, and forth with to seek out for means to correct the same, and reduce it to integrity, sigh it is not possible that the liquor of life should be free from feculencies, imperfections, and apostasies, if the Organ that frames it be irregular and depraved.  
Here I must give a Caution to all intelligent Persons, that they do not rashly censure that blood let out in the Porringer necessary to be sent packing, because it is disguised in various colours, as blackish, blue, green, yellow, white, etc. supposing it to be corrupt, and so unfitting to be retained within the verge of life. It is no such matter, I can maintain: for this superficial alteration proceeds from the Air, spoiling it of its pristine goodness, not that it was really corrupted in the vein. For the demonstration of this, I will undertake upon forfeiture of a great penalty to open the vein of a Cachochymick body, emitting about two or three ounces of the visible foresaid degenerate matter, then stopping the Orifice, make use of proper Remedies to this Individual, whose habit I doubt not so to alter in the space of about a fortnight, that no such putrid matter as they improperly call it, shall be found in any vein whatsoever opened, which may fully satisfy any sober inquirer after truth, that the corruption was never really existent in that while it was in the vein, which in so short a time is thus red integrated; for corruption being an absolute privation of that formal essence of the thing: and sigh there is no retrogradation in this kind, that an Ens losing its form by dissolution, should assume it again, nam à privatione ad Habitum, non datur regressus: it infallibly follows, that this juice thus restored Techni●…s by Art was never truly corrupted as they would have it. Hence it follows, that the fair pretence of the Galenists, that the juice drawn out of the patiented forasmuch as it is corrupt in the Porringer, is happily discharged; appears a mere imposture contrived on purpose to stop the mouth of those who scruple and question Phlebotomy.   

CHAP. V Concerning the Latex or insipid aqueous Liquor, that is concurrent with the Blood.  
TReating of the blood, I cannot omit its inseparable companion that closely perambulates with it through all the winding Maeandrous Pipes in this microcosm. It is called Latex by Helmont, by some Lympha by the Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. It is a Diaphanous clear liquor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, fabricated in the second digestion by virtue of a ferment there residing. It is the matter of Urine and Sweat. It undergoes various alterations, partly from sanguine mass, and partly from the solid parts of the body, whose ferments as they are mis-affected, so they infect this limpid liquor. It is of very great use, first as a vehicle to the blood to convey and usher it freely into all parts. Secondly, to hinder the condensation and coagulation thereof, that it may not restagnate, and so be hindered in its constant circulation. Thirdly, that it may carry off several impurities and dross, that the parts contained and containing are obnoxious to, mundifying, and as it were rincing away their contracted foulness by Urine and Spitting, reposing the same either in certain Glandulous Emunctories, or diffusing what is saline, acid, acrimonious, pontic or bitter, etc. through the porous skin. Fourthly, it serves for the humectation of those parts, otherwise prone to Aridity, as the bones and Cartilages; hence that Synonia or albuminous substance that intervenes the extremity of each bone is maintained. Fifthly, it is the matter of tears, spittle, sweat, and urine, all which are rightly fabricated as long as the ferments perform their office as they should, but becoming exorbitant, this Latex degenerates, causing great offence and injury to the life of man. Hence fevers of all sorts, the Scurvy, Squinzy, Pleurisy, Cephalalgy, grievous Gripes, Fluxes, Dropsies, Haemorrhoids, Oedematous tumors, Erysipelas, Phlegmons Cacoethes, and Fistulous Ulcers, and cutaneous Eruptions, of multifarious shapes, wherein for the most part great malignity and venomous nature is included. This depraved Latex is the cause of intolerable thirst in a Causos or a high fever, which is indirectly attempted to be allayed by Julips of the Galenists, who intent cooling and moistening, as taking their Indication erroneously from heat and dryness, which then would easily ●e corrected by a draught of cold water or small Beer. Whereas the true way if rightly taken is to dulcify the salfuginous or Briny Latex by appropriate Remedies to destroy the malignity that harbours therein, and to carry off by urine and skin sensibly or insensibly, that Ichorous matter which annoys the whole mass, endangering the total coagulation of it, whereby the Archaeus is put into extreme displacency, being exceedingly heightened in its perturbation at the presence of so tedious, vexatious, virulent and mortiferous a sociate. It is not amiss sometimes to exantlate or pump up this sharp Serum, and to send it packing per Ptyelismum, by salivation, supposed it be done by those things that are free from a noxious property, leaving no impression behind, which cannot be performed by ☿ dulce Turbith mine, Praecipie, and such like imperfect preparations of Quicksilver, commonly sold in Apothecaries shops, and frequently used by the Galeno-Chymists, who for that reason assume the name of Chemists to the infamy of this Noble Science. By their leave I must tell them, and I can assert it as a real truth, that no Legitimate Spagyrist, if he be throughly grounded in his Art, will exhibit any of the foresaid preparations of ☿, yea moreover, nor oil of vitriol corrosive, nor the spirit only a sour Phlegm, the best thing they have of an Adipson, on which they depend for the abating of extraordinary Thirsts.  
Bartholinus a very laborious Anatomist, hath made a discovery of certain Lymphducts, Receptacles of this clear water, which taking their Original from the Liver and Spleen, tend upward to the subclavian vessel, and downward to the Renal cavities: so that Nature hath been very solicitous to lay up as it were in store this most necessary water, that it may upon all occasions be in readiness to be brought forth for the Emergent use of the fluid and solid parts.  
If this Latex offend in Quantity or Quality, perfect sanity cannot be enjoyed. If it be deficient Atrophy, Consumption, Marasmus follows, if not timely prevented, as appears in those whose pericardium being diffected, hath been destitute of any considerable moisture: if it abound cachexy, a very ill habit of body, and Dropsies ensue. If it be fretting, salt, or acid, many Ideas of Diseases arise to be specified according to the part affected. Now Omne Acidum est Venice, Arteriis & Nervis, membranis, hostile, stomacho vero gratum, according to our Philosopher: Whatsoever is sharp is pleasing to the stomach, but very offensive to the veins, arteries, nerves, and membranes, which are thereby vellicated, curled, convulsed, and corrugated at the presence of that, whose Atomycal parts are like so many thorns.  
In Infants the tone of this Latex being subverted, causes an Hydrocephalus, a head very much tumefied. In a declining age it deviates from its integrity, and much infests the Lungs.  
The goodness or pravity of the Latex depends much upon the blood as it is constituted, for although it is no essential part thereof, yet is it altered for better or worse, according to the channels it passes through, the lodging it taketh up, and the condition of its associate, notwithstanding I will not deny but that it may be sometimes impaired in its due excellency, and this withal remain very pure and sincere. It is prone to be often damnifyed by outward accidents, as the ambient air, any thing that impetuously rushes upon it, making a contusion or solution of continuity, whatsoever doth terrify, colliquate, and gall the skin, or intoxicate it, putting the Archaeus into a violent passion, thereby turning the placid innocent Liquor into an unpleasing, hurtful, corrosive menstruum.  
Urine and sweat are by some reputed to be the same, however they are mistaken, for urine comes from a putrefactive principle, whereby the Latex is turned into an urinous Nature by virtue of a ferment proper to the Kidneys, which if it be perverted, many Diseases emerge, Dysuria, Ischuria, Stranguria: if totally destroyed there happens, that rare affect called Diabetes. The sweat comes from the Latex, drawn thither by the Magnes of the membrana Carnosa & Cutis, whose attraction is more powerful when promoted by exercise, heat, frication, and attrition, etc. which are great means that that undulating moisture in the inward part hath its recourse to the Periphaeria or circumference of the body, and so passes through the pores thereof in form of a dewy Mador. This water as it is tinged or impregnated by divers occurrent matter, it finds in the passages where it is transient, so it retains an odour, or sapour, colour, consistence, for the sweat of some is very stinking and noisome in scent, sharp in taste, yellow, greenish, darkish in colour, glutinous, clammy, waterish, and sometimes so fretting, that the Linen is even corroded thereby, as if it were imbrued with a weaker sort of oil of vitriol, which expulsion is always laudable, if it be performed by strength of Nature, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, for an Ephidrosis, particular sweats always portends debility of the Archaeus, an unequal strength, a defection of the attractive faculty, stubborn, obstructions, and abundance of lentous, clammy, tough matter, not easily capable to be tamed by the vital spirit.  
Here I cannot but make an animadversion on that truculent Disease which formerly raged in England, to the destruction of some thousands. It had its original doubtless from a degenerate Latex turned into a malignant Ichor, which caused a tabefaction or colliquation of the blood and Nutritive juice, which issuing forth in a copious measure symptomatically, without any Euphoria alleviation, quickly consumed the stock of life. The attempt made at first to cure this malady, by stopping the sweat by astringents and cooling things, proved not only frustraneous, but also very mortal, for the malignity being thereby more concentrated, wanting a Momentaneous vent through the universal membrane, it forthwith preyed upon the Archaeus, extinguishing the Lamp of life in such sort as a Mephitis or subterranean damp doth obsuscate, and at length put out the flame of a Candle. Now the proper adequate Remedies that took effect in this feral evil, were Eustomachicks, as likewise counterpoisons that did immediately resist the venom by obliterating the Idea thereof, by corroborating the enormon, exterminating the intoxicated Ichor, and ill conditioned Latex through the habit of the body, carrying it that way quo natura vergere studebat.  
Most stubborn Coughs oftentimes vex many, by reason this Latex is become illegitimate and destitute of its primary eucrasy: for having contracted a subtle pungitive acrimony, itexceedingly grieves the tender body of the Lungs, through which it is continually circulated. Hereby this part is extimulated to vexatious explosion, night and day without any considerable expectoration. The Galenical Lohoches, Lambatives, syrups, and several mixtures signify nothing in this case, for they do but prejudice the Mint where the Latex doth first receive a stamp, which being at first defaced, can never after be repaired and brought to its perfect form. I have always found experimentally, that nothing is more prevalent to master the Orgasmus and enormous cataract of this fretful Liquor, than to give a vomit proper for the discharging any superfluity about the stomach, no whit offensive to its ferment, nor diminishing its vital strength. As for those vomits of the shops, which Galenists make use of, I utterly renounce them, as unfitting to be used by a true Son of Art.  
Here I shall insert something requisite, and peculiarly belonging to a vomit that acts as it ought towards the cure of any dangerous Disease. 1. It ought to be safe,— so that one need not fear to sleep after it, to walk about the house, nor be terrified that it work not by vomit or stool. 2. It is assistant to Nature, that it may be able to discharge the morbific matter, keeping up its vigour after a sharp contention and victory over the Disease: not leaving it very languide in danger to be encountered by second infirmities, as is commonly observed to be the effect of the ordinary Purgatives. 3. It leaves untouched whatsoever is sound, not coliquating the wholesome juice of the parts. 4. It conveys away by expectoration sweat, and urine, whatsoever is hostile to Nature. 5. It sweetens the Acrimony and Acidity of the Latex. 6. It casts some bright radiant lustre upon the Archaeus, whereby it is illustrated, and so by reflecting beams enabled to scatter those dark cloudy mists and foggy exhalations that obnubilate the life. That Physician that is furnished with such an Arcanum, dares give a vomit to that Patient, to whom a Galenist of the greatest fame dare not exhibit one (as I have heard) for a hundred pound. I have this twenty years' practice attempted many specious, highly applauded medicines, for the regulating this spurious Latex, but never was I successful to any purpose, till by long labour and expenses, I at length met with such an Emetic, endued with the aforesaid properties, which was potent in amending the errors of this limpha in the fountain or first source thereof, I mean, the Duumvirate that governs the whole body. In short, the Physician that is to seek in such a safe effectual means, shall never be able to strike at the root of any fixed disease, but must be forced to palliate by bleeding, blistering, venomous Purge, issues, & c. ●…t he may seem to do something, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, after a busy manner to content his Patient, lest he should be thought to receive his money for nought.   

CHAP. VI Of the manifold Diseases that take up their Lodging in the Blood.  
QUicquid in sanis actiones sanas, id ipsum in morbis etiam pravas edit. If as we are taught, in the blood is L●…e, Light, and Health, then necessarily according to the foresaid Theorem in the same is death, darkness, and sickness; yet is it to be taken in such a sense as this red spirituous liquor relates to the fountain, from whence primarily it had a beginning. For in truth, diseases generally are first embryonated and Characterised in the vital spirit, residing in the Hypochondries, stomach, and spleen, from whence they are traduced secondarily into other parts. For example, Cephalaea, i. e. an inveterate pain in the Head, took its first beginning from the enormon of the Duumvirate, where the seminal Rudiments and Idea of this disease were obumbrated or shadowed forth by the sensitive soul, excited to passion upon the apprehension of something disagreeing and injurious to vitality. Afterward the same is perfectly delineated in the Archaeus of the brain, in which the scene laid below is now brought to light above. Now is to be seen a syndrom of many symptoms, which plainly show the Nature of the disease suitable to the part afflicted: here the Latex and vital juice apostatise by degrees from their purity the ferments, and consequently the digestions of the brain becoming vitiated, so that this Organ which at first suffered, per Deuteropathiam, is now alienated from its former integrity, being disordered, per Idiopathiam, hereupon the parts adjacent incur infirmities, as Amaurosis, or Gutta, Serena, Opthalmy or inflammation, a Cataract, a Pterygion or film in the eyes, etc. a Parotis, Inflammation, Tinuitus, or tingling in the Ears, etc. Yet however still the fountain root and original of this, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, came from the Duumvirate. So that if any ligitemate Physician go about to make a Cure of the Cephalaea and other supervening diseases, he must aim directly at the extirpation of that primary cause, which first generated, propagated, and gave life to the second infirmity. Now the efficient and material cause of all diseases, is the vital spirit implanted, especially in the most pure juice contained, and parts contained, for the supply of which the influent serves. This ingenite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, had at first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a power given from the great Conditor of all things, to bring the fluxile seed into the conformation of an Embryo, and after that to maturate it for parturition: since when it continues a despotical Government over all the faculties, functions, offices belonging to this Republic, being the seat and habitacle of life or light, form, or the sensitive soul.  
As the soul inhabits the Archaeus, so this is permanent in the blood, and all three take up for their Metropolitan or chief place of Residence the stomach and spleen, in which the soul by means of the Duumvirate acts freely. The imbred spirit is implanted every where throughout the whole body, taking notice of the least mischief which happens thereto in every single particle, so that if a thorn, a splinter, the sting of a be, wasp, a Scorpion, the biting of a Viper, Tarantula, Mad dog, or Rattle snake break the skin, touching the vital juice: This Archaeus forthwith frames Ideas of indignation, fear, sorrow, etc. According as the Nature of that which vulnerates it, such & such symptoms are evidently contrived by this quick scented and tasted spirit, which nimbly apprehends what is nocuous, and what is harmless to the life. This Custos I say is ubiquitary in the body, carefully watching for its preservation, but it is in an extraordinary manner concentrate, where the first preparation of the sanguine mass is made, here the Apoplexy, Epilepsy, Palsy, Convulsions, Lethargy, scotomy, Delirium, Melancholy, Madness, Frenzy, Phthysis, Quinsy, Peripneumonie, Incubus, Asthma, Dyspnaea, vexatious Coughs, Syncope, Lypothymie, gripping of the Guts, Diarrhaea, Dysuria, Arthritis, Gout in several parts, cachexy, Dropsies, the Scurvy, Hypochondriack Passion, all sorts of fevers continual or intermitting, mild or malignant, the small Pox, Measils, spotted Fever, the Plague, Marasmus, Erysipelas, Phlegmous Haemorrhoides, etc. In this Mint they are all first coined, receiving an Impress Schem or Figure, according to which they act uniformly upon the Scene of this microcosm.  
That which makes a difference of Fevers and other Diseases, is the first mover extimulated from an extraneous matter: Impatient withal of the Local Possession of the same; for as it relisheth Excrements, so it is affected, fashioning in the Hypochondries 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the portraiture of that Ens M●rbosum, analogous thereunto: and were there not a Discriminating fancy in the vital spirit, whereby a disease is determinated to this or that kind, and made to be Hoc aliquid Specificum, there would necessarily be a great confusion in the Catalogue of infirmities, that none could rightly and distinctly understand the Diganôsis, the true Knowledge of them, but in a preposterous manner should mistake one for another, becoming uncapable to applicate, and appropriate Remedies according to the Nature of what infests us. Sith than it is otherwise, that the symptoms of the falling sickness, Lethargy, Peripneumone, Asthma, etc. do constantly evidently discover the species and essence of the Disease; this can never be but from an efficient material cause or Principle above the four humours of the Galenists, or the three principles of Paracelsus, and his Sectary Dr. Willis, who adds to Sal, sul. and ☿, Water and Earth. But how far from solid truth, we shall ere long examine.  
As for the former opinion, it is at this day exploded by most Scient Philosophers, who have rejected that consuming Ens (which they would have to make up one of their four Elements, and consequently the four humours, as a mere fictitious conceit, fetched from the Utopian Elemental Region of fire immediately next the Moon.  
This latter opinion borrowed from the Chemists, I confess seems to be plausible and very taking, as if it contained some verity: notwithstanding narrowly searched into, and put to the fiery trial of experimental Philosophy, the infallible Lapis Lydius or touchstone of our Works, whetner they be allowed or Reprobate, it will appear expressly, that those so called five Chemical principles, of which all bodies (as Dr. Will●… asserts) have their initiated Synthesis, Cuncretion, or Composition, and into which their Analysis, Dissolution is made, are not the essential, efficient, and materil cause of diseases. I cannot subscribe to what Dr. Willis positively delivers as a truth, in capii de ferment, that Corpora quaevis è Spiritu, Sulphur, Sale, Aqua & Terra constare, i. e. Every body consists of Spirit, Salt, Sulphur, Water, and Earth, and according as is the different motion and measure of these in Concretes, so is the beginning and end of every thing, with the diversity of their fermentations to be considered. I would willingly know of Dr. Willis as expert an Anatomist, as he is in the dissection of Nature, when ever he discovered visibly all these five principles in any body whatsoever, without the torture and corruption of the whole.  
If these can be otherwise extracted, and demonstrated to me by him, I shall become more inclinable to his opinion: but sigh I am sure he cannot, I have very good reason to maintain, that these parts separated from Bodies by the fire, were never actually pre-existent in them, but are fabricated by Vulcan, and so instead of being Principles or Elements of things, they become no other than Products. Moreover if ever the Doctor beheld with his eyes, showing to us the same (for to putatitious notions of the Brain we give no credit, sigh being an experimental Philosopher, we hope he will not impose any thing upon us barely, because he saith it) these five supposed fundamental Principles produced in any living body by any heat whatsoever, I shall forthwith submit to his judgement, and Cure diseases according to this Hypothesis. Till than he must excuse me, if I tell him that the stately touring structure founded upon this Quinary Doctrine of Principles, easily captivating those that look only superficially upon truth, will undoubted fall to Ruin. 2. These supposed quinta prima, cannot be disgregated from some bodies by the fire, any Art or sublunary machine of man, witness Mercury, which being a Homogeneous, similar, Ens, (not conspurcated or fouled with any strange matter) cannot by any devise of man whatsoever be brought into the foresaid parts. It may indeed be disguised several ways by additaments, deluding the eye in the form of an Oil, Water, Salt, Sulphur, and Earth, but they are only momentany dresses, which this Proteus hath assumed no whit Real, sigh it may in a short time be made to retrocede to its primitive Individual Substance and Consistence.  
Our great Philosopher Heimont, declares absolutely, Ex Arena silicibus saxis non calcariis sul. aut ☿ nunquam trahi posse: That 'tis impossible to fetch out of Sand Flints, and all sort of stones except Lime stones, Sulphur, or Mercury. But he could by means of his Liquor Alkahest (never to be attained by Dr. Willis, or any Galeno-Chymist, who dare not believe it hath an existence, lest it should be expected they should spare time, take pains, and be at Charges to acquire it) he was able I say by means of this great Dissolvent, to convert Sand, or Stone, into salt aequiponderat to its former Bulk, which mechanical Probation gives more satisfaction to any intelligent Person concerning this truth, than any tedious Argumentation to the contrary, contrived never so subtly and plausibly.  
Again, what spagyrical hand did ever Analyse Water (not impregnated with a seed) that the Quinta Prima might be made manifest. The Tria Prima according to our Philosopher, may be said to be in it Analogicôs, but in no wise really existent therein. 'Tis true, we often use the Etymon of 3 Prima, for the distinction of those parts that have a disparity in them created by the fire, yet this doth not conclude that they had their integral being in that body, out of which they were extorted anamolôs. No more than a Charcoal can be said to be revera in Wood, Glass in ashes or sand: because by the Alterative power of Vulcan, they have received this peculiar stamp differing from the quiddity of the thing they were before. Helmont affirms an Aqua vitae may be drawn out of any Vegetable that hath not lignofity 〈◊〉; i● it then to be taken for a Thefis, that Aqua vitae was a Principle of the same; after this rate we should multiply principles, and of five make fifty, and perhaps more; if when ever we see some notable Product from the fire, we should presently conclude that it is Ens primum principians. If the Concrete had in it those many things that are made of it, Chyle, blood, flesh, bones, and other parts should then be materially contained in the grass, to which these substances do owe their first original. The same water also that nourisheth sundry Plants of a different kind, should harbour in it so many sorts of specific juices fitting for the nourishment and accretion of each distinct Vegetable. But this is ridiculous to conceive, sigh we cannot but know that the seminal ferments of every thing maketh a transmutation of what it taketh in, and by virtue of them, altars, appropriates, and brings into an Identity with itself, that which before was remote of another kind, and moving in another sphere. This formal transmutation is frequently practised by Nature: the Rain first exhaled from infinite number of bodies, carried up into the middle Region, where the seed of every thing is mortified, is there converted into water, which being ingravidated with celestial virtues, is by their influence forced to descend upon the Earth, in whose matrice it acquires a prolific ferment, to which a Plastick-spirit is forthwith invited to take up its lodging, being also excited to frame an Idea of that Vegetable Ens which it intends to produce: so falling to work, and pourtraying the figure of the whole, from an invisible principle it becomes by degrees manifest, bringing to perfection at length every part of the Plant, that was before limmed in its imagination. This being devoured by a Sheep, or Ox, is altered by the specific ferment of the stomach, changing it into an acid Chyle or creamy juice, that passing into the Guts becomes saline by virtue of that viscus vitale the Gaul: The purer part of this juice receiving now a previous disposition for separation, is sucked up by those vessels they call Milky which convey it into the veins, where intermingled with the ruddy Liquor, it is called Cruor, afterward being circulated some considerable time, it's made by the fermenting efficacy of the blood and bowels fit for nutrition, accretion, and generation. This Beast feeding constantly upon this vegetable, is at length impinguated, and made food for man, who eating thereof, transmutes this flesh into Chyle, Chime, and Cruor; at length having passed through the first Kitchen and five several fermental operations, it is identifyed and individuated with the substantial flesh of man. This man is devoured by a Shark or the like fish, and passes through all that formal Metamorphôsis, which this fish makes in those several places of Cookery and digestion, at last from man's flesh it attains to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, fish. It happens afterward, that this Water creature is taken and eaten by man, so by the Protean force of the instruments of life, it retires motu retrogrado, into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 man's flesh again. Behold what a versatile Scene of Alterations is here represented to our eyes, arising first from simple water, which entering upon the stage of the Earth starts up, showing itself in divers shapes, according as the coercive seminal ferments attire it. In this case sure no Philosopher in his right wits will affirm that there is so many principles couched in the Water, as there are formal Transmutations of things arising from the same. He will rather forthwith understand optically, having made some serious Analysis of Bodies, and observed a tendency in them to their prme initiation Water, that Heterogeneities and distinct Phaenomena of substances in the Plant, Brute, Man, and Fish, and Man again, are but the fruits of topical and acquired ferments, actuated by a seminal Archaeus; that Water also is the first foundation on which the manifold stories of so many Entia, discrepating in form are raised, which being ruinated, return into the same again. I could enlarge myself on this subject, according to the various Experiments and Instances I have seen, but I must contract, studying conciseness in whatsoever I deliver. 3. The inconstancy and vicissitude of these supposed principles, powerfully refute them to be what he would have them: for according to Aristole, Initia debent esse stabilia, whatsoever are properly denominated principles, are to remain constant, and no ways alterable one into another: now the contrary is found in these, forasmuch as they may by Art (which I am sure I can perform) be mutually converted one into another, as Sulphur into Salt, salt into spirit, spirit into water, again spirit into salt, salt into sulphur, and sulphur into Water and Earth. Sith then there is such lubricity, such a momentany existence in them, that they are in a short time coincident one into the other; how can they lay a solid Basis for any Concrete, so as to be principles thereof, considering they are so totering, unstable, ●nd fluxile themselves.  
Besides, let Dr. Willis use the best skill he can in extracting by fire any four (for Water I except, looking upon it as the first, last, solid, real, and only material original of all things) of his Quinta Initia, making either of them as pure as possible his Art will permit, then let him deliver any of them into my hands, and I shall plainly show him by means of Vulcan his error, that what he thought was simple, is compounded of one or more of the rest. If this here delivered be true, as I question not to prove it by Reason, Authority, and Practice, then must the Doctor be forced to unravel that c●rio●s texture of this specious Quinary Doctrine, and to find out a more sure Warp that will hold out for the making of a more firm Woof of Physiology.  
Did not these Traditions prove noxious and pernicious to man's life, in that the groundwork of pathology is laid upon these Quinta prima, to which he attributes the Efficient and Material causes of all Diseases, I should not be much solicitous to refel his Opinions in this kind. Whereas the Being of man stands continually in jeopardy to be destroyed by these indirect positions, I cannot in conscience suffer the ill effects thereof to pass without animadversion.  
'Tis certainly true, and subscribed to by the hands of the best Philosophers, that the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 enormon of Hipp. that vital air innate and influous, the chief and immediate Organ of the soul, is the principal corporeal wheel that first moves all that are subordinate to it in this admirable machine of man's body. 'Tis this that in the beginning laid the foundation of this proud lofty fabric, delineating exactly according to the Copy set it, every part continent or contained, requisite to the discharge of those various Faculties, Uses, Offices, and Functions, which all conspire for the preservation of the whole. As it alone began, so it proceeds to finish this beautiful structure, and to keep it in repair by a continual supply of new spirits, instead of those that are daily expended and exhausted by the labour of body and mind.  
'Tis this Archaeus (let not captious Sermocinal Galenist take exceptions at the word, for it is proper enough according to the Etymon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, principium vitae) being duly constituted and modified, makes an Eutonie, Excrasie, Eumetrie, and Eutaxie in this little universe. This implanted spirit (forthwith emerging apparent so soon as the omnipotent Creator breathed into man the breath of life) is really the Architectonical precedent of Generation, Accretion, Nutrition, Sense, Motion, and whatsoever belongs to vitality, à puncto initiante ad punctum definitum. This being granted by any intelligent moderate Person, that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, our sanity, or well being depends principally upon the goodness, serenity, candour, peace, tranquillity, activity, and good condition of the vitals.  
