SPEEDY HELP FOR RICH and POOR.  
OR, Certain Physical Discourses touching the Virtue OF WHEY, in the Cure of the Griping Flux of the Belly, and of the Dysentery.  
OF COLD WATER, in the Cure of the Gout, and Green-wounds.  
OF WINE-VINEGER, in the Preservation from, and Cure of the Plague, and other Pestilential Diseases: as also in the prevention of the Hydrophobia, or Dread of Water, caused by the Biting of a Mad Dog. etc.  
Written in Latin by HERMANNUS ƲANDER HEYDEN, a Physician of Gaunt.  
LONDON Printed by James Young, for O. P. and are to be sold by John Saywell, at his Shop, at the Sign of the Greyhound in little Britain without Aldersgate. 1653.   

THE PREFACE To the READER.  
Gentle Reader:  
Upon my publishing of my small French Treatise, some Persons of Note told me, that I ought to have written to the Whole World, and not to some certain particular Kingdoms, or Provinces only. And others there were, that were of opinion, that I should do well to collect a brief Compendium, at least, out of the said Treatise, and publish it in Latin: giving me this reason too, because that the Latin Tongue is the most Generally known throughout the World, and is the most esteemed by all men. For seeing that there is no Nation in the World so Barbarous, but that it hath some in it, that are great Honourers of the Latin Tongue, they conceived it to be the most Profitable way that could be, if a Compendium, at least, of these so Useful, and Obvious Medicines (many whereof, they said, were hitherto by none either read, or heard of) were published in Latin. For, although all people do not understand Latin, yet they way every where meet with some or other, that do understand it; by whose assistance in interpreting the same for them, they may possibly cure many of their Infirmities out of this Book. This was urged to me, by those Friends of mine, out of the Natural affection, & charity that they bear to All Men. Well then! what was now to be done? Nothing certainly, but to obey the Counsels of so great Persons, my Friends: which, I confess, I should have done sooner, had not my daily Distractions, and Troubles, and also my very Old Age taken off both my Mind, and Pen from the business. I confess it would have been a more Acceptable thing to Foreigners, that understand not the French Tongue, if this Book had been published in Latin, in an Elegant, and Polite Style. But seeing that this is the business rather of Orators, and makes for the Glory only of those They make choice of for their Patrons, (where as no such Politeness, or Flourish of Words is to be expected, either from a Philosopher, or a Physician;) yet however, that I might not be found wholly wanting on my part, I have thought fit, in some measure, to obey my Friends desires, by letting alone my French Treatise as it is, (which yet I had resolved to have reprinted, having first digested it into a better Method,) that I might declare to the world, what power those Noble Persons have upon me. I have therefore made a brief Collection of some Particulars, that are more largely treated of in the last, and most perfect Edition of my French Treatise; and especially of such things, as (Reason prompting me thereto) I have now had trial of for the space of Three and Fifty years (for so long it is, since I first Practised Physic) and in the use whereof I have been confirmed, by Experience; Which is the Mother of all Physical Observations. And therefore I conceive, that my French Book is not now necessary at all, for the understanding of those things, which I have here treated of in Latin. And if there be any thing here, that shall please the Reader, and may be of use to himself, or his Friends, and yet is not so particularly, and fully treated of here; he may easily, by the help of any Interpreter, have recourse to the French, where most of these things are more fully handled; and there he may have fuller satisfaction. Yet I must here desire the Reader to take Notice, that I have inserted many New Things in This Treatise, which are not in the French; as in like manner I have discoursed more fully, and purposely of some other things here, which I touched upon but by the By, as it were, in my French Treatise. An Index of all which I have here added, for the benefit of the Reader; that so he may, with a glance of his Eye only, find out, what he shall think is for his Turn.  
Farewell.   

CLARISSIMO Expertissimoque Viro, D. HERMANNO Ʋander HEYDEN, Primario Gandavensium Medico, Sibi coaetaneo, gratulatur JOANNES STULLIUS, Corteracensium Medicus.  
QUis tua commendet, Medicam qui corrigis Artem;  
Vulneraque, omisso pure, coire doces.  
Qui subitòVentris, cum fluxu, tormina tollis,  
Et Rabidae Pestis saeva venena domas.  
Qui Podagrae, Coxaeque, aliosque, aliosque dolores,  
Hactenus indomitos, exuperare soles.  
Qui rabidi Morsus Canis exitiale venenum,  
Infidias cordi dum parat, interimis.  
His condigna novis, rarisque, encomia nullum,  
Qui canat, esse sciens, obstupeo & sileo.  
In English thus.  
Who shall Thee praise, who Physic dost chastise.  
And heal up Wounds, before Corruption rise?  
Who Torturing Gripes, and Fluxes dost disarm,  
And the devouring Plagues fierce Venom charm.  
The Gout, Sciatica, and several more  
Thou tamest, which unconquered stood before.  
Thou dost control the Mad Dog's poisonous dart,  
And sly infections, which beseige the heart.  
To these New, Rare Discoveries, since can come  
No Equal Praise, I stand amazed, and dumb.   

A TABLE Of such Principal Things as are contained in these Five following DISCOURSES.  

In the First of which is treated of the Virtues of Whey, in the Dysentery, and the Griping Flux of the Belly; and of the Difference of These, from other Fluxes.  
THat Whey, in Griping Fluxes of the Belly, is the best Remedy: but where there is no Griping, the Party must abstain from it. Fol. 1.  
The External, and Internal Causes of the Griping Flux. Fol. 2.  
That upon the very day of Purging, even in other Diseases too, especially where there is any Griping of the Belly, the Party is to drink a draught, or two of Whey. Fol. 3.  
That Whey is also a good Preservative against this Griping Flux. Fol. 4.  
That seeing Detergent Medicaments that are taken by Potion, or that are administered by the Ordinary way of Clysters, are in this case not so safe, I have therefore hinted, that Whey may better be taken, which is but a gentle Cleanser. Fol. 5.  
That, even in Women that have their Courses, if the Administering of Whey, and other Purgatives be necessary; the taking of them cannot be deferred, without evident danger. Fol. 7.  
That they ought to be administered also to Women with Child, if need so require. ibid.  
That they are to be repeated, if the Gripe cease not. ibid.  
This Flux is so much the harder to be cured, the longer it hath continued in wring and corroding the guts. Fol. 8.  
What Purges are to be given in all Ages. Fol. 9  
What Clysters are to be administered. Fol. 11.  
That Clysters are here to be administered Cold, even to little Children, though it be in the Winter: ibid.  
That Vinegar is to be put in, sometimes, into Clysters. Fol. 13  
That Breathing of a Vein is very seldom admitted here. Fol. 15.  
That in an Inveterate Flux too frequent Purges are not to be administered, nor so great a quantity of Whey, as in those that are but newly begun. Fol. 17.  
What Meats and Drinks are to be used, both in an Inveterate Flux, & in one that is but newly begun. Fol. 18, 19  
Astringent Medicaments are seldom used here; and Topical Applications are of little Efficacy. Fol. 20.  
Opiates are here dangerous. ibid.  
All Violent Fluxes are to be stopped in the same manner, as that is in the Disease called, Cholera. Fol. 21.   

THE SECOND DISCOURSE.  
WHat the Disease called, Cholera, is; and what the cause of it is. Fol. 23.  
That Laudanum Theophrasti is the only Remedy here. Fol. 25.  
The description of this Laudanum, and in what quantity it is to be administered. Fol. 27.  
What Regiment of Health is to be observed in this Disease. Fol. 29.  
What Drink and Meat the Patient is to take. ibid.   

THE THIRD DISCOURSE. Wherein is treated of the singular, and Incredible Virtues of Cold Water, in the Cure of several Diseases, Straining, Bruises, Pains, and Wounds, without Suppuration.  
NOthing is more useful, both for Preventing, and Curing the Gout, then Cold Water. Fol. 32.  
That this Disease is caused by the Acrimony, or Saltness of the Humours, and so consequently from Heat. ibid.  
The Parts Affected here swell by reason of a Cold Humour; because that the Natural Heat is weakened by the Malignant Heat; as it happens in the Erysipelas. Fol. 33.  
That the Opening of a Vein, upon the Part Affected, or near to it, is of very good use. Fol. 36.  
That Revulsion, or Derivation of the Blood another way, is of very little use here. Fol. 37.  
That Old Men also may, with very good success, make use of Cold Water. Fol. 38.  
What Applications are to be made use of, for the asswaging of the Pains of the Gout. Fol. 41.  
That the Sciatica, or Hipgout, is also caused by a Hot Humour; and, at the beginning of it, may be perfectly cured, by the taking of Cold Water, for the space of Three, or Four days together. Fol. 42.  
That the Pains of the Shoulder, and Hippolito, when they are not joined with other Goutish Pains, are not at all, or very seldom obnoxious to a Relapse: as neither are the Pains of the Running Gout. Fol. 43.  
That seeing no Veins appear either on the Hip, or Shoulder; we must apply Cupping-glasses, and Horseleeches; and must open the Anckle-Veine. Fol. 44.  
That Purgative, and Sudorifical Medicaments are here of use; and when to be applied. Fol. 45.  
In what case a Cup of Cold Water is of use in the Pains of the Stomach, caused by Crudity, and also in the curing of a Hoarseness, that is but new begun. Fol. 47.  
That Cold Water is good against the Stone in the Kidneys. Fol. 49.  
That the putting of the Feet, and Hands, being benumbed with Cold, into Cold Water, recovers them. Fol. 52.  
That Cold Water cures that kind of Cramp, called Tetanus according to Hypocrates. Fol. 53.  
That Cold Water is said to have cured those that have been taken with the Palsy, by being applied for the space of two, or three hours together; and that the Party Affected hath been thereby restored, the same day, to his sense and Motion. Fol. 54.  
That a Sudden Fright, by repelling the Blood and Spirits inwards, hath driven away a Quartane Ague. Fol. 55.  
That by the Violent breaking forth of the Blood and Spirits to the Thighs and Legs, caused by a Vehement Anger, Motion hath been re-restored to those, that could not move before. Ibid.  
That by reason of both these Passions, namely, Fear, and Anger; the Son of King Crasus, that was born dumb, suddenly spoke, and ever after continued a Speaking Man. Fol. 56.  
That a Windy Exhalation, being close kept in, becomes Rarefied, and so causes Lightning, and Earthquakes. As likewise Gunpowder, being set on fire, (least two bodies should be in one and the same place) requires a larger place. Fol. 56. 59  
That Hypocrates teacheth (and that with good reason) that the Gout in the Feet is cured by a Large Effusion of Cold Water upon them. Fol. 62.  
That the Immersion of the Head into Cold Water, is good against an Inveterate Pain thereof, and Defluxions from thence: and how. Fol. 64. 65.  
That by the Application of Cold Water for a good while together upon the Part Affected, and up above the Temples, the Toooh-Ach hath many times been cured. Fol. 69.  
An Inflammation of the Eyes, taken betimes, may be cured in the same manner. Fol. 70.  
That the Pains of the Shoulder, Back, and Loins, though never so Raging, and of Long Continuance, have, by my Advise, been cured in the same manner. Ibid.  
That the Hot, and Dry Distemperature of the Reins, which is the Efficient Cause of the Stone, may in all probability be reduced to its former state, by Cold Water; (for, I confess, I have not yet made Trial of it) if it be applied to them once a day, for the space of half an hour, for four or five days together. And I would have those, that are much troubled with it, to do this, if not so many days, yet at least two days together, twice, or thrice a month, for the space of a whole year together; or thereabout. Ibid.  
Children also, that through Extremity of Pain could not stand upon their feet, by the said Bathing of their Legs, as far as to the Knees, in Cold Water, have found thereby very much good. Fol. 71.  
The Wind-colic is cured, by long Immersion of the Legs, and Hands in Cold Water. Ibid.  
That Cold Water (in a very strange manner) cures both the Cold, and the Hot Distemperature of one and the same Part, by repelling, and driving backward the Blood, and Spirits toward the Centre of the Body; which having its Heat there increased, in its return overcometh the Cold Distemperature of the part: and in a Hot one, it suffereth them not to return to the same. Fol. 72.  
That the Application of this Cold Water only, but continued a good while together, is a most secure way of curing of Green Wounds; without coming to Suppuration at all: and also when there is some Purulent Matter in the Wounds, they have also been cured by the same means; as I have seen, and made the Experiment. Yet my advice is, that people should not delay the business. It cures Wounds also upon the Face, without leaving any Disfiguring Scar behind: and also healeth Bruises in other Parts, either the Legs, or Thighs; and that in Old People too, without any pain, or danger. Fol. 73.  
That Cold Water cures Wounds, where a Nerve is pricked withal. Fol. 82.   

THE FOURTH DISCOURSE. Touching the Admirable Virtue of Wine-Vineger, and especially in the Preservation from, and Cure of the Plague.  
THat the Use of Wine-vineger hath been always, by all people commended, for the Preservation from the Plague. Fol. 95.  
That Dioscorides affirms the same to be of Excellent Virtue against many Venom's. Ibid.  
That Cornelius Celsus, and Pliny thought that nothing was better against the Biting of an Asp, than Vinegar. Ibid.  
That, seeing that the Venom, which is caused by the Biting of an Asp, seems scarcely to differ at all from that which is caused by the Biting of a Mad Dog; I conceive the said Wine Vinegar to be good also for the preservation of people from the Hydrophobia, or Dread of Water; especially if it be decocted with the Herbs here set down, which are of a Specifical Quality against the same. Fol. 97.  
That Vinegar is good also in the Scurvy. Fol. 102.  
I have always caused Vinegar to be put into all Medicines both for the Preservation from, and Cure of the Plague. Fol. 104.  
What the Plague is, and what the Cause & Symptoms of the same are. ibid.  
That none ought to be so improvident, as to defer the taking of some antidotal Medicine, till such time as the Principal Symptoms of the Plague appear. Fol. 107.  
How, when, and by what Preservatives People ought to defend themselves; especially such as are not accustomed to Contagious Airs, and yet are necessitated to attend day and night upon those that are Infected. Fol. 108.  
That Tobacco is very good to preserve people from the Plague. Fol. 110.  
The Composition of my Preservative against the Plague. Fol. 115.  
That very many, by observing these Prescriptions of mine, have strangely preserved themselves from the Plague. Fol. 116.  
How those that live near Infected places, may preserve themselves. Fol. 128.  
How those may provide for their own safety, that do not live near Infected Places. Fol. 129.  
That the Contagious Air is either to be left, or to be corrected. Fol. 131.  
That Moderate Exercise may in this case be used, provided it be in an Air that is not suspected: but Violent Exercise is dangerous. Fol. 133.  
That Study, or serious Minding of Business, as also the Exercising the Act of Copulation, are hurtful. Fol. 134.  
As Sleep, in those that have the Plague upon them, is dangerous; so is the Excess either of It, or of Watching, in the Prevention of the same. And among the Passions of the Mind, Fear, Anger, Care, and Grief, must here be quite banished. ibid.  
That very great care is to be taken of the Cleanness of the whole House, and of all things in the same. Fol. 135.  
That Issues are here of good Use; & that they are therefore for good reason commended by Authors, Experience testifies; which yet lets us understand also, that we are not to trust wholly to Them. Fol. 136.  
And therefore for the same reason, those that are Scabby, or have any Old Sores about them, are not to look after any Cure for themselves of these things. ibid.  
That Annulets, made up of Arsenic, or other like Poisonous Ingredients, are not to be used; but rather instead thereof, a Silk Bag filled with Cotton, and Cordial, and Antidotal Powders. ibid.  
What Meats are to be used, in the Prevention from the Plague. Fol. 137.  
And what Drinks. Fol. 139.  
That those that have been with Infected Persons, and yet had not been fore-armed by some Preservatives, may do well to have recourse to Sudorifical Medicines, and to drink upon the same some Wine-Vineger, warmed. Fol. 140.  
That Good Signs are very seldom to be taken notice of here: for although the Plague-Tumors, and Carbuncles do appear before any Feavorish Heat, or that this Treacherous Enemy flatter you thus or thus; yet you are not to trust It at all. And where many of those signs meet together, which I have set down, they are of sad Omen. Fol. 141.  
That where any perceive themselves to be infected, by any the least sign, they must presently have recourse to Sudorifical Preservatives, and Wine-Vineger, warmed; & must sweat abundantly upon it: and in case they find not themselves the better for it, they must then do the same the Second time; and sometimes the Third too, or the Fourth: as I have known practised with good success. Fol. 143.  
In what quantity these Sudorifical Preservatives are to be taken; and, which are of most use. Fol. 145.  
That a Great Dose, as, for Example, half an ounce of Treacle, is not to be administered, where the Party infected is very Drowsy. Fol. 148.  
That Infected People are not to be too rash in changing their Shirts, and other Linen: and that the smell of Soap is hurtful, even for those that are in good health. Fol. 150.  
That there is great care to be had to the Parties Strength: and what Meats are good in this case. Fol. 154.  
What Drinks he must take. Fol. 156.  
That Bleeding, Purging, and Vomiting, are not here to be allowed of; and why. Fol. 157.  
The Cure of the Plague-Tumors, Carbuncles, and Tokens. Fol. 165.  
How Infected Houses are to be purged; and after how long a time people may safely return to the same. Fol. 169.   

The FIFTH DISCOURSE. Treating of those Epidemial Diseases, and their Symptoms, which reign commonly in places near the Sea; which the Dutch call POLDERS: and which infested the Inhabitants, but more especially such Strangers as come thither, and have not been before accustomed to this Contagious Air.  
THat these Diseases reign commonly from the beginning of Autumn, and sooner too, sometimes, when it hath been a hotter Summer than Ordinary. Fol. 172.  
That this Contagious Air is in like manner exhaled from Ponds, Standing Waters, and Fenny Places, being too much dried by the extreme Heat of the Sun. As Meadows also, that have lain long drowned under Water, have a slimy Sediment left upon them; which being not able to be dissolved by the greatest Rain that can fall, do infect the neighbouring Inhabitants. Fol. 174.  
That the Diseases, that reign in these places, be Bastard Tertians, and Quartans, and, many times too, Continued Fevers; and many other, that attend these, as Symptoms: Of which, seeing there is a greater care to be had, then of the Fevers themselves which they accompany, we must alter our Remedies accordingly. Fol. 175.  
That there is no trust to be given to the Patient's Urine, in his absence Fol. 176.  
That the Parties Urine is not to be sent to the Physician, without sending with it due Instructions, touching the State of the Disease, by the Bearer of it. Fol. 177.  
That the Signs of People's Destiny cannot be seen in their Urine. Fol. 178.  
By what Preservatives Men are to arm themselves against these Diseases, especially those that have not been accustomed to this Malignant Air, and yet are necessitated to go into It. Fol. 180.  
That many Eminent Persons, both Colonels, and Marquesses, being in Garrisons either in the aforesaid places, or in Cities near the same, where they have had to do with their Enemies, have either in the same, or else in those they have removed to, yielded up both the Victory, and their Lives too, to these Contagious Dieseases. Fol. 184.  
That the Cures of such Diseases, and their Symptoms, as are performed by Whey, Cold Water, and Vinegar, as also of the Disease called, Cholera, may, and aught in some sort to be entrusted to those that yet are not Physicians. Fol. 198.  
That the said Diseases neither can admit of Delay, nor can expect the Digestion of the Malignant Humours; yet neither can the Physician be always presently with the Patient, nor indeed, in Contagious Diseases, for the most part will he, though he can. Fol. 199.  
That these Liquors, in the aforesaid Cures, do far excel all other the most Precious Remedies that are; although Cold Water is accounted a thing of no value; and neither Whey, nor Vinegar are of any great Price. Fol. 205.    

THE FIRST DISCOURSE: Wherein is treated of the Excellent Virtue of WHEY, in the Dysentery, and the Griping Flux of the Belly.  
IN the Dysentery, and Flux of the Belly, that is accompanied with Gripe, though there be no bloody Corrosion of the Guts, I have especially commended Whey: 
That in a Flux, where there is no Griping, the Patient must abstain from Whey,  but where there is with it neither a fever, nor any Gripe, I have forbidden, not only the use of it, but of all other Liquids also, both Meats and Drinks, as far as the Constitution of the Patient could endure: yet have I allowed them to take some small quantity of Red Wine.  
Where by thè way the Reader is to take notice, that since I first commended the use of Whey in Griping Fluxes of the Belly; many have, without ever consulting the Physician, made use of it indifferently in all Fluxes whatsoever; in so much that at Antwerp, and Brussels it is by many made and sold, only to get money: Whereas, in my Treatise written in French, I particularly, and expressly forbid the use of it in those Fluxes, that are accompanied neither with a Fever, nor Gripe in the Belly. Because that in this Flux, the Acrimony, or Saltness of the Peccant Humour (which is the true cause of a Griping Flux) are supposed to be wanting; 
The true Interna, and External causes of the Griping Flux.  which are caused by the excess of the inward heat of the Body, and for the most part of the Liver; or else from the heat of the Sun, Violent Exercise, over sharp Meats, and Drinks, or else from Purging Medicines; Which Hypocrates seems not to allow of, either in, or immediately before the Dog-days, unless necessity so require; because it is then an unseasonable time for Purging. And no marvel; for while the weather is so extreme hot, our Bodies are too much dried, and consequently the Humours grow very Acrimonious; and the Medicines themselves, having also for the most part a peculiar Acrimony of their own, do sometimes cause a Dysentery: and therefore the same Hypocrates in another place insinuates, 
That seeing Purging Medicines somtims cause the Dysentery, upon the very day of Purging, the Patient must drink a draught or two of Whey.  that when any would Purge their Bodies, they should first make them moist, and fluid.  
And for this reason I advise my Patients, at what time of the year soever they chance to take Physic, upon the very day they take a Purge, (especially if they have any Gripe in their Guts) to drink a draught or two of Whey; that by this means they may repel the Acrimony, whether of the Humour, or of the medicines: Which, as it immediately cures the Griping Diarrhoea, and the Dysentery itself, so it is also a great Preservative against them.  
So that it evidently appears from hence, that Whey hath as well a Curing, 
That Whey is also a good Preservative.  as a Preserving faculty. And certainly it is a wonderful thing, how much Whey excels all other Medicines in the cure of the Griping Flux, if it be taken in a great quantity, cold, and at any time of the day or night, either fasting, or at meats, or after meat, or late at night: and especially at the beginning of the disease; when it ought to be taken in the greatest quantity.  
And this is the reason that Dioscorides, considering how agreeable to our Constitutions the nature of Whey was, though there were neither a Griping Flux, nor any other Necessity, yet prescribed the use thereof every Spring, for some time; beginning at first with a Pint and a half: And this he did, probably, to allay the heat of the Blood, which at that time gins both to grow hot, and to increase; and withal to prevent those diseases that are caused thence; such as are the Pleurisy, Quinsy, and the like. And Hypocrates also himself, in his Book De victus ratione, in some diseases, prescribes no less than 12. Cotylae of boiled Asses Milk (which is very serous) and, in case the Constitution of the Patient would bear it, he says that he may take 16. Cotylae: and yet a Cotyla contains 9 Ounces. We are to consider also, that from our very birth we are brought up with Milk, the greatest part whereof by much is Whey. Neither are we to be afraid of Whey, as being too cold, seeing that a very Learned Author (to whom yet I cannot assent) maintains that it is hot: for I conceive, that it is cold in some degree, 
Whey is cold, and somewhat cleansing.  and withal something cleansing. And I remember once, when the Humour was very Acrimonious, I prescribed my Patient, that was sick of a Dysentery, to take, within the space of Four and twenty hours, Eight cups of Whey: which within the said space of time (as appeared by exact observation) he did, with very good success. And as, by this means, the further Corrosion of the Guts is stopped; so is the growing of any Ulcer in any part hereby also prevented, in case it be speedily taken. Yet my Rule is, to prescribe a Moderate quantity only of Whey, in this Flux. And those, that have not any Whey at present, may make use of scimed Milk, which is made up of Whey and Cheese: and that you may make a separation of them, you must put some Rennet into the Milk, while it is over the Fire; and so you make your Whey.  
And for as much as there is no greater danger then from the delaying the use hereof, you are therefore to have no regard at all (as appears by constant experience) whether your Patient be a Woman that hath her Courses upon her, 
That no regard is to be had either to Women that have their Courses, or are with Child. That the Peccant Humour is to be purged out the very first day of the Flux.  or perhaps is great with Child. And therefore the very first day of the Flux, the Peccant Humour is not only by proper Medicines to be purged out, but the Acrimony of it also is to be allayed, by drinking a sufficient quantity of Whey, even upon the very day of taking Physic. Yet we must remember, that we are not to give as large a quantity of Whey, or of Purging Medicines to Great-bellied Women as to other people; but must prescribe them so much the less quantity of either, by how much they are nearer the time of their being brought to bed.  

