A new Discovery OF THE FRENCH DISEASE AND RUNNING of the REINS; THEIR Causes, Signs, with plain and easy Direction of perfect curing the same. By R. BUNWORTH, The second Edition corrected with large Additionals. LONDON, Printed for Henry Marsh at the Princes-Arms in Chancery-lane, 1666. The Bookseller to the Author. SIR, when you see we have not Graved your face; But put this Mountebank into your Place, 'tis from design to make no shows of you As such as promise more than they can do: Your whole faced cures Refuse you should be shown By shadows or by halves: your art alone That can Preserve entire and save the frame Of others, shall be praised in the same. There's Beauty in those Scars that you have cured And double Pleasure while they have endured Further this kindesse is diffusive too Like the Disease you courteously do: You cure the Pox as it did first begin By Prostitution of your Medicine. Others their Patient's belief betray, Your Publication is the Secretest way. H. MARSH The PREFACE to the READER. Courteous Reader, HAving had continual and daily experience for some years together in the cure of the French disease with as good success, as my own heart could desire; I thought it necessary to publish all those several ways which I have made use of in the cure of this disease, in several constitutions, that other people might receive the benefit also of our labours and studies that I might show myself a profitable member of the Commonwealth wherein I lived, and in that City wherein was my present abode: but now having found that that which we then did only for a trial, hath been so well received into the world, we thought it our duty to make it public again with additions, being assured that only the benefit which it brought along with it, gave it so free a welcome and entertainment in the world. And certainly for the time of publishing it, it never could have been more seasonable, in regard that besides the multitude of those that are infected with venereal distempers, such is the dark ignorance of most in this City, who publicly profess to cure the same, by sticking their bills upon posts, to catch ignorant Country people, that scarce one in twenty can give cure of that disease which they profess to cure. The patiented tells them, and then they tell the patiented again that he hath got a clap; which signifies just as much as if they had said nothing at all. And then out of ignorance or deceit they engage the patiented into a long and tedious Course of Physic until the time of the year shall have cured the disease for the present, which they wholly ascribe to the Physic he took, but the next Spring the patiented finds by woeful experience the contrary; for as the year gets up, so doth the disease daily increase which these Empyricks pretend to have cured. Then he goes to another such like Mountebank which deals no better with him than did the former. And thus is he miserably deluded for two or three years together, until at length he concludes that the disease is incurable, and so he is enforced to make much of his disease, until it brings him into some other distemper which kills him. 'tis a vain thing, and I am sorry that poor people should be so far deluded to think their disease incurable because these Quacksalvers tell them so. For I here publicly profess by God's blessing to cure this disease within the space of forty days in any that have had it above a dozen years, by such means as are here set down in this small treatise, which we have once more, by reason of the public recommendations that have been given it, published for the comfort of all those that are distressed, and for the benefit of the young Practitioner, of whom now I am speaking. I shall take leave to give him these few exhortations, first to avoid the common fault of all practitioners which is covetousness; and not to exact upon the necessities of others that are in distress: in the next place let him not be too inquisitive of any patient who he is, or where he dwells, especially if he have a mind to conceal himself, thy business being only to cure him which ease, speed, and safety. Thirdly if thou knowest the patiented, judge not rashly of him; for as an Artist you must know that the French disease may be got by lying in a hot bed with another, or by drinking with him, or by setting on the Close stool after him, and so the Running of the reins may be got by riding lifting or any manner of streining, as using too frequent copulation with a man's own wife. Fourthly so to contrive the business that not any one of thy patients may know that the other is thy patient, that each patient may be with all possible privacy. Fiftly neither flatter nor dally with any patient whatsoever. Tell him not that the cure will not be troublesome, when thou in thy conscience know'st that it will, and on the contrary do not affright him, when thou know'st that he is in no danger. The observation of those instructions will give a repute to the practice of whosoever shall have a care not to deviate from them; which I wish to all honest and painful practitioners, and that the abuses of Mountebanks may be discovered and avoided, which as it will be profitable to the judicious practitioner so it will not be a little advantageous to the patiented. Farewell. R. B. CHAP. I. Of the name, causes, and original of the French Disease. THE French pox is certainly a new disease, and not known in Europe till within this hundred years: For when Charles the eight king of France besieged Naples, which was in the year 1494. it first began to spread itself, not only through his army, but through all Italy, being brought by the Spaniards from the American Islands into these parts of the world. It hath been variously named, some calling it the Spanish, some the Italian, some the French disease. Others not willing to injure any nation, have styled it the Venereal plague. Now what it is, whence it deduceth its original, and to what kind of disease it ought to be referred, it is a great difficulty to determine. Some will have it to be the effect of divine justice. Others say it proceeds from a manifest distemper of the air, that is, when it is very moist. But this stands not with reason, when we find that this disease is contracted as well in times of drought as well as moisture. Nor can the air be the cause of it, seeing that never any man was yet infected with the breath of the most distempered person. Some blame the copulation of a leprous soldier with a noble courtesan in Spain to have been the original thereof; for when other young men came and made the same use of her, the Foulness of the former mixture dispersed this contagion to their bodies, and they to others. The Cause of this disease as the Galenists affirm, is a certain venom which preys upon the blood, is hurtful to the liver, and works by second qualities, heat and drought. The Chemists not much differing from them, define it to be a venomous ferment, that like a stink seizeth upon the solid and liquid parts of the body. But most commonly it associates itself with the excrements, which are the matter of diseases, that have not the power to resist its virulences. This contagious disease is contracted many ways, as