CHAP. I. Of the Name and original of the Veneral Disease.

AMongst contagious diseases, next to the Pestilence, and Leprosy of Arabians, the French Pox doth challenge the first place; but it is called by several names: The Names of the french disease; the most common name is the French Pox, which was therefore imposed, because it first of al in Europe appeared amongst the French. For in the yeare of our Lord 1493. and 1494. When Charls the Eighth, King of France, waried with King Alphonsus at Naples, this disease first appea­red and began to rage in the Camps of the French, and therefore by the Italians was first of al named the French disease. For whereas Antonius Benivenius de abdit. morb. caus. cap. 1. relates that it happened in the year of our Lord 1496. that doubtless is thus to be understood, That now this disease did no longer contain it self in Italy, but as he speaks, had almost spread over al Europe, and began to diffuse it self abroad through the rest of its provinces; for al other Authors agree in this, that this dis­ease did first of al appeare at the foresaid time in the French Camp at Naples, The French Disease. The Italian. The Nea­politan. The Spanish The Indian. and there was called the French disease. But the French that they may remove this disgrace from themselves, and retort the injury upon the Italian, cal it the Italian, and Neapolitan disease, because it was first known in Italy at Naples. Others because it was brought by the Spaniards into the Fench Camp, cal it the Spanish disease, and others the Indian, for the writers of the Indies do report that in that part of America, whose longitude ends towards the North, and which they cal Florida, this disease many ages ago was epidemical; and they write that it did generally invade, and suddenly seize on many without any manifest cause, without contagion, and especially if any one had copulation with a woman in the time of her Courses. Fracastorius cals it Syphilis, some the gout of the privicies, Syphilis; Pudenda­gra. The great Pox. The Vene­ral Diseawses Whether it be a new Disease. some the great Pox, because pustles and swellings do every where break forth like those of the smal Pox. Most men now adays without any injury or disgrace to any Nation, do cal it the Veneral disease, because it is chiefly contracted by a contagion from Venery, and lying with unwholsome bodies.

But Authors are wont here to make this Quaerie, Whether that diseawse sprung up at Naples about the yeare 1494. were a new disease, or whether it were known to the Ancients? Franciscus Vallesius. 1. Epidem. com. 1. And Hieron Rusnerus de Scorbuto exercit. 1. and the some other moderns, are of opinion this disease was unknown to the ancients, and they think that Hippocrates did not shadow it [Page 2]out by his pencil, but set it forth to the life in 3 Epid. Sect. 3. (they are the words of Reusner) whenas he reckons up there divers symptomes, which are seen in the vene­ral disease; as imposthumations and suppurations of the flesh, the lying bare of the nerves and bones, and great fallings forth, fluxions collected not like unto matter, but far worse, a baldness of the head and chin, with and without a Feaver, St. An­thonies fire with smal Ulcers and inflamation, filthy and putrid fluxes, pains of the limbs, swellings about the jaws, inflamations of the tongue, impostumations, about the teeth, stammering, corrupt, and perplext speech, enterings into con­sumptions, burning Feavers, and which is worst of al, ulcers about the pubes and privities.

But Hippocrates in that place never so much as dream'd of the Veneral disease, but describes a most grievous pestilence, according to the judgment of Galen and al interpreters, and the evidence of the History it self witnessing the same. For that disease for the most part invaded with a Feaver, which is not so in the Veneral dis­ease and was epidemical, whenas the Veneral disease is disseminated only by con­tagion, and no other way, and the method of curing that disease was far different from the cure of the veneral.

Dodoneus also hath observ'd upon the alleaged place of Benivenius, that a long time agoe some men have contracted some hurts from uncleane and filthy women, as Gui­lielmus Salicetus, Gordonius, and Vallescus de Taranta, do testify, the last of which lived in the year 1418. but Salicetus flourisht in the yeare 1270. Gordonius in the time between them both. Nay holy writ doth testefy that he that followeth harlots, shal have wormes and moths for his reward: but I do not think that those diseases were the same with the Veneral disease of this time which first of al ap­peared at the aforesaid time in Italy in the Camp of the French. Therefore though Paracelsus, lib. de tumorib. et ulcer. morb. Gal. cap. 3. Writes that this hapned in the yeare 1478. The Origi­nal of the Veneral dis­ease. and lib. 1. de causa luis Gal. cap. 3. In the yeare 1480. yet he differs from the relations of al others, since al agree in this, that this disease was not known in Europe, before the yeare of our Lord 1493. although it were endemious in the west Indies a long while before, and was brought by the Spani­ards out of India into Italy. For when Christopher Columbus in the yeare 1492. in the month of September undertook his first voyage into the west Indies, and spent almost two years in that expedition, he returned into Spain in the yeare 1494. whose Souldiers being infected with that disease in India, and afterwards serving in the Italian expedition, did sow amongst them this disease. For as Gabriel Fa­lopius writes of this business de morb. Gal. lib. 1. (Who reports his Father was in that warre) whenas the Spaniards by reason of the deareness of provisin did drive out the unserviceable multitude, the French did privately entertain their harlots, being allured by their beauty, and so infected with their contagion contracted this disease, which afterwards was first of al spred through their camps, & hence through­out Europe.

Yet in some Countries it hath and doth yet spred more frequently, in others 'tis more rare, to enquire into the cause whereof, it being a thing hateful we shal for­beare; yet this I think is certain, that there are fewer sick of this disease in Germa­ny, than in some other Countries. Gabriel Fallopius makes mention de morb. Gal. cap. 76. Of Jacob Carpus, who was the first almost that used the way of cure by unction of Quicksilver, who by this cure alone grew so rich, that he left befides Silver, 40000. Golden A Coin. Scutatces. And Capivaccius reports in tractat: de lue Vener. cap. 12. In fine, that he hath gotten by the cure of the French Pox only above 18000 Crowns of Gold. And L. Septal. l. 7. animad: n. 186. writes that at Millaine in Brolius Hospital, there is oftentimes cured seventy in the spring only, and at other seasons alwaies two hundred. But I confess ingeniously, that within these 34 yeares which I have practised at Witeberge, and by Gods blessing I do it not without profit, that I have not gained by the cure of this disease so many [Page 3]Crownes, as Capivaccius hath got thousands of them, by reason of the fewness of them that are sick of this disease in this place.

Yet others differ concerning its original, and think that this disease was not on­ly disseminated by contagion from the Spaniards, but think it was contracted by the fault of the Ayr, as epidemick diseases are; when as many every where in diverse countries began to be sick of this disease without any contagion; of which here­after.

Chap. II. A History of the Veneral Disease.

BUt concerning the original of this disease we shal speak more hereafter when we shal treat of its causes: now let us enquire into its nature, which that it may succeed more happily, and that it may appeare, where lyes the controversy, i [...] wil first propound its description and history out of creditable Authors which then lived especially Hieron Fracastorius, and Anton. Benivenius. When this disease was first made known, there rose pustles of divers kinds in the genital parts, somtimes also the head, principally in the hairy part, somtimes also the forehead, neck, breast, duggs, armes, and other parts, and from thence did spred over the whol body, in some indeed they were flat and low, but rough on their surface, when the scales were fallen off, of a color somwhat red, and the flesh under them appeared callous; in others they were like to warts, of a round figure, which grew to the magnitude of an acorn cuppe whose figure also they resembled, and from these the lighter scales ful­ling off did hang forth a more tuddy flesh, from w ^ch did flow forth a virulent in [...]r and of a strong smel; but some were taken with larger pustles, which did [...]otswel above the skin, which had thicker scales, from which also did flow a more pleu [...] ­ful virulent matter, and the scales being cast, the flesh appeared more dark and som­what livid. Some having white scales taken off there remained somwhat like unto a skar, from which blood sometimes flowing, did shew the difficulty of the cure, and it represented the likeness of a dry scabb, a disease worse than al the rest. For though it did corrode less, yet for spreading it was worse than the rest, and was diffused into divers places. Besides those external pustles there did rise others in internal places, as in the mouth, jawes, nose, and the obscene parts, which turned to malignant and creeping ulcers which eat away the parts under them, and in some eat up the Nose, in others the lipps, in others consumed the Uvula, and perforated the palate, which caused their voice to be hoarse; neither did this evil spare the bones, but caused rottenness in them, whence some had their skul, others other bones ful of holes. Neither did those pustles and signs of the disease appear only in the external parts obvious to the eye, but it was observed in some, that those pustles & filthy ulcers had possest their very bowels. They that had this evil about their up­per parts, had vitious distillations, which did sometimes eat their palate, somtimes the jaws and consills, in some their nose, and in others their eyes. Furthermore for the most part certain gummosities grew on their limbs in great deformity. For of­tentimes they were prominent the bigness of an egg, oftentimes the size of a Loare, which being opened, there appeared a white mucilagmous mucous: that tenaci­ous callus, happened most of al in the Arms and Thighs, in some it was exulcerated, somtimes it continued whole until their death. There came also cruel pains with exceeding torment, which were exasperated towards night: but those pains did shew themselves about that part of the bones where is no flesh in the Leggs, shoul­der-blade, about the collar-bone, in the shoulders, head, about the forehead and temples, somtimes also in the breast bone, but not in the very joints, but about the muscles and nerves. In which case notwithstanding there was great variety. For some had pains without pustles, some pustles without pain, the greatest part was affected with both, and truly those pains somtimes went before the pustles, [Page 4]somtimes followed, and sometimes rose together with them: in the interim al parts languished, the body pined away, the appetite was dejected, watchings, sadness, and continual anger, and desire of repose possest them; sometimes a smal Feavor accompanied them, but seldome: their blood, if a Vein were opened, was mucous, and corrupt, their urine thick, fat, and somwhat red without a Feavor, they went hardly to stool, and the excrements were mucous and dry. The shedding of the Hait is frequent in this Disease, especially in the Head, about the Temples, and the hinder part, also of the eybrows, and of the beard in men; oftentimes also Bu­boes break forth in the groin, therefore called Veneral and Gallical, which some­times vanish again, somtimes grow hard, somtimes suppurate; there rise also in the privities of Women knobs, and in men in their Arie-hole, besides somtimes there happen chops and clefts in the hands and feet, and the thick Skin in the palme of the hands departs from the skin under it; sometimes also the nails fal off: At last there happens sometimes, that in men a virulent matter flowes through their yard, in women through their privities, which flux of virulent matter is commonly called the Gallical or virulent running of the reins, although in­deed it is not feed, by which flux of the y [...]rd, the inward passage is exulcerated, and certain caruncles do grow in the urinary passage, whence they pisse [...]ot, and there is caused a dropping of the urine with pain. And this was the face of that disease at its first fise, w ^ch as Hieron Fracastorius relates, since that time seems to be altered. For almost twenty yeares after its original there began to appear fewer pustles, but more gumoseties, and the pustles became dryer, and the paines more cruel. Six yeares after again there was another change, for now there were very few pu [...]les seen, and almost no pains, or much gentler, but many gumoleties, and which seen [...]ed won­derful in al, the shedding of the haire made men almost ridiculous, some appearing without beard, some without hair on their eyebrowes, others with bald pates, from which change Fracastorius had good hopes, and did think that the old age of this disease was now entring, and that ere long it would come to pass, that it could not propigate it self by contagion, because the matter grew dayly [...]icker, in which both fewer, and weaker seminaries are produced: but his hope did much deceive him, and this disease last even in these times, nay as some think, 'tis wel [...]nigh worse than it was of old.

CHAP. III. Of the Nature of the Veneral Disease.

SInce then so great a Hodge-podge of diseases and Symptoms appear in this affect, we must diligently enquire what the nature of it is, of which divers Authors have their divers opinions, and as Epiphanius Ferdinandus writes of this business, in Hist. Med. Hist. 17. the Authors which have writ of this Disease, although they amount to the number of eighty (and perhaps more) are al almost differing concer­ning the Ess [...]ce of this Disease, and every one defines it at his own pleasure; for whenas this Disease was unknown to the Ancients, nor described by them, nor they had not, The Vene­ral diseas, is from an oc­cult quality. as is usually wont to be, the opinions of the Ancients to insist upon, eve­ry Modern using his own liberty hath proposed his own Opinion. Truly I think this is not doubted, that 'tis a Contagious, Malignant and Venenate Affect; neither doth it seem to want any great pains to prove it, for it appears sufficiently by this, that in so smal a quantity of matter, by which this Disease is contracted by conta­gion, there is so great force and power of action, as no first quality, or the tempe­rament made up of the first qualities can have; and the variety of Diseases and Symptomes in this evill is so great, that it cannot be reduced to any manifest cause; therefore as in pestilent constitutions, such as that A [...]tick one was in Thucidides, and that which Hippocrates hath described, 3. Epid. there was so great a multi­tude of evils, that they were forced to fly to occult qualities and a venenate cause; so also, there being so great a filth of diseases and symptomes in the Venerous [Page 5]Disease, that the original of them all cannot be refer'd to any manifest quality, here also we fly to a malignant and occult quality.

But although these things be thus, yet Authors differ stil of this, What it is. whether that malignity consist only in the cause, or whether there be also some malignant Dis­ease present. Capivaccius, de Morb. Gal. Cap 1. thinks this affect not to be the Disease, but the cause, while he defines the Veneral Disease, Capivac­cius opinion that it is an excre­ment wholly preternatural, ab [...]e to hurt man many waies, produced out of humane substance by its like.

Thus also Hercules Saxonia, de lue Vener. Cap. 1. writes, Hercules Saxony. that the Veneral Disease is the Cause, not the Disease nor the Symptome, therefore, because it can exist our of mans body in Linnen, or other such kind of vertues, besides in the sweat, Seed, and Blood, being seperated from the body; but within mans Body it infects and poss [...]sses also those parts which are not living and are not subject to Dis­eases, viz the humors and spirits.

Aurelius Minadous de virulentia Vener. holds that 'tis neither the disease, Aurelius Minadous. nor the cause, nor the symptom; nor the disease for this cause cap. 17. because 'tis neither a distemper, nor evil Composition, nor a solution of unity: but he denies it to be the cause of the Disease, Cap. 9 since that is properly the preternatural, the cause be­tween which and the Action there fals a medium, viz. the disease whenas the disease is that which doth next of al hur the Action, but the cause doth hurt it by interven­tion of the Disease; but between the Veneral virulency and the action hurt he thinks there fals no medium, but that of it self by its own strength doth promarily and immediately vitiate and hurt the operations; but that the Veneral virulency doth of it self and primarily hurt the operations, he thinks this is confest am [...]ngst Physitians, and therefore deems it to be presupposed, and unless this virulency did of it self and primarily hurt the operations, so many Physi [...]ans would no have la­bored in searching out its nature. He proves it is no Symptome, Cap 18. be [...]e it is no action hurt, nor quality changed, nor excrement altered That it is no action hurt, he proves by this, because the veneral vitule [...]cy it sel [...]is that which hurts the actions; neither is it any qu [...]lity changed because the qualities changed to follow the actions hurt, and besides so many diseases are seen in this virulency which are not Symptomes. But Aurelius Minadous himself, when he had rejected a [...]ne opinions & definitio [...]s of others, at length he fi [...]s himself to make a per [...]ect definition and to explain the nature of this evil. But first of al Chap. 16 he pre [...]uppores this as the ground of his opinion, viz that the French Disease ought not to be defined by a quality, but rather by the name of a body, for this reason, because it passeth from one body to another, which is the propriety of bodies not of qualities, and because it toucheth other bodies, for none but bodies can touch, and be cough [...] again, as Lu­cretius hath it. Again, if it were a quality, it were either mani [...]est, or occu [...], no manifest one, as he proves rightly by many Arguments; but that it is no occult quality he brings no special Argument, but repeats the general one, because 'tis mo­ved from place to place, and toucheth other bodies.

This presupposed, afterwards Chap. 30. he affirmes the Veneral virulency to be somwhat corporeal internal, and truly a spirit or a vapor, for this reason, be­cause 'tis carried, commuicated, and participated in a very short space of time. Yet he holds it to be such a vapor which is endewed with an occult quality and ve [...]ue from its whol substance, or the whol mode of its nature, by reason of which quality it cannot only infect any humors of the body, but also al parts of the body, and corrup [...] them & turn them to its own likeness: but that this evil consists in a spiritu­al substance, he further proves, because some are infected not only by the act of Venery, but also by a Kiss, or the use of garments: next of al, because some have felt no other hurt from this evil, than only the falling of their hair, because the [...]oots of the hairs were gnawed off by the acrid vapors. Thirdly, because some only by ve­hement exercise have discussed this virulency. Yet he denies that vapor or spirit to be properly an excrement, Chap. 20. whenas that is properly an excrement, which re­dounds from nourishment, & which is cast off from another: although he grants there [Page 6]that is commonly called an excrement, whatsoever is superfluous in the body, whether it be a spirit, or humor, or some other solid body, whether it be usual, or unusual, whether according to nature or preternatural; furthermore he holds this vapor to be wandring, thin, and viscid, Chap. 21. and to be raised from a spirituous, humorous, solid substance: but he proves Chap. 22. by many Arguments that this vapor is contrary and preternatural by its whole substance, of which we shal speak hereafter; and at last Chap. 27. he desines the Veneral vitu­lency, that it is a vapor by its whol substance inimicous to the natural faculty, working by degrees. And that he might unfold his mind more clearly, and not leave the Reader doubtful, to what kind of things preternatural this vitulency ought to be referred, when as he had said before, that it was neither the Disease, nor the cause, nor the Symptome, yet it primarily hurt the actions; at length Chap. 28. he holds that 'tis an externall error, and he endeavors to prove it by this Sylogisme, whatsoever doth primarily hurt the operation, and is not of the constitution of the body, is an external error, but the Veneral virulency doth primarily hurt the operation, and is not of the constitution of the body, therefore 'tis an exter­nal error.

Some that they may briefly quit themselves, and hold with al men, say that this dis­ease is a heap of al evils, Diseases and symptomes.

That we may clear our selves out of this difficult controversy, The Vene­ral disease depends on an occult quality. first of al 'tis alrea­dy proved, and shal be proved more at large hereafter, that they are in the right, who do here admit of an occult quality, and a power depending on the whole sub­stance, as they commonly speak; neither can they hold any other waies, Since 'tis without doubt, that 'tis a contagious and malignant disease while it is such. I [...] per­formes two things, to wit, it alters the body by which it is received and changeth it to its owne similitude, and indeed it alters it not by the first qualities: as shal be said by and by, since it is not expeld by the first qualities; neither is that change alwaies with putrefaction, whenas putrefaction is not induced but by a long time, but this change is made in a moment as it were; neither is it an adustion as John Baptista Montanus, and some others do h old, whenas there is not alwaies a hot & dry distemper present, neither is it cured by cooling and moistening things, and oftentimes there is a fordid putrefaction, in which there is no exustion.

But whereas they hold this malignity is only in that matter seated without the li­ving parts, 'Tis a dis­ease. and that there is no such disease present, in this they erre very much. In­deed we willingly grant, that that contagious inquination, sent forth from the bo­dy infected with the veneral disease, may adhere to the garments; neither do we deny this, that the humors in our body may be tainted with the same, yet in the in­terim it doth scarce follow, that the living parts remain free and found; for as in a purrid feaver, though the humors and spirits do first grow not by the feaverish heat, yet afterwards the living parts are seized on by the same distemper, so though the humors in the Veneral disease are first infected by that occult malignity, yet there is no cause why the same fault may not be communicated to the living parts.

But though some do acknowledg that this cause cannot be idle, Not hot and dry. yet whenas they know nothing beyond the manifest and first qualities, they endeavour to reduce al­so the effects of the veneral virulency to manifest causes. John Baptista Montanus as was said even now, thinks the essence of this evil consists in a hot and dry distem­per, but the cure tels otherwise, whenas 'tis cured by hot and dry Medicines, as by the Decoction of Guajacum and the like: besides, because there is a great putre­faction in the Humors, which doth not proceed from a hot and dry distem­per.

Nicolaus Massa de Morb. Galli. Cap. 5. Not cold and dry. saith it is a coldness of the Liver, declining to a little driness with an occult quality: but as concerning the occult quality he writes truly, but that it is no cold distemper, the effect doth teach us, as the Ulcers, rottenness of the bones, and the like; and what other distemper soever they alleage. Yet they produce nothing agreeable to the Diseases and [Page 7]Symptomes, which appear in this Disease, nor to the Cure.

Therefore when as the action of the veneral virulency can be referred to no ma­nifest quality. We may wel say that by that is induced an occult quality: But occult. For first of al every efficient cause is said to be a cause from the nature of its efficiency, and therefore this malignant quality doth not only alter and change the humors, but also the living parts into its likeness: again, though the morbifick cause be taken away, and this disease seem now to be overcome, yet unless that malignant dispo­sition be destroyed the man recovers not his perfect health. For it hath been observed that the Veneral Disease hath somtimes grown fresh after thirty years past, which doubtless happened not because the Vitious Humors lay so long hid in the body (for these would have sooner discovered themselves by their signs) but because that malignant disposition imprest on the body was actually there, which afterwards, by degrees produced vitious humors, and corrupted, and so broke forth into act; and Trincavellius, Lib. 11. de curand. rat. particul. affect. cap. 11. reports, that a certain Woman brought forth a Child sick of the French Disease, and every whereful of crusty Ulcers, whenas she her self never had any sign of that Disease contracted, but was alwaies wholly wel, and on the contrary it may happen, that one may have a French Ulcer, which yet, when that Malignity is distroyed, is no longer rightly said to be Gallical, but is cured by vulgar Medi­cines as other Ulcers.

Al which being thus, we conceive the the Veneral Disease, doth not only exist in the Humors, but also in the living parts, and that it doth consist not only in the change of the first qualities, but also there is an occult malignant quality im­printed on the parts, and therefore the veneral Disease is to be referred to diseases, and those of occult qualities. Which are called by Fernelius diseases of the whol substance, but not on every part rightly explained, as we have said before, the which if Capivaccius, and Saxonia had known, the one would not have de­fined this evil by the excrement, nor the other by the cause. An exa­mination of Aurelius Minadous opinion. if the same also had been known to Aurelius Minadous, he would not have endeavoured to main­tain that this evil was no Disease, but an external error. For whereas he endea­vors to prove that the veneral Disease is not a Disease of the similar parts, because it is not a distemper, nor an evil composition, nor a solution of unity, in this proof he labors to no purpose, for al this we willingly grant; but this he ought to prove, that there is no other kind of Disease in the similar parts besides the distem­per of the first qualities; but that there are such diseases, which Fernelius calls of the whol substance, we more rightly, of occult qualities, is sufficiently proved above, part 1. and this very Disease, as all other venenate Diseases do shew, that it can be referred to no other kind than to malignant qualities; & this follows from Minadous his own supposition, and confession, which he hath Cap. 20. where he writes, that the Veneral virulency hath power not only to infect al Humors, but al parts of the body, and to corrupt and convert them to its own similitude. The same Minadous if he had known these Diseases, had not taken so much pains, to what kind of preternatural things the veneral virulency ought to be referred. For first of al there was no need of excluding from the number of causes, those vitious Humors, which are found in the bodies sick of the veneral Disease, and have po­wer to alter and change the Humors themselves and parts of the body. For whereas he saith, that is properly the cause, between which and the action hurt the disease doth interceed, that is true of the next cause, but the antecedent causes also may do hurt, as they have the Nature of a vitious object, and external Error: and in this very Disease whiles the virulent Humors do imprint a malignant qua­lity on he parts, between them and the action hurt that Malignant disposition and occult quality doth intercede. Therefore whereas he thinks that Humor or venenate vapour in the veneral disease, doth imediately hurt the action, 'tis false, unless that humor have the nature of an external error. For al hurt actions in the Veneral disease do happen, whiles between them and the humor, or malignant [Page 8]vapor, a midling diseafe doth intercede, to wit, that of occult qualities.

But whereas he denies the Veneral virulency to be a quality, The Vene­ral disease is not a Body. and holds it to be a body, first of al he confounds the cause and the disease, next of al he doth not dis­tinguish between the quality and its subject. For whiles we say the Veneral evil, we understand either the disease it self, or its cause: if the disease, that is a quality, as al diseases are, to wit a preternatural disposition of the parts, and indeed an occult and malignant quality: but if the veneral evil be taken for the cause, either w ^ch without, being communicated doth induce this disease; or which is in the body, which raiseth divers diseases and symptomes, and can infect others, we grant that cause may be called a body. But we must take notice, that those humors or vapors are not said to be causes, as they are bodies, but as they have an occult and malignant quality, which Minadous himself cannot deny, while Cap. 20. he writes, That that vapor or spirit, which he cals the veneral virulency, is endewed with an occult quality and vertue, depending on its whole substance, by which it is able not only to infect any humors of the body, but al its parts, and to corrupt and convert them to its own similitude. For what similitude is that I pray, to which the Veneral virulency converts not only the humors, but also the parts of the body, unless it be that occult quality with which that vapor is endewed?

Whereas last of al, Cap. 38. he refers the Veneral virulency to external error, be­cause it primarily hurts the operation, and is not of the constitution of the body. But before denied it to be either the disease, or cause of the disease, or symptome, in vain doth he multiply things, preternatural; for there are not more preternatu­ral things, than the disease, cause, and symptome; and the Veneral virulency, as he describes it, doth wholy belong to the causes two manner of waies, for either it induceth the like disposition into the parts of the body, or it raiseth other diseases while it eats and exulcerates the parts. But whenas he saith the Veneral disease taken for the cause, Whether it be a Vapor or a spirit. is a vapor or a spirit, that is rightly to be understood; for in­deed it can no way be denied, that it is a humor also, whenas in copulation 'tis rub­bed against the body, and sticks in the cloaths: yet such is its nature, as 'tis also of other contagious humors, that though it be resolved into vapors and the least bodies, yet every one of them contains its whole essence, and hath power to af­fect others: and this thing may be declared by musk, castor, and the like. For those things, though they be bodies, and humorous too, yet are such, that though they be resolved into the least bodies, nevertheless they retain their ful strength. After the same manner it is in the Veneral disease, and other contagious diseases, in which though the malignant and contagious humor, he resolved into the least bo­dies, yet every one of them obtaines the same essence, and vertue, and power to in­fect others. But whereas he thinks that humor and vapor is not to be called the cause, but an external error, in that also he is mistaken: for an external error be­longs unto the causes, from whence the Symptomes arising from an external error, are called the symptomes of the cause; where this also is to be observed, that Phy­sitians do not vouchsafe the name of the cause to the next cause only, but also to the antecedent, which do not yet effect the disease: therefore there is bad nourish­ment by reason of vitious humors, although they have not yet imprinted a distem­per, and vitious disposition on the parts: but whereas he denies the Veneral viru­lency, considered as a vapor to be the cause, because it hurts the actions not by the mediation of a disease, but next of al, and imediately, he presupposeth that which is not yet granted, and so begs the question: for this spirit or vapor hurts the very constitution of the similar part, and imprinteth on it a malignant quality; the which he himself cannot deny, whiles Cap. 23. he holds, that by this disease of venery many actions are hurt, but not al in al people; but the hurt of the natural faculty is common to al, and that there is none, that is possest with this disease who is not troubled with some fault in his natural actions, and hence proceeds al that filth of excrements, and the gummosities arising from thence, tumors, pustles, [Page 9]pains, running of the reins, ulcers, rottenness, and such like evils; and that the Veneral virulency hath a peculiar enmity, and discord with the natural faculty, and is inimicous to it by its whol kind, that is, by its form, by its specifick faculty, by its whole substance, and occult propriety: but he further describes the enmity against the natural faculty, that it is by its nature destructive to the natural spirit, that the Veneral virulency hath unspeakable qualities, hindering the generation of the natural spirits, and those not manifest, but occult. But whenas there is requi­red to a natural action, the soul, the temperament, and the innate heat, or the implanted spirit, and the influent heat, he further concludes rightly, that the soul is not hurt, as that which can no waies suffer, nor the manifest temperament, as was proved hitherto, but chiefly the implanted spirit or the innate heat: al which whenas they are so rightly spoke, and the Veneral virulency is an enemy to the implanted spirit, and truely not by manifest qualities, but by its form, by its specifick fa­culty, by an occult propriety, by which it indeavours to change not only the hu­mors, but also the living parts, and the implanted heat in them into its own simi­litude, certainly the like malignant quality, is induced into the parts: which vitious & malignant quality, what other thing I pray is it, than an occult & malignant disease?

Al which being thus, we rightly conclude, The Vene­ral evil is an occult & venenate Disease. the Veneral evil is an occult and venenate disease; for it is induced by causes of that kind, and immediately exer­ciseth such effects which cannot be referred to any manifest distemper, but onely to an occult quality; neither is it cured by medicines that work by manifest qualities, & correct known distempers, but by proper and specificks, which al Physitians at this day, and especially those who lived at the beginning of this disease have restified, and to their own and patients damage have found it true. For when they followed the common way of cure, and could do no good for the cure of this disease, they began to be despised by many, til the Spanish Physitians shewed them medicaments brought out of the Indies, and bold Chyrurgeons ventered upon Quick-Silver.

But that al this may be made clearer, What is the subject of the Vene­ral Disease. we must enquire what is the subject to this disease, concerning which physitians do differ. Some have thought the privities are first insected: for by these parts for the most part, this evil is contracted by im­pure copulation, and the footsteps of this disease, unless it be perfectly cured, do chiefly appear about the privities; the but is easily excoriated in venery, the flesh oftentimes remaines callous for a long time, with a running of the reines, and break­ing forth of buboes in the groin. But though it cannot be denied, that oftentimes the original of this evil is from the privities, and doth chiefly discover it self in that place. Yet that doth not happen alwaies, Not the Priveties. but the same disease may be contracted by kissing, sweat, embraces, vestures, nay infants also may be infected by the milk they suck from their nurse, & they that are infected after this manner, have not this disease appearing in their privities.

Some, as Leonicenus do hold, say that the skin is the subject of this evil, as in the scab, tetter, and the like affects: but the skin alone is not alwaies affected, but other parts also, the privities, the jawes, the bones which become rotten, Not the skin. nay sometimes also the internal parts. Hercules Saxonia de lue Vener. Cap. 3. maintains a threefold subject; one in the beginning; another in the middle; another in the disease confirmed: in the beginning he holds that the natural spirit is affected or the vaporous part of the mass of blood, then the juyces and excrementitious humors, at last the alimentary humors, but in process of the disease, adust humors; and the parts affected are the sto­mach & liver, & thence chylification & sangification are hurt; but when the evil is old, flegmatick humors are the subject of it, & the parts affected are simelar, bones, nerves, membranous bodies: but we willingly grant, that as the disease is new, or old, so and also sometimes more, sometimes fewer parts are possest and corrupted; as we deny not this neither, that the excrementitious humors are easier corrupted than the ali­mentary, whenas nature doth alwaies more defend the profitable humors, than the excrementitious, into which without any difference this evil doth easily almost dif­fuse it self, but indeed the question is not here, what may be infected by that viru­lency; but this is the Querie, what is the subject of this disease, which we have [Page 10]demonstrated to be; for as in putrid feavers the spirits and humors wax hot, yet are not the subject of the feaver; so also though a malignant quality from the Veneral virulency be imprinted on the humors; yet they are not the subject of the disease, but only the living parts, and which of them is the subject of this disease is the que­stion: and whiles that he somtimes holds the Liver and stomach, sometimes the similar parts to be the subject of this disease, in that he is wavering, for whether the disease be new or old, the subject is the same.

There were some others also, Not the spermatical parts. who held those parts we cal spermatical, the ner­vous and membranous, were the subject of this disease; but not only the membra­nous and nervous parts, but also the fleshy parts are affected in this disease.

Others hold the Liver to be the chiefe subject of this disease, and this opinion is most consonant to truth, Whether the liver. but when as many other parts are affected, 'tis conveni­ently to be explained, as shal be said by and by.

Aurelius Minadous de virul. Vener. Cap. 34. first of al presupposeth this, that there is no peculiar member in our body, Whether al the parts. which is alwaies affected in the Ve­neral virulency, which is true in its way, whiles somtimes this, somtimes that part is affected; next of al he holds that this viulency is chiefly an adversary to the natural actions, or rather to their faculties, which natural power when as it is in al parts the veneral virulency is not an enemy to one part in speice, but to al, in which that power is. In the third place he adds this, That that natural vertue implan­ted in the natural parts, doth performe its operations without any influx, and that there is no natural faculty influent, as there is an animal influent; secondly he con­futes them in particular, who hold the Liver to be the first and perpetual subject of this disease, for it may come to pass faith he that one after an impure copulation may presently suffer an exulceration in his privities, whom certainly no body wil deny to be infected with the Veneral disease, whenas yet in him the Liver is not affected: and the same reason is for other parts, which are first affected by contagion; nay he holds, that one external part being infected, the humors in the body may be in­fected without any hurt of the Liver. In the interim he cannot deny this, that this evil doth most properly and chiefly appear, when the Liver is affected, when as the operations of the Liver are necessary to the whol body. The same Author Cap. 4. endeavors to prove, that the Liver is not the subject of the Veneral disease, whenas the face saith he is the index and truest glass of the internal affects of the body, yet especially the affects of the Liver doe appear in it; therefore if the Liver were perpetu­ally affected in the Veneral disease, also the color of the face should alwaies appeare vitious, the which we have found false by experience; for we have seen both men and women infected with this disease, who notwithstanding have had a fresh color in their face, and the evil hath been in their privities: again he thinks, that by car­nal copulation the privites may first of al be affected, and from thence the evil may creep through the veins, and by the spirits, to the other parts of the body, and as one part is more apt and disposed than another to receive the infection, so som­times this, somtimes that is infected, but not alwaies the Liver.

That we may cleare our selves of this controversy, first of al we must enquire from the actions hurt what part is affected, The Au­thors opini­on. and what faculty is opprest; but though divers actions hurt that part in the veneral disease, yet al of them cannot bring us to the knowledg of the first and proper subject. It happens indeed somtimes, that there are pains felt in the head about the muscles and bones, but that is not alwaies. Somtimes also the hurt happens in the external and internal sence, but this also is sel­dom: somtimes putrid vapors are inflamed, and hence a Feaver is raised, which some­cal a French Feaver, but this also happens seldom. In like manner 'tis in other diseases and fymptomes. One action is hurt which is common to al that are sick of the vene­ral disease, viz. nutrition is corrupted; hence we see that in those who are possest with this disease, the color of their body is changed and sulled, and sometimes turns black, somtimes of a lead color, somtimes livid. There arise every where in their body divers kinds of swellings and bunchings out, also ulcers, the bones rotten, the hairs fal off, al which proceed from corrupt nutrition. From which we conclude that [Page 11]the veneral disease is primarily an enemy to the natural faculty: The Vene­ral disease is an enemy to the natu­ral faculty. but 'tis no won­der that this poyson is only an enemy to the natural faculty, whenas there are other poysons, which are inimicous to other faculties: thus the poyson of the pestilence and many others are enemies to the heart, cantharides to the bladder, mad night­shade and opium to the animal faculty.

Whence that we may briefly conclude the business, this evil indeed may be con­tracted by one member, yet if it be spread into more from that one, that comes to pass because the Liver is infected: yet because this poyson hath principally an en­mity with the natural faculty, and the fountaine of that, or chiefe seat is the Liver, that also is primarily infected with this virulency, and through that the rest of the parts contract this evil. Therefore whereas Minadous objecteth, the color of the face is sometimes fresh, therefore the evil is not yet communicated to the Liver, but stil sticks in the privities which were first of al infected, and the force of this virulence is sometimes greater, sometimes less; from whence also 'tis sometimes sooner, some­times later communicated to the Liver. Besides, this evil consists not in the first qua­lities, but in occult, whence 'tis no wonder, that that malignity may consist in the blood, which to the appearance is good; but al those things wil be yet made clearer by the discovery of the causes.

Chap. IV. Of the Causes.

BUt concerning the causes of this disease, two things are to be explained, the first is how at this day the Veneral disease is contracted; the other is, The Vene­ral disease is contracted only by con­tagion. what was its original when it first appeared. At this day indeed I think this evil is no otherwise contracted, than by contagion, and that 'tis manifest that every Veneral pox is not contagious Hercules Saxonia, lib. de lue Vener. cap. 3. Holds that every Veneral pox is not contagious, and that which is old and confirmed is for the most part less contagious, than that which is new, and of a middle age, Whether it be alwaies contagious? and that which discovers it self by knobs, is not contagious; and he endeavors to prove it, first of al by reason, because the contagion is placed in a hot and movable excrement, but when nothing breaths forth from the part affected, which can be communicated to another, the disease then is not contagious, and therefore because in the knobs there is no such ex­crement contained, or if it be contained, it is not carried to the genitals, therefore that disease shal not be contagious; next of al by experience, for he writes that a certain noble man of Padua, who had used Guajacum almost twenty times, and was thrice anointed with quicksilver, yet could never be cured, and though he lay with Vir­gins yet he never infected them: and out of Antonius Musa he relates of one, who had a wife possest with the Veneral disease about her breast, yet he never contracted the disease.

But here we cannot assent to Saxiona, but we hold that every Veneral disease is in its manner contagious; but whereas he objects against us experience, it doth not follow, that if one sick of the Veneral disease doth not actually infect another, that the disease it self is not contagious; for that an effect may follow, there is ne­cessary both an agent, and a disposition required in the patient. Hence we see that many do converse with those sick of the Plague, and are not infected, yet we must not conclude from thence, that that Plague was not contagious: & Gabriel Fallopius de morb. Galli. Cap. 22. makes mention of twelve Schollars, that had to do with one whore, yet of al them, three only were infected. And Saxonia himself affords an answer to this argument, while he writes, That this disease is not contagious if nothing breath forth from the part affected, which may be communicated to another, the which may happen in the knobs and callosities; or if any thing do breath forth, and be not received by another. Therefore though [Page 12]one have an ulcer in his head, or a knob in his thigh, but the Genital parts be sound, 'tis not necessary he infect her he lyes with. But whereas he teacheth that the inveterate Veneral disease is less contagious, than the new, or middle aged it may in its man­ner be granted; and from that very thing we may collect, that the Veneral disease is not only the cause, but also the disease. For when as this disease is communicated by the cause or contagion, it may come to pass, that the cause may be for the most part taken away, which doubtless happned in him who so often used the decoction of Guajacum, and was thrice anointed; and such men indeed, if the disease be stil upon them, but the corrupt humors being for the most part emptied by sweaters [...], they are not so conragious, as those, who were lately infected with this out of whom those malignant humors have not yet been emptied.

Therefore we conclude, though for certaine reasons, those who are sick of this disease do not alwaies infect others; yet at this day there is no man taken with this evil, but who hath been infected by contagion from another, and so this evil at this day is propagated only by contagion.

But how, The first original of the veneral Difease. and from what causes this Disease was raised, when it first appeared in Europe, Authors are diverse in their opinions; and whenas they themselves, who li­ved about the rife of this disease, could not agree in this business, by much less shal we which are now removed above an age from that time, be able to reconcile them; there­fore we shal only reckon up their opinions. The most learned Leonicenus, and Fracastorius, Whether it were first of al an epi­demical dis­ease. and certain others, were of this opinion. That this disease at us first rise was epidemical, and proceeded from a common cause, when at its first beginning, boyes, men, old folks, Girles, women, were infected, and as Hieron. Fracastrius writes de morb. Gallic. cap. 7. Though the greatest part of mankind hath contracted this disease by contagion, it hath been observed, that a number of others infected by themselves without any contagion, have suffred this disease. Besides Fracastorius thinks it impossible, that in so smal a time, contagion which of it self is slow, nor is not easily received, could spread it self over so many lands, being first brought by one fleet of the Spaniards, when it is plain that either at the same time, or very neere it was seen in Spain and France, in Italy and Germany, and almost al Scythia; which if it be so, there is no reason, why we should not grant this disease to have been first of al epidemical: yet this makes me doubtful because that no German Physitian, nor of the neighboring places, hath taken notice, that this disease was knowen in Germany about that time. In which it appeared in Italy, when notwith­standing they have most diligently described, the English sweating disease, the disease in Hungary, and the like diseases newly sprung up.

But what was the cause of that epidemious disease, if it were such a one, those Authers themselves do differ in opinion; indeed they agree in this. That it had its original from the fault of the ayre, but whence the ayre contracted that fault, therein they differ. Some were of opinion, That this disease had its original, from the great inundation of Ether, and other Rivers, which hapned in the time of Adrian the sixt, Pope of Rome: for the Summer following they think by that corruption and filth left by the waters, the ayre was infected with putrefaction, and thence this disease did proceed. But truly this evil cannot be imputed to that inundation of waters, since that happned chiefly at Rome, but this disease first appeared at Naples: be­sides, those inundations of waters are wont rather to cause pestilent diseases, and there has often happned such inundations before, yet such a disease was never caul'd by them before. Others do more probably (if this disease were at first epidemious) refer the cause to the Stars. And Fracastorius writes concerning this business, lib. 2. de morb. contag. cap. 12. That it ought not to seem wonderful, that new and un­usual diseases do appeare at certain times, and he proves it by examples and histo­ries of divers diseases; and to pass by others, in the memory of our Grandfather that malignant Feaver raged, which is commonly known by the name of the Eng­lish sweat, the like of which we have not read in any History before, wherefore he thinks it is not strange, if also the French disease not known before through many ages in our Orb, did now first of al break forth. And there wil come (saith he) other [Page 13]new and unusual sicknesses, when time shal bring them; as there was the thing out amongst the Ancients, which afterwards was seen no more. This same disease wil dye and be extinguisht, and by and by again wil be renewed, and seen again by our Nephews, even as in former Ages, it is to be beleeved, it was seen by our Auce­sttors, for which there are no smal signs yet evident. A certain Barber a friend of mine, had a book of certain experiments, very ancient, amongst which was written one amongst the rest, whose title was, For the thick scabb, which happens with the paines of the joints; he therefore when the disease was very fresh at first, re­membring this medicine, asked counsel of some Physitians; whether he might use that medicine in that new contagion, which he thought was signified by that thick scabb: but the Physitians viewing the medicine, sharply forbad him, because it con­sisted of quicksilver and sulphur. Happy man if he had not consulted with those phy­sitians, being like to be very rich with an incredible gaine; but he obeyed them, nor durst not make tryal of his medicine, which at last he did try, and finding it to be excellent good, he was very sorry, that he had used it too late, the profit being now carried away by others. Thus far Fracastorius.

But he refers the cause of this disease newly sprung up, to the conjunction of Saturne, Mars, and Jupiter, which hapned at that time. Others hold that in the yeare, 1483. In the Ides of October at two of the clock after noon, That there was a conjunction made of Mars, Jupiter, the Sun, and Mercury in Lihra in the right house, which is the house of Sickness, and that Jupiter was burnt; and furthermore the same yeare on the Calends of November in the same house and signe, there was a conjunction made of Mars and Venus, also of Jupiter and Venus. Others as Nicolaus Massa de morb. Galic. cap. 6. refer that disease to the conjunction of Saturn Mars, and Venus, which happened in Scorpio about the rise of this disease. But as it is not impossible, for certain configurations of the Stars to induce certain disea­ses, so no man is able easily to render the specifick cause of this disease, if it were epi­demious. Truly al the effects of the Stars are good and benigne, and nothing evil in it self doth proceed from them; yet by accident it may come to pass, whiles they alter the ayre & the bodies of men after this or that manner, that they may produce evil disea­ses, whenas in their way they are Authors of the generation and corruption of natural things, but that they could produce this disease in specie, I think is not yet explain­ed; and Fracastorius had hopes indeed, that this disease was in its old age in his time, and that in a little while after it would cease in the alleaged place; as also in his Syphilis, in these Verses.

But his hopes hath deceived him, whenas now it hath lasted above a hundred and forty yeares, and hath bated nothing of its cruelty, as most are of opinion.