You must fall again to your Purgations, if the Gripe cease not.  And if by chance the Gripe of the belly cease not, (as usually they do, if the Flux be not of above two, or three days standing) you must fall again to your Purgations; & in case they should continue longer, perhaps a week, a fortnight, or three weeks; you must then often purge your Patient, and that sometimes for two or three days together, or at least omitting but one day betwixt; according as you shall find the Necessity in this case require; that so as well the Antecedent, as the Comcomitant cause may be removed: Which (though much assuaged) by how much it continues in wring the Guts, so much the harder will the Flux be cured. Yet notwithstanding I have many times observed, that even an inveterate Flux hath been perfectly cured, by the Means here laid down.  
In the mean while, there is regard to be had to the strength of the Patient, 
Regard to be had to the strength of the Patient.  if he be very weak, lest he be brought too low, by too frequent Purges: which may very easily be, in a body that is extremely weakened by a continual Flux: though there be no such danger in a Flux that is but newly begun; where though they go commonly very often to stool, yet it is but in a small quantity. And where there is danger of too much weakening the Party, you must use so much the more gentle Purgatives; and if either by them, or without them, by the violence of the disease, too great a quantity either of Humours, or of Blood hath been evacuated; you may then endeavour to stop the Flux (at least for a while) either by Astringent or Stupifying Medicines, or else by such Clysters as are here set down.  
Now for an Ordinary Purge, they use to administer to those that are of ripe years, 4. Ounces of the syrup of Roses Solut. mixed with Rhubarb, with some spoonfuls of Whey; or in case you cannot get any Rhubarb, you may take five Ounces of Syrup of Roses Solut. without Rhubarb. But to younger people, and such as are of weak Constitutions, you must give a less quantity. And in case (as it often happens) it should not work to any purpose, you may then add about an Ounce of a Cordial Decoction Solut.; as you may leave it out, if it be too violent. And if so be the sick Party cannot endure to take any Syrup, he may instead thereof take the Infusion of two or three Drams of Rhubarb made with Whey; or about the quantity of two Ounces of Portuguese Manna infused in Whey: and you may give an Ounce of the aforesaid Syrup, mixed with Rhubarb, to a child; and half an Ounce to little children, with a spoonful, or two, of Whey. And you may give as much, or very near, with a little Whey, to Children that suck: to whom I have known Whey, with the Yolk of an Egg, and crumbs of White bread, mixed together, given for meat, and Whey only for drink, with very good success. This Syrup mixed with Whey, as it seemed to me a very proper remedy for this disease, and such as might very safely be administered, without any danger of over-purging; so hath the success herein so often answered my expectation, as that I was scarcely ever put to make use of any other Medicine instead of it. And although these things, if they be speedily, and duly administered, do cure both in a short time, and certainly enough; yet notwithstanding the careful Physician must, in the beginning of this disease, not fail to make use of Ordinary Clysters also: yea, 
What Clysters are in this disease to be made use of.  and sometimes too, if the body be not throughly purged, he must then have recourse to Extraordinary; which must be composed of a Pint of Whey, or more, and four or five Ounces of Syrup of Roses Solut. with Rhubarb, or the like quantity of Honey of Roses Solut. The Ordinary Clysters used in this case, are made of the same quantity of Whey, mixed with two raw Yolks of Eggs. And to the end the Party may retain them the longer, and so consequently they may work the more effectually; I would have them always, even in the Winter, administered Cold: 
Clysters to be given cold.  Which I would have also to be often repeated, if there be an extreme Griping of the Guts with the Diarrhaea; and you must apply it so, yet much more frequently, in case the Party void Blood: which if it cease, and if some Purulent Martter only, or the same mixed with a very little Blood only, be voided from some Ulcer, you must then give your Clyster a little warm. And I have always, and to people of all ages, in a quantity proportionated to their age, administered them cold: and, for instance, to the daughter of the Count de Wacken, 
Clysters to be administered cold, to Children of 2. or 3. weeks old only.  who was sick of a Dysentery, and was not above a fortnight old; to whom I caused a Clyster to be given Cold, by which her health was very speedily restored. And even in the depth of a very hard Winter, I have with very good success, done the like to little Children, that were not above two, or three months old. And certainly, if it were objected against me about Thirty years since, by some Outlandish Physicians, and those of no Common Note neither, that it was against both Reason, and Hippocrate his Aphorism, where he tells us, that cold things are hurtful to all Nervous, and Ulcerated parts: without question they must needs now think it both a very Absurd, and a paradoxal Opinion, to maintain (as I, for very good reasons, dare underatke to do) that in these Clysters, which I would have administered Cold, there must sometimes Vinegar also be put in. And indeed this Mixing of Vinegar with these Clysters is of very good use; 
In a great Flux of Blood, Vinegar is to be mixed with the Clysters.  in so much that I have divers times caused 2. 3. or 4. spoonfuls of it to be put in, as well in the Ordinary ones, as into that more Astringent one; and that in a Flux of the Belly, where the Patient hath been in so sad a condition, as to void in one day near two or three Pints of Blood. Neither did my Expectation fail me; for the Blood by reason of so piercing a Cold, was suddenly repelled, and the Orifice of the Vein contracted, and shut up. Neither do I conceive this practice of mine to be any whit derogatory to Hypocrates his Authority: seeing he himself, in another place, giveth his advice, that where the disease is desperate, they should not forbear to try any manner of Experiment for the curing of it. And if we will but appeal to Reason in this case, we must needs confess, that there is much more care, and regard to be had to this Flux, which immediarely destroys, then to the Ulcer, whose cure will admit of more delay. Neither is the Indication here taken from the Ulcer, when we administer these Clysters cold; but from the Flux of Blood, which weakens the Patient too much, which by this means is repelled, and stopped: as, on the contrary, it is drawn downward, if the Patient put his foot into warm water; as is usually done, when a Vein is to be breathed, in case of the stopping of women's Courses: As it likewise is seen in Violent Bleeding at the Nose; where when the Blood hath issued forth in manner of a swift Torrent, the speediest, and most certain remedy in this case, (when all other means have failed) hath been, to put the Patient's feet into Warm Water; and that, if need so require, as far as to the very Knees, or higher: as it happened to one, that was at the very point of death, whence by the trial of this Experiment he was happily recovered, when both his Legs, and Thighs, for want of Blood, had now grown cold: and no marvel; for, his Blood flying up to his head, he had lost no less than Eighteen Pints of it, at the Nose; as by most exact observations was found.  
But to leave this Digression, and to return to my former discourse of the Flux of Blood in a Dysentery, I say; that wherever I found the strength of my Patient to have been too much weakened, by so violent, and plentiful Voiding of Blood by stool, 
Letting of Blood is very seldom admitted here.  I never appointed the breathing of a Vein, which yet may here seem to be proper enough: and I have been very sparing also in prescribing it, in this Dysenterical Flux: and therefore those, who object against me, that I have sometimes used it too sparingly, may hence receive satisfaction, if they please but to consider with me, that these so frequent go to stool, (especially if the Party void Blood,) do so much debilitate the strength of his body, as that Bleeding would be very dangerous; neither do I allow of it by any means, unless it be in a high Fever, or in a great Voiding of Blood, (provided it be not in so great a quantity, as was said before,) or in case there be a stoppage of the said Flux, (as is usual in the Hemorrhoids) or if there be any fear of an Inflammation of the Guts; in which cases it seems to be necessary. For, the Heat of the Patient is attempered sufficiently by the store of Whey which he must take; which also sufficiently aswages the saltness, or Acrimony of the Peccant Humour: in so much that I have been so fully persuaded, that, seeing the Humour itself may easily be purged out, (if it may conveniently be done) and so together with it, the disease, and all the danger of it may be taken away; that therefore there hath been need of no other Evacuation at all; so that among sixty Dysenterical Patients, I have scarcely let one of them Blood, and that with very good success; as is declared more at large in my French Treatise, where I have spoken largely of this Particular, and of the Regiment of Health in this case to be observed; advising all persons, that are sick of this disease, to abstain chief from all Motion of the body, all Peppered and Salt Meats, and from all things in general, that are either Actually, or Potentialy Hot. 
In an Inveterate Flux, too frequent Purges are not to be administered; nor so great a quantity of Whey, as in those that are but newly begun.   
I also have said there, that in an Inveterate Flux, you are not to administer so frequent Purges; and that these are to be varied, according as the disease is: and also, that you are not to prescribe so great a quantity of Whey in an Inveterate Flux, as in one that is but new-begun: yet in case the Gripe continue, though they be much abated in the violence of them, the taking of Whey must Proportionably be continued: you may also, though but in a small quantity, administer Red Wine; which may be diluted with Water, with a little Cinnamon boiled in it. And as in all diseases, that have been of any long Continuance, the Patient is apt to nauseate at any thing that is given him, as well Meat, as Drink; therefore we are to change his Ordinary Drink, 
What Drinks are to be used.  according as the disease requires; where if the state of it be doubtful, or that the Patient will not be confined within any due bounds; the Indication must then be taken from such things, as are either Good, or Hurtful for the sick person: yet we are not at all to neglect that which is taken from the Gripe of the Guts; which, if they should chance to grow Violent again, he must then take a greater quantity of Whey, and must give over his taking of Wine.  
And as for Meats, I should chief commend the use of Eggs; with which many sorts of Broths may be made: and chief by boiling the Yolks of Eggs, together with some crumbs of White bread, (which is only of use in this case) in Whey; They may also take some fresh Broth made of Veal, or Mutton. The juice also of Chickens, or Capons, expressed out of them, or Restoratives made of them; as also a Toast of White bread, dipped in Wine mixed with Water, and with Sugar sprinkled upon it (where the Gripe of the Belly are not Violent) may here be admitted. And the Party may take things either Actually cold, or but lukewarm, as I have ordered in my French Treatise: where I have also set down some Astringent Medicines, which notwithstanding in a Flux newly begun (unless there were Extraordinary cause) I have scarcely, and in an Inveterate one, where the Gripe have been very Violent, I have but seldom made use of: neither yet have I often prescribed those things (as I have there said) which have a faculty of comforting the spirits, and of resisting the Malignancy of the Peccant Humour: such as are Terra Sigillata, Bolearmenick, Coral,  Hartshorn, and the like. And as Astringent Medicines, which are commonly used in this case, for the stopping of the Flux, are of very little force, so (as I have said) is the application of Topical Remedies of much less: and among them, as there is no trust at all to be put in Oils, so there is very little in any other Outward Application. And I think it were well, if people would consider, whether, or no, some of those Outward Applications, which are commonly in use, do not hurt rather, then do any good.  

Opiates are dangerous, & therefore seldom to be made use of here.  And as for Opiates, and Stupifying Medicines, though they do somewhat assuage the Pain, yet I not much approve of the use of them; although I have sometimes prescribed them, in a small quantity; an Ounce, or two perhaps, of Syrup of Poppy, (having given my Patient before a good sufficient quantity of Whey, and of Purgative Medicines,) that so I might, with all the speed I could, satisfy his longing desires. 
In all violent Fluxes, the same means of stopping is to be used, that are in the disease called, Cholera.  But where the Flux hath been so violent, either with Gripe of the Guts, or otherwise, that it hath brought down the strength of the sick Party so very low, as it is usually in the disease, which we call, Cholera; I would administer a Dram of New Treacle, or rather a Pill of Laudanum Theophrasti, of the quantity of four, or five grains: Which Pill would then be of most use, when the excessive Purging by stool is accompanied also with vomitings, or an inclination to it.   

THE SECOND DISCOURSE: Of the Disease, called by Physicians, CHOLERA: And of the only Cure thereof.  
I Shall in the next place come to speak of the Disease called, Cholera; which as it is most swift and violent in its progress, so is it usually also most dangerous, and destructive. So that I could not forbear with all the speed I could to give an Account of the nature of this disease, to the end that the Fury of it, (which is sometimes so great, as that it takes away a man in the space of four and twenty hours, or at least brings him to death's door,) may be made know● to all, and chief to such as are o●●…tute of any sudden means of help, so that they may in due time provide themselves of convenient Remedies. Which I do the more willingly, because I have long since observed, that betwixt the excessive Flux in the Diarrhoea, and this disease, which we call Cholera, there is some Affinity: in so much that sometimes it may be a doubtful business, how to distinguish the one from the other.  
Now this disease called, Cholera, 
What the disease called, Cholera is, and how it is distinguished from other Fluxes.  is, a continual, and violent voiding both of Choler, and other Humours, and whatsoever a man takes in, and that both upwards and downwards, by Vomit, and Stool: the violence whereof is so great, as that Nature being not able to bear it, the Patient's strength must thereby necessarily be brought extremely low. And hence you may easily perceive how it differs from a Diarrhoea with Gripe of the Guts, and from other Fluxes. The cause of this d●●●ase I have (in my French Treatise shown to be, rather the Malignant Quality of the Humours and of the Things taken in, than the A●●imony of Choler: 
The cause of this disease.  Which very thing seems to have been also insinuated by ancient Authors, where they tell us, that our Medicines are to be varied, according as the cause of it is different, whether it proceed from a Hot, or from a Cold Cause. And even Alexander Trallianus professeth, that he had recovered divers, that were at death's door, by administering Wine unto them. Erasistratus, in like manner, considering, that there was respect to be had, in this case, as well to the Crudity, as to the Acrimony, affirmeth, that nothing is more effectual in the cure of this disease, than Wine, diluted with Water: Which is also commended by Galen in his Book concerning Phlebotomy. But for as much as in this so violent a disease, these things seem not to be at all sufficient for the Cure of it; we must therefore have recourse to Laudanum Theophrasti; of which, people, that are of ripe years, 
Laudanum Theophrasti is, in this case, (provided, the party have been sufficiently purged before) the only remedy.  may take a Pill of four, or five grains in weight; and Children, of one grain only; and so proportionably in all other ages. Yet this is not to be administered, unless the Patient have before purged sufficiently, both upward and downward; lest otherwise something should be retained, which should rather have been purged out. Neither yet is the taking of it to be deferred so long, as that the patiented is fallen into Convulsion-fits, and his Excrements are of the colour of Whey; which are evident signs, that Nature is spent in him: for than it must be taken with all speed; and in case the party cannot keep it, but that he vomiteth it up again whole immediately, you may then either wash that in Wine, and give it him again; or else you must give him another fresh one. And in case he do retain it, and yet his Evacuations cease not, you must then give him another, of the quantity of two or three grains. Yet for the most part, one pill only is sufficient to do the business; and to the end that he may keep it, and not vomit it up again, he must chew in his mouth a slice of Citron, the pill taken off, and rolled about in a little Sugar, if he please. Other Opiates are not in this case so proper, neither are they so easily retained: yet, where this cannot be had, you may give him some of Rondeletius his Pills, or else some of my Pectoral Opiate, which I have set down in my French Treatise, concerning the Cough, to the quantity of half a scruple.  
And to the end that no man may be mistaken, I shall here set down the Composition of this Laudanum Theophrasti, as it is usually made among us; although some of the Ingredients, being put in in so small, and so disproportionate a quantity to the rest, (as, for inftance, of unicorns Horn) seem to confer little to the business.  
TAke an ounce and a half of Spec. Diambrae. infuse this in half a Pint of Aqua Vitae rectificata and set it upon the Embers, or in the warm Sun, for the space of twelve or thirteen days; that is, till the Infusion be sufficient; in the mean time often stirring it about. Then leaving the Powder behind, add to the Infusion two Drams of Opium Thebaicum dissolved in a Dram and a half of the juice of Henbane. The next day after add to it Mummy, Red Coral prepared, and Eastern Saffron, of each one scruple, and of White Amber half a Dram, and of Unicorns horn, and Oriental Musk, of each four grains. And having brought this to the Consistence of a thin Pultess, you may again (if need be) for some certain days together add some small quantity of Aqu. Vit. rectificat. and having so done, you must lastly dry it into the Consistence of a Solid Mass; out of which you may make up your Pills, as occasion shall require.  
Which Composition, seeing it is of so great efficacy, as that it is a certain, and indeed the only Remedy in this disease; I have always advised many great personages, and others, that have dwelled far from any City, and have had great Families, that they should never be unprovided of one or two of these Pills, and of the weight aforesaid; lest they should be suddenly snatched away by the violence of this disease, before any can be new made, or be sent for to the Neighbouring Cities. I have also in like manner always persuaded my friends, that when ever they take any journey, seeing these Pills are not every where to be had, they would be sure to carry with them one or two of them. The same care did I also take, above twenty years ago, for my Sons, when I sent them abroad to the University; instructing them withal in my way of proceeding in the cure as well of this disease, as of the Griping Diarrhoea, before spoken of, and also in the manner of Preservation from, and Cure in the Plague: wherein notwithstanding I advised them to consult the Physicians of the place, that so the Cure might be the more certain, and speedy.  
As concerning Diet, 
Concerning Regiment of Health.  I have spoken very largely in my French Treatise; where I have said, that for their Ordinary Drink, the sick parties must take Water, and Verdjuyce, of each a like quantity, 
Drink.  mixed together; that is to say, the quantity of a Cup and a half of either, with the Yolk of an Egg boiled in it, with a small quantity of Sugar. And if the Party be not very thirsty, he may then take a draught of Red Wine; or where that cannot be had, of old White Wine: with which, if need be, you may mix Water, with a little Cinnamon boiled in it. You may also allow your Patient a draught of small Ale, so it be clear. He may also have made him several kinds of Broths, of the aforesaid Verdjuyce, 
Meat.  or Wine, with Water, Sugar, and the Yolks of Eggs mixed with it. Restorative Jellies also, and a Toast of White Bread in Wine mixed with Water, and with a little Sugar put upon it, are here of very good use. And whatsoever he takes, either of Meats, or Drinks, he must take them Cold. And least, by drinking too much, his Evacuations should be the more violent upon him; he may sometimes allay his thirst, in some measure, by taking two or three spoonfuls of Wine and Water, mixed together in equal quantities, with a little Sugar, and juice of Citron added to it, to make it relish the better. He may also take a slice or two of Citron (the Pill taken off) rolled about in Sugar. 
Rob de Ribs, etc.  Conserves of Red Currans, and of Berberies, and the like, which are both Cooling, and Astringent, and also pleasant to the taste, are here of good use also.   