by touch in coition, by reason that the active force of the poison communicates its venom by means of that corrupt matter, or those stinking vapours that proceed from the infected person. Now because that cannot happen but by touch, it follows that the signs of the disease must first appear in those parts which first are liable by that contaction to receive the infection. And therefore we always find the first symptoms in the privy parts. Sometime it is contracted by lying together in the same bed, by reason that the sweat and impure vapours that exhale from a defiled body corrode and penetrate the skin of him that is sound. In the same manner the chaps are infected by drinking together, the nostrils by receiving the evil scents of his body. As to the parties receiving, some whose skins are soft and tender their vessels larger, their spirits more subtle, and more inflamed their blood more thin and hot, have a less force to resist, and are consequently more apt to receive this poison. So we see the tenderest parts of the same body soon infected, as the privities, which are very tender, and still heated and rarefyed by copulation. The mouth also and jaws are in the same danger, by reason of the softness and thinness of the subject. Young men also are sooner infected, than aged, and the weaker young men sooner than those who are of stronger constitutions. But women are less subject to infection then men, by reason of the coldness of their temper, as also because those parts are washed by their natural evacuations. CHAP. II. Of the signs and symptoms of this disease. THE signs and symptoms how you shall know those that are infected with this grief, appear by the following effects. Now because the signs do proceed and are taken either from the nature of the effects or from the causes of the sickness and also from some symptoms or causes thereof, and also because this disease beginneth in the liver, which cannot be looked into, let us not look for any signs which may be common to other diseases, but let us seek for such signs as can give certain testimony and show thereof, as being contained under the effects, and consequently proceeding immediately from the disease. Of these signs there be two sorts, some are symptoms, as falling off of the hair, aches in the head and members and small infection of the skin. But those which I call diseases proceeding from the disease, are those sore and vehement ulcers, tumours of the shins and other parts of the body with pustules. Of these symptoms some happen at the beginning, some when the disease is grown more prevalent and vigorous. Those of the first sort are these that follow. When a man is first infected, He feels a certain weariness come upon all his members, without any outward occasions, such as walking or violent exercise. There will be also a lumpish heaviness over the whole body, a dulness, faintness and slowness to move in all the members. The occasion of this is the infection of the natural spirits, which are the immediate instrument that give livelyness to the whole body, which being infected it must of necessity follow, that the whole body should be more weary and heavy than it was before. There is moreover a certain pain or ache, which wandreth throughout all the body and the several parts thereof. First the head acheth, than it leaveth the head and goeth into the shoulders, by and by it leaveth one shoulder and goeth into another, out of the shoulders it flies to the legs, sometimes in one leg and sometimes in another. The cause of this is a certain vapour which taketh its course from the liver. 'Tis true that the evil humour is not yet quite begotten, but by reason of the fervent heat of the liver, which is caused by the infection, there is a certain small vapour engendered, which is the cause of these pains that wander up and down the body. Now after that the disease hath a little prevailed, the colour of the face is quite altered; Those that before were of most lively and clear complexions, are in very short while all discoloured. The lively spirit of the eyes, and the comely colours of the mouth and cheeks will be altogether of another Hue; and besides this there will be under the eyes of a wan coloured or bluish circle, such as appears in women that have Their stomaches will be much taken off from their meat, they will have pains in the night coming upon them much about the time they go to sleep, will many times wake them out of their sleep. They are colder than ordinary and more over they have an itching pain in their shinbones, which abates no longer than while you are gently rubbing of the part. Besides all this, they will be troubled with drowsiness or a disposition to sleep, which shall be often interrupted. There is wont also to be a notable heat in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, though it be in the winter time. Neither is sadness of the mind to be left out, for though the party infected should be of a pleasant and merry nature, yet will this disease cause him to be sad even to such a height as to groan therewith. The infection now increasing burneth the blood which causes a fever, by reason of the heat which is about the distempered parts. By this appears the putrified matter which is a sign to discover the malady; for when you see this putrified matter yet in small quantity about the yard, knowing no occasion thereof to have gone before, you may safely pronounce it to be the French disease. For this matter cannot proceed but from two causes; either because of the corruption of the woman's Matrix, which may have eaten and gnawn the fine skin of the yard; or else by reason that the contagion being imparted unto the Liver by the natural spirits, the liver therefore expels those infected spirits and sanious matter down again upon the privy parts. Besides these common signs there are others, of another nature, as bubo's, which a●e small tumours in the armholes or groin and privy parts, afterward a general itching over the whole body, and sometimes sore and angry pustules or break out in the head, face and other parts. CHAP. III. Of the cause of the coming forth of those pustules and other tumors. THE chief cause why these pustules break forth, are first, because the infected matter is sent thither by the liver; Secondly because the parts infected do not digest and expel the excrements by way of transpiration, and therefore it remains there and grows into crusts. But there are besides these pustules other signs of the disease, as the hanging down of the Uuula in the further part of the mouth, which causeth much moisture to come into the mouth, by reason whereof happens a very great hoarseness. Wherefore if you hear your patient speak hoarsely, open his mouth and you shall perceive the Uuula full of moisture, which if the patiented have no Catarrh, is a confirmed sign of the disease. The cause of the moistness of the Uuula is the change and infection of the natural spirits, which being carried with the blood throughout every vein of the whole body, by reason of their infection lose their strength, so that their function grows weak and feeble in the stomach, which causes and engenders phlegm, and unnatural humours in the brains; which