NAMES Given to the SCURVEY.

DIseases, for the most part, have significant Names, whose Ety­mology discovers either the Na­ture of the Disease: as, Hydrops the Dropsie, from [...], aqua, water; or points at the part principally, or primarily affected: as Pluritis the Plurifie, from that Membrane compassing the brest, called Pleura.

Or intimates the manner of invasion; as Epilepsia the Epilepsie, from [...], ap­prehendo, to seiz, or take suddenly.

Or denotes the procuring cause; as Lues Venerea, the Venerial Pox.

Or declares the manner of afflicting, as Convulsion, from Convello to pluck.

With many other, whose Names do im­port and carry various significations perti­nent and declarative, which for brevity sake I omit. That which I have particularly de­sign'd to handle, is the Scorbute, or Scurvy in the English tongue; but in other langua­ges, denoting some part symptomatically affected: In the Danish 'tis called Schorbect, signifying a vitious depravedness in the mouth, because in many it was discovered by loosness of Teeth, and putrefaction of Gums, to which the Greek name agrees, [...].

In the Low-Countries 'tis called Schor­bunct, signifying torsions or gripings in the belly, which attend this disease in some per­sons.

It is also called Scelotyrbe, from the spots and pains in the thighs: It hath been cal­led by some Gingipedium, from the Gums and feet, that frequently are affected in this disease.

The Latin word Scorbutùs, now most fre­quently used among Physitians, being a name not of long standing, unknown to the Ancients, and therefore called by some a new disease, but falsly; and it is not against Reason to think this disease to be of as great antiquity, as most infirmities incident to the body, (as may appear hereafter) though [Page 3]known by divers appellations, suting with some of the symptoms, or products that fol­low this Disease, yet insufficiently and erro­neously discovered in their Causes.

Concerning the several Names, whether proper or improper, I shall not insist, the nature of the Disease being the thing aimed at to be detected and prosecuted, and not to spend time upon words.

How to discern the Scurvey in its va­rious signs, symptoms or products, and complications with other infirmities.

IN the disquisition and search to know and find out the nature of this Disease, I must survey the concomitant effects and products of it, which discover its being, gradual ma­turity, fortitude or progress, and parts affected or infected, though not the Foun­tain Spring and Rise thereof.

Many and various are the Symptoms which accompany this Disease, though all do not appear in every Person, but some more, some fewer, according to the greatness, durati­on and progress of it.

The Morbific disposition and debility of [Page 4]parts to consent, degenerate, and be de­praved. Propter inaequale robur partium, by reason of the Natural integrity, and defici­encies, Fortitude and imbecility of Parts in divers Persons; some have one Part strong, and vigorous in its Office, not easily depra­ved and vitiated: another hath the same Part weak, soon consenting with any Distem­per, easily perverted from the integrity of its Office, and contributing its vice: And since the parts be divers, their Use and Offi­ces various; their enormities, vitiosities and defections also must be various, and their effects dissimilar, heterogene and unlike, ac­cording to the consent and dissent of Parts, in their integrities and defections.

Which being rightly understood, it is no wonder that the Scurvy appears in divers colours and shapes, acting a part here and there in the body, in various difformities; We shall not need then to fly to the admix­ture of Humours, and diversity of Tempera­ments, to derive the variety of Symptoms charging the innocent, and freeing the no­cent Parts.

Now as the several Parts in the Body have their several Offices distinct from each o­ther, yet all harmoniously (in the rectitude of Nature) cooperating subserviently and subordinately for the preservation and well-fare [Page 5]of the whole; so is there distinct Cha­racters for their duties and deficiencies, dis­covering which part acts in integrity, and which is irregular, degenerates and falls off.

From hence the Scorbute, as it is variega­ted and discordant in the Symptoms and Products, which cheats the judgment of many, and puzles them to appropriate a fit Medicine; yet may the able Physitian here­by collect and find out the conspiring and contributing Parts to the difformity of this Disease, which rightly known, the difficulty of the Cure is much abated.

Some complain of laxity, and breaking out often into fluxes; others complain of costiveness, but a stool in 2, 3 or 4 daies; some complain of burning and flushing heats; o­thers their limbs are rigid and stiff with cold, the bloud setled, black and livid.

Some are heavy, drowsy and sleepy; o­thers tired and worn out with watching, and indisposed to the Nights refreshment; some have a slow, weak, languid pulse; o­thers a quick, fierce, leaping Pulse.

Some have thin, pale, watery Urine; o­thers thick, muddy, and high coloured U­rine.

Some have black, loose Teeth, and putrid Gums; the thighs and legs free from pains [Page 6]or spots; others the contrary, have spots and pains, but the Teeth and Gums sound.

Some are molested with erratick wandring pains from part to part; others more fixed and constant in particular Parts.

Some their Bodies pine away, wast and are consumptive; others grow corpulent, swell'd and puffed up.

Some complain of shortness of Breath, straitness and compression of the Breast, diffi­cult or hard breathing, & palpitation of the heart; others their vital parts are more free, but complain of the Head, Hypochonders, and loins, loss of appetite, &c.

Some are molested with thirst, heat of the Stomack, and driness of Mouth; others are troubled with salivation, superfluous moi­sture and spitting.

The variety of opposite and different Symptoms, which accompany the Scorbute, do startle many in their judgment, to de­termin certainly when they meet with the Scurvy, when not; and because the Symp­toms are not peculiar but common, and the effects of other Diseases as well as the Scur­vy, it is no wonder if their Cure be so un­certain, difficult and seldome performed, since they are equivocal effects, obscured in their causes by a dubious complication, and alternative causation.

To resolve the ambiguous, and such as stagger in their judgments; Take these fol­lowing Corollaries.

1. Many are the Symptoms which accom­pany and follow this Disease, which appear and vanish, are greater and lesser, as the Dis­ease encreaseth or diminisheth in its essen­tial primitive Causes.

2. Many are the Products and off-spring of this Disease, which exist afterwards of their own ability and enormity, having per­verted the parts wherein they reside, and drawn them to consent with their vitiosi­ty.

3. Many Diseases are complicated with the Scurvy, which had not their producti­on and generation from it, nor is their de­pendance of it, though probably made worse and exasperated by it.

4. That none of the Smpytoms or Signs a­fore mentioned, singly do declare the Scur­vy to be present in the Body, but may chal­lenge other causes for their Parents; and therefore to judge and determine that Per­son Scorbutick, barely from the appearance of any Sign or Symptom that frequently ac­companies the Scorbute, his judgment is fallible and uncertain and erroneous in the dependance: for, any Symptom or Sign a­rising in any part of the Body, usually atri­buted [Page 8]to the Scurvy, may be the peculiar defect of that part, or effect of some occasi­onal cause, without a praevious Scorbutick disposition.

5. That the subsequent digestions have their proper errors and degenerations, from a spontaneous defection and lassitude in their vital principles, without disturbance from an injurious object, transmitted by errone­ous preceding digestions, or improper ali­ment in sua natura; whose effects are consi­milar and equivalent to some Products and Symptoms of the Scurvy; therefore to di­stinguish and know aright to whom they be­long, and whence they had their rise, is by examining each faculty in their proper Cha­racters of rectitude and declensions.

6. That the Diagnostic Signs of the Dis­ease usually so accounted and most frequent, as defects in the mouth, pains, spots, weak­ness, lassitude, &c. some or more; antece­dent causes concurring, some or more; as a close Chamber air, and confinement within doors; or a Region where the Scurvy is En­demical, gross food, sedentary, inactive, re­tired Life, studious, melancholly disposition, or splenetic, indulging sleep and ease: In the concurrence of these causes collated with the Signs mentioned, a certain determina­tion and judgment of the Disease will result; [Page 9]and from thence a certain process in the Cure may ensue:

Examination of opinions concerning the nature of the Scurvy.