Others on the contrary think this disease was not epidemious, but sporadical and contagious; and first of al this perswades many, because it hath lasted even unto these times, whenas epidemious diseases, which have been raised by the influx of the Stars, have ceased a little while after. And therefore they do not think this difease ought to be accounted for epidemical, whenas it hath already lasted above 140. years; unless perhaps this reason may be given for the continuance of this disease, because the infection of this disease is not shunned, as that of the pestilence. For if the Plague begin to spread any where, al people, as much as they are able, and 'tis possible for them, do fly from the conversation of the sick, and reject al in­fected household stuff; nay in Italy, if the Plague begin to spread in Germany, or other neighbouring Countries, they stop up al publique waies, and deny al stran­gers that are suspected, any admittance into Italy; But many men knowingly and willingly have to do with suspected Harlots, and publique Stews ful of infected whores are tolerated; therefore if the same diligence and cutiosity, which is used in some places in the time of the pestilence to exclude the infected and suspected per­sons, from the society of others, were made use of to restrain that rambling whoring, [Page 14]perhaps this disease also though it be contagious, might be rooted out.

Yet the same men who think this disease is not epidemous, but sporadical, and contagious, How the Veneral dis­ease was brought into Europe. are againe divided into divers opinions concerning its origi­nal: For some were of that opinion, that first of al it had its rise at Valentia, in Hispania Tarraconensi, where one sick of an Elephantiasis, bought a nights lod­ging of a noble Whore for fifty peices of Gold, and infected her, and thence it came to pass, that others who had to do with her were infected, and so in a short time this evil was dissemmated amongst a many. But the Idea of an Elephantiasis is one, and of the Veneral disease another, and therefore one sick of an Elephantiasis could not raise this disease.

Others think this disease was first brought out of India by the Spaniards into the French Army at Naples, who maintame that this disease was epidemical in India, of which we spake before, Cap. 1. But for what reason 'tis epidemious in some Countries in India, whether by the fault of the aire, or water, or provision, is not yet explained by Historians.

Leonbardus Fioravanti, Leonhar­dus Fiora­vanti his o­pinion of the Veneral disease. a famous Empirick in his time in Italy, hath a pecu­liar opinion of the original of this disease, which I have met withal in no other writer. For he in his book written in the Italian Tongue, which is entituled, Capricci Medi­cinali di M. Leonardo Fioravanti, Libritre, writes thus of the original of this disease, both amongst the Indians, and in the French Army at Naples, lib. 1 Cap. 26. When saith he, there was War between the French and Spaniard at Naples, and there was great want of provision, especially of flesh, those evil imployed merchants who brought victuals to the Camp, had privately prepared the Carkasses of dead souldiers into divers kinds of meates and dishes, and sold them every where about to the army, which flesh, whanas they had eat of it a long time ignorantly, most of them were taken with this disease, and became ful of pustles and paines, and many also had their hair fal off; and he writes, that he knowes the business was so, from one Paschalis Gibilotius, a Neapolitan, an old man, of ninety eight yeares of age, who hath told him, that at that time when John the Son of Renatus, Duke Ande­gavensis waged war against Alphonsus King of Naples, about the yeare 1456. that he hath often heard from his father, who was such a Merchant in the Army of King Alphonsus, that in want and scarcity of victuals the Souldiers on both sides by eat­ing of mans flesh, which they fed on for a long time, contracted this disease, and the same Fioravanti, adds, that he might be the more certain of this business, he bred up a Sow in his house, and added to al her meat somewhat of hogs flesh, and that within few dayes her bristles and hairs fel off, and she became ful of pustles; then, that he fed a dog for two months only with dogs flesh, which afterwards be­came ful of pains and pustles, and lost his hair. From which experiments he con­cludes, that every living creature if it be nourisht with the flesh of its own species wil be taken with this disease, which at this day is called the French: and he thinks this is the very cause, that this drsease is epidemious in the Indies, because there are those man-eaters, which do feed on mans flesh.

But truly I do wonder that so many Italians and French, who have writ of this disease have made no mention of this cause, neither does the relation of that old Neapolitan seem to fit with the time. For that disease was not known in the year 1456. at which time John the Son of Renatus, Duke Andegavensis, waged War against Alphonsus King of Naples, but in the War which Charles the eight King of France, waged with Alphonsus King of Naples about the yeare 1493 or 94. then grant it be, that if a creature nourisht with the flesh of those of its own kind, be ta­ken with pustles and pains, and suffer the falling off of the hair, yet the question stil would be, whether that disease be the very Veneral disease, and such as may be transfered by contagion to others, and especially by Venery. For the essence of the veneral disease doth not consist in pustles, and the failling of the hair, but in an occult malignity, by which also its ulcers do differ from other ulcers. Yet it is easy for any one to make tryal, of that which Fioravanti experienced. And if the [Page 15]business should be confirmed by experience, that if an animal nourisht with the flesh of its kind, do contract this disease, thence a reason may be rendered, why this disease is endemious to the people of India, to wit, because its inhabitants do feed on mens flesh: although here we meet with a doubt, for al the people of India are not men-eaters, and therefore we must enquire out of the Histories of the Indies, whe­ther this disease be endemious amongst the men-eaters only, or amongst the other people of the Indies also.

Andreas Caesalpinus, lib. 4. de morb. Cap. 3. Andreas Caesalpinus. writes that he hath another Histo­ry of the original of this disease, delivered by them who were present, to wit, from an Atetine soldier, who served in that war; he related that there is a town in the Vesuvian Mount which is called Suma, where there is plenty of generous wine which is called Caudy wine, which was privately left by the Spaniards in the night, when the French had besieged it, but they infected their wine by the mixture of blood which they drew from them which were sick in the hospital of St. Lazarus; and the French men entering in, when they had filled themselves with that wine, began to be sick of diseases and symptomes, like unto the Elephantiasis. But if this were true, rather the Elephantiasis than the veneral disease had been thus raised. Aurelius Minadous.

Aurelius Minadous de Virul. Vener. Cap. 30. propounds a peculiar opinion, & holds that this virulency did first break forth from the most filthy wombs, of most impure Harlots, and for this cause, because no body that hath lived cleanly, or that hath conversed with a cleane woman, is taken with this evil: but he thinks this evil proceeded first, when women were made very unclean, when they had received a various mixture of seeds. For as saith he one sort of meat, is the cause of health in a good stomach, but variety of meats doth oppress the stomach, and breeds an acid and nidorous crudity, and every where heaps up excrements; so one seed only is familier and wholsome for one womb, and causeth fruitfulness, on the contrary the multitude and variety of seeds, doth so affect the womb, that by its corruption it produceth bad, nay the worst of excrements, and from that sordid substance there is a corruprion hard to be explained, or putrefaction which doth generate such vene­nate excrements. But when as he might easily understand, that those rambling lusts were in use not only in the war at Naples, but long before when there was pub­lique Brothel Houses at Rome, and yet there was no such disease raised; he would have his opinion to be understood not of any women, but only of the Indian. For they by the mediation of the Heaven, Air, Waters, and those places, by their pe­culiar form of feeding did contract this poyson, which afterwards by Columbus, and the Spanish Army was disseminated in France, and hence through the whole world. But though it must not be denied, that the constitution of bodies is divers in divers Countries, and I remember that I have read in the Histories of Navigation, That when certain people of Europe, had found certain Ethiopian lasses playing on the sea shore, and had layn with them, presantly some of them died; yet how the business is in America, is worthy of further inquisition: and if there be any such fault in those women, 'tis probable that comes to pass, not so much from the com­mistion of divers seeds, but rather as many Authors report, from this, That if any one have to do with a woman in India whiles she hath her courses, he his taken with that disease; for that whenas 'tis every where un wholsome, and therefore also was peculiarly and severely forbidden the Jewes by God in holy Writ, may in a special manner be hurtful in the Indies.

Therefore lecting these pass, let us hold fast this, which is granted by al, The Vene­ral disease is contrac­ted only by Contagion. that this disease at this day is no otherwise contracted, but by contagion, and chiefly by lying with those that are infected, whence deservedly doth Gabriel Fallopius de morb. Gallic. Cap. 13. Wittily deride those women, who when they were sick of the Veneral disease, nevertheless did bost themselves to be chast, and said they con­tracted this disease by sprinkling themselves with the holy water which was infected.

But this contagion, by which only now adayes, How many waies the con­tagion may be contracted. we say this disease is dissemina­ted, is received divers waies. For sometimes 'tis transferred with the seed and men­struous [Page 16]blood from the Parents to the Child, Somtimes 'tis Haere­ditary. and the Disease become Haereditary; for when the blood, out of which the Seed is generated, is infected and vitious, the like Diseased seed is generated, also the Mothers blood being impure, with which the Child is nourisht, it Pollutes that, which pollution afterwards in those brought into the World doth sooner or later shew it self, according to the greater or lesser strength of that virulency: which manner of original of this Disease, if any one wil deny to be properly by contagion, because it is not by the contract of two bodies, viz. a sound and a sick, he may for al me; yet let him know this, that then that malignity in the body of the infant is not generated, but from the infected parents by the seed, or the Mothers blood is communicated to the off-spring.

But by those that are born into the world, the same evil may be contracted two waies: the first is, when with the nourishment and milk, the evil is communicated to infants by imp [...]ute Nurses; which way indeed is the powerfullest of al: for whenas the milk they suck is changed into blood, and that is the nourishment of the whol body, the poyson this way is dispersed into the whol body, and insinuates it self most intimately with it, and therefore those that are this way infected, are seldome cured, and not without a great deal of Difficulty.

The other way is by contagion so called properly, and in specy; where first of al 'tis enquired, whether there be any contagion in the Veneral Disease at a distance, so that if one do neither touch with his body one infected, nor the fuel which conteins in it the contagion, yet nevertheless may be infected with the Veneral Disease; truly there is no example given of this cause, but what Manardus teacheth, Lib. 7. Epis. 3. and also some others affirme that there is a French Ophthalmy: but when as this Disease of the Eyes in other cases is oftentimes contagiout, it is no wonder, if one conversing with a sick man that is troubled with a French Ophthalmy, and earnestly look upon his Eyes, Whether it can infect at a distance. that he also may contract luch an Ophthalmy. Yet this cannot be granted, that as the Plague may be transferred by the Air to others in distant places, so also the Veneral Disease may be communicated; for dayly ex­perience doth Testesie, that Physitians and many others, do familiarly converse with those infected with this evil, yet are not infected by them.

Therefore this evil is chiefly contracted by contact, and truely most frequently by whorish Copulation, when that virulence is communicated to the naked genital parts being soft, and porous, from the genitals of the other infected person; after which manner this Disease was first brought out of the Indies, by the Spanish Souldiers infected by the Indian Women which were sick of this Disease, into Italy, and disseminated through the French Camp, and hence spred throughout all Europe, as we said before according to the opinion of many Physitians. And though some as we said even now, who have been infected with this Disease, en­deavour to renounce the Cause of it; How the Veneral dis­ease may be contracted. yet many if they live not chastly, yet they live closely, and Gabriel Fallopius, not without a Cause de Morb. Gall. cap. 10. scoffs at certain chast Matrons, as they boasted themselves to be, who said they contracted this Disease by sprinkling them with holy water which was polluted; he that beleeves this, let him beleeve that too, which Averroes writes, 2. collect. cap. 10 that a woman was got with Child in a bath, from some seed which wicked men had spent there: or with Vallesius let him cotrect the Aphorisme, 36. Sect. 6. because many Monks have been sick of the Gout before the use of Venery.

And truly men contract this evil from Women that are infected, How men are infected by women in Copulation. because in the act by reason of the concourse of spirits, and the motion, the Womb being heated, Vapors are raised from the Malignant Humors in the womb, which are suckt in by the mans yard being of a porous constitution, and are received into the veins. But the man being infected, may infect a sound woman, either by his yard, if that be infected and exulcerated, How Wo­men by men. or by his seed, although his yard be not ulcerated, or both waies: for though the seed in men is not always wholly corrupt, whenas we see many men infect­ed with this disease do get children; yet it is altered & infected, from whence not only [Page 17]the Issue contracts this evil, but also a Woman may be infected by it.

But though this evil be most frequently contracted by whorish Copulation, Other waies of contagion yet by contagion it may be derived to others, other manner of waies, viz. by sweat, if any one sleep in the same bed with one infected with the Veneral Disease, and be wet with his sweat; then by the filth and Excrements, or that flowing from Ulcers, and sticking on the Linnen, bed, or shirt, and garments, if any one he in them, or put them on. The same Disease also may be communicated by slaver or spittle, so lovers are infect­ed with the Kisses of Whores sick of this Disease, and infants by their Nurses, or if any one drink out of a Cup, or sup out of the spoon, which one sick of this Disease did use a little before; besides, infants may be infected another way, to wit if, they touch the brests of an impure Nurse with their mouth, and that for a double reason, either because they suck the infected and corrupted milk, of which I speake before; or because the breasts and nibbles of the Nurse are exulcerated: on the contrary, Nurses may be infected from infected infants, especially if they be troubled with Malignant pustles, or some Ulcer in the mouth; for the Nepples of their breasts whiles they are suckt by the Infant, grow hot, and their pores are more opened, whereupon they easier receive in that virulence.

But no body is easily infected by the breath, as was said before, and without danger we may be conversant in the same chamber with those that are infected; neither are those Chyrurgions and Physitians which cure the veneral Disease, and dayly converse with the sick, any way infected; and if this Disease were contagious by breathing and at a distance, the whol world would ere now have been French, and the Disease would be more than Epidemious, as one writes; yet if any one sleep in bed with one infected, that he do receive his breath very neer, I wil not promise him free from this evil; whenas I know, Wives that have been infected by their Husbands sick of the Phthisick, and afterwards died of it.

This contagion after 'tis received into the body, How the Veneral vi­rulency doth penetrate into the bo­dy. staies not in those parts in which it was first received, but after the manner of other poysons, penetrates into the innermost parts of the body: and truely oftentimes discovers it self presently, within a few daies, somtimes lies hid a long while. And Fernelius writes, de abdit. rer. Caus. Lib. 2. c. 14. That it doth somtimes returne and revive after thir­ty years past, and for so long space the fewel of the disease does lie hid as dormant, and nevertheless they who think themselves free from al hurt, and that they are perfectly sound, do corrupt those with whom they lie, and beget an Issue possest with that Disease. The same is witnessed by John Philippus Ingrassias. And Hercules Saxonia de lue Vener. cap. 11. relates that he cured an Illustrissimo, who had knobs of the French Disease came out upon him, five and twenty years after he had taken the Disease.

But what parts this virulency doth principally assault, we said formerly Authors did disagree, where we treated of its subject; many indeed do hold, What parts are chiefly affected. that this virulency is chiefly an adversary to the Membranes, because the pains do most of al arise about the Periostia, and external parts, where are many Mem­branes, in the head, Legs, Arms, breast-bone, and in them the periostium being eaten off, are raised knobs. But not only the Membranous parts are affected, but others also, as the Buboes, Tumors, Uleers in divers parts, rottenness of the bones, falling of the hair, running of the Reins do testefie. And therefore we must en­quire for a more common subject, which we said above was the Liver, and the similar parts dedicated to nutrition, and that have consent with the liver; for af­ter the contagion hath pierced as far as the Liver (though in the interim it may cortupt the parts neer unto that, by which the Contagion was received) and hath imprinted a Malignant disposition on that, Sanguification is hurt, and a Malig­nant quality is imprinted on that blood, which is generated in the Liver, and so with the blood are generated Malignant Humors, which whenas they are trouble­some to Nature, they are thrust forth to the Circumference of the body, and so [Page 18]not only pains are raised in the Membranes, but divers Diseases and Symptomes also in other parts; and whereas the bones are not free, but they are oftentimes affected with rottenness, it is no wonder that the neighbouring periostia are af­fected, and most cruel pains raised.

From al which it doth easily appear, The manner of the gene­ration of the veneral dis­ease. what is the manner of the generation of this Disease, to wit, When the contagion of this Disease is communicated from one sick of the Veneral Disease, either by the seed and blood of the parents, or by the sucking of infected milk, or by Copulation, or by spittle, or by meat and drink, or by garments and Linnen, to any part of a sound body, first of al the part which receives the contagion is affected and hurt, hence through that, the evil creeps into the Veins, and by them penetrates to the Liver, which when it hath put on an evil disposition, and contracted a Malignant Disease, it generates viti­ous blood, containing in it the Seeds of the veneral Disease, which whenas it is an enemy to the body, by the expulsive faculty 'tis driven from the more noble parts to the Circumference of the body. And from thence the nourishment in the whol body is hurt, from whence are raised spots, Tumors, and divers bunchings out, Ulcers, falling of the hair, pains, and other evils.

At length out of al those things which have been said hitherto of the Nature and causes of the veneral disease, The defini­tion of the veneral dis­ease. we make this definition of this Disease. The veneral evil is an occult Disease, and peculiarly Malignant, taken by infection, and is infections, chiefly an enemy to the Liver and nutritive faculty, and there­fore nutrition being hurt in the whol body, it raiseth divers Diseases and Symp­tomes.

CHAP. V. Of the Differences of it.

BY some indeed there are reckoned up very many Differences of this Disease, The Differ­ences. and by Brassavola, 234. but many of them unprofitable; the most necessa­ry and profitable are these.

First of al, as concerning the very essence of the Disease whenas that is unknown, from that of it self, we can raise no difference: yet be­cause its activity depends on that essence and occult quality, these differences are fetcht from thence, because the activity of this disease is somtimes greater, som­times less. And Physitians have observed, that somtimes after unwholsome Co­pulation, the French Symptoms have presently come upon men, but somewhat gentle, and a little while after have ceased again, without the administration of any remedy; but somtimes most grievous Symptoms have presenly come on them, and the evil hath been rebellious, and could by no means or very difficultly be cured. At its first rise this dis­ease was more grie­vous. And the writers of this disease report, That this Disease when it first ap­peared, had far more grievous Symptomes, than now it hath: but what was the Cause of this business, is not so clear. That might happen first of al, from the disposition of the bodies that were infected. For whenas it appeared first in the Camps at Naples, and there was a great scarcity of provision, and a famine, doubtless in those bodies also, there was provision of evil Humors for Diseases, on which when this contagion fel, there it took strength and increased: besides this might make somwhat to that business, that in the beginning, the cure of this Dis­ease was not sufficiently known, whence it came to pass, that this malignity al­waies grew worse. This happens also in the Plague, of which the more there die, the poyson alwaies grows the more vehement. For the malignity is fermented as it were, and exalted in the bodies of the sick, unless it be opposed and overcome by Alexipharmacal means.

Secondly, its Differences are taken from the causes and man­ner of contagion while somtimes the Veneral Disease is haereditary, and is derived with the seed and blood from the parents to the Issue: but somtimes after the birth, is communicated by Copulation, Kissing, Milk, Garments, and the like.

Thirdly, the third Difference is taken from the Diseases and Symptoms super­venient, that this Disease is somtimes with Buboes, somtimes with running of the Reins, somtimes with falling of the hair, somtimes with pains of the joynts, somtimes wich other Symptomes; neither do the Symptomes which follow it, and shal afterwards be reckoned up amongst the signs, alwaies appear the same in al people: and Eustachius Rudius writes, Lib. 5. de Morb. occult. Cap. 9. That he hath observed a thousand times, that many young men have on the same day co­pulated with one and the same whore, and yet notwithstanding one hath been taken with the running of the Reins, another with a Bubo another with rottenness, another with pain in the Head, another with falling of the hair, and another with another different preternatural affect; which doubtless happens, by reason of the various indisposition of bodies, and weakness of parts, and variety of Humors. For weak parts do more easily receive vitious Humors, than the strong. And one body is more clean, another more foul, and abounds with these, or those Humors, which when they are cotrupted by the venenate Humor, do cause these or those Diseases and Symptomes: therefore if we should number up the Differences according to the variety of Diseases, and Symptomes, which are somtimes joyned together and complicated, somtimes Fewer, somtimes more, we might make very many indeed, of which as was said even now, Brassavola reckons up 234. more Nicely than profitably.

Fourthly, the fourth Difference is from the time, that the Disease is somtimes new, somtimes inveterate, one in the beginning, another in the augment, another in the state and another in the declination.

Out of which, and especially from the Difference of time, and the variety of Diseases, and Symptomes that accompany this Disease, Julianus Palmarius, Degrees of the veneral disease. doth commodiously constitute four dergees of this Disease, de lue Vener. Lab 1. cap. 4. The First and lightest degree is, when only the hairs of the Head and beard do by little and little fal off, without any other hurt of the body. The Second degree is worse, when the whol Skin is spread over with many spots not bunching out, and those somtimes smal, like to a lentil speck; somtimes much broader, and both, somtimes red, somtimes yellow. The Third degree is yet more grievous, when not only spots but true pustles and bunches break forth, first of al indeed about the forehead, and Temples, and behind the Ears, then every where in the Head, and at length in the rest of the body. The Fourth degree is, when now the Disease being inveterate, it assaults and corrupts the so­lid parts, the bones, Ligaments, Membranes, and Nerves. In which there are collected many thick, glutinous, and maligne Excrements, which when they rest about the tendons, or the Periostia, and prick and pul the Membranes from the bones, there are wont to be caused implacable pains, growing worse towards the night, from which Excrements also by degrees do grow hard knobs, with far greater torment which are equally hard as the bones. Which if they be fixt in the bones, they do so enlarge and distend them, that the bones oftentimes become of a monstrous bulk and figure: moreover that malignity and Acrimony doth by degrees eat away, and with rottenness consume the bones, and for the most part not hurting the Skin that lies over them: and Palmarius writes there, that he hath seen many in whom the Pericranium, and the Skul under it, hath been found wholly eaten away with putrefaction, and consumed with rottenness as far as the dura mater, the Skin of the Head not being hurt at al, without any Feaver, and [Page 20]without vomiting, of which one or two have been seen living without a Skul. Of which by and by shal be said more in the Diagnostick and Prognostick signs.

CHAP. VI. Of the Diagnostick Signs.

BUt though out of those things which have been spoken before of the History of this Disease, the Diagnostick signs of this Disease might easily be fetcht, yet in this place the same are to be propounded in specy. But first of al, we must remember this, those signe as Galen teacheth, 1. Aphor. 17. and else where, which ought certain­ly to denote a Disease, which are commonly called Pathognomonical, ought to be not only proper but inseparable, so that where they are, there is the Disease, and they being taken away the Disease is removed. But though as in many other dis­eases, The diag­nostick signs of the cause. so in the Veneral, there is not one sign, by which the Disease may be known, yet a concourse of signs, may do the same. Yet what that concourse is in the Veneral Disease, is not easie to define: whenas in this Disease there is a great Accumulati­on of Symptoms and Diseases, and therefore this Disease hath affinity with other Diseases. Which thing doth cause, as was said before, that many when they saw almost the same concourse of signs, in that Epidemious disease, which Hippocrates propounds, the 3. Epid. they thought the Veneral Disease was described there, and others referred it to the Elephantiasis, but the reason why it is hard to define the concourse of signs in this Disease, is this, because the Liver and nutritive faculty of the whol body is chiefly hurt. For when the heart or brain is hurt, their hurt acti­ons do easily appear, being such as are simple, and restrained to few parts. But when as the Lives affords nourishment for the whol body, from thence if nourish­ment be hu [...] [...] [...]ppen [...]vers Diseases and Symptomes; for though the nutriment of the whol body be one, that is blood, yet almost an innumerable variety presents it self in every part, according to the variety of the parts which are nourisht, whenas 'tis necessary that every part do peculiarly assimilate its nourishment; yet if we consider the precedent causes, those things which are present, and what things are helpful, what hurtful, or the Remedies, neither can this Disease he undisco­vered.

As concerning the causes, first of al if the parents be, or have been sick of this dis­ease, and some signs in the infant present themselves, which argue the Veneral dis­ease, there is scarce any reason to doubt of the Disease. In like manner 'tis, if an in­fanchave sucked a nurse sick of this disease.

But if any one born of sound Patents, and nourisht by the milk of a sound Nurse, yet have diseases and some Symptoms, which give suspition of this Disease, we must diligently enquire, whether he hath had to do with infected persons; which if he confess, the case is plain, and there need no further doubt of the species of the Dis­ease; but if, as it often fals out, one to preserve his Honor and reputation, deny that he hath acted any such thing, then we must enquire into the condition and course of the life past, of the husband or wife, if the party be married. For from these things somtimes we have no slight conjectures of the infection. But if there be no ground for such a conjecture, we must further enquire, whether he hath slept in the same bed with one infected with that Disease, or hath used his garments. But if out of al these there can be had no firme conjecture of this Disease, the present state of the patient is diligently to be considered, which indeed is one in the beginning of the Disease, another in the increase, and another when 'tis inveterate; whence also the signs of th [...]s Disea [...]e, beginning, encreasing, inveterate, are wont commonly to be delive­red. And truely to know this Disease when 'tis Inveterate, is not very difficult, as [Page 21]shal be said by and by: but whiles it yet lies, and is in the first blade, then to know it, is not so easie. For as plants and trees when they are at ful growth, are known by the vulgar, but to know them at their first appearance, is the part only of an artist and good herbarist. So also this Disease, when it discovers it self by diverse Diseases, and Symptomes, 'tis known even by the vulgar, but when it lirks in obscurity, 'tis not discovered but by experienced Physitians.

Yet there are some signs, which may discover this Disease, The signs of the vene­ral disease in its begin­ning. even at the first be­ginning; the first is, that they who are taken with this Disease do presently (with­out the appearance of any signs of a Feaver imminent) perceive a kind of weari­ness and heaviness in their whol body, and somtimes a drowsiness after sleep. There is a vehement and wandering pain, which is felt somtimes in the Head, somtimes in the Muscles, somtimes about the joynts, and this pain is more troublesome to­wards night than at other times of the day. The fresh color of the Face is chan­ged strangely, and some write, that there is a Livid circle appears under their Eyes, such as we usually see in Women that have their Courses: there is added to these a sadness, fear, and those that before were merry and jesting, become sad and pensive without any cause. All which signs are of greater force if the signs of the Veneral Disease did go before, and vanish without any convenient, and sufficient means. And truely if this evil be contracted by Copulation, and hath not yet plainly possest the Liver, but sticks yet in the Privities, then chiefly this Veneral Disease at its beginning, discovers it self by the running of the Reins, Ulcers in the Privities, and buboes, for when that Malignant vapor, is first of al communicated to the Testicles and genital vessels, the seed is corrupted, and the generation of seed is depraved in the genital vessels: whence instead of good seed there is ge­nerated a stinking and corrupt Humor, which doth irritate Nature to expulsion. From whence also the Gonorrhaea, although improperly so called, is easily di­stinguished from that running of the Reins which is not French, because this galli­cal is joyned with a great heat, and pain, somtimes also with an Inflamation of the Testicles, and Vessels resembling a varix; the matter which is cast forth is far different from seed, viz. yellow, green, Acrid, corroding the glans; neither doth it yeild to those Remedies, with which a true Gonorrhaea is cured. Next of all there appeare pustles in the Privities about the bigness of a grain of Millet, and somtimes they compass the whol Ring, which when they are broken, there re­main white Ulcers which in process of the Disease grow deep and callous, of di­vers colors, and with pain joyned with them. Thirdly, also Buboes show forth themselves in this Disease; for though somtimes the Buboes do precede an Erysi­pelas or a Rose, yet then there went before those causes which do effect a Rose, as fear, frights, anger, and the bubo is extended towards the Thighs, as it were by a red line, and a little after the Erysipelas breaking forth, it vanisheth; but if the Bubo be Veneral, 'tis not extended according to the longitude of the Thigh, but rather obliquely, and imitates the situation of the spermatick Vessels. For in unwholsome Copulation the seminal vessels are easily first of al infected, which whenas they have their Original from the Vena Cava not far from the Liver it self, that virulency is easily communicated to the Liver, which being affected drives it back again by the same waies from it self, from whence are caused both the Bu­boes, and the running of the Reins. And thus these two Diseases are for the most part complicated, and being Joyned are a sure sign of the veneral Disease, and one failing, the other is of force; but if this evil be contracted without whorish Co­pulation, and if by kissing, there are Ulcers raised about the mouth, if by giving suck to an infected infant, there are inflamations about the breasts, pustles, and clefts; if from Garments and common lying together, there are pustles every where raised in the Skin.

But if the evil do now increase, The signs of this dis­ease increa­sing. and grow more grievous, and the virulency it self be already communicated to the Liver, and thence the nutrition in the whol body be depraved, diseases and symptomes of al kinds, such as were reckoned up before, cap. 2. in the history of this disease, do arise, which indeed though singly by themselves they afford not a proper and inseparable signe of this disease, yet if they be taken together, and their peculiar condition be diligently considered, they may clearly enough detect this evil. For there is scarce another disease, in which there is a con­course of al these, nay there are many of them so proper to the Veneral disease, that they are found in no other disease after that manner. How the buboes which are seen in the beginning, and sometimes in the increase of this disease, may be distinguisht from other buboes, was said even now; theveneral pustles are some of them crusty, others without a crust, the crusty are chiefly the signs of this disease, and sometimes they are eminent, that in the head and forehead they resemble the horns of a Ram, under which somtimes is contained matter. Somtimes none, and they appeare in the face, head, beard, whol body, but especially about the privities and hips, And Fallopius writes that these kinds of Veneral tumors, may be distinguished from those which are not Veneral after this manner; That the Veneral if they be rubbed and the skin taken off, three daies after they appear unchanged, but benign pu­stles if they be rubbed, are increased by the attraction of blood, and that good, and alimentary. So the the tumors which are commonly called Gummesities, it they be joined with a swelling, or do firmly adhere to the parts void of flesh, and the bones, especially if they be in the head, forehead, in the fore part of the Leggs, area most certain signe of the Veneral disease: for the Veneral matter hath an eating vi­rulency even in a cr [...]s humor, and joined with paine, the like of which is nor in o­ther tumots, which do proceed from a thick matter. But though [...] do happen also in many other diseases; yet if they rise chiesly in the yard, and especially on the for [...]kin, and about the [...]ut, and towards the end of the yard, or also in the m [...]th [...] palate, the [...] or jawes, and those to putrid and stinking, and there was no inflamation of those parts precedent, nor signs of the scurvy, they are also signs of the F [...]ench Disease; also the falling of the hair causeth no light e­vidence of the disease; for if after childhood, no other disease foregoing, which is wont to be accompanied with the shedding of the hair, the hairs of the head, and especially of the beard and eye-brows fal off, and also there appear ulcerous pustles, or a filthy Scab, this is altogether a sure signe of the French Disease. In like manner Chapps and clefts in the Palms of the hands, and soles of the [...]ee [...], if no other cause preceded, are an undoubted sign of this evil, so also those bunches somtimes low and broad, somtimes somwhat long, and those excrescencies which they cal ficus, con­dy lomata, and crusts, if they appeare in the privy parts, or about the Arse-hole, do sutely enough discover this disease; pains of the head, although they happen in many other diseases, yet if their bunchings out, and gummo [...]es in the skin, if there was a Gonorrhea and it be stopped, if a bubo and it be vanish [...], those also are sure signs enough of this disease; paines also in other parts may likewise discover this disease, for if the paine be not in the very joints, ou [...] in that part which is in the middle of the bones, and neer to the Joints, as upon the skin, or up­on the shoulder bone, which is between the head and the joint of the elbow, and they be most cruel and sharp, and are exasperated towards the evening and night, they are also sure signes of this disease. There is familiar also with this disease, such a distillation, by which there is emptied by the mouth, and note, much flegm and watrish matter, by which the parts through which they pass are exulcerated; but in the first place the sure signe of this disease is that French Gonorrhea, of which was spoken before. Last of al this also is a sure signe of this disease, if the aforemen­tioned diseases and symptomes be not taken away, or made more gentle, by medi­cines that do work by manifest qualities, applyed according to art, but rather do grow worse, but are mitigated by those proper and specifick remedies.

Last of al, if this evil be inveterate, diseases and symptomes of al kinds may hap­pen, callous, fistulous, and cancerous ulcers, knobs in divers parts of the body, Signs of an inveterate Pox. rottenness of the bones in the Leggs, Armes, especially in the Skul, the bone of the Palate and Nose, a Hectick Feaver, Consumption, Pthisick, evil habit of the body, Falling-sickness, falling of their teeth, Deafness, Blindness. Vidus Vidu­us, lib. 2. de curat. membrat. cap. 18. reports that he saw at Barciconia a Span­nish Souldier, who by the French Pox suffered a rottenness of Skul, and after­wards fel into an epilepsy, that filth distilling from his rotten skul, and pricking the membranes of his brain, from which notwithstanding he was freed by cauteri­zing his Skul with a hot Iron; and Forestus lib. 7. Observat. 9. in schol, relates of one infected with the French Pox, though he seemed to be wel cured, yet was afflicted with a long and continual paine of his head, which could be cured by no re­medies, til at last his Skul being opened, there was found under it, upon the dura ma­ter somwhat black like a wevil, which worme when it was taken away, that pain cea­sed, nor returned no more. And Johannes Schenckius ex D. Georg, Garneci ob­servat. relates of one sick of the French Pox, that was il cured, who was taken with a great inflamation in his palate, in the five-like bone, in his uvula, and al the neigh­bouring parts, which presently turned to a Gangrene, and that to a cancer, that every day he voided somwhat, of those corrupt and putrefied parts, and the uvula, and next parts, being first of al cast forth, at last he spit through his mouth his very brain with a most noysome stink. And Felix Platerus, lib. 1. observat. makes mention of an Abbot who by the French Pox was made blind, deaf, and dumb, who could no otherwise understand and perceive the meaning of others, but if they with their finger or a peice of wood drew letters, expressing some sentence upon his bare arme, from al which singly perceived he made a word, and from many words a sentence: God the just Judg doth somtimes punish wandring lust, with so grie­vous and horrid a punishment.

As concerning the differences of this virulency, Signs of the differen­ces. although its formal essence be un­known, yet there is a certain difference. According to its manner of acting and its vehemency, which is known from its effects; for somtimes more, somtimes fewer: somtimes the contagion and active power is great, sometimes less: and Eustachius Rudius reports de morb. occult. lib. 5. cap. 10. that he knew some whores infected with so powerful a French Poyson, that al who had to do with them were not only presently infected with the same evil, but were wholly possest with most grievous symptomes, which could not be removed nor mitigated, by any remedies, or art, nay some of them not long after died. But we know the vehemency of this evil, if as was said even now, some be presently infected, if the pain be most cruel, if the erosion pierce to the bones, if many putrid and stinking excrements proceed every where from the body. For by how much the evils are the more, and more grievous, by so much the power of this virulency is the greater.

CHAP. VII. Of Prognosticks.

BUt that we may know, what hopes there is concerning the event of this disease, we must enquire whether the disease is like to be short, or long, whether easy or hard to be cured, and at last what end it shal have.

But first of al concerning this disease, Whether this disease shal cease. 'tis wont to be questioned amongst some Physitians in general, whether it shal once have an end? Fracastorius indeed did hope for it, as was said before, and thought, that even in his time this disease grew aged and that a little while after it would wholly die, chiefly for this reason, because he thought it was epidemious, and took its original from the Starrs, which impressions of heaven do not last alwaies, but in process of time are changed, and because he [Page 24]saw this disease did grow more mild. For as Jul. Palmarius writes of this subject lib. 1. de lue Vener. Cap. 5. it was reported, that this disease at its first rise was so filthy, that that which reigns now is scarce thought to be of the same kind; for there were innumerable ulcers, rough and standing out, in the figure and bulk of an acorn, a filthy humor flowing from them, and such a stink exhaling that his nose that it reached, was beleeved presently to be infected. The colour of the pustles was between black and green, as much tormenting the sick with the sight of them, as with their pain. Therefore al people did shun the sight of them, and so abstain from touching them, as in no disease besides. But Fracastorius his hopes deceived him, for as yet we do not see this disease grow old, much less cease, and though the filthi­ness of the ulcers and pustles be more tolerable, yet in pains and torments it is grown more cruel, as the same Palmarius writes. It is more likely, that as long as those copulations and conversings wi [...]h infected people, and wandering lusts shal indure, so long also this disease wil last, and be propagated by contagion. For such is the nature of this poyson that it doth not suddenly kil a man, in the interim those who are sick of that disease, are infect ous those waies, of which we spake be­fore. Whenas therefore there are every where many, who are poluted with that disease, and others converse with them, there is yet no hopes that this disease should cease are long, whenas the effect doth not cease, unless the cause be taken away. Neither is that reason firm enough, which some who are of a contrary opinion do alledg; for they say whenas this disease is a contagion preternatural and violent, it must necessarily have an end, whenas those things which are preternatural and vio­lent have not perpetual causes, and therefore must needs cease to be; but the an­swer is easie; nothing indeed that is preternatural and violent, is of it self perpetual, yet if the cause be perpetual, that also may be perpetual. Therefore though as the plague is sometimes extinguished, so this disease also might be, if the same diligence were used, which is in preventing and curing the plague, as was said before: yet because there are alwaies men, who are sick of this disease, and can infect others, and others do not abstain from their society, even this disease shal continue so long, as that contagion shal last. And therefore Eustachius Rudius rightly of this sub­ject, Lib. 5. de Morb. occult. Cap. 11. writes, if there were one prince of the whol world, or one conspiracy of many of them against this disease, by the help of physitians this disease might be wholly rooted out; viz. if they who are sick of this disease, were al committed to physitians to be cured, in the interim were remo­ved from the society of other men, and the same were done with the infected with this disease, as is wont to be with those infected with the plague or leprosie, there were hopes this disease might be extirpated; & for this cause too, because the Veneral dis­ease is not contagious at a distance as the plague is, but for the most part is communi­cated by copulation, somtimes by kissing and garments. But here is no diligence used, and as the same Rudius saith, Theeves, robbers, and murderers, and other wicked persons are sharply punished, but publique whores ful of this disease, and who daily destroy more than a thousand men, & polute whol Families and Cities, are cherisht, smoothed up with slateries, and kept gallantly. But leaving these, let us see what may be foretold of every particular diseased patient.

1. Progno­sticks. The Veneral disease for the most part of it self, is a disease of long continu­ance, for this reason, Because the liver principally, and the nutritive faculty is infected in it. But Galen teaches rightly, 5. de lo. affect. Cap. 2. That of dis­eases of the heart al people die most speedily, of affects of the brain more slowly, but the life is longer protracted when the natural actions are hurt; and though the veneral disease be also malignant, and is not undeservedly reckoned amongst poy­sons in its kind, yet its power in acting is fat slower, than that of other poysons: yet the vehemency or weakness of this poyson in this or that body, and the dispo­sition of the body, may make somewhat to the length or shortness of this disease; for if the poyson be more vehement, the disease is the more dangerous, as shal be said by and by: if also the body before did abound with vitious humors, the evil is [Page 25]increased, and made longer: and indeed sometimes the stubbornness of this disease is such, that though it seem sometimes to be wholly extinct, yet it hath been observed that it hath sometimes grown fresh againe after many, nay, thirty years, as was said before.

2. But whether this disease wil be hard or easie to cure in any patient, must be judged from the greatness of the disease, and strength of the patient, as in other diseases. First of al, as concerning the nature of the disease it self, though this disease be far more gentle, than other venenate diseases, yet because it is not of the number of them which depend on manifest distempers, but malignant and contagious, it may infect al the humors in the whole body, nay it may pollute al the Similar parts, and hence it is hard to be cured.

3. Yet this disease when 'tis new is easier to cure, than when 'tis inveterate; for in that new malignant quality, it only affects those parts, by which 'tis propagated and for the most part the privities, but in the inveterate disease, that very malig­nant quality is imprinted also on the liver, and from the liver again is communica­ted to the blood, and by the blood to al similar parts; for it is false, as appeares out of those things which have been formerly said of the nature of this disease, that the liver here is hurt in sanguification, by no disease, but only by reason of an evil object, which mixt with the blood and other humors, does pollute them, deprave and make them vitious, and convert them into its own nature: indeed 'tis not to be denied, that vitious humors also do corrupt the good, in the interim from good chyle also in a liver evil disposed is generated bad blood, which appears even from this, that through every part the nutrition a little while after is infected through the whol body, which could not be, unless the liver were hurt.

4. Epiph. Ferdinandus writes, Hist. 17. That he hath learned by experience, and that other physitians have observed the same, that those who being once cured are again infected with this disease, are either never, or with a great deal of difficul­ty recovered.

5. Although the nature of this virulency doth not consist in any manifest distem­per, yet if it light on a body hot and dry, and especially endewed with a hot dis­temper of the liver, 'tis more difficultly cured. For whenas pock-wood, Sarsapa­rilla, and the like, are hot and dry, that hot and dry distemper is increased, and so, though this very disease be not increased, yet another damage is brought upon the body, and whenas those proper medicines cannot safely be administred, unless the body before were very wel purged, by these means 'tis heated and dryed the more.

6. For the same cause, a hot and dry season of the yeare, as that of the sum­mer is, is not so fit for the cure of this disease, whenas the strength is then Exhau­sted.

7. If also the strength be seeble, that it cannot undergoe those strong medicines which are necessary, or if the sick, out of custom or peevishness, wil not admit of necessary medicaments, 'tis made hard to cure.

8. If also a [...]eaver, or consumption, or other grievous symptom, or disease be joy­ned, which may hinder the cure, the disease cannot easily be removed, as was said even now, of a hot distemper of the liver, and of the whol body.

9. If there appear in the joynts, callous, Schirrous, and hard tumors, and those commonly called gummosities, the evil is hard to be cured, and is not rooted out, by most powerful remedies: for such tumors never appear, unless the evil be inveterate, and hath taken deep root, most of which are sixt in the bones under them.

10. Buboes in the groins if they be hard, and are not easily suppurated, and those which somtimes break forth, sometimes vanish, are hard of cure, because they signifie a stubborn matter, and a weakeness of nature in expelling it: but if they be easily supputated, and the strength be firm, and especially the liver strong, they are ar­guments [Page 26]of a more benigne Disease and matter; and such Buboes, if they be kept open along while, may bring perfect health.

11. A roughness of the jaws which is attended with hoarsness, or an obscure, or no voice, do shew the evil to be antient and stubborn, and which wil scarce be cured.

12. Ulcers that are new in the Yard are easily Cured, but in the Arsehole, or about it, made difficultly, for they shew the evil is now inveterate: and such Ulcers are continually moistned by the Excrements, and Medicines cannot conveniently enough be applied to them.

13. Ulcers also in the joynts and other parts are most hard to cure, because they signifie an evil now inveterate, and which hath invaded the whole body.

14. Ulcers in the mouth and jaws are not easily cured, because also they argue the evil to be ancient, neither can convenient Medicines be applied to them, and they are continually moistned, by the Excrements falling from the brain.

15. If the bones of the nose be eaten, and there be also a slow Feaver, it signi­fies an evil incurable, whenas now the disease is communicated to the brain it self, or its Membranes.

16. Bunchings cut in this disease, especially the broader, are not easily cured, and they argue an evil hard to be cured.

17. The colour of the Skin depraved, and the falling of the hair, if convenient means be applied, are not very hard to cure.

18. Pains especially in the Head, and upon the Shins, are oftentimes very stub­born, that they yeild to no Remedies, or at least not under a long time.

19. Vertigoes and falling sicknesses are most grievous and pertinacious, for they shew that the Veneral Virulency, hath now possest the brain it self.

20. Distillations also are lasting, because they also happen, only when the evil is inveterate, and the brain is affected; the which are more dangerous and grievous, if they fal on the breast and Lungs, and exulcerate them.

21. Also the noise in the Ears is for the most part lasting, and scarcely removed, whenas there are divers windings in the Eares, and their expulsive faculty is weak, neither can medicines penetrate thither.

22. The running of the Reins also for the most part is lasting, or if it be stopt grievous evils are wont to follow, and most heavy pains of the Head and Joynts.

