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

HOW TO MAKE REPORTS, AND TO EMBALME THE DEAD. THE TVVENTIEIGHTH BOOKE. (Book 28)

NOw it onely remaines that wee instruct the Chirurgion * 1.1 in making or framing his reporte, or opinion, eyther of the death of any person, or of the weakenesse, or depri∣vation of any member in the function or execution of its proper office and duty. Herein it is meete that hee be very considerate, that is to say, ingenious or wise in ma∣king his report, because the events of diseases are often-times doubtfull and uncertaine, neither can any man fore-tell them certainly, whether they will be for life or death, by reason of the manifold nature of the subject of which we speake, and also the uncertaine condition of the humors both in their kind and * 1.2 motion. Which was the cause why Hippocrates even in the first of his Aphorismes pronounceth, that judgement is difficult. But first of all, it is very expedient that a Chirurgion be of an honest mind, that hee may alwayes have before his eyes a carefull regard of true piety, that is to say, the feare of God and faith in Christ, and love toward his neighbours with hope of life everlasting, least that hee being carried away by favour, or corrupted with money or rewards, should affirme or te∣stifie these wounds to bee small that are great, and these great that are small; for the report of the wound is received of the Chirurgion according to the civill Law.

It is recorded in the workes of ancient Physitions that wounds may bee called great for three respects. * 1.3

The first is by reason of the greatnesse of the dissolved unitie or resolution of Continuity, and such are these wounds which made by a violent stroake with a backe∣sword, have cut off the arme, or legge, or overthwart the breast. The second is by reason of the dignitie or worthinesse of the part; now this dignity dependeth on the excellencie of the action; therefore thus any little wound made with a bodkin, knife, in any part whose substance is noble, as in the Braine, Heart, Liver

or any other part whose action and function is necessary to preserve life, as in the Weasant, Lungs or Bladder, is judged great. The third is, by reason of the greatnesse and ill habit, or the abundance of ill humors or debility of all the wounded body; so those woundes that are made in nervous parts, and old decayed people, are sayd to be great. But in searching of wounds let the Chirurgion take heede that he be not deceived by his probe. For many times it cannot goe into the bottome of the wound but stoppeth, and sticketh in the way, either because he hath not placed the patient, in the same posture, wherein he was when he received his hurt; or else for that the stroake being made downe right, slipt aside to the right or left hand, or else from below upwards, or from above downewards, and therefore hee may expect that the wound is but little and will be cured in a short time, when it is like to bee long in curing, or else mortall. Therefore from the first day it behooveth him to * 1.4 suspend his judgement of the wound untill the ninth, for in that time the accidents will shew themselves manifestly, whether they be small or great, according to the condition of the wound, or wounded bodyes, and the state of the ayre according to his primitive qualities, or venomous corruption.

But generally the signes, whereby we may judge of diseases, whether they bee * 1.5 great or small, of long or short continuance, mortall or not mortall, are foure. For they are drawne either from the nature, and essence of the disease, or from the cause or effects thereof, or else from the similitude, proportion and comparison, of those diseases with the season or present constitution of the times. Therefore if wee are called to the cure of a greene wound, whose nature and danger, is no other but a sim∣ple solution of Continuity in the musculous flesh, we may presently pronounce that wound to be of no danger, and that it will soone be cured. But if it have an Vlcer annexed unto it, that is, if it be sanious, then we may say it will be more difficult and long in the curing; and so we may pronounce of all diseases, taking a signe of their essence and nature. But of the signes that are taken of the causes, let this bee an ex∣ample. A wound that is made with a sharpe pointed and heavie weapon, as with an halbeard being stricken with great violence, must be accounted great, yea and also mortall if the accidents be correspondent.

But if the patient fall to the ground through the violence of the stroake, if a cho∣lericke vomiting follow thereon, if his sight faile him, together with a giddinesse, if blood come forth at his eyes and nosthrills, if distraction follow with losse of me∣mory and sense of feeling, we may say; that all the hope of life, remaineth in one small signe which is to be deduced from the effects of the wound. But by the com∣paring it unto the season that then is, and diseases that then assault mans body, wee * 1.6 may say, that all those that are wounded with gunshot are in danger of death, as it hap∣pened in the schirmishes at the seige of Roan, and at the battall of Saint Denis. For at that time, whether it were by reason of the fault of the heavens, or ayre, through the evill humors of mans body, and the disturbance of them; all wounds that were made by gunshot, were for the most part mortall. So likewise at certaine seasons of the yeare, we see the small pockes and measels breake forth in children, as it were by a certaine pestilent contagion to the destruction of children onely, inferring a most cruell vomit and laske, and in such a season the judgement of those diseases is not difficult. But you by the following signes may know what parts are wounded. * 1.7 If the patient fall downe with the stroake, if he lye senselesse, as it were asleepe, if he voyde his excrements unwittingly, if he be taken with giddinesse, if blood come out at his eares, mouth, and nose, and if he vomit choller, you may understand that the scull is fractured, or pearced through, by the defect in his understanding and dis∣course. You also may know when the scull is fractured, by the judgement of your externall senses, as if by feeling it with your finger you finde it elevated or depressed beyond the naturall limits, if by striking it with the end of a probe, when the Peri∣cranium or nervous filme that investeth the scull is cut crosse wise; and so divided there from it, yeeld a base and unperfect sound like unto a pot sheard that is broken, or rather like unto an earthen pitcher that hath a cleft, or rent therein.

