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

CHAP. I. The cause of writing this Treatise of Poysons.

FIVE reasons have principally moved me to undertake to write this Treatise of poysons, according to the opinion of the Anci∣ents. The first is, that I might instruct the Surgeon what reme∣dies must presently be used to such as are hurt by poysons, in the interim whilst greater meanes may bee expected from a Physi∣cian. The second is, that hee may know by certaine signes and notes such as are poysoned or hurt by poysonous meanes, and so make report thereof to the Judges, or to such as it may con∣cerne. The third is, that those Gentlemen and others who live in the Countrey, and farre from Cities and store of greater meanes, may learne something by my labours by which they may helpe their friends bitten by an Adder, madde Dogge, or other poysonous creature, in so dangerous, sudden and usuall a case. The fourth is, that e∣very one may beware of poysons, and know their symptomes when present, that being knowne, they may speedily seeke for a remedie. The fifth is, that by this my labour all men may know what my good-will is, and how well minded I am towards the common wealth in generall, and each man in particular, to the glory of God. I doe not here so much arme malicious and wicked persons to hurt, as Surgeons to provide to helpe and defend each mans life against poyson; which they did not un∣derstand, or at least seemed not so to doe, which taking this my labour in evill part, have maliciously interpreted my meaning.

But now at length, that wee may come to the matter; I will begin at the generall division of poysons, and then handle each species thereof severally: but first let us * 1.1 give this rule; That, Poyson is that which either outwardly applyed or struck in, or inwardly taken into the body, hath power to kill it, no otherwise, than meate well drest is apt to nourish it. For Conciliator writes, that the properties of poyson are con∣trary to nourishments in their whole substance, for as nourishment is turned into bloud, and in each part of the body whereto it is applyed to nourish, by perfect assi∣mulation is substituted in the place of that portion which flowes away each moment.

Thus on the contrary poyson turnes our bodies into a nature like it selfe and vene∣nate, for as every agent imprints the force and qualities thereof in the subject patient, thus poyson by the immoderation of faculties in their whole nature contrary to us, changeth our substance into its nature, no otherwise than fire turneth chaffe in a mo∣ment into its owne nature, and so consumes it. Therefore it is truly delivered by the Ancients, who have diligently pryed into the faculties of naturall things, that it is Poyson that may kill men by destroying and corrupting their temper, and the com∣posure and conformation of the body. Now all poysons are said to proceed either * 1.2 from the coruptaire, or from living creatures, plants and mineralls, or by an artifici∣all malignity in distilling, subliming and diversly mixing of poysonous and fuming things. Hence ••risesundry differences of poysons; neither doe they all worke after the same manner; for some corrupt our nature by the unmeasurablenesse of the ma∣nifest and elementary qualities whereof they consist, others from a specifick and oc∣cult propertie. Hence it is that some kill sooner than othersome; neither is it true, that all of them presently assaile the heart, but others are naturally at deadly strife * 1.3 with other parts of the body, as Cantharides with the bladder, the sea Hare with the lungs, the Torpedo with the hands, which it stupefieth, though the fishers rod bee betwixt them. Thus of medicines, there are some which are apt presently to comfort and strengthen the heart; others the brain, as staechas; others the stomack, as Cina∣mon; Also there are some poysons which work both waies, that is, by manifest and occult qualities, as Euphorbium; for that both by the excessive heate and the whole substance, or the discord of the whole substance with ours, corrupts our nature. An argument hereof is, that Treacle, which by its quality is manifestly hot, infringeth the force thereof, as also of all others of an occult property. Poisons which work by an occult and specifick property, do not therefore doe it, because they are too immo∣derately hot, cold, dry, moist; but for that they are absolutely such, and have that essence from the stars and coelestiall influence, which is apt to dissolve and destroy the strength of mans body, because being taken, but even in a small quantity, yet are they of so pernicious a quality, that they kill almost in a moment. Now poysons do not onely kill being taken into the body, but some being put or applyed outwardly; neither doe venimous creatures only harme by their stinging and biting, but also by their excrements, as spittle, bloud, the touch and breath.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What is to be accounted poy∣son.
• * 1.2

  The differences of poysons.
• * 1.3

  All poysons have not a pe∣culiar Antipa∣thy with the heart.