23. But chiefly the Nature of the Contagion it self, from which the sick con­tracted the disease, doth manifest the force and greatness of the disease; for this poyson hath somtimes a greater, somtimes a less activity, and Physitians do relate who have often had such Patients in cure, that somtimes of ten strong yong men, who have had to do with the same Whore, not one of them hath scaped, therefore if it be known, from what he or she, this evil was contracted, the Physitian may the easier judg of the event of the disease.

24. Other things being alike, this evil is easiest cured, which is contracted by Whorish Copulation, but that is harder to Cure, which the Infant hath sucked in with the milk, whenas the virulency goes into the stomach with the milk, and hence in the Liver there is generated a virulent blood, which afterwards runs through the whol body, and Pollutes that. But the Hereditary evil is hardest of al to Cure, and that which is communicated from infected Parents, with the Seed and blood.

25. As for the parts affected, if the Liver only be affected, the evil is the easier Cured, whenas it hath a strong expulsive faculty, and Medicaments can easily pe­netrate unto it: but the Spleen, Kidneys, Womb, and external joynts are not so easily Cured, but hardest of all the Brain, and the Lungs, because they have a weaker expulsive faculty, and Medicaments do not easily penetrate thi­ther.

26. From al which 'tis easily collected, what wil be the event of the Disease, for [Page 27]by how much the more, and more grievous diseases and Symptomes are joyned with the Veneral disease, by so much the more the sick are indangered; by how much the fewer, and lighter, by so much the less: and those chiefly die, who to their putrid and Malignant Veneral Disease, have supervenient those Feavers they call Gallical; for the Veneral Virulency whiles it corrupts the Humors, and induceth a Malignant quality into them, makes the Feaver worse, and also de­bilitates the innate heat, whence neither the Feaver, nor that Malignant disease can be overcome by Nature.

27. Very many also die of a wasting of the body, and a hectick Feaver, or ra­ther a slow, and putrid one: for both the Veneral virulency it self, and the pains, watchings, and other symptomes do debilitate the innate heat, hurt nutrition, whence follows a wasting of the whol body, to which is joyned a slow putrid Feaver raised from the evil Humors.

28. Sanguification also being hurt, some die of a Dropsie.

29. Many also die by reason of Catarrhes, falling down on the jaws and Lungs, hindering and taking away their breath; or the Vessels of the Lungs being eaten by a sharp Catarrhe, and first of al spitting of blood being raised, then a Phthisick, they die.

30. Somtimes the Vessels being eaten in two by the acrimony of the Humors, and Vomiting of blood caused, the sick die by too great a Flux to the stool, or by the Womb.

CHAP. VIII. Of Prevention.

WHenas 'tis safer to prevent a Disease, than to cure it, Prevention some Physitians en­deavor to teach, by what means one may keep himself clear, though he have had to do with an infected Woman. Of which business Fallopius treats in the whol Chapter, 89. de Morb. Galli. and he writes that he should seem to have done nothing unless he teach, how one seeing a handsome Woman, and lying with her though she be infected, may be preserved from the French Disease: and he cals the immortal God to witness, that he hath made tryal of it in ten thousand men, and none of them was infected: and he propounds there two medicaments, by which the Contagion received may presently be drawn forth, dissipated, or dryed up. Hercules Saxonia, propounds the same, de lue Vener. cap. 16. and does very much com­mend them, and as Aurelius Minadous speaks of this business, many confide that being guarded with those Medicines as with a buckler, they may enter the most in­fected whores, and freely ramble al the world over. Eustachius Rudius, also proposes the like Medicaments, Lib. 5. de morb. occult. cap. 13. But indeed I do not beleeve, that those things can be taught with a good conscience, by which so many men are encouraged to lust, whom perhaps the fear of this Disease might have frigh­ted from it; and therefore we wil say nothing of these Medicines; but Aurelius Minadous thinks they themselves are deceived, that teach such things, Cap. 31. de Virulentia Venerea. Where he overthrows Fallopius foundation, who thinks that this Disease is only communicated by the least purulent bodies, which if they be wiped away, extracted, dissipated, this Disease may be turned off, and he teacheth that the Contagion doth not only enter by the external parts of the Privities, but al­so chiefly by the internal, and runs through the Body, and that the infected Vapors, and spirits do pass through the internal porosities, and are admitted by the Veins; and therefore no man can promise himself health and safety from washing, which on­ly reaches to the external parts, nor from other Medicaments outwardly applied, neither can such external Medicaments take away the Pollution conceived within. The safect way therefore to avoid this Disease is to abstain from whores, and to [Page 28]remember that Whoremongers and Adulterers the Lord wil judg, who yet is wont also to punish them in this Life, with that most filthy Disease.

Yet Jul. Galmarius, hath another way of prevention of this Disease, to wit, by internal Medicaments, and he writes that he hath found out an antidote or a Mullet, by the use of which mens bodies are rendered safe against this Disease, yet he entreats and conjures al Physitians and Chyrurgeons, that they do not communicate and make known that Medicine in obedience to lustful people, and that they make not themselves fosterers of lusts, but to them only who must necessarily converse with those that are suspected or defiled. But he describes that Antidote, Lib. 1. cap. 8. and this is it.

Take of the Amulet for the Pox, and of old Mithridate, by Galens description, of each six drams; Conserve of the flowers of Bugloss, of broom, of Rosemany, of each three drams; mix them, give one dram, or a dram and an half, or two drams at the most, in the morning two hours before meat, eight or ten daies together.

But if any one suspect himself to be infected, he admonisheth that he earnestly use a greater care for prevention: therefore let him take of the Alexipharmacal Me­dicine even now described, swallowing a dram, or a dram and an half in the morning and before supper, for eight or ten daies together, whose Verture that it may reach the easier to the more remote parts, when they have swallowed it, 'tis expedient they drink presently after it somwhat of this Julep, by which as its vehicle it may be carried into every part.

Take of the water of blessed thistle, burnet, Devils-bit, of each two ounces, of Syrup of the juyce of Sorrel, of Lemmons, of each an ounce and an half. Make a Julep for two doses, to be drank presently after the taking of a dram and an half of the Amulet, in the morning, and two hours before supper.

But whenas al those simple Medicaments, which are in that Antidote, are not proper to this Veneral Disease, we must consult with experience, whether their ver­tue be so great, as Palmarius cries it up for.

CHAP. IX. Of Indications.

THose Indications which are in other diseases, Indications are found also in this; to wit, That which is taken from the Disease, called in specy Curative: That which the cause doth afford, Preservatory, whether also are referred urgent Symptomes; and last of al the Vital, for they deservedly challenge a place in this disease, yet in the ex­plaining of them Authors vary much, and as every one thinks of the Nature of this Disease, so also he teacheth concerning its indication and cure. We insisting on those things which we have formerly preposed of the Nature of this Disease, and have strongly proved, think thus of indications in this Disease.

First of al, whenas this Disease is occult, and Malignant, chief enemy to the Liver and nutritive faculty, therefore it affords a kind of genercial indication, but no spe­cifical and profitable one can be had from thence, and therefore only experience, which hath found out Medicines working by an occult quality, hath administred profitable Medicines in this Disease: and unless the Spaniards had received from the Indians such Medicaments, as Lignum Sanctum, Sarsapartilla, China Root; and the boldness of Ciyrurgions, and especially Jacob Carpus, had not fallen upon the use of Mercury, either by chance or by argumentation, whiles they read that Avicen, Mesue, and Theodoricus, made use of quicksilver, in certain pustles, and a crusty Scab, perhaps even to this day the true Remedies of this Disease would lie hid. But though the Remedies of this disease, were not found out so much by indication, as by experience; yet a Method in curing of it is not wholly excluded, but hath its [Page 29]place also, whenas 'tis necessary that those Medicaments found out by experience be rightly applied; and besides also Tumors, Ulcers, and the like Diseases springing from the corruption of Humors, have their Method, by which they are cured. Yet in this case we must have a care, that we do not look more on the manifest qualities, and known diseases, than on the occult Nature of the disease, in which business not­withstanding many do fail, who are tedious in curing of divers distempers, preparing the Humors, and directing their cure to these or those diseases. Whenas yet 'tis plain by experience, that in a hot, and in a dry distemper, and in an exustion of the Humors, as they speak, and in a Consumption it self, we do most happily use pock­wood, and the like hot and dry things, and the Malignity being overcome, the rest do easily vanish.

Secondly, as concerning indication preservatory, Preserva­tory. here we must chiefly have re­spect unto that Malignity and virulency imprinted on the Humors, and that is to be destroyed by proper and Alexipharmacal Medicines. Yet if there be any other faults in the Humors, it wil not be unprofitable also to mend them. And whenas the body is either burthened with a Plenitude, or abounds with vitious Humors, the malignity is the easier disseminated into it, and there is more plentiful matter pre­pared for putrefaction, and the force of the Alexipharmacal means is dulled, it is expedient to empty either the superfluous blood, or the vitious Humors, that the other Medicines afterwards may be administred more safely, more commodiously, and with greater benefit.

Thirdly, the Disease and various Symptomes, Curative. which supervene to the principal disease, and arise from the corruption of Humors, are al to be removed in their pro­per manner.

Fourthly, the strength is to be preserved, for as no other disease can be cured, Vital. unless there be strength of body, so nor this; and al attempts are in vain, unless at leastwise we have Nature willing.

And so there are four things chiefly to be done in this disease: First of al, Four things to be done in the Cure of the Veneral disease. if blood abound, that must be diminisht, and if any vitious Humors abound, they are to be prepared and emptied, and if there be any manifest diseases, which may be an im­pediment to the proper Cure, as obstructions and the like, they must first of all be taken away. Secondly, the Malignity and virulency as wel that inherent in the humors, as that imprinted on the parts, and principally the Liver, is to be destroied by the proper Alexipharmaca of this disease. Thirdly, the strength is to be pre­served and confirmed, and first of al chiefe care is to be had of the Liver, which suf­fers in this disease. Fourthly, the diseases and Symptomes which are wont to be joyned to this disease are to be taken away.

Here we must clear a controversie, to wit, Whether the cure may be perfected without sweating. Whether this disease may be cured with­out sweating? Some are of this opinion, That this disease may be taken away, though sweat be not provoked: And first of al they prove it thus, Because this evil consists in a certain hidden quality which cannot be taken away but by alteration of the bo­dy, whenas contraries are cured by contraries: but that alteration may be affected by the proper vertue of antidotes and decoctious administred, without sweating. Next of al they alledge experience, by which it is evident, that by the taking of such Medicaments, some have recovered without sweating. Thirdly, they urge this, That those that drink the decoction of the wood are somtimes happily emptied by nature, by urine, by the stool, and not alwaies by sweats.

Aurelius Minadous, contends against these, de Virulen. Vener. Cap. 39. And first of al he writes that he never observed, that Physitians commanded the decocti­on to be taken without sweating, to which al Alexipharmacal things of their own Nature do incline men, neither is the matter it self unfit to be expeld this way, being Vaporous and halituous: neither was there ever any one, who did throughly and wholly overcome this disease without the help of some sweating, especially if it were inveterate; but why he holds thus, he brings this reason, That in his opinion, the essence of this evil doth not consist in a quality, but in the body [Page 30]affected with an evil quality: and therefore he holds, as a quality doth indicate alteration, so a body indicates Evacuation, which though it may be many waies, yet most commodiously by sweating: whenas this very thing is a Vaporous body, and is most rightly and easily discussed by sweat; and he adds this, whenas there is a great quantity of Excrements abounding in those bodies infected with this disease, not only in one part, but al over the body; but sweat is an universal Evacuation, they are most commodiously emptied by sweating: and he holds that sweats do ve­ry much profit the Liver especially. For whenas that is the Forge of Humors, which are carried through the whol body, and they are purged by the benefit of sweat, and freed from al defilements, also the Liver polluted may be this way clean­sed, and though Nature somtimes do empty the virulent humors by some other part, as by stool, or by Urine, and then her endeavor is not to be hindered, but to be helped forward; yet he holds that without sweating the whol body cannot be freed from that Disease, and he thinks that sweat only can empty from al places both in­ternal, and external, quickly, safely, and pleasantly.

But neither of these opinions doth fully reach the Truth, The decision and both delivers an im­perfect Cure. For whenas the Curative indication so called in general, is twofold; the one preservative, which is taken from the cause; the other in specy called Cura­tive, which is taken from the Disease; they who think this disease may be cured without sweat, because it consists in a certain hidden and Malignant quality, think right concerning the curative indication, whenas that malignant quality cannot be taken away by sweating, or other Evacuations, but by proper Alexipharmaca, yet they neglect the preservative indication, and the cause: for whenas it is certain, that in the Veneral disease, there is not only a vitious disposition, and Malignant, in the parts, especially the Liver, but that al the Humors of the Body are corrupted; there is required then an Evacuation of them, which is most commodiously done by sweating, as Minadous rightly proves. For though somthing be discussed insen­sibly, yet that insensible Evacuation is not sufficient, and 'tis too slow. But Au­relius Minadous, thinks wel concerning the taking away of the Cause, and the Evacuation of vitious Humors, which is most rightly done by sweating; but he neglects the disease it self, or that Malignant quality, imprinted nor only on the Humors, but also on the Living parts: from which it appears, which is diligently to be taken notice of, that the dispute of occult diseases, is not amongst those which Galen calls Logical, but does conceive the very essence of these diseases, and that the ignorance of the occult diseases, doth not only breed Errors in theory, but also in pactice. Therefore though we do grant, that the Evacuation of Humors is wel ordered by sweating, yet Alexipharmaca are necessary also, against that malignant disposition in the parts, especially in the Liver, and Fernelius, whom Palmarius follows, or this very cause do add peculiar Alexipharmaca, as shal be said, that that Malignant disposition may be pulled up by the Routs. For though al the vicious Humors be emptied, and al other diseases and Symptomes do cease after their emp­tying; yet unless that Malignant disposition be taken out of the parts, the evil grows fresh again, and oftentimes a long while after. And this I think is the cause, that not only the decoction of Pockwood, Sarsaparilla, and the like, is given in the morning to provoke sweat, but also without sweating is taken as common drink; for the very same proper Medicines, which do destroy the occult cause and malignity in the humors, and do empty the vitious humors by sweat, are able also to Eradicate the disposition imprinted in the parts.

Last, of al this must not be past over, that the indications proposed before, are not necessary to be observed in every French disease, but only in that, which hath almost invaded the whol body, and especially hath possessed the Liver. But if the evil be new, there is no need either to let blood, or to give purges, whenas the fault is not yet communicated to the humors, but it is enough to wipe off, or cal forth the contagion received, which also is sufficient in the scab newly contracted by contagi­on, where yet we must observe, whether those pustles, and French rottenness, as [Page 31]they cal it, do immediately proceed from contagion, and whorish copulation, for then external medicines do suffice, or whether they do arise from the Liver now af­fected, for then there is need of evacuations and alexipharmaca.

Chap. X. Of the Cure. And first of bleeding.

FIrst of al therefore as concerning indication preservative, or the removing of the causes, and bleeding at the beginning; truly the cause of this disease pro­perly and next of al is not taken away by letting of blood; yet if blood do abound in the body, and that especially be too hot, the proper remedies of this disease, which are hot and dry, cannot be safely administred unless the abounding blood be first di­minished.

And truly if the virulent matter have no peculiar motion to any part, the basilick veine may first of al be opened: but if the matter have motion to some particular part, as to the groin, and nature thrust forth a bubo, bleeding is warily to be used: for if the bubo tend to suppuration, we must not let blood, and especially in the Arme, lest nature be troubled in her expulsion, and the matter be recalled to the inward parts. And it hath been observed, that many from the bubo opened, and the matter a long while emptied by it, have become perfectly found; on the contra­ry from unseasonable bleeding, the evil hath been prolonged; therefore in bleeding we must attend the motion of nature, and when the tumor doth not afford hopes of suppuration, a veine must be opened in the lower parts, for so the the matter is re­tracted towards the lower parts, and by reason of the efflux of hot blood, 'tis after­wards more easily suppurated. After the same manner a veine is to be opened in the yard, if there be rottenness in the privities, or a running of the Reines, and wholly if the parts below the Liver be affected: but if the matter rush to the head, and there cause most vehement pains, filthy ulcers, falling of the haire, the cephalick veine in the Arme is most commonly opened.

The other precepts which are propounded in general concerning the right admi­nistration in bleeding, are here also to be observed; which whenas they are not pro­per to this affect, we shal no further propose them here.

If the strength wil not beare bleeding, instead thereof the hemorhoidal veines of the Arse, may be opened, or Cupping-glasses be applied in convenient places.

Chap. XI Of the preparation, and purging of vitious humors.

NExt of al if the body be cacochymical, Prepara­tion and purging of humors. the vitious humors must be emptied and prepared with convenient medicaments; whenas in an impure body a­lexipharmacal meanes, and proper remedies of this disease, do profit little, nay they may bring hurt, and though that disease be overcome, may tender the body obnoxious to other diseases. For vitious humors collected about the bowels can­not al be discussed and dissipated by sweat, but the thinner part being discussed the thicker is left, and grows dry, and is fastened in the bowels, and oftentimes con­tracting an acrimony, doth weaken the substance of the vessels: from whence that disease grows somtimes more stubborn to cure, and there arise obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, and schirrous tumors, hypochondriacal diseases, and creeping ulcers.

Nor yet is purging only to be used in the beginning, and before the proper cure of the disease, but also the whol time of the cure, if vitious matter be collected again, [Page 32]'tis to be emptied by intervals: yet if the evil be now inveterate, and stick princi­pally in the external parts, the vitious matter is not rashly to be recalled to the in­ward parts by strong purgers, least the Liver, Stomach, and other bowels be hurt and weakned, but 'tis to be emptied by convenient places, where nature tends.

But concerning the preparation and purging of humors, though many Authors are large enough, yet whenas those things which are spoke by them, concerning an universal preparation and purging of humors, are not proper to this disease, but are common to al depending on a cacochymy: it seems not worth our labor, to dwel upon those generals, which are already known by the cure of many other diseases. We shal only admonish you of these things; first of al when the disease is new, we must observe, what vitious humors abound in the body, and especially in the second region, and those must be prepared and emptied. But if the evil be now inveterate, because in that for the most part, thick and adust humors are collected, the medi­cins are first of al to be directed against them. Next of al this is to be observed, that we have respect also to the distemper of the bowels, and if they have contracted any distemper, that must be corrected, and they must be strengthened with proper me­dicaments. Thirdly, it is necessary, that we alwaies ad somwhat to our prepara­tives and purgers, which doth resist the Veneral virulency by a specifick faculty; and therefore concerning common purging medicines we wilad nothing, whenas they are every where obvious and known, but this that many physitians do testify, That Mechcacan, to which belongs Jallop, is given not only for its purging faculty with benefit in this disease, but also because 'tis an enemy to this evil by a peculiar power, so that it is numbered by some amongst the antidotes of this disease. Then by the Chymists mercury prepared is cheifly commended for the curing and purg­ing of this disease, of which shal be spoken hereafter in particular.

Chap. XII. Of the proper remedies and antidotes and alexipharmaca of the Veneral Disease in general.

AFter the body is emptied in convenient manner, the greatest hopes of this cure is in the proper antidotes of this disease, as from which only perfect health can be hoped for so indeed, that though divers other diseases, arising from the cor­ruption of humors, be often joined with this disease; yet if that malignity be taken away, a little while after either they vanish of their own accord, or are easily cured, but without the help of these remedies, no perfect cure can be hoped for by other medicines, under what name soever: and this too is observed by many that these kind of medicaments though by their manifest qualities they seem to be adversaries to a hot and dry distemper, yet these hot and dry medicaments have been used with most happy success by many who were endewed with a hot and dry distemper of the Liver, nay of the whol body, and who had a leane habit of body, nay were almost plainly consumptive, from which very thing appeares, that in this disease, we ought rather to take care of the occult malignity, than of the manifest distemper. And therefore as soon as the body is in some sort prepared and emptied, we must maturely hasten to those Alexipharmaca of the Veneral disease.

But though some Physitians would advance and extol the vertues of those medi­caments which shal presently be reckoned up, Alexiphar­maca of the Veneral dis­ease are ne­cessary. whiles they hold, that the decoction of Juniper wood, of the Olive tree, Box, Beech, and other trees may performe the same, as the decoction of Guajacum, so that a most slender course of dyet be used, as is wont to be observed with the decoction of Pock-wood: yet experience hath long since taught that that is false: for though it be certain that by a most slender diet some symptomes of this disease do grow more gentle, yet unless proper reme­dies be administred, a little while after the disease is seen to grow fresh again, and [Page 33]return more cruel: for such medicines indeed with a slender diet, may consume the vitious humors, but they cannot overcome the malignity: as therefore this disease is occult, and is not known but by its effects, so also the remedies which cure this disease, are not found out by reason, but only by experience.

But what those medicaments are, Physitians again do not fully agree. What they are. Many put their greatest hopes in Quicksilver, and think that the only and proper Alexiphar­macum of the Veneral disease; others do wholy reject it, of which business shal be spoke hereafter. Others, and most men indeed, undertake the cure of this disease with the use of Guajacum, Sarsaparilla, China root, Sassafras wood; and others doubt of these very things, nay some deny that this disease can be overcome by the use of Guajacum only and the like, and therefore they think their vertue ought to be quickned and increased by the mixture of other things. Jul. Palmarius lib. de lue Vener. cap. 13. distinguisheth and thinks that Guajacum is not of so great force that that alone can wholy extinguish the root, and al the deadliness of the vene­ral poyson; neither that it is so weak, that it can do nothing without the help and conjunction of other things; he writes indeed that by the use of that alone, the hu­mors being consumed, al the symptomes of the disease wil at length be allaied, and wholly lie hid, but yet the virulent taint of the disease, which is already in the solid parts, is not overcome, and wholy extinguished in most people by that remedy; but that the deadliness of the latent poyson be wholy extinguisht, and that the return of the disease be prevented, he thinks other alexipharmaca ought to be administred, which opinion doubtless he received from his Master Fernelius, for he writes that he, as in lib. 1. de. lue Vener. cap. 7. did first dare to promise a perfect cure of the French Disease without the use of Quick-silver, and that he took care for the Com­position of many Alexipharmaca at his House, which he gave against this poyson with Guajacum, and somtimes without it, and as he writes in the alleaged Cap. 7. two of these medicines which he found to be most excellent and efficacious, he by the addition of other medicines hath reduced into one, which hitherto never failed any man.

But whenas these medicaments are compounded of common Alexpharmaca not proper to this disease, we shal not propose them in the first place, but hereafter we shal speak somwhat of them. But in the first place, we shal treat of those things which most Physitians have hitherto used, and which long experience hath now confirmed to be alexipharmaca of this disease, by the use of which it hath been a long time observed, that not only the vitious humors have been emptied, and the symptomes destroyed; but the very roots of the disease have been pulled up, that it could no more returne. Of which sort are your pock [...]wood, sarsaparilla, China root, Sassafras-wood, of which we wil now speak.

Chap. XIII. Of the Indian Wood, and Guajacum.

ANd first of al we wil treat of the Indian wood, The Indi­an wood. as being that which challengeth the cheife place amongst the remedies of this disease. For whenas this disease is reported to be endemious in the Indies, the chiefe remedy is also fetcht from thence, which they cal the Indian wood; but this sort of wood, Two fold. Guaja­cum. The holy wood. as appeares by Consalvus Oviedus a noble Spaniard, who writes of things in the Indies, is two fold; the one which is commonly known, called Guajacum, the other which is called the ho­ly wood. For though by many these two woods are taken for one and the same, yet the forementioned Author, doth distinguish them both by their marks and pla­ces, concerning which see Fallopius de morb. Gal. cap. 39. yet whenas both woods have the same force to overcome the French disease, (though it be reported that the holy wood be of greater force against articular diseases, and others, and the holy wood is now a days seldom brought over to us) we shal only speak of Guajacum.

Amongst other new Islands found out in former Ages, there is one also, which the Spaniards the discoverers have called by the name of Hispaniola: whenas the Veneral disease was reported to be indemious there, and the decoction of a certain wood is esteemed there the only remedy of that disease, which at this day is called guajacum, & by the inhabitants is pronounced with gaping Huajacum. The Spaniards infected with the same disease, having found the same decoction to be helpful, did after­wards discover its vertue to others: the tree is reported to be leaved like ash, the color of the wood within is blackish, the wood it self is heavy and ponderous, it floates not in water, but sinks; 'tis ful of rozin, and while it burnes, it sends forth no in­grateful scent, its tast is somewhat bitter, with a light accrimony, pricking the tongue.

There is some doubt amongst physitians concerning the choice of it; The Choice of Guaja­cum. some are of opinion, that which is whitish, is to be preferred before the rest; whenas by how much the lesser 'tis in years, by so much the whiter it is, but the older it is, by so much the blacker it is: but that which is older is dryer, and that which is yonger is more moist, and more abounding with juyce, and therefore more powerful. But in­deed whenas there is a two fould humor in living things, the one primogenious, the subject of innate heate, or the implanted spirit, apt to take fire; the other alimentary, more watrish, and less apt to be set on fire: the vertues of this wood, as also of other plants, are not to be judged from the alimentary and more watrish humor, but from that implanted heat, and primogenious humidity; which whenas in 'its tender age, both in infants, and in plants, 'tis overwhelmed and obscu­red by much moisture, many actions in that age are infirm and weak, which after­wards that moisture being somewhat wasted, and the heat become more vigorous, in progress of time they become more strong, and this heat the cheif instrument ofal acti­ons is wont to consist unchanged til it comes to its ful age, and heigth: and therefore though the same innate heat and radical moisture be alwaies in Guajacum, on which its vertues do depend, yet because in the yong and tender wood, that vertue is as it were over whelmed, and restrained by the abundance of moisture, that wood which is the yonger is less efficacious, than that which is now of a ful confirmed growth: and therefore for the cure of this disease, we must not chuse that wood which is yellowish, or that is of a box colour, or that which is cut of a tree not ful grown, or from the boughs, as being less efficacious; but rather that which is somewhat black, because that is more roziny, and abounds with that fat and balsomy substance, How the age of this wood is to be discerned in which doth chiefly reside that vertue opposite to veneral virulency. It is good therefore to know the age of this wood, that we may choose the most effectual. For that indeed which hath the inward part black, and is long waies divided with clefts as it were with certain lines of a duskish colour, gathered into blackish rounds, that is efficacious, but yet 'tis such as is cut off either from the arms of trees, or certainly hath not yet attained its ful maturity, and therefore 'tis of less efficacy: for those kind of Lines do therefore appeare because that fatty sub­stance, which doth chiefly reside in the middle trunk of the tree, is not yet so plen­tiful, as to fil up al the internal parts of the wood: but that which is black al over the internal parts, the superficies only being whitish, that if it be sound, weighty, and odorous, and prick the tongue with a light acrimony, and either is not divi­ded with any lines, or else with those ful of rozin, and therefore while it burnes besides the grateful smel it sends forth, it also yeelds a blackish rozin that hath attained the highest degree of maturity, and is cut off from the body of the tree, and is therfore most effectual, but if it be divided with lines, and ful of holes, and neither weighty, nor odorous, nor acrimonious, and being lighted yeelds no rozin, it is a sign that that is now old, and therefore its vertues are grown dul.

L. Septalius also doth admonish us here, that there is a certain sort of Guajacum, which is never to be brought into use, which hath no true blackness in the middle of it, but is of a somewhat darke and greenish colour, which makes the decoction very thick, that it wil never be cleare, and by its exceeding acrimony, it causeth a heat [Page 35]both in the throat and jaws, and by reason of its thick and earthy parts, for the most part it causeth obstructions in the spleen, sometimes also in the liver, Empiricks cal it the wild holy wood: but whereas he finds no where in Authors this twofould difference of domestick, and wild; he rather thinks it acquires these qua­lities from the nature of the soil.

Also if the barke be thick, and cleave so to the wood, that it can scarce be pul­led and parted from it, the wood is good: but if the Bark be easily separated from the wood, either 'tis old, or perisht by salt water: also if the wood appear fatty whiles it is rasped, and that being masticated doth bite, and leave a bitterness behind it; and whiles it is cut, it appeare solid with an even superficies, not rough and ful of holes, the wood is good.

The Bark of this wood is endewed with great acrimony and bitterness, The bark of Guajacum. and therefore dries, attenuates, and digests more powerfully than the wood; but be­cause that occult vertue which is opposite to this disease, is rather in that fatty and moist, and balsamical substance, the wood is alwaies preferred before the bark; and besides the bark is not so conveniently given in hot and dry bodies.

As concerning the vertues of Guajacum, it is hot and dry, as may be perceived from its tast, smel, and acrimony, and that in the second degree, The vertues of Guaja­cum. and 'tis also of thin parts, whence it hath power to attenuate crass things, to cut and cleanse clammy humors, to open obstructions, to move sweat and urine, and to dissipate and wast superfluous cold humors: but this pockwood is not chiefly given for those qualities (whenas there are found in Europe medicaments endewed with those qualities, that there was no need to transport them out of the Indies) but principally for that pe­culiar and occult power. By which it is opposed to the Veneral virulency: and truly al physitians almost doe agree that pockwood doth deserve the first place a­mongst the alexiplarmaca of the veneral disease: for though Fernelius would somewhat lessen its vertue, because al that are affected with this disease are not cu­red by the use of it, yet this is no sufficient cause, since there is found no such alexipharmacum, or other medicine which can cure diseases past hope. But this wood is by an occult quality and propriety opposite to the Veneral viru­lency it self, and is a friend to the radical moisture, and natural balsom, which doth most of al suffer by this virulency inimicous to the nutritive fa­culty; and doth so strengthen it, that it hath been observed, that those also, who had a liver, and whol habit of body hot and dry, and who have been almost consu­med with the veneral disease, as was said before, by the use of the decoction of this wood, though by its heat and dryness adverse to them have been restored, and be­come better habited and more corpulent. Some indeed have dared to write, that the decoction of this wood doth nourish as much as chicken broath: but these seem to me, to be excessive in the praise of this wood: for though it be a vegetable, and per­haps may leave some alimental juyce in the decoction, yet I think no body that is in his right mind wil easily deny, that a chicken hath not more convenient nourish­ment for a man, than Guajacum, Whether pock-wood do nourish. but that some after this disease become more corpu­lent, is accidental; for whenas by reason of the Veneral virulency nutrition was hurt in the whol body, when that is discussed and extinguisht, the body begins a­gain to be nourisht wel, and to be augmented: the like of which happens also in some other diseases, especially in feavers, before which whenas men were not wel flesht by reason of evil nourishment, the vitious humors being waisted by the disease afterwards they begin to be nourisht wel, and become more corpulent.

Fr. Arcaeus also lib. de curand. vulner. rat. gives the † Whether the decoction of Guajacum, sar­saparilla, sas­safras China root, do fatten. Decoction of Guajacum for ulcers of the Lungs, and the ptisick; and he writes, that bodies, though they be wasted, are not offended by it, but rather grow fat upon it: nay there are some, who attribute a nutritive power to Guajacum, and write that it is no less nourishing than chicken broath. The same vertues also others do attribute, The decocti­on of Guaja­cum, Sarsa, Sassasras, Chi­na root, nou­rish not but by accident to Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, and especially to China root, but indeed though it be found by experience, that in [Page 36]the ptisick, Veneral disease, scab and other diseases, bodies extenuated, have been restored again, and made fat by the use of these decoctions, yet this comes to pass not of it self, because these decoctions have a nutritive faculty, as other nou­rishments, but by accident, in as much as they take away the cause of leanness. In ptisick bodies the case is plain; for whenas that wasting of the body proceeds from an ulcer of the Lungs, the ulcer being dried up by the use of Guajacum, the body begins to be wel nourisht again: the same happens in other diseases, as the French, the Scab, and the like. For whenas that leanness, and consumption doth proceed from bad nourishment, but bad nourishment for the most part from acrid and falt humors, which do both consume the good blood, and hinder the agglutination of it to the body, those vitious humors being wasted by the decoctions, and discussed by sweats, the bodies begin to be nourisht wel again, nay grow fat.

But this wood hath not only an alterative power, and by its occult quality to ex­tinguish that malignity of the Veneral virulency, imprinted both on the humors, and the solid parts, but also to evacuate, both sensibly by sweating, and insensibly by insensible transpiration: and therefore the way of curing the French disease by Guajacum, and medicines of affinity with that is most in use. For though by reason of the length of the cure, and the pains of sweating, and the slender dyet, it cause some trouble to them: yet it is far safer than that way, which is by quicksilver, where if there be an error, the patient is in no smal danger.

But there are prepared out of Guajacum divers medicaments, Medicines made out of Guajacum. and those either in a liquid forme, or in a solid, and in substance: but those given in a liquid forme, are most effectual, whenas they are easily deduced into act and penetrate into the whol body, and do irritae the expulsive faculty of al parts to cast off what is hurtful: but in a solid forme, whenas that part in which the vertue of the medicine doth chiefly reside, is not yet separated from the earthy and thick part, 'tis not so easily deduced into act. The decoction therefore as most convenient is most in use: yet if any by reason of the continued use of this medicine be weary of it, and never­theless do feare least there be some reliques of the evil humor remaining, or their course of life wil no longer admit of the use of the decoction as it ought to be taken, to such, medicines made out of this wood, may be given in another form. Amongst which extracts and spirits, as shal be said, are most efficacious, and far more ex­cellent than pouders.

But the manner of boy ling this wood is various, The man­ner of pre­paring a de­coction of the wood. Whether it ought to be boyled in Wine. both in respect of the liquor in which the decoction is made, and of the quality of the liquor: for some boyl the wood in water, some in Barly water, some in distilled waters, others in wine, o­thers in Whey, and others in broth of Flesh. L. Septalius lib. 7. adnimadu. nu. 204. reprehends those who deny, that the decoction of this wood may be made in wine only, when as nothing is more fit to extract the faculties of medicines, than wine, and the water of wine (he had spoke righter than the spirit of wine) and therefore he prepares his decoction with wine, which he useth when the disease is inveterate with an evil habit of body, and a cold matter predominant: after this manner eight ounces of the bark of the best holy wood grossely poudered being in­fused in forty two physical pints of the best white wine, for two days, the wine being first heated and alwaies kept hot those two days in a double vessel, or in the ashes; afterwards with a slow fire boyl it away in a double vessel, to the consump­tion of the third part, which let the sick make use of, both in the morning instead of a syrup, and for his drink at meales, let him take in the morning seven ounces, & an hour after move sweat: but at dinner, and supper let him not exceed fourteen ounces. But though we grant that wine is most commodious to extract the vertues of vegetables, yet this cannot be denied that by boyling the strength of wine doth vanish, and when the spirit is exhaled, there is left a nauseous phlegme less profitable than plain simple water. And therefore I am of that opinion that either the wood is to be boyled in water, and towards the end, the wine is to be added, or else the wood [Page 37]is only to be a long while infused in wine, or to be boyled in a double ves­sel, that nothing be lost, but by no means to the Consumption of the third part.

Therefore most commonly and rightly the decoction is made in pure water, which doth both a little correct the Heat and driness of the Medicine, and further the distribution, and provocation of sweat, yet if the body, and especially the stomach be cold and weak, and the Patient accustomed to wine, Wine is not un­profitably mixt with it, as was said even now, and shal be said hereafter; for by the admistion of Wine the stomach is less hurt, and the vertue of the Medicine doth the easier penetrate to al the parts.

And a different proportion of the wood to the water is observed according to the age, constitution of the body, and season of the year, The propor­tion of wood to the water. and they take to twelve pound of water, from three ounces of the wood to twelve: for if the season of the year and the body be hot, 'tis safest, to take a less quantity of the wood, and in a longer time to perfect the Cure, than by too strong a Medicine to damnesie the pa­tient, especially at the beginning of the cure, and before the superfluous Humors in the body be abated, and sweat begin to flow easily and exquisitly, and the pa­tient be accustomed to the Decoction, afterwards by degrees you may take more of the Wood, which unless it be observed, the Patient is easily brought into dan­ger. And Eustachius Rudius writes, Lib. 5. de Morb. occult. Cap. 13. That he hath seen patients who by this error, viz. too great a quantity of the wood given on the first daies, have fallen into a Feaver, that afterwards they have been forced to abstaine from the use of the decoction, to their great detriment: but where there is no such thing to be feared, in those of ripe years, we commonly add to one pound of the wood rasped or turned smal, twelve pound of water, in an earthen Vessel glased, and let it infuse twenty four hours in a warm place, afterwards the vessel being wel covered boyle it with a gentle fire, til half, or the third part re­main, and let the decoction cool in this vessel stil covered, afterwards strain it.

Fallopius Lib. de morb Galli. cap. 46. After what manner 'tis to be boyled. disputes whether it be better to boyle it with an open fire, or in a double vessel as was said, or in Balneo Mariae, and re­prehends them who hold that the decoction made in Balneo is more dilute, or less powerful: and that the decoction made in Balneo, is more excellent than that which is made with an open fire, he endeavors to prove by the example of distilled waters, which by the balneum are made most excellent, when as there is no adusti­on in them, but the greater eliquation which is made in that hot and moist, doth render the decoction more excellent; but experience teacheth otherwise, which reason also doth confirme. For though out of some moister plants, as Roses, Violets, Lilly of the vallies, and the like, being fresh, whose vertue con­sists in the volatile part, as the Chymists speak, the best waters are made in balneo without the affusion of water: yet in hotter plants, especially in Roots and woods, whose vertue consists in the oyly part, their vertue can never be extracted by the too gentle heat of a Balneum, as happens also in many seeds, but they must be di­stilled by a † Vesica through which by the vehicle of the water, A chymical Vessel. those more fixed parts may be elevated: when as then the whol vertue of Guajacum doth consist in that oyly and rozeny part, and there is need of strong boyling that that may be extracted, the gentle heat of a Bolneum cannot do it, but it must be boyled in an open fire, which nevertheless causeth no adustion, if there be added a suffi­cient quantity of water.

Some for the better gust, and that the bitterness and acrimony may be abated, a little before 'tis boyled enough add of Raison and Liquorish, of each one ounce; and you may add Sugar, or some Julep to rellish it, Aurelius Minadous, de virulen. Vener. Cap. 4. holds the Decoction ought chiefly to be Dulcorated with [Page 38]Honey; for he thinks that a smal quantity of Honey, if it be boyled with it and Skimmed, wil rebate al the bitterness, and the Decoction acquire a greater power to cleanse, attenuate, open, and make fusil the Humors, and strengthen the parts: which we grant may take place in phlegmatick bodies, and especially in a cold stomach; so whenas honey doth easily turn to Choller, we think it cannot safely be used, in chollerick bodies, hot and dry, but more conveniently and safely Raisons, Liquorish, or Sugar.

Some also in those who have a hot and dry Liver, do add towards the end of the decoction a root or two of Succory, one or two handfuls of Endive, Sowthistle: but whenas such decoctions are to be continued along while, we must have a care least by the admistion of such things they be made ingrateful, and provoke nause­ousness in the Patient: besides whenas for the most part there is boyled at one time Decoction enough for many daies, but the addition of such Herbs doth cause, that the Decoction wil not last so long, to prevent this, such herbs are to be added not to the whol decoction, but to about one pound of it.

Some not unprofitably, especially to those accustomed to it, and whose sto­mach is weak, do add towards the end of the decoction three pound of a sweetish white wine; some prepare the whol decoction in wine, but not so rightly: for the best part of the wine doth evaporate in boyling, and there is left an ingrateful Flegm as was said before.

Aurelius Minadous, also doth admonish, that the decoction of the wood is to be given with a vehicle, which may direct the vertue of the Medicine to the parts principally affected; and the Head most of al affected we must mix Cephalick things; the Reins affected, things Nephtitical; the Liver, Hepatical; the Spleen, things Splenitick. Which as we do not wholly disallow of, so we do not alwaies think it necessary, whenas the vertue of the decoction doth easily of it self pene­trate into the whol body: but we must chiefly have a care, least by the admistion of such Medicines, the decoction be rendered nauseous and ingrateful to the Pa­tient; which when he himself also considers, he admonisheth rightly, that such Medicines are more commodiously taken by themselves reduced into a pouder, or Bolus, or some other forme, than mixt with the decoction; but we shal speak here­after of compound decoctions.

The Chymists whenas they fear least by the long boyling, Distilled water from Guajaum. which is to the half, or a third part, the Spirituous and subtile parts should exhale and be dissipated, and so the vertue of the Medicine be diminished, prepare this decoction another way, so that it loseth nothing of its strength, they take the pouder of Guajacum and put it into a retort, and pouring a sufficient quantity of water, they place the retort in the ashes, and apply the receiving vessel, and making a fire under it, first they make a digestion, then distil it, to the Consumption of one half of the water they give of the distilled water four ounces; yet it were most commodious if the distilled water were mixed with the rest of the decoction in the retort being strained; for so they would have al the vertue; to that decoction remaining in the retort may be poured more water, and let it digest twelve hours, afterwards di­stil it; and the liquor distilled may be given for common drink, and whenas it hap­pens somtimes, that Infants are born infected with the Veneral disease, or are in­fected by their Nurses, this distilled and sweetned with Sugar may be given them instead of Juleps.

Also after that the first decoction prepared the common way, The second decoction. is strained, twelve or eighteen pound of water again is poured to the wood remaining after the first boyling according as the Patient is wont to drink more or less, and is boyled to the Consumption of the third part; and being strained is given for ordinary drink at dinner and supper, if they desire a more pleasant and sweeter drink, you may add four ounces or more of Raysons, or instead of Raysons, one ounce or [Page 39]two of Coriander seed prepared, and sweeten the decoction with two or three ounces of Sugar.

But if any Herbs have been added to the first decoction, the decoction for drink at meals must not be made of the remainders of the first decoction because it would be nauseous, but you must prepare another fresh decoction, but more dilute, or a wine of Guajacum, which is made thus: Wine of Guajacum. Take four or five pound of the wood, four pound of white Sugar, ten pound of white Wine, and put the wood into a wooden Vessel, and heat the Wine and powr it to it.

Some boyl the wood the third time, and use the decoction to boyl meat in, The third decoction. the same decoction also may be used to wash the hands, to clense the Nostrils, and mundisie Ulcers.

And some give this wood other waies, some in the form of a pouder, An Elect­uary of Guajacum. others make electuaries of it. Thus Nicol. Massa. Lib. 2. de Morb. Gal. Cap. 6. he takes of the Indian wood most finely prepared one pound, and with Syrup of Fu­mitory boyles it to the form of an Electuary, of which he gives half an ounce or an ounce; or take of the wood of Guajacum, Sarlaparilla, finely poudered, of each one ounce, of the species of the three saunders and Diarrhodon Abbatis, of each two drams; Conserve of Succory, Roses, of each six ounces; with Syrup of Succory make an Electuary.

Others with a convenient Syrup make pills of it.

But others not without cause do here admonish us, that such Medicines are less effectual, and that many, who were newly infected, when as they hoped for health by the use of such Medicaments, by that delay and lingring and weakness of the Medicine have fallen into a most grievous evil: for as was said, such Medi­cines do less penetrate into the body. Yet towards the latter end of the Cure, when the evil is almost overcome, and 'tis only feared, that there may remain some evil disposition, and the long continued drinking of the decoction of the wood is nauseous to the patient, such Medicines may be used to consume the re­liques of the disease.

An extract of this wood is more commodiously prepared, and out of that pills, An extract of Guaja­cum. or rowles: but after the use of it there is need of taking some liquor, by whose vehicle the extract may be distributed and carried into the whol body: nay these extracts, according to the opinion of Hercules Saxonia, have scarce so great strength as to overcome this disease if it be very great and ancient, but the deco­ction is deservedly preferred before them.

