HAving sent abroad a Paper, signifying, That I desire the Poor as well as the Rich might have the benefit of that Talent which God had given me: which was the scope of that Message to the Parishes of this County binding my selfe by Publique Engagement, to acquit the sincerity of my proposall herein, by registring all the undertakings which providence in this nature should send unto me. I found pre­sently those different effects this generall prescript wrought upon mens humors, many approving it, by attestation of sub­scription: Others approving the thing, but doubting of the probability of having it effected. For removing of impro­babilities (as well as I am able) is the summe of this Relation.

In a publique worke all the Instruments must be answera­ble to their parts, or otherwise the designe will faile in the doing.

• 1. The Abillity, Honesty, and Faithful­nesse of the Physition.
• 2. The liberall and willing Contribution of the Benefactors.
• 3. The Care and Diligence of the Chy­rurgeon and Apothecary.

These are the parts, if any of them fayle, the worke is im­payred.

1. To the first, I shall acquaint you with the Objections of mine owne Heart; when I discovered, that Providence did re­quire I should put forward the motion for supply of the Poore, and setling (if it were possible) an honourable Maintenance [Page 2]for Physitians. The first Objection was, That I could not speak herein, but 'twould savour of Self-love, and Covetousnesse, which I had most cause to abhorre of any thing. This was removed, by freely acquainting a Christian Magistrate, how God had dealt with me in cure of this Gangoreen, which corrupts the well­fare of common good. The next Objection, was the sad reflection of my distemper and weaknesse of bodily and Spirituall strength, that 'twas not probable I should mannage such publique affaires answerable to my promise and expectation of the County. To this, I thus concluded, That having learned by experience, how much discouragement had wrong'd the free mercy of God, who delights to make his power known by effecting great works with most despicable and improbable Agents, I durst not give way to such thoughts, but to prosecute it so far, as I found his assistance therein: And if it please him to inable me so long, as that I may moddell this undertaking in such a method, that an other may as well execute it as my selfe; When so much is done, then shall my Conscience in discharge of my duty, be at quiet. Where­fore I declare, That this proposall is presented upon no other re­solution then this, namely, if God please to continue my life and understanding but one Yeare or two, I hope, through his blessing, to acquit mens expectations of the good that will acrew by it; and to let them see, by Publishing my prescripts, and annexing the observations, what effect they have had over mens infirmities and bodily distempers, and rating every such Prescript as equal­ly to their cost of making, as may be: That then I desire to cease and execute it no further, having worke enough at home. But onely to recommend your charitable Contributions to Dr. Ed­ward VVilson, and Mr. VVilliam Tonstall, to whom God hath given gifts of minde, and health of body proportionable for so great a worke.

2. To the second, 'Tis in your hands to looke to it, you may finde some motives following, that will let you see (besides [Page 3]what your own Consciences will dictate when you are upon your sicke Bedds, and feel the comfort or want of Physitians help) That tis Gods will, You love your Neighbour as your selves.

3. To the third, For the care and diligence of the Chyrur­geon, by nominating the man we shall imploy (his demeanor hath been such already) that I hope tis enough to satisfie you herein, Mr. Thomas Cooper the younger.

For the care of the other, I shall undertake for them, so long as I meddle in this businesse; And then, experience of their accompts will confirme your approbation of them.

These things premised, you may see likelihood enough for a constant settlement of your Charity: and that the work is distributed amongst five persons, two Physitians to give advice, the other three to attend and administer it, which they may mutually prosecute without distinction of Surgery, or servant Apothecary; for as our Surgeon with assistant ad­vice, may knowingly and safely give such Physicke as we shall direct; so the other two, having seen the experience of our practice, may be usefull to help (following the direction of the Surgeon and Physitian) the poor people in any bodily infirmity.

This, I hope, may serve to assure you, That (if plentifull contribution be not wanting) there is probable means enough to doe the Country, both poor and rich, much good. And that you may know how little my hand is in this designe, I shall relate to you, how I neither begun, nor prosecuted it other­wise, then providence directed, my Conscience urging me thereunto.

It was my occasionall Discourse to a Magistrate of this County, touching the benefits of having an honourable stand­ing maintenance for approved Physitians in this County, and the many sad evills which was dayly contracted by the neglect hereof, and at how easie a charge it may be accom­plished. [Page 4]plished. To instance the benefits. First, The succour of the Poore, whose cryes were lowde, that there was none to help them, but they must live miserably, or dye desperately, in adventring their bodies into the bands of such as had no promise of Gods assistance and blessing to practice Physicke, being un-called and un-fitted thereunto. And though this evill hath troubled the Common-wealth, as appeares by the Laws made against it, yet could it never be prevented otherwise, then thus, by propounding to them, how they may have advise of Physitians and Physicke for nothing.

