A TREATISE OF CONSUMPTIONS   

LICENCED,  
October 13. 1666. Roger L'Estrange,   

A TREATISE OF CONSUMPTIONS.  
The Second Edition.  
Whereunto is Annexed, Useful Discoveries, and Practical Observations, in some late Remarkable Cures of the SCURVY. Never before Printed.  
By E. Maynwaringe, Dr. in Physic.  Cognitio Sequitur Curationes. 
LONDON, Printed by Anne Maxwell, and are to be sold by Tho. Basset, at his Shop under St. Dunstan's Church, in Fleetstreet, 1668.   

Preface.  
HAving surveyed and seriously perused many Volumes of the most learned and eminent Physicians ancient and modern; I find a great progress made in the Art of Physic, being modelled and methodised into such order, as if nothing were wanting to its perfection; and that the burden of this business hath wholly rested upon the shoulders of our Predecessors in this Faculty and Profession; so that it may be thought (by superficial indagators) there is nothing new to be inquired after; that the work is done to our hand, and we may sit down and rest satisfied in th● enjoyment of their labours; tha● tracing their footsteps, we ar● sufficiently guided in the righ● practice of Physic.  
Though others are contented to acquiesce in traditional notions, and jog on in the common road, as being most easy and beaten; and to look upon the inquiries and determinations of our Ancestors, as a ne plus ultra to any disquisition or sedulous indagation of their own: for my own part I am willing to step aside sometimes into rough untrodden ways, to find out some secrets in Nature, not confining myself within the Rules of Common Practice, nor thinking myself bounded and restrained by the Canons of the Ancients, but guided by Reason and true Experiments, the best and safest conduct that leads to truth.  
But I would not be mistaken, as if I contemned the works of other men, endeavouring to build upon their ruins; I have as great a regard to all the Learned in this Faculty as any whatsoever; and am so far from blasting any one, that I would rather smother then willingly blaze their errors: but where necessity compels me (for truth's sake) I am blameless when I name some: nor is it to be looked upon as a defamation, men are but men, and we know but in part; and if another can convince me of error, I shall thank him for his admonition, and submit to his more prevalent and persuasive reasons: until then, I shall adhere to, and defend the Assertions delivered in the following Discourse, as most consonant with reason, and verified by my practice and observations.  
London, At my House in Clerkenwell-Close.   

A Table of the Heads, and chief matter treated on.  

OF Consumptions in general; several Denominations and their Etymologies. page 1.  
Of Life. p. 3.  
Of vital and fundamental Principles, and their operations. p. 8.  
Of the material, sensitive and mortal Soul of man. p. 11.  
Of the vital Spirit, or balsom of Life. p. 16.  
Of Fermentation, and fermenting Principles. p. 25  
A Survey of the vital and fundamental Principles, conjunctim. p. 36.  
Of vital heat. p. 39  
Of a Consumption Atrophy. p. 42.  
Of Scorbutic Consumptions. p. 49.  
Of a Hectic Fever. p. 54.  
Of a Physic, and Consumption of the Lungs. p. 77.  
Of a Spermatick Consumption and Gonorrhaea, or running of the reins. p. 98.  
Of Fluor albus, the whites. p. 104.    
Tabidorum Narratio.  

Of Consumptions in general; several Denominations and their Etymologies.  
AT the entrance of our discourse upon this Subject, it will not be unprofitable to examine the word Consumption; for that Diseases most commonly have their denominations significant, intimating the nature of the Disease, or something eminently appertaining thereto.  
Consumption in its genuine signification, denotes a wasting or wearing away, from Consumo to spend, waist, or lessen: but the Latin word most commonly used by Physicians is Tabes from Tabeo, signifying also to consume or waste; and in the latitude of this signification most diseases may be called Consumptions, because they do prey upon the vital and fundamental principles, spend and wear them; yea after the vigour and strength of our age is past, although we continue without a manifest depravation of the functions belonging to vitality, and in a state of health; yet the●… is a declension, spending, and decay of the vital and fundamental principles, which do deficere, fall off from their pristine integrity and vigour, though we are not sensible of it, but by space of time: we cannot perceive daily they do decrescere but we find them decrevisse; that they are wasted and decreased in their vigour and strength, which this word Consumption does comprise.  
But this is not the intent of our discourse, although the latitude of the word will admit: yet it will be profitable and useful to consider the variety o● Consumptions and Declensions of Nature, although in a state of health, for the better illustration of those arising from morbific causes, which strictly and more peculiarly intended are the subject matter of this work; and they are distinguished by these several appellations: Atrophia, Febris Hectica, Phthisis, Seminis excretio, called tabes dorsalis by Hypocrates.  
The first signifies barely a defect or want of nutrition; the second a Hectic Fever; the third a Ptissick, an exulceration or rottenness; the fourth an involuntary emission of seed, or voluntary but immoderate.   

Of Life.  
FOR your better understanding the whole frame of this discourse, and to facilitate your apprehension of what shall be delivered, (which otherwise might seem obscure, and incongruous with the present design) I shall first lead you to the foundation, that you may see what basis it hath, and then your reason will determine of the superstructure, and the conformity of its parts. This work takes its rise from, or is bottomed upon the life, the vital and fundamental principles, to which the whole discourse refers and depends upon: and since our Subject to be handled and treated on, is a Consumption, a decay and wasting of the vital principles; it is requisite in the first place you should know what this life is, the vital and fundamental principles are, being the basis of the discourse, which unknown, or not rightly and exactly discovered, clouds all that shall deductively from thence be asserted and delivered.  
And first I shall recite some opinions of great Philosophers concerning life what it is. Aristotle lib. de respir. says, that life is, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mansio animae nutritivae cum calido: by which we understand only a conjunction of the vegetative soul with the body: and like to this is Scaliger's Definition, Exerc. 102. sect. 5. where he saith the life to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, unionem animae cum corpore, to whom Hollerius agrees, quid aliud vita est, quam animae & corporis firma copulatio: Comm. 2. lib. 5. Coac. Hippocr. what is life (saith he) but the connexion or coupling of soul and body.  
But this opinion when it comes to be throughly examined will not hold; because there is several gradations or degrees of life, whereby the Creatures are differenced in their stations, the one more noble than the other, according to the eminency and degree of their vitality: as the vegetative life of a Plant, is below the sensitive life of animals; and this sensitive life of animals, inferior and ignoble compared with the rational life of man: Now in respect of conjunction they agree equally, that the vegetative soul of a Plant is as really united to its. body, as the soul and body of man is coupled: here is no gradation in connexion to distinguish them; therefore Life is something else that will admit of degrees: and here many arguments might be used to prove, and some objections to be answered; but it was not my intention to engage so far in polemical discourse and controversy, therefore I pass on.  
Cardan and others determine, vitam esse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 formae, life to be the operation or action of the soul; and by how much the actions or operations in one Creature are more noble than in another, by so much is the life of that Creature more noble than his fellows: and although Greg. Horstius condemns this opinion, and adheres to the Aristotelian, yet it is much more rational, and less entangled with objection.  
Helmont speaking of the life of Creatures in general, gives this definition; vita est lumen & initium formale, quo res agit quod agere jussa est: Life is a formal light, of a luminous nature; and he accounts the life and form of every thing to be synonimous; natura recipit distinctiones specificas à lumine formali: there is so many distinct lights in nature (saith he) as there is things: Formae quaedam nitent, ut in lapidibus & mineralibus; quaedam aucta luce splendent, ut in plantis; aliae verò sunt etiam luminosae, ut in animantatis: by which we understand their degrees in eminency of being.  
And the same author in another place, creating of the life of man, saith, vita humana est lux formalis, life is a formal light: and if we admit of this Definition, all vital operations or actions are emanations and streams issuing from this formal light, so that lumen formale est causa & actus vitalis. Now because forma est indemonstrabilis à priori; the essence of things is not demonstrable in their causes; but are the ne plus ultra, the bounds and limits of our reasoning and disquisition: I shall levelly the following discourse, that you may take a view of this life à posteriori; since the Creator hath vailed the face of the Creature that we should not behold their essence, as being his prerogative.  
For these two latter definitions of life, although they differ, yet we may receive information from both: the last appropriates the word life to the soul or specific & individual form of every thing; and so vita, anima & forma, are synonimous; the other to the operations that do emanare, proceed from that form or soul; and in this aceeptation, vita is actus vitalis, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 istius formae: what this life is, as it is actus primus, forma & anima rei, I shall discourse in due place following: and as vita is act us secundus, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 formae, action or operation, I think it necessary to explicate.  
And here I might observe and lay open the variety and difference of life in the several species of Creatures; yea those things that seem to be dead and inanimate, are alive, do edere actiones, perform operations more or less eminently, to testify and prove that there is life in them: and therefore Minerals, as Stones and Metals, do live and can exert their power proportionable to that life which is in them; though their life is not so perspicuous and refulgent as those of a higher orb and degree in vitality; yet their life is not so mean and contemptible as some may imagine, but their operations are such as may and oftentimes do cause our admiration; vivunt animalia & vegetabilia & mineralia, suo quaelibet vivendi mode.  
But I must wave what collaterally falls into this discourse, and prosecute directly the intention of this Treatise; and therefore setting aside the life of other Creatures, I shall strictly examine the life of man, in its initiation or plantation, gradations and exaltation, declension● and period: and for the better understanding of this life in its several degrees of vitality; how ●nd by what means the life of man is so fluxible and mutable, I shall bring into consideration the principles of life, which is the subject of our discourse, in the following s●ction.   

Of vital and fundamental Principles, and their operations.  
HAving undertaken to declare the life of man what it is, wherein the ratio formalis does consist; w●ich we have determined to be operation or action: and since vital operation is not simple and univocal, but equivocal and various; humane vitality being compounded of, or admiting different actions comprised within its latitude: I shall therefore examine how it comes to pass, and from whence these different actions do proceed, that the principles and foundation of this life may be discovered.  
The vital and fundamental principles, I call such as are principally and fundamentally concerned in vital operations; and they are three, the sensitive Soul, the Archaeus or vital Spirit, and the ferments: and these are the three grand wheels upon which the life of man doth move, by their distinct causations, cooperating subordinately, and consenting in uniformity and conformity with each other.  
In natural actions of compound bodies, there is both agent and patiented, part moving and part moved: in humane vital actions there is, first, anima movens efficienter; the Soul moving as an efficient principal cause: secondly, there is also spiritus movens instrum●nt●liter; the vital spirit moving as agent or instrument? Thirdly, there is fermenta partium, the ferments, which is the peculiar and different Crasis of each part: the two former are active and more general in causation: the latter passive special and distinct: determining the other and specificating their efficiency, to produce various effects; to which organization and different fabrication of parts suiting those purposes, does contribute.  
The proprieties of life result from these principles: hereby the Creatures are distinguished one from the other, producing such and such distinct operations answerable to the principles of their vitality: so that their peculiar distinct beings and operations, arise from the peculiarity of their vital and fundamental principles: and if these vital principles be the basis on which the several degrees & orders of Creatures do stand, by which they are ranked and placed in their proper stations, as their distinguishing characters; then we must conclude that a right notion and conception of these, unfolds the Creature, discovers its being by this light of their vitality; which unknown, our knowledge is very dark and uncertain: and as life consists in and manifests itself by operation; then by how much those operations are more noble, vigorous, free, and operative, by so much is the life more excellent in that Creature, ●am in essentia specifica quam in esse individuo: and as the life of man is distributed into several faculties by fit organs; we may judge of the integrity of that life, by the performance and execution of each function.  
What these vital and fundamental principles are I shall distinctly examine them apart, for a clearer discovery of their pecu●iar nature, as followeth,   

The material, sensitive, and mortal Soul of man.  
MAN falling from that state of integrity in which he was created, lost his honour and supreme privilege of being wholly governed by his rational and immortal soul in all vital actions: but being degraded from that perfection, the regiment of the body was delegated to a sensitive and mortal Soul (common to the brutes) and made the immediate Rectrix and Governess of man in vital actions.  
By this means death entered into mankind, the immaterial and immortal principle of life being supplanted; thereby forfeited Sovereignty and Jurisdiction, total and uncontrolled power in man, did resign great part of the government, and was thereby made subject to the over-rulings and contradictings, allurements and seductions of a depraved and sensitive Soul, the substitute of that immortal and first total Sovereign and Rectrix of our vitality.  
This material, irrational soul having the Reins and Government of man, in vital and animal actions; as the brutal soul of beasts governs those Creatures: and being a material substance subject to mutability and decay, as other sublunary bodies are; hence the life of man became frail and mortal, being the result of corruptible principles; depending on them in mutual concurrence, conspiration and vigour; but è contra subject to irregularity, discord, and defection.  
This sensitive or brutal Soul, is a principle of life, giving sense and motion; distributed ●nto several faculties by the spirit of life, which is animae instrumentum, conveyed through the body by fit organs for the execution of divers functions.  
If you ask what is the Office of the rational soul, and to what purposes doth it serve, since the vital oeconomy and government of the body is transferred and committed to another power?  
To give satisfaction herein, and to determine distinctly between the rational and irrational soul, that their conjunct and disjunct operations, their subordinations and dependences in vitality may more clearly be discerned, I shall in these following Theses give solution to some nice questions than may be started, and reduce the whole to our present design.  
First, That the rational Soul hath delivered up the Power and Government of the body in vital acti●ns, (that are merely animal) to a sensitive and inferior power, immediately acting tanquam ejus vicario, for governing the vital functions.  
Secondly, That the rational Soul (post lapsum) being seated in the bosom of the brutal, and united quasi in connubio to this vital principle, hath influence upon the sensitive by way of promotion, assistance, or direction, usque in vitae periodum, through the whole term of life.  
Thirdly, That the sensitive or brutal Soul, taking it● origination and introduction into mankind from a defection, lapse, and depravation; remains perverse, repugnant to reason, and refuseth often to obey the dictates and instructions of the rational Soul in vital actions and government of the body.  
Est lex in membris Contradicens legibus mentis immortalis.  Scrip. Sac. 
Fourthly, That both rational and sensitive Soul do often concur, consent, and cooperate unanimously for preservation of the body and integrity of vital actions: the sensitive Soul obedientially and willingly receiving concurrence, aid, a●… direction from the rational as suprea●… Moderatrix.  
5ly That the sensitive and mortal So●… arising seminaliter and of material production, hath a temporary increment state, and decrement, does senescere & tabescere, as other perishable body's subject to corruption.  
6ly That the mortality and decay o● man does not arise from any deficienc● and decay of the rational Soul, whic● is in sua natura of perpetual duration▪ but from the fragility and corruptibility of his other principles, both active an● passive; forcing the immortal Soul to a● egress by ruin and inhabitableness of her mansion.  
7ly That the rational Soul though immortal, and a principle of perpetual duration; yet being obnoxious to passions and disquietudes, thereby disordereth the oeconomy and regular execution of vital operations, by disturbing the sensitive Soul in her several functions: and this, à necessitudine combinationis & vinculi; being both connexed in the bond of vitality, are both compatible and liable to each others injuries and discomposures.  
8ly That the sensitive and mortal Soul in esse, and in execution of vital operations, depending on material and organical parts, is wholly liable and obnoxious to their deficiencies and decays: and therefore hath her duration, exaltations, and declensions, according to the disposition and durability of the material and organical structure.  
9ly That the sensitive Soul hath distributed her faculties necessary for life, by the several organs of the body; which vital faculties are distinct in duty and office, though not in vitality; being the same stream, issuing ab unitate animae ad organa diversa, and transmitted by the vital Spirit which is animae minister.  
10ly That sensitive and brutal Souls as they do excel one another in specie, having peculiar endowments and properties distinguishing their kinds: so likewise in individuis ejusdem speciei, they transcend or degenerate from one another in some properties; and therefore the material and mortal Souls of men, à principio are of longer or shorter duration, juxta exigentiam seminalium dispositionum, being propagated per successivam sexuum copulam, according to Helmont.  
11ly That the sensitive Soul is supported and best upheld by the placid and unanimous concurrence with the rational Soul; by whose irradiations, pleasant estate, and amicable conspiration, th● sensitive Soul is vigorated, cheered, an● enlivened: and therefore it is not a littl● prejudicial, but much detrimental, an● a shortening of man's life, the distractions▪ passionate tumults, and indisposed sadness of the rational; which otherwise▪ as the Sun in the Heavens gives a cheerful brightness and reviving lustre through the world, so the Soul by a bright an● cheerful aspect through the microcosm o● man.   