Hercules Saxonia de lue Vener. cap. 27. writes that the oyl is stronger, The oyl of Guajacnm. and he thinks the whol Alexipharmacal power of the wood is placed in this Oyl, and he relates that he hath proved by experience, that by the benefit of this oyl; the greatest and ancientest disease hath been overcome. But he gives it divers waies, in wasted bodies with milk, in others of a hotter temperament, with Conserve of Roses, or whey of Goats; in Melancholly with conserve of Burrage or Bug­loss, in Flegmatick with Conserve of Betony, in those that have knobs with Tur­pentine, and two scruples for a dose. But doubtless it was not oyl which Saxonia gave, but a liquid extract or Tincture as they cal it. For no oyl is distilled from this wood by an Alembick: but that which is distilled by a retort, or descent by an open fire, is found to be such, that it cannot conveniently be given into the bo­dy, nay scarce with safety.

I attribute more to the spirit of Guajacum, The spirit of Guaja­cum. the preparation of which is not eve­ry bodies work, for it requires a longer and more diligent digestion and fermen­tation for the preparing of it.

There are some also who think, the leaves and fruit of this tree being reduced into Conserves and Electuaries are to be used, and they relate, that the Indians infected with this disease, do use them as Medicines; but though the leaves and fruit may do somwhat in a light disease, yet they are not sufficient in that which is [Page 40]great and inveterate, neither are they able to perform what the wood doth. But 'tis observed that the fruit of this Tree hath also a power vehemently to loosen the Belly; and whenas a fresh and light disease is somtimes cured only with purges, 'tis no wonder that the Indians may be cured by these purging fruits; especial since that al Alexipharmacal vertue against this disease cannot be denyed them.

CHAP. XIV. Of Sarsaparilla.

NExt to Guajacum, Sarsapa­rilla. that Root challengeth the first place in curing the Vene­ral disease, which some call Spartam Parillam, some Salsam Parillam; the Spaniards Sarsam Parillam, by reason of the similitude which it hath with the plant called rough bindweed. By reason of its thornes 'tis cailed Sarsa (for Sar­sa in Spanish signifies Bryers or Brambles) but by reason of its leaves, and boughs, Parilla, that is to say the thorny vine. Nay Fallopius de Morb. Galli. Cap. 63. is of that opinion, that it is truly the rough bindweed, which grows every where in Italy, and he writes that by the use of it, he hath with happy success freed ma­ny from the French Pox. Dioscorides also Lib. 4. Cap. 139. writes thus of the rough bindweed, its leaves and fruit being drank before, and after, are antidotes against deadly poysons; and besides 'tis delivered that if somwhat of them pou­dered be given to a new born infant to drink, no poyson shal afterwards hurt it. But grant it be so, that the Italian rough bindweed can do somwhat against this disease, as also against other poysons, yet he himself grants, that there is no light difference betwixt this and the Indian.

But Sarsaparilla grows in Peru, The native place of sar­saparilla. in the hedges, as rough bindweed, the white and black Bryony, and hops do in Europe. The Root creeps far up and down by the Earth, that 'tis oftentimes above six cubits long, which gathered into bun­dles is brought over to us. The good and fresh is white, solid, but that which is reddish, and poudery when 'tis broke, is less effectual.

Its vertue as I have said is very great also in curing this disease, The vertue of it. and 'tis found by experience, that many have been cured by the use of it, without Guajacum, and because 'tis more Temperate; and moderatly hot, and without any acrimony, bitterness, or astriction, or smel, but hath a certain obscure sweetness, it may safely be given to al constitutions of body, and al Ages; besides 'tis of thin parts, provokes sweat, dries eminently, resists putrefaction, wasts superfluous humidity, somwaht loosneth the body, and therefore is wont in some sort to weaken the stomach; but though Guajacum be more powerful and efficacious, yet Sarsa in this exceeds that wood, that it hath an eminent power to allay the French pains, though never so accute and stubborn, by reason of its exceeding tenuity, penetrating and laxative vertue: and Jul. Palmarius writes, that no pain can happen so contumacious and so continual, which at length it doth not lay asleep and overcome, if any one use the decoction of it for a long time and con­stantly. Nay al knotty French Tumors so they be not bony, in what part soever they are, are Rooted out by the use of it, their matter being melted and cast forth by sweats, or at the least wasted and emptyed by insensible perspiration: and Fal­lopius writes in the alleaged place, that if after the disease is overcome there re­main Ulcers, Clefts about the ARsehole, that Sarsaparilla will heal them sooner by half than the Indian wood, and in a short time also the most hard knobs are discussed by it. Yet some admonish here, that by Guajacum indeed this disease may be perfectly cured, and that al things are found in Guajacum; which are necessary for the cure of this disease, but that sarsa doth not alone, but mixt with [Page 41]Guajacum, China Root, and Sassafras wood cure this disease, and for this reason, because it loosness the stomach, heats less, is void of al acrimony, and therefore is not so abstersive, and being inodorous, hath not the power to refresh the spirits. But these accusations fetcht from the manifest qualities, seem not to be sufficient; truly that Guajacum doth challenge the first place in this disease, is not to be denied, in the interim it hath been observed also by many, that somtimes this disease hath been cured by the use of this Root only; and if perhaps it do to much lax the sto­mach, that may easily be prevented.

But this also is given divers waies, The manner of giving it. for the most part as Guajacum in the decocti­on concerning which we must note, they that wil not spare for cost and desire the decoction should be more effectual, they ought to take only the bark, as which is the more effectual part of the Root, and to cast away the inner piths as that which is less effectual, nay as 'tis delivered by some 'tis more cold, and hath a certain astrictive faculty.

But the Root of Sarsaparilla is taken being sliced thin and to one ounce of it is poured two pound of water, The decocti­on. or to two ounces and an half of the Root four pound of Water; some pour to four ounces of the Root feven pound of Water, others to three ounces; ten pound of water. Neither can the quantity of the water to the Root be so strictly prescribed, but it may be varied according to the Nature of the disease, and the condition of the sick, and the season of the year. For in an inve­terate disease there is need of a stronger decoction, in a new, of a weaker. But it is steeped first of al fifteen hours or twenty, and afterwards boyled to the Consump­tion of one half; and reasons, liquorish and other things are added to the decoction, as need requires as in the decoction of Guajacum; and because the decoction of Sar­sa doth somwhat lax the stomach, for the most part mint, Betony, or somwhat else that strengthens the stomach is to be added, or what seems more commodious, Gua­jacum, or least the mixture of divers things may breed nauseousness after the taking of the decoction of Sarsaparilla, they must take somwhat that strengthens the sto­mach.

After the first decoction is prepared, The second decoction. fifteen pound of water are poured again to the remainders, and are boyled til a third is wasted, and the decoction is used at dinner and Supper; some also add towards the end of the decoction three pound of Wine; yet this must be done then only as Fallopius thinks, either when the sick body goes abroad, to preserve his strength, or when the stomach is weak.

Yet there may also be prepared out of this Root, pouders, Electuaries, extracts, as are from Guajacum.

CHAP. XV. Of China Root.

THe Portugal Merchants brought over in the former Age, China root. from the Country of China, a certain Root for the cure of this disease, which they called China Root; for when as the Venereal disease had invaded that Country also, as the Ame­ricans shewed the use of Guajacum for the destroying of this disease, so the peo­ple of China used this Root to cure the same disease, and taught others the use of it. But the Root is a handbreadth long, somtimes pretty thick, somtimes thinner, knobbed, somwhat reddish, pretty weighty, which being newly digged up they report is so tender, that it may be eaten raw, and boyled, as turnep and rape Roots are with us; the which seems not to be very credible, whenas our Tur­neps, Rape Roors dryed never attain to so great a hardness: they are brought to us divided.

As concerning its vertues, 'tis neither strong in smel, nor tast, and therefore there is no excess of it in heat and cold, but 'tis rather temperate, or if there be any excess in it, 'tis rather in cold; yet 'tis dry in the second, of thin substance, yet with a certain astrictive power, and a kind of substantifical moisture, so that by the use of it men do grow Fat. Whence also the decoction of it doth easily sowr. When it was first brought over by the Portugals into France and the neighbouring provin­ces, it was wonderfully cryed up by the Merchants, as being of thin parts, and having power to digest, to more urine and sweat, to consum Excrements of al sorts, to clense the Bowels, free from obstructions, clear the blood from corruption, to cake away pains in the Joynts, to be good for the Venereal disease, and because 'tis temperate, it may safely be given to any age, sex; any time of the year, and to those that are feaverish; al which faculties whenas they are not in Guajacum, by some of that time it was made use of not only for the cure of other diseases, but also for the cure of the pox it was preferred before Guajacum. Which very thing caused that Charles the fifth Emperour, being sick of a most grievous Gout, was the first almost that would make tryal of the use of this Root, upon the advice of some Phy­sitians. But experience afterwards lessened that same; and Jul. Palmarius writes of this business de lue Vener. Cap. 14. that many to their great detriment have pre­ferred this root before Guajacum, and that he hath found by experience, that also in a very strict diet it hath been uneffectual against this disease, oftentimes also the sto­mach is seen to become so moist with the use of its decoction, and the Native heat opprest, that a great Lientery, and crudity hath often followed in those who had but weak Fuell for their implanted heat. Besides these discommodities and faults, he writes also that it doth oftentimes cause swelling of the Spleen and hardness, in those that use it long; neither doth he grant it to have extraordinary vertue against this disease either by its whol substance or occult quality, when as after the use of it, they who thought themselves wel, do dayly fal into a relapse of the same Disease. The same also is confirmed by Gabriel Fallopius Lib. de Morb. Galli. Cap. 60. who writes that he hath used this Root again and again, for the Cure of this Disease, but could do nothing with it, in the interim he writes that he hath used it with happy success for the dropsie, to moderate the mobility of the Humors in hot bleared Eyes, and in a hot distemper of the stomach and Liver. And other Phy­sitians also agree in this, that this Root for the Cure of the French Pox is far in feri­our to Guajacum and Sarsaparilla, although it be profitable to preserve and streng­then the heat of our body, and therefore for other diseases. And if by chance any one, who could not be cured neither by the decoction of Guajacum nor by the unction of Quick-silver, hath recovered health by the Decoction of China Jul. Palmarius thinks this is the Cause of it, because Nature rejoycing in the Variety of Remedies and weary of the stronger, at length is easied by those that are less effectual. Yet Garzias ab Horto, relates of the Root being fresh, that it doth so exceedingly heat, that if any one use the pure Decoction of it, or drink it hot, by reason of the too great heat of the Medicine he wil fal into exceeding heats of the liver, Erysipilaes, and Phlegmons, and other most grievous Symptoms. But when as 'tis brought over to us insipid and somtimes dusty, there is no cause to fear any such thing. Neither doth this only happen in this plant, but also in many others, that the Ali­mental juyce hath far other vertues, then the dryed Plants: and therefore though perhaps this Root being fresh in China may have great vertue to Cure the Venereal Disease, yet it is not necessary, that it retain the same with us.

But divers prepare the decoction of this root diversly, The de­coction of China. Jul. Palmarius writes that the common way of preparing it is this, that to two ounces of the root, cut in­to rounds, and put in an earthen pot, there is poured four pound of water and let them steep twelve houres, afterwards boyl with a gentle fire to the consumption of [Page 43]the one half. Fallopius boyles two ounces of the root in twelve pound of water, to the consumption of half, but according to the nature of the disease the proportion of the root and water may be varied: and the root may be boylled from one to three in twelve pound of water. Yet Septalius adviseth us here, that this decoction is most commodiously prepared, if one ounce of the root fresh and not rotten be boyled in ten pound of water, & two ounces in twelve pound of water. For he writes, though many physitians, to save charges, whenas many cannot take al that decoction in one day, and they feare if they should keep it another day it would grow sowre, do boyl half the portion of China in half the quantity of water, and boyl away the half, or two thirds, thinking that so they have both saved their purse, and prepared the decoction as strong, yet they are very much deceived, and if they have not lost their taste, they shal easily know, that that first decoction is much more powerful, than the second, and the reason is ready, because 'tis not enough to give a proportion of the root to the water, but the time of boyling is cheifly to be considered, and the action of the heat of the fire, and the reaction of the water. For whenas, foure houres space, imagine, ought to be allowed, to extract the vertue out of a most hard root, and communicate it to the water: how much time wil be spent in boyling away six or eight pints of water, if taking but the half quantity, viz. half an ounce of China with six pints of water, we suffer the half to wast or two thirds, which wil be con­sumed in less than two houres space, the water being less able to resist the action of the fire? nor let any one dare to say that we may prevent this inconveniency, by making a less quantity of fire, and if it he boyled by a slower fire for to extract this vertue out of a more solid substance, there ought also to concur a due quantity of fire.

Out of the remainders another drink is prepared by some for dinner and supper, The Second decoction. as out of Guajacum. Yet Palmarius thinks that al the vertue of that root is trans­fused in the liquor at the first boyling, and therefore for ordinary drink he boyles three ounces more of the root in eight pound of water til two pints are consumed and he ads raisons and liquarish, nay some also drink the first decoction, at dinner and supper, whenas it is not unpleasant to the tast.

Some also do admonish us, that we provide no more of the decoction at once than may be spent in one day, whenas it quickly growes sour when 'tis cold, therefore they command also that it be kept on warm ashes: but experience hath taught us that it wil last four dayes. Yet because it growes sour, that very thing tels us that this root hath in it, somewhat spirituous and alimental, which is the cause of fer­mentation, and hence of acidity.

Consult concerning this with Amatus Lusitamus centur. 1. curat. 98. and es­pecially centur. 2. curat. 31.

CHAP. XVI. Of Sassafras wood.

THey use also for the cure of the Veneral disease that wood which is connonly called sassafras, which is imported form the Island called Florida: Sassafras-Wood. it is of an aromatical taste like fennel: 'tis hot and dry in the second degree, of a thin substance and endewed with an opening, discussive, and attenuating faculty; Its vertues. and therefore is commended by them who have sailed to the Indies, against long tertian feavers, evil habit of the body, and dropsie, and to strengthen the stomach, and against ne­phritical paines, it is comended also for the gout, to move the courses, and many o­ther diseases, to treat of which is not proper to this place; 'tis used also for the cure of the French pox, yet most physitians agree that 'tis less effectual than Guaja­cum and sarsaparilla, and the decoction of it is prepared almost as that of Sarsapa­rilla.

Chap. XVII. Of Sope-wort,

Last of al sopewort is commended by some physitians for the cure of this disease which is bitter, Soapwors. accid, and endewed with an abstersive and opening faculty, and is praised for the French pox and contumacious paines, which cannot be over come by other remedies. 'Tis reported to be the invention of Zapata a spannish Empirick: tis used both in the decoction, and in substance, the decoction is prepa­red after this manner.

Take of green sopewort two handfuls, Its deco­ction. infuse them al night in eight pound of water, than boyl it [...]l the s [...]pewort is boyled enough, then strain one pound of it with half a pound of water and the harbs now boyled; and squeez them, and reserve it for a mornings d [...]aught to provoke sweat; taking seven or eight ounces. But that which remains sweeten with raisons or sugar for drink at meales, in summer and Cholerick bodies you may add one handful of Sowthistle or basterd Navel­wort.

But tis a remedy unpleasing to the tast, Eustachius Rudius takes of soap-wort six pugils or more, and infuseth it in twelve pound of water, and boyles it to the con­sumption of half. But as Septallius hath observed, tis too great a quantity of water to so sinal a portion of soap-wort.

But the Root Cheifly is used in substance, The pouder. and Rudius doth very much com­mend it in ancient french pains, and out of it he prepares this pouder.

Take of ground pine two ounces; of white dittander one ounce and half; of Ze­doary six drams: of the root of soapwort three drams: of pearl prepared half a dram.

Make a pouder for 9. doses, but who can take for one dose almost four drams of pouder? and the other medicines do far exceed the soapwort, which notwithstan­ding ought to be the basis.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Compound Alexipharmaca.

BUt though al the medicines hitherto reckoned up, Compouond Alexiphbr­maca in the Veneral dis­ease. are good to destroy this dis­ease, yet some are more effectual then others, and besides some have other qualities, for the which they are useful sometimes for this, sometimes for that end, as was said of the simples: and therefore seldom one of these medicines is used, but for the most part, many of them together. Indeed if the disease be simple, and none of the bowels be affected, nor there is no eminent distemper in any part, which may hinder the use of Guajacum, that wood is the most excellent of al, because it resists this disease both by its occult and manifest qualities: but if any disease be joyned with it, tis oftentimes most profitable to add sarsaparilla and China and there are added by some manny altering medicines, of which whenas we spake before, in this place we shal ad nothing of them, but this, that we must have a care least by the mix­ture of Succories and endives and cooling medicines which are added to moderate the heat of Guajacum which yet is not so much to be feared, they hinder sweating which is only to be desired, and which brings more benefit, then a little heating can do dammage: next of al least by the admixtion of other things the drink be made un­grateful and nauseous, therefore passing by these that we may speake somewhat of the mixture of alexipharmaca, if the nature of the patient be very hot and dry, and [Page 45]the humors violently fal from the head on the lungs, breast or other parts, Guaja­cum wood is not commodiously given alone, whenas it doth farther heat and dry the parts, and by its heat make the humors run and move, but then sarsaparilla is saf­er, and China more comodious, which doth at once moderate the heat, and hath an astrictive power, by which it stops defluxions: on the contrary if the strength be feeble, and there be a weaknes of the sight, sarsa is not commodious, whenas it loosenss the stomach, and duls the fight, if there be a great consumption (if so be it hath not its original from the Venereal disease, for then this disease being taken away as the cause, that wasting also ceaseth, and the body begins to be nourisht better) Guajacum and sarsaparilla are not safe, But then china is far more profitable, as that which moistens substantifically, as they speak. Yet Ludiciptalius commends Sasaparilla above al the rest against a consumption, lib. 7. animadv. num. 214. as shal be said also hereafter in the last chapter. So if cruel paines molest the pati­ent, or gummous tumors, or exceeding ulcers be joyned with them, Sasaparilla is most profitable, which doth discusse the french knobs, and easier appease the pains, then Guajacum. Thus according to the constitution of the Patients, and the Nature of the Diseases joyned with it, 'tis good somtimes to use Guajacum alone, somtimes Sarsaparilla, somtimes China Root, and somtimes to mix al of them, in a greater or lesser quantity, and somtimes the bark of Guajacum is added, somtimes three or four ounces weight to one pound of the wood, and they are boyled in fifteen pound of water. For examples sake.

Take Of the wood of Guajacum half a pound; of the bark of the same, of sarsa­parilla each three ounces: of China root one ounce and half. Infuse them twenty four houres in twelve pound of water, afterwards let them be boyled to the consum­ption of half, for a sweating drink. Poure on the remainder twelve pound of water, let them stand and infuse eight houres, afterwards boyl them to a consump­tion of a third part, for drink at meales. Or.

Take of the Wood of Guajacum one pound; the bark of the same, Sarsaparilla of each thre ounces. Boyl them in sixteen pound of water, to the consumption of half. Or.

Take of the wood of Guajacum, China root each one ounce an half; Sarsaparilla one ounce; infuse them twenty four hours in six poundof water, afterwards boyl half away. Poure on the residue ten pound of water, boyl it to the consumption of three pound: Strainit and give it for drink at meales. Or,

Take of wood of Guajacum eight ounces; of the bark of the same four ounces; sar­saparilla, sassafras wood each two ounces. Boyl them in twelve pound of water to the consumption of two thirds that there remains four pound, towards the end ad four pound of wine. Poure to the remainder sixteen pound of water: boyl it to thecon­sumption of half, & towards the end ad four pound of wine, make a drink for meales.

In this place we must not omit a question, concerning the use of purgers, Whether purgers ought to be mixt with the deco­ction. whiles the decoction is drank to wit whether they ought to be mixt with the decoction or to be used at the same time with the decoction. For some do wholy reject them, and hold that purgers are neither to be mixed with the decoction, nor to be used apart, for this reason, because the bodies are wont diligently to be purged before they come to the use of these decoctions; next of al because purgers and sweaters do cause contrary motions. Others on the contrary do mix purgers with these de­coctions, that by benefit of them the blood may be purefied, and the belly constant­ly kept loose: others do not mix purgers with these decoctions, but purge at cer­tain intervals, every eighth or tenth day, or at a longer distance, as need requires. which last opinion seemes to me to be trewest. For though the body be purged be­fore the use of these decoctions, yet some may easily remain, and ever and anon be collected, and sweating doth purge onely the thinner humors, but leaves the thick, neither after this manner are there caused contrary motions; for that day, that pur­ging is ordered sweaters are not administred; but if purgers were mixed with the sweaters then there would be contrary motions. And besides by the admistion of purgers, the decoction being to be used so many weeks it would become nauseous and ingratful.

Hercules Saxonia also holds de lue Vener. Cap. 38. Whether purgers may serve instead of sweaters. That purging may be or­dered every day, to wit in those, in whom sweat cannot, or ought not to be caused: he thinks sweat cannot be provoked in them, who either are of such a hard and thick Skin, that they can by no means sweat, or in those who fal into fainting and swou­ning fits, as soon as sweaters are administred: but he thinks they ought not to sweat, in whom the Veneral disease possesseth not the Joynts, nor the Skin, nor the super­ficies of the body, but hath rather taken up its seat about the bowels; but this opi­nion seems not to me to be agreeable to truth: for whereas he thinks, that some ought to have purgers administred because they cannot sweat by reason of the thick­ness of their Skin, or because they presently fal into swouning fits, is agreeable neither to reason, nor experience: for scarce any one hath so thick a Skin, that the pores wil no way open for sweat, and though on the first daies sweat doth not prelently follow, yet after that the Humors are attenuated by the use of the deco­ctions, the passages and pores are opened, then sweat succeeds; especially if those Laconick Baths be applied as shal be said hereafter. And the Patient may so mo­derate his sweating, that he need not fal into fainting or swouning fits: and they that cannot endure sweating, wil not easily endure purging. Last of al purgers cannot performe the same, as those sweaters do. But that in some bodies sweaters are not to be administred, is salf: for though the disease may have its principal seat about the Liver and bowels, yet it cannot be, but also vitious Humors do abound in the whol body, whenas the Liver infected with this disease doth generate virulent blood, and distribute it to the whol Body.

Chap. XIX. Of the manner of using these Medicines.

AS concerning the manner of using these Medicaments, The manner of using these Medi­cines. The dose of the decocti­on. first of al the decoction of Guajacum is administred, for the most part in the morning, and afternoon two hours before Supper. In the morning 'tis given from five ounces to eight or nine ounces before the evening, from three ounces to six ounces; the pouder is given to two drams, the extract to two scruples. Yet somtimes the evening drauft is omitted, especially at the begining, before the patient is accustomed to the De­coction. For what was said above of moderating the quality of the decoction, that also is to be observed concerning the quantity of the Decoction to be given, that the sick be not offended and overcharged which too much of it; which unless it be observed, it happens somtimes, that the sick fal into Feavers, con­tract Crudities, and there is caused a loosness, ill habit of body, and a Drop­sie.

After the same manner we must give the Decoction of Sarsapatilla, China Root, and the compound decoctions. For though some do prescribe here divers doses, yet he shal not erre, that shal administer them in the aforesaid manner.

And indeed after the mornings drauft, Sweat. we must endeavor that the Patient sweat; for expetience teacheth, that they that sweat not upon the taking of these Medica­ments, are [...]carce clearly freed from this Disease: but that sweat may flow the easier, let the Patient sleep one hour after he hath taken the Medicine, for so the Medicine is deduced into act. The time of sweating. As for the time of sweating, first of al it is sufficient, if the patient sweat one hour, afterwards by degrees let him rise to more. But the man­ner of sweating is various; most do suffer their Patients to sweat in bed, which that they may do the easier bottles ful of warm water, or hot brick wrapt up in Cloaths, must be placed under the Arm-pits and sides of the Patient. Some provide a woo­den Mantle such a one as Andreas Tenzelius, hath discribed and set forth in Exeges. Chymiatre: which manner of sweating is not a little toublesome. But not without cause most men do prefer before al kinds of sweating in this disease, that which is [Page 47]in a bath or sweating place as that which brings less trouble to the sick, when as weak Patients sweating in their bed, may use a Bath and a sweating place, and the heat of the bath may be made more intense or remiss at pleasure, be made dry or moist as the condition of the sick requires: yet a moist hath, and gently heated by the Vapor of hot water is most commodious; whenas that hot vapor of the Water, doth open and Lax the pores of the Skin, that the sweat flows the easier, and without any trouble to the sick: but dry baths are altogether laborious, and ought not to be used in dry and Melancholy bodies.

But those sweating baths are twofold, Baths two­fold. first of al those gaeat ones in which a body may walk, such as are our baths so commonly called in which many at once may sweat and be washed; such though they be used for the cure of this disease by Barbers in Italy, yet they ought to be eschewed, whenas if one that is lightly infect­ed, receive that which exhales from another grievously infected, he may be infect­ed more, and 'tis more commodious that every sick body sweat by himself. Then there are baths or smal sweating places in which one alone closed up may sweat: such are made of bords of wood Joyned together, which again are twofold, some which can receive a man upright. Without bowing of his body, Jul. Palmarius dis­cribes it de lue Vener. Cap. 17. of a Square figure, seven Foot high, and four foot long and broad, whose description you may see there. With us others are in use made up of boards mutually receiving and received by one another, square, but oblong. of that bredth, that a man may without any impediment set and extend his Arms, but two stories high, one where the Patient sets, so high, that as he sets he may put forth his Head, through a hole of the bords strictly fitted for the neck, but the lower part is of that depth, that if the Patient setting stretch forth his Feet, he cannot reach the lowest board: and it hath a little door, through which the sick may go into it, and a window behind, which may be opened upon neceffity: and it hath another little door towards the feet, through which an Iron or brass Vessel is put in ful of stones or refuse Iron red hot; and a Pipe in the upper part of it over a­gainst the Vessel, through which either plain hot water, or some convenient de­coction is poured on the stones or dross by degrees, as much as the Patient can en­dure, from whence the Vapor exhaling diffused al through the body doth provoke sweat: and though after this manner the head be thrust forth, yet that doth no hurt, neither is it unprofitable, even where the head is affected; for though it stands forth, yet that sweats plentifully enough: in the interim the Patient doth not at­tract again by drawing in his breath those filthy Vapors which do Evaporate from his body, but the free and pure ayre by which he is refresht, that he doth more easi­ly and happily endure sweating. But in what bath soever sweat is provoked, after the sweating is over the bath ought to be opened, that those filthy Vapors may be blown away and discussed by the free Air.

The most convenient time for sweating is the morning, When we must sweat. yet somtimes we may sweat after noone, in which case the strength of the Patient is to be considered for there are some who wil easily endure sweating twice a day, other who but once, others who are not able to endure sweating once every day. But the Medicines which moue sweat must be taken upon an empty stomach, and an hour or two after the taking of the Medicine sweat must be urged.

But we must sweat so long as the strength of the Patient wil bear it, How long. and if the patient sweat in a bath, or sweating place, and is not able to endure any longer the heat of the bath, he must be laid in his bed, in which afterwards sweat wil flow of its own accord, and without any loss of strength; the sweat must afterwards be wiped of, and after sweating the cold ayre must in no wise be admit­ted.

But how often we must sweat, How often. and how long the use of these Medicines is to be continued, cannot be defined in general. They commonly teach that these de­coctions are to be continued for forty daies, yet somtimes twenty five daies or thirty do suffice: and somtimes in a more grievous Disease we must persist in the use of [Page 48]these Medicines til sixty daies and more. For we must sweat so often and so long, til the Malignity of the Disease is overcome, and the vitious and vitulent Humors are discussed by sweating, and al the Symptomes cease, especially the running of the Reins and Callous skars. For as long as these last. We must remain in the use of these Medicines. Nay though al the Symptomes do vanish, yet it is good so to continue the Medicines for some daies, that also the Maligne dispositions of the parts may be taken away, that there be no fear of a relapse.

But after noon, though sweat be not moved, yet the same decoction given then, may insensibly discusse the vitious Humors, and destroy the virulent disposition imprest both on the parts and Humors.

CHAP. XX. Of other common Alexipharmaca.

BUt some trust not to those Alexipharmaca alone, Common Alexiphar­maca. as Guajacum, Sarsaparilla, China Root, and Sassafras wood, but add also common Alexipharmaca. This was first done by Fernelius, who gave to those that were to drink the decoction, half a dram or one dram of this Opiate, or Alexipharmacal antidote, which is prepared thus.

Take of the Leaves of water Germander, Fernelius, his antidote. half an ounce; Poley of the mount. Penny royal, white Hore-hound, Origanum, Calamint, St. Johns-wort, cen­tory the less; French Lavender, ground pine, Germander, Spikenard, of each two drams; of the Seeds of Anise, Fennel, Parsly, wild carrot, Libistick Rue, Basile, Clary, Cresses, of the Berries of Bay, Juniper, of the Seeds of Male Piony, of each half a dram; of the Roots of round Birth-wort, Gentian. Dittander, Ʋalerian, Asarabaccha, of each one dram; of Nut-megs, Cloves, Pepper, Saffron, of each four scruples; of Cinamone, Myrrh, Castor, Styrax Calamite, of each three drams; of good Honey as much as is Sufficient, make an Opiate.

Jul. Palmarius, Fernelius his Scholer followed him, who, as was said be­fore in Lib. 1. de lue Vener. Cap. 7. writes, that Fernelius, was most averse from the use of Quick-silver, and first dared to promise the Cure of this Disease without the help of that, and did take care for the compounding of many Alexiphatmaca at his House, which he administred against the Mischeif of this Disease, with Gua­jacum and also without it, two of the which, which he found to be most excel­lent and efficatious, he describes, the first was discribed even now, the other is this.

Take of Divils-bit, Scabious, Burnet, flowers of Marigold, Mullein, Plan­tane, Balme, Rue, Broom, Origanum, Rosemary flowers, Red Roses, of each three drams; of the Seeds of Citron, Sorrel, Fennel, blessed Thistle, of the Roots of Dittander, Gilliflowers, Tormentil, round Birthwort, Gentian, Ze­doary, Roman Woolfesbane, of each two drams; Hartshorn, shavings of Ivory, Wood of Aloes, Yellow Saunders, Choice Cinamome, of each half an ounce; Saffron, Cloves, Nutmeg, of each two drams.

And he relates that he called the first composition, the greatet Opiate, the o­ther the less, and that he gave for a dose half a dram of either with the like quan­tity of conserve of Bugloss and half a scruple of Mithridate, and somtime without Mithridate; but that he, after Fernelius departed this life, out of them both did compleat one, adding also certain other Medicines, which he found to be pre­valent against poysons, and most fit to provoke sweat, the description of which is this.

Take of water germander half an ounce; of divels-bit, scabious, burnet, Palmarius his antidote Poley Mount, peneroyal, calamint, white sweet smelling Horehound, origanum, mint, St. Johns-wort, centory the less, French Lavender, Germander, Ground Pine, Plantane, Balme, rue, Time, Elder, each two drams; of Hyssop, the lesser Sage, Oake Ferne, vervin, both speedwels each two drams; Flowers of Betony, Marigould, Mullen, Broome, Rosemary, Jasmin, Sage, Red Roses, St. Johns wort, Bugloss, Burrage, Violets, Water Lilies of each three drams; Seeds of Anis, both Parsleys, wild Carot, Scarlet Graines, St Johns Wort, Libistick, Rue, Lovage, Basil, Berries of Bay, Juniper, seeds of both Pionies, Hart­wort of each on dram and half; Seeds of citron, Sorel, Blessed Thistle, Fennel, of each three drams; of the roots of male Piony, Round Birthwort, Gentian, Sweet cane, Flowerdeluce of Florence, Sweet Cyprus, each one dram; of Angelico, Dittander, Gilliflowers, tormentil, Zedoary, Romane Woolfesbane, of each three drams and an half; of choice perle three drams and hal; of Harts horn, Sha­vings of Ivory each one ounce; wood of aloes, yellow saunders, bone of the heart of a hart, both currals each half an ounce; choice cinamon one dram and half; Balsome wood, if it may be had one ounce; of al pretious stones, each half a dram; of Nutmeg, mace, loves, myrrh, styrax, Calamite, Benjamin, Saffron, Castor, each half a dram; juice of liquorish one ounce; oyl of the seeds of Fennel, Anise, of Sage, mint, juniper, Nutmeg, Cloves, red opobalsamum brought out of America if it be to be had of each one dram.

Let al the the herbs, flowers, and rootes be gathered at that time they are of grea­test strength, let them be dryed, and kept in paper cases, then al of them being re­duced into a most fine pouder, let them be mixt with wine and honey, and be boyled into an electuary, til it comes to the thickness of wel prepared mithridate: yet the flowers may be candied and kept with sugar, that they may be mixt with the other things towards the end of their boyling, to one pound of honey mix two ounces of the pouder. Let it be kept in a most large earthen vessel, whose third part may be empty, least it swel up, and grow hot, neither let it come to that use we shal by and by speake of, before it be three years old. He ads there also a cordial wa­ter, and an alexipharmacal pouder, their discriptions are these; the Cordial wa­ter.

Take Of the leaves of sage, mint, marioram, rue, hysop, origanum, Galmarius his Cordiol water. the tops of betony each one handful. Bruise them al and put them in a great earthen vessel in a warm place and cover them with the water of blessed thistle, that they be under it, every day stir them with a stick, and before they soure, (which wil he the fourth or fifth day after) Strein out the liquor and keep it, casting away the Faeces. A­gain.

Take of plantane leaves, marigold, balme, mullein, St. Johnswort centory the less, burnet, each two handfuls. After they have beensteeped four dayes and strei­ned cast them away, and take again of water germander, Bivels-bit, fennel, par­sly, bugloss, burage, angelico of each one handful. Which also being steeped, so many dayes streined and then cast away.

Take of the roots of angelico, dittander, tormentil, betony, Zedoary, each half an ounce; of galangal, three drams; Nutmegs, Cloves, each one dram; seeds of Fenel, Citron, Sorrel, Blessed thistle, Juniper berries each two drams; Shavings of Ivory, harts horn, wood of aloes, Yellow Saunders, cinamon each one dram; Safforn half a dram; make a pouder of it and mixe it with the Liquor streined, then weigh out of the amulet against this disease, and of choice mithridate each one pound and half; of old treacle foure drams; and being mixt with the said liquor and pouder, and put up in a glass alembick, or an earthen one glazed, expose them six or eight dayes to the heat of June, til they grow hot, and be perfectly fermented, and at length distil them in a double vessel with a most gentle fire. If the same simples be put into a new pot with the water of bastard saffron and be heat­ed fifteen dayes in warm horse-dung, there wil be extracted a more excellent Water.

Take of the aforesaid water three ounces; Syrup of Lemmons and Violets, of each six drams; Make a dose.

CHAP. XXI. Of the Cure by Quick-silver.

ANd this is the chief kind of Medicine for the cure of the Venereal disease, Of the cure by Quick-silver. and this is the chief manner of curing it. For there is also another way of cu­ring the same Disease by quick-silver, which was first brought into use by Chy­rurgions and barbers, afterwards also was applyed by learned Physitians. For when­as, as was said before by Fracastorius, certain Barbars had found out amongst the Medicines of our ancestors for the filthy scab joyned with the pains of the joynts, unguents compounded of Mercury and Sulphur, other Medicines profi­ting little, they began to use them. The use of which being not altogether un­successful, afterwards quick-silver was used in the cure of this Disease by many learned Physitians.

But though it be not my purpose in this place to treat of quick-silver, which the Chymists cal Mercury, but rather of the use of it in curing this disease, yet I shal admonish you of a few things in general. Quick-silver is reckoned amongst the mettals, and 'tis called Silver from its color in which it resembles silver, Quicksilver whence so called. Its wonder­ful Nature. but quick because tis alwaies moveable: and its Nature is altogether wonderful, which many learned men admire, and which hath tortered the wits of many Chymists, and deluded their pains. For though it be mortified, fixed, or what way soever it oftentimes seems to be changed, yet it is easily reduced to its former quick Na­ture. And though it be reduced into the smallest bodies, and transmitted through leather, or be otherwise reduced into atomes, and a strong form, yet it retaines in them its whol Nature and essence, and returns to its former quick body.

Naturalists and Physitians differ concerning its temperament, Whether Quicksilver be hot or cold. whiles some hold it to be cold others hot. Matthias Ʋnzerus, hath collected the arguments of both in Anatom. Spagyr. Mercu. to alleage al which at large in this place, is not our intent, for you may consult with him on that business in the alleaged place; yet by and by we shal make mention of some of them: but Ʋnzerus himself, cap. 12. goes the middle way, and holds, Matthias Ʋnzerus his opinion. that some natural things have often­times in them diverse, and wholly contrary vertues and faculties, and some of them are manifest, others occult, and that these depend on the specifick form, those on the first qualities of the Elements, which he proves by the examples of Worm­wood, Rhubarb, Vineger, and others: and he thinks Mercury is to be reckoned in the number of these which may be considered both as crude, and as prepared: the crude he thinks hath mixt qualities, and is partly hot, partly cold, and that diversity is to be attributed to the divers parts of the matter of which it consists, some of which are very thin, Subtile, pure, and Spirituous, but some are thick, earthy and feculent: but he thinks that Mercury prepared hath no longer any [Page 52]cold quality, but they are wholly taken away by the outward help of fire, or by the Application of the menstrua, and therefore that it is very hot

Hercules Saxonia, Hercules Saxonia. holds the same de lue Vener. Cap. 39. Whiles he teacheth, that this Medicine doth exulcerate, and cause heat and inflamation; on the other side it causeth numness, Palsies, and other cold affects, and that it proceeds from the inequality of its temperament, and because 'tis an imperfect mixt body, and if it be prepared by calcination, that the cold substance doth fly away, and that which is left, is fire,

But these authors erre very much, The authors opinion. indeed it cannot be denied, that there are many Medicines, which have Heterogeneous parts, by vertue of which, they produce divers effects, which parts also may be separated by the help of art: But that Quick-silver hath such parts, is fals, neither was there yet ever found any Chymist, who could show the diverse parts in it, and separate them by art: for the whol is Homogene­ous, if there be any thing so in Nature, and either it al flies away, or al remaines, and what way soever it is prepared, Quicksilver is Homoge­neous. at last it al revives wholly Homogeneous: and whatsoever Chymist can show any Heterogeneous parts in Quick-silver, as in Rhu­batb, shal be in my esteem a great Apollo. Neither is precipitate of another Na­ture then that which is crude, neither doth Quick-silver loose any thing by its pre­paration, and that prepared does differ from the crude only in external form which is caured by the admistion of other things, which somtimes are Salt parts as happens in Mercury Sublimate and Precipitate, somtimes only watry as when Mercury is reduced into water by a retort without the admistion of any other thing, as the same Ʋnzerits teacheth Lib. 2. de Anatom. Mercu. cap. 2. n. 4. for this water is nothing else but the Quick-silver resolved into the smallest bodies or Atomes by the strength of the fire, and mixt with watry Vapors, or the moist Air. Yet in that there ap­peare no effects of cold, but rather of heat, and that very water, as other mercuri­al waters, wil dissolve gold in like manner, Saxonia is mistaken, for Quick-filver is no imperfect mixt body, but a body that hath the most perfect mistion, and can­not be destroied, by any art of the Chymists, but every where retaines its form, neither whiles it is calcined (or rather exposed to the sire, for Quick-silver cannot properly be said to be Calcmed) do the cold parts fly away, and the fiery stay be­hind, but if those parts which are raised up be received, they are of the same Nature with those that remaine, as is wel known to the Chymist.

Therefore whenas this Reconcilation is of no force, Quick silver is hot. let us see who is in the righter whether those who hold Quick-silver to be hot, or those that say 'tis cold. But I think that they are altogether of the righter judgment, who think it to be hot; for that appears by its great penetrating and corroding vertue, so that it penetrates and Eats into Mettals, and the flesh, nay the very bones are corroded by Mercury preci­pitate and sublituate. And Libavius writes in tract, de igne natu. cap. 30, that he knew by the relation of a most learned Physitian, that a certain Chyrurgion dying by the too frequent use of Mercurial Medicines, had his bones plainly britle or frangible.

But whenas they object first of al, The answer of the rea­sons against it. that whiles 'tis quick and whol it doth not corrode: the cause of that is, because it cannot infinuate it self into the body, and worke upon it, whenas al its parts are most closely knit together, nor cannot be mix­ed with other bodies; but the Medicines prepared out of it as Mercury sublimate, Precipitate, 1 Oyl of Mereury, and it there be any more of this kind, have a great power to burn and corrode not only by the reason of Salts commixt, which is very little, but because 'tis resolved into the smalest bodies, and being mixt with the Salts it can adhere to the body, and by the benefit of things admixt, most intimately in­sinuate it self into it.

Secondly, 2 whereas Quick-silver appears cold to the touch, that is common to it with steel, Brass, Lead, Wine, things of their own Nature hot, which by accident feel to be cold.

Thirdly, 3 whereas some also from the effects would collect quick-silver to be cold, in that they are very much deceived; and they attribute those effects to cold, which have their dependance elswhere. Truly, they that drink the waters infected with quick-silver on the Alps, are sick of divers fluxes, and are taken with a bron­chocele. Goldsmiths, and others, who often deal with quick-silver, are seldom healthful and long lived, but are obnoxious to numnesses, tremblings, palsies, con­vulsions, lethargies, suffocating, catarths, and appoplexies. Thus Fernelius re­lates of a certain Goldsmith that imprudently admitting the vapour of quick-silver only, presently became stupid, drowzy, and wholly speechless. Ferdinandus Ponrertus relates that the same happend to another, lib. 1. de vene. cap. 3. And Forestus, lib. 8. obser. 5. writes, That a certain yong man learning the Smiths art upon the atching of a Cup with quick-silver, had all the hair of his head fell off, and that his face became extraordinary pale, and all his body tremulous; and many o­thers have observed the same. And Jacobus Oethoeus, in his observat. reports, That a certain yong Noble man troubled with Crab-lice in his Privities, used Mercu­rial Oyntment to drive them away; upon which his Yard grew cold and sluggish, and unfit for Venery. But here is a fallacy of the cause, for quick-silver doth not do these things by cooling, but because it hath a peculiar and occult quality, that is an enemy to the Nerves and Brain, as appears in many other stupifying poy­sons.

Fourthly, That which is Objected, is easily Answered; to wit, 4 That the damage brought upon mans body by quick silver, is cured by the use of hot things; as Sage, Hyssope, Origanum, Clary, Rue, Castor, and the like: For those Medica­ments are not therefore applied to the preternatural affects caused by quick-silver only, because they are hot, but because they are friends to the Brain and Nerves: and furthermore, as they themselves grant, by a specifick property are enemies to the Mercurial virulency; and that such things are not therefore applied because they are hot, but because by a peculiar vertue they are friends to the Nerves, it ap­pears by this, because other hot things, as Ginger, Pepper, and the like, which have no specifick property freindly to the Nerves, do not perform the same.

But concerning the Occult Vertue and Propriety of Quick-silver, we chiefly meet with two doubts; First of all, Whether it be poysonous: next of all, Whe­ther it be rightly applied for the Cure of the Venereal Disease.

