A DISCOURSE OF Consumptions: With their Cure by a New Method,  
By T. Byfield, M. D.  
LONDON, Printed for Randal Taylor, near Stationers-Hall. MDCLXXXV.   

THE PREFACE  
A Book without a Preface, is like a House without an Entry, in Compliment therefore to ancient Custom, I prefix the one to the other, being too apt to comply with the precedents or precepts of old dictator's.  
I was a painful drudge for above ten years in the old method of Physic, and am almost ashamed to mention how I spent time in collecting (as I thought for future benefit) the choicest of their Wares; insomuch that I can furnish my Patients for a year or two with Waste-Paper. For I thought it a sin to inquire into the abilities of our Forefathers. But my life not terminating with those studies, nor so much as an itch of knowledge cured by their old methods; I have passed the last eight or ten years of my life in perusing the improvements of latter Times, and in reducing to practise what of 'em I could conveniently, still aiming at more. For, I think, great Improvements may be made, especially in the Practic part of our Profession; and consequently our Art rendered much more serviceable, and all this with very great case, if Physicians would each apply themselves more particularly to the Study and Practice of some one Disease, and select and refine appropriate Remedies: For than they could not but arrive to a higher pitch of knowledge in one thing than so many; and so avoid the reproach of being aliquid in omnibus & nihil in singulis. 'Tis observable, that when Persons have thus employed themselves, they have been more fortunate than others. Dr. Turbervil has done more to the Eyes than others could perform. Dr. Chamberlain is more Skilful in the Delivery of Women than others, and so I could instance inseveral. Not but that most Physicians are as great Masters in Anatomy, and as general Scholars as these worthy Persons; (I hope I may say it without offence) but they have applied themselves more to the Study and Practice of what they particularly profess, and so cannot but Excel. 'Tis not to be supposed, that any Person can retain the Names, much less the Knowledge of those innumerable Diseases, Authors have been pleased to assign to humane Body: How then can he be furnished with apt and proper Methods for 'em all? I know 'tis an easy thing to appoint a R. and leave it to its chance.  
But I appeal to every Intelligent Person whether these my proposals, (without enumerating a thousand Reasons, or comparing with the variety of Merchants and other employs) are not Considerable; at least so as to Excuse me for undertaking a particular Distemper to exercise my Industry upon. And if this is allowed, I am only then to excuse myself for pitching on the Disease of Consumptions.  
First, I account myself obliged to undertake something of difficulty, that it may be seen I propose not Ease, but Labour: And to endeavour to satisfy the World that no Disease need strike so sure a stroke as Death, but may be dealt with by the Rules of Art, and brought under: and that tho' many Diseases look Tyrannising, yet great relief may be given by the improvement of Medicine. For I hardly think but God has appointed suitable Remedies to most Maladies: Only has left it to the Study of Man to search 'em out and apply 'em.  
But I have yet greater Reason to undertake this Distemper, for it being the Disease of my own Constitution; I have for several Years made it my extraordinary Study: And besides my own improvements, I have by Communication had the help of others, particularly of a late Undertaker. The knowledge of whose Method and Medicines cost me too dear: But I'll spare his Name, for that I was not fairly dealt with.  
I am not in the following Discourse at a complete or Methodical account of my work: tho' I am pretty well furnished for both; having wrought hard in my Laboratory to perfect Medicines; and been at some pains to order their dispensation, not Empirically, but Rationally, and depending on solid Rules of Theory, But I'll not here prevent myself; nor in the shape of a Pamphlet describe any Lineaments of my new Design, hoping to reserve its discovery entirely to myself, till I shall have adorned it with some Select Observations, etc. Necessary to qualify it for a general View. And 'tis fit to confine this Portal to some proportion, considering the Domicil to which it is an Inroad.  
From my House in New-street, by Fetter-Lane, near the Five Bells.   

A DISCOURSE OF CONSUMPTIONS, etc.  
BEing about to Treat of an old Case in a new Way, I shall desert all Ancient Writers, and their unaccountable Labyrinths of perplexed Terms of Art; and tell my Design in plain English. For I ●ffect not Words, but Sense; not hard Names for Diseases, but their Cure.  