It must necessarily follow (according to the formerly mentioned received Axiom. Quicquid in Sanis edit Actiones Sanas, id ipsum in Morbis edit Actiones vitiatas. That which is the chief Agent in maintenance of our health, the same also principally acts in the production of Diseases) that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, sickness, and all diseases whatsoever spring from the same Root (the immediate cause of our health) the Archaeus depraved, clouded, disturbed, hurried away with divers Passions, Anger, Fear, etc. Morose, Sullen, Dull, and Malignant. It is not possible that a disease should harbour any where but in this Gas of life, for as soon as it is extinct, all diseases forthwith cease: so that all irritating and exasperating causes which straight disturb these luminous particles in a living body, causing them to frame Ideas of Indignation, Fear, Hatred, whereby many kind of evils easily distinguishable one from the other, by certain signs are hatched, do not at all cause any inconvenience in that which is defunct. And although the Quinary principles of Dr. Willis are as demonstrative by the fire (but no other way) in the Carcase as they were in the living body: yet seeing that great Agent and Patient of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, health and sickness is wanting in that: no such passions are incident to it, as to the other. For example, apply an Epispastick of Cantharideses, or any Caustick, to what is mortified, containing the Quinta Prima, no vesicle arises, nor is any impression made. Let it be but laid on where there is vitality, the skin in a short space is separated from the flesh by an Acrimonious Ichor, which the Archaeus fabricated, being put into a fretting condition upon the apprehension of this virulent Plaster. Observe Cantharideses doth equally vesicate healthful and crazy bodies: Hence this evidently discovers that the spirit of the part conceiving ire upon the contact of what is odious to it, acts upon nutritious juice, colliquating the same, and turning it into a Liquamen Corrosivum, making a solution of those particles before united.  
A thorn or splinter entering unawares, without the advertency of the person into any part, and there impacted sometime, excites the vital spirit to perturbation and discontent: hereupon it frames Characters of pain, throbbing, fever, intumescence and redness in a body, where the soul is resident: of which a Cadaverous matter being deprived, hath not the least foregoing symptom from the puncture and inhesion of any thing extraneous: yet are there not wanting these Quinta Prima made evident only by Vulcan.  
I look upon every degenerate abortive, acid, acrimonious, malignant, virulent matter assumed or acquired in the body, to be only an exstimulating occasional cause of all sickness, and so is but exotic, and a mere stranger in comparison of that which essentially makes the Quiddity of a disease. What if a depraved sulphur or salt be generated and abound in the blood, are these able per se, to generate, specify, or determine any sickness that it can properly be said to be hoc aliquid?  
All the excrements that are engendered in man's body through the errors of the digestion, are either occasional and irritative causes of this or that infirmity, or they are Products and consequents of the disease. If any sulphureous, saline, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Refuse or Dross, Acid, Austeres, Bitter, Nidorous, Acrimonious, Fracedinous Dregs, any virulent, malignant, venomous Sanies, Ichor, or Tabum be in progress of time brought to an egg by the Archaeus of the stomach principally (other digestions secondarily conspiring.) Then at length, after long brooding this serpentine Mola or Cockatrice-like egg being hatched, so hostile sometimes to nature, and that efficicient cause that produced it, as the almost dead viper was to the Countryman, that fomenting it by the fire, resuscitated that life in the Creature, which at length became prejudicial, if not destructive to him) after a strong invasion made, it gives an Alarm to that sentinel which continually watches for the preservation of this Citadel. The guard, I mean the spirits being roused, finding an enemy at hand, all possible force is raised to repel, retard, and expel this, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, this encroaching, invading mortiferous matter that instrumentally aims at the cutting of the thread of life.  
Hereupon presently arise Ideas, Characters, Images, of discontent, fury, fear, inquietude, despondency, pusillanimity, peevishness, sottishness, prodigal effusion and confusion of all things. Thence is the perfect image of this or that disease contrived, in this Aethereal exhalation, according to the condition, nature, or property of that provocative, exorbitant, hateful matter which at first put it into this passion and perturbation. Otherwise if this efficient were not lascivious or extravagant in forging a numerous company of different Pictures of diseases, how were it possible the sulphur or salt separate or conjunct, could cause so many distinct species of fevers, or other griefs. For take the blood or urine of five hundred persons afflicted with fevers, whose constitutions have a manifest disparity in them, put them mechanically to the test of Vulcan. Separate their sulphurs and salts by Art, it will be found there is no such certain discriminating signs apparent either by odour, or sapour, inspection or effect in any of each, that one may not be taken for the other. If so, how will Dr. Willis make good his Assertion, that sul. and salt which according to the trial of Pyrotechny (for I know no other way to make a true discovery of them) seeming similar to sense though taken from several bodies can possible produce such a Catalogue of calamitous infirmities, differing in symptoms one from another, Toto Coelo. If he could show us optically several distinct species of sul. or sal. any way proportionable to the Ideas of Maladies, which he would have to come efficiently and materially therefrom, then were his Chemical principles more plausibly taking. But sigh I am sure he cannot demonstrate this, I contemplate the fermentation, exaltation, depression of sul. the fusion, fluidity and coagulation of Sal borrowed from the speculation of Wine and Milk, analogically introduced by him to confirm his Quinary Institutions of Pathology, to be no immediate essential cause of diseases, as I doubt not practically to make evident. If Dr. Willis seriously meditate, he shall find in Reality a vast difference between the operations of the vital blood, and those proceeding from the Zymôsis of the juice of a vegetable, or the separation made by air, or any other artificial means in Milk tending to corruption of the same. For these dead things are in no wise able to give us adequate light of those regular and Irregular actions that are performed by a vital beginning, whose Type is of a more sublime extract than to be paralleled by any thing inanimate.  
I confess some small illustration may be made by way of simile between animate, and inanimate, mechanical, artificial, and natural, which may please the fantasy of those that are not throughly acquainted with the intimate, Radical, and efficient causes of vital powers and actions; the priority of which are not intelligible by any mortal, only we are taught à posteriori, the effects of this primum movens, perpetrating every thing by such a platform, that is unerring (unless impeded by intervening outward accidents) according to that Mandate the great Creator hath given it till the dissolution of the universe. We believe there was the same principles of all Concretes before the fall as since, and that the Archaeus of the stomach before the lapse of the Protoplastes did perfectly, entirely change whatsoever was taken in for nourishment, without any Relic of annoyance of excrements, dross, or filth those Tribuli & Spinae, which since the eating of the forbidden fruit, the stomach of man being thereby vitiated, do continually infest it in such sort, that the vita Media of every thing assumed, is hardly conquered an injurious impress being oftentimes left behind.  
Hence comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the first rise of all our calamities, for the deviation of the Archaeus in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, gives occasional matter to an infinite number of infirmities. Not that the sulphur and salt of any Concrete is separated in the first digestion, and so according as either is multiplied or degenerate sickness breaketh forth: No such matter, for let a strong vigorous stomach take into it any sulphureous, fat, oily food, the ferment makes in some short space such an essential transmutation, that the sulphur becomes acid, quite another thing to what it was before and afterward in the second digestion, by virtue of the vital contact of the Gall it is changed saline. Again, the Alkali of vegetables is so altered in the stomach and other digestions, that use the best skill you have you shall not be able to draw out of the urine, blood, or any other part a lixiviate salt, although Dr. Willis erroneously attributes to this, and an acid Liquor like vitriol, the cause why in a Scorbutical Arthritis, a worm laid upon the part affected, becomes in a short space mortified, v. p. 292. de Scorbu. Moreover pure spirit of Wine upon touch of the vital spirits loses its inflammability, and its former saline sulphureous nature being changed into something of an urinous substance.  
And here I am bound justly to tax some Physicians of great ignorance, in that they so scruple in fevers to give their Patients a large quantity of spirit of Wine rectified as it ought, supposing they should add more fuel to the fire, thereby to make a Phlogôsis a greater efferviscence or conflagration in the body: not considering that nothing is more congenerous, symbolising with the animal Gas of life, then highly exalted spirit of Wine being forthwith embraced, united, and identifyed one with another, by reason of their affinity and congruity. 2. They do not truly understand the energy of Zymôsis, what a powerful alterity is made by it, and how the sulphureous particles of the vegetable becomes urinous like the spirit of the animal, whereby it is enabled to profligate the morbific matter, through all the Emmunctories, sluices, and secret passages of the body. This really is the direct way of curing fevers fundamentally, not seeming cooling Julips, Barley Water, Posset-drink made with small Beer, lest it should be too hot, prone to make the sulphur in the blood as they allege incensed already, to become more impetuously headstrong not ways to be reined or governed by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Enormon; whose fate they conclude must needs be sad, when such presumptuous Phaeton like Pyrotechnists drive the mettalsome Horses of the Son of this microcosm so furiously. For all this, let the Dogmatists say what they please, if they will vouchsafe to be spectators, I can discover to them Autopsiâ, that I am able to cure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, many fevers more expeditely and effectually by those things they call hot: then by all the infrigidating preparatious they can invent, or all the farraginous mixture belonging to the Apothecary's shop.  
I wish with all my soul, the Galenists would now at length reject those insufficient invalid medicines made by others, and reckoned as a Treasure, Arcana's, elaborated by their own fingers: then would they be truly said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, according to the equivocal sense of the word, making a unity in that profession which through the Covetousness, pride, & laziness of Physicians hath been divided into a Tripartite station, to the great dishonour, debasement, and total Ruin of a his Noble Science, if some Worthy, Prudent Magistrates, the Heroes of this Nation do not timely prevent.  
This Parergôs, I return to Dr. Willis his Quinta prima, as the efficient causes of diseases. Sith as I have delivered, there is no separation of them in a healthful living body: It follows, that if any at any time a secretion of the five be made, then are they Products and Epigenomena from a disorder or defection, then cannot they be properly said to be primary precedent causes of the impairment of our health, but consequents of the same. Wherefore it's preposterous to take in that for a cause, which is but a mere effect, whose Posteriority plainly shows a dependency upon something going before.  
For example, in a febrile state we see rejected by vomit, or any other way excreted, a yellow matter which the Doctor may call sulphureous. This (as he conceives) joined with something saline, causes an effervescence boiling or Accension, whence arises the fever. First, let us examine, whence came this excessive ebullition, what is the efficient cause thereof in a living body. 2. What separates and expels these parts denominated salt and sulphur. 3. Whether the Doctor or any other ever saw sul. so sequestered from an Animal so entire, but that the same judged to be what it seems by colour, consistence, odour, etc. might not by the trial of Pyrotechny afford rather more sal than supposed ful.  
1. 'Tis demonstrative, the spirit implanted in the seed gave a Being to the blood, which still continuing in it, doth durante vita, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sanguify, making it good or bad according as all the digestive culinary Rooms, are well or ill modifyed and constituted. If the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, having a chief Prerogative above all the rest, perform what is requisite completely toward nutrition: then all the other far the better, seldom erring in their intended ends. For 'tis a general received truth: A defect in the first digestion can never be perfectly rectified afterward, wherefore the Primum Mobile of sanguification, is the stomach, able if any thing be out of order successively, to reform the same by an influential Aspect upon all parts; if it fall out the chief Organ be depraved, all the succeeding shops of transfiguration cannot restore it to former integrity, especially if it be much impaired. For this respect they take a wrong course, who let out the strength of the Limbs, when the mischief is concentrated within. Well then, 'tis sure the Archaeus acting regularly, a sound pure juice is fabricated; if otherwise an unwholesome feculent 〈◊〉 made, consisting of such Particles altogether discordant with Nature, yet not presently to be determined sulphureous or saline; Aqueous or Terrestrial, however being illegitimate, incongruous, virulent, and malignant, it becomes tedious and odious.  
Whereupon there arises a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a Confusion within at the presence of so loathsome a Guest. Hence the Figure of this or that disease is straight contrived: The perfect Type being drawn according to the property and native force of the poison, or graduated malignity contained in the Abortive juice.  
The stomachical Archaeus being exasperated, a Thymôsis, an Excandescence, Effervescence, and great inquietude, seizes upon the spirits of all the digestions. For according to Hip. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, there is an undissoluble League, Commerce, Correspondence,  of all parts by means of this, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which being in its full strength thus enraged, fretting, disturbed, brings all belonging to it into the like condition, agitating, ransacking, and rifling every place, chase what is injurious to it hurrying here and there, breaking it into small parts, labouring with all might to separate light and darkness, that which is defunct from that which is living. This is the beginning and progress of a fever. This is the Prologue before the variety of Scenes belonging to every distinct Malady, whether Acute or Chronic, only in this, the Archaeus acts obtusely in a more Clandestine manner, in that more furiously, evidently, being exceedingly extimulated. This pre-meditated: the Efficient and Principal Agent which makes the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Effervescence, and ebullition in this nutritious juice, is the Archaeus or vital spirits, not a supposed Salt, Sulphur, Mercury, Water, or Earth separate or blended together, transgressing the bounds of their due Crasis or Mediocrity. They might, I allow, if they had a true being in the body be excitative, extraneous, occasional, and fomenting, not real, , radical, essential causes of sickness, for Nihil agit ultra Sphaeram Activitatis, as soon as the vitals have forsaken the body, they operate nothing in reference to any disease, although they cannot be denied to be equally perfect after death as before.  
2. It is to be enquired how salt and sulphur, etc. considered as they are alienated from the primitive scope intended, are at length sequestered, exterminated out of the Body, through all its obscure or patulous passages in the manner of a White, Black, Yellow, Green, Blue, Red, Thick, Thin, Acid, Acrimonious, Bitter, Sweet, Austere Substance. Certainly they are insufficient of themselves, to make such a Chemical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, secretion of such seculencies that eclipse the solar light of the microcosm, and would totally extinguish it. If this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did not bestir itself, to maturate, subdue, manure, secerne and excern that, of which it is so impatient, never resting contented till it hath conquered the same by expulsion, or itself become annihilated.  
I contemplate sal and sulphur, Water and Earth, as a Thorn, Splinter, or the like fastened in living flesh: which of themselves are no way Energetic or operative to produce a Malady, or exempt Nature from the same by a retrocession that way it came in. But as it was an outward, exotic, provocative, occasional cause, that the spirit is put into a high displeasure, chase and f●ming at the presence of that which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, quite of a differing kind being inanimate, so this living thing is altogether actively busy in the extrusion of that which is dead after manifold vexatious symptons introduced, neither will it ever be at rest, unless pacified, or this hostile matter (only passive in this case) be removed by its own strength assisted by Art.  
This morbific salt, sulphur, water and earth, are only Spurs and Goads in the sides of Nature, to make it sometime run on full speed to oppose, repel, and eject such a hateful intruding Guest, intending to cut off the thread of life like a sword. Wherefore being incensed by the Idea of anger, it quickly culls out whatsoever encroached or invaded its Territories, separating any thing Hostile, from that which is under its own Regiment, throws it out of doors if it be able of itself (which is seldom) or calls for assistance from without. This revera makes an acute disease.  
The outlets or places of egress for these disguised, supposed principles, are as the matter is disposed the passage convenient and Nature inclined. Certainly that good old candid Physician Hipp. gave us excellently useful instructions, which I wish his pretended modern Sectaries would more observe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith he, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, i. e. to carry off any thing vicious that way, it and Nature do most incline supposed the place be proper, I have found experimentally, there are two eminent Emissaries or sluices above the rest through which the heavy clog of impurities is discharged 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Gullet, the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the skin, the intestines, urinous, and the other pectoral passage not neglected. In fevers I have found 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, an Orgasmus, a propensity in the stomach to vomit by reason of an acid, acrimonious, salsuginous, nidorous matter, which irritates the expulsive faculty. In this state an appropriated Emetic (I mean not the common vomits) is of great force to break the ice for a future Cure. This I advise to be repeated two or three times, if the patiented be in a capable condition to receive any benefit, yea when the stomach is sometimes dull, besmeared, or imbrued with viscous, tenacious phlegm, wanting something to extimulate, attenuate, and subtiliate this gross substance, incrustating as it were the inward Coat, then have I found by strict observation, that such a gentle Emeto-cathartick, which if it excite not this tender membrane neither by vomit nor stool, will carry off any Scoria through the eccentrical parts or urinous Pipes in no wise impairing the strength notably. This I pass over lightly, intending to speak more expressly in some other place.  
3. Quaery requires a mechanical demonstration or firm experiment, i. e. whether the Doctor or any Philosopher ever saw sulphur sequestered in a living body so entire, but that the sulphur judged what it seems by colour, consistence, odour, might not by the trial of Vulcan afford rather more Salt, Water and Earth, each of them then sulphur: Assuredly so far as I can apprehend, it is but equity that as these Chemical principles owing their first discovery to the fire, gave occasion to some indirectly to improve and apply them too rashly without serious advertency to the erecting a system of Physiology: so likewise a through Pyrotechnical search may very justly excuse those who are versed therein, not to accept of them upon these terms.  
I have as I conceive, sufficiently made it good that Pyrotechny can only detect them: that no Art of man can extract them out of some bodies, that they are equivocal, mutable, transient one into another.  
Now am I ready to discover in reference to the Cure of miserable man: that the pretended sanguine sulphur or Cacochymy of any in a high fever doth afford more salt, water and earth each of them than sulphur. I have taken that diseased blood termed corrupt, which might seem to some to abound with sulphur, being cleanly conveyed into a Retort with a Receiver joined thereto, I have by a gradual fire regulated very strictly, brought over what possibly I could. In the upshot upon the separation of the several parts, I have found very little of sulphur in comparison of each of the rest.  
At another time I procured the purest blood I could get from a healthful person, putting it to the same igneous trial, as the former degenerate of equal proportion to it: then after sequestration of the parts, I could not perceive any considerable difference in the quantity or quality of the several parts of the sound, and that seemingly corrupt; which gives testimony that a fever doth not principally arise from an excess of sulphur, Reprobate too much advanced or graduate, but rather from some other illegitimate matter, as Spurious Salts, Lancing, Goading ●nd Galling, the most tightly sensitive Archaeus, whereby it becomes Active to lay the platform of th●s specific Malady.   

CHAP. VII. Concerning the Prevention, with the Cure of those Diseases that take up their lodging in the Blood.  
WE are taught by Divine Writ, that in the blood that Spiritus rubens is Life: In the same also is contained death, as we find experimentally. If it be pure in the fountain, free from mixture of a strange matter, notable defection, apostasy or contagion, incessantly circulating in those Labyrinthaean Pipes without impedidiments, health, vivacity, strength of body and mind attends that person. If on the contrary it be sordid, feculent, degenerate from its native goodness pestered with any thing of a Texture different from it, sickness, dullness, melancholy, and a disorder in the whole frame follows. It ought to be the labour and study of every individual if he have acquired any knowledge of himself, to be well versed in the Prophylactick part of Physic, by keeping his blood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, without staining and foulness, by preserving the digestions strong, lively, especially that of the stomach introductory of good or bad to all the rest. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Moderation in all things is a most excellent compass to steer by.  
'Tis not the quality of what we assume, as the quantity that is injurious to us: For I am of Celsus his mind, who advises a healthful man to eat any thing, that his stomach can well alter. If he commit an error in eating or drinking a little too much at one time, let him use abstinence afterward for the correction of the same.  
I have observed of late years a great proneness in the blood to be soiled and conspurcated in an extraordinary manner, by reason of a great Scorbutical malignity lurking in the body, the Procatartick cause of which may very justly be deduced from our prodigious Lusts, our enormous Intemperance in compotations. I am easily persuaded, that the Venereal Lues at first procreated this spurious Brat, whose Heteroclite and discrepant existence from other diseases, doth plainly testify that an anomalous seed arising from the conjunction of two evils differing in specie, brought forth this horrid Monster to light, being since propagated and traduced from one to another, spreading like a Leprosy over the whole Nation, by reason of a Clandestine miasm, or infection that nestles within, whose subtle Aporrhaeas or Emanations diffuse themselves in such contagious manner, that most of the Nation are thereby infected.  
It seems to me very dissentaneous to truth what Dr. Willis alleges to be the fomenter of this calamitousevil among us, condemning the frequent use of Sugar, and his reason is, that this matter being put to the proof of the fire (a spagyrical Analysis made thereof) affords a Liquor but little less corrosive than Aqua fortis, as if the ferment of the stomach did dissolve in the same manner as the solution made byart, or that such a acid matter were really contained in the Concrete, which distillation produced. He shall find the best food we take in: if put into a glass set in hot sand, will send forth a most nasty empyrematical Liquor: shall we therefore refuse such wholesome Aliment? withal let him be pleased to take notice, that the effects of the fire are Aequivocal, various, and mutable according as the matter distilled receives such or such an Adjunct; for I can by virtue of Vulcan's Art make the whole body of the better sort of Sugar (adding something to it congenerous, or of like kind) become excellently medicinal for the Cure of the Scurvy above all the Apothecary's preparations, the Doctor makes use of: This I can demonstrate, moreover I know no reason that a substance so pleasant to the taste of most as it were a sweet Alkali, so useful for preservation and mundification of what is foul and prone to corrupt, should be rejected guilty of so high a Crime as to promote the Scurvy most infamously. For satisfaction of those that are wavering in this thing, I dare undertake to keep half a score or more persons drinking liberally every day Beer and Sugar, yea eating Sugar with meat plentifully, (as I knew a Galenical Physician of great renown allow of as very wholesome) freer from the Scurvy than any Dogmatist in England shall perform with all his Art exercised on the same number, debaring them this delicious congealed salt Under favour of better judgements (if I may deliver what I have observed without offence,) I conceive our Sybaritical voluptuousness, ebriety, mangonical, pampering sauces contrived as a shooing horn to the exciting the appetite to the drawing in a greater quantity and variety of food than Nature can well digest, is an extraordinary procurer of this grand malady grassant among us. Above all, I much condemn the common abuse of Tobacco, out of which no other sometimes than a Scorbutical venom is accidentally sucked. Agreeable to which judgement of mine is that of the Legitimate Artist Dr. Maynwaring, who marks where Tobacco is much taken, the Scurvy doth most abound. I wish those who are too forward to condemn Chemical preparations ordered by true Philosophers, would reflect upon themselves and others as yet ignorant of Pyrotomy, how that they are too forward in rushing into this Science: indirectly making use of a Retort with a receiver, I mean, a Pipe and the mouth for the reduction of this Plant into salt and sulphur, proving not a little injurious to them. If they were conscious how subtle an enemy it is, how hardly to be dealt withal in a moderate sense, how insinuating, tempting, deluding; how disagreeing to Nature, as is manifest at first taking it, pretending an evacuation only of a superfluous moisture when it also generates the same; how it wrongs the Ventricle by reason of a continuity of its membrane with that of the mouth; how it taints the nutricious juice; how it Dozes the brain, impairing its faculties especially the Memory, they would quickly commit this herb to the hand of those that know what belongs to the right management and improvement thereof.  
I confess it hath a dowry bestowed upon i●, which may make it very acceptable to all ingenious Artists for inward and outward uses, yet ●s the matter is handled indiscreetly, I know nothing introduced into this Nation hath discovered itself more apparently hurtful, in aggravating and graduating this Scorbutical evil among us than Tobacco.  
I am not ignorant what some object, that there are those who taking an extraordinary quantity of Tobacco have lived to a great age, as 60, or 70, years. 2. That multitudes not taking this fume are yet notwithstanding overun with the Scurvy. 3. That some have protested they have received certain benefit by this Plant, when other Remedies prescribed by able Physicians have been invalid to relieve them. 4. That there are places where Man, Woman, and Child, take in this smoke, none of these sad effects appearing.  
As to the first I answer, one Swallow makes no Summer, I reckon this among raro contingentia. I have known one very intemperate in Diet live to the  age: but doubtless, had he regulated himself according to the Rules of Mediocrity, he might have doubled that age. Innate strength of body, doth carry a man sometimes through that without any great damage, which destroys another.  
2. I do not affirm that this vegetable is the sole coajduvant cause of the Scurvy, it being certain there are many promoters thereof. Besides, yet granted that your great Compotators Ventricolae, Gormandizers, (who have as the Grecians, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Lazy Paunches, little else to do but to take Tobacco to pass away the time, filling pipe after pipe, as fast as possibly they can exhaust it) are commonly incrdent to this feral malady. Hereupon this very same specific disease may be diffused and communicated to others by expiration or effluvium sent out of a body infected therewith. So that it seems rare to me that the Wife should be exempted from this Cacoethick sickness, if the Husband be afflicted therewith, or the Husband be free if the Wife be vexed. Doubtless, some People's breath doth exceedingly taint the air, to the great annoyance of others.  
3. I condemn not medicinal appropriation and application of this Drug, for I know it to be of excellent virtue: there is great difference, inter dictum secundum quid & dictum simpliciter, between the censure of any thing as absolutely evil, and the indirect practice of it. Moreover, what is one man's meat, may be another's poison.  
4. The generality of smoking it in some places without those ill effects we find, doth not at all frustrate my assertion: for I have observed a more moderate course of life in Diet, the goodness of the air, with an Hereditary custom, hath in great measure balanced the nocument or inconveniencies, which otherwise they would have contracted by excess thereof; neither are these numerous Tobacconists acquitted from this evil, as it appears by those frequent eruptions in the skin, whereby a greater mischief is prevented within, they being only efflorescences of a Scorbutical pravity.  
There are as I apprehend two principal reasons to be given why this Weed hath captivated so many thousands in such sort, that they become mere slaves to it.  
One is the seeming delight it affords in the present taking thereof, inducing a pleasing bewitching melancholy, exceedingly affecting their fancies, so that they could wish with him in the Poet: Hic furor O Superi, fit mihi perpetuus, O that I might always thus melanchollize, not considering though the Prologue be cheerful, the Epilogue is often sad; though the spirits are as it were titillated and charmed into a sweet complacency for a short space, yet afterward a dulness, gloominess seizes upon them. Indeed how can it be otherwise, seeing they are but forcibly lulled into this secure placid condition, by that which is as far remote from the vitals, as the beams of the Sun are from a black cloud.  
I find in this smoke a stinking, retunding, condensing Opiate like sulphur, and an acrid salt profligating, extimulating, so that by the bridling much of the one, and the excessive spurring of the other, the spirits like a free metalsome horse, are quite tired out at last. It is impossible that the frequent insinuations of this subtle fume making show of affinity, but quite of another tribe with the animals should not at length (let a body be never so strong and custom how ever prevalent) either pervert or subvert his well constituted frame.  