Concerning the former Question, Whether Quick-silver be Poysonous, Whether quick-fil­ver be Poy­sonous. we have already treated before, in tractat. de Chym. & Aristot. consens. & dissens. cap. 19. where we speak of Mercury, and we said there, That Matthias Ʋnzerus de anatem. spagyr. Mercu. did endeavour to prove at large, That Mercury is not poysonous, with whom others also agree; especially those who urge Experience and the Autho­rity of learned Physitians. Avicen, lib. 4. Fen. 6. tract. 1. sum. 1. cap. 2. writes, 'Tis denied. That Quick-silver doth not hurt many that drink it; for that with its qualities goes forth by the stool. Haly Abbas lib 1. pract. cap. 35. Rhases in no. ad Mansor. de potu argen. vi. do affirm the same. Brassavolus also doth testifie in lib. de stirp. exami. That he hath given Quick-silver to Infants to expel Worms. And Fallo­pius de Metallis cap. 37. holds, That Mercury may be taken into the body without the fear of any hurt; and he relates that Beasts do swallow quick-silver without any harm: For when they abound with Worms, which your Leeches know by their breath, if they swallow four several times half a Filbert shell full of Quick-silver cast into their mouths, they are cured, no worse Disease succeeding it. And he witnes­seth that he hath given to Children in extream danger, whom [...] means have availed nothing, the quantity of two or three grains of Millet with evident success. The same Author, de Morb. Gallic. cap. 76. writes, That he saw a Woman which drank a pound of Mercury to cause an Abortion, yet without any hurt. Matthiolus also reports in lib. 1. dioscorid. cap. 170. (which also Eustachrus Rudius relates, That he hath often observed, when he practised Physick there) That in the Town Gorritiensis the Nurses do give Quick-silver to little Children to drink in the [Page 54]quantity of two grains of Millet for the Worms in the Belly, without any trouble at al. And the Midwives when great bellied Women lie long in labor, do presently give to drink a scruple weight of Mercury without any inconvenience: and Georgi­us Agricola relates, that a certain Woman did oftentimes fraudulently give Quick-silver to her Husband that she might kil him, and nevertheless he continued health­ful nay it hath been observed that some thirsty in the night, have in the dark taken up Vessels ful of Quick-silver instead of drinking Cups, and with a wide Throat have taken of the Quick-silver in a great quantity, yet have cast it forth again by the stool without any hurt. And Eustachius Rudius, add Lib. 5. de Morb. occult. cap. 15 that he hath seen this, and that others have observed it, that some bodies have been dissected, in which no smal quantity of Quick-silver hath been collected in the Cavities of the bones, from the unction in the French Pox, who notwith­standing have lived many years after the unction. Which seems not possible to be done, if it were poyson by Nature.

But Galen, 'Tis af­firmed. Aetius, the reconciler, Cardan, Fernelius, Ferdinandus Pon­zettus, Jul. Palmarius, whom I alleaged in the quoted place cap. 19. de. consens. et dissens. Chymic. cum. Aristotele. do differ from these. And experi­ence it self hath brought most eminent men into that opinion, by which it is evident, that quicksilver doth no less cause numnesses, convulsions, tremblings, palseys, epilepsies, apoplexies, syncopes, than other poysons, nay somtimes death it self. And some do report, that they are seldom long lived, who digg up the veins of quicksilver; and though they be very strong bodied, and of the best temperament, that they can scarce hold out in that work to the fifth yeare, but by drawing in the venenate vapors they are taken with a trembling of al their parts.

And the opinion of these we think altogether more consonant to truth as being that which is confirmed by experience it selfe: The Au­thors opini­on. but as concerning the experience of those, who write that quicksilver hath often been drank and given without any hurt, that doth not excuse quicksilver from its venenosity. For to the compleating of an acti­on, there is required a right application of the agent to the parient, and some stay, which whenas it was wanting in the alleaged examples, the quicksilver could do no hurt for quicksilver is given either alive or prepared, if it be taken alive tis 'less hurt­ful, for whenas quicksilver is a body most exactly mixt, and the least parts of it do most pertinaceously cohere to one another, from whence also 'tis continually move­able, whiles it is whol and alive it brings little or no dammage to our body, but presently is cast forth by the stool. For in like manner as a leaden, or other met­tallick bullet, if it be swallowed whol is presently cast forth of the body, and brings no hurt, but if it be resolved into the least parts, and contract rust, may do very much mischeif, as that history concerning lead doth sufficiently teach us, which Fernelius recites de lue Vener. cap. 7. So also if quicksilver be taken whol, move­able, and coherent to it selfe, and by reason of its mobility be presently again cast forth of the body, it brings no dammage; but if it be resolved into the smallest par­ticles, and especially with the admistion of salts, and by their help be as it were fixt to the body, and penetrate into it, both inwardly and outwardly applyed, it caus­eth most greivous evils, as sublimate and precipate do sufficiently teach us, neither is there any reason for any one to ascribe that corroding faculty to the salts mixed; for there is no falt in the some which exhales when Silver is gilding over, and yet that very fume is highly burtful; neither can so little salt as is mixt with sublimate or pre­cipitate, cause so great hurt, whenas salt though it be given in a great quantity, doth no such thing.

But as concerning prepared mercury, Mercury prepared. I know indeed, with how great prayses some do extol mercurial medicines. Some cal precipitate the angelical pouder, and o­therwise prepared mercury of life. Some commend the flowers of mercury of which we spake in consens. et. dissens. Chym. p. 365. others mercurius dulcis, and so highly, they write if it be rightly prepared and given 'tis as gentle as manna, ta­marinds, cassia, and therefore they use it in the slightest diseases, which might ea­sily [Page 55]be taken away by more benigne medicines. But these commendations are too much, neither is their rashness commendable, who give quicksilver in any disease, whenas we have every where examples of them, who by the use of the medicaments, have not only been cast into danger of their lives, but have plainly perisht by them. Whereupon Guish. Fabricius in Epist. ad D. Doringium lib. 3. observat. annexa. thinks that that called mercurius vitae may somtimes be called mercurius mortis, and mercury of lise eternal. And how much mercurius dulcis, which is counted the gentlest of al, may somtimes prejudice, was said in the alledged place; but that quicksilver may somtimes be given without any dammage coms to pass, either because 'tis crude, or retaines the nature of that alive: and therefore as was said even now, can work little on our body, of which sort is mercurius dulcis, and the flowers of silver mercury, or because it is in its kind fixt. For as whol mettals though they be taken into the body, they do not affect it unless they be resolved, so so also whenas fixt mercury doth as it were put on the nature of fixt mertals, so it doth not hurt, as that which is stil volatil, and can easily insinuate it self into the body.

Yet prepared Mercury ought not rashly to be used and be given in every disease or body especially at the begining, In what disease pre­pared Mer­cury is to be given. but in those only in whom there is great store of vitious humors, which that may empty, and where the body is strong, for as Mer­cury sublimate and precipitate outwardly applied in sordid ulcers, doth mundefie them, and toucheth not the sound flesh as long as there is any filth, but if it be layd on the sound flesh it eats that: so also if quick-silver taken into the body do find cor­rupt humors on which it may work, it doth not easily damnefie the more inward parts, but it workes upon the humors, and causeth that they be emptied; but if there be no such humors there, it also assailes the sound parts. But whenas Quick-silver given inwardly is not used onely for the Venereal disease, but to drive away many other diseases, we wil speak no more of that here; but let us now inquire con­concerning it, whether it can, and how it may do good in the Venereal dis­ease.

As concerning one of them therefore, Whether quick-silver be to be gi­ven in the cure of the venerealdis­ease. The nega­tive opinion to wit whether quick-silver ought to be given in the French pox, and whether it may be safely, and by what vertue it acts, Physitians do very much differ. Epiphanius Ferdinandus indeed, Histo. 17. thinks that amongst ninety Authors that have writ of the Venereal disease, that there are onely foure, who have disallowed of the use of Quicksilver in this disease, viz. Casparus Torellus, Montanus, Minadous, and Fra [...]astorius, but there are many more, which Johannes Baptista Silvaticus doth recon up Contr. 34. which Sil­vaticus himself is in the number of those, who denny Quick-silver to be an enemy to the essence of the french pox. For Ʋlericus ab buten, a German knight and Physi­tian Cap. 4. in lib. de morb Gall: writes that in his time scarce one in a hundred that was anoynted with Quicksilver did escape a relapse, the benefit of it lasting but for a few dayes. Sebastianus Aquilianus lib. de morb. Galli. Cap. 4. Cals the cure of this disease performed by quicksilver, sophistical, and writes that al anointed with it in his age suffered a relapse. Gaspar Torelus bishop of St. Justa, in his declammation against unction with Quicksilver, cals it a pernicious medicine and thanks it is to be shunned as the plague. Joh. Baptista Montanus, tract. de morb. Gal. writes that quick-silver doth indeed repress the disease for a certain time but does induce an evil quality in the part, and in no wise remove it, wherefore in process of time, al things become worse then they were before. John Fernelius lib. 2. de abdit. morb. caus. cap. 14. writes that he beleves nothing less, then that a medicine made of Quick-silver can cure the Venereal disease, since that in his judg­ment it only takes away the simproms, leaving the root behind. Victor Favintinus cap. 7. de morb. Gal. thinks the cure of the disease with Quick-silver is false, de­ceitful and daingerous. Meither does Fallopius magnesie this cure, as appeares by his book de morb. Gall. Cap. 76. Bernardus Tamiranus also hath openly condem­ned this cure lib. 2. de morb. Gall. cap. 13. as also some others: to whose opinion [Page 56]as I said John Baptista Silvaticus joynes himself, and writes that he doth not be­leeve, that quick-silver can wholy cure this disease, and that tis an antidote diame­trically repugnant to the Venereal evil: he doth not deny indeed that this medicine may allay some evil and vehement accidents of the disease, but that tis diametrically adverse to the essence of the french pox, which is an occult property, inimicous to the liver, and that it can overcome that, he doth not beleeve. But though at the first rise of this disease, Carpus the Chyrurgion first made use of this medicine (whome perhaps that barbor followed, whom Fracastorius makes Mention of) being moved by this reason, because he had observed that the ancient Arabian Phy­sitians did make use of Quick-silver against the contumacious scab, and many other rebellious diseases of the skin; yet experience hath no way confirmed this remedy as the best, and therefore it hath been rejected by many physitians: for if Quick-sil­ver were one of the antidotes of this disease it would have alwaies and every where answered the expectation, and there had bin no need that more effectual remedies should have been sought for from the remotest Countries beyond the Seas, which have hitherto be [...]n used with most happy success, that no man doth any farther doubt of their efficacy in this Disease; and though Quick-silver doth heal French Ulcers, yet it doth not follow, that 'tis an Antidote against the Virulency of it as neither those Medicines, which heal Buboes, or Carbuncles in the plague, can for that reason be accounted for Antidotes. Aurelius Minadous agrees with these, Lib. de Virul. Vener. cap. 39. Who wholy rejects the use of Quick-silver in this Disease, moved thereunto by three reasons; the first is, because he never saw any restored to health by the use of it; on the Contrary he hath rather observed many that by the use of Quick-silver have sufferred worse Symptomes in so much that they have affirmed, they have received greater dammage from the supposed Reme­dy, then from the Disease: the second is, that Quick-silver is hurtful by Reason of its excessive coldness: the third is because no body can explain, after what man­ner Quick-silver doth good in this Disease. To which some add a fourth Reason, that of it self it is poyson; and a fifth that many have died by the use of it.

On the contrary many other Physitians do very much commend the use of Quick-silver in this Disease: The affir­mative opi­nion. and that I may now pass by others, Epiphanius Ferdinandus, Histor. 17. writes that he can make good by Oath, that he hath perfectly cured, leaving no evil Symptomes, a hundred and fifty people Frenchi­fied of al Ages; Sexes, and of diverse Temperaments, and at divers seasons of the year; and he names another most experienced Physitian, Johan. Laurentius Pro­topapa, who hath affirmed to him by Oath' that he hath cured above a thousand men Frenchified with the Mercurial Unguent with most happy success, and he writes that we ought to give God thanks, that he would make known so wonderful a remedy for so great a disease.

That we may quit our selves of this difficult controversie, The Au­thors Opi­nion. First of al we think the use of Quick-silver is not wholly to be rejected in the Cure of this Disease, nei­ther do the reasons alleaged before by Minadous, o [...]others evince it: for first of al as concerning experience, here one experience may be opposed against another, and there are many Physitians who taught by experience it self do with wonderful prai­ses extol Quick-silver in this Disease. The Second reason, that Quick-silver is to be rejected because it is cold, is fals, for the effects of Quick-silver as was said be­fore, do teach us that it is rather hot then cold. Thirdly, concerning the manner how it works, and cures this Disease, we shal fee hereafter. And though that manner could not be found out, yet the experience must not therefore be denied; for there are many Medicines that work by occulr qualities, whose manner of acting cannot be perfectly explained. Fourthly, though Quick-silver be poysonous yet 'tis not therefore wholly to be rejected in this disease, whenas other venenate things come into Physical use, as opium, Cantharides, Oyl of Scorpions and others. But Fiftly whereas some could not be cured by mercurial Medicaments, this is not to be [Page 57]ascribed to the quick-silver, but rather to the ignorance of the Physitian, who did not rightly apply this Medicine, or to the negligence or disobedience of the pati­ent, or to the vehemency of the Disease, which could be overcome by no Medi­cine, though the best that is.

But as quick-silver is not wholly to be rejected, When quick silver is to be used in the Venereal Disease. so we think it is not unwarily and rashly to be used, but only upon urgent necessity, to wit then when this dis­ease could not be cured with Guajacum wood or Sarsaparilla. For we must come to the use of quick-silver for two causes especially, the first is when the Disease is so stubborn, that it wil not yeild to those usual Medicines: Secondly when there is something present, which doth not admit of the use of the Decoction of the wood and Sarsaparilla, especially the heat and inflamation of the Kidneys and Liver. And Eustachius Rudius writes Lib. 5. Cap. 15. that he hath cured some, who if they had used never so little of Guajacum, though corrected with cold things, were presently taken so with a heat of Urin, that an Inflamation of those parts arising, they have hardly escaped death; and therefore in such cases som­times, wil we or nil we, we are compelled to make use of quick-silver, as the same Rudius speaketh; and that oftentimes may be done safe enough, so that he writes he hath anointed with quick-silver even infants infected by their Nurses at suck, and hath cured them.

Yet we must not come rashly and inconsiderately to this unction, Things pro­hibiting un­ction with Quicksilver. but first of al we must confider, whether there be any thing present that doth prohibit it: for first of al unction with quick-silver is not admitted, when the strength is but feeble, and therefore in old men it seldom takes place. Secondly, if the body do stil abound with many vitious Humors, for then the quick-silver doth not easily penetrate: and by a commotion of the Humors it causeth grievous Diseases and Symptomes, therefore the body must first of al be emptied. Thirdly, if the Air be too hot, and if it be dog daies. Fourthly, if the body be extenuated, if there be a Feaver, Ulcers of the mouth, and inclination to a quinsie; this kind of Medi­cine also is not convenient for them who before the French Pox, suffered numness, tremblings, Palsie, and pains in their joynts.

But that quick-silver may rightly be made use of, Whether Quick silver be an Al­exipharma­cum of the Venereal Disease. we must first of al enquire after what manner it is to be given, and what it can performe, and do in this dis­ease, on which business the hinge of this controversie turnes. Where first of al we are not of their opinion, who think quick-silver to be an Alexipharmacum of this Disease. Quercetan indeed affirmes it in Consil. de lue Vener. where he writes that Mercury is the only true and sole Alexipharmacum of this Disease, especially if it be inveterate. From whom Felix Platerus doth not much dissent, who writes that Mercury by its occult qualities and propriety contrary to this disease, doth quel the Venenate quality of that disease, but this cannot simply be admit­ted, for when as there are three things in this Disease, first of al that Malignant quality imprinted on the parts dedicated to nutrition, and especially on the Liver, or an occult Disease; Secondly, vitious Humors, generated in the Liver evilly affected, and polluted by this Malignity: Thirdly, Diseases and Symptomes which are raised every where in the body by those vitious Humors, we do not deny in­deed that Quick-silver may conduce somwhat to the Evacuating of the vitious hu­mors, as shal be said here after, and hence also to the taking away of the Diseases and Symptomes which do arise from them; but that it doth overcome the malig­nant and virulent disposition it self, which is the property of an Alexipharmacum, is that which we deny. For first of al experience doth not confirm it, neither hath that Alexipharmacal vertue of Mercury been hitherto proved by any one, by any solid argument; but whatsoever it performes, it doth by salivation and vio­lent purging, which is not the property of an Alexipharmacum, for otherwise al Medicines purging vitious Humors should be called Alexipharmaca. This rather is manifest, that some cured by mercurial Medicines, after a long interval of time [Page 58]have relapsed into this Disease, that occult and Malignant disposition being left in the body. Secondly, that quick-silver is no Alexipharmacum, appears also by this, because 'tis no way friendly to our body, but rather hurts the brain, Heart, and other Members, and causeth most grievous Diseases and Symptomes in the jawes, which Platerus endeavors in vain to remove from Mercury, and to ascribe them to the virulency of the spittle. For thirdly, Quick-silver causeth salivation, not only in the French pox, but also in other bodies, which are not Sick of the French Disease, and besides hurts in the mouth, inflamation, Exulceration, Stinks, injuries of the Teeth, which is obvious for every one to experience and observe, but that is more consonant to truth, that quick-silver is to be numbered amongst Evacuating Medicines, whenas 'tis evident by experience, that by benefit of that, many thick, tough and virulent Humors are emptyed by the mouth, somtimes also by sweat, or other waies, and that it doth not much good in this Disease, unless salivation ensue: therefore when it is applied, it can be used only for this end, to evacuate virulent Humors, which being emptied, whenas the Symptomes caused by them do vanish, 'tis concluded by many, that it may be administred for the Mitigation of the symptoms, when as yet it doth only mitigate or take away the Symptomes by accident, the virulent Humors, on which they depend, being taken away. Which cure notwithstanding, as Fernelins is of opinion, is the cruellest of al, and so hard, that many would rather perish of the Disease, than be cured with so great danger, so bitter hazard: but that quick-silver may be applied to external and contumacious Ulcers, is known to every body.

But to evacuate vitious Humors it may be used three manner of waies; How many ways quick­silver doth Evacuate. either to move by stool and vomit; or to cause sweat; or to cause Salivation and spit­ting. Coneerning the giving of quick-silver to move by stool or vomit is already spoken before, and the Chymists are large in the praise of it; and do extol it with wonderful commendations: By stool and vomit. and Crollius calls Mercury the Balsome of Nature, in which there is both a vertue incarnative, and regenerative, which doth wonder­fully renew, and purge from al impurities, and therefore cals it a divine Medicine: to whom Beguinus assents, who in Lib. 2. Tyrocin. Chym. cap. 3. writes that Mercury is the chiefest Alexipharmacum against al corruption and putrefaction: from whom though Platerus do not wholly dissent, while he teacheth, that this Disease may easily be cured by purging with Mercury, and truly in no long time, but very speedily, being scarce drank twice or thrice, from whence is raised a plentiful flux of the belly, and also vomiting, somtimes also sweat and Urin is provoked: yet he cannot deny, that it doth perform this by a violent irritation of Nature, and not without danger.

But I would have a Physitian rather timorous, than bold and rash in the use of this Medicine, 'Tis to be given wari­ly. for that which Pliny said was the poyson of al things, Lib. 37. cap. 6. that wil not spare mans body, but offends the stomach, Liver, Guts, and al the bowels, and is especiallly an enemy to the Nerves and brain: but though the Chymists affirme that being prepared it may grow more mild, and that it may not hurt, they precipitate it, sublime it, and prepare flowers of it, Aquilam, Aurum vitae, and other things; yet though you expel Nature with a fork, she wil stil re­turne: for as it was said even now out of Platerus, it purges violently and not with­out danger: and as Fernelius Lib. de lue Vener. cap. 17. writes of this business, upon the giving of prepared Mercury, (doubtless he meant precipitate) presently from the compass of the whol body, Humors of al sorts break forth upwards and downwards, with so great force, and so violent, that the spirits being exhausted, and the strength wasted, the sick do either die presently, or lie some daies with­out strength like unto dead men: somtimes al the mouth is inflamed, and con­tracts a Gangreen, putrid Ulcers and very stinking, and somtimes the jaws swel, that the Patient for some daies is not able to swallow at al: although somtimes it work more gently, yet it purges violently enough.

But if it do work more mildely, either it retaines the nature of that which is crude, or being fixt it doth almost put on the nature of a fixt mettal: of the first sort is metcurius dulcis, of which Angelus Sala saith in the riper aged it works little, unless it be given in a great dose, to wit thirty five grains, and then it easily raiseth salivation; and that this is true a certain Physitian wel known to me, learnt to his cost and found it so by experience, as we have said de consens. et dissen. cap. 18. but if it be more fixt, it doth not move the belly; therefore it must needs be that it have a middle nature, if it ought to purge, that it may stimulate nature, where yet alwaies to hold that medium is very difficult. Yet amongst those me­dicines, we have nominated of prepared mercury, that which is called mercurius vitae doth easily challeng the first place, so that I think it would be needless to make mention here of more medicines prepared out of mercury; but we must note this concerning mercurious vitae, that it is no pure mercurial medicine, but there is con­tained in it some part of antimony as appears by the vitrum and Regulus, which may be made out of the mercurius vitae, but can by no art be prepared out of mercury alone, but that they may be made of antimony is wel known.

Yet when we are minded to administer mercurius vitae, When it is to be given in the Vene­real disease, and other mercurial me­dicines, we must diligently consider Mesues rule, that it is a grane of wisdom, not to come to strong medicines, but where weak ones wil not satisfy. If therefore this evil be new and gentle which may be cured by gentler purgers, and by the deco­ction of Guajacum or Sarsaparilla, we must not rashly come to the use of quicksil­ver. But if the evil be stubborn and inveterate, and there be many virulent humors in the body, mercurial medicines may be given without danger: for then 'tis not easily to be feared, that it should assail mans body, when it hath vicious humors enough to work upon. And oftentimes necessity compels us to come to the use of quicksilver, and some do hope in vain, to affect the same buismess by weak medi­cines often repeated as by stronger taken plentifully at once. For experience hath long since taught us, that we do oftentimes spend our time in vain in such medicines given against pertinaceous diseases. On the contrary that strong in [...], and amongst them quicksilver, after once or more times taking, have happ [...]ly overcome pertinacious diseases, whose cause was about the stomach, the cavety of the liver, the spleen, pancreas, the cal, and from thence was communicated to other [...]. Sweating medicines made of quicksilver.

Secondly out of quicksilver are prepared sweating medicines, to wi [...]the whit­spirit of mercury, or the white or red oyl of mercury, one drop of which or two are given to drink in treacle water and spirits of Guajacum, or some such like de­coction to move sweat, as also other preparations and fixt medicaments of quicks [...] ­ver: and in case that quicksilver performe that, for which end it is given, and move sweat, and discuss the vitious humors by it, 'tis not so dangerous a medicine. Salivati­on by quick­silver.

The third way is by Salivation, and many indeed do place al their hopes of the cure of this disease in Salivation, so that Platerus writeth, unless that in the cure by quicksilvet Salivation be raised by the use of it. And at last be supervenient, the cure doth not succeed, neither is it fitting so much to condemne the use of it and who­ly to reject it for the faults which happen in the mouth in this cute, or for other accidents, amongst which convulsions are cheifly to be feared, which are wont som­times to happen, if there be any great error committed in the use of it, whenas af­terwards in the cure the faults of the mouth are easily corrected again. On the con­trary Fernelius de lue Vener. cap. 6. doth exactly set forth this manner of cure and describes its inconveniences: so great saith he is the cruelty and harshness of this unguent, that the patient presently begins to languish the second or third day; for by its extraordinary tenuity it doth melt and dissolve, whatsoever is in the superficies and whole compass of the body, and at length by its extream cooling faculty with which it is endued, it drives them to the inward parts, from thence into the stomach and breast, from which afterwards it drives them upwards by a continuity of parts to the throat and mouth, with so great and so violent an injury, that the teeth, to which as also to the brain 'tis peculiarly an en­emy, [Page 60]do in al presently, grow loose, and in some become blackish and al drop out. Some things it discusses out of the body by sweat, some by its purgative faculty it casts forth by stool, with a great deal of torture. And breifly to comprehend al, al certainly who are thus cured have their jaws exulcerated, their tongue and pallate swollen, their gums and teeth loose, and spittle runs through their mouthes with­out any intermission, smelling worse then any stink, with so great contagion, that the lipps by touching of that contract ulcers, and the cheeks are ulcerated within: the stomach being cooled and disturbed with the stink, the sick are destitute of any appetite to meat, and being tormented with into lerable thirst, yet they are scarce able to drink, their whol mouth being but one ulcer. Besides their tongue stam­mers, When un­ction with quicksilver is to be used. their eares grow deaf, in some incurably. Al the house about stinks.

And indeed that manner of cure is bitter enough, that one ought not easily to ad­mit of it, and therefore 'tis not be used when the evil is new and light, but when 'tis inveterate and contumacious, and when other remedies as the decoction of Guaja­cum, Sarsaparilla, and the like, have first of al been tryed in vain; neither must we come to the use of that unless the body before be diligently purged, least too great a quantity of virulent humors be turned rushing to the mouth and jaws; neither is this cure convenient for old men, nor for weak bodies, nor those that are wasted, and are sick of a weakness of the nerves, and have weak heads, and subject to dstil­lations, least by the quicksilver, it being hurtful for them, these parts be more de­bilitated.

Therefore as Hercules Saxonia de lue. Vener. cap. 39. writes of this subject, they are neither to be approved of who use mercurial unctions without any differ­ence, neither must we hold with them, who wholy reject the use of them. For somtimes this disease is so contumacious, that 'tis not cured with the decoction of Guajacum taken fifty dayes, and twice or thrice a day, but grows worse; whenas therefore the patients are weary of taking any more decoctions, and also of sweat­ing, How quick­silver doth raise a flux. and hungring, that they may not be left without al help, 'tis better to admi­nister a dangerous remedy then none at al.

But what way quicksilver doth raise salivation, Authors do differ, Eustachius Rudius lib. 5. de morb. occult. cap. 15. disputes at large of this business, and first of al he worthily derides them who hold that quicksilver by its most intense cold­ness, or repressing faculty doth repel the humors from the external parts into the innermost parts of the body; for repelling thinges are of thick and dry parts but quicksilver is of most thin parts: neither do other repeling medicines, nay not the most cold ayre, or coldest water, performe any such thing; neither can here be gi­ven any reason, why the repulsion should be to the mouth and not to other parts that are neerer. This therefore must be inquired, why quicksilver is moved to the head, and is cheifly purged through the mouth. Many are of opinion, neither doth that displease Platerus, that quicksilver doth cause spitting by a peculiar vertue: but he explains not the manner; neither doth this please Rudius. For saith he if quicksilver be moved to the head by vertue of its whol substance, and by a peculiar property, it doth that either by a similitude or contrariety of substance; it cannot be by a similitude of substance, because quicksilver doth rather hurt, then befreind the brain and nerves: and therefore as cantharides do invade and offend the bladder, the Sea hare the lungs, so also in this manner quicksilver seems to assault the brain. But Rudius overthrows that opinion two waies, first of al, because he hath proved before mercury, to be no poyson, secondly because he thinks he is able to render a reason from the manifest qualities, why quicksilver doth assault the head; where first of al, he supposeth this that mercury as opium hath heterogeneous parts and that 'tis made up of parts of a different nature, yet so, that the hot parts do predominate; and that 'tis compounded of an aery and earthy substance but very much attenuated with heat, which like unto smoak scarce enduring the heat, flyes away in fume and is dispersed. Therfore amongst al other medicines of this faculty it doth most powerfully extenuate the humors, discuss, and convert them to motion, [Page 61]and therefore doth purge by sweat, by stool, by the mouth, and so partly by its purgative vertue, partly by the heat of its thin parts doth draw the hu­mors along with it, and that it happens so, that the thinner going to the skin are emptied by sweat, but the thick and unfit to be emptied by sweat, being extenuated together with the quicksilver turnd into vapor are drawn up into the head and then causing distillations do fal down again; and at length he conclu­des, whenas quick silver outwardly anointed doth not remain in the stomach, as other purging medicines do, but assails the head; 'tis no wonder if it principally purge by the mouth.

But indeed he doth not this way satisfie the doubt, and this is a great peice of ig­norance both in things phylosophycal and Chymical. For first of al that Quick silver cannot be cleared from venenosety, was said before, and proved, and the rea­sons for the contrary answered. And Rudius himself in the chapter even now al­ledged, reckons up so many and so greate evils, which mercury doth cause, that they cannot al be reduced to manifest qualities: which that I may compendiously reduce, Quick silver hath a corroding faculty, The hurts of Quick silver. causeth a trembling and weakness of the heart, hurts the animal faculty, weakens the substance of the nerves and their pro­per unity, whence are raised incurable tremblings and greivous torments, and ma­ny using of mercurial medicines, have suffered cunvulsions, falling sickness, and apoplexy. Nay the same Rudius reports that some after unction have fallen into raving and madness: but whereas he endeavors to reduce that operation of mercury by which it causeth salivation, to the manifest qualities in that he laboures in vain, for first of al there are no such heterogeneous parts in mercury as he phansieth, as was said before, neither could any Chymist ever yet show them, and whether Quicksil­ver be burnt, or whether it be reduced to water, or what other external forme so­ever it puts on, it retaines its whole essence, and with a litle labour may be reduced to its ancient forme. Besides Rudius renders no reason, why Mercury out wardly anoynted on the body, is rather moved to the head then to the stomach, and carries the humors thither with it: for whereas he thinks, that it is resolved into vapour and carried up into the head, tis fals, whenas it may be collected whol both in the mouth, and in other parts.

'Tis more agreeable therefore to trueth, Quicksilver an Enemy to the nerves that quicksilver is offensive to the nerves and brain, as the tremblings which it causeth do sufficiently de monstrate, and there­fore that it creepes up by the nerves to the brain, and carries the vitious humors thi­ther with it, which together with the vitious humors whenas nature and the expul­sive faculty of the brain doth expel, and cast down to the jawes, hence follows sal­ivation: and quicksilver whether outwardly applied, or inwardly taken, stil creeps up to the head, and causeth much spitting.

But there are divers wayes of using Quick-silver to raise a flux, The wayes of ussng quick silver to wit either 'tis outwardly applied to the body by unguents, plaisters, epithems and lavatories so called, by a girdle, by bracelets and Rings, by suffumigations; or tis taken in­wardly, by al which ways not withstanding there is nothing else done, but that the Quick-silver may be reduced into the smallest parts that it may the eafier pene­trate into the body yet what way soever tis broke into peices, it keeps its nature, and the least parts are easily again united to one another and returne to their ancient corpulency, that it hath bin observed, that sometimes a great quantity of it hath bin collected in the veins, and cavities of the bones.

Yet the most common way of applying Quick-silver is by unction; How the unction with quick­silver is to be ordered. but that unction may be performed rightly, sometimes are to be observed before unction, some in the anoynting, and some after unction, before unction the body, if need require, must be emptied either with purging medicines or bleeding: for if very many vitious humors abound in the body, tis to be feared, that by the use of these unctions they rush together in a heap to the jawes and suffocate the patient, or being rapt up to the brain do cause an apoplexy, or palsie, and therefore first of al part of them ought to be emptyed. Also if their be plenty of blood, least the patient may [Page 62]suffer an inflamation of his jawes or a feaver, tis good to take away a little blood. Falopius also, that part of the matter may be consumed, the bowels strengthened, and not be offended by the Quicksilver, gives the decoction of Guajacum eight or ten dayes before unction.

As concerning the unction it self, the basis of these unguents is Quick-silver, which must be chosen pure, or vivified by cinnabar, and it must be mixed with hogs-grease hens-fat, butter, oyl, turpentine that it appeare no longer quick to the sight, which is commonly called mortifiying of it. How Quick silver is to be prepared. Some also ad to six ounces of Quicksilver, four ounces of red sugar. Some do mix divers other things to correct the malice of Quick-silver, and indeed this or that according to the different constitution of the disease, which notwithstanding profit little. For those oyly and unctuous things, or other things, do stick on the skin and superficies of the body, and cannot follow the Quicksilver into the innermost parts of the body, nor correct its malignity. But those things which are necessarily mixed, are mixt, to that end, that the quicksilver may be reduced into the smallest bodies and [...]o may the easier insinuate it self into the body. Some also in the composition of this unguent, think we ought to have respect to divers things: and therefore Hercules Saxonia, if there be hard knobs, ads those things which do mollifie, as the sat and grease of geese, ducks, the Marrow of oxe bones, butter, oyle of sweet almons; if there be ulcers he bids us ad drying pouders, Franckincense, Myrrh, al [...]e, Litharge, white lead, which if they be il conditioned, he ads Cincabar precipitated. Besides he commands us to mix medicines, which strengthen, the parts: more over [...] bids us ad those things, which do respect the principal parts, and those that are most hurt, and therefore if the joynts be affected he bids us ad ground pine; if the liver, hepatick means; if the stomach, things stomachical, But besides the rest he doth aprove of oyle of Guajacum added to the ointment; al which as we do not wholy disallow of, so they ought to be explained. First of al, if the unction be ordered cheifly for tumors or ulcers, medicines may commodiously be mixed with it, but if saliva­tion and emptying by spittle be cheifly intended there is no need of that laborious composition. Secondly Quick-silver it self if it be reduced into smallest parts, doth easily penetrate, neither hath it any need of helpers, and there is nothing that can penetrate easier then that. Thirdly I can scarce be perswaded, that medicines out­wardly anointed, can penetrate to the stomach and liver, and strengthen them; this likes me best, that he thinks oyl of Guajacum ought to be added to those un­guents.

The Quantity of Quick-silver that is used, The quanti­ty. is sometimes more, sometimes less, according to the vehemency of the disease, and the patients strength. Yet we must not exceed seven ounces which is sufficient for strong bodies, in weak bodies 'tis suf­ficient to use three foure or five ounces; but every time use two or three ounces; of the unguent, or for every dose take two scruples; in tender children for every place so much oyntment as is the bulk of a lentil is sufficient. Such oyntments therefore may be made thus.

Take of mercury six ounces; Formes of Meacurial Ʋnguents. of hogs-grease without salt one pound; Kil the Mercury with the grease and mix it exactly, then ad of the marrow of an ox [...]leg half an ounce; of Turpentine three ounces; of the oyl of it one ounce, of the oyl of Guajacum two ounces; mix them.

Or Take of venice Turpintine one pound, of Quick-silver seven ounces; mix them diligently, then ad of hogs-grease eight ounces; oyl of sweet and bitter al­monds of each two ounces, pouder of cinamon two drams; Musk six granes mix it and make an ointment.

Eustachius Rudius commends this form, which he used with most happy suc­cess for many yeares at Utine, in the great hospital of that City, with so much safe­ty, that not one of them perisht which he had in cure.

Take ake of Quick-silver one ounce and half; Fresh Sows grease three ounces; [Page 63]pouder of mastick one ounce; oyl of mastick one ounce and half; Saffron half a dram; two Sweet apples of a middle size. First of al let the sows grease be most exactly mixed with the mercury, then ad the mastick finelypoudered together with the oyl of mastick and Safforn, and afterwards the aples through ripe cleansed from the parings and core.

Or, Take of mercury killed with spitle three ounces; old oyl four ounces; of Fran­kincense prepared as common mastick two ounces, mastick one ounce; hogs-greese two ounces and half; oyl of bayes one ounce and half; virgins wax two ounces; oint­ment of diaitbaea one ounce and half; sagapen one ounce; of wax as much as is sufficient. Make an Ointment.

Or Take of mercury two ounces; of hogsgrease three ounces; turpentine one ounce; pouder of orice franqincense, mastickeach two drams; oyl of chamemel, white lillies, bayes of each two aunces; Stirax half an ounce; mix them.

Or Take of hens, hogs, and beares greace each one ounce; oyl of white lillies, bayes each two ounces; mercury six ounces; mix the greases in a morter, after wards ad the mercury, and stir them an houre in the morter, then ad of frankin­cense mastick, myrrh, amoniacum, stirax, pouder of Arabick, lavinder each half a dram make an ungnent.

The Places which are anointed are the joynts and the spaces between, and the less fleshy parts in the hands, elbows, feet, knees, sometimes in strong bodies the emunctories of the liver are anointed, and the backbone. Fallopius expects the hands, and first of al anoints the feet transversly about the begining of the feet, af­terwards the spaces between the joynts of the leg, then the midle of the thighs, The time for anoint­ing. the middle of the Elbow bones, and the midle of the Armes, afterwards the whole back.

The most commodious time for anointing, is the spring and autum, the winter and summer are less convenient and the unction is to be performed in the morning, upon an empty stomach, in a close and warm place, beginning at the lower parts, and so passing to the upper unction is seldom ordered twice on the sameday.

The patient anointed must either be ropped up in linnen, or the parts anointed be covered with course flax or hemp and so the patient be placed in his bed. How long unction is to be continu­ed.

But the unction is to be continued so long, til salivation or a loosness, or some other evaccuation succeed; and the symptomes be lessened and cease; and truely if a loosness follow, it is not suddenly to be supprest, yet we must have a care least the guts suffer any hurt, casting in by Clyster chaly beat milk, or the juyce of pti­san with milk, or the decoction of barley and afterwards if need require, come to astringent meanes.

Some think that sweat alsoought to be moved; but if nature tend to salivation, tis not convenient to move sweat, least there be contrary motions caused; but if na­ture of her own accord tend to sweat, tis not to be hindered, yet unction is scarce to be continued above three dayes at one time; sometimes also there presently fol­low greivous symptomes as great ulcers of the mouth, swellings and inflamation of the tongue and jawes, the swallowing is hurt, the teeth loosened, an extraordina­ry flux of virulent humors from the mouth, a dia [...]rhy or dicentery, and then we must presently forbear anointing, yet sometimes it hapens but very sildom, that no such greivous symptom followes. But only sweats, and pustles are multeplied al over the body.

When unction is now perfected, and the spitle runs wel, What is to be done af­ter unction. let the parts anointed be washt with wine, in which sage, Arabick, lavender, flowers, rosmary, grownd pine, bayleaves, calamint origanum have bin boyled, afterwards lay upon them some plaister for the nerves.

At last when the unction is past, we must use our endeavor, that the mercury be not left in the body, and that no evil be contracted neither in the mouth nor other parts; and therefore we must move sweat in a Laconick bath keep gold money in the mouth, shaveings of gold must be dranke, or bullets or pils made up of lease gold must be swallowed: for the mercury is imbibed by the gold, and with it is emptied out of the body, and so al evil that might happen is prevented.

To asswage pain, the mouth and jawes must be washed with warme milk or the Decoction of Barley: to hinder inflamation let the patient use the decoction of plan­taine or plantaine water, or of Vine leaves, with the syrup of Mulberries and dry roses, the teeth must be washed with the decoction of sage, or with Sage, colum­bine water, or austere wine; after unction we must not presently desist from the cure, but the decoction of Guajacum as being the alexipharmacum of this disease, must be drank stil for certain days, which if it be intermitted, a relapse is wont easily to follow upon it.

Secondly, Mercurial plaisters. emplasters made of mercury are wont to be applyed in this disease, which though they cause less trouble, yet they are less effectual to empty by spitting. They are prepared of the same matter of which the ointments are, to which also we may ad cinnabar: but quicksilver either is mixt with usual plaisters, as diachylum Ireatum, melilot, or new ones are compounded. The plaister called de ranis with mercury, is also in use. These plaisters are spred upon linnen cloth, leather, and are applyed to the same places as the ointments, especially to the hands and feet, al­so to the emunctories, and somtimes to the back bone, and they are worne continu­ally night and day, and every third or fourth day are renewed: this cure is less troublesome, and upon faire daies the patient may go abroad, yet the cure is not so perfect, and therefore must be continued longer.

Thirdly, Lavatoris of mercury. Linnen clothes wet in mercury water, are applyed to the same places in the forme of an epitheme, and because sublimate is most commodiously dissolved in water, the same places which are wont to be anointed, are besmeared with mercury dissolved in this manner, which medicines are commonly called lavatories, which are prepared of mercurius sublimate one ounce, which is disolved in two pound of some liquor.

CHAP. XXII. Of the Diet to be observed in the Cure of the Venereal Disease.

A Diet in the cure of this Disease is strictly to be observed; Diet. The Air. first of al let the Air in which the Patient is conversant, be hot, that insensible transpiration may be free, and sweating be not hindred, but rather promoted, yet not so hot, as to make faint. Therefore if need require let the patient keep himself in a warm cham­ber the whol time or his cure, and let not him expose himself to the free Ayre, un­less it be somwhat hot by reason of the season of the year, and then not before noon. Yet they whose course of life wil not allow them to keep at home, let them guard themselves with Cloaths against external cold, and as much as they can shun the cold Air.

As concerning their Meat, The Meat. Whether a slender diet be conveni­ent in the Venereal disease. there is much discourse indeed every where in this Dis­ease concerning a slender Diet: but whenas a slender Diet is that which doth in some sort impair the strength, or which doth little preserve the enfeebled strength, such diet is only convenient in acute diseases, which whenas they last not long, the strength also somwhat debilitated is able to hold out to the end of them: but when­as the French pox is a Chronical disease, and the Cure is extended for many weeks, if the strength be dejected by a slender diet, it cannot hold out till the end of the dis­ease. But that Physitians do chiefly feed their Patients with bread and raisons, I think this is the cause, because they would give the most simple food, and that of good juyce: for whenas variety of meats doth easily supply vitious humors, and flesh, and fish, and the like meats are more easily corrupted, then bread and raisons [Page 67]they prohibit the sick variety of meats and flesh, and would have them contented only with bread and raisons: therefore that course and form of diet is to be observed which may suffice for the conservation of strength, though not to encrease it, but must no way oppress Nature. The meat also must be of good juyce, and simple, and which no waies affords matter for the generation of excrements, nor may call away Nature from resisting the Disease to the concoction of that. And therefore the patient must not be allowed above two dishes, and meat must be given but twice aday; therefore when the sick is prepared for the use of Medicines, let his diet be such which may not impair his strength, but rather preserve it, nay, in some sort encrease it, that the patient may afterwards be able to undergo the evacuations that shal be ordered, and a more slender diet: but when Sweaters or Quick-silver is ad­ministred, if the strength wil bear it, we must use a more spare diet, lest the vertue of the Medicines be hindered by plenteous nourishment, and let the superfluous hu­mors in the body be rather wasted, than heaped up, and let the passages by which they ought to be expelled, be al kept free and open: but let not the diet be too slender, lest the strength fail, but be able to hold out til the perfect cure of the dis­ease, which is wont to be long first; and though somwhat is to be bated of the accu­stomary diet in the cure of this disease, yet that is not to be done presently at the beginning, nor that change is not suddenly to be made; but the first eight daies by little and little, somwhat must be substracted from the accustomary diet; as also the last eight daies of the Cure, by degrees he must return to the former course of diet; yet we must alwaies have respect unto the strength, and diligently consider what that is able to endure, and we must have a greater care of that, than of the dis­ease, as without which the Cure cannot be perfected.

But how much concerns the quantity of the meat, we must also respect the strength, and the disease; for by now much the strength is stronger, by so much 'tis able to suffer the less quantity of meat; but the strength is demonstrated by the ha­bit of the body, the temperament, custom, the age, season of the year, the Coun­try, and condition of the sick; of which we have spoke in its proper place. In brief, as much as possible may be, somwhat must be bated of the accustomary food, which also the people of India, from whom the manner of curing this disease was derived to us, are reported to do; yet so, that alwaies respect be had unto the strength: For if the patient be strong, his Body of a cold constitution, that he can easily endure hunger; flesh is not to be given any more after eight daies, but the patient must be content with bread and raisons: but if the strength be weak, the bo­dy slender, cholerick, some flesh also may be granted, viz. the flesh of Chickens, Hens, Partridges, Veal, Kid, and tender weather, as also Hens Eggs: but Hogs flesh which is hard of digestion and distribution, and doth encrease the morbifick matter, is chiefly to be eschewed; as also corruptible Fruits, and soft fishes: and truly the most commodious Food in this disease, is raisons, and to be preferr'd be­fore alother meats: besides, they do not easily putrefie, and they afford good juyce and nourishment, and correct the malignity of the vitious Humors; whence some are of Opinion, That Raisons in this Disease are not only meat, but medicine too; and especially those greater ones called Cybebae, are most profitable, in which there is greater plenty of nourishment, and a more abstersive and strengthening faculty.

