THE DOCTRESS: A plain and easy method, of curing those diseases which are peculiar to Women. Whereunto are annexed Physical Paradoxes, OR A new discovery of the aeconomy of nature in man's body. Written by R. B. etc. LONDON. Printed by J. F. for Nicolas Bourne, at the South entrance of the Royal Exchange. 1656. To the Reader. HAving continual experience in a more particular manner in those diseases which are peculiar to women, by reason of my constant and daily employment, which is, to be assistant to those that have hard and difficult labours; I conceive myself in some capacity to become yet more serviceable unto the female sex, by divulging that part of my practice in the cure of women's diseases which I have observed to have been most successful. Herein I am so far from making collections out of Authors, that I have on purpose for brevity's sake omitted all those things in my own practice which I know to be familiar unto most Physicians: and have divulged only such as I find by experience to be proficuous, and have not been hitherto published. This, Courteous Reader, I thought good to premise; and withal to advertise thee of my intent herein, which is to inform the ignorant, and to give some hints to the learned: that so I may do real service to the female sex. Wherein you may also take notice that I am somewhat indulgent to their modesty in avoiding all obscenity, as also to their capacity in writing in our mother tongue. Hereunto I have annexed that which you find in the title page, viz. Physical paradoxes etc. The first, of women's diseases is plain and obvious to all. And this latter is not obscure: yet I would advise the Courteous Reader, to read it twice over; first cursorily, that thou mayst have a general conceit of the thing I do intent: and then with some observation, that thou mayst so digest it as to make it thine own. It gives me so much satisfaction as I am not able to express: in that it makes clear unto me all those Physical Notions, which before upon other hypotheses were more confused in mine understanding. And I cannot but hope that it will do the like to any one else who shall read and digest it. There is not any thing to my knowledge, upon this account, difficult in Physic: but all things may hereby be so clearly demonstrated from sensible experience how they work generally upon man's body, and how each particular hath also its private operation: that I cannot but admire how it could be possible that it should lie hidden so many ages, yet I am not ignorant that now at the last it will find amongst some but slender entertainment, especially amongst those which dislike all things but their own. However Courteous Reader, I here present it unto thee, supposing thou wilt be in thy censure neither uncandid nor disingenuous, so hoping it will give thee some satisfaction I rest Thine to use Rich: Bunworth. From the sugar loaf in Duck-lane London. May. 1656 A Table of the Chapters. CHAP. I GEneral observations concerning women's diseases. page 1. CHAP. TWO To procure the months. page 10 CHAP. III To stop the immoderate flowing of the months. page 20 CHAP. IV For the rising of the matrix or womb called commonly the mother page 28 CHAP. V For the falling down of the womb. page 35 CHAP. VI To stop the flowing of the whites. page 38 CHAP. VII For the Chlorosy or green sickness. page 41 CHAP. VIII. To prevent abortiveness or miscarriage. page 46 CHAP. IX Sterility or Barrenness. page 50 CHAP. X To cause speedy delivery in childbirth page 57 CHAP. XI To expel the secondine or Afterbirth page 60 CHAP. XII For the overflowing of milk in women's breasts. page 62 CHAP. XIII To dry up the milk in women's breasts page 64 CHAP. XIV For an ulcer in the womb. page 65 CHAP. XV For a Cancer in the womb. page 69 CHAP. XVI For a dropsy in the womb. page 73 Physical Paradoxes. page 77 CHAP. I. General observations concerning women's diseases. WOman, that she might be fruitful and multiply, and might become the Mother of all living, had in the beginning, by God and Nature such accomplishments bestowed upon her as are most suitable for such a condition. She hath given her a fabric of body different from Man, and a peculiar constitution, colder than Man: That whereas Man's body, by its greater heat, doth dry up and transpire whatsoever superfluous moisture is remaining after ultimate concoction; the same superfluity in Woman might not be consumed by a devouring heat, but might pass through fit channels into a convenient receptacle, there to be retained, or from thence expelled, according to her present condition whither pregnant or otherwise. The throwing out of this superfluous moisture, which the remiss heat of Woman's body cannot absume, is in no healthful Woman, performed by a confused motion, at uncertain times, but as the sea, the sap of trees, the juice of fruits, and all other moist bodies do observe, in their ebbings and flow the dictate of their governess, the Moon; Even so do the humours of the bodies of most healthful Women ferment and purify themselves at set times, answerable to the Aspects of the Moon with the Sun. And as at some time of the month the sea doth receive from the Moon a greater fermentation than ordinary, swelling and dilating itself into the bowels of the earth; Even so the humours of a Woman's body have, once every month, their spring tide, not only fermenting within their usual limits, but also swelling to a greater extent, and are extravasated into the womb to fertilise the same. Luna vetus veteres purgat, nova luna puellas. Experience teacheth that young Women have their monthly evacuation when the Sun and Moon are in Conjunction, that is, at the time of New Moon: and ancient Women, who have still their months, have them when the Moon is opposite to the Sun, that is, at the time of Full Moon. Other Women, according as they are more or less in years do symphathize with the proportionable age of the Moon, and are purged at other intermediate Aspects: Viz: Sextile, Trine, Quartile, etc. Some men, who make much blood, and are of a colder temperament, come so near to the Nature of Women, that they have constantly every month an evacuation of blood by the haemorrhoidal veins. And again on the contrary some few Women are of so hot a constitution, and are such Viragos, participating so much of the nature of Man, that they have seldom or never any evacuation at all, and yet enjoy their perfect health. Of such as these our present discourse is not; but of others whose health or infirmity doth depend upon the expulsion or retention of that superfluous blood which is by most Women monthly evacuated. From the stopping, or the immoderate slowing, of the months may proceed all manner of diseases which can possibly happen unto mankind, for all diseases whatsoever have their original either from repletion or inanition, from fullness or emptiness. The stopping of the months doth produce at first a general cachexy, or evil habit of body, that is, want of appetite & digestion, indisposedness to exercise, dullness and drowsynesse, etc. This cachexy, if it be not taken away by bleeding, purging, sweeting, abstinence or the like doth beget some other disease unto which the body is most inclined. The distempers which do generally ensue hereupon are pains in the head, back, and other parts of the body, intermitting fevers, the black and yellow jaundice, difficulty of breathing, the dropsy, the scurvy, the pleurisy, the squinancy, etc. Such like diseases do most frequently happen upon the obstruction of the monthly course: Yet is not the body wholly exempted from any other distemper whatsoever, upon this account, whereof fullness is the cause. For by the retention of the months not only the grosser par s of the humours do putrefy; but even ●he thinner parts thereof▪ or spirits may become more disposed to receive and cherish the seed● of pestilentiality, whereby the b●dy is rendered more obnoxious to those epidemical diseases, Viz: the small Pox, the Measells, the spotted Fever the Purples, the Plague, or whatsoever other contagious disease. As the retention of the months doth procreate all manner of diseases which have their original from repletion; Even so from the immoderate flowing of the same do proceed those other distempers which are the offsprings of inanition, Viz: convulsions, cramps, syncopes, etc. Of which it will be too tedious to say any thing in particular. Having generally considered the error in quantity committed by the retention or immoderate expulsion of the months, from whence may proceed all those diseases in Women which are common unto all Mankind: we come now to take notice of the evil quality of the humours so retained or expelled, from whence, proceed diseases of the womb and such as are peculiar unto Women. The womb is a tender part, nervous, and tightly sensible, apt to receive a various impression according to the diversity of the quality of the humour which is cast into it, and contained in it. Sharp and bilious humours ulcerate the womb; melancholic juice hardeneth it, and breeds a Scirrhus therein; hot blood doth inflame it; crude and indigested humours putrefy and cause a suffocation thereof, which is called the hysterical passion. And so is it humected, dried, cancerated, etc. According to the nature of the humour which it receives Those humours which hurt the womb have other passages appointed them by Nature, by which they might be expelled without prejudice to the parts through which they pass, (such is the tenderness of the womb in respect of other parts) as the bladder, the intestines, the pores, and other particular emunctories. Now when these, or some of these, by any cause whatsoever, are stopped whereby there is some offensive humour retained which should, but cannot, by these passages be expelled; Nature, out of her providence to the whole, is forced to throw out this offensive humour into the tender womb, which presently receives the impression thereof and suffers, more or less, after a divers manner according to the quality of the humour. Sometimes the womb suffers by procatarctical or outward causes: it may be indurated by cold injections: it may be inflamed by too hot a pessary: and by too long continuance of too sharp a pessary it may be ulcerated. What prudence then, and religion is there required in that practitioner, whether physician or Chirurgeon, that is concerned in the cure of diseases in the womb! How possible is it for an unskilful hand to ulcerate or inflame the womb in attempting by pessary to cure the hysterical passion! So likewise in the cure of any other distemper of the womb, as also of all other diseases which are peculiar to Women, without much prudence, skill and caution, there is much danger. CHAP. II. To Procure the months. FIrst of all take notice of the patient's pulse, which you shall observe to be either too quick, too flow, or moderate. If her pulse be quicker than ordinary, it will be convenient for her to be let blood; if slower than is usual to healthful Women, the best way is to refrain bleeding: if her pulse be moderate, Viz: neither too quick nor too slow, she may bleed or not bleed according to these following condit●ons. The patient must be let blood upon a moderate pulse, if she do sometimes bleed at nose, or if she have pain in her head, or in her back, or in any of her sides, or if she be naturally subject to warts, or have a wen in any part of her: for all these are signs of a melancholic constitution wherein letting blood is in the first place required. She must not bleed upon a moderate pulse if her legs be subject to swell and pit, or if she be sick after her meat, or if she be very drowsy and inclined to sleep much: for these are signs of a Phlegmatic Constitution, wherein letting blood is some what dangerous in regard of a dropsy. I have set down severally the signs whereby may be known whether it will be necessary for her to bleed or not to bleed, yet often times these signs which I distinguish, m●y happen together in the same body: as the same Woman which hath pain in her head, sides or back, which I call signs that letting blood is requisite, may also have a swelling in her legs, which, of itself, is a sign that letting blood is not necessary: in this case it will be Convenient for her to bleed; for these several signs concurring are an argument that she doth labour with a plechora, or fullness of humours, which must be emptied by letting blood which is the most general Evacuation. Blood must be taken away upon this occasion, always from those veins which are in the lower parts of the body; it is most commom to let blood in one of the feet, yet if the Patient have a pain in her back, or in the hinder part of her head, it will be more proper for her to bleed with leeches in the Haemorrhoidal veins: if she have pain in any of her sides, or in the side of her head, she must bleed in the foot of the same side where the pain is; Except her feet or ankles swell, then must she not bleed in the foot, lest thereby the ●umors of her body be too much called down. But let her rather bleed in the vein under the ham. If she have pain on both sides alike, or athwart her chest, or if she have no pain, it will be most convenient for her to bleed in the left foot, because the spleen is on the left side, whose fullness and stopping is commonly the cause of this distemper. After blood-letting the next thing in order to be done is vomiting. But if the Patient, upon bleeding, perceive a Manifest alteration to the better, it will be wisdom to let her alone some time, and to observe whether Nature, having some part of her load taken of, be not able to govern the rest the better, and whether she may not, by the help of convenient diet▪ and moderate Exercise, without Physic, do the rest of what is to be done. But in those bodies which are Cacochymous or of evil juice bleeding will not be sufficient, wherefore they must, as I said, after bleeding proceed to vomiting▪ and others which are not let blood must begin with a vomit. Vomits are of several natures, and may be contrived into several forms, as into a Pill, a Potion, a bowl, etc. all which I shall, at present, pass by, and propound one only Vomit which is so safe that it may be given to a Child of a year old, and doth agree with all constitutions, all ages, and all diseases wherein Vomiting is necessary. The Vomit which I mean is Oxymel of Squills. The dose of it is from one ounce to 3 ounces: it is of the consistence of a Syrup, wherefore the best way to take it is to mix it with 5 or 6 spoonfuls