The vital Spirit, or balsam of Life.  
IT is rightly affirmed by a learned Philosopher, nullum est sensibile quod non ab insensibili intus agatur spiritu: every corporeal thing manifesting itself a sensible object, is acted by an insensible principle, that evades our senses: the successive generation of all things in this sublunary world, è centris tenebricosis sungunt, they arise out of darkness: that is, are produced and brought forth by invisible principles and secret agents, the Authors of such mutations; which being invested and clothed with sensible corporiety, act their parts in divers figures and operations; and as the sensible world is various, so is the insensible answerable thereto: à principiis insensibilibus omnia moventur; every thing hath its insensible movent principle.  
In the generation of man, the materia ex qua, the material passive and visible principle, is seed; this active and invisible principle contained in this seed, that disposeth this matter and exerts a power of formation, per modum instrumenti, to delineate and erect a fit mansion for the Soul to dwell in; that fabricates and contrives fit organs for execution of her various functions, is the innate spirit or vital spirit in the seed.  
This is called vis pl●stica, vis formatrix, the formative power wherewith the seed of man is impregnated, as a propagative and prolific principle for successive generation, and this virtute verbi, from the Creator's institution, Crescite & multiplicamini.  
The Archaeus seminalis, this vital spirit is not only an active principle in generation, to delineate and fabricate th● seed into various parts for several offic●… and purposes, but also doth contin●… balsamum vitae, being of a saline and balsamic nature, which preserves the bod● from corruption.  
This vital spirit is called by many v●tal heat, because in many animals th● spirit manifests its presence by sensib●… heat; and we may judge of this vit●… principle in what state and condition 〈◊〉 is, by this concomitant heat, which is ●… character and signature of life: yet he●… is not inseparable and necessary to th● vital principle in genere; but that it ma● act in vital operations as vigorously with out this adjunct property, as we see i● Fishes, which are of a cold nature an● void of all heat, yet are as vegete, lively, and brisk as any animals of a wa●… nature: so that heat and cold does emerge from life, not life from these accidents; are but Characteres vitae, distinguishing qualities appertaining to severa● species of Creatures, suitable to their several natures and stations, for which the● were created and destined.  
What this vital Spirit in humane bodies is, and the properties thereto belonging, I shall lay open distinctly i● these following Theorems.  
First, That this vital spirit, contained 〈◊〉 the seed, is spiritus architecionicus in ●eneratione; doth delineate, fabricate, ●nd form the seed into divers parts and ●…gures, to construct and build a fit man●…on for the soul to dwell in, with neces●…ry organs for the execution of her seve●…l functions.  
Secondly, That this spiritus formator, contained in, and arising ex semine, having ●…s origination materialiter from the seed, ●ath its aptitude and hability, or ineptitude to act, juxta seminum dispositionem; ●nd therefore the infoecundity, miscarriages, and errors in formation, is not to ●e imputed always to this Sculptor or limner, qui generati imaginem habet; ●arrying the idea of the foetus, impressed ●… generantibus: but inobedientiae materiae, ●o the indisposition and intractibility of ●eminal matter, or external occasional causes intervening and disturbing the workmanship.  
Thirdly, That this seminal Agent which is Rector generationis, the Framer, Director, and Delineator in the generation and fabrication of man, does also perform and carry on all vital actions or functions in the body, during the whole course and progress of man's life, and is vitae regiminis moderator.  
4ly That the Archaeus this seminal S●…rit for its own preservation and additional supply in carrying on the work of ●…tality (which by time increaseth as t●… microcosm framing comes to perfect●… and growth) does therefore associ●… with, and assimilate to its self an influ●…ed spirit, congenerous with its own ●…ture, extracted from our aliment da●… brought in by nature's appointment 〈◊〉 preserve the innate spirits in vigour a●… strength, preventing their exhaustio●…▪ which order is observed during the cou●… of life, at least during the regular method of nature, until she fall off and decline.  
5ly That this vital spirit is planted ●…sentialiter, in the whole body, Tanqu●… subjecto adequato, that no part can 〈◊〉 without it, and live; but dispensed 〈◊〉 nature geometricè, not equally distributed to all alike by arithmetical propo●…tion, but each part is furnished and endowed, pro dignitate ex officio, suitab●… to its office and duty.  
6ly That the vivacity, or liveliness▪ strength, and durability of our bodi●… is more or less, according to the plent●… or want of this vital spirit, which 〈◊〉 principium movens in all the faculties, an● ●ndimentum corporis, the balsomick preserver of our bodies from putrefaction.  
7ly That semen humanum, the sperma●ick extract, containing in it this soecund ●ital spirit, elaborated for generation, is ●ot excrementum (according to the erroneous opinion of the Ancients) but com●lementum, the perfection and choicest extract, impregnated, and richly endowed with vital spirits, for propagation of ●he species.  
8ly That prodigality in emission of seed, ●…vishly expending that elaborated ex●…act, containing the seminal balsamic ●…irit, which is robur naturae & custos cor●…oris à corruption, the strength of nature, and preserver from putrefaction, ●ust needs enervate and weaken the faculties by draining the whole body, and impoverishing the treasury of vital bal●…mick spirits; upon which our alimentary liquors of the body do degenerare in ●…ejus, degenerate and alter from their primitive goodness, producing various changes in the body, as their several nature's and properties are various in their ●ntegrities: Hence several morbific productions, bearing several denominations from the deficiency of one vital principle.  
9ly That this Vital Spirit, which ●… Robur & balsamum naturae, the stren●… of our bodies, and balsom of our ●…mentary liquors; yet being a mate●… corruptible substance subject to mut●…on, hath its increment, state, and de●…ment, as other natural bodies in the common course of Nature; from whe●… Consumptions and many chronic l●…guishing Diseases take their rise, from ●… declension or infirm radication of ●… our innate robur, not to be restored 〈◊〉 retarded by the common Medicines ad●…ted, à posteriori, to effects, the produc●… degenerate matter, but by such as 〈◊〉 applicable and accommodated to 〈◊〉 vital principle, being auxiliary and ●…staurative, congenerous with its 〈◊〉 nature.  
10ly That the vital spirit contained ●… semine parentum, being an extract fr●… the whole body, elaborated to that p●…fection gradually by several digesti●… and contributions of divers parts, a● impressed with the Idea or image of 〈◊〉 for propagation, does also carry the ●…ces and imperfections of those parts 〈◊〉 the proles, the following generation b●ing a draught from that copy, m●… bear a proportion in the imperfectio●… plus minus, more or less manifested, according to the concurrence of intervening, accidental and external causes, aggravating or correcting; as Astral Influx, Education, and Diaetetick Customs.  
11ly That the Morbific Imperfections of Parents are not all transferred to the Children, but such as are sigillated upon the innate Spirit of the Parents.  
12ly That Morbi à parentibus traducti, hereditary Diseases, being transplanted or inserted into the offspring, per ideam morbificam in parentum semine sculptam, and connatural with us by our seminal principles, are latent until the time of their maturity do appear successively, at certain times according to other seminal proprieties; and therefore hereditary Consumptions, Gouts, Scurvy, etc. do not appear in the infancy, though really existing, but approach to the time of their manifestation and production sooner or later, according to regular or irregular education, and external occasional causes, promoting or retarding their germination and maturity.  
13ly That calidum innatum (a substance) this Vital Spirit manifesting its presence in some species of Creatures, per calorem (a quality) by sensible heat, as in man, yet being a body of the fin●… rarified substance, and spiritalized ma●ter, does evade the senses, and is impe●ceptible immediatè, by the touch 〈◊〉 sight.  
14ly That calor naturalis, our natu●… heat being a consequent or concomita●… property arising, or resulting, from 〈◊〉 vital principle, and varying per grad●… by intention and remission; does sh●… the condition of this vital princi●… whether in statu naturali, vel praeterna●…rali; whether aestuating, irritated, a●… disturbed, or placid and quiet in its ordinary course.  
15ly That this seminal spirit which ●… aura vitalis, being of a ●…minous ae●…rial nature, having some analogy w●… celestial Bodies, does much consent a●… correspond, is fortified and depressed●… Astral Influences according to their va●…ous Aspects, benevolent, or malevole●… and therefore it is that at sometimes a●… seasons we are variously disposed and ●…fected, well and ill, pro diverso sider●… influxu, clementia & inclementia coeli.   

Concerning Fermentation and fermenting Principles.  
THE Doctrine of Ferments being but of ●untor standing in the world, hath brought much light into the practice of Physic: the clear knowledge whereof discovers new truths to those who happily labour to find the depth of this mysterious operation in nature. And since there is such great fundamental truths discovered, which were latent to the ancients, it is not strange, nor a dishonour to them, if we deviate from their steps, and neglect their precepts, being calculated for that height they lived in, not the meridian of this brighter age, and clearer light of knowledge.  
And here I cannot but admire the folly of many, though ingenious men, to dote upon Antiquities so much, and bind up themselves so strictly to the Canons of our Predecessors; as if nature were clearly and throughly unvailed to them, that nothing remains for us to do, but to acquiesce in their labours, and to learn the lesson they had pricked down to our hand. How unreasonable is it to allege authority of the Ancients, and urge it as ●… convincing argument, when the principles of Physic to them were but in pa●… known, and principles than assert●… which now are exploded? necessarily t●… superstructure upon them must fall; 〈◊〉 for what is deductive from a false supposition, must also be false: but I wou●… not have any think hereby that I desp●… the labours of ancient Philo ophers a●… famous Physicians of their times; I ha●… as great a veneration for their works 〈◊〉 any; but they were men and knew b●… in part: we see their failings, and t●… generation to come will see ours; the●… is yet much work to do in the unrav●…ling of nature; great secrets yet to 〈◊〉 discovered, that none may take it ●…dignly to be admonished of error, or insufficiency.  
But to return to our purpose in han●… from whence we digressed: Now th●… you may know the reason of handli●… Fermentation in this place; confider●… have laid the foundation of this Treatise upon the vital and fundamental principles, on which our discourse depend●… and to which is refers: in the prosecu●●… therefore of this work, we are necesa●…y led to co●…m●…ate Fermentatio●… being of great concernment, and so great, that it is the parent of vital operations, from whence the rest do issue, and are continually supplied for conservation.  
By Fermentation are all the digestions performed; and from thence are the several faculties of the body supported and maintained: by due fermentation are the alimentary liquors of the body generated and preserved; and by defect thereof are they impoverished, dispirited and alienated from their genuine proprieties.  
And although our food received abound with much fixed salt, (which if so remaining produce various diseases) yet by due fermentation, in the digestive offices it is so elaborated, changed, and volatised; and being so prepared is then fit for the extraction of spirits, to support and maintain our bodies in vitality and a vigorous condition; as we see in our operation upon vegetables, that the spirits are not drawn out but by the help of Fermentation, which does unfetter them and free them from their bodies, in which they were incarcerated and locked up; for by the help of fermentation mixed bodies are unravelled, resolved, and a disunion of parts, made, that distinctly they may be separated, artificially, or by natural Chemistry, as it is performed daily in the body of man, operating upon food received. The great mutations and changes in the body, both perfective and corruptive, are fermentative and arise from hence: by Fermentation diseases are generated, and by Fermentation are many cured: this is the great wheel by which sublunary bodies are moved and change their stations, graduated and degraded again: minerals into vegetables, vegetables into animals; animals of one species into animals of another species: and that this wheel may go round with a perpetual motion, animals return into vegetables, and vegetables into minerals; so that nature is never at a stand or idle, but always moving; sometimes upward tending to perfection, and producing a more noble form; sometimes downward by corruptive alteration, unravelling her own work she had curiously wrought and composed, and transposing it into another, though meaner and base form.  
We may either consider Fermentation as it is actio vitalis, a vital operation producing such effects, and cast an eye upon the products thereof, and see the variety of production; or else we may look toward the principia fermentativa, from whence this Fermentation does arise, and so have inspection chief into the causes.  
Famous Helment, who hath merited much in the opinion of most ingenious men, I mean those that are the truly knowing men in the study and right practice of Physic; yet in his discourse of Ferments is very obscure and ambiguous, that little satisfaction can be had from his writing on this subject; particularly a Tract entitled, Imago Fermenti, etc. and elsewhere frequently mentioned in other Tracts of his, discordantly; as those that trace him, I believe, will consent with me in this: but I shall not spend time to point out the places, and prosecute him, having deserved so well in some of his other works.  
But to illustrate the Doctrine of Fermentation, Dr. Willis hath learnedly discoursed, and with him, I conceive, most of our modern Physicians agree.  
For Fermentation and Ferments in their latitude is not necessary to discuss, here we shall only consider the fermentative principles in Corpore humano, for the purpose in hand to lay open, our design: Dr Willis, De Fermentatione, saith, the life of animals does arise from a fermenting principle in the ●ear● 〈◊〉 vite initia à spi●… in 〈◊〉, v●. lut p●n●… 〈…〉 ●…men. tescent● du un●…. 
Diatrib. de Ferment. p. 24.   
And in the page following: Praet● h●… f●rment●… in ●…rdis 〈◊〉 e●…titution, à quo sanguinis r●… is & eff●r● esc●ntis plurimum dependent, sunt & alia diversa indolis passion in vi●ceribus recondita, quorum 〈◊〉 & Chylu● (qui est sanguinis rudimentum) & s●iritus animalis, ejus quint: essentia, vi●… elaborantur; sunt etiam alia: quae sanguini perficiend●, in alios liquore● transmutando, ipsu●noue à materia exerementitia liberando inserziunt.  
Whereby you may understand there are divers ferments in the body, for various transmutations, elaborations, and depuration of alimentary matter.  
What this worthy Author means by divers Ferments, I shall not take upon me to deliver his s●nse; but by way of enquiry let us examine the reason of the diversity of Ferments, and what they are If every fermentative transmutation in the body does arise from peculiar and distinct Ferments, than every part hath a peculiar Ferment implanted in it the part● being different one from the other 〈◊〉, office and use; from thence a very numerous company of Ferments must be allowed, which are so many vital principles, which to me implies some difficulty in the admission.  
En●… non surt multiplicanda sine necessitate: to avoid this inconvenience, and to clear this Doctrine in order to the present design, I shall deliver my opinion, and determine the matter in these following Theses.  
First, That the various Fermentations in several parts of the body, producing distinct alterations in the alimentary matter fermented, are promoved and differenced by the peculiar Crasis and different composition of the parts, destinated for the offices of digestion.  
Secondly, That the alimentary matter consisting of fermenting principles, and having all the praevious dispositions necessary to fermentation; as cau●es occasional, adjuvant● and s●re qua n●n contributing, does cooperate in the work of fermentation, and that 〈◊〉 principi●s ●ntimis, of which it doth consul.  
Thirdly, That the different Crasis and peculiar mixture of the parts of man's body (●hus necessary for fermentation and vital operation upon the aliment received) by time and the continual transition of various matter, does alter, chang● and obliterate.  
4ly That the peculiar Crasis and temperature of the parts in juvenile person of a sound and due composition, do vigorously show their different natures, by causing several and various fermentations, answering their several compositions, according to the institution of Nature, for elaboration of the alimentary matter received, until it attains the due perfection.  
5ly That the distributive justice of Nature (fabricating the parts and structure of humane bodies) in her Geometrical proportions is various in diversis, and disproportionate in eodem individuo▪ hence the different propensions to diseases in several persons, and the constant inclination to this or that, in the same; propter inequale robur partium.  
6ly That the alienation and degeneration of the Crasis of parts by time, begetting a new fermentation and transmutation of alimentary matter received, does produce new and strange morbific effects in the body: hence it is, (and every person may observe) the alteration of their bodies apparently different in seven years, or sooner pro vitae genere: and in the progress of man's life, some diseases appear at one age, other infirmities at another, pro varia fermentationum different●a; and so the whole course of a declining life produceth, either new diseases or aggravations of the old; or commutations for others; or new complications; and this to be expected à naturae fragilitate, after the manner and for the reasons aforesaid.  
7ly That by reason of the continual action and re-action between the parts recipient and the food recepted, the Crasis of the parts suffer an alteration, and degeneration from their primigeneous temperature and harmony of principles. So that by time, it is no wonder if our desires to this or that kind of food be varied and changed; or that our digestions be much different in vigour and what else attend, or are the products of the several digestions.  
8ly That the residue of the chyliferous or alimentary matter remaining after every digestion, is by such remansion so strongly altered and ali●…ilated by the ferment of that offic●, that it acts per modum assiste● i● with the natural innate ferment of the part in the subsequent digestion of the same office.  
9ly That certain meats carrying in them a stronger fermenting nature, are more gratefully received by the stomach, and better digested than others of a lighter nature, and seemingly of more easy digestion: and therefore it is that some tender stomaches can better digest, and do covet salt Beef before Chicken, ●…mb, etc.  
10ly That as the vigorous inaltered Crasis of the parts (●…eris paribus) produce a good fermentation, and consequently good nutrition; 〈…〉 contra, the debility, disproportion and variation of the ferments beget a corruptive and morbific fermentation, divers pro varia eorum laes●ome & disproportione.  
11ly That this declension and decay of the ferments (which is the natural and due constitution of parts disordered) is hastened and procured sooner by irregular injurious living, offering violence to Nature; does pervert the principles of fabrication and government in the Microcosm, causing a ruinous disorder, before a spontaneous falling off, and inevitable inability to subsist, secundum leges Naturae.  
12ly That the fo●d received having an aptitude for alteration and change, ●…sisting of fermenting principles, is promoted and inclined to this or that transmutation, pro varia partium compositione, according to the nature of the part recipient, where this fermentation is wrought.  
13ly That some peculiar food injuriously long accustomed to, depressing some and exalting others of the fermenting principles, disposeth to this or that disease and infirmity: and therefore the diaetetick part of Physic is not to be slighted and neglected, but carefully to be observed by all persons, especially such as incline and have a manifest propension to some disease above others.  
14ly That the debility or digression of a fermenting principle (within the possibility of restauration) is raised and advanced by medicament or aliment, having that congenerous principle, eminenter in sua natura.  
15ly That the concomitant and subsequent effects, attending the digestion, are declarative to an acute Spagyrist or Chemical Physician, and do show the intention and remission of the fermenting principles, whereby correctives medicamental or alimental, or both, may duly and seasonal●…y be appointed and exhibited.  
Obiter. 16ly That our diaetetick part of Physic, differencing the proprieties and nature of food from the temperature of their qualities, is insufficient and unprofitable; showing only the husk or shell, not their internal constituent natures and principles, chief to be known, and that by a Chemical analysis.  
17ly That the error of nature in the particular composition and frame of some parts, ab initio, does necessarily dispose some persons to this or that disease, never to be totally amended, but will admit of some correction and palliation● and therefore Patients sometimes wrongfully complain of their Physicians, for that they have a continual propension to such or such diseases, which is not in the power of man to eradicate, being so planted by nature in the fabrication and first constitution of parts.   

A Survey of the vital and fundamental Principles Conjunctim.  
HAving traced through the vital principles apart, and viewed their distinct beings and proprieties, we will make some result thereof, by applying it to our present design, as the front of this work does import and promise; and having surveyed them disjunctively in their offices and peculiar proprieties, we will consider them in their  and subordinate acts, in their mutual compliance and assistance one to the other, in vital and animal actions, and what relation they have to health and sickness.  
These vital principles are ●he basis upon which the whole discourse of Physic ought to move, and to which it does refer; for health is the integrity and perfect state of the vital principles, performing the operations and functions of the body duly: and sickness on the contrary is their deficiency, depravation, and decay; so that health and sickness have their dependence here as the approximate causes.  
These principles are not equal in degree and power, but one is principal and more noble than the other, which is instrumental and subordinate: man considered as a mere animal, hath his vitality, or performeth his vital actions from these three principles; the sensitive or brutal soul, the vital spirit, and the ferments of the parts; these are joint agents in vitality, and cooperate consentaneously have their defections, and roboration sympathetically: the one is not depressor but the other is languid: and when on is exalted and elevated, the other i● strengthened and fortified: if the Sou● be sad, the spirits are dull, the ferment languid, and digestions weakly performed: if the spirits be exhausted by immoderate fluxes, bleeding, Venus, etc. the soul is sad, heavy, and drooping, the ferments not so acute and active in their several offices of transmutation: if the ferments be alienated from their genuine proprieties, by improper, irregular, and disproportionate food, or otherwise; or spontaneously languishing through their innate disability to a longer duration in their integrities; soon follows a defection, depauperation, and drooping of spirits; since their generation and supply, depends upon a vigorous and due fermentation in the grand elaboratories of transmutation.  
Thus the vital principles in a due harmony concur and consent in all vital operations; each being assistant and coadjuvant one to the other, and participating in the ill or welfare of one another: but any one disordered or depressed, disturbs the regular oeconomy of the vital functions, tending to ruin and decay of the whole frame of man body: this is the golden chain of health, one link whereof being broken, en●rvates the strength of the whole man: these are the springs that move in the performance of all the functions and vital operations, whose vigour and harmonious consent, preserve the body in a prosperous and flourishing state; but being weak and languid, man declines and degenerates from his pristine vigour of vitality, when this trine conjunction of co-operation and subserviency gins to be dissolved.  
What is Health, but a due performance of all the Functions? What is Sickness, but their disorder, irregularity, and deficiency? and both health and sickness depend upon these fundamental principles, since all the functions are performed approximately and immediately, duly or unduly, from their regularity or depravation.  
If so, as it is most true, here is the centre of all our discourse concerning health and sickness: here is the basis upon which health and sickness depend; and here are we to aim and direct our endeavours for the preservation and continuance of the one, and also for the remove of the other.  
I have read voluminous, large Discourses, and tedious Tracts in Physic, b●… with much dissatisfaction, acquiring thereby a superficial and distracted knowledge only: particularly a large Scheme 〈◊〉 Schedule of diseases is drawn out, methodised in that order, as some, nay th● most, take for a complete platform (am I was of that opinion) wherein every part of man's body hath its diseases assigned; and from hence an innumerable company of medicines are mustered up, singly to oppose them: but upon due examination and scrutiny into the whol● matter, I was better informed, and taught how to contract both Diseases and Medicines into fewer Heads and Classes not relating to temperaments and humours, nor the variety of parts of man● body; but respecting the vital Principle▪ from whence result both health and sickness; that so applying to these, whic● are but few in number; their assistanc● required, for reduction and restauration▪ is not so perplexedly various as the gran●… Authorities our Predecessors would have it, and their disciples, the maintaine●… of it in this our age, who relish nothing but what savours of Antiquity; who stoop and yield to an ipse dixit, being more prevalent with them than the strength of reason. But to proceed, they that look only, or mainly at temperaments, and the various sorts of degenerate humours, are such whose knowledge gives them not admittance to view nature stripped naked, ripped up, and her intrinsic parts, but externally to behold her invested in such a garb.  
What are temperaments and humours, but a result and the effects of the vital principles, changing into this or that state and condition; from whose various gradations, mutations, compliance, and mutual assistance, variety of humours and degenerate matter is producted; which for distinction sake you may call humours and temperaments? but you must not content yourself with the nominal knowledge of these visible appearances, but make disquisitions into the invisible procurers; why do you so much e●e and aim at effects, neglecting their causes, applying Remedies only à posteriori, when you may and aught to do it radically, and à priori, at the springs from whence they arise?  
The result of this discourse I shall sum up in this corollary.  
That the fragility and morbific state of man's life depends or ariseth a● well from the active, principles of vitality, declining, spending, and hastening to a period, ex nat●…ae imbecillitate; 〈◊〉 detrimento ab extra: as also from th● passive principles of man's composition constituting the Fabric and organic parts, being subject to dissolution, disjunction, and decay. If so, as it is mo●… true, than Physicians need not so muc● insist upon, and mire themselves to find out Diseases in the superfluous humo●… and excrements of man's body, which 〈◊〉 the producted matter, and requires only evacuation; but chief to eye the principles of our vitality, which are t●e spri●… from whence Diseases take their rise; requiring restauration, reduction to the integrities, roboration and confirmation.   