Secondly, The good and safety of all; For, whereas it is generally believed, after once any hath made use of a Physitian, and God hath blessed the means with Successe; that Party may with more security, rely upon the same Physitians advise, then upon a strangers, who knows not by experience the disposition of the party to Physicke, but onely by probable arguments. Now sup­posing the Country Physitians, which had most of the practice, were obliged to Register all mens cases as they were presented to them, freely writing the perticulers of their Medicines, then may both Patient and Physitian that comes after him, know bet­ter how to proceed, when next occasion is offered.

Thirdly, The advance of Knowledge, he being ingaged with­in the limit of the first three Yeares, to Write a Booke of the Body of Physicke, which may be supposed the Summe of all his Reading and Study, which being still kept, might further his Successors. And if in his practice, he meet with any perticuler secret, he likewise should note that for the same end.

Fourthly, The Glory of God. We say, take away the Cause, and the Effect ceaseth; this is an undeniable Principle, yet ordinarily it is contradicted in the Physitians and Patients practice: For the Cause, Principall, Antecedant, Concomitant, and sine qua non, is Sinne, and that in every Disease, this therefore in right Method should first be removed, but it is [Page 5]last thought upon. How would God blesse the preceedings of the Phisitian, and Sanctifie the sickenesse of the Patient, if that order were made, That none (if necessity did non prohibit) should expect a Physitians assistance, before the Minister have Visited him, except the sicke party he a Recusant?

To summe up all, Whatsoever evill were desired to be re­moved, or good done that layd in the power of the Physitian, he being the Countries Servant, might have such Rules pre­scribed by the ablest of the Benefactors, that he should not transgresse to the prejudice of either soule or body.

And although all this were approved of, yet little hopes appeared, that these wasting times should make up so consi­derable a summe, as this businesse required: Therefore I pre­sented to the Justices (whom I took to be the Physitians, de­pured of God for reliefe of the poor) motives of conside­ration in behalse of the indigent people, that they would but consider how many sad events in one Yeare happens, for want of those remedies which were (by Gods Ordinance) as neces­sary to preserve life in time of infirmity, as Meat and Drink in time of health.

This motion (though approved) yet could not be granted, because the Law allowed of no Assessement for reliefe of this nature. Failing here, I resolved to try the Friends God had given me, and see if they would make contribution, which might be in answer hereunto. And from all that I mentioned it unto, I received such incouragement through their Liberal­lity, that I was induced to move it to the rest of the Coun­try, that all might have notice, and no man might be excluded that desired to joyne assistance to this worke of Charity.

Wherefore I judge it my part to propound these two Cases.

1 I wish (unlesse they resolve to settle a maintenance stand­ing for County Physitians) that I may have the liberty (with­out [Page 6]the ill will or censure of any man) to signifie to those my Re­lations, who have no jealousie of my proposall, That I may have what contribution they please for the poor Yearely, and I shall saithfully disburse it upon those whom they please to recommend to my care, in cases of Physicke and Chirurgery: And they will see Yearely what account I shall be able to give them, wishing from my heart, that all other Physitians would doe the like to their Relations, that so the worke may be better distributed amongst us.

2. If they doe resolve to settle a standing allowance as is ex­pressed, I shall give them my best furtherance and assistance in it, Thus;

First, I consider the charge of Money, That it will be ne­cessary to indent with one Chirurgeon at the least, binding our selves to pay him twenty pounds per Annum, during the time of this Contribution, for his care and pains in cases of Chyrurgery, which we shall recommend to him, giving him our assistance and advice herein; and defraying all his charge that is expended about it.

In like manner it is necossary, That we indent with an Apothecary, allowing him accordingly for making up our prescriptions, and distributing them without payment.

It is also necessary, That an other be indented with for at­tending those preparations which are done by the Art of Chimistry; and least people may conceive this to be need­lesse: I desire to let them know, that it is absolutely neces­sary and convenient, because none ever practised Physicke, but he found continuall use of such Medicines, though he thought it a point of discretion to cover his practising of them from the know ledge of the Patient, which is general­ly affrighted with the name of a Minerall, because the un­skilfull practice of many, hath occasioned this misprision of Chymistry. If I be not beleeved herein, let any Graduate [Page 7]Artist charge me with a Lye. Besides (to those that know me, I speak) unlesse the Lord had signally instructed me in some thing of this Art, and witnessed his approbation there­in, with concurrances of his blessing, I should (since the time I knew my selfe) never have dar'd to harbour one houres studdy in these matters, wherein I had fayled so much in expence of time and money formerly: I will not say more herein, then may be satisfactory to the Contribu­tors, that the hopefull improvement of those scraps, which I have gathered hic & ubique, I shall bequeath into good hands for their use.