Another Reason (observable only by those that are true Gnostics of themselves) why Tobacco is so highly set by, and hath so many followers is its meretricious Kisses given to those that embrace it: oftentimes secretly wounding them mortally, yet are they not throughly sensible who gave them the stroke. I have taken notice of very temperate persons in other things, who for diversion have indulged their Genius ad Hilaritatem, continuing for urbanity sake in company they liked longer than ordinary, have so closely pursued this pernicious Art of sucking in the smoke of this Herb, that never any Chemist was more solicitous, in greater haste to fetch his matter over the Helm by distillation. Behold what the event was: the next morning I have heard complaints come from them, that their brains were something stupid, dozed, their stomach nauseous, being thirsty, also feverish. The cause of all this they attributed to their transgressing limits of sobriety in drinking, or to the sophisticated adulterated Liquors. Not finding the least fault with the extravagant use of Tobacco, which above all did them the most hurt privately. Something I can speak experimentally to this purpose, for having been wedded to it many years past, supposing I had got an Antidote against Hypochondriack melancholy, with an Apophlegmatism, to discharge crude matter, I applauded it in all Company without advertency at that time, how false and treacherous it was, which afterward perceiving, I withdrew myself from the use thereof by degrees, at length was altogether divorced from it.  
Praevisa Spicula leviùs feriunt, could we see the poisoned arrows that are shot from this Plant, questionless we would endeavour to avoid them, that they might less intoxicate us.  
Latet anguis in Herba, we are suddenly surprised by this Serpentine Plant before we are ware; thus that which we take for an Antidote, becomes mere poison to us, supplanting and clancularly confounding the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or good Government of this Republic, consisting in the strength and goodness of a seminal Archaeus, vigorous ferments, the just constitution and harmony of every part. Needs must then indigestions, crudities, degeneration, and illegitimation of the nutricious juice follow promoting causes and Products of the great poison of the Scurvy.  
My advice therefore to any immoderate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a fume-succker, is that he would as he tenders the preservation of Body and Soul, wean himself by degrees from excess herein. If so, doubtless he will find if the Scurvy infest him much, an abatement of the tedious symptoms thereof.  
For the removing other Adjuvant causes of this Scorbutical malignity, let him regulate Assumpta, Inspirata, Excreta, & Imaginata, what he receives into his stomach and Lungs, what is fitting to be excreted or thrown out: Lastly, what he harbours amiss in his thoughts. He ought to be very careful above all, in the Election of what is potable, as Beer, Ale, etc. which must be strictly looked after, that it be well brewed, kept, and spirituous. For I am no friend to those poor small Liquors, which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which have nothing of a spirit symbolical with ours, for in these Northern parts of the World, whatsoever hath a Leptomery, a Tenuity of parts in it, Coeteris paribus, doth best concord with us, not only in respect our Archaeus is elevated, embracing it more willingly by reason of a consanguinity with it: but likewise for this, that the stomach which is often 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Genitor of many raw, superfluous, gross, lent, viscous tenacious matter adhering close to its Tunicles is excited, being corroborated to attenuation, subtiliation, and abstersion of such sordid dross. In former time the English Ale hath been reputed a most excellent wholesome drink: but this as many other things, through Avarice and Idleness is much depraved. For a great deficiency is often observable in the materials or preparation of this Liquor. Touching materials, I find the Menstruum or Solvent, i. e. Water not seldom unfit for the reception of the virtue of that which is dissolved therein. For being clogged, yea almost satiated with multitude of divers foul particles which the Thames of the City in particular swallows up greedily by conveyances of common shores, Jakes, Sinks, etc. besides Offal and stinking Carcases thrown into it: never perfectly to be cleansed by Tides, I say this water cannot be approved by any true Chemist, for the making of the best English Ale, unless we had the Art to purify it, as the Sea and certain Climates perform by a peculiar separation. Next I discover sometimes though not very often the dissolutum our malt not altogether so good as it should be, proceeding partly from the Barley, being in some unseasonable years vitiated partly for want of due ordering it: so that it gives the Liquor an odd Empyreumatical, musty, uncouth, fracedinous tang, very unpleasing to the vitals. Concerning the just preparation of this old Liquor of England (the fame whereof invited that honestable Philosopher, Benedictus Valentnius to come into this Island, that thereby he might be throughly acquainted with the right Manufacture thereof) we are too careless in boiling it as it ought, and afterward in exciting it to fermentation, that thereby several impurities might be sequestered; which float in it to the contamination of our blood. Moreover (as I am informed) additions of saeculent, fulsome, loathsome things are put into it, enough to make it abhorred by us if we knew them. Well, this I am sure, a great part of the Ale of this City as they contrive the matter is very unwholesome and Scorbutical, so that I advise all living in this Metropolis who love Ale, (being persuaded for good Reason, that it is available against some infirmities) to mix it with the best stolen Beer they can procure, which is of great force to rectify the imperfections thereof. The solid food of this Nation, is generally very gross, for few people in the world are greater 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 flesh-eaters, than we at this day, likewise such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, bread-eaters withal. I suppose we commit no small errors therein, for repletio panis est pessima, especially of bread that commonly is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a mere clung, dense, sometimes half-baked ponderous past, no whit subtiliated by a proper Leaven, such as commonly is our White-bread; this cannot easily be subacted by the stomach: Hence crudities, viscosities, obstructions, acidities, the founder and fomenter of the Scurvy, and many other diseases. He therefore that covets to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, healthful and long-lived: let him be solicitous that his Liquor and Bread be well ordered, for these two much conduce for the well or ill being of a man's life, according to their goodness or pravity.  
As for variety of Edibles: The Poet tells us Nam variae res, ut noceant homini Scito. 'Tis impossible that the vita media, the various, specific, formal properties of several esculents, should not puzzle the chief form precedent in a humane living body, before they can be reduced to do homage to it as principal, and to other subordinate belonging to every particular part: yea when each seems to be tamed, or totally subjugated to the Laws of specific Nature, having passed through divers alterations of Culinary fermentations: yet still remains some Hogo, tang, or insensible odorous relic of what they were before; so that often repeated impressions made hereby, cannot but put the Archaeus and ferments of the whole, with every part in particular into an Ataxy, Atonie, dyscrasy and Dyspathie: hereupon follows an Apostate juice, a coacervation of recrements excommunicated from the Government of life, afterward upon an irritating occurrence, the perfect shape of such or such a kind of disease is drawn in the life.  
2. Care is to be taken that inspirata what we breath in, be not injurious to our Lungs through which most part of the blood of our whole body passes in a few hours. In the air lieth occult, sometimes a mortal enemy which glides into this respiracle of life unseen, unfelt, making a stigma upon this ventilating spongious Parenchyma, never deleble till its final Analysis. In this rare subtle body the morbific atoms are involved, stealing into us, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, not easily perceptible till we find the sad effects thereof. The condition of true Philosophical Chemists are here to be pitied, whose lives are often in jeopardy while they labour to save others partly from the medicaments they prepare (not by remote means of an Apothecary) but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, with their own hands, the most certain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ticket that can admit a man to be a legitimate Physician, to enter into the secret closet of Sophia, there to contemplate the Archives or evidences of natural knowledge by the help of Pyrotomie. The Gas (let Momus deride the word I value it not) or incoercible spirit, with the manifest fumes or Realgars arising from the dissolution of bodies, especially mineral, do so strike upon the tender spiracle of incessantly laborious Spagyrists, while their souls are intentively busy at their finger's ends for the welfare of mankind, in so much as although they obtain Arcana's for the prolongation of the thread of life, yet is it often cut off in the midst of its course by the Truculent Exspirations. The truth of this Paracelsus hath sealed: let his enemies never so falsely, ungratefully asperse him to the contrary. Something I can aver in reference to my own particular, that I have sustained many a Mephitis, stinking, sulphureous smell, many Arsenical, Mercurial, vitriolate, corrosive Corpascles, to the great annoyance of my blood and spirits, whose coagulations and colliquations must needs have been destructive to me, had not powerful Remedies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a reward of my labour and study relieved me, una eademque manus vulnus opemque tulit: the same Concrete afforded me an Antidote against its poison.  
Again, Physicians suffer much in their blood and Lungs while they are anxiously conversant among their sick Patients. I mean not those who dare not stand to it, to contest with an Atrocious Pest, when there is most need, that then they should make good their Diplôma or Authority to practice by courage and dexterity in Curing. No such matter I dare say, most of these Philautists conscious of their own weakness, will hardly venture to come under the Roof where an infected body lies, much less will hazard their own lives in the dissection of a Pestilential Carcase, that their neighbours may be preserved.  
Those I intent obnoxious to many inconveniences from the Paedour, nastiness, foul stinks arising from transpiration and expiration of the sick, are they, whose Charity incites them and Abilities animate, to help the poor distressed man smitten with a venomous contagious arrow. This is a duty incumbent on those no presumption (as some malevolent Zoili would fasten on me) to undergo any jeopardy for their countries' safety.  
As for those that are not thus obliged by their Profession, Freedom is granted to such to avoid as much as they can any place, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, where the magnale of the air copiously imbibes saetid, sracid, unwholesome exhalations, also to make choice of a Region serene, pure, free from such particles which infect our blood.  
Note that a certain topical air, not so commendable in itself, is yet more agreeable to some individuals, then that which seemeth to have better properties, so that the Lungs hath as it were an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a gust peculiarly belonging to it for the distinction of an air congruous or incongruous with its texture, as the stomach hath in reference to meat or drink; for this cause Physicians may in my judgement as well enjoin that to be eaten by a Patient against which he hath an ingenite antipathy, as to commend an air approved by their reasons to some tabid persons, with which the implanted Archaeus of the Lungs may altogether disagree.  
3. He that desires to preserve this vital juice entire, must endeavour carefully to expedite or discharge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, those excrements which nature doth every day labour to proscribe as refuse of the digestions, for being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 defunct, they have no fellowship with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that which hath vitality in it. If he be costive, let him not miss every day to make use of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, something which may exonerate his belly: 'tis truth what the old Physician delivers, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Torpidity in the intestines to throw off the Ordure contained in them, brings the good Order of the Oeconomie into a Confusion.  
The phlegm lose in the stomach if there be propensity in it, is to be evacuated by Vomit. The tongue is to be scraped every morning, which I much commend to all those that are incident to Squinzies, which course Helmont allows of, and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the excrements of the six digestion are to be mundified from the skin by gentle frication made with a course cloth.  
4. Above all, let him bend his study in obtaining a right imagination of things, for this Laesa Imaginatio precipitates us into many furious passions and perturbations of the spirits, whereby the rubicund spirit becomes vitiated, and a Scorbutical venom soon contracted; for show me the person that is overclouded wi●h melancholy. I dare assert such an one will quickly be overcome with the Scurvy in a high degree. Sith the seat of the sensitive soul, as principally is this chief ventricle there cannot any inquietude, commotion or disturbance happen to it: but the root from whence sanguification arises must needs bear a sh●re. We find manifestly our hungry appetite to our food forthwith taken from us in a moment, when any unexpected very sad news suddenly surprises us; yea, if a man be curious in observation, he shall be sensible of a little stroke or impulse made upon the Orifice of the ventricle instananteous with that punctum temporis, wherein the terrifying Relation comes to our ears. I have known the yexing or Hick forthwith removed upon the apprehension of a frightful object. I have also heard of those who have been Podagrical and Clinical a long time, restored to their former valetude by the sudden invasion either of some dreadful accident, or something exceedingly desired extraordinarily pleasing their fancies, whereby those morbific Ideas impressed a long time upon the vitals have been blurred, if not totally blotted out. The Epilesie, Convulsion, Madness, Small Pox, Pest, Trembling, whose original cause is in the Duumvirate, have been first stirred up in some by violent perturbations, pufillanimity or Thymosis of the Archaeus, whose imagination hath been so dislocated through a false apprehension, that all the Art of man was never able to set it right again. Hence we are to take notice, that both health and sickness may come from an invisible principle: yea an Ens Rationis, or non Ens; for could we understand the passions, irregular concitations of this Enormon which governs the whole and every part, how it disturbs the right imagination of the man, and this again, that by way of mutual dependence one upon another, we should be better Philosophers than to attribute the principal causes of all infirmities to sal. sul. ☿ water, earth. 'Tis credibly reported of the Chinois, that if their Physicians, in whom they place more than ordinary confidence prenuntiate to them a sickness on such a day, they by the powerful activity of their Mercurial fancies operating upon their spirits, do frequently make good what is prognosticated to them, although otherwise their health of body before did not at all preindicate any such alteration or lapse from salubrity.  
I wish there were not among us European Physicians, who having by reason of their Grandeur, Magnificence, and strong opinion thereby acquired greater Authority over their Patients than verity on their side, persuade them to be obnoxious to this or that grief, of which as yet there is not the least guilt: however in such a manner become they affected, that by frequent, serious, sad, rumination thereon, they have by the power of their Magical Imaginations brought that really to being, which before had no existence, as I could instance in Consumptions, etc. Moreover there are those, who taking all their Physicians speak for Oracles, (I wish they were so for the honour of Physic) contentedly acquiescing in their Grave Sentences, have slighted all means whatsoever for their recovery: for that they are informed what they labour under is uncurable, according to their Galenical Catalogue. If it chance any hath so far condescended to the making use of Chemical medicines, it hath been with such regret, and strong thoughts of being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, past Cure, with such vacillating, anxious conceits, and prejudice infused into them by Mysochymists against this most Effectual, Innocent way of healing, that let the best Artists do what they can, contending against the torrent of their perverse conceits, nothing but a Miracle can save them from the pit of destruction.  
Some of these I have met with in my time, to whom I have engaged a Cure upon condition of a resignation of their vain thoughts, but this Chymophobia sigillated on their spirits by the virulent tooth of Zoil, hath so rapidly carried them another way, insomuch as no Hydrophobus bitten by a mad dog, hath been more fearful of water than they of those Chemical Remedies, which I can assert by multitude of repeated Experiments to be both safe and sufficient. Such is the force of these prevaricating turbulent passions, that a man is often led Captive by them whether he will or no to his own ruin. Wherefore my Council to such whose imaginations is distorted, is to endeavour to rectify it by virtue of right understanding and firm resolution, as that Philosopher who vexed with Hydrophobia, after he had discovered the absurdity of his apprehension, took resolution to throw himself into the water, saying, what should a dog do always in the water, quid canis cum aqua: Although 'tis confessed Chemistry can work no Miracles, which a sort of people in another extreme expect from it; yet I am certain if any Physic be powerful to charm or allay these evil spirits, suggesting a thousand deformed Ideas in our souls, to the contamination of our vitals and detriment of health, this Spagyrical way can only claim right thereto. For having respect to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, this Metropolitan ventricle, the Throne of life, the Root from which this ruddy juice first arises, that all its actions may be performed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, incessantly vigorous; it cannot be concluded otherwise, but that there must needs follow the more clarity, serinity, tranquillity, and regularity in mind.  
In short, the direct Prophylactick course to keep this sanguineous liquor desaecate, and consequently imagination sounder, is to mundify the fountain, i. e. to preserve it in good state by medicines fabricated by the hand of an able Pyrotomist.  
Thus much concerning Preservative directions. Next follow in order Therapeutick or Curative instructions for the exemption of any mischief that hath seized upon this animal Balsam, the subject of all calamities of the body, either in Radice vel in Ramis, in the Root or Branches.  
Here I must make repartition of what I formerly delivered, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 'Tis of so great use, and so much neglected, therefore it ought to be often renewed. The stomach, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the root where the white juice ●s first prepared, afterward to be rubefied, challenges right of priority above every Organ, in that it is according to all probability the place of the souls chief Residence. The errors committed by it in the first and last digestions accumulate innumerable inconveniencies upon the whole. It's indignation or mansuetude, its inquietude or complacency, its fullenness or alacrity, deject or erect all that are Clients and Retainers to this noble part: so that they are all forced to do homage to its Sovereignty, without which they are not able to subsist. Regis ad exemplum totus componitur Orbis: This being assisted by its Viceroy the Spleen is that which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Imperial in this microcosm, at whose smiles or frowns an Eutaxie or Ataxie is discovered in this little Universe. The Blus Alterativum & Motivum of this predominant vital viscus is perspicuous in all infirmities belonging to this Synopsis of Nature. For when did any ever fall sick of a fever of what kind soever without a defection in stomach and spleen, herein is pregnant the Embryon or Seminal initations of Cephalalgie, scotomy, Epilepsy, Apoplexy, Lethargy, Madness, Coughs, Phthisic, squinsy, Peripneumonie, Pleurisy, Haemorrhagy, Dyarrhaea, Lienterie, Dysentery, dropsies, cachexy, atrophy, Marasmus, Dysuries, and Strangury, external tumors, Ulcers, and a multitude of Cutaneous affects. Although several of these named in process of time become Substantives, moving in their proper sphere: yet I find them generally like Comets, to have a dependence, and to follow the Rhyme or Modulation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the first moving cause, so that he that intends ever to Cure fundamentally the secundary affect, must ever have an eye to the primary: otherwise he will find his labour for the most part come to nought. Besides, as these Entia morbida, own their first being usually to this admirable membrane, whose influence and Aspect is remarkable upon the very extimous particles: so likewise whatsoever extraneous occurs venomous, hostile or repugnant to any outward part, the same in a short or longer time is communicated to the stomach, as I was plainly sensible of, after the dissection of a Pestilential Body; the poison of which stealing in through the pores of my hand, never rested till it concentrated in the mouth of my ventricle, where I found myself first afflicted, and from thence had it not been disturbed, a Period must necessarily have been put to my life.  
Touching those morbosities that take up their habitation in the spirits and juice diffused in the divaricated Branches: their origination is commonly from errors of the sixth digestion, whereupon many exorbitant images are here deciphered. Although I confess the judications require that the Physician direct his Remedies to the part affected (remote from the first digestion) as to the main scope, yet he shall find that there is such a Sovereign power, in this Chyliferous Tunicle, that what medicine is ingested into it, receives some sanative impress or Character for the Cure of the disease that subsists by itself. For nothing can come into the upper or farther distant Rooms before it be throughly examined and receive a Ticket for its entrance by the first, and as this approves the thing assumed, a Passport is granted for its farther permeation.  
This acute membrane is endued with most exquisite sense for those things, the energy whereof our Palate cannot in the least discover, is quickly made manifest by the Odour and Sapour of the Archaeus here implanted. For example, many Mercurial and antimo. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, insipid solutives, whose operation our Lingual Gust could never find out, are by the nimble sent of this Stomachical spirit plainly detected to be deletery and of a virulent Nature: whose sad effects many times reach the nerves and extremities of the limbs by reason of a colliquating, tabefying sigillation here set upon them, and so is by way of influence or Actio Regiminis, Regular action over the whole injaculated into other parts; yea such an inexpungible stigma is sometimes made by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, fore-taster upon this tender membrane, that notwithstanding the Cathartick matter be totally proscribed, yet the Cachoethick impress thereof remains, a wasting Diarrhaea following.  
I have formerly contemplated (not without great dissatisfaction till I understood better things) concerning the true cause how some Remedies (without any perceptible Odour or considerable sapour) not to be conquered by the strongest reverbating fire, nor dissoluble by our stomaches could possibly perform so great Cures in the confines of our body. As Lapis Ossifragus for instance, which (according to the great Doctor of Nature Van Helmont, whose Philosophy I am bound to follow, because I find practical verity therein) powerfully heals Ulcers, Wounds and Fractures of the extreme parts: and yet saith he, non dissolvitur à Stomacho Humano, nec pro inde penetrat ad procul dissita in materia sui lapidea: it goes no farther than the Stomach and Intestines.  
Antimonium Diaphoreticum (now at length allowable to be given, but not as the shops frequently prepare it) is of rare virtue against divers stubborn maladies fixed in the Ramuscles of the Limbs. It makes a profitable Diaphaeresis, edulcorates acidities, expels malignant pustles and spots, yet suffers no deperdition of substance, neither is it admitted beyond the first long Cavity. Some so dotated, as Antimo. Diapho. but of greater virtue do I use, which go no farther than the stomach and its Appendix, however extend their admirable effects to the superficies every way.  
What incomparable sanative power is in the highly purified sulphurs of minerals actuated only in the first digestion, is well known to those Adepti, who become Masters of such Arcana's, being throughly acquainted with their appropriation in time of greatest necessity. These while they are yet in the first Receptacle, do appease, pacify, compose the fury of the Archaeus by their solar illumination, so that it reflects upon itself with exceeding delight, as in a terse Mirror at the presence of these Specula Nitentia: whereby it gets force to oppugn and discreetly to insult over that which before caused a distraction, confusion, pusillanimity in its family.  
This being granted (yet no farther than I can assert experimentally, that the stomach with his Colleague the Spleen, for when I speak of that, I implicitly intimate this his coadjutor appointed to minister a proper ferment upon just occasions) is of so great Authority, that it is the Key of the whole Work, the Helm that steers all faculties and functions aright, the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the chief Cater or manciple that provides for all the Household, and the Root of health and sickness: Then will it be worth inquiry, whether the Galenists that now perforce denominate themselves, though improperly (Chemists) take an authentic course in the Therapentick part of Physic.  
And first I shall begin with Dr. Willis, whose method of Curing is founded upon his Quinary Doctrine of sal. sul. mer. W. E. This knowing man seeming to be a Paracelsian, according to those principles he borrowed from that great Philosopher; should also imitate him in Re Medica, studying to dive into those Arcana's, with which as the Epitaph testifies, he Cured Dira illa Vulnera Lepram, Podagram, Hydropysim aliaque insanabilia Corporis contagia: A list of those diseases which are accounted by the Galenists incurable. I conceive it no whit more beneath Dr. Willis, than that genuine Philosopher Helmont to be an interpreter of those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Paracelsus, which were able to perform stupendious Cures. Had he attained any of these, he would have scorned to publish such poor, Pedantic, trivial Medicines in his Tracts, De Morbis Convulsivis & de Scorbuto. I can hardly forbear to blush in the behalf of this Eminent Science, when I read one extolled for a Hiatrical Chemist prescribe for the Scorbute solutives, as P. 256. 257. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that make as well as carry off corrupt matter being very slightly corrected, injurious to the stomach and its ferment, such as Sena, Reubarb, Cassia, Tamarinde, Manna, Mechoacan, Turbith, etc. Concretes that have couched in them a clancular poison, and so must needs, being uncorrected rather increase than diminish the malignity of the Scurvy deeply radicated: yea if it fall out that the Patient seems to find a melioration, it is but by accident; for as the Poet saith, Dat saepe injuria luerum, that which is noxious may by chance produce something commodious rather by hap than any good cunning: But what is this to levelly directly at the mark, to exhibit what is adequate or proportionable to the venom of such an Atrocious malady. It is of little validity to purge away sal. sul. water, etc. degenerate Products (no whit essential to this Plague) unless the seminal poison be mortified, the Idea thereof obliterated, and the fountain of acidities stopped, the ferments of the shops, especially the 1. and 6. reform, and the Archaeus invigotated, which how these recipes, can effect a Forrago whereof is there conglomerated, seem to me impossible: ever since I got out of the mire of that fatal way. What a deal of superfluous trash (unworthy of a sincere Spagyrist, who ought (according to the Etymon) to separate the impure fruitless part, and to congregate the Crafis; the seminal virtue and refined essence of every Concrete, that the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Cook-room which dresses for the whole, may be less tormoiled, pestered, and encumbered in its preparation.) I say what refuse hath Dr. Willis commended to the world against the Scurvy under the form of Electuaries, Confections, Powders, Pills, Tabulets, Decoctions, Infusions, Expressions, Syrups, etc. to inquire into the absurdities, incongruities, insufficiencies of each particular, and to compare them with the Chemical Standard, will take up more Ink and Paper than I have allowed me.  
Neither would I have any think I am an enemy to the specific virtue of any single Concrete as it is entire, able to challenge a propriety by a certain effect of what is attributed to it: In no wise: for I much applaud that. But I utterly dislike a plurality of needless ingredients: Name frust a fit per plura, etc. a permission of their Faeculencies and Gummosities to remain to the interposition or Sepulture of their virtues; their Castration, frivolous corrections, a disparity in their conjugation, a connexion of things which are not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, able to draw in the same yoke with the rest for the accomplishment of the intention proposed.  
If the Doctor declares himself an absolute Physician in that, he prescribes Chymycal and Galenical Preparations according to his method, as occasion and indications require, rather choosing sometimes the safest way a long time trodden in, than this new Hazardous, perhaps desperate Tract, either quickly killing or curing: Moreover, for his part he is much for this Pyrotechnycal way, supposed it be modifyed or regulated by his Learned Pen, as appears by his principles borrowed of Paracelsus (how true that severe Assertor of verity Van Helmont hath discovered in his Tria Prima Chymicorum) his prescriptions likewise plead for him, wherein he stands up in the defence of Infu. Croc. Metal. Mercu. Vi. Sulp. Anti. Glanb. as fitting vomits. Antimo.  
Cremo. seu Crystal Tart. Sal & Tinctu Tartari Tarta. Vitrio. Chalybea. (which I much question whether rightly prepared) Elyx. Propriet. Mixtur. Vitri. Spir. simp rectificat. Spir. C. Cer. which according as his Theorems and observations direct him, he puts in practice.  
This here delivered I confess at first glance seems very specious and winning, but throughly examined by an intuitive Sophist is to be rejected.  
For first concerning his method, I deny it to be Legitimate, the shortest way (according to the exposition of the word) and not otherwise than I can prove demonstratively. What right order of Curing effectually, speedily, and surely, can there be expected from this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, this Hermaphroditical Linsey Wolsey course, where the active energy of the one shall be retunded by dulness of the other. This must needs cause a Hysteron Pro●eron in Nature, put it forward with one hand, and pull it back with the other: so making of an Acute, a Chronic disease. As for what may be alleged that this Galenick is the safest way, I cannot understand it in any other sense than thus, that for a man to be debarred of the most certain means to keep him alive, is the safest way to bring him to his death. He that boils chips in water instead of something Alimental to nourish a weak person, although he may pretend not to act any thing positively injurious, yet privatively he is guilty of the debility he lies under. Sir, you and I must answer for omissions, as well as commissions. What may be said concerning the Antiquity of the way, is no way prevalent with me, to free it from falsity:  
Trita frequensque via per Amici fallere nomen,  
Trita frequensque licet sit via crimen habet.  
The malicious or ignorant aspersions thrown upon this most beneficial Art, do not at all now move me who know the contrary, and can make a patefaction practically: if I might be admitted, that no medicines whatsoever are generally so powerful and safe, if rightly managed as Spagyrical, I mean not these common Ant. mercural, of the shops, nor oil of vitriol sul. Salt, etc. but what are made by a Philosopher, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, with his own hands. The best Sack is no whit degraded in its excellency, because some Vintner's adulterate it, or intemperate persons debauch themselves therewith.  
I cannot deny, but Dr. Willis carries a great Repute in the World of being an eminent Philosopher, partly for his artificial compilement of a physiology resulting from his Quinta Prima, partly from his frequent exhibitions of what is Chymycal: yet under favour of so Worthy person, I am forced out of Cordial Respect I have for Truth, my Neighbour, King, and Country, to avouch that this famous man doth much come short of the Substantial, Faithful, Rizotomus, medicinal way which Van Helmont hath delivered, an assertor whereof according to certain Experiments, frequently repeated, I divulge myself against all opposition whatsoever.  