Of a Consumption Atrophy, Tabes Anglica.  
THe word Atrophia is a Compound of a privative or rather diminutive and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nutrit●… signifying non-nutrition or little nutrition▪ This is very frequent with us in England, the s●…re have given it a peculiar title, and call 〈◊〉 Tabes Anglica.  
By an Atrophy you are to understand a leanness, diminution or decay of the body from a frustrated nutrition.  
Not a few there are, who enjoying their health, at least not complaining of any manifest infirmity, and eat their meat indifferent well: yet do not thrive in their bodies, but pine away and grow lean, thin and weak: What secret causes there ar● to deprive the body of nutrition, we shall endeavour to detect and discover, that a right course for Cure may be instituted.  
A Consumption Atrophy is either universal, when the whole body languisheth, by reason of some principal part that is ill affected; or particular, when some part only decays, diminishes and becomes weak, from a particular defect of that part.  
To know the causes of an Atrophy, is first to know exactly the causes and after what manner nutrition is performed, with the requisite Circumstances. The Philosopher saith, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Tria sunt requisite nutritionis, There are 3 things requi●… to nutrition, Quod alit, quo alitur, ●… quod alitur; Quod alit is the Soul; Q●… alitur is the food or alimentary matte●… Quod alitur i● the body.  
That which nourisheth as the pri●… efficient cause, is the material and mo●… Soul, under which the subordinate c●…ses, adjuvant and instrumental are inc●…ded, and do act.  
This principal efficient cause being ●…seminal production and corruptible, ●… subject to the deficiencies, inabilities a●… decays as other perishable bodies; fro● whence I shall draw this Conclusio●… That Consumptive Atrophies someti●… take their rise from the labefaction, a●… infirm radication of this vital principl●… that does senescere & tabescere, decline a●… waste, sooner or later, pro seminalium ●…positionum conditione: and therefore w●… need not wonder, that some persons 〈◊〉 their juvenile years and prime of th●… age, whose bodies are equally fabricat●… and organised with others, and laudabl●… preserved; yet decline and termina●… their course sooner than the accustome●… time of Nature: which if so, as it is tru●… and rational to affirm, than I must superadd these two Assertions:  
First, That the debility, infirmity and declension of the mortal soul, is upheld and preserved, 〈◊〉 ●xtra, by the fortitude and magnanimity of the rational; and therefore it is, that a cheerful, placid and vigorous soul, does bear up against many bodily infirmities, that a pusillanimous, dejected, drooping mind does sink under, and unable to bear; and gives advantage to their infirmities.  
Secondly, That the mortal Soul this vital principle, being extended per partes corporis, receiving its increment and decrement, and hability for operation, according to organical disposition and Crasis, is maintained and preserved, à sinistra, in power and well-being to act, by their integrity and aptitude for their subservient duties.  
The instrumental efficient cause is the Archaeus or vital Spirit, the Souls grand Agent in all the faculties serving to nutrition; which being deficient, weak and insufficiently supplied by an auxiliary influxed spirit, these faculties are languidly or depravedly performed.  
The next considerable about nutrition, is quo alitur: the nature of our food wherewith this nutrition is maintained: our bodies being in a continual tranpsiration, efflux, and emission, require● constant reparation, to preserve the b●dy rome decay and Consumption; a●… this is supplied by aliment or food ●…ceived, to be assimilated and conver●… into the substance of the body: but 〈◊〉 this food be improper or unfit in its o●… nature, or the circumstances attendi●… discordant and irregular, that this fo●… obtains not its due end for which it is ●…ceived, then instead of a good nutriti●… there follows an Atrophy, or Ca●…roph●… although the digestive faculties be stro●… yet if the food be alien and di●cord●… to that body, carrying in its nature fo●… noxious altering property, perhaps no●… man in specia, but to this or that ind●…duum, does act per modum medicam●… is as medicine to change the body, 〈◊〉 aliment to nourish.  
Food may be unfit for the body th●… ways or in three respects; either in 〈◊〉 substance, the quantity, or quality: 〈◊〉 substance I understand consistence, w●… it is gross, hard, or tough; so that the ●…paration of parts by fermentation is imperfect, and also a slower distribution in quantity food is injurious, when 〈◊〉 either too little, that the body decays i●… want; or too great, which causeth ●…structions, crudities and depraved nutriment; the digestive faculties not being able to elaborate it, but are oppressed and overloaded; non enim ingestis nutrimur, sed iis quae ingesta concequuntur, saith Menjotius; we are not to account of nutrition by the quantity and proportion of food received in, but according to the digestions, whether good or bad: in quality food offends, or is less nourishing, by exceeding not only in the first qualities, but in the second also: as too salt, too sour, sweet, etc. therefore according to the nature of our food and circumstances that attend it (caeteris paribus) is our nutrition good or bad, more or less.  
Some kind of Creatures there are that can live a long time without food, of which the Poet speaks: 
Tota mihi dormitur hyems, & pinguior illo  
Tempore sum, quo me nil nisi somnus alit.  Mart.  
But to man seven days fasting, according to Hypocrates, is accounted mortal; so that nutrition and life are Consorts, and have a mutual dependence upon each other: that Atrophia is not merely privative, but imminutive; not an absolute cessation from nutrition, but a diminu●…on; and therefore the Philosopher said▪ Nos tamdiu nutriri, quamdiu vivimus.  
Quod alitur, is the body; and here 〈◊〉 must take notice, that a body fit for nutrition must have a due crasis and orga●…zation, especially the principal parts: t●… body as to the figuration and fabricati●… of parts, must be rightly framed and ●…ganized, each part being right in statio●… figure and magnitude; ductures of Communication, for reception and emissi●… free and open; which if otherwise, d●…poseth the body to various diseases: an● therefore those which are gibbous, either back or breast, are most of them consumptive. The Spleen sometimes increases beyond its due magnitude, and robs th● rest of its fellows: and therefore Hip●…crates saith, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Vbi lien floret, ●…pus tabescit; 
L. de loc. in hom.  When th● spleen increaseth, the body diminishe●… Contumacious obstructions of the Mes●…tery, are sometimes the cause of an Atrophy: Worms do often defraud th● body of its nutriment and corrupt 〈◊〉 and therefore such persons do not thri●… in their bodies, but pine away and become lean: other diseases there a●… which may procure a Consumption Atrophy, whose causes are apparent: but there is an Atrophy frequent in this our Region, and therefore called by some Tabes Anglica, whose causes are more latent, and creeps on more slily; and few there are that know how to check and oppose it, (witness their medicines and method of Cure) because the rise of it is obscure and undiscovered.  
This Consumption is a wearing and pining away, without manifest cause; notwithstanding the body receives good food, but is not nourished, strengthened and improved by it. Several conjectures there are concerning the causes of this disease, but I shall not insist upon their opinions, being much beside the mark.  
This Consumption owns its origination and being from the Scurvy, and may well be called Atrophia Scorbutica, the Scorbutic Consumption; and he that is well acquainted with the subtlety of the Scurvy, will find it often palliated under the appearance of a Consumption: Eugalenus who hath observed the various phaenomena and disguises of the Scurvy, takes special notice of this Atrophy caused thereby. We will examine now how it com● to pass that the Scurvy appears in the shape of a Consumption, and how it is procured: And here I must inquire into the state and condition of the blood, which is the objectum circa quod, the matter of nutrition. Those of a h●… constitution, and whose blood is sharp and thin, do not feed and grow fat, b●… are spare, slender and lean, according to Hypocrates, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, prone to anger, and fierce in their passion: the alimentary liquors of the body being thus attenuated and made thin, are not so capable and fit for nutrition; because they have not ● balsamic consistence, and are circulated with a swifter motion, are carried away before there can be an adhesion and assimilation to the several parts.  
When the blood degenerates from is true balsamic state and requisite proprieties, the body is not nourished as it ought, but instead thereof an Atrophy, little or no nutrition; or a Cacotrophy, a depraved and bad nutrition is the consequent: when the nutritive faculty does reject or is weak and unable to assimilate, it argues the alimentary matter to be very bad, or the faculty to be much decayed and spent▪ and therefore a consumptive Atrophy, i● worse th●n a Cacotrophy or ill habit of body, where nutrition goes on and proceeds, though depravedly and of bad matter.  
In Scorbutic Consumptive Persons, I find a serosa colluvies, the blood to abound with a filthy serous or watery liquor, which is altogether unfit to nourish or be assimilated; for the blood in its due state hath a homogeneous balsamic consistence, by the fibrae wherewith it abounds and hath its concretion; but being deprived of these, there follows 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a separation of parts does ensue, and then the blood runs not entirely as before, but a degenerate colliquated serum abounds, unfit for nourishing: and for this cause many Scorbutic persons are consumptive; which Brunerus also observes: Scorbutus frequentissimè in atrophiam & tabem, quandoque in cachexiam melanch●licam, interdum in dysenteriam des●nit: 
pag 15.  The Scurvy, saith he, most frequently terminates in a Consumption; sometimes in a melancholic Cachexy or Dropsy; sometime in a Dysentery or Bloody Flux. Horstius and Martinius also do not let pass this Atrophy without d●e observation from whence it p●…d●… S●…us also takes notice of a Scorbutic Consumption; where he saith, Quibusdam crura Atrophia laborant, & ita gracilia redduntur, ut vix ossibus haerere videantur: interdum & totum corpus emaciatur, etc. 
Tract. de Scorb.  But Eugalenus relates particular cases of these Atrophies, which he frequently met with in his practice. 
Lib. de Scorb.   
I shall not here launch out in discourse of the Scurvy, having run through that disease, and made some new discoveries in a particular Treatise of that Protean salacious disease, whither I refer you for further satisfaction: here only I must inform you, that the Consumption Atrophy, which is so frequent with us in England, is the offspring of the Scurvy, which not being discovered or rightly observed in the process for Cure, hath caused many to fail in their expected success.  
For the Cure of this Tabes Anglica, which is a Scorbutic Consumption, Antiscorbutic choice Medicines are to be used, or you will find your endeavour frustrate and insuccessful, as thousands in this Nation by sad experience have found; who have languished and pined away, under a long and tedious use of restaurative B●oths, Kitchin-distillations, Jellies, and such kind of Cookery, when the radix of the disease hath not been touched by medicine, nor rightly understood: but aiming only at nutrition by great nourishers, not considering the spring from whence the Atrophy does arise, you feed the disease rather than eradicate it. Corpora impura quò plus nutrias, eò magis laedas. Aph. If the Scorbutic feculency be not removed, and the vital principles established and confirmed in the rectitude of their functions, by proper efficacious medicine; then your high and daintiest feeding instead of nourishing, turns to the worst and most degenerate matter.  Corruptio optimi est pessima. 
For diaetetick customs and rules, or the most legitimate use of the six non-naturals (so termed by Physicians) most requisite for your condition, you may learn in my Treatise of the Scurvy, which are general and applicable to the most Scorbutic cases; but if your condition be extraordinary from great weakness, or complication of divers symptoms, you must declare it, for a particular satisfaction answering the peculiarity and specialty of your case.  
For medicine I have not prescribed any here, for the reasons delivered hereafter.   