THE THIRD DISCOURSE Wherein the most Excellent, and Incredible Effects of COLD WATER, as well taken Inwardly, as applied Outwardly, are declared: and its wonderful Virtue in curing of Wounds is set forth.  
IN my French Treatise, I have prescribed Cold Water for my Patients to take: But do you not think me a very Inhuman person? Or, do you allow me to be a Physician, for doing so? Certainly there is not any greater Preservative from the Gout, if it be taken twice a year at the least, 
Nothing is more useful, both for Preventing, and Curing the Gout then Cold Water.  that is, in the beginning of the Spring, and Fall, and continued for some days together; or else if it be taken some days immediately before such certain times as it is usually wont to seize upon the party: in like manner as nothing is of more efficacy (when it hath seized on him,) for the asswaging the violent Torments of it, then Cold Water is; as I have there by many reasons proved at large: and especially, if to this taking of Cold Water, we join the Breathing of a Vein. Neither will any man deny this, that shall come to it with a clear Eye, and without any Prejudicated opinion, if he but weigh diligently those Pregnant Reasons, if not Demonstrations, whereby I have there made it appear, that the tormenting pains of the said disease of the Gout are caused either by Acrimony, or Saltness, and so consequently by Heat. Neither need any man be hindered from assenting to this opinion, because perhaps he hath known many times old men, and those too, that have been withal Hydropical, to have been taken with this disease: For there is even in them a sufficient stock of Salt, Serous Humours, to cause this disease.  
Neither let it seem strange to any one; that the Parts affected by a Cold Humour do swell: for he ought to take notice, that when by reason of this Malignant Humour the Natural Heat is weakened, 
The parts affected here, like as in the Erysipelas swell, by reason of a Cold Humour; because that the Natural Heat is weakened too much by the Malignancy of that Humour.  this both may, and must be: and especially if he do but consider, that (for the greater clearing of this business) that part of the Body that is taken with an Erysipelas, immediately also gins to have a swelling about it. Which seeing it is not imaginable that it should be caused by the mutual conflux of both Humours, we therefore ought to think, that it must proceed from the Malignant Heat of Choler, that hath so far weakened the Natural Heat. Which Bilious Humour, as it is likened to the Element of Fire; so, when it is kindled to a very great height, it also burns the part Affected, like Fire; and so raises Blisters on it.  
But suppose that the excellent virtues of Cold Water in the Cure of this Disease were never before discovered to the world; or that other its excellencies, in other the like Cases, have heitherto been neither written, nor heard of: Suppose this, I say, Must the Vast Abyss of Physical knowledge, and the large stock of the ways of Cures, have before this been necessarily exhausted and drawn dry? Is it impossible to say, or write any thing, that may be deduced out of the very Principles of Nature, which may be of good use in the Curing of the diseases men are subject unto, and particularly of the intolerable Pains of the Gout, and the like? Certainly there are divers, that having by experience found the excellent virtue of Cold Water, for the asswaging of those Horrid Torments of the Gout, (which are a second Hell) will be ready with a very grateful remembrance, Publicly to extol the same. And those, that to the use hereof, have added the opening of a Vein, either upon the part affected, or somewhere near it, will cry it up to the same height. And to the end that what concerns the Public Good, may Publicly be known, (I shall deal Ingeniously, with those that are Ingenious) I say, that I have known many, who have testified, that among the so many, and various Medicines that are in use for the cure of this disease, they have not known, nor applied any, that hath so certainly assuaged, if not utterly cured (as it sometimes hath done,) the intolerable pains of this disease, as Cold Water; especially when it is joined with Letting of Blood.  
For it is certain enough, (as I have proved in my French Treatise) that the Pains in the Gout are caused, not by any Cold defluxion of Humours from the Head, but by a Hot Humour, which is either an Acrimonious, or a Salt one, proceeding from the Liver, and gathered together in some neighbouring part, till such time, as that Nature drives it forth, by the Greater Veins, into the Capillary, as into certain small Channels by nature designed for the conveying of humours: whence it is conveyed to the Joints, together with the Aliment provided for the nourishment of the parts of the Body; and commonly first of all it seizes upon the Great Toe; and as the cause of the disease increaseth, it afterwards seizeth upon other joints also.  
For this cause therefore my Counsel hath been, that a Vein should be opened, both in the Great Toe, and also in other parts that are nearest to it: that so the next Antecedent cause, which lies in those Veins, and fomenteth the Concomitant Cause, lying near unto it, may be taken away: which being removed, the pain is either assuaged, or altogether ceaseth. For I cannot believe that the Concomitant cause lieth in the very joint, where the Bones are not wrapped about with any Periostium, which is of most exquisite sense, (for so all Motion must needs be painful) but instead of that are environed with a Gristle, and joined together with Ligaments, that are void of all sense: so that the pain must therefore necessarily be attributed to the neighbouring parts, which are most sensible. In the producing whereof, seeing that this Antecedent 'Cause is also to be supposed to cooperate, I am clearly of opinion, that without any Letting of Blood, either by way of Revulsion, or Derivation, we ought to fall immediately to the opening of a Vein upon the part itself: unless the body being very Plethorical, or the Patient young, or the part lying convenient for Revulsion, which had formerly been infested with the same distemper, do require the same. For in other Cases you must be careful how you let Blood; both because, my opinion is, that people ought to be let Blood once or twice a year, by way of Prevention, and especially in the aforesaid Great Toe, or what other part of the Body hath usually been most afflicted with this disease; as also, because that when it hath seized upon several joints at once, the violence of it seems to require the opening of a Vein, where neither the Age of the Person, nor any other impediment is against the same.  
And seeing it is confessed, and assented to by all Physicians, that Contraries are cured by Contraries; why may I not lift up my voice, and make use of my Pen, in the just Praises of this our Cold Water? Especially, seeing I am able to produce Experience on my side; (who is the best Mistress in all Sciences whatsoever) and that backed with Reason two. I shall not here speak of Young men, or of those of Perfect Age; but I shall only here have to do with Old men, (who, by reason of the Saltness of Humours, wherewith they commonly abound, are very much subject to this terrible Disease:) many of whom, when they either already felt, or were in fear of these Tormenting pains, have by my Counsel had recourse immediately to this drinking of Cold Water; which drinking constantly for many days, weeks, yea and months together, it hath succeeded so well with them, as that many of them, who have been very far stricken in years, have found very great ease hereby; and that too without any offence to the Stomach, or hindrance of Digestion; and have continued thus now for some years' space together; only drinking a draught of it off every morning: which course they also resolve to continue while they live. And some, that had used to drink Wine constantly, did the same; drinking Water at their Meals, but moderately.  
And although that in an Inveterate Gout, or where the Party is very old, or where there are other either Manifest, or Occult Causes, hindering it, I have said that the use of it would do very little, or no good at all; yet in very many of this kind of patients, where I have judged the use of it to be convenient, I do here testify to the world, that I have had very good success.  
And as for all other Medicines, whether they be those they call Anodyna; that is, Mitigatives of pain; or those they call Discussives, that is, such as dispel the cause of the disease in the Gout; as I have made little mention of them in my French Treatise; so in this, (where I commend so much the use of Cold Water, and Letting of Blood) do I make as little: because, as the aforesaid Mitigative Medicines, by too much relaxing of the parts Affected, do open an easy passage for the return of the sharp Humour back again upon them; so the Discussive, by overdrying the parts, dispose them toward the Knotted Gout.  
Yet those that either cannot, or will not patiently endure the tormenting pains of the Gout, and yet abhor to drink Cold Water, or to be let blood upon the part Affected, they may make use of the common Poultess made of White Bread; which they must make of crumbs of the same, (or rather of the powder of the Root of Althaea) boiled in new Milk to a Consistence, and pounded together, with Oil of Lilies, or fresh Butter, mixed with a small quantity of Saffron. There are some that choose rather to make use of an Ointment made of raw Yolks of Eggs, and Rose-Water heated together over the fire: and there are others that say they have found very much ease, in putting their feet, or hands into a Bath made of Castille Soap, made as hot as they can endure it: and when it gins to be cold, they must take them out. There are some also that in this case make use of the Lees of Red Wine.  
An also Ointment made of Spanish Wine, and Oil of Olives, of each a like quantity, and boiled till half of it be boiled away, and so applied hot to the part Affected, hath been said to have done good to some: which having been either Casually, or seasonably applied, nay sometimes, if not of itself, yet Accidentally have assuaged somewhat the pain.  
Neither is this taking of Cold Water (as I have prescribed it) useful only in assuaging, and curing the pains of the Gout in the Feet, Hands, and Shoulders; but also the Sciatica, or Hipgout, which is both the most violent, and the hardest to be removed of all the rest. And who ever shall but grant us, that the cause of this Gout proceeds from the self same Acrimony, or Saltness of Humours, if not from a greater: it need not seem so strange a matter to him, if while it is yet but newly begun, by the taking of Gold Water, according to my Prescription, (either Well-Water, or Fountain-water) taking it an hour or two before supper, (because this disease uses commonly to rage most of all toward bedtime) or at any other time when the party is in pain, taking it in this manner by way of Prevention, and doing the like every morning, and that many times in very Aged persons, who have taken it only for the space of four or five days together; it hath, without using any other Remedy, been perfectly cured, and which is more, for ever from that party banished; especially if he will but consider with me, that this disease is not subject to Recidivation, as the Gouts in the Feet, and Hands are. 
The joints of the Shoulder and Hip are not at all, or but very seldom troubled with this disease the second time.  Now why the joints of the Shoulder, and of the Hip, are so free from any Return of these Goutish pains (for they are very seldom taken with them the second time) I shall leave this inquiry to the search, and Disputation of others; lest my Reasons, (which can but seem Plausible ones only) may appear obnoxious to Contradiction, as to my present design, which pretends here to Brevity only. Now in case any Vein should appear, either upon, or near the Hip; without question it would be very much useful to open the same: 
Seeing that no Veins appear either on the Hip, or Shoulder, we must apply Cupping-glasses to the part affected.  But seeing that neither upon the Hip, nor yet upon the Shoulder, there appears any; we therefore in this case make use of Cupping-glasses, with more than ordinary Scarifications; and that with good success: and these Cupping-glasses, (or Horseleeches, instead of them) must be applied upon those very parts of the Thigh, or Leg, where the pain is most violent. It is very proper also in this case to breathe the Vein that lies on the Outward Ankle, 
The Outw ad Anckle-Vein may be opened.  which is therefore called Vena Ischiadica, or the Hip-Vein: as in like manner the opening of the Cephalica, or Mediana, in the Shoulder affected, is of good use against the pains thereof. But for as much as these Veins, which are to be opened, are so far removed from the part affected; questionless that other way of Evacuation, which is performed by applying Cupping-glasses, and Scarifications upon the part itself (seeing that in all probability they are the more likely to remove the cause of the disease) seems to be to much more purpose. For thus, by applying of these, together with opening a Vein, (by my Prescription,) taking away from the party twelve ounces of blood, and somewhat more, a most cruel, and inveterate Pain in the Shoulder hath been presently cured: whereas a Goutish Pain, but newly fallen upon the part, is used by this means to be cured with more ease. I add moreover, 
Purgative Medicines are of use, through the whole course of the disease.  that Purgative Medicines are here of good use also, through the whole course of this disease: Which having been taken first, then Sudoriferous Decoctions of China, Sassafras, Guaiacum (which is of special use in many Cases) if the disease be neither of too small, nor yet of too long a continuance, 
In what cases Sudoriferous Decoctions are to be applied.  have been applied with very good success. And this Sweeting is to be repeated for some days together, in the morning; where that the Sweat may be the more plentifully excerned, and so the Concomitant cause laso may be the better drawn forth; you may apply upon the hip, a bladder full of the warm Decoction of Sage, Hyssop, Thyme, Rosemary, and the like Herbs. But in an old, Inveterate Grief, a large Blistering Plaster spread over the whole Hip, uses to be the most effectual Remedy: Yet sometimes we must have recourse to Red-hot Iron.  
Neither ought it to seem strange to any, that this disease is cured as well by Hot, as by Cold Remedies: for, of these, such as do not of themselves do any good, by refrigerating the part, and assuaging the hot Quality of the Humour; the same notwithstanding, by drawing forth the said Heat out of the Part Affected, do Accidentally prove Cures to the same: as we see, the Inflammation of a  Finger is drawn forth by Fire; and a Tertian Ague is cured by Rhubarb. Neither shall I here omit to acquaint my Reader, that as Cold Water, taken an hour or two before supper, is a speedy Remedy against the pains of the Gout; so sometimes also, if a draught of it be taken immediately after Dinner, it hath given great ease to some kinds of pains in the Stomach: And, which is more, a Raw Apple, (which yet must be a Sharp, or Sour one,) taken at supper time, with a cup of Cold Water, 
In what case a cup of Cold Water is of use in the Pains of the Stomach, caused by Crudity; and also in the curing of a Hoarseness, that is but new begun.  instead of all other Meat or Drink, hath very often restored both to Preachers, that have been hoarse, and to others also, (provided their Hoarsenss hath not been of any long continuance) their Natural clear Voice, the next morning. It will be looked upon a little strangely, that I should approve of the use of Cold Water, in those Distempers, that are caused by Crudity, and Flatulency; whereas Galen, on the contrary, affirms, that a Lusty Draught of Cold Water, taken in a Burning Fever, is a most present Remedy. Yet seeing that is evident enough, that in such cases where the disease is dangerous, and something desperate too, the use of Cold Water is the only Remedy: without question the same may be taken safely enough, for some days, yea and weeks together, in very many diseases that may happen, and very good success also be from hence expected.  
Thus, those that have Fiery Faces, and Carbunckled Noses, with many pimples rising thereon, (which is commonly caused by the Fuliginous Vapours of Wine, or Strong Drink) or have any other the like Ill-affection of the Skin in any other parts of the Body, proceeding either from a Salt, or Acrimonious Humour; by taking this Cold Water we speak of, every morning, for the space of some days, or weeks together (as need shall require) may easily, & for no charge, relieve themselves, and recover the Natural colour of their Face, and Skin. Neither is it any matter at all, whether this Redness proceeded from the too free drinking of those aforesaid Liquors, or from a hot and dry distemperature of the Liver  

Cold Water is good against the Stone in the Kidneys  The Stone in the Kidney is in like manner-caused by the same Distemper, as by its Efficient cause; and therefore there is no doubt to be made, but that the taking of a draught, or two, of Cold Water, for some days together, (as I myself have observed) is in this case very good. Which seems also to be sufficiently insinuated by Piso, and Alexander, who both assure us, that the taking of a draught of Cold Water in the morning constantly, for some days together, hath done so much good upon those that have been troubled with the Stone in the Kidneys, that in divers, after the voiding of the First Stone, never any grew there again. And indeed lamb of opinion, that in this case, it would do the patiented very much good, if he took either Cold or Lukewarm Water: neither do I doubt, but that either of these are very good; yea, and Hot Water too, (as I have said in my French Treatise) where notwithstanding I have chief commended the use of the Cold. And indeed it may be taken, without fear of any Crudity; which the aforenamed Authors seem to suppose may be caused by drinking Cold Water. There are some also, who thankfully acknowledging the great benefit they have received by this my Counsel, do still every meal, when they rise, adventure to drink a draught of the said Cold Water, & that without any danger of causing Crudities in the Stomach, or of spoiling Digestion: nay, which is more, if at any time they chance either to eat, or drink too much; they are wont, of their own heads (though perhaps they are herein too adventurous, for this practice cannot possibly be allowed in all Cases) to have immediate recourse to this drinking of Cold Water, that so they may both presently expel all Crudities, 
Cold Water is good against the Crudity of the Stomach.  and also prevent Drunkenness. And as concerning Crudity, I conceive that Cornelius Celsus was also of this opinion; when he gives his advice, that such as are troubled with raw, and belching Stomaches, should drink Water. Neither will this seem unreasonable to any, that shall but consider, that this cure (which either cannot in any measure at all, or not fully be effected, by the use of Wine, Meats, and other Hot things, which seems here to be commended upon very good grounds) should yet be cured by Accident; when as the Stomach, being either distended by Wind, caused by the weakness of the Heat, or else being too much relaxed by the use of moist and unctuous things, begetting Crudities within it, is contracted by means of the Cold Water; and its Orifices are so closed, that the mouth of the Stomach being shut up, it hinders the ascending of the Vapours: by which means it is certain that the Heat must be united, and consequently the Crudity hindered, and a stronger Appetite excited. And hence I conceive it was, that Hypocrates called the Water, A Devourer.  
Neither is this our Cold Water useful only, taken inwardly, in inward diseases; but applied Outwardly also, it cures the Outward Pains of the Body.  
And indeed it ought not to seem unreasonable to any, 
Putting benumed Hands and Feet into Cold Water, recover them.  if I shall here boldly affirm, that when by reason of the violence of Cold in a hard Winter, the Feet have been so benumbed and frozen, as that the Toes through stifness stood out like so many sticks, by putting the Feet some certain times into Cold Water, and continuing this about the space of half an hour, they have again returned to their former state and condition. And that this is grounded upon Reason too, it may be hence collected; because that the Blood, being by this other Cold repelled, and driven back towards the Bowels, and by continuing there some space of time, growing thereby more united and knit together, acquires the greater strength; by which means in its return possessing its self of the extreme parts of the Feet, it overcometh their Cold Distemper, and revives, as it were, their almost-extinct Native Heat. And the effect will so much the more certainly follow, if while his Feet are in the Water, the party drink a large draught of Wine warmed, and spiced with Nutmeg, or Cinnamon; that so the Blood may with the greater force and vigour make its passage to the Feet; whose Recovery is discerned by the Redness of the Blood, appearing by little and little, as it gets down: as on the contrary it is a sign that those parts are mortified, which partake not of that tincture of Redness. Now this being done, the Feet and Thighs must be wiped dry with a linen cloth, and so anointed with ordinary Soap; which is done well enough without any fire, which for a time he must not come near. 
Cold Water cures that kind of Cramp called, Tetanus.   
And thus Hypocrates tells us (in his Lib 5. Aphor. 24. that that kind of Cramp also, which is called Tetanus, may be cured.  

Cold Water is said to have cured those that have been taken with the Palsy.  And I have heard, (and that from a person too, whom I could not but believe,) that one taken with the Palsy, both in the Thigh, Arm, and Shoulder, by the continual application of Cold Water for the space of two or three hours together, was perfectly cured the very same day. Which experiment notwithstanding I have not as yet made trial of, because there are very many that much suspect the same: although both in reason, and because of the happy success that may be hence expected, it seems in some kinds of Resolutions of the parts to be allowable enough: seeing that it is most certain, that many, that have been taken with a Palsy, by a sudden Fright have been cured thereof. Whence we are to conceive, that by this so violent driving back of the Blood inwards, the spirits were so chafed, and heated, as that they were able to make their way through the Backbone, and the obstructed Nervous parts of the side Affected; and so by dissolving the Viscous Humours that had obstructed the said parts, and quite dispelling the same, had restored to the parts his Natural, Voluntary Motion. And that by the same means many have been cured also of a Quartane Ague, 
A sudden Fright hath driven away a Quartane Ague.  we have so many late Examples in Story, as that we need not trouble ourselves further to prove the same.  
So we likewise read, that some, who have had their limbs so contracted, by reason of Convulsions, 
Some taken with Convulsion have been cured in like manner.  as that for some years together they have not been able either to go, or stand upon their feet, being provoked to sudden, and most vehement Anger, have risen up in an Instant, and have followed their flying enemy; and so by this means, by the forcible breaking forth of the Blood and Spirits toward the Thighs and Legs, and other Affected Parts, the Humour that was there gathered together being attenuated, and discussed, they have both recovered, and ever after retained their Natural Motion.  
Thus the Son of Croesus (as Herodotus tells the story) being smitten with a sudden Fear, and presently falling into a most violent passion of Anger, when he saw a certain Persian, that knew not his Father, running furiously upon him, with an intent to kill him, cried out with a loud voice, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Villain, kill not Croesus. And thus, that which hindered his speech being removed, he for ever after continued a Speaking Man to his dying day. Whence we may also observe, that a greater effect ought to be produced by the Concurrence of these Passions together; namely by the driving of the Blood and Spirits Inwards, by a Fright; and by driving the same Outward, 
How an Exhalation, being close kept in, becomes rarified, and so causes Lightning.  by a violent Anger, then if the Operation had been by one of these only.  
We are much rather to wonder at the Impetuosity, and Violence of Lightning, which is caused by a Hot and Dry Exhalation; which, by an Antiperistasis, while it is straitened, and kept close in, by a Thick and Cold Cloud, is so rarefied, that it does service to the Laws of Universal Nature; which cannot endure either the Penetration of Dimensions, (least two Bodies should so be in one and the same place,) or a Vacuum, or Emptiness in Nature: and at length being kindled, it breaks the Clouds with a Horrid Noise, & Crack; and by its violent Eruption, and Impetuosity of Motion, it rends in pieces, and destroys whatever by its hardness makes resistance against it, not hurting at all such bodies as are Porous, and Yielding.  
And the like is to be supposed also of Earthquakes, 
The effect is also the same in- Earthquakes, which are caused by a Hot and Dry Exhalation of the Wind.  which are caused by a Hot and Dry Exhalation of Wind, that hath got within it; and sometimes also by the like which is engendered, and shut up within the cavity, and hollow parts of the same: When as this Vapour, or Exhalation, being tossed, and agitated up and down through the bowels of the Earth, is at length so rarefied, that being forced to raise up part of the so vast body of the earth, (merely to avoid the aforesaid Penetration of Dimensions,) it hath sometimes brought forth Mountains: and on the contrary, sometimes also, according as the Disposition of the Place, and the violence of the Eruption of the Exhalations have been, have overturned Vast Buildings, yea and have buried whole Cities too in the Caverns of the Earth. For it does not to me seem any whit Probable at all, that so horrid a Motion of the Earth should be caused merely by the Motion of the Wind only, which struggles to recover its proper place; unless that, to the end that this may be effected, there be also a sufficient Rarefaction of the Exhalation. And it is most certain, that those Earthquakes are of the largest Extent, and withal the most Terrible, where there is a Cooperation of Sulphureous, and other Mineral Exhalations, kindled within the bowels of the Earth.  
In like manner as we see it is in Gunpowder, 
The like is seen in Gunpowder on fire.  which being shut up (in making of Mines) within the Earth, and there filling but a little place, by being afterwards set on fire, and requiring then a much larger place than before, it blows up by its force the strongest Walls, and Bulwarks, and makes such breaches in them, as that by this means there is an easy passage laid open to the enemy for his entrance into the besieged place.  
And if we may be permitted to compare small and great things together, how unutterable is the Power, that is in those Highest Intelligencies (I mean, the Angels) which are also called, Spirits. 
That in the Microcosm, the Spirits also being agitated, produce admirable effects.   
Which said Exhalations, seeing they produce such Admirable effects in the Greater World, why may they not do the like also in our Microcosm, or Lesser World, where the Humours are compared to the Elements, and our Spirits are in a sufficient Disposition for the admitting of a kind of Inflammation, or Burning; as may be perceaved, when shutting our Eyes, and winking with them something hard, we see a certain Animal Spirit, in some measure representing the Heavenly Fire, and the Light of the Stars?  
But leaving this Digression, let us return to our former Discourse, touching the exciting, and putting into Motion of our Blood, and Spirits, by Cold Water.  