But we may say, that death is at hand if his reason and understanding faile him, if * 1.8 he be speechlesse, if his sight forsake him, if he would tumble headlong out of his

bed, being not at all able to moove the other parts of his body; if he have a continuall feaver, if his tongue be blacke with drienesse, if the edges of the wound bee blacke or dry, and cast forth no sanious matter, if they resemble the colour of salted flesh, if he have an apoplexie, phrensie, convulsion or palsie with an involuntarie excreti∣on, or absolute suppr••ssion of the Vrine and excrements. You may know that a man hath his throate, that is, his weason and winde pipe cut. First by the sight of his * 1.9 wound, and next by the abolishment of the function or office thereof both wayes, for the patient can neither speake nor swallow any meate or drinke; and the parts that are cut asunder, divide themselves by retraction upwards or downewards one from another, whereof commeth sodaine or present death. You may know that a * 1.10 wound hath peirced into the brest or concavity, of the body, if the ayre come forth at the wound, making a certaine whizzing noyse, if the patient breathe with great dif∣ficulty, if he feele a great heavinesse or weight, on or about the midriffe, whereby it may be gathered that a great quantity of blood, lyeth on the place or midriffe, and so causeth him to feele a weight or heavinesse, which by little and little, will bee cast up by vomiting. But a little after a feaver commeth, and the breath is unsavory, and stinking, by reason that the putrefying blood is turned into sanies: the patient cannot lye but on his backe, and he hath an often desire to vomit, but if hee escape death, his wound will degenerate into a Fistula, and at length will consume him by little and little.

We may know that the Lungs are wounded, by the foaming and spumous blood, * 1.11 comming out both at the wound and cast up by vomiting; hee is vexed with a gree∣vous shortnesse of breath and with a paine in his sides. We may perceive the Heart to be wounded by the aboundance of blood that commeth out at the wound, by the trembling of all the whole body, by the faint and small pulse, palenesse of the face, * 1.12 cold sweate, with often swounding, coldnesse of the extreame parts, and suddaine death.

When the midriffe (which the Latines call Diaphragma) is wounded, the patient * 1.13 feeleth a great weight in that place, he raveth and talketh idlely, he is troubled with shortnesse of winde, a cough, and fit of greevous paine, and drawing of the entralls upwards. Wherefore when all these accidents appeare, we may certainely pro∣nounce that death is at hand.

Death appeareth sodainely, by a wound of the hollow Veine, or the great Arterie, * 1.14 by reason of the great and violent evacuation of blood and spirits, whereby the functions of the Heart and Lungs are stopped and hindred.

The marrow of the backebone being pierced, the patient is assaulted with a Palsie * 1.15 or convulsion very suddainely, and sence and motion faileth in the parts beneath it, the excrements of the bladder, are either evacuated against the patients will, or else are altogether stopped.

When the Liver is wounded, much blood commeth out at the wound, and pric∣king paine disperseth it selfe even unto the sword-like gristle, which hath its situation * 1.16 at the Lower end of the brest bone called Sternon: the blood that falleth from thence downe into the intestines doth oftentimes inferre most maligne accidents, yea and sometimes death.

When the stomacke is wounded, the meate and drink come out at the wound, there * 1.17 followeth a vomiting of pure choler, then commeth sweating and coldnesse, of the extreame parts, and therefore we ought to prognosticate death to follow such a wound.

When the milt or spleene is wounded, blacke and grosse blood cometh out at the * 1.18 wound, the patient will be very thirsty, with paine on the left side, and the blood breakes forth into the belly, and there putrifying causeth most maligne and greevous accidents and often times death to follow.

When the guts are wounded, the whole body is griped and pained, the excre∣ments * 1.19 come out at the wound, whereat also often times the guts breake forth with great violence.

When the reines or Kidnyes are wounded, the patient will have great paine in making his Vrine, and the blood commeth out together therewith, the paine com∣meth * 1.20 downe even unto the groine, yard, and testicles.

When the bladder and Vreters are wounded, the paine goeth even unto the en∣tralls; * 1.21 the parts all about, and belonging to the groine are distended, the Vrine is bloody that is made, and the same also commeth often times out at the wound.

When the wombe is wounded, the blood commeth out at the privities, and all o∣ther accidents appeare, like as when the bladder is wounded. * 1.22

When the sinewes are pricked or cut halfe asunder, there is great paine in the af∣fected * 1.23 place, and there followeth a suddaine inflammation, fluxe, abscesse, feaver, convulsion, and oftentimes a gangreene or mortification of the part, whereof com∣meth death, unlesse it be speedily prevented.

Having declared the signes and tokens of wounded parts, it now remaineth that we set downe other signes of certaine kindes of death that are not common, or na∣turall, whereabout when there is great strife and contention made, it oftentimes is determined and ended by the judgement of the discreete Physition or Chirur∣gion.

Therefore if it chance that a nurse either through drunkennesse, or negligence, * 1.24 lyes upon her infant lying in bed with her, and so stifles or smothers it to death: If your judgement be required, whether the infant dyed through the default, or neg∣ligence of the nurse? or through some violent or suddaine diseases that lay hidden and lurking in the body thereof? You shall finde out the truth of the matter by these signes following.

For if the infant were in good health before, if he were not froward or crying, if his mouth and nosethrills now being dead, be moystned or bedewed with a certaine foame, if his face be not pale but of a Violet or purple colour; if when the body is opened the Lungs be found swolne and puffed up, as it were with a certaine vapo∣rous foame and all the other entralls found, it is a token that the infant was stifled, smothered or strangled by some outward violence.

