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THe use of this water is either inward, or outward.
It being taken inwardly incideth, ab∣stergeth, attenuates and resolves viscous thick humours, and irritates every vessel of the body to expel whatsoever humours are offensive in them. It openeth, and removes those strong and obstinate obstructions, whether in men, or women, that would not yield to any other
Medicine whatsoever. It doth oftentimes evacuate by stool great lumps of viscous sli∣my matter, which was certainly, whilest it was in the body, the cause of some great di∣stemper, oppressure, gripings, tensions, &c. and which could hardly any other way be re∣moved.
It heateth, and quickneth the stomack, bowels, liver, spleen, bloud, veins, nerves, and indeed the wholy body, in so much that it consumes crudities, rectifieth all cold distem∣pers in all parts of the body, causeth a good digestion, cures the Dropsie, Spleen, Scurvy, Green sickness, Gout, Cramp▪ Epilepsie▪ head∣ach, Vertigo, Kings▪evil, and all such Symp∣tomes as proceed either from crudities, cold, viscous, slimy, or corrupt humours, which ob∣struct & distemper the stomack, Bowels, Mes∣sentery, Liver, Veins, Brain, and Nerves, and these though of long continuance. It killeth worms infallibly.
Note that this water must be begun by de∣grees, and the full proportion be taken not at once, but at several times, exercise inter∣mediating▪ as in the taking of the Spaw.
The full dose, or quantity to be taken must be proportioned according to the constitu∣tion & strength of the party & his bearing of it, as also the humour offending, the predo∣minancy of the distemper, and the aptness of the body to be wrought upon. In cold, dull bodies more may be taken than otherwise may. In general, let the proportion to be taken▪ be
such, as may cause four, six, or seven stools, without auy manifest inconveniency of the fewness, or multiplicity thereof.
Note that in many bodies this water works very quickly, and indeed too soon, and in such a case my advise is, that two, or three glasses of the Spaw-water be first drunk, for that will somewhat impede the sudden ope∣rations thereof, & cause it to continue longer in the body, for the better performing of its operation therein before it pass through it.
Note also that after the full proportion is taken, and in a good measure passed through the body, four, or six glasses of the Spaw-wa∣ter may be drunk for the prevention of the excoriation of the bowels and fundament, especially in hot cholerick bodies.
They that cannot drink this water by rea∣son of its stinking odour, and yet stand in great need of the effects thereof, may boil it a little while, till it hath lost its odour, and then drink of it, for although some vertue vanisheth with the odour thereof, yet the greatest and most effectual vertues which are in the Salt, and aforesaid subtile acidity thereof do yet continue as I have often tried, or if they please, put some Salt thereof into the Spaw-water, and so drink it, for indeed as I said before, the chiefest vertue lies in the Salt.
The Salt also thereof being rightly made, & put into any common Spring-water, doth in good measure perform the same effects.
The spirit of this salt is of excellent vertue, if a drop, or two thereof be put into every glass of the Spaw-water, for it makes it far more penetrative, and indeed far more effe∣cutal against all distempers, and diseases, as the Dropsie, Gravel, Stone, and suppression of Urine, &c.
I advise, that they that have any inflamma∣tion, or excoriation in their bowels, abstain al∣together from the taking of this water, be∣cause it will inflame them more; also they that have Ulcers, and inflammations in their kidnies, and bladder, and are troubled with a sharpness of Urine.
Such directions for exercise, and diet, as I have prescribed for the Spaw drinkers, I pre∣scribe also to Sulphur-water-drinkers for the general; onely this liberty I grant them, viz. that these may exercise less, and feed a little more liberally than Spaw-drinkers.
This water used outwardly dissolves hard tumours, cures old Ulcers, the Scab, the Itch, the Scurff, Leprosie, and all such break∣ings out whatsoever, if the parts ill affected be washed, and bathed therewith, for it dries, consumes all corrupt humours in the habit of the body, and prevents all putrefaction of humours in the same.
It being used by way of a warm Bath for the whole body, is of the same efficacy, as Paracelsus saith, that his liquamen salis, i. e. brine is of, and that is to consume all humid distempers, whether hot, or cold, as the Drop∣sy,
Gout▪ hard tumours, swellings of the legs Leprosy, and the like, also it makes the fa¦lean, and reduceth them into a natural dry, firm, healthy habit of body, but it must cau∣tiously be done with the observing of such rules and directions, as I prescribed for bath∣ing in warm water, as in Chapter the 4.
I wish there were more conveniencies, as fit vessels for bathing, at this Well, than are, for I believe that after a time, Baths with this water would grow more in use, and become as famous as those hot Baths in Sommerset∣shire for many uses.
The spirit of the Salt rubbed into any parts swelled, or pained onely, cures them pre∣sently.
And as the waters themselves are outward∣ly used for cleansing▪ and healing, so also there is a kind of slimy bituminous mud be∣low the Sulphur-well▪ which will burn like Sulphur, and is of great efficacy for mollify∣ing, digesting, and resolving hard tumours, and for corroborating weak infirm parts, and allaying of pains, and aches in the limbs, of what nature so ever, being outwardly applied.
As I am silent in particularizing cures, yet one strange cure I cannot but mention▪ viz. A certain youth came the last year to these waters from the more remore Northern parts, having on each finger a horn, covering the top thereof, and also a horny substance on his wrests, and face▪ which with the inward, and outward use of this Sulphur-water did
in a little time, being loosed thereby all fall off. If such excrescenices may be loosened and made to fall off thereby, then Attendite Cor∣nigeri! En vobis medelam!