BEfore I explicate the nature, quiddity, or essence of this Prothean Disease, I shall first recite the judgments and determi­nations of the most learned and eminent Physitians that have writ upon this Subject, to whom the most of our age do adhere, and imitate their practice in the Cure. Senner­tus gives this definition or description of it.

Scorbutus est prava & occulta qualitas, seu dispositio, toti corpori, praecipue vero visceribus nutritioni dicatis impressa, ab humore melan­cholico crasso, seroso seu ichoroso, peculiari modo corrupto orta; cum spontaneae lassitudinis & gravitatis, in cruribus praecipue, sensu; pecto­ris angustia & respirationis difficultate, gingi­varum corruptione, & oris graveolentia ac ma­culis purpureis in cruribus inprimi [...], aliisque morbis, ac symptomatibus plurimis ab eadem causa pendentibus, conjuncta.

He saith, It is an evil occult quality, or disposition, impressed upon the whole body, [Page 10]chiefly the Parts destinated for nutrition, a­rising from a gross melancholly or serous i­chorous humour after a peculiar manner corrupted with lassitude and heaviness.

This Definition looks imperfect and unsa­tisfactory.

An evil occult Quality.]

Here's a ne plus ultra to our enquiry, if we would sit down here, and be contented only to know, that we know not what it is; an occult quality.

A Quality.]

Here he makes the Disease to be accidens, when as it is ens substantiale habens propriam radicem in vitali principio.

Arising from a gross melancholy, or serous i­chorous humour after a peculiar manner corrup­ted.]

To find out this gross melancholy, or se­rous ichorous humour peculiarly so corrup­ted, is the same task as to find out the oc­cult quality; this is ignotum per ignotum, to describe one unknown thing by another. The Scurvy does not arise from a grosse me­lancholly; that's a grosse error, or a serous ichorous humour: but if the Scorbutic de­praved humour may go under those deno­minations, they are the effects of the Scur­vy and not the cause; you must dig deeper to find the radix of the Disease.

Chiefly the parts destinated for Nutrition.]

Here he saies the Scurvey is an evil disposi­tion impressed upon the Parts for Nutrition; but I must say it is chiefly arising from the Parts destinated and appointed for Nutriti­on: which difference is as great, as between the terminus à quo, and the terminus ad quem.

Impressed upon the wholo body.]

Here is the Disease in facto esse, and its progresse, but from whence it sprung as yet is not discovered, you must return back and trace it farther, if you will see it in fieri, in its generation; in radice, and the womb from whence it springs; and that not from a melancholly or serous humour; the Dis­ease is not seated in excrementis, but in vita­libus principiis: for, as sanity or health con­sists in vita integra; so the Disease, in ipsa­met vita oblaesa, and therefore health and sickness in eodem hospitio vitali degunt, suc­cessively dwell in the same Mansion.

Ecthius in his Epitome of the Scorbute, describes it thus.

Scorbutus est morbus Splenis aliquando ob­structi, aliquando intemperati, aliquando cum incipiente Scirro, qui praepedit ejus attractio­nem, ac consuetant atribilariae redundantiae se­questrationem, ex hepate venisque, eoque humore universum corpus vitiat, sed peculiariter crassiore [Page 12]feculentia crura contaminat, atque evaporandae acredine gingivas inficit.

He saith, the Scurvy is a Disease of the Spleen, obstructed, distempered, or hardened, which hinders the attraction and separation of abounding Melancholly from the Liver and veins; by which humour the whole bo­dy is vitiated, the grosser part affecting the thighs, the thinner acrid part the gums.

A Disease of the Spleen obstructed, distemper­ed or hardened.]

Here the essence of the Disease is set forth and defined, per effectus separabiles à morbo; by effects which may, or may not be, and the Scorbute in being: and it is absurd to define a thing essentially, by effects which are but results à posteriori and separable; and that which is an effect cannot be constitu­tive, the ratio formalis of the thing from which it doth proceed.

Which hinders the attraction and separation of abounding Melancholly.

Here the Spleen is made a place of recepti­on and sink, to drain away excrementitious Melancholly from the Liver and Veins: an inferior Office for so noble a part; nor is it fabricated or situate conveniently for such a use; having no ample cavity for recepti­on, nor a fit passage for emission of such an excrement, being intertexed variously with [Page 13]small vessels, having insertions into each o­ther, and dores of communication, argues a place of elaboration, and grand affair, not a draught or sink for venting an excremen­titious humour: if it had been destinated for so mean service, why was it contrived with so many arteries, that no other Part is fur­nish'd like it, but that it was appointed for higher purposes and design, and therefore is plentifully stock'd and enriched with vi­tal spirits. More might be said to take off this aspertion from the Spleen, but let this suffice at present.

Brunerus in his Tract of the Scurvy de­scribes it thus.

Proprie hic morbus est affectio lienis, in quo a­cervato & leviter putrefacto humore melancho­lico, qui à sanguine separatus ad lienem trans­mittitur, pars tenuior seu effervescens, effertur sursum & obsidet gingivas, tanquam tenerrimas oris partes, & putredini maximè obnoxias, eas­que inficit & erodit, imo etiam emollit: crassior decumbit ad crura —

He saith, this Disease properly is an effect of the Spleen; in which a putrid melanchol­ly humour is accumulated, suparated from the blood and transmitted thither.]

He makes the Spleen to be sedes morbi, the part primarily affected, and yet the peccant [Page 14]humour is only transmitted thither; and so it is but a part recipient, as other parts of the body are; pars infesta, not primario affe­cta from whence it doth arise.

The thinner part is carried upwards and infects the Gums, the grosser settles down­wards and affects the Thighs.]

This Distinction of thicker and thinner parts is frivolous: for, that degenerate scorbutick Disposition of the Stomach, whe­ther the depraved matter lodged there be thick or thin, it will affect the mouth and gums, because the stomack and mouth have one membrane lining both the parts; and therfore when the stomack is foul, the mouth hath a bad relish, and an unsavoury tast (which is most perceived in a morning after digestion is past;) and let any disgustful thing come into the mouth, the stomack nauseates presently, and is ready to vomit, although it be not swallowed down; and this is by reason that the mouth and stomack have one membrane investing both the parts, that the one cannot be affected but the o­ther immediatly consents and participates, by reason of the continuity of the mem­brane; which is more or less manifest ac­cording to the greatness of the cause: So that thickness or thinness of the matter is not to be taken notice of, but the effect's the same be it thick or thin.

And for that he saith, the grosser part af­fects the thighs, the reason is as light as the former, though not to be refelled by the same Argument: I shall not anticipate my intentions in another place, but refer you to a future opportunity in the discourse fol­lowing, where this point is cleared.

Eugalenus in his book of the Scurvy treats largely of this disease, in whose foot-steps most Writers since have trod, or digressing but a little from his opinions, have relied on him as the best guide in tracing this Dis­ease.

His observations are many in his own practice, upon several persons variously af­flicted with this disease; and brings in seve­ral infirmities complicated with it, worth your reading.

Notwithstanding the basis and foundation that he laies, whereon he makes this disease to be founded, is not firm; and that is Hu­moris Melancholici exuberantia, abounding Melancholy: to which something hath been said already that I shall not repeat, and more to be said in another place, in satisfa­ction to this error.

And in his determination of the internal cause and generation of the Scurvy, he de­livers his judgment in ambiguous wavering terms, not positively and resolvedly; but [Page 16]with some kind of dissatisfaction and uncer­tainty: his words are these, that you may not think I traduce him.