If the body or dead corpes of a man be found lying in a field, or house alone, and you be called by a magistrate to deliver your opinion, whether the man were slaine by lightning or some other violent death? you may by the following signes finde out the certainety hereof.

For every body that is blasted, or striken with lightning, doth cast forth or breathe * 1.25 out an unholsome, stinking or sulphureous smell, so that the birdes or fowles of the ayre, nor dogges will not once touch it, much lesse prey or feede on it: the part that was stricken often times sound, and without any wound, but if you search it well, you shall finde the bones under the skinne to be bruised, broken or shivered in peeces.

But if the lightening hath pierced into the body, which making a wound therein (according to the judgement of Pliny) the wounded part is farre colder than all the rest of the body. For lightning driveth the most thinne and fiery ayre before it, and * 1.26 striketh it into the body with great violence, by the force whereof the heate that was in the part is soone dispersed, wasted and consumed. Lightening doth alwayes leave some impression or signe of some fire either by ustion or blacknesse: for no lightning is without fire.

Moreover whereas all other living creatures when they are striken with lighte∣ning fall on the contrary side, onely man falleth on the affected side, if hee be not turned with violence toward the coast or region from whence the lightening came.

If a man bee striken with lightening while he is asleepe, hee will be found with eyes open; contrarywise, if hee be striken while hee is awake, his eyes will be clo∣sed (as Plinie writeth:) Philip Commines writeth that those bodyes that are stricken with lightning are not subject to corruption as others are.

Therefore in ancient time it was their custome neither to burne, nor bury them, for the brimstone which the lightning bringeth with it, was unto them in stead of salt, for that by the drynesse and fiery heate thereof it did preserve them from pu∣trefaction.

Also it may be enquired in judgement, Whether any that is dead and wounded,

received these wounds alive or dead. Truely the wounds that are made on a living * 1.27 man, if he dye of them, after his death will appeare red and bloody, with the sides or edges swollne, or pale round about: contrary wise, those that are made in a dead man, will bee neither red, bloody, swollne, nor puffed up. For all the faculties and functions of life in the body doe cease and fall together by death; so that thenceforth no spirits nor blood can be sent, or flow unto the wounded place. There∣fore by these signes which shall appeare, it may be declared that hee was wounded dead or alive.

The like question may come in judgement when a man is found hanged, whe∣ther * 1.28 he were dead, or alive. Therefore if he were hanged alive, the impression or print of the rope will appeare red, pale, or blacke, and the skinne round about it will be contracted or wrinkled, by reason of the compression which the cord hath made; also often times the head of the aspera arteria is rent and torne, and the second spondile, and the necke luxated or mooved out of his place. Also the armes and legges will be pale, by reason of the violent and sodaine suffocation of the spirits: moreover there will be a foame about his mouth, and a foamie and filthy matter hanging out at his nosethrills, being sent thither both by reason that the Lungs are sodainely heated and suffocated, as also by the convulsive concussion of the braine like as it were in the falling sicknesse. Contrariwise, if he be hanged dead, none of these signes appeare: for neither the print of the rope appeares red or pale, but of the same colour as the other parts of the body are, because in dead men the blood and spirits doe not flow to the greeved parts.

Whosoever is found dead in the waters, you shall know whether they were * 1.29 throwne into the water alive or dead. For all the belly of him that was throwne in alive, will be swollen, and puffed up by reason of the water that is contained therein; certaine clammie excrements come out at his mouth and nosethrills, the ends of his fingers will be worne and excoriated, because that hee dyed striving and digging or scraping in the sand or bottome of the river, seeking somewhat whereon hee might take hold to save himselfe from drowning. Contrariwise if he be throwne into the waters being dead before, his belly will not be swollne, because that in a dead man all the passages and conduites of the body doe fall together, and are stopped and closed, and for that a dead man breathes not, there appeareth no foame nor filthy matter about his mouth and nose, and much lesse can the toppes of his fingers be worne and excoriated, for when a man is already dead, he cannot strive against death.

But as concerning the bodies of those that are drowned, those that swimme on the upper part of the water being swollne or puffed up, they are not so by reason of the water that is contained in the belly, but by reason of a certaine vapour, into which a great portion of the humors of the body are converted by the efficacy of the putryfying heate. Therefore this swelling appeareth not in all men which doe perish, or else are cast out dead into the waters, but onely in them which are corrupted with the filthinesse or muddinesse of the water, long time after they were drowned; and are cast on the shore.

But now I will declare the accidents that come to those that are suffocated and * 1.30 stifled or smoothered with the vapour of kindled or burning charcoales, and how you may foretell the causes thereof by the history following. In the yeere of our Lord God 1575. the tenth day of May, I with Robert Greauline Doctor of Physicke, was sent for by Master Hamell an advocate of the Court of Parlament of Paris, to see and shew my opinion on two of his servants, of whom the one was his Clarke, and the other his Horse-keeper. All his family supposed them dead, because they could not perceive or feele their Arteries to beate, all the extreame parts of their bodyes were cold, they could neither speake nor move, their faces were pale and wanne, nei∣ther could they bee raised up with any violent beating or plucking by the haire. Therefore all men accounted them dead, and the question was onely of what kind of death they dyed, for their master suspected that some body had strangled them, others thought that each of them had stopped one anothers winde with their hands: and others judged that they were taken with a sodaine apoplexie. But I presently enquired whether there had beene any fire made with Coales in the house lately,