Straining Bruises, & huge Swell are cured by Cold Water.  It must seem much more agreeable to Reason, if I shall here affirm, that all Straining of the joints, and all Contusions, either on the same, or any other parts of the body, as well as any huge Swell, may, by the aforesaid bathing of the part in Cold Water, be much more safely cured, then by any other Remedies whatsoever; and that more speedily too, and certainly, and without any either Cost, or Trouble, or Loss of Time. Thus the Hands, and especially the Feet, which are most of all subject to these Straining, and the like Accidents, may be restored to their former strength, and ability in going; yea although the said Remedy be not made use of, till two or three hours' space after the aforementioned accident, or the like, befell the Party, (as I have seen with my own eyes, more than once) where by careful, and often plying of this bathing the part in Cold Water, the Humour hath been repelled, within the space of an hour; which to many seemed to have been so far settled, as that there could be no hope of repelling it; and that, by reason of the Bruise, and the very great Swelling of the part, it was to be brought to Suppuration, or else to be dealt withal as with Blood, when it is gathered together without its own proper Vessels: and yet the Blood here, still continuing in the Capillary Veins, which are much dilated, and swollen, together with the Flesh, when it cannot be discussed, is yet by the use of Cold Water repelled, in case the Application of it hath not been deferred too long: although I am very certain, that where no speedy cure hath been taken herein, yet the making use of this Cold Water the next day after, continuing it the aforementioned space of time, (if the Swelling hath not been too great) hath perfectly cured the Party. Which Mischances, seeing they very often befall Carpenters, smith's, and Masons, and indeed all sorts of Labouring Men, they have this most excellent, and present remedy always at hand.  
And here I cannot but take notice, that it was not in vain that Hypocrates admonisheth us, that the Gout in the Feet is cured by a Large Effusion of Cold Water: for it is most certain, that by holding the Foot, that is affected, a long while in the same, both the Swelling abateth, and the Redness of the part, and the pains and assuaged also. But seeing that, by reason of the Corrupted Blood, which may speedily return again to the part, the Pain may easily be renewed; my judgement is, that this Bathing in Cold Water is to be repeated often, for the space of five or six days together. And in this sense do I understand that Doctrine of Hypocrates, to the great comfort of the Patient, when as his pain, and the continuance of his Disease shall be so taken off, as that he shall now be troubled with it so many days only, as otherwise he should have been weeks.  
Some also that have been troubled with the Gout in their Feet, that they may either utterly avoid the falling into a Relapse, or at least may have but light touches of it, make use of this Bathing in Cold Water every day, so long a space of time as a man may be saying over the Lord's Prayer. But for as much as the Acrimony of the Humour cannot always be so clearly taken away as could be wished, nor the Humour itself purged out: the same may be farther suppressed by the taking of Cold Water inwardly, and the Humour itself may be evacuated, as Occasion shall require, either by opening a Vein, or by some Purging Medicine proper in this case.  
Neither is this Bathing of the Feet in Cold Water a Remedy in the Pains of the Leg only, and the joints thereof; but it cures also the Inveterate Pains of the Head, and the Continual Catarrhs, and Defluxions from thence. For it is certain, that if the Head be put into Cold Water, as far as the Middle of the Bone of the Hinder part of the Head, and to the end of the Nose before, so that there be left just so much of the Nose out of the Water, as that the Party may have freedom of Breathing only; and that this be done so long, as while a man may be saying the Lords Prayer, the pain of the Head, though it hath been of long continuance, will hereby be removed, and the Defluxions stopped; as hath often been proved by experience. Or else instead of this putting the Head into Cold Water (which seems to be very improper for Women) you may take a Linen Cloth, dipped in Cold Water, and apply the same several times to the Head. For seeing that it is not so much the Moisture of the Water that is here requisite, as the Piercing Coldness of it; I conceive that it would do very much good in this case, if we should take a Linen Cloth that had been dipped in Cold Water, and wring it well, we should apply the same to the Head of the Party, having first covered it all over with another dry Linen Cloth, and that to be doubled too, and applying this to the Head for the space of a Quarter of an Hour together; and so repeating the same some certain times.  
And I have been very much confirmed in this opinion of mine, by an experiment of it made upon a certain English Knight, named Sir Toby Matthews, a man no less eminent for Wisdom, then fit for Public Trust. This Gentleman having been troubled twenty years together with an intolerable pain on one side of his Head, and also with a Continual, and violent Defluxion from the Head, distilling through his Palate, and Nose, in so great a quantity, as that he could never go without a wet Handkerchief in his pocket: he was so happily cured of both these Maladies in the sixtieth year of his age, by this Bathing his Head in Cold Water, as that till the seventieth year of the same, which he hath now passed, he hath never had the least touch of either, during the said space of time; and being now better in health then ever he was in his life before, to prevent his falling into the same Infirmities again, he useth the said Immersion of his Head in Cold Water all the year long, and even in the depth of Winter also. And he saith, that he received this profitable Advise from a certain English Nobleman, who having himself been a long time much tormented with the same Disease, had by this means cured both himself, and very many others who were alike affected, and restored them to their perfect health, to the great admiration of all men.  
And that this Practice is grounded upon sound Reason also, is confirmed by Constant Experience. For it is certain, that the Skin of the Head by this means is so hardened, and strengthened, and fitted to resist the Cold, as that it is able to secure the Head against the greatest that can be, and against any other External injuries whatsoever; and also to mitigate the Hot Distemperature of the Head, and the Acrimony of its Humours, 
This Immersion of the Heat into Cold Water, as it is grounded upon Reason, so it is confirmed also by Testimonies.  and either to attemperate, or repel such Vapours, as shall ascend up out of the Stomach, Veins, and Arteries.  
And it is evident that this may receive some Confirmation, by what Cornelius Celsus hath delivered in his Lib. 1. Cap. 4. & 5. where he saith thus: Eos quibus caput infirmum est, & assiduis lippitudinibus, gravedinibus, destillationibus, & tonsillis laborant, nihil frigida aeque prodesse posse, caputque per aestatem largo canali aliquandiu quotidie subiiciendum, & perfundendum esse: that is, That for those that are subject to Infirmities in their Head, and are continually troubled with Sore Eyes, Stuff in the Head, Distillations, Swelling of the Glandules, or Almonds of the Ears, nothing is so good as Cold Water; where the Head all the Summer long, is to be held under a Waterspout for a pretty while together every day, the Water all the while running down upon it. And hence it is, that some, that have had Children, that have been healthful enough, have yet, to the end they might continue so, suffered them from their very Infancy to go bareheaded, and to expose themselves to all External Injuries of the weather: and that according to the Doctrine of the same Cornelius Celsus, whose Advise it is, in the Beginning of his First Book, that all persons that are in perfect Health, and are at their own disposing, should accustom themselves to the aforesaid Hardnesses; and not only so, but in the rest of the Regiment of Health also, and in their Course of Diet, should observe a kind of Indifferency, and Freedom; eating and drinking sometimes more, and sometimes less than at other times: provided that the Exess in these cases be not too great, and Extravagant. Which seemeth to have been the Opinion also even of Hypocrates himself, where he tells us, that Bad things, that we are accustomed to, do hurt less, then Better, that we are not used to. But these things I would not have done rashly, or without the Advise of an Able Physician.  

The Toothache is cured by Cold Water.  The Toothache also hath in like manner many times been cured, by applying this Cold Water to the part Affected, and bathing the parts therewith also that lie higher, beyond the Temples, and repeating the said Application. And I know by experience, that an Inflammation of the Eyes, 
An Inflammation of the Eyes taken betimes, may be cured in the same manner.  taken in the beginning, hath been cured by this means, by repeating the said Application several times; in like manner as I have known, and before related, that the grievous Pains of the Shoulder, and of the whole Arm have also by the same means been removed.  

The Pains of the Shoulder, Back, and Loins, are cured in the same manner.  In like manner also have the most horrid pains of the Shoulder, Back, and Loins, been cured by my prescribing this Application of Cold Water; as I can testify from my own certain experience.  

This Application of Cold Water to the parts about the Kidneys, probably may be good against the Stone in the Kidneys.  And as the Stone is engendered in the Kidneys, and increased also in the same, by standing with one's back towards the Fire, or if the Parties back be overheated by lying in a Featherbed: so likewise may the Hot and Dry Distemperature of the same, whether proceeding from the aforesaid causes, or from any other, be (in all Probability) cured, by the Application of a Linen Cloth dipped in Cold Water, and applied to the part for a pretty while together, and so repeating the said Application several times.  
And Children also, that through extremity of Pain have not been able to stand upon their Feet, by the aforesaid bathing of the Legs, as far as to the Knees in Cold Water, for a good while together, according as I had given direction, have often found very much good.  

The Wind-colic is cured by bathing the Leg In Cold Water.  By the said continued, and often repeated bathing of the Legs in Cold Water, and consequently by the repelling of the Blood and Spirits toward the Heart and Liver caused thereby, the Wind-colic hath been discussed: although in this case I should rather make use of some other Remedy.  
Neither can I think that any man will refuse to subscribe to the truth of the things before delivered, that shall but (when occasion is offered,) make trial himself of the said experiments; at least of so many of them as I have said, that I myself have proved, and found to be true. For there are some of them, I confess, which though, being deduced from solid Principles, they seem to promise answerable effects, and happy success; yet for as much as I have not made trial of them myself, (as, where I speak of them, I have faithfully confessed) I have left them to the further Examination of others.  
Certainly that which at first sight may seem very strange, will not yet be found to be dissonant to Reason, to any man that shall but seriously consider, that this same Cold Water we speak of, applied to and part of the body, cureth the contrary Diseases of the same; as it doth, in the aforementioned Benummedness of the Toes and Legs, by putting them into Cold Water; whereby the Blood, and Spirits being driven back toward the Heart, and Liver, and after some reasonable long stay thereabout, their forces being increased by reason of a doubled Heat; in their return they overmaster the Extreme Cold distemperature of the Feet, and Legs: And so again, when at another time (notwithstanding the Philosopher's Axiom, which saith, that One and the same things, so long as it continues the same, necessarily produceth one and the same Effect:) the said Cold Water, being applied to the same part of the body, that is Inflamed, Bruised, and Extremely Swollen, cureth also the Hot Distemperature of the same.  
All which things being considered; it was not without some special Happy Omen, that I fell upon this Persuasion, that many kinds of Fresh Wounds, 
Cold Water very safely cures all Green Wounds without any Suppuration at all.  as well in the Head, as in other parts of the body, might be perfectly cured in the same manner, by the First Intention: by reason that by means of this Immersion into, or Application of the said Cold Water, the Blood is repelled very far back, and its Vessels are by this means closed up; and so there is a hindrance of all conflux either of the Blood, or of any other Humours; to the part Affected: which otherwise, by reason of its weakness, would there be both received, and through the Heat and Pain of the said part, would be also drawn thither; and would dispose the same toward the generation of Purulent Matter; and sometimes also would cause an Impostumation, or an Ery●pelas; (neither of which is at all here to be feared:) as it often uses to happen, when the Periostium, or thin Skin that immediately enwrappes the Shinbone, is inflamed by a Wound, or Bruise; so that the neighbouring parts come thereby to Gangrene, and putrify; and all life in them being quite extinct, and afterwards by degrees all life also throughout the rest of the whole body, the Carcase is in the end brought to the grave. And these Accidents, which sometims befall young people, but old folk very often, I have the more largely dilated upon, that men might take the better notice of the most evident Danger in this case, which yet by so facile, and a ready Remedy may easily be avoided.  
For it is very certain, that the aforesaid Immersion in Cold Water, if it be duly made use of, so soon as the Wound is received, or else within some few hours after; it will infallibly and perfectly cure the same. And I can assure the Reader, that for these three and fifty years' space (for so long it is, since I first lighted upon this way of curing of Wounds received upon the Leg, which I had never before either read, or heard of,) I have never known any of my Patients to have suffered hereby any great pain, much less Death; but all things have ever succeeded according to my Wish; as I have always by most curious Observation found.  
Thus in Autumn, in the year 1674, in a Wound almost all along the whole Leg, and that where the Party was very old too, after he had (by my Presumption) bathed his Leg a good while together in Cold Water, he had not the least feeling of any pain in his Leg, neither was there any Purulent Matter bred in the Wound; and that by reason of the so effectual Repulsion of the Blood, and the other Humours, and Spirits (as we have showed before) by the said Cold Water: Which, lest by the Patients too rash venturing upon Motion, they should by chance be called down toward the part again; it will be necessary that he keep himself quiet for a while. To the end therefore that in these, and the like Accidents, there may be an orderly, and a secure way of Proceeding, we must be sure to continue this Immersion at the least for half an hour, or rather an hours space, till such time as the Part Affected shall be reduced to its proper Temperature, or be rather brought down to a Colder Temper then its own Natural is; that so the aforesaid dangerous Symptoms may with the greater security be hindered. Which being done, there is nothing at all to be laid upon the Wound, save only some of that small Film, or thin Skin, that lies immediately under the Shell of an Egg, enwraping the whole Egg about: which you must be very careful that it fall not off, or be carelessly pulled off, or removed from off the Wound; till such time as that having lain there for some days, or week's space, according to the Constitution of the Patient, and of the Part Affected, the Wound being closed up, and grown whole, it falls off of itself. And yet I have observed, that, where this thin Egg-Skin hath been gently taken off, Nature itself hath defended the part, now left naked with a dry and hard Scab; which also, when the Wound was perfectly whole, fell off: for there was danger, that if it had been violently pulled off, the Sore would have grown worse again, if at least it be proper, in this Case, to use the Word, Sore, which presupposeth Purulent Matter; whereas here was not any, so much as the thinnest moisture that could be, seen to come from the Wound all the while, till it was perfectly whole. As in like manner, where this my Counsel hath been followed, no running Matter at all hath been seen to come from such Wounds, as have been either in the Heads, or any other parts of the Body, where ever it hath been my fortune to be called to Patients of this nature, either with Surgeons joined with me, or otherwise; save only in one Wound that a Person of Quality, of eighty four years of age, had received in his Leg: where, although the blood had been repelled, by the speedy, and continued Application of Cold Water; yet some small quantity of Purulent Matter coming from the Wound, on the sixth day after the hurt received, (yet without any foregoing Pain, or Heat in the part,) the Surgeons that were called thither were presently of Opinion, that for the perfecting of the Cure, they were to make trial of Suppurating Medicaments: which when they had, without my knowledge, applied; and had put the Patient to a great deal of pain, and had caused much Purulent Matter to come from the Wound; I was then straight sent for again: where immediately causing the said Medicaments to be taken away, and cleansing the Wound with Whey, I applied to the Sore a Plaster, that is usually called, Emplastrum Diapompholigos; which being well bound about with dry Linen , and then taking other Linen , and dipping them in Cold Water, and so wrapping them all round about the place, having first well wrung the same, and changing them ever and anon; I caused this Application to be used for the space of a quarter of an hour together at least, that so the part Affected might be freed from all Heat, and Pain: which Application I caused to be repeated for the space of four or five days together, till such time as the Wound was perfectly healed up, not the least drop hardly of Purulent Matter in the mean while being seen to come from the same. In like manner as at other times, while the aforesaid thin Egg-Skin was sticking still upon the Wound, when there was very little, or no sense at all, either of Heat, or Pain in the part Affected, I have caused a wet Linen Cloth, well squeezed, and the Water well wrung out, to be wrapped about the place, That so the Penetration of the Cold might assist the said Skin and might moisten it, without pulling if off. Yet if you shall perceive, that there is any thing under the Skin, you must then take it off; and so, cleansing the Wound, you may apply to the Wound the aforesaid Emplastrum Diapompholigos, and the place must be wrapped about with a Linen Cloth dipped in Cold Water, and afterwards well wrung, in the manner we shown before.  
Neither was I at all restrained from making use of the aforesaid Experiment, by that Aphorism of Hypocrates, Lib. 5. Cap. 23. where he says, that Cold things are not to be applied to those parts, whence Blood either already issues, or is likely to issue; for he there speaks of such Wounds, as are to be cured by Suppuration: neither was the world then at all acquainted with this way of healing up of Wounds perfectly, by the First Intention, by the Application of Cold Water, which Hypocrates there speaks of. And although 'tis true, that Cold Water, applied to any Sore, causeth some Smart, and Pain in the part; yet there is much more regard to be had (as the same Hypocrates else where rightly admonisheth us) to the exceeding great Benefit here to be expected, then to the very little harm, or Annoyance; as indeed the Smart is but little, which is caused by the application of Cold things to the part.  

Cold Water cureth Wounds, when a Nerve is hurt.  And I conceive, a Question might here very well be moved, whether or no in the Hurting of a Nerve, either by a Cut, or by a Prick, where by the Surgeon's neligence in striking a Vein either with a Lancet, or other Instrument, he hits upon a Nerve; whence commonly follow Impostumations, Gangrenes, yea and Death itself, (although the Prick be never so small) this Application of Cold Water for a good while together, as hath before been set down, might not be of good use: Notwithstanding that our Authors will not hear of the applying of Cold things, (at the beginning of the Cure,) and such Medicaments as are of an Astringent faculty, and are therefore proper to close up the Wound; as in other cases is usually practised. As to instance, among the rest, in Paraeus, who would not at all allow of this way of proceed, in the curing of the King of France, that had had a Nerve pricked by his Surgeon, in being let Blood: but the course he took, was, to pour into the Wound Oil to Turpentine warm, mixed with a little Aquavitae, whereby the Nerve was dried up, and the Sharp Humour proceeding thence, which put him to great pain was consumed; yet both it, and all fear of the other aforementioned Accidents together with it immediately ceased. Which course of his, if it had not succeeded according to his desire, he had then resolved to have cauterised the Nerve, by pouring into the Wound some drops of scalding Oil; or perhaps he would rather have cut it in two, then that he would have suffered the Fatal Atropos to have cut the thread of the King's Life in sunder.  
And yet Paraeus observe, that, notwithstanding the application of these Hot things, the Conflux of Humours toward the part affected was also to be hindered, to prevent the aformentioned accidents; immediately upon the receiving of the Wounds, he fell to make use of Refrigerating, and Repulsive Applications over the whole arm, fortifying it with a very straight Rowler, which bond down the Muscles exceeding close, binding the same about the whole Arm, from the Hand-wrest up to the Shoulder.  
But seeing this curing of Wounds by the Application of Hot Medicaments is Accidental only, as it that of curing a  Finger, by the Fire, as we have said before; why should we not rather go the direct way to work in these kind of cures, by opposing Contraries to Contraries; and so endeavour by this Application of Cold Water to repel the Blood, and Spirits from the part affected; and to allay the Pain, caused by the Acrimonious Humour, that draws the same to it? For that this will do the business, is evident enough, by the several cures that have been wrought in Wounds that have been made upon the Hand, and Fingers, (wherein there is abundance of Nerves) either by the bitings of Dogs, or by hurts from some sharp instrument; all which, by this Advice of mine, I mean only by this Long-continued Bathing in Cold Water, and often repeating the same, have within three or four days space been perfectly cured, and that without the appearance of any Purulent Matter at all coming from the Wound: as I can give a Particular Instance in one very large, and deep Wound, that was made by a Hatchet, where a part of the Back of the Hand, and the Forefinger were cut to the very bone. Which that it could not possibly be, without the hurting of some Nerves, nor indeed without the cutting of them off in two rather, (whereby, I confess, the Wound had much less danger in it, then if a Nerve had been but pricked only, or but half cut off) appears plainly by this; because that when the Cut on the Finger was quite closed up, and perfectly healed, the party could not by any means lift it up, nor indeed ever will be able to do so. And although that in these, and the like Wounds, there uses to be some pain in the part the next day, & the Hand will begin to swell; yet by reiterating the said bathing in Cold Water, both the Pain, and the Swelling will immediately Vanish: and if it be but quietly kept up in a Scarff, fastened about the Neck, the Party shall never hear of them more. Yet nevertheless, in a case so dangerous, as is the Pricking of a Nerve, which, after long, and most tormenting pains, together with the aforenamed Accidents, hath brought so many thousands to their graves; I shall willingly refer the Practice of this bathing in Cold Water, (though it promise abundantly a most happy success) to the Examination, and Approbation of the most Skilful in our Profession.  
Yet I dare assert, as a most certain Approved thing, and which hath now been long enough confirmed by Experience, that our Cold Water not only may, but also necessarily aught to be applied, in the aforesaid Wounds; and especially in those on the Face: that so the aforementioned Inconveniences, and also the unseemly Scars thereon, may be avoided: of the most happy success whereof seeing I have, by most frequent, and curious Observation, been most certainly assured: I have endeavoured to persuade many Surgeons, and indeed some of the greatest Name, that in the Cure of Wounds, (where neither the greatness, nor depth of the same, nor the great quantity of Clotted Blood sticking therein, nor the too violent Gushing forth of the Blood from some great Vein, nor a Fracture in the Skull, nor the Wounds being in the Breast, or the Belly, nor some other Impediment be in the way,) leaving their old wont Road, and the usual first Applications, and betaking themselves to this so Present, and so easily-procured Remedy; they would endeavour to satisfy the greedy Expectation of their Patient; and that they would rather look after as well their Own, as the Reputation of their Art, and would preserve a safe Conscience (which is much violated, where the Cure of any Wound is protracted without any cause) rather than mind their own gain only: who afterwards harkening to my Counsel, and finding the success answer the Experiment, confessed, that it was to be preferred before all other; notwithstanding that they knew well enough, that by this use of Cold Water coming into practice, there would much of their gains be lost.  
I must needs here add, that some are of opinion, that those that are bitten by a Mad Dog, by the Application of Cold Water to the Part Affected, or rather by the Bathing of the same in the said Cold Water, may be preserved from that they call Hydrophobia, or the Dread of Water: and they persuade themselves, that by this means that Venom may be overmastered, and expelled. And this they conceive to be no unlikely thing, if there be any credit to be given to Cornelius Celsus; who writes, that the only Remedy in this case, is, to throw the Party, that is troubled with this Hydrophobia, unawares, either into a Fish Pond, or into a River; and, when he is thus plunged in over head and ears, to let him stay there so long, till such time as he is filled with water, whether he will or no. For, by this means, (saith he) both his Thirst, and his Dread of Water are cured. For he is so extremely fearful of coming near any Water, that though he be never so thirsty, yet, like another Tantalus, he is in so strangely a sad Condition, that neither by fair, nor foul means can he be got to take the least drop of any kind of Liquor whatsoever; as I have often seen, and made the Experiment. Which Immersion (say they) if it be of use when the Party is gone so far as to a Hydrophobia; why should it not rather be of greater force in the Preservation of him from it; especially if it be speedily applied and often reiterated. And seeing it is much easier to prevent a disease, then to cure it; it is therefore still the Common use to throw such as are bitten by a Mad Dog, into the Sea, as well Men, as Beasts; or else into some River; and to do the same again for several times. By which repetition of the said practice, they suppose that the Venom will be the more easily suppressed, and the Party bitten will also be so much accustomed to the Water, that at length he will not be in any fear of it at all: Which Practice (say they further) having always continued, even to this very day, would never have been so held up, unless the speedy, and often repeated practice of the same had sometimes been found to do some good. Which reasons, seeing they are built upon no solid Ground, may easily be overthrown. For it is certain, that this Venom, is not extinguished by the Water, nor yet is decocted, and spent by length of time; as it too evident, by the miserable death of very many, who had eaten the boiled flesh of such Beasts, as had been bitten by Mad Dogs: as neither any other Venom's (for instance, that of the Pestilence) can be overmastered by the same: but that the Water itself is rather infected by the Venom, is so clear a Truth, as that we need not here stand to prove it. And that a Fisher is infected by the Venom of the fish called Torpedo, though it be cast forth under the Water, the Proverb itself, (which saith, that, Piscator ictus sapit,) sufficiently proves.  
Neither are we so well satisfied concerning the success, in using this Remedy, (which they have received, as the only Remedy in this case, from Cornelius Celsus, who was a Roman,) as to give any credit to it: Neither indeed doth he speak of the Sea at all, which is very much different from a Fishpond. For without question, if this Experiment had been made use of with happy success, either by him, or by any other, it must needs have come to the ears of Ovid; who yet affirms, that it was generally acknowledged by those of his Age, that the Hydrophobia, and the Knotted Gout, were Incurable Diseases: as he testifies in these Verses 
Tollere Nodosam nescit Medicina Podagram;  
Nec formidatis auxiliatur aquis.  
For Knotted Gouts no Cure we can descry:  
Nor yet for those that do the Water fly.   
And as I shall not exclude these, and the like Operations from the Predicament of the Virtue of our Cold Water; so neither shall I reduce any Doubtful ones unto it; Lest thereby I might draw into Suspicion the Incredible Virtues of the same. But I am clearly persuaded, that Vinegar is very necessary to be made use of, in this Disease called Hydrophobia, which we here have last spoken of.   