abundance of humours falling down upon the Uuula, are the cause of its being pressed down: if the blood be sharper, it consumes the roots of the hair which causeth them to fall off; it exulcerates the mouth, the palate, and the nose. Now the cause of hoarseness of the voice is humidity and excrements which stop and let the ways of the voice. There be other tumors denoting this disease as, such are the tumors of the glandules in the further part of the mouth, which when ere you see be out of doubt that the infection of this disease is confirmed. For the infection being now sent to the head, is expelled by his emunctory places which are the glandules. There are in the last place certain other tumors called gummata or bumbata, by reason that the matter contained in them resembleth the gum of trees, which happens either because the party is not well nourished, but heaps up abundance of undigested excrements, or else because the liver continually feeds them with the infected matter of the disease. Note here that if an asthma happen upon this disease, it declares the party to be past cure and therefore let never any man seek to put such a one to pain by medecines or other means, for they shall never heal such a one. These signs confirming the certainty of the infection, care must be had that you know the time of the infection, for, if it be new and lately contracted, it requires a shorter and easier cure; if it be of a long standing, it requires a longer and more artificial cure. CHAP. iv General observations concerning the cure of the French disease. THis small Treatise which we are now about to write doth contain all both the known and secret ways of curing the French disease which are at this day practised, either in London, Paris, Venice, Rome or any other part of the world; yet all these would be in vain without some general of what is to be done before the cure, in the cure, and after the cure, Before you proceed to the particular cure of this disease, let the body be sufficiently cleansed, otherwise that which you give to cure the disease, will work upon some other superfluous humour of the body, and leave the disease but half cured; for though the symptoms will for the present abate, and the disease seem to be wholly cured, yet the next spring after, the patient shall be sure to know by woeful experience that his Doctor was but an Empiric. CAP. V Of the preparation of the humours. THE humours predominant in the constitution of every person, are Phlegm, Blood, Choler, or Melancholy; and according to the particular abundancy of either of these humours, people are said to be phlegmatic, sanguine, choleric, or melancholic. If the patiented be Phlegmatic, first prepare his body, and then purge him, let him be prepared with this following Apozeme. Take roots of Parsley, Fennel, Grass butcher's broom, and Asparagus an ounce. Maidenhair one handful, Penyroyal half a handful, Cinnamon and Liquorice an ounce; cut, slice or bruise them according to Art; then boil them all together in whitewine and spring water, of each a pound and half, until half be wasted, strain away the ingredients, and sweeten the Liquor with six ounces of Oxymel Julianizan; drink of this four ounces fasting in the morning, and as much to bedward so long as it shall last. The next day after he hath taken his Apozeme in the morning fasting give him this following Purging potion, and if need require two days after purge him again. Take Senna three drams, Agarick two Scruples, Caraway-seeds half a dram, Cinnamon and Squinanth one scruple; infuse them all night in four ounces of white wine, strain it, then added Manna and Syrup of Roses solute half an ounce, Tartarum vitriolatum ten grains. The next day after proceed to the particular cure. If the patiented be of a sanguine constitution take from his right arm ten ounces of blood, more or less according to his age strength and time of the year. The next day after bleeding proceed to the particular cure. If the patiented be choleric, purge him with this following potion. Take Senna two drams, Rhubarb and Tamarinds an. a dram, Coriander seeds prepared half a dram, cream of Tartar a scruple; infuse them in three ounces and a half of sorrel water for the space of twelve hours, strain it and put to the strained liquor one ounce and a half of syrup of Roses, and one drop of oil of Cinnamon. If you perceive by his excrements that his body be very fowl, purge him again after two days intermission, and the next day after begin with his particular cure. If the patiented be melancholy, take from his left arm nine ounces of blood, more or less according to his strength age and the time of the year. The next day after bleeding let him take of this following preparative Apozem. Take Borage Bugloss, Maidenhair, Ceterach, and Fumitory, of each a small handful; the roots of grass Asparagus and liquorice an one ounce Cream of Tartar half an ounce, boil them altogether in two quarts of spring water until half be wasted, strain it and sweeten the strained liquor with six ounces of syrup of Apples; Give him four ounces of it in the morning fasting, and as much at night towards bed time as long as it shall last. The next day after he hath taken all his Apozeme let him purge with this following potion. Take Senna three drams, black Hellebore one dram, Agarick half a dram, Galingale and Squinanth an one scruple, Spikenard ten grains. Infuse them all night in four ounces and a half of Borage water, in the morning put to the strained Liquor one ounce and a half of syrup of Roses, and five drops of oil of vitriol. Two days after he hath taken this potion, if need require, purge him again with two scruples of extractum Rudii made up into five pills. The next day after he hath taken his pills take more blood from him as you shall see occasion, and then proceed to the particular cure. Those which are of mixed temperaments must be dealt with all according to the prudence of the Physician, which is greatly to be required as well in the Cure of this Disease as of any other. Yet this give us leave to set down, that where you find mixed humours there you must apply yourself to the giving of such things as are prepared for the cleansing away of mixed humours. As for example: Pilulae Mastichinae, containing Agarick, do forcibly purge away gross choler and phlegm, which are made this. Take Mastic half an ounce, Aloes one ounce, Agarick Trochiscate and powder of Hiera simplex ana three dams and a half, incorporate them with Malmsey; take three pills at a time going to bed eating no supper. The Pills sine quibus esse nolo do draw choler, phlegm and melancholy out of all parts of the body. They are to be taken in a morning fasting, keeping yourself warm by reason of the scammony which is in them. Thus with such Receipts as these are, of which there are many more, when you find the mixed humours sufficiently prepared, proceed to the particular cure of the disease. CHAP. VI Of the diet used in the cure of this disease. THE diet of your patient must be always drying as to the quality, and very slender as to the quantity. The use of biscuit is no way to be discommended, for it suffers the meat taken after it to moisten so much as otherwise