whereunto their master giving care, sought about all the corners of the chamber (for the chamber was very little and close) and at last found an earthen panne with charcoale halfe burned; which when we once saw, we all affirmed with one voyce, that it was the cause of all this misfortune, and that it was the maligne fume and ve∣nemous vapour, which had smothered them, as it were by stopping the passages of their breath. Therefore I put my hand to the regions of their hearts, where I might perceive that there was some life remaining by the heat and pulsation that I felt though it were very little, wherefore we thought it convenient to augment and en∣crease it. Therefore first of all, artificially opened their mouthes, which were very fast closed, and sticking obstinately together; and thereinto both with a spoone and also with a silver pipe, we put aqua vitae often distilled with dissolved hiera and trea∣cle; when we had injected these medicines often into their mouthes, they began to moove and to stretch themselves, and to cast up and expell many viscous excre∣mentall and filthy humors at their mouth and nostrells, and their Lungs seemed to be hot, as it were in their throates.

Therefore then we gave them vomitories of a great quantity of Oxymel, and beate them often violently on the last spondill of the backe, and first of the loynes, both with the hand and knee (for unto this place the orifice of the stomacke is turned) that by the power of the vomitory medicine, and concussion of the stomacke, they might be constrained to vomit. Neither did our purpose faile us, for presently they voided clammie, yellow and spumous fleame and blood.

But wee not being content with all this, blowed up into their nostrells out of a Goose quill, the powder of Euphorbium, that the expulsive faculty of the braine might be stirred up to the expulsion of that which oppressed it; therefore presently the braine being shaken, or mooved with sneesing and instimulated thereunto by rubbing the chymicall oyle of mints on the pallate and on the cheekes, they expel∣led much viscous and clammie matter at their nostrells.

Then we used frictions of their armes, legges, and backe-bones; and ministered sharpe glisters, by whose efficacie the belly being abundantly loosened, they beganne presently to speake and to take things that were ministered unto them of their owne accord, and so came to themselves againe.

In the doing of all these things, Iames Guillemeau Chirurgion unto the King, and of Paris, and Iohn of Saint Germanes the Apothecary, did much helpe and further us.

In the afternoone that the matter being well begunne might have good successe, Iohn Hautie, and Lewis Thibaut, both most learned Phisitions, were sent for unto us, with whom we might consult on other things that were to be done. They high∣ly commending all things that we had done already, thought it very convenient that cordialls should be ministered unto them, which by ingendering of laudable humors, might not onely generate new spirits, but also attenuate and purifie those that were grosse and cloudy in their bodies. The rest of our consultation was spent in the en∣quirie of the cause of so dire a mischance. For they sayd that it was no new or strange thing, that men may be smothered with the fume and cloudy vapour of bur∣ning coales.

For we reade in the workes of Fulgosius, Volateranus and Egnatius, that as the Em∣perour * 1.31 Iovinian, travelled in winter time toward Rome, he being weary in his jour∣ney, rested at a Village called Didastanes, which divideth Bithynia from Galatia, where he lay in a chamber that was newly made, and plaistered with lime, wherein they burnt many coales, for to dry the worke or plaistering, that was but as yet greene on the walls or roofe of the chamber. Now he dyed the very same night being smothered or strangled with the deadly and poysonous vapour of the burned charcoale, in the midst of the night; this happened to him in the eighth moneth of his reigne, the thirtyeth yeere of his age, and on the twentyeth day of August. But what neede we to exemplifie this matter by the ancient histories, seeing that not ma∣ny yeeres since three servants dyed in the house of Iohn Big••ne goldsmith, who dwel∣leth at the turning of the bridge of the Change, by reason of a fire made of coales in a close chamber, without a chimney where they lay. And as concerning the causes,

these were alleaged. Many were of opinion that it happened by the default of the vapour proceeding from the burned coales, which being in a place voyd of all ayre or wind, inferres such like accidents as the vapour of muste or new wine doth, that is to say, paine, and giddinesse of the head. For both these kindes of vapour besides that they are crude, like unto those things whereof they come, can also very sud∣dainely obstruct the originall of the Nerves, and so cause a convulsion, by reason of the grossnesse of their substance.

For so Hippocrat••s writing of those accidents that happen by the vapour of new * 1.32 wine, speaketh. If any man being drunken doe suddainely become speechlesse and hath a convulsion, he dyeth unlesse he have a feaver therewithall; or if he recover not his speech againe when his drunkennesse is over.

Even on the same manner the vapour of the coales assaulting the braine caused them to be speechlesse, unmoveable and voyde of all sense, and had dyed shortly unlesse by ministring and applying warme medicines into the mouth and to the nosethrells, the grossnesse of the vapour had beene attenuated, and the expulsive fa∣culties mooved or provoked to expell all those things that were noysome: and also although at the first sight the Lungs appeared to be greeved more than all the other parts, by reason that they drew the maligne vapour into the body, yet when you consider them well, it will manifestly appeare that they are not greeved, unlesse it be by the simpathy or affinity that they have with the braine when it is very gree∣vously afflicted.

The proofe hereof is, because presently after, there followeth an interception or defect of the voyce, sense and motion: which accidents could not bee unlesse the be∣ginning or originall of the nerves were intercepted or letted from performing its function, being burthened by some matter contrary to nature.