Interna hujus morbi causa, melancholici hu­moris exuberantia censetur, ex jam dicta vitae victusque (scilicet inordinati) ratione acquisita: qui circa lienem & hepar, vel in intermediis in­ter haec & ventriculum spatiis, vel in ipsis etiam venis, quod puto, coacervatus; propriam & huic morbo familiarem corruptionis formam su­bit, qua adjacentia, vicinaque viscera, sua vel substantia, & contactu, vel qualitate & fumis de­pravat, naturalem eorum temperiem corrum­pendo, donec in contagii communionem consenti­ant: Where you may observe by censetur, vel, puto, his determination with haesitation and uncertainty.

In finding out the Scurvy; for his Dia­gnostick signs, the Pulse and Urine are his two great discoverers; that in most of his Observations the one or both confirms his o­pinion, and relies upon their signification: both which are very uncertain; for, there is no particular Pulse or Urine peculiar to this Disease, but almost all Pulses and Urins may be in Scorbutick persons, as most Diseases may be complicated with it: and therefore their judgment is very fallible and uncertain that depend on these signs.

Others there are who have written Tracts [Page 17]of this disease, as Ronsseus, Wierus, Sal. Al­bertus, Martinus, whose judgments and opinions are involved and agree in the main, with those already recited; that what hath been said in castigation of their errors suffi­ceth for these, that I need not spend time ine xamining them apart: nor have I re­counted their failings intending their dis­honour (whose names I think worthy of memory, for their learning and labours in the medicinal faculty) humanum est errare: but that it is the duty of every one, to exa­mine the principles and tenents of our Pre­decessors, and not subscribe to the autho­rity of any, when a clearer light of Reason, confirmed by experiments and due observa­tion, commands a recession from their opini­ons and practice.

Prolegomena.
Induction to the knowledge of the SCURVY.

BEfore I come to define the nature of the Scurvy, its matter and manner of gene­ration and germination, I must premise som­thing concerning the Office of digestions, for the clearer apprehension of what shall be thence deductively asserted; lest I taking that for granted, which others in that action or office deny, it will be objected I state my positions upon false suppositions, and so de­nying the basis of my Reasons, will think they have satisfied the Argument and evin­ced.

I shall therefore survey the digestive offi­ces in the regularity and irregularity of their actions, defections, and errors, assign their causes, and draw my conclusions ad punctum, to concenter with my intentions and scope aimed at.

Meat being received into the stomack, must suffer a transmutation there in the first [Page 19]laboratory and preparatory Office, for nu­trition of the body: The principal agent in this work, is the stomachical ferment; this ferment by its incisive acidity penetrates, rarefies & volatiseth the food, and transmutes it into Chyle, or white juce: That which before was fixed, gross, hard or tough, is made Volatile, rare and fluid, which ha­ving obtained that praevious digestion and perfection proper for that place, the lower orifice of the stomack opens and gives it emission, sending it to the next Office of digestion for a new impression.

Contrary to this doctrine have the anci­ent Physitians asserted, and built upon, as a sure foundation, that heat is the prin­cipal efficient cause of digestion; being in­duced to this opinion, from the similitude of artificial concoctions and digestions: And finding humane bodies to be actually hot, supposed by increasing of natural heat, to fortifie the digestions; and that the diffe­rence of digestions in several persons, or the same person at several times, did de­pend and vary, from the degrees of heat, its debility and fortitude, but upon a due examination you will find it otherwise, and from the strength of reason be forced to conclude with me thus.

1. That heat is a chief agent in the artifi­cial preparation and praevious digestion of meat, before it be received into the sto­mack, whether in rosting, boyling, baking, &c. but not in the natural digestions of the body: For, nature in its principal operati­ons works not primarily by the signa­tures and concomitant effects of life (as heat;) but by vital principles as efficient primitive causes.

2. That the changing of food into Chyle is a fermental transmutation from a vital principle, not an impression of a subordi­nate instrument.

3. That digestion in humane bodies, is accompanied with heat, though not the proper effect of heat.

4. That internal natural heat by its own power and peculiar efficiency, makes not a digestive transmutation, but is a conco­mitant of vital operations, contributing instrumentaliter & equivocè to various effects; and is subservient in the several digestions distinct from each other.

5. That extraneous and additional heat does excite the vital principles to operation, and is asistant instrumentaliter & excita­tivè, in performance, propter symbolum quali­tatis.

6. That heat quatenus heat, acts univocè, alwaies producing the same effects; but as it is the instrument of various efficient causes, concurs in the production of various heterogene effects; as also in respect of di­vers objects upon which it acts.

7. That the variety of heat in several bo­dies are but gradual differences; but diver­sity of digestions are from formal distinct proprieties.

8. That the gradual difference of heat in divers persons; or in the same person at several times, do signally testifie the ability of the vital principles in their vigour à pri­ori, in their essential causes; or à posteriori in their manifested operations Claudicari, to be impedited or depraved accidentally.

9. That heat acts not as principle instru­mentally in the stomachical digestion, but subordinately inferior to a superior mani­fest quality, more immediately the organ of the vital principle or primitive cause of di­gestion: For, heat may be sufficient, yea, abound, and digestion weak or depraved (as in Feavers;) but the other cannot be in its rectitude and vigorous, but the digestive faculty must be strong and unblamable.

10. That veriety of appetites, suting with and desiring some kind of meats, but refusing and rejecting other as dissentaneous and disgustful, ariseth from the peculiarity [Page 22]and singular propriety of stomachical fer­ments, and not the gradual diversity of heat: For, that which is principal in opera­tion is also principal in election of the proper object of that faculty, embracing and cove­ting what is most suteable and agreeing, but repugning and shewing aversion, from what is discordant and disagreeing, by an innate power and prerogative, as supreme modera­tor of that faculty.

11. That the digestive faculty in fishes, being of another region, is not accompani­ed with heat; because their vital principles do differ toto genere from land creatures: And therefore heat is not necessarily requi­red as a principal agent, or instrument, in digestion; but shews it self as a distinguish­ing character of vitality; yet not vainly or bare so, but usefully where it is.

Hence it appears from these theses, with their connexd reasons, that heat is not the primary efficient cause of digestion, but an emanative accident, or characteristical con­comitant of vital principles, instrumen­tally subservient in the digestive faculties; and therefore I must rest upon another basis, more firm in reason, and assign a vital principle the parent of digestive transmuta­tion specifically distinct in every digestion: which that you may the better understand [Page 23]what they are, I shall divide and distinguish them into these following propositions.

1. That the primary efficient cause of di­gestion, is the ferment of that digestive Office; which is a vital principle endowed with a transmutative power (by way of simi­litude astral or influential) discharging its vertue upon the object matter to be wrought upon or digested.

2. That the several digestions have pecu­liar distinct ferments, acting subordinately in their own stations, until aliment be brought to its heigth of perfection, for nutrition of the body.

3. That these ferments are primitive essen­tial causes, and therefore à priori indemon­strable; but discover themselves à posterio­ri in their distinct operations and effects.

4. That the impressions of the several ferments upon their alimentary objects, are so distinct that their productive alterations are alien, dissimilar and opposite, yet con­ducing to one ultimate intention, the nu­trition and conservation of the body.

5. That the producted alteration of the precedent digestion, if not subdued & chan­ged by the subsequent in its passage, is hostile, injurious and a morbifick cause; if it submit not to the power and government of that Office, through which it hath transmission, [Page 24]by receiving the transmutation and cha­racter of the place: So the acide cremor of the first digestion, is changed into a saline nature in the second; else gripes in the bowels and fluxes do ensue.

