A key to Helmont, or, A short introduction to the better understanding of the theory and method of the most profound chymical physicians

CHAP. XI. A necessary Address to the Learned.

BE not offended, Worthy Sirs, that I take upon me to revive a Theory, Method and Medicines contrary to yours, sith my conscience of the vastly different benefit there is to the sick from the one to the other, and my cha∣rity to mankind, obligeth me. We know yours and our own: You know your own, but not ours: if you did, there would be no longer a dispute between us. I here therefore with all humility, invite you to come and see, make experience whether the things be so de facto. Har∣bour not, I beseech you, in your breasts, that I write this to detract from you, but with an ardent desire to inform you. I call God to witness, I give you here a faithful ac∣count what I am, and what my designs are: My Birth was generous, my education liberal, my dependances compe∣tent, bred by my Fathers command towards the Civil Law, though my natural inclination was towards Physiology; to which I stuck close after I was emancipated by Marri∣age; but at length, observing what ill success Physicians had, and that double as many recovered in Epidemicks, of the miserable poor people that had not money to go to a Physician, or conveniency of lodging, warmth, or other necessaries, as of those that did, and had those conveni∣encies also; my esteem for Medicine decreas'd more and more, and had absolutely despair'd that any good could be done by it, until I call'd to mind some very good Cures done by the Learned Dr. Edmund Dickenson; I then con∣sidering

under what appellation he then was, (viz.) a Chymical Dr. I hoped from that Art some good might be found; and then casting about, I met with the assistance of Dr. George Starkey, and after him Dr. George Thom∣son; by whose assistance, and Gods blessing on my endea∣vours, I am what I am, being not fond of practice, or the lucre of this World, but resolv'd, if please God, I might see this true and efficacious Art in a prosperous way, to re∣tire to my former solitude. Fear me not Gentlemen, but have a charitable opinion of me, and credit my protesta∣tions, until you find cause to the contrary. Unfetter your Reasons, I beseech you; cast behind you all preoccu∣pations and prejudices, and lay aside those poysonous Principles that you suck'd in your youth, which you will find the hardest task as well as I; for Quo semel imbuta, &c. Suffer not your noble souls to be any longer enslaved to Authority, or customs of others. Resolve to trust your own senses to inform your Reasons, and do not su∣perstitiously adhere to the Ipse dixit of another.

When you are thus prepar'd, come see, and gratefully admire the wonderful Vertues God hath placed in his Creatures, if duly managed. Then shall you see conti∣nued Fevers generally cured in Five or Six days, or with∣in; an Intermittent one in Two or Three Fits, Agues in Two, Three or Four at the most, and that by rational and radical means, without the Peruvian-bark, or danger of reciduation, leaving the Patient healthy and vegete. You shall likewise see by Gods blessing, Pleurisies, Qui∣nances cur'd, citius, tutius & jucundius, without Phleboto∣my, than with, and without danger of Chronick diseases to ensue; the Small Pox generally without danger, or a∣ny considerable sickness, within Six hours after the first administration, preserving the beauty in a great measure; and also all pestilential Fevers that I have seen.

I never saw the Plague, I confess; but I doubt not the efficacy of my Febrifage in that case, Deo juvante. You shall also see Cholick and Iliack passions taken off in an hour or Two, and perfectly eradicated in Three or Four Weeks. You shall see a Specifick so advanc'd, as to cure all sorts of Kings Evil that I have yet seen, though I have seen the Joynt Evil. And as for the Scurvey, that hath in∣sensibly crept upon us, through undue digestion, and in time grown obstinate; nay, hath begot a daughter or daughters, as Asthma, Vertigo, Dropsies, &c. you shall see so subdued in a Months time at most, if the parts are found, as that neither you nor the Patient will doubt of a recovery; nay, many of those that are accounted con∣sumptive, restored. But as these diseases have a long time of growth, so they require a long time to be destroy'd; for in a radicated Scurvey, the ferments through the whole body are deprav'd, so that they must have time for a gra∣dual restoring; which being restored to their former vigor and purity, will soon alter the whole Mass of blood; nay, it's done together; insomuch, that persons that have scarce any thing that deserve the name of sanguis in them, will in time have as pure blood as any person whatsoever: Of which I have some instances at hand. I thank God, I ne∣ver saw any one yet, if the parts were sound, though languishing under an hereditary Scurvey, but have been mightily relieved, if not cured: The Jaundice cured in Two or Three days. You shall also find Womens Labours to be no longer dreadful, as I have said before.

Pray Sirs, have so much vertue, as not to condemn the things you know not. What would it advantage me to assert these things, if I had not found them by long and large experience to be so, sith I know you wont believe me, unless you are convinc'd by matter of fact? To that therefore I invite you; wherein, should I fall short of what

I here assert, understood in a modest sense, I were the veryest fool in Nature. And to give you greater encou∣ragement to enquire into the truth of it, I hereby faith∣fully promise you, that whosoever will give himself the trouble to be satisfied of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and then will peruse pro∣per Authors, until I am convinc'd, that he is fully satisfi∣ed in the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and become a faithful Proselyte to truth, and like to make a conscientious and industrious promo∣ter of it, I will take him by the hand, and lead him into that path, at the end whereof his desires shall be crowned. And if the elder sort of learned and judicious men think it too late, or beneath them to learn, come you of the younger Class, and heartily welcom: For 'tis from you, Worthy and Learned men, that I expect the beautifying and aug∣mentation of this Art. It's by your Assistance that I hope to see the present known Medicines advanc'd, and the admirable Arcana's of the Ancients retriev'd. In a word, the Art of Medicine so meliorated, as nothing but irrepa∣rable Old Age, and Death it self, may be insuperable: Which to see, is the humble and hearty prayer, and en∣deavour of

Your humble Honourer, and sincere Servant, WILLIAM BACON.