Of a Hectic Fever.  
IN the number of Consumptions a Hectic Fever justly deserves to be ranked: it is called a Hectic 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it possesseth the habit of the body. This kind of Consumption sometimes acts its part alone; but always accompanies a Phthisis or Consumption Phthisical: Much talk there is of this Consumption, but few there are that rightly understand the nature of it.  
A Hectic or habitual Fever, is an effervescency and inquietude of the Archaeus membrorum or innate vital spirit in the solid parts, procured by some offensive cause; whereby the rorid substance of the body is wasted, and nutrition frustrated.  
It is called a Fever Hectic or habitual, because it is more fixed and radicated in the solid parts then other Fevers, that are seated in the humours; and may well be called a Consumption, because it wastes the body and vital spirit.  
Sometimes it is the remains of a burning Fever, or other, a long Fever ill cured: sometime it is procured by long passions of a troubled mind, continually keeping the spirits in inquietude and disturbance. But of the causes hereafter.  
There are 3 degrees or gradual progressions of a Hectic Fever distinguishable, and to be known by certain signs or symptoms that discover them.  
The first degree or beginning of it is, quando humiditas aliment●ria tantum effervescit; when the body is not emaciated and grown lean, nor strength sensibly decayed; but there is a slow febrile heat manifested commonly in the palms of the hands, and feet; chief after meat: this is easily cured, but not so easily discerned, except by a skilful Physician.  
The second degree is an augmentation and increase of the first; quando ●…miditas alimentaria consumpta est, s●… 〈…〉 reparabilis; the body is lean, thin and poor; the intemperature of heat greater and constant, apparently at all times; with a quick sharp pulse; not so lively as before, but sluggish, dull, and indisposed to action either of body or mind: this degree is easily known, but not so easily cured; because a putrid Fever is joined with it.  
The third degree is, when the body is consumed and wasted that no flesh appears, but a dry wrinkled skin; the countenance changed, of a dead pale colour, and hollow eyes: this degree is called a Marasmus, or Hectica Marasmodes, accounted incurable; but I have seen some recover out of this deplorable condition, that have been my Patients.  
Physicians have divided the causes of a Hectic Fever into external and internal: External are all such as procure other Fevers, as vehement exercise, inflaming drinks and hot meats, immoderate excretions, as Diarrhaeas and Dysenteries, vehement passions of the mind, etc. Internal causes nominated are burning Fevers, or long Fevers; inflammation or ulcer of a part; or a putrid humour contained therein.  
When a Hectic Fever or habitual febrile heat is induced or procured, without any manifest cause, such as are before mentioned, you may conclude a latent Scurvy; that the blood, that vital stream is defiled, alienated and changed from its nutritious balsamic state; abounding with a saline, acid or acrid serosity, does provoke the Archaeus membrorum to disturbance and anger; and that calidum innatum which before was placid and amicable, does now effervescere, kindle and consume the substance of the body, and destroy its own work: as a Candle burns clear, quietly, and undisturbedly, so long as it is maintained with a sulphureous unctuous fit matter; but if it happen that Water, Vinegar, or such liquor comes to it, presently spatters, wastes, and is unquiet until it be overcome.  
In the enumeration of causes that generate a Hectic Fever, the Scurvy might well stand in the front, and lead up, as its proper place, being more eminent than the rest of its fellow●: Eugalenus, Horstius, and others allow the Scurvy to procure Fevers, continual and intermitting, Quotidian, Tertian, Quartane, Quintane, not excluding malignant and pestilential; and we may well put in Hectics, which it often procures, and will not be cured but by antiscorbutic Medicines: and therefore it is, that many linger under this Fever so long, because the spring from whence it ariseth and is maintained, is not found out: But you may farther satisfy yourself in my Treatise of the Scurvy, therefore I forbear to enlarge myself here.  
A Hectic Fever is constant, without accessions or paroxisms as other Fevers; save only that an hour or two after meat the heat is greater, and the pulse quicker, which is common to all that have this Hectic Fever.  
The question may be asked, what is the reason that this preternatural heat should continue so long and constantly, and how it is maintained, when other Fevers last but for a time, and yet procured by the same causes? to which I answer, A Hectic in the first degree is not of long continuance, nor difficult to remove, except the procuring cause remains in force and power: a Hectic in the second degree is of duration, and with difficulty removed, though the procatarctick or procuring cause cease and be suspended; because it cannot make this progress and arrive at this height before the constitution be much altered; that is, the natural balsamic state of the alimentary liquors of the body be much changed, and the Crasis of the parts alienated: the reduction of which is a matter of time, and that by the prudence of an expert Physician: but few there are that will have the patience to continue in such a due course as this requires; or will be so observant of the Physician's precepts in the diaetetick part, as also in the pharmaceutick, without which no good will be done; and therefore it is that many linger under this disease a long time, and some until their death: but a Hectic in the third degree is seldom or rarely cured, (which most Physicians account incurable: the reason I judge to be this;) because the fermenting distinguishing Crasis of the principal parts is obliterated and razed out; so that there is no fermenting and vital transmutations or previous digestions, to bring the aliment so near the nature of the body, that it might be assimilated into the substance thereof; but only receives a corruptive and depraved alteration, not a perfective progression for nutrition; so that the body does daily pine and waste away, and strength decay, until the little remainder o● spirits be suffocated in a putrid carcase.  
Before you enter upon the cure of a Hectic Fever, you must consider the rise of it, what was the first procuring cause, and whether such procuring cause yet hath influence upon the disease; which if so, must first be removed: for if a Hectic Fever be introduced by immoderate exercise, watching, or vehement passions; these must first be suppressed and changed, or you labour in vain to cure the Hectic caused thereby.  
Consider and be sufficiently satisfied whether this Hectic Consumption be primary, or hath its dependence upon another disease seated in some part of the body: for, if a Hectic takes its rise from another disease, as an inflammation, or Ulcer in the Lungs or Kidneys, your endeavours will be frustrate in curing the Hectic, which is symptomatical, until you have first cured the other disease upon which it is founded, and from whence it is supplied and fomented; so likewise if it arise from the Scurvy, you must set about the cure of that disease.  
Know certainly whether this Hectic Consumption you are about to cure, be simple and solitary, or complicated with a putrid Fever: if simple, the indications of cure are fewer, coindicating and concurring; but if complicated, the indications are various, contraindicating and discordant; requiring great judgement and circumspection in the intenti●… of cure, lest while you abate the one, yo● do not augment the other: this is not th● work of every pretender to Physic, bu● one that is well graduated in knowledge▪ that is Doctor in Physic nomine & 〈◊〉 being expert in the diagnosticks of disease's, whereby their simple state, an● complications with others, are easily discerned and judged.  
For the cure of Hectic Fevers, as also other Fevers, most Practisers have recourse to Julips, Emulsions, and cooling drinks to allay and extinguish the preternatural heat, as the chief intention and greatest assistance in cure; and this because they are deluded in judgement concerning this febrile heat, taking it to be some exotic strange heat introduced in the body; or arising elementally from the predominancy of some fiery or sulphureous matter that must be quenched, as fire with water: Hence preposterously the most go about to reduce a preternatural heat, applying remedies à posteriori, to the producted heat, labouring to quench that, not discerning à priori, whence it does arise, and the occasional procuring causes; which being not understood and found out, at least neglected in curation, they labour in vain, opposing qualities with qualities, by a long and tedious contest, knowing not that natura est morborum factrix & medicatrix, as Helmont speaks: and therefore he that will cure, must cure radically and substantially, applying to the fundamental principles, which are disordered and irregular, and removing morbific causes; not qualitatively, superficially, and à posteriori, to the products: in satisfaction therefore to this point, I shall lay down this conclusion.  
That febrile distempered heat in man's body, ex Archaeo irato surgens, being the aestuation of the Archaeus or vital spirit, manifesting its disturbance and insurrection at some peccant matter, does require sedation and allay; not by opposing the consequential heat with coolers chief, but by removing the morbific cause, which is hostile and injurious to this vital principle, provoking it (nisu expulsivo) to be in fury (ut ign●scere videatur), from whence preternatural febrile heat does arise: which if so, as 'tis true and rational, than the common course of curing Fevers by Juleps, Emulsions, and other cooling Medicines aiming at an allay and suppression of this heat, is erroneous; for if heat whether natural or preternatural does emanare, proceed from this vital principle, as a distinguishing character of its state and condition (as certainly it doth,) then the application of a medicine to check this, is a levelling at the vital principle, not at all aiming at the morbific cause; and in so doing is violence offered to Nature, damping and suppressing its fortitude and courage in resistance, instead of exterminating the hostile and injurious matter, mir●… a or foams morbi, which is the cause of this reluctance, perturbation and struggling of the Archaeus: and therefore this intention only or chief by refrigeration is a retention of the Fever (which is not nuda caloris tempestas, sed materia occasionalis) fixing the febrile matter, that it is not so fit nor easily proscribed by transpiration or otherwise, and protracts the disease. Yet I would not be mistaken herein, but do allow such refreshing coolers as the Patient's inclination does crave, and finds benefit by; yet not to lay the stress of the Cure upon the contest of heat and cold.  
Having laid open briefly what a Hectic Fever is, the causes, and declarative signs, both proper, gradual, and distinguishing from other Fevers; it will be expected I should say something more of curation and preservation, for the benefit of those that are hectically inclined, as also such as are macerated and wasted thereby; so far as a general discourse will admit, allowing peculiar cases, and proprieties of individual constitutions, some variation.  
In chronic diseases the diaetetick part rightly observed, is of great advantage; but in a Hectic Fever is specially to be regarded. A sweet, clear air is of great advantage; it refresheth the vital spirits, promotes transpiration of putrid vapours, and is very helpful in the Cure: therefore it much concerns the Consumptive person, what place he lives in; and that he be advised by a Physician in this particular. At hot seasons of the year, be not abroad in the heat of the day, but then keep in cool places; parching heat is very injurious, by drying the body and lassating the spirits, both which your disease procures.  
Use little, or no exercise; except at the beginning of your disease, or when it is in the first degree, your strength will then allow it: but after the spirits are fretted, tired and enfeebled by their constant agitation and inquietude, motion or exercise provokes and aggravates: 
Motus omnis calefacit corpora; quies vero refrigerat.  but refresh them with rest and ease, which will cool and abate their aestuation and distempered motion.  
Cherish sleep, although in the day time; that will humect and moisten the body, and restore the lassated spirits: but lie not long in the morning, which retains excrements beyond their due time for evacuation, and heats the body.  
Watching and setting up late dries, and heats the body, by keeping the spirits so long upon their duty; and is very injurious to Consumptive persons.  
Avoid passions of the mind, which disturb and waste the spirits, exsiccate and dry the body; but endeavour a placid quiet mind, which refresheth and pacifies the spirits, and mitigates their febrile heat and aestuation: but cherish mirth, and recreate yourself abroad with pleasant company; and it will be of great advantage to you in regaining your health and lost strength.  
Bathing is good to cool and refresh the spirits that are grown hot and fiery; to concentre them and give them rest, that are tired by their continual aestuation; to restrain their efflux and emission, where transpiration is too great: but this is to be understood of a cold Bath only, which does repel and drive in.  
Concerning drink take this Caution, That you load not yourself with sma●l Beer, Barleywater, and such slops, thinking thereby to quench your thirst and cool your body; for thereby you overthrew your stomach which must carefully be preserved, and abate nothing 〈◊〉 your heat: but be moderate in drinking, yet drink to satisfaction and refreshment●… let it be indifferent strong, and sometimes a glass of Wine, which will not injure you in respect of heat, but revive and cheer the drooping spirits, and give strength to the languishing faculties: but it is the common opinion and practice of Physicians, severely in Hectics and most Fevers to forbid all strong drink and wine, as a great aggravater of their disease, and not to be permitted. But this ariseth from some of their false principles in Physic, and a wrong notion of Fevers, which would take up too much room in this place to discuss: I shall therefore refer that to another opportunity. I remember a story related by a learned Physician in his own works, of a Nobleman that was long sick of a Fever, and strictly forbidden wine by hi● Physicians, though much desired by him; yet did forbear in obedience to them, and observed all their rules; notwithstanding continued lingering in his disease: It happened that a servant of this Lords being in drink, ●ame into the chamber; his Lord asked him what he had been drinking that made him so drunk; he answered Claret-wine, such as he had in his Cellar; and withal desired his Lord that he would drink but one draught, and it would recover him he was sure, or let him be hanged if his Lordship was the worse for it. This Lord being something cheered at the merry talk of his servant, commanded him to give him a glass of wine; when he had drank that, was so well pleased and refreshed with it, that he called for a second and drank it, and then a third; after which his spirits were drowsy, and he lay down to sleep; that night he slept very quietly, and the next day was very well, and his Fever gone: so he dismissed his Physicians, and well rewarded his servant for his advice: And concludes the story; Ecce quam noxia saepe est Medicis pertinax scholasticae methodi custodia & probrosa; aegris autem damnosa!  
For eating observe the inclination of your stomach; let no body impose upon your natural appetite, artificial broths that are not acceptable nor desirable: 
Quanto juc●ndius few it quoth quis com●dit, i●… tanto utique fit illi magis nutriens.  but if your stomach delight in fine restaurative broths, it is good food and proper for your condition, if prudently appointed: but some there are though weak stomaches will better agree with a piece of mutton or beef, than the lightest dis● you can invent; and many being tied up from the meats they love, by the prohibition of their Physician, have lost that little stomach they had, and received much prejudice thereby; not remembering the Aphorism, Paulo pejor sed suavior cibus & potus, meliori at ingrato praeferendus.  
Here are many questions yet in this diaetetick part to be answered, but are more proper to be resolved in peculiar cases of this or that person; and that which may be allowed to one, may not to another: therefore I must forbear until I receive a particular account of their condition.  
Having done with the diaetetick part accommodated generally to this disease, Pharmacy in the last place comes to be handled.  
And here I must take notice of a great error and folly of our Physicians, that prescribe nourishing Clysters to Consumptive and weak people; and for that purpose do appoint the best restaurative broths they can invent to be given by Clyster; thinking that way to nourish their Patients, when their weak stomaches are not able to digest, nor longer able to endure the loathsome notions and dyet-drinks: but how ridiculous this is, may common reason judge▪ It is determined, and 'tis very true, that the first digestion of our food in the stomach 〈◊〉 the groundwork of the subsequent digestions; and an error in the first is not corrected by the second: if then a deficiency or fault in the first, be so great as not to be amended afterwards, what then do you think of no digestion at all? that must be much greater and produce worse effects: such is your nourishing Clyster, that never had any digestive transmutation in the stomach. What do you judge of a Lientery? you say that is a flux or looseness, caused from indigested meat; when the stomach by default transmits' to the second digestive office, crude indigested meat; the parts that receive it afterwards do not close with it, nor embrace it as their nutrimental object, and therefore do not set about to elaborate, digest and perfect it, but with indignation reject it and throw it out: What can you expect then from this Clyster-broth, that never had any digestion in the stomach, but a rejection by all the parts; no fermenting praevious transmutation for nutrition, but a corruptive alteration, from a forceable not a natural retention? Natura nihil fecit frustra; Nature did not appoint the stomach so indifferently, as that we might live without it, or receive any nourishment by our food, until it had first passed that necessary, praeparatory and digestive office. Natura non agit per saltum.  
Besides, what do you think of a mes● of dainty broth, mixed with man's excrement? could you expect that Nature would be pleased with it, or satisfied or nourished? Such is your restaurative Clyster, that so soon as it is injected, mixeth and is defiled with your excrements; nay more, the stercoraceous ferment of the lower guts, gives it a cadaverous transmutation, and the smell of it is worse than common excrement, if it stay long in the body.  
Nature will not be supplied with nourishment, but by the good old way of her own institution and appointment; and therefore it were much better, you would set about the improvement of medicines, advancing them to the greatest energy, in the capacity of Nature, by sedulous repeated preparations and trials, with your own inspection and labour; without which there is no true knowledge of medicines, but deceitful traditional notions, that fail you, and delude your Patients in the performance of Cures. Your pains herein (and it is you● duty) would largely be recompensed, with real satisfaction and judgement in Pharmacy, much confidence and reliance on you from your Patients; greater and more frequent success; fewer miscarriages and disasters: but one great obstacle to this laudable work is, that intermeddling with medicines, farther than a prescription, is accounted (by fools only) below the title of a Doctor, and that it looks something like a Quack or Mountebank to deal in medicines; this is for Physicians only of the lower rank, but the grand Doctors scorn this peddling way of practice: But let me tell you, if there be any such that think it a derogation and lessening of them to inspect and undertake the care and charge of preparing medicines, that Hypocrates, Libavius, Paracelsus, Que●…etan, Helmont, etc. the most renowned Physicians we read of, and to whom we are all obliged for their Labours we now profit by, did not think the preparation of medicines a work below them, but a duty incumbent on them, in which they were sedulous: and he that through simple pride or laziness, hath not bestowed some time and pains to be well informed and acquainted with this employment, I dare pronounce him a Physician of no value; for it is not notion and talking, but good medicines that perform the Cure; without which your Learning is deceit: and I must say, an expert skill in medicines (not by book-reading, but) by ocular and manual preparation, is the most necessary part of Physic to complete and dignify a Physician; and that a Physician had better be defective in any thing belonging to his Profession, then in this; for he that is expert in medicines, though his other parts and reading be but mean, shall outdo in Cures, the best disputant and best read man in this faculty that practiseth but with ordinary medicines. A good medicine helps very much a bad Physician, and finds out the disease (by its universality) when he cannot: but a poor common medicine is not mended by the grave and learned discourse of the Doctor; non verbis sed herbis. But let us inquire who is like a Quack; the Physician that prepares his own Medicines, or he that prescribes only to the Apothecary: A Quack is such a one that pretends a great knowledge in Physic, but hath little or none; such a knowledge have you (prescriber) in Medicines, that never made any: And I am ashamed to speak it, many of the Drugs you prescribe, you know not when you see them; but hope well, that the Medicine will be made up secundum Artem.  
He cannot truly be called a Doctor of Physic, that is scarce a Scholar in Physic, for Medicines are not learned by reading, but by practice in making. The ancient Latin Phrase may inform you something, Medicinam fecit, hoc vel illo loco; he practised Physic in such a place; he made Medicines, he did not prescribe: nor is he fit to prescribe that cannot make; for I am very sure, his knowledge is very small in Medicines: therefore the prescriber that hath only a traditional knowledge from Authors in his Library, must subscribe to the Maker, for he is able to teach him, and correct him in his erroneous prescriptions: Now whether deserves the pre-eminence, and who is more worthy to be esteemed in our Profession, let common reason judge.  
But this discourse falls in as a Parergy, therefore I wave it, and return to my purpose.  
For Medicines proper to be used against this Disease treated on, I have not prescribed any here, and that for good reasons: First, that I might not be injurious to the professors of Physic, to whom only such secrets are to be committed, and not to prostitute this noble Art to base illiterate practisers, who are in no wise able to advance, but contrariwise to disgrace this Profession, and abuse the sick.  
2ly Good Medicines by unskilful, negligent, or covetous persons, not giving Medicines their due preparation, in bestowing that cost, labour and time as aught, defames a good Medicine, and brings a disrepute to the Author or Inventor.  
3ly The Diseased, though ingenious and industrious for hi● health, is not accommodated to prepare such a Medicine, requiring Furnaces. Glasses, and m●…y Utensils, whi●… wou●… 〈◊〉 exce●d the cost of the M●…e tha● he m●y ●…y it for, without further hazard or trouble.  
4ly It was not any intentio●… and purpose to teach 〈◊〉 the ●…actice of Physic, how to make Medicines to cure your selves or others, to undermine the professors of this faculty; no, go to your Physicians for Medicines; as they are an Order of men most necessary and useful, designed and educated for this purpose; so let their practice be entire to themselves, as you would have your own Trade● and Arts to yourselves: nor shall I encourage or inform any pragmattick person, that would be prying into the arcana's of this Art, that is not qualified and legally inducted: Procul hinc, procul este prophani, sacra enim medicina res est.  
Thus far I shall go, and be helpful to you in this, which is no small satisfaction and advantage; to inform you of your Disease, what causes, and how procured, what signs that discover it in being and gradual progress; in what part chief seated; what danger you are in; how to order yourself in your daily and necessary custom, that you may not aggravate and heighten your infirmities, by your imprudent government & inadvertency; but on the contrary, by good rules and warnings, you may check your Disease, and keep it under: this is sufficient and enough for you to know that is not a Physician; nor is it against charity to conceal the rest● as for Medicines (for the reasons aforesaid) apply yourself to such an able Physician that is industrious and expert in preparing choice Medicines, that makes it his great design and daily labour to acquire noble efficacious Medicines; but if you be unacquainted with such, or know not whom to apply to, upon a due information of your Disease, I will supply you with such Medicines of my own preparation, as your condition requires.   

Of Consumptions Phthisical.  
BY Consumptions Phthisical, I mean all such as have any internal part ulcerated, or putrid and rotten: The word Phthisis as it is commonly used, denotes an exulceration of the Lungs only; but may properly signify another part so affected; as the Liver, Kidneys, Mesentery, etc. The Lungs being a soft tender part is more easily invaded, and a breach made sooner than upon other parts that are more solid and firm; and in this part we find Consumptions more frequently radicated, and primarily ●…t●d.  
These Phthisical Con●…p●… are generated, ei●… by some ac●… humour corroding the part, having f●…quent transition that way does by time fret and excoriate; or by the apertion or ●…pture of a vein; from whence extravasated blood does putrify and corrupt the adjacent parts: according to Hypocrates, A sanguinis sputo puris sputum, à puris s●uto tabes: or thirdly, by a deficiency of transmutation when the vital principles of the parts are debile, weak or alienated, does not assimilate the nutriment brought thither for its supply and maintenance; but è contra, does suffer it to degenerate, infest the part and putrify; from thence a Phthisical Consumption of that part soon follows, and by degrees is communicated to the whole body. The reason of it appears thus; after all the praevious digestions and alterations of aliment received, in the public offices which administer to the whole, there is also an ultimate and proper digestion in every part, whereby it converts and assimilates into its own nature and substance such a portion as is fit to nourish and maintain it: but if this digestive innate faculty of transmutation and assimilation be deficient, alienated or extinct, then that which is brought to the part to nourish it is corrupted and vitiated; which if the robur and strength of the part be not able to expulse and carry off, does then invade and corrupt that part, with a tabifick and consumptive impression.  
Though all the visecra be liable to this Tabes, yet I find Consumptions of the Lungs most frequent, as being most obnoxious to external and internal injuries: First, quia ce●…rri●è ass●citar ab extrinseco irrite●t●…, because the Lungs are more subject to assaults ab extra; and chief from a bad air and tetrid vapours that sometimes set such impressions, whereby the Crasis of the Lungs are depraved and altered, so that the succus nutritius which should nourish them, is perverted into an excrementitious foul matter, clogging and loading the parts for respiration. Secondly, the Lungs are more apt to decay because of their soft spongious nature, are more apt to imbibe and receive an exotic ferment, more easily penetrated and eroded then other more solid resisting parts; as also less able to retain their native goodness.  
For this cause the Lungs are more frequently the foundation and part primarily affected in Consumptive persons; yet all persons are not equally subject to this Consumption, but some more inclined than others, ex viti● 〈…〉 by an innate bad Crasis and Cons●…ion, à primo ortu centracta, radicated in the seminal matter; which secret in●…scernable deficiency cum tempere ma●…s●it, does by time appear and explicate itself as other seminal p●…rietie: now this natural propensity is ●…tarded or promoved, according to external occasions and provocations, and shall manifest itself sooner or later according to your regular diaetetick customs and accidents.  
Having spoken something of the subject part, we will now consider the antecedent and continent cause: and here we must take notice of the alimentary liquors of the body, their degeneration, deviation and extravasation; from whence many Consumptions do arise and are generated. Bodies of a sound and good constitution, living laudably according to diaetetick rules prescribed, in the right use of meat and drink, sleeping and watching, exercise and rest, passions of mind, etc. do preserve the integrity of their natures, and ability of their faculties much longer than those who by accident, or a careless irrational course of living receive much detriment and decay in their bodies: the stomach abused by meat and drink, alienating the digestive ferment of that part, leaves its wont integrity and performance of office; from thence a vitiated digestion follows, which continuing is manifested by an ill savour in the mouth, or unwonted taste, bitter, sour, foetid, etc. flatulency, eructation or nauseousness: but the ill effects and their fi●m are not confined here, but are transmitted into the mass of blood, producing a degeneration and change there also; from whence Consumptions, and various infirmities arise in several parts: sometimes it makes impression upon the Lungs, discharging its acrimony and eroding saltness upon that part: sometimes upon another; not long confined within its own ductures and channels, but by apertion or erosion is extravasated, and invades the parenchymas of the viscera, with a tabifick impression.  
The acid impurities that flow with the Blood, so long as they keep within their rivulets, do not so much molest, nor are so easily detected; but being separated and extravasated, whether per anastemosin, diapedesin, or per anabrosin, the parts whitherto such matter takes its course, and by which it passeth, is made very sensible of a strange unwelcome guest; witness the dolorous pains of the Gout, of the Teeth, venereous and scorbute pains in the Head, Limbs, and habit of the Body; gripping of the Guts, when Nature per diacrisin, hath separated that hostile matter, and brought it thither for extermination; vellicating pains of the Back, counterfeiting the Stone, but caused by an acrid serosity; violent coughing, and painful irritations of the Lungs; punctures and pains in the Breast, the forerunners and warners of a breach and Consumption there. These and many more such like pains in divers parts are caused from a degenerate acrid humour, extravasated and expulsed from place to place, does chief invade and infest those parts, whose innate robur and strength is too weak and unable to resist the assault, or by organical disposition and aptitude is liable for the reception. In this deviation and inconstant residence of morbific humours, the Lungs is frequently infested; sometimes with extravasated blood, which if not timely expectorated, does putrify, and lays the foundation of a tabes; or a saline corroding serous humour, which by excoriation invades the tender Lungs, and an Ulcer is planted there.  
If we make inquiry into the causes of Phthisical Consumptions, we shall find a phthisis of the Lungs may be procured several ways, or from these causes: First, Domestica indispositio, a bad Crasis of the part; that is, a tender infirm constitution of the part apt to decay and corrupt and this is either native, or hereditary, from the first constitution and fabrication of parts by seminal matter; or adventitious, acquired by time, through a bad air, noxious fumes, accidents, and evil living, disposing the Lungs to a vicious depraved constitution. Secondly, by the accrimonious saltness of humours, fretting and exulcerating them. Thirdly, by the apertion, rapture, or erosion of a Vein; which extravasated blood lodging there, does putrify and corrupt the Lungs. Fourthly, by an Imposthume in the adjacent parts breaking in upon the Lungs; as by a Pleurisy, Squinance, Inflammation of the Mediastinum or Diaphragma; and therefore Hypocrates said, Empyema si 40 dierum spatio per sputum non repurgetur, in tabem degenerate, quae mortem accersit. Aph. 15. Sect. 5.  
Causes also external do promote and concur much to the generating of a Phthisis in the Lungs; and here you must take notice of the air, by whose intemperateness and impurity the Lungs contract an evil disposition and alteration of its Crasis: and this we observe in some places, that the air does procure and promote a Phthisical Consumption of the Lungs more frequently; and that the air of another place is more preservative and curative: therefore the Phthisical person is to consult the Physician what place is best for his abode, whether it be for prevention or recovery: For this cause, great Cities being much annoyed with unwholesome fumes and vapours, from Sinks, Privies, and Chimneys, offensive nasty Trades, etc. made London abound with Phthisical Consumptive persons more than half the Nation besides; and from Consumptive Parents a numerous progeny of the same kind is propagated. Society also is to be regarded; and you must not frequently converse with a Phthisical person, whose unwholesome breath may infect the sound, by drawing in the putrid vapour that the other breathes forth: but above all, a Phthisical Bed-fellow is most dangerous to infect a sound person, and chief to be avoided.  
Certain seasons of the year, and constitution of the air, though in the same place, are worse than other; as the Autumnal Quarter is the worst, and Phthisical persons do most decline at this season, and are worse in moist foggy weather, then in a dry clear open sky.  
That you may not be surprised, but have some warning of this Disease, and characters to know it by, I shall set down some signal tokens whereby you may discover it afar off; and certain marks to know it by, when fixed and seated in its proper place.  
Consumptions in their first approaches tread very softly, that you are not so sensible of their invasion; but having gained some footing, are more bold to awake you, and appear in the breach and decay of your wont health and strength: a long time perhaps you carry this secret enemy in your bosom not discernible but by the sagacious judgement of a very able Physician; but when you find some unwonted alterations in your body, of which you cannot determine, what or whether they tend, look out betimes, apply yourself to the most skilful of our Profession, that by his timely advice and prevalent Medicines, you may obviate and stop the proceed of a secret destroyer.  
Obsta principiis, serò medicina paratur,  
Cùm mala per longas, invaluere moras.  
The forerunners and warners of Consumptions are many, declaring a degeneration and change of the constitution; as, bleeding at the nose often; signifying the blood to have lost some of its balsamic consistence, being grown thin, sharp, or hot, will not be confined within its rivulets, but opening its own ductures gives vent and issue.  
2ly Spitting of Blood imports the like, and is procured by the same causes.  
3ly The Spittle which before was sweet or insipid, is become salt or sharp, denotes the vital stream to be degenerate, from whence it proceeds; for as the Blood answers the Chyle, so the Spittle answers the Blood, the one depending upon the other.  
4ly Frequent and often spitting, not provoked by any manifest cause.  
5ly A constant Cough, provoked by a sharp rheumatic matter.  
6ly The Spittle viscous, tough, or brought up in gobs.  
7ly Short and weak breathing.  
8ly The habit of the body not so plump, firm, and hard, fleshy; but unwonted softness, flaccidity, and looseness of the flesh, upon the Arms, Thighs, or Legs.  
9ly The complexion not so good: that person which before was fresh and clear, is become more pale, brown, or ill coloured; may conclude the limpid vital streams are defiled, impure, and muddied.  
10ly The ●…lse weak and slow; or weak, labouring and quick.  
11ly Weariness, w●…ness, and indisposition to as●…n; the spirits not so lively & brisk a● before, but sluggish and dull, given to much sleep, the vigour and strength of the body gins to abate, when the Blood, the treasury of vital spirits gins to be alienated and changed from its wont purity; such as the Blood is, such are the spirits from thence extracted; the purer the blood is, the more vegete and lively is that person: but when the blood is changed, dispirited, flat, and sour, the man that before was active, merry and lightsome, is now clouded, dull and indisposed to mirth or action.  
12ly If the transpirations and breathing sweats of your body, which before were not unsavoury, are now of a stronger scent and unpleasant odour, argues the humours of the body to be degenerate, soul, and putrid.  
Some of these signs are sufficient to give notice of a Consumption approaching, and the degenerate inclination of your body thereto; which being timely looked after, and consulted, may more easily be prevented; Aegrius ejicitur quàm non admittitur hostis; but being neglected, proceeds and gains strength, grows more incorrigible and dangerous; not to be reduced commonly, but by an extraordinary prudent course of an expert Physician, and the best of Medicines: the signs are these.  