And even as those that have an apoplexie doe not dye but for want of respira∣tion, * 1.33 yet without any offence of the Lungs, even so these two young mens deathes were at hand, by reason that their respiration or breathing was in a manner altogether intercepted, not through any default of the Lungs, but of the braine and nerves distributing sence and motion to the whole body and especially to the instruments of respiration. Others contrariwise contended and sayd, that there was no default in the braine, but conjectured the interception of the vitall spirits letted or hindered from going up unto the braine from the heart, by reason that the passages of the Lungs were stopped, to be the occasion that sufficient matter could not be afforded for to perserve and feed the animall spirit. Which was the cause that those young men were in danger of death, for want of respiration, without the which there can be no life.

For the heart being in such a case, cannot deliver it selfe from the fuliginous vapour that encompasseth it, by reason that the Lungs are obstructed by the grossnesse of the vapour of the coales, whereby inspiration cannot well bee made, for it is made by the compassing ayre drawne into our bodyes▪ but the ayre that compasseth us doth that which nature endeavoureth to doe by inspiration, for it moderateth the heate of the heart, and therefore it ought to bee endued with foure qualities. The first is, that the quantity that is drawne into the body bee suf∣ficient. The second is, that it be cold, or temperate in quantity. The third is, that it be of a thinne and meane consistence. The fourth is, that it be of a gentle and be∣nigne substance.

But these foure conditions were wanting in the ayre which these two young men drew into their bodyes being in a close chamber.

For first, it was little in quantity, by reason that small quantity that was contained * 1.34 in that little close chamber, was partly consumed by the fire of coales, no otherwise than the ayre that is conteined in a cupping glasse is consumed in a moment by the flame so soone as it is kindled.

Furthermore it was neither cold nor temperate, but as it were enflamed with the burning fire of coales.

Thirdly, it was more grosse in consistence than it should bee by reason of the ad∣mixtion of the grosser vapour of the coales: for the nature of the ayre is so that it

may bee soone altered, and will very quickly receive the formes and impressions of those substances that are about it.

Lastly, it was noysome and hurtfull in substance, and altogether offensive to the aiery substance of our bodies. For Charcoale are made of greene wood burnt in pits under ground, and then extinguished with their owne fume or smoake, as all Colliers can tell. These were the opinions of most learned men although they were not altogether agreeable one unto another, yet both of them depended on their proper reasons. For this at least is manifest, that those passages which are common to the breast and braine, were then stopped with the grossenesse of the vapour of the coales: whereby it appeareth that both these parts were in fault, for as much as the consent and connexion of them with the other parts of the body is so great, that they cannot long abide sound and perfect without their mutuall helpe by reason of the loving and friendly sympathy and affinitie that is betweene all the parts of the body one with another.

Wherefore the ventricles of the braine, the passages of the lungs and the sleepie Arteries being stopped, the vitall spirit was prohibited from entring into the braine, and consequently the animall spirit retained and kept in, so that it could not come or disperse its selfe through the whole body, whence happened the defect of two of the faculties necessary for life.

It many times happeneth and is a question too frequently handled concerning womens madenheads; whereof the judgement is very difficult. Yet some ancient * 1.35 women and Midwives will bragge that they assuredly know it by certaine and infallible signes. For (say they) in such as are virgins there is a certaine membrane or parchment-like skin in the necke of the womb, which will hinder the thrusting in of the finger if it be put in any thing deepe, which membraine is broken when first they have carnall copulation, as may afterwards be perceived by the free en∣trance of the finger. Besides, such as are defloured have the necke of their womb more large and wide; as on the contrary, it is more contracted, straite and narrow in virgins. But how deceitfull and untrue these signes and tokens are, shall appeare by that which followeth; for this membraine is a thing preternaturall, and which is scarce found to be in one of a thousand from the first conformation. Now the necke of the womb will be more open or straite according to the bignesse and age of the party. For all the parts of the body have a certaine mutuall proportion and com∣mensuration in a well made body.

Ioubertus hath written, that at Lectoure in Gasconye, a woman was delivered of a child in the ninth yeare of her age, and that she is yet alive and called Ioane du Perié * 1.36 being wife to Videau Beche the receiver of the amercements of the King of Navare▪ which is a most evident argument, that there are some women more able to accom∣pany with a man at nine yeares old, than many other at fifteene, by reason of the ample capacity of their wombe and the necke thereof; Besides also, this passage is enlarged in many by some accident, as by thrusting their owne fingers more strongly thereinto by reason of some itching, or by the putting up of a Nodule, or Pessarie of the bignesse of a mans yard, for to bring downe the courses. Neither to have milke in their breasts is any certaine signe of lost virginity; For Hippocrates * 1.37 thus writes; But if a woman which is neyther with child, nor hath had one, have milke in her breasts, then her courses have failed her.

Moreover, Aristotle reports that there be men who have such plenty of milke in * 1.38 their breasts, that it may be sucked or milked out.

Cardan writes, that he saw at Venice one Antony Bussey some 30. yeares old, who had milke in his breasts in such plenty, as sufficed to suckle a child, so that it did not onely drop; but spring out with violence like a womans milke. Wherefore let Magistrates beware least thus admonished, they too rashly assent to the reports of women. Let Physitions and Chirurgions have a care least they doe too impudent∣ly bring magistrates into an errour, which will not redound so much to the judges disgrace, as to theirs.

But if any desire to know, whether one be poysoned, let him search for the Symp∣tomes and signes in the foregoing and particular treatise of poysons. But that this

doctrine of making Reports may be the easier, I thinke it fit, to give presidents, in imitation whereof the young Chirurgion may frame others. The first president shall be of death to ensue; a second of a doubfull judgement of life and death; the third of an impotency of a member; the fourth of the hurting of many mem∣bers.