it would. His meat must be roasted, and of the very best, as Mutton, Chickens, Partridges, Rabbetts etc. only when he purges you may permit him to have his meat boiled, and when his strength gins to come you may permit him to eat some bread and raisins; His drink must be very small, and indeed if he could keep himself to the decoctions which belong to the cure of the distemper, it would do much better. CHAP. VII. The first way of curing the French disease. TAke of this following decoction of the Wood Guaiacum half a pound, the bark of Guaiacum four ounces, Sassaphras an ounce; boil them over night in three Gallons of water in an Iron pot close covered, and let them infuse all night. In the morning boil them again with raisins stoned half a pound, China Sarsaperill and Liquorice of each two ounces; Let them continue boiling over a gentle fire, until the liquor be half wasted, then take it off from the fire, and when it is cold strain away the liquor from the ingredients, and put it up in stone bottles and keep it in a cellar or cool place for your use. Take of this decoction a quarter of a pint in a morning fasting, at four in the afternoon and at night to bedward, for the space of forty days together, and every time let him sweat moderately after it. Then let him use this following decoction at meals in stead of beer. Put a gallon and a half of water to the ingredients that were left of the first decoction, and boil them a little, then take it from the fire and keep the liquor together with the ingredients in an Earthen vessel two or three days, in the mean time drinking of it as aforesaid, then put away the ingredients from the liquor, and keep it by itself. This first way of curing the French disease is very safe for any whatsoever, but it agrees best with ancient people & such as are Rheumatic and of a Phlegmatic constitution. It is moreover an apt cure for the Dropsy, the Gout, the Scurvy, Quartain Agues, Convulsions, the Epilepsy, all manner of pains in the head the King's evil, and the Palsy. CHAP. VIII. Of choosing your Guaicum and China. HAving so often made mention of Guaiacum, and China, and finding them so necessary ingredients in the cure, of this disease and that their goodness or badness doth much conduce either to retard or hasten the cure we have thought fit to set down some few signs whereby to know which is good and which is naught. In choosing this wood you are to consider the time of the year, for in a cold season as in the winter you are to use the hotter, sharper and bitterer sort, which is easily judged by the sense, in the summer that which is least sharp or bitter either of an old or young tree. Now the marks whereby you shall discern the best from the other are these. First the old wood is very big and hath a gross and thick rind, which so cleaves to the wood that you can hardly separate it with a knife, for as often as you see the bark come easily from the wood it shows that it hath been moistened with salt water and it is of the worst sort; in the second place, if you rasp a little of this wood, and find no smell to come from it, you may conclude that it is either very old or else corrupt. The third sign to choose this wood by, is, that if in rasping it appeareth very oily, so that you perceive the dust thereof to glister. Fourthly, taste of that dust, and if it by't your tongue immediately, and afterwards yieldeth a bitterness, it is very good. Fiftly, if there appear in the substance manifest pores and holes, and that the place where it is rasped appear not very smooth and equal, 'tis not good. Sixthly, you must choose it very ponderous and heavy. The last proof thereof, is to boil the raspings, and if the decoction be thick, very bitter and sharp, it is very good. The signs of the goodness of the rind are these. If it be taken from a tree which is old or of a middle age; for that which cometh from small boughs is naught; now that which cometh from an old tree or a tree of a middle age, hath great pieces and large cavities. Secondly, let the rind be very thick and hard. Thirdly, let the rind be somewhat black, sprinkled with an ash-colour, for this is the colour of the most excellent bark. The best China, is that which is rough in colour, not ponderous, nor wormeaten nor corrupted, though of the two, they which be wormeaten are the better of the two. For the spongious roots soon putrify, and give little strength to the decoction. CHAP. IX. Of the Second way of curing the French disease. THis is by salivation or fluxing. To which purpose let the patiented anoint the palms of his hands and the soles of his feet with this following unguent until he begin to spit. Take of Quicksilver one ounce, and put it into a little mortar with four or five spoonfuls of vinegar, and stir them together in the mortar with a pestle, until the quicksilver be divided into small particles, less than pins heads, then pour away the vinegar, and put into the mortar to the Quicksilver, Venice Turpentine and Hogs seam of each an ounce, stir them together with the pestle until the quicksilver be incorporated into them; then mix with it Unguentum Neruinum two ounces, and keep it in a cool place for your use. Let it be very well chafed in, otherwise it will not let him spit at all; when he gins to spit let him leave off to anoint himself, and keep very warm. Let him continue spitting, till his spittle leave off its brackish taste and become either insipid, or else of a sweetish taste, which is commonly in seven or fiteen days during the whole time of his spitting. During the whole time of his spitting let him drink a draught of warm posset-drink for three or four times a day. When you would abate the spitting which must be, upon some very extraordinary occasion, as if he spit blood, so that you perceive any of the vitals to be offended, then give him every afternoon at four of the clock this following clyster. Take new milk a pint, brown sugar two ounces, two yolks of eggs, and three dramms of common salt; mix them together according to art and give them Clysterwise blood warm: Give him also at night when he goes to bed this following Bolus: Take of Diascordium two scruples, Gascoyne's powder twenty grains, oil of Vitriol two drops, with a little syrup of white Poppy, mix them into a Bolus. If while he spits, his teeth are very lose, let him keep a piece of gold in his mouth. Some people are so ignorant as to procure salivation by anointing all the joints; but this Remedy is worse than the Disease: for there be many that have been so anointed which have had feeble joints all the year after. Salivation may be also procured by the mouth, as well as by unction, as thus. Take of Turbith minerals ten grains, and make it into a ball or pill with conserve of Roses, and give it the patiented; the next day but one give him eleven grains so made up as before, and the next day but one to that give him thirteen grains of the said Turbith. When he takes his doses he must receive it early in the morning and sleep after it an hour, and then rise and keep himself very warm for an hour, nor must he drink any thing but posset-drink warm while the flux continues, which will be for twenty days, he shall eat no meat but broth of