Concerning bread here is some doubt; many commend Bisket, What kind of bread is to be given. nay admit of that only, which as we do not disallow of in strong bodies, which are moist and abound with flegm and excrements, being inclined rather to putrrefaction, then adust, and in those who have strong teeth, and are accustomed to it: so also Bread once wel baked, and not too moist, may safely be permitted, as a nourishment most familiar to al Natutes, Sexes, Ages and any season of the year: neither must we cause any trouble to the patient, by forbidding common bread, if he desire that rather then Bisket: nay Bisket seems to have its discommodities; for it staies longer in the sto­mach, and is not so easily disgested, and for the right disgesting of it there is need of a greater strength of the stomach, which notwithstanding for the most part in [Page 68]those that are sick of the French Pox is very languid: besides whenas in those sick of the Venereal Disease for the most part adust Humors do abound, by Bisket they are increased, on the contrary by common bread as being more moist they are made remperate, and at length more nourishment and good blood is afforded from it, as being best tempered, and in meats that which is best tempered, is to be preferred be­fore that which is intemperate.

Many also do weigh out the quantity of the meat, and write that at one meale, four ounces of bread, and two or three ounces of flesh wil suffice; but this cannot be so accurately observed in al men, but here there is no smal regard to be had to Na­tures and custome.

As concerning their drink, Their drink Authors also do not fully agree concerning that, some think nothing is to be given for drink but the decoction of Guaiacum and Sarsapa­tilla, and wholly forbid wine, and think tis as much to be denied in this Disease, as in a pleurisie, and are of opinion that wine is not so much as to be tasted of, the whol course of the cure; and Fernelius writes that wine is so averse to Guajacum, as tis to Hemlock, de lue Vener. cap. 13, But for this cause chiefly they forbid Wine, because the body and Humors which before were adust, and which grow hot by the use of Guajacum, by the use of wine are inflamed. But indeed this rea­son seems not sufficient; for that Second decoction may heat as much; as wine, if it be thin and dilute and moderately drank: therefore the strength is here to be consi­dered, and whenas wine hath a notable agreement with our body, and doth streng­then the heart and al parts, and especially the stomach, is most easily distributed into the whol body, doth most speedily nourish, and so fortifie Nature, that it may the better be able to oppose the Disease; the use of it is not simply to be re­jected, especiallly in those who are less hot, and have a flegmatick body stuft up with crude Humors; yet the use of wine is so to be moderated, that it do no way inflame the body; but those that can abstaine from wine without any hurt, let them drink that second decoction made of Guajacum and that plentifully at meals, and other times, when they are thirsty, yet they to, may somtimes take a drauft of wine to strengthen the stomach. After the same manner if the Cure be ordered by Quick-silver, at that time when Evacuation is not yet made by the mouth and spitting, and the patient can chaw meat, he must be nourisht with the best bread and good flesh, and dilute wine must be given him: but when Salivation begins, and the Patient can chaw no longer, by reason of the loosness of his teeth, he must be nourisht with suppings, and Barly Ptissan, and flesh broaths with bread in it, and whenas an Inflamation of the jaws is feared, he must abstain from wine. But after the cure is finisht, though the Patient may reurne to his accustomary Diet, yet tis most convenient that he be nourished with meats of good juyce, from which the best blood may be generated; for whenas the body is extenuated, and the veins emptied, we must wholly take care, that the body or Vessels be not filled with vitious blood, but tis commodious that they be restored and filled with good. Neither must it be granted, that upon recovery he presently arise from a smal quantity of meat, to a great, whenas al change to extreames is dangerous. And when it may be feared, that the Liver be heated by the use, of hot and dry Medicines, conserve of Roses, Violets, the pouders of the three saunders, Diarrhodon Abbat. must be given for some weeks; and let the courses of diet, especially in Summer time, be cooler, provided chiefly of Barley, the Whey of Goats Milk also is good. But if there be any fear, that some reliques stil and Malignant disposition of this disease be remaining in the body, Wine of Guajacum. give a Physick wine made with Guajacum and Sarsaparilla which is most commo­diously prepared at vintage time, if to every Gallon of wine one pound of Guaja­cum, and three ounces of Sarsaparilla be added, and let cool with the new wine af­ter the accustomed manner; but out of vintage time those Medicines may only be steeped in Wine.

Sleep is not only convenient in the night, Sleep. but also a day times, when the Pati­ents sweat, it may be granted.

Al violent exercise is hurtful; Exercise. for whenas the strength is impared by it and there is a greater transpiration and dissolution of the body, thence it comes to pass, that the patient cannot be content with that smaller portion of nourishment, which is wont to be used, in this Disease. But he must wholly abstaine from Venery, as the greatest enemy to this Disease: let sweating in his Chamber be instead of ex­ercise, and frictions which may be done with the same labor when the sweat is wip­ed of: let the affection of his mind be composed to mirth.

We must use our endeavor that the belly be kept loose, Excrements and whenas by reason of the smal quantity of meat it is wont easily to be bound, it must be loosned with Clysters, and Raisons with leaves of Seny; nay by intervals to give some purgers is not only profitable, but also necessary: for though those Laxatives do empty the first passages, yet because they reach not to the more distant places, and by sweaters only the thinner parts are Evacuated, but the thick are left behind, tis good after seven or ten daies, or after a longer space, or need requires, to give a purging Me­dicine agreeable to the body of the Patient.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the Cure of the Diseases and Symptomes, which are wont to be joyned with the Venereal Disease.

WHenas divers Diseases and Symptomes are wont to be joyned with the Ve­nereal Disease, some are very large in explaining, what way those Dis­eases and Symptomes ought to be removed: but whenas those Diseases are for the most part manifest, and we have treated of their cure in former Books, I think it not worth my pains to treat at large of them in this place: and therefore I shal only alleage certain few things, and those principally which are proper to this Disease, let the rest be fetcht from their proper places.

Chap. I. Of the Nature of the Gout.

THe Gout is by the Greeks called Arthritis, Its Name. from Arthron signi­fying a Joynt; but by the Latines it is termed, Morbus or Da­lor Articularis; and by us in English it hath its Name from the place affected, and in general is called the Gout. The more Barbarous among the Latin Physitians cal it Gutta, because that this Malady is excited by a flux, made as it were drop by drop. And there are likewise of the more Modern writes, who follow these; yea they prefer this Appellation before all other whatsoever; but yet not so rightly, as anon, in the first Que­stion, we shall shew you.

But now, Arthron what it is. albeit that Arthron (as by the Author of the Medicinal Definitions and Introduction it is defined,) be the Compages and Composition of the Bones, ordai­ned for the motion of the several parts; yet here notwithstanding in this place, by the word Articulus, or joynts, we are not to understand the very Compages of the bones; and the Synthesis or Union of them; or the Extremities of the Bones that are conjoyned; or the space betwixt the Bones, which are Joyned together by the joynt: but the parts that Joyn the very Joynt together, and encompass it; especially such of the parts as are endued with sense, to wit, the Membrans, Membranous Ligaments, the extremities of the Muscles, and the Nerves that are inserted in these parts.

But in regard that the Joynts are various, from the difference of these, The differ­ences of the the gout, according to the va­riety of the Joynts. and from the variety of the parts affected, the Gout (which the Greeks cal Arthritis) hath also received divers and different Names; and if the Feet be affected, it is called Podagra; if the Hands, Chiragra; if the Hip, Ischias; if the Knee, Gonagra; and many other of these words, derived from the place affected, and the Greek word Agra which signifieth a taking or seizing upon; so that Podagra is nothing else but the taking of the Feet; and Chiragra the taking of the Hands; in regard that these members are in this Disease as it were taken, and by it ensnared, and held fast: even as by Lucian (in his Tragopodagra) the Gout is brought in thus speaking:

By the most of Men I am called Podagra, being the taking, and deteining of the Feet.

But in the other Joynts it hath no special name, but by a common and general name it is called Arthritis, that is, the Gout; like as also in general, it is then called Arthritis, when at one and the same time a pain seizeth upon many of the Joynts together. But the truth is, that some certain men there have been who have feig­ned & made very many such like words as these; and among the rest, Ambrose Parry, (in his first Chapter of the Gout:) and if the Malady be in the Joynt of the Jaw­they call it Siagonagra; if in the Neck, Trachelagra; if in the Spina Dorsi or Back-bone, Richisagra; if in the shoulder, Omagra; and if in the Joynt of the [Page 2]Elbow, they term it Pechyagra. But we meet with no such Names as these in any of the Greek Authors; neither indeed are they commonly used; although that these Grecians themselves tel us very often that the Arthritis may be generated in many parts of the Body.

And in Pliny also (in his 27. B. Chap. 1.) we meet with the word Mentagra, at first invented (as he saith) in sport, Mentagra what it is. and merriment, (for it is a vitious medley Composition of a word, from a Latin and a Greek word, and such as the learned are never wont to make use of) but soon after notwithstanding it became common: but the truth is, that Affect belongs not to the Arthritis or Gout; but it was a cer­tain foulness and nastiness of the face, and a kind of Scabbiness, perteining, and to be referred unto the Lichenes.

The Latines have likewise reteined the Greek words, since that even from them they received the disease also. Touching which Pliny in his B. 26. Chapter, 10. The Podagra (saith he) Was wont to be a Disease more Rare, and not only a stranger unto the memories of our Fathers and Grand-Fathers, but even unto our own also. For had it been anciently known in Italy, it had ere this time received a Latin Name.

And yet notwithstanding it is here to be observed, that although the word Po­dagra be properly taken for the pain of the Feet; Yet somtimes also (as even Cra­to in his 253 Consil. confesseth) by an appellation borrowed from one Member, the word Podagra is to be taken and understood for every kinde of Gout in what part soever; in regard that so it is wont to happen, that the Feet for the most part, in the first place, and more frequently are taken, and affected with this Dis­ease; and they also are very seldom free, when the other joynts are affected. And hence it is also, that Lucian inscribeth that Dialogue of his, which is touching the Arthritis or Gout in general, by the name of Trag [...]podagra. And so they that have written in praise of the Gout Podagra (as Cardanus, and others) they all of them seem to treat of Arthritis or the Gout in general. Yea and certain Physitians there are that treat properly of Arthritis or the Gout in General, and yet they inscribe these their Tracts, de Podagra, or of the Gout (in special) of the Feet.

To wit, What place the Gout most fre­quently in­vadeth. most frequently this pain invadeth the Feet; and indeed most of al, and in the first place, the great Toe of the Foot. For Nature (as much as she is able) is wont to drive forth the vitious Humors unto the extream and remote parts; and the Feet are likewise more remote from the Fountain of heat; and they are also more in motion, by which the Humors are drawn unto them. And from hence it is that Galen (in the sixth Sect. of the Aphorisms, Apherism. 28.) writeth, that al those that are troubled with the Gout, that is to say, with the pains of all the Joynts, they are first of all taken with the Gout Podagra, or the Gout in the Joynts of the Feet. This indeed for the most part so happeneth, but yet not alwaies. For in some the Gout begins in their Hands; and some have it first in their Knee, and in some it beginneth in some other of the Joynts. And albeit that it first of al seize up­on the Feet, yet notwithstanding it afterwards also for the most part invadeth the Joynts of the Fingers, or those places that are about the Hand Wrist, as also the Joynts of the Arm and Elbow, and somtimes likewise the Neck, and the Joynts of the Jaw-bone. And indeed this Evil in the first beginning of it (for the most part) seizeth upon but one of the Joynts, either in the Foot, (which most usu­ally happeneth) or else where; but then afterwards, (the bowels being debilitated by the thick and often returns of the Disease, and the Native heat being much im­paired, and the matter dayly more and more heaped up) it then invadeth more of the Joynts; so that it often cometh to that pass, that there is scarcely any Joynt or Juncture of the bones throughout the whole Body that may be said to be free from this Malady; and as Lucian (in his Tragopodagra) writeth, This Evil tortureth and tormenteth the afflicted and Miser able Body, from the very Fingers ends, even unto the extream parts of the Feet, and the ends of the Toes.

Yea, and oftentimes it comes to that, that the vitious Humor is not only poured out into all the Joynts, but likewise into other sensible parts; as it hath been often observed, that in some this Humor hath been so poured forth into the Teeth, that it hath there caused a pain; and in others (in whom it hath been poured forth unto the breast) it hath there excited a spurious and bastard Pleurisie.

But now this Malady is not wont to continue long at a time, but to afflict the party by certain intervals and Periods, whiles the matter heaped up is thrust forth unto the Joynts by certain intervals; which indeed in the beginning are somwhat longer; so that the Diseased persons are often free for six months, and somtimes likewise they are free from this Gout for a whole year together; but then afterwards the Bowels and the Native heat being much weakned and impayred, and many vitious Humors being heaped up together, the Malady returneth by shorter intervals, The period of the gout som­times after three months, and somtimes every month; Yea and some there are, whom it doth continually afflict and make them to keep their beds.

Now Arthritis, or the Gout, is in the general defined to be, The defi­nition of the Gout in general. A pain of the parts a­bout the Joynts, excited from the defluxion of a serous and sharp Humor, and poured forth into them out of the Veins and Arteries. Or, if it please you rather to define it in any other manner, when a swelling doth now concur with it, you may then say that it is a Tumor or Swilling about the Joynts, arising from a defluxion of the serous or whey­ish, and sharp Humor by the Veins and Arteries unto the place affected; and by reason of the extension of the Membranes about the Joynts, and the Acrimony of the Humors Twinging and pulling them it hath Joyned with it a pain, and hinderance of moti­on.

And because that the Nature of this Disease is such, Whether it be proper to the gout to return by inter­vals. that when it hath once begun to infest and trouble a person, the Body can hardly ever be so carefully looked un­to, and well ordered, but that upon every sleight cause and upon the least occasion given it will again return, and indeed by certain Periods, (somtimes once a year, somtimes every six Months, and now and then once every Month:) many therefore of the most learned Physitians do likewise add this in the definition, that it is a pain or swelling returning by certain intervals and Periods. But if there be any one that thinketh it therefore to be omitted, because that he who is at the first troubled with the Gout, and so hath not suffered many Paroxysms returning by intervals, yet may be truly said to be affected with the Gout: yet Notwithstanding, he cannot deny this, that the very Nature of the Disease is such that even in the very first Paroxysm the Disease is in it self naturally fit to return by intervals; like as he who is at first taken with a Tertian or Quartane Feaver, is truly said to be troubled with a Tertian or a Quartan, albeit that he hath not yet undergone many Paroxysms or sits retur­ning every Third or Fourth day.

Franciscus India indeed blameth those that define the Gour by a pain, in regard that neglecting the Disease they define this Malady by its Symptoms. But it is no new thing, to define some certain Affects (in the which the Symptom and the Disease concur) by the Symptoms, as more urgent, more troublesom and grievous unto the Diseased party, and more manifest in themselves. And so the Phrensy is defined by a Deliry, and the Pleurifie by a pain; although that there be in both places present a Disease, to wit, an inflammation. And therefore there are many of the ablest Physitians, both Ancient and Modern, who inscribe their Tracts touching this Affect, of the pain of the Joynts. Neither again may be Gout be here alwaies so fitly defined by a Tumor or swelling, in regard that oftentimes there is no swelling evidently appearing in the External parts; and yet nevertheless the pain is then greater and more vehement then when there is a swelling in the part. But India himself is very much mistaken and greatly erreth, whiles he defineth this Malady by a deflux.

And moreover, Whether every pain of the joynts ought to be called the Gout? although that every Gout that happeneth about the Joynts may be called a pain (and in this manner this name may be also attributed unto pains that happen in disjoyntings, Contusions, or bruises and blows, wounds, that which is in the French Pox, that which happeneth unto Virgins while their Courses are flo­wing from them, or such as happen unto the Hips of great Bellyed Women that are neer the time of their Travail, or in general, unto all pains whatsoever that happen about the Joynts:) yet notwithstanding, we do not here take the word Gout in so large a sence, but in a more eminent and especial manner we here by this Name un­derstand that peculiar kinde of pain which the Germans cal Das Zipperlein, arising from a sudden influx of a Humor into the Joynts, insinuating it self into the more hidden and inward parts of the Joynts, and returning by intervals and Periods.

The subject of the Gout (if it be defined by pain) are only the Membranous parts, The sub­ject of the Gout. and those parts about the Joynts that are endued with a quick sense and feeling. For a Membrane being the Adequate subject of the Touch, even here also those parts that are grieved with pain do suffer it as they are membranous; Whether al the Liga­ments want sense from which never­theless we may not exclude the Membranous Ligaments. For although that Galen teach us that all the Ligaments want sense, yet notwithstanding we are not to deny sense unto the Membranous Ligaments, which (as we finde by experience) are very sensible of pricking, and the Gout it self doth evidence it. Neither is that Reason they commonly alleadg to the Contrary of any great weight and moment, to wit, that a Man should be alwaies Obnoxious unto pains, and never free from excrucia­ting Tortures, if the Ligaments that are sensible of pain should dash and strike against the bones: for Nature hath so fenced and guarded those parts, and so admirably ordered it, that no such thing can happen. And hence it is that we daily lay hold on with our hands, and walk upon our Feet, in which there are very many Ten­dons, Nerves, and Membranes, and yet nevertheless we are not sensible of any pain. But if it be defined by a Tumor or swelling, then all the parts that joyn together the Joynt, and lie round about it, may be said to be the subject of the Gout. But now that these pains are excited more about the Joynts, then elsewhere, the Cause is this, to wit, that the Veins and Arteries pour forth in these places (in the which there is a Concourse of the Membranes and Nerves) those Sharp Humors which Na­ture endeavoreth to expel, and which cannot flow forth in the middle Channel of the said Veins and Arteries; and because that the Humors arriving at the seat of the Joynts stick fast in these more streight and narrow places, where all the parts that end there are joyned together, and infolded the one within the other; whereas elswhere they might more freely be moved up and down, and have room enough to disperse themselves hither and thither.

And indeed, the truth is, that now and then that Humor is also diffused into other parts; and there is a certain Nameless Author, who (in the eighth Section of his B. of the Gout, added unto the writings of the principal Physitians) telleth us, that these kind of fluxions do not only infest the Hands, Feet, and all the joynts, but that it likewise maketh an impression upon the very Head, upon the very Liver, yea and somtimes upon the very Heart it self. And Hieronymus Capivaccius also (in his Consil. collected from Scholtzius, Consil. 226.) maketh mention of the Gout pain in the side; by reason of which the sick person was constrained to lie upon his Back, neither was he able to move his sides. And a person of Honor once told me (as I re­member) that a certain man afflicted with the Gout, felt likewise very fore and grie­vous pains in his very Yard: and it was related unto me by an Honorable Lady, that a Kinswoman of hers being troubled with the Gout, a certain Marl (for so she called it, and indeed not unfitly) brake forth also in her Fore-Head, so that it might have been even swept off like sand, and grains of Salt. But the truth is, the Cause breeding the Gout, if it be in great abundance, it may likewise be diffu­sed into other parts besides the joynts, but yet notwithstanding it doth not breed the Gout any where else but in the joynts.

But now it may here in this place (and that not without good cause) be demanded how it comes to pass that those persons that are afflicted with the Gout do yet so seldom suffer any Convulsion (but only a pain) whenas yet the Nervous parts are here affected, Why those who are troubled with the Gout do seldom suffer any convulsi­on? The opi­nion of E­rastus. and indeed so twinged and pulled by the sharp Humor that there may seem to be great cause for the exciting of a Convulsion? Thomas Erastus, in his 4. Disputat. against Paracelsus, thinks this to be the Cause, that the Humor that is poured forth about the Nerves is waterish and Flegmatick, and therefore doth more loosen then extend them: and if this be not the Cause, he confesseth ingeni­ously that he is altogether ignorant of it, and knoweth not what it is. But yet we do not acknowledg this for the only true Cause; neither is it indeed a truth that the Humor exciting the Gout is simply waterish and Flegmatick, that rather looseneth then extendeth the parts, as we shall hereafter prove, and as it appeareth even by the pain it self, which is most sharp and intollerable. And therefore I conceive the cause hereof to be in the place affected, to wit, that not the very Nerves themselves (as they are inserted into the parts destined unto motion, v.z. The Muscles that serve thereunto) are affected, but rather the Membranes, and the Membranous Li­gaments, which parts are not ordained for motion, neither serve they thereunto; [Page 5]and therefore although they suffer most grievous pains, yet nevertheless they excite no Convulsive motion, unless haply the Brain be drawn into consent; like as we may plainly see the truth of this in the pains of the Teeth, the Eyes, the Pleura Membrane, the Colon Intestine, and the like pains; in all which it is not the Nerves (appointed for motion) but rather the Membranes that are affected, with­out any kind of Convulsion. And the very same happeneth in the Gout, in which the membranous parts that are about the Joynts, and knit together the extremities of the Joynts, are either distended, or twinged and pulled by the Humors flowing thereunto.

There are some indeed who assert, that the very Cavity or hollow space that is between the extremities of the Bones do receive the Humors that flow thereunto, and that this space is the true subject of the Cause breeding the Gout. But this is false, as anon we shall shew you in the Third Question.

The Proxime or next Cause of the Gout pain (as in other parts likewise) is the solution of Continuity, which is produced by the afflux of the sharp Humors into the Membranous parts about the Joynts either by distending them, or else by their acrimony at once both pricking and pulling them.

Now those things that accompany this pain, are First, an impotency and weak­ness of the motion; Symptoms of the gout and by the motion of the joynt the pain is irritated and augmen­ted. And then also a swelling (and this for the most part with a redness and heat) followeth upon it, and is discerned more especially in the extream joynts; and yet nevertheless, there appeareth now and then only a moist and waterish swelling without any redness at al. In the Hip and Shoulder blade (being fleshy places) there scarcely appeareth any swelling at all externally, but the Humor that hath flown thereunto lieth hid and covered by the flesh. And there is also a Feaver (a conti­nued one) that almost alwaies with a pain invadeth in the Arthritis, or Gout in general, and oftentimes also in the Gout of the Feet and Knees; and the sick person is first of all taken with an extream Chilness, and then presently a heat followeth upon it; and this is the Cause that the sick persons are so vexed and troubled with thirst, and that the pulse is changed, and that the Urines become very red, which oftentimes at the first beginning are waterish. But now what kinde of Feaver this is that accompanieth the Gout, in this many Authors differ, as below, in the fourth Question, we shall shew you. And somtimes there are likewise other Symp­toms that follow upon the said pain; and among the rest, watchings, restlessness, and a Spasm.

If the Gout continue long, and often afflict the sick party, then at the length there are generated in the joynts hard knots and knobs, from the more thick part of the serous or wheyish Humor, that even of its own accord tendeth to a Coagulation or Clotting together; and if the Skin be opened, out there runneth a matter, somtimes fluid and white, and somtimes like unto Playster or white Lime; and somtimes the matter is hard, like unto gravelly stones that may be crumb­led.

This Malady is likewise known to disperse it self among the common People, the Cause being Generated from the general and common fault and vice either of the Air, or of the ordinary diet in many places. But now, whether it may at any time happen by Reason of any defect of that kind of fruit we call Mul­berries, we shall further discuss this point anon, in the fift Question.

Chap. 2. Of the Causes of the Gout.

THe Proxime or nighest Cause of this pain in the Gout, is the Solution of Unity in the Membranous parts about the joynts: The cause of the gout. Solution of Unity in the Gout from whence it happeneth Now this solution proceedeth not (as Capivaccius wil have it) only from a Compression of the sensible parts about the joynt, caused by a preternatural repletion of the Ligaments with a Humor flowing thereto. For why, the Ligaments are most solid, and most thick, in so much that (in the first place) they themselves cannot admit of the Humors; and the pain is oftentimes in the highest degree, (when there is scarcely any swelling appearing,) and indeed far greater then that it should possibly be caused by compression only. This pain is therefore rather caused by the distention, and twinging, or pricking, in the sensible and tender parts about the Joynt.

But now, what the Cause of this distention, Pulling, and Pricking, is, cannot easily be explained, by reason of the difference in Opinions (among Physitians,) touching the same. For some there are that teach us how that the Gout is generated only from a distemper; others from a Winde; a third sort, only from a Humor; and some of these will have this Humor to be flegm, others Choler, others Flegm with Choler; others assert it to be Flegm mingled with blood; others, Crude and Watery blood; others say that it is a whey; and others there are that admit of all these Humors. And indeed some affirm that this Humor floweth down from the Head, others again from the internal parts; others from the external parts be­tween the Skul and the Skin; some again wil have it to flow forth of the Veins, and others by both these waies; touching which we intend to discourse more at large, below, in the seventh Question.

But in brief, The neer­est causes of the gout that we may here in a word state the Controversie, the immediate and neerest Cause of the Gout is a Humor, partly distending the parts of a quick sense about the joynt, and partly pricking and lancing them, to wi [...], the serous or wheyish Humor, and yet such as is not waterish, but Salt and sharp, and (as the Chymists call it) Tartarous; bred in the sanguification, in the Liver, and in the Spleen, and by Nature thrust forth by the Veins and Arteries into the parts about the joynt. And indeed this Humor is altogether of a peculiar Nature, and much different from these other Humors that breed an inflammation in other parts; and it hath its original from the same kind of Aliment that Plants draw from the Earth. For in all sorts of Earth there is somthing that is saltish, and partaking of a Mine­ral Nature. Which whether we call it the Salt of the Earth, or else Tartar (with the common sort of Chymists) it matters not with me, so that we agree in the thing it self.

And yet notwithstanding it seems not al one to me, Whether the Salt of the Earth and Cartar differ. whether we call it the Salt of the Earth, or else Tartar. For Salt is indeed a simple Body of its own kind; but Tartar (as it is in truth taken here generally in this place by the Chymists) is a com­pound of Salt, and Earth, yea and of Sulphur likewise. From whence also it is that there are constituted Differences of such like Earths; and so there ariseth a diversity of the Humor breeding the Gout in divers Bodies and places. And from either the abundance or scarcity of this Salt, and the mixture of it with other Juyces there arise various differences of Earths; so that some of them are dirty, others muddy, a third sort Clayish, a fourth sandy and Crumbling, a fifth Limye; and in some Earths there is an abundance of that we call Marle, in others Chalk, and in others there is somthing else that aboundeth: and in some Earths (in the which likewise Bread Corn grows very plentifully) there is so great a store of this Salt, that even out of them there may be destilled a certain spirit that dissolveth Metals. That Salt or Tartar is attracted from Plants (together with their Aliment) out of the Earth; and hence it is derived into men unto whom those Plants serve for Meat and Drink: and unless it be severed and separated in a Convenient manner, it is at length mingled together with the blood, and being altogether unfit for the nourishing of the Body it is in the end driven down and thrust into the joynts, for those Causes that we shal anon declare unto you. And this Salt Humor that caus­eth the Gout oftentimes cometh very neer unto the Nature of spirits (as the Chy­mists call them) such as are those of Wine, and other Vegetables, endued with a volatile Salt; as also of Salt, Vitriol, Nitre, and Aqua Fortis; which although that they are thin, Subtile, and Resemble the Nature of Water, yet notwithstan­ding they contain in them a most sharp and biting Salt. And this Salt is contained as well in the Arteries, as in the Veins; from whence likewise it is, that being most subtile it exciteth very extream, intollerable, and most acute pains. For it is not requisite, that those Humors should alwaies hurt the Body in a thick and gross manner; but oftentimes they are made spiritual, as we shal afterwards also (in the Causes) shew you, touching Wine. And many things there are that teach us the truth of this. First of all the very vehemency and fiercenss of the pain it self, which cannot possibly proceed from a Flegmatick or watry Humor, or else from Blood distending the parts; but from a very sharp Humor, being oftentimes in­deed but little in its quantity and bulk, but yet in power very great, and most effi­cacious. And moreover it appeareth from this, that at length there are generated in the Joynts certain hard knobs and knots; out of which there is taken, and goeth [Page 7]forth a matter like unto Lime, such as also some certain Wines before they be wrackt and taken off their Lees do yield forth; which happeneth not at all in other Tumors, which are rather turned into Pus, then any such matter as this; and therefore it sufficiently sheweth that the Gout hath some other peculiar cause, that the rest of the Tumors or swellings have not. And Thirdly, the Causes do argue and prove the same; since that there is nothing that maketh more for the generation of the Gout then Wine, which most of all aboundeth with such a Salt and Tartar as we mentioned before; there being no plant (as we shall also further shew you below) that doth more attract that that is Salt, Clayie, and Limye, in the Earth, then the Vine it self; although indeed o­ther Plants likewise, (as Wheat and Barley) do draw unto them the very same mat­ter as the Vine doth, but in nothing neer so great an abundance. Yea, and this matter is somtimes likewise contemed in the Water; and from hence it is, that now and then such as are Abstemious, or that otherwise by reason of their poverty they drink no Wine, but Water, are yet troubled with the Gout; and in some places we find that even Beer is exceeding hurtful unto those that are subject unto the Gout, whether this happen by Reason of the Corn there growing (of which they make their Beer) or from the Water they use for the same purpose.

And from hence it cometh to pass, that the Gout in very many places is a Dis­ease almost Epidemical. And in those very places where the Gout is in a manner Epidemical (as it is in many places of Moravia) the inhabitants there, besides the Gout, are troub [...]ed likewise with the Stone, Colick, and that which ariseth from thence, the Pal [...] and contraction of the Members, and likewise the Falling-sick­ness; which affects (all or most of them) proceed not from the Watery Humor, but also from that which is sharp and Salt. And last of all, even this teacheth us that this Humor is serous or wheyish, that the Gout can by no means be drawn to a suppuration. For the blood is easily turned into Pus, and so are likewise the other Humors; but as for the serous and Salt Humors, this is the Nature of them, that if they be altogether thin, they are then wholly resolved; or if they have any thing that is Tartarous and thick mingled with them, they are then converted into hard knots, and smal Stones that are brittle and crumbling.

This matter, in regard that it cometh neerer unto the Nature of Minerals then of vegetables, it cannot therefore by any means afford a good and fit Aliment unto the Body; and so it ought either immediatly in the First, or else in the Second Concoction to be exp [...]lled; which when it happeneth, the Gout is not then gener­ated. And from hence it is, that many Wine-bibbers, and Gluttons, are free from the Gout; which therefore happeneth, because that they have those their Bowels that are destined for Concoction very strong and vigorous; so that they do exactly separate all whatsoever is Excrementitious in those Meats and Drinks that they take in, and evacuate them by convenient waies. But if this matter be not forthwith evacuated, but be reteined stil in the Body, it is then thrust for­ward hither and thither in the Body, until it be at the length driven unto the Joynts.

And therefore without cause or ground it is (as anon in the 5. Whether Choller, Flegm, or [...]eleacho­ly, &c. be the cause of the gout Question we shall more at large shew you) that by some Choler, Flegm, Melancholly, and Blood, are here accused. For possibly it may be that in one Body this Humor may abound and in another that Humor may be in great abundance, and may together flow unto the pained Joynt: yet nevertheless, that wheyish Humor (which Nature de­sireth to expel forth and therefore thrusts it forward unto the Joyn [...]s) is the first Cause of the motion; and then afterwards the pain likewise stirs up and causeth other humors to flow unto the place affected: and therefore if the Body be Pletho­rical, the blood; but if Cacochymical, then other Humors also are moved unto the place affected. Mean while, those very Humors are not the prime cause of the Gout; and if they had been altogether without that salt and serous Humor, it had never flown unto the joynts, since that there are many that are Plethorick and Ca­cochymick, who yet notwithstanding are not troubled with the Gout. And there­fore what Mercatus writeth, is a truth, to wit, that although juyces or Humors may much abound in the Body, and become very vitious, they do not for this pre­sently degenerate into the Articular affects, and produce the Gout: but that Humor which ought to produce the Gout (as we have already said) is [Page 8]serous, Salt, Sharp, and Tartarous; and hath a peculiar tendency unto the joynts.

And now, What re­quired un­to every fluxion. whereas unto every fluxion there is required the matter flowing, the Term from which, and the place whitherto it tendeth, and the way by which; and that we have now already spoken unto the matter, the cause of the Gout; it remain­eth that we proceed to speak of the Term from whence, (or the place in which the matter is generated) the way by which it floweth, and the term unto which it ten­deth, or the part receiving.

And that we may first of all Treat of the part receiving, (that so we may after­wards Joyntly explain the Causes both internal and external: in the first place, the parts recipient are here the Joynts, (and those of the Feet especially, from which the Gout Podagra hath its original) as weaker then al the rest of the parts, in regard that they are endued with a weaker heat, consisting (as they do) of bones, liga­ments, The part receiving the fluxion in the gout Cartilages, Tendons, Nerves and Membrans; and are further distant from the Fountain of heat; and are likewise greatly exposed unto the injuries of Exter­nal Causes; and are also much weakned by labor and frequent exercises, and hereupon are rendered most apt and ready to receive the Humors that flow there­unto. The weak­ness of the joynts how is concur­eth unto the Gout. And yet notwithstanding the alone imbecillity of the joynts is not sufficient for the generating of the Gout, but there is likewise altogether necessary the fluxion it self.

For (as Galen hath it in his Sixth B. of the preservation of Health Chap. 13.) they who Collect and Treasure up nothing within them that is superfluous, in them these weak and infirm parts remain stil in safety. Of which this is one most evident Argument, that some have for many Months together been very weak and infirm in divers parts of their Body, without any such pain as the Gout bringeth along with it; whereas if weakness a­lone would cause it, the infirm part should perpetually be troubled, there being no Cessation at all of the Cause of its weakness and infirmity. And now therefore, because that it is not perpetually afflicted, (the Cause of its imbecillity being still continued) we may conclude, as a thing most manifest, that there is something else intervening, which is the Cause of the breeding of this affect; and this most certainly is nothing else, but that that is redundant either in quality or quantity. And yet notwithstanding, that the imbecillity of the parts is the necessary cause of the ge­nerating of the Gout, (as the most of the ablest Physitians do assert and determine) is denied by Carolus Piso (in his B. touching Diseases from the affluence of the serous Humor, Consil. [...]. of the Gout) whilest he writeth, that Physitians oftentimes trouble themselves to no purpose, when they admonish us, that there is a very spe­cial regard to be had unto the weakness of the recipient parts, seeing that the Joynts do more easily and readily of their own accord receive and admit the hot Wheyish Humor, then the rest of the Members; this doth not (saith he) proceed from their imbecillity, or from any distemper, that is, loosness, or rarity, but from the very Conformation it self, and this not placed in the Cavity, but rather in the Conjunction with the ends of all the Vessels; which Conformation to alter and change is not at all within our power. And he hath there asserted, that the Joynts for this Reason only admit of and drink in the hot Wheyish Humor, because that in them are terminated the external branches of the internal Vessels. To wit, that the Ebullition or boyling out of this serous Humor doth first of all begin in the greater and the internal Vessels, and that from hence it falleth forth into the lesser, and at length into the extream branches, which having no other place whither they they may pour back the Humor they have received in, it is thereupon stopt and heaped up together in the joynts, in which the external Vessels (almost al of them) are terminated. All which although it may seem very agreeable unto the truth, yet notwithstanding two things there are that must here be taken notice of. The former is this, that although it be true, that those greater Trunks of the hollow Vein, and the Arteries, (their branches being dispersed hither and thither) are for the greatest part of them terminated in the joynts: yet Nevertheless there are likewise many of those branches which here and there are Terminated in the Flesh, and other parts, and yet for all that they Transfuse not the matter of the Gout into those parts. And moreover also the matter of the Gout is not alwaies poured forth [Page 9]even unto the extream Joynts, but that it oftentimes also stops and staies in the mid-way, in the Hip, Knees, and Elbows. The other thing to be taken notice of, is this, that albeit that Conformation of the Vessels (by reason of which they are terminated into the Joynts) cannot be changed; yet notwithstanding the Laxity and weakness of the parts into which they are ingrafted may in some measure be changed by those medicaments that cotroborate, although it be the least part of the Cure (as hath been said) that is to be expected from these.

But besides the imbecillity of the Joynts, Why the humor that is the cause of the gout is moved unto the Joynts ra­ther than to the other parts. there is yet something else that seemeth to me to be the Cause why this humor is moved unto the Joynts rather than to any other parts; which conceit of mine I submit (as a Paradox only) and leave it unto the free judgment of the Judicious and Candid Reader; and it is this. It is most certain, that the Blood in our Bodies is not altogether homogeneous, but obtaineth divers parts, and that divers parts of the Body are nourished by those different parts of the Blood; as the Flesh by the more tem­perate, the Bones by the thicker, the Lungs by the more subtile, and so likewise the rest of the parts attract unto themselves from the blood a fit and convenient Nutriment. And this seemeth also to be proved by the stone called Osteocolla (so called because that it hath in it a notable virtue of Conglutinating the broken Bones) which being taken inwardly penetra­teth into the Bones, rather than into any other parts, and causeth that the Calli are genera­ted in a very short time; yea, in those that are yong it produceth an overgreat Callus; as we may see in Guilhelm. Fabricius his first Century, Observat. 90. & 91. Neither are these things done in a sound Body only; but even the vitious humors likewise have not an incli­nation al of them, neither are they al driven unto any one part; but some of them tend unto one part, and others of them unto other parts; and this we are taught, as by other diseases, so more especially by the Plica Polonica above mentioned. And therefore seeing that Her­cules Saxonia in his Book of the Plica, Chap. 26. writeth nothing but the truth, when he saith that the humor (the Cause of the Plica) hath a propriety not wel agreeing with the Joynts, Ligaments, Tendons, Nerves, and al the Membranes; but a certain familiarity with the Hairs and the extream part of the skin: I conceive that I may also as rightly Assert that the Humor the Cause of the Gout hath a certain kind of familiarity and natural alliance with the Bones; but that it is an Enemy unto the Membranous parts, if not in an occult manner, yet certainly by its Acrimony, and by its twinging and lancing faculty. For very probable it is, seeing that the Bones as also the Ligaments and tendons, are nourished by a Blood that is more Earthy, as having an alliance with the Tartarous humor; that other Tartarous humors also (as wel the thick, as the subtile) are thrust forth more unto the Joynts than unto any o­ther parts; and more especially unto the Joynts of extream parts, since that Nature (as much as possibly she can) is wont to thrust forth the vitious humors from the principal places unto the most remore parts. For although it be so somtimes that Nature doth not present­ly thrust forth into the extream Joynts of the Feet or the Hands the matter that is the Cause of the Gout, but that it stops and staies in the mid'st of some Joynt; yet notwithstanding afterwards when the pains begin Nature (if she be yet any thing strong) driveth back a­gain into the greater Veins the Matter by the same waies by which it flowed in; and from hence she thrusts it forward even unto the extream Joynts: touching which, as also whether there lie any thing hid in the very Bones themselves that may make for the ex­citing of the Arthritick Paroxysm, we shal speak more hereafter in the eighth Que­stion.

Secondly, Whether the Gout be genera­ted by a collection of the hu­mors. As touching these humors (that are the Cause of the Gout) where they are Generated, and by what waies they pass into the Joynts, the Opinions of Physitians are va­rious and different; of which we shal speak further in the seventh Question. But now that I may in few words comprize the sum and substance of the thing in question; seeing that al swellings, and the preternatural Collection of humors in any part, is done two waies; to wit, either by Congestion by which the humor is by little and little collected and heaped up in the part, or else by Afflux; we cannot conceive that the former of these waies hath any place in the Gout. For if by Congestion and the alone weakness of the parts the humor should be collected in the Joynts, then the pain and swelling could not be bred so suddenly, so easily, and so evidently; and the infirm part should perpetually labor and suffer, in re­gard that the Cause of this distemper and pain should never be absent from it. But now, since that Persons that have the Gout are not in a continual suffering condition, but that some of them are free for six months together, and that afterward the matter again floweth unto the Joynts, and that indeed suddenly, to wit, when there is a vitious humor collected in the Body, which urgeth and provoketh Nature unto the expulsion thereof: it easily from hence [Page 10]appeareth that the Gout is not generated by the collection of humors, that is not done but by degrees, now a little, and then a little. And therefore the most learned Solenander writeth truly in his fourth Sect. Consil. 24 The humor (saith he) which is by little and little collected by the vice and fault of the particle of Nourishing, if at any time it could excite pain, and hinder the Motion, The long continu­ance of the Gout from whence it is. yet notwithstanding there was never yet any Physitian that ever told us that it could excite the Disease we call the Gout. But this notwithstanding in the mean time I deny not, that in those who are scarcely ever wel in their Feet or other Joynts, the imbe­cillity and weakness of the Joynts may possibly conduce very much unto the long lasting and continuation of the Malady. For the part that is infirm and weak doth not rightly assimilate the Aliment unto it self, but collecteth the excrements, and thereupon it likewise the more easily receiveth the humors flowing unto it, and the more difficultly scattereth them when they are gotten together.

Felix Platerus indeed maketh mention of a certain peculiar kind of Gout; Peculiar kinds of the Gout. such almost as we shal likewise make mention of a little below (in the Sixth Question) out of Erastus; which is excited, not by the matter that floweth from elsewhere, but from the excrement that is heaped up together from the Blood about the Region of the Joynts, the place affected being extreamly weakned from the many fluxions, and there heaping to­gether new excrements, and causing a pain that is not very grievous or intollerable, which produceth a moist and watry kind of swelling rather than any other; and he asserts it for a most certain truth, that those who are thus affected are very seldom or never free from the Gout; and somtimes by reason of the affluence of the humor, and somtimes again by the congestion and he [...]ing of it up; from the one or the other of these Causes they alwaies carry about with them certain signs and tokens of the same, and are continually suffering somthing or other by reason of it.

But the truth is, this is no peculiar kind of the Gout; and if so be that it differ from the Gout which we have described, it is not then the Gout, but rather a moist and watry swel­ling in the Feet. And hence it is that Platerus himself confesseth that it very seldom or ne­ver first beginneth of it self, but that it is wont to follow some other that was caused from af­fluxion. To wit, by pain, and the long continued and frequent afflux of the humors the Joynts are so weakned, that they cannot rightly concoct the Aliment that floweth unto them; much less assimilate the same unto themselves; and hence it is that there are many Excrements collected; and these being heaped up do excite that moist and watry swelling without any grievous pain: which swelling notwithstanding (if the pain proper unto the Gout be not present with it) is not properly the Gout. But if the true Arthritis or Gout be joyned together with it, the debilitated part cannot then without much difficulty, and long time, discuss and scatter the humor that hath flown unto it; and hereupon it hapenneth that before one humor be dispersed (which as Hippocrates writeth, is seldom or never before the fortieth day) another humor floweth unto it, and so the sick Person may seem continual­ly as it were to be afflicted with the Gout; or likewise, if the Afflux be but by short inter­vals, he is in very deed perpetually troubled therewith.

But now, From whence the Afflux pro­ceedeth. in what manner, and from whence this afflux proceedeth, here likewise Authors seem to differ much among themselves. But if waving and laying aside Authority, we heedfully attend and observe the thing it self, and those things that are done about the sick person, we shal easily perceive that this Afflux is by the Veins and Arteries. For in such as are troubled with the Gout (upon the very first approach of the Paroxysm) the Vessels that tend unto the Hands and the Feet, and are inserted into the extream Joynts, are wont manifestly to swel. And then again, this Disease doth suddenly invade, and the afflux is wont to be very sudden, which cannot happen but only by the Veins and Arteries. And moreover, How and from whence the Afflux is in the Gout. it easily passeth out of one place into another, especially if cooling and repelling Medicaments be applied unto the part affected; and that pain that but even now afflicted the Foot, this Foot is no sooner freed therefrom, but it presently beginneth to afflict the other Foot, or the hand. Or, if Nature lie under the burden, and be not able to expel those viti­ous Humors (these sticking fast about the Bowels, and especially about the Heart) there are then excited streightnings of the Heart, and faintings, with swounding fits (as I have oftentimes observed) which cease not until that the vitious Humor be again driven out into another Joynt: which motion of the humor cannot be but by the common Vessels. And furthermore, Feavers (as wel continual as intermitting) are somtimes terminated into the Gout; which could not be, unless the matter were in the Veins. And lastly, a Feaver is wont to happen, and a change in the Pulse, which sheweth that the Humor is contained in the Veins and Arteries.