6. That the emanative influential power of the ferments is absconded in their causes (because vital principles) but detected by assuming similar homogeneous manifest qualities, subservient to their intentions and instrumental in their operations, do shew the diversity of their natures, and what they are.

7. That the instrumental qualities of di­gestion are indisposed, and unfit, by their intention or remission, being vitiated and depraved from their own natures and pro­prieties, by improper discordant food, car­rying in their natures alienating and hostile qualities; or similar qualities in excess, ad­vancing the fermental qualities to a lux­uriant injurious exaltation: As pricking and gripes in the stomack from acide juices, as of lemmons, &c.

8. That errors in digestion may arise from the depravation, enervation and decay of the ferments: or the indisposition of their instrumental qualities and organs by which they act; or the intractability, discor­dancy and unfitness of the object matter to be wrought upon.

9. That the vital Principles, by provoca­tion from unnatural bad Customs, are thrust and enforced from the constancy and regu­larity of their operations; thence grow dis­ordered, debauched and habituated in diso­bedience to the institutions of Nature; do hardly and with difficulty return and be re­duced, unless coacted by prevalent good means, and regular care for their reduction and restoration.

10. That the vital principles, without vio­lence offered or disturbance, ab extra, from injurious bad Customs and irregular living, do deficere in radice, spontaneously fall off and desist, sooner or later according to their strength and radication ab ortu; in their first plantation and initiation: and there­fore it is that some in the ordinary course of Nature (though irregular in living) do out­live, and have their faculties perform vi­gorously of longer duration, than some o­thers more regular and conformable to the Laws of Nature; because the difference is great in the Principles of their Nature, and foundation of their beings.

11. That Diaetetick errors, as in meat and drink, sleeping and watching, motion and rest, passions of mind, &c. do so discompose and disorder the vital Principles in the go­vernment of their Offices, that their strength [Page 26]and vigour is thereby impoverished and aba­ted, their duration shortned, and hastens them to a period of extinction: for, as vital Principles are radicated and established by Nature, so are they best kept and longest pre­served, by that course and method which Nature hath enjoined for their tuition and conservation; but being transplanted out of their genuine and native regularity, by incongruous and unnatural Customs, they degenerate, decay, and are of shorter dura­tion, much sooner declining and termina­ting their beings; as more fully is set forth in Tutela Sanitatis, therefore I forbear here.

What the Scurvy is, its essential con­stitutive Causes and manner of Generation.

HAving determined the use and Office of the digestive ferments, their manner of operation, and specifick distinction from each other, their divers subordinate effects con­ducing to one ultimate intention, their de­clensions and durations: which being pre­mised and rightly understood, the Nature of the Scurvy in its Essential causes and manner of Generation will more cleerly be detected, [Page 27]and made obvious to reasonable capacities: and to facilitate your apprehension and re­tention, to prevent mistakes or cloudiness by a long dependant concatenated discourse, I shall aphoristically deliver my opinions, and divide them into morsels, fit for your recep­tion and more easy digestion, which you may take thus.

First Ngatively.

1. It is not one univocal homogeneous preternatural Humour, the materia ex quae that generates the Scurvy; for as the Symp­toms and concomitant Effects are various, so is their material cause different & various.

2. It is not melancholly degenerate and depraved, acquiring a specifick malignity (as most Physitians I meet with in Print do affirm) that is the material cause of the Scurvy: for (à signis diagnosticis) admit there were such a melancholly humour depraved and speci­fickly malign, this specification would deter­mine it to some certainty, and confirm it to some distinct diagnostick signs, indubitably declaring its peculiarity and separation from others; for there must be some specifick di­stinguishing character which necessarily must accompany such a specifick malignity; but there is none such, for a man is adjudged to be Scorbutick, with looseness of Teeth and without, with spots or without spots; [Page 28]and so likewise of the other signs, in their absence and presence: and the Symptoms are so various that they contradict and op­pugn one another in their declarative signs, that they own distinct causes not one pecu­liar malignity.

Secondly, The diversity or difference of the scorbutick spots do argue variation of the material cause, and not one Specifick malign humour: for, if you judge of temperaments by colours, making them one sort of distin­guishing Characters, (as you do) saying this person is Phlegmatick, because pale; and that sanguine, because rosy; and this cho­lerick, of palish yellow: as also of preterna­tural tumors, saying, this is a Phlegmone, that Erysipilas, or oedema, &c. from the va­riation of their colours and external appea­rance, assigning several humours and com­plication of humours for causes; then why not various commaculations and discolou­rations in parts, as well as various extubera­tions, should challenge divers material cau­ses, since they differ but ratione quantitatis, in the quantity of peccant matter, the one hath more, the other less; and sometimes these spots do germinate and swell into Scor­butick tumors ex abundanti materia, from en­crease of the same depraved matter, and have their variations and denominations as other preternatural tumors have.

A juvantibus & contra.

If melancholy humour be the foundation of this Disease, then Purgatives that attract melancholly (as you suppose) would prevent this Disease, or eradicate it; but you may purge and purge Spring and Fall, and yet the Scurvy shall come on and prevail: but if it be melancholly degenerate & malign, as you say, then sudorificks would be the grand opposers of this Disease; but neither Pur­gatives or Sudorificks, nor both, are the ade­quate medicines of this Disease, yet both useful à posteriori, applied to the Effects and Products of it: but that which unhingeth this Disease, stops the spring, prevents or e­radicates it, roborates the faculties intentio­nally and primarily, restores them to integri­ty and pristine vigour in the performance of their Functions and duties.

A Causis antecedentibus externis:

Certain Climates, Regions and bad Airs are procuring and promoting Causes of this Disease; not that we can imagine they in­gender melancholly more than other places, but because they are infested with noxious fumes and vapours, which surrounding and being drawn into the body, commix with the Spirits, and do labefactare vitae principia, debilitate and deprave the faculties in their operations, from whence Scorbutick effects do ensue.

But you may say, a sedentary, studious and melancholly Life does often breed the Scur­vy, and therefore it must needs be a melan­cholly humour, the material Cause & foun­dation of this Disease: To which I answer; that a melancholly inactive Life does breed the Scurvy, but how? not to conclude from thence that it is a melancholly humour de­generate and malign; but because by such a condition of Life the vital Principles do receive much prejudice, decay and fall off from their Functions; for mirth and an a­ctive Life do roborate all the faculties, keeps them vigorous, the Spirits being chear­ful & lively in the performance of their du­ties, but by the contrary are languid, debile and insufficient, from whence many incon­veniences and prejudices to the body do en­sue, as you may see enumerated in that Book called Tutela Sanitatis.

But you may farther say, the Spleen be­ing the seat of that passion, is chiefly affect­ed and injured thereby, and therefore it must needs be a Splenetick luxuriant hu­mour.

That a melancholly Life does debilitate and frustrate the Spleen in the rectitude of its Office, I agree, and not the Spleen only, but other principal parts and Offices of di­gestion also; for if melancholly seiz and [Page 31]fix the Spirits, makes them torpid (as it is the property of it so to do) and the Spirits are principal agents in all the faculties, then not the Spleen only is prejudiced, and a sple­netick humour only that abounds, but all parts do participate of the injury idiopa­thically; and all the digestions are vitiated, and their ill effects do appear Scorbutical, and variously complicated as their several Actions and Offices are various.

Having shewed you Negatively, and de­termined that the Scurvy is not what some have supposed it to be; I shall now posi­tively set down what it is, in these follow­ing Theorems.

1. That the Scurvy is generated by the conjunction or conspiration of divers Cau­ses; yet disjunct in their causation, subor­dinately and distinctly contributing to a Scorbutick difformity; for, although the de­ficiency of the first digestion lay the founda­tion, yet it is not compleated so as to chal­lenge the denomination of the Scurvy, un­til by addition from the irregularity and depravedness of other parts.