Againe, 'tis necessary that so much be allotted for pro­visions of Dyet and Lodging, during the Cure of such, whose Malladies require dayly attendance here in Towne.

It is convenient, that there be a Library of Physicke Bookes, and a small Annuall summe for inlarging the same.

These are the Charges, as appurtenances to the maine Disbursements of Medicines and, Maintenance of Physi­tians.

The Accompt which we have ingaged to Register con­sists of two parts. First, The Accompt of the Money Re­ceived, and how it is Expended: it is done in this Forme.

For this is our desire mainely, that Monies be not wanting for necessary charges of Physicke, and attending it. And for our advice, we referr it to the County, when they see what we have done, which will deserve more one Yeare, then another.

The second Part is the Accompt of Gods blessing on our Endeavours towards the Poore.

If this Accompt be without fraud made legi­ble to all mens capacities; then the mouths of false feares and jealousies are stopped: which that they may be, I desire the Information in the behalfe of any poor creature, be in this Forme.

This I judge requisite, leaft the Country fashion be observed, in sending their Urine without further Information; supposing we shall know enough thereby, how, safely to Administer Advice in all Cases.

After the Information is Registated, the Advice of the Physitian I promise to Re­gister.

It is judged, That the Information Signed by A. B doth manifest a putrid Fevor, wherefore let there be Administred after Bleeding, First, A preparitory Potion; A Vomit the next Day; And then a Cordiall sweat, as they are knowne by their Names in the Pharmacopaea Dunelmensis. The Effects whereof, as it hath pleased God to dis­pose, may be Read in the Catalogue of the re­turnes sent from the poore Patients, to be Col­lected together in one Booke.

So when the Information is Viewed, the Judgement and Advice upon it; the Pre­scriptions to the Apothecary, how they an­swer the Advice, and the Returnes what Effect such advice hath produced, I hope I have acquitted the Engagement.

For the Remote Parts, as Darneton Ward, least distance of Place make this Proposall lesse Effectuall in their behalfe; I doe pro­mise to leave a Chest of Medicines, and im­ploy one thereabout, who shall carefully pro­secute the intent of our Designe, with lesse trouble then comming to Durham, except in cases of difficulty.

This also I wish may be knowne, That two Moneths about Midsummer, being a Sea­son, but in extreame cases, unfit to move the humors in the Body, I shall attend my Duty at the Well on Gaterly Moore, adjacent to this County.

This Water is of the Nature of Sweet Spawes, which partakes of Vitrioll; the Spaw at Knaisborough a little exceeds it in this pro­perty, and therefore is more effectuall for Gravell in the Kidneys: but for Diseases of the Female Sex, proceeding from the Spleene and Matrix; as also for Wormes, and all other Diseases, none excepted (with due care of Physicke taken.) This Water hath the preheminence, (to my judgement and experi­ence) of others in the North Parts; the Rea­son from hence is, That it partakes of the Tinne and Lead: the former Mettall is ap­proved to be of use in Mens Bodies next to Gold; from the latter, it hath properties which are knowne to Physitians, and there­fore is not safe for Women Conceived to med­dle with it. I wish this necessary Caveat be not abused to sinne

I hope the Country may be now satisfied, That if there be no want on their Parts of Charity, the Poore shall not suffer in losse of Health or Life, so farre as my Care and En­deavour can prevent. And seeing the onely ground and bothome of this undertaking (next to the approbation of God) is the good will and opinion of the Contributors, having no feare at all, that they by exceed­ing their Contribution with Messages of Pa­tients, have purpose to impoverish me in my Actings for the Poore: Wherefore as I hope to be Instrumentally helpfull to them, let no Man forbeare to send to us in their behalfe when there shall be need. These things pre­mised, I desire it may be Published as fol­loweth.

The onely designe next, in prosecution hereof is, to frame a Dispensatory in such a Method, that if any Person can but have true advice what kinde of Remedies is needfull for them to use, then shall it be sufficient dire­ction to mine Apothecary what to give him, without prescribing such and such things in particular. And this, I hope, will be a benefi­ciall worke, because men prophessing Physick, seldome differ in Judgement concerning what is to be done, and after what manner. The Logicall rules of Art leade men together thus farre: but with what shall our intentions be performed, here lyes the Dispute? For it is na­turall, that he that hath made his practice with such Receipts, will not yeeld to alter them upon anothers commending his. This knot will be loosed, when the Dispensatory is Viewed, with Observations how they tooke effect; Physitians then may judge of them. I wish them so much comfort, as a willing heart, to adjoyne their Receips hereto: And when all is approved on, none need differ in using them.

An Abstract of the Poore Mans Panacaea, or Pharmacopaea Dunelmensis.