1. Pain in the Breast.  
2. A sharp vehement Cough.  
3. Spitting of purulent matter.  
4. A faetid cadaverous scent of the Breath, with difficult and short breathing.  
5. Fainty Sweats.  
6. A continued Looseness.  
7. A putrid Fever.  
8. Debility and weakness of all the faculties.   
Some of which do properly belong to Consumptions of the Lungs, the rest are common to Consumptions that arise from other parts.  
Be careful in the observance of diaetetick Rules, as the judgement of your Physician shall appoint you; concerning the air, meat and drink, sleeping, exercise, evacuations, and passions of mind; and herein diaetetick observation is of great concernment, for alteration and reduction of the Constitution to a good state, which for the most part hath degenerated by irregularities and enormities in the same.  
Now every Consumptive person is to be regulated in the fix non-naturals rehearsed, peculiarly and properly, pro re nata, upon the relation and account given of the Sick, which as the case requires will be different; and therefore I shall be brief in my prescripts herein.  
Generally a clear, sweet, dry air, in high and gravelly grounds is best; especially when the Lungs decay by an over-moist, spongious, flaccid, and soft disposition; but if of a hot dry withering condition; a moister air, and the Valley is more agreeable: but if you be forced to live in a place injurious for the air, that promotes your Disease, and consumptive inclination, you must correct that by Art, and help yourself with proper fumes and evaporations in the house, as the case requires: but concerning the air, in relation to health and sickness, read in my Tutela Sanitatis, where you may receive farther satisfaction.  
In the choice of meats, eat such as are of light digestion, good nutriment, and grateful to your Stomach, not over salted, spiced, or dried; no said or broiled meats, no Piecrust, or bread crust. But for general rules in the choice of meats and drinks, my Tutela Sanitatis is large, whither I refer you, that I need not repeat here: from thence you may collect what is most agreeing to your case, being here informed of the nature of your Disease, and how procured. 
Tutela Sanitat. page 22, 23, etc.   
Also in my hygyastick precautions to a choleric constitution, that precept for the most part will agree with phthisical Consumptions: 
page 45.  Milk, when the body is cleansed, is proper food to nourish, and for at temperating the heat and acrimony of the Blood; but the body being foul, and when abstersion is more required, the whey of it is better; the coagulating and unctuous parts being separated.  
Jellies and restau●…tive Broths-before the use of good Medicines, do but clog the body, and increase the foulness; but after a due course of Medicines, are profitable for such whose stomaches do agree with, and desire them: therefore the practice of such are to be condemned, who presently upon the name of a Consumption, f●ll to ●reat nourishers, high and plentiful feeding.  
Be moderate in sleeping, and go to bed seasonably; the spirits are thereby refreshed, and the acrimony of the blood allayed; but watching tires the spirits, heats the body, and exasperates sharp humours.  
In the beginning of your Disease, use gentle exercise; but when it is confirmed, and strength much abated, take your ease, and forbear all violent motion, which fires the spirits, and is very injurious.  
Avoid all passions and disturbance of mind, the greatest enemy to a consumptive person; but endeavour cheerfulness, tranquillity, and a sedate spirit, a great preservative from a consumptive inclination, and a necessary remedy in the cure: but concerning passions of the mind, and their several effects upon the body, the  Tutela Sanitatis will inform you; that I forbear to enlarge here.  
Concerning the smoking of Tobacco I must caution you, as a promoter of Consumptions Tobacco of late years is become as common as eating and drinking; and some there are who had rather refrain a meals-meat men th●… Pipe: but since the use of it, Consumptions abound and are much more frequent then formerly. I shall wave many circumstances concerning the custom of taking it, and only tell you the nature and effects of it. Tobacco is of a virulent nature, as those that first use it do find by the symptoms and effects, to be very like those that have taken some venomous thing; as Giddiness, Vomiting, Fainting; but the frequent use of it reconciles the great disgust that nature hath against it: as it is recorded by Historians, that Mithridates' King of Pontus accustoming himself to eat poison, could not be poisoned when he desired it: so Tobacco though abhorred by Nature, yet Custom makes it so familiar, that the ill effects of it do not appear presently; that nature is not so provoked, and sensibly moved by it; which puts the cheat upon all, thinking it then friendly and amicable, but by time does much alter the hate and condition of our Bodies. The fume of it is Narcotick, seizing the spirits, and alienating their purity: It is acrid and biting, ingrateful to the tender Lungs, drawing away the dulcet moisture, and leaving the remainder more fretting and acrimonious. Many take it to prevent Rheums, but you may observe none so rheumatic and phlegmatic as Tobacconists; and as it leaves a filthy taste in the mouth, so it sets a bad impression upon all the parts it reacheth; the Lungs and vital parts especially receiving the prejudice.  
Having made a progress thus far into Phthisical Consumptions, it remains I should give you something remarkable in the therapeutic or curative part.  
If the Disease be but approaching, and a propension thereto, correction and altering the mass of Blood secures you from the danger; but if it be already seated, and the Lungs ulcerated, more intentions of cure must be prosecuted, as abstersion and consolidation.  
To know whether your Disease increase or abate, during the cure and use of means, observe your Spittle, which will vary as you grow better or worse; if that which was soul become more pure, or consisting of several parts be equally concocted; that was saltish, is dulcet or insipid; that was  and ill savoured, is void of scent; that was with difficulty expectorated, is now easily brought up: these are good signs, and promise recovery; but the contrary are bad, and threaten death.  
Those that are consumptive by an hereditary right, derived from their Parents; are much worse, and with more difficulty preserved or cured, them those to whom it is adventitious; because it the former it is implanted in their nature, and seminally radicated, does grow 〈◊〉 to its height, and increase with the bodies; the other being promoted by some procatartick cause, may more easily receive a check and stop by good advice.  
Those that spit blood at some certain times only, if it flows plentifully, is less dangerous than those who more constantly: void strings of blood; because the former ariseth from an apertion of the Veins, the latter from an erosion and exulceration; besides, the former may proceed only from plenitude; the latter from great alienation and acrimony of the blood.  
Gentle purgation, per epicrasin, by proper Purgers are necessary and advantageous; but strong purgation, and virulent purgers (as Scammony, Coloquintida, Senna, Agarick, etc.) are noxious, and do exasperate; therefore great heed is to be taken in the choice and use of purging Medicines, else you do more harm then good.  
Sudorificks properly adapted and rationally used, are of excellent use against Phthisical Consumptions, whether imminent or present; for precaution, by depurating the blood from acrid serosities; for cure, by exsiccation also and healing, and transpiration of putrid humours.  
Dry Fumes, and moist evaporations rightly instituted pro re nata, as the case requires humectation or exsiccation, and to supply the defects of an incongruous and unwholesome air, are laudable artificial means, conducing to preservation or cure.  
In the performance of cure, if there be any urgent symptom, that first is to be regarded, whether it be spitting and voiding of Blood, a defection of Spirits, or vehemency of Cough; which being mitigated and relieved, you may then proceed radically, beginning at the foundation, and removing fomenting Canse● 〈…〉 the part affected.  
In comp●… 〈…〉, when contraindications 〈◊〉 cure do meet, as often it falls out in P●…h●… 〈◊〉, the ability and judgement o● the Physician is then most eminentl●●…quired in the use and choice of Medicines by moderating successively, or qualifying by commixture and allay, the thwarting intentions of Cure.  
The Galenick Medicines commended by several Authors are many.  
Trallianus boasts of many phthisical persons he cured with the Bloodstone, some extol syrup of Ground-Ivy, others syrup of Comfrey, and Conserve of Roses; some again commend the decoction of Guaiacum, Syrup of St. John's Wortflowers, and syrup of Tobacco: also the powder of Haly is practised by some, which is this; white Poppy-seed 10 drams, Starch, Gum Arabic, and Dragon, each 3 drams, seeds of Purslane, Mallows, Marshmallows, Cucumbers, Gourds, Citruls, and Quince, of each 7 drams, Ivory, Liquorice, each 3 drams; Penidies the weight of all; and made into a Powder, of which is given 2 drams every morning, in syrup of Jujubes, or pectoral decoction. But how insufficient these Medicines and such like are, to cure a Consumption, those only can judge that rightly understand what a Consumption is; and what a radical Medicine is, that's adapted, and does apply to the vital and fundamental principles; that is prevalent to resto●… their declensions, and reduce their irregularities to rectitude and integrity of operation.  
I have not set down here, the process of my own medicines, that I use in the Cure of Phthisical Consumptive people, being above the reach of those that are not Chemical Artists; and for the reasons given before, in the 74. and 75. pages.   

Of a Spermatick Consumption.  
THis kind of Consumption may seem strange in regard of the denomination being new; but it is very proper, and deserves this distinguishing title.  
By a Spermarick Consumption you are to understand, a decay and wasting of the body, from the expense and loss of sperm or seed; and this is either voluntary by immoderate coition and copulation, man with woman; or by self provocation to such an expense and emission: or else involuntary, a weeping and issuing without consent, or external provocation and allurement.  
First we will consider what this sperm or balsom of Nature is in both Sexes; that knowing the worth of it, how gradually it is elaborated and brought to its perfection, you may the better value it, be more sensible of the loss, and rightly understand how the detriment and decay does consecute and follow upon too large, and continued emission.  
I shall not here spend time in leading you through all the digestions of man's body that are praevious and preparatory to this ultimate elixirated matter, having done that in another place: but it is sufficient you understand that this spermatick succus being the last concocted and elaborated matter, is the cream and quintessence of the rest; having been defaecated and depurated in several offices of digestion; each of which does separate the feculent and inutile parts, transmitting the purer to receive the operation and perfection of the subsequent digestion: and therefore this spermatick succus is defined pars purissima, electissima & elabetatissima omnium partium animantium quae conferunt ad nutritionem; the purest and most select matter, graduated and refined by so many praevious digestions, which are as so many rectifications to subtiliate, purify and spiritallize it. This spermatick digested matter, though the last in order, yet it is prime in dignity; being the quintessence and purest part extracted from the rest, and may fitly be called elixir hominis or essential balsom. Now this elixerate choice matter which is elaborated and treasured up in the spermatick vessels, not only for use of the individuum, but also for propagation of the species, is not prodigally to be wasted, but necessarily employed for the purposes appointed by Nature: but if it happen from what cause soever to be expended more than nature does allow, and can well dispense with, damage does arise to the whole body, enervation and consumption upon the continuance, if not timely prevented and remedied.  
The danger and prejudice from such immoderate evacuations appears thus: For the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that it causeth great weakness and debility of all the faculties, every prodigal that hath foolishly expended Nature's Treasure, can seal to this truth. The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, why and how it comes to pass, that such decay is the consequent of it, appears upon these following considerations.  
First, From the commerce and consent between the Testicles, the Brain and spinal Marrow: the emptying of the former causeth an exhaustion, and a weakness in the latter; by drawing away the animal Spirits, which is their strength and vigour; and from this debility of the back, venereous wasting was called tabes dorsalis, a Consumption of the Back.  
Secondly, If you consider what this seed or spermatick substance is, the quintessence and purest part of our alimentary liquors of the body; the most refined and best rectified spirits, are extracted from the whole body, and drawn in by the spermatick vessels to impregnate and endow this sperm or seed: Now if it be so (as it is most true) that the seed or sperm is an extract of the finest matter, and spirit of man's body; and that the emptying of the spermatick Vessels puts them upon a new draining, and sucking of the body to fill again, and replenish their emptiness (as the Stomach when it is empty, desires to be filled again, and not lie idle): then of necessity it will follow, that too large and frequent emissions of this seed do exhausted and inervate the body, debilitate all the faculties, and bring a consumption upon the whole.  
Thirdly, The spirits are balsamic, and preserve the body from putrefaction; their exhaustion therefore makes the body liable to corruption and decay: and this is observable, that those who suffer such immoderate expense and loss, it at changeth their complexion from a fresh lively aspect, into a pale, brown, and sad countenance.  
Fourthly, From immederate expense of seed, and too frequent emissions, ariseth infaecundity and sterility; and that by reason the seed stayeth not, nor abideth in the spermatick elaboratory its due time for digestion, elixiration, and maturation; as also that the vis spermatopoietica, the spermatick ferment or crasis of those parts are changed, altered, and become barren, their native power being spent by too frequent emissions, and immoderate Flux; as Land is become poor and barren by being over-tilled.  
These truths being rightly considered, as it is rationally apparent, none wilfully (I suppose being thus warned) will be guilty in this kind: but it happens sometimes by inadvertency, natural debility or hazardous adventures with strangers in copulation, that a detrimental and consumptive issuing and dropping of Seed is procured upon man or woman, by straining beyond their strength; an unwholesome Bed-fellow, or a fluid indigested wateriness of the seed from weakness and debility of the genital parts.  
That which doth proceed from impure copulation, and is virulent, manifested by the colour, greenish, yellowish, etc. must have a peculiar cure, opposing that malignity and virulency wherewith the crasis of the spermatick vessels are tainted and stained; afterwards roboration and strengthening of the parts, to confirm their native crasis and spermatick power restored again: but if unadvisedly (as some ignorant practitioners commonly do) you stop the current and issuing of the seed, before there be a through purification, than the malignity is retained, and being stopped in the usual vent, regurgitates back, and is scattered all over the body, producing dolorous and very bad effects: and thus the common pretenders that boast of these Cures with speed and infallibility, leave their Patients in a worse condition than when they undertook them: and not only their method and intentions of Cure are irregular and injurious, but also their Medicines dangerous, or ineffectual for want of skill in pharmacy and Chemical Preparations, or a careless referring that charge and management to others. For my own part I dare not give a Medicine, but what I am an eye-witness to in the preparation, it being the great work and charge of a Physician so to do.  
But to return to my purpose; by too frequent copulation, immoderate straining, or the like, weakening the parts for generation, a profluvium seminis or Gonorrhoea, an issuing of seed may follow, which although your partner be wholesome, may produce bad effects and become virulent; for although the flux at first be mild and white, yet by continuance and neglect, does degenerate, becomes sharp and ill coloured, showing the pravity of its alienated nature: from whence a Cachexy or ill habit of body, weakness, consumptive leanness, and a much altered Countenance.  
This stillicidium seminis, involuntary dropping and wasting of seed in men is easily known; but in women often mistaken (and that by Physicians,) thinking it to be fluor albus, the whites; thereupon fall to bleeding, and purging sound, with base virulent cathartics, which exasperates and renders the disease more deplorable, and far worse to be cured after such rude dealing.  
But he that rightly understands the disease; that is filius artis in Chemical Pharmacy (as Dr. George Thomson, a true Spagyrist that labours propriis manibus for efficacious medicines) such I say, goes another way to work, by restoring Nature with roborating extracts and balsamic elixirated spirits: with which Nature closeth and receives amicably; by whose assistance the debilitated parts gain strength, concoct and retain what before passed away crude, watery and thin.  
This weakness is very frequent among the feminine sex; being more prone and apt to this wasting infirmity than men, from the difference of organization and fabrication of parts rendering them more liable; being the colder and moister nature, and the retentive faculty weaker: Some conceal this infirmity out of modesty; others neglect it as a trivial disease, that time will cure, not considering the ill consequents that this produceth; as great weakness of the brain and marrow of the back; debility of all the members, and trembling of the nerves, decay of the senses, and ●…ains of 〈◊〉 joints when they come into year●●…ri●…y and barrenness in some; or if they bear children, they are feeble, rickety, convulsive and diseased from their seminal principles; an ill habit of body, and change of the Countenance, bringing them into age before their time; a languishing and consumptive leanness, or a hydropic and unwholesome corpulency.  
These sad effects I have often observed to be procured by this secret wasting disease in many persons; the particular cases and circumstances I shall not recite for modesty sake, but caution all such as are threatened with it, to seek for the best advice and efficacious means in time; and not cheat themselves (as too frequently) with the usual notion of the whites, and the frivolous common medicines that women tell to each other. The medicines I use in the Cure of this infirmity both of men and women, as a restaurative essence, and roborating extract, are not here divulged for the reasons aforesaid; which I think will satisfy all that are reasonable, and for others 'tis no matter.  
I have now discoursed the several sorts of Consumptions proposed to be treated on in the front of this Book; and had not the late dreadful fire consumed my house and interrupted these labours, I had enlarged this work in several parts of it, and given you a fuller prospect into the matter: yet as it is, you may see a discovery of some necessary truths, that have been latent; and the foundation of these diseases that were undiscovered, are now laid bare and obvious to common reason. Our Predecessors in the disquisition and search after the causes of diseases, sought no farther than bad humours and dyscrasy of temperaments; which indeed are but the effects and products of morbific causes: but you have here seen there is a farther progress to be made, and that the foundations of diseases are seated in the vital and fundamental principles; upon which foundation the structure of this work is laid, and to which all the discourse refers: this is to demonstrate and lay open diseases radically and fundamentally; and here is a Physicians scope and aim, that will rightly assist nature, and effectually restore and help her, in the declensions, wastings and alienations of her vital and fundamental principles: this is the way to core radically and sound; the other is but superficial and palliative.   
FINIS.  