of posset drink, and so to drink it down upon a full Stomach, about four in the afternoon, having dined 2 or 3 hours before. This Oxymel of squills will either Purge, or Vomit, or both, according to the Constitution of the body, and the nature of the Superfluous humour. Let her intermit two days betwixt Vomiting and bleeding. The next day after her Vomit let her begin to take of a Chalybeate Electuary: let her take the quantity of a nutmeg of it at a time twice every day viz: in the morning fasting and at 4 in the afternoon, so long as it shall last let her be sure to exercise always immediately after the taking of her Chalybeate Electuary▪ if she be of a hot Constitution let her make use of the first Electuary, if cold, let her take the second, if moderate, the third. The first Chalybeate Electuary for hot Constitutions. TAke Conserve of Berberies, 3 ounces, Conserve of wood sorrel 2 ounces, prepared steel one ounce, red coral prepared, Cream of Tartar of each a Dram, Oil of Vitriol twenty drops, Syrup of Lemons as much as is sufficient to make it up into an Electuary. The second Chalybeate Electuary for cold Constitutions. TAke Conserve of Scurvigrass four ounces, Tartarum Vitriolatum, Salt of Steel, Species Diagalanga of each a Dram, with Syrup of Coral as much as is sufficient, make it up into an Electuary. The third Electuary for moderate Constitutions. TAke Conserve of Scurvigrass 3 ounces, Conserve of Berberies two ounces, red Coral prepared a Dram, prepared Steel 6 Drams, Syrup of Wood sorrel an ounce, Oil of Sulphur thirty drops, mix them together into an Electuary. After the use of any one of these Electuaries according to the manner above written, there will remain nothing else to be done, but only for the Patient once or twice a day to drink a cup of white wine mixed with 2 or 3 spoonfuls of Syrup of mugwort: this she may continue a fortnight or 3 weeks together. Let her diet be chiefly Flesh meat, Broth, and the Gravy of Meat, let her drink be new Beer: let her by all means abstain from Fish, Water-gruel and Gritts, it is good now and then to boil in her broth the roots of Fennel, Smallage, Butchers-broome, Parsley, and Asparagus. If there shall be a greater fullness of blood than ordinary in the body, it will be more safe and convenient to let her blood first in the arm, and then two days after in the foot, and so to proceed according to the aforesaid method. Yet if she bleed at the Nose or vomit blood, let her not bleed in the arm by any means, but only in the lower parts of the body: and apply Cupping-glasses with scarification unto her thighs. Some have had their Months procured by taking the quantity of a Nutmeg of old Leaven, mixed with the like quantity of Sugar, for three or four days together. These following Pills provoke the Months in some women without any other means whatsoever. Give the patiented two of them every night when she goes to bed, for the space of three weeks together. The Pills. Take Myrrh three drams, Aristolochia rotunda two drams, Agarick, Cinnamon, dictamnus Creticus, of each a dram, Saffron two scruples, Spikenard half a dram: with as much syrup or rather juice of Mugwort, as shall be sufficient, make them into a Mass, out of which make small Pills as big as Peas. The juice of the white Flower de Luce root provoketh the Months, if it be given to the patiented in the morning fasting, for three mornings together four, five, or six spoonfuls at a time, according to the strength of the patiented, about the time when she expects her monthly evacuation. The juices of Penny royal and Balm are sometimes effectual, but they are of less force than the juice of the white Flower de luce root; wherefore they are fittest to be given to those that are of weak constitutions. CHAP. III. To stop the immoderate flowing of the Months. LEt a large Cupping glass be applied once or twice to each breast, without scarification. This doth immediately stop the immoderate flowing of months: and to those that are of a healthful temperament, having fallen into this distemper by some accident, as a fright or the like, this alone will be sufficient. But others whose distemper doth proceed from an inward cause, after the application of Cupping glasses to their breasts, which doth at present stay the effect, must take something inwardly to take away the cause, lest the effect return again. The cause is always either a sharp choleric humour in the body: or else a thin, putrid, and waterish moisture. The difference of the causes, may be known by the difference of the signs: If the patiented be naturally of a hot temper, and be subject unto flushing heats into the neck and face, and, for matter of diet, hath delighted in Salt meats, Mustard, Pepper, etc. from hence the cause will appear to be a sharp choleric humour; for which let her take three or four spoonfuls at a time of this following Julape three or four times a day, for a fortnight or three weeks together; and after that let her take the quantity of a Nutmeg at a time of this following Electuary in the morning fasting, at four in the afternoon, and at night to bedward, until she shall perceive the cause to be abated. The Julape. TAke Plantain water twelve ounces, syrup of Violets six ounces, oil of Vitriol so much as shall make it very tart, shake them together in a glass. The Electuary is only a mixture of conserve of Barberies and red Coral. Take conserve of Barberies three ounces, red Coral prepared three drams: mix them together. Once in five or six days let her purge with lenitive Electuary. Let her by no means eat any flesh meat, or broth of meat: But let her diet be Water-gruel, Panado, Cream of barley, and such like thickening and cooling diet. Let her drink be small Beer, or rather small Ale. If the cause be a thin and putrid humour, it will appear by that which comes from her, which will be discoloured and stinking. Let her first take this following purging Potion. The Potion. TAke Sena three drams, Rhubarb and Agarick of each a dram, Caruay seeds and Coriander seeds prepared, of each half a dram: infuse them in a quarter of a pint of White-wine for the space of twelve hours. Strain them, and put to the strained liquor an ounce and half of syrup of Roses, and five drops of oil of Vitriol: Give it her to drink in a morning fasting with due observation according to the usual manner of purging. After she hath purged, let her take plentifully of conserve of Red-roses vitriolated for the space of a week, then let her purge again as formerly: After that continue her with this following Electuary until she be well. The Electuary. TAke conserve of Red-roses vitriolated four ounces, conserve of Barberies two ounces, Lapis haematites two drams, Dragon's blood a dram and half, Crocus Martis a dram: with as much syrup of Quinces as shall be sufficient, make it into an Electuary: of which give her the quantity of a small nut five or six times a day. If her flux return before her body be altered, stay it by a second application of Cupping-glasses to her breasts, as above written. Let her diet be the same with that before mentioned. For flesh meat doth beget both a sharp, and also a putrid humour in the body, whereupon it is so strictly forbidden immediately after childbirth (besides upon the account of a Fever) lest it should put either a sharpness, or else a putrefaction upon the blood, and thereby cause a greater flux. It is a common observation, that they that are much inclined to the immoderate flowing of the Months, are almost continually bound in their bodies, which is oftentimes the cause wherefore this immoderate Flux doth so long continue. For Nature endeavouring to discharge herself of some superfluous humour, by the common sink of the body, the Guts finding that passage stopped, throws it out by that passage which is most open. Wherefore whatsoever is given to stop this immoderate flowing of the Months, it will be to no purpose, except a due regard be had to the keeping of the Patient's body soluble; which must not be by strong and violent purgers, but by such Medicines as do but gently purge, and withal have a power to cool the body and allay the sharpness of humours; of which sort are Catholicon, Lenitive Electuary, Diaprunum, syrup of Damask roses, etc. The same things which are commonly given unto those that bleed much at the nose, or vomit blood, are also very good in this case; As the juices of Plantain and Nettles, the powder of Colophony, Dragon's blood, Lapis haematites, the powder of Acorn cups, the powder of Comfrey ●●ots, etc. But above all things let the Patient be conversant in a cool air. In the Summer time let the room wherein she is be cooled with green boughs, and let water be sprinkled upon the floor, and in the Winter time let there be little or no fire in the room. Upon a Miscarriage, and sometimes after Child-bearing, it hath been observed; that the blood which the Patient voids being drunk in White wine, doth immediately stay the immoderate Flux: Insomuch, that many Midwives account this as a great secret, and mix it privately lest they should communicate their skill to others. I have some acquaintance with a Gentlewoman who could by no means possibly be cured, who was brought so weak with this continual flux of blood, that she always fainted away when she was but turned in her bed, insomuch that her friends and Physicians despaired of her life, seeing that all those means which have been effectual to others, proved not at all successful to her: At length she was advised to have a live Toad put up in a Napkin and bound to her back; which was no sooner done but her flux of blood was stayed from thence forward; and to the admiration of all, this Gentlewoman was thereby recovered. CHAP. FOUR For the rising of the Matrix or Womb, called commonly the Mother. THe present paroxysm or fit is first to be abated. After that, the cause must be taken away, otherwise, upon the least disturbance of mind, during her whole life time, she must expect several fits in the like Nature. To abate the present fit, first of all apply a Cupping-glass to her navel: after it hath continued on some few minutes take it off, and lay two or three grains of Civet, received into a little cotton or lint, upon her navel, and keep it on with a plaster of Galbanum as broad as the mouth of a Cupping glass. Let the plaster remain on so long as it will stick. Then proceed to take away the cause; but in the mean time, lest the fit should return before the cause be wholly abated, give her now and then, as often as you please, a spoonful or two of compound Pyony-water sweetened with white Sugar-candy; and let her sometimes take a whift or two of Tobacco in a pipe; or, if she observe a fit approaching, let another take tobacco, and blow the smoke to her: for this is better than the smoke of feathers, or Assafoetida. The cause of this distemper is a putrid humour collected in the womb, proceeding from too great a quantity of blood, in respect of the patient's strength to govern it. First, breath a vein in the right arm to the quantity of seven ounces of blood. The next day after, if the patiented be of a sanguine complexion, or melancholic, let her blood in the foot to the quantity of about eight or nine ounces. The day after bleeding give her this following Clyster. The Clyster. TAke Mugwort, Penny royal, the flowers of Centuary of each a small handful, Chammomile and melilot flowers of each half a handful, Bayberries and Cumin-seeds bruised of each two drams, French barley half an ounce: boil them in a pint and half of water until half be wasted, strain away the liquor, and dissolve therein an ounce of Diaphaenicon, the yolk of an egg, and two drams of Venice-terpentine washed. The Venice terpentine must be first mixed with the Yolk of the egg in a mortar, and so be incorporated into the rest of the liquor by degrees. The next day after her Clyster, let her purge with three, four, or five pills of Extractum Rudii, more or less according to the constitution of her body, whether easy or hard to work upon. The day after purging let her make use of this following Pessary. The Pessary. TAke Mugwort and Feaversue of each half a handful, Diaphaenicon and Venice terpentine of each six drams, species hiera picra three drams, beat them together into a mass; then make a little bag of sarsenet shaped like unto a suppository, but let it be bigger both in thickness and length. Then crowd so much of the mass into it as it will contain, that so it may be stiff, like unto a suppository, though bigger: tie it up, and leave the string hanging, whereby it may be pulled out upon occasion. Use this Pessary unto her so often, until her womb be throughly cleansed: then let her drink a quarter of a pint at a time of this following drink thrice a day, for the space of thirty or forty days. The Drink. TAke of the wood of Guajacum half a pound, Guajacum bark four ounces, the roots of China and Sarsaparilla of each two ounces▪ Liquorice an ounce and half. Raisins stoned four ounces: boil them a little over night in two gallons of water in an iron pot close covered; let them infuse all night, the next morning boil them again until half the liquor be wasted: strain it, and drink thereof as aforesaid. In some women this disease may be cured by this following Apozeme alone without any other course of Physic: And many have been cured ●nly with these following Pills. The Apozeme. TAke Motherwort a handful, Ceterach and Maidenhair of each half a handful, Raisins stoned two ounces, Liquorice an ounce, Cassa lignea half an ounce, red Madder roots half an ounce, squinanth two drams. Boyl all these in six pints of water in an earthen vessel close covered, over a gentle fire, until half be wasted. Strain away the ingredients, and dissolve in the strained liquor salt of Steel two drams, syrup of the five opening roots six ounces. Let her drink a quarter of a wine pint of this Apozem warm every morning fasting, and as much at four in the afternoon, for a fortnight or three Weeks together, and let her always exercise after it. The Mass for Pills. TAke Aloes two drams, Trochis of myrrh a dram and half, Trochis of Alhandal half a dram, Castoreum two scruples, Diacrydium twenty grains: powder them finely, and with as much juice of Garlic as shall be sufficient make them into a Mass: Let her swallow two scruples of it made into five pills every fourth morning so long as it shall last. Some after all possible means used in vain, have at length been cured only by the drinking of water. Doubtless those physical Waters