I have for some Years last passed undertaken the Cure of Consumptions, by a New Method of Refined Medicines, and with such encouragement from success, that I'm emboldened to give only this short account publicly. Partly by way of Trial, the better to usher in my Select new Praxis of this Disease, together with an agreeable Theory, that I may reconcile both to the good opinion of Ingenious Persons. And because Prudence bespeaks my present secrecy, for that I have expended not only Labour and Time, but Stock too in carrying on Operations in my Laboratory, for perfecting this work, I must therefore beg Favour that Charity may begin and reside a little at Home.  
Consumptions have been always accounted, tho' an Easy, yet sure way to the Shades below or Regions above. Physicians therefore generally choose an Air for such, or rather advise 'em thereby to withdraw from Men and Business, to attend their Melancholy departure. But my present Design is to give such an account or Consumptions, as may demonstrate 'em not only capable of being prevented, but Cured too, (if not too late attempted) as well as other Distempers; without lying under an Indispensable Fate as soon as ever the Disease is apprehended to be such.  
The word Phthisis (a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deficio, Corrumpo) or Tabes in Latin, signifies in general the Extenuation and Leanness of the Body, from whatsoever Cause. But by many Physicians of late 'tis taken for that decay of Flesh which is caused by an inward Fret of Blood, or slow Fever that Exulcerates and Corrupts the Lungs.  
Some will have it to be purely an Exulceration of the Lungs, others will have it to be an Exulceration of the Lungs from a sharp Croding humour, stirring up a Cough from a slow Hectic Fever, by which is discharged purulent, viscous, foul spitting, that extenuate and consume the whole Body.  
Consumptions, by the Ancient Followers of Hypocrates, have been thought the Diseases of the Lungs only, because they are apt to be Tainted in those Distempers, and soon show themselves disaffected. But 'tis with them as with the other Viscera, according to their different uses assigned 'em by Nature. They may by an Intemperies, obstruction by a charge of sharp Serum from an ill Crasis of Blood, Stagnating of Humours, or the like, contract those ill Juices which ulcerate, and so make a decay of that part. And these Ulcerous Humours thus deposed by the Blood, for want of due discharge, soon putrisy and taint the Mass of Blood again by a Reciprocal injury. But that general Phthisis, or Consumption, here treated of, has its Original Cause from Depraved Vitiated Blood, which begets an universal Atrophy, wasting and Leanness (even to the drought of a Skeleton with some) with which 'tis always accompanied. And the Blood thus Corrupt converts the Chyle into ill Juices, performing but imperfect Sanguification; so the whole Mass becomes degenerate and devested of its true Lamp of Life, and due proportion of its active Principle, whence arise many Distempers too tedious here to Recount, which not timely regarded terminate in Consumptions. And the Lungs soon receive damage from foul Blood by reason of the Laxness and Sponginess of the Parenchy●ma, or substance of 'em, which is very prone to Exulcerations; for the Blood passing so quick from the heart (where 'tis Invigorated with new Heat an●●…rment) through the Lungs, does ●…to their Pipes cast off its Scorbutic Lympha, and thin inflammable Choler, etc. Which stuffing the Brouchia designed for Respiration, are there by the Intemperies, and Heat of the Lungs, and frequent Returns of Air by inspiration, Incrassated, and become Vi●…ous; and this foul Matter thus cast off into those Organs, designed for Respiration, frequently Irritates the Lungs to raise an Expulsion of it, which we call Coughing. And if by this violent Motion it cannot be thus discharged, but the adhesion is too close, and not Ripened for it, by glibbing with Medicine the Ductus' of the Windpipe, then long continuing on these parts (it being devested of the active living Principles, Balsam of Life, and repeated Circulations) renders it Putrid and a Nautious Load, and very apt to Taint and Ulcerate the pure Substance of the Lungs, by their Natural Texture inclinable to such decay. And when once the Blood has thus found a discharge upon the Lungs, it continues as it passes by in its Circulation, to throw off its sharp Scorbutic Serum, and all that Spume or Froth which Ferment raises, and such Matter is apt to adhere wherever it meets with a Sim●…lar Mass; and thus is maintained a supply of Pus, or Corrupt Spitting, cast forth in such quantities by Emaciated Consumptive Bodies. Now this foul Stuff thus extravased breathes forth through the Aerial conveyances, causing this Preternatural discharge, which if not soon damned up, and the offensive matter made by Art to find the E●…tories, or Sinks, designed by Nature for the expulsion of its Fe●… (as by the Urinary and Transpiring ducts, etc.) the consequences are usually direful. And here it may not be amiss to Rectify the mistake of some that think the Lungs, and other Organs of Breathing, are a Natural Pump to discharge incrassated Pituita, or Phlegm by, when as this Motion is accidental and preternatural; and they with the Diaphragm are the Instruments of Respiration; and the Trachea with its Ramisications serve for the Intromitting and destributing of Air into the Lungs, that part may be conveyed through the whole Mass of Blood to impregnate it with new Vitality, which adds as great Nutriment to the Blood, as the grosser Ing●…a of Meat and Drink; and if the latter were but as temperately dispensed by us, as the former is by Nature assigned us, there might be a longer Conservation of Health and Life than we find there generally is: For 'tis easy to demonstrate that old saying, Plures gula quam gladio occiduntur.  