And therefore seeing that this Humor (the cause of the Gout) is contained within the Veins and Arteries, and out of them poured forth into the Joynts; Where the Humor, the cause of the gout, is generated. without doubt it must of necessity be generated in some Concoction of the Blood, and indeed such a Concoction as out of which the Veins and Arteries receive that Humor which they contain: and this we determine to be in the Liver and Spleen, the Sanguification being there hurt in its own manner.

But now, the Causes (by reason of which this humor is generated) are two: For what causes it is generated. The former whereof is somthing amiss in the Liver and Spleen, and more especially the excessive heat and driness of those parts; and then the other cause thereof (this being indeed the chief and principal) is such a kind of Aliment from Meats and Drink as maketh a continual supply of such a like Tartarous matter.

As for the first of these, The Stomach may indeed likewise confer somwhat hereunto, if in it the Chyle be not rightly elaborated; and if that after this Concoction the Tartarous feces or dregs be not most of them instantly separated: and hence it is also that al Physitians warn us in the preventing of the Gout, to have a special regard unto the first Concoction: and yet notwithstanding that hurt Concoction of the stomach doth not most immediately con­duce unto the generating of the Gout, but that there is a necessity that the Concoction in the Liver and Spleen should likewise be hurt. For if there be any thing amiss in these (which cannot indeed very easily and determinately be demonstrated and made to appear) it then cometh to pass that the unuseful parts, salt and tartarous (which are in the Chyle) can­not be rightly separated, but remain mingled with the blood, and together with it are deri­ved unto the Veins. And by reason of this Vice and fault of these Bowels it happeneth that oftentimes from Meats and Drinks in themselves not very hurtful some persons are very ea­sily offended; and on the contrary, others that have strong Bowels (in whom the Conco­ction of the blood, and the separation of the excrements is rightly performed) although they usually feed upon meats apt to breed the Gout, and fil themselves also with Wine (and that likewise none of the wholsomest) they are not yet for al this at al troubled with the Gout.

But what this distemper of the Liver and Spleen is, What kind of distem­per it is that ma­keth for the gout. cannot so easily be explained and un­folded. And yet nevertheless, if any one shal determine it to be a hot and dry distemper, I shal not at al gain-say him. But in what manner this hot and dry distemper doth effect what hath been said, this is not so clear. Franciscus Vallesius tels us for a truth, That by this di­stemper there is strongly pressed forth a water from the rest of the Juyces; which is not pro­bable, unless it be fitly explained. For this we willingly grant, That if the Liver be more hot and dry than what naturally it should be, instead then of a moderate Elixation or boy­ling there wil be a certain Assation or rosting; and so the blood that is generated must needs be sharp. Others affirm (and indeed not unfitly) that the Liver and Spleen when they are vehemently and intemperately hot, attract the serous and salt Juyce in the Food, which ought to have been separated and evacuated in the first Concoction, and so it comes to be mingled together with the blood. Yea, and haply also in the distempered Liver it self and Spleen the Blood is not wel elaborated; and somthing there is left remaining therein that ought by right to have been separated, which being afterwards heaped up in the Veins is the cause of the Gout.

And I am of Opinion that the very same happeneth in the Liver and Spleen, that happe­neth in the Reins. For many there are that eat Cheese and other meats that are very apt to breed [...]he Stone, and yet notwithstanding they do not generate the same; whereas others on the contrary, in whose Reins there is a sandy, gravelly, and stony constitution (as Fer­nelius calleth it) or a power in the Reins of breeding the stone, these are easily offended by the meats aforesaid. And I conceive that the case is the same in the Gout; and that there is a certain vitious constitution in the Bowels of those that are troubled with the Gout; and I am of Opinion that this vitious Constitution is the efficient cause of that Salt, or Tartar, by reason of which that Humor which is the cause of the Gout is produced, which when it once cometh to abound, it is then afterwards thrust forth unto the Joynts. And this vitious constitution is communicated unto some from their Parents; and by others it is contracted from the use of Meat and Drink of a like Nature, and likewise from the Errors they commit in the whol course of their Dyet.

And moreover, Although the faculty of the Bowels be wel constituted; yet if the Meat and Drink abound with such a like Tartarous matter, it cannot al of it be evacuated by Na­ture, in regard that neither in the first Concoction, nor yet in the second, it cannot be separa­ted as it ought to be, but remains stil mingled with the Blood. But yet in the mean time [Page 12](as much as may be) it is altered by Nature, and by her spiritualized also (if I may so speak) or as Mercatus speaketh, it is attenuated, poured abroad, and changed into a thin, spiritful, and sharp humor, which is afterwards by Nature thrust unto the Joynts. For the Joynts (as I said before) are parts that are weak, and extream, bony, and bloodless, unto which Nature is wont to thrust not only the serous Humors, but whatsoever likewise hath any al­liance at al with the Humor that floweth. But now the imbecility of the Joynts is either Na­tive or acquired. The weak­ness of the Joynts twofold. It may then be said to be Native, when either the Joynts themselves in their first structure are more loose, softer, and more apt to receive the Humors flowing unto them; or else when they have either from the Parents, or from the Grand Parents thus affe­cted, by a right of Inheritance (as it were) contracted this distemper and weakness. But it may then be said to be acquired, when the Joynts are weakned either by overmuch labor, excess and injuries of the Air, or other Causes altering the Joynts.

But now, Why the Humor is moved to the joynts. that the Humor which is heaped up in the Veins, and about the Bowels, should be moved unto the Joynts, this cometh to pass, Because that Nature being stirred up and forced by the abundance of vitious humors, attempteth the expulsion of them. And yet if any thing happen that may move the humors, the Paroxysm is then more easily excited. And this cometh to pass if any one be provoked to wrath, or stricken with terror, or any other vehement affect of the mind, or if any shal be very hor, and then suddenly cool again on one and the same day, or else shal exercise himself immoderately, or make use of the Bath unseasonably. And this is likewise done by the retention of the usual and accustomed sweat, or the excess in qualities of the Ambient Air, and the change thereof; and more especially that change that is made at certain times of the Yeer: and it is manifest by Experience, that about the beginning of the Spring, and Autumn, the Blood is moved and stirred up and down in the Body; and if there be any thing faulty in it, Nature is wont to expel it unto the more ignoble parts; from whence arise scabbiness, the Erysipelas, Feavers, Gouts, and many other Diseases, according to the various disposition of bodies.

From al which it is easie to find out the Antecedent, The Ante­cedent causes. Procatartick, and altogether re­mote Causes, as also the external and internal Causes; which (of what kind soever they be) either they make for the generating of the matter and humor producing the Gout; or else they weaken the joynts; or else lastly, they so cause it that the humors are moved and excited.

But since that these are various, and that some of them do concur more waies for the gene­rating of the Gout than others, they may therefore be considered according to those things we cal Things not Natural.

And first of al, Air. As for the Air, We have already said that in the Spring time the Gout is most chiefly excited; and then again in the Autumn, by reason of the motion and change of the Humors that happeneth at that time. And the truth is, the Gout is wont in the Spring time most especially to infest the party, because that the humors that have been al the Win­ter long heaping up, are wont then to be poured abroad, and moved up and down, as Luci­an telleth us in most elegant Verses making a description thereof, in his Tragopodagra.

And the very same may likewise be somtimes effected by other distempers of the Air: and like as the moist Constitution of the Air doth otherwise produce Catarrhs and Fluxes; so it likewise oftentimes causeth the Gout. And without doubt that Epidemical Gout (of which out of Athenaeus we shal anon in the fift Question make mention) was at first produ­ced by some peculiar Constitution of the Air.

And moreover, the Course of Dyet that is observed doth make very much for the genera­ting of the Gout; and especially the drinking of strong Wines, by which alone many have attracted the Gout unto themselves; as Quintus Serenus writeth of Ennius.

And indeed there is no one thing that is more offensive and hurtful unto persons that are troubled with the Gout than the drinking of Wine, as we find it to be true by common expe­rience. For there is nothing that obtaineth more of that Tartarous matter (or call it what you please) that is so apt and fit to generate the Gout than Wine.

Which matter although (as we said a little before) it may in some stronger bodies be separated; yet nevertheless, those that find themselves subject to the Gout, having but weak and infirm bowels, have no reason (after the example of other insatiable Wine-drinkers) to indulge themselves any liberty in the drinking of Wine; but it is far more fit for them to abstain from it. And so on the contrary, many have been freed from the Gout by their ab­staining from Wine. The gout cured by abstinence from Wine. And Trincavel (in his twelfth Book, and second Chapter, of the way of Curing the several parts of Mans Body) writeth that he knew a very aged Physitian at Ve­nice, who having been exceedingly troubled with the Gout al his life long, even unto his old [Page 13]Age, at length by abstaining from Wine for five yeers only, he came to be so freed from all those troublesom and painful fits that attend the Gout, that he was ever after (even to the very last of his old Age, and to the hour of his death) altogether freed from these pains. And Franciscus Alexander (in Descriptione Diacorallii) writeth likewise that one Francis Pechius, a man fifty yeers of age, and troubled with the Gout, was cast into Prison by a certain Marquess, and there kept twenty yeers; and that he was ever after this freed from the Gout. And Solenander also (in his 5. Sect. Consil. 1.) relateth of a certain Wid­dow, a Spaniard both, that having omitted and left off the use of Wine (which yet not­withstanding she had but very sparingly made use of after the custom of her Country, and alwaies diluting it with Water) she was never more after that troubled with the Gout. And there are many other such like known Histories of them that have either been cast into Prison, or else have been reduced unto poverty, and so have of necessity abstained from Wine, and thereby been freed from the Gout. To wit, whereas the next and most imme­diate Cause of the Gout (as we likewise told ye before) is some certain thing that hath as it were the Nature of a Mineral, and this altogether unfit for the nourishing of the body (such like as is to be found in al kind of Earths, but yet in some more, in some less) the Vine attracteth it more powerfully than other Plants (and that this is so, appeareth even from that Tartar which is to be found more abundantly in the Vine than in any other Plant, and in that Vines wil grow and thrive in those places wherein other Plants wil not prosper, as not having aliment enough; the Vines contenting themselves in a manner only with that ve­ry salt of the Earth) which afterward together with the Wine (although variously changed) is derived into Mans body, and being there heaped up it affordeth matter unto the Gout.

And yet notwithstanding there are likewise some kind of Meats and Drinks that make ve­ry much for the breeding of the Gout; and there are somtimes Waters to be found that ge­nerate the Gout; and in those places where the Gout is Epidemical not only the rich that drink Wine, but the poor also that drink Water, are afflicted with the Gout. And so likewise Julius Alexandrinus writeth (in his fifteenth Book of things that are wholsom, and sixt chapter) that he knew a certain person troubled with the Gout; in whom by the eating of Carps and Breams the Gout was perpetually bred. So that he could when he listed by this means bring the Gout upon himself. And moreover, The gout caused by the eating of Carps. Wholsom Wines. Wines they are not al of them of one and the same kind. For some of them proceed from a sandy Earth, and contain less of this Tartarous matter. And such are those Wines that grow at Jassen (a Town hard by) called Gorubergensian Wines; which although that they be drunk in great abundance by the Inhabitants of that place, yet I never heard of any of them that was there troubled with the Gout. And such Wines as these are likewise to be found in many other places. Wines ux­wholsom. But on the contrary, those Wines that grow in an Earth that is fat, muddy, clayish, stony, and that hath in it a Mineral Marl, gravel, stones, or any thing else that is Mineral mingled with it, are very apt and ready to generate the Gout; and such are the Wines of Moravia, Bohe­mia, Hungary, and most of the Wines of Austria. And although that the Wines that do not generate the Gout leave oftentimes in the Vessel more Tartar than those Wines that do indeed produce the Gout; yea, and if they be distilled, there is likewise more of the said Tartar found in them than there is in these (like as at Ʋratislavia) as that eminent and famous Physitian Doctor Doringius wrote unto me, of twenty four measures of Renish Wine there were found almost three ounces of Tartar; whereas in the distillation of as many Measures of the Tocavian Wine, that is accounted the strongest of al the Hungarian Wines, there were scarcely two drams of Tartar to be found, yet nevertheless al this maketh nothing against what we have said. For those Wines have that Salt or Tartar superficially only (as I may so say) and in a thick manner mingled together with them; or (that I may speak with the Chymists) they have the Salt as yet fixed; but these have a volatile Salt or Tartar most exactly mingled with them, insomuch that this Salt and Tartar is in a manner made spi­ritual; whereupon it is, that the former of these is more easily separated either in the Sto­mach, or in the Liver, and so is thrust forth either by the belly with the rest of the excre­ments, or else it is voided by Urine; but this other being mingled with the spirit of the Wine passeth into the very Mass of the blood, and so penetrateth into the most inward parts of the body. And that those Salts that were fixed may be made Volatile, the Distillations of Chymists do sufficiently prove; and that the Tartar may be made as it were Spiritual, and elevated by the Alembick, this we are taught by the Tartarized Spirit of Wine: yea, and Me­tals may also be so dissolved in strong Waters and Spirits, that they may not only be strained through paper, but that they may likewise be elevated into the Alem [...]ick: But yet never­theless, [Page 14]in regard that this Salt although it be subtile, is altogether unfit for the nourishing of the body, as partaking of a Mineral Nature (which is not fit for the nourishment of living Creatures) albeit it doth together with the blood penetrate into the Veins; yet not with­standing as superfluous and useless it is at length by Nature cast forth of the Veins and Arte­ries, and thrust out unto the Joynts. And therefore, whether or no Wine be apt to gene­rate and cause the Gout, we are in the first place to judg of this by the place where it grow­eth, and its effect; and then next of al by the strength therof. For by how much the stron­ger Wines are, by so much the more exactly and subtilly is this Salt mingled with them, and becometh more spiritual: like as it appeareth in the Spirit of Wine that is Tartarizated, which is more strong than the simple Spirit of Wine.

All which notwithstanding is thus to be taken, if by reason of the distemper and weak­ness of the Bowels (as we also said before) that which in the Wine is Excrementitious and Tartarous, may not be separated. For if it may be separated, the Wine wil then be whol­som, and without any hurt in it. Yea, and if any such Wine could be had that having but little of such a like Tartarous matter in it should yet strengthen the weak Bowels that do not wel separate these Excrements, and so shal help the Concoction and promote the separa­tion and evacuation of the Excrements, we grant that this would prove to be not only harm­less, but likewise very useful and profitable if moderately drunk. And some tel us that the Pucine Wine is such, and therefore they commend it for the prevention of the Gout. But I much doubt, whether this Wine be in al respects answerable unto what hath been said; and therefore I conceive that it is good first to make trial, and to consult with Experi­ence.

We have indeed above spoken somthing as touching the cause for which certain Wines breed and cause the Gout: wine, how it doth ge­nerate the gout. but yet nevertheless, my desire and purpose is here to explain the thing, and so to make the matter somwhat more cleerly to appear. I think it to be a very plain and cleer truth, that Wine produceth the Gout, not as it is Wine, but as it containeth in it somthing that is unfit, and somthing likewise that is extraneous, and unuseful unto our bodies, which is therefore by Nature thrust forth unto the Joynts. And this appeareth if by nothing else, yet by this, That there are some certain Wines that do not generate the Gout; and such are our Gorubergensian Wines, and many others also, that here in these Regions grow in Sandy places. For albeit these Wines be drunk for a dayly and ordinary drink, and that not scantly, but very plentifully; yet there was never any that from hence contracted the Gout. But on the contrary, the Moravian, Bohemian, Austrian, Hunga­rian, and likewise very many more Wines of other Regions, are most apt to breed the Gout. Yea, and not only the Wines, but even the Waters of some places, dogenerate the Gout. And so it was related unto me by that eminent Physitian, Dn. D. Tobias Knoblo­chius, In certain places wa­ters also generate the gout. that at Iglavia in Moravia (where he had practised Physick there for some yeers) that not only the Wealthier sort of People that drank Wine, but even the poor who hardly ever tasted a Cup of Wine, were al of them very subject unto the Gout, Colick, and Falling­sickness, Diseases Epidemical in that place.

But now, What that is that ma­keth that certain wines are apt to breed the gout. Inquiry is to be made, What that should be which maketh that certain Wines are apt to generate the Gout. Where we are first of al to take notice, that nothing doth nourish (touching which we have spoken elswhere) but what proceedeth from things ani­mated, or enlivened. And therefore al other things, as Minerals, Metals, and divers kinds of Earths, are unapt to nourish our bodies; and thereupon if they be at any time taken in, they are again to be evacuated either by the Urine, or else by the belly; and this if it be not done, they are then by Nature thrust into the Joynts, and so they there generate the Gout. And therefore those Vines that grow in a sandy Earth, that is not at al fat and rank, have nothing that they may attract and draw unto them, besides the Alimentary Juyce: but those that grow in Clayish grounds, or any other fat Earths, do not attract unto themselves only a vegetable juyce, but also a Mineral juyce as it were, and such as is wholly unuseful for our bo­dies, which is not unfitly termed Tartar, a substance, to wit, that consisteth of a fixed and vola­tile Salt, and of an Earthy and almost Mineral matter; such as not only sticketh fast unto the sides of Casks, but is likewise throughly mingled with the substance of the Wine. And this is altogether the Nature of Salts, that they reduce other bodies into the smallest Atomes, and then do associate the Atomes unto themselves. We may see an Experiment of this in the dissolving of Metals in strong Waters, in which the Metals (bodies otherwise thick) are so united unto the salt of the Waters that dissolve them, that they may pass through a Card or Paper. And the very same we likewise see in the dissolving of Pearls, Margarites, Cerals, and Crabs Eyes, which sticking fast unto the Salt of the Vinegar, are throughly mingled [Page 15]with the Water, and may be strained through a Card; but being precipitated they will dissolve no further. We have likewise an Example hereof in Vitriol, which being dissolved in Water may likewise be strained through a Card: but when the vitriol is Calcined, and the Salt drawn forth of it, there remaineth an Earth that is not dissolveable by any liquor whatsoever. And so in hot Baths of Water there is an Earthy substance so exactly mingled therewithal, that it cannot possily be discovered by any sense. But yet when this afterwards shall stick fast unto the wooden and stony pipes, and shal subsist apart by it self, it is not then any further to be dissolved in Water. From all which it appeareth that the Gout is not gener­ated without Salt; and without doubt the sharpest and most extream pains in the Gout are from Salt: but yet we say not that Salt alone, pure Salt doth this; since that there are Wines in many Regions that have Salt also, and yet for all that they do not generate the Gout; but there concurreth moreover a matter that is Clayish, Limy, Marly, or some Mineral which the Vine had attracted out of the ground, toge­ther with the nourishment, concocted it, and mingled it with the Alimentary matter and so communicated it unto the Grapes; and hence the Wine also that is pressed forth of the Graps receiveth and reteineth it. And hereupon it is that we see, how that in the Joynts of such as are troubled with the Gout there are somtimes genera­ted hard knobs and knots, and that there is as it were Lime taken forth of them; which indeed is nothing else but that same Mineral Matter which the Salt of the Wine drew along with it, and which at the length (as altogether unuseful and un­fit for the nourishment of the Body) is thrust forth unto the Joynts. Now therefore (that we may come unto the Question, why some Wines do generate the Gout, and others do not so) the more any Wine hath of this matter, what wines they are that do more ge­nerate the gout, and what, less. and this throughly mingled with it by the smallest Atomes, by so much the more powerful it is for the generating of the Gout. Which cometh to pass, in the first place, by Reason of the soyl, to wit, where the Wines grow, whether in a Muddy ground, or that that is Clayish, Limy, Marly, or any other Mineral Earth. And furthermore in the Second place, if the Wines shall not be wholly purifyed and freed from their Tartar, but still remain as it were thick and turbid; and this happeneth first of al in Wines that are new, and not yet wrackt by turning them from Vessel to Vessel; and then Secondly in some certain Wines that wil never be altogether cleer; such as are those of Hungaria, &c. And Thirdly, if that Tartarous matter be so through­ly mingled with the Wine in the smallest Atomes, that it cannot be separated from our bodies, neither in the first, nor yet in the second Concoction; which for the most part happeneth in Generous and strong Wines, and such as grow in places hot­ter then ordinary. For Wines that are not strong and generous, although that even these may contain in them some of the said Tartarous matter: yet notwithstanding, in regard that the heat of the Country was not so powerful that it was able (either in the Vine, or in the Grapes,) to mingle this Tartarous matter with the Spirit that is in the Wine, it is thereupon also afterwards (either in the first, or in the second Con­coction) more easily separated, and driven forth either by the Belly, or by Urine.

But if by the Air of a hotter Country, that doth concoct more powerfully, that same Tartarous matter be exactly mingled together with the Salt and spirit of the Wine, it then refuseth to be severed by the separating faculty, and so penetrateth it self into the whole Body with the Alimentary part. But yet because that it is al­together unfit to nourish the Body, it is at length by Nature thrust forth unto the Joynts, and there it generateth the Gout. And that this is so, we are taught by the experience we have even of the Hungarian Wines. For although (as experience it self testifyeth) they be most apt of themselves to generate the Gout; yet (as we told you a little before) it is observed in the destillation of the Hungarian, and Renish Wine, that there was more of the Tartarous matter collected out of the Re­nish then out of the Hungarian. Which happeneth for no other cause but this, to wit, that in the Wines of Hungary that Tartarous matter is by the smallest Atomes so exactly mingled with the spirit of the Wine, that together with the said spirit it may likewise pass through by the Alembick. whether meats that are moist and wate­rish do breed the gout.

Carolus Piso, amongst those Causes from which the matter of the Gout is hea­ped up in the Veins, putteth likewise moist and waterish meats for one, as broths, raw fruits, and the like. But he doth this upon a false Hypothesis or Supposition, whilest he mistakingly determineth that the Serum or whey is a meer and pure Wa­ter; [Page 16]whereas yet notwithstanding Experience it self teacheth us the contrary; and there was never any man yet known to get the Gour from the alone use of moist and watry meats, neither indeed can waterish humors possibly excite such great and so sharp intollerable Pains.

That which likewise maketh very much for the generating of the Gout is the suppression of the wonted evacuations. Thesup­pression of the won­ted. Eva­cuations. And hence it is that Hippocrates (in the sixth of his Aphor. Aphor. 29.) writeth, that Women are never troubled with the Gout but when their Cour­ses fail them; of which notwithstanding we intend to speak more hereafter in the ninth Que­stion. And so the same Hippocrates writeth ( Epid. 6. Sect. 8. text. 55.) that at Abde­dera, Phaetusa the Wife of Pithous having been before (while she was yong) very fruitful in bearing Children, upon a very long absence of her Husband from her her Monthly Courses left her, whereupon afterwards pains and rednesses arose about the Joynts. And the very same (saith he) happened also unto Thaso the Wife of Namylias Gorgippus. And from hence likewise it is, that oftentimes those Persons are wont to sal into the Gout who have had old Ulcers in their Legs, or Fistulaes in the Arse suddenly consolidated or nea­led up, and the Fluxes likewise of other places wholly suppressed. For those humors that are wont to excite those long lasting Ulcers of the Legs, and Fistulaes of the A [...]se, are them­selves also falt; and therefore if they be suppresse [...], they may produce the Gout.

And here there are very many that are wont to be long and tedious in the [...]cital of the Causes (external and internal) who wil not pass over in silence any one of those things we cal not Natural. whether every Er­ror in things not Natural may pro­duce the gout? Venery one great cause of the gout. But although that every Error wh [...] [...]et in the [...] of the things not Na­tural may produce a Cacochymy; yet we deny [...] power to produce the Gout. And of the rest [...] those things that are not nactural, there is hardly any of them that of it self doth produce the Gout, but [...] that by [...] motion, Anger, and Fear, the Paroxysm is excited; and [...] also make very much for the producing of the same: and if the Person [...] [...], long accusto [...] unto those sweats, the retention and suppression of them is an [...] very neer at hand. But yet we grant that excessive Venery doth [...] genera­ting of the Gout, by weakning not only the Joynts and [...], but also [...] whol Body: and hence it is that by the Poets the Gout is said to be the Daughter of Ba [...]chus and Venus.

The Gout is somtimes likewise hereditary; The gout somti [...] [...]eredi [...]ary and a weakness not only of the Joynes, but of the B [...]wels also breeding the vitious humors, is from the Parents and Ancestors communica­ted to their Children and Nephews; whether this happen from the vitious seed; or else that the matter of the Blood in Persons troubled with the Gout is subject and enclined thereun­to, from whence the viral spirits are generated, and all the parts do receive their nourishment. And yet notwithstanding it may so come to pass that Parents that are themselves affected with the Gout may y [...]ege. Children not subject thereunto; and yet their Nephews may notwithstanding at the length be [...]. And indeed there are some of this Opinion that those Children [...] very Paroxysm of the Gout, these shal likewise be born thereunto; whether Children begetten out of the Paroxysm or sis of the gout, may yet be subject thereunto? whether there be a­ny necessity that the gout should be propaga­ted unto the issue? whereas on the co [...]tary, such as are conceived out of the fit of the Gout, these tha [...] be [...]afe and court. But very few perhaps there are that beget Children in the very Parox [...]sm of the Gout: like as we see also that Epileptick Persons may out of their Fit beget Epileprick Children. For the truth is, it is not so that the very matter it self that exciteth the Paroxysm is imparted unto the Children; but only a vitious disposition thereunto, which alone is not sufficient for the producing of the Gout; but that there is required likewise an Afflux of vitious humors. And therefore if those Children shal observe an exact and careful Diet, it may then so come to pass, that the weakness which they contracted from their Parents may be abolished, or else it may be corrected; and humors fit for the breeding of the Gout may not be generated in the Body. And on the contrary, it may so happen that albeit the Child may not be troubled with the Gout, yet nevertheless the Nephew may be affected therewithall, to wit, if he aug­ment by errors in the Course of his Dyet that vice and weakness that was communicated from the Grand-Father by the Father; and so that vitious disposition that was wel neet suppressed and might have been wholly abolished had [...] a good dye [...], is now again by the Errors of his Dyet (as it were) renewed and [...] Unto which we may like­wise add this, that the vice that is in the Fathers seed may somtimer be corrected and amen­ded by the goodness of the Mothers Milk. And moreover these Morbifick seeds may like­wise have their own times, in which they do at length discover themselves (like as we see it to be in Intoxications, and the poyson of a mad Dog) or [...] they altogether lose their strength, and so they quite vanish.

From all which it wil be no hard matter to render a Reason why the rich should be obne­xious and subject unto the Gout rather than the Poor; Why the Rich are more trou­b [...]ed wit [...] the gout than the [...]? it being therefore by the Germans called also the Disease of the Rich. For it is very rarely found, that Boore or Beggars are troubled with the Gout; and hence it is also that the Gout is termed a Dnease hating the Poor: and Jovianus Pontanus hath likewise a Fable to this purpose (in his 5. B. de [...] ­mon, and Chap 1.) that on a time the Gout rambling about, and going into the Country, when it saw there nothing but little Cottages most tudely and unhandsomly buil, and very filthily scituated; and could find there nothing but Mattocks and Pitchforks, Rakes, and such like Rustical Instruments; she turns away from this place as altogether unsit for her enter­tainment, and betakes her self to the City, if haply she might there find better. But being brought into the City, at her first entrance thereinto, she lighteth upon the Shop of a Black Smith; and this she likewise passeth by as altogether unsit for her accommodation: but at length when she had a while rambled about in the City, she at last cometh into a certain house, before whose door was piping and Dancing, and within doors nothing but Jellity and Feasting; and demanding what and whose house this was, when she was answered, that [...]t was the house of Ease and Idleness, and that it was inhabited by slothful Persons that spent all their time in Sleeping, Drinking Wine, and Feasting, she instantly enters the house, saying, This is indeed the house, and this the Palace that is sit for my reception and enten­tainment. And when at any time she saw sollicitude and Labor doing their business before the doors, she presently commands them to be set further off, and driven quite away; and chargeth that all Cares whatsoever should be banished from thence; and more especially, Sobriety and abstinence.

For Poor People and such as live in the Country are for the most part contented with a ve­ry sparing and plain Dyet: whereas on the contrary, the Rich delight themselves with all variety of Meats, and drink their Wine most commonly without any stint at all; yea and ol­tentimes wholly addict and give themselves over to Gutting, Gluttony, and excess of Wine. And again the Boors in the Country are continually exercised with Labor, by the which the heat of the Bowels is stird up; and if at any time there cheme to be any vi [...]ors humo [...] it is immediately discussed; whereas for the most part the slich do more indulge themselves in ease and idleness. And moreover the Rich are very seldom so careful to on [...]y the [...] of their Physitians as they ought to be, but they wil have the medicaments [...] them to suit with their Fancies and Palats; neither wil they continue the use of them to long as is fitting and requisite; neither wil they have that care and regard unto the whol coutse of their Diet which they ought to have.

And besides all this, in the last place, the Rich do indeed make use of Physitians, but then they change them too often; and very frequently commit themselves unto Empericks, and others that are altogether Ignorant, or have but little knowledg of the case how it standeth with them; and these do oftentimes prescribe such remedies and medicaments as by the use of which the Disease is rather more deeply and safter rooted, than etadicated and pulled up.

Now this Disease is wont for the most part to invade and assict men, Who they be that are most sub­sect to the Gout. rather than Women (not that these are wholly exempted from it, for we find the contrary by experience) and this more especially between the thirtieth and fistieth yeer of their Age; to wit, be­cause about that age, by reason of the sharpness of the heat, the salt and Tartarous humor is then more heaped up; and then after this the older they grow, the more they are afflicted with it, by reason of the weakness of the native heat, and the imbecillity of the expulsive fa­culty. For Men for the most part live not so temperatly as Women, sustain greater Labors, are more addicted to Venery, and hurt thereby. But Women (on the contrary) are more temperate, and besides they have likewise their monthly Evacuations, by and with which Nature is wont to thrust forth together with them all the vitious humors, and so to expel them out of all parts of the Body. Whereupon likewise it is, that Hippocrates (in the sixth of his Apborism. Aphoris. 29.) writeth, that Women are not troubled w [...]th the Gout, until after their Courses fail and leave them. But the truth is, that it is not alwaies [...]o that either Women or Men that are above or under the aforesand age, a [...]e wholly [...]ree them this Malady; and albeit that Hippocrates (in the 6. sect. of his Aphorism. Aphorisin. 30.) writeth, that yong Men before the use of Women are not at all troubled with the [...], and that it is a thing very rarely seen, that Youths are herewith affected, yet [...] its sometimes found so to be, and that even these are troubled with it: as we may likewate see many that are above fifty yeers old taken oftentimes with the Gout. And I my self [...] late saw a Learned Man that in the sixty second year of his age was [...] [Page 18]fits of the Gout. Neither also are Eunuches (although that Hippocrates in the Sixth Sect. of his Aphorism. Aph. 28. doth except them) alwaies wholly free from this Malady; as we shal anon shew you further in the Nanth Question.

Chap. 3. Signs Diagnostick.

THe very Malady doth sufficiently appear of it self; The Diag­nostick signs of the gout. and the sick persons com­plain of a pain about the Joynts in their Feet, Hands, Knees, and other parts; unto which there is afterward added a swelling, a redness, and for the most part a Feaver. And indeed, when the Gout begins first of all to invade a person, it like­ly taketh him first in the great Toe of his Foot, and that most commonly the left. And so in all the other joynts the pain most of all consisteth and staieth in the place affected, without spreading any further. But in the Sciatica, this pain is not felt only in the Joynt, (by the which the Head of the Thigh is inserted into the Hip) but it is from hence by the Nerves and Membranes carried unto the very Buttocks, by the way where the Nerves spring from the Loyns, and the great bone by the Latin Physitians called the Os Sacrum, or holy Bone; and from thence the pain is also extended unto the Calf of the Leg, and unto the Foot, according to the gui­dance and conduct of the Nerve. And in other Joynts also, (as lying outwardly) there is wont manifestly to appear a swelling, and redness, and a great heat to be perceived: but now in the Sciatick painful affect these things do not so plainly ap­pear, in regard the place affected lieth very deep, and because that therein that place the top of the Skin hath not many Veins dispersed here and there in it. In a word; in the Gout that which most especially troubleth the sick person is the pain he feeleth, and an impotency in his motion; and upon this there follow watchings and restlesness, a dejection of the Bodies strength, and other Symptoms; all which Lucian in his Tragop [...]dagra hath very elegantly described.

But now in reckoning up the signs by which the differences of the Causes and the different Humors may be discerned, The signs of the Causes. the most of Physitians are very long and prolix; and they take much pains in reckoning up the signs of the Gout from the blood, Choler, Flegm, and Black Choler or Melancholy. But since that (as we told you before) those Humors cannot properly be said to excite the Gout, but on­ly that they are either stird up and down by that Humor that is the Cause of the Gout, or that being attracted by the pain of the part affected they flow together thereunto; We shall therefore in this regard here spare our selves the Labor, fur­ther to treat of them.

But yet Nevertheless, if for the better ordering of the Cure the knowledg of the affluent Humor seem to be altogether necessary and requisite; it appeareth from the general discourse of an inflammation; in which we have declared what a pure Phlegmone is, and what signs it hath; as also the signs of Oedematodes, of Erisy­pelatodes, and also of Schirrbodes, what signs these have; and indeed from the signs of the Humor predominant in the Body (which we have elswhere explained) and likewise from the qualities of the swelling, and by the observing of those things that benefit or hurt the sick person, it may easily be known what humor it is that floweth together with it.

And yet notwithstanding it is here acknowledged by the more learned and able Physitians, (even those who have asserted that the Gout proceedeth from divers humors) that there is little heed to be given, or regard to be had unto those signs that are taken from the Color, heat, or the like Accidents; since that very many things occur which may be the Cause, as of the Colour, so likewise of the heat and coldness of the Member, contrary unto the Nature of the peccant Matter. For the humor (as Guainerius saith) that is the true and proper cause of the Gout, abiding in the bottom of the Member, doth not for the most part change the superficies of the said Member; and so then the Color of the Member cannot afford us any sign or token at all: but it may possibly so happen, that a Humor abounding in the Body may by pain be stirred up and darwn unto the place affected, and there it may cause a swelling, and yet nevertheless it may not be the Cause of the Gout.

Chap. 4. Prognosticks.

I. THe Gout for the most part is a disease not Mortal. Progno­slicks of the gout. For albeit that the strength may be much impayred by pains, and for want of rest, (insomuch that the sick persons may at length be forced to take their Beds) yet this is not done, but in a long time. And we see that such as are troubled with the Gout do oftentimes live long, and attain unto old age; to wit, for this Cause, that Nature by certain inter­vals thrusteth forth unto the Joynts those vitious Humors from which other more dangerous Diseases might have been generated; and so by this means freeth the principal parts from vitious Humors.

II. If yet notwithstanding there happen any dangerous inflammations, or per­nitious Feavers, or that Nature fayl and lie under the burthen, so that it can no longer expel the vitious Humors, the Patients life may then be much endangered. And if any such dangerous Symptom be Joyned together with the vehement pain of the Joynts (as suppose, a Delity, the trembling of the heart, difficulty of brea­thing, cold sweats, and a weak pulse) it is then a sign that the sick person will die the very same day, or the day following.

III. But although the Gout be for the most part a Disease not Mortal, yet never­theless it is very hard to cure; and it is commonly accounted the shame and disgrace of Physitians. For albeit (if the Disease be new) it may be cured without much difficulty: yet nevertheless, if it be long delaied, and that it often invade the par­ty, it may be more difficult to cure, in regard that the soynts, yea and the very Bowels are weakened by the pains, and redlesness, and likewise by the asslux of the Humors. And the sick persons are themselves oftentimes the Cause that this Disease taketh such deep [...]oot in them, seeing they do not oppose and withstand the Disease at its first Invasion; yea and oftentimes they conceal it; and some there are that will pretend other Causes of their Disease, as loath to acknowledg it to be the Gout.

But now this Disease proveth afterward very hard to cure, both in regard of the many errors in Diet (from which the fick persons wil not be perswaded to abstain) and oftentimes also through the unskilfulness of the Physitians; who are either ig­norant of the true cause of the Disease, or else they administer Medicaments that are very unfit and improper, by which they do rather weaken the Joynts and the Bowels then any waies strengthen them. But yet nevertheless, in the mean time, the Gout is not a Disease that in it self is altogether impossible to be cured; and this we are taught by the examples of many that have been freed from the Gout; of which more anon in the Tenth Question.

IV. Whosoever they be that being thus affected are grown in age, or have got­ten about their loynts Callous and hard knobs bunching forth; or that live an anxions and careful life; or have a dry and costive belly; these can none of them be cured by the Art of Man, or any human means, so far as I could ever yet find, Hippocrater in the Second of his Predictions.

V. If in the Gout there happen to be a loosening of the Joynt, it is then very difficult in the curing, or indeed altogether incurable. For although the Joynt may possibly be set back again in its proper place, yet nevertheless because that the Ligaments of the Joynts are made more loose, a perfect Cure is scarcely to be ex­pected. And if likewise in the loosning that followeth upon the Gout the Cavity of the [...]oynt be [...]illed up with a hard knotty matter, the Disease is then altogether incuteable: for the Joynt cannot be put back again before that Tophaceous matter be taken away; and this will hardly ever be removed.

VI. Among all the several kinds of the Gout, the Sciatick pain is of all others the most grievous, not only in regard of the greatness of the pain it self, but by reason also of the grievousness of the Symptoms that follow thereupon. For by reason of the most grievous pain it canseth watching and a restlesness, kindleth fea­vers; and somtimes a loosning of the Joynt happeneth, upon which there followeth a lameness and a wasting away of the whole Leg and Thigh. For if at any time a Joynt sal out of its place, by reason of the multitude of the affluent Humors, there [Page 20]is then a Necessity that an halting and lameness must follow upon it. But because that the bone being fallen out of its proper place presseth together the Muscles, Veins, and Arteries, the Aliment and Spirits cannot possibly flow into the lower parts, whereupon there followeth a wasting and Consumption of them.

VII. But although this Sciatick pain be of all others the most vehement, yet notwithstanding, it doth in the beginning more easily admit of a Cure then any of the other kinds of the Gout, in regard that the strength and Virtue of the Medica­ments may more easily penetrate unto the Vessels, (by which the Humor floweth into the Hip) then unto the extream Joynts; and so likewise the Humor that flow­eth unto them may the more easily be evacuated. But if the Humor be once flown in, so that it hath insinuated it self into the Hip, it is then very hard to be cured; be­cause that the Discussing Remedies by reason of the flesh lying upon the Joynt can­not penetrate whither they ought to go.

VIII. They that having been long infested with the pain in their Hips have the Hip falling forth of its place, and again returning and falling into its place, these have snot­ty Excrements following thereupon, ( as Hippocrates telleth us in the sixth Section of his Aphorism. Aphoris. 59) these Mucous and snotty Excrements having their origi­nal from the weak heat of the Nervous parts.

IX. They that having been long infested with the pain of the Hips have the Hip fal­ling out of Joynt, these have their Thigh wasting, and they become lame, unless they be burnt: as Hippocrates tells us in the same place, Aphorism. 60. The Thigh indeed consumeth and wasteth away, because it is but ill nourished, by Reason of the weakness of the Native heat from the long continued afflux of the Vitious Humors; and because that the Veins and Arteries are moved out of their places, and pressed together, so that they cannot rightly bring the aliment unto the Thigh. But then they become lame, and halt, because that the Thigh for want of nourishment is de­stitute of strength and by Reason of the Luxation or disjoynting is become shorter then before, and that by means of the loosness of the Ligaments the Thigh bone is not fast and firm.

X. Those unto whom the Gout is hereditary are scarcely ever wholly freed there­from; and if they desire so to be, they have need to observe a far more exact kind of Diet and a more accurate use of Medicaments, then do others that are either not troubled at all with this affect; or if they be, the grief descends not to them from their Parents, or any of their Ancestours.

XI. If the Varices happen unto such as are troubled with the Gout, the Gout then ceaseth, (as Avicen tels us, because that the Humors that were accusto­med to flow unto the Joynts are now derived unto the exterior parts of the Thigh.

XII. If the Gout that was wont to keep its certain Periods cease and return no more, it proveth to be the Cause of most grievous and deadly Diseases, unless the matter be drawn forth by way of prevention, which is most difficult to be done. For the matter that Nature was wont to thrust into the joynts, if by Reason of the weaknes of Nature it can be now no longer expelled, either it sticketh about the Bowels, and principal parts; or else being transmitted unto the Lungs, Intestines, or other parts, it there exciteth most grievous Evils.

XIII. Whether the Gout may not be finished in less then forty daies and why? As for what concerns the very Paroxysm it self, touching this Hippocrates writeth in his sixth Sect. and 49. Aphoris. They that are troubled (saith he) with the Disease of the Gout, these may in fourty daies be cured of their fits, by removing the in­flammation; provided that ( as Galen adds in his Comment.) The Physitian fail no­thing in the Cure, and that the Patients be obedient unto his prescriptions. For seeing that the Humors in the Gout are dispersed by the Ligaments, Membrans, and Nerves and that these parts are more thick, and more cold then the fleshy parts, it is therefore no wonder at all, that there is a longer time for the discussion of the Humor required in these parts, then in the fleshy parts. But yet this Aphorism is here only to be understood of the last and very utmost term; seeing that experience testifieth, that many have been Cured of the Gout within fewer then fourty daies. For in some the fits of the Gout are more moderate, and shorter, and so may be made to cease in a shorter time: but in others they are more sharp, and of longer continuance; and therefore require the longer time. And some there are that refer the cause unto the Humors; and those tel us for a truth, that the Gout which [Page 21]proceedeth from Choler is shorter, but that which is from Flegm of longer conti­nuance. But be it so indeed, that somtimes the Blood, somtimes Flegm, and som­times Choler may together and at once flow unto one and the same part; yet never­theless, that very Salt Humor which is the next and most immediate cause of the Gout is somtimes thinner, (so that it may be the sooner and more easily discussed) and somtimes it is more thick. Unto which we may in the Second place add, the strength or weakness of the part affected. For the stronger the part is, the more easily doth it discuss the Humor that hath flown unto it; but the weaker it is, the more slow it is in dissipating the said Humor; and from hence it happeneth that those which first begin to be troubled with fits of the Gout have these fits shorter; and in such as have been longer troubled with this Disease the Paroxysms are of so much the longer continuance, unless they have the greater care of themselves. For the ofther any member is afflicted with the Gout, the weaker stil it groweth. And Thirdly, the lick persons themselves also do not observe one and the same course of Diet; whereupon it is, that such of them as observe an accurate and exact kind of Diet, these are more easily freed; and some of them do by the Errors of their Diet much prolong unto themselves their Paroxysms, and give the Cause of a new fluxion.

XIV. The more, and the more frequent the Symptoms are that follow upon the Gout, the harder is the Disease to be cured. For somtimes by Reason of the most sharp and vebement pain, the sick persons do unseasonably desire repelling and stupefying Medicaments; which drive back the Humor that was flowing unto the Joynts unto the more noble parts: and from hence it happeneth, that the sick persons fall into the affects of the Heart by Reason of its being streightned; into Faintings, and Swounding sits, or other mischievous Diseases: yea and they may be cast into great peril of their lives; and then the only hope they have of escape lieth in this; to wit. that the aforesaid Humors (if it possibly may be) be again driven back unto the joynts.