which purge either by Seat or Urine would be much more efficacious. Married women have their present fit taken away by the knowledge of their husbands, and Widows and Maids are oftentimes thoroughly cured by marriage. Ale is very hurtful, as also strong Beer, and whatsoever else is vaporous, and doth fume much into the brain. CHAP. V For the falling down of the Womb. MAny women have this distemper, yet know not what it is, and are ashamed to ask counsel of a Physician concerning it. They observe a hard bearing down in their birth, in some of the bigness of a Goose's egg, though in others less. It is scarce in any woman at all times alike, but at several times beareth down more or less, according as she hath lately more or less strained her body by walking or other exercise. It is at first caused commonly by hard travel in child-bearing, which weakeneth the womb, and doth relax the adjacent parts. Take Plantain, Shepherd's purse, and Knotgrass of each a handful, dried Mint half a handful, Comfrey roots an ounce, Bistort and Tormentil roots of each a quarter of an ounce, sweet Fennel seeds half an ounce, bruise the roots and seeds, and cut the herbs, then boil them all together in three pints of water until half be wasted, when it is almost boiled, put into it a pint of Red-wine. Strain it, and sweeten the strained liquor with six ounces of syrup of Quinces. Let her take nine spoonfuls of this Apozem every morning fasting, and as much at night to bedward, for the space of twenty days. Let her in the mean time use frictions or Cupping-glasses to her breasts: Let her neither stand nor walk much: Let her very often receive into her nostrils sweet and grateful sinels; as the fume of Benzomin, Storax, Labdanum, Rose-water, etc. Let her wear a plaster of Oxycroceum athwart her back: Let her never keep her urine too long. Able Physicians report that some women have been cured of this distemper by fear only. Let the Patient be persuaded that the bearing down or swelling must be seared with a hot iron, and let an iron be put into the fire, and other such like preparations made in the sight of the Patient, that she may really think that she must be immediately cauterised; the apprehension and fear of this will, without doubt, cause the Womb to shrink up, and return to its proper place. If the Womb be ulcerated, it must not by any means be reduced into its place, until the Ulcer be healed. CHAP. VI To stop the flowing of the Whites. LEt the Patient purge with this following Potion. Take Sena two drams, Agarick a dram, white Ginger half a dram, Tartarum vitriolatum half a dram: infuse them all night in a quarter of a pint of White-wine, in the morning dissolve in the strained liquor an ounce of the whitest Manna, and give it her to drink; with due observation of thin broth after every stool, according to the custom of Purging. After two day's intermission give her this following potion, called commonly— The white Potion. TAke Venice terpentine washed in Plantain water half an ounce, the yolk of a new laid Egg, Plantain water four ounces: incorporate the yolk of the Egg and the Terpentine together in a mortar, then by degrees mix them with the plantain water, and give it her to drink in a morning fasting so soon as it is mixed. Let her keep in, and drink a draught or two of broth before she eateth any thing else. Lay this following Plaster athwart the small of her back. The Plaster. TAke Venice Terpentine washed in Plantain water six drams, white Wax half an ounce, white Sealed earth two drams. Melt the wax and terpentine together in an earthen porringer; then take it from the fire, and when it is almost cold, stir in the white sealed earth being first finely powdered, and spread it upon Sheep's leather, to be applied as above written. Three weeks after, let her take the same purging Potion again: and so once every three weeks until she perceive the cause to be wholly abated. The same things which cure the Gonorrhaea or running of the Reins in a man, do also cure the immoderate flowing of the Whites in a woman. This following Electuary alone hath cured many. The Electuary. TAke Diacatholicon, Diaprunum, Lenitive Electuary of each an ounce and half, Venice Terpentine washed in Plantain or Red-rose water two ounces, Sena powdered a dram and half, Anniseeds in powder two drams, mix them all together into an Electuary; of which let her take the quantity of a Nutmeg every morning fasting, and as much at four in the afternoon so long as it shall last. Jellies of Isinglass and Hartshorn stop the Whites, but they are not safe until the body be sufficiently purged. The Mucilage of Quince seeds, and the decoction of Comfrey roots do the like, but purging is also first required. Some Physicians do commend the decoction of Nettle seeds. CHAP. VII. For the Chlorosy, or Green-sickness. IF the Patient's pulse be quick, take away seven or eight ounces of blood from the left arm, otherwise, not. Two days after her bleeding, or if she doth not bleed, in the morning fasting give her a Vomit consisting of an ounce of Oxymel of Squils', and half an ounce of infusion of Crocus Metallorum mixed together. Give her posset drink after every fit of vomiting, according to the custom of a vomit. The next day after her vomit let her begin to take of a Chalybeate Electuary, and continue it from thence forward for the space of one and twenty days. She may take the quantity of a Nutmeg of it at a time twice every day, viz. in the morning fasting, and at four in the afternoon, exercising after it. In the mean time once in seven days let her purge with two scruples of Pilulae Cochiae made up into five Pills. The Chalybeate Electuary is as followeth. Take conserve of Scurvigrass 3 ounces, conserve of roman Wormwood two ounces, Species Dianisum two drams, salt of Steel a dram and half, Tartarum vitriolatum and red Coral prepared of each a dram, Saffron two scruples; with as much syrup of Hyssop as is sufficient: mix them together into an Electuary. There are many other several ways of curing this disease; as by a Cordial, by Pills, by an Apozeme, by a Bag. The particular forms whereof are hereunder written. The Cordial. TAke Maskadel half a pint, syrup of Woodsorrel three ounces, Mint water an ounce, Gascons powder a dram and half, Saffron a dram; mix them together. Let her take two spoonfuls of this Cordial at a time, every morning fasting, at four in the afternoon, and at night to Bedward, so long as it shall last. The Pills. TAke Aloes Rosata two drams, Myrrh a dram, Saffron half a dram, Faecula Brioniae, Faecula Aronis, salt of Steel of each two scruples; with syrup of Lemons as much as shall be sufficient. Make them up into a Mass: Out of which make Pills of the bigness of large Peas. Give her three of these Pills every morning fasting so long as they shall last, and let her exercise after them. The Apozeme. TAke Harts-tongue, Betony and Maidenhair of each a handful, Raisins stoned two ounces, Liquorice an ounce, the roots of red Madder, Parsley, Fennel and Asparagus of each half an ounce, two large Nutmegs, Mace a dram and half. Boyl them all together in five pints of spring water over a gentle fire, in an earthen vessel close covered, until there be but two pints remaining. Strain away the ingredients, and dissolve in the strained liquor common treacle four ounces, salt of Steel a dram. Let her drink eight or nine spoonfuls of this Apozem warm every morning fasting, exercising after it, and as much at four in the afternoon, so long as it shall last. The Bag. TAke Scurvygrass two large handfuls, Watercresses and Brooklime of each a handful, Raisins stoned four ounces, Dates two ounces, Sena an ounce and half, Sassafras an ounce, Anniseeds, Caruay seeds, Coriander seeds prepared of each half an ounce. Put them all together in a Bag and tun it up into three gallons of small Ale, when it is three days old let her begin to drink of it. Let her drink, half a pint every morning fasting, and as much at four in the afternoon so long as it shall last. Some are cured only by exercise without any other means whatsoever, and indeed without exercise all things else are in vain. CHAP. VIII. To prevent Abortiveness or Miscarriage. IT is a common observation, that they that have once miscarried are more subject to miscarry again, than they that have never miscarried before. Wherefore I would advise them that have never miscarried, by no means to take, or do, any thing to prevent Abortment, lest thereby they bring upon themselves that which they do without cause fear. But whosoever hath once by any accident whatsoever miscarried, she is thereby rendered in much danger of after miscarriages whensoever she shall be with child. To prevent this let her observe, as near as she can, the time when the occasion was given of her former abortment: and when she shall be again with child let her bleed in the right arm seven ounces, more or less according to her strength, six weeks before the time of her former miscarriage: As if she should have formerly miscarried when she was sixteen weeks gone with child, or thereabouts; when she shall be with child again, let her bleed when she is about ten weeks gone. But if she can know exactly to a day, how long she was gone with child when the occasion of her former abortment was given, and also doth certainly know the very time of her conception again, let her omit her bleeding until a just fortnight before the time of her former miscarriage. After she is let blood, let her take the quantity of a Nutmeg of this following Electuary thrice a day, viz. in the morning fasting, at four in the afternoon, and at night to bedward, so long as it shall last; always drinking after it five or six spoonfuls of Red wine. The Electuary. TAke conserve of red Roses three ounces, conserve of Sage flowers two ounces, conserve of the flowers of water Lilies an ounce, the powder of Date stones two drams, fine Bole powdered a dram, with as much syrup of Comfrey as is sufficient; mix them into an Electuary. Let her use moderate exercise during the time of her being with child; and by all means let her diet be whatsoever she hath a mind to. Some have used only the powder of Date-stones, and fine Bowl mixed together with good success. This following Plaster applied athwart the small of the back is very good. The Plaster. TAke Emplastrum ad Herniam an ounce, Bees wax half an ounce, Cyprian terpentine and oil of Myrtils of each two drams. Melt them together, and spread it upon leather to be applied as above written. Let her boil Shepherds purse and Comfrey roots in her broth; and let a gad of Steel be quenched in all the Beer she drinks. It is good for her to sweat a little now and then; but rather let it be procured by exercise then any sweeting Medicine whatsoever. CHAP. IX. Of Sterility or Barrenness. THe cause of Barrenness proceedeth commonly from the distemper of the Womb, which is either too moist, or too dry; both which I shall prosecute in their order: and first, of the first. The too much moisture of the womb proceedeth either from the knowledge of several men as commonly in Whores, or else from the lose and humid temperament of the whole body, as sometimes in other women. The womb being too much humected and moistened, doth thereby lose its retentive faculty of keeping the seed; the slipperiness whereof must be corrected by altering the moist temperament of the body. TAke a Cock and break all his bones, then boil him in six quarts of Water, with these following ingredients, in an earthen or iron pot close covered, over a gentle fire, until the liquor when it is cold, shall be of the consistence of a Jelly. Strain it and sweeten it with double refined sugar: and let her drink a porringer of it at a time, three or four times in a day, for the space of thirty or forty days. The Ingredients. RAspt Harts horn six ounces, the roots of China and Sarsaparilla of each an ounce and half, Shepherd's purse a handful, Bistort roots an ounce, Cinnamon half an ounce, Nutmeg and large Mace of each a dram. In the mean time let her swallow three small Pills made out of this following Mass, every other night when she goes to bed. The Mass for Pills. TAke Aloes three drams, Myrrh two drams, the gum of Guajacum a dram, Saffron half a dram: Make them all into fine powder, and with as much syrup of Mugwort as is sufficient; beat them into a Mass or Paste, out of which let her form Pills as she shall have occasion. After she hath done taking her pills and jelly, let her return to her usual Diet, only let her be sure to quench a gad of Steel in all the Beer she drinks. The dryness of the womb doth also cause sterility, in that the womb is thereby rendered incapable of making its application to the seed so soon as it is injected: for if the seed be not immediately embraced by the contraction and application of the womb unto it, it cannot ferment: and consequently it doth become useless for generation. From the defect of moisture proceedeth a scirrhosity or hardness in the womb; unto which hardness we must have a respect in our prescriptions, as well as unto the alteration of the whole body. Let her make three small Pills out of this following Mass, and swallow them down every morning fasting for the space of ten days together, always exercising after them. The Mass for Pills. TAke Aloes three drams, Gum Ammoniacum dissolved in Vinegar two drams, salt of Steel a dram. Crabs eyes and Tartarum vitriolatum of each half a dram; with as much Oxymel of Squills as shall be sufficient: make them up into a Mass according to art. After ten days let her begin to bathe in a Semicupium, that is, to sit in an artificial Bath up to her navel: let her first continue half an hour in the Bath, and so longer and longer by degrees, that in her latter bathe she may continue a full hour or more. Boyl a good quantity of these following ingredients in so much water, as that when they are sufficiently boiled there may be liquor enough for her to sit up to the navel therein in a convenient Tub or bathing vessel. Let not the ingredients be taken out of the liquor wherein she doth bath. Let her bathe one day, give her a Clyster the second day; and the third day let her take three of the same pills whereof she took every morning before her bathing. Let her continue this course for the space of 30 days. The Clyster which she is to take every third day is as follows. The Clyster. TAke Mallows, Mercury, Beets, Chamomile and melilot flowers of each half a handful, Aniseeds half an ounce, boil them in a pint and half of