What poor, weak, inferior, pitiful Antidotes against these unwonted Tyrannical, Truculent, Feral, Virulencies are these of the Doctors in comparison of the Magnificent, Despotical, Sovereign Arcana's of Helmont. Tinctu. lili ab El. Minerali Tincturi Anti-monial is ☿ vitae stibii pro●es integra ☿ Diaphore fixus ☿ corallat. Elementum ignis è Cupro Lac Margaritarum Sal volat, etc.  
Now lest this Learned man should question the real existence of the Medicines of this great Pyro-sophist, as he hath the Liquor Alkahest, I who am but minimus Discipulorum, having lighted my Candle at his Torch, shall not fear to enter into the lists with Dr. Willis, and practically make good the aetiology, with the Theraputick method and medicines of this Noble Adeptus in the presence of so many sincere virtuous Explorators, to whom we will appeal for the Decision of this medical controversy between us, by way of infallible Experiments, the only mean to detect each others errors. Above all, I shall put out myself to the subversion and demolition of this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, weakening and destructive Phlebotomy upon the account of Evacuation and Revulsion, a great Patron of which I find Dr. Willis to be to my astonishment, that one so intelligible should be so grossly over-seen in a matter concerning the Life and Soul of man. He takes upon him to be a proposer and defender of bleeding, for prevention and Curation of acute and long infirmities, even harbouring a venomous miasm, as in the Small Pox upon the very nick of their eruption, as in his Book de Febribus, p. 169. he sets down Nuper Experientia D●ce (I hope he will stand to this, for I am chief for it) in quibusdam casibus Sanguinem mitti omnino utile & necessarium comprobatur: make this good by fact, that 'tis profitable and necessary in any such case to open a vein (for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, will never carry with me) then shall I forthwith become a Proselyte to your method. Assuredly this, I am certain of it was neither profitable nor necessary for the Nation, that we should by this means lose three persons of the noblest Extract. Again, for Prophylaxis in the Pest, he holds section of a vein requisite. In the same Book p. 157. he gives his advice, ubi adest Plethôra cum magna Sanguinis Turgescentia aut quibus longa consuetudine sanguis solenniter mitti solebat iis venam secari convenit: he adds this Reason, quo enim sanguis mimus effervescit & sine Tumltu in vasis circulatur eo tardius Lue pestifera contaminatur, i. e. in a plenitude and huffing up of the blood, and want of any long customary evacuation a vein is to be opened. For the less effervescence and disturbance is in the Circulation of the blood, the less capable it is of Contagion. As if plenitude of which I shall speak more fully hereafter, might not be abated by a more effectual way, the effervescence allayed, & a customary evacuation brought into the same current, or one as convenient without this prodigal emission of blood at random, especially sigh it is unavoidable, but that the strength of the Archaeus hereby must needs be impaired, the only fortress against this potent enemy: as for his Reason, it is frivolous, for spirituous Liquors cause an effervescence and Enormontick motion in the blood, and yet is it at that time less obvious to infection, in respect of the audacity of the Archaeus resisting the venom, as many examples confirm.  
But that which is stupendiously a temurarious act in him, is to allow of pertusion of a vein in one contaminated with this pestiferous poison: but he saith withal, Rarò & admodum cautè in hoc morbo celebrari debet: it ought to be done seldom and warily, so it had need; for whosoever at any time upon what pretence soever of Caution attempts Phlebotomy for the Cure of the Plague, takes a course rashly to jugulate the Patient, unless some extraordinary Redemption happen. Certainly here the Doctor speaks by Rote, not experientia duce: For had he Anatomised the Pest, investigated the nature of this atrocious stroke as I have, feeling the smart of it three several times, he would as soon allow of piercing a vein in him who hath taken an intoxicating draught, as at any time in this case, where the stomach alone is the place from whence the poison is to exulated. 'Tis no wonder if the Galenists straight enjoin bleeding, where they find a seeming foulness in the less malignant fever, when they dare be tampering with it in the greatest. Assuredly were not strength of nature sometimes so Robust, that it is able both to super-ponderate the malignity and its augmentation by Phlebotomy, the world would quickly be satisfied that it is no less criminal to suffer the blood to spin out in any ill conditioned fever whatsoever, than in that which is so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Touching Chronic maladies, it is observable above all the rest, the Doctor maintains Phlebotomy in the Scurvy indicated, à sanguinis copia & vitiositate, from the quantity and quality thereof, his words are p. 256. De Scorbuto, cum enim liquor sanguineus valde impurus evasit nullo remediorum genere certius emendatur quam crebra & parva extramissione, quip sanguini veteri corrupto quoties educitur recens melior & defaecatior existit. When the mass of blood becomes very foul, no Remedy is of more certainty to correct it than often letting it out in a small quantity, in that as often as the old corrupt blood is discharged, a fresh supply is made of that which is better, more free from impurity.  
Here I observe our Galeno-Chymist waves giving a Reason of the indication of bleeding, a Copia from fullness, the fairest pretence that Sect hath for their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Sanguineous effusions, and shelters his opinion (for I am sure it is no other) under the pravity or naughtiness of the blood, which he doubts not so certainly to rectify by this repeated extramission as well as any Spagyrical Philosopher whatsoever, by his never so exquisite preparations. I would willingly be resolved concerning some Questions I shall propose to our great Phlebotomist. 1. Whether he can make an election of such a vessel for apertion, wherein the foulest juice is contained. 2. Whether this seeming to the eye foul or corrupt may deserve this Epithet, or may not harbour something that is very useful to Nature: sigh Chemists take notice of a strange disguise put upon things, making them seem to be what they are not really.) 3. Whether this frequent emission in a lesser Quantity, considering the insufficiency of Corroboratives exhibited by Phlebotomists, will excuse the ill effect of this operation. 4. Whether a succession of a new supply for what is evacuated, will produce any considerable melioration in it, according to our Author's assertion. 5. What Experiments the Doctor will undertake to testify unto us, that Phlebotomy is a way equivalent with the best Remedies to amend Scorbutical blood.  
That this Ruddy juice is better or worse in some venal pipes above other, is not to be doubted by any who hath been Spectator when it spinneth out: but how this is to be discerned within the vessels, I understand not unless a man had inspection, intus & in Cute, could intuitively behold where it lies, and so accordingly let out the worse, leaving the best. I have marked in my minority a laudable sanguineous juice to come first out of the same vein, then afterwards more contemptible: in others the contrary. One time I have seen it extracted inculpable, a few hours after vitiated, insomuch the Physician and Patient have been sorry for the loss of that, and glad at the riddance of this. Yea Learned men have advised sick persons to have a vein portunded, merely for this Reason, that they verily apprehended a cacochymy within, whereas upon trial no such matter afterward appeared, to the disparagement of the Art, and debility of the Patient. Seeing then one is at no certainty this way to have what is depraved taken from him, yea in danger to lose what is Euchymous: Me thinks this incision of a vein for the Cure of a Scorbutical impurity should not be so stiffly insisted upon by the Doctor, seeing he may as well miss as hit the scope.  
2. 'Tis commonly pronounced by the Chirurgeous, and approved by their Masters when the blood altered by the ambient, looks with any deformed aspect, as Green, Yellow, White, or Blackish, etc. that 'tis happy this was taken away, supposed to be the only subject matter wherein a Fever, Scorbute, etc. roosted, to which the credulous Patient is sorthwith prone to assent, being fully persuaded by his miserable unfaithful auxiliators, that so much of his infirmity is abtruncated or dismembered, as there is bad blood extramitted. This often lures him to a second and third evacuation.  
But how inconsiderately this is done, the woeful cries of Widows and Orphans do too often proclaim; for this very blood which they decry, rejecting it as very bad and corrupt in the Porringer, was running in the veins free from corruption, containing parts very useful to nature, which might by the activity of powerful Remedies be as easily reduced to its native goodness, as Mercury assuming the Vizard of salt, sulphur, water, sublimate, precipitate, etc. may easily by means of fixed Alkalies and vulnerary Concretes be brought home to itself.  
Those supposed Phaenomena of sal. sul. water, earth, are but separations made by a posterous corruption of the blood, excited thereto by the extraneous air: for while it was under 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Government of life, it was of another substance being preserved by the innate force of the vessels, from coagulation even after death. So that granting it was bad enough here, yet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 'tis not good removing it out of a place when it might be made better: and brought again to its former integrity by adequate, appropriate applications, which could never be if it were corrupt, for corruption signifies an absolute abolition of that essential form it had before, and assumption of a new: nam à privatione ad Habitum non datur regressus: what is quite lost can never be recovered again by way of retrocession to its pristine being. But this was redintegrable, therefore not then corrupt. This I can make good, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, by fact in the presence of those that are my Lord Bacon's followers, or let me suffer in my good Name, which I value above all sublunary things.  
Give me the opportunity of ten or twenty Scorbutical persons sanable, whose blood is polluted and corrupt, in this sense the Doctor delivers as we shall disclose by a previous letting forth a little. To these I will administer some of my Arcana for a fortnight or at fart hest three weeks, with which I will undertake so to defaecate and recover the degenerate juice of most of these Scorbutic Patients, that upon the second elimination thereof at the time expired, it shall appear in the Recipient no such thing as before; if I miss this mark (according to the judgement of some of this Royal Society, I will be bound to forfeit a considerable sum of money, upon condition the Phlebotomist my Opponent will forfeit the same if I hit it right. Well, what will be the result of this, if I accomplish what I propose. Thus much: It will convince any ingenious sagacious man, that the Galeno-Chymists are guilty of a passive fallacy at best, allowing the very sustenance of life so wastefully to be spent, because they unadvisedly judge that fitting to be cast away, which being out of its proper place, seems to their eyes as altogether unserviceable: Whereas being impregnated (before it touched the air) with vital particles, it might by a dexterous hand have been made very useful both for present and future sanity.  
Me thinks this great Champion of bleeding, alluding to the mechanical management and Ergasie of spirtuous Liquors, for illustration and confirmation of his Quinary Hypothes. sal. sul. etc. endeavouring to make the cause and manner of vital actions to be convertible and co-incident, with the operations of things inanimate, artificially promoted by  means, deriving both from the same fictitious principles) should imitate the discreet Operator, who when his wines through any outward accident super-ferment fret become sick, disturbed, acid, vapid or degenerate: doth not prodigallydraw them out good with bad, throwing them away, but doth wisely take off their excessive fermentation by divers contrivances he is acquainted with, stirs up or augments the spirits of decayed, flat, depauperated Liquors, mundifies their impurities, sweetens, their acidities, but still preserves what is capable to be made better by Art.  
Hic labour, hoc opus: Herein lies the difficult work of an exact Spagyrist, to sequester the superfluous naughtiness of Animals, Vegetables, Minerals, curiously reserving their virtues, excellent Dowry, & implanted gifts: Of which if he be ignorant, he will incur gross mistakes, abjecting the Gold with the Dross, the Spirits with the Phlegm, the most precious part lying occult with that which is manifest, because his dim sight in this Philosophy cannot discern and make a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the precious and vile, profitable & unprofitable. Many an excellent medicine lies involved in the dark corners of Nature's Closet, which might be brought to light if our Learned pretenders to Chemistry would seriously take pains themselves, or encourage others: but alas! they are so far from this Candour, that they will neither credit what suits not with their Fancy or Genius, nor admit of a fair Experimental process to convince them.  
Did I not savourly understand, being autoptically satisfied by long Industrious Experience and Practise twenty two years, (having rolled every stone, searched out every scruple to be informed concerning truth of the Galenick and Helmontian way) that the blood termed foul and corrupt, may by the transforming force of exalted Remedies while it is enclosed in the small channels of a living body be cleansed, consolidated, and revegetated: I should never presume to contradict or thwart Dr. Willis, endued wi●h Learning and great Worth, who might if he pleased with some others condescending thereto regain the Honour and Credit of this now prostituted and vilified Science, but sigh I am sure I can by divers instances and probations demonstrative make good my position, none that is Philalethes will condemn me in this case before I be tried.  
3. Quaerie, is whether the frequent emission of blood in a lesser quantity, considering the ins●fficiencies of corroboratives exhibited by Phlebotomists will excuse the ill effect of this operation.  
Here I shall put the Doctor in mind again of his analogical resemblance of wine and blood, which as he would have to be symbolical in their excessive fermentations impregnated with principles alike: so methinks he should proceed to maintain the Corrections of one as well as the other to be equally congruous and proportionable. But here I find him in the main to relapse and quite desert his similitude; for he takes clean contrary course to the deportment of the Vintner, whose care is ever to amend what is amiss in his Liquors; but withal to save what is spirituous in them suffering nothing to run out be it never so defective, if it can be restaurable. This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Wine-curer, is so far from little and frequent extramission of his Liquors degenerate, agitated by an extraordinary ebullition or effervescence that if it be possible he will not let out any at all.  
For he conceives it will come all to one upshot, to exhaust them by little and little, several times repeated, as to draw out the same measure at once, being assured that the end which he aims at will never be attained by this course. Now I find our Phlebotomist conscious to himself that the Scorbute strangely seizes upon the vitals, debilitating them in an anomalous manner enjoins reiterations of a parsimonious bleeding lest the patient should be too visibly damnifyed in his strength (the custody of which should transcend all indications whatsoever) therefore he minces the matter, supposing that what impairment nature suffers hereby, will never be charged upon his minute repeated furtive detraction of blood, but upon the malignity of the disease. Wherefore the sum is this, rather than this sanguinary depletion shall fall to ground to the disparagement of their Galenick method, it shall be prescribed in such a moderate portion, that the ignorant, sick person shall never discover the imposture thereof: so that if through innate strength and some accidental means otherwise he find a relevation, Phlebotomy shall forth with carry the credit thereof; if he be pejorated and thrown into a worse condition, hereby afterward though not for the present, this irregular way is excused and all must fall upon the pertinacous infirmity. Now 'tis plain, they will play at small Games rather than stand out: Be doing something this way either to little purpose, or little hurt; for if there be detriment in a greater portion, it cannot otherwise be according to the doctrine of the mathematics, but there should needs be some prejudice in a lesser, though not so sensible. Something I confess might be better apologized for this extenuated way of diminishing the strength, had the Phlebotomists Arcana's prevalent Restauratives sufficient to subjugate the grief to the laws of life: as also for the reparation of that debility their patient's contract by their unwarrantable exinanition.  
But that I am sure they have not, in as much as then they would never attempt, yea, rather abhor to enervate in the least by the Lancet, the strength with its correlative blood and spirits, without which there is no hopes of attaining a desired Cure. For it is a most established verity taught by Hip. Naturae sunt morborum medicatrices, the most assured means of sanation is to keep up the vital pillars without which all falls to ruin. So that Van Helmont is without controversy in the right, when he says, utcunque rem verteris ignorantiae plenum procurata debilitate sanare velle, i. e. make the best you can thereof. It savours of gross ignorance to assay to heal by bringing one into a weak condition, and p. 84. De Febr. Satis sit medico (saith the same Author) quod aeger alioquin inexcusabili debilitate labascat, per morbum, inedias, inappetentias, Inquietudines, Dolores, Anxietates, Vigilias, Sudores, etc. neque idcirco fidus Auxiliator debet debilitatem addere debelitatibus, fraudulentum est sublevamen quod venae sectio adfert: ejusque tam incertum est remedium quod nemo medentum hactenus aufit polliceri sanationem inde futuram. One would think it is enough and too much for the poor sick man avoidable to be brought low through a Disease, fasting, want of appetite, restlessness, pains, anguish, watch, sweeting, wherefore in such a case whosoever is a trusty supporter ought in no wise to add weakness to weakness: All the succour the Lancet can afford is deceitful, and all the redress hereby is of such uncertainty, that no Physician dare venture to make a promise of a perfect Cure by this means, and to keep one from relapse.  
For my part, I find it a task difficult enough to fortify the Citadel of life against the assaults and batteries of the forenamed inevitable enemies, with my best Remedies still supplying the spirits as they are cut off with those things that are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, agreeable to their Texture, avoiding all those voluntary artificial devises introduced for the farthering the Consumption rather than restitution of this already dilapidated treasure.  
I conceive it not unseasonable for the confirmation of what Helmont hath declared to set down one remarkable History, among many I have taken notice of in my time as no small evidence of the insufficiency of Phlebotomy as to sanation with the amphibology or ambiguity of the Galenical Physical predictions. For I look upon this right judicious prognostication to be an inseparable distinguishable Character of a Philosophical Spagaryst supplanted by the Galeno-Chymist on one hand, and the vulgar distiller on the other, for between these two this veridical Science suffers no little disparagement.  
On the 9 of Aug. 1668. I was sent for to one Mr. Flavell, a Canary Merchant about the age of thirty years' lodging in Dukes-Place, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, of a habit, such as they call Athletic, labouring under a malignant fever, difficulty of breathing a Parapleuritis, i. e. a Bastard Pleurisy, oppression at the stomach, inquietude, Anorexia, Emesia, Lypothymia, a disposition to vomit, ready sometimes to faint with a pulse very high, faster than ordinary, unequal. In this case I advised him contrary to his expectation, to forbear bleeding, which course some of his friends advertised him beforehand what Physician soever he made use of would take. Withal I told him, if he would be ruled by me, I could promise to relieve him in two or three hours, which he willingly listened to: forthwith swallowing a proper Emeto-Cathartick, and a diaphoretic, by means whereof a large quantity of foul excrements were evacuated, cum Euphoria, with suc● benefit that he began to slight his disease, passing over that afternoon with such alacrity among his friends, as if he had been perfectly cured. For all this I foretold him a Viper lay in the grass unseen, declaring in express terms, that the venom he harboured within must either be driven out in the form of pimples, sports, or red Blotches: otherwise all the art of man could not preserve him, which according thereto fell out in part, the next morning after a troublesome night.  
Now for the farther promotion of nature in her work: I gave him on the day following another Emeto-Cathar. with a Diaphor. which succeeded very well in carrying off morbific matter every way, pulling up some of the roots thereof about the stomach and spleen.  
After which, I followed him close with the highly exalted sulphurs of certain minerals. He took also liberally of those Volatiles most amicable to the vitals? These pacified the rage of the Archaeus, encouraging and joining sources with it against a domestic enemy, sweetened in some measure the acidity of the Latex, carrying it off by large profusion of universal sweats, bringing to the superficies of his body (in such a manner as I predicted) that malignant blood which lay lurking nigh the centre of life: so that my patient was exceeding well persuaded of me for the prospect I had of what hitherto fell out. All be it, the Paroxysms were tedious, yet were they still kept down, so that no mortal symptom appeared, though the assistants were terryfyed at some transient Delirium or dotage proceeding in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, height of the fit, & a straining to vomit from an Orgasmus in nature, striving to cast out remaining superfluities and feculency, abundance whereof was exterminated before by Art. All things being upon the fourth day from my first visit in a happy condition, my patiented being free from anyeminent danger of miscarrying as I often intonated in their ears. Some of the inconstant vulgar about him (prejudiced against this Chemical way that it was too violent and hot) affrighted at every intense motion of the Archaeus (invigorated by active medicines to profligate whatsoever is hostile) were very busy in prompting to the sick man the worse, representing every thing in the most deformed dress, enough to make him despond to the postergation of the Cure.  
Whereupon another Physician, a Kinsman of the Merchants formerly a great Philo-chymist before he entered into the college, was by my consent admitted to consultation, who approved of all I had done hitherto, neither could he deny but that my Remedies were sufficient, yet being ignorant of the right use of them, advised me to give not above the tenth part of what I exhibited, however lest he should visit for nought, an Apothecary, one Mr. Battesbee was forthwith sent for, who I knew would soon disturb my method.  
Now must Pottle glasses of Julips to cool him forsooth: into his grave (I am certain had they not been counterchecked) be obtruded, which for quietness sake I confess I connived at for the present, knowing all was in Vado secure, and that the virtues of my Remedies were able to correct the vitiosities of the other. Now a subtle Trade is carried on, they aim at the lopping off the branches: I at the pulling up of the root. So at length we begin to jar after a former harmony; for as soon as another opportunity was offered to me, on the fifth day I gave him the third Emeto-Cathartick for more security, which he willingly accepted still finding it beneficial, much, confiding in me for my premonitions, although he was encompassed with those that were very diffidently adverse to my Remedies. Now exception is taken by the coadjutor in that I should presume to give a vomit before I consulted with him: I answered his remoteness a mile and half of, and the fear of loss of the nick of time sigh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) might very well excuse me. And sigh we were both concerned in one principal End, the safety of the sick man (which I did then asseverate might be attained, otherwise it should lie at my door (supposed he would be ruled) not petty difference should arise between us. For all this, the Galeno-chymist was troubled with a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a heartburning, and attempted to allay it by proposing and urging upon the sixth day when nature was victorious, the most nonsensical application of Epispastics or Vesicatories which I utterly refused, having declaimed against them by my Pen: withal certainly knowing the main Cure being already performed, I should both wrong my Conscience and my Reason if I should condescend to such an absurd act. Then finding he could not corrupt me by all his glozing Rhetoric and Paralogistical discourse of the rare effects of Cantharideses, etc. he fling away in discontent, saying, he would now leave the sick man to my Custody, my reply was, and I to yours if the Patient be so pleased, which would by no means be granted by him; being very sensible and thankful that I took a direct means to save his life. I then proceed, asserting upon good grounds that the danger of the disease was passed over; besides, I would engage myself perfectly to cure him without relapses, and long vexatious Ague, or any Chronic infirmity whatsoever: This I would make good, or I would have no reward for all my pains and medicine; hereupon the patiented gratefully resenting every thing, fully resolved to resign himself over to my solitary care: In the mean time there were not wanting instruments, any one may easily guests at the prime agent to supplant me, and to introduce even upon the eleventh day, when all the blustering storms of various symptoms were passed over, the said Galeno-chymist who was represented to this convalescent person, as able to do great matters for the removing his Ague by his cooling or more temperate preparations, mine being looked upon (after I had helped him out of the mire) as too strong & burning, now the reason of this my dismission, must be coloured over with a fair pretence that the Patient would betake himself to Kitchen Physic: Through this door was the Galeno-Chymist with his Apothecary entertained once again into the sick man's Chamber to attend him, who kept him fast in their clutches for the space of a Lunary revolution, how and with what they plied him all this while, any that hath the least inspection into our Phisosophy may conjecture. Blisters are raised without controlment, for what reason I cannot tell, unless in opposition to my judgement, or lest he should recover too soon. This I am certain, they exceedingly wronged the ferments of the stomach and spleen, thereby increasing the acidity of the blood, as appeared by extreme dolour he suffered from the Haemorroides, the cause whereof they attributed to my hot spirits, the continuation of his Ague at the month's end; for the cure of which, he applied himself to me, after that he protested they had done what they could. Pretermitting what errors were passed, for which he might thank himself, I told him, I doubted not to cure his Ague, and take away the Haemorroidal anguish radically, if he would be obliged now at length to take what ere I gave without scruple; he consented in great part thereto excepting vomits i e. Galenical, with which he affirmed he was tired: It was dispensed with, & his Ague in a short time cured with certain Pills I call Polychrest, with other slight things; yet still the Haemorroides torment him. I offer, if he will give me leave to act freely a fundamental abolition of them without further prejudice: I myself having been miserably cruciated with the same wound many years before I knew Pyrotechny, so having suffered in this kind, Miseris succurrere disco: I could the better help others. Here he ties my hands behind me, I leave him to another Galeno-chymist, who both ignorantly and injuriously inveighing against my Pills, forthwith opens a vein in the arm to his detriment, increase of the present pain of the piles, with introduction to a future relapse: at length finding no comfort by thi● Learned man, he commits himself to a Chirurgeon, who by topical means assuages the grief, palliates and cicatriseth without searching out the  cause, which lying dormant some weeks produces another fever, of which by accident he recovered nature being benevolent (notwithstanding it was retarded by Phlebotomy, prescribed by a third Galeno-chymist, who I am certain cannot maintain the solid truth of this practice, if he and I come to an equal experimental determination in the presence of virtuous explorators.  
I have been a little punctual, and somewhat prolix in setting down this instance of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Therapeutical deportment of the Galeno-chymists and myself, in reference to this sick person, to the end the world may plainly understand (if they please) by this Narrative, how one dares promise's and effect, having a firm foundation what the other will by no means engage himself upon, being conscious of his rotten principles: I conceive it worth my labour to collect some useful observations from this History. 1 None but the absolute Spagyrical Philosopher can give any assurance of his Patient's recovery in a high malignant fever, seldom erring if he come in any seasonable time, neither can any but one so instituted, give any certain prediction of the variety of Phaenomena, several Scenes to be acted in this microcosm when ere it is put out of order, and what will be the conclusion of all his sanative endeavours.  
2. The Spagyrist can in a shorter space with confidence, without fear of a relapse remove a Pleurisy, or any pain of the side without bleeding, far beyond the other executing the same.  
3. It is all one to him who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, endued wi●h the gift of healing, whether the sick bodies veins be fuller or emptier, turgid or flaccid: Sith he knows it is gross preposterous folly to think to dry up a River, without obstructing the fountain, to save a ship from sinking, neglecting to stop a great leak therein. The like madness it is to draw out of the Limbs a great deal of excessive bad blood, and not to have recourse to the efficient cause thereof concentrated in the Trunk.  
4. The most upright, genuine, regular, immediate way to take off the exorbitant commotion and tumult in the Archaeus in the blood, so thereby to reform it, is to eliminate with all expedition that sordid apostatised yellow, green, clammy filth adhering to the Tunicles of the stomach like Bird-line, or transmitted from the parts circumjacent, especially the spleen, to open the passages of the Hypochondries obstructed, to carry off through all the Emunctories of the whole body whatsoever is not under the Guardian-ship of Life. This is to be done by that which Antimalignant cleansing away, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, wha● is really excrementitious, not what is so made in great part by deletery Laxatives of the shops.  
