The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey translated out of Latine and compared with the French. by Th: Johnson

CHAP. XIIII. Another Apologie, against those who have laboured with new reasons to proove, that wounds made by Gunshot are poysoned.

SOme few monthes agone, I visited a patient together with some lear∣ned Physitions and skillfull Chirurgions. Now they, as it oft times * 1.1 happens, in way of discourse, begun to argue of the condition and quality of wounds made by Gunshot, and endeavoured to proove that they might be poysoned, by five reasons. Not truly through the occasion of the Gunpouder, for they all confessed that it was free from poyson, whether you have regard to its essence, or to its composition; but by the Bullet, into which the poyson may bee transfused and incorporated. The first reason is, that * 1.2 Lead seeing it is of a rare and spongious nature, which the easinesse of melting and softnesse argues, is very fit to drinke and soake in what liquors so ever you please. But me thinkes this conclusion is very weake; for in all mixtures made by Art, such as this is whereof wee speake, there are two things to be considered; that is to say, the matter of the things which enter into the mixture, and the forme: for the mat∣ter, such bodies must be eyther liquid, or soft or friable; and lastly such as may be broken and divided into small particles, that so they may easily in all parts con∣curre and bee conjoyned and united. But for their forme, there ought to be a cer∣taine affinitie, consent and simpathy. You may perceive this by water and oyle; for each of them though of a liquid substance, and such as may easily bee mix∣ed with divers other things, yet cannot they bee mixed the one with the other by reason of their antipathy of formes. For thus gold and silver are so agreeing with Lead, that as oft as they are molten, Lead is mixed with them. But Brasse shuns Lead as much as gold and silver fly Tinne and white Lead. If therefore Brasse and Lead being melted cannot bee mixed together, though conteined un∣der the same Genus, and common nature of Mettalls; how then can it be commixt with another thing distinct in the whole kinde, much more in species, and forme, to wit, poyson? Their second reason is this; Iron, say they, which is more dense, solid, and lesse porous, may receive some venenate substance and quality, as the Arrowes of the Ancients which were dipped in poyson, testifie; therefore must Lead

much more be capable thereof. I answer, that the surface of Iron may be poysoned, but not the inner part or substance by mixture therewith. But heere the question is of union, but not of annointing or inunction.

The third reason is thus framed; Though (say they) Lead casts off and purges it selfe from the drosse and unpure parts, yet that is no argument, that it will not commix, or soake its selfe in some strange liquor or body; for thus Steele, being the most solid Iron, receives the temper which hardens it by the artificiall pouring upon it or quenching it in liquors contrary thereto in their whole kind. I answer, that Steele admits into it by that quenching and tempering, none of the juices or liquors wherewith it is watred or quenched. For if that were necessary, it might be better and more easily performed, when the mettall is first cast, than when it is beaten into plates, or barres; which answer shall serve to confute their fourth reason; where∣in they say, that bullets may be made so poysonous by the commixture of the juices of Muncks-hood, Oleander, Crowe-foote, and other such like things which in their whole substance are contrary to ours, that the wound which is made with them can∣not but be poysoned.

But I on the contrary affirme, that mixture is onely of these things, which may not onely be put, but also sticke thereto, and be mutually united; but how can wa∣ter, or any other liquid juice so much as onely sticke to Lead, as that which is a solid and firme body, it is so farre from being united therewith? You may give more certaine judgement hereof by experience, than by reason; wherefore let melted Lead be put into the foresaid juices or the like; then when the lead is cold, weigh each of them severally, and you shall finde, that both of them reteine the same weight they formerly had. Which is a most certaine argument that neither the Lead hath mixed or united it selfe with the juices, nor the juices lost any part of their substance.

Their fifth reason is thus; A Bullet shot out of a Gun against some hard stone, growes not so hot, but that you may presently without any harme take it up in your hand. Therefore it is false, that the poyson commixt and united with the Bullet can bee dissipated by the fire and flash of Gunpouder. The answer to this objection is easily. For when wee say, that although the Bullet may bee infected by poyson perfectly commixt with the Lead, yet all the force of the poyson would bee dissipated by the fire; wee would have you thus to understand us, that we doe not meane this of that fire which is made by the pouder at the discharging of the Peice, but of that by force whereof the molten head is mixed and conjoyned with the venenate juice, so to make one of many. For this fire exercising its force upon the venenate juices, hindred by the intercourse of no Medium, and that for some space of time, and not for an instant, it may, if not consume, yet much wea∣ken their strength.

If there be any, who will not bee satisfied by these reasons, let him consult, and reade Matthiolus. There are (saith hee) some of these latter times wholly igno∣rant of things, who (if wee may say the truth) have beene so madly foolish, that they said it was fit and requisite to put Treacle and Mithidate and such like An∣tidotes * 1.3 amongst Gold and Silver that was melted to make Cuppes, that so recei∣ving the faculties of the Antidote they might resist poyson. But how absurd and ridiculous their opinion is, let them judge (for it needs no clearer re∣proofe) who have but a little knowledge in naturall things, but chiefely in Mettalls.

These are my reasons, these the authorities of men excelling in learning and judgement, that confirme me in my ancient and former opinion, that wounds made by Gunshot doe not partake of any venenate qualitie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The occasion of this Apo∣logie.
• * 1.2

  The reasons of our adver∣saries that the Bullets may be poysoned, set downe and confuted.
• * 1.3

  In praefat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 6. Diascor.