XV. Now there are four manner of waies to dissolve and cure the Gout. Four ways of dissol­ving the Gout. For first of all (and more frequently) the matter is resolved, and indeed all of it, so that there are not left so much as any footsteps thereof remayning; or (as for the most part) nothing but the very signs and footsteps of it are left behind: And Second­ly (but this is more rare) the matter is changed into a substance very like unto Pus. For a true and genuine Pus it is not; but a certain Sanies, or thin Ichorous Ex­crement, sweateth back and Eateth its way through both the Flesh and the Skin.

But now why the Gout cometh so seldom unto a suppuration, Why the Gout is so rarely sup­purated? is well worthy our consideration, and enquity. Some are of this Opinion, that it is therefore be­cause that the joynts are removed from the Fountain of heat, and have not in them so much heat as is requisite for a suppuration. But that this is not the true cause, appeareth by this, that sometimes there ariseth an inflammation in the ends of the Fingers, which yet nevertheless cometh unto a suppuration. And therefore a more true cause seemeth to be this, to wit, the Nature of this very Humor it self (as be­ing Salt, and wheyish) which is not to be changed into Pus; but it is either inward­ly dissipated; or if any of it be left remaining, it groweth and hardneth into knots and knobs. The Third way and manner is, when by Reason of the weakness of the place, the matter sticking over long in the part affected, is at length turned into a knot or knob. And of such a Gout as this it is that Galen writeth (in his 10. B. of the Composit. of Medicam. according to the place, and 2. Chast.) after that the Calli are once produced, (saith he) there is no further hope or expectation, that the Joynt should ever exactly return unto its pristine Constitution. And of this the Poet, Tollere Nodosam nescit, &c.

Chap. 5. The Indications and Cure.

SInce that the perfect Cure of preternatural affects doth chiefly consist in the taking away of the Causes, The indi­cation [...] & Cure of the Gout. and that the Authors (as we told you before) differ among themselves as touching the Causes of the Gout, it is therefore no wonder, that there is to great a discord among them about the Cure, some propounding one way, and some another, for the Curing of this Disease. Which difference and variety of opinions, (as we have somtimes already told you) hath not been the least (but indeed the greatest) cause why so few of those troubled with the Gout have hitherto been cured thereof; each Physitian here setting himself to oppose that as an enemy which he hath often to himself fancied so to be, and in the mean time altogether negreeting that which is indeed the true enemy. Why s [...] few have [...] Cured of the Gout. And this evident­ly appeare [...] the Consilia or advisings of Phyfitians one with the other (which have likewise been in the behalf of persons of the greatest worth and quality) in the must of which (opinions being asked, and resolves sent from one to the other) the whole result of the business for the most part came to this, that the Cure was chiefly to be directed to the head, as the commanding Member; and unto the Joynts, as the recipient Member. And so the authority of Fernelius alone (a Physitian other­wise of great learning and experience) hath drawn very many into the same error with him, and kept them from searching after the truth; and hath likewise caused that many sick of this grief have taken such Physick, and several sorts of Medica­ments that were very unfit, and altogether improper for them. We therefore (leaving unto every man his Judgment and Opinion) insisting upon those Funda­mentals which we have above propounded, will here briefly declare our Opinion as touching the way and Method of Curing the Disease we are now treating of.

Now the Cure so called in general consisteth in two things: The Cure of the gout the former whereof is, that the present Paroxysm (whether Pain, Swelling, Impediment of the motion, and all other things that are wont to be troublesom unto such as are afflicted with the Gout) be taken away. And the other is, that a course be taken to prevent the return of the Paroxysm being once removed.

And in the first place indeed for the manner of Curing the Gout that is present, there are three things especially, which (in the Paroxysm) the Patient desireth a speedy removal of, viz. the Pain, Swelling, and the Impediment of his motion. And now seeing that all these three have their original from a preternatural Humor fal­len into the joynt, the total removing of the Paroxysm confisteth in this, that the influx of the Humor be withstood, and that the Humor already fallen in be taken away. For that Humor being removed, there followeth both a cessation of the Pain, and a vanishing of the swelling, and the motion of the part again returneth. But yet nevertheless, in regard that the pain doth oftentimes so extreamly excru­ciate and Torture the sick Person, that he cannot well beat it (until the Humor the Cause thereof be taken away) the pain is therefore somtimes first of all to be mo­derated, yea even before the Cause be wholly removed. And so then the whole Cure of the Gout afflicting the sick Person consisteth in the taking away of the Cause, and the mitigation of the pain.

As for the first of these, seeing that the flux taketh its beginning from the motion and boyling as it were of the blood and Humors in the Veins, that motion and boy­ling of the Humors is first of all to be stopt; and the Humors that with violence rush unto the part affected are not only to be turned another way, but they are al­so to be wholly evacuated, and emptied forth out of the Body; for unless this be [Page 23]done, the pain wil be but the more exasperated. And afterwards the humor that hath flown in is to be discussed and scattered. And because that pain is the thing that chiefly grieveth the sick Person, this is somtimes also to be mitigated even before the Cause be taken away.

And therefore if any Cause, either external (to wit, the distemper of the Ambient Air) or the thickness of the body shal have given the occasion, it is forthwith to be removed, yea and also to be corrected after a quite contrary manner.

Chap. 6. Of the Sciatick Pain.

THe pain of the Hips (commonly called the Sciatica) in indeed a kinde of the Gout; The Scia­tick Pain. so that there may nothing seem needful to be spoken as touching it, besides what hath been already said. But seeing that both in regard of the part af­fected it hath somthing peculiar, and that in the Cure there is something that is pro­per thereunto to be observed; we shall therefore speak a little further there­of.

There are indeed some, who by the Ischiadick or Sciatica pain understand some other affect, differing from the Gout, (which is to be accounted among the Chroni­cal affects) and this happeneth also unto those that never were troubled with the Gout, either in the Feet, or in the hands, from excrements there heaped up together, or flowing into that part, and this for the most part a little now and then, and by degrees. But it is not our purpose here to treat of that affect; in regard that it pertaineth unto the impotency and inability in walking, by reason of something amiss in the Hip; (and extendeth it self further then the Gout; of which only our purpose is here to Treat;) and therefore we shall here handle the Sciatica pain, [Page 37]only as it is Arthritick, that is to say, a species or kind of the Gout, of which we have been hitherto speaking.

But now as touching the place affected, there is here some kind of Disagreement among the learned Physitians. Aetius (Tetrab. 3. Serm. 4. Chap. 1.) out of Ar­chigenes writeth thus: They are properly (saith he) to be accounted [...]schiadick or Scia [...]ick persons, that have a pain afflicting them about some certain Joynt of the ve [...]tebrae. But somtimes there goeth before this Malady, (and as it were, to Ʋsher it in) a pain of the Muscles lying neer, and especially the Loyns; but somtimes again the beginning of the affect is from the very Joynt it self: but now somtimes it so happeneth that the pain of the Vertebrae being almost taken away, the grief sticketh only about the Ham, and in some neer unto the Ankles, but in others the whole Leg is equally afflicted with pain; and ma­ny also have this pain fixed about their Groyns, and then indeed the grief and trouble be­ing derived unto the very bladder produceth a difficulty of making Water; and then most especially it is that the whole Leg, from the Hips (even unto the very Heel) suffereth Pain.

Fernelius (in his Sixth B. of the Diseas. of the parts, and the Symptoms, Chap. 18.) saith, that the Ischias or Sciatick pain (being absolutely the most vehement of all the rest) hath not its seat in that Joynt by which the head of the Thigh is inserted and fastened into the Hip, but deeper, at the utmost of the Buttocks, by which the Nerves that proceed from the Loyns and the great bone, called Os Sacrum, or the holy bone, are carried into the Thighs; the great and terrible pain is not in the Hip alone, but it is likewise extended into the Thigh, and into the Calve of the Leg, and unto the extream part of the Foot, to wit whithersoever that branch that is derived from the Hip affected reacheth and extendeth it self. But some other, (as Platerus) attribute the Sciatick pain unto the Joynt, with the Thigh.

But here we are to understand, that about the Hip (as also now and then in the shoulder) there happeneth somtimes a pain, which is indeed very often most vehe­ment, and yet nevertheless it is not properly a pain of the Joynts, in regard that it is not in any Joynt, because it seizeth upon the Membrane of the Muscles; neither again doth it consist alwaies in one and the same place, but for the most part de­scendeth downward unto the inferior parts. And such almost is that Ischiadick pain that Aetius hath described out of Archigenes. And I grant that this pain hath its original from the Serous and sharp Humor that floweth from the Head under the Skin, and sticking about some Membrane, or some Nerve: but now, that this pain is not properly the Gout, appeareth from hence; First, because it consist­eth not alwaies about the Joynts, but also in the middle spaces within the Joynts. And so I have here Cured a person of honor, that suffered such a pain in the very Muscles themselves that are between the Knees and the Hip. And the like pains often happen in the Breast, and there excite a certain bastard Pleurisie. And then Secondly, because that they very rarely return by intervals, and constantly at some certain times; but often after they have afflicted a man once or twice, they return no more afterwards all the whole life long Thirdly, because those that suffer these pains are not afflicted with the Gout in any other parts, which happeneth in the true Gout, and that is properly so called. For those that are long troubled with the Gout are very seldom afflicted with the Gout in the Feet alone; but they after­wards suffer pains likewise in their Hands, and their other Joynts.

And Lastly, likewise the true Gout (for the most part, if not alwaies) hath a Tumor or swelling Joyned with it; but now these pains have no such swelling Joyned with them; not only when they are in a deep place, but also when they are in a place that is not deep; as it often happeneth in the shoulder; and this cometh to pass for this Cause, to wit, that the Humor floweth not out of those Veins by which that part is nourished, as in the true Gout.

But we intend not here to treat of that pain, but only of that which is properly the Arthritick or Gout pain But now that Ischiadick or Sciatick pain hath this pro­per unto it, that it is diffused more abroad then in the other Joynts, and often­times unto the places that lie next: and this happeneth, first of all, because that the Hip bone is large; from whence it is, that we distinguish it by three names; and when it is knit unto the sides of the Or Sacrum, we then cal it the Ileum bone; when unto the hollow part of the said bone, we then call it Ischium; and when it is Joy­ned with the forepart, we then call it Os P [...]bis or the share bone. And then Se­condly, [Page 38]because that the Nerves that come from the Loyns and the Os Sacrum to that Articulation are distributed into divers parts: and therefore the pain of the Hip doth somtimes diffuse it self into all places, and reacheth even unto the Nerves that are derived from the Hip.

But now this Malady is very difficult to be cured, by Reason of the deepness and largness of the place, and the abundance of the matter which the wide Place re­ceiveth. They who being infested by a long continued pain of their Hips have the Hip-bone fallen out of its place, and again returning into its place, these have a filthi­ness and nastiness following thereupon; (in the fixth Section, and 59. Aphorism.) For if by the Humor flowing in the Ligaments be relaxed, the Hip falleth out of its place; and the Humor that is gotten into its Cavity is made dul and thick; yea and oftentimes it groweth there into a stony hardness; whereupon because the Veins and Arteries are moved out of their proper places, and are pressed down together, thence it is that an Atrophy followeth in the Legs. And if this Ischiadick pain in­vade any one in the time of youth, it threateneth the shortning of the life, because that by pain and hunger the sick person wasteth and withereth away; and from hence likewise the Ischiadick Consumption hath taken its Name.

As concerning the [...]ure, for Revuision, the Basilick Vein in the same side is most fitly opened; but the Ischiadick, if it be for derivation. And indeed if the pain extend it self more externally, that Vein that is in the outward Ankle; or the Saphena, which is at the inward Ankle, if the pain tend more in­wardly.

And Hippocrates likewise (6. Epid. Sect. 5. Text 21.) writeth, that when there are Kedma [...]a present (by which Galen and others understand the fluxions into the Hip) then the Ve [...]ns behind the Ears are to be scarifyed. But yet these think not that this precept of Hippocrates is true, or that it ought to be followed. But yet nevertheless Sceggb [...]us defendeth Hippocrates; and thinks that he did upon very good ground propound that which without doubt he had observed by experience. For seeing that the Cause of the evil destilleth into the Hip by the hole of the Nook, (or Fernelius his way) for the taking away the very Fountain and source of the Malady, he rightly determineth that the Remedy must be administred about the Ears. But if all this should be granted, yet nevertheless those Redmata are not the Ischiadick pains properly so called (which belong unto the Gout) but those of which we made mention before.

The stronger kind of Purgations have here their place; and here the Caryocostine Electuary is of singular use, as also the Arthritick Pills, Pill. Faetidae, and the Pills of Hermodactyls. Crato indeed (in his 247. Consil.) writeth that the Ischiadick or Sciatick pains will not admit of, nor bear purges; in regard that the Humors have seated themselves more in those places: but this is to be understood of an insuffici­ent Purgation.

And here Vomitories seem to be more commodious then Purgers by the Belly, in regard that they evacuate the vitious Humors by a place more remote from the part affected.

But Repellers have here no place at al, because that it may Justly be feared, lest by the use of these the blood and other Humors may be driven back toward the part affected, and may be there heaped up.

Having first made use of General and Universal Remedies, we come then to the imposing of Medicaments that attract and resolve, and these ought to be of the stronger sort, that they may call forth into the Superficies the Humor that is got­ten into a deep place; which kind of Medicaments are provided of Herbs that dis­cuss viz. The Leaves of Eldern, Danewort or Wallwort, Lawrell, Rue, Betony, Camomil, Ground pine, Rosemary, Melilote, Mustard Seed, and Stavesacre; as also the flies Cantharides, Pitch, Sulphur, Turpentine, Ammoniacum, Galbanum, Bdel­lium, Opopanax, and Euphorbium.

Excellent likewise is that Medicament that is made of Sciatica Cresses (of which we made mention above,) as also of Water Cresses, and the Herb Piperites, or Pep­per-wort, as some call it. As,

Take Sciatica Cresses, Dittander or Pepperwort, and Water Cresses, of all, or one of them four handfuls: boyl them in Wine, and sprinkle upon them the Meal of Lupines, Beans, and the bitter Vetch Orobus of each one ounce, the powder of dry Rue two drams, [Page 39]Flowers of Camomile one dram, Costus Root a dram and half, Oyl of Turpentine half an ounce, Oyl of Earth-worms as much as will suffice, and make a Cataplasm. Or,

Take Mustard seed dissolved in the sharpest Vinegar two ounces, sharp and sowr Leaven half an ounce, Powder of Hermodactyls two drams, Honey three ounces, Turpentine four ounces, Oyl of Lawrel and Spike, of each two ounces, the meal of Fenugreek seed one ounce and half; Earth of the Ant [...]hill with the Ants Eggs, one pound; Leaves of Law­rel, Sage, Rue, and Rosemary, of each half a handful; Earth-worms prepared half a pound: let the Ants Earth and Eggs, with the Earth-worms and Herbs, be boyled in white Wine, and then being strained let the rest of the Ingredients be mingled therewith. Or,

Take Roots of our Ladies seal (which being cut and applied to the Hip are much com­mended for the removing of the Ischiadick pain) six drams, the Emplaster Diachylon sim­pl [...]x half an ounce; Saffron dissolved in the Spirit of Wine two drams, Turpentine one ounce, Oyl of Spike as much as is sufficient; and make a Cataplasm. Or,

Take Citrine Wax, and Turpentine of the Fir Tree, of each three ounces; let them dis­solve together: when they shal be cold ad the Powder of Nettle seed, and Hermodactyls, of each two drams; Roots of round Aristolochy or Birthwort, Camomile Flowers, and Florentine Flower-de-luce, of each two drams and half; Mirh two drams, Saffron four scruple [...]: let them be moulded with the hands being first anoynted with Hogs Grease, and make an Emplaster. Or,

Take Wax, Missletoe of the Oak, Turpentine, dry Orrace, Mirrh, and Galbanum and with the Oyl of Earth-worms make a Cerot.

Unto which it he pain give not place, but stil continue, then apply Cupping-glasses with much flame, or else Vesicatories.

But if the Malady wil not yet by these be taken away, then we are according to the coun­sel of Hippocrates (in the sixth Sect. of his Aphor. Aphor. 60.) to burn the part affected; and Celsus likewise approveth of this advice, whilest (in his 4. B. and Chap. 12.) he writeth in this manner:

It is (saith he) the last shift, and in old diseases also a most efficacious Remedy, with glowing hot Irons to exulcerate the Skin in three or four places above the Hip.

This Remedy by heating the part dissolveth and evacuateth the thick and viscid humors; and if the Ulcers be kept open (as they ought to be) the vitious matter floweth forth by them. As for the manner of burning, see more in Paul. Aegineta his sixth Book, and Chap. 76. and Albucas. Part 1. Chap. 43.

And some there are likewise that make mention of the Gout of the Verrebrae of the Back, in special: and we grant indeed that now and then some such kind of Gout there is; and this hath also the very same Causes and so requireth the same kind of Cure with the other Gouts. But we are here to look wel about us, and to have a care that we be not deceived, in mistaking every pain of the Back for the Gout. For oftentimes it so happeneth that from the serous and wheyish matter flowing down from the Head, and descending along the Back, and especially according to the Conveyance of the Cucullar Muscle (and sticking at the Spi­na Dorsi, in the end of the said Muscle) a pain may be excited; which yet nevertheless is not the Gout, in regard that it happeneth not in the parts pertaining to the Joynt; and it is of­tentimes likewise of a very short continuance, and afflicteth the sick Persons in their sleep, but when they awake, and arise from their sleep, it leaveth them and vanisheth, which never happeneth in the true Gout.

Chap. 7 Of the VVay and Means to prevent the Gout.

MAny there are that mind only this one thing, to wit, The way to prevent the Gout. that they may be freed from the present pains of the Gout; but being freed they take no care at all, how they may obtain that they be no more troubled with the same pains; neither do they make use of those Medicaments by which they might prevent this Evil, nor at all refrain from the Errors of their Dyet; and so they suffer the Malady again to arise, and so to continue and grow old with them; and therefore it is no wonder, that there are so few perfectly recovered of the Gout. But a precaution, and prevention, is altogether as necessary as the Cure in special so called.

Now this Consisteth in three things: In what things it consisteth. The first is this, that there be care taken that there be no matter suffered to gather together which may flow unto the Joynts. The second, that if any matter be gotten together, it be taken away before it rush unto the Joynts. And the third is this, that the Joynts may not easily receive the same. Now if (as many do) any one shal make it his business only to strengthen the Joynts, and in the mean time shal permit the heaping up of the vitious matter in the Body; the Patient shal hence reap more burt than good. For if there shal be a vitious Matter present in the Body, and this not thrust forth unto the Joynts, after the usual and accustomed manner, being retained in the Body it may flow unto other of the more noble parts, and be the Cause of most grievous Diseases.

And therefore we are here first of all to commend unto the Patient a good course of Dyet, and Medicaments that correct the distemper of the Bowels; the first intention being best per­formed by this. The second thing required is accomplished by Blood-letting, Purgings, and other things that take away the serous and Tartarous humors. The third, by those Medica­ments that strengthen the Joynts.

And first of all, The first member of prevention is the Dyet As touching the Dyet, this is absolutely necessary, and may do much in the prevention of the Gout; and indeed it is of so great consequence, that without it the Me­dicaments (let them be never so excellent) wil nothing avail. And that so few are cured of the Gout, this for the most part happeneth by reason of the too great liberty and licence they take in point of Dyet. And on the contrary, a due course of Dyet hath been known it self alone oftentimes to vanquish this Malady: and Crato (in his 161. Consil.) writeth truly; I think (saith he) that there is nothing more to be taken care of for those that are troubled with the Gout, than a right and due course of Dyet. For what Medicaments are there that can either draw forth the matter it self, or strengthen the Heat?

And to likewise Solenander (Sect. 1. Consil. 20.) We observe (saith he) that many by their care and diligence have made themselves free from the pains of the Gout; some by their being obstemious; others by their forbearance of Venereal embraces; a third sort, by reason of their continual using this or that proper Medicament: And others again, by their shun­ning of this or that kind of Meat, as hurtful in reference to this their Disease.

Now the course of Dyet doth chiefly consist in the right use of the six things not Natural. And first of all, as touching the Air, let the excess of every Air in its qualities be shun'd; (for this may either retain, or disperse abroad the vitious humors in the Body) and espe­cially the cold excess that retaineth and keepeth in the transpiration, and that notable exha­ling of the vapors; yea and it forceth the wheyish humor from the outside of the Body un­to the Centre, where it afterwards soon becometh over-hot (and boyling as it were) and then beginneth to be stird up and down. And therefore let all those that are troubled with the Gout very carefully sence themselves against the external injuries of the Air, by wearing of such warm Garments as are fit for them; and let them beware that the external Cold do not thicken the Habit of the Body, and so hinder the flowing forth of the vapors. And if it shal so happen that the habit of the Body shal be condensed, it is then again to be ratified by frequent but gentle frictions.

But more especially there is an exact and accurate regard to be had unto the Meat and Drink, and the constant Dyet of the Patient. For it being so that the Meat and Drink is wont to supply the matter of the Gout, unless the sick Person shal abstain from all food that is hurtful for his grief, or commit any errors in the use thereof, he shal but in vain hope for health and recovery. And therefore when the sick Persons shal themselves come to under­stand and take notice what meats are hurtful for them (as we told above of one who by the eating of Carps evermore fel into the Gout) then let them carefully and wholly abstain from them. The quan­tity of the Patients Food. And so also for the quantity of the food that is taken, it must be no more than what sufficeth for the refreshing of the Spirits, and the preservation of the strength of the Body. And he ought not upon any occasion to take in more food than what may rightly be conco­cted in the Stomack, Liver, and Spleen: which is then done if he take only that quantity of Meat and Drink that (according to the advice of Hippocrates) he alwaies rise from the Ta­ble with an Appetite, and that he never so fil himself with Meat and Drink, that he leave re­maining no desire at all, nor any further appetite thereto. For since that in these Concocti­ons that which is excrementitious is wont to be separated, if those Concoctions shal not be rightly performed, many Excrements (and those Tartarous) are mingled with the Blood; which afterwads (as altogether useless) are by Nature, at her own time, thrust forth un­to the Joynts. Or if it should so chance that the sick Person offend by taking too much food at one meal, he must be so much the more sparing in the meal following. And so likewise [Page 41]it will be to very good purpose, if once in the week he wholly forbear, or at least that he Eat a spare supper. And there ought likewise no new food to be taken un­til the former be Concocted. His supper must alwaies be more sparing then his dinner: and variety likewise of Meats at one and the same Meal is to be avoided, as being altogether as hurtful as the over great quantity and ex­cess.

And therefore let his bread be pure, and leavened; The qua­lity of his Food. the flesh that he Eateth let it be Wether Mutton, Kids flesh, Veal, and the like, of a good Juyce and Aliment. There is likewise allowed young Beefe, especially in such as are hotter then ordina­ry: and Alexander Trallianus in his 11. B. Chap. 1. writeth, that he knew some who being troubled with an ext [...]eam great and sharp fluxion, were chiefly holpen by the eating of Beef. Hens, Cocks, and Capons hu [...]ful in the gou [...]. Some there are that conceive there ought to be an abstaining from the flesh of Hens and Capons, and this therefore, because that it yieldeth much nourishment. But Meats of Good and much Juyce were never yet known to cast any one into the Gout, if there were not an Error committed in the Quantity. Others there are that think Cocks, Capons, and Hens, to be therefore hurtful for those that have the Gout, because that they themselves are now and then troubled with the same; which may indeed likewise happen for the Cause that we shall now shew you. For (in my Opinion) it seemeth most agreeable unto truth, that this cometh to pass, because that Cocks and Hens do likewise pick up and Eat Sand, and little Stones, and concoct them in their Maws; from which there may easily be derived into their very blood somthing that is Salt, Earthy, and Tartarous; and this may afterwards yield matter of the Gout unto him that eateth of their flesh. And this Opinion Crato (in his 246. Consil.) seemeth to favour, when he writes that the Capon hath a peculiar humor, which Nature driveth forth unto the Joynts. Let him Eat fish very sparingly; but from Carps, and moist fish (as Eeles and the like) let him altogether abstain: as also from those Meats that have in them a power to bind the Belly, or that cool the Stomach. And so likewise the use of much Cheese is not safe. He must abstain also from all kind of Pulse, that contain in them much Earthy Juyce. And because that (as Crato writeth in his 247. Consil.) between Wine and the Cabbage there is found to be a certain kind of Natural Antipathy, it is thought very fit, that such as are troubled with the Gout (as unto whom Wine is very hurtful) do often feed upon Cabbage and Barley Bread. And Pliny in his 20. B. and 9. Chapter, writeth thus: I finde (saith he) that many have been freed from the Gout by eating the Cabbage, and drinking the broth thereof being boyled. And many there are that upon very good ground condemn the use of apples; and advise the Phy­sitians (led hereunto both by Reason and Observation) that they forbid the eating of Apples unto such of their Patients as they finde subject unto the Diseases of the Joynts. For Apples abound with moisture, and this for the most part partaking of some acrimony, and such as [...]th a power of penetrating (by reason of which it is that those spots that are caused by the Juyce of Apples can so hardly be gotten out of Linen) and therefore do very easily move the Humors. Let all fat Meats likewise be avoided, and especially fried Meats, as such as do not only afford an ill and vitious Nutriment, but also corrupt other Meats; as likewise Meats over­much seasoned with hot Spices.

But a more then ordinary Care must be had in the Choyce of the Patients drink. For it is altogether Requisite that he wholly abstain from the Moravian, Austrian, and Hungarian Wines, and such as are like unto these, which do most certainly breed the Gout. But as for others (which in such as are found do not so easily ge­nerate the Gout) they may be drunk, but it must be very sparingly, in regard that even these also contain in them some kind of Tartarous matter.

Among these Wines that are wholesome, Solenander in the 24. Consil. of his 4. Sect. reckoneth up likewise the Thick, Red, Spanish Wine, which they call Alicant, or the Wine they cal Tent: and of this Wine he alloweth a moderate use unto such as are troubled with the Gout, as being but little, or less hurtful for them. Others commend and allow of the Pucine Wine; as likewise that they bring unto us from the Vale of Telina; by reason that they have not in them so great a power of hurting the Joynts.

And if the Patient perceive that even these Wines also are naught and hurtful for his Disease, and that they offend him; let him then (if he can) altogether abstain [Page 42]from the drinking of any Wine; in regard that it may so be, that for such as are subject unto the Gout, even those Wines may hurt and offend them, which others drink without any hurt at all. And Paulus Aegineta (in his Third Book of the matter of Physick, Chap. 78.) writeth in this manner. I have known many (saith he) who by their altogether abstaining only from wine, have all of them sensibly found help. For some in the very beginning of their Disease are perfectly freed from their fits, and others of them afterwards, and in these also the fits come but seldome; and when they come they are extreamly painful. If therefore there happen (from this abstinence) nothing preju­dicial, either at present, or that nothing be feared for the future, let them abstain from Wine al their Life long. But as for those who by this their abstinence have brought a weak­ness and cold disposition upon themselves, and are thereby rendered unfit for their imploy­ments, when they have for two years abstaine [...] from Wine, after this let them perpetual­ly drink a little thereof at a time, and let it first be qualified with Water. But as for those that abstain from Wine, they ought in stead of their Wine to drink the Decoction of Aniseeds, or some such like Seed, abstaining (as much as may be) from Fruits, Apples, and the rest of those Cooling Fruits. Thus Aegineta.

And in very truth, that the Case thus stands, we have above, (in the Second Chap.) proved by examples. And in our own Countries, they that will may far more easily abstain from the drinking of Wine, then those in Greece, and elsewhere: in regard that good beer may every where conveniently enough be had, which may supply the place of Wine, and very wel serve in stead thereof. And although it seem very hard unto many (yea and hurtful also unto some) wholly to abstain from Wine, Yet Nevertheless (as it is rightly said by Hippocrates, in his 50. Aphorism) there is also somtimes a Change to be made unto that which we have not been ac­customed unto. But if there be any that will not be perswaded wholly to abstain from Wine, (or if indeed they cannot, without great prejudice unto their health, as it very often happeneth) let them then drink Rhenish Wine, but not such as is strong, or Crude; or else the Pucine Wine also, or the like; and yet neither these in too great abundance, but with al possible sparingness. And therefore we like very well of Solenanders advice, who (in his 4. Sect. and 24. Consil.) perswadeth us, in the use of Wine, to have regard unto the Temperament, Constitution of the Body, Age, and [...]ustom; since that there is great difference in Bodies; so that what is good and wholesom for one, the same may to another be altogether useless and hurtful. And therefore in the use of Wines, we are especially to observe what benefit or damage the sick person may receive from it. For if it be found that the drinking of Wine hurteth those that are thus affected, there must then be a total abstinence from it; or if i [...] may not be wholly omitted, it must be most sparingly drunk. And as for those who in the use of Wine cannot moderate themselves, nor observe a mean and set bounds unto their Appetites, we think it fitter to forbid the use of Wine unto such persons, then to allow it them. But yet however al generally are wholly to abstain from Wine in the beginning of the Paroxysm. Neither must wine at any time be drunk upon an Empty Stomack, but then only when solid food is taken. It is likewise very hurtful to drink Wine betwixt Meals, in regard that it doth then easily penetrate unto the Liver and excite fluxions.

Let the Patient content himself with so much drink only as may suffice for the satisfying of his Thirst, The quan­tity of his drink. without causing any fluctuation of the food he hath Eaten.

As for his Sleep and Rest, Rest and sleep. let them be moderate; and let him not Sleep imme­diately after he hath Eaten and Drunk: and when he doth Sleep, let it not be above seven or eight hours at the most; yet seven hours Sleep he may well be al­lowed.

Let the exercise of his Body be moderate, Exercise. and let it alwaies be before dinner, or supper. And if the Aphorism of Hippocrates be true in any Disease, it is true in this: viz. The exercise of health is this, not to be oversatiated with food, and to be active and industrious in pains taking, and in the works of our calling. And very good it is for those that are able, before dinner somtimes to exercise themselves even until they sweat. But then after this motion and exercise of the Body, Let him neither Eat nor Drink, before such time as the heat contracted by the motion be wholly vanished. And if there be at any time an Error committed, in the ex­cess either of rest or motion, better it is that it should be in motion, then in idleness [Page 43]and Rest. For by Idleness and slowth the heat is much diminished, and the strength of the Body made to languish, the Concoctions to be depraved, and the Excrements not evacuated and driven forth of the Body. Whereupon it is that Galen (in the Sixth Sect. Ephorism 28.) tels us that ease and idleness is as much the Cause of the Gout, as Epicurism, and Satiety. And we may see by experience that Men addicted to labor and exercise are seldom or never taken with the Gout. And instead of the Morning exercise the Patient may likewise somtimes use frictions or Rubbings, so soon as he is up in the morning. To stand much, as also to walk overmuch, or to ride long Journeys, is greatly hurtful for such as are troubled with the Gout.

And in the like manner as Exercise and Rest, so also ought the Patients sleep and abstinence therefrom to be moderate, and alwaies in a mean. And yet of the two extreams, better it is to want sleep, then to exceed therein; provided that the strength of the Body be hereby nothing impaired, nor Crudities bred. Neither may the Patient accustom himself to sleep presently after meals.

As for fulness and empriness, Care must be taken, Repletion, or fuln [...]ss. that the Belly be made every day to discharge its office; and that the Humors may not be heaped up in the first waies, Eccoprotick or Cutting Medicaments are somtimes to be made use of; for these do gently case and empty the Belly. Sweats in the morning are very useful and convenient for the prevention of the Gout, in regard that they take out of the Body the serous or wheyish Humors. And therefore the sick persons are by all manner of means to accustom themselves unto these sweats; and to this end, they ought wel to cover themselves with Bed-clothes at night when they go to Bed; that so in the morning if they sweat not, yet they may have a Moistness all over their Bo­dies. The Patient ought likewise to abstain from excessive Venery, Venery. which toge­ther with Bacchus (or Wine) is the Parent of the Gout, as begetting and breeding it: for (as Scaliger turns it out of the Greek) of Loyn-loosening Venus, and Loyn­loosening Bacchus, there is born and bred the Loyn-loosening Gout. For by the overmuch use of Venery the whole Body is debilitated, and the spirits and Native heat dissipated; whereupon all the Concoctions are hurt, and many Excrements are treasured up.

The immoderate affections of the mind, Affects of the mind. (and especially Anger and Fear) are to be shunned; and the Patient is rather to give himself unto Mirth and Cheerful­ness.

And that kind of Diet which is observed by Rich persons, Why the Rich are more troubled with the Gout them the poor. and people of rank and quality, is the true Cause why these are more frequently taken with the Gout, then poor people, and such as live in the Country. For the Rich aboundeth with store of al kind of Meat, and dainty dishes; and thereupon they usually eat of many dishes at one and the same meal; and not only so, but they also exceed in the quantity, and take too much thereof, even more then they can Concoct; and hereupon Crudities are generated; and especially they too much indulge themselves in the use of Wine. And then again they want those Laborious exercises by which the excrementitious Humors in the Body (and chiefly, the serous) might be evacuated. And moreover, for the most part they abhor all manner of Medicaments; and they wil not at all make use of them, unless they be fitted for their Palates.

And so in general, those things that are by the Physitians (in other Cases) com­manded as touching a good and orderly Diet, they are here especially to be obser­ved by such as are troubled with the Gout; concerning which Alexander Trallianus largely treateth, in his Eleventh B. and 1. Chap. and so also Andraeas Gallus, in his Consil. Collected by Scholtzius, Consil. 270. And Petrus Andraeas Matthiolus, ibid. Consil. 220. and Antonius Ferrus, in his Tract of the Gout.

And yet notwithstanding besides a good course of Dyet, The di­stemper of the bowels to be cor­rected. it is likewise ne­cessary (lest that the vitious Humors should be heaped up) that there be no notable distemper suffered to be in the Bowels. And therefore if there be any distemper of the Liver, or Spleen, or that the Stomack being colder then ordinary cannot rightly Concoct, those distempers are in a fit and convenient manner to be Corrected, as we have further shewn you in its proper place.

For unless those Bowels be wel constituted (although there be little or no Error commit­ted in point of Dyet) yet notwithstanding, good food (albeit it be taken in a just quantity) is converted into a vitious humor, or supplieth such a Blood that is not pure, but hath like­wise vitious humors mingled therewithall. Whereas on the contrary, Those that have their Bowels wel constituted and strong (which exactly separate from the useful Blood that which is faulty in the Meat and Drink, and evacuate it forth by convenient waies) may over­come many Errors of Dyet; as we see many greedy gluttonous Persons stuffing themselves with abundance of food, and guzzling in dayly great store of Wine (and this not alwaies so wholsom as it should be) and yet notwithstanding all this they are not at all troubled, no nor so much as subject to the Gout.

But because that it is altogether impossible but that he which lives not unto himself alone, but hath his dependance for the most part upon others, and is a Servant unto the publique, or is set over and imployed in other kind of affairs, and is somtimes necessitated to live in an unhealthy Air, or to ride Journeys, or to sojourn with others; it being impossible (I say) that they can keep themselves from all kind of Errors in point of Dyet, and that thereupon Excrements should be collected in the Body; it ought therefore to be one main part of the Physitians care that he prevent (in this respect) the heaping up of those Excrements in the Body, lest that they afterwards excite the Paroxysm; which is done if they be maturely taken out of the Body.

Chap. 8. The Physitians Consolation in the Gout.

IN regard that such as are fick and diseased desire and expect from the Phyfitian, Comforting the patient in the gout not Consolation, but advice, and the best of his assistance; it may seem to be besides the [Page 56]Office and business of the Physitian to write any thing touching Consolation in the Gout: and indeed I should not at al have published any thing of this Nature, had I not found the same date by that famous and most emment Man Johannes Crato, my fellow Ciuzen, and Physitian unto three Empetors, in his Consil. collected by Scholtzius. Him therefore I now shal follow, and speak somthing as touching the subject aforesaid. For of­tentimes indeed Medicaments and helps of al sorts are administred unto the sick person, and yet nevertheless the Physitian doth not so obtain what he desireth. And somtimes likewise the sick party (either in telpect of the condition of his life, and imployment, or else also in regard of some other parts of his body) cannot so exactly as he ought observe what is en­joyned him by the Physitian; and therefore albeit the sick person cannot then conceive any hopes of a perfect Cure, yet notwithstanding he may have somthing to comfort himself withal.

I. First of al therefore, The Gout preserveth from many other Diseases and Maladies, and it is a sure sign of the strength of Nature; which driveth forth the vitious humors in the body, out of the high way, and common road (as I may term it) or (if you wil) the principal passages, unto the extream and more ignoble parts of the body; and on the contrary (as we likewise acquainted you before in the Prognosticks) if Nature be weak, and sink under the burden, as being no longer able to expel forth these humors, then Feavers and other dange­rous Diseases are wont to follow. And hence it is that Physitians (and some of them of great note) are of Opinion that the Gout many times maketh for the lengthening of the life; and that if it be ill cured it hafteneth on death. For Nature (as we said erewhile) driveth the vitious humors unto the Joynts. But if (the body being not susi [...]iently pur­ged, or when there is no exact course of Dyet observed, or by reason of the long continuance of the disease, or else by reason of age) the strength be weak, and the Physitian shal then busie himself only in strengthening of the Joyms, it may easily happen that the matter which Nature was wont to thrust forth unto the Joynts, if it be stil retained in the body may be turned unto the principal parts, and so may excite dangerous Diseases, yea, and hasten on death.

II. A man all the while he is troubled with the Gout is in no danger of his life (as in o­ther diseases he might be, to wit, but [...]ing Feavers, and others, spitting of blood, the Pleu­risie, Impostumation of the Lungs, Dropsie, Epilepsie, Apoplexy, and many other) but af­ter a short time the Man returneth unto his wonted imployments, and is oftentimes so well recovered, that there is not the least appearance of his being sick.

III. I [...] likewise there be any thing in the World that may perswade Man unto temperance and sobriery, the Gout ch [...]esly doth this. For whenas the pain in the Gout is most raging and incollerable, and that the Gout cannot by any thing be better prevented or mitigated, than by a frugal Dyet (and in this we find al Physitians to agree, and we have also a testimony of it from Experience it self) which causeth that not only no matter may be supplied for the encrease of the ill humers; but it likewise best of al correcteth the distempers of the Bowels: and it is the par [...] of a prudent man rather to obey Reason than his Affections, and not to for­get that of the Poer.

and he ought to consider likewise that that pleasure which he taketh in a more free and libe­ral Dyet, is not worth, neither wil it compensate those so great pains and wrackings that must be endured in the fits of the Gout. And although it seem indeed somwhat grievous to shun al feastings, and company-keeping, yet this must be thought of, That none of those boon Companions can afterwards afford any the least help in this Disease; but that (as Lu­cian hath it in his Tragopodagra, about the end thereof) they wil rather laugh at, and deride a man in his pain and misery. Yea, moreover, whilst that for fear of the Gout a man accustometh himself unto a good and orderly Dyer; he doth not only prevent the pains of the Gout, but he avoideth likewise many other Diseases that proceed from the Errors in the Dyet; and a Man hereby oftentimes attaineth unto old Age. But as for such as either wil not submit themselves unto the Rules of Dyer, or else by reason of their condi­tion of life and imployment cannot observe the same, let not these accuse either the Physi­tian, or the Physick, but let them blame themselves; since that (as Galen writeth most cru­ly in his Tract of Curing by letting blood, Chap. 7.) To prescribe Medicaments (saith he) unto that party which neither can, nor will observe an orderly and due course of Dyet, is altogether in vain, and to no purpose. But now if a man observe a good Dyet, although he be not wholly freed from this Diseale, he yet may then comfort himself in a good conscience, [Page 57]and rest himself contented in the will and good pleasure of God. And hence it is, that Crato, in the place alleadg [...]d, writeth, that seeing diligent observetion and prudent moderation in point of Diet hath been found to be alwases helpful, and that it never hurteth or deceiveth any, to neglect it therefore may well be thought not only an Argument of the greatest folly and madness, but likewise of their [...] lecting and being careless of themselves, which Prety forbiddeth. And when we have the Testimony of our own conscience, that nothing hath been done by our own fault that might bring or increase the pain; it is then a very great Consoftion, when we can perswade our selves that we are altogether blameless; and so can cheer­fully endeavour in a right manner to bear what is necessary and could not be avey­ded, and not to repine and minture against God.

IV. And this also may comfort such as are a [...]licted with the Gour, that as ever, one hath his proper Calamity; so likewise every man hath a Commodity proper [...]y belonging to him; and that the Gour is said to be the Rich mans Diseate. [...] though those that are troubled with the Gout do indeed suffer a great pain: ye [...] most of them are such as have a plentiful Estate, or at least they have what is suffi­cient; whereas on the Contrary, there are many who although they be [...] from this pain, yet they lie under other daily press [...]es and grievances, by Reason of their poverty. The Gout (as Cardanus in his Encomium of the Gout writeth) [...]melleth and is sensible of sweet Unguents, heareth Songs and Musick, lyeth (proud as it is) in soft beds, upon Silken Pillows, betwixt Gold, and Pearls, and painted Tables, heareth Tales and pleasant stories, tasteth generous and Rich Wines, and the more delicate and dainty kind of Meats. It hath presented unto it pleasant and delightful flowers, Embroydered garments, and whatsoever hath ambitiously for many years been heaped up by wealthy Citizens, or even by Kings themselves. And the Gout is so far blessed, that he who is deteined thereby, besides the pain it self, hath nothing to hinder him from living a happy life.

V. Those that are troubled with the Gout may likewise comfort themselves with this, that those higher faculties of their Souls and the operations of their minds are not corrupted and hurt in this as they are in most of the other Diseases; but for the most part these continue safe and sound. And the very truth is that for most of the Mon [...]ments of the Learned, we owe them unto the Gout; for had these men al­waies had their health, they had never published so many voluminous and learned works. And (as Cardanus in the place alleadged writeth) Erasinus, a man of extra­ordinary great parts and learning, [...], while he lay diseased of the Gou [...], and by Reason of it [...] his [...], wrote and published is [...]atsoever of his is worth our reading.

VI. There is likewise another great benefit and commodity that the Gout bring­eth along with it, to wit, that it freeth a man oftentimes from many other troubles; and keeps off much Vain and fruitless labor, as also many grievous and disquieting Cares, (that I may use Cadans own words) so that if a man be required to serve a Tumultuous Common-wealth, or to give his attendance upon a pettish and froward Prince, or some imprudent friend, how can he better excuse himself, then by his having the Gout? He that hath the Gout hath the greatest part of the year at his own command: and there is no better not honester excusing ones felt from work, then by the Gout. And when there is occasion of a mans going abroad in publick to serve his own turn, it is but saying, that the Gout hath left him.

VII. And Lastly, although by art, and a good course of Diet, much help may be hoped for; yet nevertheless in regard that the temper of the Bo [...]els by the long continuance and grievousness of the pains is so subverted, and the Jo [...]nts so weak­ned, that there is no hopes left remaining of a perfect recovery of the health, the sick person may yet in the mean time enjoy those [...] and comforts that we have mentioned, and with Patience establish his mind, after the example of that great Emperour Charls the fifth, who was wont to say, that to be Patient, and not [...] to complain and cry out by Reason of the pain, are the last Remedies against the Gout.

But seeing that it is not the part of a Physitian, (but a thing much unbeseeming him) to make himself merry with the Disease and pains of his Patient, I shall for­bear to add any thing more of this Nature. But if there be any one that desireth to [Page 58]know any Elegant and conceited Jests upon the Gout, let him read Lucian his Tra­gopodagra. Which is likewise wel worth the Physitians reading, since that it doth most emphatically express the vehemency of this Disease, and shew the Cause thereof (and that indeed more rightly then many Physitians) and Elegantly des­cribe the time of its invading the person, the difficulty of its Cure, the bragging and vain promises of Empericks, and lastly the Patience that is necessary and Re­quisite for the sick Person.