mutton or hens: after he hath done fluxing let him take this drink. Take of Sarsaperil two ounces; Guaiacum four ounces; Hermodactyles two ounces; Senna two ounces; Annis-seed & Cominseed two ounces; Liquorice sliced Twenty two ounces; boil all these together in ten quarts of liquor half beer half water, and let them boil twelve hours on a soft fire till three quarts be consumed, and then drink thereof half a pint in a morning and half a quart about four in the evening till you have drunk it up. You may when you take this drink eat boiled mutton or veal or hens roasted. The Cure of the French disease by salivation or spitting surpasseth any other cure, provided it be used to those bodies unto which it is most convenient; otherwise it is most uncertain and dangerous. For it proves destructive to those that have a moist brain, and are subject to pain in the head, and are inclined to cold diseases. But to those that are of extreme hot constitutions, and are not at all obnoxious to the headache, it is the only remedy under heaven for the disease. CHAP. X. The third way of curing the French disease. TAke of Conserve of Woodsorrel and conserve of Barbery's of each three ounces, red Coral prepared two drams, Crabs eggs, salt of steel and Tartarum vitriolatum of each a dram and a half, Succinum two scruples, with as much syrup of coral as is sufficient, mix them together in an electuary. Give the patiented the quantity of a nutmeg of this electuary every morning fasting, and as much at four in the afternoon, so long as it shall last and let him exercise after it; and in the mean time every fift day let him purge with this following potion, and once a week let him sweat in a hothouse or in his bed with bottles or bricks. Take white-wine three ounces; syrup of roses solutive an ounce and a half, Lac sulphuris two scruples, mix them together according to art. Let him not take the Electuary when he purges and sweats. This is a good way for those that live sedentary lives and have obstructions in their inward parts, as the liver, the spleen, the Mesentery, etc. CHAP. XI. The fourth way of curing the French disease. KEep the patiented in his bed four or five days or a week together, and swear him continually. In the mean time let him drink now and then a draught of hot posset drink, but let him by no means take any thing else whatsoever. This way is used much in the Low Countries. It is the only way for those that have sharp and eating humours, insomuch that they are fearful of losing the palate of their mouth, or the bridge of their nose, and have holes in their head or any other part. CHAP. XII. The fifth way of curing the French disease. TAke of Sarsaperil one ounce and an half, split it and cut it into half an ounce of the best spirit of wine in a glass close stopped with a cork and bladder; Let the infusion continue so long till the spirit of wine continue of a perfect golden colour. Then strain it, and put to the strained liquor gum of Guaiacum powdered an ounce; natural balsam a dram, stop them very close, and shake up the glass, once or twice every day until the gum be perfectly dissolved. Let the patient take half a spoonful of this Artificial balsam in every draught of beer he drinks three weeks or a month together. In the mean time let him be purged every fifth day with two scruples of extractum Rudii, and ten grains of Mercurius dulcis mixed together according to art and made up into five pills. This is an excellent way for all effeminate persons and such as are of weak constitutions. CHAP. XIII. The sixth way of curing the French disease. TAke white wine three ounces, Venice Treacle two scruples, Balsam of Sulphur seven grains, mix them together into a potion. Let the patiented drink this potion every morning for the space of twenty days together, and let him not eat or drink any thing for three hours after. This is accouned a great secret among the French and Italian Doctors. It cures the disease. He may go about his occasions every day notwithstanding the potion which he takes in the morning. It is safe for all sorts of people, but it agrees best with cold constitutions and such as are inclined to shortness of breath & a defluxion of Rheum upon their lungs. Many of the French Doctors do use balsam of Sulphur alone with good success. But this way is not to be used when the disease is over far gone. CHAP. XIV. The seventh way of curing the French disease. TAke gum Guaiacum two drams, Antimonium Diaphoreticum, flower of Brimstone, Diagrydium, man's bones calcind, Mercurius dulcis, of each a dram. Opium half a dram, Saffron a scruple, Juice of Camomile as much as suffices; make them into a mass according to art. Of this following mass make a pill consisting of ten grains, and let the patient take one every night when he goes to bed for forty nights together; let him be composed to a good moderate sweat by laying on good store of upon him: in the mean time let him drink nothing but spring water, both at meals and at other times. This is most agreeable to them that have extreme nocturnal pains, and have scarce any other symptoms as swell, pustules, etc. CHAP. XV. The eight way of curing the French disease. MAke the Patiented an Issue in his right arm, and another in his left leg, then give him five spoonfuls of this following Apozeme, every morning fasting, and as much at four in the afternoon, so long as it shall last. The Apozeme. Take of the Shave of Tin two ounces, of the juice of Rue six ounces, of the juice of Garleek four ounces, Venice-Treacle an ounce and a half, Muskadel fix pints; boil them altogether in an earthen-vessel close covered (over a gentle fire) until half be wasted. This way is most suitable for those that are much extenuated and weakened by reason of the long continuance of the disease. CHAP. XVI. The ninth way of curing the French disease. TO these eight ways before rehearsed we shall add a ninth, which is called the Chemical way of curing the French disease. Take powder of Mastic one scruple, Mercurius dulcis three grains, make thereof little tablets with Honey, which the Patient is to chew in his mouth for eight hours: when the flux is raised you must omit purgations, and take care against the excoriation of the tongue, mouth and gums, which is easily avoided by a gargarism made only of salt and water, with which being luke warm the mouth is often to be washed; all this while the patient must eat nothing but thin though nourishing broths. The salivation perfected Take of the red spirit of Mercury, as Hartman easily prepares it, and put two drops thereof in a small draught of persicaria water of peaches; This causes moderate sweats and thereby cleanses the body from any infection which the Mercury could leave behind it, & wholly extirpates the disease. So that in three or four times taking you shall see the pustles shalt of themselves, the tumors assuage; and if there be any ulcers, they presently dry up and heal. There is no pox (saith Hartman) so obstinate, but it yields to this medicament, so that the patiented have strength to endure the sweatings, which he is to undergo. CHAP. XVII. The second Chemical way of curing the French disease. FIrst purge with confectio Hamech or Diacarthamum, after