5. The only noted sluice through which the poisonous matter of all malignant fevers passes away, is the universal memorane, the skin on the which the stomach hath no small influence, govern●…g this Catholic Coat at its pleasure ●n so much no successful sweat or eruption can be expected as long as the Duumvirate lies prostrate under any insulting calamity. Wherefore the arch design of the Pysician, is to cherish, corroborate, and remove all impediments of this eminent part, that it may protrude, explode, or ejaculate from its bosom to the utmost limits whatsoever is virulent, closely supplanting the fortress of life. Now whether bleeding be any competent Medium to achieve this, let any one infferently versed in the knowledge of the Pest be judge, wherein no honestable Artist dare open a vein, because it will attract the miasm inward, hindering the  motion of the Archaeus, for the expulsion of what is mortiferous. Albeit our Phlebotomists do extenuate the matter, setting a fair gloss upon it by their sophistical evasions, pretending that in malignant fevers of the inferior Class Plethoric, or cachomchymick indications do manifestly require their utmost assistance before that inconsiderable venom lying occult. I must by their favour, be bold to tell them they will never solidly and speedily make a sanation of any great fever, or any other disease till they handle it in some manner proportionable to the plaugue: For there is quiddam Deleterium, a certain venenosity in most maladies as I can prove ex facto. Had a vein been opened in this Plethoric, Cachochymick Merchant when I first undertook him (as I make no question most of that Sect would have straight consented thereto) they had infallibly destroyed him, sigh all their medicines could never have expiated their first Crime of retraction and fixation of that within, which by the Dowry of prevalent Remedies afterward appeared without. Moreover I deliver it faithfully, I have not  to these ten years strict observation seen any one firmly evade a vehement fever, unless there hath been an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, efflorescence or breaking forth of something in the surface of the body: which cooling Julips, Posset-drink made only with small Beer, Barley, Water, etc. repress.  
6. The great offence the Galenists still lay to my charge, is that my Medicines are too hot and violent, where the sulphureous particles are advanced, preternatural fermentation promoted, and so the fever increased. This they would fain have granted without any proof, thinking it enough for their purpose to buzz it continually into the vulgars' ears, easily seduced by their Authority. How many by this false allegation have been deterred from making use of the right means I am not a little apprehensible. Me thinks these men should be ashamed to censure that rashly, of which they are ignorant, nor will be instructed in by any clear experimental probation. For if I do not ratify by Art before my Lord Bacon's Disciples, that what of my Remedies they call too hot, burning, enflaming and violent, are effectually temperate, amiccable to Nature, gentle in operation, and far from any excessive quality, in no wise causing any dyscrasy in the blood, although they be given in a triple quantity, let me be forthwith made an exile from all Artists.  
Now upon this stumbling block of a misconceit, that such or such things are extreme hot, they do infinitely err in the oblation of one part of that, whereof ten ought to be given where the state of the Pa●…ent is very hazardous, as it was in the fore-men●…oned sick man, to whom the Dr. sent for to consult with me after a gust of a spirituous Liquor, advised a srcuple to be given for one Dose of that, which I gave some ounces, otherwise I dare maintain he had perished. By this it may appear how ridiculous and incogitant it is for any one to detract, vilify another's Arcana's, or impute any evil effects to that which they neither know how to make or use, neither will be convinced by the Touchstone of trial how far its virtue and dose extends.  
7. I am satisfied by the late example, with some hundreds beside, that sulphur clarified by a Philosophical hand, likewise volatiles prepared as they ought (I mean not the ordinary sp●rits of Hartshorn, yet of very good use) have a gift bestowed upon them to subjugate atrocious fevers, if they be given according to substantial, not an accidental method depending upon poor, beggarly, momentany Heats and Colds.  
8. A true judicious Prognostication of the progress, state, and termination of a disease, begets in the Patiented a strong persuasion of the ability of his Physician, and the sufficiency of his Remedies, this invites him to take liberally of of them: this large sumption of what is efficacious will in a short space alter the sad, scene, suggesting his restauration if he be capable thereof, neither will there be need to stand gaping for a Crisis, sigh that may be anticipated, and all secured before that time, if there be a regular procession.  
For instance, this person took the greatest quantity of my remedies above any (except myself infected by the dissection of the Pestilential body) to which he was instigated by his allevation, and my presagition of what would fall out so that he expressly declared (not long before I was undermined nigh the eleventh day) that I had foretold him whatsoever came to pass to that time, yea withal had been an instrument to save his life. A man would think this should be obligation sufficient, to keep a sick man from listening to the obloquys of any slander. But behold how inconstant one is, and malicious the other. They falsely now upon his Recovery inveigh against me, that I gave him violent hot things: urging withal Vesicatories would have done him most good. He foolishly gives credit to it, whereupon another must be entertained to reap the fruits of my labours, to carry away the credit of the Cure.  
Hos ego versiculos feci tulit alter Honorem,  
Sic nos non nobis mellificamus Apes.  
Well, what is the issue, their cooling, dull, flat sycophantizing slops, their putrefying Vomits, Purges, their colliquating Epispastics, their uncorrected opiates continued for a month's space could in no wise rid him of his Ague, which I offered (upon the Reputation of the Spagyrical Science, valued by me above any temporal thing) quickly to eradicate. Yea, the supinity and blindness in sounding the bottom of the relic of the fever, gave occasion that an acid or acride feculent blood restagnant about the spleen was afterward in part derivated symptomatically to those tender vessels of the fundament, afflicting him by anxious excretion, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in a dribbling manner, superstite causa intrinseca materiali, the true cause no whit removed. Now Gentlemen, de vobis fabula narratur, what ye wrongfully cast upon my hot medicines, I can make appear, not saying only, but by doing something experimentally for the future, that your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, your erroneous practice brought all the succeeding mischiefs upon this infirm subject too tractable and condescending to your Authority.  
9 How unworthy of a Learned Philosopher, was it to let out the blood of the arm, robbing a man of his strength for the pain of the Haemorrhoides, whose efficient material cause was in the spleen, or the parts circumjacent not to be reached by the Lancet. Sith moreover there are some Annulets prevalent anodynes for the mitigation of Haemorrhoidal Dolours, witness Van helmont's factitious metal, with which he could by bare application to the skin of the hand assuage their anguish in the space of repeating an Ave Mar.  
10. What a dis-repute is at this day brought upon the Honourable Science of Physic through the ignorance of some famous Doctors, that a mere Chirurgeon should be esteemed more able to remove the grief of the Haemorrhoides or piles depending upon an inward cause, than they who have made it their continual study and care thirty or forty years, to be acquainted with the essential properties of things.  
11. That indiscreet bleeding, palliation, and a neglect of the original cause of the vexatious piles, brought a fever upon this merchant the 2d. time is as perspicuous to a genuine Artist as light at noonday, which if I had not prevented (absit jactantia) had he been guided by my directions, I would have been liable to a severe mulct.  
12. Lastly, 'tis no firm argument at all, that the Lancet doth directly, solidly, or radically cure any great fever, because this Merchant at last through innate vigour accidentally recovered: For this will be but Elenchus causae pro non causa, unless they will stand to maintain it according to my Lord Bacon's way of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, experimentally.  
After this little digression, I now return to our D●ctor, that we may examine the fourth Quaery.  
4. Whether the succession of a new supply of blood for the old corrupt emitted, will produce any considerable melioration in it according to our Author's assertion.  
There hath been of late an invention I suppose more ingenius than useful, of the transfusion of the blood of one body into another, which according to Report of some knowing men, hath caused such an alteration in this balsamic mass, that great diseases have been Cured. I wish this experiment might so far hold currant, that our Phlebotomists might infuse some laudable juice in lieu of the depraved they effuse, then should I quickly concur with them in this, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, remotion of evil and reposition of good: then should I conclude they were Spagyrists indeed, did really perform what they verbally express. But sigh I see no such matter acted by them, their utmost scope they levelly at being the piercing the vessels, and drawing out what is contained in them good or bad, without any solicitude to make a vicisitudinary immission of what is better.  
I have very good reason to contradict this Phlebotomical method of curing, which debilitates Nature by emission of blo●d, termed corrupt, the efficient cause thereof remaining untouched.  
For the Confirmation of this truth, I shall allege Reason, Authority, and Experiment.  
The means used to let out bad blo●d without removing the efficient cause thereof, is no direct method of healing.  
Now Phlebotomy lets out bad blood without removing the efficient cause thereof, Ergo, Phlebotomy is no direct method of healing.  
The major is thus proved: whatsoever suffers the cause to remain, can never remove the effect; for manente causa manet effectus.  
Now Phlebotomy suffers the cause to remain, Ergo, it can never remove the effect.  
The minor is made good by frequent experiments, if the cause of bad blood were cut off the fever or Scorbute depending, according to Dr. Willis upon the degeneration of sal. and sul. therein would quickly cease, but we plainly see the contrary, for after the veins are much depleted, the d●sease becomes more truculent, and oftentimes mortal, which could never be if this depraved blood were any other than a Product or Effect of an essential morbific cause. The same Agent which in sanity sangu●fies regularly without any considerable defection. In sickness becomes exorbitant, sending out a vicious juice into all parts, be it good or bad, it still springs from a Root which continually feeds the branches: so that it cannot be other than great folly and wrong to the Patient, to let out that juice, though it seem never so corrupt, when another of the like condition must needs enter into its place, derived from that shop the Duumvirate, where it first receives a previous Rudiment, which ought in all reason rather to be reform, than to give vent to those easily evanid particles inseparably joined with this ruddy Liquor, how ill soever represented. If all contained in the veins (supposed to be corrupt) were discharged, yet as long as the ferments principally of the first and sixth digestion deviate from their right scope, there would in short space be a succedaneous repletion of a matter equally contemptible, yea, worse in respect of an enervation of strength than before. But sigh a total riddance of this foul guest can hardly be made by Art in a very Cachochymick body without hazarding the life, there being a kind of necessity to leave some behind: no sooner is there an accession of any approved every way completed Chime, but it is forthwith deteriorated and infected by the contact of the relic of that filthy reprobate Gore, which still harbours in the vessels wherein is a peccant ferment endangering as long as it continues the faedation of the whole mass, a little Leaven leavening the whole lump. Wherefore in my judgement, with humble submission to better reasons the Doctor is much out of the way in taking this course of mutilating and impoverishing the vitals, the preservation of which transcends all other indications whatsoever, considering no solid benefit accrues thereby, withal weighing how the cause of most calamities, as the Scurvy, venereal Lues have their rise from a venomous seed engrafted about the Hypochondries: for the abortion or strangulation of which all our best Arcana 's are but little enough efficacious. In brief, the true method is to scour every way by proper Mediums, the filth or feculency gathered together in the first foundation, destroying likewise the venom, reducing the error of the parts to their due Eupraxie, corroborating them: then need we not doubt whatsoever is superstructed will quickly be brought to a handsome conformity, whereby this stately structure may be kept Sarta tecta, in good reparations many years.  
2. The Authority I shall cite against this extramission of putrid blood, to the diminution of the strength, without any amolition of the cause thereof, is Van Helmont, who is to me as an hundred testimonies. His words are these, p. 184. lib. de Febr. Etenim ostendant non contradicere, quod febri proprium sit Cruorem ipsum inquinare & hanc proprietatem tolli à posteriori à putrefacti scilicet remotione? Etenim si primum Imperuor sanguis è vena depromatur, iteratò venam pandunt interim vires consternunt turbantque hinc & Crisis spem tollunt, quid si tum rubicundior effluxerit. Certè exclamant. Quasi totum mali Agmen ablatum prima vice, fuissetque febrium sedes, à Corde ad cubitum duntaxat extensa bonus autem circa Hepar resideret, i. e. But let them make it appear if this do not imply a contradiction, that a fever hath a property to pollute the blood, and that this properly can be taken away à posteriori, by a posterous manner, to wit, by withdrawing what is putrefyed. For if first the fouler blood be let out, they open a vein again: all this while they overthrew and confound the strength, and so thereby wholly disappoint a Crisis. But suppose sometime a fresh ruddy blood run out, they presently cry with open mouth as Cocksure, that a whole Troop of diseases is cut off at the first dash, as if the resting place of a fever did only extend from the heart, to the bending of the arm, and the good blood did take up its abode about the Liver. In another place of the same page our Author delivers this, In confesso est quod Materia Febrilis non consistit in vena supra Cor & per consequens neque vena Sectio Materiam Occasionalem ullatenus exhauriat aut directa Medendi intentione effectiuè sanet, i. e. It is taken for granted, that the material cause of a fever is not seated in the vessels above the heart: than it must necessarily follow, that breathing a vein doth in no wise discharge the matter, which st●rs up the fever: neither is this a downright effectual way of healing. Thus far he who is instar Omnium.  
Yea for the countenance of this truth, I have something very conducible from Dr. Willis, his words are these, p. 75. de Feb. Prae caeteris vero observatione constat quod crebra sanguinis missio Homines febri aptiores reddat, i. e. Now above all, it is certainly known according to observation, that o ten bleeding makes men more apt to fall into a fever: Again he follows it close, Hinc fit ut qui crebro mutunt sanguinem, non tantum in febres sunt proclives verum etiam pinguescere soleant propter Cruorem Succo Sulphureo●plus impregnatum, i. e. Hence it comes to pass, that they who often breath a vein, are not only prone to fall into fevers, but are also wont to grow fat by reason the blood is full of sulphur. In another place to this purpose he drives it home, Qui sanguinem habent sale volatilizato bene saturatum two sunt minus febribus obnoxii: hinc etiam qui saepius sanguinem emittunt ad febres aptiores sunt, i. e. They whose blood abound with volatile Salt, are not subject to fevers: For this cause, they that use Phlebotomy often, are more liable to fevers. Well then, the Doctor and I agree thus far in the main, that frequent bleeding procures fevers, which is sufficient to back my assertion, that Phlebotomy is no good method of healing, sigh it is plainly a Procatartick cause of fevers. For whatsoever means exhausting the strength (as I can demonstrate this course, doth more or less sensibly or insensibly) inviting and making way for fevers, instead of preventing them, is not to be approved of or allowed in Curing the Scurvy or other diseases: unless we act like Tinkers, some of whom are reported to mend one hole and make another; for how possible can it consist with the Honour and Credit of a Physician, quem creavit Altissimus, to go about to correct the blood by often letting it out in a Chronic infirmity, likewise withal to usher in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; as it were to be a Pander to the introduction of an Acute fever, which in a short space dissipates that strength which this Phlebotomical harbinger hath in part worsted.  
Certainly then there is a better way (if we could hit on it) to reform this juice (without an elumbation of the vitals) by proper Medicines, which the good Creator hath ordained, able to supply the blood with a sufficient quantity of volatile Salt, and to take away the exuberance of its sulphur (if the cause of fevers) as this Learned Defendant would have, from whom I descent, unless he can convince me by practice, or mechanically show to my eye more sulphur in the Pyrotechnical Analysis of blood taken from one afflicted with a high fever, than from that extracted from a Scorbutical or venereal body, etc. The sum of all is this, if it be so, that striking a vein often in a long tedious disease, is a preparatory for a sharp eaver as we both herein jump right in our observation: then am I certain that Phlebotomy repeated in an acute sickness, is a door set open, an inlet for a long infirmity, so that this mode of defalcating the vigour of the spirits doth for the most part (as I have strictly heeded many years) disarm and plunder Nature in such sort, that it cannot resist the assaults of every pettey invading infirmity, witness those multitudes, who after sharp conflicts fall either into Relapses or Agues, Scorbute, Dropsies, Consumptions, Atrophy, Jaundice, Asthmas, etc. which might be easily prevented, if a mature regular course were taken to give convenient Emeto-catharticks, analeptics, Diaphoreticks, which safely and speedily cleanse the stomach, keep up the strength and breath, the whole body: then need we not fear any mischief from this late invention, Redundance of Sulphur or Salt in the blood, no more than choler, phlegm, and melancholy of the ancients. I would fain be satisfied how this sanguimission is the cause of such a congestion of sulphur in this bloody mass, out of which there is no elective subduction of the Salt, and a reservation of sulphur behind, but both fly out promiscuously, not to be discriminated by the eye till the fire which produces these Phaenomena, makes a secretion of the homogenous juice into these heterogene parts, inconfiderately denominated principles which are never so separated by the Archaeus, in so much, as if one spin o●t more than another, it is by accident, never intended by Nature, than a fever may as well be sometimes prevented, as invited according to the Aetiological Hypothesis.  
Neither can I apprehend where and how a greater quantity of sul. above salt should be engendered after iterated Phlebotomy, unless be meant by sul. a spurious matter growing out of kind, never intended by the scope of Nature, which works regularly and uniformly. Indeed so this may very well be after the stock of life is exhausted, that the stomach Archaeus and ferments becoming flaccid, more dregs & exotic strangely disguised, abortive conceptions do forthwith start up, attiring themselves in various shapes, appearing afterward upon some stimulating occasions upon the Theatre of the microcosm acting various Scenes of diseases according to the pravity and malignity of each excrement dis-junctive or copulative. Me thinks 'tis more consentaneous to Reason that a degenerate salt should rather abound in the body after this unkindly evacuation, sigh all the shops of digestions endeavour much about acid or urinous salts, as is eminently apparent in the first and second Laboratories, most of the visible excrements, urine, tears, etc. even of a hall person being saline. Hence we may very well conclude, that our Phlebotomist is much to seek in the cause and cure of a fever sigh he makes hat cause thereof, which is only a Product of the fire, not really existent, withal pretends to take it away by that means which brought it: for certainly what did mischief in this kind, ab Anteriori, can hardly do otherwise, à Posteriori. What gave occasion to admit it at first, cannot well be expected to dismiss it once entered, unless it be for a while, that it may again return to take stronger possession.  Serius ejicitur quam non admittitur Hospes. 
Experto Crede, What the great Philosopher Van He●mont hath set down before-cited, I can maintain as certain truth by multiplied experiments above these two and twenty years, having in procincture not a few Patients ready to appear upon meet opportunity to attest how their veins have been acquitted of abundance of corrupt blood (as they thought) yet their infirmity grown more strong and pertinacious, and Nature more weak: so doubtless must have perished, had they no● received succour at length by this powerful Chemical Art. Many medical Histories could I mention apposite for this purpose, tending to the subversion of this Phlebotomical method, but I conceive it will signify little with those, who are obstinately prejudiced against whatsoever I relate in this kind. Wherefore I rather choose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to come up close to them, earnestly pressing they would either stand to some Aequi●able trials, as we shall mutually propose for the final decision (according to the sentence of our experimentally knowing Philosophers) of this Controversy of so great moment, wherein Princes, Noblemen, and the greatest Hero's Lives are concerned: otherwise let them desist for the future prodigally to spend this Balsam of life, keeping in its proper place for better uses that Lancet which I may safely aver hath been the destruction of more than the Sword.  
At length I am put in mind of the last Quaery. What Experiments the Doctor will undertake to testify unto us, that Phlebotomy is a way aequivelent with the best Remedies, to amend impure blood corrupted.  
Here now am I so zealous a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Indagator of verity by the Touchstone of experience, that I even blush to deliver any great matter of importance in reference to the health of man, unless I have made trial myself, or received it from a Learned honest Pyrotechnist.  
Were it not that I should be censured for a stentorian Boaster by those who bear an Odium to this Science, I would presume to take to myself a privilege of knowing more practically than all those Physicians, who altogether depend upon the Gregal Pharmacopaean set up principally to foment Laziness, as likewise to keep up a mere mercenary Trade for the Reciprocal interest of each other, to the injury of thousands. Pish, why should I be dared by any mortal, only speaking physical truth. Let Zoili or Momi do their worst, I value them not. Thus much I can uprightly and boldly deliver. I have been both Agent and Patient in the examination of the Galenical and Chemical Dispensatory: the former of which (after a tedious expectation of some Benefit several years in reference to my sickly condition) gradually filching away my strength, quite tired me out, usque ad nauseam: so that I abhorred to look upon a painted Galley-pot, or a bright Lancet. The last in a short space gave me Relief: not long after totally eradicating my infirmity, repairing my decayed Constitutives in some measure. Although some Philautists may judge me a little too venturous: careless of my own safety in taking into my stomach Spagyrical medicines, the effect whereof were as yet unknown to me, yet I have not in the least repent thereof, being persuaded it was but Charity that I myself rather than my Neighbours should run the hazard of virulency, if they had any. Withal I thereby collected those Documents by frequent sumption of my preparations for their correction and safe exhibition, which a vulgar head could never have imparted to me. For this end I give not a Remedy effectually Authentic, which these hands of mine have not contrived, and this stomach approved. Neither was there any other Reason why I forsook this old smoothly beaten more profitable Road, betaking myself to this seldom trodden, rugged, poor contemptible way at that time, but a plain forcible conviction within myself, that one was erroneous, unsatisfactory, full of doubts and perplexities, seldom bringing a man to his intended End. The other was veriloquos, right, scientifical, performing for the most part what is promised.  
Herein I acquired after some labour, a satisfactory notion of things, with a sweet content, far surpassing any Pecuniary Reward: so that I could at length after a serious libration of the symptoms, undertake a Cure with confidence, succeeding prosperously therein. Assuredly this great Defender of bleeding shall find me no other now than formerly, as it were Rasa Tabula, not at all preoccupated against convincing proofs, tending to the favourable suffrage of his Hypothesis. I hope it will not be alleged for an excuse, that this case in Question hath so many intricacies, that it cannot easily be determined without danger of derogating from the valour of truth, which often suffers unjustly through humane mistakes. This I confess would seem plausible were the matter in controversy merely Dogmatical putatitious, consisting in the rational conceptions of the brain. But sigh it depends upon the conclusion of fact, certainly we are not so enclosed with the darkness of misapprehensions, or wildred in the Labyrinth of vain conceits, but we may by the conducting thread of infallible experiments discoverable by our senses get out, though not at the fore-door, yet at the backdoor. I mean, though we cannot understand the essence of things à Priori, as they relate to their first cause, yet may we attain some acquaintance with them à Posteriori, by their Fruits, Products, Effects and Operations.  
Now this Controversy between us concerning bleeding can either be conclusively resolved by equal experiments, or it cannot. If it cannot, then are we all alike groping in obscurity, never a barrel better Herring, the most knowing of us being (as that most perspicacious Prince of famous Memory justly upbraided some of his Physicians) at the best but good Guessers. If it can, as I doubt not, let us put an end to this Debate, and let him that shrinks pretending this or that evasion, be looked upon as one guilty of his own insufficiency, which ought in all Reason to oblige him never to speak or Act contrary to the testimonies of those Imperial Judges who are induced to give in their verdict sincerely impartially, either in favour or discountenance of Phlebotomy, according to what they see done by each of us.  
I have in Galenopale proposed several commendable truths for the decision of the different processes of a Galenift & Helmontian in Physic, but they have been so far from being accepted, that instead thereof, a scurrilous Piece full of untruths was published by one who did not dare to own it. I shall spare to speak more of that Person who did me great wrong (for which I hope he received a pardon from Heaven) sigh he and the Spiritus Antiloimoides, both vanished together in the time of the Pestilence.  
Worthy Sir, I expect more handsome candid deal from you, being persuaded that you are so far a hearty lover of truth, that you scorn to be displeased with any one who shall offer any probable means for the indagation thereof. If thoughts should arise in your breast that I have a mere design to eclipse your Lustre in the World, that I may be the more conspicuous, I assure you are much mistaken therein: For were it not for the promotion of fundamental Physical verities, I should hate to set Pen to Paper in derogation of any man's fame and Repute, for the exaltation of my own. So desirous am I to know something solidly useful in my Art, whereby my collapsed distressed Neighbour may be edified, that I should think myself happy to be your Disciple upon such terms. Be confident Sir, if I be not exasperated through indignities, you shall never have cause to find fault with my Morality as it respects you, with whom I should think my self happy to join for the Restauration in part of the splendour of that profession, which at this day is deplorably obscured.  
For that end, let us manifest to the world by each others actions, that there is a manner and means of healing, beyond the Plebeian Pharmacopaean or Pseudochymical reach, never to be attained but by a complete Philosopher.  
Let us then in a friendly gesture meet and conclude upon those Perquisites which may give us both content if we be sincere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, cordially affected with verity. What trials I have formerly offered, I shall stand to, and here make repetition of them, adding some others thereto, directly aiming at the mark.  
You and I, or so many of us on each side (as we shall agree upon) will visit the sick people of some Hospital, with equal and competent Arbiters or Censors: after that each party hath given his verdict or opinion of the nature of the disease inward or outward, we will make our prediction what is like to be the Epilogue or Event thereof, whether it be curable or no, and in what time probably it may be brought to pass: let the Galenist or Helmontian, that (according to the sentence of those elected persons to whose Award we are to stand) performs his business best in the Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic part, prevail, and be taken into favour and tuition of the Magistrate; but let the other be rejected.  
Or we will deal in this manner, we will summon so many Patients afflicted with fevers or other diseases in the City whom we will visit together. So according to our former proposition, we will enter upon a direct proof, who may best deserve a Diplôma or Patent. Or we will (if you please) act severally. We will (with so many impartial Judges) undertake twenty persons vexed with Acute diseases, and so many Chronic; after that we have illustrated the Nature, Condition and Magnitude of the disease to the standers by (our aforesaid Arbitrators) we will enter upon the Cure with a prognostic in acute diseases after our first admission, upon the fifth or sixth day. In Chronic, in the space of three weeks or a month at farthest: ye shall be bound to act the like, the same supervisors attending you that did us; who after they have seriously weighed all circumstances being rightly informed, considering what difficulties both parties have been put upon, shall determine (as each of us have done better or worse) who are the best Artists, and so receive a Reward or Mulet.  
Moreover we declare that we shall take into our hands twenty sick persons troubled with acute fevers of what kind soever. Of these twenty, we will engage to secure (under God) sixteen of them upon the fifth or sixth day after our approach, or to give a Prognostic upon the same days, how the disease will terminate; in which if we fail, we shall be willing to suffer accordingly, supposed that ye come to the like trial.  
And because ye insist so much upon bleeding in a Pleurisy, we dare oblige ourselves to cure more Pleuritic persons, Citò Tutò & jucunde, without Phlebotomy, than ye shall making use of the same.  
These fair equal proofs formerly proposed, though somewhat obliqne to our present matter in controversy. I thought fit here to repeat, that the world may understand I am no Tergiversator. These now following drive the Question home.  
We will search out ten or twenty persons overrun with the Scurvy, whose bloods are certainly presumed to be foul by apparent symptoms, let them be divided 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as equally as can be into parts. Freedom shall be given to the Doctor to make his election first of one half, leaving the other to me. Let him use his best art to clarify and correct by often Phlebotomy as he pleaseth the corrupt foul blood of his Patients for the space of a fortnight: I'll take the same time, using only these Remedies which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, have a gift of healing without spending the spirits by cutting a vein: then sub judice lis sit, let it be defined according to our meritorious performances, who amends the impurity of the blood best fundamentally.  
Let our opponent the Phlebotomist assume to his care twenty more or less, such as are very Scorbutical, let him give a Prognôsis or Prediction in what precise time he is able to cure every single patiented: then let him fall to his method of depurating the blood as he hath divulged. I likewise receiving into my custody the same number, presaging a set time of the Recovery of each, will make application of my Arcana's: Then let my Lord Virulam his Disciples deliver their mind impartially (as either of us accomplish the end best according to our Judicious Prescience) whether possess the best means to rectify the depraved mass of blood radically.  
Let the Galeno-Chymist be pleased to manage by his Phlebotomical method for a month's space the cure of half a dozen of such whose blood is much contaminated, I will also deal with the like number in the same condition for a month according to my method, the time expired, one and the other subjects of our essays shall be strictly viewed by the forenamed Censors, who shall give their sentence who have been best ordered by us receiving the greatest benefit, and whosoever on the other side at the time limited comes short of his Cure, shall be delivered into the hands of the other Physician, to try what an alternate change of Remedies are able to do.  