water until half be wasted: strain away the ingredients, and dissolve in the strained liquor brown Sugar two ounces, the yolk of one Egg, Castle-soap one dram. Let there be injected into her womb with a Matrix-Syringe some of the aforefaid Clyster about a quarter of an hour before she takes it Clyster-wise. This, by God's blessing will make her that is barren a happy mother, and take away her reproach amongst women. But before she useth the aforesaid means, let her be very certain whether the distemper of her womb be from dryness or from moisture, which she shall know by these following signs. If the distemper of the womb proceed from dryness, there is oftentimes felt a sensible hardness therein, which is called a Callus, proceeding from a melancholic juice in the body. She is scarce satisfied with the act of Venus. She hath commonly a heat and dryness in her hands. She is much inclined to Warts in other parts of her body. She commonly digests her meat well. But if from moisture, she is of weak digestion. She hath never any appetite to her meat immediately after sleep. She is often sick or sleepy after meat. She hath a heaviness like unto a weight in her head. She is listless and indisposed to exercise. By such like signs it is not hard to determine certainly the true cause of Sterility in any woman whatsoever. Mineral waters which come from Iron Mines do sometimes help those that are barren. The frequent use of Sage is much commended by ancient Writers; the reason is because it is rough and fixing, and consequently it doth correct the slipperiness of the womb. The Cock-treading of three new laid Eggs dissolved in four or five spoonfuls of Vinegar, and drunk down about half a quarter of an hour after she hath had to do with her husband, is accounted a great secret. CHAP. X. To cause speedy delivery in Childbirth. BE sure her appointed time be come before you attempt to use means for the hastening of her delivery. Give her nothing which nourisheth, but only those things which have a Physical respect to her present condition. I am of opinion, that they which have difficult and long Labours, are hindered by the too much indulgence of those that are about them, in giving them nourishing things, as they think, to support nature: whereas in several respects nature is thereby prevented from doing those offices which are suitable to the present condition of the Patient. Let her wholly abstain from all things that nourish. Let a Suppository be put up made of Honey and Salt according to art; and after that is comed away put up another. Boyl three or four handfuls of Mugwort a little while in Spring water, then strain it from the liquor and put the herb into a bag and apply it warm to her navel. They which are so good accountants as to know to a day the time of their Travail, may assure themselves of easy and speedy labour, if three or four days before they do observe a strict and sparing diet. A dram of Myrrh powdered and given to drink in white Wine, causeth speedy Delivery. Some have used Irish Slate with good success; others do commonly use Sperma Caeti, or Bezoar: And some Midwives give only the powder of Aristolochia or Birth-wort, because that doth after a more powerful manner cause speedy Delivery than those before mentioned: But this is fittest to be given to those that are of strong constitutions. CHAP. XI. To expel the Secondine or Afterbirth. THe same things which cause speedy Delivery, do also help to expel the Afterbirth, or part thereof, if it be broken and left behind in the body. Yet notwithstanding all means used, sometimes there is some part of the Afterbirth left behind, which cannot speedily be brought away, but doth putrify in the womb, and doth cause dangerous symptoms, and oftentimes death. I would therefore advise all Midwives to be sure that the whole Afterbirth come away in its proper time, so soon as the Child is born, without mangling or tearing: which may be done with ease, speed, and safety, by putting up their whole hand into the body, and therewith gently separating the same from the walls of the womb. I confess they that trust to the strength of the Navel-string (which I presume most do) have scarce the Afterbirth of one in twenty broken. Yet it is great pity that one in a hundred should suffer in the like nature, there being such a way and means to prevent it, whereupon there is no other inconvenience doth ensue. Upon all occasions when I have been called to cases of great difficulty, I have ever made sure with the Afterbirth, by putting up my whole hand as aforesaid; and, with what success, they which have had experience do well know. Neither have I ever observed any inconvenience ensuing: which makes me bold to counsel all Midwives to do the like. CHAP. XII. For the overflowing of Milk in women's Breasts. MAny women are inclined to this distemper: which proceeds either from the weakness of the breasts, the retentive faculty thereof being lost, or else from the waterish temperament of the Mass of blood or humours contained in the Veins and Arteries, and in some women there are both these causes. Let her drink a quarter of a pint of this following Apozeme in a morning fasting, at four in the afternoon, and at night to bedward, so long as it shall last. The Apozeme. Take Guajacum four ounces, China, Sassafras, and Sarsaparilla of each an ounce, Liquorice an ounce and half, Agrimony and Betony of each a handful, Raisins stoned four ounces: infuse them all night in two gallons of warm water; in the morning boil them in a Vessel close covered, until half be wasted. Strain away the ingredients, and drink the liquor as aforesaid. After she hath taken this Apozeme, let her take the quantity of a Nutmeg of conserve of red Roses vitriolated three or four times a day until her constitution be altered. Let her, all this while, wear upon her Breasts plasters of Oxycroceum. CHAP. XIII. To dry up the Milk in women's Breasts. TAke Vnguentum Populeon and Diachylon Plaster of each an ounce and half, melt them together, and when it is almost cold, stir into it two drams of the powder of Alabaster, and a dram of Lapis calaminaris finely powdered. Make two large plasters hereof, and apply them to her breasts. Let her wear black wool in her armpits. If this succeed not, let her purge with a dram of Pilulae Cochiae. If after her purging she perceive not her Milk to dry up, give her the Apozeme in the foregoing Chapter, For the overflowing of Milk, etc. CHAP. XIV. For an Ulcer in the Womb. FIrst take away eight ounces of blood, more or less according to the Patient's strength, from her right arm, the next day after her bleeding let her begin to take of this following Electuary; let her continue the same for the space of one and twenty days, give her the quantity of a Nutmeg of it at a time twice a day, viz. in the morning fasting, and at four in the afternoon, in the mean time, once in seven days let her purge with this following Potion. The Electuary. Take conserve of Scurvygrass four ounces, conserve of Roman Wormwood two ounces, Crabs eyes finely powdered three drams, Tartarum Vi●riolatum a dram and half, salt of Steel a dram, w th' as much syrup of Mint as shall be sufficient; mix them together into an Electuary. The purging Potion. Take Sena three drams, Rhubarb a dram, Agarick half a dram, Coriander seeds prepared a scruple, Spikenard ten grains; infuse them in four ounces of white Wine for the space of twelve hours, strain away the ingredients, and dissolve in the strained liquor syrup of Roses solutive an ounce, Manna half an ounce, oil of Vitriol seven drops. After she hath taken one and twenty days of her Electuary, and purged thrice, viz every seventh day, let her drink of this following Apozeme for the space of one and twenty days more, eight or nine spoonfuls at a time every morning fasting, and at night to bedward. The Apozeme. Take the roots of China and Sarsaparilla of each an ounce and half, Agrimony, Mugwort, Sanicle, Shepherd's purse of each half a handful, Liquorice an ounce and half; boil them in three quarts of water until half be wasted: strain away the ingredients, and sweeten the liquor with syrup of Mint: whereof let her drink as aforesaid. During the time of taking her Apozeme, let her use injections twice a day, viz. in the morning, and at four in the afternoon. Let her use this following injection in the morning, and the next after in the afternoon. The Injection for the morning. Boyl a quarter of a pound of Guajacum in two quarts of water until half be wasted, then dissolve in the strained liquor Calcanthum Romanum called commonly the Celestial stone two drams. The stone will of itself dissolve in the liquor being put therein. The Injection for the Afternoon. Take the flowers of St. John's wort, Plantain, Knotgrass, Shepherd's purse, and Horse-tail of each a handful, red Rose leaves half a handful, Bistort roots an ounce and half: boil them in four pints of Spring water, until half be wasted▪ strain away the ingredients, and reserve the liquor for your use, putting thereto four ounces of syrup of dried Roses. After she hath made use of these injections and taken her Apozeme as aforesaid, let her drink, until she be well, twice or thrice in a day, a draught of Whey wherein some Vulnerary herbs have been steeped or boiled: of which sort are Avens, Bugle, Comfrey, St. John's wort, Dandelion, Agrimony, Honeysuckles, Mugwort, Mint, Plantain, Ribwort, etc. Let her eat no flesh-meat during the whole time of her cure. CHAP. XV. For a Cancer in the Womb. FIrst take away eight ounces of blood from her left arm, the next day after let her begin to take of this following Electuary and Apozeme, continuing the same for the space of twenty days. Give her the quantity of a large Nutmeg of her Electuary every morning fasting, and immediately after it let her drink a quarter of a pint of the Apozeme. The Electuary. Take conserve of Borage and Bugloss flowers of each two ounces, prepared Steel three drams, the black ends of the claws of Crabs finely powdered two drams, black Amber, that is, Jet, finely powdered a dram and half, oil of Vitriol twenty drops wi●h as much syrup of Coral as shall be sufficient; mix them together into an Electuary. The Apozeme. Take Garden Scurvigrass three handfuls, Fumitary and Maiden hair of each a handful, Sena two ounces, polypody of the Oak an ounce and half, Epithymum an ounce, Liquorice and Fennel seeds of each six drams, black Hellebore half an ounce. Boyl them all together in a gallon of Rain water over a gentle fire, in an iron pot close covered, until half be wasted: Strain away the ingredients, and sweeten the strained liquor with brown Sugar or common treacle. After she hath taken her Apozeme and Electuary, let the part be fomented twice a day with this following fomentation, and presently after it is fomented, anoint it with this following Lineament. Continue the fomentation and lineament until she be cured. The Fomentation is only the decoction of the herb Isatis, called in English, Woad; you may have the liquor out of a Dyer's fat ready for your use. The Lineament. Take twenty Eggs, boil them or roast them hard; then take out the yolks and put them into a Skillet, and set it over a gentle fire, then break the yolks with a spoon, and stir them continually that they may not burn: keep them stirring over the fire, until you shall perceive them to be full of oil, then take them from the fire and strain out the oil. Take of this oil two ounces, of the juices of Houseleek, Nightshade, and Rue of each half an ounce, Quicksilver two drams: beat them all together in a Leaden Mortar with a Leaden , until they be perfectly incorporated: Use this Lineament as aforesaid. During the whole time she uses the Lineament and Fomentation, let her every morning drink a draught of Whey or Posset-drink, wherein have been dissolved ten grains of Tartarum Vitriolatum. Let her eat no kind of flesh-meat, except Rabbits or Partridges. CHAP. XVI. For a Dropsy in the Womb. GIve her three small Pills made out of this following Mass for the space of ten days together. The Mass for Pills. Take Aloes Rosata two drams, Myrrh two scruples, Castoreum half a dram, Saffron a scruple: make them all into very fine powder, and with as much syrup of Mugwort as is sufficient make thereof a Mass for Pills. After she hath taken all her Pills, let her drink a quarter of a pint of this following Apozeme every morning fasting for the space of ten days more. The Apozeme. Take horse Radish-roots an ounce and half, Sassafras an ounce, the roots of red Madder, Butcher's broom, and Asparagus, of each half an ounce, Fennel seeds, Dill seeds, Caruay seeds of each two drams; boil them in White wine and Spring water of each three pints until half be wasted; sweeten the strained liquor with syrup of the five opening roots. When she hath done all her Apozeme, let her bathe in a Semicupium every other day until her belly be fallen. The Semicupium. Boyl a sufficient quantity of these following ingredients in so much water, that when the liquor is strong of the ingredients, there may be enough for her to sit up to the Navel therein, in a Tub or convenient bathing vessel. The Ingredients. Chammomile and melilot flowers, Bay berries, Cummin seeds, Sage, Wormwood, Penny royal, Mugwort Bryony root, Horse-raddish roots, Anniseeds, Fennel seeds, Thime, Majoran, Rosemary. Always immediately after her bathing, let her belly be anointed with Chemical oil of Dill. Let her diet be very spare, but chief of flesh meat, let her exercise much: let her sleep but moderately. Physical paradoxes. Physical knowledge, which is nothing else but an observation of the order and course of Nature, was by the Ancients begun and founded upon experience, and afterwards traditionally communicated unto posterity. It was first in the particular senses, then in the common sense, and by degrees introduced into the intellect, and there digested into a science: which science, being analyzed or resolved into parts, might with ease by others be attained unto by reading▪ although by the beginners thereof it was only elaborated by experience: as for example. Any one of an indifferent capacity may in a short time have the whole body of natural philosophy in his mind, by reading over some short physical system whereas another of a most penetrating wit cannot attain thereto in many years by the only light of Nature. Hence it is that the Ancients who had no considerable writings from others were so laborious and industrious in the inventing of arts and sciences; that