And now I might very well take occasion to discourse of the Nature and variety of Airs, and the Skilful Suiting of 'em to different Constitutions.  
For the Air being continually impregnated with new Exhalations, which are grosse●●…er the Earth or Water, from which they ascend, and close to which we constantly dwell; but more attenuated, purged and refined, the higher they mount, there cannot but be observed a great deal of useful variety. Now these Exhalations are the Pabulum, and recruit to Airs, from which they refresh them●…lves, and return their Lymphatic useless parts on us again in showers of Rain, and such gross Bodies, which though an Excrement to them are Comparatively fine to us, and rendered useful: Even as the Pancreas, or Sweetbread is accounted a choice Morsel, and of daily Food, though indeed but a Collection of fine Excrements from the Juice of Nerves; when as that of the Gall from Blood, a courser Mass is of no such use, etc. But to return, the different Soils and Waters, Situation of Places, as to Woods, Position of Hills or Plains, for the freer intercourse of benign Gales of Air, afford great variety. Therefore rightly to assign to several Nice, Crasy or Distempered Bodies, Airs exactly agreeable to their tender Constitutions or present Indispositions, especially if apt to be Consumptive, is a piece of Skill not so trivial and easily performed as is by many imagined. But of this and other useful Experiments relating hereto I design a particular Tract, I will therefore at present confine myself to the Limits of those few hours that are allotted for this Lecture. But since I remember it, I can't but take notice of one of the Royal-Society in a Lecture to 'em, wherein he censures 'em; for spending time in W●…g and Examining Airs, and the like, telling 'em he's for Improvements more gross, as in Carpentry and other Handicrafts, and so would have 'em change their Philosophy, and Erect some useful Superstructure on the more substantial Atoms of Timber, Brick and Mortar, etc. And so one Atom i● Beam, another a Brick, another a Gobbet of Iron, etc. and by the Artificial Coincidence of these Corpus', some useful production may be presented to the World, as a House, a Cart, etc. Now whether he does wittily abuse 'em for their slow Progress in Aereal Experiments, or is truly of the opinion that time so spent is really lost; and that any thing lesser than his Atoms are only Fantastic notions and imaginary representations, I'll not determine. But to return, if from an undue Crasis of Blood arises this Insinuating Disease, or from the unequal mixture of its parts; 
I mean not hereby that there should be temper amentum ad pondus, but that ad Justi●iam maintanied.  whereby either too great a Charge of Heterogeneous matter over-powers the active Principles of Life; or by reason of a considerable decay of either of 'em, the other two should pray upon that which is declining, than the frequent Collision of the two act●… Principles without any, or a very slow intervention of a Third, both extinguish what remains of that Dying, and blow up each other, which would convenire in tertio: And so the Mass of Blood becomes wholly corrupt. For being devested of a due proportion of these living Principles (which a just Crasis would have preserved) Natures own Juices Corrupt within themselves, and they are left at length void of all Nutritious parts. But Artificial allays may be despenst, that will subdue the too much exalted parts, and such a recruit of Similar particles to those depressed as will recover a Renovation of them, and the other parts of the Blood by cleansing its Mass, and restoring it to a due proportion and Fervour.  