2. That the Scurvy is a complication or concatenation of Diseases, conspiring to the making up of its difformity and Prothean shapes; not arising from a single Disease, or any solitary cause: for, as the variety of [Page 32]symptoms and products do appear in seve­ral parts, dissimilar and unlike, being the effects of several inordinate faculties; must of necessity Challenge and own distinct im­mediate causes, as the parts wherein those faculties do reside, are distinct and separate in place and Office.

3. That the difformity of the Scurvy, in the diversity and dissimilarity of symptoms, ariseth from the complication of errors in the digestions, and variety of parts thereby affected and drawn into consent.

4. That the individual variegation of the Scurvy ariseth from the peculiar association of causes, and idiosyncratical propriety of particular persons, producing such and such symptoms, which in no other person you will exactly find the like: For, as sound bodies in respect of sanity having a parallel equality and proportion in the whole; yet particularly and disjunctively collated there is great variety and difference; in stature organization, complexion, inclinations, appetitions, performance of functions, &c. If there be such variety of parts, proprieties, and operations in humane bodies in a state of sanity and integrity which is uniform: then much more variety and disproportion in a state of declension and irregularity, which is deform and multiform.

5. That the Scurvy is generated formali­ter & essentialiter, in the vital principles ut ens invisibile, not discerned by sence: But the effects and products are distributed, have their residence in all the parts, and are sensitive objects; as spots, pains, loosness of Teeth, putrid Gums, Tumors, ulcers, &c.

6. That the Scurvy is planted Seminaliter & radicaliter in the digestions or digestive Offices, whose ramifications, spread through­out the body, and are increased extensivè, more or less, according to the fortitude and debility of parts, to resist or consent and be depraved.

7. That the Scurvy increaseth, or is worse intensivè, from the greater frustration of digestions and degeneration of the digestive matter, ex causis antecedentibus quibuscun­que.

8. That the Scurvy is procured occasiona­liter, by numerous and various diaetetick acci­dental causes, seducing the vital principles to declension and deviation from their rec­titude and integrity.

9. That the ratio formalis, quiddity and essence of the Scurvey is defection and enor­mity of the vital principles; occasionally procured ab extra & moved to such a devia­tion: Or spontaneously inclining through [Page 34]an innate deficiency and hereditary propen­sion; or natural inability, longer to perse­vere, from the fragility of constitutive prin­ciples in nature.

10. That the Scurvy is not restrained to any certain symptomes either in quantity or quality; or univocal material cause: But is various and equivocal as to the ma­terial products, by degeneration and com­plication; as also unlimited in the symp­toms.

11. That the part affected principaliter, cheifly and contributing prae aliis, to the pra­vity and deformity of this disease, is the Spleen. For that the Spleen is a principal member, in chylification, and sanguificati­on as to perfection and conservation; and by a deficiency in the Spleen, both are vitia­ted, there wanting due fermentation: and therefore the Spleen is fabricated and con­trived with so many arteries, having plenty of spirits for this office.

12. That Scorbute spots arise from im­pediment, vitiation, or extinction of the last digestion, or assimilation; and that ratione ob­jecti deturpati: vel facultatis transmutativae deficientis: Either the alimentary object is depraved and unfit; or the assimilating fa­culty is languid, deficient or extinct.

13. That spots appear chiefly upon the Thighs, and Leggs, not from the gravity of their material cause & ponderous propensi­on of grosser matter downwards, as is com­monly alledged for the reason; but because ignoble parts are more weak & debile in their assimilation, being more remote from assi­stance & supply of vital spirits, have first the tokens of defection: And farther, not the low­er parts only are so affected, but the superi­or parts frequently, as Arms and Shoul­ders, from the same cause, do bear the same characters, not distinguishable by tenuity and grossness of humor.

14. That Scorbutick pains are caused from alien qualities arising out of the degenerate matter in the parts so molested; or from sto­machical acidity transmitted unsubdued; from defect or debility of the second digesti­on, or its own luxuriant exorbitancy resist­ing transmutation and obedience in its pas­sage.

15. That pro ratione corporis perspirabilita­tis, plus minusve, scorbutus variatur: As the body is perspirable or impervious more or less, is the Scurvy varied, intended and re­mitted in the symptoms: And therefore the Crassities, impenitration of the skin, and constipation of the pores, prohibiting tran­piration, is a partial organical cause of pre­ternatural [Page 36]spots, and makes for their con­tinuance and duration: For, as the body in its natural good state is transpirable, giving emission to what is superfluous remaining after the last digestion; on the contrary, the restraint thereof by congestion, begets com­maculations and defaedations of the skin, tu­mors and apostumations, one or other, pro magnitudine causarum.

16. That although the Scurvy, eo nomine, is not of long standing, and unknown to the ancient Physitians under that title, and the distinguishing characters that we denote it by; yet the disease in specie is antique, though in individuis not so frequently then, nor perhaps characterized altogether alike, as we now distinguish it: For, as humane bo­dies do decline in these latter daies, and de­generate from the pristine vigour of the an­cients in all the faculties and abilities of bo­dy, by reason of intemperance, and various manners of abusive living, transmitted in se­mine from generation to generation; so likewise, and for these causes, diseases do not continue alike and certain, but have their variations, and complications different; which occasions new names, though the dis­ease be the same in its essential constitutive causes and manner of generation.

Preservation from the Scurvy, and to be observed in the Scurvy.

IN the due Regiment of Health, and prote­ction from Diseases; you must consider and know that all things which belong, and are necessary for the preservation of the body and support of Nature; that they also may be the antecedent procuring causes of sick­ness; as also the fomenting and aggravating causes of diseases already generated: as when contrary to the law or disposition of our peculiar Natures, they are applied or used unseasonably, immoderately, incon­gruously, or any waies unsutably to our Nature and Condition of Body: And there­fore both in the time of preservation and curation they are to be regarded.

And since there is not a moment of time in which we do not stand in need of air; and that being constantly drawn into the body, must needs make for, or against the continuance of health, according to the conditions and properties it is pregnant with.

Wherefore in preservation from the Scur­vy, it is of no small concernment the air and climate that you live in, to dispose or defend you from it: the nature of the air is [Page 38]such in some places, that few there are not tainted with it, and this as a principal cause. And therefore in Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and such places this disease is most common; and chiefly in the Fenny and Marrish parts: for that a moist foggy cold air is apt to ingender this disease or increase it: because the spirits thereby are clogged and fixed, dull and inactive; from whence defects in fermentation, humors incrassated and obstructions, the pores occluded, and transpiration prohibited.

But a warm, drie, serene air makes much in the preservation from the Scurvy: the spirits thereby are kept more vigorous, live­ly and brisk; humors attenuated, volatile, and freely circulating; the pores more open and perspirable, giving emission to excre­mentitious vapours unprofitable and hurt­full to be restrained; and all the parts more free in their communications and subser­viency one to the other.

Those that retire themselves voluntarily to a studious sedentary life, or are confined to a close chamber airy, are thereby disposed to this disease; or much aggravated and en­creased, if already they are scorbutick, more specially if melancholy be their companion: and where the air is impure, not to be avoi­ded, as in great Cities, correct it somthing [Page 39]by Art in your houses, with wholsom fumes, especially in moist cold weather: They that live in Cities, especially some parts thereof, more close and noisom than others; as in narrow streets, lanes and Allies, are much prejudiced in their health. There is great difference in the place and parts of a City to live in; the broader streets and places more open and airy, the wholsomer: and the outside (caeteris paribus) near the fresh fields is better than to be crouded in the middle, provided no stinking ditches or dunghils be adjacent.