A Catalogue of Books sold by Tho. Basset under S. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet.  

A Treatise of the Scurvy: The second Impression Revised and Enlarged: By Dr. Maynwaring. Octavo. 1666.  
Tutela Sanitatis, sive vita protracta: Being wholesome Precautions in Diet and daily practical rules, for preservation of health and prolongation of life: With a Discourse of Fontinell's or Issues. By the same Author.  
Solamen Aegrorum, sive Ternarius Medicamentorum Chymicorum, ad omnes ferè morbos curandum (Galenica Remedia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eludentes) foelicissimè inventa Remedia. Authore Everardo Maynwaringo, Philosoph. & Med. Spagyr. Doctore.  
Nova medendi ratio: A short and easy Method of Curing; exemplified by a Ternary of radical Medicines, universal in their respective Classes: viz. Purgation, Transpiration, and Roboration. 1666.  
Loimotomia, or the Pest Anatomised: By Dr. Thoeason. Sold by Nath. Crouch in Bishopsgate-street, near Cornhill.    

USEFUL DISCOVERIES, AND PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, IN Some Late Remarkable Cures of the SCURVY.  
By E. Maynwaringe, Dr. in Physic.  Cognitio Sequitur Curationes. 
LONDON Printed by A. M for T. Basset under St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet. 1668.   

To the Diseased.  
IN vain it is to Discourse, and have the Nation of Diseases; unless also efficacious Medicines be found out to answer their Indications for Cure: Which to do is the most difficult and laborious part of Physic. And this we may conclude from the often frustration and disappointment of Medicines in their effects, after Learned Consultations and deliberate Determination of the Disease, Causes, Part affected, etc. rightly stated.  
Here is the great Check given to the Physicians Learning; and, until this trial of the Medicine, he receives no repulse, but goes on smoothly with Applause and boldly: but, finding his Medicine take little or no effect for the purpose intended, is then at a stand a while: But, being loath to receive a baffle from the Disease does prescribe another, and perhaps another after that, a fourth and a fifth, and sometimes many more if the Disease be contumacious and stubborn: and this some will call a Methodical course of Physic. But I shall not harp upon that string.  
This Disappointment is too often observed in the practice of Physic, and this arising only from ineffectual, languid erroneous Medicines, and how does this come to pass? but that the care and burden of this work rests upon those that are unable and unfit to manage it: or by trusting too much the credit of Authors and their traditional Medicines, either Galenical or Chemical; relying upon their authority, and the truth of their Writings, which have deluded and frustrated the expectation of many. And this I have observed in practical Authors and Pharmacopaeas' of both Sects, Medicines collected and borrowed from one another, and delivered thus f●…m hand to hand, none knows who first invented them; or whether any of them ever made or tried them, that highly extols and gives large encomiums of their virtues.  
That many of these are Delusions either in the process, or the efficacy of the Medicine, to my own cost and Labour, I have experimented, and must say with Helmont that great Philosopher, Vexatio parit intellectum and therefore do Caution othe●s, lest they suffer upon this R●…ck: but he that will purchase to himself excelling Medicines (being accomplished with literature, with the groundwork and Canons of the Art,) let him not tie himself up, or credit too much this or that Author, but follow the dictates of his own reason, confirmed and guided by collateral experiments; and herein a Physician daily exe cised shall in time attain to great knowledge and sat sfaction in Medicine; and purchase to himself If Medicaments of great worth and value: and this must be every Physicians proper Labour and daily endeavours, that ●ationally intends and rightly goes about to improve and advance the efficacy and power of Medicines, that they may have their praise and fame in the World, and the Physician much satisfaction and content in their wonderful Operation. It is not, Sitting in his Study alone and poring upon Books, but his own manual Operation and Inspection over his Servants, that gives the great stroke to the business; the other does very little without this, but both, must needs do well: and I must say and that justly; he that practiseth Physic, with a bea● speculative, traditional, and book-●eading knowledge of Medicines, is very unsk lful in the true fundamental knowledge of Medicines; and is as unfit to prescribe or appoint Medicines in hazardous or difficult cases, as he that by only reading of Navigation, is unable to manage and conduct a Ship to East-india.  
And this is reason to aver: for he knows not what a Medicine is, nor can he give a good and certain account upon his own knowledge, of the Nature of any Ingredient, but has all upon trust: This o● that man says it; the conclusion will not handsomely follow, Ergo, It is so. No wise man that can gain a certain knowledge of his own, will borrow at hazard of another; considering the untruths and Erorrs that are scattered abroad in most Writings; that he which lives only by borrowing thus, shall run himself out of credit and Reputation in his Profession, if blind Fortune be not very much his friend.  
'Tis most certain and true, that the Ingredients of any Medicine are not known by reading of them, but by their single and compound preparation, and separation of their constituent parts: and thus by handling, and Chemically dissecting their bodies, each part lies bare, and presents itself to your understanding.  
And farther; An Ingredient whether of the Animal, Vegetable, or the Mineral Family, changeth its Nature and Effect, according to the variation of its Consorts, with whom it is joined: that it is not the same compounded with this, as it is with that but works a different effect; because many times they act upon each other, subduing and moderating each others peculiar Nature, that a median nature does result: And therefore 〈…〉 and knowledge in the Physician is required, about the choice and conjunction of Ingredients: that he be able to look through their several Natures, to find out their similitude and repugnancy; their concord and disco●d: for hereby is known what properties will be advanced, and what depressed: and this an able Chemical Physician can discern, as having a perspective thorough knowledge, the other is but Exterior and Partial: and as the composition of Ingredients may alter and change their Natures; so likewise their various manner of Preparation singly, do change an Ingredient, that it is made this or that, as a perite Artist pleaseth, exalting, or prostrating and killing this or that quality, as his purpose requireth.  
And here by the way, I must take notice of the traditional and unprofitable account of Vegetables that our Herbals give; of which the Chemical Physician takes little notice, and is a small assistance and guide to him in the Election of Plants for his several Intentions. Being satisfied long since that Medicament was the most weighty and considerable part of Physic, and that a deficiency or error there, is a greater disadvantage and detriment to the Patient, then in the determination of the Des●…se; I di●…eage●ly apply myself to Medicin●… according to the ancient custom and general practice of the most learned and famous Physicians in all places; who we●e industrious Artists, diligent in preparing their own Medicines, until this later age) with as much curiosity as my knowledge could possibly direct. At first I was de●…rous to make Experiments, and be fully informed in Galenic Medicines, being grounded upon those Principles by my Academic Education, and was tenacious enough of that Doctrine, un●il a clearer prospect of truth did appear, gained by Observations in practical Philosophy, a serious ratiocination and strict examination of Principles and received Opinions: but being removed off that Basis, and confirmed by Chemical Trials relating to Medicine; I deserted the Galenic Medicines as inferior to what I discovered and was presented to my view, and ever since have laboured in Chemical Pharmacy, as being the most excellent way of preparing Medicines.  
S●me Objections are made by the Learned, and by the Ignorant, against Chemical Medicines; but to vindicate them from common slanders, and clearly to determine the difference between these and other Medicines, will take up more room than can be afforded in this place, and therefore must of necessity wave it, expecting an Opportunity hereafter, to ventilate that Subject: Only, by the way I must note that Chemistry suffers much, and is eclipsed in its reputation by some illiterate pretenders and bold fellows, not qualified Philosophically, but rudely intruding upon ●he Art, without a due preparation and legitimate induction brings scandal upon the learned, deserving Professors, and defamation to the Art, by Usurping the Title of Doctors and Chemical Physicians, that many are deceived by them, which are not able to discern the difference between a Doctor of Physic, and a crafty Empyric. But the ingenious Philosophical Artist, aught to be cherished and encouraged in his Operations and rational Trials.  
But t● my purpose intended: in my Treatise of the Scurvy, having traced that Disease from its Infancy, and Generation, to its full growth and strength, its chief places of Residence, variety of appearance and monstrous deformity; it remains, I should now propose some effectual means to check and sub●…e the prevailin power of this spreading Disease, that d●ily grows, and increaseth to the ruin and decay of Nature; being possessed and sea●ed in the Vital Principles, ●educing and Constraining them to enormity and defection from the regularity in which they were planted by Nature. And having strictly surveied the condition and nature of this Disease, with i●s variety of attendants a d additional strength, being ready to join with any Morbific cause, and be transformed; I was unwilling to sit down here and rest with a contemplative knowledge of this Disease, and leave the greatest pa●t of the work undone; the subduing and vanquishing of it by powerful Medicines: nor being willing ●o commit the remaining part to the industry and care of others (for good reas on) I have therefore laboured to form Medicinal Instruments to oppose this Contumacious Herculean Disease: and as fit means for this encounter, I prepared three Medicines of a different Classis and Operation, to meet with the variety of Symptoms, and Scorbutic Complications.  
In the Cu●e of the Scurvy, at least in most Scorbutic cases, there are three intentions of cure to be aimed at: the first is, Purgation or Cleansing to carry off that Scorbutic impurity or Degenerate Matter lodged in the Stomach and Bowels, deravin● and alienating good food da●ly received: Secondly, roborating and st en●thning the digestive Faculties which are debilitated and alienated from the integrity of their Offices; not only the Digestive Office of the Stomach, but the subsequent Digestions also: Thirdly, Depuration of the Blood, and cleansing the habit of the Body: Nature dischargeth herself from within, and sending daily to the exterior parts, those also must be tainted more or le●s, as the Symptoms will manifest; and therefore do require to be freed from feculency, and the Blood purified.  
To answer these three Purposes, I prepared three Principal Medicines, viz. Scorbute-Pills, Catholick-Elixir, and a Sudorific-Extract; These Medicines I have been reforming and improving alwost seven years, to advance their Effications, but most gentle and benign Operations. 
Dies diem docet.  And for, the better effecting this endeavour and aim, the constant and daily use of them in divers Scorbutic persons, attended with different Symptoms of the Disease, and complicated with divers other Diseases, gives great information and satisfaction to me, in the several accounts I receive of their Operations, b●th at home, and abroad, by Letters from remote parts of this Kingdom: whereby I am taught, which way and wherein 'tis possible to improve them and to give them as great a Latitude of Universality and extent of Operation, in their peculiar Classes, 
Nihil est simul & inventum ac perfectum.  as long experience and daily use, can dictate to their several repeated processes and trials of making, and this is my Study and daily experience in Chemical trials to improve these and all other Medicines I use in my Practice, that they may attain t● such perfection and energy, as Cito, tu●o jucunde, to relieve the Diseased, in the most contumacious Ma adies, and deplorable C●se●, remedible: hereby Medicines will gain greater esteem and the Art its deserved repute and Fame, if Physicians by their own care and pains (as they ought) would manage this Work, and be as Industrious and skilful in this, as in the other parts of their Profession.  
But occasi ns call me off from this Discourse: I must ●…sten to finish the remainder, which is a more part cular account of the Operation of Medicines in the Cure of ●his Disease; w●th some remarkable Observations in difficult Ca●es and dubious Complications, I have met with lately in Practise, of necessary Consideration to others in like manner Diseased.  
E. M. Med. D. London From my House in Clarken-well-Close.   