By various mixtures Nature does produce all the varieties in the Material World. For from the different mixture of Particles arise those manifold results with which our Senses are gratified, as the Objects of Sight, Smell, Taste, etc. The whole Doctrine of Accretion, Maturation and Corruption, arises from the various Mixtures of these active Principles, with a due proportion of Lympha in Fluid Bodies; and the same principles with an adcequate proportion of Calx or Terre part in solid Bodies. For when any Mass is Illustrated by the repeated Circulations of its Living Principles, so that all the Meatus' are rarefiyed to their utmost extension, then just before the more nimble particles do Dissilire, or leap out, we term that Body in its full Maturity; and if we would preserve it in that consis●… we cut off all force from it: I mean damn up all passages for additional Matter, as in gathering Ripe Fruits; for should either supply from its old Roots the cherishing Air, or prolific Sun be continued, it's Meatus' being so fully distended, the Vivifying principles would soon be gone, and engaged in the Texture of other Bodies, and when once they begin to pass (like a flock of Sheep) none will stay, but the Mass shrinks and withers, and becomes putrid: Now the due preservation of these benign particles in their adequate proportion, we may properly call the Health of this or that Body, whether Animate or Inanimate, and the disproportion of 'em, their Diseases or decay; and as the disproportion is more or less, so is their decay, and consequently the peril of that Body. And as in the Accretion of various Bodies, whether this or that Principle does praepollere, or excel, so we denote it a majori; and say it is this or that, or has this or that Smell, Taste, etc. So in declension of Bodies there's as great variety, and the defect of these or those benign Principles we term such or such Disease, or I think we might more properly than to assign 'em their Names from the Situation of the parts of the Body, on which Nature throws off her Faeces.  
Since than Consumptions proceed from an Effervency, or Fret of Blood, whereby its Crasis is so wakened, that it makes a discharge of its Serosities, thin Choler, and sometimes Nutritious juice on the pure Substance of the Lungs, which hot, sharp, eroding Humour, Exulcerates 'em and stirs up a Cough with purulent foul Spittings; 'tis a very large Theme to discourse of, and beyond my present bounds. I'll only therefore add these obvious Causes of this disease, Where Persons don't force themselves on this untimely ●…d lamentable Exit, it often happens, if not Hereditary, through an ill formation of the Body, especially the Thorax, which predispose to a Physic, to some by Catching Cold, and hindering a due Transpiration, which inverts the course of Nature, and make her discharge that Serum on the Lungs, which stirring up a Cough, and that neglected, easily slips the Party into a Consumption; and because they did at first Cough without a Consumption, they fancy they do so still, and perceive not the Silent Gradations of this insinuating Disease, though they frequently complain their Cough grows worse, till other amazing Symptoms stare them in the Face, and some will hardly believe the danger they are in yet, because of the Intermission of this Disease▪ though this is accounted a Concomitant Symptom. And being thus willing to deceive themselves, they look on Robust Persons, who do weather out a Cough it may be a whole Winter, and proposing them for Examples, Ruin their tenderer Constitutions in the mean while.  
Some get this Disease by Infection, which has been frequently observed from the Marriage of a Consumptive Body, that has decayed▪ it's well constituted Companion, and lived many Years beyond all probability on its Ruins.  
Very Lean and Old Bodies have large hungry Pores, which Magnetically attract all that's Nutritive about 'em. The witherings of Age are often Sup●… with the plumpness of young Bodies, to their great danger; which is obvious: and that makes Ancient Persons seldom refuse young Bedfellows when they can contrive it, finding the benefit from sufficient Recruits: And I'm of the opinion that there's no better way of Rejuvenescence to old Folks, than close Lodgement with Sleek, Plump, young Bodies.  
I have myself Cured some young Persons endangered by a Consumption, only by removing 'em from their old Bedfellows; and I remember one Crafty Old Woman I served so, who neither recovered the loss, nor forgave the wrong while I knew her.  
The Scurvy, when arrived to any height, as to beget Feverish intermissions of the Blood, which I call a Scorbutic Fever, and is nicely to be distinguished from an incipient Consumption, does often terminate in this Disease.  
The Constant use of Wines, Spirits or Drams, and other Strong Liquors, though in small quantities at a time, are very injurious to young Persons whose Blood is too apt to Fire and enkindle into Fevers.  
The early Marriages, much more the Exorbitant use of Venus, which is usually committed in Heats of Drink, cousequently without government, are destroyers of Nature, and preambulary to this Disease. But foul Leaps in Venery soon leaven hot Blood, and by unskilful usage often prove destructive.  
I could name many Diseases that tend to this end; and show how Agues eat out the Heart of the Blood, by their frequent Paroxisms before Persons are ware of it.  