And here I cannot but take notice of Bloomsbury (the Right Honourable Earl of Southampton's propriety and Seat) for the best part about London, both for health and pleasure exceeding other places: It is the best air and finest prospect, being the highest ground, and overlooking other parts of the City. The fields bordering upon this place are very pleasant, and drie grounds, for walking and improving of health; a fit place for Nobility and Gentry to reside in, that make their abode about London; there being the Country air, pleasure, and City conveniencies joined together: Now lately improved and built upon, and still encreasing with fair and well contrived Buildings, a good addition, and Ornament to this place.

The next considerable in a regular preser­vation from the Scurvy, is Diet; which ought to be duly observed: for, as by con­venient food, sutable and agreeable in all the requisite circumstances, quantity, quali­ty, time, and order: so on the contrary, by a disproportionate and unsutable diet, the faculties are disordered and debilitated in their several functions, inclining to this or that disease, according to the nature and quality of the food, and other circumstances that attend it.

And therefore some kind of meats and drinks do dispose, and are the antecedent causes of this disease; as also do cherish and help to maintain it where it is already ge­nerated, although procured first by other causes.

The grosser meats, and such as do not easily digest are to be avoided; but light meats, and such as the stomack does well agree with, covet, and digest best, keep to such.

Milk and Milk-meats in a foul body do soon alter and degenerate, and therefore injurious to Scorbutick Persons; but in clean bodies 'tis good food.

Broom buds, Capers and Sampire are good sauce to your meate, helps the Stomack in digestion, and is profitable for the Spleen; [Page 41]a part chiefly affected in the Scurvy.

Also Oranges and Lemmons, Berberries and Sorrel helps fermentation, and are good.

But old flesh, drie and hard meats long kept, Rie-bread, and brown, especially Crusts, fried, or broyled meats, are to be avoided: for these are more stubborn, do not soon yield to fermentation, nor beget good nutriment: as also salt fish, and meats smoak-dried, as hang'd Bief, Bacon, dried Tongues, and such like, are injurious, and promote this disease: But for variety of meats and their qualities you may see a Ca­talogue in my Tutela Sanitatis, therefore I shall not repeat them here.

For Drinks take these observations:

Drink not your Beer new, because not yet fully purified by fermentation, but rather stale, well hop'd, clear, & reasonable strong, if your stomack be weak and declining.

And it is very considerable, of what wa­ter your drink is made; for that there is great variety and difference in the goodness of waters, being impregnated with several qualities from the nature of earth through which it passeth; and several accidents that happen to change water from its genuine properties, and make it impure and unwhol­som, by carrion, filth, and such like admix­tures that may corrupt it.

And from these causes many places are more disposed to breed the Scurvy than o­thers, from bad water with which their Beer or Ale is made, and meats dressed. And Ply­ny relates, that Caesars Army by drinking of bad water but a few daies, had the symp­toms of the Scurvy.

Ale I do not approve of; but white Wine and Rhenish is good for you to drink a glass or two somtimes, to open obstructions, cleanse and whet the appetite, and promote fermentation.

Sider also is good drink, if it be made of the best Apples; as Pippins, Pearmains, and such like; and that it be clear, having had good time to ferment, separate, and purifie: but withall have respect to your stomack, that it be agreeable, and desired by it: but if you have a cold, raw stomack, a warmer liquor will be more acceptable; as a glass of Canary somtimes, to fortifie the stomack and help digestion, is agreeable to the most.

The next considerable for praecaution of the Scurvy, is exercise and motion: which duly and moderately used, is a good preser­vative from this disease: a sedentary sloath­ful life makes the body to degenerate from its purity and vigour. Corrumpunt otia corpus.

From hence Defects in fermentation, hu­mours incrassate and obstruct; the Spirits being torpid, dull and inactive, do not ra­rify and circulate the blood, as when by motion they are excited and stirred up to their duties and performances: by seasona­ble exercise the digestions are strengthened, obstructions opened, and evacuations more duly performed: and since an idle Life doth procure and promote this Disease, you must account it as your enemy to avoid it.

And like to this is the indulging of sleep unseasonably, beyond its limits and due times; from whence necessary evacuations are restrained and put by their due accu­stomed times; and superfluous humours ac­cumulated and lodged, that otherwise Na­ture would have sent forth profitably in good time; the spirits are made sluggish, dull and inactive, and all the faculties in­jured.

But on the contrary, let not watching ex­ceed its just times appointed by Nature; for from hence the inconveniencies are as great; especially to such bodies as are lean and spare, or inclining to be Consumptive and hectical; by over-watching the spirits are heated and tyred, the bloud degenerates and turns acrid or sharp, leaving its balsa­mick [Page 44]nature, and is disposed to a colliquati­on or separation of parts; the vigour of na­ture is hereby abated, and the functions de­praved.

Passions of mind, though in the last place accounted, are not the least, but principally to be regarded, and due order to be kept there for preservation from infirmities: for the Soul being the better and more noble part, from whose command and power bo­dily actions do proceed; of necessity if that be discomposed and disordered, the instru­mental part must act irregularly and depra­vedly; and of all the Passions, melancholly and sadness do most dispose to this Disease, and aggravate it; the reasons are these.

The Soul in that Passion suspends and withdraws her influence and emanative ver­tue, which was wont to be enlarged and let forth into all the faculties, mediately by the spirits, her chief and appropriate Agents; and the Soul in this state and condition of sadness, being as it were lock'd up and strait­ned within her self, darkened and overspread with a cloud of melancholly, does not emit­tere & emanare, send forth her wonted quick­ning power; by which suspension the Spi­rits are disposed to cessation from their du­ties, whereby the faculties are enervated and deficient in their functions.

The Spleen which is accounted the seat of this Passion, is chiefly debilitated and impe­dited in its office; the spirits hereby are fixed and deaded, fermentation cohibited and restrained, from whence scorbutick ef­fects do ensue; for that by the benefit of fermentation, our food is decocted, deserts its crudity and fixity; is raised and promo­ted to a state of volatility, that it may be fit for nutrition, and assimilation into the sub­stance of the body: but if fermentation be deficient and wanting, neither chylification nor sanguification can be good, but altoge­ther depraved and vitiated.

But concerning the several Passions of mind, and their various effects wrought in the body, is set forth in that book called Tutela Sanitatis, to which I refer the Reader for satisfaction.

Determinations of the Scurvy con­cerning the difficulty and fa­cility of the Cure.

BEfore I enter upon discourse of the Cure, to lay down fundamental precepts, and rules upon which it does depend; I shall say something as to the possibility of the [Page 46]Cure in particular persons, in whom there is a great difference; that by examination every one may give a rational conjecture of their own condition and state in this Dis­ease; and be something satisfied of the diffi­culty or facility of their Cure before they undertake the Course, and method to ef­fect it.

Many there are more curious and inquisi­tive to know what their Disease is, how dan­gerous and whether curable, than they will be industrious afterwards for a Cure: If it be the beginning of a Disease, and not very troublesome, they contemn and slight it: if it be of long standing and difficult to deal with, they despond and have no hopes to part, being so long associated together; and then give themselves the liberty of their phancies in the discipline and order of them­selves, whether it be good or bad, for or a­gainst their Disease.

Others more rational in their actions, de­sire a satisfaction concerning the nature and radication of their Diseases, and state of their bodies, that they may order them­selves to the best advantage, and to oppose their Disease with that strictness and dili­gence, in the use of good means, as is thought requisite for such a cure.

In satisfaction to such which are scorbu­tical, [Page 47]that you may know in what condition you are, and the strength of your Disease, and what possibility of Cure, whether diffi­cult or more easy: Examine your self by these questions.