Of such Purgation and proper Purgatives, as is requisite in Curing the Scurvy.  
PUrgation or Cleansing is praemitted as a regular and due course in the cure of most Diseases; and it is instituted, chief to cleanse the first region of the body, and to carry off what superfluous or degenerate matter is to be voided by the guts: And this operation is necessary in the cure of most Diseases, though seated in other parts; for, although the infirmity lie not in the first region of the body, neither in the Stomach, Gall, Guts, Mesentery, Liver, nor Spleen; yet 'tis aggravated, if those parts be foul: and probably may be the original and foundation of those remote infirmities, by consent or transmission; nor shall medicine carry its virtue without impediment and abatement, or ●ood clearly conveyed to nourish the body; if those parts be foul, clogged and obstructed.  
Now to make choice of a fit and good Medicine, that will cleanse the Stomach, Guts, Mesentery, Liver, and Spleen, without offering injury to their peculiar Crasis or Ferments; that is, not to alienate them from their proper distinct natures, not to impress and stamp new qualities upon them; this is a Medicine you may freely use, and expect great relief from, in keeping the forenamed parts pure and clean; and such a Medicine is to be used in the cure of scorbutic persons: but if you use Purgers of a deleterious and virulent quality, that act per modum veneni; they will characterise their virulencies, and exotic adverse properties upon the parts, alienate and debilitate the ferments in their Functions and Offices; and the often use of them impairs Nature very much, though for the present sometimes alleviation does accrue from the evacuation procured, though by bad means; and of this nature, are most of the Purgers in use, as Senna, Coloquintida, R●uh●…; Hellebore, &c, having a laxative venom that stimulates Nature to expulsion.  
Since Purgation is thus necessary, and purgatives so choicely to be elected and chosen, not every medicine that causeth stools, but such as is also endowed with balsamic and amicable properties, no way injurious to nature; I have therefore been a diligent Searcher and Improver of such a Medicine, that may answer the intentions proposed: and by degrees of improvement in some years' time, by various alterations and trials, have perfected a purgative vegetable Extract, that fully satisfies and pleaseth me, in its manner of operation and effects: and this Medicine is my Scorbute Pills, so called, because primely intended and contrived for the most efficacious purgative medicine in all Scorbutic Cases. Now the Scurvy (as appears in the former part of that Book) is complicated and joins with all manner of diseases, Scorbutic Dropsies, Scorbutic Fevers, Asthmaes, Palsies, Gouts, Scorbutic Consumptions, etc. that a particular medicine for this or that humour, being too narrow, and not adequate to the latitude of the disease, will take no effect in many Scorbutic persons: but such as are radical and graduated in universality, are the powerful and laudable medicines; I have therefore framed and improved this Medicine to answer the intents of Purgation, in all Scorbutic persons and cases, and is the best purgative medicine, both in the manner of operation, and the effects, that ever I used, or read of.  
For farther satisfaction, and proof of this, I shall give you some brief Account of these Pills from my own experience and observation, in divers cases upon several of my Patients.  
They are effectually used against the defects and errors of digestion in the first second and third office: in the first, namely in all diseases of the stomach requiring purgation and cleansing downwards, and the bad symptoms arising from thence; as Oppression, Fullness, ●aus●…ing, Wind, Pain or Griping, Wo●m●●…s● of Appetite; in all these cases this medicine is very proper to cleanse and discharge the stomach, make it clean and 〈◊〉 for the reception of wholesome food, & not t●ll then can you expect good no ●…ment: if the stomach be soul, the nutriment conveyed from thence to support and maintain the body, must also be vitiated and impure. And here I must relate to you what happened to a Gentlewoman that had been l●…g in a Scorbutic Atrophy (a Consumption arising from the Scurvy) for some years, but not discovered; she was observed to droop and decline, and her Complexion change, and yet she complained not of pain in any part; she slept indifferently, but had little or no appetite to meat. Several conjectures there were concerning the cause of her languishing by Physicians, and others he● Friends, some said one thing, others another; tried this medicine, the● tha●; but all this while received no 〈…〉 last, she applied to me, and upon examination of the whole matter, I found her to be Scorbutical: I gave my judgement of her present state and condition, how and from what causes procured, and a Prognostic what whould follow if not prevented: whereupon she willingly resigned herself to my care, and to do what I thought sit, to restore her.  
At first I appointed her to lay aside her Dyet-drinks, Restaurative Electuaries and Potions (with which she had been loaded again and again) and to rest Ten days before I would give her any thing of Physic; in the interim to eat such meat as her stomach did like and best agree with, which pleased her well, she having been strictly tied up to a Dyer: at Ten day's end I gave her a Dose of these Scorbute Pills, one over night, and two next morning, which worked six times very gently with her that day; the night following she slept well, and the next morning I appointed her to take a Do●e of my Catholic Elixir sixteen drops in a spoonful of Sack, and likewise three mornings following, but increasing two drops every morning: her stomach now was something better, and she more l●vely: The fifth day I ordered her a Dose of the same Pills, which operated much as the former: and brought away two worms; fourdays following she took the Elixir, and the fi●th, a dose of the Scorbute Pills; & thus intermittingly she used these two medicines for the space of six weeks. At a fortnight's end, her stomach was much better both for appetite and digestion; at the month's end she was stronger and well able to go, very cheerful, and eat her meat with delight; her Complexion altered much for the better, and about the sixth week she improved in flesh, and began to be something plump and full; then I bade her desist from her Pills, but continue the Elixir, which so strengthened the digestive faculties, that she daily improved, grew strong, and in a short time obtained perfect health.  
To reflect upon this Story: Here was a latent Scorbutic Impurity that deadened the appetite, and what was forced down the stomach, did not digest, but degenerate; so that the body could not thrive, nor had the benefit of that little food received: but this vicious matter being carried off by a proper medicine, and the loaded tired parts refreshed and relieved b a generous spirituous Medicine; nature then revives and retu●…s to her wont duties, with that strength and regularity as formerly. I might instance in many cases parallel to this that I have met with in Scorbutic Patients; but I must be brief and proceed.  
Not only in Diseases of the stomach, but also in the subsequent Digestions; I have found these Pills most effectually Abstersive and Aperitive, opening Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, Mesentery and Guts; exonerating and discharging those parts of crude, coagulated, depraved fermenting matter, from whence arise pains and flatulent humours of those parts, Cachexies, or ill habits of body, Fluxes, Colicks, Hypochondriac Melancholy, etc. and here I must relate the case of a Patient, pertinent to this place, worth your observation, which was thus. A Gentleman, aged between Thirty and Forty, something studious and melancholy, complaining of pain sometimes in his left side under the short R●bs, sometimes in the other side opposite to it; sometimes he was Costive, a stool once in two or three days; sometimes Laxative, two or three stools in a day with some gripes and wind, his Belly often puffed up and distended, at which times he complained of a shortness of breath, straightness over his Breast, and difficulty of breathing like one that is Asthmatick: in the night often afflicted with frightful dreams and Palpitations of the heart; after this manner (with other Circumstances which I omit) he continued for the space of four years or there abouts; all which time he was not negligent in procuring help, nor sparing of his Purse (having wherewith to do it) but applied himself here and there for advice; some was of one opinion, another of a different judgement; and having tried variety of medicines with little success, was tired, and resolved to sit down contented with his infirmities, and gave over Physic near six months: But meeting with one, formerly a Patient of mine that I had cured, (though a different case) encouraged him to come to me, or acquaint me by Letter first with his condition: whereupon he wrote to me (living at a great distance) and gave me a full Relation of his case, desiring my advice and assistance therein, submitting to what course I should appoint him: I considering the whole story, I was sufficiently satisfied of the Disease, that he was deeply seized with the Scurvy, as the Syndrome and Concurrence of symptoms did certainly discover. Whereupon I sent him my Treatise of the Scurvy, to contemplate his Disease at large, and to be useful to him as a Guide, with a Box of Scorbute Pills and an Elixir; and bade him proceed in the use of them according to Directions; which he did for three weeks, than gave me an account, that the violence of his D●sease was much abated the Symptoms more m●…d ●nd ease, and not so frequent: th●se 〈◊〉 it's he ●…k a Pill, he slept more quietly then at other 〈◊〉; in his stools came away little lumps of a slimy jelly of a dark colour, or blackish, after which he was much at ease; his Belly and Hypochonders were more flat and soft; that since his Physic, some dark spots appeared in several parts of his body, with a moisture upon his skin as inclining to sweat some nights, but chief towards morning: This I liked well; and farther, appointed him the Sudorisick Medicine hereafter mentioned, to help forward and procure breathing Sweats twice in the week, which I judged to be of great advantage to him: this he diligently performed seven or eight times, until the spots vanished; and then his spirits were more brisk and cheerful, and more fit for business, having thrown off that impure matter, and dispersed the Cloud of Scorbutic vapours that clogged and darkened his spirits; his sleep now was quiet, and (to be short) the symptoms that formerly molested him did not appear, but was reduced beyond expectation. I gave him some cautions and advice, lest he might relapse, which he punctually observed, and stood firm for seven or eight months after: Since, I hear nothing of him, but suppose him to be well, for which he was not ungrateful.  
I might Comment largely upon this case, and illustrate the Scurvy in the several Symptoms, though disguised by various names usually given, not respecting the causes: but I pass on.  
I have yet a farther Account of these Pills, how, and in what principal Cases I have used them successfully; for disease's and infirmities of the Head, so accounted though arising from inferior parts most often; as Apoplexy, Epilepsies, Convulsion, Palsies, Vertigoes, Soporiferous and drowsy Infirmities, Rheums, headaches, etc. This Medicine is profitably used, by Eradicating their causes, that require Abstersion and Evacuation in the lower Regions of the Body. Diseases ascribed to the Head, though appearing there, yet for the most part do arise from inferior parts, occasioned by their Impurities, Obstructions, and Disorder; for one that is Idiopathically Afflicted, ten are Sympathically affected by consent of parts, and transmission of some Morbific matter thither: the Disease appears in one part, but the foundation and cause is Radicated in another, and to that pa●t m●st the cure be directed.  
And therefore, if well observed, we frequently meet with Scorbutic Palsies, Scorbutic Convulsions Apoplexies, Sleepy Diseases, pains of the head Giddiness, trembling of the Nervs, Deafness, dull Sight and Blindness; and all these arising from the Scurvy or Scorbutic impurity of the body oftentimes, and these are not cured but by Antiscorbutic Medicines; and those that endeavour otherwise with their Specificks and appropriate Medicines, to the parts where such Symptoms and Diseases do appear, labour in vain, and are frustrated in their intended Cures.  
I might instance in many more cases wherein this Medicine hath done me good service, but that would be too tedious to relate: therefore in general I must say, for Sorbutic persons, and the various Symptoms that attend that Disease, whether in this part, or that part; these Pills are the best Abstersive and Purgative Medicine I ever made use of, being so amicable and friendly to nature, in their Operation, performing with so much ease and gentleness, that I have given them to the weakest bodies with good success, proportioning the dose according to the ability of the body.  
I shall here set down the Dose and Circumstances that belong to the taking of these Pills.  
The ordinary Dose for man, or woman is three Pills; some Bodies (though very seldom) require four: and sometimes two Pills is sufficient, for weak bodies, and such as work freely with a small matter.  
So much difference there is in bodies for purging, that two of these Pills are sufficient for some; but most commonly three Pills are required, seldom four: therefore try your body first, with a lesser Dose then, if it require more, you may add to the next; and in so doing you will not err: For example, If you have a stubborn body, difficult and hard to purge, and the first Dose works but little, the next Dose you may take one Pill more: 
Tutius est peccare in defectu, quam in excessu.  but if you have a lax gentle body freer in Operation than you expected, then abate a Pill, if the first work too nimbly with you. The difference of bodies is such in Operation, (especially purging) that they require a different Dose, or quantity for their proportion, which cannot so exactly be determined and appointed by the prescience of the most skilful Physician, but by a rational Conjecture; until the first experiment and trial of their bodies, (which uncertainty, is not in the Medicine, but in the diversity of bodies); and after the first Dose taken, your own reason then, considering the condition of your body with the former, will prompt you in the next, whether to keep to the same, to augment, or abate. 
* Solutiva enim fortia cum succis exuperantibus magnam spirituum laciunt solutionem.  And remember this as a necessary caution, that you covet not strong Purges and large Evacuations, to have many stools in a day (a common error) which offers violence to Nature, and forceably sweeping down both good and bad together; 
* Eradicativa evacuatio optimè perplures per sicitur evacuationes minorativas.  but rather choose to draw away the offending matter gently by degrees, giving Nature time for separation, the pure from the impure and noxious: four or five Stools in a day is sufficient, but not to exceed six; and that number I intent you to aim at and no more; and thus doing, you will find Physic much more beneficial, nature more kindly assisting, and not at all weakened.  
Some there are, who, unless their Physic work half a score or a d●zen times, think they have kept House for nothing, and their Money cast away, accounting the goodness of their Physic by the number of Stools; but they deceive themselves very much in desiring strong Purgations, which weaken and impair Nature, and thereby you protract your Cure and not hasten it.  
Concerning preparation before Purging, much talked of; take this Advice: that soluble bodies, readily yielding obedience to gentle Purging Medicines, need no other preparation than what nature hath provided in the disposition of their own bodies; but for those bodies that are more hot, dry, costive and very stubborn in Operation, it will be advantageous to facilitate their Purgation, by eating stewed prunes, water grewel, or barley broth with raisins and currants, or by drinking whey, or cider, two or three days before, which will prepare, moisten, cool, and open your body, and make it more soluble and easy in purging.  
The times for taking these Pills generally is thus, (except good reason, in some bodies, persuade the contrary:) Take one Pill over night going to bed, having eaten but a light Supper at six of the clock before; the next morning early in bed, take the remaining part of the Dose; and you may sleep an hour after if you be disposed, but not longer; nor lie long in bed after, lest you check the Operation of the Medicine, and thereby cause you to be sickish at Stomach in your rising: when you are up, drink a little warm posset-drink, made of small bear, or small Ale, or thin broth for this purpose, and forbear eating until noon: but although these Pills are appointed to be taken, one over night, the other in the morning; yet if you find any inconvenience thereby, you may take the whole Dose in the morning very early, and lie two hours after: But if you have not a just cause for alteration observe the Prescription.  
These Pills take thus every fourth or fifth day, and you will find it best to give such intermission: Chronic or old Diseases must have time to be Eradicated, and you must reduce nature from an ill habit by degrees, 
* Semper expedit paulatim ducere qu●m subit●.  better than hastily; As diseases come on, gradually prevailing upon and seducing nature from her Integrity; so nature by degrees, must be brought off and restored again to her power and regularity. Cum natura malè sustinet repentinas mutationes.  
For going abroad after your Pills that day, if you desire it, or occasions require, take this advice; if your body be indifferent strong, not apt upon small occasions to take cold, the season temperate and fair weather, having moderated the Doses of your Pills, so as to work but three, or four times at most; you may then go abroad without prejudice: but if it fall out to be otherwise, than it is better to keep in, that day.  
If any ask, At what times of the year these Pills are to be taken; I answer, you may safely and with benefit, at any time of the year, provided you order yourself suitable to the season; that is, in Winter-weather, a warm Chamber and good fire; in Summer-hot weather a cool Room free from the Sun; be moderate in Clothing, and gentle in Motion not to heat yourself.  
For the Mornings in the midst of Summer, they are temperate and fit for Physic, and the Operation will be done before the heat of the day; so that in this temperate Climate, you may take Physic (with discretion) at any season of the year, the Dog-days not excepted, although it is an opinion among the vulgar, that that time is dangerous; but that is a vulgar error, easy to be refuted.   

Of Restoring and Rectifying the Digestions, necessary in Curing the SCURVY.  
IN the preceding Discourse of that Treatise where the Scurvy is manifested and laid open in the causes and manner of Generation; you find it planted and Radicated in the Digestions, or Digestive Offices; by whose Aberrations from Integrity, and frustrations of performing their Duties as they ought, this Disease is begotten: in the Cure therefore, we must have an eye to their Deficiency in Vigour, and Deviation from the Rectitude and manner of their performance being Alienated and Depraved.  
The former Medicine viz. the Scorbute-Pills was designed, to cleanse and carry off the Producted Scorbutic matter; another Medicine also must necessarily be invented to Roborate and strengthen the Faculties, to restore and confirm them in the performance of their Functions; or else the like Scorbutic matter will be generated again, and nature will soon relapse into the Former state; In vain it is to pump, except you stop the Leak; Purging carries off the Degenerate matter, and does a necessary work; but that does not Vigorate, reinforce and give new strength to the Digestive Faculties, that were tired and alienated in their Principles: that must be done by another Medicine, whose property is to excite, unite and join with the Principal agent in each faculty.  
To make this more plain and easy to be apprehended by indifferent Capacities; first I shall show you how nature does perform her daily work; Then I shall show, how she declines and falls off; and Thirddly, I shall manifest how she is to be assisted and restored.  
So soon as food is received into the body, nature presently falls about her business, to digest, to dissolve, & separate the parts of it, to volatise, to distribute and transmit from one digestive office to another, to sequester and throw aside the unprofitable and excrementitious part, to attract and suck in the alimentary, to refine and alter it by several elaborations, to extract and draw out the pure spirituous part for supply of spirits, the rest assimilated into the humoral and solid parts; from hence the body is preserved, and maintained in strength and vigour: and this is Natural Chemistry, performed every day in man's body in the regular course of nature; but when nature declines and fails in the ordinary and daily work of her own preservation, whether by intemperance, improper food, irregular and injurious customs or accidents, or Spontaneosly from an Imbecile Radication of principles, and bad Crasis of parts; the body than decays apace, when the principle functions are weakly and depravedly exercised; necessarily then an Auxiliary means and Assistant must be applied to restore nature to her strength and regular course again; something that must accuate and vigorate nature, that must excite and cooperate in Conjunction with the movent principle, that as a new Spring, will give power and force to the faculties. Considering this so necessary and useful in the cure of most Infirmities, as also to establish and confirm a Cure wrought from Recidivation and Relapse; I thought it a principal wo●k to find out and form such a medicine as may answer the intentions proposed, and therefore have by several trials and improvements effected and wrought such a medicine to that degree and competent power, as is very efficacious in the deficienties and enervation of the digestive faculties, to Restore and Roborate them in their funct on's; which medicine is called, and known by the name of Catholic Elixir (now altered and improved)  
And this was the custom and manner of the ancient and most famous Physicians, to acquire by their proper labour and sedulous industry, some great Arcana ●s, secret and choice medicines of excelling virtue, which they esteemed as a treasure, and gave them peculiar names to be distinguished and known by: and that such medicines might be known to the world, for the good and benefit of the Diseased; they di● publish their virtues, as Angelus Sala in the Preface to his Precious Antidote, does apologise for himself in doing the like: Etiam magni nominis medicis solenne olim fuit, medicamenti alicujus particularis virtutes, quas quisque accurata observatione annot averat peculiari quodum tractatu literis consignare. Oper: Med: Chym. pag. 420. says he, It has been the ancient custom of Physicians, & those men of great fame, to write a Treatise of the virtues of some particular medicine, which they had noted by strict observation; then he extols the efficacy and worth of his medicine, and excuses the concealment of the preparation.  
Helment also, that great Philosopher and Physician, had his private medicines which he highly valued; so also in the Writings of the most Eminent Physicians, we find they had their Arcana's, secret medicines which they would not discover, save only their virtues and manner of use; therefore I may say as Angelus Sala, Quod si illis hoc vitio non fuit datum, neque mihi, qui eo● 'em ad exemplum.—  
But since the late fashion of Prescribing came up in use, some ignorant buzzards which I could name, that have objected this against me, (perhaps of our own Faculty) think this an empirical way; but therein they discover their ignorance, not knowing the ancient and most legitimate way of Practice, and what is the whole duty of a Physician: See what Famous Que●cetan says upon the Question, An medicum deceat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉? Que●: Rediviv: pag. 218. Whether a Physic an aught to make medicines; He will tell you, you are Pseudomedicus, a Counterfeit Physician, if you do not make medicines. Pray look there, and then you will say, 'tis a shame for a Physician not to be expert in making medicines.  
As a duty, and following the Example of the most Eminent Physicians. I have been and am a constant labourer in Pharmacy, thereby to acquire and purchase the choicest Medicines that Art and pains can procure; and by continual making, and altering upon trials, I have purchased as noble Medicines I think, as any man can procure; not but that other Physicians that have been thus diligent in Preparation of Medicines, as I have been, may have as good; but without this Labour and Industry, no man can be master of such. In particular, the forenamed Elixir, as it is now improved and advanced, I have a great esteem for, and is a great assistant to the Stomach in the office of Digestion, for it mainly fort●…ies and roborates that Faculty, so that the bad effects of a weak or depraved Digestion, are notably Corrected and amended; as crudity and indigestion, flatulency or wind, Nausiousness or Vomiting, Fullness or Opression, Loss of Appetite, Eructation or Belching; and this it performs by assisting the stomach's Digestive Ferment, being deficient and decayed by Age, Intemperance, Incongruous Diet, Disorder, or Natural Infirmities.  
One Case amongst the rest, relating hither, I well remember, which I think good to relate: A woman that had been troubled with the Scurvy for some years though scarce taken notice of, but supposed to be from other causes, what symptoms did appear; amongst the rest, for some time she was molested, especially in a morning with a dryness in her mouth, and an ill taste; afterwards her stomach would nauseate sometimes, and soon after did begin to vomit: whereupon she took several medicines to stay vomiting, and to strengthen the stomach, but all in vain, and rather aggravated her Griefs, straining to Vomit with more violence, and little or nothing came away: when I was made acquainted with it, and understanding the Symptoms to arise from the Scurvy; upon examination of the whole matter, I sent her this Elixir with directions; and at the third or fourth Dose, her Vomiting and nauseating was gone, and much at ease: then I appointed her the Scorbute-Pills, to be used intermittingly with this Elixir for some time; and soon after, the other Scorbutic Symptoms which molested her, vanished, and she regained her former health: Whereby you may observe that the Scurvy will not be tamed but by Anti-scorbatic Medicines: and although some Symptoms of the Scurvy be common and like with those from other diseases, whereby many are deceived in their causes: yet, if they arise from a Scorbutic Root, they will not be cure but by Antiscorbutic Medicines; and therefore what Symptoms of Sickness do appear in any person, aught strictly and nicely to be examined by a discerning judgement, to know the right spring and foundation of their Rise.  
But to proceed, Not only the Stomach and first Digestion is benefited and assisted by this Elixir, but the subsequent Digestions are promoted, and their defects corrected hereby; and this Medicine I use successfully against many Infirmities seated in the Mesentery, Guts, Liver, or Spleen; as when they are languid and weak, degenerating and falling off from their duties, are obstructed with crude depraved Matter; wanting Spirit and Vigour, and acuteness of Ferment fit for their proper works; from whence hypocondriac Melancholy, Stitches, Pains, Tumours, and flatulent Dissensions of the Hypoconders and Belly: In such cases, this Medicine penetrates atteneates opens, and discusseth, roborates and gives great relief; and likewise for Melancholy drooping Spirits, and Palpitations of the Heart, Angustness and Compression about that Region, arising from a Scorbutic Feculency and Impurity; an illaffected Spleen, or Matrix, from whence Vapours do assurge to afflict the heart and vital Spirit; this Elixir is a proper help, and also effectual in Scorbutic Asthmaes, difficult and short Breathing, Coughs and Scorbutic Consumptions. But of these you may read at large, in my Treatise of Consumptions, and I have there appropriated two excellent and highly graduated Medicines for Consumptive persons; a Restaurative Essence, and Balsamic Extract, with which I have recovered some, obey ●nd expectation.  
That you may be the more cautious in examining the Symptoms of Diseases, what foundation they have, and wh●…ce they do proce●… that you may not la●…ur in vain for a cur; I h●en●ed a rome ●kable Care in a Patient of mine, w●… your Observation, which was thus: A young man about thirty years of Age, a ●u●ent and tenderly bred, was subject to short and difficult breathing, but without a Cough, or very little; he was advised to man● Pectoral Medicine; to open and ren hen the Lungs, which he used, but ●ith little effect: his Disease by time increased upon him and he was troubled with palpitation of the Heart, and stoppage of Breath, in his Sleep, that he was afraid of Suffocation; he then unhappily fell into the hands of an Empiric, who purged him with violent Medicines so, that he began to be Hydropical, did puff up, and limbs Swell, nor did the other Symptoms abate. After this and other passages (too long to relate) I was sent for, and examined the Patient; found his complaint was chief under the Diaphra●rama toward the Orifice of the Stomach, that his Lung● were good, and the Cause of his short and difficult breathing was not in the Breast, but by Compression of the Diaphragma, from a turgid aestuation of Scorbutic matter, which threatened Suffocation sometimes: (And upon this very cause, I knew a very Learned Doctor of Physic, that died suddenly in his bed): I perused and made inspection into the Urine, and examined his Pulse, as now and formerly; both which consented to, and confirmed the Scurvy: Then I examined, what Medicines had been given him; and those were most Pectoral, except some churlish Purges, after which he was much w●rse, and began to swell; and now he was about to take a Diet-drink for the Dropsy, which was like to prove as the rest: but the Patient committing himself into my hands, I had him desist from all Medicines but what I appointed; and first I gave him this Elixir (he being very weak) which as a Cordial did revive him, and after a few days was much altered for the better, and slept more quietly, with a greater freedom in breathing: he continued this alone, for ten days; in which time he gained strength and had a stomach to his meat: then I directed him the use of the Scorbute-Pills, which abated the swelling of his Limbs at twice taking, and preceded in the use of these two Medicines. Lastly, I appointed him the Sudorific Medicine hereafter mentioned; and in a short time, he was reduced by this course to good health and free from his former Complaints. By the whole Story you may observe, First, that the Scurvy is disguised, and appears in the shape of other Diseases. Secondly, that those Diseases so counterfeited, are not cured but by Radical Medicines which are Antiscorbutic: and therefore it much concerns the Sick, that their Diseases be rightly stated and determined by one that can make a true internal Discovery; and not according to external Appearance, and common Symptoms, which is very Fallacious.  
But I proceed to let you know farther, How and wherein this Elixir is useful to me in Practice; and that in sudden emergent cases of fainting: as also in Languishing Diseases, and Cases of Extremity when the Patient is spent and brought so low that no Physic can be Administered; this, as a relief and support to the Languishing decayed Faculties, may daily be exhibited; and this I have frequently proved: particularly, a Person of Honour, given over by his Physicians, being spent and decayed and highly swollen in a Scorbutic Asthma and Dropsy, was gasping for breath, when I came to him; but exhibiting this Elixir, he did wonderfully revive, and his difficult & short breathing was much enlarged and eased for a few days, for which he did Extol the Medicine: but, being past the possibility of Recovery, and incapable of other Medicines, requisite or Cure, he died.  
But some may object: This possibly may be a good Medicine in desperate Cases, and approaches of Death; but how can it be proper and fit for a man that can eat his meat well, and walk abroad, only inclining to the Scurvy, and some small Impediments from thence? I answer: That Medicine which is endowed with so much Virtue, to bring relief to a decayed or dying man; must needs be of great power and efficacy, to give Vigour and strength to all the Faculties: Now Scorbutic Infirmities, or imped mens of what fort soever, do arise from the Imbecility, Aberration, or Declining of some Faculty in the Body, injured or decayed which requires a generous and noble Medicine to Rectify and Vigorate, (at least, it will better be performed by such) not a languid dull Medicine; and therefore this Objection is vain; for the greater power a Medicine hath, the more likely and better to do the business be it little or much: and therefore if your Case require help, do it by an acute Vigorous Medicine, and you may expect your Infirmities to be removed, Ci●…ùs tu●iùs jucu●diùs, in a shorter time, with more safety and certainty, with less disgust in taking or trouble in Operation.  
Now the main Scope and Intention of this Medicine, is, to relieve the Spirits Oppressed or Exhausted, to Discuss Flatulent Vapours, to open Obstructions, and to Rectify and Roborate the Digestive Faculties, from whence Scorbutic Symptoms do arise; and such a Medicine is necessarily required in the cure of the Scurvy, and it's Complicated effects.  
I have briefly shown you the power and properties belonging to an Antiscorbutic Medicine, requisite to be used in curing the Scurvy: such a Medicine I say is required; 'tis not Purging alone will do it, but other Operations must join to effect the purpose. For advice and rules to those that use this Catholic Elixir (living far distant from me) that they may not Err in the taking of it, let them observe as followeth.  
That in the use of this Elixir with the Scorbute-Pills, it is best to begin with the Pills; except the person be very weak, or spent, and first require some strengthing and reviving Medicine, than you may first begin with the Elixir.  
Also that this Elixir is not to be taken those days you Purge, but every Intermitting day between Purging.  
That this Elixir is not to be taken or tasted alone but mixed with some good Liquor, and that ought to be the best Canary; for bad Wine altars and abates the Virtue of the Medicine. It may be taken in French-wine, if the Patient cannot agree with Sack.  
The Dose for man or woman, is thirty drops: for ten years old, twenty drops; for five years, ten drops.  
And observe this; that at the first taking you begin but with half the Dose that is appointed for your age; as thus: thirty drops is appointed for a man, let him begin with fifteen or sixteen drops, and then augment two or three drops every day after, until he ascend to thirty, and then there continue that Dose afterwards.  
Take it (in Bed if you be weak) in a spoonful of Sack, every morning, fasting an hour and half after; and at five of the Clock Afternoon; but you are not so strictly to observe the after-noons, but, if that your occasions do not well permit (as when you must be abroad or the like,) you may omit.  
In keeping this Elixir, let it be well stopped; for dropping of it exactly, a Cruet is best. Some may ask, What time of the year this Medicine may, or may not be used; I answer, No time of the year forbids the use of it; but it is profitably taken at any season of the year: nor may women forbear the use of it at such times of the month, when all other Physic is forbidden; but is helpful to Nature at such a time, in procuring them with more ease and freedom.   