There are many Distempers the Ladies are more particularly apt to be damaged▪ which I won't here mention, that often lead to this Fatal Disease: But I shall sum up all only in mentioning that excessive grief, melancholy, several Chronic Diseases, and any ill habit of Body long suffered, do all frequently terminate in this wasting and ruinating Distemper: And I could here particularise a Volume, did I think it necessary to publish my Scrutiny into the Doctrine of Consumptions. It may suffice at present to give notice of the danger many Persons are in, who perceive little or none, and it may be no body else about 'em; how needful 'tis therefore to watch against, and Correct little disorders is plain. And we have as much reason to forewarn People hereof, (if we mean 'em well) as Divines have to caution 'em against little Sins; and strictly to observe and regard the first instances of change from Goodness; for as a little ill habit of Body is nicely to be distinguished from an ordinary good Temper, so deprav'dness of mind, through the custom of little sins only, sizes so exactly with the common Genius of the World, that it seems like none at all to many Persons; nevertheless both Body and Soul are in the grea● danger hereby. But as to Physic only, 'tis obvious among ourselves how plump and blithe those Persons seem, who by care at select times, for prevention cast forth those Dregs which Nature has amassed: And if she be any ways tainted therewith, by Specificks and appr●…riate Medecines, restore a pristin equal mixture of Principles; and so preserve a Youthful gay Com lexion and sound Constitution, (Nature's best Paint) notwithstanding the Revolution of many Years. When as the careless or impoverished Persons lie under the decays and filth of many Distempers; which though not always Fatal, yet afflict 'em with Cutaneous nasty Diseases, as Scurvy, Itch, Boils, Leprosy, etc. But you never see Wealthy or careful Persons thus afflicted: 'tis fit therefore for Persons to have recourse to the Learned in Physic, (if Health and Life be valuable) to take sometime a true estimate of their present Constitutions, especially if doubtful in any respect: Hereby many Diseases are prevented, and those Sordes amassed in the Body for Discharge (which are the Fuel of most Distempers) are timely expelled, so that no imminent danger can ensue.  
By our preventive Method for Consumptions, many that have just begun to decline and waste in their Flesh, seized on by this depopulating Disease, have had a Renovation of all the juices of their Bodies: By sweetening their Blood, plumping their Flesh, and removing all bad Symptoms; for though Persons are naturally inclined to Consumptions, yet by the use of this our preventive Method, or some such like, together with the Addition of their own care in wholesome rules for Life, they may both avoid this Disease, and protract their Lives to great length. And I know not why as great Relief to Sickly discomposed Bodies may not be expected from Physic, as our common recruits to nature from Food, were but the former as seasonably and suitably applied as this latter: For I doubt not but the Wise Creator suffers all things in this World to perform their Natural Energy and Force, that right Measures may be taken by Rational Creatures, Lords of the Creation, in Refining, Using and dispensing Natures Rarities: And from that equal Provision made for Diseased as well as healthy Bodies in the great variety of Plants, Minerals, and living Creatures, we may observe the Providence of God in ordering means to restore Health that's decaying, as well as to maintain it in Vigour: Nay the curious Texture of the particles of Plants and Minerals in their Emetic, Cathartick, Sudorific, Diuretic, etc. qualities, shows in part the Delicacy, Difficulty and Excellency of a Physicians Skill. Now if these things necessary for Life, may be well used or misapplyed, they are the wisest Persons who by the conduct of their Reasons so proportion 'em to their Appetites, that there may be neither Defect on the one hand, nor Excess on the other: But because this exact performance to some is a burdensome nicety, and a Methodical Life to others is worse than Death, such may at least commit this piece of prudence, as at some seasonable times to inquire into their Constitutions; and if they have indulged too much in Meat, Drink, or other Pleasures, procure such early help as may easily exterminate the seeds of many Diseases, and thus prevent tedious and hazardous Fits of Sickness: But I chief design to persuade Persons timely to prevent or amend the tendency of their Bodies to Consumptions, which by Coughs, wasting of their Flesh, dryness and heats in the Palms of their hands, and Soles of their Feet, by flushing in the Face, Night-sweats, etc. are to be discovered. And here I must note that those tedious tickling Coughs that usually attend Consumptions are often mi●…ken for ordinary Defluxions of Rheum or a slight Catarh; for though a Cough may be without a Consumption, yet a Consumption is rarely without a Cough. And 'tis a piece of Curiosity and Skill in our profession to discern what Coughs do presage a deep Consumption, and what are to be dealt with in a common Method, and the