they esteemed man's life too short for the perfecting of one art▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Hypocrates▪ life is short but art is long. But the succeeding ages, being heirs to the writings of their predecessors, became so careless and negligent of farther knowledge, that they did whole forsake that way which their ancestors used, and did content themselves only with a speculative knowledge of reading over the writings of others, this book-learning hath been so sacred amongst suchlike scholars of superficial and speculative knowledge, that it hath been by them accounted a Piaculum to gainsay the least tenet of generally received philosophy. It is not long since our universities were to guilty of taking upon trust the opinions of others, confirming their assertions by sic dicit Aristoteles, whereas Aristotle himself could say Amicus Plato, amicus Socrates, sed magis amica veritas. Aristotle well knew that if some doubt should not be made of the positions of the best Author, truth could not possibly be discerned from error. And indeed if Aristotle himself should have been believed in all things, the world should have still retained those chimaeras of the elementary fire, the motions of the heavens by intelligences etc. If faith should have been given to the writings of Hypocrates without all exceptions, many women with child had perished whose lives have been saved by letting blood. If succeeding ages had rested in Galens knowledge, the sciolists of our days would have made mad work with hellebore, scammony, colocynth etc. such violent and dangerous purging medicines as Galen only knew. If some in this age had not doubted all authority whatsoever, the circular motion of the blood had not been discovered. Is qui nil dubitat. The common wealth of learning hath received the greatest advantages from such as have not been contented to tread in the common road, but have taken to themselves the liberty to try whether the most generally received tenets might not have been at first taken up by a misunderstanding of circumstances. Now they which have made the best discoveries in all ages have always found many adversaries, and have been accused of affecting singularity until such time as their opinions grew popular, the reason is because the world takes no notice of that way and means by which the ancients got their knowledge. They which make new discoveries, and do add to arts and sciences, or do obliterate any thing which hath been generally received, have no other way to do this then the ancients had for the invention of the said arts and sciences, for there cannot possibly be any physical knowledge in the intellect which hath not first been in some sort in the sense. He that could never see or hear cannot possibly have any notion of sounds or colours in his mind: because the notion of sounds or colours is nothing else but the remembrance of such things seen or heard. Seeing then it is so that sens●ble experience is the first foundation of all science; why should not we, that have had more experience, make collections of our experiments as the ancients did; thereby not despairing to gain a more exquisite knowledge? We have meditated upon some experiments, from whence there do seem unto us to result some conclusions which whether they agree or not with what others have concluded it is not on our parts either to examine or to regard: but it more concerns us to examine and take notice whether such conclusions be rightly taken up from such experiments and whether we may not be deceived by misunderstanding some circumstances. We have observed in several creatures that the blood which is found in the heart and adjacent parts doth differ from that which is in the smaller veins. The opening of a jugular vein easeth the extreme pain in the head, when phlebotomy in other parts is not proficuous. A small quantity of blood taken from the sublinguary veins abateth an inflammation of the eyes, whereas letting blood as a general evacuation doth not conduce, the like is observed in inflammations of the throat, ears, and other adjacent parts. In the toothache a horse leech applied to that very gum where the pain is although it draw but a very small quantity of blood yet it doth immediately and wholly abate that extreme pain. Bleeding in the left side is known by experience to be conducible to the cure of the splenetic distempers▪ and so likewise to take blood from the right side is observed to be most proficuous in those affections of the liver wherein phlebotomy is required. Bleeding in the Hemarrhoidal veins is an admirable remedy for those distempers of the adjacent parts, especially of the kidneys, wherein there is required evacuation. A quartain ague is commonly abated, and sometimes wholly cured by opening of the Salvatella. Upon distempers of the spleen, the veins of the left side are fuller than those of the right. In the Hemicrania there may be seen a large vein in the temple of that side where the pain is, whereas the temporal vein of the other side is scarce visible, and in all other parts where there is present pain proceeding from fullness, the veins of those parts are much fuller than the veins of other parts wherein there is no pain. Often letting blood in the same vein causeth a diminution of the vein. I presume by the same reason that the umbilical vein in infants having no blood in it to extend it, doth by degrees lessen, and at length degenerate into a nervous substance. From these observations I conclude that there is given by Nature a peculiar blood to each extreme vein in man's body: and that although the whole mass of blood doth indifferently pass through the arterial vein, the venal artery, the heart, and part of the Aorta; yet it is afterwards divided in its passage towards the extreme parts, in such sort, that the several veins and arteries of the extreme parts do receive blood of some what a more different temperature the one from the other. The blood of the Salvatella doth differ in temperature from that which is in the temporal veins although they do both meet together and mix in the subclaviary veins. And the blood which is in the subclaviary veins, consisting of several parts, doth differ from that which is in the lower part of the hollow vein (which doth consist also of other several parts, being a composition of all that blood which was more simple in the respective branches of the hollow vein) although they are compounded in the upper part of the hollow vein, entering together into the right ventricle of the heart, for farther illustration hereof we may compare the mass of blood in man's body to the sea in the greater world. The sea by its Diastole doth send into the more inward parts of the earth, even to the extremes thereof a great quantity of water, which we know must necessarily be mixed in the ocean, as also in the great gulf which is the aorta thereof, where it first enters the earth; yet in the capillary veins, viz. the beginnings of springs we observe it to be pure and simple: although again it doth become more and more mixed and compounded, as by degrees, passing through the veins, viz. the more superficial cavities of the earth, it doth approach nearer and nearer to the sea▪ we know that the most simple part of the blood is in some sort a heterogeneous body: yet comparatively we may call the blood in the extreme parts and capillary veins homogeneous or similar, and that which is in the larger vessels and centre of the body heterogeneous or mixed which, though it be mixed, is in no wise confused: but it is even there so digested and so orderly disposed; that upon the next pulsation of the heart it is dispersed according to the order of Nature. Blood of such like temperature as came from each particular vein is orderly returned thither again by the pulsation of the heart▪ not otherwise then Bees, that in a summer's day disperse themselves severally according to each one's genius some miles distance from the hive, and when at night they are returned again, being all in the hive together, every one finds out his proper habitacle or place of abode (more by the wisdom of Nature than the knowledge of each individuum) that so they may be disposed and ready each one to take the same journey the next day as it did the day before. Nature, abhorring confusion even as she doth a vacuum, hath so oeconomized the humours of man's body, that as they are mixed by degrees in approaching nearer and nearer to the centre, so they do meet with the gradual augmentation of heat, whose property it is to keep them still in order by joining the homogeneal and disjoining the heterogeneal parts thereof▪ and that the blood may not be two much mixed at too great a distance from the centre where it cannot have heat sufficient to govern it, Nature hath provided valves and put them in fit places, viz. the meetings together of the veins▪ for farther explanation of my meaning take an example, the blood which is in the subclaviary veins is a mixed blood: and so is that which is in the hollow vein: yet neither of themselves severally are so much mixed as afterwards at their entrance together into the heart: Now as the heat of man's body is most intense in the heart and by degrees more and more remiss towards the extreme parrs; so is the blood most mixed in the heart and adjacent parts, and so less and less mixed as it is more and more remote from the centre, so that the hollow vein and the subclaviary veins have such a mixture of blood as is answerable to their distance from the heart as also a heat proportionable. But this just order and proportion might be violated, if Nature had not appointed valves to do what on their parts is to be done▪ that blood which is in the hollow vein in its motion upwards, might, some of it, pass beyond the heart and enter into the subclaviary veins, if Nature had not placed valves there to forbid it: there might, I say, be in the subclaviary veins blood as much heterogeneous as that in the heart, whereas the heat is not there accordingly. And so if there were not valves in the meetings together of other veins, there might be a return of some blood, and consequently too great a mixture at too great a distance, where it should want heat sufficient to govern it. We have perceived sensibly in several creatures that the blood of the heart and adjacent parts doth differ from that blood which is in the extreme parts, but we never could perceive any sensible difference of that blood which is in the several veins of the extreme parts: yet notwithstanding we have concluded that there is a difference. The reason is because we know that all that blood which is found in the heart came from the several veins of the extreme parts. We know likewise that if that blood which was in the extreme parts in several veins had not differed, there could not have resulted in the composition thereof such a manifest difference▪ as for example. I know some few springs meeting together which make up a brook able to turn a mill: this brook in its farther descent meets with another brook of suchlike pedigree as was the former: the water still descending increases into a river. Now knowing that this river is nothing else but the mixture of waters flowing from such several springs, although the waters of these several springs seem not to differ amongst themselves, yet there being a manifest difference between the river water and that of the springs, (the river water being able to bear soap and yeast, whereas the water of any one of these springs severally is of no use either for brewing or washing) I must necessarily conclude that the springs do also differ. If I had not this argument of the river to convince me, I confess, I should think there were scarce any difference in the several waters of all these springs yet they which do wholly drink water say that they could never yet find the water of any two springs in all respects alike. Bracelets, or such as physicians call periapta, if they be used loco et jure they do perform a manifest alteration upon man's body, for we know by experience that camphor included in a nodule and hung about the necks of Children hath cured divers agues in a short time, without any other means whatsoever, the bloodstone is known by experience to staunch bleeding; pyony roots either cure or abate epileptical fits, with many others. Many have been cured of lingering and cacheticall distempers only by the change of the air. They which have hot and costive bodies do not excerne by seat and urine a third part of what is ingested, yet their bodies are not at all increased either in weight or bulk. Infectious diseases, which are seated chiefly in the spirits, are sooner received by a body that is sweeting, then by the same body at on other time Hot bodies are sooner fluxed by unctions or plasters wherein there is mercury, than bodies more temperate. The same body sweeting is also sooner fluxed by such like unction or plaster then at another time. Salivation is stayed, and the mercury carried out of the body, by sweeting. From these observations digested, and made to conspire in one there seem unto us to result these three conclusions. First, there is in man's body a continual circulation of spirits through the pores, whereby the miasmes of the air are received into the body and the excrementitious vapours expired. Secondly, the pores are of two sorts, the one kind for expiration, wherein the motion of the spirits and vapours is from the base to the point, and the other for inspiration, wherein the motion of the returning spirits together with the infection of the air is from the point to the base. Thirdly, the pores for inspiration are valvous, that is, so contrived that the spirits cannot possibly go out again the same way they came in. We mean by spirits that vapour or effluvium which, by the natural heat is raised from the sincere humours of the body or from that part of the mass of blood which is uncorrupted, now the spirits being an exhalation from the purest blood, they are also in themselves pure, and are so continued by this regular motion which Nature hath provided them▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is an aphorism recorded by wise Hypocrates Nature cannot remain in the same state▪ there is nothing in the whole world stands still if we rightly consider it. All bodies are either continually acting upon their own excrement, and so moving towards a higher degree of perfection, or else they are suffering by some excrementitious matter, and declining towards a state of