THE FOURTH DISCOURSE: Wherein is treated of the Wonderful Efficacy of Wine-Vineger, in all Poisonous, and Pestilential Diseases; and especially in the Preserving from, and Curing of the Plague, together with other Necessaries thereunto required.  
FRom Water, I shall come to treat of Vinegar: and as in the Griping Flux of the Belly I have commended the use of Whey, and in the Gout, of Cold Water; so in the Pestilence, and the Preservation from it, I have chief commended Wine-Vineger.  
Neither will the Reader wonder, that, in the Preservation from, and the Cure in the Plague, I attribute so much to Wine-Vineger; if he but please to remember, that the same hath been commended, as very good in these cases, both in all ages, and by all sorts of people. And the same commendation is also given to it both by Galen himself, and by all other both Ancient, and Modern Writers; who tell us, that Vinegar is, by its Antidotal Faculty of excellent use, not only against the Plague, but against many other venoms besides: which Antidotal Faculty of Vinegar, Dioscorides so much extolles, as that, in his opinion, it is able to overcome all venoms, not only those that are of a hot, but such as are of a Cold quality also.  
Cornelius Celsus endeavours to maintain, both from Demonstrative Reason, and also from Experience itself, that there is no better Remedy in this case, than Vinegar: and withal gives us a Story of a Young man, who being bitten by an Asp, and afterwards getting into a place, where was neither Water, nor any other usual Drink; and casually lighting upon a bottle of Vinegar, he at once both allayed his Intolerable Thirst, and withal expelled the most desperate Poison of the Venomous Asp. And that Pliny also was of this opinion, may appear from hence, that he finds fault with the Physicians of his time, for being ignorant of what excellent virtue Vinegar was, against the Biting of an Asp.  
Which said Venom of an Asp, seeing it seems to be not very different from that, caused by the Biting of a Mad Dog; I am verily persuaded, that Wine-vineger would be of excellent Use in the Preserving people from the Hydrophobia: and especially, if there be a Decoction made of it, with some certain Herbs, which our Authors, and those of the best Note too, tell us, they have found, by a certain specifical Quality of their own, to have been of very great Efficacy against the said Venom. 
The Efficacy of Wine-Vineger inpreserving people from the Hydrophobia.  And that the same hath been confirmed also by frequent Experience, I have been assured by those that I could not but believe; and particularly by a certain person of Honour, who is of most Eminent both Integrity, and Credit; who, having received a very excellent Remedy in this case, from a most Illustrious Family of these United Provinces, for the public good, vouchsafed to communicate the same to me: and it is made of Pimpernel, Rue, Carduus Benedictus, Chervil, and Betony, of each a handful, decocted in a proportionate quantity of Wine-vineger. Yet I should think, that there ought to be a much greater quantity of Pimpernel, and Rue, put into this Decoction, then of any of the other Herbs; and that, by reason of their Specifical Quality, as to this purpose: as is also testified of Pimpernel, by Palmarius; who in his Treatise De Morbis Contagiosis, speaking of the Biting of a Mad Dog, affirms, that he had received from a very Credible Person, that a certain Huntsman of Henry the second, King of France, having by this means first preserved the King's Dogs, that had been bitten by other Mad Dogs, from running Mad themselves, he afterward preserved also divers persons, that had been in like manner bitten by the same, from falling into the Hydrophobia, by means of the said Herb, causing them to take it either eaten by itself, or with their Meat. And he tells us also, that the said Huntsman, when he lay upon his Deathbed, was very desirous that the same should be communicated to Fernelius, who came to see him: as is also confirmed by him, in his Lib. 4. Cap. 5. 
The Virtue of Pimpernel in the Preserving people from the Hydrophobia.  De Methodo Medendi, where he saith, that Pimpernel hath a Specifical Quality of its own, proper in this case.  
And I am very well assured, that the Admirable Virtue of this Herb is well known to many people of these Parts, who to my knowledge have often made use of the same as of a certain Remedy, when any of their  have been bitten by a Mad Dog. And how great Virtue Rue is of, both against the Plague, and other Pestilential Diseases, is so well known, as that I need not stand to prove it. But that which showeth how Incredible force this Rue hath in these cafes, is, (if we may believe Levinus Lemnius) that a Weasel, having first but fortified himself by eating of Rue, is able thereupon to kill a Basilisk, which is the most Venomous thing in the world.  
Now the course that the aforesaid Noble Family take in the preventing of this so horrid a Malady, is this. So soon as ever the Party is bitten, they apply to the Part Affected a large Cupping-glass, and use very deep Scarifications; that by this means as much blood may be drawn forth as may be. This being done, they take a Toast of White Bread, dipped in Oil of Olives & apply it hot upon the Place, and a little while after take it away again; repeating this two or three times, that so by the doing of this often, the Heat of the Bread (as I conceive) by drawing forth that of the Venom, the Venom may by this means be the better fetched forth, and sucked up by the said Toast: and by this means, they say, that the Wound becomes to look white. When this is done, they then give the Party every day a pretty big glass full of the aforesaid Decoction, to the quantity (as I suppose) of six, or seven Ounces: which course is to be continued for nine days together; only you must abate some of the quantity in his Morning's draughts, and his Wound also is to be washed very clean with the said Decoction (being questionless first made warm) and then rubbed with a little Oaken Stick, fitted for that purpose, that so the Wound may be always kept open, and consequently may be hindered from healing up. And they think, that during that space of time, there needs no more to be done, but only that the Party must all that while be sure to abstain from eating either of Beans, Pease, or Hogs-flesh. Now I confess, I should advise, that immediately after the Party is bitten, besides the aforesaid Cupping-glass, and Scarifications, there should be some stronger Drawing Medicaments applied to the Part, than those before spoken of; and that according to the opinion of Authors: and amongst the rest, I should make choice of a Live Hen's Fundament, rubbed all over with Salt. And I should also apply a Caustick to the Part, and then come to Scarifications upon it; that whatsoever Venom is yet left behind, by this continued Application of Attractive Medicaments, may the more effectually be drawn forth; as I have more largely showed in my French Treatise, where I have also set down some Remedies in this Case. I must needs here add, that I know no reason, why, immediately after the Party is bitten, when the Cupping-glass is applied, there should Vinegar also be made use of: and, if the Wound be very deep, why the Cupping of the Part should not be reiterated also. But for as much as that what I have here spoken touching the effectualness of his Remedy, and the good success that have followed upon the Trial of it, I have received only but by Relation (though, I confess, it was such as I might very well give credit to) and have not at all made experiment of the same myself; I shall therefore leave the Examination of the same to others; neither dare I as yet persuade any to the Practice of it, unless where other Convenient Remedies are wanting.  

The Virtue of Wine Vinegar in the Scurvy.  Wine-vineger is also highly commended in the Scurvy; and especially if it be mixed with the juice of the Blades of Wheat: Which Mixture it is said to be of much greater Efficacy, then if it be made either with Scurvygrass, of Water-cresses, or the like which are in common use: and this is of special use, as well where there is only a Putrefying and Stinking of the Gums, as in the height of the Disease itself, when it is accompanied with all its Essential Symptoms; amongst which this Putrefaction is a most inseparable one.  
Now the Party is to take every morning Wine-Vineger, and the juice of Blades of Wheat, of each two, or three Ounces for some certain days together, perhaps ten, or twenty, according to the Exigence of the Disease: and he must also use often to take of this Composition, and hold it in his mouth for a good while together, washing his Gums, and some times gently rubbing the same therewith.  
All which aforesaid things, together with the Judgement of Authors, when I had seriously considered, and had withal compared, the same with as well the Specifical, as the Manifest Quality of Wine-Vineger; they so much confirmed me in the Opinion I had before conceived, touching the Virtue of it against the Plague, as that I at length thought fit to mix it with all Antidotal Medicines whatsoever, as well such as are good to preserve from, as those that are of use in the Cure of the Plague: that so it might either prevent, or correct the Putrefaction, or Malignity of the Humours; or, by its Sudorifical Quality, assisted by the Antidotal Medicaments, might force out the said Humours through the Pores of the Body: according as I have declared more fully in my French Treatise.  
Now what the Plague is, and what the Causes of it are, as the Nature of it is very Occult, and the Qualities of the other very Abstruse; so is there a very different Account given of the same by Authors: which yet all agree in this, that the Plague is a very Extreme Acute Disease, caused by a Poisonous, and Pestilential Air; which, by its most violent Antipathy, seizes first upon the Spirits; and so chief infesting the Heart itself, hinders all the Operations of the Body, and by its Destructive Contagion sometimes rageth so excessively, that not only Cities, but also whole Kingdoms have thereby been depopulated, and laid waist. That this Disease therefore proceeds from a Poisonous, or Pestilential Aire●, appears plainly by this Definition. Which Disease, the Holy Scriptures testify, is often sent amongst us, for the Expiation of the sins of Mankind; as divers Authors also, and those of the Gentiles too, have always confessed the same to have proceeded from the Angry Gods: which the Christians also to this day confess to be sent from God; as the Pagans suppose it to come from their Idols. And hence it is, that my Countrymen the Dutch, (by a pious interpretation) call it, De Gave Goots, that is, God's Gift.  
And that the same is caused also by other means, then that of Gods a Vengeance, as namely, by some Malignant Exhalation, issuing out of the Earth, or coming from some Standing Waters, or else from the Corrupt Vapours that proceed from Houses of Office, and Dead men's Carcases, is affirmed by divers Authors.  
Others are of opinion, that it is caused by the Influences of the Malignant Conjunctions, or Oppositions of the Stars: to whose opinion, I confess, I cannot subscribe. For it is certain, that Almighty God created nothing at all, that, by its Malignity, should tend to the Destruction of Mankind, but should rather some way or other be useful to it; and it is as certain, that even all Venom's themselves were to the same end created; as appears plainly enough, by that of Vipers, in the Preserving from, and Curing of the Plague; where we see, one Poison is an Antidote against another.  
Now I shall here add a Corollary touching the Signs, and Symptoms of the Plague. 
None ought to be so improvident as to defer the taking of some Antidotal Medicine, till such time as the Principal Symptoms of the Plague appears.  And first of all I shall advise all persons whatsoever, that they be sure, that so soon as ever the Disease gins to spread itself, in the place where they inhabit, they do no neglect the care of themselves, till such time as the Principal Symptoms of it appear upon them; as namely, Tumours, Carbuncles, or Plague-sores breaking out upon their bodies. Neither is it at all necessary, that the several Symptoms that here concur, should be univocal, especially when the Party dwells in a house, where some lie sick of the Disease, or perhaps have been buried out of it. But it is a sufficient warning for him, if he feel but any extraordinary Chillness about him, or find himself Feverish, or have any Pain in his Head, or Loins, or any Heaviness of his Heart or be taken with any other suspected Distemper: nay, although there be no Appearance either of any Fever, or Blackness of the Tongue, or Extraordinary Headache, Dizziness, or Delirium; (which are not Essential Symptoms, in the beginning of this Disease;) yet must not the Party defer the making use of some Sudorifical Antidote, but must speedily take one, as soon as ever any the least sign of it gins to appear; lest when the Disease hath taken deeper Root, it either come to late, or perhaps cannot be administered at all.  
And to the end that those that dwell in house that are infected, and such especially as are forced to attend day and night, and be by those that have the Disease upon them, may be preserved from this so Contagious a Disease, they ought to take exceeding great heed, and care; that so being before unarmed, they may not be unawares surprised, and ruined by this so Treacherous, and Dangerous an Enemy. And first of all, I would have them always be chewing of Angelica Roots, Zedoary, Nutmeg, Cloves, Citron Pill, or the like, that so by this means they may fortify their Mouth, against the admitting of the Pestilential Air.  
Neither is there less Care to be taken to defend the Nose, 
How the Nose is to be defended.  by smelling to Vinegar (chief that which is of a Preservative Faculty against the Plague, and is therefore called by me, Contrapestilential Vinegar:) and you must also rub the Nostrils over often, both within and without, with a little Treacle, or some of my Preservative hereafter described; or in defect these, you may rub them over with Rue; lest through these passages, where is a continual Transpiration of the Breath, the Malignant Quality of the Contagious Air might (to the evident hazard of the Parties life) be suffered to pass, without any correction at all, to the Heart. And I conceive that these Preservatives are to be preferred far before those other, that are made up with Musk, Amber, and the like Odoriferous Ingredients in them; which seem rather to please the Nose with the sweetnsse of their smell, than any way to defend it.  
For the Correcting, or rather Countermanding of which Pestilential Air, 
That Tobacco is very good to preserve from the Plague  there are none, I believe, but will confess, that to take Tobacco must needs be of very good use; especially if it be prepared for this purpose, by the mixing of a little Rue seed, Nutmeg, or Angelica root with it: and so the Smoke of it be held a pretty while together in the Mouth, before it be blown out at the Nose; to the end that it may leave behind it the stronger Impression upon those parts, and withal may the more freely diffuse itself into the Lungs, and Heart; that so, if it there meet with any Pestilential Air, it may either dissipate, or else choke and overmaster the same. And therefore they shall do very well, whoever either have a mind, or are necessitated to be with such as are sick of the Plague, that as well before they go in unto the sick Party, as after they come from him, they take a Pipe of the aforesaid Tobacco; while they are taking it, holding the Smoke a good while in their Mouth. For it is probable enough, that where there is a Weak, and light Touch only of this Infection, it may by this means be discussed, and quite removed: Yet notwithstanding, when ever any one finds that he is certainly infected with it, his best way will be to have recourse to some Sudorifical Antidote, which by its Specifical Quality is able to expel, and overmaster the Pestilential Air: as we see it is in that Composition, which they call Ouum Philosophorum, or the Philosopher's Egg; and in Treacle, and other Confections made up with Viper's Flesh; as we know, that against the Stinging of a Scorpion, the Oil of Scorpions, or, as some say, the Powder of the same, is a Sovereign Remedy.  
Neither do I conceive it fit to provide for the defence of the Mouth, and Nose only; but there must be care also taken of the Stomach, by those that are come out of Fresh, 
How you are to provide for the Stomach, in this case.  into this Pestilential Air, and have no possible means of avoiding the same. And the best way here will be to take such Cordial and Antidotal Confections, Powders, and Drinks, that the Heart may be thereby corroborated; and the virtue of the same being thence sent forth abroad, not only by the Veins, but also by the Arteries' the whole body may by this means be defended from Infection; and the Pestilential Air also, which is drawn in by the Aspera Arteria, or Windpipe, may be corrected by such Vapours, as ascend up by the Mouth of the Stomach; 
, si non prosint singula, multa juvent:  
That if some fail,  
More may prevail.   
And therefore my Counsel is, that every morning, the Party be sure to take a spoonful at least of my Contrapestilential Vinegar; or, where that cannot be had, two spoonfuls of Wine Vinegar; wherein, for the greater security, some small quantity of Rue hath been steeped: and about some two hours after he may eat a piece of Bread and Butter, or the like, for his Breakfast, and may drink after it a draught of strong Ale, or Wine: and if there were some of the said Rue, or Wormwood steeped in the said Liquors, it would be so much the better. Then about two hours before dinner, he must take a Dram and a half, at least, of my Preservative; the like quantity whereof he must take three hours after dinner; and some quantity of it also again, before he goes to bed. And he shall also do very well, if he be constantly chewing either of some Angelica Root, Zedoary, or Cloves; which he shall do well to take, as soon as ever he wakes in the morning. He must also wash his mouth with Vinegar; that so, in case any Contagious Air should lurk about his Chamber, or should by any body be brought in thither, he may not draw it into his body uncorrected. For, as Cities that are besieged, or lie not far from an Enemy, are to be defended, and fortified by Trenches, Walls, and a continual Guard of Soldiers; in like manner are we, night and day, without the least intermission at all to stand upon our Guard, and fortify ourselves against this Pernicious Disease, by making use of Antidotal Medicaments; that so none of its Venom may be received into our bodis but what is first spoilt and deprived of its Venomous Weapons. And therefore the Party may take a little quantity of my Preservative, (the Description whereof here followeth) and may hold it in his mouth, and now and then swallow some of it down; besides that which he is to take of it, at some certain appointed times.  