Six, whose juice in the veins is very impure shall be equally divided to each three, we will administer that peculiar means of depurating the blood which we assert is most prevalent. At the end of five days a vein in the Arm shall be opened in them all: Then shall we see whose mass running in the veins is most mudifyed.  
Of four 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as nigh as may of equal condition of sickness, whose skin is to be opened for the defecation of the blood: Commit one, which you please to me to be regulated, then shall we see at fortnight's end which of the four will be most vigorous, having the cleanest liquor contained in the vessels.  
When any sick person is tired out some months by sanguimission and a tedious course of physic, so that the Galeno-Chymist is at a stand whether he will live or die: then suffer us to speak and act something in this case for the credit of this Science.  
We will also try who is best able to preserve any one Scorbutical (whose blood is conspurcated) from a fever, or when fallen into a fever from the Scurvy, for 'tis certain they are reciprocally incident one into the other.  
He that suffers one afflicted with a fever to fall into any long maladies or a relapse, shall be esteemed (if the Patient be conformable to his Rules) insufficient in his faculty, and shall forfeit twenty pound; for as meanly as our adverse party esteems us, we shall be willing to wage with them a considerable sum of money upon every experiment.  
Forasmuch as some who have the Scurvy much radicated in them, are cruciated with long, foul cacoethick soars depending upon an inquinated bloody juice, an essay shall be made whether the true Philosophical Spagyrist or Galeno-Chymist are best able to heal the Ulcers fontally, speedily, securely, without danger of lapse into a worse calamity or recidivation into the like.  
Many more Apodeictical Processes could I start of great validity to convince all aspiring souls, thirsting to know verity of things from their effects, that there is a way to preserve in sanity, and recover in infirmity the frail Sons of Adam without this never-intended or allowed of (by the God of unity) course of making solutions of contenuity in the skin, for the letting out the Balsam of life, but I shall request our famous propugnator of Phlebotomy to set his Ingeny on work to find out more experimental proofs (not excluding the reason of the natural causes of what we practice) for the ultimate discussion of this debate, which is the principal partition-wall that keeps us asunder. Assuredly there shall be no man breathing more tractable & condescending than myself, to accept of any offers tending to the putting a period to all altercations of this kind for the future.  
Thus much by way of confutation of sanguimission, as it is indicated by the pravity or corruption of the blood. Next I shall strive to Arietate or batter the main fortress grounded upon Plethôra too great a quantity thereof. What I have promulged in the XII. Chapter of Galeno-pale concerning Phleboromy, I am ready to assert to be truth: wherefore I shall request any opponent to peruse it and answer it if he can.  
In the mean while I shall here examine the matter a little more. If by plenitude be meant an excess of pure blood, I absolutely deny there is any such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, indication for Phlebotomy, for during the goodness of this juice there must needs be perfect sanity arising from integrity of all the actions in the body, so that it may justly be reputed madness to go about to broach this Balsam of life, weakening nature thereby as long as there is health with abundance of strength.  
Imprimis notandum (saith Van Helmont in cap. de Feb. p. 8.) ut nunquam vires peccare possint abundantia nequidem in Methusalem: ita nec Bonus sanguis peccat nimietate, eo quod vires vitales & sanguis sint Correlativa, i. e. We are to take special notice that too much strength can never be offensive to any, yea, not to Methusalem: no more can any one have too much blood, forasmuch vital strength and blood are Correlatives. Well then it is plain, whatsoever sickness seems to indicate Phlebotomy upon the account of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, sanguineous superpletion must necessarily come from an apostate juice generated by vitiated digestions, which being hostile to life irritates the Archaeus to frame the Idea of a disease, not as it is merely provoked from nimiety or plurality, but from the pravity of the matter: wherefore the case is altered now, and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, signification or demonstration of evacuating doth in a straight line immediately respect the Cruor or cacochymy, directing the artist to reform, mundify, and rid those impurities contained in the seemingly corrupt marred juice, by proper means sequestering the vile from the precious, not to let it out indistinctly what comes next at random to the furtive castration, depredation, confasion of the Eutome, Lustiness, Liveliness, and strength of the Patient, which is to be preferred before all motives whatsoever.  
'Tis certainly known to those who are throughly versed in the Analysis and Synthesis of the parts of bodies, that ebullition estuation, effervescence of febrile liquors arising from a pleonasm of degenerate sul. and sal. etc. as they would have it, may be appeased and allayed by Remedies assisting the vitals to make separation, and afterward an exclusion every way of what is reprobate, reserving that which is acceptable. This being performed, there is no fear that a plenitude simply of itself can do any harm, for hereby so expedite a course is taken that the overplus is in a short time sent packing by vomit, stool, urine, expectoration and sweat; for this reason considering what strict abstinence the Patient is put upon in a fever, 'tis very unlikely a plenitude should be of any duration. Is it not then greater prudence in a Physician to minorate what is superfluous by safe, profitable ways of secretion and excretion, still advancing the principal Agent, then for that end to give vent indiscreetly to what comes next without any election, incommodating, if not hazarding the loss of the vital principles. For believe it, whosoever hath any great quantity of blood taken from him either rues it for the present, or hereafter: Let him that is Hetorodox prate what he will, alleging examples of those sturdy, lusty bodies which have hereby received immediate succour, I can make good by practice (and challenge any one who opposes me to to come to that, otherwise let him forbear his Garrulity) whosoever is cured of a great malady by the Lancet in this sort, is either prone to relapses, or to live more crazy in his younger or elder years, although for some short time he may not by reason of an engrafted Robust constitution be sensible of these inconveniencies.  
Moreover 'tis to be noted, what redress is by this means in this manner received comes not from mastering and subjugating the disease, but from an impoverishment and debellation of the Archaeus, which being brought to a low condition, becomes more remiss and impotent to contest with its enemy: whereupon some symptoms very terrible to the standers by are remitted, which a wise Physician knows are often forerunners of a happy expulsion, if furthered by congruous volatiles, setting forward the Elastic motion of the spirits.  
For the establishment of what I have before delivered, let us choose ten the fullest bodies we can meet with labouring under fevers or other griefs: Dr. Willis shall have his choice of five (whom he conceives do most require bleeding) leaving the other five to me) to be ordered by my method. It shall be put to reference who cures soon, surest, and soundest.  
Because I often observe many squaring their Therapeutic intentions according to the definition of the fever, endeavouring to cool those who are in a great scorching heat, by breathing a vein, let them know that a fever, whose essential nature is to be enquired into for the use of man is very erroneously defined, an accident for a febrile heat is certainly the product of a foregoing cause which is primarily to be searched after, than whatsoever depends thereon will quickly vanish.  
Now this cutting a hole in venal vessels for the removing a bare Quality, is all one as if one should lave out of the Pot ready to boil over a spirituous, or some precious Liquor therein contained, to the intent it may thereby be quailed, neglecting to withdraw the fire, the impulsive occasion of the violent motion made therein. Do not they take the like absurd course, who think to cool the body in a fever by throwing away whole Porringers of Nectar of life, never looking after the ablation of the Causopoietick cause and focular matter sited about the stomach, which makes an estuation and effervescence in all the other parts. That way of frigidation which pillages the vitals, increasing the malady, only abating obliquely a tedious quality, is never to be approved of by a Legitimate Physician. He that will bring to a moderation the finger excessively heated from a Thorn impacted therein, must extract the same, otherwise he will take a wrong course by the use of mere frigafactives. So he that will positively refrigerate in any preternatural heat must eliminate that spinous, aculeate, acid, acrid matter which goads the Archaeus incensing it that it becomes exorbitant, fretting, raging. Heautontimorumenos, galling itself at the presence of that which it abominates never to be pacified till it be excluded, or some extraordinary sedative given (I mean not Opium vulgarly prepared) which may for a time assuage its fury till it can have leisure to thrust out the ●nwelcome guest.  
Another pretended indication for sanguimission is Revulsion, by which they say a violent flux of morbific Liquor into any noble parts is intercepted, for this end they use the Lancet in a Pleurisy, Peripneumomie, or any inward inflammation: but how far they err herein is well known to the best Practitioners, for although I confess they do sometimes in the beginning suppress, and as it were crush the foresaid diseases, yet is it done accidentally, very uncertainly, rather by way of distraction of nature for the loss of its substantial Treasure, than from any true Revulsion or direct pulling back of what is in flux or already flowed in. 'Tis true, when the vessels are depleted, a repletion is forthwith made ob fugam vacui, to avoid vacuity, but the supply is from what comes next: Foras intrô as well as intro foras, however there is no straight immediate Revulsion intended from the part affected to the Orifice.  
In the upshot this is but a contingent Cure, not at all Rizotomous, which ought to be performed by those things which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, dulcifying the acid Latex, carrying it off through all its Emunctories, rectifying the stomach, and mortifying the malignity not by attracting into the fistulary Receptacles, that which will undoubtedly, do mischief for the future. For 'tis verified by observation, they who recover by this Apospastick means do for the most part find a great Debility succeeding, are incident to Empyema's, Consumptions, and prone to relapse into the like condition again. On the other side those who rise from their sick beds, restored by virtue of adequate Remedies are secured from the  discommodities. Assuredly of all those Pleuriticks, I have handled above these half score years, I have not known one after their evasion procured by a legitimate form of Physic; either live Crazy, fall into secondary calamities, or recidivate into a Languor of the like Idea.  
As to that, the party of the adverse opinion urges in behalf of Phlebotomy, that when ever there is any notable stagnation or coagulation in the blood it is hereby set in free circulation, which liberal current being acquired, a subtiliation and dissolution is made of stubborn Concretions, obstructing the passages, endangering the loss of vital functions, I in no wise subscribe. For seeing Grumosities or Coagulations are for the most part contracted either in the Capillary vessels (seldomer in the greater, unless the poison be graduated) or out of them procured by an acid or malignant cause: I cannot understand how this depromption of the fluid juice should so set in motion what is condensed in either of the foresaid places, that thereby a dissolution can be made thereof, much less can abolish the Renet-like or venomous cause. Certainly were there not a wilful fallacy in men's judgements, they would easily perceive how the greater quantity of the spirituous, subtle, liquid part is deducted the more, contumacious to remove must needs be the vapid, gross, tenacious left behind, and the Archaeus made more unable to resist the pungitive curdling malignity.  
And although Apoplectical strangulated persons seem to receive benefit by sanguimission from a strange unwelcome alteration suddenly made, which rouses up the Archaeus to exert its ultimate power to blow up the spark of life: Nam Animi Actiones incidente aliqua occasione fortius agunt presertim in Morituris saith Duretus. The soul upon a stress acts most vigorously as is observed in those nigh death. Notwithstanding this Alarm is but given to the sentinel of life by this puncture to do something if possible upon the apprehension of its loss for the profligation of the enemy, now lodging in its Territories: All this while not one jot of the specific venom or acid Latex thickening the blood and spirits, making them Rigid and , is touched to any purpose. Where as a single design to relieve this syderated or suffocated Patient were to give him if he can swallow down medicines which have a Leptomerie in them, such as Sal. Tart. Volo. and other highly exalted sulphureous Alexipharmaca, which have an influential faculty can permeate into all parts, quicken the Archaeus, absterge, incide, and dissolve whatsoever grumous, spurious, or congealed matter they meet with, and to counterpoise any thing virulent.  
If any ingenious man still continue to be after all these weighty Arguments against bleeding, of astaggering mind whether he should assent to what I have alleged against it. I shall only request such an one to accompany me in the visiting those Patients, who are very Plethoric, Cacochymick, afflicted with a scorching heat, the Pleurisy, Squinzie, etc. and to take notice of my Prognostics and Therapeuticks, i. e. how I cure such according to the verity of my predictions without the sharp iron, for the confutation of the sanguineous evacuation supposed to be ordained for depuration, Refrigeration, Revulsion, and dissolution of any Grumosity or unkindly Concretions. If I do not convince him (if he be candidly inclined to know) that our Chemical method is the best: let my mouth be for ever hereafter stopped from uttering the least syllable in derogation of the Galenical process.  
I hope likewise whosoever takes up Pen to defend the contrary by his conceited Theory, will not think much if I justly put him to the trial of practice, for the confirmation of what he writes: otherwise I suppose he will be censured to do me wrong by all truly virtuous persons, as for others I value them not, sigh I never expect right from such.  
Wherefore dear ingenious Countrymen, whose wellbeing I exceedingly tender: let no cunning Sophister work upon you by his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, persuasive terms of Rhetoric, that Phlebotomy is Equivalent with the best Remedies for the Correction of the impurity of the blood: But give ear to my Counsel following, observing this method, when at any time ye find your health impaired, and the juices of the body revolted from their good state, have special care to regulate the stomach, whose Archaeus, Ferments, and digestion are precedent over all the rest. In this principal part are sowed the seeds of sanity and infirmity, here are the Idaea's of valetude and invaletude chief portrayed, although all the membranes, as the Womb, Dura & Pia Mater, etc. have according to Helmont Admirandas Potestates, admirable faculties inherent in them, yet this surpasses claiming Sovereignty over them all and their Contents, insomuch as cathartics, Diaphoreticks, Diuretics, Apostethicks, and whatsoever carries off by the Haemorrhoidal or uterine vessels, must first be approved here if they be properly effectual to bring to pass the end intended. Wherefore the direct means to make all excretions of noxious matter in general successful, is to begin with this Noble Ventricle to cleanse away whatsoever impurity is already contained in it, or is Anarrhopon flows in thither from other parts: which is chief to be performed, Per Emesimvel Ptysim, by vomiting or spitting, if nature be so pleased to throw it off this way, if not, let it be such an Emetic which may square with the Genius or inclination of the Archaeus, to carry the morbific matter through what sluice it pleases, without damnifying or making any ill impression on the stomach. Because I see great errors frequently committed by Galeno-Chymists in the oblation of vomitive medicines (insomuch as they become scandalous to many, not enduring to hear the very name mentioned) I am forced to tell them plainly, they neither know how to prepare dextrously an Emetic, which can humour and comply with nature, neither if they had it, could they tell how to use it as long as they still tie themselves up so strictly to their obsolete method. 'Tis not Squils, infusion of Crocus-metal: or other crude uncorrected Antimonial, Mercurial, Manufacture of the shops, I mean, when I commend a vomit. In no wise: But 1. 'Tis as I have elsewhere characterized it. So friendly to this tender membrane, that if it chance not to purge up-ward or downward, yet doth it operate other ways profitably without leaving any mark of virulency behind. 2. Next it carries off electively what it finds bad, not perverting any thing good. 3. It keeps up the vital spirits, exciting, illuminating, corroborating them to exclude whatsoever infests them. 4. It profligates excrements every way from the centre to circumference, as well as in a direct line. 5. It resists malignity, dulcifies acidities, reforms the ferments, pro Modulo, according to the sphere of its activity. The ice being thus far broken, the Kitchen being in part made clean, a door is set open for the mundifying the other Rooms, wherein lodge the vital juices defiled with the mixture of divers alienated Liquors, dross, and filth. Here urinous and acid spirits rightly provided and duly administered, carry a great stroke, not suffering the Physician to be ashamed of what he undertakes.  
Yet note, I intent not the Seplasiarie spirits made more for lucre than Cure: these indeed may be put in practice, and thought to be sufficient by a formal prescriber, but certainly can never satisfy a sincere inquisitive Chemist; who knows they can never execute great things, unless they be corrected and advanced to a sublime condition of purity. If ye presently put me to the question how this may be done, I straight return this answer, by labour of Head and your own Hand Improve, stilling as well as Reading, than I dare engage such refined Wits as yours will quickly find out the intricacy of these things. But be sure you work with your own fingers, not committing the pursuit of such Arcana's to another, whose entire desires are faint, and abilities too weak to attain to such an excellency.  
Acid and urinous spirits meliorated and brought to the highest Climacterical pitch of clarity, are most commendable Remedies, earnestly to be sought after by every one who is ambitious to be well versed in Physical Sophy, but fixed Alkalies, i. e. Lixiviate salts volatilised in a genuine manner without extorsion surmount all other, except the great dissolvent. Some progress I have made in the acquisition of these volatiles, enough to satisfy me fully (notwithstanding any sugillation of the credit of so a great a Hero) concerning the truth of what Van Helmont sets down, p. 298. de Potestate Medica Adeo ut fixa Alkalia si volatilizentur, magnorum Pharmacorum Potestates Adaequent: Quip vi incisionis Resolutionis & Abstersionis, delata usque ad limen quartae digestionis tenacitatem Coagulatorum in vasis fundamentaliter t●ll● 〈◊〉 i. e. Insomuch if fixed Alkalies be made volati●e, they are advanced to noble Remedies. For being admitted in●o the fourth digestion, having a virtue to attenuate, dissolve, and cleanse, they utterly destroy all stubborn coagulations Likewise in cap. 1. de Passiva Decep. Scho. p. 122. he declares, Sin vero penitiori recessu aliquid pertinacius occultiusque restiterit: assumenda sunt A●kalia volatilia, quae instar Saponis cuncta abstergunt. Mirum, sane quantum Sal. Tartari, vel unici, volatile factum non praestiterit: nam omnem è venis Amurcam detergit, & Obstruentium contumaciam, dispergitque Apostematum suscepta conciliabula. If any stubborn matter lies couched in the innermost parts, take volatile Alkalies which scour away whatsoever foulness they meet with like Soap. 'Tis to be admired what salt of Tartar brought to volatilitie is able to do of itself, for it cleanses from the veins every dreggy, filthy stuff therein contained, opens obstinate obstructions, and scatters the Collection of any imposthumated matter wheresoever it harbours.  
Whosoever is master of this spiritual fire, need not fear to consume any superfluities and foulness in the vessels without this mischievous sanguimission, yea, he abominates any such anomolous course of attempting to Cure by the abscission of the vital strength. Become than ye Learned Doctors, Zeteticks, sedulous inquisitors herein, never desisting till ye be throughly acquainted with the Philosophical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, preparation and use of this spiritual substance, which as Poleman expresses, Per se & solus tant●… vertutes habet in medicina, ut quis multiplices innameras vires ejus non satis posset mirari, i. e. is of itself so rare a medicine, that a man cannot but stand amazed to see the sundry virtues thereof, not to be reckoned up. That great Reformer of Physic Van Helmont hath in many places of his Writings given us much Light concerning the beginning, progress and consummation of this singular Arcanum, neither have some of his Disciples been wanting to illustrate to us the Mystery of volatiles, as the forenamed Poleman in lib. de Sulphur Philos. likewise Dr. Starkey, in his Pyrotechnie, a most deserving Tract, for which the world is not a little obliged to him: Were our Linguists industrious, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to work themselves, and to make inspection into their Handiworks with their own eyes, they would soon aspire to great endowments, for the recovery of the honour and Reputation of this faculty. Then none need use Arguments and proofs against Phlebotomy, for of their own accord they would forthwith lay it aside, recanting with detestation that they were so mistaken.  
Fall to your business, therefore ye literate juniors (if the Seniors think scorn) persevering to take artificially in pieces the Republic of salts, afterward joining together in a congruous friendly manner, their parts corrected and highly clarified, doubt not but ye will purchase such satisfaction herein, that ye will all become as zealous Anti-phlebotomists as myself, utterly renouncing the hodg-podge of the Galenical shops. Having once got these spiritual essential salts, ye possess a key to open Nature's Closet, where ye may be furnished with all utenfils fitting to make a Physician complete. Hereby ye will be able to unlock the fast enclosed sulphurs of Metals and Minerals, whose virtues explicated in the microcosm, are like so many benevolent Planets, illuminating and sweetly moving the vital spirits to perform all functions aright. As kindly Emetics and volatiles are destinated for the ablation of the irritating or occasional matter of diseases, so glorified sulphurs serve to the immediate demolition of the disease seated in the very bosom of the Archaeus, which being irradiated, actuated, well pleased, and fortified, doth forthwith obliterate that black exotic hostile Idea imprinted in it, exploding the Nosopoietick cause thereof: Sale & Sole nihil utilius, is certainly true, nothing in the universe is more conducible for the well-being of man's life, than true spiritualised salt, the sulphur of Gold, any other Metal or Mineral exalted to its requisite perfection. For as the Celestial Sun doth heat, cherish, enlighten, and rouse up the spirit of all things in general, whereby procreation, nutrition, accretion, and maturation is exercised for the continuation of the species. So these Terrestrial Solar Sulphurs do by their influence upon every individual Archaeus proportionably warm, foment, and animate it to the subduing Secretion & expulsion of whatsoever obscures the Lamp of Life, introducing annihilation thereof. He who hath acquired any of these nobilitated sulphurs, may really say he is an Adeptus Possessor of a Panacaea. Sunt videlicet saith our Philosopher Sulphura quaedam quibus correctis atque perfectis tota morborum cohors auscultat utpote quorum pluralitas in unitatem Archei tanquam in pugnantem pugnum contrahitur: There are some refined sulphurs brought to a high degree of perfection which make a whole Regiment of diseases to truckle under them. For let them be never so many, they are all comprehended as it were within the Clutches of one Archaeus. As their sanative power is of unlimited extent, diffusing itself quaquaversum, in this Epitome of the great world, so likewise is their virtue inexhaustible, divine goodness expressing itself as bountifully liberal to indigent man in perpetuating the gift of healing, once conferred upon them as he was in a continual supply of the Cruse of Oil, for the sustenance of the poor widow. For after you have once made use of this luminous metalline Remedy for the Cure of any, the same may be used many hundreds of times with equal success as at first, without the least Consumption of its rare endowment, or diminution of its weight or bulk. For the manifestation of th●s truth, our great Philosopher hath given us a pregnant instance in crude Mercury, which if it be steeped in a large quantity of Water, doth imbue it with an excellent property to kill all manner of worms, yet doth it not lose the least jot of its substance. Sic unica uncia saith he, Argenti vivi millies poterit mensuram aquae infirere, attamen permanere in pondere & proprietate pristinis, i. e. Thus an ounce of Quicksilver is able to slain virtually a pint and half of fair water a thousand times, yet to continue in its integral weight and quality as before. Wherefore undoubtedly as he proceeds there are Agents which operate always freely, indefatigably without any passion or reaction of the Patient, Perstante eodem semper sui pondere, Aequipollent and Aequiponderant to what they were at first. This and other examples, which I could procure are sufficient to convince any one intelligent, that if we would patiently put our own hands to the fire, such Divine inconsumptible medicines might be procured, which would make the Art and Artist flourish again, and totally abolish this Truculent effusion of blood. Did we dexterously Anatomize Venus Stibium, native Cinnabar, etc. we should at length enucleate such a Celestial fire out of these Terrestrial undervalved gross bodies, which would consume many Truculent contumacious Maladies, the Apoplexy, Epilepsy, Dropsy, Consumption, Madness, Scurvy, Venereal Plague, etc. in some measure actively, as the Culinary fire doth any combustible matter, then would appear plainly where the Idaea's of all infirmities do first take up their station or mansion, not in Putatitions, Quinary principles, nor in the nerves as the Doctor delivers, unless secondarily, but in this lofty fair Arched Room, where the soul doth fit in Council for the Regular Oeconomie of the whole Family. Had we once obtained, this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Philosophical Sulphur, we should easily master this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Hip. that morbific malignity or venom, a reason whereof because he was not able to render, he gave it this Appellation. For no sooner are these clear bright Remedies taken into the stomach, but it may easily be perceived how they display their beams, irradiating and illuminating every dark corner, whereby health is accomplished either by altering the vitals, or by appeasing them, the greatest part of indigested dross remaining still behind, which provoked them to passion. 'Tis certain as our Author attests, the foresaid Mercurial water destroys all kind of Worms, yet being quickly carried away by urine, comes not corporally to the place where they harbour, but Basilisk-like by very Aspect it strangely mortifies them without incurring that danger which I have observed in the sumption of Mercurius dulcis. Did I not own some Arcana's, whose energy suits with what our Philosopher extols (I confess) I should a little suspend my belief, and eagerly seek after a knowing person, whom I apprehend to be able experimentally to demonstrate any thing tending to the satisfaction of this scruple: but being convinced by practise, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in great part, that there are fixed metalline graduated medicines, which according to this great Physiologist operate upon the Archaeus abstrusely in an Heteroclite manner differing from the vulgar, citra sui dissolutionem aut interitum, citra sui Penetrationem, Intro admissionem, Commisturam & Commutationem, their virtues being not at all weakened or decayed their substance either not taken in, or going no farther than the stomach and intestines not mixed with any thing else or altered: I cannot but assert this Superlative way of Cure which Paracelsus, Helmont, Butler, and other Philosophers were acquainted with, to be fundamental and infallible according to the capacity of the Patient. To conclude, if this can be effected, as I question not satisfactorily to illustrate the same: Then Dr. Willis and all his adherents do err toto Coelo egregiously, in laying such a sandy foundation of principles, the Phlebotomical superstructure being raised thereon, which must of necessity come to Ruin. For who but one wanting Hellebore would defend a method of Curing so uncertain debilitating nature, shortening the life, prolonging maladies, or inviting them again, and oppose a secure means, corroborating the vitals, lengthening the days, and overthrowing the very Basis of all infirmities.     


A brief Animadversion upon some notable Errors committed by Dr. Betts in his Tract de Ortu & Natura Sanguinis.  
I Cannot yet Repose my Pen, till I make some Correction in short upon a late Treatise, de Ortu & Natura Sanguinis, written by Dr. Betts, in which I confess I expected great things for my Medical instructions: but having taken a survey thereof, I was far from reaping benefit thereby, so that I did not a little admire that any professed Philosopher should at this day, when the Sunshine of Truth is so experimentally Emicant, bring upon the Theatre of this sagacious Age such Antiquated Errors of the Peripatetics, justly exploded by all Learned Pyrotechnists. Although he taxes not without cause the Chemists for erecting principles extracted by the torture of the fire, and so made de Novo, for the composition of all bodies: yet he endeavours here to revive a Doctrine not only not plausible, but very absurd in physiology, and exceeding noxious in Pathology; for which reason I must beg pardon if for my Neighbour's sake, I plainly detect some remarkable Passive mistakes (I will not say Active) of which I am certain according to Evidence he is guilty, to the prejudice of Mankind.  