purgation if the party be plethoric let blood, otherwise not. This done make this following ointment. Tage of Hog's seam one pound without any salt in it, and very new. Mercurii vivi killed in juice of Lemons or Turpentine water which is better, with this ointment anoint the knees and legs of the patiented before and if the disease be vehement, the spin of the back also; after that let him sweat gently in his bed with hot bottles, if he sweat not easily after the three first days, whereas before you anointed him only in the morning, anoint him twice a day, viz. in the morning and three hours after dinner, when the flux is raised cease oynting and let him be kept in a warm bed while the flux lasts, but if it continue above eight or nine days, use then astringent gargarisms made of Pilosella Myrtles, Centinody, orange flowers, and mel rosarum; use the said gargarism also when the flux ceases to cleanse the teeth and gums, or mingle salt water with the decoction of Guiacum and wash the mouth therewith. While the flux lasts, let him use only for his drink the second decoction of Guaiacum, as shall be set down. When the flux hath ceased let him eat roast meats altogether, and let him twice a day take this following decoction. Take of the shave of Lignum Sanctum one pound, of the bark of the same four ounces, infuse them in twelve pints of water for the space of twenty four hours then boil it to the consumption of the eight part, strain it and let him take four ounces at a time. Then take the residue and put to it other twelve pints of water and let it boil gently, to this you may add a little Cinnamon, liquorice and raisins of the sun and this is that which as we said before he must use instead of drink. Every sixth day purge him with confection Hamech or Diacarthamum, or confectio de Citro, and be sure that all the time of the cure he abstain from salt, and salt meats. CHAP. XVIII. Of curing the pustles coming of the French disease. TAke Sage, Rue, nightshade and red rose leaves of each a handful, Guaiacum two ounces, Orpiment half an ounce Quicksilver two dramms boil them all together in two quarts of spring water in an earthen vessel close covered, over a gentle fire until half be wasted. Strain away the ingredients and put the liquor into a stone bottle, and put to it two drams of Chalcantum Romanum dawb the pustule with this liquor with a linen cloth twice a day. Another way to cure the said pustules. Take Quicksilver four ounces, silver two ounces dissolve them apart in aqua fortis, then being dissolved mix them together, and by a retort in the sand distil a water out of them; That Liquor distil again in Balneo till you can perceive no more to come from the still this water keep for your use, dip a small feather therein and with it wipe over the pustules one by one every day once, and they will presently look black and die, if they fall nor off in four days cease to use the water, and anoint them with a little Fresh butter which will cause them to fall off. When they are fallen off, Take a little Saccharum Saturni and dissolve it in rose water, and wet the place whence the scabs or pustules fallen off, and it will take both the scar and the redness: or, Take of the rust of brass one part Salt peter two parts mingle them together and put them in a dish, and with a piece of paper lighted set them on fire, when it hath done flaming, take that which remains and put it into the bladder of ahog, then tie it up close and put the bladder into cold water, and that within will presently dissolve, then strain it through a piece of silk, and keep it for the same purpose to be used as before. CHAP. XIX. To cure a Bubo. TAke a Diaculum plaster and moisten it with vinegar and lay it on the swelling, and as the swelling rises lay on another every day twice aday, to soften the tumour, when it is full ripe open it with a pen knife, and press out the matter. Then apply to it this following plaster, which will never suffer it to close up till it be perfectly healed. Take Galbanum, Opoponax ana two ounces Ammoniac, Bdellium ana one ounce: Steep them in vinegar eight or fourteen days, the longer the better, then strain them, and inspissate them to the thickness of honey. Then take Litharge pulverised one pound, let it boil gently over a small fire in two pints of olive oil, moving it all the while with a little stick till it come to be of a bay colour. Then remove it from the fire, and by and by add of wax one pound stir it till it melt, then put in the foresaid gums and mix them well, when they are all mixed, add oil of Laurel three ounces and then mix it well together Then taking it quite from the fire add these following powders. Take of Crocus Martis, munrie of the magnet, majisterie of red and white coral ana half an ounce, Lapis calaminaris, red myrrh, male Frankincense, mastic and round Aristolochia ana two ounces; powder all these into a most subtle powder, and mix them by little and little. This 〈…〉 done add of oil of Amber which comes forth last in the distillation, and is called balsam of Amber one dram: then put it on again and stir it very well over agentle fire, then when it is a little cool make it up into rolls for your use. CHAP. XX. Instructions to put in practise the several ways of curing the French disease before rehearsed. ACcording to each particular aforesaid of curing the French disease there are divers daily cured. Yet would we not advise any to undertake the cure of this disease by any of these ways indifferently without respect had to the patient's constitution, age, course of life, and all other circumstances whatsoever. After he hath observed the several ways of curing this disease which I have here set down, let him satisfy himself inwardly upon what account each particular way is most suitable to such a particular constitution. As for example for effeminate persons and those which are of a more delicate temper there is a balsam prescribed in the twelveth Chapter. Now why should these be cured by this way rather than by any other. The reason is because there is something or other in all the other ways of curing this disease which might prove destructive to a tender habit of body. The decoction mentioned in the first Chapter would dry them too much and be apt to breed a schyrrhus in some of the inward parts, as the liver, the spleen, the pancreas; salivation which is another way of curing would presently consume them. Wherefore if this safe and easy way will perform the cure, why should we put the patiented to the trouble and inconvenience of any other, as fluxing sweeting or the like. To which I answer, that although this way doth cure it in those that are of a tender habit, yet it will not be effectual to those of a stonger constitution. Thus a prune or an apple will move some persons, when as others shall not be moved with an ounce of Manna or two ounces of syrup of Roses: so great is the diversity of constitutions. When the practitioner is fully satisfied in reason why each particular way of cure is most conducible to such a particular temperament, let him observe whether there be not a complication or mixture of symptoms in the patiented, that is whereas I have set down after each