A Preservative against the Plague.  
TAke an Ounce and a half of Fracastorius his Dioscordium, two Drams and a half of Old Treacle, one Dram of the Confection of Hyachynth; of the Powder of Nutmeg, Rue-seed, Angelica Roots, and Elicampane of each a Dram and a half: mix these with an Ounce of Wine-Vineger and fifteen drops of Oil of Brimstone, and as much of the Syrup of the juice of Citron, as shall be needful to make the Composition up, into the Consistency of an Opiate.  
Poor people, and Country folks, that have not this Preservative by them, nor cannot go to the price of it, may take Elicampane; which if they take it dry, as it is, will do them much more good, than the same Conserved doth Rich folks: for it is of a very Antidotal Faculty. And they may easily procure themselves Wine-Vineger, and steep Rue in it.  
And indeed I have been always very desirous, that those, that live in any so Contagious, and Pestilential an Air, should be sure exactly to observe the Rules that I have here laid down. And although perhaps these Rules have not been so exactly observed as I would have them, (which is a thing likely enough) yet that they have done very much good, where they have been observed but in part, appeareth sufficiently, by the large Catalogue of those that have been preserved hereby, mentioned both in my French Treatise, and in this also. For, those persons I speak of, although they had never been before accustomed to this Pestilential Air, nor had ever been with such as had had the disease upon them, nor themselves had ever formerly been visited with the same; by being armed with the aforesaid Antidotes, they have boldly attended continually, both night and day, upon those that have had the disease upon them, and have not been at at all touched by this so dangerous and contagious a disease. As, in like manner, very many of their friends, who came very often into their company, and some also that dwelled in the same houses with them, have gone clear without any Infection. All which things, although they were prescribed, and appointed by me when I was not in presence with the Sick Persons, (for, I confess, I seldom see them, but for the most part refuse to do so) yet by my most diligent inquiry about these things, and by the confession of those many persons themselves, that have been by this means preserved, as also by the relation of others too, that have given me a very particular account of all Circumstances, I am so well assured of the efficacy of the same in these Cases, as that, I conceive, no man ought to doubt thereof.  
Which also can be attested to by the Monks of the Abbeys in Gaunt: for when the said disease had gotten into the Abbey of Saint Peter there, and that the second time too; those servants that attended upon the Sick Persons of said Abbey, though they had never been before accustomed to this Pestilential Air, by arming themselves with these Preservatives only (yet without any Counsel of mine) adventured, upon the strength of the same, to attend continually upon those that were sick of the disease. And to instance in some, Master Crombruggen, who was there the Prior; and another, that had taken his Confession, were both seized upon (themselves not at all suspecting the same) by this Close and Dangerous Disease; against which, having not made use of any Preservatives, they both died, in the year of the Lord 1634. whom a third person also followed, in the year 1636. And the same servants after their decease, aired and purged their Chambers, and the things that were in them, all the ways they could imagine; neither did any of them then, nor hath any other since miscarried out of the saith Abbey, or hath had the least Touch of the same.  
And about the same tim, in the Abbey of Baudeloo: which two Abbeys were far enough distant from each other, there being two of the said Abbey infected with the Plague, one of which died the very next day after he had been taken with the same, and the other also, after he had lain six days sick of the said disease, at length died Frantic; yet for all this, none of the rest of the Convent, although they had never been before themselves sick of it, or had come near to such as were infected, trusting to the Virtue of these Preservatives here set down, and presuming the more, by the Charitableness of the Office, adventured to be present with, and willingly to attend upon those that were sick: and this they did, without receiving any Prejudice at all to their own health thereby, or any spreading and carrying it abroad to others they kept company with.  
So likewise in the Abbey of Tongerboo, one Antonius Kirckovius, who was a Friar there, being a man of a very strong Constitution, and in the flower of his age, in the year 1634. was taken suddenly with a great Sadness of Heart, Vomiting, a Fever, and Headache; and finding the third day of his sickness a hard Tumour risen under his left Arme-pit, and having three Plague-sores broken out upon the Region of the Heart, he presently sends for a Surgeon; who being come, and having examined, and considered of all the several Symptoms, his opinion was, that the Party could hardly live till the next day. In the mean time the sick person sends to me, (for I came not to him) desiring earnestly of me, that I would prescribe him something for his Cure. But because than I conceived him to be no better now then a dead man, I though good to make use of Prognostics, rather than of Preservative Medicaments, which seemed here to come too late. Yet I prescribed him to take a double Dose of the Sudorifical Preservative: by means whereof after he had sweated so extremely, as that not only all his Bed, and Bedcloathes were wet through, but that the sweat ran down through the same also upon the ground, running down in so great a quantity in manner of a little stream, as it were; so than both his Headache, Fever, and consequently the aforesaid hard Tumour, and Plague-sores by little and little also vanished, and the Party within a few days after had now been restored again to his perfect health; The Prior of the said Abbey, with another of the Friars, named Poret, supposing, by reason of the so sudden recovery of this man, that there was no danger of the Plague at all, they presently adventured to give him a visit. Which as soon as ever I heard of, I presently took care to send them some Preservatives; assuring myself, that they must necessarily be infected by so Pestilential, and Contagious an Air, as they went into: as indeed the Prior was; who the next day after was taken with so great a Heaviness at his Heart, and with a Headache, Swimming in the Head, and a Fever, as that he could hardly stand upon his Legs. Well then; what was now to be done? Why thus: Immediately, he takes his Sudorifical Preservative, as I had appointed him, so soon as ever he found himself ill; and, after he had sweat for the space of four hours by a great fire, finding himself very much refreshed, and as he thought, quite freed from his disease; he gets up, and would needs presently go to his Bedchamber: where after some certain hours space finding in himself some Relics of the Contagion, which began to bring upon him again the aforesaid Symptoms which he had felt before, he betakes himself presently to his former Practice again; and getting a good fire made him: he immediately falls to make use of his Sudorifical Preservative; and so by this means perfectly at length cured hfmself. But Poret, his Brother-Frier, who had neglected his Preservatives, and had taken no Antidotal Medicine at all against the Disease so soon as ever he felt it upon him; and presently a Swelling risen in his Groin: yet by applying such Convenient Remedies as the present Occasion required, he was perfectly cured, (nor was any other person infected by him;) and in this perfect state of health he continues to this very day. And by making use of the aforesaid means of Preservation, very many, both Friars and Nuns, and others also in many other houses, both of Eminent Persons, and of those of meaner note also, have been so strangely preserved from this disease, as that I have thought fit rather to pass some of them over in Silence, than here to make mention of them: as neither have I spoken of them in my French Treatise; lest in so doing, I might be thought to attribute too much to this my manner of Practice. In like manner, as in the aforementitioned story of the Cure of Kerccovius, I have not mentioned at all what he himself affirmed to me and his Brother-Friers; namely, that when he was in those his Intolerable Sweats, he saw plainly the Tokens appearing all about his Arms, and yet had at the same time both his understanding and his Eyesight perfect. Which Happiness though it very seldom befall those that are sick of the Plague; yet I am very certain, that the same hath very often happened to several Patients of mine, (and yet those that were frequently with them, have not been infected therewith at all;) who having taken my Preservative, the secret Venom hath been driven out from within, to the outward parts of the Body; as the Purple Spots appearing always upon their Skin did evidently manifest.  
And, which amongst the rest may seem to be a most Incredible story, when the Abbess of Oostecloy, in the year 1634. lay desperately sick of the Plague, (for she had a Plaguesore broken out under her Chin, and a Swelling risen under her left Arme-pit, and her Tongue was all over Black, and Swollen, and Spots of the same colour appeared all over her body, which are all Evident signs of the same, (the now Abbess, (that after ward succeeded her in her place, together with three other Nuns, neither of which had ever before been accustomed to any such Pestilential Air, nor had ever been sick of the said disease; yet for all this attended night and day upon her, and that too in a very little Chamber; and would needs, though imprudently, and to no purpose (for she was no better than a dead Woman, in the judgement of all people) perform that deed of Charity, even descending to the most sordid and coarse Offices; only presuming upon the Virtue of my Preservatives, and Regiment of Health in this case prescribed them; although I confess I dissuaded them from so doing. And yet they all four (being yet alive to this day) by the singular mercy of God, have together with the rest of that whole house, continued all hitherto clear, and free from any the least touch of Infection; save only one Lay Sister of the said Nunnery, who died the day before the Abbess her Mistress, whom she had infected, coming newly to her from a Kinswoman of hers that lay sick of the Plague. Yet notwithstanding, although these things, by God's blessing, have succeeded so according to my wish, and beyond my expectation; Yet shall I never persuade any one that hath not been accustomed to this Contagious Air, and perhaps is uncapable of receiving my Instructions, or when this Venomous disease rageth more than ordinary, to expose himself to the inevitable danger of the same: conceaving it sufficient for me, that I have been able to give a faithful account of many more that have in this case been happily preserved, then that have miscarried; and that the Preservatives that I have in this disease prescribed, have been found to be of so great Efficacy, and Virtue, as that those that are necessitated to be present which such as are sick of the disease, or else shall have a mind to visit their friends, that are infected, may without any fear (for there is no Passion of the Mind more dangerous in this case, then that of Fear,) perform this Act of Charity. For, this Pestilential Contagion is very apt to seize upon such as are either stricken with fear, or dejected by grief. To the end therefore, that by reason of these, and the like Passions, people may not be so much the apt to receive and take in this Contagious Venom; they may sometimes refresh themselves by drinking Wine, in a greater quantity then usual, and even to some good height of Mirth, provided that it be not to drunkenness:) or in defect of Wine, they may take good strong Ale, that is Stolen, and clear.  