1. What Functions in the body are decay­ed and irregular, more or fewer; and whe­ther such faculties so injured be principal or of a lower degree: for, according to the number of Functions disordered and debili­tated, is your Disease better or worse: and if they be from principal faculties the worse also: therefore look to the distinguishing Characters that belong to each faculty, which will declare whether they perform re­gularly, or disorderly and dificiently: the Characters of rectitude are the common signs, when every part performs its Office according to the custom of Nature: the cha­racters of declension and a depraved condi­tion, are all such as declare the contra­ry.

2. The duration and time, how long such symptoms and signs hath appeared and been manifest; for by how much the longer this Disease hath been rooted in the body, by so much the more difficult it is to be eradica­ted; for that the vital principles have so long deviated from their rectitude and inte­grity, and is more difficult to return, by [Page 48]the length of time habituated to the contra­ry. The Scurvy in the beginning is of easy cure, and soon yields to gentle medicines, properly appointed, with due orderly Cu­stoms; but after it is fixed and radicated firmly by time, stamping impressions of its depraved Nature upon all the Parts, is then more stubborn and difficult to be removed, and will require more time in the prosecu­tion against, although with effectual medi­cines.

3. Whether the Scurvy be haereditary; that is, descended of scorbutick Parents, or their Ancestors: and here you must know, that the Scurvy haereditarily derived, is worse than that which is acquired by ill dy­et, bad air, melancholly and unwholsom cu­stoms: for, if the Scurvy be worse and more difficult to be removed in those habituated to it, by length of time, acquired only by a declension and degeneration; then much more when it is radicated in the principles of Nature from the birth, and derived from their Parents or Ancestors, it being then connatural to them à principio.

4. What Sex, Male or Female: the Sex makes some difference in the facility or dif­ficulty of a Cure; it being worse in Wo­men, who are more obnoxious to the preju­dice of this disease than men.

First, because they are of a weaker na­ture, more apt to degenerate and accumu­late ill humors; whose constitutions are sooner changed, being more exposed by such a feminine debility; not so able to resist the procuring and occasional causes of this Disease, as masculine vigour, and fortitude of their vital principles.

Secondly, by reason of their accustomed courses in Nature which are apt to be sup­pressed, decreased, qualitatively altered, or be disordered in time, that Nature hath ap­pointed for that purgation, which brings much detriment; and this happens to Wo­men from small occasions sometimes; espe­cially infirm and diseased bodies, which ag­gravates and promotes their other infirmi­ties, or inclinations to such.

Thirdly, in respect of Child-bearing and the weaknesses that attend such a condition, which decay and abate their vigour and strength; and in the time of their going with Child the Scurvy doth prevail very much; partly for some of the preceding reasons; as also that in such a condition they cannot so well oppose the Disease by that Discipline & order as is required: and several I have ob­served to die in Child-bed by scorbutic Fea­vers, and some suffocated soon after a pro­bable good delivery, by a sudden and great [Page 50]fermentation, occasioned from the prece­ding Labour, and extraordinary internal motions.

4ly. In giving judgment of this Disease, the age of the person is to be considered, whe­ther it be in young or old: in old age the cure is more difficult by how much the ol­der, because the vital principles are declin­ed in their vigour, and fall off from the in­tegrity and rectitude of their Natures spon­taneously, from their proneness to desist, and natural inability to a longer duration; and therefore are not to be restored, but may be retarded in their speed of declension; their ill affects corrected and abated, not wholly prevented, being the inevitable con­sequents of lapsed Nature.

The Scurvy in Children argues an haeredi­tary infirmity derived from their Parents, or the vital principles debile and weak in their initiation and plantation: or that their Nurses were scorbutical, and tainted with this infirmity, from whom the child hath imbibed and drawn in impure nutriment, to corrupt the principles of its Nature in the in fancy and tender daies, being then more apt to receive, and longer to retain any im­pression quo semel est imbuta. —

In all these Causes the difficulty of the Cure is advanced; and since so great a pre­judice [Page 51]may arise to Infants from their Nur­ses, therefore there ought to be a strict and diligent care in the choice of them, and that by the approbation of an able Physi­tian before the Infant is committed to them.

5ly. The colour of scorbutick spots declaring this Disease, is to be regarded; for that such spots by how much they encline to black­ness, so much the worse: denoting a grea­ter degeneration of the material product, or extinction of the assimulating faculty.

Quicquid est in effectu, praeexistit in causa; arguing the vital principles to be very enor­mous and deficient; or the materia ex qua and nutrimental object to be of a very de­praved Nature, not to be reduced.

6ly. That the Cure is more difficult and will be longer in effecting to those that are irregular, live high, loose and careless; not observing laudable Customs, and such a Discipline as is required to oppose the Dis­ease: as also to such, whose low condition and inability, constrains them to a bad dy­et, inconveniencies and ill customs which promote and aggravate this Disease also.

The Therapeutick or Curative part examined.

THe common method in curing this Dis­ease, is carried on by these intentions: preparation of the scorbutick matter; open­ing of obstructions; evacuation of the mor­bifick cause; and roboration of parts.

For the first intention namely Prepara­tion it is performed (as they suppose) by medicaments that are attenuating and in­cisive, and by a more peculiar property do respect the malignant Cause: and such me­dicines are compounded of these ingredi­ents, Fumiterry, Spleenwort, Germander, Ci­chory, Borrage, Bugloss, Harts-tongue, Enula­campane, Squils, Bark of Tamarisk, Cappar roots, Polipody, &c. Of which decoctions are made, and drank some daies before purging, to prepare the morbifick humor, and make it more fit for evacuation.

That some of these rightly used are good against the Scurvy, I do not deny, but un­der the notion of preparation is a delusion of judgment: First, because there is no pos­sibility of reducing this degenerate scorbu­tick matter into a good state and condition, [Page 53] à privatione ad habitum non datur regressus. Ax.

Secondly, for that the humour which you intend so to prepare, is occult and unknown in its proprieties (by your own determina­tion;) the preparation then is but a blind business, and a shooting at random.

Thirdly, for that there is no purgative which attracts electivè this humour you in­tend thus to prepare: wherefore no prepa­ration is available or beneficial, distinct from that which is antiscorbutical and cura­tive.

The second intention is opening of ob­structions, and that is necessarily included in antiscorbutical medicines, which are a pe­ritive, rarifying, volatising and of a fer­menting Nature: but if it be meant only as a praevious disposition to the Cure, I think it more nicely distinguished, than necessary to be observed.

The third intention is evacuation of the morbifick cause; and that is supposed to be performed by phlebotomy and purgation.

Phlebotomy I cannot approve of (except there be a plethora urging) for that this Dis­ease is generated and depends upon the de­fect of fermentation; which rather requires addition of spirits to help the lassated vires, exciting and assisting their wonted operati­ons; [Page 54]not detraction and diminution: but hirudines venis haemorrhoidalibus appositae for some persons may be profitable.

It fares with the Bloud, as in other Li­quors; when their spirits are gone, flat and dead, they change their former nature and degenerate; and all things that exhaust, de­press or fix the Spirits, are promoters of this Disease: and I much wonder Phlebotomy so frequently used upon slight occasions, perni­ciously sometimes and mortally; as in the e­ruption of the small Pox, more apparently, at such time when the bloud is fermenting for a purification; detraction of blood then abates the strength of Nature, by emission of spirits; which ceaseth the ebullition, and checks Nature in the very height of contest, for expulsion of the malignity and virulen­cy of the Disease, but this obitèr.