particular cure, that such a way is proper for effeminate persons, and another way proper for those that have extreme pains, whether the person be not only an effeminate person and troubled also with nocturnal pains, with some other symptoms set down severally in other chapters, and if there be, let him so compound these particular ways of cure that they may be most agreeable to the complication of the patient's symptoms; as for example, suppose I had a patiented of a strong constitution having nocturnal pains, both in his head and other parts, and pustles in his face and outward parts, I would use the decoction in the seventh chapter, but yet I would borrow the pill mentioned in the fourtenth chapter, which I would give him instead of that draught of the decoction which he should take every night when he goes to bed and besides that I would use unto him first the water for his pustles set down in the eight chapter. If I had a patiented of an indifferent hot temper, who had extreme pains sometimes in his head, but not very often, as perhaps once in fortnight or three weeks I would first flux him according to the method set down in the ninth Chapter and after his fluxing I would give him the decoctions mentioned in the seventh chapter, for the space of ten days. By which instances it is plain how little difficulty there is in contriving a fit remedy for this disease in each particular constitution. CHAP. XXI. Of the Cure of the Gonorrhoea called the Running of the Reins. THE simple Gonorrhoea though the symptoms thereof be nothing near so dangerous as are those of the pox, yet if the patiented either through negligence or bashfulness do neglect the timely cure, it will certainly in a short time turn to the pox, and therefore the remedy thereof is suddenly to be sought. We need not set down the symptom of this disease, for it easily betrays itself, and therefore we shall proceed to the cure. The method of the first way of curing this disease is as follows. Take guaiacum four ounces, Senna two ounces anniseeds and liquorice ana one ounce, lignum neptneticum half an ounce, boil them over night in three quarts of water, until half be wasted, then put into it three dramms of Agarick, Let the ingredients continue in the liquor all night, in the morning strain away the ingredients and mix with the strained liquor four ounces of syrup of Roses solutive keep it in a cool place for your use. Let the patiented drink of this Apozem every morning five ounces fasting so long as it lasts. The third day after he hath taken all his Apozeme give him this following potion. Take plantain water four ounces. Venice Turpentine washed in red rose water half an ounce, and the yolk of an egg. First incorporate the yolk of the egg with the turpentine in a little mortar then mix the plantain water by little and a little by degrees. The third day after he hath taken this Potion take these following pills. Take of Aloes Rosat. half an ounce, Agarick trochiscated two dramms Coloptony two scruples, Mastic half a dram, saffron twenty grains syrup of damask roses as much as suffices make them into a mass according to art. Let him take two scruples of this mass made into five pills every third morning for three weeks together This is most convenient for those which are of a cold constitution. CHAP. XX. The second way of curing the running of the reins. TAke China and Sarsaperilla ana an ounce and a half Redsage a small handful, Senna an ounce, Coriander seeds prepared three drams boil them over night in white wine, and spring water, of each three pints until half be wasted; Then while it is hot put into the decoction two drams of Rhubarb sliced and let it infuse in the liquor all night with the rest of the ingredients, in the morning strain away the ingredients, and put to the liquor four ounces of syrup of Cichory with Rhabarb. Let the patiented drink twelve spoonfuls of this Apozeme fasting so long as it shall last. The next day after he hath taken all his Apozeme let him begin to take of this following electuary. Take of Lenitive Electuary three ounces; Cassia lately extracted in red rose water, and Venice turpentine washed in plantain water, ana an ounce and a half. The powder of Senna and Anniseeds of each a dram and a half, Rhubarb finely powdered a dram mix them according to art into an electuary. Of this Electuary let him take the quantity of a walnut fasting, and as much at four of the clock in the afternoon so long as it shall last. When he gins to take of this electuary, let him take this following plaster and lay it athwart his back letting it continue on as long as will stick. Take of Venice Turpentine an ounce, Virgins wax half an ounce, melt them together in a brass ladle or small earthen pot over a gentle fire, and when it is almost cold, stir into it three dramms of white sealed Earth, finely powdered, & spread it upon Allome leather, to be applied as aforesaid. This way of cure best agrees with those that are of a hot constitution. CHAP. XXIII. The third way of curing the Running of the reins. FIrst give the patiented this following vomit: Take of the infusion of Crocus metallorum an ounce Oxymeil simplex two ounces, oil of Cinnamon a drop, mix them together give it him in a morning fasting with due observation according to the custom of vomiting. After he hath taken this vomit, two days after, give half a dram of extractum rudii, and twelve grains of mercurius dulcis mixed together, made into four pills. Two days after he hath taken the pills sweat him with this following sweeting potion. Take treacle water, two ounces, Antimonium diaphoreticum ten grains syrup of wood sorrel an ounce and a half, mix them together. The next day after he hath sweat let him begin to take this following Apozeme. Take China, Sarsaperil, Senna, roots of water Lilies of each an ounce, Raisins stoned, four ounces, black hellebore, half an ounce Caraway seeds and Cinnamon of each three dramms; boil them altogether in three quarts of water over a gentle fire in an Earthen vessel close covered until half be wasted strain away the ingredients and sweeten the liquor with six ounces of common Treacle. Give him four ounces of this Apozeme at a time every morning fasting for the space of twenty days in the mean time let him swallow every night when he goes to bed five pills as big as large peas of Cyprus Turpentine. This cure is most proper for those that have a violent Gonorrhoea or running of the reins which may have some tincture or smatch of the French disease. CHAP. XXIV. The fourth way of curing the Gonorrhoea. TAke of Rhabarb Crema Tartar of each four ounces Cassia newly extracted and Venice Turpentine as much as will thicken it into the form of an electuary. Let the patient take of this electuary in the morning fasting as much as will amount to the quantity of a wall nut, and at night also when he goes to bed the same quantity drinking after it a glass of whey or if he find any sharpness in his urine a glass of milk and water. Let him do this for a fortnight or three weeks together. He may go about his business without any disturbance, only keeping a temperate diet and abstaining from much drinking and taking tobacco. If the person be of a sanguine