corruption▪ now whether they act or suffer, they have in them a circular motion, which is the only condition by which this action or passion is performed▪ as for example. A piece of pure and polished iron, if it be wetted and put into a moist air which is not agreeable to its nature, will corrupt, and by degrees become more and more corrupted until the whole body thereof be converted into rust. But on the contrary iron that hath contracted rust will refine and purify itself, if it be oiled and kept in a dry air▪ the reason of this is the motion of the spirits, which are bound by the law of Nature to keep a just correspondence between the body and the ambient air. This regular motion of the spirits is as the first wheel in a clock, or as the primum mobile to the lower spheres in the greater world, the spirits moving do put the secondary spirits into a motion of consent, and the secondary spirits do move the lighter humours, and so at length by a subordination of motion the grossest humours, are constrained to move; and the whole body is continued in and preserved by this perpetual motion▪ hereby the influences of the heavens which wander in the air are ushered in the body▪ hereby sensation is performed, and a just intelligence given unto Nature how in each moment the air doth stand affected. We have observed that if the head be but moderately heated, the whole body is immediately put into a sweat: yet if the body be very hot and the head cold, sweat is not procured. The head, and those parts that are nervous and membranous are most prone to sweat. They which are prone to the epilepsy, convulsions, or any other distemper proceeding from the obstruction of the brain, are not at all proclive to sweeting. They which are subject to sweat much have seldom the headache: and so on the contrary. Those things which are diaphoretic, as Guajacum, China, Sarsaparilla, have an immediate operation upon the brain, and are known by experience to have cured inveterate pains in the head proceeding from obstructions, whereas all other means have failed. From hence we conclude, that all that matter which is transpired, either by sweat or insensibly, is first conveyed into the brain, and from thence by the nerves scattered into the habit of the body. That which is transpired is, in the body, a spurious spirit, and is regulated by the motion of the spirits, passing through the same channels, although it have no reentrance into the body or motion of return, it is to the spirits as a meteor to the stars, which by the stars is put into a motion of consent, although to no other end than speedily to be dissolved or to vanish. The spirits we conceive to be, in all respects, the primum mobile of of the microcosm: which do move in the largest circumference and utmost orb of the body, and did first begin that motion which is essential to the life of man▪ which whole motion must be first accurately explained, before we can enucleate the order of Nature in transpiration or other excretion. We did denominate the spirits to be an exhalation from the purer blood: which exhalation is the product of heat, and heat the offspring of motion▪ yet notwithstanding we conceive that the first thing that did move in man's body was the spirits. These positions do imply a seeming contradiction, for if the spirits be the beginners of motion how is it that they do become the offsprings thereof at a third remove? I answer that the spirits are to be considered after a twofold manner▪ they are either innate, such as were the beginners of motion or else adventitious, those that are the continuers or preservers thereof, the spirits which did begin motion in man's body were nothing else but the spirituous part of the seed: which from the first instant of its motion must necessarily become more and more refined, and so by degrees exhale until it be all spent▪ the adventitious spirits are an exhalation from the purest blood which doth make a continual supply for the continual expense of the innate spirits: that so that regular motion which is essential to the life of man may be continued and preserved. The spirits do continually move in the veins and arteries together with the mass of blood: yet their proper orb is from the beginnings of the nerves to all the extremes thereof, as also to the whole surface of the body. There is a continuation of pores from the brain and spinal marrow through all the nerves▪ fibres and membrans of man's body: through which pores there can nothing but spirits, or that which is transformed into the shape of a spirit, these pores as we said before, are of two sorts, through which the spirits which are natures intelligencers do pass and repass, through the one kind of pores the spirits are continually passing from the brain, to give intelligence to all parts how the brain doth stand affected, whereby motion is performed, and through the other pores the spirits move backwards towards the brain whereby there is performed sensation: we conceive that there are several degrees of spirits, viz. Finer and grosser: and according to those several degrees we suppose them to move in a greater or lesser circuit▪ the grossest spirits move only in the veins and arteries together with the mass of blood: those which are finer pass through the arteries of the rete mirabile into the brain, and from thence are carried down by the nerves into the habit of the body, and do return again by the same nerves (although they do pass through different pores) into the brain, and then they enter into the veins of the rete mirabile, from whence they pass towards the heart and are again circulated with the blood: these spirits which move in the nervous parts, which are properly called animal spirits, are also of several degrees. viz. some purer and others less pure▪ the purest Spirits expatiate themselves at some distance from the surface of the body▪ those that are less pure move but to the surface, & those that are yet grosser come not so far; but they do in the mid way by an anastomosis of pores Change their path, and make a more speedy return unto the brain▪ even as in the circular motion of the blood the purer parts thereof are conveyed by the pulsation of the heart to the extremities of the arteries, and are received again by the extremities of the veins: but the grosser parts come not so far, but are let into the veins by an anastomosis, whereby they do obtain a shorter journey to the heart. Here we must take notice that the purer part of the purest spirits doth continually vanish into air, and is continually supplied by that which is in the next degree of purity: so that each moment every particle of the spirits becomes more and more refined: and hath such a successive being that it cannot twice be called the same. The humours and spirits are in continual motion, which renders them obnoxious to continual alteration. The grossest blood doth continually become more and more refined: and whereas at first it moved no farther than the first anastomosis or openings of the arteries into the veins, it doth afterwards increase in its circuit until at length it move to the utmost parts of the body: then is it resolved into a vapour, to the end it may increase and feed the grosser spirits which are in the veins and arteries▪ which spirits, by their circular motion, increase in purity, until they move, first, out of the veins and arteries into the nervs, so far as the first anastomosis of the pores, afterwards even to the surface of the body, and at length they do move out from the surface, being then in such a degree of purity, that afterwards by their perpetual motion they do perpetually lose themselves in the air. Now as the motion of the spirits is conformable to their beginning, increase, state and declination; even so is the motion of that excrementitious matter which is, or should be, transpired either by sweat or insensibly▪ it is at first a vapour raised from the impurer parts of the blood: which vapour is afterwards rarified unto such a tenuity that together with the spirits it passeth out of the veins and arteries into the nerves, when it is in the nerves, being capable of several degrees of rarity and density, it is either transpired, or left in the habit of the body, however, the thinner parts thereof are carried out by an insensible transpiration. I have observed that after the puncture of a nerve in the arm, the whole arm hath been much lessened. Many which have received some hurt in the os sacrum have had an extenuation of their thigh and leg of that side wherein they received the hurt. They which do lose the use of any part, have also an abatement of flesh in the same part. They which are much prone to sweeting do neither pinguefie nor increase in flesh. In consumptive bodies where there is an abatement of flesh, there is a more than ordinary transpiration. From hence we conclude that the nerves are the immediate organs of nutrition: that is, that part of the blood which serves for nutriment is carried by the nerves into the habit of the body. The veins and arteries are the elaboratory of the whole body, or the preparatory vessels wherein the humours are made fit for Nature's use: the brain is the first receptacle of the humours so prepared: and the nerves are those organs through which they are conveyed unto all the parts▪ there is nothing in the veins and arteries, except that which the gall and spleen do receive, which is not transported unto the several parts by the nerves, and before it can be received by the nerves it must necessarily be resolved into a vapour, this vapour is multiforme answerable to the heterogeneity of the humours, the several parts whereof it will be too tedious to prosecute: yet by a more general division, for our present purpose, we may divide it into three parts, which three parts, considered as well jointly as severrally, may perhaps bring us unto the knowledge of Nature in all her actions. One part hereof is excrementitious, another part nutritive, and a third part spirituous▪ that which nourisheth is of a middle nature between the spirits and excrementitious vapours▪ it agrees with the spirits in its equality of parts, which makes it less capable of being excerned: and it is like to the excrementitious vapours in its aptitude to condense: thus by an equal participation of both natures it hath a propriety of its own, viz. assimilation. The spirits, in their motion towards the external parts, by acting upon the excrementitious vapours do in some sort suffer, and are precipitated or embodied with the said vapours, whereby there is begotten a third which doth participate, as I said, of both natures▪ the most sound and tenacious nutriment is a mixture of the grosser spirits, and most sincere part of that which is excrementitious▪ and on the contrary that nutriment which is most volatile or consumptive is the finest spirits interred in the impurest excrements. Hence it is that so great a quantity of this false nutriment is so speedily congested, and again so suddenly dissolved▪ for when the nerves are so oppressed and loaded with excrementitious vopours, that even the purest spirits are clouded therewith; needs must these vapours which cannot be transpired settle themselves in the habit of the body, and increase into a considerable bulk in no considerable time: and afterwards it must as suddenly waste by reason of the disproportionable mixture whereof its nutriment doth consist. The spirits, being too fine to continue fixed, do in a short time fly away, whereupon the condensed vapours which were underpropped thereby, can no longer subsist, but do putrefy and dissolve, and do also by motion of consent bring the most solid nutriment into a state of dissolution. There is much difference between the flesh of the same body in its infancy & afterwards when it is grown up. The flesh of the same body although it be nourished with the same diet hath oftentimes a manifest change in a short time only by the alteration of the air. They whose flesh is most solid, close, and compact are not so apt to feed, as others whose constitution is more weak, and their flesh of a more Spongious and lose temperament. Eunuches and such as do seldom use the act of Venus are most apt to pinguefy▪ and we have observed in several creatures that only upon the the loss of a testicle they have suddenly grown fat. These observations do give us occasion to doubt whether or no there be any assimilatrix in each part to make that nutriment which it receivs like unto itself. It seems unto us that the spirits and humours do rather act upon the parts, than the parts upon them: otherwise the parts would not be so conformable to the alteration of air and diet, but should keep constantly the same temperament▪ how is it then that the whole body is not confusedly nourished, but every part and particle thereof doth receive nutriment according to its own kind? I answer that the spirits which are the chief instruments of nutrition, which are as multiforme as are the humours and parts, although they do meet altogether in the brain yet afterwards they are divided, in their passage towards the several parts, and as they do divide they do take along with them such parts of the excrementitious vapours as are most agreeable to their particular natures▪ so that by virtue of that action and passion which is betwixt the vapours and spirits as they are moving in their proper orbs, there is such nutriment made as is suitable to each part; which nutriment as it is in fieri, is moving towards its centre, wherein, being completed, or in facto esse, it doth acquiesse. Doubtless there is the same reason in a kernel for its first expansion into parts, as afterwards for the growth thereof: and at length being grown to a great tree it hath the same principle for the continuation of its bulk, as it had for its first growth. In like manner we conceive it most probable that the same internal principle which did at first form the parts, and did make the first flesh in man's body, doth make an addition thereto: and not that the body is made by one principle, and preserved by another. If the more spirituous part of the seed, being cherished by the warmth of the womb could at first, by moving in a figure agreeable to its Nature, make itself a habitation to dwell in: it may as well be thought to increase this habitation, and continually continually to repair it being increased. These tenets which we have delivered look not asquint nor thwart one another, but they are so harmonious in themselves, and do so agree with all