Purgation is appointed to be performed by such medicines as evacuate melancholly, supposing that predominant humour to be the cause of this Disease; but if I should grant melancholly to be the morbifick cause, and that purgatives do attract electivè; yet the process of the cure is not rationally grounded; for that this melancholly (as you say) is degenerate and changed from its spe­cifick known nature, into that which is se­cret and unknown; metamorphosed and [Page 55]disguised by occult proprieties, arising from its secret and new Nature: so that it is not the same, but another humour distinct from what it was before: and now you must seek for another Purger, peculiar and different from the common Purgers of melanchol­ly.

And farther, here is a great mistake in taking that to be the morbifick cause, which is the morbifick effect: that excrementiti­ous matter which is purged out, is but the product or effect of the Disease, not the cause; except it be occasional; not essenti­al and constitutive.

You must distinguish between the Disease and the product thereof: depraved matter and excrements are the products of a Disease, and may be the internal occasional causes of another Disease: but in respect of the Disease of which they are so a cause, they are external; that is, they are not the constitutive essential causes: for Causae constitntivae & constitutum sunt simul in esse: but occasional causes are antece­dent and have priority of exstience; so like­wise the product matter or effect is distinct and separate from the Disease; for that the Disease hath a real existence before such a production; and also after this degene­rate matter is removed, unless otherwise [Page 56]obliterated; or that Nature sua sponte returns to her integrity and rectitude.

The last intention is Roboration, which is the perfection of the Cure, and praecaution for the future; and this is so necessary, that although the Disease make a cessation for a time, yet there will be a recidivation and re­currence: the parts being debilitated by the pravity of this Disease, will shew their propension to it; until those impressions be totally obliterated, and the parts restored to their pristine vigour.

And this is not performed by dyet-drinks, Apozems, Syrups, and such like heterogene languid medicines; but with such as are purely defaecated from terenity, volatized, spiritallized, and graduated to a pitch of energy, symphoniacal with vital princi­ples.

Having briefly discoursed the scope and intentions of the common method in the Cure of this Disease; I shall now give you some Theses curative, deducted from the Theorical part of this work, founded up­on the Doctrine delivered.

1. That the difficulty in curing the Scur­vy does depend upon the principal causes in the digestive and distributive faculties, be­ing more or less enervated, deficient or ir­regular; not from the contumacy of a me­lancholly [Page 57]humor (as is alleaged;) for, as the vitiosity and difformity of the Scurvy does arise from the complicated defection of the digestive and distributive faculties; so the difficulty also, or facility of the Cure does depend upon the possibility of restoration to their integrity and rectitude: and if the in­ternal constitutive causes of the Scurvy be cut off and subdued, the symptoms and ef­fects that from thence do depend, will soon die and vanish, not being supplyed by their causes of generation and conservation: therefore it is not the contumacy of a pro­ducted degenerate matter that protracts, or makes the Disease incurable, but the diffi­culty of reducing the vital principles to their integrity and rectitude, being weakly or depravedly radicated, or habituated to en­ormity and irregularity, enforced by diaete­tick bad Customs; or promoted and conti­nued by some unavoidable occasional cause.

2ly. That an haereditary scorbutick dispositi­on is not to be changed and altered in the radication; but will shew a propension and inclination suiting with the peculiarity of its Nature and principles: for, Nature de­praved à principio in principiis, is not to be reduced, but will retain her vitiosity being indivisible and inseparable from her self; nor is capable of reduction, having [Page 58]not had the principles of rectitude to return to.

3ly. That an haereditary Scorbutick dispo­fition as to fructification and symptomati­cal production, may be prevented, retarded, or lessened; for that the symptoms and pro­ducts which usually attend this disease, are under the command, and must give obedi­ence to a diaetetick and pharmaceutick pow­er and authority.

4ly. That the various symptomatical ap­pearance of the Scurvy, and difference of scorbutick matter by degeneration in divers persons, does not alwaies necessarily require variety of Medecines, but will admit the same cure; for, although in the production & pro­gression of the disease, there is great varie­ty; yet there is more certainty and unity in the essential constitutive causes, the spring or fountain from whence those issue; to which rightly applied the cure will suc­ceed, reliquum supplente natura juvata.

5ly. That the occasional, or antecedent in­ternal causes of this disease, by way of prae­caution; or the product matter and ef­fects of this disease, in primis viis seated, may conveniently be removed by manifest eva­cuation: that is degenerate Chyle, which will not be reduced, but deprave and infest where it resides, passes, and is transmitted; [Page 59]yet the spirits and ferments are chiefly to be regarded, that they be kept in their purity and vigor, being the principles in each fa­culty; and this is performed privativè, by subducting what is offensive and injurious; and also positivè, by contributing an additi­onal strength, having some equality or pro­portion suting with their natures.

6ly. That purgation cannot eradicate, or take away the constitutive causes of this disease; but only carry off some of the pro­ducted scorbutick matter, which is not redu­cible, and is remedium à posteriori: for, the essential constitutive causes of the Scurvy are enormity and deficiency of the vital princi­ples in their duties; which are to be redu­ced to their regularity and fortitude: but evacuation per se respects the producted mat­ter and effects, not the essential causes, but per accidens: and therefore that which does apply radically to the internal causes of this disease is symbolical and consimilar with the vital principles, uniting with them, roborating and confirming them in their functions; and therefore they that lay all the stress of the cure upon evacuation, whe­ther purging, vomiting, bleeding, or sweat­ing, as if that alone must do it, are much deceived and frustrated in their expecta­tions.

7ly. That strong purgations, offering vio­lence to the vital principles, exasperates and makes them more irregular and defective, and thereby promotès rather than abates the strength of this disease: But purgation or abstersion rightly instituted (not every purge that makes you go to stool) is convenient and helpful in the Cure.

8ly. That Scurvy-grass, Watercresses, Brook­lime, most frequently used for the Scurvy, in Diet-drinks, Syrup, and juice, is not the specifick remedy against the Scurvy; that is, challenging a peculiar propriety and singu­lar vertue against this disease before other Medicines; but comes far short of other Me­dicines (though good, and may be more ad­vantagiously used) in their activity and re­storation of the digestions to their primitive vigour and rectitude of their office and du­ties.

9ly. That Cochlearia &c. does not resist this disease by a specifick, peculiar antipathy a­gainst the occult malignity and products thereof; but by restoring and roborating the digestive faculties, by their saline vola­tising vertues, natura reliquum perficiente; which endowments are not specifick, but common.

10ly. That the diseases complicated with the Scurvy are not cured by their own pecu­liar [Page 61]Medicines, usually effectual; unless they have respect to this disease, and that which is antiscorbutical added to their specifick vertues; or alternatively used: and there­fore scorbutick Consumptions, Fevers, Dropsies, Gouts, Astmaes, &c. will not be subdued and yield obedience to the com­mon way of Cure.

I have now prosecuted this disease, and made disquisition into the nature of it, so far as time will give me leave at present: something more I have to say upon this sub­ject, but want due leasure to deliver it to you, and therefore must defer, and wait for an opportunity to revise and augment this Treatise. What follows are the Medicines I use in the cure of this disease.

Arcana Artis

Spagyricè fideliter & Cura singulari, propria inspectione praeparata.

Potestatum vitalium deficientium Virtute resuscitativa & instau­rante dotata.

In levamen aegrorum ad praxim ac­commodata; & ad morbos contumaces domandum valentissima.

Usu & experientia quam sae pissime probata.

Modo exhibendi, dosi, vehiculo, tem­pore, cum discrimine sexuum aetatum, virium, pro re nata & eorum natura, legibus appositè restricta.

Quicquid aliud de his curiosus, vel difficili morborum complexu coreptus cautè dubitabit; me consulat, supplebo.