First, touching his Analysis of the Lacteous juice contained in the vessels, the immediate matter of blood into Serous, Butyrous, and Caseous parts, deduced from the external separation of milk, a body ultimately perfected into Whey, Butter, and Cheese, I cannot understand how he can maintain any such real alteration and sequestration to be made by nature for generation of spirits and nutrition. 'Tis granted a serum Latex or wheyish Liquor arising in the second digestion, chief from what is potable runs along with the blood as a vehicle to it, keeping it in due fluidity, that it may the better pass into all parts, and carry off several impurities by sweat and urine, and other passages; this indeed may have some Analogy with the Whey of Milk, yet is this more simple, not so capable to be divided into parts as the whey of milk, neither doth this concur with that in respect of the manner and means of their disjunction, for one arises from corruption caused in the open air, the other from a preservative ferment within the bowels, the one is brought to its ultimate perfection in facto esse: the other in its progress tends to further uses, to be changed as the fermentative Corpuscles of every particular place shall require. This Liquor is most visible, floating superficially in the porringer, but for the Butter-like and Cheese-like parts, I could never yet behold their separation in any blood rightly constituted. There is in the Cruor or cruder part of the blood a disposition or potential capacity to be formally changed into fat Membranes, Veins, Arteries, Nerves, G●is●es, Bones into purest Blood, Milk, and seed by power of the seminal Archaeus, operating by active ferments, not by heat as any efficient cause, which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 impossible, as I shall show hereafter: but I cannot apprehend how Butyrous or Caseous Portions of a substance, having acquired its destinated end for the Lactation of the young, being disjoined by the Air or by Art, destroying its texture should be so far concerned as to establish therein the Origination of spirits, accretion, nutrition, and generation, so that this white juice, the Chime intermixed with the blood, should contain the same Heterogeneities, as Milk made a complete entire body by the Archaeus and ferments reciding in the Glandles of the breast.  
Show me if you can any pinguedinous or Caseous matter in the blood, unless fabricated by Vulcan proportionable to the parts of milk, then will I listen to your Lacteous division of this rubefied juice, which being Homogeneous is sufficient without any milky partition to repair by means of archeal ferments, all that is Continent or contained in the body, in the same manner as I have seen an hundred different sorts of Plants, bitter, sweet, sharp, acrid, austere, resinous, corrosive, purging, venomous, fed and vegetated in a very small compass of Earth by Water. The seminal ferment of each Root changing this similar Liquor attracted into a substance agreeable to its specific nature. (A digestion or rarefaction, being made in the Root as it were the stomach of the vegetable) it becomes capable to be transmuted by a metamorphizing Zymosis or seminal spiritual diffusion of magnetic Gorganical effluviums arising from the alterant, penetrating the matter alterable, whereby it becomes one with the Bark, Stock, Stem, Leaf, Flowers and fruit.  
Thus the Chyle having received in the stomach of animals a previous umbratile signature for that ultimate end destinated, is in the second digestion converted by the felleous contact from acid into saline, being made more volatile in the intestines, from whence this white Liquor passing through pipes, is swallowed up by the veins, and there rubefied by an urinous like salt, then falling into the right ventricle, as into a gulf, where being agitated by a most spirituous Zumôsis, it forthwith impetuously boils up into the Lungs, being whirled about into another profundity, the lest ventricle, out of which it is violently forced by a strong current into the utmost confines: hence is it again circulated or pelecanised. Thus in all these shops it enters, is it by means of ferments and motion more and more refined, simplified, and volatilised, that it may be the more easily convertible into the identical substance of every part, altering what is needful for proper uses.  
The same matter which serves the fabrication, augmentation, and nutrition of the tender membranes, is also ordained for the structure of a Rigid Bone, and that which is allotted for both, may also become spirituous if the Archaeus so please, without first as it were Churning, and adding a Renet thereto that Butyrous and Caseous parts may be elicitated, for whatsoever restores this frail body of man, must be made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, i. e. volatile before it come to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, fixed or solid: so that the Coagulation proceeds not from the nutritious juice, but from the part to be nourished: As for the Creation of spirits, which Dr. Betts would have to arise from a Butyrous matter, by virtue of heat efficiently, as he delivers in p. 252. Butyrosa à caloris actione in spiritus abit, is by no means to be admitted for truth, by a Physical inquirer, who studies to improve his knowledge for the benefit of others: For first I find no sequestration of any thing really pinquedinous in the blood after it hath stood sometime in the Porringer, no unctuosity or inflammability of parts, yea if it be put to the test of the fire little oily substance is extracted therefrom, in comparison of what is saline. Secondly, neither whatsoever is fatty is easily convertible into spirits, unless by ferment and addition of something else it becomes saline; for as long as it remains unctuous, it doth by its laxity and softness hinder tensity and activity requisite for whatsoever is spirituous consisting of saline particles: for if you draw over in glasses by what gradual heat soever mere oil by itself an hundred times, yet still will it remain oil, it may indeed be purified and made more subtle by reason of the grosser part remaining behind, as a common effect of the fire, yet cannot it be changed by this bare process, so as to be properly termed a spirit. The efficient cause reckoned by the Doctor to be heat, for the framing of spirits is very insufficient: For how can that be said to be the principal Agent of making any thing which is made thereby, for sith as Helmont truly declares the spirits issue from a fermentation and motion of the blood subtiliated and illuminated vitally; how can heat be any more than a mere adjacent or consequent, depending accidentally upon what went before in the same manner as fire succeeds the rapid motion of nitrous effluviums emitted by strong and sudden mutual concussions of the Flint and Steel. 'Tis not possible the native heat of Animals, of which fishes are actually deprived, working upon the Butyrous part of the blood (but where existent I would fain see) should produce as our Peripatetic sets down page the 147. Mixtum quoddam aliquanto plus igneae Naturae continens, a certain mixed thing somewhat of a fiery nature which he would have to feed upon the unctuous Radical moisture in the same manner as our Culinary fire doth prey upon pinguedinous combustibles. Here he minces the matter, describing the essence of animal spirits to be of a fiery condition, so that being very much to seek what they are, he seems to vacillate in his intellect, thinking it enough, if he tell us 'tis as it were fire, but no fire, that is indeed he knows not what. Yet in another place (where he speaks of an uncessant carrying of every little particle of the blood by insensible transpiration) his words are positive, page 300, Quare cum in sanguine puro emineat inque eo altè ac ubique insideat ignis, idem in corpore humano efficiet, i. e. expressing how fire diffuses itself every way from the Centre to the Circumference, bearing along with it the particles of every thing intimately involved in it. Wherefore seeing there is an apparent fire every where still seated in the pure blood, it will perform the same in man's body; which I absolutely deny can be done by fire, fine Capite mortuo, without residence to the perpetual prejudice of the health.  
'Tis one of the greatest riddles in the world to me, that fire should be actually in a place most uncapable of it, where great quantity of moisture much abounds, or if it be really present, as is here asserted that it doth not quickly destroy that body where it harbours: for fire being an anomalous Ens, neither substance, nor an accident, created for the special use of man, is always of a voracious nature, and is never seen but in some fit subject: which it either quickly altars or consumes. Were there any thing of fire in man's composition, it would either be quickly extinguished, or the frame of that body soon consumed. Neither is it enough to mitigate this Hypothesis, to allege that the purer part of the blood & spirits are of an igneous nature, though not formally fire or flame. This is but to puzzle & wilder our understanding, to make us more to seek what the spirits are: for if they be fiery, they must needs have in them that which agrees with the properties of fire, as to burn, consume, inflame, separate: otherwise the Epithet is very ill appropriated thereto: now according to our Philosopher, Non verus censetur ignis, qui non summo gradu ferveat connexiis Radiis in Cono Luminis centraliter haereat, i. e. that can never be reputed real fire, which is not hot in the highest degree, inhering centrally in the beams conjoined in the cone of Light, whether there be any such graduated heat in man's body, let any judge by his sense of feeling. Who ever felt any thing of fire in the healthful blood of any animal dissected alive. Are not the blood of fishes actually cold? yet are they full of spirits, as appears by their strength, pernicity, and extraordinary digestion.  
Certainly were there any fiery heat in our bodies, it would be most pespicuous in that place where it might be most requisite the first digestion, which our Peripatetic would have performed by it as an efficient cause. I wonder any one dare obtrude such absurd Tenants upon this nice circumspect age, contrary to all sense and reason. Great gobbets of hard substances, even stones are dissolved in some men's stomaches: bones in dogs, Glass, Stones, Iron, in winged creatures, whole fishes devoured and digested by others: The Shark can bring to a Chale by a specific ferment, the leg of a Man or Horse, sooner than the culinary fire can calcine it, yet are not the stomach of any of these tangibly a little more than lukewarm, and some actually cold.  
Will any virtuous person experimentous subscribe, that a Chimaerical heat of a fiery nature, I know not where, nor what, no way truly discoverable can produce this rare vital Analytical effects. Moreover, fire can but heat, rarefy, condense, and disgregate, sending packing the thinner part, the grosser remaining behind: but it can never make a seminal formal transmutation of a thing which only belongs to fermental operations, excited by an accidental heat, but never intrinsically fabricated thereby, as our Peripatetic undertakes to indigitate, making light to pass over the mystery of fermentation, sicco pede, as if it consisted in nothing else but a certain Rarefaction from heat, chief fire, that being a bare quality never subsisting alone, in no wise capable of itself to produce a substance, that a Heteroclite creature destinated to destroy, not to generate; for as much as it certainly mortifies all seeds: wherefore the Nativity of the vital spirits can never be from heat, efficiently subtiliating a pinguedinous matter, from which results an unctuous fuliginous spirit (for that is the utmost solitary heat can bring forth according to any mechanical trial, which our humorist calls a mixed thing of a fiery nature, continually maintained by this oleaceous like substance, as the flame of a Candle by the attenuated particles of Wax or Tallow. Those Allusions, Comparisons, Analogies, and Metaphors which are cited to give Light to the abstruse operations of nature, to the end that we may be more edified & meliorated in the Therapeutical Science (suppose they still keep their distance, not invading the privilege of vital Ergasie, whose secret working is not to be every way matched or demonstrated by any sublunary thing whatsoever inanimate) I am very well pleased and affected with, but when the shadow shall stand in competition with the substance, as of equal validity with it, the simile or Representation presume an univocal equality in every respect with the thing represented, and that to the detriment, if not the subversion of the Life and Soul of man in reference to the Curative part of Physic. Such metaphorical expressions, comparisons, etc. I justly abominate and detest. What truculent mischiefs come upon this and such like erroneous principles of Dr. Betts, is sufficiently known to those whose Physical speculations are sincerely regulated by the Canon of solid and Authentic experiments in practice. For according to this Doctrine of heat as a principal Agent of all actions in the body, and the igneity of the spirits, the Galenists curiously insist upon the impertinent and Treacherous qualities of Calidity and Frigidity of Medicines, for the Cure of most atrocious diseases, neglecting the seminal, formal, specific; luminous, and spirituous virtues of effectual Remedies.  
That the essential structure of the vital spirit may be more clearly understood, for the sanative benefit of mankind I shall borrow our Great Philosopher's definition, pag. 443. de Aura vit. Est spiritus vitalis sanguis per vim fermenti & motus cordis resolutus in Auram salsam illuminatam vitaliter, i. e. the vital spirit is pure blood, relented or broken by the power of a ferment and motion of the heart, into a thin airy salt substance, endued with vital light.  
The material cause is pure Homogeneous blood, part whereof is changed by the efficient power of a ferment and vigorous motion of the heart into a substance, as subtle as the clearest air of a saline nature, (not pinguedinous) where it becomes capable of luminous (not igneous) vitality, which light in man and other Terrestrial creatures effectively is hot, but in fishes actually cold.  
I must wave for brevity sake to make a strict comment upon this definition, and shall only at this time endeavour to prove that the vital spirits are saline, luminous, without unctuosity or igneity.  
1. Whatsoever concrete is disposed to be spiritualised, aught according Pyrotomy to contain saline parts.  
2. That matter which contains parts most salsuginous, far beyond any pinguedinous, is in all Reason more inclinable to be converted into saline exhalations, such is the blood.  
3. It is observed, the incessant work and grand design of Nature is to produce abundance of salt in the macrocosm, as appears by the copious Niter in the Air, and the notable brinishness in the Sea, being therefore called Salum. Wherefore we may very well argue the same to be acted in the microcosm.  
4. 'Tis mechanically demonstrable, two saline Liquors of a different kind being mixed with each other, doth forthwith raise a spumous ebullition, ejaculating a Gas or wild spirit incoercible, which like motion is not observed in the tangible concurrence of two Sulphurs how different soever.  
5. The most strong, impetuous, explosive motion is commonly seen to proceed from nitrous matter, exceedingly advanced in its Tonitruous eruption by an Alkali.  
6. Art can far more easily change a sulphureous or pinguedinous matter into salt, than this into that, as is visible in common sulphur: hence we may take notice of a tendency or propensity in every concrete to arrive to this substance.  
7. It is very considerable what abundance of salt is daily made in the body of man, let the Aliment be never so fresh: Witness Urine, Tears, etc.  
8. All parts of man put to the fire afford a great quantity of salt, especially the Bones and Blood; yea, the excrements are full fraught therewith.  
9 The blood in Dropsies is colliquated into a salsuginous Ichor.  
10. Most diseases have their material irritating cause from a saline fretting Liquor.  
11. The better sort of Remedies are Haliptêtica volatile salts, which have great affinity with the vital spirit, symbolising with it, being quickly identified with it.  
12. Spirit of Wine, with which the vital spirit ●olds much correspondence, is by contact thereof transmuted into a salurinous like condition, losing its igneity and inflammability which it had before in the same manner, as when affused to sal. Tartari, whatsoever was before sulphureous and combustible in it, becomes Tartareous.  
13. 'Tis apparent when any part is benumbed through compression, hindering the free course of the spirits: that upon their return here is a pungitive sense as it were of a multitude of Acicles or small needles which can be attributed to nothing more than to saline particles.  
14. The Chromatism or various colour of bodies is chief attributed to salts simple or intermixed: wherefore this deeply red tinged liquor may in all likelihood arise from a copious salt in the blood whence the spirits emerge.  
Lastly, I doubt not to prepare such a Halipneumatical spirit of so nigh kin, Concordance as it were, Cousin German to the Animal: that upon the approach of each other they shall forthwith embrace and be married together.  
These foresaid experimental effects, with their circumstances being duly weighed, any but one very obstinate may be induced comparatis comparandis per Analogismum, to grant that this tenuicle expiration of the blood is of a saline Hypostasis.  
In the next place we are to contemplate the Luminosity of the spirits, wherein I shall contract what I could deliver at large, chief aiming at an Hygiastick end, that sickly man may be relielieved. For confutation of Dr. Betts his opinion, that Light is a corporeal substance, I shall refer him to that Learned Philosophical Tract of Helmont, De Ortu Forma, which I dare aver all the Wits of the Galenists were they concentrated in one, are not able to disprove. 'Tis enough ●f I can at this time instruct the Reader for a practical improvement of his knowledge, that the Archaeus hath in it a formal or vital Light not igneous.  
1. 'Tis certain there is a Light accensed without fire or heat.  
2. Sith heat is an inseparable property of a fiery Light where e'er this is existent, that must needs be apparent. Now in fishes there is no actual tangible heat, yet do they abound with Luminous spirits as well as creatures living in the air. For this we may conclude their Light ●s not fiery.  
3. Let a fiery light be so modified or regulated, that it become tepid or gently warm: yet cannot it efficiently produce an essential form, all it can do is to excite and put the Architectonical spirit in the seed into action. If its Luminous beams be united it torrefies, forcibly altars, dissolves, and consumes every Concrete: so that now it only deserves the name of a Destroyer, not a Genitor or Preserver.  
4. No sooner was the Heavens and Earth created, but the spirit, the principal Agent of all things living moved upon the waters, the material cause of whatsoever was destinated for a being. This spirit was not only Luminous, but the fountain of Light, which in a sort brooding upon this Element, made a previous disposition in it for future productions. Afterward the igneous Light being created, then diffused in an ample manner every way, was by the command of the omnipotent gathered together, and as it were conglomerated into the Globe of the Sun, whose fomenting beams being displayed and darted upon this Terrestrial Orb in their just mediocrity, do stir up, allure, and provoke that splendid spirit succedaneous or Vicegerent to that Protopneuma (w●th which all the System of this sublunary world is impregnated) to prolification and Reception of forms essential, vital, and substantial.  
5. We have no Reason to question otherwise, but the Light of the Moon is fontally cold, as the Sun is hot. That having a Blas or Influence upon Water and Fishes living therein. This upon the Air, and whatsoever breathes therein: so that 'tis plain, the Photism or Illumination of the spirits of all Animals hath no essential dependence upon the fire: but upon a vital formal principle specified and individuated, which makes the quiddity of the thing.  
6. Nothing expresses more visible lustre and lucidity than salt, or what is seasoned therewith, as is evident in the Sea, Bones, Glass, Precious Stones, which may by a Technical Process be reduced totally into Salt. Sigh then the spirits be saline no better subject can be imagined wherein the vital Phosphorus can better reside. Neither is there need of any sulphureous particles to feed it: for as much as it is not of a nature like the Culinary fire, no longer continuing than it is maintained with something pinguedinous.  
7. The Clarity, Diaphaneity, and Lucidity of the spirit, is most remarkable in the eye, consisting of an Aqueous, Vitreous, and Crystalline humour involved in proper Tunicles, which parts being moist and cold, are a very unfitting subject to entertain any thing of a fiery Nature.  
8. If the spirits had any Igneous Light in them, the eyes of Cats, Owls, Bats, would illuminate the medium. It being proper to fire, to send forth bright enlightening beams wheresoever it is, if not intercepted. But no such Radiant lustre is emitted from them, therefore igneity cannot be present.  
9 Nothing more lively represents Lucidity of the spirits, than the Gloworm, yet is there nothing of perceptible heat to be found in this Insect.  
Lastly, Metalline and mineral sulphurs are (not without merit) said to be full of Light, yea some of them carry the denomination of fire, yet are we not to understand this otherwise than in a metaphorical sense. For if it were meant a mere literal fire, it must either be Intense, i. e. Light gathered together Centrally, which must of necessity according to its property destroy not preserve, or it must be Remiss in its degree, i. e. Igneum Calidum, a moderate heat: then would it exert its virtue only by heating, not able to reach to a greater excellency. It's active energy depending upon heat principally would quickly (as the subject matter wherein it lodges is exhausted) become flaccid, depauperated, and at length quite annihilated. Seeing therefore these sulphurs are exempted from any such destructive, manifest easily tired out operations. We must be forced to give in our suffrage that this formal light in them by which they act to amazement, imitating as it were vitality, takes its Pedigree from a more Illustrious extract, differing toto Genere, from that which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a burning light.  
This Problem being so far illustrated, we must be forced to grant that the spirits as they are saline; so are they endued with a formal light, differing from what is fiery.  
If so, then 'tis plain Dr. Betts and those of that Sect take an absolute, indirect course to Cure diseases by Insipid, Waterish, Cooling, Unctuous, Dreggy, Lutulent, Muccaginous, Glutinous Medicines, full of darkness and obscurity, lightly regarding to seek after (by labouring with their own Hands) those Remedies which symbolise being of affinity with the vitals, such a● are sublimed saline spirits, volatile Alkalies, bright, Luminous, glorified sulphurs.  
If this Peripatetic had but the gift of healing by means of such Arcana (the true use whereof if he please, I can show him) he would no longer be Haemoborus, a Consumer of this precious Balsam, nimis Auctum, whensoever as he misconceives it too much abounds, taxing us of Haemophobia, as in p. 304. because we spare to let it out good or bad promiscuously, being better acquainted than himself with the efficient material cause thereof.  
In a word, let me but enjoy so much of a fair reasonable request, that this Phlebotomist will stand to equal trials, referring the Arbitrement to those who are guided by my Lord Verulam's Rules. I shall oppignerate or depose any thing of what value soever I possess, supposed he will engage the same: that I can make it appear practically, that Apoplexies, Fevers, any excessive haemorrhagy or the like do not arise, as he asserts in page 305. from mere fullness of blood, but rather from something extremely acid, acrimonious, degenerate, venomous, or malignant lurking therein.   

A Stomachical Spirit or Essence commended to the World.  
HAving in this foregoing Treatise of the Cure of diseases seated in the blood mentioned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, frequently proclaiming usque ad Ravim, that whosoever will act the part of an Honest, Able Physician in order to sanation, must use his utmost endeavour to preserve in health, as also to restore in sickness, the Eutonie and vigour of the stomach, the Mine, Fountain, Root, and Womb of most infirmities, (this being delivered not Gratis, but backed with practical Demonstration) I apprehend myself obliged to improve my Talon so far for the benefit of the world, this Nosocomion Catholicon, as it were an universal Spittle, that it may enjoy the use of this Alexistomachon, or Stomach-Remedy, of which I am certain none breathing on this Atmosphere but may stand in need.  
Touching its Facture or framing, although it be reckoned one of my Medical Secrets of the Lower Class, yet I shall still keep it within the Walls of my Ergastery or Chemical working place, till I perceive more Sincerity, Candor, and Gratitude abroad, than hitherto I have found.  
I suppose there are some botching Mimetick Chemists, who will not be wanting to attempt to sophisticate, adulterate it, imposing upon unwitting persons their shadow for this substance, of such I advise all to beware, for they will but disgrace and degrade the Medicine, to the prejudice of man's health, and abuse of the Art. For this I can asseverate, none shall ever without strict instructions ever find out the right Philosophical Manufacture thereof, unless he himself be both Agent and Patient, that so he may be guided by the exquisite gust, and peculiar taste of his own stomach, how to be able to correct his aberrations in the purification or exaltation of every single Concrete, as also afterwards to make a right connexion or combination of the same, that they may be brought to act tono unisono, in an harmonious manner. Take this short description of it: It is in colour usually like Amber, yet sometimes much more intense, even Ruddy. In Odour and Sapour very piercing, being very volatile, endued with great tenuity of parts, it seems to be for the present a potential fire, as it were a Caustick, threatening an Eschar: yet is it most innocent, congruous to the Archaeus or vitals, strengthening the part it toucheth, leaving not the least ill impression behind, so that I can put it into my eye without the least hurt, and have often distilled it into my ear.  
It doth as much transcend for medicinal use the common spirit or Oil of Sulphur, Vitriol, Salt, such like fretting corrosive Liquors, quantum lenta solent inter viburna Cupressi, as an Almond exceeds an Acorn in goodness. It is most durable not to be corrupted, only it hath Mercurial wings, it will quickly take its flight if it be not kept close Prisoner.  
I dare maintain there is not a Medicine of this Rank in the Nation more active, efficacious, safe, of more general profit for the life of man: (this Posterity will allow when it shall sufficiently understand it) than this Alexi Stomachon. Yea 'tis pleasant enough if rightly ordered with a proper vehicle, unless to those nice, wayward, untractable, unreasonable prejudiced persons, whom like Children, hardly any thing will please if it go under that Bugbear name of Chemical.  
The virtue of this Alexi stomachon given experimentally, is of so admirable use, that I may in verity aver it is able without an Hyperbole (let the Aristotelian unsavoury humorist value it as he please) to weigh down the monstrous bulk of an Apothecary's shop.  
It powerfully corroborates the spirits, serments, and digestion of the stomach, rectifies the Spleen, discusses, expels flatuosity, wind, etc. sweetens in some measure the sharpness of the Latex, or any fretting juice. It subtly penetrates the Veins and Arteries, being circulated with the blood, which it very much mundifies. It is Diaphoretic, causing a kindly breathing in the skin. It is also somewhat Diuretic, carrying off gravel from the Kidneys, hindering that it be not engendered, being helpful in the Dysurie and Strangury. 'Tis of great service against pains in the side, the Colic, Griping of the Guts. It is Cordial, preserving from Lypothymie, restoring those who are surprised with a defection or fainting of the spirits. It is Antiscorbutic, prevalent against the Scurvy. Anti-malignant, good against venomous Contagious diseases. Antipyreton, effectual to anticipate fevers, as likewise to help to cure the same. Antidypson, an excellent quencher of the Thirst, taking off preternatural heat or cold, by removing the efficient cause, reducing the parts to an eucrasy. Anti-hystericon, affords aid against fits of the Mother, the Whites, etc. It dissolves coagulations and grumosities, maturates crudities, abates a nauseous disposition or vomiting, subtiliates and cleanseth away slimy tenacious phlegm, giving ease in difficulty of breathing, mitigating the violence of the Phthisic. It is available against melancholy Imaginations, Hypochondriack passions, Cachexies, Dropsies, Atrophies. The frequent use thereof strengthens the Brain, Sinews, Loins, invigorating the Memory, and all the senses.  
Being outwardly applied it challenges Noble effects. For 'tis very healing, Balsamical, curing green Wounds and Soars, being lightly touched therewith often repeated. I have found it very commodious in Ambustion, scaldings, burn: Some drops being frequently distilled thereon, forced inwardly by the bottom of a smooth glass.  
I cannot but commend it experimentally, as a singular Antiodontalgick, one of the best anodynes or assuagers of the pains of the Teeth I have met with hitherto, being of great force to perserve them from corruption, withal resisting the putrefaction of the Gums.  
Neither is it to be contemned for the mitigation of the pains of any part, strengthening or quickening the Archaeus, or vital spirit thereof.  
With many more laudable properties is this Alexistomachon endued, which frequent use thereof, and a longer, strict, sedulous practice will bring to light.  
The quantity to be exhibited is of great Latititude, from one to ten: yea, I will undertake to give twenty times as much as the common portion, without the least injury to any.  
The ordinary Dose is twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty drops in a draught of any strong Liquor, as Beer, Ale, Wine, or whatsoever doth best relish with the person.  
There is no need of being precise or curious concerning the time of taking it: for when any one is Cacostomachical, troubled with indigestion, wind, pain, gripes, or any of the foresaid affects, let him take liberally thereof.  
He that constantly takes every morning thirty or forty drops, shall prevent many mischiefs in reference to his health.  
I am not ignorant the Galenists (whose Judgements in these Philosophical Manufactures, and the experimental use of this and other Spagyrical Remedies are as much depraved, as the taste of any man in a high fever) will not be wanting according to their former Tenor, rashly to censure openly, or at least privately to sugillate this salutiferous medicine, carping at it as too hot, burning, violent or strong, representing to some persons easily to be seduced Mormalocheia, Scarecrows of danger, they may incur hereby of consuming the Radical moisture, putting nature to a stress: Of the great inconveniences may come from the custom of taking this stomach spirit, adding that although it seem to do good for the present, yet in the future it will show its mischievous condition by some unhappy event. Such like defaming undervaluing Language I expect from some malevolents. But blessed be my Stars, my sense of Abuses herein is become Callous: for I value not their obloquys, being assured I can easily wipe of any of these Aspersions.  
As to what is objected, that this stomach-spirit is too hot, burning, etc. I answer, whatsoever is so properly denominated, must either harbour some corrosive fretting salt, highly exasperating the Archaeus. Or 2. Abundance of Recrements discrepant, burdensome, offensive to Nature. Or 3. A Clandestine poison, whose fermentescent Corpuscles being hostile to the vitals, stir up a preternatural ebullition, effervescence in the juices, so consequently an excessive heat.  