Of Curing the Scurvy by Transpiration, and the necessary use of a good Sudorific Medicine.  
THe Scurvy is not a pa●…icular Disease limited to this or that part of the Body, but extends itself throughout the whole as appears by the variety of Symptoms, in several parts of the Body; and being of this extent, Medicine also must have the same Latitude of Operation to prosecute and reach into its utmost a●d farthest quarters: Purgation that cle●…seth the Central and more inw●…d parts, as the Stomach, Guts, Mesentery, Liver and Spleen: ●…anspiration that respects chief the habit of the Body and external parts, purifying the Mass of Blood, and vital streams.  
These two Operations are necessary for Cure in most Scorbutic cases, as the following discourses and observations in Practice recited, does manifest.  
Some there are that deceive themselves, and lay the whole stress of the Cure upon Purging, and that they prosecute very often (and it were well if the purgatives be proper) but the effects may inform and tell them, that there is something else requisite; and they find it so. The Scurvy is not so easily dislodged and thrown out by a single Operation of Medicine; but requires rectifying and strengthening of the Digestive Faculties also, and depuration of the Blood.  
The Body of man is perspirable, and in his due state of health continually more or less doth transpire and breathe out humid vapours and a superfluous moisture by the Pores of the Body; hereby the Mass of Blood and habit of the Body is cleansed and discharged of that which is superfluous or impure and unfit to be retained; and this insensible Evacuation is so requisite, that without transpiration the Mass of Blood cannot be depurated, but remains muddy and defiled, which forceth Nature to a distempered fermentation and morbific Eruption: Proper and amicable Purgation doth well, acts a good part, and aught to be praemitted in most cases, which alone do check a Disease and lessen it, by carrying off a●l morbific matter in the lower Region of the Body; but if the Mass of Blood, and habit of the Body be tainted and corrupted, the vital stream and those parts irrigated and fed from thence, are not purified as they ought, but by Exsudation and Transpiration; and the Spirits that are clogged and infested by impure matter, which darkens their light, causing Melancholy and indisposed heaviness, are hereby relieved and unfettered, become brisk, airy, and lively as before.  
And in promoting this Operation we imitate and assist Nature which continually does Emittere & Transpirare per Poros, at least ought so to breathe forth superfluous vapours and humidity, and when this is cohibited and restrained, by occlusion and shutting up the pores by cold or otherwise; or Nature unable thus to relieve and discharge herself by reason of debility and insufficiency in separating and protruding; it is not long but some Disease, or many, ariseth from the course of Nature thus impedited; either a sudden febril aestuation; or erratic pains in this or that part; or a slow eruption of grosser matter sticking in the skin discolouring and spotting of it; or bringing forth Scurf, Pustules, or other Extretions.  
By this you may understand the benefit that doth arise by the regular course of Nature in her daily Operations and Excretions, and the profitable assistance of Art in promoting them when impeded, as also the prejudice and damage by the contrary.  
And here I shall relate to you the Case of a Scorbutic Patient, pertinent to the proceeding Discourse.  
A Gentlewoman, aged between Forty and Fifty, formetly fa●t and fleshy, but reduced to a lean state; being troubled for some years with a lassitude or weariness in her Limbs, and Indisposition to Action, and with pains at some times: afterwards in Autumn, a weakness and numbness possessed her Limbs, that disabled her in going: All this while she was not negligent to seek for help, had such Advice as the Country did afford, and used many Medicines; but her Disease prevailed still, each Spring and Autumn being worse than the former: it happened that a Relation of her case was sent to me, (she living a great distance from London) what was wanting in the first Relation, I interrogated in my Answer, and the next Account I received, did fully satisfy me: I found the Scurvy disguised to act in several Scenes, after a different manner: the Medicines she had used were proper for the Symptoms that did appear, barely considered; but not as they had a Relation and were grounded upon the Scurvy, which being undiscerned did frustrate all the Endeavours for Cure: Letting of her blood was injurious, and she grew worse upon it; soon after, a Stupor or Paralytic numbness seized her: To be short, she was committed to my care and management; I sent her three Antiscorbutic Medicines, namely, my Scorbute-Pills, Elixir, and Sudorisic Extract to be used in that order and method as the Medicines and her Condition required: at the month's end she gained the use of her Limbs, but were something weak; yet no pains as formerly: and upon the use of the Sudorific Extract, some spots were driven forth, and the Latent Scurvy did appear and satisfied them more fully, what I had determined of her disease: The Winter being very sharp, did sometimes interrupt her Course, and retarded the completing of a Cure, which else might have been finished in a shorter time. At the beginning of March I set her into the same Course again, which was diligently observed; and in April following she was perfectly restored: In the Course of these Medicines (according to the Account received) I observed her pains to lessen and cease upon the use of the Sudorific Extract, and not before; which Medicine chief restored her the use of her Limb●; and it was reason to expect, the greatest benefit, as to that particular in the Case, should accrue from a Diaphoretic Medicine; that searching and penetrating the habit of the Body, by transpiration and breathing Sweats should d●slodg and discuss the Scotbutic Matter which infested the Nerves and Muscles, impeding and disabling the parts in their Motion and Action.  
By such Examples as this, and other different Cases as to the Symptoms, yet parallel with it as to the parts affected and Morbisic Cause; I was fully satisfied that a Sudorific Medicine was of necessary use in many Scorbutic Cases, and without which, a Cure could not be performed; I therefore prepared a Medicine that might effectually answer the scope of that intention, which might operate by Transpiration and gentle sweeting, and, by a kindly assisting of Nature in that operation, might depurate the whole Mass of blood, and free the habit of the body from any Scorbutic Impurity and Degenerate Matter, which at certain seasons of the year, and by accidental promoting Causes, ferments, and produceth various internal Distempers and Diseases, Scorbutic Fevers, continual and intermitting Quotidian, Tertian and Quartan, headaches, and Pains in several parts, Plentisies, Asthmas, etc. or external and Cutany-Disedations; as Spots, Scurff, Scabs, Pustuls, Tetters, Ringworms, Tumours, etc. And because our blood, especially in these Northern Climates, doth abound with a serosa Colluvies, a Serosity or Superfluous watery humour; a good Sudorisic Medicine is of great use; for when this serous matter abounds and increase the there by the insufficient Attraction & Separation of the Reins, that should expend and drain it; or the Pores shut up, and Trauspiration denied, that should insensibly exhaust it, doth then by Preternatural Retention degenerate and change its Nature and Properties; that which was mild turns acid, sharp and molesting; and variously degenerating doth cause several Diseases and Pains in divers parts of the Body as it Circulates in the V ssels; or extravasated and wand'ring about being expulsed from part to part as hostile and injurious) by the strength and fortitude of the Archaeus or innate spirit that inhabits as the Lifeguard in each part of the body.  
This Sudorific Medicine prepared for the purposes aforesaid. I appoint in all Scorbutic Cases, requiring Transpiration or Sweeting; and I find great success in the use of it (especially being now much altered and improved) Many Diseases are expulsed by Sudorificks, that purgatives cannot prevail against; the reason is this; First, because some Diseases do arise, and depend upon a statulent Spirit or Meteor that is generated in the body; and these Diseases are more acute and dangerous, than others, because their matter is more active, subtle, and of sudden motions, being of the Nature of a Spirit, is more penetrative and irresistible in its motion; as Apoplexy, Epilepsy, histerical Passions, Pest lential Seminaries, sudden Swoonings, etc. Which do not yield Obedience to Purgatives, being of a more subtle spirituous nature, is not ejected by Vomit, or Stool as grosser Morbific Humours are; but requires a Medicine equiv●lent and proportionate to their Nature; that is, penetrative, subtle and acute in Operation, proper to discuss, evaporate, and transpire. S●condly, many Diseases though arising from grosser and humoral causes, that would obey the Power and Virtue of Purgatives; yet by reason they are lodged in the habit of the body and more exterior parts, are out of distance and beyond the reach and sphere of their activity: but a good Sudorific penetrates and searcheth all parts, raiseth the Seminaries, and enters the secret Dormitories of lurking Diseases, and gives them expulsion by its subtle Operation and acute Power: and here I remember the condition of a Patient which I will relate to you, pertinent to the present discourse. A young gentlewoman of a fair Complexion and very clear skin, by Melancholy (and other causes) was much altered and become brown, muddy, and discoloured in particular places; afterwards a Scurf did arise and some Pimples here and there, which was troublesome by itching: th●s Gentlewoman was let blood and purge● of●en, but still be trouble remained: then she was advised to a Wash to clear the ●kin, and to t●ke away the heat and pimples; which di● take effect in a few days, but upon retiring of this humour inwards, she fell desperately sick, with violent pains in her head, and ready to faint away often. Hereupon I was sent for, and examined the whole matter; and finding the acuteness of her sickness to arise from an imprudent repelling of a humour, and forcing it back upon Nature, which she had brought forth to the skin; I immediately appointed her a Dose of my sudorific Extract to be given her, which put her into a breathing Sweat; and when the Medicine had done its Operation, her pains and sickness were almost gone: the next day I appointed another Dose to be given her, to sweat gently for two or three hours, and before the Operation of the Medicine was spent, her pain ●nd sickness quite left her; and then appeared some of the former Symptoms again upon the skin, but without itching. The present danger of her sickness being over, I caused her to rest two or three days, and gave her an Elixir to take every day, to cherish Nature and recover her strength: then she fell to the Sudorific Extract again, to cleanse the Blood, and to breathe out that impurity which was lodged under the skin; with convenient intermssion she repeated this Sudorific Medicine three or four times more, and then the former Symptoms quite lest her, and she regained her former beauty and clearness of skin. By th●s you may understand, that a Sudorific Medicine s me times is effectual, when Purgatives cannot prevail; yet 'tis injurious to Nature, to draw back again what she hath protruded and brought forth to the Circumference of the Body: and therefore they that rely and insist too much upon Purging, thinking to cleanse the whole Body by that Operation only, are much deceived: Purging is good but not always; other Medicines must come in and take their place, according as the case requires: Purging cleanseth the Centre, but Sudorificks purify the exterior parts.  
That you may know when a Sudorific Medicine is required as necessary, and advantageous to the Cure, I'll tell you in what cases I appoint this Sudorific Medicine to be taken: In curing the Scurvy, I find good success thereby, to cleanse and purify the Blood that is degenerate and vitiated with a Scorbutic taint and impurity: or when the Pores are occluded and imperspirable, the Body tumified and puffed up for want of transpiration and ventilation, when p●i●…xing pains or itching in the flesh molest and trouble, by a saline or acrid Serosity extravasated, and erratic; when spots, tumours, pustuls, scurse, pimples, or such like appear upon any part of the Body: This Sudorific Medicine discusseth and discipates the confluence of Humours tesorting to any part, opens the Pores, transpires and drives out the extrementious matter, congested and lodged under the skin: also when a Lassitude or weariness possess the Limbs; when the spirits are torpid, dull heavy (as it is the case of many Scorbutic persons) being alienated from their purity and wont vigour, by a degenerate and depraved alimentary succus, cloging and settering them, that should support and maintain them with an addisional supply of a congenerous extraction; in this case a good Sudorific is the best relief, to depurate the Vital stream, and alimentary liquors of the Body from whence the Spirits receive strength and vigour again.  
The Dose, and Circumstances that attend the taking of this Sudoific Extract is thus: to a man or woman of a weak tender body; at first I give a dram and half, the next time two drams, but stronger bodies 〈◊〉 give two drams at the first dose, than two drams and half, almayes beginning with a lesser dose; and increase the quantity, as from the quantity of a Nutmeg to a Chestnut, according to the condition and strength of the body after trial: First, because there is great difference in bodies, some require more; as hard, dry bodies and thicker skirns, being more difficult to transpire; and some less, as tender, moist bodies, of a rare Texture, and open Pores, more apt to breathe out. Secondly, Nature is better pleased to receive some Medicines gradually, then imposing a full dose at first; if Nature takes a disgust to a Medicine, she seldom agrees with it after, though it be never so good: therefore at the first begin with a little dose (for trial) though the Medicine be very amicable, and the next time you may increase, and take a little more. 
à levioribus incipere, & procedere ad fortiora, est ordo Sapientum.   
The manner of taking is thus, Roll it in a little Sugar, and swallow it down.  
Take it at Night (having eaten but a little Spoon-meat for your Supper) in Bed covered warm; and a quarter of an hour after, drink a draught of Rosemary-Posset, or Mace-Ale, than you may sleep as you find yourself disposed. Or you may take this Medicine in a Morning very earl●, after the same manner, and lie in Bed ha●f that day, sleep if you will, that does not check the Medicine, you will have the benefit of Transpiration in your sleep: Somnus Cohibet omnem evacuationem preter Sudorem aph. nor are you to expect great Swea●s, but only mo●st Breathe, not at all troublesome.  
Some perhaps being too hasty and desirous to effect their Cure, may think one or two great Sweats may do as much good as half a dozen gentle breathe, and so shorten the time of their Cure; but I cannot approve that Course, to impair Nature by violent and large Exhaustions; you thereby frustrate the benefit of the Medicine, which rightly used, will prove very successful for the purposes appointed. 
Saepius mediocriter Sudomovere, melius est quam Semel modum excedando viresprosternere.  This Sudorific Extract may be taken twice in a week, on the intermiting days when you do not purge having first taken three doses of the Scorbute Pills to cleanse the stomach and bowels, before you begin to Sweat, that the grosser matter and impurity of those parts be not driven into the habit of the body. For going abroad, observe this, if you take the Sudorific in the Morning, you must not go out that day, the Pores being open: but if you take it over night, the weather not cold and searching, but temperate or hot; you may go forth next day, if your disease, strength, and condition of body admit.  
Those persons that use the three Antiscorbutic Medicines before mentioned, do observe this order, except in some special Cases, and complicated Diseases, by particular advice: First, they begin with the Scorbute-Pills to cleanse the Centre of the Body, as the Stomach, Guts, Mesentery, Liver, and Spleen: The next day and all the intermitting days between Purging, they use the Elixir, to strengthen the declining Faculties and rectify the Digestions: and after three doses of Purging Pills taken, they begin with the Sudorific Medicine, to purify the Blood, and cleanse the habit of the Body; and these are to be used twice in a week, proceeding also with the other Medicines in their turns as before. But now you are come to use the Sudorific Extract, you may take the Scorbutic Pills but once in the week, whereas before you took them once in four or five days; this is my course and practice in curing the Scurvy and complicated Diseases attending: which as it is a rational and exact Method according to the Canons of Art, is also verified by much experience to be most effectual.  
The chief reason why I am so large herein the general use of these Medicines, is to avoid the daily trouble of directions in writing to each particular Patient, except there be good cause.  
I have now finished what I proposed in myself to make Public: The Nature of this spreading Disease the Scurvy; its variety of Symptoms and appearance, that it may be known though in a various dress and disguise; the usual complicated affects that associate and attend it; its internal essential Causes, manner of Generation, and seat of Radication in the Body; the external procuring and promoting Causes; the chief indicat●ons for Cure; three Antiscorbutic Medicines laid down as exemplars, answering the scope of those curative intentions; and some remarkable Observations in Practice; And this is the sum of the whole Work.  
FINIS.