manner of experiments of what kind soever, that we must necessarily make nature a monster if we deny them, but on the contrary paint her to the life in the acknowledgement thereof. According to these Hypotheses we will first recapitulate the oeconomy of Nature in man's body, beginning with him before he had a being, and so by degrees bring him on to his Journeys end: then afterwards we will consider whether all operations of external things upon man's body be not involved in this oeconomy. To omit much which may be spoken concerning the harmony of the well tuned Spirits in healthful bodies of consistent years: how the spirits moving from the surface of the body, bring pleasant objects into the brain, which do so delight the fantasy, that she is unwilling to dismiss them into the storehouse of memory, but is eager to give them present entertainment▪ how the fantasy by hover upon such pleasant objects must necessarily arrest the spirits which are the supporters thereof: and how the spirits, which can no longer be then move by delay are condensed. I say, to omit much which may be spoken concerning the first original of seed, I conceive it will be sufficient for our present purpose to begin with the seed ready made, which is the first original of man. The seed is nothing else but condensed spirits: as may appear by its tenacity and equality of parts▪ herein we must take notice of such a mediocrity of condensation, that the major part is apt to be brought back again to its own nature, and be continued therein; provided it have such circumstances as are required for the effecting hereof: that is, such a degree of heat as the spirits always had, and such matter annexed unto it▪ hereby the purer part of the seed may not only be resolved into their first principles, viz. into spirits, but also this matter may be resolved into a vapour, which the spirits may receive for their nutriment. Now these conditions are to be found in a well constituted womb; into which the seed being injected is form into parts after this following manner. The purer part of the seed, which is included in the centre, is at first rarefied into a gross spirit, which hath a slow motion in a narrow or be proportionable to its gross consistence: but afterwards, as by degrees it doth revive and put on its own nature by being more and more rarifyed it doth move quicker and in a larger circuit. Now as the spirits by condensation do cease to move, and by rarefaction do recruit in their motion; even so by their return unto their own nature they do obtain the same motion which they had before condensation▪ the spirits revived in the seed do not only regain their motion, but also such motion as they had in the body of man▪ they move in the same figure in the seed as they did in the body: so that by granting the spirits a motion agreeable to their own nature, we have the parts carved out unto our intellect, which we may easily conceive to be but the footsteps of the spirits. That particle from whence the spirits do first move and unto which they do return, is afterwards the heart▪ their first footsteps are the greater veins and arteries: having at first a regular motion in the seed analogical to that of the grosser humours in man's body, that is, from the heart to the first anastomosis of the veins and arteries▪ from thence by degrees they tread farther, until at length they have completed their double path for the humours to walk in, and have finished the whole series of the veins and arteries▪ after that the purer parts of the spirits do carve out the meanings of the brain, and by a farther progress of their natural motion they do make the nerves, and then do run divisions thereupon, dividing them into fibres, and dilating them into membrans. After this manner is the first foundation of man's body laid: and then as these spermatick parts do increase in bulk, they have added unto them such appurtenances as are suitable to their several natures: the veins and arteries of the Embryon, as by degrees they do become more capacious, do receive by the umbilical vein the purer parts of the mother's blood, and then the grosser: whereas at first the spirits by their motion drew into consent nothing else but an exhalation from the mother's seed. And as by degrees the veins and arteries are filled with blood: even so are the fibres of the muscles clothed with flesh by virtue of the said blood in the veins and arteries, which is first rarefied and made to put on the nature of a spirit, and is carried along with the spirits through the nerves, and afterwards amongst the fibres of the muscles is recondensed▪ in the mean time the purer parts of the spirits are together with some excrementitious vapours coagulated into marrow in the centre of all the parts throughout the whole body: the more spernatick part whereof is afterwards secerned from that which is more excrementitious, and, by degrees, by the heat of the body is ossiated. In this Coagulum of spirits and vapours we include all kind of medullossity, as the spinal marrow, and the substance of the brain. Such parts only of the mass of blood are carried into the nerves as are capable of being rarefied to the consistence of spirits: but those parts which are of a different nature, and are too much fixed or curdled, are coagulated in their distinct places, according to their peculiar differences, in the right and left side: and do make up the liver and the spleen▪ the liver was by the ancients thought to be the only organ of sanguification▪ and Fernelius attributed the like office unto the spleen, upon consideration of that multiplicity of veins and arteries which are disseminated throughout the whole body thereof. But these opinions are now exploded by all since the discovery of the circular motion of the blood. Doubtless the spleen as the Ancients held, is the receptacle of the more gross and melancholic blood; by virtue whereof the mass of humours are purified from their feculencies. It is our opinion that not only the spleen, but also the liver hath no other office than to purify the blood, by taking into it such parts, as if, they were in the veins and arteries, would fix the blood too much and by consequence prevent nutrition. For we have observed in an Atrophia, and in any manner of cachectical distemper that always either the liver or spleen, or else both are obstructed: and upon the opening of such like obstructions nutrition is again performed, and the body returneth to its natural temperament. We have likewise observed in those bodies of children that we have dissected, which have languished a long time, and at length died of an atrophy, that the liver hath been full of scirrhous tubercles, and very small: the reason of this we conceive to be because those parts of the mass of blood which should have been separated and left congested upon the liver were kept moving still in the veins & arteries, by reason of those scirrhous tubercles which did obstruct those narrow passages of the liver through which the blood should have been strained: whereas if it had been strained those parts should have been left behind in the Parenchyma of the liver which is their proper centre. And so it is with the spleen: when its transcolatory office is by any means prevented, the humours have an unjust consistence and are not so apt to be rarefyed, whereupon nutrition cannot be so well performed. If sanguification had been the office of the liver, Fernelius had done well in attributing the same to the spleen: for they do both alike consist of almost infinite small veins and arteries interwoven with their Parenchyma: but if the office of all these small veins and arteries in the liver be to strain the blood, we must allow the same office to the spleen: yet the veins and arteries of the liver are somewhat smaller than those of the spleen▪ the reason is, because it is required that the blood of children, which is strained chief by the liver, should be somewhat thinner than that of those which are grown up, which is percolated by the spleen, for as we affirm that the spirits by their first motion do boar the veins and arteries, and do move alone therein until such time as the veins and arteries are capacious enough to receive the mother's blood: so it is required that the blood which first enters into the veins and arteries be almost as thin as spirits, by reason of their slenderness, and afterwards that it have such a consistence as shall be agreeable to the smallness or largeness of the vessels. So that the blood of children is so much purer than that of those that are grown up, by how much their veins and arteries are smaller. And that it may be continued so, the liver, as I said, hath veins and arteries somewhat smaller than the spleen, that being the chief percolatory of children's blood, and this of those that are old. Those that are of middle age have their liver and spleen alike proportionable to their bodies, and doubtless they do their offices alike: but children have large livers and very little spleen, and on the contrary old men have their liver somewhat wasted, and their spleen much enlarged. The Embryon, having all its parts finished, and the whole clockwork of nature completed, doth struggle in its determinated time, to get out of the womb, as from too narrow an enclosure, and is extruded by the mother's body as too great a burden. No sooner is the infant born, but the lungs are set on work, and the Diaphragma made capable to conspire with the muscles of the Abdomen for the excretion of some excrementitious matter, which before could be carried no farther then into the intestines. The serous part of the blood is also now evacuated through the urinatory passages, whereas before it was transpired, and left in the secondine, to polish the skin, as also to extend and burst the secondine, and make it slippery for the better extrusion of the infant, now the head by degrees comes into shape, whereas before it was disproportionable to the body. Here we cannot but admire the great wisdom and providence of Nature in throwing out the serosity of the blood by transpiration whilst the Embryon is in the womb, that thereby the grosser parts thereof may be coagulated with some spirits within the meanings to make up the substance of the brain, whose office is to fix the spirits, for several uses, of which we shall speak hereafter; and afterwards in expelling the said serous parts through other more open passages, lest the brain should be too big, the spirits too much fixed, and the infant borne become lethargical Nature willing to continue what she hath produced, and desirous to preserve what she hath made, hath provided the infant borne such a diet as is spirituous viz. its mother's milk: which being received into its body warm from its mother's breast, doth very much support and strengthen the first foundation of its body, the spirits, and doth nourish and increase the spermatick parts which are the main architecture upon this foundation▪ yet childs, as by degrees they do grow up, and get strength, are afterwards nourished as well with other diet as they were before with milk: although by how much the body is more increased in bulk, by so much the greater quantity of spirits is required for nutrition thereof. Here we must know that as the body becomes stronger, there are spirits extracted by the Chemistry of Nature out of that diet which is less Spirituous, or at least hath its spirits locked closer up in its parts. As the spirits are the only ingredients which do enter the composition of sperm, so are they the nourishers and augmenters of the spermatick parts: yet as the spirits are insufficient to make seed except they be condensed, even so are they incapable to nourish and increase the spermatick parts, except they be first tuned and fixed by a well constituted brain. Hence it is that both children and those that are grown up do oftentimes pine away and languish, not for want of spirits or other nutriment; but by reason of the evil constitution of their brain: which being rectified by shaving the hair, and application of corroborating emplasters, they do regain their flesh, and are nourished as well as ever. Although the flesh receive not its nutriment wholly from the spirits, yet they are the chief instruments of its nutrition: which do qualify the nutritive part of the blood, and are themselves qualifyed by the brain. Now the chief office of the brain is, as I said, to fix the spirits for several uses: and first, that they should not be too much dispersed, secondly for nutrition and auction of the parts, thirdly for the making of seed, and fourthly for ratiocination. Here we do not conceive that the brain doth primarily act upon the spirits; for we think it would be absurd to ascribe action to any part which is not in motion, and passion to the spirits which do continually move: but we suppose that the spirits by acting upon the brain do accidentally suffer and become more fixed. As the spirits are always passing through the brain which is in the midway of their journey backwards and forwards betwixt the veins and arteries and the nerves, so part of them do always suffer condensation from the time they do begin to move until their motion cease: that is, from the first original of man until he die. And as there is a continual fixation of spirits, so there is a continual expense and a continual increase thereof, although sometimes the expense is greater than the increase, and on the contrary, those spirits which are fixed, are not afterwards lost by transpiration, but they do either nourish and increase the spermatick parts for preservation of the individuum as in those of under years, or else they are converted into seed for propagation of the species as in those of consistent age. In most old men, whose brain is of a drier constitution, there is a less quantity of spirits condensed, perhaps so much as is sufficient only for nutrition of the spermatick parts, but no superfluity for seed: and in those aged men whose brain is so well constituted as to prepare more nutriment than is required for the spermatick parts, it is either left in the brain (the seminary vessels being closed by reason of dissuetude) and so doth cause a great swimming and disyness in the head: or else it is carried towards the spermatick parts which have no need thereof, and there doth putrefy and corrupt, which doth produce aches and pains in several parts of the body. How ratiocination is performed by the condensation or fixation of the spirits it may appear as followeth. As