I A. P. Chirurgion of Paris, this twentieth day of May by the command of the * 1.39 Counsell, entred into the house of Iohn Brossey, whom I found lying in bed, wounded on his head, with a wound in his left temple, piercing the bone with a fracture and effracture, or depression of the broken bone, scailes and m••ninges into the substance of the braine, by meanes whereof, his pulse was weake, he was troubled with raving, convulsion, cold sweate, and his appetite was dejected. Whereby may bee gathered that certaine and speedy death is at hand. In witnesse whereof I have signed this Re∣port with my owne hand.

By the Coroners command I have visited Peter Lucey, whom I found sicke in bed, * 1.40 being wounded with a Halbard on his right thigh. Now the wound is of the bredth of three fingers, and so deepe that it pierces quite through his thigh with the cutting also of a veine and Artery, whence ensued much effusion of blood, which hath excee∣dingly weakned him, and caused him to swound often; now all his thigh is woll••e, livide, and gives occasion to feare worse symptomes, which is the cause that the health and safety of the party is to be doubted of.

By the Iustices command I entred into the house of Iames Bertey, to visite his * 1.41 owne brother; I found him wounded in his right harme, with a wound of some foure fingers bignesse, with the cutting of the tendons bending the legge, and of the Veines, Arteries, and Nerves. Wherefore I affirme that he is in danger of his life, by reason of the maligne symptomes that usually happen upon such wounds, such as are great paine, a feaver, inflammation, abscesse, convulsion, gangreene and the like. Wherefore he stands in neede of provident and carefull dressing, by bene∣fit wherof if he escape death, without doubt he will continue lame, during the remain∣der of his life, by reason of the impotency of the wounded part. And this I affirme under my hand.

We the Chirurgions of Paris, by the command of the Senate, this twentieth * 1.42 day of March, have visited Master Lewis Vert••man, whom wee found hurt with five wounds. The first inflicted on his head, in the middle of his forehead bone, to the bignesse of three fingers, and it penetrates even to the second table, so that we were forced to plucke away three splinters of the same bone. The other was atwhart his right cheeke, and reacheth from his eare, to the midst of his nose, wherefore wee stitched it with foure stitches. The third is on the midst of his belly, of the bignesse of two fingers, but so deepe that it ascends into the capacity of the belly, so that we were forced to cut away portion of the Kall, comming out thereat, to the bignesse of a wallnut, because having lost its naturall colour, it grew blacke and putrified. The fourth was upon the backe of his left hand, the bignesse almost of foure fingers, with the cutting of the Veines, Arteries Nerves and part of the bones of that part; whence it is, that he will be lame of that hand, howsoever carefully and diligently hea∣led.

Now because by hurting the spinall marrow, men become lame, sometimes of a legge; it is fit you know that the spinall marrow descends from the braine like a rivelet for the distribution of the Nerves, who might distribute sense and motion to all the parts under the head; wherefore if by hurting the spinall marrow, the pati∣ents armes or hands are resolved or numme, or wholy without sense, it is a signe these Nerves are hurt which come forth of the fifth, sixth, seaventh vertebrae of the necke. But if the same accidents happen to the thigh, legge or foote with refrigeration, so that the excrements flow unvoluntarily, without the patients knowledge, or else are totally supprest, it is a signe that the ••inewes which proceed from the vertebrae of the loynes and holy-bone are hurt or in fault; so that the animall faculty bestowing sense and motion upon the whole body, and the benefit of opening and shutting to the sphincter muscle of the bladder and fundament, cannot shew its self in these parts, by which meanes suddaine death happens, especially if there be difficulty of brea∣thing therewith.

Being to make report of a child killed with the mother, have a care that you make a discreete report, whether the childe were perfect in all the parts and mem∣bers * 1.43 thereof, that the judge may equally punish the author thereof. For he meri∣teth farre greater punishment, who hath killed a child perfectly shaped and made in all the members; that is, he which hath killed a live childe, than he which hath kil∣led an Embryon, that is, a certaine concretion of the spermaticke body. For Moses punisheth the former with death, as that he should give life for life, but the other with a pecuniary mulcte. But I judge it fit to ex emplifie this report by a president.

I A. P. by the Iudges command visited Mistris Margaret Vlmary, whom I found sicke in bed, having a strong feaver upon her, with a convulsion and effluxe of blood out of her wombe, by reason of a wound in her lower belly, below her navill on the right side, penetrating into the capacity of her belly, and the wombe therein; whence it hath come to passe, that she was delivered before her time, of a male childe, per∣fect in all his members but dead, being killed by the same wound piercing through his scull, into the marrow of the braine. Which in a short time will be the death of the mother also. In testimony whereof I have put my hand and seale.

The manner how to Embalme the dead.

