A treatise of the nature and use of the bitter purging salt contain'd in Epsom and such other waters by Nehemiah Grew.

TO THE READER.

THE Reason of my publishing this Book in English is, the general Use I observe to be made of the Bitter Purging Salt in this Town and elsewhere, by all sorts of Persons, and that promiscuously, in all Cases, as Peoples Fancies or Humours prompt 'em, without any Advice beyond Publick Fame, or the good Woman that last visited.

The Sellers of this Salt are likewise such as use to dispose of other Catholick or Universal Medicines, who neither know how to direct the Buyer, nor care what becomes of the Taker, so as they attain their End, their part of the Profit. There is indeed this diffe∣rence; That other Medicines that have grown Popular were always usher'd out with prin∣ted Directions, or Certificates of it's Virtues and numberless Cures, as Daffy's Elixir, Spi∣rit of Scurvy-Grass, Atkins's Oil for the Gout, &c. Nay, the very Disciples of

Ponteus afford for publick Benefit a printed Encomium for a Voucher to the Twelve-Penny Packet. This I thought sufficient to Vindicate my Translation of Dr. Grew's Na∣ture & Use of the Bitter Purging Salt, which I intend to give to those who buy any quantities of the Salt. And I'd have the Reader take notice, That this is no Quack-Bill, no boasting Rhodomontado of any Ignorant Pretender, no guilded Bush to set off bad Wine, but the Ob∣servations of an Ingenious Physician, Fellow of both Societies, and publish'd by him in Latin, for the Information of the Practicers of Physick, and for no Private Interest or Profit. But, I can scarce believe the Doctor ever foresaw the Consequence of his Commen∣dations wou'd be the pushing every Body up∣on the Use of it Hand over Head; there∣fore I doubt not his Pardon for my Translating it without his Knowledge, my Design being not to discover the secret Method of its Pre∣paration, but to prevent by these Directions the Mischiefs he tells us may ensue the Abuse of so good a Medicine. Farewell.