How those that inhabit near Infected houses ought to defend themselves against Infection.  Those that dwell near to infected houses, yet have not been in the same, must endeavour to keep out the Infections out of their own houses, by shutting up all doors, and passages as carefully as they can: but if this cannot conveniently be done; they must then labour to correct the Pestilential Air by Fumigations, and strowing sweet Herbs, and sprinkling Vinegar up and down the house: and they may sup up every morning a spoonful at least of my Contrapestilential Vinegar; and may twice a day take a small quantity of my Preservative, before set down; not neglecting neither the sauce which they are to take with their Meat, nor any of the order things here prescribed. Neither will it be amiss, to take some pretty indifferent Dose of my Preservative in warm Vinegar, and to sweat lustily upon it: but none ought to go either out of their chamber, or house while the Pores of their body are open, and that too after the Sun hath been up a sufficient while, and hath dispelled the Contagious Vapours; and so likewise they must return home again before the Sun be set. And it will be very requisite also, that after any infected house hath been purged, those that come into them should have recourse to the Sweeting again.  
And as for those that do not dwell near Places that are Infected, 
How those may provide for their own safety, that do not live near places that are Infected.  and yet would make as good provisions for their own safety as possibly they could; these, according to the spreading abroad of the Contagion, as it is either larger or lesser, may in like manner either more or less carefully Study their own Preservation. And therefore first of all I advise them to take for nine days together, at least, a spoonful at least of my Contrapestilential Vinegar betimes in the Morning: and if they cannot have this at hand, they may then infuse Rue, in the best Wine-Vineger they can get; and it will not be amiss, if they put to it some Angelica Root, and Elicampane bruised: and some add to these Treacle also. Or if they would provide yet more certainly for their own safety, the best Preservative that is, in this case, is said to be that Electuary, which is compounded of Three Adverbs, which are these, Citò Longè, Tardè Signifying, A Speedy flight from the Infected place; A Far distant Habitation; and A Slow return, to it again. But for as much as this cannot always be done, those that must stay upon the place, may provide for their own safety by making use of those Mastications, before set down, for the defence of their Mouth; as they must do for their Nose, by smelling to Vinegar, and for their Stomach, by such Confections, as we have before prescribed for such, as either inhabit, or are necessitated often to come to houses that are infected with the Plague: and these things they must do, before ever they go out into the open Air; and especially, when they are necessitated to go into such Streets as are infected with this disease, or are otherwise Noisome, by reason of the filthy, stinking smells that are found in them. And certainly there is no small regard to be had to the Condition of the Air whether at home, or Abroad: and therefore so soon as ever they begin to suspect its Purity, and Freeness from Infection; they must either utterly quit the place, or else must endeavour to correct the Contagiousness of the Air, by springkling Vinegar all about their houses, by Fumigations, and by Sweet Herbs, 
That the Contagious Air is either to be left, or corrected.  strewed up and down their Rooms and Bedchambers, and by making great Fires in the same; as we see, that by making great Fires in the Streets of Cities, or in any open Places, the Contagious Venom of the Air is usually utterly extinguished, and suppressed; and that according to the Doctrine of Hypocrates, who for the same reason, when the Plague raged extremely in Xerxes his Army, advised them that they should set on fire all the Woods, that had Sweet-smelling Trees in them, as they marched along: from which Advise of his, the glory of his Name was infinitely increased; and a most Stately Statue was also thereupon erected unto Him.  
And those also, that may conveniently fly away, and leave the place Infected, may yet do very well to take with them some of the Sudorifical Preservative; that so in case they should chance, either in their journey, or else at the place where they intent to settle, to find the least Touch of Infection appearing about them; by Sweeting lustily, they may quite expel the Venom of the Disease; which is most certainly known sometimes to lurk for some pretty while in the body, before it discovers itself by any evident signs. And I myself also can affirm for a certain truth, that when some, that have kept their houses, and have not felt the least Touch of it at all, have yet by my Advise, taken of my Sudorifical Preservative; the Lurking Venom of the disease hath been driven forth from within, to the outmost Parts of the Body, and hath been thus utterly dispelled: as hath many times evidently been testified by those Purple Spots that have appeared upon the Skin, (which are, as it were, the Seal of this Disease) both at the very time that the Patient hath been in Sweeting, and afterwards also; and that too, without the Parties finding any Inconvenience at all, either at the present, or afterward.  
But for as much as there is regard to be had, 
There is exact care to be had of the things called Non-Natural.  not only to the Air, but to the rest of the Non-Natural things also; we ought therefore to remember, that Moderate Exercise also is allowed, where the Air is not suspected: yet this Exercise must not be either Violent, or Long; lest the Body be too much heated, and so by reason of the opening of the Pores, there be made too free a passage for the Air to get in, and more of it be taken in then should be. For although that Air is not utterly to be rejected as bad, yet certainly it is in some sort to be suspected, that is not somewhat remote from Infected Places.  
It is hurtful also either to Study too much, or to mind serious Business; as it is likewise to exercise the Act of Generation. Sleep, as it is dangerous, when the Plague hath already seized upon the person; so is the Excess either of it, or of Watching, very bad, in the Prevention of the same. But of the two, Excessive Watching is less dangerous, in the Disease itself, then Excessive Sleeping is. Repletion ought in this case to be avoided; but especially Emptiness.  
Among the Passions of the Mind, Fear, Anger, Care and Grief, must here be quite banished; and Alacrity, and Cheerfulness of Mind, must by all possible means by procured.  
There must also be an Extraordidnry Care taken of the Cleanliness of the whole House, and of all things in the same; but especially of their Wearing , which they usually walk abroad in; which ought to be Smooth, without any Nap, and Light, and such as the Contagious Air cannot easily stick in, or hang upon; as it easily may in Woollens and Furs: and the same must often also be hanged forth in the open Air, or aired before the fire, and be shaken out without doors, and brushed. If the Air be clear, they may then set open the Windows of their houses, those chief that look toward the North, and East; unless the same open toward Infected places: for the North wind sweeps away, and scattereth the Contagious Air.  
That Issues are for very good reason commended by Authors, Experience itself evidently testifies: yet that it is not safe to trust to these alone, the same Experience hath also taught us. In like manner Old Running Sores are of use toward the Preservation of the Body from Infection, as Issues are; and therefore they are to be let alone, and no endeavours to be used for the stopping of the same: as neither are Scabby persons to look after any Cure for themselves.  
As for Annulets carried about them so made up of Arsenic, or the like Poisonous Ingredients, seeing (as they are Enemies to Nature) so they have been sometimes also known to have done hurt, I cannot at all approve of them.  
And indeed in reason we ought rather to commend the use of a Silk Bag, filled with Cotton, and Cordial, and Antidotal Powders put therein; and so, hanging it about the Neck, to place it about the Heart.  
I shall here speak something, touching what Meat is in this case to be eaten, and what to be forborn. In Contagious times therefore people must abstain from Hogs-Flesh, Beef, 
Of Meat.  and all other kinds of flesh that are Hard of Digestion, as also from all Inwards and Extreme Parts of Beasts, as Feet, Ears, &c. And so likewise from all Slimy Fishes, all kind of Pulse, Herbs, and from all White Meats, or things made of Milk, Except only Butter. And so, on the contrary, they are to make choice of all such Meats, as are light of Digestion; and withal, they must abstain from Fish, when they eat Flesh; which also they are to eat rather Roasted, then Boiled: and if they will have them boiled in any Liquor, or make Broth of the same; they may put into it a little Wine Vinegar, Juice of Citron, Nutmeg, Cloves, or the like; or some Sweet Herbs, prepared according to the quality of their Meat; which will not only be very pleasant to their Palate, but also do them otherwise very much good.  
Hitherto is to be referred also a certain Sauce, which I would have them always to have at their table; and it is made of Wine-Vineger, Nutmeg, and Sugar; boiled in Broth: (or in defect of this, they may take Wine with Butter in it,) which yet must be so prepared, as that the taste of the Vinegar, and of the Nutmeg, may be above all the rest. And in this Sauce, I would have them to roll all over, and lay a soaking all meat whatsoever that they eat; or else, they may take, at the end of their Meal, a spoonful or two of it, and sup it up. Those that are Asthmatical, or Shortbreathed; or are otherwise Tyssicall, and troubled with a Cough, must put the lesser quantity of Vinegar, and the greater of Sugar, into this Composition: as likewise in using the Contrapestilentiall Vinegar, they must either decoct or infuse in it some Figs, Currants, Liquorish, or other the like pectoral Ingredients; and if their Cough be very strong upon them; instead of Vinegar, they may then use some other Preservatives: in like manner as those that are Hydropical, should every morning drink a good draught of Wormewoodwine, or Rue-Wine, rather than a spoonful of Contrapestilentiall Vinegar.  
Concerning their Ordinary Drink, my Opinion is, that they may take the same that they have been accustomed unto, 
Of their Ordinary Drink.  whether it be Wine, or Beer, or Ale: into which nevertheless I would have them sometimes squeeze in some few drops of Juice of Citron, or of Oil of Brimstone: and the Ale they drink must be clear, and not strong; as their Wine also must not be of the richer sort, but must be either Rhenish Wine, or Ordinary French Wine; wherein they may do well to put sometimes a little boiled Water, with a small quantity of Citron Pill, or Cinnamon.  
And if it so fall out, that any one hath either been in company with those that have been infected, 
In the  suspicion of being infected, they must immediately fly to their Preservatives.  or that have been with such as have been with such as have been necessitated to attend upon such as have had the disease upon them, (which can hardly be without a strong suspicion, if not a certainty of being infected by this Contagion,) and especially, when he hath not before hand armed himself against it by Preservatives (notwithstanding that the Party find no sign of it at all about himself) yet my advice is, that he presently betake himself to Sudorifical Medicines, and take two Drams of Old Treacle, mixed with a spoonful of Wine-Vineger; and drink upon it two or three spoonfuls of the said Vinegar, warmed.  
Now to the end that people may know, (where the signs of the Plague do evidently appear,) whether the Cure of it may be undertaken with any hopes of recovery of the Patient; I shall here briefly set down such things as seem chief to relate to the Predictions in this case. And first of all I conceive, 
Predictions.  that very good success may be expected, if so be the aforemention- Preservative be taken at the very beginning of the Disease, and that the Party keep it; so that he may thereby Sweat lustily, in case that any Plague-Sores, and Swell appear, before he feels any Feverish Heat. And although this Treacherous Enemy flatter us thus and thus, yet that we are by no means to trust him, Sad Experience hath too often taught us. And if the Party be taken with a Continual Vomiting, and be extremely Sleepy, and have a very Stinking Breath, or the Tongue be Black, at the beginning of the Disease; it is a sign, that the danger is very great: and so likewise if the Patient have an Intermitting Pulse, or Swooning Fits, or a Looseness, or where there happens a Bleeding at the Nose, or an unseasonable Eruption of the Courses: and especially if the Party have a Hoarseness: or if his Urine, and Excrements, and what he throws up by Vomit, be black; or he be taken with the Hickop, or a Trembling in his Limbs; or if he spit Blood, or piss Blood; are evident signs of Death.  
And if, as I have formerly said, it is very Necessary, that where any one hath but the least suspicion of being infected, he should presently have recourse to Sudorifical Preservatives; there is no question, but such, as find any real sign that they are already Infected, aught to fly unto the same, as to a Sanctuary; and that too, at the very Instant that they discover the same, (seeing the Disease may be overmastered much easier, than the people imagine, if it be taken in time) lest when these aforesaid Fatal Prognostics appear, there be no hope of Recovery left. And this Preservative the Patient is to take with Vinegar, (as hath before been showed,) and in his Bed, being well covered with , and with a good fire by him, if it may conveniently be had. And he is to sweat as long as possibly he can; and if the Sweat come not from him in very great Abundance, (which in this case is very Necessary) he must then have a Bladder half filled with Warm Water, applied to his Belly; in which if there be decocted some leaves of Carduus Benedictus, Rue, or Angelica Roots, or Zedoary, there may much the better success be expected. And if so be the Party sweat not enough nor grow the better upon it; he must presently, (as soon as he hath something recovered his strength a little,) fall again to his Sweeting the second time; yea, and sometimes also there is very good reason that he sweat the third time too: Which Reiteration of Sweeting notwithstanding is very often not at all Necessary, in case that the Sudorifical Preservative, being taken in the beginning of the disease, hath wrought abundantly enough, Concerning the Efficacy of which Timely Sweeting, in the beginning of this Disease, Sennertus also hath given us a large Testimony, in his Lib. 4. De febribus, Cap, 6. where he hath these words. Existimo tot homines peste interire, quòd plerique tardiùs Alexipharmaca usurpant; multosque posse servari, si ea citius, & antequam venenum humores corrumpere incipit, assumerent. Aliquoties enim observavi, in pestilentibus constitutionibus, quosdam, cum se infectos sensissent, statim sumptis Alexipharmacis ad sudorem se composuisse, & postea nihil mali amplius passos esse; imò postridie ad consueta negotia rediisse. Contrà, si curatio protrahitur, & horae 8, aut 9, jam elapsae sint, antequam Medicamentum aliquod propinetur; centesimus vix evadit. I am of Opinion, saith he, that the reason why so many die of the Plague, is, because they differ the time too long, before they take any Preservatives, and that many might scape, if they had but had recourse to the same, before the Venom of the disease had begun to corrupt the Humours. For, I have several times observed that, in a Pestilential season, some, that have found themselves infected, presently betaking themselves to Sudorificall Preservatives, and sweeting thereupon, have immediately freed themselves utterly from the same; and the next day after have gone about their business again. Whereas, on the Contrary, where the Endeavours for Cure have been deferred, and put off for a matter of eight or nine hours, without the taking of any Preservative, there is scarcely one of an Hundred that hath scaped.  
Now the Ordinary Dose of this Sudorifical Preservative, is, A Dram and a half of the Philosophers, Egg, 
The Quantity of the Sudorifical Preservative that is to be taken.  one Scruple of Confection of Hyacinth, six Grains of Oriental Bezoar, or ten Grains of Bezoar of Peru, and five drops of Oil of Sulphur: Mix these together, and take it in a Spoonful of Warm Vinegar, (as hath before been showed) and drink upon it three other spoonfuls of vinegar Warmed. And in defect of the Philosopher's Egg, they may take two Drams and a half of Old Treacle, and half a Dram of Confection of Hyacinth: and in stead of Bezoar Stone, where the people are poor, they may take some Grains of the Shave of unicorns Horn. Extracts, and Salts, which are made out of Scordium, Rue, Carduus Benedictus, and Angelica, are used by many in this case, taken to the quantity of about a Dram. The spirit of Antimony also, so prepared, as that it may neither cause Vomitings, nor Going to Stool, but may provoke Sweeting only, is here very much commended: in which, as in the former Extracts, we may have much the greater Confidence, if it be given with a little Warm Vinegar, and a Dram of Old Treacle at the least; lest that part of the Medicine, which is principally Antidotal, (as Viper's Flesh is here) should be wanting. And for this cause I chief prefer the aforesaid Preservatives Which also may be administered in a greater quantity, where the strength of the Venom requires the same: and therefore in this case they may take two Drams of the Philosopher's Egg, or three Drams of Old Treacle, with the other prescribed Ingredients: in like manner as Galen himself also, and other ancient Authors, were wont to prescribe half an Ounce of Treacle; and in case that were not sufficient to expel the Poison, than they appointed the same to be repeated, prescribing either the same, or a less quantity, according to the Constitution of the Patient.  
And I know besides that at Gaunt, in the year 1647. this Preservative was administered by Mr. Cortreau, a Jesuit, to another of the same Fraternity, (who had a Tumour risen under his Left Arme-Pit, and two Plague-Sores broke out in other places,) whom, within the space of twenty hours, he caused to take an Ounce and a half of Treacle; namely the first time he gave him Two Drams, and eight hours after half an Ounce, and after the space of other eight hours six Drams more, drinking after each several Dose a lusty draught, or two, of Water of Carduus Benedictus, and the like, with such Syrups as are proper in this case; in the mean time not neglecting the reparation of the Parties strength, by convenient, and proper Meats. About the same time, during the raging of the Pestilence there, a Surgeon belonging to the Pest-house gave to one that was sick of the Plague, (and that with very good success too) half an Ounce of Treacle: with Quantity of the said Preservative seems much more proper to be administered at the first, where the disease appears Evidently upon the Party, than two Drams only; for this quantity may suffice, in the beginning of the disease: Although I shall not advise any to take so great a quantity, nor yet an ordinary one, when the Party Affected is very drowsy, and given to sleep: in which case some other Sudorifical Medicines may be administered  
And I have also heard, from Persons of very good credit, that both in this, and other diseases too, they have caused their Patients to sweat in a very abundant quantity (and with very happy success) by administering to them half a Dram of the Powder of a Viper; which is thus prepared. You must take a Viper, and put it in whole, and alive, with its head, teeth, tailè, and bowels too, into an Earthen Pot, covered at the top; in which cover there must be some holes made for Evaporation, and thus you are to set it upon live Coals, so that it may only be dried, & not scorched: and this being so prepared may, as occasion shall require, be made into a Powder, and be administered (as other things are to be, and as I have more largely related in my French Treatise) with Vinegar, Warmed. And it would not be amiss, if one should add to this a Scruple of Sudorifical Antimony, as half a Dram thereof; or else some few Grains of Bezoar. And where these things are not to be had, they may take five Ounces of Wine-Vineger warmed, with a Dram of Nutmeg, and a Scruple of Saffron, and put them into a Bladder half full of warm Water, and so apply it to the Lower part of the Belly: continuing this Application so long, till such time as some other Preservative Medicine, that may be able (if need be) to cause the Party to Sweat in so great a quantity, as in necessary, may be procured.  
And for as much as, where the Patient is to Sweat in so great abundance, (as in this disease is very requisite,) his Shirt and his Linen about him, must necessarily be very Wet; and therefore Authors conceive, (and reasonably enough) that these being as certain Recaptacles of the Venom, aught to be changed; that so the Patient may be freed from the filthy Stench, wherein he lies wrapped up; yet I advise all people, that they should not be too rash in changing the sick Parties Linen; 
The Patient's Shirts, and his other Linen about him is not to be changed unadvisedly  but should rather wipe off the Sweat from them with Towels, which are not fresh, and newly taken out of the Chest; but being first sprinkled over with some sweet Water, have afterwards been very well aired by the fire, till such time, as that all the smell of the Soap, or what other Acquisititious smell soever, be quite driven out. And I have been confirmed in my Opinion of the dangerousness of applying Fresh Linen to People in this case, both by the common voice of the People, and also by those that have belonged to Pest-houses, and such as have otherwise attended upon Persons that have been sick of the Plague; the greatest part of whom will not suffer the sick Party to change his Linen, (not in this disease only, but in the Small Pox also) but will have him either keep on the same, or if he do shift) he must put on either what himself formerly wore, in the time of his health: or what have been worn by some of his Healthful Friends; and those must be very well aired too first by the fire. It hath also been observed, that by Shifting of Linen (I mean of that next the Skin) the Courses in Women, which in this case are dangerous; and the Hemorrhoids in persons, that have been otherwise in good health, have broken forth. Which putting on of Fresh Linen, before the Seventh Day of the Disease, how extreme Dangerous it is, and indeed how Insufferable (unless the Party, impatient of the Stinking smell about himself, will needs shift his Shirt, and put on one that had been worn before) is most earnestly, and seriously pressed by Isbrandus Diemerbrouc, in his Observations: where he tells us of some, that having heedlessly put on Fresh Linen in this disease, within a few hours after they have been taken with a Feavourish Heat, a Heaviness of Heart, and other the like Symptoms, which have grown so strongly upon them, as that they have been brought even to death's door; none of which things have happened, where the Parties have put on such Linen as had been worn before; in which the Smell of the Soap hath been dissipated by the heat of the Body; which is much more to be feared, than that Stink which comes from Fowl Linen; as by most certain Experience hath very often been confirmed: To which we ought to give greater credit (especially in such matters as concern this so Occult, 
The Stink of Soap is dangerous, not only for those that are Infected, but for those that are in health too, in the time of the Plague.  and Dark Disease) then to Reason: seeing that we know, that those that are free from infection, and do live in houses that are so too, yet by having their Linen washed with Soap, are much more apt to take the Infection of this Pestilential Air, than otherwise they would have been, if they had not suffered the other to come near them: which is so certainly known to be true, as that I need not stand here to prove it.  
And to the end that there may be the more sure means used for the Prevention of this most Tyrannical, and Raging Disease; there ought to be very great care taken for the repairing of the strength of the Patient; which is to be endeavoured presently after his Sweeting, and at other set times, 
What Meats are allowed in the Plague.  by giving him such meats, as either his weakness, or the Feavorishness of his Temper will require, and his Nauseous Stomach will admit. Which, seeing it is not to be overloaded with Flesh, must be cherished up with Broths, Juices Expressed, and Restorative Jellies made thereof; to which you may add some Juice of Citron, or some Verdjuyce. And to the end that his Weak Stomach may not cast the same up again, he may do well to take a slice of Pomecitron, with the Pill taken off, and rolled first in a little Sugar. A Broth also, made with Verdjuyce, Water, and one or two Yolks of Eggs, and Crumbs of White Bread, is in this case very good; into which you may, if you please, put a little Sugar; which notwithstanding is not, in this disease, very Wholesome; as is neither Honey. And hence it is, that in Lozenges and Conserves, that are here of use, we put a greater quantity of Powders upon them then is usual, and a much less of Sugar, except in such cases, where the Taste, and Strength, either of it, or the Honey, is overpowered by the Antidotal Medicines, and the multitude of Ingredients; as it is in Treacle, and the iike Compositions. It will be also very useful sometimes, when the Feavorish Heat is not too great, to put into these Broths four or five spoonfuls of Rhenish Wine. And sometimes also the Party may take a julip, made of the distilled water of Carduus Benedictus, Scabious, Sorrel, and Borage, mixed with the Syrup of the Juice of Citron, and putting into it also a few drops of the juice of Citron, and of Oil of Sulphur: or in stead of these he may take some Apozemes, made of the like Ingredients. And sometimes also he may take Conserve of Hyacinth, and other Cordials; as likewise the Powder of Pearl, Bezoar Stone, and of the Shaving of Unicorn Horn. The Parties Drink must be small, 
Drink.  clear Ale, into which he may now and then put in some few drops of Juice of Citron, or Oil of Vitriol; or else a small quantity of the best Verdjuyce; and sometimes too, when the Fever and Delirium do not persuade the contrary, he may put into his Ale a little Rhenish Wine, or some other Smaller Wine. If the Party be bound, and go not freely to Stool, he may take an Ordinary Suppository, or a Clyster of Broth made of Wether's Flesh, or the Decoction of Emollient Herbs; putting in two raw Yolks of Eggs, and of ordinary Salt, and Mithridate, or Dioscordium, of each a Dram. By the taking of which, if the Expulsive Faculty be not quickened; you may then add to the same some Ounces of the Syrup of Roses Solut. and of the Oil of Sweet Almonds: for I do not conceive it safe to make use of any more Violent Purgers in this case: Neither ought we any whit to fear the Patient, in case he should be Bound for a day or two together: for I have both read, and heard of some Persons, in this case, that have not gone to Stool in seven days together, which yet have done very well for all that. And that this very thing happened to one that was a Tenant of mine, in the year 1647, I have been very certainly assured both by the Man himself, who is now perfectly recovered, and well; and by his Wife also.  
I shall not here at all commend Letting of Blood, Purge, 
Bleeding, Purging. and Vomiting, are not here allowed of.  and Vomitings: which in my French Treatise also I have passed by, as Suspected, and Dangerous Courses: For, the Agitation of the Spirits, and Communication of the Corrupted with the Purer Humours, and the Large Diffusion of the same, seeing it cannot be, without very great loss both of the Parties strength, and also of time too, (which in this desperate Disease ought to be very precious) have hindered me from assenting to the same. Which reasons, seeing I have found many very Learned Authors not only to descent from, but some of them also (that had been very exact in their observations of the Event in these cases) to have confirmed too; I was the more encouraged to trust my Own Observation, (which I made diligently enough) & therefore fell upon this Persuasion, that the aforesaid Ways of Evacuation were not at all in this case to be allowed of; but, that the Venom of the Disease was, with all the speed that could be, to be driven out to the Outward Parts of the Body; (whereunto Nature hath the most Proper, and Apt way for Passage; as appears by Its sending out of Tumours, and Plague-Sores thither,) and so to be expelled by Sweat.  
Yet I am not Ignorant, that many Excellent Authors are of another Judgement; although I conceive that they judge rather according to Plausible, then Peremptory Reason; while they think that by the Sharpness of their Wit only, they are able to penetrate into the very Essence of this so Dark, and Abstruse a Disease; and to overpower, and master it, without having had any sufficient Experience by Practice in this Case: without which, Reason is utterly Blind, and can light upon nothing, but what is uncertain, and doubtful. And even Hypocrates himself, writing different ways, according to the different States of Pestilential Fevers, seems to move a Doubt, (which yet shows plainly that he favours our Opinion) in his Lib. 3. Epidem. Text. 3. Where, speaking of this most Pestilential Disease, he saith that Purging had done hurt to many, and that by this means many had died also. Neither did he, in the true Plague, ever use Letting of Blood; as appears out of his Lib. 1. Epidem. in the History of Crato; and also in Lib. 6. Epidem. Sect. 7. Text. 1. Where he confesses, that though he had tried what the Opening of a Vein would do, in many Patients of his, that had been sick of Pestilential Diseases; yet he never found it to do them any good. As Galen also, Lib. de bonis & malis Succis, tell us, that when the Plague raged in his time, the Opening of a Vein in those that had it, was very seldom used: and he then commends those Physicians, that were fearful, and spareing in prescribing the same; as on the contrary side he cries out against, and laughs at those, that in other Diseases, where Breathing of a Vein seemed to be necessary yet durst not adventure on it, calling them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is, Blood-fearers. And many other Physicians also, both Modern, and Ancient, have confessed that it was very dangerous in this case to make use of the same. And besides, Fallopius also tells us, that in a Plague that happened in his time, all those, that were let blood, died. And Palmarius, who for two years' space together (while the Plague reigned at Paris) was appointed to take care of such as lay sick in the Pest-house, in his Cap. 7. de Peste, tell us, that, of those that were let blood, scarce one in a hundred escaped. Dodoneus also, and Hildanus, with many others, unanimously affirm, that scarce any that were let Blood in the Plague (which then raged a long while amongst them) ever escaped. Of which judgement also was the aforementioned Isbrandus, who was a very Learned Man, and was a Physician of Vtrecht. This man, who was a most diligent Visitor of Persons that were infected, when the Plague was at Nimmengen, (as Palmarius in the like manner was, when it was at Paris) and withal a most Exact Observer of all things whatsoever related either to the understanding of the Disease, or the Cure of it; at what time the Plague raged there most furiously, in the year 1636, & 1637; in his Book which he put forth in the said year 1637, by most strong Reasons, and the same confirmed also by Experience, proves, that in the Plague, people are altogether to forbear both from Letting of Blood, and from taking of Purges, or Vomits; giving there very good Reasons why the same ought not to be admitted; and giving an account also of the bad success that others had had, when they had prescribed the same to their Patients: where also he further affirms, that of a very great number of Infected people, scarce any one that had been let Blood, recovered: and, which is yet much more strange, He, together with Riverius, and Lidderius, observed, that Letting of Blood was not only dangerous, in persons that had the Plague upon them, but that it was unsafe also for those that were in health, in the time of the Pestilence, (unless there were otherwise very great Necessity of doing so,) to adventure upon the same, by way of Preservation from this Disease.  
When I considered, that this difference of judgement among Authors, in this so Hazardous, and Weighty a business, produced nothing but Doubtfulness in Physicians, and Injury to their Patients; I thought fit to treat something the more largely of this point, in this my Short and Compendious Treatise; that so I might hint to those, that are so very earnest in maintaining that the aforesaid Evacuations are in this case of very good Use, that they would not think much, before they prescribe the same, to inquire, and and inform themselves sufficiently, what the success hath hitherto been, where the same have been used: for as much as, in all doubtful cases, the best judgement is to be made from such things as are either Good, or Hurtful to the Patient. And if they will but vouchsafe to do this, they will questionless find that the greatest part of those, that have admitted of the said Evacuations, have miscarried, and that very few have in this case escaped; and, that if they did, it was rather to be attributed to the strength of their own constitutions, or else to the weakness of the Venom, then to any thing else.  
Now in case that leaving, and rejecting the said Evacuations, the Sick Party shall have recourse to Sudorifical Preservatives, and that these do not prove to be able quite to expel the Venom of the Disease through the Outmost Parts of the Body, but that either by means of their force, or else of its own accord it breaks out into Tumours, and Carbuncles upon the Body; there must then some Attractive, and Concoctive Medicines be applied to the Part Affected, for the drawing forth of the Venomous Humour lying in the said part; which yet must not be brought to perfect Maturation; as indeed it cannot be: neither, if it could, would it be safe to admit of so much delay. As for such Oils, Cataplasms, Fomentations, and Plaster, which are in this case useful, you have then (besides what I have set down) abundantly described by others, and they are indeed of common use every where. As for example, when any Tumours about the body begin to rise, 
The Cu●… of Plag●… Tumours, 〈◊〉 Swelling  they usually anoint the Part with Oil of Lilies, and Scorpions; or with Fresh Butter, mixed with a little Treacle; over which you may lay a Red Cabbage-Leaf, having first soaked the same in Warm Water. After this you must apply Cataplasms, made of the Roots of Lilies, Mallows, or of the Leaves of the same, adding thereto some Leaves of Rue, and Linseed: which being boiled, and brought to a due Consistency, you must then put into to same some Yolks of Eggs, Vnguentum Basilicon, Turpentine, or the like. There are some that, in this case, apply nothing to the Part Affected, save Roasted Onions, mixed with Fresh Butter, or Oil of Lilies. Many have with very good success made use here of a Hen's Fundament, having the feathers pulled off, and then being rubbed over with Salt, and so applied to the part for a good while together, and when the first Hen was dead, they applied another, as long as the Patient was able to endure it: and the Bills of the said Hens they held sometime fast shut up. When they had thus done, they then fell again to make use of the aforesaid Ointments, and Cataplasms; until such time as that the Tumour being brought to a sufficient Suppuration, it might be lanced with an Instrument, to let out the Purulent Matter: which yet if the Hardness of the Tumour will not admit, you must make use of a Caustick, to draw it forth. And when the Tumour is now broken, you must cleanse the Sore with Honey; and you may apply unto it, as occasion serves, either the Yolk of an Egg, with a little Turpentine, mixed together; or else some of the Ointment called, Vnguentum Apostolorum, or else that other called Vnguentum Aegyptiacum, if need so require. And you must cover the part Affected all over, either with the plaster called Emplastrum Diachylon, with the Ointment named, Basilicon; or else with some other plaster of the like Faculty and Virtue.  
In the curing of a Carbuncle, or Plague Sore, they make use of the like Oils and Plasters; which yet are ordinarily made not quite so strong, and drawing; lest, being so strong, they might too much exasperate the same. And you are afterwards to proceedin the cureof this, as of all other Sores, till it be perfectly healed up. Which Carbuncles, or Plague-Sores, as well as those of Plague-Tumors, must be kept open as long as may be.  
As concerning the Cure of the Tokens, as they call them, which are Dark Purple Spots, or of the like colour, appearing upon the Skin in Pestilential Diseases, I shall not say anything here, having said so much of this point in my French Treatise; lest by doing the same thing over again, I might seem to have troubled myself to no purpose. Now while this care is taken for these External Tumours, and Spots; the Patient is not in the mean time to neglect the taking Inwardly of Sudorifical Preservatives, Cordial Confections and Powders, and likewise his Julips, and Apozemes, which he is to take all in their due times; in like manner as he must be very exact also in his Diet. And for quenching his Thirst, he may sometimes take a little Ale, which must be but small, and very clear: and I have been informed, and by persons of very good credit too, that they have in this case often given Infected persons a draught of plain Fountain, or Well-water, and that with very good success. Yet that they may not drink too much of it, they may now and then sup up two or three spoonful of small Ale, with some Juice of Citron mixed with it; putting a Brown Toast into it, and a little Sugar. To which you may adventure to add a little Rhenish Wine, or some other smaller sort of Wine; in case a Delirium, or else the greatest of the Feavorish Heat he is in, hinder not the same. Slices also of Pomecitron, with the Pill taken off, put into two parts of Water, and one of the aforesaid Wine, with a little quanti- of Sugar, may be allowed the Patient for the same purpose; and this Composition, besides the allaying the Thirst of the party, will be also very pleasant to his Palat. Yea the whole, Pomecitron also, taken with its Pill and Kernels together (both which are also Cordials) and so cut in pieces, may very properly be put into his Ordinary Drinks,  
Now how the Impure, filthy Stenches of such houses as have been infected, are to be cleansed, and washed away with Water, which would do better if it were mixed with Vinegar or with Rue boiled in it, and hot also, rather than if it be only fair Water; and also aught to be suffocated, and overmastered, by Fumigations of Juniper Berries, Brimstone, Gunpowder, Vinegar, and the like things, which have been made use of with good success; and which are to be diligently observed by such as keep such infected houses, and by those also that live near unto infected places: and besides, that those, that have forsaken their houses, ought not by any means to return bacl to the same again, till six Weeks at least are over since that any person died out of their house of the disease; or till the last Infected person hath now been recovered, and clear from the same, and in perfect health for a whole months' space, as hath been sufficiently asserted both by others, and by Me also, in my French Treatise.  
Neither was it my Intention, to have here said any thing more, touching this so Pestilential, and Contagious a Disease; save only to set down what Antidotal Medicines, and Preservatives, I have found to be most proper for the driving out of the Venom of this disease in the beginning of it, through the Outward parts of the body; by the right, and due administering of which, I have always found good success to follow. And I had also resolved to have said nothing either of this, or the former matters before treated of; unless it had seemed both to some others, and to myself also, a very unreasonable thing, if, leaving those Epidemial Diseases, that usually rage in our Maritime Parts, untouched, I should here make an end of this Treatise. I shall therefore here in the next place say something of the same; that so the Malignity of these places being known, people may either avoid the coming into them, or else may know how to provide for their health, by convenient, and proper Preservatives.    