defect of this early Scrutiny has ruined thousands by irrecoverable Consumptions, which might have been prevented. But the deceitful beginnings of this Distemper are such, that few will be convinced they are in Consumptions, till the Disease has almost eaten out their vital Strength, and with purulent viscous tough Phlegm well nigh Strangled 'em. And since I have been mentioning some of the most obvious Symptoms from whence we take our Measures to deal with this Disease, I must recite one thing more as necessary, though I had rather pass it by because ●f the Scandal abuse has brought upon it: And that is the discovery of Consumptions at their beginning in a great measure by Urine, of which I shall say but little at present, though it gives us a great insight to the present Constitution of the Body. For by the Examen I make of it demonstrates more the growings of this Disease than any one single Symptom besides. I must confess the abuse of Urines by ignorant Fellows, who only shaking the Urinal can tell whether it be Man's or Woman's, if the fatter, whether with Child or not, or like to be; and in short, make it a Speculum Matri●… and can discern in it pains in the Back, headaches, indispositions at Stomach, with foulness there, and such like, all very Silly, is enough to disgust Persons from carrying their Urines, and Physicians from receiving 'em: Therefore were it not absolutely necessary to our business, I should not desire Persons to save and send their Urines: But we must not forego those advantages that can be taken (since all are little enough) for the discovery of lurking Distempers. And we choose rather to observe Urines in the beginnings of this Disease, than when it has made a settled decay of the Body. Urines rightly examined, give as true an account of the Constitution of the Blood, as the Wax does the impression of the Seal: But we must have the Urine that's made the latter part of the Night, where 'tis discharged more than once, for by repeated Circulations of the Serum with the Mass of Blood, and its longer digestion, it does so imb●… a proportion of all its parts, that it gives a great insight to our understanding; a further reason why we choose only to have the Morning Urine I wrought us, and that made whilst in Bed, is because 'tis not accelerated through the veins, either by the exercise of the Body, or the supply of potulent matter, nor multiplied by checking the pores: but has a longer time to lie in the Body, and receive a greater tincture and impression from the juices with which it commixes, and the parts though which it passes. And we do not desire the Urine made after a large Evening Drinking; but that after a very temperate composure to rest. Now if any shall contrive to put tricks upon us by falsifying their Urine, 'twill be only from such as want not our Skill at present, and the Damage will be theirs. 'Tis satisfaction to propose the best ways of discovering the Enemies of Health and Life in order to their Subduction. Here I thought to have discoursed of the refining of Medicine, and shown how a Reformation therein would very well agree with the new improvements of our late Theory; and to say something of Noble and Generous Menstruums, requisite to the preparation of clean and useful Physic; and so to have thrown off Nic. Culpeppers R. to them who desire to know no better. But lest hereby I displease any, I'll pass it by at present; and only add that my peculiar Medecines are refined to Elixirs, Sameches, Tinctures, Balsams, Magisteries, Extracts, Alkali●s'●, besides my Febrifuge, and great Arcanum for the Lungs, etc. All which are so penetrating, deobstruating, Restorative, Healing, Appropriate and clean in their Operation, that my Method thereby is rendered not only beneficial but delightful. When as the old way by Sugar-plums, Licks and slops, Oils and Syrups, etc. with the use of Liniments for extreme Unction, Overcharge, Nauseate, Glut, Surfeit and foul the Body, and so of themselves create Diseases.  
Now I hope none will be so injurious, as to censure my Labour in these Experiments; nor take amiss the destribution of a few Medicines to the Poor, who can neither see the Physician, nor be gainful to the Apothecary: I hope such Charity will rather excite in others the like, than Envy. If those of Learning would sometimes be content to be feed with prayers and good wishes, 'twould encourage the Poor to come or send to 'em, and prevent the growing numbers of Impostors and cheats in Physic, for now adays, 
Fingit se medium quisqui● Idiota, profanus  
Judaeus, Monachus, histrio, razor, anus.   
Be Persons never so poor, yet I find 'em willing to Live long, though always such, and as desirous of recovery from Sickness, as though they had store laid up for longer Life. To condescend therefore to the mean Abilities of lower Persons is no Symptom of illiteracy or want: Neither it is prudent or just to suppress any useful discovery, especially if the not making our Talon two at least is an unexcusable Crime.  
Now the Philosopher's Stone itself will neither Transmute nor Heal, kept locked in a Chest. No more will my Method and Medicines so much as open one Pipe of the Lungs, if not known and used, much less cure a Consumption.  
FINIS.