That there is no such evil endowment or property in this medicine, I am fully certified by experiment, and can make evident. 1. That the Textures of its particles are not in the least fretting, galling, or burning, but are symbolical and amicable to the Animal spirits, sweetly closing in with them. 2. That it is defaecated, rid of any impurity which may give the stomach any trouble in digestion, so that it is no sooner admitted, but becomes a welcome pleasing Guest, having freedom to exspatiate every way, no whit fettered with any dross or filth. 3. It is so far from any malignity, venenosity, or virulency that it is Anticacoethes, Antiphthora, an Antidote or counterpoison mortifying (pro modulo) contagious Atoms, keeping Liquors from Hyperzymôsis superfermentation, a tendency to corruption.  
The terrefying phantasm of consuming the Radical moisture doth not a jot concern this Remedy: sigh it in no wise acts proportionable to the flame on Oil, Tallow, or Wax: for these the more they are accensed, the greater expense is made of them, therefore sooner exhausted. On the other side, the more there is an Eclampsis, Effulgescence, Radiation of the vital Light by means of this shining spirit, the more any defects in the ferments and constitutives of the body are repaired, a prevention being made of their future decay, and so the life prolonged.  
This vain conceit doth truly square with the Galenical, not the Helmontian Doctrine, which as I have before explained, will not admit of the efficient material cause of spirits, to be pinguedinous and fiery.  
It is as far from truth to allege a stress or force, is put upon Nature by the efficacious power of this Remedy, as falsely to accuse any one of offering violence, who comes into the assistance of an honest Traveller, assaulted and overpowered by a Robust thief.  
A thing good of itself, is made never the better or worse by custom.  
I know no reason why any one should be afraid to drink a cup of the best C●nary at any t●me when he is faint, because he hath thoughts he may go into a place where no such pure Liquor can be purchased.  
Notwithstanding if it fall out so, he may live comfortably without it, as many can testify. It is madness to refuse what is innocently virtuous in case of great need (when ever it is offered) out of a foolish apprehension the same cannot be acquired another time. The last is a taunt, absurd, and malicious in reference to legitimate Spagyrical preparations, wherefore I set light by it; yet if any Learned Physician declare so much, I know how to deal with him: as for the contumelies of Idiots, I count them not worthy my Pen.  
Some other Eustomachicks and Haemacatharticks, cleansers of the blood, subordinate to greater Arcana, I have in store, which (according as I find a grateful Reception of this) I may bring to light.   

Certain useful Instructions pertaining to the Diet of those in a Fever, afflicted with the Scurvy, or any long Disease.  
TAking notice of the frequent Errors committed by Learned Doctors in the ordering the Diet of Acute and Chronic diseases, I conceive it my duty to reprehend the same, as likewise to deliver some Regular Diaetetical Documents, grounded upon firm medical trials, tending to the reforming several abuses herein.  
1. I observe some Physicians to scruple to give their Patients enduring extreme Thirst in a fever, a draught of any Liquor for the mitigation of the same, lest as they unadvisedly fear it should cause a greater accension of the fever, in such sort, as water cast upon burning Coals, seems almost to quench it for the present, but afterward makes it burn more intensely violent.  
Let such know their allusion to an Ens, inanimate (which upon the difflation or carrying off on a sudden a great part of fuliginous ashes obstructing the pores of the fuel, becomes more active, making a greater conflagration: the combustible being disposed thereto) will not at all excuse their indirect injunction of Abstinence from drink in a fever, being according to their testimony, hot, dry, or thirsty. Wherefore the genuine indication directs us in this Case to give Liquours which humectate, and although I am not ignorant, that sometimes Rotten, Nidorous matter, having an Odour like some thing burnt, or any filthy concretion in the stomach, may stir up in a fever excessive drought, which requires peculiar Remedies for the extinction thereof: yet many times it arises from a salsuginous Latex, or a defect of the aqueous Liquor, which without dispute requires a supply of humidity. Let none then haesitate to offer liberally what is potulent or liquid to one that is thirsty, for 'tis both necessary and consentaneous to nature so to do: yea through this omission the good juice or solid parts may suffer a deperdition. Moreover tenacious, clammy, gross excrements may by means of good moisture taken in be made more fluid, dilute, and so more capable to be expelled.  
2. I find a sort of Physicians too forward in prescribing their languishing Patients in fevers, Water-gruel, Broths, Jellies, Poched Eggs, or such like aliments, supposing thereby to keep up and restore the strength of the infirm person, not considering that the Stomachical ferment of any one febriculous is so perverted, that whatsoever of the aforesaid food is ingested becomes spurious, abortive, or Cadaverous, most unfitting for hourishment, increasing both weakness, as likewise the febrile calamity: quite contrary to the effect in a Hall Body, whose vital strength is augmented by wholesome Diet.  
This is ●e●…fied by the honest able Hippoc. Si quis saith he, Febricitanti ●ibum dederit q●…m sano exhibet, valenti robur Aegrotanti morbus fit. What is more pla●n? yet these selfconceited Galenists will not be convinced of their folly in this kind, although taught better things by this Hiatrical Hero: whose writings they verbally admire, neglecting to follow his Doctrine in a right sense practically. Well, for all this they undertake to excuse their Culinary solicitude or curiosity; pleading that such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, things of easy digestion, as Broths, Jellies, the juice of flesh, etc. may be admitted into the Ventricle for sustentation of life: sigh they are fluid, thin, easily passing away without any great nocument. I retort according to the vulgar Proverb, They had almost as good eat the Devil, as the Broth he is boiled in; for these Liquors impregnated, and sometimes satiated with nutritious particles, must needs cause notable disturbance in this noble part, where the disease is chief seated. For the Archaeus intending to make a laudable Chyle, but mistaking, being frustrated of its scope for want of fitting Organs tasting an ill smack, finding nothing agreeable to its structure, doth the more rage or fret, changing what is otherwise alible into a filth of various colours and consistence, as Green, Yellow, Black, Slimy, Phlegmatic, etc. Hereby the fever must needs be graduated, the morbific matter increased, and a confusion brought upon the vital Oeconomie, an enemy from abroad being wilfully received, which forthwith prevaricates, taking part with what is hostile within, to the betraying nature sometimes into the hands of a mortal malady. Away then with these Clogging, dal, Flat, Vapid, debilitating Decoctions of the Kitchen, with all their crude, vegetable ingredients, most injurious to a febrile stomach: and learn from a Philosophical, Chemical Operatory how to order the Diet of any one in an Acute evil, ministering what is congruous and delectable to the vitals, without offering violence to the digestion of the Duumvirate, which prompts me to proceed to another gross error in Diet.  
3. As there are a Company of Nonsensical Physicians, who are loath to allow the dry soul of one scorched with a fever a sufficient quantity of moisture to allay the thirst: so are there multitudes of Learned Dogmatists (I am certain egregiously ignorant in this particular) who although they assent, their Patients should have good store of Liquor granted them, as properly answerable to the indication of siccity or drought, yet must it be so qualified, that it ought by no means to contain too many hot particles, lest they should seem to act contrary to the definition of a fever, which is as they proclaim, but falsely, Calor praeter naturam, a preternatural heat, wherefore they strictly enjoin Posset-drink made with some poor starveling Liquor, Barleywater, wherein cooling or very temperate herbs are boiled, small Beer, fair Water, Rose-water, with some acid juice mixed, etc. to these they most devoutly keep a weak wretch, not doubting to mitigate (although they have failed many million of times) a Causoes or any burning fit: How is it possible these men should be successful in Cures, who are to seek in prescribing a Dietetick course aright? uno absurdo dato mille consequuntur is infallible true in fundamentals. How many men's lives hath this one mistake of the essence of a fever cost? for being most part intent to remove a quality or accident, they become very forgetful to carry off the material cause of diseases: which can never be performed aright, unless the strength be supported by what in some degree is adequate to it, which is so far disrespected by these Psycrologists prescribers of coolers, that they will by no means approve of a Cup of Wine, or a draught of strong Beer or Ale (because too hot as 'tis fancied) the principal corroborating Diet, which I constantly prescribe to all my Patients, and can maintain to be most fitting for them; omitting Broths, Water-gruel, etc. For having tried both ways, I find by certain daily experience, that vinous, spirituous Liquors prepared as they ought, preserve the native vigour, stir up the expulsive faculty, attenuate, resolve, cleanse away gross matter, strengthen the stomach, augment the vitals, by means of which a Diaphaeresis, a laudable breathing sweat follows, the direct way to help to Cure the Plague, and all other subordinate fevers centrally: so that hereby one shall far sooner be restored to perfect sanity, with less fear of relapse, with fewer Relics of excrements, purer blood, better colour, and far more active agility and tensity of the nerves, fibres, and muscles: than he who is tied up to maukish, insulse, vapid, cold (which is often a symptom of death) slops wronging the chief place of digestion, obstructing or wedging in feculent dross, impoverishing the spirits, hindering the extermination of Thorny, aculeate impurities, through all the Emunctories of the whole body, especially the skin. Herein it appears how diametrical opposite the method of the Galenists and Helmontians are as well in Diet as Pharmacy: they make it their study to please the Palate for the present; withal to pessundate and starve the animal Genius, for the avoidance of some petty inconveniencies, as too much heating or drying, giving thereby advantage and more force to the disease. These i. e. Helmontians put out their utmost endeavours fontally to extirpate what is noxious, indulging and animating the Archaeus, that it may be enabled to profligate its enemy (not startled in a vulgar manner at some seemingly frightful appearances, as extraordinary heat, an inquietude, a little raving, a swerving from right reason) being satisfied that these are but the effects or fruits, of an Hormetick motion in the spirits excited and increased by good Liquors, easily united with them for the routing and putting to flight every way whatsoever doth disturb its vital Government.  
Were these Dogmatists as good Interpreters of Hypocrates, as the Learned Chemists, still having in readiness at their fingers ends some of his Aphorisms, they would never be terrified at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, any accident afflicting or troubling the Patient, no evil cause or event attending. For my part, I always look upon an intense heat following a draught of strong Liquor, rightly ordered as forerunner of a succeeding sweat, the most kindly straight way to Cure a fever: which not doubting to bring to pass, I value not the discommodity of heat a rush: sigh the Branches will quickly whither when the Root is plucked up. Moreover most or all vehement fevers have at this day notable malignity in them: Certainly then according to the best Reason and soundest experiments, confirmed by the late Plague, the most generous Liquors of the subtlest smack are in this case to be exhibited largely without insisting upon the nicety of any danger from heating, which though it be a terriculament to them, yet to me it is great encouragement of a happy evasion: For I look upon those ill conditioned seavers as most mortal, where there is but the mildest heat manifested, by pulse, urine, and contact of the skin. For oftentimes madness, deviation from right understanding, a Lethargical or sleepy disposition suddenly break forth. Nihil est quod tam magnificè prodest quod non aliquo ex modo obest. What matters it if the heat be magnified (besides the main purpose) to some small trouble, if ten times greater benefit accrue to the sick. It is impossible any Physician should perform his duty as he ought if he boggle at the foppery of heat and cold, merely momentany and transient, often deluding our senses. Forbear than ye jejune, miserable, cold comforters any longer to wash this most tightly sensible membrane with any infrigidating, fruitless, sluggish, dead decoction or infusion, in hopes thereby to allay the fever in this preposterous manner: but take this course which I have known effectual many years.  
Permit the febrile Patient to drink at any time when he is very thirsty, but let the potulent or what is drinkable be well impregnated or filled with a sufficient quantity of spirits.  
Spanish or French Wine are to be given either of themselves, or diluted with Beer or Ale. The best strong Ale well brewed, discreetly kept of a just age is to be approved, if that cannot be obtained, I advise strong Beer somewhat stolen, with a convenient quantity of white powder Sugar therein dissolved, or some addition of Ale, according as the palate relisheth, also a little Ginger grated therein, and juice of Orange: For variety I deny not Posser-drink prepared with a pint of the most Edifying Ale, half a pint of white Wine, a pint of milk, make it clear, tinging it with a little English Saffron, squeeze the juice of Orange into it, spurting the Balsamical effluviums of the Pill pared very thin into it.  
If the infirm desire mace Ale, I shall not deny him: suppose it be well Aromarised, the Liquor being but very little boiled, lest the more subtle virtuous part fly away: of which oversight some incogitant Physicians are frequently guilty, for want of insight into distillation: this is the Diet which I enjoin my Patients, always pleasing their appetites with what is tolerable, excluding Broths, Water-gruel, or whatsoever is not lively. If any Doctor contradict this way, I question not to make such an one to appear grossly blind in Materia Medica, and very destitute of prevalent Remedies. In Chronic calamities, as the Scurvy, etc. I give any one leave to gratify his stomach with that which it can best digest, and to which it is most accustomed, though perhaps none of the most commendable food: yet I generally condemn mere Milk, which I find our Learned Colleagues when they are gravelled, knowing not what to do more by their feculent compositions of the shops, prescribe with a great deal of Ceremony to their poor debilitated Patient brought into an Atrophy (I dare maintain sometimes by their uncorrected drossy Medicines) or a Consumption (as they will make them believe) sending them into the Country to feed upon the plain simple white juice of a red Cow (and why not black as well, I could never understand.) By this means they hope (yet still come short, unless by accident they recover from some other cause) to redintegrate the health of one emaciated, never taking care to rectify the ferments of the Duumvirate, which as long as they continue so depraved, it is impossible milk should digest for nutrition: if so, it must needs precipitate them the sooner (as it often doth) into their Graves: whereas I am confident upon good fundamental notions, were some Pneumatical lively potions given often to these, thus usually extenuated from a Scorbutical seed; they would ten to one find greater benefit than by a juice prone to coagulate or degenerate in a depraved stomach: for according to our Hippoc. Lac Cephalicis exhibere malum: malum est etiam febricitantibus & quibus suspensa quasique Pendula Hypocondria murmurant & etiam siticulosis, i. e. Milk is naught for them that are troubled with the Headache, a fever, and who are Hypochondriacal and thirsty: Find me one Tabid Atrophon fallen away, who is not disquieted with any of these symptoms (which is very rare) then shall I subscribe that the use of Milk is laudable in such a case. Till then, I must publicly declare that it causeth far more mischief than good. Were I not stinted, intending brevity, I could have enlarged myself upon this subject, discovering what notable damage innocent Infants suffer from this Galacto trophia, nourishment by a Lacteous juice; the tractation of this I shall reserve for a more opportune time. Not only Milk, but likewise several preparations from it is to be rejected, especially Cheese: the frequent much feeding on which, doth not a little promote the Scurvy, and other long infirmities. To eat plentifully any thing made of Ceres, Heavy; Lumpish, clung as bread not well leavened, not throughly baked, or that which is no better than paste is very unwholesome. Although I have no great kindness for Milk, yet in protracted diseases, I admonish all labouring under them to be more solicitous for their fluid than solid food, for Hypocrates Aphorism dictates: Facilius est refici potu quam cibo, i. e. according to our exposition suitable to Chemical Observations: Any one feeble may sooner be revived, recovering his strength by thin, lusty, hearty daring Liquors, as Wine, the spirit of Malt, or any other vegetable, than by gross, lazy, rude, blunt provisions of the Kitchin.  
Lastly, I have sometimes considered of how great a Deception, some Culinary Doctors are guilty in prohibiting their Patients (infested with the Stone, Gout, Scurvy, Phthisic, and other maladies) the lawful use of common Salt, the most necessary commodious creature next the Sun for the welfare of man's life. Now the reason they give for this prohibition is (as they often dictate to the sick) that it engenders salt humours increasing the saline matter of diseases. I confess I cannot altogether exempt Table salt from some little inconvenience (which most things are liable to) yet if the great benefit thereof be comparatively weighed with the damage that doth far transcend this. For it is a great preserver against corruption, most grateful to the stomach, which it corroborates, exciting an appetite. It attenuates, cleanses, dissolves, mucilaginous excrements: being a great enemy to worms, yea as Helmont notes, pag. 20. de Lithi, eaten in large quantity, it hinders the coagulation of the Stone, destroying it while it is in the Egg. Hypocrates commended it in his time as a powerful Antidote against the Plague. Let none therefore fear to eat salt freely with their fresh meat, nor any food well corned (only forbearing if they can) ship flesh or fish, whose best alible juice is consumed by long excessive Conditure: the more volatile parts of the Salt being exhaled or become fixed) for some part thereof is made urinous, the rest being discharged by the Intestines or Kidneys, with profit to the health. Sith also sugar is reckoned to be a kind of sweet salt, I advise any one (according to sound experience) Scorbutical or vexed with a long emaciating infirmity (notwithstanding Dr. Willis prejudice against it from the delusion of the fire) to take (if his stomach bear not an innate Odium to it) plentifully thereof morning, and between meals dissolved in a proper Liquor, as stolen Beer, white wine, etc. with a small portion of Ale added, the worse sort of which is much corrected by Sugar.   

A short Discovery of the Nature of that malignant calamity, the Griping of the Guts.  
I Am constrained to pity distressed man, when I contemplate how his poor skin is daily sacrificed to the Jaws of death through the transverse method and medicines of those, who though they see their endeavours usually frustrated, yet like a blind horse in a Mill, they will by no persuasions leave their ill wont Tract of Practice.  
It is obvions to any circumspect observer, that our corporal infirmities as well as our mental vices, are at this day exceedingly multiplied and magnified in such sort, that Physicians are startled to see them so insulting and raging, such innovations of truculent terrible symptoms accompanying them: yet for all this, very few labour to acquire, applicate, and appropriate Remedies proportionable to the grandity of our evils. Nay rather they who attempt so noble a design, are discouraged, being looked upon as so many Heretics in Physic.  
There hath of late among other upstart, feral Plagues, appeared upon the Stage of this little World, a strange Heteroclite Monster called the Scurvy, acting its part continually in divers shapes, counterfeiting the guise of all or most other diseases. Sometimes it consumes by little and little, as it were grating and crumbling one into the Grave: then again it rends, distracts, separates the union of body and soul in a very short space suddenly puffing out the Lamp of life. Now it seems to be Couchant, then Rampant: so alternately Acute and Chronic.  
Among multitude of Phaenomena or appearances of this grievous calamity, there is none at this day more eminently Atrocious, than this termed the Griping of the Guts, which although it passeth among the vulgar for a substantial Disease, yet is it in reality only a Product, Concomitant, Accident fruit or effect of a Scorbutical virulent Root, which must be struck at if any good be done to a purpose.  
I plainly perceived the Scurvy long before the late most fierce Pest broke forth, did gradually get strength, spreading itself in an extrordinary contagious form, insomuch as it arrived according to my prediction, to a high pitch of venenosity, making havoc of thousands. This outrageous Tragedy being passed over, it returned in Statum quo prius, as it was before, still harbouring an occult poison, which works in a Clandestine slow, furtive mode, to the insensible undermining and depredation of the vitals, till upon an extimulating contingent, it takes advantage, making an assault or irruption unawares upon the principal part the stomach (whose ferment was before debilitated) as likewise its long Appendix, the Intestines, which it lancinates, convels, and cruciates, colliquating the nutricious juices, turning them into an acid, fretting, vexatious Ichor, bringing a damp upon the spirits, and if not timely revoked, totally extinguishing them.  
The excretions or evacuations of some are very large, to twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, yea an hundred stools, with wring Gripes usually, yea, oftentimes with intolerable racking, Convulsive pains. One hath only a flux downward, another throws off both ways, by vomit and dejection. These Torminous Griping pains have several other signs and symptoms accompanying them as a fever manifest or hidden, Vertigo or Giddiness, Cephalalgie, great pains of the head, a Sopor or drowsiness, tedious watching, frenzy or alienation from right reason, lassitude, notable weakness of the limbs, difficult breathing, a pulse commonly weak, inordinate, a palpitation or trembling at the heart, Lypothimie, fainting away, oftentimes great drought, soarness of the Throat, rough dry Tongue, pains about the sides, Hemorrhages, fluxes of blood, Cardiogmus, heartburning, oppression at the stomach, a nauseousness or loathing of every thing, yexing, unsufferable torment in the loins, spots lying deep in the flesh, hardly to be discerned, urine for the most part like one in health, sometimes thick and troubled.  
The irritating or provoking cause of these torminous wring passions, is a very sharp fretful Cruor, Ichor, or Sanies generated by a seminal fermental poison concentrated about the Duumvirate, which puts the Archaeus into a great indignation, whereupon it makes in some places a colliquation or tabefaction, in other a coagulation of the wholesome juices. The foregoing causes are many, as Air, Diet, Contagion, hereditary disposition, etc. which any one ingenious may according to his own intelligible capacity examine how this calamity is like to terminate, or what will be the event thereof, a judicious Prognostication grounded upon Philosophical Remedies can best inform: for 'tis impossible a Galenist should be Critical as he ought.  
If there be a great malignity, virulency and extreme pravity in the Scorbutic Gripe; so that it becomes graduated, a fever with other bad symptoms, as Lypothymie, great pain in the head, yexing, convulsion, etc. joined thereto, such an one must needs miscarry, unless the venomous matter be transmitted by vigour of the Archaeus to the skin in form of madefying large Sweats, or more gentle Breathe, with eruption of great store of spots, pimples, or red blotches. For 'tis a certain truth, a medullary Radical Cure can never be performed unless this intoxicating Ichor or Tabum become Eccentrical, being sent packing to the surface of the body (the readiest Emunctory or conveyance of whatsoever is of a Deletery condition) having made a morbific impression upon the stomach.  
If these malignant Gripes copulated with a Fever invade any who hath been enervated or debilitated by a long infirmity, 'tis very hazardous if such an one escape.  
Intemperate persons are in greater danger hereby than those who observe the Rules of mediocrity.  
If the ferment of the stomach be very much spoiled, the Archaeus being at a very low ebb, the case is very desperate.  
If some of the worse symptoms appear, and the patiented be also foolishly adverse to take spagyrical preparations, that person is to be le●t to a prognostic.  
Whosoever evades by vulgar Medicines doth often live crazy, being apt to fall into some evil affect of the like Idea, unless nature be extraordinary benevolent.  
It falls out (though rarely) that there is a Metastasis or translation of the Torminous matter of the Gripes into the Limbs, whereupon a Palsy or Gout supervene to the preservation of the Life.  
The Indications directing the Physician to discharge his duty, are either Preservative or Curative.  
Principiis obsta venienti occurrite morbo: Prevention is the very Quintessence of Polity. The best way is to break this Cockatrice Egg in time, wherefore observing the Diet set down in the Chapter going before (if the Scurvy so far get head, that it threatens these grinding torturing Gripes) the most certain means I have found effectual is forthwith to offer a proper vomit, such as I formerly deciphered. Afterward to give Eustomachicks, Antiscorbutics, corroborating, dulcifying, Abstersive, Resolving, attenuating Specific, Anti-malignant Medicines, as several factures of Tartar, infusion of Scurvigrass, Horsradish Aron Roots in spirit of Wine, also the volatile parts of the foresaid vegetables brought over in a clean glass, tinged with a little English Saffron. Garden Scurvigrass, Water-cresses, Horsradish, Juniper-Berries, Ginger, etc. steeped in strong Liquor. Drink thereof every morning with perseverance, dissolving in every draught a scruple of Cremor of Tartar powdered very fine, and Chalybeates technically made with the Artists own fingers are of great validity: also certain Pills I call Polychrestae are powerful to strangle this Scorbutical feed. Let any of these or the like be taken according as the Idisyncrasie of the stomach of each individual doth best relish: but let none be startled at the subtle particles of the Medicine, dreading they be too hot, listening to Dr. Willis, who erroneously delivers there is a dyscrasy in the blood of one Scorbutical Sulphureosaline, in another Salinosulphureous. Out of this respect he order his Prescripts suitable as the disease is more or less hot. Now this is merely Galenical to be rejected by an Helmontian, who knows the Scurvy fontally is neither hot nor cold, withal 'tis the part of an honest able Physician to eradicate, not to insist upon the Lopping of qualities mere Suckers or Sprouts arising from the Root.  
Touching the Cure or removal of the vexatious Gripes frequently connexed with a Fever: the best upright method is to search this primary Malady to the bottom, i. e. forthwith to give an Emeto-Diaphoretick which may cleanse away any fermenting impurity about the Duumvirate; likewise to carry off through the pores of the universal Membrane, and other larger passages, the venomous Scorbutical Serum or filth, sweetening the violent acidity thereof, and mortifying the poison. Beware of mere Astringents whatsoever constipateth or stoppeth, for this course will but aggravate the grief. Alexipharmaca, Diaphoreticks, Analeptick, Sudorificks, spiritual Liquors are to be followed close without jealousy of heating too much (let the Humorist say what he will) I much commend spirit of Tartar C. C. which although certain Galenists declaim against as too hot, dangerous, etc. I'll stand to make it demonstratively evident: there is not a more safe, effectual Remedy in all the Apothecary's shops from one end of the Town to the other than this, if it be sabricated by a true Pyrotechnist, as for that Caveat Empt●….  
The essence of Ginger: Elixir Proprietatis Med. Helmont. Alexistomachon nost. are to be approved, also spirit of Tartar well desaecated, Oil of Sulphur, Vitriol spiritualised, Antimonium Diaphoreticum made Philosophically, as also Lac Sulphuris a most safe Remedy, though formerly a great stumbling block to those who run upon the false Sent of Qualities: The Tincture of Haema●…es or Bloodstone. The exalted Sulphurs of Metals and Minerals. He that is acquainted with the Spagyrical Manufacture of some of these forenamed, together with their just use, need not doubt to act the part of an Artist in the solid Cure of this and other Calamities.   
FINIS.   

The Contents of the Chapters in this TREATISE.  


Chap. 1. OF the Nomenclature of Blood, and its definition. Page 1  
Of the different sorts of Blood. 3  
Of the Efficient and Material Cause of Blood. 5  
The manifold occasions that altar, clarify, taint, and deprave the blood, also the true signs of its purity, im-impurity, integrity, or degeneration. 11  
Concerning the Latex or insipid Aqueous Liqur, that is concurrent with the Blood. 19  
Of the manifold diseases that take up their Lodging in the Blood. 27  
Concerning the prevention, with the Cure of those Diseases that take up their Lodging in the Blood. 52   Wherein Dr. Willis his Method of Bleeding asserted in his Books De Febribus, & De Scorbuto, is detected by Reason, Authority, and Practice, to be indirect and destructive to mankind:  
Whereunto are added, 

A brief Animadversion upon some notable Errors committed by Dr. Betts, in his Tract, De Ortu & Natura Sanguinis. 39  
A Stomachical Spirit or Essence commended to the World. 139  
Certain Instructions appertaining to the Diet in Acute, and Chronic Diseases. 163  
A brief Discovery of the Nature of that Malignant Calamity, The GRIPING of the GUTS. 174    
FINIS.   

SEveral Errors are committed at the Press, which the Reader is desired to Correct himself, the Avocations of the Author not permitting him to Remark them.