THE FIFTH DISCOURSE: Wherein is treated, concerning those Epidemial Diseases, and their Symptoms, that in Maritime parts which are commonly called in Dutch, Polders, do infest the Inhabitants, but more especially Strangers, that had before been unaccustomed to this Malignant Air: and where are set down also the best Preservatives against the said Diseases.  
THese Diseases are wont to seize upon people about the beginning of Autumn; and sometimes also sooner, according to the temper of the foregoing Summer, whether that had been hotter, or cooler: & they some years rage so violently, as that they last the greatest part of the said seasons, miserably afflicting people all that while, and destroying very many of them; and that most especially in those Places, which the Dutch call Polders; which having formerly lain covered with Salt Water, and recovered since from the Sea by Man's Industry, by raising Banks against the same; they have by this means been made habitable, though not quite reduced to their pristine Nature, and purity. For there is still inherent in the same, I know not what Malignant Quality, which is generated out of the Putried Bottom of the Sea Water: for which reason, at the aforesaid times specially, as also when the Ground in Sowing time, or otherwise, is broken up with the Plough, there breaketh forth a most Stinking and Contagious Air: which lasteth, till such time as the Issuing forth of this dangerous, and Morbifical Air is stopped, by the Earth's Pores being shut up, either by the Frost, or some other very cold Wether.  
In like manner as Lakes also breath forth the like Contagious Air; as do other Fenny, and Marish places also, when by the extreme Heat of the Sun they are more dried up then ordinary: for by this means, both from the Putrefaction of dead Fishes, and other Creatures, and perhaps from some Venomous ones too, dying therein for want of Water, this Malignant Vapour is drawn up, and spread abroad.  
As in Meadows also, that have lain drowned a long while under Water, after that by the continual heat of the Sun's beams, the said water comes to be dried up, there is a Viscous, and Slimy Sediment left behind, which no Show●es of Rain can wash away, and dissolve; and this, by its filthy Stink, doth very often infect all the neighbouring Inhabitants.  
Now the Diseases, that chiefly reign in these kind of Places, are Bastard Tertian, and Quartane Agues, and many times, also Continued Fevers; and many other the like Distempers, which accompany the other, as Symptoms: among which the most usual are, most stubborn & Intractable Obstructions, from whence oftentimes proceed Hard Tumours on the Spleen, and Liver, and Violent Fits of the Colic, the Jaundice, and Stone; as also Impostumations in the Privy Parts, and continual Defluxions falling upon the Lungs, some of which bring them into a Consumption.  
Of which Symptoms, seeing, as I have often said, there is much more care to be taken, then of the Fevers themselves which they attend, though they be not yet quite gone, and therefore both the Regiment of Health, and the Medicines also, according as either of them are the more Violent, are to be changed; I could not but give directions concerning the same, in my French Treatise; that even the meanest Countryman, and all others, that are destitute of the Physicians advise, might at least know, at what time, and what manner both of Medicines, and Meats they are to take, and what to forbear. Whom also I should here desire to take notice, that there is no trust in the Earth to be given to a sick Parties Urine, unless the Physician see the Party also: Which being sent with the Sediment, (if there be any in it) all tumbled up and down, and sometimes is of a high fiery colour, and another while looks pale, and crude; there can no Certain, but rather sometimes a Contrary Judgement be made from it. As it falls out, among other diseases, in that of the Dropsy; wherein seeing the Patient ordinarily makes Urine but in a very small quantity, and that too after it had been long retained by him; you shall have it sometimes look higher-coloured, then in a burning Fever: as it is likewise less Red, in the height of a Fever, then at the Beginning of it: which might deceive both the Phycisian, and the Patient, unless he saw him, so that he might observe his Countenance, Speech, and Pulse, which is the Messenger of the Heart; and so had opportunity by these to discover his disease; and by the same to be informed also, that as the Urine grows Paler, the Heat of the Fever increaseth; and that That, which had inflamed it, was now ascended upward toward the Head, and there threatened a Delirium, and a greater danger of the disease. So that it is a very plain case, that the Patient's Urine is by no means to be sent to the Physician, without perfect Instructions, and a due Care taken, that he may have withal a particular Account given him, by the party that brings it, of whatsoever concerns the present state of the Disease. Although I confess, for the most part, the Messengers, by which the sick Parties Urine is carried to the Physician, are persons that are not very able to manage such a business, as is the delivering the Patients Account of himself to the Physician, or of bringing back the Physicians Advise to the Patient; which yet in many cases is a very considerable business, and necessary to be done. And therefore I have ever refused to look upon the Urine, unless I could see the sick party too, considering, that should I have done so, I could not possibly have satisfied either the Expectation of the Patient, or my own Conscience.  
I have also in my French Treatise endeavoured to lay open to the world the abominable Abuse and Cheat, that is practised by some Country Empirics, and Quacksalving Knaves, who gaping after their own unjust Gains only, to the most evident ruin of their Patients, are not ashamed to boast, (and the simpler sort of people believe them too) that by looking into the Parties Urine only, They can tell him his Destiny, whether he shall live or die: which yet is a thing that is by no possible means to be discovered from the Urine: as neither hath any Author, since the world begun, ever pretended to the the same Peremptory giving of Judgement by it. So that there is no question to be made, but that, in case it should so fall out, that the party, upon whose Urine any such judgement hath been made by some of these fellows, should chance to die in earnest, this judgement of theirs so made, upon pretence of a bare Inspection into the Urine only, was pronounced upon the same either Casually, or Conjecturally only; or else was given rather by the power of Necromancy, and the like Diabolical Arts. For the Indications, for the discovery of this so close, and lurking a disease, and the Medicines to be used in the cure of the same, are very far different from those, which are conceived by these wretched, juggling Mountebanks, to be the most certain, and proper in this case; and are, as such, obtruded upon the credulous Multitude.  
Now in the next place I shall, according to my Usual Method, briefly set down, (in favour of those that have not been at all accustomed to the Malignant Exhalations of this Unhealthful, and Dangerous Air, and yet are necessitated, either to pass through these places, or perhaps to make their abode there for some time) such Medicines, and Rules of Diet, as I conceive most proper for their Preservation against the same. And first of all, I would have people take notice, that this Epidemial Contagious Air may possibly be spread abroad, and so not to be trusted, even before the Beginning of Autumn; especially in Hot Summers: and that too, by the space of some Weeks sooner than is usual, in case the Heat of the Sun hath been very vehement in the Dog-days, or perhaps some good while before the same. For, we conceive it a thing not to be doubted of, but that this Malignant Quality of the Air is in these Excessive Heats of the Seasons much more Fierce, and Raging; and so much more Dangerous, and Infectious, than it is in other more Temperate years, when the Heat hath neither been so Vehement, nor yet of so Long Continuance. So that it will in this case concern those that are careful of their health, to make timely provisions for themselves, by getting out of these parts before Summer is ended: or else if their Important, and Urgent business there cannot admit of this flight of theirs; their Bodies must then (as a Castle is by its Works and Trenches) be fortified by other Convenient Preservatives. And therefore first of all I would have them correct the Malignity of the Air by strowing Sweet Herbs about the rooms of their houses, and by sprinkling of Vinegar about the house, and making Aromatical Fumigations. They must also take care of their Stomach, by drinking every morning a good draught of Wine, or Strong Ale; and in case they are to go abroad, they must eat a Breakfast first, & drink after it a lusty draught of the like good Wine, or Strong Ale; or at least they must sup up three, or four spoonfuls of Aqua Vitae, or rather may drink a draught of Wormewoodwine (if it may be had) before they go abroad into the open Air. But neither must they neglect the care of their Smell; but must fortify their Nose against the contagiousness of this Pestilential Air, by smelling to strong-sented things; as they must likewise their Mouth, by chewing such things, as I have prescribed in my former Discourse of the Plague. And these things, which I have here prescribed, are chief to be observed by such are unacquainted with this Malignant Air, and yet are necessitated to go to these places, and perhaps to make some stay there. Yet seeing it is still somewhat doubtful, whether the Infecttive Quality of this Contagious Air may be sufficiently corrected by the aforesaid Remedies, they shall (if they be wise) do well to hasten their departure thence; that by this more certain remedy they may avoid all disposition toward those so Long, and Dangerous Diseases: lest being, before they are ware thereof, seized upon by the same, they increase the number of that vast multitude of persons that have perished thereby. For thus some very Honourable, and Eminent persons, and thus also some Counsellors of the Provincial Council of Flanders, having in the Vacation Time been held there by their business for some long time, and being not at all Armed against the Malignity of that Contagious Air, when as the disease raged in those parts in an extraordinary manner; they have been infected with it; and so returning to their homes, have there either lain miserably languishing for a long time; or else have in a little while died of the same.  
To these I can add divers, both Colonels, Captains, Counts, and Marquesses; who having had occasion of being in the said Parts, or in any other, that have been recovered from the Sea, by casting up of Banks against it, or else in some other Fenny Places, where they have been necessitated either to meet with their Enemy, or perhaps to keep Garrisons there; having been assaulted by these Contagious Airs, have either upon the place, or perhaps being removed some whither else, yielded up both the Victory, and their lives too, to the same.  
All which things seeing I am very certainly assured of, as having been a a most diligent observer of the same, ever since I practised Physic in Flanders, which is now about two and fifty years, I could not but give a light touch of the same; lest if they should be buried in Oblivion, and no Notice taken of them, the world might yet be to seek for the same, both to our own great detriment, and that also of Posterity: and I have the rather discovered these things to the World, that so every wise man might the better make provision for his own safety, and in himself make that happy experiment, which is in every one's Mouth; 
Foelix, quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum.  
he's happy, who doth arm  
Himself by others harm.   
As concerning the Curing of the aforesaid Fevers, as they are Epidemial, and also of the Symptoms of the same, seeing I myself have written abundantly in my French Treatise, and other approved Authors also have treated largely of the said Fevers, though proceeding from other causes, (of the different ways of curing whereof there is notwithstanding little regard, or notice to be taken,) I shall not here say any thing; but shall only in this my Second Discourse add to the former, such other things, as I found to be very rarely made use of, and yet were such as I conceived were of most excellent use in this case. And yet I know very well, that those that are of the more Curious sort in our Profession, have presently a strong prejudice against whatsoever they find to be dissonant to the common way of Practice, and which are commended to be the better, and more useful things: and I know besides, that there are some of them, whose fingers itch again to be scribbling; that so they may show to the world, that they have lighted upon some thing which they can contradict. Which occasion of quarrelling, I confess, they may very easily pick out of what I have delivered in my former Discourse, touching the Gout; concerning which there are found so many different Opinions, and Arguments, as that those that are unacquainted with, and have not experience of my New Way of Proceeding herein, may think themselves sufficiently furnished with the same, so as to be able to hold Argument against my Reasons, though they have been confirmed by daily Experience; although they will never be able to overthrow them. As for instance, among other things it may be objected against me, that I maintain that the Sciatica, or Hipgout is always caused by a Hot, and Sharp, or Salt Humour; and that the same, although it were never so Violent, and raged never so much, and was such, as otherwise would have been very long in curing, hath yet been miraculously, and perfectly cured, by drinking a cup of Cold Well, or Fountainwater, in the manner, and the ●imes before prescribed; provided this course be taken in the beginning of the Disease.  
Besides, as this our Cold Water is used to cure most strangely, and certainly, both in this case and otherwise, being taken as well Inwardly, as applied Outwardly; yet will not these men willingly admit of the same: much less will they believe, that the applying of the same upon the part Affected, being afflicted either with a Hot, or Cold Humour, can produce the desired effect. And especially they will be ready to maintain, that it is both an Absurd, and an Incredible thing, that the Blood and Spirits being repelled, and driven back toward the Bowels, by the Immersion of the Legs and Feet in Cold Water, and being there heated, should return, and dispel the Cold Distemperature, and numbedness of the same: and again, that on the contrary, both the Spirits and the Blood, being in the same manner, and by the same Cold Water driven back, and hindered from their return to the Part Affected, shall cure the said Feet, when they have been any way hurt, and are thereby inflamed. And yet that both these effects are wrought by this our Cold Water, if they please but to make trial of the same, Experience itself (which is always the Inseparable Companion of Reason) will make manifest unto them. Which very thing Cornelius Celsus also considering, yet withal studying Brevity, where he writes of this subject; he did not set down his Reasons, but left the business to the Examination of others; according to that which is written: Quaerite, & invenietis, seek, and ye shall find. Although notwithstanding I must confess that I believe, that it hath pleased Almighty God, though not in this case, yet in some other, (as is Evident in the Plague, and other Pestilential Diseases) not to reveal to Man the Occult Qualities of some things. For, it was necessary, that nothing should be Perfect, but Himself only.  
And I believe, it will seem Ridiculous, to many, rather than Credible, that by the said Application of Cold Water, or by the Immersion of the part Affected into the same, such Wounds as I have before spoke of, with great Swell and Bruises, may be perfectly, and more safely cured, then by any other chirurgical way of Operation; and that, by the First Intention, without bringing the same to Suppuration, and without any Pain, Impostumation or Erysipelas caused in the part affected; concerning which, I understand, I have been censured by some, that yet never made trial of this New way of Practice, but extremely decry this Truth, (with though themselves are ignorant of, is yet very certainly known to others:) and, laughing extremely at it, demand how it is possible, that so excellent a Remedy, and so ready at hand as this is, against so Common, and so Dangerous Disasters, could lie so long hid, and concealed from the world, to the so great detriment, and prejudice of Mankind. Whom notwithstanding (that they may not any longer envy the Public Good, and seem to look after their own Private Gain only; and may forbear by striving against the Truth, to draw any more scandal upon themselves,) I do here assure, that I have found by Experience, in very many cases, where there have been Great Swell accompanying the Wounds, that by the Application of the said Cold Water to the Part, or the Immersion of it in the same, for a good while together, as hath before been showed, though this were done the next day after the hurt received, yet the Swelling hath fallen, and the Sore, being cleared from all Purulent Matter, hath closed up within three days, and the Part Affected hath recovered its former strength again. Yet notwithstanding I advise people, (though, I confess, I have found it to succeed well enough, where I have had to do) that they would not be too rashly confident in this so Late Application of the same.  
Neither can they want Arguments, with which they may furnish themselves out of the Best Authors, to prove, that Letting of Blood, Purging Medicines, and Vomits, and of good use in the Cure of the Plague: all which, notwithstanding, in those Plagues that have reigned in our times, both here, and in other places, and in that which began to rage again at Gaunt, in the beginning of the year 1647. and ended the year following, I never approved of, but always held them for suspected, and dangerous. And where either a Pleurisy, Peripneumony, or Quinsey, accompanying the Pestilential Disease, seems to require the Opening of a Vein; the Skilful Physician may order matters as he shall think fit, with all due care: and yet after all his care, in so desperate a Complication of Diseases, the may have very good cause to doubt that none but an unhappy success is like to follow; unless, that saying of Hypocrates may here have any place, where he says, that Probably, nothing is Impossible to Nature. I confess I shall willingly assent to those Authors, who though they will not allow of these Evacuations, while the Venom of the Plague is strong upon the Patient, do yet, when the said Venom is pretty well overcome, and when the sick party's strength is not too much weakened, admit of Bleeding, in very Plethorical Bodies: and allow likewise of Purges, where the Body digests ill, and abounds with Putrid Humours: yet for as much as the Disease is not to be reckoned, now, to be within the Compass of the Plague; and also because those, that usually attend upon Infected Persons, are not of sufficient Capacity for the Managing of these Matters, I have therefore passed them by in silence.  
I know besides very well, that I have rendered myself Obnoxious to the complaints of Impatient Patients, especially in the Gout; who while they desire to have that removed which cannot possibly be removed will break out (together with the Carping Zoili of our age, of whom there is no end) into I know not what scoffing, and abusive Language. Yet I must desire these Gentlemen to remember, that I always excepted all Knotty, and Inveterate Gouts; which, as sometimes we cannot assuage the pains in them according as we could wish, so much less can we cure them totally, by the drinking of Cold Water: as neither by the Opening of a Vein, the Pain, although it be not an Inveterate one, is assuaged; so long as the Next Antecedent 'Cause is too strongly settled in the Neighbouring Veins, and is also diffused far about through the other Veins. However it is sufficient, that it is most evidently sometimes of good use, as also that Cold Water, both in this Disease of the Gout, and in other Cases also, hath done very much good; where whatsoever other Medicines were taken, did very little, or none at all: and besides that in hath seldom failed of assuaging the pain of the same, and hath sometimes quite taken it away; nay, and hath utterly exterminated, and banished it from the Patient, and that in a short space of time too; especially, where the Opening of a Vein hath been joined with it.  
Neither did I ever say, that we were to expect a happy success always from it: in like manner as we know, that such as are sick of a Dysentery, may begin too late to to make use of Whey, and Purgations of Rhubarb: especially when the Small Guts are very much corroded, or when the Great Guts, being too much fretted by the Sharpness of Humours, begin to putrify, and are inclined toward being gangrened.  
And so likewise, when in the Plague, at the very beginning of the Disease, the Patient takes not a Sudorifical Preservative; and when need so requires, doth not repeat the same: or perhaps, when, by reason of some Impediment intervening, it cannot be administered, or if it be administered, yet it may be overmastred by the Venom of the Disease, which may be so strong, and powerful, as that by its excessive Malignity, it can take away a man in a quarter of an hour's space. So that I would have all men take notice, that I never intended to maintain that this Terrible, and Dangerous Enemy, was not so fearful a thing, as it is commonly thought to be; but I rather maintain the contrary, and say that it is really such. All that I intended to insinuate, was only this; that if it were taken at the very beginning of it, it was much easier to be overmastered, and cured, then most people imagine, supposing there be nothing to hinder the putting in practice of our Medicines: as I have found by most diligent observation, and by the faithful relation of many, that (by God's blessing) have been most happily preserved by takeing such Preservatives, and other things, as I have prescribed; especially, at the beginning of the Disease; wherein, though absent, I took all the care that could be, that they might be rightly and duly administered.  
As my purpose was likewise to publish to the world, by what Preservatives, and Cordials, and by observing of what Regiment of Health, very many, who in several places where the Pestilence raged extremely, attended upon, and were continually in the house with those that were infected, though they themselves had never before been sick of the same, nor had been ever before accustomed to this so subtly-infecting an Air, yet (by God's mercy) were miraculously, and to the admiration of all people, preserved, and kept from any the lest infection. And among these, and other the like things, I could not but give notice here, of how great use, and indeed how Necessary in this case Wine Vinegar is; as the drinking of Whey is, in the Griping Flux of the Belly; and the Drinking, and Outward Application of Cold Water also is, in the Gout, and many other Pains in the Body,  
The great force of which Three Liquors, and the Marvellous Virtues that God hath endowed them with, for the Good, and Preservation of Mankind, when I had by most Exact, and Diligent inquiry into, and a long making use of the same with good success, been most certainly assured of; I at length resolved to write of the same, and publish them to the world in Print, in some certain small Treatise, concerning the Disease called Cholera; and concerning Epidemial Diseases, and their Symptoms, and touching the Biting of a Mad Dog. Which I the more willingly did, because I conceived, that the use of these Three Liquors may not only be entrusted to such, as are not at all skilled in Our Profession, but rather aught indeed to be commended unto them; if there be any regard to be had to Humane Infirmity, or Necessity, if not to Mutual Charity: seeing that it so falls out for the most part, that either a Physician cannot be had so timely, as is requisite in these Diseases; or perhaps, if the Disease reign hot in the place, will not come when he is called: and also because that in the curing of those Diseases for which the use of these Liquors are designed, and in the administering of the same, all people may have (though not an exact, yet) a Confused knowledge at jest, and such as is in some sort sufficient for the business in hand; so that their administering of the same (to speak clearly) cannot but do very much good: and especially when the Urgency of the Necessity requires the same, and cannot admit of any Delay; wherein there would be, for the most part, most Evident, and most Present Danger; as Ovid to this purpose well alludes, where he says: 
Opprime, dum nova sunt, subiti mala semina Morbi;  
Et tuus incipiens ire resistit equus.  
Nam mora dat vires.   
In English thus.  
Acute Diseases first assault restrain;  
Whilst, setting out, horses obey the Rein.  
Delay adds Strength.  
And as the same Poet elsewhere speaks no less pertinently, in these Verses.  
Principiis obsta, serò medicina paratur,  
Cum mala per longas invaluere moras.  
Which may be rendered thus.  
Resist at first: the Cures applied too late,  
When delayed sickness brings approaching Fate.  
Which Verses, if any where, they have place chief here, in the business of the Plague, and in such other Contagious Diseases, where the Venom of the same is so extremely fierce, as that it in an Instant diffuseth itself through the body; and so likewise in the Griping Flux of the Belly; in which cases there is no wearing out, and Digesture of the Venom by length of time, to be expected. In like manner as I myself, being taken with this disease in the Seventy Sixth year of my Age (at which time also I was busy in putting this present Treatise to the Press,) perceaving, toward the Evening, some Bloody Corrosion of the Guts fallen upon me; I did not at all defence the business, but resolved presently to fall to taking of Physic, (though it were then late at night) to purge out the Acrimonious Humour: and I drank as much Whey as possibly I could; and that with so good success, as that I quite freed myself from it in the space of four and twenty hours. And the same success have I had, in the same disease, two other several times, by using the self same course.  
And I would have people also take notice, that it was not in vain, that in my French Treatise I gave my Judgement, that in the Jaundice, at the very beginning of the Disease, the Patient was to have Purging Medicines administered unto him; which are to be repeated also for four, or five days together, if need so require; that the Conjunct Cause itself also, which being let alone, grows hard, and in time too sometimes petrifies, may be driven out of its Bladder, into the Guts. And to the end that men may the easier believe how Necessary this Festination is in these diseases, I shall here, for the greater benefit of the Public, add, that I myself, about some fifteen days before the aforesaid Dysentery seized upon me, was evidently taken with the Jaundice; before the appearing whereof, I had a Griping Pain in my Belly; whereupon immediately followed the Whiteness of its Excrements, together with a very Thick Urine, which also had a Yellow Froth floating on the Top of it: all which, together with the diffusion of Choler all over the body, as appeared by the Yellowness of my Skin, clearly showed that it was the Jaundice. Yet notwithstanding, (by God's blessing,) though I was of so great an Age, I perfectly recovered from this so Dangerous a Disease, within five days after it seized upon me; after I had purged for three days together, and that in a much greater abundance, than many men, if they were of my age, would be able to bear.  
And in like manner as in Wounds, which are best and most safely cured by the First Intention, the Ripening of the Purulent Matter is by all means to be prevented; so neither in the Disease, called Cholera, are people to protract the time, and expect the Digesture, and wearing out of the Malignant Humour; which, being taken in time, according as I have before prescribed, may easily be overmastered, by giving the party Theophrastus his Pill, to the quantity of four, or five Grains; and so the patient would by this course as speedily be cured, as otherwise, without it, he would be lost. And hence it is, that many liken this Disease to a Battle in War, in which, (as Horace saith,) Aut cita mors venit, aut Victoria laeta.  
That is: 
We soon are lost;  
Or Conquest boast.   
And for this reason the Dutch call this Disease, in their Language, Kuyters Zieckte, that is, The Horseman Disease.  
For very good reason therefore have we commended the Use of the aforesaid Three Liquors; seeing that, besides that by reason of their Excellent Virtue in the aforesaid Diseases, they are far to be preferred before any other the most precious Medicines that are; they are also agreeable to the Palate, and are every where to be had, as well by Poor, as Rich. For Water is accounted a thing of no Value at all; and as for Vinegar, and Whey, they bear no high price neither; and besides, because that those Diseases, in which the use of these Liquors is chief commended, are very frequent every where; and are so common, as that they make our Physicians the greatest part of their business.  
Neither would I have any to think, that, the virtues of these Three Liquors, and especially of Water, and Whey are to be confined within the bounds of the aforesaid Diseases only: For, what skilful Physician is there that will not allow, that in the Heat of the Liver, a Feverish Distemper, this Whey mixed with the Juice of Citron may be administered for a Julip, and for an Apozeme, the same Whey, or Water, decocted with Sorrel, or Succory, or the like Herbs, and with some of the Opening Roots, or other things, of like quality, may be administered? if so be the Physician perceives that there is any Obstruction, and that the same requires this course: into so much whereof as is strained out for use, a little Sugar may be put in to make it the more pleasant to the taste; all which Medicines may easily, and for little charge be procured by poor folks; and may with as great Advantage, and Ease be made by others too. For there is no need of any great number of Ingredients; which, by reason of the Diversity of their Qualities, prove oftentimes a hindrance to each other. For these things are enough, that are proper, and are of Virtue sufficient for the effecting of the business, when they are prepared, and administered in a sufficient Quantity. Nay, Whey taken alone, or Water taken alone, do many times abundantly satisfy the Expectation of the Physician: as Gulen also tells us, that a lusty draught of Cold Water is a most present Remedy in a Burning Fever. And, I confess, I myself had rather administer Whey alone in the Griping Flux of the Belly, then to give it mixed with other ingredients that are proper for the asswaging of the Acrimony of the Humours: neither do I approve of putting into it so much as the  quantity of Sugar, to render it the more pleasant to the Taste; neither yet do I allow of the putting it into Ordinary Clysters; lest they should cause the same to work too much, and should exasperate the Exulceration.  
And here I shall now conclude, with this commendation of these Three Liquors; and willingly submit both this Compendious Treatise, as also that which I wrote in French, both of them in my own Plain, and Ordinary Style, to the Prudent Judgement of the more Learned of our Profession, and to the Courteous Reader; and for a Close of all shall profess, that I have faithfully, and Sincerely written those things which I conceived were the Truest; without any purpose in the world of detracting from any one, from whom I descent in Opinion; nor have at all sought hereby after Fame. But my Only Design, and the drift of my Writing hath been, to consecrate both myself, and all my Endeavours, to the Public Good; and I earnestly entreat the Reader, that he would accept of this Work of Mine, such as it is, with the same mind that it was written; and would vouchsafe to take in good part, and favourably interpret all things, as they have been written by me; and that of what things have been by Me brought into Common Practice, (though hitherto not made use of in these Cases) in those common Diseases that so frequently befall Mankind, he would boldly adventure to make due and seasonable Trial.  
Vale & Fruere.  
FINIS.   

The Approbation of the Book.  
THis Book, containing new, & most choice Physical Discourses and Experiments, proved first by D. Hermannus vander Heyden, and now with very happy success received into Practice by others also far and near; seeing it hath nothing in it that is contrary either to the Orthodoxal Faith, or to good Manners, is worthy that it should be published to the world, and put into Print, for the Benefit, and Advantage of all people. Dated at Gaunt, Mart. 9 1649.  
Nicholas Breydel, Licentiate in Divinity, Canon, and Chaunter of the Cathedral Church of St. Bavo, and Licenser of Books for the Press.  
A Rich Closet of Physical Secrets, Collected by the Elaborate pains of four several able Physicians, and Digested together; to wit, The Child-bearers Cabinet. A Preservative against the Plague and Small Pox. Physical Experiments presented to our late Queen Elizabeth's own hands. With certain approved Medicines, taken out of a Manuscript, found at the dissolution of one of our English Abbeys, and supplied with some of his own Experiments, by a late English Doctor. And are to be sold by John Saywell, at his Shop, at the sign of the Greyhound in little Britain, without Aldersgate.