The Rationall Method of Cure, is perfor­med by Indication. And the subject of Indi­dication, is either

• 1. Causa Materialis.
  • Antecedent.
  • Continent.
• 2. Pars affecta.
• 3. Symptomata.

1 1. The Materiall Cause being praeternaturall, hath for its Indication Evacuation, which is either of

• 1. Blood.
• 2. Humors.
• 3. Wormes.
• 4. Stone and Gravell,
• 5. Winde.
• 6. Maligne Vapors.

Externall accidents

• Thorns.
• Splinters.
• Dirt and gravel, &c.

1. Blood hath its Evacuation by Lances, Leeches, &c.

2. Humors are divided ordinarily into

• Choller.
• Phlegme.
• Melancholy.
• Water.

These have their proper Evacuatories [Page 17]Evacuatories

• in Generall are
  • Vomits.
  • Purges.
  • Salivation.
  • Sweats.
  • Diureticks.
  • Blistering.
  • Fomentation.
• which are either
  • Internall
    • Drinke.
    • Cordial Electuries.
    • and Powders.
  • Externall
    • Bath.
    • Fuming.
• in Particular,
  • Errhina.
  • Apophlegmatismi.
  • Tussilagogs, &c.

Evacuatories by Stoole are either in forme of

• Pills.
• Electuaries.
• Potions.
• Powders.

As Reason sees cause to vary.

2 2. The part affected: This hath for its In­dication, Corroboration, which is performed by opposition of helps Homogeniall to the tem­perament, and Humidum radicale. This Humi­dum radicale, consists in the influentiall heate of the Heart (which communicates its life [Page 18]and vigour to the whole Body) and the innate heate of every Part or Member.

These helps are

• Aliments.
• Medicaments.

Medicaments are such as we call, Cephalicks, Pectoralls, Cordialls, Stomachicks, Spleniticks, Hepaticks, Renall, and Matricall; these are pe­culiar to the noble parts of the Body, which respect the innate heate of each particular part, with a sweet spirit agreeable to the Vi­talls: The variation of this Indication is one­ly in respect of the temperament in

• hot Distempers.
• cold Distempers.

3. Symptoms. These are such Effects as fol­low the Disease, and have for their Indication their contraries.

The common Symptome, is paine; its con­trary is Anodine.

The other Symptoms are divided, in respect of

• Spitits.
• Blood and Humors.

1. Spirits, as

• Want of Sense.
• Want of Motion.
• Watchfulnesse.
• Drowsinesse.

2. Blood, and Humors.

These are divided in respect of their

• Qualities
  • First.
  • Second.
• Motion.

1. First Qualities are

• Heat.
• Cold.
• Moysture.
• Drynesse.

2. Second Qualities are

• Thinnesse.
• Clamminesse.
• Grossenesse.

Motion, proceeding from

• the Head.
• the Stomacke.
• the Belly.
• the Liver.
• the Kidneyes.
• the Matrix.

Thus the materiall Cause, which is the maine opponent, is discovered; the part affe­cted strengthened, and the Symptoms remo­ved; which comprehend the whole Method of Cure belonging to the Physitian.

Now followeth Chirurgery, which is a Me­thod performed by manuall operation upon the Body. The parts whereof are either

• Similare.
• Organicall.

1. Similare are

• Bones.
• Nerves.
• Veines and Arteries.
• Membrans.
• Flesh.

2. Organicall are

• Head.
• Palate.
• Ears.
• Eyes.
• Nose, &c.

Infirmities belonging to these Parts, are either

• Tumors.
• Ʋlcers.
• Wounds.
• Imposthumes.
• Contusions.
• Gangrenes.

• 1. Tumors are
  • Phlegmon.
  • Erisipilas.
  • Oedema.
  • Schirrus.
  • Flatulent.
  • Scrophular.
  • Wens.
• 2. Ulcers are
  • Simple. These require onely Consolidation.
  • Compound. These are
    • Mild, these are
      • Plain. sinnuous are
        • Callons, as the Fistula
        • without callosity
    • Malignant, and corroding,
  these are
  • Herpes.
  • Phagedaina.
  • Noema.
  • Cancer.
  • Leprosie.
• 3. Wounds.
• 4. Imposthums.
• 5. Contusions.
• 6. Gangrens, vary according to the division of the Parts.

The Remedies answerable to all Indicati­ons in Physicke and Chyrurgery, shall (God [Page 22]willing) be fitly Composed and Annexed to every branch of Indication, expressed in this Abstract. Therefore when the Pharmacopaea Dunelmensis is Compiled, you may see our businesse is little more, then to give advice.

This Commodity also will arise, That if the Contribution will amount to no more then will finde the Poore with all Medicines necessary for Physicke or Chyrurgery; then may they have Advice gratis from any Artist, having such Remedies for their use in all Ca­ses, as shall be Published.