complexion, he may let blood before he gins to take his Electuary. Let this cure be used only when the disease is taken in time before the venom of the disease hath proceeded two far. CHAP. XXV. The fifth way of curing the Gonorrhoea. FIrst purge the patiented with a bolus of Cassia newly extracted, causing him to drink after it a little broth without any salt in it. After this let him take half a dram of Chrystallum minerale in six ounces of whey two hours before meals morning and evening, and at meals let him use this following diet drink. Take of barley, grass, tops of Mallows, plantain leaves, agrimony, maidenhair, ana a good handful, liquorice as much as will suffice; boil it high and make thereof a Ptisan, and to every four pints of this Ptisan, add half an ounce of Chrystallum minerale; use this for fifteen or sixteen days or three weeks. This with great ease stopps the gonorrhoea of itself, But if it be an old running, after you have made use of the former prescription, the due time set down, take of this following mass of pills. Take of Salt of Coral rectified twice or thrice with spirit of Guaiacum one ounce, extract of Amber, one ounce. Terra sigillata three drams, Crocus Martis astringent reverberated half an ounce. Extract of tormentil, Pilosell, golden rod, great Sanicle of each two ounces Venice Turpentine evaporated with a soft heat, till the consumption of the third part. Mix with the hot Turpentine first the extract of amber, than the fault of coral, and the terra sigillata mingled with the other extracts, than the Crocus Martis; stirring with a spatula till they be all exactly mixed. Make a mass thereof and let the patient take thereof two scruples made into pills morning and evening till he find himself well. You may also use injections into the yard made of the decoction of Tormentil, golden rod, pilosell and great Sanicle dissolving a dram of Saccharum Saturni, in one dram of the said Liquor. CHAP. XXVI. The chemical way of curing a virulent Gonorrhoea. IN the curing of the Gonorrhoea chemically, green precipitate is thus made. Take of mercury three ounces, and dissolve it in two ounces of aqua fortis, of Venus' one ounce and dissolve it in two ounces of Aqua fortis, mix the two solutions together and distil them out of the sand through a retort, toward the end of the distillation urging the fire more Vehemently, whereby the greatest parts of the corrosive spirits may be taken away, pound that which remains behind in a mortar, and with vinegar digest it six days in the ashes, then boil it that the greatest part of the mercury may be dissolved in the vinegar, when it it impregnated with the vinegar take it and distil it with a soft fire till it be come very dry, and there will remain in the bottom a green precipitate, of this give four five six or seven grains according to the strength of the patiented, in conserve of roses. CHAP. XXVII. General observations concerning the Cure of the Gonorrhoea. THere is a much prudence and discretion required in the Physician or Surgeon in the cure of the Gonorrhoea, as in the cure of the French disease, in regard of the great danger there is in stopping of the Gonorrhoea suddenly in some bodies, and the safety of curing it with all speed in others; in those bodies that are extreme foul, upon a Gonorrhoea, nature takes her opportunity to purge the whole body by the seminary vessel. Now when this passage is suddenly stopped except there be some other way to carry away the matter, which doth continually flow to these parts, experience teaches us that there do dangerous symptoms arise from thence as intolerable pain in the back, sickness in the stomach, vomiting or a desire to vomit, inflammation swelling and extreme pain in the stones, fevers, and fainting fits, and sometimes death itself. In some such bodies as those are, whether you would cure them after the first or second way set down in the twenty first and twenty second Chapters, perhaps besides what is mentioned in the aforesaid Chapters there will be occasion to use the sweeting potion, mentioned in the twenty third Chapter: and on the contrary there are some bodies that do not require so much circumstance of medicine as is mentioned in the foresaid Chapter, but may perhaps be cured only by the potion in the twenty first Chapter, or the plaster and electuary in the twenty second Chapter or else by the pills in the twenty third. This depends wholly upon the prudence honesty and knowledge of the Surgeon. The like prudence and knowledge is necessary to distinguish a simple Gonorrhoea, from a virulent Gonorrhoea, as also in prescribing a fit diet according to the several Circumstances of the patiented, as whether he be young, or in years, whither he have a full or a spare body, and lastly whither he be of a hot, cold or indifferent temper. CHAP. XXVIII. For a Bubo. When the swelling rises, avoid no deba●ush or violent exercise to bring it forth: If it rise not fast enough, use cupping glasses. When 'tis come to a head lance it, or apply a Caustick to it; the filth being out, tent it to its full depth, covering the tent with Basilicon Doron, or some such medicament that draws without enflaming, keep it open a month or five weeks with moderate exercise and diet, drinking the purging decoction mentioned in the second Chapter. Take as much rest as you can, and when the orifice inclines to heal, purge as you see occasion. FINIS. The CONTENTS of all the Chapters contained in this Book. CHAP. I. OF the name, causes, and original of the French Disease. pag. 1 CHAP. II. Of the signs and symptoms of this disease. 6 CHAP. III. Of the cause of the coming forth of those pustules and other tumors. 12 CHAP. iv General observations concerning the cure of the French disease. 16 CHAP. V Of the preparation of the humours. 17 CHAP. VI Of the diet used in the cure of this disease. 24 CHAP. VII. The first way of curing the French disease. 25 CHAP. VIII. Of choosing your Guaiacum and China. 27 CHAP. IX. Of the Second way of curing the French disease. 31 CHAP. X. The third way of curing the French disease. 36 CHAP. XI. The fourth way of curing the French disease. 38 CHAP. XII. The fifth way of curing the French disease. 42 CHAP. XIII. The sixth way of curing the French disease. 41 CHAP. XIV. The seventh way of curing the French disease. 42 CHAP. XV. The eight way of curing the French disease. 44 CHAP. XVI. The ninth way of curing the French disease. 45 CHAP. XVII. The second Chemical way of curing the French disease. 47 CHAP. XVIII. Of the Curing the pustles coming of the French disease. 50 CHAP. XIX. To cure a Bubo. 53 CHAP. XX. Instructions to put in practise the several ways of curing the French disease before rehearsed. 55 CHAP. XXI. Of the cure of the Gonorrhoea called the Running of the Reins. 60 CHAP. XXII. The second way of curing the running of the reins. 63 CHAP. XXIII. The third way of curing the Running of the reins. 65 CHAP. XXIV. The fourth way of curing the Gonorrhoea. 68 CHAP. XXV. The fifth way of curing the Gonorrhoea. 69 CHAP. XXVI. The chemical way of curing a virulent Gonerrhea. 72 CHAP. XXVII. General observations concerning the Cure of the Gonorrhoea. 74 CHAP. XXVIII. For a Bubo. 77 The end of the Table.