I Had determined to finish this my tedious worke with the precedent trea∣tise of Reports; but a better thought came in my head, which was, to bring man whose cure I had undertaken, from his infancie, to his end, and even to his grave, so that nothing might be heere defective which the Chirurgion might by his profession, performe about mans body either alive, or dead. Verily there hath scarse ever beene a nation so barbarous, which hath not onely beene carefull for the buriall, but also for the Embalming or preserving of their dead bodyes. For the very Scythians, who have seemed to exceede other nations in barbarousnesse, and * 1.44 inhumanity, have done this; for (according to Herodotus) the Scythians bury not the corpes of their King, before that being embowelled and stuffed full of beaten Cy∣presse, frankincense, the seedes of Persly, and Annise, hee be also wrapped in cear∣cloathes. The like care hath also possessed the mindes of the Ethiopians; for having disburdened the corpes of their friends, of their entrails and flesh, they plaistered * 1.45 them over, and then having thus rough cast them, they painted them with colours so to express•• the dead to the life; they inclosed them thus adorned in a hollow pillar of glasse, that thus inclosed they might be seene and yet not anoy the spectators with their smell. Then were they kept the space of a yeere, in the hands of their next kindred; who during this space offered and sacrifized to them. The yeare ended, they carryed them forth of the Citty and placed them about the walls each in his proper vault, as Herodotus affirmes. But this pious care of the dead, did farre otherwise af∣fect the Aegyptians, than it did other nations. For they were so studious to preserve * 1.46 the memory of their ancestors, that they embalmed their whole body with aroma∣ticke * 1.47 oyntments, and set them in translucent V••nes, or glasse Colls in the more emi∣nent and honoured part of their houses, that so they might have them dayly in their sight, and might be as monuments, and inciters to stirre them up to imitate their fa∣thers and Grand••ires vertues. Besides also the bodyes thus embalmed with aromatick & balsamick oyntments were in steed of a most sure pawn, so that if any Aegyptian had neede of a great sum of money, they might easily procure it, of such as knew them & their neighbours, by pawning the bodye of some of their dead parents. For by this meanes the creditour was certaine, that he which pawned it would sooner loose his life, than break his promise. But if all things so unhappily succeded with any, so that through poverty he could not fetch home his pawne againe, but was force•• to for∣goe it, he was so infamous amongst all men, during the rest of the life, as one banished, or forlorne; and loosing his freedome he shall become a servant, yea scorned and re∣viled of all men, he should be accounted unworthy to enjoy the light and society of men. And certainely the Aegyptians understanding the life, which we heere lead, to be of short continuance, comparison being made with that which wee are to live

after the separation of the soule from the body, they were more negligent in building their houses they dwelt in, but in raring the pyramides which should serve them in * 1.48 steed of sepulchers, they were so beyond reason sumptuous and magnificent, that for the building of one of these edifices so renowned over all the world, which King Cheopes begun, a hundred thousand men were every 3 moneths, for twenty yeeres space there kept at worke: it was five furlongs, and being square, each side was 800. foot long, and so much in height. Almost all the peeces of marble went to the building thereof, were thirty foote long, engraven and carved with various worke∣manship, as Herodotus reports. But before the bodyes were committed to these mag∣nificent * 1.49 Sepulchers, they were carryed to the Salters and Embalmers, who for that purpose had allowance out of the publicke stocke. These besmeared them with Aromaticke, and balsamicke oyntments, and sowed up the incisions they made, then strewed them over with salt, and then covered them with brine, for 70. dayes; which being expired, they washed them, being taken thence, and all the filth being taken off, they wrapped them in Cotton cloathes, glewed together with a certaine gumme; then their kinsemen placed them thus ordered in a wooden Coffinne carved like to a man. This was the sacred and accustomed rite of embalming and burying dead bodyes amongst the Aegyptians which were of the richer sort. Our Countrie-men the French stirred up with the like desire, embalme the bodyes of their Kings and Nobles, with spices and sweete oyntments. Which custome they may seeme piously and christianly to have taken from the Old and New Testament, and the an∣cient and laudible custome of the Iewes; for you may reade in the New Testament * 1.50 that Ioseph bought a fine linnen cloath, and Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrhe and Aloes about 100. pound weight, that they might embalme and bury the body of Iesus Christ our Saviour, for a signe and argument of the renovation and future in∣tegrity which they hoped for by the resurrection of the dead. Which thing the Iewes had received by tradition from their ancestors. For Ioseph in the old Testa∣ment * 1.51 commaunded his Physitions, they should embalme the dead body of his fa∣ther with spices.

But the body which is to be embalmed with spices for very long continuance, must * 1.52 first of all be embowelled, keeping the heart apart, that it may bee embalmed and kept as the kinsfolkes shall thinke fit. Also the braine, the scull being divided with a saw, shall be taken out. Then shall you make deepe incisions alongst the armes, thighes, legges, backe, loynes and buttockes, especially where the greater Veines and Arteries runne, first that by this meanes the blood may be pressed forth, which otherwise would putrifie and give occasion and beginning to putrefaction to the rest of the body; and then that there may be space to put in the aromaticke powders; the whole body shall be washed over with a spunge dipped in Aqua vitae, and strong vinegar, wherein shall be boyled wormewood, aloes, coloquintida, common salt and Alume. Then these incisions, and all the passages and open places of the body, and the three bellyes shall be stuffed with the following spices grossely powdered. R. pul. rosar. chamaem. melil. balsami, menthae, ane••hi, salviae, la∣vend. rorismar. majoran. thymi, absinthij, cyperi, calami aromat. gentianae, ireos florent. assae odoratae; caryophyll. nucis moschat. cinamoni, styracis, calamitae. benjoini, myrrhae, aloes▪ san∣tal. omnium quod sufficit. Let the incisions be sowed up and the open spaces that no∣thing fall out; then forth with let the whole body be anointed with Turpentine dis∣solved with oyle of roses and Chamomile, adding if you shall thinke it fit, some Chymicall oyles of spices, and then let it be againe strewed over with the foremen∣tioned powder; then wrap it in a linnen cloath, and then in ceare-cloathes.

