A treatise of the rickets being a diseas common to children. Wherin (among many other things) is shewed, 1. The essence 2. The causes 3. The signs 4. The remedies of the diseas. Published in Latin by Francis Glisson, George Bate, and Ahasuerus Regemorter; doctors in physick, and fellows of the Colledg of Physitians at London. Translated into English by Phil. Armin.

The Preface to the Reader.

Courteous Reader:

BEfore the space of five years, we have mutually communicated by written Papers somthing con∣cerning this Affect in privat meetings (which som of us Physitians use somtimes to have for Exercise-sake in the works of Art) When thes things had opened a way in some sort to the deeper enquiry and search after the condition and cure of this Diseas; We thought it might prove a very succesful undertaking to recal those Papers once again to a Review; and (those things being called out which might be best accommoda∣ted to this use) to prepare a perfect Tractate of this Dis∣eas. That Care by common suffrage was entrusted to D^r Glisson, D^r Bate, and D^r Regemorter, who purposed at first to divide this business among themselvs according to the parts of the future Tractate, and to assign to each one his proper task. But when D^r Glisson in the judgment of the rest had accuratly interweaved his part (which com∣prehended the finding out of the Essence of this Diseas) and in that had propounded many things different from the common Opinion of Physitians (though perhaps the less different from the truth) we altered our Resolution, and committed the first Stuff of the whol Work to be wo∣ven

by him alone, lest at length the parts should arise de∣formed, mishapen and heterogeneous to themselvs. He accepted the offer, but with this condition, that whilst he was employed in beautifying and adorning this part, the other two should often hold consultation with him, and confer unto the Wouf their Covenanants of free commerce by their own observations concerning this Affect, and that those things which should be delineated and shaped by his labor and study, should presently undergo the examination and judgment of the rest, as if they had been fashioned by their hands. And so at the length we have brought this Work (such as it is) to perfection, and have offered it to the publick view, being by no means moved therunto by an itch of writing (which is the Epidemical ill custom of this age) but by this Consideration only, That becaus we are not born for our selvs, we might make these (such as they are) common, which in som measure may advance the health of Infancy and tender age (in which for the present a great part of Mankind, but for the future all Mankind is comprehended) and likewise propagate an Encreas unto Learning: with this hope also, That by this Example we may invite the Wits of other most lear∣ned men to make inquisition into the Essences of Diseases and their Causes, and to examin these our Labors that posterity may enjoy them yet more perfect. But the ob∣scure Essence of this Diseas, and this our daring to tread in unbeaten paths (were we silent) might obtain a par∣don, and modestly chalenge a candid interpretation for all defects, lapses, and errors in these our Endeavors. Finally, expect no flashes of Rhetorick and Courtly-Lan∣guage;

Nobis non licet esse tam dicertis, Musas qui colimus severiores.

And indeed the condition of the matter forbids all such Painting; in such a manner,

Ornari res ipsa negat, contenta doceri.

Farewel (kind Reader) and peruse them as we dedicate them, that is, with an ingenious and candid mind.

• F. G.
• G. B.
• A. R.