sensation is performed by the motion of the spirits from the extreme parts, which do carry their respective objects into the brain, so is raciocination by the retention of the said objects: that is, by the memory of suchlike sensible perception, as we said before that the notion of sounds or colours is nothing else but the remembrance of such things seen or heard. Now these objects are retained, or this sensible perception is remembered by the fixation of those spirits wherein the said objects do abide. So that as the spirits are fixed and continued in the substance of the brain, even so are the objects treasured up together with the spirits: the comparison of which past objects with others that are present or to come is called ratiocination. The spirits, being pure of themselves, would by their continual motion be so attenuated that they could not be contained in the body, if they had not a refrigeratory, the brain, to contemper and allay them: by virtue hereof the sensories are shut up, and sleep is caused, that there may be a reparation made for those spirits which were lost while the sensories were open. Whereas, notwithstanding the coldness of the brain, some spirits do continually lose themselves in the air; it is out of the great providence of Nature, that thereby they may make the air a fit medium betwixt the sense and the object. So we see the spirits for smelling do disperse themselves in the air indifferently, but the visive spirits are not scattered except in the illuminated air. It will be too tedious to discourse at large how the object, by how much it is more pleasant, by so much it doth the more entice out the spirits and how the exercise of the several senses upon pleasant objects doth become hypnoticall. It is sufficient to know that as the spirits were the first movers in man's body, upon whose motion all other natural actions do depend, even so all actions cease, when the spirits cease to move. And as life doth commence by the motion of the spirits, even so the cessation of this motion is the next and immediate cause of death: whether it be by solution of continuity in some principal organ whereby the spirits are made incapable of keeping their circuit, or by some mercurial vapour which doth suddenly or by degrees intercept their motion, or else by something which is stupefying that doth suddenly thicken them: I say by what accident soever the motion of the spirits is stayed death must necessarily ensue thereupon. And no man ever yet died either a natural death, or by any accident whatsoever, but the next and immediate cause of his death was the cessation of the motion of his spirits. We call that a natural death when the spirits are not violently intercepted or discontinued: but as by degrees they are thickened and have a slower motion, as is evident by the slowness of the pulse, dimness of light, thickness of hearing, coldness of the body etc. so in process of time they are wholly stayed, although nothing violent doth happen unto them. Thus we see that both the beginning, increase, state, and declination of man's life doth depend wholly upon the motion of the spirits: as also all circumstances contained in the said beginning, increase, state and declination. As nutrition, auction, excretion, voluntary motion, sense, ratiocination, and whatsoever else is comprehended under these. And as the spirits do govern the body within itself, so by the mediation thereof all things else do operate upon the body: not only that which nourisheth and increaseth, but whatsoever purgeth, vomiteth, procureth sweat etc. hath its qualities first received by the spirits, and from thence communicated to the humours or parts according to the particular natures of such like qualities. Aloes and Colocynth taken inwardly, purge the body, and so they do by outward application. Terpentine taken inwardly provoketh urine, and emplasters of terpentine applied to the back and belly do the like. Emplasters of Ammoniacum dissolve and mollify scirrhous tumors, no otherwise than Ammoniacum taken inwardly doth dissolve scirrosities of the liver and spleen. Lapis haematites, dragon's blood, bowl etc. stop a flux whether inwardly exhibited or outwardly applied. Quicksilver taken inwardly procureth salivation: and so it doth by outward application. Pills and plasters of Asa Faetida are both good against the rising of the womb. Unctions of Brimstone cure the itch; and so doth Brimstone taken inwardly. In a word, all things whatsoever have their operation alike upon the body whether they be used inwardly or outwardly. But this could not be, if the operation of those things which do alter the body was not performed by the immediate act of the spirits, neither could the spirits so act, if they had not both a circular motion betwixt the centre and the surface, whereby they do keep a correspondence between all the diversity of parts of the body and did not also expatiate themselves at some small distance from the surface whereby they do take into the body the infection of the air. There is nothing whatsoever which is not continually spending its spirits in the air, as is demonstrable in all things, which are subject to wax old, I mean not only living creatures in the course of their life, but even vegetables, and the parts of living creatures▪ which we call drugs, unto which we ascribe several virtues. Let them be kept never so choicely, yet they will in time decay, and lose the said virtues which we ascribe unto them, the reason is because they do subsist, and preserve themselves, that time they do continue, by this expense of their virtues, that is, their spirits in the air; otherwise they should suddenly be corrupted. And if they be so attenuated that they may be, and are taken into the body of man, or if they be contiguous to his body they do the like. Now the spirits of man's body, as they are always moving out and returning into the body, they do continually lay hold on that which they find in the air to be most agreeable to their own nature, that is something which is most spirituous, and do carry it into the body▪ and whatsoever they find in the stomach and guts of a spirituous nature they do likewise carry it into the more inward parts viz. into the veins and arteries: and afterwards perhaps into the nerves▪ so that whensoever any medicament, whether drug or composition, happeneth within the reach of the spirits, the body is thereby altered: and so much the more by how much the parts of the said medicament are separated, because thereby its atoms are more speedily scattered. Here we must know that the medicine: acts not primarily upon the spirits, but the spirits upon the medicine▪ although afterwards they do accidentally suffer▪ hence it is that emplasters do perform no alteration upon a mortified part: neither do external things act at such a distance, whereunto the spirits of the body cannot come to lay hold upon the spirits, atoms, or qualities thereof. I could make a closer illustration of the spirits of the body acting upon the spirits of the medicament by almost infinite of examples, but for brevity's sake I shall propound two or three. Let any one swallow ten or twelve seeds of coloquintida whole: he shall have the seeds again in his excrements, yet notwithstanding his body shall be purged, this is a sufficient argument to convince any one that it is the spirits of the medicine that purgeth. Let the seeds of coloquintida be powdered and mixed with honey, and then spread upon leather and applied to the belly: and this also purgeth, this is another cogent argument to demonstrate that as the spirits of medicaments do operate, even so they are carried by the spirits into the body. Three seeds of coloquintida in powder purge as much as twelve seeds whole. This at the first sight should seem to be an argument to prove that it is the substance of things that worketh: but when we seriously consider that the seeds whole do also work, although not so powerfully, and that purging medicines do also work by outward applicacation, we must conclude that the reason why the seeds powdered work more than the seeds whole, is because the spirits of medicines being locked closer up in their parts do disperse themselves but moderately, whereas after they are opened, and their parts separated they do fly away with more alacrity▪ hence it is that all manner of drugs, if they be kept entire do retain their virtues longer than when they are powdered. Here we may take notice of a vulgar error which is generally received concerning the virtues of simples, which they say are either actually or in power: as if the body did reduce them out of power into act. I confess the heat and moisture of the body may so soften them and open their parts, that they may spend their virtues faster, no otherwise than as if they were infused or decocted: but I deny that there is any essential difference between their power and their action: because they do always act, although according to several circumstances with more or less vigour▪ but this concerns not our present purpose. Those things that altar the body do not only in a general way make evident these positions which we have delivered, in that it doth plainly appear that it is their spirits which do act upon the spirits of man's body etc. But they do also confirm the same if we consider them severally in their private and particular operations▪ as for example. Cordials, and such things as are spirituous are commonly given with good success indifferently unto all that faint and swoon away: although such like fainting or swooning in several persons doth proceed from several causes, the reason of this is because the result of all things which do injury to the body is the fixing, stopping, or intercepting of the spirits▪ so that such like cordials which have power to rescue the arrested spirits, do for the present revive the body, in that they do move the said spirits which are the cause of all other motion. Those things which do violently purge, if they be given without any preparative unto those bodies wherein there is a tenacity of humours, they do commonly cause Syncopes or sudden faintings away. The reason is because the atoms of such like purging medicines, finding those passages bolted up through which they should enter into the intestines, are immediately carried into the nerves, where they do intercept, or confound the regular motion of the spirits. The reason also wherefore purging and vomiting medicines do oftentimes procure sweat, is because their spirits are carried into the nerves. Opium doth allay pain: and doth cause sleep, the reason of the first is, because it thickens the spirits and intercepts their motion towards the brain. The reason of the second also is, because it doth, by condensing the spirits, shut up the sensories. Those things which are drying and astringent as china, guajacum, sarsaparilla, conserve of red roses vitriolated etc. do oftentimes prove analeptical. The reason is, because they do fix the spirits which are the chief instruments of nutrition. Camphor causeth sleep, by attenuating the spirits and causing expense thereof. Milk, and some other things which being eaten are straightway converted into a milky nature as almonds, the four greater cooling seeds etc. do resist drunkenness. The reason is, because they do precipitate the spirituous part of beer, wine, or any other liquor, which would sly up into the brain, and disturb the regular motion of the sp●ri●s. ●o we see posset drink is less vaporous than beer or ale, because the sp●r●●s of the said beer or ale are precipitated with milk. S●l P●●unellae, Vinegar, and all acide juices are proficuous in pestilential diseases. The reason is, because they do precipitate that mercurial vapour which doth intercept the motion of the spirits. No otherwise than Aqua fortis, which is made of vitriol and saltpetre, doth precipitate and tame quicksilver, and make it less fluid and vaporous. New milk warm from the cow, and milk sucked from a woman's breast is a great restorative. The reason is, because it doth in a more than ordinary manner increase the spirits which are the chief instruments of nutrition. Those things which are known by experience to be hurtful to the eyes, and to dim the sight, as garlic, lettuce, colewort etc. do it upon no other account than by thickening the visive spirits: and on the contrary where the eye sight is not perfect, it is oftentimes helped by such things as do rarify the said spirits, as fennel, betony, Eyebright etc. Here we must take notice that condensation and rarefaction are not of themselves hurtful or profitable to the sight, but as they do retard or accelerate the motion of the visive spirits which is the next and immediate cause of seeing, they do by consequence become hurtful or profitable, The water of the sperm of frogs preventeth the spreading of a gangrene, by intercepting the spirits, which would carry the septick quality of the extreme part gangrenated nearer unto the centre of the body. In contused wounds the part is preserved from mortification by injecting of spirit of wine into the wound, or fomenting the part therewith: the reason is because it doth both comfort the spirits & rarefie the pores, that so the motion of the spirits in the part may not be hindered. Add hereunto the virtue of actual heat in any manner of distemper whatsoever either outward or inward. They that are well versed in chirurgical operations cannot but know the efficacy of hot stupes. And so in feverish distempers those things which are given actually hot, provided they nourish not too much, do sooner quench thirst, and abate the preternatural heat of the body, than cooling julapes. The reason is, because heat doth open the pores and by consequence make way for the spirits to move. This motion of the spirits, Courteour Reader, is that we did intent, in this inconsiderable treatise, to propound unto thee. Wherewith we were loath on a sudden to interrupt thee: thinking it more convenient first to broach some tenets, which are involved in it, under the notion of Paradoxes. Yet we presume that upon serious consideration thou wilt look upon all we have here written as Orthodox. And that for two reasons. First, because all operations of external things upon man's body are reducible to reason upon this account. And secondly because there is no contradiction in the whole Series of our discourse, but each position doth so confirm another, that in the whole there is such a symmetry as doth become the simplicity of truth. FINIS.