Lastly, let it be put in a Coffin of Lead, sure soudred and filled up with dry sweete * 1.53 hearbes. But if there be no plenty of the forementioned spices, as it usuall happens in beseiged townes, the Chirurgion shall be contented with the powder of quenched lime, common ashes made of Oake wood. * 1.54

For thus the body being over and above washed in strong vinegar, or Lie, shall be kept a long time, if so be that a great and dissolving heate doe not beare sway, or if it be not put in a hot and moyst place. And this condition of time and place is the cause why the dead bodyes of Princes and Kings, though embalmed with Art and cost,

within the space of sixe or seaven dayes, in which they are kept to bee shewed to the people after their embalming, doe cast forth so greevous a sent, that none can endure it, so that they are forced to be put in a leaden Coffinne. For the ayre which encompasseth them groweth so hot by reason of the multitude of people flowing to the spectacle, and the burning of lights night and day, that the small portion of the native heate which remaineth being dissipated, they easily putrefie, especially when as they are not first moystened & macerated in the liquor of aromaticke things, as the Aegyptians anciently used to doe, steeping them in brine for 70 dayes, as I formerly told you out of Herodotus. I put in minde hereby, use, that so the embalming may become the more dureable, to steepe the bodyes (being embowelled, and pricked all over with sharpe bodkinnes, that so the liquor hindring putrefaction may pene∣trate the deeper into them) in a woodden tubbe filled with strong vinegar of the de∣coction of aromaticke and bitter things, as Aloes, Rue, Wormewood, and Colo∣quintida; and there keepe them for twenty dayes, pouring thereinto eleven or twelve pin••s of Aqua vitae. Then taking it forth, and setting it on the feete, I keepe it in a cleare and dry place. I have at home the body of one that was hanged, which I begged of the Shriffe, embalmed after this manner, which remaines sound for more than 25 yeeres, so that you may tell all the muscles of the right side (which I have cut up even to their heads, and plucked them from those that are next them for distin∣ctions sake, that so I may view them with my eyes, and handle them with my hands as often as I please, that by renuing my memory I may worke more certainely and surely, when as I have any more curious operation to be performed) the left side remaines whole, and the Lungs, Heart, Diaphragma, stomacke, spleene, kidneyes, beard, haires, yea and the nailes, which being pared, I have often observed to grow againe to their former bignesse.

And let this be the bound of this our immense labour, and by Gods favour our rest; to whom Almighty, all powerfull, immortall and invisible, be ascribed all ho∣nour and glory for ever, and ever,

Amen.

Labor improbus omnia vincit.

The end of the Treatise of reports, and embalming the dead.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Why a Chi∣rurgion must be carefull in making of Reports.
• * 1.2

  Why judge∣ment is dif∣ficult.
• * 1.3

  Wounds te••∣med great for three respects.
• * 1.4

  How long a Chirurgion must suspend his judgement in some cases.
• * 1.5

  Generall signes where∣by we judge of diseases.
• * 1.6

  Wounds dead∣ly by the fault of the ayre.
• * 1.7

  Singnes of a fractured scull.
• * 1.8

  Signes of death by a wound on the head.
• * 1.9

  Signes that the throate is cut.
• * 1.10

  Signes that a wound hath pierced in the cap••city of the chest.
• * 1.11

  Signes that the Lungs are wounded.
• * 1.12

  That the heart is woun∣ded.
• * 1.13

  The midriffe.
• * 1.14

  The V•…•… ••a and great Artery.
• * 1.15

  The spinall marrow.
• * 1.16

  The Liver.
• * 1.17

  The stomacke
• * 1.18

  The spleene
• * 1.19

  The guts.
• * 1.20

  The kidneyes.
• * 1.21

  The bladder.
• * 1.22

  The womb.
• * 1.23

  The Nerves.
• * 1.24

  Signes that an infant is smothered, or over-layd.
• * 1.25

  Signes of such as are slaine by Lightning.
• * 1.26

  Lib. 2. cap. 54.
• * 1.27

  Signes of wounds given to a living and dead man.
• * 1.28

  Signes whe∣ther on be hanged alive or dead.
• * 1.29

  Whether one found dead in the water came therein a live or dead
• * 1.30

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 such as are smothered by Charcoale.
• * 1.31

  Lib. 9. cap. 12. lib. 23. A history.
• * 1.32

  Sect. 5. Aph. 5.
• * 1.33

  The occasion of the death of such as have the apoplexie.
• * 1.34

  Conditions of the ayre good to breath in.
• * 1.35

  Of the signes of virginitie.
• * 1.36

  Lib. de err••r. popul.
• * 1.37

  Aph. 39. sect. 5.
• * 1.38

  Lib. 4. de hist. animal. cap. 20. Lib. 12. de subtilet.
• * 1.39

  A certificate of death.
• * 1.40

  Another in a doubtfull case
• * 1.41

  In the losse of a member.
• * 1.42

  Another in the hurts of divers parts.
• * 1.43

  A caution in making report of a woman with child be∣ing killed.
• * 1.44

  The care of the Scythians in the Embal∣ming their dead.
• * 1.45

  The like care of the Ethiopi∣ans.
• * 1.46

  Lib. 3.
• * 1.47

  Of the Egyp∣tians.
• * 1.48

  The reason of building the Egyptian Py∣ramides.
• * 1.49

  Lib. 2.
• * 1.50

  Iohn 19, 39.
• * 1.51

  Gen 50, 2.
• * 1.52

  The manner of embalming for the long continuance.
• * 1.53

  How to em∣balme bodyes when as we want spices.
• * 1.54

  Why the bo∣dyes of our Princes, how wellsoever embalmed, corrupt in a few dayes.